Distribution of stable isotopes in arid storms . II. A double-component model of kinematic wave flow and transport

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yakirevich, Alexander; Dody, Avraham; Adar, Eilon M.; Borisov, Viacheslav; Geyh, Mebus

A new mathematical method based on a double-component model of kinematic wave flow and approach assesses the dynamic isotopic distribution in arid rain storms and runoff. This model describes the transport and δ18O evolution of rainfall to overland flow and runoff in an arid rocky watershed with uniformly distributed shallow depression storage. The problem was solved numerically. The model was calibrated using a set of temporal discharge and δ18O distribution data for rainfall and runoff collected on a small rocky watershed at the Sede Boker Experimental Site, Israel. Simulation of a reliable result with respect to observation was obtained after parameter adjustment by trial and error. Sensitivity analysis and model application were performed. The model is sensitive to changes in parameters characterizing the depression storage zones. The model reflects the effect of the isotopic memory in the water within the depression storage between sequential rain spells. The use of the double-component model of kinematic wave flow and transport provides an appropriate qualitative and quantitative fitting between computed and observed δ18O distribution in runoff. RésuméUne nouvelle méthode mathématique basée sur un modèle à double composante d'écoulement et de transport par une onde cinématique a été développée pour évaluer la distribution dynamique en isotopes dans les précipitations et dans l'écoulement en région aride. Ce modèle décrit le transport et les variations des δ18O de la pluie vers le ruissellement et l'écoulement de surface dans un bassin aride rocheux où le stockage se fait dans des dépressions peu profondes uniformément réparties. Le problème a été résolu numériquement. Le modèle a été calibré au moyen d'une chronique de débits et d'une distribution des δ18O dans la pluie et dans l'écoulement de surface sur un petit bassin versant rocheux du site expérimental de Sede Boker (Israël). La simulation d'un résultat crédible par rapport aux observations a été obtenu après un ajustement des paramètres par une méthode d'essais et d'erreurs. L'analyse de sensibilité et l'application du modèle ont ensuite été réalisés. Le modèle est plutôt sensible aux changements des paramètres caractérisant les zones de stockage dans les dépressions. Le modèle rend compte de l'effet de mémoire isotopique dans l'eau dans le stockage des dépressions entre les événements séquentiels de pluie. L'utilisation d'un modèle à double composante d'écoulement et de transport par onde cinématique permet un ajustement qualitatif et quantitatif adapté entre les distributions des δ18O calculées et observées dans l'écoulement de surface. Resumen Un nuevo método matemático basado en un modelo de doble componente de onda cinemática de flujo y transporte permite caracterizar la distribución isotópica dinámica de las tormentas en zonas áridas y la escorrentía. Este modelo describe el transporte y la evolución del δ18O en la lluvia, flujo superficial y escorrentía en una cuenca rocosa de clima árido con detención superficial distribuida uniformemente. El modelo se calibró numéricamente utilizando un conjunto de datos de descarga temporal y de distribución de δ18O para lluvia y escorrentía recogida en una pequeña cuenca rocosa en el Centro de Experimentación de Sede Boker, Israel. Se obtuvo un buen ajuste a los datos tras un ajuste de parámetros mediante prueba y error. Se realizó un análisis de sensibilidad que indicó que el modelo resulta ser bastante sensible a cambios en los parámetros que caracterizan las zonas de baja detención superficial. El modelo también refleja el efecto de la memoria isotópica en el agua de estas zonas de detención entre los distintos periodos de lluvias. El uso de un modelo de doble componente de onda cinemática de flujo y transporte proporciona un buen ajuste cualitativo y cuantitativo entre los datos medidos y calculados de δ18O en la escorrentía.

Imagerie polarimétrique active : des applications militaires et duales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goudail, François; Boffety, Matthieu; Leviandier, Luc; Vannier, Nicolas

2017-12-01

L'imagerie polarimétrique active permet de révéler des contrastes invisibles à l'oeil humain et aux caméras classiques. Elle peut étendre les capacités de décamouflage des systèmes d'imagerie active et améliorer la détection d'objets dangereux sur des pistes. Elle possède également de nombreuses applications duales dans des domaines tels que l'imagerie biomédicale ou la vision industrielle.

Deuterium Isotope Effects During HMX Combustion: Chemical Kinetic Burn Rate Control Mechanism Verified

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-01-01

experience de gen dieses Experiments. Der 10 KDIE-Wert legt nahe. dab die combustion statique. La valeur de l’effet isotopique primaire laisse...anomaler combustion globale. Des 6tudes publifes par ailleurs confirment cette KDIE-Wert bei 10,4 MPa wirL angegeben. Diese KDIE-Experimente hypoth~se

Elaboration du Ge mesoporeux et etude de ses proprietes physico-chimiques en vue d'applications photovoltaiques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tutashkonko, Sergii

Le sujet de cette these porte sur l'elaboration du nouveau nanomateriau par la gravure electrochimique bipolaire (BEE) --- le Ge mesoporeux et sur l'analyse de ses proprietes physico-chimiques en vue de son utilisation dans des applications photovoltaiques. La formation du Ge mesoporeux par gravure electrochimique a ete precedemment rapportee dans la litterature. Cependant, le verrou technologique important des procedes de fabrication existants consistait a obtenir des couches epaisses (superieure a 500 nm) du Ge mesoporeux a la morphologie parfaitement controlee. En effet, la caracterisation physico-chimique des couches minces est beaucoup plus compliquee et le nombre de leurs applications possibles est fortement limite. Nous avons developpe un modele electrochimique qui decrit les mecanismes principaux de formation des pores ce qui nous a permis de realiser des structures epaisses du Ge mesoporeux (jusqu'au 10 mum) ayant la porosite ajustable dans une large gamme de 15% a 60%. En plus, la formation des nanostructures poreuses aux morphologies variables et bien controlees est desormais devenue possible. Enfin, la maitrise de tous ces parametres a ouvert la voie extremement prometteuse vers la realisation des structures poreuses a multi-couches a base de Ge pour des nombreuses applications innovantes et multidisciplinaires grace a la flexibilite technologique actuelle atteinte. En particulier, dans le cadre de cette these, les couches du Ge mesoporeux ont ete optimisees dans le but de realiser le procede de transfert de couches minces d'une cellule solaire a triple jonctions via une couche sacrificielle en Ge poreux. Mots-cles : Germanium meso-poreux, Gravure electrochimique bipolaire, Electrochimie des semi-conducteurs, Report des couches minces, Cellule photovoltaique

Linear and Non-Linear Piezoresistance Coefficients in Cubic Semiconductors. I. Theoretical Formulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Durand, S.; Tellier, C. R.

1996-02-01

This paper constitutes the first part of a work devoted to applications of piezoresistance effects in germanium and silicon semiconductors. In this part, emphasis is placed on a formal explanation of non-linear effects. We propose a brief phenomenological description based on the multi-valleys model of semiconductors before to adopt a macroscopic tensorial model from which general analytical expressions for primed non-linear piezoresistance coefficients are derived. Graphical representations of linear and non-linear piezoresistance coefficients allows us to characterize the influence of the two angles of cut and of directions of alignment. The second part will primarily deal with specific applications for piezoresistive sensors. Cette publication constitue la première partie d'un travail consacré aux applications des effets piézorésistifs dans les semiconducteurs germanium et silicium. Cette partie traite essentiellement de la modélisation des effets non-linéaires. Après une description phénoménologique à partir du modèle de bande des semiconducteurs nous développons un modèle tensoriel macroscopique et nous proposons des équations générales analytiques exprimant les coefficients piézorésistifs non-linéaires dans des repères tournés. Des représentations graphiques des variations des coefficients piézorésistifs linéaires et non-linéaires permettent une pré-caractérisation de l'influence des angles de coupes et des directions d'alignement avant l'étude d'applications spécifiques qui feront l'objet de la deuxième partie.

Optimisation des proprietes fonctionnelles des alliages a memoire de forme suite a l'application de traitements thermomecaniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demers, Vincent

L'objectif de ce projet est de determiner les conditions de laminage et la temperature de traitement thermique maximisant les proprietes fonctionnelles de l'alliage a memoire de forme Ti-Ni. Les specimens sont caracterises par des mesures de calorimetrie, de microscopie optique, de gene ration de contrainte, de deformation recuperable et des essais mecaniques. Pour un cycle unique, l'utilisation d'un taux d'ecrouissage e=1.5 obtenu avec l'application d'une force de tension FT = 0.1sigma y et d'une huile minerale resulte en un echantillon droit, sans microfissure et qui apres un recuit a 400°C, produit un materiau nanostructure manifestant des proprietes fonctionnelles deux fois plus grandes que le meme materiau ayant une structure polygonisee. Pour des cycles repetes, les memes conditions de laminage sont valables mais le niveau de deformation optimal est situe entre e=0.75-2, et depend particulierement du mode de sollicitation, du niveau de stabilisation et du nombre de cycles a la rupture requis par l'application.

Virtual Reality: State of Military Research and Applications in Member Countries (La realite virutelle: L’etat actuel des travaux de recherche et des applications militaires dans les pays membres de l’Alliance)

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-02-01

conducteur pour des sources liées au véhicule (bruits liés au moteur et à la transmission, bruits d’équipements, bruits des passagers , …), pour des...maquette de film , de pièce de théâtre ou de publicité. Initié par le département Réalité Virtuelle de CS, et financé par la Communauté Européenne, le projet... films vidéo, l’utilisateur interagit avec la simulation. L’objectif était de permettre d’étudier les apports de la Réalité Virtuelle dans les

Realization and characterization of a beam of titanium atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Azaroual, E. M.; Luc, P.; Vetter, R.

1992-06-01

A dense thermal beam of titanium atoms has been realized using a tungsten crucible inside a high temperature oven (leqslant 2 300 K). Its flux (≈ 10^{14} atom/cm^2/s) and its long term stability have been measured by means of a quartz balance, its angular divergence has been evaluated from the size of a metallic spot deposited on a glass plate. A spectroscopic investigation performed via the laser-induced fluorescence technique has led to the measurement of the isotope shifts between ^{46}Ti, ^{48}Ti and ^{50}Ti, for six visible 3d^2 4s^2 a ^3FJ''to 3d^2 4s4p z ^5DJ' transitions. This beam offers the characteristics required to apply high resolution laser techniques to reaction dynamics crossed-beam experiments. Un jet intense de titane atomique a été réalisé à partir d'un creuset de tungstène porté à haute température (leqslant 2 300 K). Le flux (≈ 10^{14} atomes/cm^2/s) et la stabilité à long terme du jet ont été mesurés avec une balance à quartz ; la divergence angulaire a été évaluée à partir de la dimension de dépôts métalliques sur des lames-témoin. Le jet a également été caractérisé par spectroscopie : la technique de fluorescence induite par laser a permis de mesurer le déplacement spectral dû aux isotopes 46, 48 et 50 de Ti, pour six transitions visibles du type 3d^2 4s^2 a ^3FJ''to 3d^2 4s4p z ^5DJ'. Le jet réalisé offre les caractéristiques requises pour l'application des techniques laser à haute résolution aux expériences de dynamique réactionnelle en faisceaux croisés.

Direct simulation of groundwater transit-time distributions using the reservoir theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Etcheverry, David; Perrochet, Pierre

Groundwater transit times are of interest for the management of water resources, assessment of pollution from non-point sources, and quantitative dating of groundwaters by the use of environmental isotopes. The age of water is the time water has spent in an aquifer since it has entered the system, whereas the transit time is the age of water as it exits the system. Water at the outlet of an aquifer is a mixture of water elements with different transit times, as a consequence of the different flow-line lengths. In this paper, transit-time distributions are calculated by coupling two existing methods, the reservoir theory and a recent age-simulation method. Based on the derivation of the cumulative age distribution over the whole domain, the approach accounts for the whole hydrogeological framework. The method is tested using an analytical example and its applicability illustrated for a regional layered aquifer. Results show the asymmetry and multimodality of the transit-time distribution even in advection-only conditions, due to the aquifer geometry and to the velocity-field heterogeneity. Résumé Les temps de transit des eaux souterraines sont intéressants à connaître pour gérer l'évaluation des ressources en eau dans le cas de pollution à partir de sources non ponctuelles, et aussi pour dater quantitativement les eaux souterraines au moyen des isotopes du milieu. L'âge de l'eau est le temps qu'elle a passé dans un aquifère depuis qu'elle est entrée dans le système, alors que le temps de transit est l'âge de l'eau au moment où elle quitte le système. L'eau à la sortie d'un aquifère est un mélange d'eaux possédant différents temps de transit, du fait des longueurs différentes des lignes de courant suivies. Dans ce papier, les distributions des temps de transit sont calculées en couplant deux méthodes, la théorie du réservoir et une méthode récente de simulation des âges. Basée sur la dérivation de la distribution cumulées des âges sur tout le domaine, l'approche prend en compte le cadre hydrogéologique dans son ensemble. La méthode est testée sur un exemple analytique et son applicabilité est illustrée pour un aquifère stratifié régional. Les résultats montrent l'asymétrie et la plurimodalité de la distribution des temps de transit même dans des conditions uniquement d'advection, à cause de la géométrie de l'aquifère et de l'hétérogénéité du champ des vitesses. Resumen El estudio de los tiempos de tránsito del agua subterránea es muy útil para (1) la gestión de los recursos de agua frente a la contaminación por focos no puntuales, y (2) la datación de aguas mediante isótopos ambientales. La edad de un agua subterránea es el tiempo que ésta ha permanecido en el acuífero contada desde el momento de su entrada, mientras que el tiempo de tránsito corresponde a la edad del agua en el momento en que abandona el sistema. En el punto de descarga en realidad se encuentra una mezcla de aguas con distintos tiempos de tránsito, debido a la yuxtaposición de líneas de flujo con diferentes recorridos. En este artículo se calculan las distribuciones de tiempos de tránsito mediante el acoplamiento de dos métodos ya existentes: la teoría de embalse y un método reciente de simulación de edades. El método se basa en la derivación de la distribución acumulada de edades, y es aplicable en todo el dominio hidrogeológico. El método se ha probado en un ejemplo analítico, y su aplicabilidad se muestra para un acuífero estratificado. Como resultado se obtiene que, aun en el caso de flujo exclusivamente advectivo, la distribución de tiempos de tránsito es asimétrica y multimodal debido a la geometría del acuífero y a la heterogeneidad del campo de velocidades.

Quality Improvement With Discrete Event Simulation: A Primer for Radiologists.

PubMed

Booker, Michael T; O'Connell, Ryan J; Desai, Bhushan; Duddalwar, Vinay A

2016-04-01

The application of simulation software in health care has transformed quality and process improvement. Specifically, software based on discrete-event simulation (DES) has shown the ability to improve radiology workflows and systems. Nevertheless, despite the successful application of DES in the medical literature, the power and value of simulation remains underutilized. For this reason, the basics of DES modeling are introduced, with specific attention to medical imaging. In an effort to provide readers with the tools necessary to begin their own DES analyses, the practical steps of choosing a software package and building a basic radiology model are discussed. In addition, three radiology system examples are presented, with accompanying DES models that assist in analysis and decision making. Through these simulations, we provide readers with an understanding of the theory, requirements, and benefits of implementing DES in their own radiology practices. Copyright © 2016 American College of Radiology. All rights reserved.

Geochemical and isotopic characterization of groundwater origins in a Mediterranean karst system (southern France)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seidel, J. L.; Ladouche, B.; Batiot-Guilhe, C.

2013-12-01

Geochemical and isotopic ratio (11B/10B and 87Sr/86Sr) results are reported for better determining the groundwater origins in the Lez Karst system (southern France). The Lez spring is the main perennial outlet of the system and supplies with drinking water the metropolitan area of Montpellier. According to the hydrodynamic conditions, five water-types discharge at the Lez spring with important mineralization fluctuations (Caetano Bicalho et al., 2012). This geochemical response suggests that hydrodynamics targets groundwater circulation, resulting from different water end-member solicitation and mixing. Previous studies using conventional natural tracers do not succeed to identify all the water compartments supporting the flow during the hydrologic cycle (Marjolet & Salado, 1977; Joseph et al., 1988) and to explain the mineralization variation of the Lez spring. The present study combines a basic geochemical survey data with boron and strontium isotope ratio data for a better characterization of the Lez spring geochemical functioning. Groundwater samples were collected at the Lez spring and surrounding springs and wells under different hydrologic conditions from 2009 to 2011. Major, trace and rare earth elements were determined at AETE analytical platform (OREME, Univ. Montpellier 2) by ionic chromatography and Q-ICP-MS respectively. d11B and 87Sr/86Sr were determined at BRGM/MMA Orleans by TIMS. The geochemical survey has been extended at a larger scale by sampling the main geochemical end- members already identified to replace the Lez spring waters in the regional geochemical context. From this geochemical study, valuable informations have been provided on the reservoir types and water origins flowing in high and low stage periods. For the highly mineralized waters occurring in the fall first rainy events or severe low stages, a deep contribution is highlighted but B and Sr isotopic data do not ascertain the two Triassic end-members (halite or gypsum) as possible sources of the mineralization increase. However, the Lez spring REE profiles, despite a close Cretaceous end-member signature, exhibit an evolution between the Bajocian and the highly depleted Triassic signature. A better characterization of the regional deep basement end-member and a multi-isotopic approach (d7Li, d11B, d18O, D and 87Sr/86Sr) have been undertaken for a conclusive identification of the Lez spring water type. This study could be generalized to the coastal karstic systems of the Mediterranean region. Caetano Bicalho C., Batiot-Guilhe C., Seidel J. L., Van Exter S. and Jourde H. (2012). Geochemical evidence of water source characterization and hydrodynamic responses in a karst aquifer. J. Hydrol., 450-451, 206-218. Joseph, C., Rodier, C., Soulte, M., Sinegre, F., Baylet, R., Deltour, P., 1988. Approche des transferts de pollution bactérienne dans une crue karstique par l'étude des paramètres physico-chimiques. Rev. Sci. l'eau 1-2, 73-106. Marjolet, G., Salado, J., 1976. Contribution à l'étude de l'aquifère karstique de la source du Lez (Hérault). Etude du chimisme des eaux de la source du Lez et de son bassin Tome IX - FASC II., Université des Sciences et Techniques du Languedoc (Montpellier 2), Montpellier 101 pp.

Caracterisation des proprietes dielectriques de materiaux composites a base de polyethylene terephtalate recycle =

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mebarki, Fouzia

Cette etude vise a etudier la possibilite d'utiliser des materiaux composites a matrice thermoplastique pour des applications electriques comme les supports des systemes d'allumage dans les moteurs d'automobile. Nous nous interessons plus particulierement aux composites a base de polyethylene terephtalate (PET) recycle. Les isolants classiques comme le PET ne peuvent pas satisfaire toutes les exigences. L'introduction des renforts comme les fibres de verre et le mica peuvent ameliorer les caracteristiques mecaniques de ces materiaux. Toutefois, cette amelioration peut etre accompagnee d'une diminution des proprietes electriques surtout que ces materiaux doivent operer sous contraintes thermiques et electriques tres severes. Afin d'estimer la duree de vie de ces isolants, des essais de vieillissement accelere ont ete effectues a une frequence de 300Hz dans une plage de temperature allant de la temperature ambiante a 140°C. L'etude a haute temperature permettra de determiner la temperature de service des materiaux candidats. Des essais de la rupture dielectrique ont ete realises sur un grand nombre d'echantillon selon la norme ASTM D-149 relative aux mesures de rigidite dielectrique des isolants solides. Ces tests ont permis de deceler les echantillons problematiques et de verifier la qualite de ces isolants solides. Les differentes connaissances acquises lors de cette analyse ont servi a predire les performances des materiaux en service et vont permettre a la compagnie Groupe Lavergne d'apporter des ameliorations au niveau des formulations existantes et par la suite developper un materiau ayant les proprietes electriques et thermiques adequates pour ce type d'application. None None None None

Special Course on Inverse Methods for Airfoil Design for Aeronautical and Turbomachinery Applications (Methodes Inverses pour la Conception des Profils Porteurs pour des Applications dans les Domaines de l’Aeronautique et des Turbomachines)

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-11-01

engined jet aircraft wing MID PLA CROSS tCTO% taking into account the effects of the propulsive system. -DESIGN PAAMETERS DESTIGE PARAMETERS 5CT 0 (MC 0...AGARD Report No.780 Special Course on Inverse Methods for Airfoil Design for Aeronautical and Turbomachinery Applications (M6thodes Inverses pour la...manufacturing systems. Blade or airfoil designs are normally made in two steps, and the lectures are accordingly grouped into two parts. - - In the

Lasers solides pompés par diode émettant des impulsions picosecondes à haute cadence dans l'ultraviolet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balembois, F.; Forget, S.; Papadopoulos, D.; Druon, F.; Georges, P.; Devilder, P.-J.; Lefort, L.

2005-06-01

De nombreuses applications requièrent des sources lasers impulsionnelles ultraviolettes, présentant des durées d'impulsion et des cadences spécifiques. Grâce à l'utilisation de structures d'oscillateurs et d'amplificateurs originales il est possible de réaliser de telles sources à partir de lasers solides pompés par diodes et de profiter ainsi de la compacité, de l'efficacité et de la robustesse de ces sources. Nous présentons ici la réalisation d'un laser à verrouillage de modes et d'un microlaser déclenché permettant d'obtenir des impulsions ultraviolettes picosecondes à une cadence de quelques MHz en vue d'application à la microscopie de fluorescence résolue en temps, ainsi que la mise en œuvre pour le traitement des matériaux d'un système oscillateur-amplificateur produisant plus de 600 mW de rayonnement UV à 266 ou 355 nm avec des impulsions sub-nanosecondes.

Application of Fiber Optic Instrumentation (Validation des systemes d’instrumentation a fibres optiques)

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-07-01

SCI-228) Executive Summary This AGARDograph presents an introduction to fiber optic systems and is intended to provide a basic understanding of...22 / SCI-228) Synthèse Cette AGARDograph présente une introduction aux systèmes à fibres optiques et a pour objet d’expliquer l’utilisation de ces...l’instrumentation des essais en vol dans l’ensemble des pays membres de l’OTAN, entraînant la disparition progressive des jauges extensométriques et des

Couches minces supraconductrices à haute température critique pour l'électronique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guilloux-Viry, M.; Perrin, A.

1998-08-01

High critical temperature superconductors (HTCS) are very promising for applications in microelectronics due to the control of high quality epitaxial thin films, in spite of a number of specific constraints. Active and passive devices are already available in various laboratories, prooving that applications are actually expected soon. We report here on the interest of HTCS thin films, on preparation processes including materials and substrates choice, and also on characterization methods which are required in order to chek the quality of the samples. Finally some illustrative examples of applications are presented. Les supraconducteurs à haute température critique ouvrent des perspectives prometteuses dans le domaine de l'électronique en raison de la maîtrise de la croissance de films minces de haute qualité cristalline et physique, malgré des difficultés spécifiques. Des dispositifs, aussi bien actifs que passifs, commencent à être réalisés dans divers laboratoires, montrant que des applications peuvent être effectivement envisagées à relativement court terme.

Analysing how negative emotions emerge and are addressed in veterinary consultations, using the Verona Coding Definitions of Emotional Sequences (VR-CoDES).

PubMed

Vijfhuizen, Malou; Bok, Harold; Matthew, Susan M; Del Piccolo, Lidia; McArthur, Michelle

2017-04-01

To explore the applicability, need for modifications and reliability of the VR-CoDES in a veterinary setting while also gaining a deeper understanding of clients' expressions of negative emotion and how they are addressed by veterinarians. The Verona Coding Definitions of Emotional Sequences for client cues and concerns (VR-CoDES-CC) and health provider responses (VR-CoDES-P) were used to analyse 20 audiotaped veterinary consultations. Inter-rater reliability was established. The applicability of definitions of the VR-CoDES was identified, together with the need for specific modifications to suit veterinary consultations. The VR-CoDES-CC and VR-CoDES-P generally applied to veterinary consultations. Cue and concern reliability was found satisfactory for most types of cues, but not for concerns. Response reliability was satisfactory for explicitness, and for providing and reducing space for further disclosure. Modifications to the original coding system were necessary to accurately reflect the veterinary context and included minor additions to the VR-CoDES-CC. Using minor additions to the VR-CoDES including guilt, reassurance and cost discussions it can be reliably adopted to assess clients' implicit expressions of negative emotion and veterinarians' responses. The modified VR-CoDES could be of great value when combined with existing frameworks used for teaching and researching veterinary communication. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Modeling using discrete event simulation: a report of the ISPOR-SMDM Modeling Good Research Practices Task Force--4.

PubMed

Karnon, Jonathan; Stahl, James; Brennan, Alan; Caro, J Jaime; Mar, Javier; Möller, Jörgen

2012-01-01

Discrete event simulation (DES) is a form of computer-based modeling that provides an intuitive and flexible approach to representing complex systems. It has been used in a wide range of health care applications. Most early applications involved analyses of systems with constrained resources, where the general aim was to improve the organization of delivered services. More recently, DES has increasingly been applied to evaluate specific technologies in the context of health technology assessment. The aim of this article was to provide consensus-based guidelines on the application of DES in a health care setting, covering the range of issues to which DES can be applied. The article works through the different stages of the modeling process: structural development, parameter estimation, model implementation, model analysis, and representation and reporting. For each stage, a brief description is provided, followed by consideration of issues that are of particular relevance to the application of DES in a health care setting. Each section contains a number of best practice recommendations that were iterated among the authors, as well as among the wider modeling task force. Copyright © 2012 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Issues in Intelligence Production: Summary of Interviews with Canadian Managers of Intelligence Analysts

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-12-01

la Reine (en droit du Canada), telle que représentée par le ministre de ...organisationnelles, ainsi qu’aux préjugés des analystes et des organismes du renseignement. Un tel constat exige la tenue d’un examen en profondeur de la ...processus de production du renseignement que l’on pourrait expliquer par la mise en application des connaissances et des méthodes acquises dans

Virtual Interfaces: Research and Application (Les Interfaces Virtuelles entre Recherche et Applications).

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-05-01

actuel. Trois types de contraintes ont pu 8tre distingu6s A chaque avion pr6sent dans le secteur a~rien du contr~leur, on associe toutes les...assurant la s6curit6 des vols. simulateur implique en g6n6ral la prdsencc dc trois catdgories d’acteurs Los 6changyes entre contr~leur et pilote se...d’informations suivants interventions en phonic des pilotes d’avions presents dans le secteur de contr-blc. Pour cc faire, 1) utilisant des liaisons de donn

Application des codes de Monte Carlo à la radiothérapie par rayonnement à faible TEL

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marcié, S.

1998-04-01

In radiation therapy, there is low LET rays: photons of 60Co, photons and electrons to 4 at 25 MV created in a linac, photons 137Cs, of 192Ir and of 125I. To know the most exactly possible the dose to the tissu by this rays, software and measurements are used. With the development of the power and the capacity of computers, the application of Monte Carlo codes expand to the radiation therapy which have permitted to better determine effects of rays and spectra, to explicit parameters used in dosimetric calculation, to verify algorithms , to study measuremtents systems and phantoms, to calculate the dose in inaccessible points and to consider the utilization of new radionuclides. En Radiothérapie, il existe une variété, de rayonnements ? faible TLE : photons du cobalt 60, photons et ,électron de 4 à? 25 MV générés dans des accélérateurs linéaires, photons du césium 137, de l'iridium 192 et de l'iode 125. Pour connatre le plus exactement possible la dose délivrée aux tissus par ces rayonnements, des logiciels sont utilisés ainsi que des instruments de mesures. Avec le développement de la puissance et de la capacité, des calculateurs, l'application des codes de Monte Carlo s'est ,étendue ? la Radiothérapie ce qui a permis de mieux cerner les effets des rayonnements, déterminer les spectres, préciser les valeurs des paramètres utilisés dans les calculs dosimétriques, vérifier les algorithmes, ,étudier les systèmes de mesures et les fantomes utilisés, calculer la dose en des points inaccessibles ?à la mesure et envisager l'utilisation de nouveaux radio,éléments.

Bacterial ethane formation from reduced, ethylated sulfur compounds in anoxic sediments

USGS Publications Warehouse

Oremland, R.S.; Whiticar, Michael J.; Strohmaier, F.E.; Kiene, R.P.

1988-01-01

Trace levels of ethane were produced biologically in anoxic sediment slurries from five chemically different aquatic environments. Gases from these locations displayed biogenic characteristics, having 12C-enriched values of ??13CH4 (-62 to -86%.), ??13C2H6 (-35 to -55%.) and high ratios (720 to 140,000) of CH4 [C2H6 + C3H8]. Endogenous production of ethane by slurries was inhibited by autoclaving or by addition of the inhibitor of methanogenic bacteria, 2-bromoethanesulfonic acid (BES). Ethane formation was stimulated markedly by ethanethiol (ESH), and, to a lesser extent, by diethylsulfide (DES). Formation of methane and ethane in ESH- or DES-amended slurries was blocked by BES. Experiments showed that ethionine (or an analogous compound) could be a precursor of ESH. Ethylamine or ethanol additions to slurries caused only a minor stimulation of ethane formation. Similarly, propanethiol additions resulted in only a minor enhancement of propane formation. Cell suspensions of a methyltrophic methanogen produced traces of ethane when incubated in the presence of DES, although the organism did not grow on this compound. These results indicate that methanogenic bacteria produce ethane from the traces of ethylated sulfur compounds present in recent sediments. Preliminary estimates of stable carbon isotope fractionation associated with sediment methane formation from dimethylsulfide was about 40%., while ethane formation from DES and ESH was only 4. 6 and 6.5%., respectively. ?? 1988.

Application of the verona coding definitions of emotional sequences (VR-CoDES) on a pediatric data set.

PubMed

Vatne, Torun M; Finset, Arnstein; Ørnes, Knut; Ruland, Cornelia M

2010-09-01

Adult patients present concerns as defined in the Verona Coding Definitions of Emotional Sequences (VR-CoDES), but we do not know how children express their concerns during medical consultations. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of VR-CoDES to pediatric oncology consultations. Twenty-eight pediatric consultations were coded with the Verona Coding Definitions of Emotional Sequences (VR-CoDES), and the material was also qualitatively analyzed for descriptive purposes. Five consultations were randomly selected for reliability testing and descriptive statistics were computed. Perfect inter-rater reliability for concerns and moderate reliability for cues were obtained. Cues and/or concerns were present in over half of the consultations. Cues were more frequent than concerns, with the majority of cues being verbal hints to hidden concerns or non-verbal cues. Intensity of expressions, limitations in vocabulary, commonality of statements, and complexity of the setting complicated the use of VR-CoDES. Child-specific cues; use of the imperative, cues about past experiences, and use of onomatopoeia were observed. Children with cancer express concerns during medical consultations. VR-CoDES is a reliable tool for coding concerns in pediatric data sets. For future applications in pediatric settings an appendix should be developed to incorporate the child-specific traits. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Les infections à Pseudomonas aeruginosa au service des maladies infectieuses du CHU YO, Burkina Faso: à propos deux cas

PubMed Central

Mamoudou, Savadogo; Lassina, Dao; Fla, Koueta

2015-01-01

Nous rapportons deux cas d'infection à Pseudomonas aeruginosa: un cas de méningite et un cas d'infection urinaire. Les auteurs rappellent qu’à côté des étiologies classiques des méningites et des infections urinaires, des germes résistants comme Pseudomonas aeruginosa peuvent être responsables d'infections à localisation méningées et urinaires et dont il faut connaître pour une bonne prise en charge. Le traitement de ces infections requiert un antibiogramme au regard de la grande capacité de résistance de Pseudomonas aeruginosa en milieu hospitalier. La limitation des gestes invasifs et l'application rigoureuse des mesures de prévention des infections en milieu hospitalier contribueront à lutter efficacement contre ces infections en milieu de soins. PMID:26491521

Implementation Cryptography Data Encryption Standard (DES) and Triple Data Encryption Standard (3DES) Method in Communication System Based Near Field Communication (NFC)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ratnadewi; Pramono Adhie, Roy; Hutama, Yonatan; Saleh Ahmar, A.; Setiawan, M. I.

2018-01-01

Cryptography is a method used to create secure communication by manipulating sent messages during the communication occurred so only intended party that can know the content of that messages. Some of the most commonly used cryptography methods to protect sent messages, especially in the form of text, are DES and 3DES cryptography method. This research will explain the DES and 3DES cryptography method and its use for stored data security in smart cards that working in the NFC-based communication system. Several things that will be explained in this research is the ways of working of DES and 3DES cryptography method in doing the protection process of a data and software engineering through the creation of application using C++ programming language to realize and test the performance of DES and 3DES cryptography method in encrypted data writing process to smart cards and decrypted data reading process from smart cards. The execution time of the entering and the reading process data using a smart card DES cryptography method is faster than using 3DES cryptography.

Impact of Materials Defects on Engine Structures Integrity (L’Impact des Defauts des Materiaux sur l’Integrite des Structures des Moteurs)

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-04-01

years have been a continuous inspiration to me. AGARD-R-769, NATO-AGARD, 1988. I thank them for allowing me to assist them in their learning endeavors...ceramics. These ceramic filters have been very effective in improving VIM ingot quality in r.cnt years. Eddy Current Might be applicable to deep ...appropriately defined material behavior. In general. all these sample can become prohibitively large. elements: fractography of failed test pieces

Transcendental Meditation

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

None

2005-11-29

K.Wallace, qui vient des Etats Unis, parle des effects physiologiques de la méditation transcendantale. Il a fait son bachelor en physique à l'Université de Los Angeles et son doctorat en physiologie aussi à Los Angeles, mais à l'Institut de Recherche sur le cerveau. Il travaille maintenat à Harvard Medical School ou il continue des recherches biochimiques et physiologiques sur l'application médicale de la méditation transcendantale. Il s'occupe principalement des maladies cardiaques et de hypertension artérielle.

Dispositifs semi-conducteurs pour biodetection photonique et imagerie hyperspectrale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lepage, Dominic

La creation d'un microsysteme d'analyse biochimique, capable de livrer des diagnostics preliminaires sur la quantification d'elements pathogenes, est un defi multidisciplinaire ayant un impact potentiel important sur la majorite des activites humaines en sante et securite. En effet, un dispositif integre, peu dispendieux et livrant des resultats facilement interpretables, permettrait une vulgarisation des capacites de biodetection a travers differents domaines d'applications societaires et industriels. Le present document se concentre sur l'integration monolithique d'une methode de biocaracterisation dans le but de generer un transducteur miniaturise et efficace, element central d'un microsysteme de detection. Le projet de recherche ici presente vise l'etude de l'applicabilite d'un capteur plasmonique integre par l'entremise de nanostructures semi-conductrices aux proprietes quantiques et luminescentes. L'approche presentee est globale; c'est-a-dire qu'on vise a repondre aux questions fondamentales impliquant la comprehension des phenomenes photoniques, le developpement et la fabrication des dispositifs, les methodes de caracterisations possibles ainsi que l'application d'un transducteur SPR integre a la biodetection. En d'autres termes : dans quelles circonstances et comment un transducteur plasmonique integre doit-il etre realise pour l'application a la detection delocalisee d'elements pathogenes? Dans le but d'engendrer un instrument simple a l'echelle de l'usager, l'integration de la connaissance a l'echelle du design est donc effectuee. Ainsi, des capteurs plasmoniques monolithiques sont concus a l'aide de modeles theoriques ici presentes. Un instrument de mesure hyperspectrale conjuguee permettant de cartographier directement la relation de dispersion des plasmons diffractes a ete construit et teste. Cet instrument est employe a la cartographie d'elements de diffusion. Finalement, une demonstration du fonctionnement du dispositif, appliquee a la biocaracterisation d'evenements simples, tels que l'albumine de serum bovin et la detection d'une souche specifique d'influenza A, est livree. Ceci repond donc a la question de faisabilite d'un nanosysteme plasmonique applicable a la detection de pathogenes. Mots-Clefs: Biocapteur; Plasmons de surface; Diffusion lumineuse; Semi-conducteur quantique; Microscopie conjuguee; Virus Influenza A

Caracterisation environnementale des emissions atmospheriques d'une source fixe et creation d'un outil de gestion dynamique =

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fournier, Marie-Claude

Une caracterisation des emissions atmospheriques provenant des sources fixes en operation, alimentees au gaz et a l'huile legere, a ete conduite aux installations visees des sites no.1 et no.2. La caracterisation et les calculs theoriques des emissions atmospheriques aux installations des sites no.1 et no.2 presentent des resultats qui sont en dessous des valeurs reglementaires pour des conditions d'operation normales en periode hivernale et par consequent, a de plus fortes demandes energetiques. Ainsi, pour une demande energetique plus basse, le taux de contaminants dans les emissions atmospheriques pourrait egalement etre en dessous des reglementations municipales et provinciales en vigueur. Dans la perspective d'une nouvelle reglementation provinciale, dont les termes sont discutes depuis 2005, il serait souhaitable que le proprietaire des infrastructures visees participe aux echanges avec le Ministere du Developpement Durable, de l'Environnement et des Parcs (MDDEP) du Quebec. En effet, meme si le principe de droit acquis permettrait d'eviter d'etre assujetti a la nouvelle reglementation, l'application de ce type de principe ne s'inscrit pas dans ceux d'un developpement durable. L'âge avance des installations etudiees implique la planification d'un entretien rigoureux afin d'assurer les conditions optimales de combustion en fonction du type de combustible. Des tests de combustion sur une base reguliere sont donc recommandes. Afin de supporter le processus de suivi et d'evaluation de la performance environnementale des sources fixes, un outil d'aide a la gestion de l'information environnementale a ete developpe. Dans ce contexte, la poursuite du developpement d'un outil d'aide a la gestion de l'information environnementale faciliterait non seulement le travail des personnes affectees aux inventaires annuels mais egalement le processus de communication entre les differents acteurs concernes tant intra- qu'inter-etablissement. Cet outil serait egalement un bon moyen pour sensibiliser le personnel a leur consommation energetique ainsi qu'a leur role dans la lutte contre les emissions polluantes et les gaz a effets de serre. En outre, ce type d'outil a pour principale fonction de generer des rapports dynamiques pouvant s'adapter a des besoins precis. Le decoupage coherent de l'information associe a un developpement par modules offre la perspective d'application de l'outil pour d'autres types d'activites. Dans ce cas, il s'agit de definir la part commune avec les modules existants et planifier les activites de developpement specifiques selon la meme demarche que celle presentee dans le present document.

43Ca NMR in solid state

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bellot, P.-V.; Trokiner, A.; Zhdanov, Yu.; Yakubovskii, A.

1998-02-01

In this paper we show that 43Ca is a suitable NMR probe to study the properties of high-Tc superconducting oxides. In the normal state, we report the temperature and doping dependencies of the spin susceptibility measured by 43Ca NMR. In the superconducting state and more exactly in the mixed state, by analysing 43Ca NMR linewidth, we have studied the magnetic induction distribution due to the presence of vortices and deduced λ, the penetration depth. Dans cet article, on montre que l'isotope 43 du calcium est une bonne sonde RMN pour l'étude des propriétés des oxydes supraconducteurs à haute température. Dans l'état normal, par la détermination du déplacement de la raie, en fonction de la température, on accède à la variation thermique de la susceptibilité de spin. Dans l'état supraconducteur et plus particulièrement dans l'état mixte, la largeur de raie RMN permet d'étudier la distribution d'induction magnétique due à la présence des vortex et de déterminer λ, la longueur de pénétration.

CO2 laser irradiation enhances CaF2 formation and inhibits lesion progression on demineralized dental enamel-in vitro study.

PubMed

Zancopé, Bruna R; Rodrigues, Lívia P; Parisotto, Thais M; Steiner-Oliveira, Carolina; Rodrigues, Lidiany K A; Nobre-dos-Santos, Marinês

2016-04-01

This study evaluated if Carbon dioxide (CO2) (λ 10.6 μm) laser irradiation combined with acidulated phosphate fluoride gel application (APF gel) enhances "CaF2" uptake by demineralized enamel specimens (DES) and inhibits enamel lesion progression. Thus, two studies were conducted and DES were subjected to APF gel combined or not with CO2 laser irradiation (11.3 or 20.0 J/cm(2), 0.4 or 0.7 W) performed before, during, or after APF gel application. In study 1, 165 DES were allocated to 11 groups. Fluoride as "CaF2 like material" formed on enamel was determined in 100 DES (n = 10/group), and the surface morphologies of 50 specimens were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before and after "CaF2" extraction. In study 2, 165 DES (11 groups, n = 15), subjected to the same treatments as in study 1, were further subjected to a pH-cycling model to simulate a high cariogenic challenge. The progression of demineralization in DES was evaluated by cross-sectional microhardness and polarized light microscopy analyses. Laser at 11.3 J/cm(2) applied during APF gel application increased "CaF2" uptake on enamel surface. Laser irradiation and APF gel alone arrested the lesion progression compared with the control (p < 0.05). Areas of melting, fusion, and cracks were observed. CO2 laser irradiation, combined with a single APF application enhanced "CaF2" uptake on enamel surface and a synergistic effect was found. However, regarding the inhibition of caries lesion progression, no synergistic effect could be demonstrated. In conclusion, the results have shown that irradiation with specific laser parameters significantly enhanced CaF2 uptake by demineralized enamel and inhibited lesion progression.

Modélisation de matériaux chiraux à structures hétérogènes (modèle MTWC) : théorie, validations expérimentales et applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mariotte, F.; Sauviac, B.; Héliot, J. Ph.

1995-10-01

After a brief overview of the concept of electromagnetic chirality, this paper deals with a numerical simulation of isotropic composites with metallic chiral inclusions: computations of permittivity, permeability and chirality parameter as functions of frequency are presented. The theoretical results are, step by step, compared with measurements of chiral composites at microwave frequencies. The application of such media in Radar Cross-Section (RCS) management and control is discussed. The introduction of chiral inclusions seems to make impedance matching possible and may lead to attractive shields with lower reflectivity and larger bandwidth. However the optimization of material characteristics necessary to get a specific absorber remains a difficult task. Après un bref rappel du principe de la chiralité, cet article présente une modélisation des propriétés effectives des matériaux hétérogènes à inclusions chirales métalliques : calcul de la permittivité, perméabilité et coefficient de chiralité du composite en fonction de la fréquence. Les résultats théoriques sont validés, pas à pas, par des mesures effectuées sur des composites chiraux de natures différentes. L'application de tels matériaux à la conception de matériaux absorbant les ondes électromagnétiques est ensuite envisagée. Les inclusions chirales semblent offrir la possibilité de régler l'impédance à l'interface air-milieu absorbant permettant ainsi de concevoir des absorbants micro-ondes plus performants en terme d'atténuation ou de largeur de bande. L'optimisation des caractéristiques des matériaux pour obtenir des performances données restent néanmoins très délicate.

Using the verona coding definitions of emotional sequences (VR-CoDES) and health provider responses (VR-CoDES-P) in the dental context.

PubMed

Wright, Alice; Humphris, Gerry; Wanyonyi, Kristina L; Freeman, Ruth

2012-10-01

To show if cues, concerns and provider responses (defined in VR-CoDES and VR-CoDES-P manuals) are present, can be reliably coded and require additional advice for adoption in a dental context. Thirteen patients in a dental practice setting were videoed with either their dentist or hygienist and dental nurse present in routine treatment sessions. All utterances were coded using the Verona systems: VR-CoDES and the VR-CoDES-P. Rates of cue, concerns and provider responses described and reliability tested. The VR-CoDES and VR-CoDES-P were successfully applied in the dental context. The intra-rater ICCs for the detection of cues and concerns and provider response were acceptable and above 0.75. A similar satisfactory result was found for the inter-rater reliability. The VR-CoDES and the VR-CoDES-P are applicable in the dental setting with minor supporting guidelines and show evidence of reliable coding. The VR-CoDES and the VR-CoDES-P may be helpful tools for analysing patient cues and concerns and the dental professionals' responses in the dental context. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nonlinear Dynamical Model of a Soft Viscoelastic Dielectric Elastomer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Junshi; Chen, Hualing; Li, Dichen

2017-12-01

Actuated by alternating stimulation, dielectric elastomers (DEs) show a behavior of complicated nonlinear vibration, implying a potential application as dynamic electromechanical actuators. As is well known, for a vibrational system, including the DE system, the dynamic properties are significantly affected by the geometrical sizes. In this article, a nonlinear dynamical model is deduced to investigate the geometrical effects on dynamic properties of viscoelastic DEs. The DEs with square and arbitrary rectangular geometries are considered, respectively. Besides, the effects of tensile forces on dynamic performances of rectangular DEs with comparably small and large geometrical sizes are explored. Phase paths and Poincaré maps are utilized to detect the periodicity of the nonlinear vibrations of DEs. The resonance characteristics of DEs incorporating geometrical effects are also investigated. The results indicate that the dynamic properties of DEs, including deformation response, vibrational periodicity, and resonance, are tuned when the geometrical sizes vary.

Transcendental Meditation

ScienceCinema

None

2017-12-09

K.Wallace, qui vient des Etats Unis, parle des effects physiologiques de la méditation transcendantale. Il a fait son bachelor en physique à l'Université de Los Angeles et son doctorat en physiologie aussi à Los Angeles, mais à l'Institut de Recherche sur le cerveau. Il travaille maintenat à Harvard Medical School ou il continue des recherches biochimiques et physiologiques sur l'application médicale de la méditation transcendantale. Il s'occupe principalement des maladies cardiaques et de hypertension artérielle.

Individual change after genocide in Bosnian survivors of "ethnic cleansing": assessing personality dysfunction.

PubMed

Weine, S M; Becker, D F; Vojvoda, D; Hodzic, E; Sawyer, M; Hyman, L; Laub, D; McGlashan, T H

1998-01-01

The authors used the SCID-DES (disorders of extreme stress) instrument to assess for personality change in Bosnian survivors of "ethnic cleansing." Twenty four refugees underwent systematic, trauma-focused, research assessments, including the SCID-DES interview. Overall, this group of Bosnian survivors had been severely traumatized as a result of the Serbian nationalists' genocide. However, no subject met diagnostic criteria for DES. The SCID-DES yields far lower rates of trauma-related personality change in Bosnian survivors of genocide than in adult survivors of prolonged early life traumas. Therefore, the DES construct may have better application to prolonged, interpersonal, early life traumas than to the prolonged, communal traumas of genocide.

Application of Mathematical Signal Processing Techniques to Mission Systems. (l’Application des techniques mathematiques du traitement du signal aux systemes de conduite des missions)

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-11-01

represents the linear time invariant (LTI) response of the combined analysis /synthesis system while the second repre- sents the aliasing introduced into...effectively to implement voice scrambling systems based on time - frequency permutation . The most general form of such a system is shown in Fig. 22 where...92201 NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE CEDEX, FRANCE RTO LECTURE SERIES 216 Application of Mathematical Signal Processing Techniques to Mission Systems (1

Developpement d'une methode calorimetrique de mesure des pertes ac pour des rubans supraconducteurs a haute temperature critique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dolez, Patricia

Le travail de recherche effectue dans le cadre de ce projet de doctorat a permis la mise au point d'une methode de mesure des pertes ac destinee a l'etude des supraconducteurs a haute temperature critique. Pour le choix des principes de cette methode, nous nous sommes inspires de travaux anterieurs realises sur les supraconducteurs conventionnels, afin de proposer une alternative a la technique electrique, presentant lors du debut de cette these des problemes lies a la variation du resultat des mesures selon la position des contacts de tension sur la surface de l'echantillon, et de pouvoir mesurer les pertes ac dans des conditions simulant la realite des futures applications industrielles des rubans supraconducteurs: en particulier, cette methode utilise la technique calorimetrique, associee a une calibration simultanee et in situ. La validite de la methode a ete verifiee de maniere theorique et experimentale: d'une part, des mesures ont ete realisees sur des echantillons de Bi-2223 recouverts d'argent ou d'alliage d'argent-or et comparees avec les predictions theoriques donnees par Norris, nous indiquant la nature majoritairement hysteretique des pertes ac dans nos echantillons; d'autre part, une mesure electrique a ete realisee in situ dont les resultats correspondent parfaitement a ceux donnes par notre methode calorimetrique. Par ailleurs, nous avons compare la dependance en courant et en frequence des pertes ac d'un echantillon avant et apres qu'il ait ete endommage. Ces mesures semblent indiquer une relation entre la valeur du coefficient de la loi de puissance modelisant la dependance des pertes avec le courant, et les inhomogeneites longitudinales du courant critique induites par l'endommagement. De plus, la variation en frequence montre qu'au niveau des grosses fractures transverses creees par l'endommagement dans le coeur supraconducteur, le courant se partage localement de maniere a peu pres equivalente entre les quelques grains de matiere supraconductrice qui restent fixes a l'interface coeur-enveloppe, et le revetement en alliage d'argent. L'interet d'une methode calorimetrique par rapport a la technique electrique, plus rapide, plus sensible et maintenant fiable, reside dans la possibilite de realiser des mesures de pertes ac dans des environnements complexes, reproduisant la situation presente par exemple dans un cable de transport d'energie ou dans un transformateur. En particulier, la superposition d'un courant dc en plus du courant ac habituel nous a permis d'observer experimentalement, pour la premiere fois a notre connaissance, un comportement particulier des pertes ac en fonction de la valeur du courant dc decrit theoriquement par LeBlanc. Nous avons pu en deduire la presence d'un courant d'ecrantage Meissner de 16 A, ce qui nous permet de determiner les conditions dans lesquelles une reduction du niveau de pertes ac pourrait etre obtenue par application d'un courant dc, phenomene denomme "vallee de Clem".

Strategies facilitant les tests en pre-certification pour la robustesse a l'egard des radiations =

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Souari, Anis

Les effets des radiations cosmiques sur l'electronique embarquee preoccupent depuis. quelques decennies les chercheurs interesses par la robustesse des circuits integres. Plusieurs. recherches ont ete menees dans cette direction, principalement pour les applications spatiales. ou l’environnement de leur deploiement est hostile. En effet, ces environnements sont denses. en termes de particules qui, lorsqu’elles interagissent avec les circuits integres, peuvent. mener a leur dysfonctionnement, voir meme a leur destruction. De plus, les effets des. radiations s’accentuent pour les nouvelles generations des circuits integres ou la diminution. de la taille des transistors et l’augmentation de la complexite de ces circuits augmentent la. probabilite d’apparition des anomalies et par consequence la croissance des besoins de test. L’expansion de l’electronique grand public (commercial off-the-shelf, COTS) et l’adoption. de ces composants pour des applications critiques comme les applications avioniques et. spatiales incitent egalement les chercheurs a doubler les efforts de verification de la fiabilite. de ces circuits. Les COTS, malgre leurs meilleures caracteristiques en comparaison avec les. circuits durcis tolerants aux radiations qui sont couteux et en retard en termes de technologie. utilisee, sont vulnerables aux radiations. Afin d’ameliorer la fiabilite de ces circuits, une evaluation de leur vulnerabilite dans les. differents niveaux d’abstraction du flot de conception est recommandee. Ceci aide les. concepteurs a prendre les mesures de mitigation necessaires sur le design au niveau. d’abstraction en question. Enfin, afin de satisfaire les exigences de tolerance aux pannes, des. tests tres couteux de certification, obtenus a l’aide de bombardement de particules (protons, neutrons, etc.), sont necessaires. Dans cette these, nous nous interessons principalement a definir une strategie de precertification. permettant d’evaluer d’une facon realiste la sensibilite des circuits integres face. aux effets des radiations afin d’eviter d’envoyer des circuits non robustes a la phase tres. couteuse de la certification. Les circuits cibles par nos travaux sont les circuits integres. programmables par l’usager (FPGA) a base de memoire SRAM et le type de pannes ciblees, causees par les radiations, est les SEU (single event upset) consistant a un basculement de. l’etat logique d’un element de memoire a son complementaire. En effet, les FPGA a base de. memoire SRAM sont de plus en plus demandes par la communaute de l’aerospatial grace a. leurs caracteristiques de prototypage rapide et de reconfiguration sur site mais ils sont. vulnerables face aux radiations ou les SEU sont les pannes les plus frequentes dans les. elements de memoire de type SRAM. Nous proposons une nouvelle approche d’injection de. pannes par emulation permettant de mimer les effets des radiations sur la memoire de. configuration des FPGA et de generer des resultats les plus fideles possibles des resultats des. tests de certification. Cette approche est basee sur la consideration de la difference de. sensibilite des elements de memoire de configuration lorsqu’ils sont a l’etat '1' et a l’etat '0', observee sous des tests acceleres sous faisceaux de protons au renomme laboratoire. TRIUMF, dans la procedure de generation des sequences de test dans le but de mimer la. distribution des pannes dans la memoire de configuration. Les resultats des experimentations. de validation montrent que la strategie proposee est efficace et genere des resultats realistes. Ces resultats revelent que ne pas considerer la difference de sensibilite peut mener a une. sous-estimation de la sensibilite des circuits face aux radiations. Dans la meme optique d’optimisation de la procedure d’injection des pannes par emulation, a. savoir le test de pre-certification, nous proposons une methodologie permettant de maximiser. la detection des bits critiques (bits provoquant une defaillance fonctionnelle s’ils changent. d’etat) pour un nombre bien determine de SEU (qui est le modele de pannes adopte) ou de. maximiser la precision de l’estimation de nombre des bits critiques. Pour ce faire, une. classification des bits de configuration en differents ensembles est tout d’abord mise en. oeuvre, selon leur contenu, les ressources qu’ils configurent et leur criticite. Ensuite, une. evaluation de la sensibilite de chaque ensemble est accomplie. Enfin, la priorisation. d’injection des pannes dans les ensembles les plus sensibles est recommandee. Plusieurs. scenarios d’optimisation d’injection des pannes sont proposes et les resultats sont compares. avec ceux donnes par la methode conventionnelle d’injection aleatoire des pannes. La. methodologie d’optimisation proposee assure une amelioration de plus de deux ordres de. grandeur. Une derniere approche facilitant l’evaluation de la sensibilite des bits configurant les LUT. (look up table) de FPGA, les plus petites entites configurables du FPGA permettant. d’implementer des fonctions combinatoires, utilises par un design est presentee. Elle permet. l’identification facile et sans cout en termes d’utilisation du materiel ou d’outils externes des. bits des LUT. L’approche proposee est simple et efficace, offrant une couverture de pannes. de 100 % et applicable aux nouvelles generations des FPGA de Xilinx. Les approches proposees contribuent a repondre aux exigences du cahier des charges de cette. these et a achever les objectifs definis. Le realisme et la maximisation de l’estimation de la. vulnerabilite des circuits sous test offerts par les nouvelles approches assurent le. developpement d’une strategie de test en pre-certification efficace. En effet, la premiere. approche d’injection de pannes considerant la difference de sensibilite relative des elements. de memoire selon leur contenu genere des resultats donnant une erreur relative atteignant. 3.1 % quand compares aux resultats obtenus a TRIUMF alors que l’erreur relative donnee. par la comparaison des resultats d’une injection conventionnelle aleatoire de pannes avec. ceux de TRIUMF peut atteindre la valeur de 75 %. De plus, l’application de cette approche a. des circuits plus conventionnels montre que 2.3 fois plus d’erreurs sont detectees en. comparaison avec l’injection aleatoire des pannes. Ceci suggere que ne pas considerer la. difference de sensibilite relative dans la procedure d’emulation peut mener a une sousestimation. de la sensibilite du design face aux radiations. Les resultats de la deuxieme. approche proposee ont ete aussi compares aux resultats d’une injection aleatoire de pannes. L’approche proposee, maximisant le nombre des bits critiques inverses, permet d’atteindre. un facteur d’acceleration de 108 de la procedure d’injection des pannes en comparaison a. l’approche aleatoire. Elle permet aussi de minimiser l’erreur d’estimation du nombre des bits. critiques pour atteindre une valeur de ±1.1 % calculee pour un intervalle de confiance de. 95 % tandis que la valeur d’erreur d’estimation des bits critiques generee par l’approche. aleatoire d’injection des pannes pour le meme intervalle de confiance peut atteindre ±8.6 %. Enfin, la derniere approche proposee d’injection de pannes dans les LUT se distingue des. autres approches disponibles dans la litterature par sa simplicite tout en assurant une. couverture maximale de pannes de 100 %. En effet, l’approche proposee est independante. des outils externes permettant d’identifier les bits configurant les LUT qui sont obsoletes ou. ne supportent pas les nouvelles generations des FPGA. Elle agit directement sur les fichiers. generes par l’outil de synthese adopte.

GSD-1G and MPI-DING Reference Glasses for In Situ and Bulk Isotopic Determination

USGS Publications Warehouse

Jochum, K.P.; Wilson, S.A.; Abouchami, W.; Amini, M.; Chmeleff, J.; Eisenhauer, A.; Hegner, E.; Iaccheri, L.M.; Kieffer, B.; Krause, J.; McDonough, W.F.; Mertz-Kraus, R.; Raczek, I.; Rudnick, R.L.; Scholz, Donna K.; Steinhoefel, G.; Stoll, B.; Stracke, A.; Tonarini, S.; Weis, D.; Weis, U.; Woodhead, J.D.

2011-01-01

This paper contains the results of an extensive isotopic study of United States Geological Survey GSD-1G and MPI-DING reference glasses. Thirteen different laboratories were involved using high-precision bulk (TIMS, MC-ICP-MS) and microanalytical (LA-MC-ICP-MS, LA-ICP-MS) techniques. Detailed studies were performed to demonstrate the large-scale and small-scale homogeneity of the reference glasses. Together with previously published isotopic data from ten other laboratories, preliminary reference and information values as well as their uncertainties at the 95% confidence level were determined for H, O, Li, B, Si, Ca, Sr, Nd, Hf, Pb, Th and U isotopes using the recommendations of the International Association of Geoanalysts for certification of reference materials. Our results indicate that GSD-1G and the MPI-DING glasses are suitable reference materials for microanalytical and bulk analytical purposes. Ce document contient les r??sultats d'une importante ??tude isotopique des verres de r??f??rence USGS GSD-1G et MPI-DING. Treize laboratoires diff??rents ont particip?? au travers de techniques analytiques de haute pr??cision travaillant soit sur ??chantillon total (TIMS, MC-ICP-MS) soit par microanalyse ??in situ?? (LA-MC-ICP-MS, LA-ICP-MS). ?? 2010 The Authors. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research ?? 2010 International Association of Geoanalysts.

Introduction to chemistry and applications in nature of mass independent isotope effects special feature.

PubMed

Thiemens, Mark H

2013-10-29

Stable isotope ratio variations are regulated by physical and chemical laws. These rules depend on a relation with mass differences between isotopes. New classes of isotope variation effects that deviate from mass dependent laws, termed mass independent isotope effects, were discovered in 1983 and have a wide range of applications in basic chemistry and nature. In this special edition, new applications of these effects to physical chemistry, solar system origin models, terrestrial atmospheric and biogenic evolution, polar paleo climatology, snowball earth geology, and present day atmospheric sciences are presented.

Applying the Verona coding definitions of emotional sequences (VR-CoDES) to code medical students' written responses to written case scenarios: Some methodological and practical considerations.

PubMed

Ortwein, Heiderose; Benz, Alexander; Carl, Petra; Huwendiek, Sören; Pander, Tanja; Kiessling, Claudia

2017-02-01

To investigate whether the Verona Coding Definitions of Emotional Sequences to code health providers' responses (VR-CoDES-P) can be used for assessment of medical students' responses to patients' cues and concerns provided in written case vignettes. Student responses in direct speech to patient cues and concerns were analysed in 21 different case scenarios using VR-CoDES-P. A total of 977 student responses were available for coding, and 857 responses were codable with the VR-CoDES-P. In 74.6% of responses, the students used either a "reducing space" statement only or a "providing space" statement immediately followed by a "reducing space" statement. Overall, the most frequent response was explicit information advice (ERIa) followed by content exploring (EPCEx) and content acknowledgement (EPCAc). VR-CoDES-P were applicable to written responses of medical students when they were phrased in direct speech. The application of VR-CoDES-P is reliable and feasible when using the differentiation of "providing" and "reducing space" responses. Communication strategies described by students in non-direct speech were difficult to code and produced many missings. VR-CoDES-P are useful for analysis of medical students' written responses when focusing on emotional issues. Students need precise instructions for their response in the given test format. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nanomatériaux : Une revue des définitions, des applications et des effets sur la santé. Comment implémenter un développement sûr

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaffet, Eric

2011-09-01

Nanomaterials are an active area of research but also an economic sector in full expansion which addresses many application domains. For instance, French production for the most common nanomaterials (such as silica, titanium dioxide, carbon black) is in the hundreds of thousands of tons. As for any innovation, one must consider the risks and, if necessary, establish rules to protect consumer health and that of the worker. This article addresses in particular difficulties in defining these materials, the state of knowledge on human or environmental toxicity and requirements and agencies in charge of safety.

Development of Dielectric Elastomer Nanocomposites as Stretchable and Flexible Actuating Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yu

Dielectric elastomers (DEs) are a new type of smart materials showing promising functionalities as energy harvesting materials as well as actuating materials for potential applications such as artificial muscles, implanted medical devices, robotics, loud speakers, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), tunable optics, transducers, sensors, and even generators due to their high electromechanical efficiency, stability, lightweight, low cost, and easy processing. Despite the advantages of DEs, technical challenges must be resolved for wider applications. A high electric field of at least 10-30 V/um is required for the actuation of DEs, which limits the practical applications especially in biomedical fields. We tackle this problem by introducing the multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in DEs to enhance their relative permittivity and to generate their high electromechanical responses with lower applied field level. This work presents the dielectric, mechanical and electromechanical properties of DEs filled with MWNTs. The micromechanics-based finite element models are employed to describe the dielectric, and mechanical behavior of the MWNT-filled DE nanocomposites. A sufficient number of models are computed to reach the acceptable prediction of the dielectric and mechanical responses. In addition, experimental results are analyzed along with simulation results. Finally, laser Doppler vibrometer is utilized to directly detect the enhancement of the actuation strains of DE nanocomposites filled with MWNTs. All the results demonstrate the effective improvement in the electromechanical properties of DE nanocomposites filled with MWNTs under the applied electric fields.

Thermally conductive of nanofluid from surfactant doped polyaniline nanoparticle and deep eutectic ionic liquid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siong, Chew Tze; Daik, Rusli; Hamid, Muhammad Azmi Abdul

2014-09-01

Nanofluid is a colloidal suspension of nano-size particles in a fluid. Spherical shape dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid doped polyaniline (DBSA-PANI) nanoparticles were synthesized via reverse micellar polymerization in isooctane with average size of 50 nm- 60 nm. The aim of study is to explore the possibility of using deep eutectic ionic liquid (DES) as a new base fluid in heat transfer application. DES was prepared by heating up choline chloride and urea with stirring. DES based nanofluids containing DBSA-PANI nanoparticles were prepared using two-step method. Thermal conductivity of nanofluids was measured using KD2 Pro Thermal Properties Analyzer. When incorporated with DBSA-PANI nanoparticles, DES with water was found to exhibit a bigger increase in thermal conductivity compared to that of the pure DES. The thermal conductivity of DES with water was increased by 4.67% when incorporated with 0.2 wt% of DBSA-PANI nanoparticles at 50°C. The enhancement in thermal conductivity of DES based nanofluids is possibly related to Brownian motion of nanoparticles as well as micro-convection of base fluids and also interaction between dopants and DES ions.

Preface: Materiaux 2010

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheikhrouhou, Abdelwaheb

2012-02-01

The national conference 'MATERIAUX 2010', which took place in Mahdia (Tunisia), from 4-7 November 2010 was organized by The 'Tunisian Materials Research Society: Tu-MRS' in collaboration with the Materials Physics Laboratory of Sfax 'LPM', Faculty of Sciences, Sfax University and the Research Unit ' Physique, Informatique et Mathématiques ', Faculty of Sciences, Gafsa University The First National Conference on Materials 'MATERIAUX 2006' was organized in Douz (Tunisia) in December 2006. This was followed by 'MATERIAUX 2007' held in Hammamet (Tunisia) in April 2007 and the National Conference 'MATERIAUX 2009' organized jointly with the Second 'Journées Internationales de la Physique des Matériaux et Applications: JIPMA 2009' in Gafsa (Tunisia) from 20-24 December 2009. 'MATERIAUX 2010' is intended to provide an excellent opportunity for National, Maghreb and International researchers to make their own work on materials known to a wider audience and to have discussions with other participants. This conference will also be an opportunity to exchange experiences, create and consolidate cooperation between different research structures in the Maghreb countries and also the countries around the Mediterranean. This conference will equally promote research development, contribution to collaboration between universities and the socio-economical milieu. More than 300 senior researchers, Professors, PhD and Masters students attended this conference from Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, France, Spain and Canada. Several researchers, engineers and managers from industrial firms also attended. The conference consisted of plenary talks (8), oral contributions (40) and poster presentations (250). The topics of the Conference were: Nano-materials, nano-systems, thin films, surfaces and interfaces, applications Multifunctionnal materials, magnetic materials, dielectric materials, superconducting materials, applications,... Materials for electronics, informatics and communication Ceramics, glasses, polymers Natural materials (phosphates, clay,...) Metallic materials, alloys, metallurgy,... Others (materials and environment, materials and energy, biomaterials,...) I want to thank the scientific committee, the organizing committee, the local committee and everyone who contributed to the organization of this meeting for their invaluable efforts in order to guarantee the complete success of this conference. Abdelwaheb Cheikhrouhou President of 'Tu-MRS' Chairman of the Conference 'MATERIAUX 2010' Conference photograph Committies Organizing Committee Chairman CHEIKHROUHOU Abdelwaheb (Faculté des Sciences de Sfax) Members ALAYA Sahbi (Faculté des Sciences de Gabès) BENNACEUR Raouf (Faculté des Sciences de Tunis) BEN SALEM Mohamed (Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte) CHEIKHROUHOU-KOUBAA Wissem (Faculté des Sciences de Sfax) EL JANI Belgacem (Faculté des Sciences de Monastir) EZZAOUIA Hatem (Centre de Recherches et de Technologies de l'Energie, Technopole de Borj Cédria) LAMLOUMI Jilani (Ecole Supérieure des Sciences et Techniques de Tunis) REZIG Bahri (Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Tunis) Local Committee Chairman CHEIKHROUHOU Abdelwaheb (Faculté des Sciences de Sfax) Members CHEIKHROUHOU-KOUBAA Wissem (Faculté des Sciences de Sfax) KOUBAA Mohamed (Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Sfax) NJEH Anwar (Institut Préparatoire aux Etudes d'Ingénieurs de Sfax) BEN SALAH Issam (Faculté des Sciences de Sfax) TAKKALI Férid (Faculté des Sciences de Sfax) REGAIEG Yassin (Faculté des Sciences de Sfax) OTHMANI Safa (Faculté des Sciences de Sfax) MNASSRI Rafik (Faculté des Sciences de Sfax) Secretariat BEN GHOZLEN Afifa (Faculté des Sciences de Sfax) BOUGHARIOU Sana (Faculté des Sciences de Sfax) Scientific Committee M. ADDOU, Faculté des Sciences de Kénitra (Morocco) N. AMDOUNI, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis (Tunisia) M. BACCOUCHE, Faculté des Sciences d'Annaba (Algeria) H. BATIS, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis (Tunisia) A. BELAFHAL, Faculté des Sciences d'El Jadida (Morocco) M.H. BEN GHOZLEN, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax (Tunisia) R. BENNACEUR, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis (Tunisia) B. BENYOUCEF, Université Abou Bakr Belkaid, Tlemcen (Algeria) M. BEN SALEM, Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte (Tunisia) B. BESSAIES, Centre de Recherches et Technologies de l'Energie (Tunisia) H. BOUCHRIHA, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis (Tunisia) W. BOUJELBEN, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax (Tunisia) A. CHEIKHROUHOU, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax (Tunisia) W. CHEIKHROUHOU-KOUBAA, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax (Tunisia) R. CHTOUROU, Centre de Recherches et Technologies de l'Energie (Tunisia) M. DEBBABI, Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Monastir (Tunisia) A. DAKHLAOUI, Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte (Tunisia) A. DINIA, Université de Strasbourg (France) B. ELJANI, Faculté des Sciences de Monastir (Tunisia) A. ELJAZOULI, Faculté des Sciences Ben Msik, Casablanca (Morocco) Z. FAKHFAKH, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax (Tunisia) A. GASMI, Faculté des Sciences d'Annaba (Algeria) A. GHARBI, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis (Tunisia) R. GHARBI, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax (Tunisia) K. GUIDARA, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax (Tunisia) H. GUERMAZI, Institut Préparatoire aux Etudes d'Ingénieurs de Sfax (Tunisia) S. GUERMAZI, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax (Tunisia) M. HADDAD, Faculté des Sciences de Meknès (Morocco) A. HAJ AMARA, Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte (Tunisia) D. HAMANA, Faculté des Sciences de Constantine (Algeria) N. KAMOUN, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis (Tunisia) S. KADDOUR-CHARFI, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis (Tunisia) M. KADDOUR, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax (Tunisia) M. KHITOUNI, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax (Tunisia) T. MHIRI, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax (Tunisia) Y. MLIK, Institut Préparatoire aux Etudes Scientifiques et Techniques (Tunisia) N. MLIKI, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis (Tunisia) A. NJAH, Faculté des Sciences de Gafsa (Tunisia) M. OUESLATI, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis (Tunisia) K. ZELLAMA, Faculté des Sciences d'Amiens (France) Invited Speakers AMMAR-MERIAH Souad, ITODYS, Université Paris Diderot (France) BEN SALEM Mohamed, Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, Université du 7 Novembre á Carthage (Tunisia) CHEIKHROUHOU Abdelwaheb, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Université de Sfax (Tunisia) DAKHLAOUI Amel, Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, Université du 7 Novembre á Carthage (Tunisia) DJABBAR Ahmed, Université des Sciences et des Technologies de Lille (France) DURASTANTI Félix, Centre d'Etudes et Recherche en Thermique, Environnement et Systèmes (C.E.R.T.E.S.), Université Paris Est- Créteil (France) FERY-FORGUES Suzanne, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse (France) GIRAUD Romain, Laboratoire de Photonique et de Nanostructures, CNRS/LPN, Marcoussis (France)

Unique low-molecular-weight lignin with high purity extracted from wood by deep eutectic solvents (DES): a source of lignin for valorization

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

Alvarez-Vasco, Carlos; Ma, Ruoshui; Quintero, Melissa

This paper reports a new method of applying Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) for extracting lignin from woody biomass with high yield and high purity. DES mixtures prepared from Choline Chloride (ChCl) and four hydrogen-bond donors–acetic acid, lactic acid, levulinic acid and glycerol–were evaluated for treatment of hardwood (poplar) and softwood (D. fir). It was found that these DES treatments can selectively extract a significant amount of lignin from wood with high yields: 78% from poplar and 58% from D. fir. The extracted lignin has high purity (95%) with unique structural properties. We discover that DES can selectively cleave ether linkagesmore » in wood lignin and facilitate lignin removal from wood. The mechanism of DES cleavage of ether bonds between phenylpropane units was investigated. The results from this study demonstrate that DES is a promising solvent for wood delignification and the production of a new source of lignin with promising potential applications.« less

Certification of Professional School Personnel in Manitoba: A Handbook for Graduates of Manitoba's Teacher Training Institutions = Delivrance des brevets au personnel professionnel du Manitoba: Guide a l'attention des diplomes des etablissements de formation d'enseignants du Manitoba.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Manitoba Dept. of Education and Training, Winnipeg.

This guide, with alternating pages of text in English and French, provides information about the process of obtaining teacher certification in Manitoba (Canada). The guide discusses professional and vocational certification; application procedures; teaching prior to certification; salary classification; salary reclassification; official statements…

Advanced Non-Intrusive Instrumentation for Propulsion Engines

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-05-01

pratique courante dans le secteur du developpement comme dans l’industrie. L’accent a ete mis sur le souhait de maintenir cette situation, et les...differentes installations de l’Alliance et autres, en vue de leur amelioration avant de proposer des applications plus larges dans les secteurs de...dans ’ une cellule statique oil les parametres P et T sont facilement mesurables, des mesures des trois parametres ont ete realisees sur un jet

Introduction to Chemistry and Applications in Nature of Mass Independent Isotope Effects Special Feature

PubMed Central

Thiemens, Mark H.

2013-01-01

Stable isotope ratio variations are regulated by physical and chemical laws. These rules depend on a relation with mass differences between isotopes. New classes of isotope variation effects that deviate from mass dependent laws, termed mass independent isotope effects, were discovered in 1983 and have a wide range of applications in basic chemistry and nature. In this special edition, new applications of these effects to physical chemistry, solar system origin models, terrestrial atmospheric and biogenic evolution, polar paleo climatology, snowball earth geology, and present day atmospheric sciences are presented. PMID:24167299

Modeling nonlinear dynamic properties of dielectric elastomers with various crosslinks, entanglements, and finite deformations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Junshi; Chen, Hualing; Li, Dichen

2018-02-01

Subject to an AC voltage, dielectric elastomers (DEs) behave as a nonlinear vibration, implying potential applications as soft dynamical actuators and robots. In this article, by utilizing the Lagrange's equation, a theoretical model is deduced to investigate the dynamic performances of DEs by considering three internal properties, including crosslinks, entanglements, and finite deformations of polymer chains. Numerical calculations are employed to describe the dynamic response, stability, periodicity, and resonance properties of DEs. It is observed that the frequency and nonlinearity of dynamic response are tuned by the internal properties of DEs. Phase paths and Poincaré maps are utilized to detect the stability and periodicity of the nonlinear vibrations of DEs, which demonstrate that transitions between aperiodic and quasi-periodic vibrations may occur when the three internal properties vary. The resonance of DEs involving the three internal properties of polymer chains is also investigated.

Class Position and Musical Tastes: A Sing-Off between the Cultural Omnivorism and Bourdieusian Homology Frameworks.

PubMed

Veenstra, Gerry

2015-05-01

The longstanding debate between the homology and omnivorism approaches to the class bases of cultural tastes and practices rages on in cultural sociology. The homology thesis claims that class positions throughout the class hierarchy are accompanied by specified cultural tastes and specialized modes of appreciating them while the cultural omnivorism thesis contends that elites are (increasingly) characterized by a breadth of cultural tastes of any and all kinds. This study tests the applicability of these theses to musical tastes in Canada through the application of multiple correspondence analysis, latent class analysis, and logistic regression modeling to original telephone survey data (n = 1,595) from Toronto and Vancouver. I find that musical omnivorism, an appreciation for diverse musical styles, is not dispersed along class lines. Instead I find a homology between class position and musical tastes that designates blues, choral, classical, jazz, musical theater, opera, pop, reggae, rock, and world/international as relatively highbrow and country, disco, easy listening, golden oldies, heavy metal, and rap as relatively lowbrow. Of the highbrow tastes, all but jazz are disliked by lower class people, and of the lowbrow tastes, country, easy listening, and golden oldies are concurrently disliked by higher class people. Consistent with the homology thesis, it appears that class position is aligned with specific musical likes and dislikes. Le vieux débat entre les approches de l'homologie et de l'omnivorisme aux bases des classes des goûts et des pratiques culturels fait rage dans la sociologie culturelle. La thèse de l'homologie prétend que les positions des classes à travers la hiérarchie des classes sont accompagnées par des goûts culturels spécifiés et des modes spécialisés permettant leur appréciation. La thèse de l'omnivorisme culturel, en revanche, soutient que les élites sont (de plus en plus) caractérisées par un éventail de goûts culturels de toutes sortes. Cette étude expérimente l'applicabilité de ces thèses aux goûts musicaux au Canada à travers l'application de l'analyse des correspondances multiples, de l'analyse des classes latentes et du modèle de régression logistique aux données d'origine de l'étude collectées par téléphone (n = 1,595) de Toronto et de Vancouver. Je me rends compte que l'omnivorisme musical, une appréciation de styles musicaux divers, n'est pas dispersé le long des classes sociales. Bien au contraire, je trouve qu'il existe une homologie entre la position des classes et les goûts musicaux qui désigne les blues, la chorale, la musique classique, le jazz, le théâtre musical, l'opéra, la pop, le reggae, le rock et la musique du monde/internationale comme des styles des classes au niveau intellectuel relativement élevé. Cette homologie désigne la country, la disco, la musique d'ambiance, les anciens succès, le heavy metal et le rap comme des styles des classes au niveau intellectuel relativement bas. Des goûts des classes au niveau intellectuel élevé, tous les styles à l'exception du jazz ne sont pas appréciés de la basse classe. De même, des goûts des classes au niveau intellectuel bas, le country, la musique d'ambiance et les anciens succès ne sont pas appréciés de la haute classe. Selon la thèse de l'homologie, il apparaît que la position des classes est fonction des préférences et des aversions musicales spécifiques. © 2015 Canadian Sociological Association/La Société canadienne de sociologie.

Optimal Discrete Event Supervisory Control of Aircraft Gas Turbine Engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Litt, Jonathan (Technical Monitor); Ray, Asok

2004-01-01

This report presents an application of the recently developed theory of optimal Discrete Event Supervisory (DES) control that is based on a signed real measure of regular languages. The DES control techniques are validated on an aircraft gas turbine engine simulation test bed. The test bed is implemented on a networked computer system in which two computers operate in the client-server mode. Several DES controllers have been tested for engine performance and reliability.

Quantitative Profiling of Major Neutral Lipid Classes in Human Meibum by Direct Infusion Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

PubMed Central

Chen, Jianzhong; Green, Kari B.; Nichols, Kelly K.

2013-01-01

Purpose. The purpose of this investigation was to better understand lipid composition in human meibum. Methods. Intact lipids in meibum samples were detected by direct infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) analysis in positive detection mode using sodium iodide (NaI) as an additive. The peak intensities of all major types of lipid species, that is, wax esters (WEs), cholesteryl esters (CEs), and diesters (DEs) were corrected for peak overlapping and isotopic distribution; an additional ionization efficiency correction was performed for WEs and CEs, which was simplified by the observation that the corresponding ionization efficiency was primarily dependent on the specific lipid class and saturation degree of the lipids while independent of the carbon chain length. A set of WE and CE standards was spiked in meibum samples for ionization efficiency determination and absolute quantitation. Results. The absolute amount (μmol/mg) for each of 51 WEs and 31 CEs in meibum samples was determined. The summed masses for 51 WEs and 31 CEs accounted for 48 ± 4% and 40 ± 2%, respectively, of the total meibum lipids. The mass percentages of saturated and unsaturated species were determined to be 75 ± 2% and 25 ± 1% for CEs and 14 ± 1% and 86 ± 1% for WEs. The profiles for two types of DEs were also obtained, which include 42 α,ω Type II DEs, and 21 ω Type I-St DEs. Conclusions. Major neutral lipid classes in meibum samples were quantitatively profiled by ESI-MS analysis with NaI additive. PMID:23847307

La méthode des coordonnées curvilignes appliquée à la diffraction par des réseaux dont le profil est donné par des équations paramétriques: application à la diffraction par un réseau cycloïdal The method of curvilinear coordinates applied to the problem of scattering from surface-relief gratings defined by parametric equations: application to scattering from a cycloidal grating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Granet, Gérard; Chandezon, Jean

1997-11-01

The method of curvilinear coordinates is formulated using the coordinate transformations given by parametric equations. As an illustration, a translation coordinate system and a relaxation coordinate system are used to calculate the reflectivities of various cycloidal profiles. We show, with this example, that parametric coordinate systems permit one to handle profiles that previously had been out of reach owing to their sharpness.

A New Approach to Electrical Characterization of Exploding Foil Initiators

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-12-01

processed to illustrate the methodology. RESUME Dans une etude precedente de 1a caracterisation electrique des detonateurs a element projete (DEP), on a...applicable a 1a caracterisation electrique des DEP et decrit la methodologie experimentale adequate. Cette methodologie est illustree par la

Delivery of large biopharmaceuticals from cardiovascular stents: a review

PubMed Central

Takahashi, Hironobu; Letourneur, Didier; Grainger, David W.

2008-01-01

This review focuses on the new and emerging large-molecule bioactive agents delivered from stent surfaces in drug-eluting stents (DES) to inhibit vascular restenosis in the context of interventional cardiology. New therapeutic agents representing proteins, nucleic acids (small interfering RNAs and large DNA plasmids), viral delivery vectors and even engineered cell therapies require specific delivery designs distinct from traditional smaller molecule approaches on DES. While small molecules are currently the clinical standard for coronary stenting, extension of the DES to other lesion types, peripheral vasculature and non-vasculature therapies will seek to deliver an increasingly sophisticated armada of drug types. This review describes many of the larger molecule and biopharmaceutical approaches reported recently for stent-based delivery with the challenges associated with formulating and delivering these drug classes compared to the current small molecule drugs. It also includes perspectives on possible future applications that may improve safety and efficacy and facilitate diversification of the DES to other clinical applications. PMID:17929968

Elaboration de revetements nanocomposites avec des proprietes superhydrophobes, semi-conductrices et photocatalytiques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Madidi, Fatima Zahra

Les lignes aeriennes de transport et de distribution de l'energie electrique sont souvent exposees a diverses contraintes. Parmi celles-ci, la pollution des isolateurs constitue l'un des facteurs de premiere importance dans la fiabilite du transport d'energie. En effet, la presence de pollution sur les isolateurs lorsqu'elle est humidifiee entraine la diminution de leur performance electrique en favorisant l'apparition d'arcs de contournement. De telles pannes peuvent parfois causer des impacts socioeconomiques importants. Par ailleurs, le developpement de nouveaux revetements pour ces isolateurs peut s'averer un moyen efficace pour les proteger contre l'apparition de l'arc de contournement. Les revetements superhydrophobes ont fait l'objet de nombreuses etudes au cours de ces dernieres annees. Ces surfaces sont preparees en combinant une rugosite nano-microstructuree avec une faible energie de surface. En outre, de telles surfaces ont de nombreuses applications si elles sont durables et n'ont pas d'effets nocifs sur l'environnement. L'objectif principal de la presente etude vise d'abord l'elaboration de revetements superhydrophobes, puis l'etude de leur duree de vie, leurs proprietes dielectriques et photocatalytiques. Une grande variete de materiaux a faible energie de surface peuvent etre utilises pour le developpement de ces revetements. Dans cette recherche, le caoutchouc de silicone (CS) est employe car il presente de nombreuses proprietes, notamment une forte hydrophobie, une resistance aux rayonnements ultraviolets, et une bonne tenue au feu sans degagement de produits toxiques. Toutefois, le point faible de ces materiaux est la degradation de leurs proprietes hydrophobes. Afin d'ameliorer certaines proprietes du caoutchouc de silicone, des nanoparticules seront additionnees au polymere de base. La technique d'elaboration des revetements consiste a ajouter des nanoparticules de dioxyde de titane (TiO2) au polymere de base, par des methodes ayant un potentiel d'applications industrielles. Les parametres d'elaboration ont ete optimises afin d'obtenir des revetements stables presentant des angles de contact eleves avec des gouttelettes d'eau et de faibles hysteresis. Apres avoir obtenu des surfaces superhydrophobes, des tests de stabilite ont ete effectues dans des conditions de vieillissement accelere tels que l'immersion dans des solutions aqueuses avec differents pH et conductivites ou la degradation par rayonnement UV. Les resultats obtenus ont montre que l'ajout de nanoparticules de dioxyde de titane au caoutchouc de silicone permet d'ameliorer l'hydrophobie et la stabilite de ce polymere. Les revetements superhydrophobes obtenus ont pu maintenir leur superhydrophobicite apres plusieurs jours d'immersion dans differentes solutions aqueuses. Ils presentent aussi une bonne stabilite lorsqu'ils sont exposes aux rayons UV ainsi qu'une stabilite mecanique. De plus, on a pu developper des revetements nanocomposites et microcomposites avec de bonnes proprietes dielectriques. L'etude des proprietes photocatalytiques des revetements superhydrophobes ont montre que l'adsorption des molecules reactives (polluants) sur la surface du catalyseur (TiO2) est le parametre cle de l'activite photocatalytique. L'augmentation de la concentration de TiO2 conduit a une diminution de la concentration du polluant et par consequent a un excellent rendement photocatalytique.

Identifizierung der Nitratabbauprozesse und Prognose des Nitratabbaupotenzials in den Sedimenten des Hessischen Rieds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kludt, Christoph; Weber, Frank-Andreas; Bergmann, Axel; Knöller, Kay; Berthold, Georg; Schüth, Christoph

2016-09-01

Microbial denitrification contributes significantly to the mitigation of nitrate contamination in sedimentary aquifers by reducing nitrate coupled to the consumption of organic carbon (heterotrophic) and iron sulphides like pyrite (autotrophic). However, these phases are often only present in trace amounts and can become depleted, so that denitrification will eventually cease. In order to implement measures within the EC-Water Framework Directive, we investigated the denitrification potential and the denitrification processes in the sediments of the Hessian Ried. The reduction potential was quantified and characterized by solid-phase analyses of drill core samples. Depth-oriented investigations of hydrochemistry (i.e. stable isotopes, N2Excess) allowed determining nitrate input, reduction progress and average reduction kinetics upstream of selected wells. Despite low sulphide contents (max. 123 mg-S/kg), autotrophic denitrification was typically the dominant process. The results can be used to delineate risk areas, downstream of which denitrification can be expected to cease in the near future.

Préface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moncorgé, R.

2006-12-01

Cette nouvelle édition du Colloque UVX avait pour objectifs de : - réunir les chercheurs et les industriels intéressés par les applications et les développements les plus récents obtenus sur les sources UV, VUV et X, cohérentes ou incohérentes, et les optiques et matériaux associés ; - dresser un bilan des sources de photons à haute énergie et de leurs applications courantes et futures ; - susciter de nouvelles collaborations ; - ouvrir de nouveaux champs disciplinaires. Elle a été organisée par le laboratoire CIRIL au VVF de Colleville-sur-Mer, dans le département du Calvados, du 6 au 9 juin 2006, la journée du 5 juin ayant été consacrée à une réunion de travail du GDR CNRS SAXO, ce GDR regroupant une majorité de scientifiques concernés par le Colloque UVX. La manifestation a réuni ainsi une centaine de participants dont une dizaine d'exposants industriels. Parmi ces participants, trente étaient invités à donner une conférence orale. Une sélection a été faite également parmi les meilleures communications soumises par affiches pour qu'elles soient présentées oralement. Une trentaine de ces communications ont été préparées sous la forme d'articles de 6 à 12 pages et font l'objet de cet ouvrage. De nombreux travaux récents ont été exposés tant au niveau des sources que des techniques de caractérisation et des applications, ceci dans des domaines très divers allant de la physique des lasers et de la mise en forme spatiale et temporelle des faisceaux au domaine de l'imagerie médicale et biologiques en passant par les techniques de fabrication des cristaux, fibres et films minces organiques et inorganiques. Plusieurs résultats marquants en sont ressortis. Dans le domaine des sources, la mise en forme spatiale du faisceau laser utilisé pour la production d'harmoniques d'ordre élevé dans les gaz, ceci à l'aide de lames de phase peu onéreuses et simples d'utilisation, semble être une bonne solution pour accroître les efficacités de conversion et pour produire des impulsions UVX de quelques dizaines de microjoules. Parallèlement, des progrès notables ont été effectués dans la génération d'impulsions sub-100 as isolées accordables et de large bande spectrale en utilisant des impulsions de pompe ultracourtes bien contrôlée en phase. Il apparaît que la gamme spectrale accessible peut être encore largement étendue en jouant sur la longueur d'onde excitatrice et sur le milieu générateur pour pouvoir atteindre des impulsions de moins de 10 as. Des premiers résultats ont été aussi exposés concernant l'obtention d'un laser X à 18,9 nm pompé en incidence rasante (technique GRIP) à partir d'une cible de molybdène nickelloide et d'un laser Ti:Sa produisant des impulsions de plus de 2 microjoules. L'intérêt des milieux gazeux à excimères a été également de nouveau démontré pour l'amplification d'impulsions ultracourtes intenses TW dans le proche UV avec un contraste élevé (>1011). Bien qu'encore marginale, il faut enfin signaler l'arrivée des fibres optiques microstructurées avec la génération de supercontinuum de longueurs d'onde (spectre blanc) jusque dans le proche UV. Du côté des processus fondamentaux et des applications, sont particulièrement ressortis la caractérisation de plasmas denses utilisant des harmoniques élevées à l'aide d'une expérience interférométrique originale, la caractérisation de plasmas de taille nanométrique émetteurs de rayonnement X produits par interaction d'impulsions laser ultracourtes avec des agrégats de gaz rares ainsi que le dépôt de couches minces de biomolécules à l'aide de la technique MAPLE, technique susceptible d'améliorer la conservation des molécules, en particulier des protéines. Enfin, dans le domaine de la métrologie et de l'imagerie, l'importance des lames de phase dans la mise en forme spatiale des faisceaux, en particulier pour le projet Mega-Joule, a été de nouveau souligné, des progrès significatifs (réflectivité, bande passante, stabilité temporelle et thermique) ont été obtenus dans le domaine des revêtements interférentiels multicouches pour laser EUV autour de 40 nm, et des améliorations significatives, en particulier au niveau des détecteurs, ont été signalées dans le domaine de l'imagerie X du petit animal, la conception de sources dédiées à microfoyers délivrant des rayons X de basses énergies très rapides pour éviter le flou inhérent aux mouvements de l'animal restant encore nécessaire. Le Colloque a permis des échanges très fructueux entre laséristes et utilisateurs et entre scientifiques et industriels commercialisant sources, systèmes et détecteurs. Il a permis également de donner la parole à des intervenants très jeunes et souvent très brillants (doctorants et jeunes chercheurs) qui seront sans aucun doute les futurs responsables de nos laboratoires, centres de recherche et entreprises. Les progrès constatés résultant de travaux portant souvent sur les deux années écoulées (puisque c'est la fréquence choisie pour ce Colloque) et les résultats obtenus comme les perspectives annoncées montrant de nouveau toute la pertinence de cette manifestation, celle-ci sera reconduite en 2008.

Élaboration et performances de matériaux supraconducteurs {YBa_2Cu_3O_7} massifs texturés de taille croissante

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaud, X.; Gautier-Picard, P.; Beaugnon, E.; Porcar, L.; Bourgault, D.; Tournier, R.; Erraud, A.; Tixador, P.

1998-03-01

Industrial applications of the bulk superconducting YBa_2Cu_3O_7 material imply to control the growth of large oriented monodomains in samples of big size (several centimeters). The laboratory EPM-Matformag is committed to produce such materials according to three different methods (zone melting, solidification controlled by a magnetic field, crystal growth from a seed). The results obtained show that it is possible by such methods to elaborate a material with high performances at the centimeter scale and to produce it in series. The availability of such materials allows the measure of physical properties on a large scale and the testing of prototypes for cryo-electrotechnical applications (magnetic bearing, flywheel, coupling device, current lead...). Les applications industrielles des matériaux supraconducteurs massifs YBa_2Cu_3O_7 impliquent de contrôler la croissance de larges monodomaines orientés dans des échantillons de grande taille (plusieurs centimètres). Le laboratoire EPM-Matformag s'est appliqué à produire de tels matériaux selon trois techniques différentes (fusion de zone, solidification contrôlée sous champ magnétique, croissance cristalline à partir d'un germe). Les résultats obtenus montrent qu'il est possible par de telles techniques d'obtenir un matériau performant à l'échelle des centimètres et de le produire en série. La disponibilité de tels matériaux permet de mesurer des propriétés physiques à grande échelle et de tester des prototypes d'applications cryo-électrotechniques (palier magnétique, volant d'inertie, coupleur, amenée de courant, limiteur de courant...).

Highly Efficient Quantum Sieving in Porous Graphene-like Carbon Nitride for Light Isotopes Separation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qu, Yuanyuan; Li, Feng; Zhou, Hongcai; Zhao, Mingwen

2016-01-01

Light isotopes separation, such as 3He/4He, H2/D2, H2/T2, etc., is crucial for various advanced technologies including isotope labeling, nuclear weapons, cryogenics and power generation. However, their nearly identical chemical properties made the separation challenging. The low productivity of the present isotopes separation approaches hinders the relevant applications. An efficient membrane with high performance for isotopes separation is quite appealing. Based on first-principles calculations, we theoretically demonstrated that highly efficient light isotopes separation, such as 3He/4He, can be reached in a porous graphene-like carbon nitride material via quantum sieving effect. Under moderate tensile strain, the quantum sieving of the carbon nitride membrane can be effectively tuned in a continuous way, leading to a temperature window with high 3He/4He selectivity and permeance acceptable for efficient isotopes harvest in industrial application. This mechanism also holds for separation of other light isotopes, such as H2/D2, H2/T2. Such tunable quantum sieving opens a promising avenue for light isotopes separation for industrial application.

Ingenierie de nanoparticules plasmoniques robustes pour la generation de bulles par laser en vue d'applications biomedicales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lachaine, Remi

Les chirurgiens generent des bulles dans le corps humain a l'aide d'irradiation laser depuis plusieurs decennies. Ils utilisent ces bulles comme de petits scalpels, leur permettant de faire des incisions precises et localisees. Une des applications de cet outil chirurgical est la perforation cellulaire. Au lieu d'utiliser une aiguille pour perforer la membrane des cellules, il est possible de focaliser des impulsions laser en surface d'une cellule, formant un plasma au point focal du laser et generant une bulle qui perfore la membrane cellulaire. Toutefois, ce procede est assez lent et la perforation massive de cellules in-vivo n'est pas envisageable. Pour accelerer le processus, il est possible d'utiliser des nanoparticules plasmoniques. Ces dernieres agissent comme des nano-antennes qui permettent de concentrer la lumiere sur une echelle nanometrique. La possibilite d'irradier un grand nombre de nanoparticules simultanement a donne un nouvel elan a la generation de bulle comme outil de perforation cellulaire. L'utilisation de nanoparticules dans un contexte biomedical comporte toutefois certains risques. En particulier, la fragmentation de nanoparticules peut augmenter la toxicite du traitement. Dans un cas ideal, il est preferable d'utiliser des nanoparticules qui ne sont pas endommagees par l'irradiation laser. Cette these a pour but de developper une methode d'ingenierie de nanoparticules robustes permettant la generation efficace de bulles a des fins biomedicales. Il est tout d'abord demontre experimentalement que la formation de plasma est bel et bien le mecanisme physique principal menant a la generation de bulles lors de l'irradiation infrarouge (longueur d'onde de 800 nm) et ultrarapide (temps d'impulsion entre 45 fs et 1 ps) de nanoparticules d'or de 100 nm. Pour realiser cette demonstration, une methode pompe-sonde de detection de bulles d'environ 1 mum a ete elaboree. Cette methode a permis de mettre en evidence une difference de taille de 18% entre les bulles generees avec une irradiation de polarisation lineaire par rapport a une polarisation circulaire lorsque la duree d'impulsion etait inferieure a la picoseconde. Pour des impulsions plus longues, il est montre que les tailles de bulles sont independantes de la polarisation des impulsions incidentes. Ce comportement particulier est en accord avec les predictions theoriques qui incluent la formation non-lineaire de plasma et ne peut pas etre explique en considerant uniquement l'absorption des particules. Ensuite, une methode de conception de nanoparticules robustes pour la generation de bulles est elaboree. Cette methode se base sur les proprietes optiques des nanostructures.

Verification, Validation, and Accreditation (VV&A) of Federations (Verification, validation et accreditation (VV&A) des federations)

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-04-01

le manque de modèle universel pour la Vérification, la Validation et l’Accréditation des fédérations à cause des perspectives et besoins nationaux...federation application will depend on a number of factors, including the quality of the requirements information and the resources allocated to the VV&A...required) allocating the required functionality to federates, and developing a detailed plan for federation development and implementation. Step 4

Radar response to crop residue cover and tillage application on postharvest agricultural surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McNairn, Heather

Les informations sur les pratiques de conservation des sols comme le labourage et la gestion des residus de culture sont requises afin d'estimer avec exactitude les risques d'erosion des sols. Quoique les micro-ondes soient sensibles aux conditions d'humidite et aux proprietes geometriques des surfaces, il n'en demeure pas moins que l'on connait encore peu sur la sensibilite des micro-ondes polarisees lineaires ou des parametres polarimetriques du ROS en fonction des caracteristiques des residus. A partir de donnees prises a l'aide d'un diffusometre monte sur un camion en 1996 et lors d'une mission SIR-C menee en 1994, cette recherche a demontre que les micro-ondes sont sensibles a la fois a la quantite et au type de couverture de residus, de meme qu'a la teneur en eau des residus. La reponse des polarisations croisees lineaires et de plusieurs parametres polarimetriques, incluant la hauteur pedestre, a permis d'observer qu'une diffusion volumique importante avait lieu en presence de vegetation senescente qui se tenait debout et pour les champs non laboures. La diffusion de surface dominait cependant pour les champs avec de faibles quantites de residus et des residus plus fins. La recherche a toutefois demontre que des conditions de surface complexes etaient crees par differentes combinaisons de residus et de pratiques de labourage. Par consequent, il faudra attendre que des donnees multi-polarisees ou polarimetriques soient acquises par les capteurs prevus a bord du satellite canadien RADARSAT-2 et du satellite ENVISAT de l'Agence spatiale europeenne avant de pouvoir completement caracteriser les champs apres la recolte.

Application of stable isotope tools for evaluating natural and stimulated biodegradation of organic pollutants in field studies.

PubMed

Fischer, Anko; Manefield, Mike; Bombach, Petra

2016-10-01

Stable isotope tools are increasingly applied for in-depth evaluation of biodegradation of organic pollutants at contaminated field sites. They can be divided into three methods i) determination of changes in natural abundance of stable isotopes using compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA), ii) detection of incorporation of stable-isotope label from a stable-isotope labelled target compound into degradation and/or mineralisation products and iii) determination of stable-isotope label incorporation into biomarkers using stable isotope probing (SIP). Stable isotope tools have been applied as key monitoring tools for multiple-line-of-evidence-approaches (MLEA) for sensitive evaluation of pollutant biodegradation. This review highlights the application of CSIA, SIP and MLEA including stable isotope tools for assessing natural and stimulated biodegradation of organic pollutants in field studies dealing with soil and groundwater contaminations. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Converting isotope ratios to diet composition - the use of mixing models - June 2010

EPA Science Inventory

One application of stable isotope analysis is to reconstruct diet composition based on isotopic mass balance. The isotopic value of a consumer’s tissue reflects the isotopic values of its food sources proportional to their dietary contributions. Isotopic mixing models are used ...

Implementation en VHDl/FPGA d'afficheur video numerique (AVN) pour des applications aerospatiales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pelletier, Sebastien

L'objectif de ce projet est de developper un controleur video en langage VHDL afin de remplacer la composante specialisee presentement utilisee chez CMC Electronique. Une recherche approfondie des tendances et de ce qui se fait actuellement dans le domaine des controleurs video est effectuee afin de definir les specifications du systeme. Les techniques d'entreposage et d'affichage des images sont expliquees afin de mener ce projet a terme. Le nouveau controleur est developpe sur une plateforme electronique possedant un FPGA, un port VGA et de la memoire pour emmagasiner les donnees. Il est programmable et prend peu d'espace dans un FPGA, ce qui lui permet de s'inserer dans n'importe quelle nouvelle technologie de masse a faible cout. Il s'adapte rapidement a toutes les resolutions d'affichage puisqu'il est modulaire et configurable. A court terme, ce projet permettra un controle ameliore des specifications et des normes de qualite liees aux contraintes de l'avionique.

Applications of stable isotopes in clinical pharmacology

PubMed Central

Schellekens, Reinout C A; Stellaard, Frans; Woerdenbag, Herman J; Frijlink, Henderik W; Kosterink, Jos G W

2011-01-01

This review aims to present an overview of the application of stable isotope technology in clinical pharmacology. Three main categories of stable isotope technology can be distinguished in clinical pharmacology. Firstly, it is applied in the assessment of drug pharmacology to determine the pharmacokinetic profile or mode of action of a drug substance. Secondly, stable isotopes may be used for the assessment of drug products or drug delivery systems by determination of parameters such as the bioavailability or the release profile. Thirdly, patients may be assessed in relation to patient-specific drug treatment; this concept is often called personalized medicine. In this article, the application of stable isotope technology in the aforementioned three areas is reviewed, with emphasis on developments over the past 25 years. The applications are illustrated with examples from clinical studies in humans. PMID:21801197

Dissolution of cellulose in ionic liquid: A review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohd, N.; Draman, S. F. S.; Salleh, M. S. N.; Yusof, N. B.

2017-02-01

Dissolution of cellulose with ionic liquids (IL) and deep eutectic solvent (DES) lets the comprehensive dissolution of cellulose. Basically, cellulose can be dissolved, in some hydrophilic ionic liquids, such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BMIMCl) and 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (AMIMCl). Chloride based ionic liquids are suitable solvents for cellulose dissolution. Although the ILs is very useful in fine chemical industry, its application in the pharmaceutical and food industry have been very limited due to issues with toxicity, purity, and high cost. Seeing to these limitations, new green alternative solvent which is DES was used. This green solvents, may be definitely treated as the next-generation reagents for more sustainable industrial development. Thus, this review aims to discuss the dissolution of cellulose either with ionic liquids or DES and its application.

Injury Prevention in Aircraft Crashes: Investigative Techniques and Applications (la Prevention des lesions lors des accidents d’ avions: les techniques d’investigation et leurs applications)

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-02-01

provide the aircrew and passengers with a level of protection commensurate with the risk of operating aircraft in the military and civilian...the time taken to reach peak acceleration and upon the peak acceleration level attained. Long duration acceleration, which can be experienced in...acceleration depends principally on the plateau level of the acceleration imposed on the body, as the response to long duration acceleration is due

Préface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paulus, Werner; Meinnel, Jean

2003-02-01

En 1994, l'attribution du prix Nobel à Cliff Shull et Bert Brockhouse pour leurs travaux de pionniers pendant les années 50, concernant tant la diffusion élastique des neutrons que la diffusion inélastique, a été la reconnaissance éclatante de l'importance de la diffusion neutronique pour toute la communauté scientifique.Le grand intérêt du neutron pour la recherche s'appuie principalement sur ses propriétés physiques particulières :- les neutrons utilisés pour la caractérisation de la matière (et fournis en relativement grandes quantités par les réacteurs ou les sources à spallation) disposent de longueurs d'onde et d'énergies correspondant directement aux distances interatomiques et aux énergies d'agitation de la matière. Ainsi, par diffusion neutronique, on peut étudier en même temps la structure et le comportement dynamique de la matière ;- le fait que le neutron soit doué d'un moment magnétique lui permet d'interagir avec tout atome porteur d'un moment magnétique. Ceci permet de caractériser intimement le comportement magnétique de la matière à l'échelle microscopique ;- la possibilité de pouvoir varier facilement le contraste d'un même élément en utilisant ses différents isotopes fait du neutron un outil irremplaçable en chimie et physique du solide ainsi qu'en biologie et matière molle ;- enfin, n'ayant pas de charge électrique, les neutrons peuvent pénétrer la matière sans être absorbés significativement, ce qui rend possible une caractérisation non destructive des contraintes et textures sur de grosses pièces des matériaux.Toutes les qualités des neutrons mentionnées ci-dessus permettent de comprendre l'importance de la diffusion neutronique pour des domaines très nombreux et très différents à la fois en recherche fondamentale mais aussi pour des applications industrielles. L'utilisation de l'outil-neutron demande toutefois non seulement une bonne connaissance des différents mécanismes d'interaction entre le neutron et la matière, mais également une haute spécificité dans la conception et l'utilisation des diffractomètres et spectromètres neutroniques. Pour ces raisons, l'accès aux neutrons est souvent limité, sinon réservé à des spécialistes, ce qui freine tout naturellement l'utilisation par des chercheurs non familiarisés à ce domaine.Pour combattre ce déficit d'information et cet état de fait, en accord avec de nombreux collègues Rennais, nous avons proposé à la Société Française de Neutronique d'organiser une École d'été qui s'adresse plus spécialement à de non-spécialistes de la diffusion neutronique. Le public visé concernait donc à la fois les chercheurs confirmés mais peu familiarisés avec le domaine neutronique, mais aussi les jeunes chercheurs dès le niveau doctorant. En effet pour ces derniers, l'utilisation des “grands instruments" s'avère nécessaire pour qu'ils soient à la hauteur de leur sujet de thèse. Pour cette raison, il était évident d'intégrer cette École d'été dans le programme de l'École Doctorale “Sciences des Matériaux" de l'Université de Rennes 1 qui rassemble chimistes, physiciens et géologues. Dans le même contexte, notre intérêt était de proposer un large spectre de cours couvrant la diversité des applications de la diffusion neutronique dans les différents domaines de recherche en chimie et physique des matériaux, en sciences de la terre ainsi qu'en sciences pour l'ingénieur. Un deuxième but était de montrer de plus la complémentarité des neutrons et des rayons X et plus spécifiquement des X produits par rayonnement synchrotron.Dans l'avenir, nous sommes persuadés que la diffusion neutronique va jouer un rôle clé pour le développement de nouveaux matériaux et de leur caractérisation. Dans cette optique, des efforts considérables ont été déjà engagés aux États-Unis ainsi qu'au Japon où deux nouvelles sources de neutrons sont en cours de construction. Du point de vue européen, si les sources de l'ILL et d'ISIS peuvent encore être considérées comme des leaders au point de vue mondial, il est évidemment souhaitable que la nouvelle source neutronique à spallation (European Spallation Source : ESS) soit rapidement réalisée. Aujourd'hui ce projet est bien avancé, cette source devrait dépasser le flux des sources actuelles par près de deux ordres de grandeur et ainsi de maintenir au meilleur niveau les compétences Européennes. Il est évident qu'une utilisation efficace et intelligente des sources existantes, mais aussi de celles de la nouvelle génération, implique une certaine infrastructure nationale tant au niveau de la conception, de la réalisation que du fonctionnement des différents spectromètres. Ceci implique un très fort engagement des universités dans les différents projets de recherche. Le devoir des universités qui en résulte est donc d'intégrer l'utilisation des “grands instruments" dans leur programme d'enseignement. Dans ce sens, nous souhaitons que ce cours, entièrement rédigé en français, contribue à la fois à aider les chercheurs “non spécialistes” à accéder plus facilement au domaine neutronique, mais aussi à servir de base aux enseignants pour l'organisation et la préparation de leurs cours.Nous tenons à remercier tous les collègues qui ont accepté de rédiger de façon détaillée les cours qu'ils avaient présentés oralement dans la grande salle du VVF de Trégastel, ainsi que toutes les personnes qui ont contribué à la réussite du séjour ou à la réalisation de ce fascicule. Nous gardons un excellent souvenir de l'atmosphère de l'École qui a eu lieu à Trégastel, en plein centre de la côte de granite rose en Bretagne, en mai 2001 et était jumelée avec les Journées de la diffusion neutronique, elles aussi organisées sous l'égide de la SFN.Nous souhaitons que la lecture de cet ouvrage soit utile à un maximum de chercheurs.

La stimulation magnétique transcrânienne (SMT) dans la recherche fondamentale et clinique en neuroscience

PubMed Central

Valero-Cabré, Antoni; Pascual-Leone, Alvaro; Coubard, Olivier A.

2011-01-01

Introduction Les méthodes de stimulation cérébrale non invasives telles que la Stimulation Magnétique Transcrânienne (SMT) sont largement utilisées pour établir des inférences causales sur les relations entre cerveau et comportement. Des applications cliniques basées sur la SMT ont également été développées pour traiter des affections neurologiques ou psychiatriques comme la dépression, la dystonie, la douleur, les acouphènes ou les séquelles d’accident vasculaire cérébral. État des connaissances La SMT fonctionne en induisant de manière non invasive et de manière focale des courants électriques dans des régions corticales, modulant ainsi leur niveau d’activité de façon variable suivant la fréquence, le nombre d’impulsions, les intervalles et la durée de stimulation utilisés. S’agissant du cortex moteur, on sait par exemple que les patterns d’impulsions de SMT à basse fréquence ou ceux délivrées de manière continue tendent à déprimer l’activité locale, tandis que la SMT à haute fréquence et discontinus tend à la potentialiser. Outre ses effets locaux, la SMT peut aussi avoir des effets à distance sur les régions cérébrales, véhiculés par les connections anatomiques et qui dépendent de l’efficacité et du signe de ces connexions. Perspectives Dans le domaine de la recherche fondamentale et des applications thérapeutiques, l’utilisation efficace de la SMT requiert, cependant, la compréhension approfondie de ses principes opérationnels, de ses risques, de ses potentialités et de ses limites. Dans cet article, nous présentons les principes par lesquels opèrent les méthodes de stimulation cérébrale non invasive, et en particulier la SMT. Conclusion À l’issue de sa lecture, le lecteur sera en mesure de discuter de façon critique les études scientifiques et cliniques utilisant la SMT, ainsi que de concevoir des applications SMT suivant une hypothèse a priori dans le domaine de la recherche en neuroscience fondamentale et/ou clinique. PMID:21420698

Contrôler la douleur et réduire l’usage abusif d’opioïdes

PubMed Central

Kotalik, Jaro

2012-01-01

Résumé Objectif Aider les médecins de famille à faire un juste équilibre sur le plan de l’éthique dans leurs pratiques de prescription d’opioïdes. Source des données Une recension des articles en anglais publiés entre 1985 et 2011 a été effectuée dans MEDLINE. La majorité des données probantes étaient de niveau III. Message principal Il est essentiel de suivre les guides de pratique clinique quand on prescrit des opioïdes, sauf s’il est démontré qu’une autre option est justifiée. De plus, quand on réfléchit à la pertinence de prescrire des opioïdes et aux nombreuses implications sur le plan de l’éthique, il est utile de fonder sa décision sur l’application des principes éthiques de la bienfaisance, de la non-malfaisance, du respect de l’autonomie et de la justice. En outre, il est essentiel de se tenir au fait des changements dans les lois et la règlementation, ainsi qu’à propos des registres électroniques provinciaux des ordonnances d’opioïdes. Conclusion Les médecins doivent s’assurer que la douleur de leurs patients est bien évaluée et prise en charge. Le contrôle optimal de la douleur peut exiger la prescription d’opioïdes. Cependant, l’obligation de soulager la douleur doit être exercée en juste équilibre avec l’acquittement de la responsabilité tout aussi importante de ne pas exposer les patients au risque de dépendance et de ne pas créer de possibilités de détournement de drogues, de trafic et de dépendance chez d’autres personnes. Les principes éthiques fondamentaux offrent un cadre de réflexion qui peut aider les médecins à prendre des décisions appropriées sur le plan de l’éthique au sujet de la prescription d’opioïdes.

Relation entre les caractéristiques des table-bancs et les mesures anthropométriques des écoliers au Benin

PubMed Central

Falola, Stève Marjelin; Gouthon, Polycarpe; Falola, Jean-Marie; Fiogbe, Michel Armand; Nigan, Issiako Bio

2014-01-01

Introduction Le mobilier scolaire et la posture assise en classe sont souvent impliqués dans l'apparition des douleurs rachidiennes, influant de fait sur la qualité des tâches réalisées par les apprenants. Aucune étude n'a encore vérifié le degré d'adéquation entre les caractéristiques du mobilier et celles des écoliers au Bénin. L'objectif de cette étude transversale est donc de déterminer la relation entre les dimensions des table-bancs utilisées en classe et les mesures anthropométriques des écoliers au Bénin. Methods Elle a été réalisée avec un échantillon probabiliste de 678 écoliers, âgés de 4 à 17 ans. Les mesures anthropométriques des écoliers et les mensurations relatives aux longueurs, largeurs et hauteurs des table-bancs ont été mesurées, puis intégrées aux équations proposées dans la littérature. Les pourcentages des valeurs situées hors des limitesacceptables, dérivées de l'application des équations ont été calculés. Results La largeur et la hauteur des table-bancs utilisées par les écoliers étaient plus élevées (p < 0,05) que les valeurs de référence recommandées par les structures officielles de contrôle et de production des mobiliers scolaires au Bénin. Quel que soit le sexe, il y avait une inadéquation entre la largeur du banc et la longueur fesse-poplité, puis entre la hauteur de la table et la distance coude-bancdes écoliers. Conclusion Les résultats suggèrent de prendre en compte l’évolution des mesures anthropométriques des écoliers dans la confection des table-bancs, afin de promouvoir de bonnes postures assises en classe et de réduire le risque de troubles du rachis. PMID:25317232

La singularité du patient tuberculeux dans le système de santé: l'expérience du Burkina Faso

PubMed Central

Zerbo, Roger

2013-01-01

La démarche pluridisciplinaire s'impose de plus en plus dans le secteur de la santé dans le contexte africain, où les parcours thérapeutiques sont pluriels et les rapports des usagers des centres de santé sont complexes et peu satisfaisants. La compréhension des représentations de la maladie est nécessaire pour offrir des soins appropriés certes, mais l'expérience individuelle des malades représente également une source de savoir. Les données ont été collectées à travers des entretiens semi-directifs, le recueil des récits de vie et des observations participantes. Cet article rend compte d'une expérience d'implication de socio-anthropologue dans la mise en œuvre d'un programme de santé publique au Burkina Faso en vue d'une amélioration de la prise en charge des malades tuberculeux. L'analyse des données à été conduite dans une visée réflexive. Les perspectives socio-anthropologiques ont révélé que l'expérience des anciens malades tuberculeux peut être mise à profit afin d'apporter des changements dans les relations thérapeutiques et l'intégration sociale des autres malades. Cette idée à été mise en application pour tenir lieu d'une traduction des analyses anthropologiques en actes pour un changement. L'article évoque la manière dont l'approche socio-anthropologique au sein d'un programme de santé, peut mettre en évidence le potentiel des malades à être des acteurs importants dans le fonctionnement des services de soins et leur propre bien-être. Dans cette situation, la démarche théorique implique la réflexivité de l'anthropologue, mais également un regard critique sur les modes d'intervention en santé publique. PMID:24009798

Instrumentation optique pour l'identification per-operatoire des tissus durant les chirurgies de la thyroide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Montigny, Etienne

Cette these traite du developpement d'instrumentation pour l'imagerie medicale optique. Ces travaux sont centres sur une application particuliere ; faciliter l'identification des tissus durant les chirurgies de la thyroide et de la parathyroide. La thyroide est une glande situee dans le cou, attachee au larynx a la hauteur de la pomme d'Adam. Elle est entouree de plusieurs structures importantes : muscles, nerfs et glandes parathyroides. Ces dernieres controlent la calcemie et jouent donc un role essentiel dans le corps. Elles sont toutefois de petite taille et sont tres difficiles a distinguer du gras et des ganglions environnants. L'objectif principal de cette these est de developper une instrumentation basee sur la microscopie optique pour permettre l'identification des tissus : thyroide, parathyroide, gras et ganglions, durant les chirurgies. Les choix sont donc faits en fonction de cette application et du contexte specifique des mesures intra-operatoires sur des patients humains. Plusieurs modalites d'imagerie optique sont identifiees pour atteindre l'objectif : microscopie confocale en reflectance, tomographique par coherence optique, et mesure de l'autofluorescence des glandes parathyroides. Dans le but d'ameliorer leur compatibilite avec l'environnement clinique qui requiert stabilite dans le temps et resistance aux vibrations et aux conditions environnementales, ce projet se concentre sur les implementations miniaturisables et basees sur des fibres optiques. Pour implementer un systeme d'imagerie en fluorescence a balayage laser rapide, un systeme d'imagerie en fluorescence par encodage spectral est propose. Bien que l'utilisation de l'encodage spectral semble a priori incompatible avec le contraste en fluorescence, une implementation facile a realiser est proposee. Une seconde version du montage, compatible avec la clinique et facilitant le developpement d'un endoscope, est presentee. La preuve de principe de cette methode est faite a 1300nm, une longueur d'onde qui n'est pas appropriee pour la fluorescence intrinseque des parathyroides. Pour adresser cette lacune, une nouvelle source laser a balayage centree a 780nm a haute puissance (100mW) est montree. Ces developpements sont compatibles avec l'implementation de la microscopie confocale en reflectance identifiee pour l'identification des tissus durant les chirurgies de la thyroide. Cela permet de developper un montage combinant le contraste en reflectance et en fluorescence dans le meme instrument. La microscopie confocale en reflectance possede une tres grande resolution permettant l'examen au niveau cellulaire des tissus. Cette technique souffre toutefois d'un faible rapport signal sur bruit et d'un bruit de tavelure important, reduisant l'interpretabilite des images.

Detection de la fin de la compaction des anodes par le son

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanogo, Bazoumana

L'objectif de ce projet etait de developper un outil de controle en temps reel du temps de compaction en se servant du son genere par le vibrocompacteur pendant le formage des anodes crues. Ainsi, une application a ete developpee pour l'analyse des sons enregistres. Des essais ont ete realises avec differents microphones pour une meilleure qualite des mesures et un a ete choisi pour la suite du projet. De meme, differents tests ont ete realises sur des anodes de laboratoire ainsi que des anodes a l'echelle industrielle afin de mettre en place une methode pour la detection du temps optimal necessaire au formage des anodes. Les travaux au laboratoire de carbone a l'Universite du Quebec a Chicoutimi (UQAC) ont consiste a l'enregistrement de son des anodes fabriquees sur place avec differentes configurations; et a la caracterisation de certaines anodes de l'usine. Les anodes fabriquees au laboratoire sont reparties en deux groupes. Le premier regroupe les anodes pour la validation de notre methode. Ce sont des anodes produites avec des temps de compaction differents. Le laboratoire de carbone a l'UQAC est unique et il est possible de produire des anodes avec les memes proprietes que celles des anodes industrielles. Par consequent, la validation initialement prevue a l'usine a ete effectuee avec les anodes de laboratoire. Le deuxieme groupe a servi a etudier les effets des matieres premieres sur le temps de compaction. Le type de coke et le type de brai ont constitue les differentes variations dans ce deuxieme groupe. Quant aux tests et mesures a l'usine, ils ont ete realises en trois campagnes de mesure. La premiere campagne en juin 2014 a servi a standardiser et a trouver le meilleur positionnement des appareils pour les mesures, a regler le logiciel et a faire les premieres mesures. Une deuxieme campagne en mai 2015 a fait l'objet d'enregistrement de son en classant les anodes selon differents temps de compaction. La troisieme et derniere campagne en decembre 2015 a ete le lieu de tests finaux a l'usine en fabriquant des anodes avec differents criteres (variation du temps de compaction, taux de brai, arret manuel du compacteur, variation de la pression des ballons du haut du compacteur). Ces anodes ont ete ensuite analysees au laboratoire a l'UQAC. En parallele a ces travaux precites, l'amelioration de l'application d'analyse du son a ete faite avec le choix des parametres d'analyse et leur standardisation. Les resultats des premiers tests au laboratoire et ceux de la campagne de juin 2014 ont montre que la formation des anodes se fait suivant trois etapes : rearrangement des particules et du brai, compaction et consolidation et enfin la finition. Ces travaux ont montre en outre que le temps de compaction joue un role tres important dans la definition des proprietes finales des anodes. Ainsi, en plus du type de brai, du taux de brai et du type de coke, il faut tenir compte du temps de sur-compaction et de sous-compaction. En effet, ceci a ete demontre a travers les deux validations qui ont ete realisees. Les resultats de la caracterisation des echantillons (venant des anodes de la campagne de decembre 2015) ont montre qu'une anode compactee a un temps optimal acquiert une bonne resistance a la compression et sa resistivite electrique baisse. En outre, on note que le temps de compaction dans notre cas a baisse legerement avec l'augmentation de la pression des ballons de haut du vibrocompacteur. Ce qui a eu pour effet d'augmenter la densite crue de l'anode. Toutefois, il faut s'abstenir de generaliser ce constat car le nombre d'anodes testees est faible dans notre cas. Par ailleurs, cette etude montre que le temps necessaire pour le formage d'une anode croit avec l'augmentation du taux de brai et baisse legerement avec l'augmentation de la pression des ballons. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).

Natural Isotope Abundance in Metabolites: Techniques and Kinetic Isotope Effect Measurement in Plant, Animal, and Human Tissues.

PubMed

Tea, Illa; Tcherkez, Guillaume

2017-01-01

The natural isotope abundance in bulk organic matter or tissues is not a sufficient base to investigate physiological properties, biosynthetic mechanisms, and nutrition sources of biological systems. In fact, isotope effects in metabolism lead to a heterogeneous distribution of 2 H, 18 O, 13 C, and 15 N isotopes in metabolites. Therefore, compound-specific isotopic analysis (CSIA) is crucial to biological and medical applications of stable isotopes. Here, we review methods to implement CSIA for 15 N and 13 C from plant, animal, and human samples and discuss technical solutions that have been used for the conversion to CO 2 and N 2 for IRMS analysis, derivatization and isotope effect measurements. It appears that despite the flexibility of instruments used for CSIA, there is no universal method simply because the chemical nature of metabolites of interest varies considerably. Also, CSIA methods are often limited by isotope effects in sample preparation or the addition of atoms from the derivatizing reagents, and this implies that corrections must be made to calculate a proper δ-value. Therefore, CSIA has an enormous potential for biomedical applications, but its utilization requires precautions for its successful application. © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Etude de faisabilite d'un systeme eolien diesel avec stockage d'air comprime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benchaabane, Youssef

Le Systeme Hybride Eolien-Diesel avec Stockage d'Air Comprime (SHEDAC) utilise l'hybridation pneumatique pour remplacer la consommation des combustibles fossiles par de l'energie renouvelable, plus particulierement de l'energie eolienne. Le surplus de l'energie eolienne est utilise pour comprimer et stocker de l'air qui est utilise ensuite pour suralimenter le moteur diesel. Le memoire de maitrise est constitue de deux articles scientifiques. Le premier article presente le developpement d'un logiciel dedie a l'etude de faisabilite d'un systeme eolien-diesel avec stockage d'air comprime. Cette etude est basee sur l'analyse des couts et des revenus, des couts des equipements (eolienne, moteur diesel, systeme de stockage d'air). Elle est completee par une analyse de sensibilite aux differents parametres, une analyse des risques et des emissions des gaz a effet de serre (GES). Le deuxieme article est une application de ce logiciel pour l'installation d'un systeme SHEDAC au camp minier Esker au Quebec en remplacement des sources actuelles de production d'energie. L'utilisation du stockage d'air comprime a l'aide d'un systeme SHEDAC est le plus rentable par rapport a l'utilisation de l'energie eolienne seule ou d'une centrale thermique au diesel seule ou des deux combinees. Avec une valeur actuelle nette et un taux de rendement interne plus eleves, cette solution permet d'obtenir le plus bas cout de l'energie pour cette region eloignee. None None None

Verona Coding Definitions of Emotional Sequences (VR-CoDES): Conceptual framework and future directions.

PubMed

Piccolo, Lidia Del; Finset, Arnstein; Mellblom, Anneli V; Figueiredo-Braga, Margarida; Korsvold, Live; Zhou, Yuefang; Zimmermann, Christa; Humphris, Gerald

2017-12-01

To discuss the theoretical and empirical framework of VR-CoDES and potential future direction in research based on the coding system. The paper is based on selective review of papers relevant to the construction and application of VR-CoDES. VR-CoDES system is rooted in patient-centered and biopsychosocial model of healthcare consultations and on a functional approach to emotion theory. According to the VR-CoDES, emotional interaction is studied in terms of sequences consisting of an eliciting event, an emotional expression by the patient and the immediate response by the clinician. The rationale for the emphasis on sequences, on detailed classification of cues and concerns, and on the choices of explicit vs. non-explicit responses and providing vs. reducing room for further disclosure, as basic categories of the clinician responses, is described. Results from research on VR-CoDES may help raise awareness of emotional sequences. Future directions in applying VR-CoDES in research may include studies on predicting patient and clinician behavior within the consultation, qualitative analyses of longer sequences including several VR-CoDES triads, and studies of effects of emotional communication on health outcomes. VR-CoDES may be applied to develop interventions to promote good handling of patients' emotions in healthcare encounters. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

La supraconductivité a 100 ans !

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

Lebrun, Philippe

2011-04-14

Il y a 100 ans, le 8 avril 1911, une découverte majeure était réalisée : celle de la supraconductivité. La supraconductivité est la caractéristique qu’ont certains métaux et alliages de perdre toute résistance électrique en dessous d’une température donnée. Cette renversante découverte, réalisée de manière presque fortuite par Kammerlingh Onnes de l’Université de Leyde (Pays-Bas) et son étudiant Gilles Holst, a ouvert un nouveau champ de recherche en physique et de fabuleuses perspectives d’applications technologiques. Du point de vue scientifique, la supraconductivité est en effet l’une des rares manifestations de la physique quantique à l’échelle macroscopique.  Du point de vuemore » des retombées techniques, elle est porteuse d’applications majeures dans le domaine de la santé, des communications et de l’énergie. 100 ans après, les physiciens n’ont toujours pas fini d’explorer ce phénomène et ses applications. Le CERN abrite des applications de la supraconductivité à des échelles inédites. L’accélérateur de particules LHC, avec ses milliers d’aimants supraconducteurs répartis sur 27 kilomètres de circonférence, est en effet la plus grande application mondiale de la supraconductivité. Il ne pourrait exister sans elle. Le CERN fête donc la découverte de la supraconductivité avec une conférence exceptionnelle donnée par Philippe Lebrun. Au cours de cette conférence, l’expérience historique de Kammerlingh Onnes sera reproduite. Philippe Lebrun racontera l’histoire de cette étonnante découverte, en la replaçant dans le contexte scientifique de l’époque. Il racontera les développements scientifiques et les applications du premier siècle de la supraconductivité. Conférence en français Merci de bien vouloir vous inscrire au : +41 22 767 76 76 ou cern.reception@cern.ch« less

Drug-eluting stents to prevent stent thrombosis and restenosis.

PubMed

Im, Eui; Hong, Myeong-Ki

2016-01-01

Although first-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) have significantly reduced the risk of in-stent restenosis, they have also increased the long-term risk of stent thrombosis. This safety concern directly triggered the development of new generation DES, with innovations in stent platforms, polymers, and anti-proliferative drugs. Stent platform materials have evolved from stainless steel to cobalt or platinum-chromium alloys with an improved strut design. Drug-carrying polymers have become biocompatible or biodegradable and even polymer-free DES were introduced. New limus-family drugs (such as everolimus, zotarolimus or biolimus) were adopted to enhance stent performances. As a result, these new DES demonstrated superior vascular healing responses on intracoronary imaging studies and lower stent thrombotic events in actual patients. Recently, fully-bioresorbable stents (scaffolds) have been introduced, and expanding their applications. In this article, the important concepts and clinical results of new generation DES and bioresorbable scaffolds are described.

Application de l’analyse des séries chronologiques à la projection d’effectifs de population scolaire par la méthode des composantes

PubMed Central

Smith, Herbert L.

2016-01-01

Cet article veut montrer qu’on peut réécrire des modèles démographiques en vue de réaliser des projections par cohorte, en les transposant dans un modèle économétrique vecteur autoré-gressif (VAR). De cette façon, la méthode des composantes se dote d’un cadre stochastique qui étend son envergure. Le potentiel de cette perspective est illustré à travers l’exemple d’une projection d’effectifs de population scolaire. Il met en valeur une série d’équations qui permet de vérifier la validité de plusieurs choix de modélisations habituellement utilisées dans le domaine de la prévision. PMID:27346921

Psychologie des discours et didactique des textes (Psychology of Discourse and the Teaching of Texts).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bronckart, Jean-Paul, Ed.

1995-01-01

This collection of articles on the nature of discourse and writing instruction include: "Une demarche de psychologie de discours; quelques aspects introductifs" ("An Application of Discourse Psychology; Introductory Thoughts") (Jean-Paul Bronckart); "Les procedes de prise en charge enonciative dans trois genres de texts expositifs" ("The Processes…

Models for Aircrew Safety Assessment: Uses, Limitations and Requirements (la Modelisation des conditions de securite des equipages: applications, limitations et cahiers des charges)

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-08-01

immediately, re- ducing venous return artifacts during the first beat of the simulation. tn+1 - W+ on c+ / \\ W_ on c_ t 1 Xi-l Xi+1 Figure 4...s) Figure 5: The effect of network complexity. The aortic pressure is shown in Figure 5 during the fifth beat for the networks with one and three...Mechanical Engineering Department, Uni- versity of Victoria. [19] Huyghe J.M., 1986, "Nonlinear Finite Element Models of The Beating Left

AGARD Flight Test Techniques Series. Volume 18. Flight Testing of Radio Navigation Systems. (Les Essais en Vol des Systemes de Radionavigation)

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-04-01

18 Flight Testing of Radio Navigation Systems (les Essais en vol des systemes de radionavigation) This AGARDograph has been sponsored by the Systems...Techniques Series - Volume 18 Flight Testing of Radio Navigation Systems (les Essais en vol des syst~mes de radionavigation) Edited by H. Bothe H.J...Landing Test and Other Short-Range 19853 Applications by P. de Benquoe D’Agut, H. Rieheek and A. Pool 17. Analogue Signal Conditioning for Flight Test

Préface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schober, Helmut; Fischer, Henry; Leclercq-Hugeux, Françoise

2003-09-01

L'École Thématique “Structure et Dynamique des Systèmes Désordonnés” [1] s'inscrit dans le cadre des écoles organisées sous l'impulsion de la Société Française de la Neutronique (SFN). Elle s'est deroulée en mai 2002 sur la Presqu'île de Giens (Var) en première partie des 11émes Journées de la Diffusion Neutronique. L'Édition de ces cours constitue ainsi le cinquième ouvrage introduisant les techniques neutroniques et leurs apports à differentes thématiques [2]. Le désordre est un facteur déterminant pour pratiquement toutes les propriétés des matériaux. Il est inhérent dans les matériaux amorphes ou liquides, mais il détermine également les propriétés mécaniques et électroniques d'autres composés d'importance technologique comme les matériaux métalliques, dont l'aspect “désordonné” est moins évident. Le désordre enfin joue un rôle essentiel dans tout ce que touche à la vie. En fait, il est difficile d'imaginer des systèmes, à part quelques exceptions rares comme l'hélium ou le silicium de haute pureté, où il n'y ait pas de désordre. En dehors de cet aspect pratique, la description scientifique du désordre atomique pose toujours des problèmes fondamentaux faute de concepts pertinents. Une des tâches importantes du scientifique ou de l'ingenieur est de préciser quel genre de désordre existe à une échelle d'espace et de temps donnée. Un materiau peut très bien être homogène à l'échelle atomique et présenter des défauts ou des hétrogéneité visibles à l'œil et inversement. De même, un système désordonné à un instant donné, peut apparaître ordonné si on moyenne dans le temps. Les techniques de diffusion des neutrons sont idéales pour aborder ces questions. Les neutrons sondent directement les noyaux et ont à la fois des longueurs d'ondes proches des distances inter atomiques et des énergies avoisinant celles des excitations élémentaires de la matière condensée. Ils permettent ainsi une observation directe et non-destructive des positions et des mouvements atomiques. La gamme des distances et des temps sondés par les neutrons autorisent aussi bien de suivre le mouvement des atomes à l'échelle inter atomique que l'évolution d'une structure soit mésoscopique soit macroscopique sur des temps de moins d'une picoseconde à plusieurs heures. La gamme des techniques de diffusion utilisées pour couvrir un tel champ d'application est naturellement très large : différents types de diffractomètres permettent des études de structure atomique trés pointue et résolue dans le temps. Les spectromètres nous donnent accès à la dynamique d'une dizaine de femto- à plusieurs nanosecondes. La diffusion aux petits angles, la reflectomètrie et finalement la tomographie nous permettent de regarder la structure et la dynamique d'objets plus grands. Il était illusoire de prétendre couvrir la totalité des systèmes désordonnés et l'ensemble des techniques de diffusion neutronique pertinentes au cours d'une école de 3 jours. Nous avons donc été amené à nous concentrer sur les liquides, les verres, les cristaux plastiques et les polymères. Ce choix s'est imposé par le souhait d'introduire les concepts de base, en acceptant de sacrifier certains domaines d'applications. Il va de soi que l'étude approfondie de systèmes mettant en jeu plusieurs échelles de distance (structure moléculaire, portée des corrélations entre les molécules) et de temps (relaxations caractéristiques des divers phenomènes dynamiques selon leur extension spatiale) implique une pluralité de techniques expérimentales, complémentaires des différentes techniques neutroniques disponibles. Un des objectifs de cette école etait donc de préciser les domaines de pertinence des différentes techniques neutroniques disponibles en en situant la complémentarité avec d'autres approches instrumentales (diffraction des rayons X, EXAFS, RMN, etc.). Enfin la confrontation avec les résultats obtenus par simulation et modélisation numérique est essentielle à la compréhension des processus élémentaires dans ces systèmes complexes. En première partie de cet ouvrage, on trouvera une description géntrale des systèmes désordonnés et une introduction aux techniques de diffusion de neutrons. Pour la partie concernant la structure, une revue des techniques de diffraction est suivie par des applications à des systèmes de complexité croissante (liquides métalliques simples, alliages liquides, semiconducteurs fondus, solutions aqueuses, verres d'oxydes). L'apport des méthodes de variation de longueur de diffusion (substitution isotopique pour les mesures aux neutrons, diffusion anomale des rayons X ou combinaison de ces deux techniques) permet la détermination des facteurs de structures partiels. Pour la dynamique, on a privilégié une approche introduisant progressivement le désordre en passant des solides aux liquides. Le concept de diffusion puis les particularités dynamiques des verres sont ensuite présentés et illustrés par des exemples concrets. Enfin la dernière partie est consacrée à la simulation numérique des propriétés dynamiques des verres et des liquides et à la modélisation de la structure par méthode de Monte Carlo inverse (RMC) à partir de l'ensemble des données expérimentales existant pour un système donné. La communauté française a joué un rôle important dans le développement des techniques neutroniques dédites à l'étude des systèmes désordonnés et y a acquis une competence reconnue. Nous avons essayé, dans cet ouvrage, de privilégier les aspects pédagogiques des cours, pour les rendre accessibles aux scientifiques francophones non spécialistes en diffusion des neutrons. Nous saluons ici l'effort de rédaction, en langue française, des différents intervenants et souhaitons que cet ouvrage puisse participer à la formation et au renouvellement de la communauté neutronique française. Helmut Schober et Henry Fischer (Editeurs scientifiques) Françoise Leclercq-Hugeux (Présidente de la SFN)

Evaluation de l'intergiciel de communication DDS pour son utilisation dans le domaine avionique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levesque-Landry, Kevin

Les aeronefs modernes doivent combler de plus en plus de fonctionnalites afin de satisfaire les besoins de la clientele. De ce fait, les besoins en communications des systemes avioniques sont grandissants. De plus, la portabilite et la reutilisabilite des applications sont des defis d'actualite dans le domaine avionique. De ce fait, ce projet de recherche vise a faire une evaluation de la technologie d'intergiciel de service de distribution de donnees (DDS) pour son utilisation dans le domaine avionique. Cette technologie permettrait de reduire la complexite des communications et faciliter la portabilite et reutilisabilite des applications grâce a son interface standardisee. Dans ce projet de recherche, la norme DDS est tout d'abord etudiee pour cibler les fonctionnalites qui sont utiles au domaine avionique. Les differentes polices de qualite de services sont ainsi etudiees et denotent la flexibilite de la technologie DDS. Un intergiciel DDS est egalement evalue dans un environnement de laboratoire afin de mesurer l'impact de l'utilisation de cette technologie sur les performances de latence ainsi que sur l'utilisation de la bande passante. Les resultats montrent une faible augmentation de la latence moyenne lorsque l'intergiciel DDS est utilise. L'intergiciel DDS est egalement utilise dans une etude de cas avec un AFCS (automatic flight control system) afin de quantifier les effets de son utilisation sur une application avionique. Les resultats montrent que l'utilisation de l'intergiciel DDS n'empeche pas l'AFCS d'atteindre la stabilite, mais qu'elle ralentit l'atteinte de cette derniere. Finalement, une etude de cas est effectuee afin de valider que la technologie DDS peut etre utilisee pour construire des systemes redondants. Les resultats montrent que l'intergiciel DDS permet de faire de la redondance de reserve sans avoir un impact visible sur les performances du systeme redondant.

Origine du soufre associé aux minéralisations Pb-Zn de type Mississippi Valley de la chaîne des Beni Snassen orientaux (Maroc nord-oriental)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouabdellah, Mohammed; Boudchiche, Lahbib; Ouahhabi, Benali; Naciri, Tayeb

2008-12-01

Sulfur isotope data measured on samples of galena from the main Mississippi Valley-type prospects of the eastern Beni Snassen belt preclude an igneous source for sulfur, pointing instead to a sedimentary source. Negative δ 34S values are interpreted to being derived from bacteriogenic reduction of Jurassic seawater sulphate. Positive δ 34S values are considered to be hydrothermal sulfide transported with metal-bearing fluid. Mixing of these two fluids resulted in the deposition of the Pb ore.

Études par diffraction haute résolution et réflectivité de films minces épitaxiés

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baulès, P.; Casanove, M. J.; Roucau, C.; Ousset, J. C.; Bobo, J. F.; Snoeck, E.; Magnoux, D.; Gatel, C.

2002-07-01

The studies we present concern the general researches involved in order to understand the growth mechanisms of thin films deposited on oriented substrates. Among the different investigation technics of the thin layers, X-ray diffraction and reflectivity will be discussed through two applications. In a first step, thediffraction presented, illustrated by reciprocal space mapping, will give information about the layer state of stress and the lattice distorsion of La{1-x}SrxMnO3 deposited on SrTiO3. The results obtained are discussed and compared to those given by electron microscopy. In a second step, we will present an application of reflectivity concerning a very roughness surface of platinum deposited on MgO showing an island growth process. We will verify that reflectivity can lead to the determination of the recovered rate of the surface, even if some problems exist in the simulation of the whole data set. Results obtained in electron microscopy will complete those issued from reflectivity. Les études que nous allons présenter sont à replacer dans le contexte général de la compréhension des mécanismes de croissance des films minces déposés sur des substrats orientés. Parmi les diverses techniques d'investigations des couches minces, la diffraction et la réflectivité des rayons X vont être abordées à travers deux applications. Nous verrons tout d'abord que la diffraction, illustrée par la cartographie en deux dimension du réseau réciproque, permet de remonter à l'état de contrainte ainsi qu'à la déformation de la maille de La{1-x}SrxMnO3 déposé sur SrTiO3. Les résultats déduits de ces mesures seront discutés et comparés à ceux obtenus en microscopie électronique. Dans la suite de l'article, nous verrons une des applications de la réflectivité, sur une surface très perturbée de platine déposé sur MgO et présentant une croissance en îlots. Nous verrons que la réflectivité permet d'estimer le taux de recouvrement de la surface, mais que des problèmes persistent dans la simulation de l'intégralité des données expérimentales. Les résultats obtenus en MET viendront compléter ceux issus de la réflectivité.

Modeling of water isotopes in polar regions and application to ice core studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jouzel, J.

2012-04-01

Willi Dansgaard spear-headed the use of the stable isotopes of water in climatology and palaeoclimatology especially as applied to deep ice cores for which measurements of the oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios remain the key tools for reconstructing continuous palaeotemperature records. In the line of his pioneering work on "Stable isotopes in precipitation" published in Tellus in 1964, I will review how isotopic models, either Rayleigh type or based on the implementation of water isotopes in General Circulation Models, have developed and been used for applications in polar ice core studies. This will include a discussion of the conventional approach for interpreting water isotopes in ice cores and of additional information provided by measurements of the deuterium excess and more recently of the 17O-excess.

New Isotopic Tracers for Shale Gas and Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The combined application of geochemistry, stable isotopes (δ18O, δ2H), strontium isotopes (87Sr/86Sr), boron isotopes (δ11B), and radium isotopes (228Ra/226Ra) provides a unique methodology for tracing and monitoring shale gas and fracking fluids in the environment.

Segmentation of the Striatum Using Data Fusion

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-10-25

palsy. Ann Neurol 1999; 45:1 65-74. [3] Barra V. in Fusion d’images 3D du cerveau : études de modèles et applications. Ph.D. Thesis, Université...in Segmentation des structure internes du cerveau . Ph. D. Thesis, Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications, Paris (France), 1998. [15

Application of non-traditional stable isotopes in analytical ecogeochemistry assessed by MC ICP-MS--A critical review.

PubMed

Irrgeher, Johanna; Prohaska, Thomas

2016-01-01

Analytical ecogeochemistry is an evolving scientific field dedicated to the development of analytical methods and tools and their application to ecological questions. Traditional stable isotopic systems have been widely explored and have undergone continuous development during the last century. The variations of the isotopic composition of light elements (H, O, N, C, and S) have provided the foundation of stable isotope analysis followed by the analysis of traditional geochemical isotope tracers (e.g., Pb, Sr, Nd, Hf). Questions in a considerable diversity of scientific fields have been addressed, many of which can be assigned to the field of ecogeochemistry. Over the past 15 years, other stable isotopes (e.g., Li, Zn, Cu, Cl) have emerged gradually as novel tools for the investigation of scientific topics that arise in ecosystem research and have enabled novel discoveries and explorations. These systems are often referred to as non-traditional isotopes. The small isotopic differences of interest that are increasingly being addressed for a growing number of isotopic systems represent a challenge to the analytical scientist and push the limits of today's instruments constantly. This underlines the importance of a metrologically sound concept of analytical protocols and procedures and a solid foundation of data processing strategies and uncertainty considerations before these small isotopic variations can be interpreted in the context of applied ecosystem research. This review focuses on the development of isotope research in ecogeochemistry, the requirements for successful detection of small isotopic shifts, and highlights the most recent and innovative applications in the field.

Applications of stable isotope analysis in mammalian ecology.

PubMed

Walter, W David; Kurle, Carolyn M; Hopkins, John B

2014-01-01

In this editorial, we provide a brief introduction and summarize the 10 research articles included in this Special Issue on Applications of stable isotope analysis in mammalian ecology. The first three articles report correction and discrimination factors that can be used to more accurately estimate the diets of extinct and extant mammals using stable isotope analysis. The remaining seven applied research articles use stable isotope analysis to address a variety of wildlife conservation and management questions from the oceans to the mountains.

Caracterisation des proprietes acoustiques des materiaux poreux a cellules ouvertes et a matrice rigide ou souple

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salissou, Yacoubou

L'objectif global vise par les travaux de cette these est d'ameliorer la caracterisation des proprietes macroscopiques des materiaux poreux a structure rigide ou souple par des approches inverses et indirectes basees sur des mesures acoustiques faites en tube d'impedance. La precision des approches inverses et indirectes utilisees aujourd'hui est principalement limitee par la qualite des mesures acoustiques obtenues en tube d'impedance. En consequence, cette these se penche sur quatre problemes qui aideront a l'atteinte de l'objectif global precite. Le premier probleme porte sur une caracterisation precise de la porosite ouverte des materiaux poreux. Cette propriete en est une de passage permettant de lier la mesure des proprietes dynamiques acoustiques d'un materiau poreux aux proprietes effectives de sa phase fluide decrite par les modeles semi-phenomenologiques. Le deuxieme probleme traite de l'hypothese de symetrie des materiaux poreux selon leur epaisseur ou un index et un critere sont proposes pour quantifier l'asymetrie d'un materiau. Cette hypothese est souvent source d'imprecision des methodes de caracterisation inverses et indirectes en tube d'impedance. Le critere d'asymetrie propose permet ainsi de s'assurer de l'applicabilite et de la precision de ces methodes pour un materiau donne. Le troisieme probleme vise a mieux comprendre le probleme de transmission sonore en tube d'impedance en presentant pour la premiere fois un developpement exact du probleme par decomposition d'ondes. Ce developpement permet d'etablir clairement les limites des nombreuses methodes existantes basees sur des tubes de transmission a 2, 3 ou 4 microphones. La meilleure comprehension de ce probleme de transmission est importante puisque c'est par ce type de mesures que des methodes permettent d'extraire successivement la matrice de transfert d'un materiau poreux et ses proprietes dynamiques intrinseques comme son impedance caracteristique et son nombre d'onde complexe. Enfin, le quatrieme probleme porte sur le developpement d'une nouvelle methode de transmission exacte a 3 microphones applicable a des materiaux ou systemes symetriques ou non. Dans le cas symetrique, on montre que cette approche permet une nette amelioration de la caracterisation des proprietes dynamiques intrinseques d'un materiau. Mots cles. materiaux poreux, tube d'impedance, transmission sonore, absorption sonore, impedance acoustique, symetrie, porosite, matrice de transfert.

The use of laboratory experiments for the study of conservative solute transport in heterogeneous porous media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silliman, S. E.; Zheng, L.; Conwell, P.

Laboratory experiments on heterogeneous porous media (otherwise known as intermediate scale experiments, or ISEs) have been increasingly relied upon by hydrogeologists for the study of saturated and unsaturated groundwater systems. Among the many ongoing applications of ISEs is the study of fluid flow and the transport of conservative solutes in correlated permeability fields. Recent advances in ISE design have provided the capability of creating correlated permeability fields in the laboratory. This capability is important in the application of ISEs for the assessment of recent stochastic theories. In addition, pressure-transducer technology and visualization methods have provided the potential for ISEs to be used in characterizing the spatial distributions of both hydraulic head and local water velocity within correlated permeability fields. Finally, various methods are available for characterizing temporal variations in the spatial distribution (and, thereby, the spatial moments) of solute concentrations within ISEs. It is concluded, therefore, that recent developments in experimental techniques have provided an opportunity to use ISEs as important tools in the continuing study of fluid flow and the transport of conservative solutes in heterogeneous, saturated porous media. Résumé Les hydrogéologues se sont progressivement appuyés sur des expériences de laboratoire sur des milieux poreux hétérogènes (connus aussi par l'expression "Expériences àéchelle intermédiaire", ISE) pour étudier les zones saturées et non saturées des aquifères. Parmi les nombreuses applications en cours des ISE, il faut noter l'étude de l'écoulement de fluide et le transport de solutés conservatifs dans des champs aux perméabilités corrélées. Les récents progrès du protocole des ISE ont donné la possibilité de créer des champs de perméabilités corrélées au laboratoire. Cette possibilité est importante dans l'application des ISE pour l'évaluation des théories stochastiques récentes. En outre, la technologie des capteurs de pression et les méthodes de visualisation donnent la possibilité d'utiliser les ISE pour caractériser les distributions spatiales à la fois de la piézométrie et de la vitesse locale de l'eau dans un champs de perméabilités corrélées. Finalement, des méthodes variées peuvent être utilisées pour caractériser les variations temporelles de la distribution spatiale (et, par conséquent, les moments spatiaux) des concentrations de soluté dans les ISE. En conclusion, donc, des développements récents des techniques expérimentales ont fourni l'occasion d'utiliser les ISE comme d'importants outils d'étude en continu des écoulement de fluides et de transport de solutés conservatifs dans des milieux poreux saturés hétérogènes. Resumen Los experimentos de laboratorio en medio poroso heterogéneo (conocidos como Experimentos a Escala Intermedia o ISE) están cada vez mejor considerados para el estudio de los sistemas saturados y no saturados. Entre las muchas aplicaciones de los ISE se encuentra el estudio del flujo y el transporte de solutos conservativos en medios con permeabilidad que presentan una cierta estructura de correlación. Avances recientes en el diseño de los ISE han proporcionado la capacidad de crear medios de este tipo en el laboratorio. Esta capacidad es importante para la aplicación de los ISE a la evaluación de las teorías estocásticas recientes. Además, la tecnología de los transductores de presión y los métodos de visualización han permitido que los ISE se usen para caracterizar la distribución espacial de niveles hidráulicos y de las velocidades locales del agua en campos de permeabilidad con determinada correlación espacial. Finalmente, existen varios métodos para caracterizar las variaciones temporales en la distribución espacial (y por tanto los momentos estadísticos espaciales) de la concentración de solutos en los ISE. Se concluye que los desarrollos recientes en las técnicas experimentales han proporcionado una oportunidad para usar los ISE como herramientas fundamentales en el estudio del flujo y transporte de solutos conservativos en medio poroso heterogéneo y saturado.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISOTOPES FOR RESOLUTION OF HYDROLOGY PROBLEMS

EPA Science Inventory

The use of environmental isotopes as tracers in the hydrosphere is increasing as analytical instrumentation improves and more applications are discovered. There exists still misconceptions on the role of isotopes in resolving hydrology problems. Naturally occurring isotopes in th...

Physics overview of AVLIS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solarz, R. W.

1985-02-01

Atomic vapor laster isotope separation (AVLIS) represents the largest-scale potential application of tunable lasers that has received serious attention. The underlying physical principles were identified and optimized, the major technology components were developed, and the integrated enrichment performance of the process was tested. The central physical processes are outlined, progress to date on the technology elements is reviewed, and scaling laws are fomulated. Two primary applications are the production of light-water reactor fuel and the conversion of fuel-grade plutonium to weapons-grade material. A variety of applications exist that all potentially use a common base of AVLIS technology. These include missions such as the enrichment of mercury isotopes to improve fluorescent lamp efficiency, the enrichment of iodine isotopes for medical isotope use, and the cleanup of strontium from defense waste for recovering strontium isotopes for radiothermal mechanical generators. The ability to radidly assess the economic and technical feasibility of each mission is derived from the general applicability of AVLIS physics and AVLIS technology.

Propagation d'impulsions femtosecondes térawatts dans l'atmosphère et applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Méjean, G.

2005-11-01

Propagation of femtosecond terawatt laser in atmosphere and applications When ultrasshort and high-power laser pulses propagate across the atmosphere, self-guided filaments of 100 μm radius are formed. They result from a balance between Kerr self-focusing and defocusing by the plasma generated by multiphoton ionisation. During this work, we showed that the white light spectrum generated in filament spans from the infrared (4.5 μm) to the ultraviolet (230 nm) thanks to Third Harmonic Generation and self-phase modulation. We charaterized the propagation under different conditions (rain, smog, turbulence) to developp different atmospheric applications. In particular, we demostrated multi-parameters LIDAR for relative humidity as well as atmospheric pollution remote sensing. Furthermore, it is possible to detect and to identify biological aerosols or solid targets (LIBS) at remote distances, by non-linear processes induced in situ by the high intensity delivered by filaments. Moreover, we demonstrated that guiding and triggering high-voltage discharge thanks to a femsecond high-powered pulse is possible even under a rain with an efficiency comparable to that observed in dry air. We also impoved the efficiency of a two pulses configurations (a femtosecond pulse and a subsequent nanosecond pulse). These results raise hope that lightning could be triggered and guided by laser pulses in the future. Les impulsions laser ultra-brèves (fs) et ultra-intenses (TW) forment, au cours de leur propagation non-linéaire dans l'atmosphère, des structures auto-guidées, d'une centaine de microns de diamètre, appelées filaments. Ces filaments résultent d'un équilibre dynamique entre l'effet Kerr qui focalise le faisceau et la défocalisation due au plasma généré au sein de ceux-ci. Au cours des différentes études rapportées ici, nous avons mesuré que le spectre de lumière blanche issue de l'automodulation de phase et de la génération de troisième harmonique s'étend de l'ultraviolet (230 nm) à l'infrarouge (4,5 μm). De même, la propagation dans l'air, sous différentes conditions (pluie, brouillard, turbulence), des faisceaux térawatts femtosecondes a été caractérisée afin de développer des applications atmosphériques. Il nous a ainsi été possible de développer le LIDAR à lumière blanche pour réaliser des mesures préliminaires d'ozone et d'aérosols simultanément. De même, grâce à la propagation fortement non-linéaire du faisceau qui permet de transporter des hautes intensités sur de longue distance, nous avons pu détecter et identifier, à distance, des aérosols biologiques et des cibles solides (LIBS) en induisant in situ des effets non-linéaires. Enfin, nous avons montré que le déclenchement et le guidage de décharges de haute tension par une impulsion laser femtoseconde sous la pluie reste possible avec une efficacité comparable à l'atmosphère sèche. D'autre part, une configuration à double impulsion laser augmente l'efficacité de déclenchement des décharges. Ces résultats nous rapproche de la perspective de déclenchement et guidage de foudre par laser.

Groundwater recharge and chemical evolution in the southern High Plains of Texas, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fryar, Alan; Mullican, William; Macko, Stephen

2001-11-01

The unconfined High Plains (Ogallala) aquifer is the largest aquifer in the USA and the primary water supply for the semiarid southern High Plains of Texas and New Mexico. Analyses of water and soils northeast of Amarillo, Texas, together with data from other regional studies, indicate that processes during recharge control the composition of unconfined groundwater in the northern half of the southern High Plains. Solute and isotopic data are consistent with a sequence of episodic precipitation, concentration of solutes in upland soils by evapotranspiration, runoff, and infiltration beneath playas and ditches (modified locally by return flow of wastewater and irrigation tailwater). Plausible reactions during recharge include oxidation of organic matter, dissolution and exsolution of CO2, dissolution of CaCO3, silicate weathering, and cation exchange. Si and 14C data suggest leakage from perched aquifers to the High Plains aquifer. Plausible mass-balance models for the High Plains aquifer include scenarios of flow with leakage but not reactions, flow with reactions but not leakage, and flow with neither reactions nor leakage. Mechanisms of recharge and chemical evolution delineated in this study agree with those noted for other aquifers in the south-central and southwestern USA. Résumé. L'aquifère libre des Hautes Plaines (Ogallala) est le plus vaste aquifère des états-Unis et la ressource de base pour l'eau potable de la région semi-aride du sud des Hautes Plaines du Texas et du Nouveau-Mexique. Des analyses de l'eau et des sols prélevés au nord-est d'Amarillo (Texas), associées à des données provenant d'autres études dans cette région, indiquent que des processus intervenant au cours de l'infiltration contrôlent la composition de l'eau de la nappe libre dans la moitié septentrionale du sud des Hautes Plaines. Les données chimiques et isotopiques sont compatibles avec une séquence de précipitation épisodique, avec la reconcentration en solutés dans les sols des hautes terres par évapotranspiration, avec le ruissellement et l'infiltration dans les playas et les fossés (modifiée localement par l'écoulement en retour des eaux usées et des laisses d'irrigation). Des réactions probables intervenant au cours de la recharge sont l'oxydation de la matière organique, la dissolution et le dégazage du CO2, la dissolution du CaCO3, l'altération des silicates et l'échange de cations. Les données concernant Si et 14C laissent penser qu'il existe une drainance descendante à partir d'aquifères perchés vers l'aquifère des Hautes Plaines. Des modèles vraisemblables de bilan de matière pour l'aquifère des Hautes Plaines prennent en compte des scénarios d'écoulement avec drainance mais sans réactions, des écoulements avec réactions mais sans drainance et des écoulements sans réactions ni drainance. Les mécanismes de recharge et d'évolution chimique déterminés dans cette étude sont en accord avec ceux mis en évidence dans d'autres aquifères du centre sud et du sud-ouest des états-Unis. Resumen. El acuífero libre de High Plains (Ogallala) es el mayor de los Estados Unidos y supone la fuente principal de abastecimiento en la región semiárida del sur de High Plains (Texas) y de Nuevo México. Los análisis de agua y suelos realizados al nordeste de Amarillo (Texas), junto con los datos de otros estudios regionales, indican que los procesos que tienen lugar durante la recarga del acuífero controlan la composición de las aguas subterráneas en la mitad septentrional de los High Plains del Sur. Los datos isotópicos y hidroquímicos son coherentes con una secuencia de episodios de precipitación, concentración de solutos en la parte superior del suelo por evapotranspiración, escorrentía, e infiltración a través de 'playas' y zanjas (modificadas localmente por los flujos de retorno de aguas residuales y de excedentes de riego).

Biological influences on inter- and intraspecific isotopic variability among paired chondrostome fishes.

PubMed

Durbec, Martial; The, Bénédicte Nguyen; Grey, Jonathan; Harrod, Christopher; Stolzenberg, Nicolas; Chappaz, Rémi; Cavalli, Laurent

2010-08-01

This study aimed at examining resource partitioning both at the inter- and intraspecific levels between paired chondrostome fishes: Chondrostoma nasus, the nase, C. toxostoma, the sofie, and their hybrid. The study was performed in the south of France and concerned a main river (the Durance River) and a tributary (the Buech River). In these rivers, C. nasus was an introduced species, originating in central Europe, and C. toxostoma was an endemic congener, in the south of France. Stable isotope analysis was used to analyse trophic and spatial niches. Isotopic differences indicated that individuals from the three taxa (C. nasus, C. toxostoma and their hybrid) have different spatial origins. At the interspecific level, the different chondrostomes originating from the Buech River showed a high level of trophic niche overlap. At the intraspecific level, nase individuals originating from the different spatial origins showed a resource polymorphism; differences in morphology were associated with variation in behaviour and life history traits. Their coexistence was a likely outcome of resource polymorphism. This study provides an example of the importance of considering the link between intra- and interspecific interactions to gain an understanding of the mechanisms driving the coexistence of species-pairs. Copyright 2010 Académie des sciences. Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

Formability Extension of Aerospace Alloys for Tube Hydroforming Applications =

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, Melissa

L'hydroformage de tube est un procede novateur de mise en forme du metal qui utilise la pression d'un fluide, generalement de l'eau, dans une matrice fermee pour deformer plastiquement des pieces d'epaisseur faible et fabriquer ainsi des composants tubulaires de geometries complexes. Ce procede possede de nombreux avantages tels que la reduction du poids des pieces, la diminution des couts lies a l'outillage et l'assemblage, la reduction du nombre d'etapes de fabrication et l'excellent etat de surface des pieces hydroformees. Cependant, malgre tous ces atouts, l'hydroformage reste un procede marginal dans le domaine aerospatial a cause de plusieurs facteurs dont la formabilite limitee des alliages aeronautiques. L'objectif principal de la recherche conduite dans le cadre de cette these est d'etudier une methode pour augmenter la formabilite de deux alliages aeronautiques designes par l'utilisation d'un procede de mise en forme multi-etapes qui inclue des cycles de mise en forme suivis d'etapes de traitement thermique intermediaires. Une revue de litterature exhaustive sur les methodes existantes pour ameliorer la formabilite des materiaux vises ainsi que les traitements thermiques d'adoucissement disponibles a permis d'etablir une procedure experimentale appropriee. Ce procede comprend plusieurs sequences de mise en forme suivie de traitement thermique successives jusqu'a l'obtention de la piece finale. L'insertion d'etapes de traitements thermiques intermediaires ainsi que la combinaison " deformation + traitement thermique " influencent le comportement mecanique et metallurgique des alliages. De ce fait, une caracterisation complete des materiaux a ete conduite a chaque etape du procede. D'un point de vue mecanique, l'effet des traitements thermiques et plus generalement du procede multi-etapes sur les proprietes mecaniques et lois constitutives des alliages a ete etudie en detail. Au niveau metallurgique, l'influence du procede sur les caracteristiques microstructurales des alliages tels la taille de grains, les phases en presence et la texture a ete analysee. Ces deux etudes paralleles ont permis de comprendre de facon complete et detaillee l'impact des modifications metallurgiques induites par le procede multietapes sur le comportement mecanique macroscopique et les proprietes finales de la piece.

Isotope separation by photochromatography

DOEpatents

Suslick, Kenneth S.

1977-01-01

An isotope separation method which comprises physically adsorbing an isotopically mixed molecular species on an adsorptive surface and irradiating the adsorbed molecules with radiation of a predetermined wavelength which will selectively excite a desired isotopic species. Sufficient energy is transferred to the excited molecules to desorb them from the surface and thereby separate them from the unexcited undesired isotopic species. The method is particularly applicable to the separation of hydrogen isotopes.

Review: Current applications and challenges for liquid chromatography coupled to isotope ratio mass spectrometry (LC/IRMS).

PubMed

Godin, Jean-Philippe; McCullagh, James S O

2011-10-30

High-precision isotope analysis is recognized as an essential research tool in many fields of study. Until recently, continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry (CF-IRMS) was available via an elemental analyzer or a gas chromatography inlet system for compound-specific analysis of light stable isotopes. In 2004, however, an interface that coupled liquid chromatography with IRMS (LC/IRMS) became commercially available for the first time. This brought the capability for new areas of application, in particular enabling compound-specific δ(13)C analysis of non-volatile, aqueous soluble, compounds from complex mixtures. The interface design brought with it several analytical constraints, however, in particular a lack of compatibility with certain types of chromatography as well as limited flow rates and mobile phase compositions. Routine LC/IRMS methods have, however, been established for measuring the δ(13)C isotopic ratios of underivatized individual compounds for application in archeology, nutrition and physiology, geochemistry, hydrology, soil science and food authenticity. Seven years after its introduction, we review the technical advances and constraints, methodological developments and new applications of liquid chromatography coupled to isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

How firms set prices for medical materials: a multi-country study.

PubMed

Ide, Hiroo; Mollahaliloglu, Salih

2009-09-01

This study presents a comparison of medical material prices, discusses why differences exist, and examines methods for comparing prices. Market prices for drug-eluting stents (DES), non-drug-eluting stents (non-DES), and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) catheters were collected from five countries: the United States, Japan, Korea, Turkey, and Thailand. To compare prices, three adjustment methods were used: currency exchange rates, purchasing power parity (PPP), and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. The ratios of medical material prices compared with those in the United States were higher in Japan (from 1.4 for DES to 5.0 for PTCA catheters) and Korea (from 1.2 for DES to 4.0 for PTCA catheters), and lower in Turkey (from 0.8 for non-DES to 1.4 for DES) and Thailand (from 0.5 for non-DES to 1.3 for PTCA catheters). The PPP-adjusted ratios changed slightly for Japan, Korea, and Turkey. When the prices were adjusted by GDP per capita, the ratios were much higher. Comparing prices using currency exchange rates or PPP is applicable only between countries with stable economic relations; adjustment by GDP per capita reflects the actual burden. Further study is needed to fully elucidate the factors influencing the global medical material market.

Low Temperature Quartz Crystal Oscillator Fast Warm-Up Saw Oscillator.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-07-01

TASK_Q Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueARA&WKLI k Laboratoire de Physique et Metrologie des!2 Oscillateurs - 50 Bsnon-F 2 3 32 av. o l...propri6t6s non lin6aires des ondes Alastiques de sur- face : applications aux oscillateurs et aux capteurs A quartz", Thse Besanqon, 1979. (6) D. Hauden, G

U.S. Department of Energy Isotope Program

ScienceCinema

None

2018-01-16

The National Isotope Development Center (NIDC) interfaces with the User Community and manages the coordination of isotope production across the facilities and business operations involved in the production, sale, and distribution of isotopes. A virtual center, the NIDC is funded by the Isotope Development and Production for Research and Applications (IDPRA) subprogram of the Office of Nuclear Physics in the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science. PNNL’s Isotope Program operates in a multi-program category-2 nuclear facility, the Radiochemical Processing Laboratory (RPL), that contains 16 hot cells and 20 gloveboxes. As part of the DOE Isotope Program, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory dispenses strontium-90, neptunium-237, radium-223, and thorium-227. PNNL’s Isotope Program uses a dedicated hot-cell for strontium-90 dispensing and a dedicated glovebox for radium-223 and thorium-227 dispensing. PNNL’s Isotope Program has access to state of the art analytical equipment in the RPL to support their research and production activities. DOE Isotope Program funded research at PNNL has advanced the application of automated radiochemistry for isotope such as zirconium-89 and astatine-211 in partnership with the University of Washington.

U.S. Department of Energy Isotope Program

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

None

The National Isotope Development Center (NIDC) interfaces with the User Community and manages the coordination of isotope production across the facilities and business operations involved in the production, sale, and distribution of isotopes. A virtual center, the NIDC is funded by the Isotope Development and Production for Research and Applications (IDPRA) subprogram of the Office of Nuclear Physics in the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science. PNNL’s Isotope Program operates in a multi-program category-2 nuclear facility, the Radiochemical Processing Laboratory (RPL), that contains 16 hot cells and 20 gloveboxes. As part of the DOE Isotope Program, the Pacific Northwestmore » National Laboratory dispenses strontium-90, neptunium-237, radium-223, and thorium-227. PNNL’s Isotope Program uses a dedicated hot-cell for strontium-90 dispensing and a dedicated glovebox for radium-223 and thorium-227 dispensing. PNNL’s Isotope Program has access to state of the art analytical equipment in the RPL to support their research and production activities. DOE Isotope Program funded research at PNNL has advanced the application of automated radiochemistry for isotope such as zirconium-89 and astatine-211 in partnership with the University of Washington.« less

Comparison of the ActiDes-Blue and CARELA HYDRO-DES technology for the sanitation of contaminated cooling water systems in dental units.

PubMed

Kramer, Axel; Lemanski, Sandra; Demond, Kathleen; Assadian, Ojan

2012-01-01

The hygienic-microbiological control of 6 dental units being in use for the past 16 years revealed a significantly increased microbial contamination of their cooling water system. In order to comply with the requirements of the drinking water directive ("Trinkwasserverordnung"), the commercially available production system ActiDes, producing on-site ActiDes-Blue which is based on hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and generated by anodic oxidation, was investigated. Water samples from the 6 contaminated dental units were examined for the total number of colony forming units (cfu), contamination with molds, L. pneumophila and P. aeruginosa. The control period for the total colony count was 4 weeks (8 samples/unit). The subsequent application phase of the ActiDes-Blue procedure was 6 months (31 samples/unit). Additionally, the redox potential and the pH value were measured.Futhermore, the decontamination agent CARELA HYDRO-DES, a two component agent based on H(2)O(2) with the addition of a mixture of sodium hydrogen sulphate and sulphuric acid in an aqueous solution effective at 0.1% and higher, was applied in a unit that had been put out of service for a month before. Before application, the system was first filled with a 5% solution of the alkaline pre-cleaning agent CARELA Solvent for bacterial slime; the system was left with this solution for 1 h. The pre-cleaning agent was then completely displaced from the system with tap water and a decontaminating solution of 5% CARELA HYDRO-DES and left in place for 1 h. Drinking water quality level was reached only twice during the control phase. The average values of the dental units ranged between 3,633 CFU/ml and 29,417 c/ml. During the application phase, drinking water level could be achieved in 11 water samples. In another 6 water samples a total colony count of <150 cfu/ml was reached. The average values for the dental units' total colony count ranged between 529 cfu/ml and 87,450 cfu/ml. No significant differences between the control phase and the action phase could be demonstrated. During the control phase, contamination of the water samples with a mold was noticed so that examinations for molds were carried out beyond the scope of the drinking water directive. For this parameter as well, no significant differences between the phases of the study could be shown.The Legionella load of the dental units was low. L. pneumophila were yielded in only 4 out of 130 water samples. During the control phase, twice colony counts at 50 cfu/1,000 ml and 110 cfu/1,000 ml were measured. During the action phase, counts with Legionella spp. could be measured at 5 cfu/1,000 ml for one unit only. Also, with 1-10 cfu/100 ml, the P. aeruginosa contamination was low. During the application phase, it ranged between 0-7 cfu/100 ml.Redox potential and pH value showed a slight decrease during the application phase.Before treatment with CARELA Solvent and CARELA HYDRO-DES, the initial contamination of the total count of bacterial colonies was 1,432 cfu/ml at 22°C and 846 cfu/ml at 36°C as well as >1,000 cfu/100 ml for molds. 1 h after the decontamination, no bacteria and molds could be detected in 1,000 ml of tap water. Despite the fact that the unit was not used any longer, after 7 d the bacterial colony count was 3 cfu/ml at 22°C and 2 cfu/ml at 36°C while molds could not be detected. Even after a rest time of 14 d only 167 cfu/ml or 42 cfu/ml could be yielded. Molds were further not cultivable. A material damage could not be observed. Pertaining to the ActiDes technology's effectiveness, it has to be pointed out that the dental units investigated were those used for dental students' teaching and therefore were clearly less frequently used than clinically used units in a dental practice. This resulted in distinctly longer stagnation periods which favored formation of biofilms. In summary, the ActiDes technology and ActiDes-Blue showed not to be sufficiently effective for the sanitation of contaminated water reservoirs in dental units under aggravated conditions of repeated and longer periods of non-use in connection with longer water stagnation periods. In comparison, the biofilm was sustainably eliminated through the combined application of CARELA(®) Solvent for Bacterial Slime with subsequent decontamination using CARELA(®) HYDRO-DES.

Oxygen isotope anomaly observed in water vapor from Alert, Canada and the implication for the stratosphere

PubMed Central

Lin, Ying; Clayton, Robert N.; Huang, Lin; Nakamura, Noboru; Lyons, James R.

2013-01-01

To identify the possible anomalous oxygen isotope signature in stratospheric water predicted by model studies, 25 water vapor samples were collected in 2003−2005 at Alert station, Canada (82°30′N), where there is downward transport of stratospheric air to the polar troposphere, and were analyzed for δ17O and δ18O relative to Chicago local precipitation (CLP). The latter was chosen as a reference because the relatively large evaporative moisture source should erase any possible oxygen isotope anomaly from the stratosphere. A mass-dependent fractionation coefficient for meteoric waters, λMDF(H2O) = 0.529 ± 0.003 [2σ standard error (SE)], was determined from 27 CLP samples collected in 2003−2005. An oxygen isotopic anomaly of Δ17O = 76 ± 16 ppm (2σ SE) was found in water vapor samples from Alert relative to CLP. We propose that the positive oxygen isotope anomalies observed at Alert originated from stratospheric ozone, were transferred to water in the stratosphere, and subsequently mixed with tropospheric water at high latitudes as the stratospheric air descended into the troposphere. On the basis of this ground signal, the average Δ17O in stratospheric water vapor predicted by a steady-state box model is ∼40‰. Seven ice core samples (1930−1991) from Dasuopu glacier (Himalayas, China) and Standard Light Antarctic Precipitation did not show an obvious oxygen isotope anomaly, and Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water exhibited a negative Δ17O relative to CLP. Six Alert snow samples collected in March 2011 and measured at Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement, Gif sur Yvette, France, had 17Oexcess of 45 ± 5 ppm (2σ SE) relative to Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water. PMID:24009339

Water Isotopes in the GISS GCM: History, Applications and Potential

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmidt, G. A.; LeGrande, A. N.; Field, R. D.; Nusbaumer, J. M.

2017-12-01

Water isotopes have been incorporated in the GISS GCMs since the pioneering work of Jean Jouzel in the 1980s. Since 2005, this functionality has been maintained within the master branch of the development code and has been usable (and used) in all subsequent versions. This has allowed a wide variety of applications, across multiple time-scales and interests, to be tackled coherently. Water isotope tracers have been used to debug the atmospheric model code, tune parameterisations of moist processes, assess the isotopic fingerprints of multiple climate drivers, produce forward models for remotely sensed isotope products, and validate paleo-climate interpretations from the last millennium to the Eocene. We will present an overview of recent results involving isotope tracers, including improvements in models for the isotopic fractionation processes themselves, and demonstrate the potential for using these tracers and models more systematically in paleo-climate reconstructions and investigations of the modern hydrological cycle.

Fissuration d'un composite a matrice ceramique dans une application de piece statique de turbine a gaz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lebel, Larry

Une procedure experimentale a ete developpee pour caracteriser les mecanismes de deterioration et la durabilite de materiaux composites a matrice ceramique (CMC) dans une application de piece statique de turbine a gaz. Tandis que la plupart des essais de caracterisation publies sur les materiaux CMC ont ete realises sous des conditions de chargement controle, la presente recherche tente de reproduire la relaxation des contraintes qui se produit normalement dans une piece statique a haute temperature. Dans l'experience proposee, un echantillon planaire de forme haltere est chauffe de facon cyclique sur une de ses faces et refroidi sur l'autre, tout en etant contraint dans ses deplacements. La contrainte de flexion resultante au centre de l'echantillon, mesuree par une cellule de charge, correspond a la contrainte de flexion qui a ete prealablement predite au centre des panneaux d'une chambre a combustion generique. Un materiau CMC multicouche compose d'une matrice d'alumine poreuse et de fibres NextelMD 720 a ete utilise pour developper l'experience. Des essais de calibration ont d'abord ete realises en utilisant un systeme de chauffage par lampe infrarouge, atteignant jusqu'a 1160 °C a la surface de l'echantillon. Un systeme laser au CO2 a par la suite ete utilise pour realiser des essais de deterioration a haute puissance, atteignant en fin d'essai des temperatures de surface excedant la limite de 1200 °C du materiau et des differences de temperature a travers l'epaisseur de plus de 1000 °C. Sous la puissance de chauffage imposee a amplitude constante, l'accumulation de dommage a fait en sorte d'augmenter la temperature en surface et les gradients de temperature a travers le materiau. Une reduction de la contrainte dans le temps a ete observee a cause du fluage, de la fissuration et de la delamination du materiau sous la condition de confinement du deplacement, menant a une stabilisation du niveau de dommage a une certaine profondeur dependant de la contrainte thermique initiale. La procedure de caracterisation developpee s'avere etre un outil prometteur pour developper de nouveaux types de materiaux, de meme que pour comparer la durabilite de materiaux existants sous des conditions representatives de pieces statiques de turbine a gaz. None

Isotope separation by photochromatography

DOEpatents

Suslick, K.S.

1975-10-03

A photochromatographic method for isotope separation is described. An isotopically mixed molecular species is adsorbed on an adsorptive surface, and the adsorbed molecules are irradiated with radiation of a predetermined wavelength which will selectively excite desired isotopic species. Sufficient energy is transferred to the excited molecules to desorb them from the surface and thus separate them from the undesired isotopic species. The method is particularly applicable to the separation of hydrogen isotopes. (BLM)

Forensic analysis of explosives using isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS)--preliminary study on TATP and PETN.

PubMed

Benson, Sarah J; Lennard, Christopher J; Maynard, Philip; Hill, David M; Andrew, Anita S; Roux, Claude

2009-06-01

The application of isotopic techniques to investigations requiring the provision of evidence to a Court is limited. The objective of this research was to investigate the application of light stable isotopes and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) to solve complex forensic cases by providing a level of discrimination not achievable utilising traditional forensic techniques. Due to the current threat of organic peroxide explosives, such as triacetone triperoxide (TATP), research was undertaken to determine the potential of IRMS to differentiate samples of TATP that had been manufactured utilising different starting materials and/or manufacturing processes. In addition, due to the prevalence of pentaerythritoltetranitrate (PETN) in detonators, detonating cord, and boosters, the potential of the IRMS technique to differentiate PETN samples from different sources was also investigated. Carbon isotope values were measured in fourteen TATP samples, with three definite groups appearing in the initial sample set based on the carbon data alone. Four additional TATP samples (in a second set of samples) were distinguishable utilising the carbon and hydrogen isotopic compositions individually, and also in combination with the oxygen isotope values. The 3D plot of the carbon, oxygen and hydrogen data demonstrated the clear discrimination of the four samples of TATP. The carbon and nitrogen isotope values measured from fifteen PETN samples, allowed samples from different sources to be readily discriminated. This paper demonstrates the successful application of IRMS to the analysis of explosives of forensic interest to assist in discriminating samples from different sources. This research represents a preliminary evaluation of the IRMS technique for the measurement of stable isotope values in TATP and PETN samples, and supports the dedication of resources for a full evaluation of this application in order to achieve Court reportable IRMS results.

Calculation and mitigation of isotopic interferences in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry assays and its application in supporting microdose absolute bioavailability studies.

PubMed

Gu, Huidong; Wang, Jian; Aubry, Anne-Françoise; Jiang, Hao; Zeng, Jianing; Easter, John; Wang, Jun-sheng; Dockens, Randy; Bifano, Marc; Burrell, Richard; Arnold, Mark E

2012-06-05

A methodology for the accurate calculation and mitigation of isotopic interferences in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assays and its application in supporting microdose absolute bioavailability studies are reported for the first time. For simplicity, this calculation methodology and the strategy to minimize the isotopic interference are demonstrated using a simple molecule entity, then applied to actual development drugs. The exact isotopic interferences calculated with this methodology were often much less than the traditionally used, overestimated isotopic interferences simply based on the molecular isotope abundance. One application of the methodology is the selection of a stable isotopically labeled internal standard (SIL-IS) for an LC-MS/MS bioanalytical assay. The second application is the selection of an SIL analogue for use in intravenous (i.v.) microdosing for the determination of absolute bioavailability. In the case of microdosing, the traditional approach of calculating isotopic interferences can result in selecting a labeling scheme that overlabels the i.v.-dosed drug or leads to incorrect conclusions on the feasibility of using an SIL drug and analysis by LC-MS/MS. The methodology presented here can guide the synthesis by accurately calculating the isotopic interferences when labeling at different positions, using different selective reaction monitoring (SRM) transitions or adding more labeling positions. This methodology has been successfully applied to the selection of the labeled i.v.-dosed drugs for use in two microdose absolute bioavailability studies, before initiating the chemical synthesis. With this methodology, significant time and cost saving can be achieved in supporting microdose absolute bioavailability studies with stable labeled drugs.

Application of Stable Isotope-Assisted Metabolomics for Cell Metabolism Studies

PubMed Central

You, Le; Zhang, Baichen; Tang, Yinjie J.

2014-01-01

The applications of stable isotopes in metabolomics have facilitated the study of cell metabolisms. Stable isotope-assisted metabolomics requires: (1) properly designed tracer experiments; (2) stringent sampling and quenching protocols to minimize isotopic alternations; (3) efficient metabolite separations; (4) high resolution mass spectrometry to resolve overlapping peaks and background noises; and (5) data analysis methods and databases to decipher isotopic clusters over a broad m/z range (mass-to-charge ratio). This paper overviews mass spectrometry based techniques for precise determination of metabolites and their isotopologues. It also discusses applications of isotopic approaches to track substrate utilization, identify unknown metabolites and their chemical formulas, measure metabolite concentrations, determine putative metabolic pathways, and investigate microbial community populations and their carbon assimilation patterns. In addition, 13C-metabolite fingerprinting and metabolic models can be integrated to quantify carbon fluxes (enzyme reaction rates). The fluxome, in combination with other “omics” analyses, may give systems-level insights into regulatory mechanisms underlying gene functions. More importantly, 13C-tracer experiments significantly improve the potential of low-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for broad-scope metabolism studies. We foresee the isotope-assisted metabolomics to be an indispensable tool in industrial biotechnology, environmental microbiology, and medical research. PMID:24957020

Les conseils des cliniciens canadiens en matière de commotion dans le sport sont-ils cohérents?

PubMed Central

Carson, James D.; Rendely, Alexandra; Garel, Alisha; Meaney, Christopher; Stoller, Jacqueline; Kaicker, Jatin; Hayden, Leigh; Moineddin, Rahim; Frémont, Pierre

2016-01-01

Résumé Objectif Comparer les connaissances et l’utilisation des recommandations concernant la prise en charge de la commotion dans le sport (CDS) démontrées par les spécialistes de la médecine du sport et de l’exercice (SMSE) et les urgentologues afin d’évaluer la réussite du transfert des connaissances sur la CDS au Canada. Conception Un sondage à choix multiples envoyé par courriel et autoadministré par des SMSE et des urgentologues. La validité du contenu du sondage a fait l’objet d’une évaluation. Contexte Canada. Participants Le sondage a été complété entre mai et juillet 2012 par des SMSE qui ont réussi l’examen menant au diplôme de l’Académie canadienne de la médecine du sport et de l’exercice et des urgentologues qui n’avaient pas ce diplôme. Principaux paramètres à l’étude La connaissance et l’identification des sources d’information sur la prise en charge des commotions, l’utilisation des stratégies de diagnostic de la commotion et l’utilisation d’une terminologie courante et cohérente dans l’explication des stratégies de repos aux patients après une CDS. Résultats Le taux de réponse était de 28 % (305 sur 1085). Les taux de réponse par les SMSE et les urgentologues se situaient respectivement à 41 % (147 sur 360) et 22 % (158 sur 725). Parmi les répondants, 41 % des urgentologues et 3 % des SMSE n’étaient pas au courant de l’existence de déclarations consensuelles sur la commotion dans le sport; 74 % des SMSE utilisaient « habituellement ou toujours » la version 2 de l’Outil d’évaluation de la commotion dans le sport (SCAT2), tandis que 88 % des urgentologues n’utilisaient jamais le SCAT2. Aucune réponse uniforme n’a été documentée à la question visant à connaître les meilleurs modes de repos cognitif. Conclusion Nous avons cerné des différences et un manque d’uniformité chez les SMSE et les urgentologues dans la mise en application des recommandations concernant les patients ayant subi une CDS. Il semble que le SCAT2 soit davantage utilisé dans le milieu des SMSE que dans le contexte de l’urgence. Des efforts plus poussés de transfert des connaissances et en recherche devraient atténuer les obstacles à des conseils plus uniformes donnés par les médecins qui soignent des patients ayant subi une CDS.

Ageing Mechanisms and Control. Specialists’ Meeting on Life Management Techniques for Ageing Air Vehicles (Les mecanismes vieillissants et le controle) (Reunions des specialistes des techniques de gestion du cycle de vie pour vehicules aeriens vieillissants)

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-02-01

Beam Weld Repair and Qualification of Titanium Fan Blades for Military Gas Turbine Engines”, NATO-RTO-AVT Workshop on Cost Effective Applications of...announced in the Meeting Announcement Research of Extension of the Life Cycle of Helicopter Rotor Blade in Hungary 39 by M. Balaskó, G. Endröczi, J...and Power Systems MP-069(I), February 2003 Low Cost Composite Structures / Cost Effective Application of Titanium Alloys in Military Platforms MP-069

Application of rotational atherectomy in the drug-eluting stent era

PubMed Central

Chen, Chun-Chi; Hsieh, I-Chang

2013-01-01

Rotational atherectomy (RA) was introduced in the interventional arena in 1988 as a dedicated device for calcified lesions. Due to the complexity of the technique, the development of alternative methods such as the cutting balloon procedure, and the high restenosis rate of subsequent bare metal stenting in long lesions, its use had later declined. However, with the increasing use of drug-eluting stents (DES) and the aggressive treatment of longer lesions, the number of procedure performed with RA has increased significantly again in recent years. In this article, we reviewed the application of RA in DES era. PMID:24133506

Discrimination Power Control for Adaptive Target Tracking Applications

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-07-01

represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2008 c© Sa Majesté la Reine (en droit du Canada), telle que représentée par le ministre de la Défense...classification. Résumé Le travail présenté dans ce rapport porte sur le problème de la capacité discriminatoire dans des applications de pistage de cibles...objectifs d’une mission. La stratégie de contrôle est basée sur deux boucles imbriquées. La boucle externe utilise des techniques de regroupement de

Etude vibroacoustique d'un systeme coque-plancher-cavite avec application a un fuselage simplifie

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Missaoui, Jemai

L'objectif de ce travail est de developper des modeles semi-analytiques pour etudier le comportement structural, acoustique et vibro-acoustique d'un systeme coque-plancher-cavite. La connection entre la coque et le plancher est assuree en utilisant le concept de rigidite artificielle. Ce concept de modelisation flexible facilite le choix des fonctions de decomposition du mouvement de chaque sous-structure. Les resultats issus de cette etude vont permettre la comprehension des phenomenes physiques de base rencontres dans une structure d'avion. Une approche integro-modale est developpee pour calculer les caracteristiques modales acoustiques. Elle utilise une discretisation de la cavite irreguliere en sous-cavites acoustiques dont les bases de developpement sont connues a priori. Cette approche, a caractere physique, presente l'avantage d'etre efficace et precise. La validite de celle-ci a ete demontree en utilisant des resultats disponibles dans la litterature. Un modele vibro-acoustique est developpe dans un but d'analyser et de comprendre les effets structuraux et acoustiques du plancher dans la configuration. La validite des resultats, en termes de resonance et de fonction de transfert, est verifiee a l'aide des mesures experimentales realisees au laboratoire.

Croissance des couches minces et des multicouches de matériaux supraconducteurs H Tboldmath_c : bilan et perspective

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Contour, J. P.

1994-11-01

The main physical and chemical techniques of epitaxial growth of High T_c superconductor thin films are described together with their in situ analysis facilities and discussed with respect to their cost, sophistication and results (T_c, J_c growth defects, thickness and composition uniformity, crystallinity, electronic applications...). The future trends of the growth machines are then examined in connection with the present results and the development of superconductor electronics. Après la présentation des principales techniques de croissance physique et physicochimique de couches minces d'oxydes supraconducteurs à haute température critique, un bilan des résultats sera dressé par rapport aux différentes propriétés des films (transition résistive, courant critique, défauts de croissance, uniformité d'épaisseur et de composition, cristallinité...), aux difficultés de mise en œuvre et au coût de l'expérience. Les perspectives des différentes techniques seront ensuite examinées dans le cadre du développement potentiel d'une électronique utilisant les matériaux supraconducteurs H T_c.

Properties of Polyvinylpyrrolidone in a Deep Eutectic Solvent

DOE PAGES

Sapir, Liel; Stanley, Christopher B.; Harries, Daniel

2016-03-10

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) are mixtures of two or more components with high melting temperatures, which form a liquid at room temperature. These DES hold great promise as green solvents for chemical processes, as they are inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Specifically, they present a unique solvating environment to polymers that is different from water. In this paper, we use small angle neutron scattering to study the polymer properties of the common, water-soluble, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in the prominent DES formed by a 1:2 molar mixture of choline chloride and urea. We find that the polymer adopts a slightly different structure inmore » DES than in water, so that at higher concentrations the polymer favors a more expanded conformation compared to the same concentration in water. Yet, the osmotic pressure of PVP solutions in DES is very similar to that in water, indicating that both solvents are of comparable quality and that the DES components interact favorably with PVP. Finally, the osmotic pressure measurements within this novel class of promising solvents should be of value toward future technological applications as well as for osmotic stress experiments in nonaqueous environments.« less

Properties of Polyvinylpyrrolidone in a Deep Eutectic Solvent

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

Sapir, Liel; Stanley, Christopher B.; Harries, Daniel

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) are mixtures of two or more components with high melting temperatures, which form a liquid at room temperature. These DES hold great promise as green solvents for chemical processes, as they are inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Specifically, they present a unique solvating environment to polymers that is different from water. In this paper, we use small angle neutron scattering to study the polymer properties of the common, water-soluble, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in the prominent DES formed by a 1:2 molar mixture of choline chloride and urea. We find that the polymer adopts a slightly different structure inmore » DES than in water, so that at higher concentrations the polymer favors a more expanded conformation compared to the same concentration in water. Yet, the osmotic pressure of PVP solutions in DES is very similar to that in water, indicating that both solvents are of comparable quality and that the DES components interact favorably with PVP. Finally, the osmotic pressure measurements within this novel class of promising solvents should be of value toward future technological applications as well as for osmotic stress experiments in nonaqueous environments.« less

Petrology and geochemistry of primary magmas trapped in melt inclusions in scoria of Beaunit Maar (Chaîne des Puys, Massif Central, France)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jannot, S.; Schiano, P.; Boivin, P.; Clocchiatti, R.; Chazot, G.

2003-04-01

The Massif Central area, characterized by a typical intraplate alkaline serie, is the largest magmatic province of the West-European Rift system. Although it has been the subject of several studies, the nature of Massif Central sources is still a matter of debate and many hypotheses are proposed, including deep-rooted continental hotspot, metasomatised spinel lherzolites and an asthenospheric flow linked to the lithospheric root of the Alpine chain. The Chaîne des Puys is the last magmatic province of the French Massif Central and is composed of hundred young well-preserved volcanoes. The present work aims to supply information on the nature and the origin of the source chemistry of alkaline serie from the Chaîne des Puys, by characterizing the trace and major element composition of minute melts preserved as quenched glass inclusions inside olivines phenocrysts in scoria from the Beaunit Maar. Heating stage experiments performed at ambient pressure on partially crystallised primary melt inclusions suggest CO_2 oversaturation of the trapped melt, and an entrapment temperature around 1200^oC±10^oC. Daughter minerals analyses point to a Ti-and Ca-rich basaltic paragenesis, in good agreement with that of erupted basalts from the Chaîne des Puys. Major element compositions show that melts trapped in inclusions evolve by limited fractional crystallization. Inclusions trapped in the more primitive olivine phenocrysts (Fo85) have alkali-basalt compositions that fall on the primitive end of the compositional trend define by the lavas of the Chaîne des Puys. Their major element chemistry rules out the hypothesis of a mantle source in the spinel stability field and requires a garnet-bearing mantle source. Analyzed for trace-element composition by LA-ICP-MS, they display homogeneous, enriched patterns, similar to those characterizing oceanic island and continental basalts. They have high concentration of LILE and LREE/HREE ratios. Such trace-element feature are typical of OIB showing EM(1-2)-type isotopic signatures and thought to reflect the involvement of recycled continental and/or sedimentary components.

Cold pearl surfactant-based blends.

PubMed

Crombie, R L

1997-10-01

Pearlizing agents have been used for many years in cosmetic formulations to add a pearlescent effect. Cold pearl surfactant-based blends are mixtures of glycol stearates and surfactants which can be blended in the cold into a wide range of personal-care formulations to create a pearlescent lustre effect. Under controlled manufacturing conditions constant viscosities and crystalline characteristics can be obtained. The development of these blends has been driven by efforts to improve the economics of adding solid pearlizing agents directly into a hot mix formulation. This paper summarizes the history of pearlizers, describes their advantages and physical chemistry of the manufacturing process. Finally some suggestions for applications are given. Les agents nacrants sont utilises depuis de nombreuses annees dans les formulations cosmetiques pour ajouter un effet nacre. Les melanges a froid a base de tensioactif nacre sont des melanges de stearates de glycol et de tensioactifs qui peuvent etre melanges a froid dans une large gamme de formulations d'hygiene personnelle pour creer un effet de lustre nacre. On peut obtenir des viscosites et des proprietes cristallines constantes avec des conditions de fabrication maitrisees. Le developpement de ces melanges a ete porte par les efforts pour ameliorer les couts de l'ajout d'agents nacrants solides directement dans une formulation melangee de l'ajout d'agents nacrants solides directement dans une formulation melangee a chaud. Cet article resume l'histoire des agents nacrants, decrit leurs avantages et al physico-chimie du procede de fabrication. On emet a la fin cetaines suggestions d'applications.

ShipMo3D Version 3.0 User Manual for Computing Ship Motions in the Time and Frequency Domains

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-01-01

permettent de modéliser un navire en manœuvre libre et en eau calme ou dans les vagues. SM3DBuildSeaway construit des modèles de voie maritime à trajet...manœuvrant libre - ment en eau calme ou dans une voie maritime modélisée. Plusieurs applications du logiciel ShipMo3D font des prévisions des mouvements de...can be produced. For a random seaway, the range of wave frequencies should be sufficient to encompass almost all energy within the wave spectrum. For

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for direct isotope ratio measurements on solid samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pickhardt, Carola; Dietze, Hans-Joachim; Becker, J. Sabine

2005-04-01

Isotope ratio measurements have been increasingly used in quite different application fields, e.g., for the investigation of isotope variation in nature, in geoscience (geochemistry and geochronology), in cosmochemistry and planetary science, in environmental science, e.g., in environmental monitoring, or by the application of the isotope dilution technique for quantification purposes using stable or radioactive high-enriched isotope tracers. Due to its high sensitivity, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is today a challenging mass spectrometric technique for the direct determination of precise and accurate isotope ratios in solid samples. In comparison to laser ablation quadrupole ICP-MS (LA-ICP-QMS), laser ablation coupled to a double-focusing sector field ICP-MS (LA-ICP-SFMS) with single ion detection offers a significant improvement of sensitivity at low mass resolution, whereby isotope ratios can be measured with a precision to 0.1% relative standard deviation (R.S.D.). In LA-ICP-SFMS, many disturbing isobaric interferences of analyte and molecular ions can be separated at the required mass resolution (e.g., 40Ar16O+ and 56Fe+ for iron isotope ratio measurements). The precision on isotope ratio measurements was improved by one order of magnitude via the simultaneous detection of mass-separated ion currents of isotopes using multiple ion collectors in LA-ICP-MS (LA-MC-ICP-MS). The paper discusses the state of the art, the challenges and limits in isotope ratio measurements by LA-ICP-MS using different instrumentations at the trace and ultratrace level in different fields of application as in environmental and biological research, geochemistry and geochronology with respect to their precision and accuracy.

Transient competitive complexation in biological kinetic isotope fractionation explains non-steady isotopic effects: Theory and application to denitrification in soils

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

Maggi, F.M.; Riley, W.J.

2009-06-01

The theoretical formulation of biological kinetic reactions in isotopic applications often assume first-order or Michaelis-Menten-Monod kinetics under the quasi-steady-state assumption to simplify the system kinetics. However, isotopic e ects have the same order of magnitude as the potential error introduced by these simpli cations. Both formulations lead to a constant fractionation factor which may yield incorrect estimations of the isotopic effect and a misleading interpretation of the isotopic signature of a reaction. We have analyzed the isotopic signature of denitri cation in biogeochemical soil systems by Menyailo and Hungate [2006], where high {sup 15}N{sub 2}O enrichment during N{sub 2}O productionmore » and inverse isotope fractionation during N{sub 2}O consumption could not be explained with first-order kinetics and the Rayleigh equation, or with the quasi-steady-state Michaelis-Menten-Monod kinetics. When the quasi-steady-state assumption was relaxed, transient Michaelis-Menten-Monod kinetics accurately reproduced the observations and aided in interpretation of experimental isotopic signatures. These results may imply a substantial revision in using the Rayleigh equation for interpretation of isotopic signatures and in modeling biological kinetic isotope fractionation with first-order kinetics or quasi-steady-state Michaelis-Menten-Monod kinetics.« less

Etude des phenomenes dynamiques ultrarapides et des caracteristiques impulsionnelles d'emission terahertz du supraconducteur YBCO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Savard, Stephane

Les premieres etudes d'antennes a base de supraconducteurs a haute temperature critique emettant une impulsion electromagnetique dont le contenu en frequence se situe dans le domaine terahertz remontent a 1996. Une antenne supraconductrice est formee d'un micro-pont d'une couche mince supraconductrice sur lequel un courant continu est applique. Un faisceau laser dans le visible est focalise sur le micro-pont et place le supraconducteur dans un etat hors-equilibre ou des paires sont brisees. Grace a la relaxation des quasiparticules en surplus et eventuellement de la reformation des paires supraconductrices, nous pouvons etudier la nature de la supraconductivite. L'analyse de la cinetique temporelle du champ electromagnetique emis par une telle antenne terahertz supraconductrice s'est averee utile pour decrire qualitativement les caracteristiques de celle-ci en fonction des parametres d'operation tels que le courant applique, la temperature et la puissance d'excitation. La comprehension de l'etat hors-equilibre est la cle pour comprendre le fonctionnement des antennes terahertz supraconductrices a haute temperature critique. Dans le but de comprendre ultimement cet etat hors-equilibre, nous avions besoin d'une methode et d'un modele pour extraire de facon plus systematique les proprietes intrinseques du materiau qui compose l'antenne terahertz a partir des caracteristiques d'emission de celle-ci. Nous avons developpe une procedure pour calibrer le spectrometre dans le domaine temporel en utilisant des antennes terahertz de GaAs bombarde aux protons H+ comme emetteur et detecteur. Une fois le montage calibre, nous y avons insere une antenne emettrice dipolaire de YBa 2Cu3O7-delta . Un modele avec des fonctions exponentielles de montee et de descente du signal est utilise pour lisser le spectre du champ electromagnetique de l'antenne de YBa 2Cu3O7-delta, ce qui nous permet d'extraire les proprietes intrinseques de ce dernier. Pour confirmer la validite du modele choisi, nous avons mesure les proprietes intrinseques du meme echantillon de YBa2Cu3O7- delta avec la technique pompe-visible et sonde-terahertz donnant, elle aussi, acces aux temps caracteristiques regissant l'evolution hors-equilibre de ce materiau. Dans le meilleur scenario, ces temps caracteristiques devraient correspondre a ceux evalues grace a la modelisation des antennes. Un bon controle des parametres de croissance des couches minces supraconductrices et de fabrication du dispositif nous a permis de realiser des antennes d'emission terahertz possedant d'excellentes caracteristiques en terme de largeur de bande d'emission (typiquement 3 THz) exploitables pour des applications de spectroscopie resolue dans le domaine temporel. Le modele developpe et retenu pour le lissage du spectre terahertz decrit bien les caracteristiques de l'antenne supraconductrice pour tous les parametres d'operation. Toutefois, le lien avec la technique pompe-sonde lors de la comparaison des proprietes intrinseques n'est pas direct malgre que les deux techniques montrent que le temps de relaxation des porteurs augmente pres de la temperature critique. Les donnees en pompe-sonde indiquent que la mesure du temps de relaxation depend de la frequence de la sonde, ce qui complique la correspondance des proprietes intrinseques entre les deux techniques. De meme, le temps de relaxation extrait a partir du spectre de l'antenne terahertz augmente en s'approchant de la temperature critique (T c) de YBa2Cu 3O7-delta. Le comportement en temperature du temps de relaxation correspond a une loi de puissance qui est fonction de l'inverse du gap supraconducteur avec un exposant 5 soit 1/Delta 5(T). Le travail presente dans cette these permet de mieux decrire les caracteristiques des antennes supraconductrices a haute temperature critique et de les relier aux proprietes intrinseques du materiau qui les compose. De plus, cette these presente les parametres a ajuster comme le courant applique, la puissance de la pompe, la temperature d'operation, etc, afin d'optimiser l'emission et les performances de ces antennes supraconductrices entre autres pour maximiser leur etendue en frequence dans une perspective d'application en spectroscopie terahertz. Cependant, plusieurs des resultats obtenus soulevent la difficulte de decrire l'etat hors-equilibre et la necessite de developper une theorie pour le supraconducteur YBa2 Cu3O7-delta

Caracterisation des revetements par projection thermique a haute vitesse obtenus a partir de differentes poudres de wc-10co-4cr pour des applications en aeronautique =

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quintero Malpica, Alfonso

Les revetements par projection thermique HVOF (High Velocity Oxy-Fuel) sont communement utilises dans l'industrie aeronautique, notamment au sein du partenaire industriel du projet (Tecnickrome Aeronautique Inc), comme des remplacants pour les revetements produits par l'electrodeposition du chrome dur due aux problemes environnementaux. Ce projet avait pour but de trouver une poudre alternative a celle qui est actuellement utilisee pour la production des revetements de type WC-10Co-4Cr obtenus avec la technologie de projection thermique a haute vitesse HVOF et en utilisant le systeme de projection HVOF-JET KOTERTM III. Dans un premier temps, cinq poudres incluant celle de reference, ayant des distributions granulometriques differentes, ont ete projetees dans le but d'identifier quelles poudres pouvaient etre utilisees avec le systeme de projection HVOF-JET KOTERTM III en gardant des parametres similaires (debit d'hydrogene, debit d'oxygene, debit de poudre et distance de projection) que pour la poudre de reference. Les revetements obtenus a partir des poudres etudiees ont ete evalues selon les criteres d'acceptation des revetements sollicites par les principaux manufacturiers des trains d'atterrissage. Les tests ont porte sur l'epaisseur, l'adhesion, la microstructure, la microdurete, les contraintes residuelles et la rugosite. A partir des resultats obtenus, seulement deux poudres ont rencontre toutes les proprietes demandees par les specifications aeronautiques. L'influence de la variation de la distance de projection sur la qualite des revetements a ete etudiee. Cinq distances (100, 125, 150, 175 et 200 mm) ont ete choisies pour faire la projection des deux poudres selectionnees. Les revetements obtenus ont montre de proprietes des revetements similaires (epaisseur, adhesion, microstructure, microdurete, contraintes residuelles et rugosite). Il a ete trouve que la distance de projection est un parametre indirect du systeme de projection HVOF-JET KOTERTM III et qu'autant la vitesse que la temperature des particules semblent mieux determiner les proprietes du revetement, en particulier, les niveaux de contraintes residuelles finales dans les revetements. Lorsque les revetements sont produits a de courtes distances de projection, les particules arrivent avec plus grande vitesse et temperature ce qui resulte dans de plus grandes temperatures du substrat et plus grande energie d'impact, resultant dans de plus grandes contraintes residuelles de compression dans les revetements.

Static, Mixed-Array Total Evaporation for Improved Quantitation of Plutonium Minor Isotopes in Small Samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stanley, F. E.; Byerly, Benjamin L.; Thomas, Mariam R.; Spencer, Khalil J.

2016-06-01

Actinide isotope measurements are a critical signature capability in the modern nuclear forensics "toolbox", especially when interrogating anthropogenic constituents in real-world scenarios. Unfortunately, established methodologies, such as traditional total evaporation via thermal ionization mass spectrometry, struggle to confidently measure low abundance isotope ratios (<10-6) within already limited quantities of sample. Herein, we investigate the application of static, mixed array total evaporation techniques as a straightforward means of improving plutonium minor isotope measurements, which have been resistant to enhancement in recent years because of elevated radiologic concerns. Results are presented for small sample (~20 ng) applications involving a well-known plutonium isotope reference material, CRM-126a, and compared with traditional total evaporation methods.

Full-Spectrum-Analysis Isotope ID

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

Mitchell, Dean J.; Harding, Lee; Thoreson, Gregory G.

2017-06-28

FSAIsotopeID analyzes gamma ray spectra to identify radioactive isotopes (radionuclides). The algorithm fits the entire spectrum with combinations of pre-computed templates for a comprehensive set of radionuclides with varying thicknesses and compositions of shielding materials. The isotope identification algorithm is suitable for the analysis of spectra collected by gamma-ray sensors ranging from medium-resolution detectors, such a NaI, to high-resolution detectors, such as HPGe. In addition to analyzing static measurements, the isotope identification algorithm is applied for the radiation search applications. The search subroutine maintains a running background spectrum that is passed to the isotope identification algorithm, and it also selectsmore » temporal integration periods that optimize the responsiveness and sensitivity. Gain stabilization is supported for both types of applications.« less

Static, Mixed-Array Total Evaporation for Improved Quantitation of Plutonium Minor Isotopes in Small Samples.

PubMed

Stanley, F E; Byerly, Benjamin L; Thomas, Mariam R; Spencer, Khalil J

2016-06-01

Actinide isotope measurements are a critical signature capability in the modern nuclear forensics "toolbox", especially when interrogating anthropogenic constituents in real-world scenarios. Unfortunately, established methodologies, such as traditional total evaporation via thermal ionization mass spectrometry, struggle to confidently measure low abundance isotope ratios (<10(-6)) within already limited quantities of sample. Herein, we investigate the application of static, mixed array total evaporation techniques as a straightforward means of improving plutonium minor isotope measurements, which have been resistant to enhancement in recent years because of elevated radiologic concerns. Results are presented for small sample (~20 ng) applications involving a well-known plutonium isotope reference material, CRM-126a, and compared with traditional total evaporation methods. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Etudes optiques de nouveaux materiaux laser: Des orthosilicates dopes a l'ytterbium: Le yttrium (lutetium,scandium) pentoxide de silicium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Denoyer, Aurelie

La decouverte et l'elaboration de nouveaux materiaux laser solides suscitent beaucoup d'interet parmi la communaute scientifique. En particulier les lasers dans la gamme de frequence du micron debouchent sur beaucoup d'applications, en telecommunication, en medecine, dans le domaine militaire, pour la, decoupe des metaux (lasers de puissance), en optique non lineaire (doublage de frequence, bistabilite optique). Le plus couramment utilise actuellement est le Nd:YAG dans cette famille de laser, mais des remplacants plus performants sont toujours recherches. Les lasers a base d'Yb3+ possedent beaucoup d'avantages compares aux lasers Nd3+ du fait de leur structure electronique simple et de leur deterioration moins rapide. Parmi les matrices cristallines pouvant accueillir l'ytterbium, les orthosilicates Yb:Y 2SiO5, Yb:Lu2SiO5 et Yb:Sc2SiO 5 se positionnent tres bien, du fait de leur bonne conductivite thermique et du fort eclatement de leur champ cristallin necessaire a l'elaboration de lasers quasi-3 niveaux. De plus l'etude fine et systematique des proprietes microscopiques de nouveaux materiaux s'avere toujours tres interessante du point de vue de la recherche fondamentale, c'est ainsi que de nouveaux modeles sont concus (par exemple pour le champ cristallin) ou que de nouvelles proprietes inhabituelles sont decouvertes, menant a de nouvelles applications. Ainsi d'autres materiaux dopes a l'ytterbium sont connus pour leurs proprietes de couplage electron-phonon, de couplage magnetique, d'emission cooperative ou encore de bistabilite optique, mais ces proprietes n'ont encore jamais ete mises en evidence dans Yb:Y 2SiO5, Yb:Lu2SiO5 et Yb:Sc2SiO 5. Ainsi, cette these a pour but l'etude des proprietes optiques et des interactions microscopiques dans Yb:Y2SiO 5, Yb:Lu2SiO5 et Yb:Sc2SiO5. Nous utilisons principalement les techniques d'absorption IR et de spectroscopie Raman pour determiner les excitations du champ cristallin et les modes de vibration dans le materiau. Des mesures optiques sous champ magnetique ont egalement ete effectuees dans le but de caracteriser le comportement de ces excitations lorsqu'elles sont soumises a l'effet Zeeman. La resonance paramagnetique electronique a permis de completer cette etude de l'eclatement Zeeman suivant toutes les orientations du cristal. Enfin la fluorescence par excitation selective et la fluorescence induite par Raman FT, completent la description des niveaux d'energie et revelent l'existence d'emission cooperative de deux ions Yb3+ et de transferts d'energie. Les resultats de cette these apportent une contribution originale dans le domaine des nouveaux materiaux lasers par l'etude et la comprehension des interactions fines et des proprietes microscopiques d'un materiau en particulier. Ils debouchent a la fois sur des applications possibles dans le domaine de l'optique et des lasers, et sur la comprehension d'aspects fondamentaux. Cette these a prouve l'interet de ces matrices pour leur utilisation comme lasers solides: un fort eclatement du champ cristallin favorable a l'elaboration de laser quasi-3 niveaux, et de larges bandes d'absorption (dues a un fort couplage electron-phonon et a des raies satellites causees par une interaction d'echange entre deux ions Yb3+) qui permettent la generation d'impulsions laser ultra-courtes, l'accordabilite du laser, etc. De plus la miniaturisation des lasers est possible pour l'optique integree grace a des couches minces synthetisees par epitaxie en phase liquide dont nous avons demontre la tres bonne qualite structurale et l'ajustement possible de certains parametres. Nous avons reconstruit le tenseur g du niveau fondamental (qui donne des informations precieuses sur les fonctions d'onde), ceci dans le but d'aider les theoriciens a concevoir un modele de champ cristallin valide. Plusieurs mecanismes de transferts d'energie ont ete mis en evidence: un mecanisme de relaxation d'un site vers l'autre, un mecanisme d'emission cooperative, et un mecanisme d'excitation de l'Yb3+ par le Tm3+ (impurete presente dans le materiau). Ces transferts sont plutot nefastes pour la fabrication d'un laser mais sont interessants pour l'optique non lineaire (doublage de frequence, memoires optiques). Enfin, plusieurs elements (le couplage magnetique de paire, le couplage electron-phonon et l'emission cooperative) nous ont permis de conclure sur le caractere covalent de la matrice. Nous avons d'ailleurs demontre ici le role de la covalence dans l'emission cooperative, transition habituellement attribuee aux interactions multipolaires electriques.

Advances in primate stable isotope ecology-Achievements and future prospects.

PubMed

Crowley, Brooke E; Reitsema, Laurie J; Oelze, Vicky M; Sponheimer, Matt

2016-10-01

Stable isotope biogeochemistry has been used to investigate foraging ecology in non-human primates for nearly 30 years. Whereas early studies focused on diet, more recently, isotopic analysis has been used to address a diversity of ecological questions ranging from niche partitioning to nutritional status to variability in life history traits. With this increasing array of applications, stable isotope analysis stands to make major contributions to our understanding of primate behavior and biology. Most notably, isotopic data provide novel insights into primate feeding behaviors that may not otherwise be detectable. This special issue brings together some of the recent advances in this relatively new field. In this introduction to the special issue, we review the state of isotopic applications in primatology and its origins and describe some developing methodological issues, including techniques for analyzing different tissue types, statistical approaches, and isotopic baselines. We then discuss the future directions we envision for the field of primate isotope ecology. Am. J. Primatol. 78:995-1003, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A conceptual modeling framework for discrete event simulation using hierarchical control structures.

PubMed

Furian, N; O'Sullivan, M; Walker, C; Vössner, S; Neubacher, D

2015-08-01

Conceptual Modeling (CM) is a fundamental step in a simulation project. Nevertheless, it is only recently that structured approaches towards the definition and formulation of conceptual models have gained importance in the Discrete Event Simulation (DES) community. As a consequence, frameworks and guidelines for applying CM to DES have emerged and discussion of CM for DES is increasing. However, both the organization of model-components and the identification of behavior and system control from standard CM approaches have shortcomings that limit CM's applicability to DES. Therefore, we discuss the different aspects of previous CM frameworks and identify their limitations. Further, we present the Hierarchical Control Conceptual Modeling framework that pays more attention to the identification of a models' system behavior, control policies and dispatching routines and their structured representation within a conceptual model. The framework guides the user step-by-step through the modeling process and is illustrated by a worked example.

A conceptual modeling framework for discrete event simulation using hierarchical control structures

PubMed Central

Furian, N.; O’Sullivan, M.; Walker, C.; Vössner, S.; Neubacher, D.

2015-01-01

Conceptual Modeling (CM) is a fundamental step in a simulation project. Nevertheless, it is only recently that structured approaches towards the definition and formulation of conceptual models have gained importance in the Discrete Event Simulation (DES) community. As a consequence, frameworks and guidelines for applying CM to DES have emerged and discussion of CM for DES is increasing. However, both the organization of model-components and the identification of behavior and system control from standard CM approaches have shortcomings that limit CM’s applicability to DES. Therefore, we discuss the different aspects of previous CM frameworks and identify their limitations. Further, we present the Hierarchical Control Conceptual Modeling framework that pays more attention to the identification of a models’ system behavior, control policies and dispatching routines and their structured representation within a conceptual model. The framework guides the user step-by-step through the modeling process and is illustrated by a worked example. PMID:26778940

Investigations of Flow Over a Hemisphere Using Numerical Simulations (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-06-22

ranging from missile defense, remote sensing , and imaging . An important aspect of these applications is determining the effective beam-on-target...Stokes (URANS), detached eddy simulation (DES), and hybrid RANS/LES. The numerical results were compared with the experiment conducted at Auburn...turret. Using the DES and hybrid RANS/LES turbulence models, Loci-Chem was able to capture the unsteady flow structures, such as the shear layer

Modeling of Impact Properties of Auxetic Materials: Phase 1

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-08-01

avantages marqués comparativement aux matériaux techniques classiques. La présente étude avait pour objectifs de mieux comprendre le comportement des...possible benefits of incorporating auxetic materials into lightweight armour designs . New armour designs incorporating novel auxetic materials may...Poisson négatif et ils offriraient, pour certaines applications, des avantages marqués comparativement aux matériaux techniques classiques. La présente

DISCRETE EVENT SIMULATION OF OPTICAL SWITCH MATRIX PERFORMANCE IN COMPUTER NETWORKS

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

Imam, Neena; Poole, Stephen W

2013-01-01

In this paper, we present application of a Discrete Event Simulator (DES) for performance modeling of optical switching devices in computer networks. Network simulators are valuable tools in situations where one cannot investigate the system directly. This situation may arise if the system under study does not exist yet or the cost of studying the system directly is prohibitive. Most available network simulators are based on the paradigm of discrete-event-based simulation. As computer networks become increasingly larger and more complex, sophisticated DES tool chains have become available for both commercial and academic research. Some well-known simulators are NS2, NS3, OPNET,more » and OMNEST. For this research, we have applied OMNEST for the purpose of simulating multi-wavelength performance of optical switch matrices in computer interconnection networks. Our results suggest that the application of DES to computer interconnection networks provides valuable insight in device performance and aids in topology and system optimization.« less

Diffraction des neutrons : principe, dispositifs expérimentaux et applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muller, C.

2003-02-01

La diffraction de neutrons, sur monocristal ou sur échantillon polycristallin (ou poudre), est une technique très largement utilisée, en science des matériaux comme en biologie, lorsque l'on souhaite déterminer la structure cristalline d'un composé ou d'une molécule. Toutefois, le degré de précision de la détermination structurale est très corrélé au choix de l'instrument utilisé. Il s'en suit que la question “comment choisir l'instrument le mieux adapté au composé et à la problématique ?" apparaît comme fondamentale. L'objectif de ce cours est de tenter de répondre à cette question en décrivant brièvement les caractéristiques instrumentales de différents diffractomètres, en exposant les avantages spécifiques des expériences de diffraction de neutrons et en donnant quelques exemples d'application.

Lead (Pb) isotopic fingerprinting and its applications in lead pollution studies in China: a review.

PubMed

Cheng, Hefa; Hu, Yuanan

2010-05-01

As the most widely scattered toxic metal in the world, the sources of lead (Pb) observed in contamination investigation are often difficult to identify. This review presents an overview of the principles, analysis, and applications of Pb isotopic fingerprinting in tracing the origins and transport pathways of Pb in the environment. It also summarizes the history and current status of lead pollution in China, and illustrates the power of Pb isotopic fingerprinting with examples of its recent applications in investigating the effectiveness of leaded gasoline phase-out on atmospheric lead pollution, and the sources of Pb found in various environmental media (plants, sediments, and aquatic organisms) in China. The limitations of Pb isotopic fingerprinting technique are discussed and a perspective on its development is also presented. Further methodological developments and more widespread instrument availability are expected to make isotopic fingerprinting one of the key tools in lead pollution investigation. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

APPLICATION OF STABLE ISOTOPE TECHNIQUES TO AIR POLLUTION RESEARCH

EPA Science Inventory

Stable isotope techniques provide a robust, yet under-utilized tool for examining pollutant effects on plant growth and ecosystem function. Here, we survey a range of mixing model, physiological and system level applications for documenting pollutant effects. Mixing model examp...

ALL-UNION CONFERENCE ON APPLICATIONS OF RADIOACTIVE ISOTOPES AND NUCLEAR EMISSIONS IN THE NATIONAL INDUSTRY OF USSR (in Russian)

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

None

1960-09-01

Papers presented at the All-Union Conference on Industrial Applications of Radioactive Isotopes and Nuclear Emissions in the National Economy of USSR, April 12 to 16, 1960, in Riga are surveyed. Short summaries are given on applications of radioactive isotopes and nuclear emissions in prospecting, developing mineral resources, metallurgy, ore enrichment processes, machine construction technology, agriculture, food processing, and medicine. Sources of alpha , beta , and gamma radiation for control and automation of processes are also discussed. The full reports from the conference will be published in 1960. (R.V.J.)

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope composition of aquatic and terrestrial plants of the San Francisco Bay estuarine system

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cloern, J.E.; Canuel, E.A.; Harris, D.

2002-01-01

We report measurements of seasonal variability in the C-N stable isotope ratios of plants collected across the habitat mosaic of San Francisco Bay, its marshes, and its tributary river system. Analyses of 868 plant samples were binned into 10 groups (e.g., terrestrial riparian, freshwater phytoplankton, salt marsh) to determine whether C-N isotopes can be used as biomarkers for tracing the origins of organic matter in this river-marsh-estuary complex. Variability of ??13C and ??15N was high (???5-10???) within each plant group, and we identified three modes of variability: (1) between species and their microhabitats, (2) over annual cycles of plant growth and senescence, and (3) between living and decomposing biomass. These modes of within-group variability obscure any source-specific isotopic signatures, confounding the application of C-N isotopes for identifying the origins of organic matter. A second confounding factor was large dissimilarity between the ??13C-??15N of primary producers and the organic-matter pools in the seston and sediments. Both confounding factors impede the application of C-N isotopes to reveal the food supply to primary consumers in ecosystems supporting diverse autotrophs and where the isotopic composition of organic matter has been transformed and become distinct from that of its parent plant sources. Our results support the advice of others: variability of C-N stable isotopes within all organic-matter pools is high and must be considered in applications of these isotopes to trace trophic linkages from primary producers to primary consumers. Isotope-based approaches are perhaps most powerful when used to complement other tools, such as molecular biomarkers, bioassays, direct measures of production, and compilations of organic-matter budgets.

Calcium isotope analysis by mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Boulyga, Sergei F

2010-01-01

The variations in the isotopic composition of calcium caused by fractionation in heterogeneous systems and by nuclear reactions can provide insight into numerous biological, geological, and cosmic processes, and therefore isotopic analysis finds a wide spectrum of applications in cosmo- and geochemistry, paleoclimatic, nutritional, and biomedical studies. The measurement of calcium isotopic abundances in natural samples has challenged the analysts for more than three decades. Practically all Ca isotopes suffer from significant isobaric interferences, whereas low-abundant isotopes can be particularly affected by neighboring major isotopes. The extent of natural variations of stable isotopes appears to be relatively limited, and highly precise techniques are required to resolve isotopic effects. Isotope fractionation during sample preparation and measurements and instrumental mass bias can significantly exceed small isotope abundance variations in samples, which have to be investigated. Not surprisingly, a TIMS procedure developed by Russell et al. (Russell et al., 1978. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 42: 1075-1090) for Ca isotope measurements was considered as revolutionary for isotopic measurements in general, and that approach is used nowadays (with small modifications) for practically all isotopic systems and with different mass spectrometric techniques. Nevertheless, despite several decades of calcium research and corresponding development of mass spectrometers, the available precision and accuracy is still not always sufficient to achieve the challenging goals. The present article discusses figures of merits of presently used analytical methods and instrumentation, and attempts to critically assess their limitations. In Sections 2 and 3, mass spectrometric methods applied to precise stable isotope analysis and to the determination of (41)Ca are described. Section 4 contains a short summary of selected applications, and includes tracer experiments and the potential use of biological isotope fractionation in medical studies, paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic, and other terrestrial as well as extraterrestrial investigations. 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Analysis of the site-specific carbon isotope composition of propane by gas source isotope ratio mass spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piasecki, Alison; Sessions, Alex; Lawson, Michael; Ferreira, A. A.; Neto, E. V. Santos; Eiler, John M.

2016-09-01

Site-specific isotope ratio measurements potentially provide valuable information about the formation and degradation of complex molecules-information that is lost in conventional bulk isotopic measurements. Here we discuss the background and possible applications of such measurements, and present a technique for studying the site-specific carbon isotope composition of propane at natural abundance based on mass spectrometric analysis of the intact propane molecule and its fragment ions. We demonstrate the feasibility of this approach through measurements of mixtures of natural propane and propane synthesized with site-specific 13C enrichment, and we document the limits of precision of our technique. We show that mass balance calculations of the bulk δ13C of propane based on our site-specific measurements is generally consistent with independent constraints on bulk δ13C. We further demonstrate the accuracy of the technique, and illustrate one of its simpler applications by documenting the site-specific carbon isotope signature associated with gas phase diffusion of propane, confirming that our measurements conform to the predictions of the kinetic theory of gases. This method can be applied to propane samples of moderate size (tens of micromoles) isolated from natural gases. Thus, it provides a means of studying the site-specific stable isotope systematics of propane at natural isotope abundances on sample sizes that are readily recovered from many natural environments. This method may also serve as a model for future techniques that apply high-resolution mass spectrometry to study the site-specific isotopic distributions of larger organic molecules, with potential applications to biosynthesis, forensics and other geochemical subjects.

Controls on the barium isotope compositions of marine sediments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bridgestock, Luke; Hsieh, Yu-Te; Porcelli, Donald; Homoky, William B.; Bryan, Allison; Henderson, Gideon M.

2018-01-01

The accumulation of barium (Ba) in marine sediments is considered to be a robust proxy for export production, although this application can be limited by uncertainty in BaSO4 preservation and sediment mass accumulation rates. The Ba isotope compositions of marine sediments could potentially record insights into past changes in the marine Ba cycle, which should be insensitive to these limitations, enabling more robust interpretation of sedimentary Ba as a proxy. To investigate the controls on the Ba isotope compositions of marine sediments and their potential for paleo-oceanographic applications, we present the first Ba isotope compositions results for sediments, as well as overlying seawater depth profiles collected in the South Atlantic. Variations in Ba isotope compositions of the sediments predominantly reflect changes in the relative contributions of detrital and authigenic Ba sources, with open-ocean sediments constraining the isotope composition of authigenic Ba to be δ 138/134Ba ≈ + 0.1 ‰. This value is consistent with the average isotope composition inferred for sinking particulate Ba using simple mass balance models of Ba in the overlying water column and is hypothesized to reflect the removal of Ba from the upper water column with an associated isotopic fractionation of Δ diss-part 138/134Ba ≈ + 0.4 to +0.5. Perturbations to upper ocean Ba cycling, due to changes in export production and the supply of Ba via upwelling, should therefore be recorded by the isotope compositions of sedimentary authigenic Ba. Such insights will help to improve the reliable application of Ba accumulation rates in marine sediments as a proxy for past changes in export production.

Comparaison des effets des irradiations γ, X et UV dans les fibres optiques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Girard, S.; Ouerdane, Y.; Baggio, J.; Boukenter, A.; Meunier, J.-P.; Leray, J.-L.

2005-06-01

Les fibres optiques présentent de nombreux avantages incitant à les intégrer dans des applications devant résister aux environnements radiatifs associés aux domaines civil, spatial ou militaire. Cependant, leur exposition à un rayonnement entraîne la création de défauts ponctuels dans la silice amorphe pure ou dopée qui constitue les différentes parties de la fibre optique. Ces défauts causent, en particulier, une augmentation transitoire de l'atténuation linéique des fibres optiques responsable de la dégradation voire de la perte du signal propagé dans celles-ci. Dans cet article, nous comparons les effets de deux types d'irradiation: une impulsion X et une dose γ cumulée. Les effets de ces irradiations sont ensuite comparés avec ceux induits par une insolation ultraviolette (244 nm) sur les propriétés d'absorption des fibres optiques. Nous montrons qu'il existe des similitudes entre ces différentes excitations et qu'il est possible, sous certaines conditions, d'utiliser celles-ci afin d'évaluer la capacité de certaines fibres optiques à fonctionner dans un environnement nucléaire donné.

Les nanostructures pour créer de la couleur, un art inspiré par la nature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ball, Philip

2018-02-01

Les reflets changeants des plumes de la queue du paon ont captivé plus d'un esprit curieux. Le scientifique anglais Robert Hooke les qualifiait en 1665 de « surnaturelles » en constatant que, mouillées, elles perdaient leurs couleurs. À l'aide du microscope inventé depuis peu, il observa ces plumes, et découvrit qu'elles étaient couvertes de stries - qu'il suspecta d'être à l'origine des couleurs. Aujourd'hui, la recherche tente de s'inspirer de ces phénomènes : des applications « bio-inspirées » sont en voie de concrétisation. ARRAY(0x29ad218)

Hierarchical Discrete Event Supervisory Control of Aircraft Propulsion Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yasar, Murat; Tolani, Devendra; Ray, Asok; Shah, Neerav; Litt, Jonathan S.

2004-01-01

This paper presents a hierarchical application of Discrete Event Supervisory (DES) control theory for intelligent decision and control of a twin-engine aircraft propulsion system. A dual layer hierarchical DES controller is designed to supervise and coordinate the operation of two engines of the propulsion system. The two engines are individually controlled to achieve enhanced performance and reliability, necessary for fulfilling the mission objectives. Each engine is operated under a continuously varying control system that maintains the specified performance and a local discrete-event supervisor for condition monitoring and life extending control. A global upper level DES controller is designed for load balancing and overall health management of the propulsion system.

Preclinical mouse model to monitor live Muc5b-producing conjunctival goblet cell density under pharmacological treatments.

PubMed

Portal, Céline; Gouyer, Valérie; Gottrand, Frédéric; Desseyn, Jean-Luc

2017-01-01

Modification of mucous cell density and gel-forming mucin production are established hallmarks of mucosal diseases. Our aim was to develop and validate a mouse model to study live goblet cell density in pathological situations and under pharmacological treatments. We created a reporter mouse for the gel-forming mucin gene Muc5b. Muc5b-positive goblet cells were studied in the eye conjunctiva by immunohistochemistry and probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) in living mice. Dry eye syndrome (DES) model was induced by topical application of benzalkonium chloride (BAK) and recombinant interleukine (rIL) 13 was administered to reverse the goblet cell loss in the DES model. Almost 50% of the total of conjunctival goblet cells are Muc5b+ in unchallenged mice. The decrease density of Muc5b+ conjunctival goblet cell population in the DES model reflects the whole conjunctival goblet cell loss. Ten days of BAK in one eye followed by 4 days without any treatment induced a -18.3% decrease in conjunctival goblet cell density. A four days of rIL13 application in the DES model restored the normal goblet cell density. Muc5b is a biological marker of DES mouse models. We bring the proof of concept that our model is unique and allows a better understanding of the mechanisms that regulate gel-forming mucin production/secretion and mucous cell differentiation in the conjunctiva of living mice and can be used to test treatment compounds in mucosal disease models.

APPLICATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISOTOPES FOR WATERSHED INVESTIGATIONS

EPA Science Inventory

Environmental isotopes include naturally-occurring nuclides that can be applied as tracers within watersheds (Sidle, 1998). Recent advances in mass spectroscopy may supplant many traditional and costly hydrometric techniques. It is now possible, for example, to utilize isotopes a...

Static, mixed-array total evaporation for improved quantitation of plutonium minor isotopes in small samples

DOE PAGES

Stanley, F. E.; Byerly, Benjamin L.; Thomas, Mariam R.; ...

2016-03-31

Actinide isotope measurements are a critical signature capability in the modern nuclear forensics “toolbox”, especially when interrogating anthropogenic constituents in real-world scenarios. Unfortunately, established methodologies, such as traditional total evaporation via thermal ionization mass spectrometry, struggle to confidently measure low abundance isotope ratios (<10 -6) within already limited quantities of sample. Herein, we investigate the application of static, mixed array total evaporation techniques as a straightforward means of improving plutonium minor isotope measurements, which have been resistant to enhancement in recent years because of elevated radiologic concerns. Furthermore, results are presented for small sample (~20 ng) applications involving a well-knownmore » plutonium isotope reference material, CRM-126a, and compared with traditional total evaporation methods.« less

Multiferroic RMnO3 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fontcuberta, Josep

2015-03-01

Multiferroic materials have received an astonishing attention in the last decades due to expectations that potential coupling between distinct ferroic orders could inspire new applications and new device concepts. As a result, a new knowledge on coupling mechanisms and materials science has dramatically emerged. Multiferroic RMnO3 perovskites are central to this progress, providing a suitable platform to tailor spin-spin and spin-lattice interactions. With views towards applications, the development of thin films of multiferroic materials have also progressed enormously and nowadays thin-film manganites are available, with properties mimicking those of bulk compounds. Here we review achievements on the growth of hexagonal and orthorhombic RMnO3 epitaxial thin films and the characterization of their magnetic and ferroelectric properties, we discuss some challenging issues, and we suggest some guidelines for future research and developments. En ce qui concerne les applications, le développement de films minces de matériaux multiferroïques a aussi énormément progressé, et de nos jours des films minces de manganites avec des propriétés similaires à celles des matériaux massifs existent. Nous passons en revue ici les résultats obtenus dans le domaine de la croissance de couches minces épitaxiés de RMnO3 hexagonal et orthorhombique et de la caractérisation de leurs propriétés magnétiques et ferroélectriques. Nous discutons certains enjeux et proposons quelques idées pour des recherches et développements futurs.

An open source Bayesian Monte Carlo isotope mixing model with applications in Earth surface processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arendt, Carli A.; Aciego, Sarah M.; Hetland, Eric A.

2015-05-01

The implementation of isotopic tracers as constraints on source contributions has become increasingly relevant to understanding Earth surface processes. Interpretation of these isotopic tracers has become more accessible with the development of Bayesian Monte Carlo (BMC) mixing models, which allow uncertainty in mixing end-members and provide methodology for systems with multicomponent mixing. This study presents an open source multiple isotope BMC mixing model that is applicable to Earth surface environments with sources exhibiting distinct end-member isotopic signatures. Our model is first applied to new δ18O and δD measurements from the Athabasca Glacier, which showed expected seasonal melt evolution trends and vigorously assessed the statistical relevance of the resulting fraction estimations. To highlight the broad applicability of our model to a variety of Earth surface environments and relevant isotopic systems, we expand our model to two additional case studies: deriving melt sources from δ18O, δD, and 222Rn measurements of Greenland Ice Sheet bulk water samples and assessing nutrient sources from ɛNd and 87Sr/86Sr measurements of Hawaiian soil cores. The model produces results for the Greenland Ice Sheet and Hawaiian soil data sets that are consistent with the originally published fractional contribution estimates. The advantage of this method is that it quantifies the error induced by variability in the end-member compositions, unrealized by the models previously applied to the above case studies. Results from all three case studies demonstrate the broad applicability of this statistical BMC isotopic mixing model for estimating source contribution fractions in a variety of Earth surface systems.

Les métamatériaux, des micro-ondes à l'optique : théorie et applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kante, B.

2010-04-01

Cet article constitue une contribution originale et importante à la compréhension à la fois théorique et expérimentale des métamatériaux en micro-ondes et en infrarouge. Nous avons réalisé et caractérisé sur silicium des nano-structures metallo-diélectriques, briques de base des métamatériaux infrarouge et optique. Des caractérisations optiques exhaustives ont été réalisées pour la première fois sur ces structures en amplitude et en phase par interférométrie. Des topologies plus simples de métamatériaux d’un point de vue technologique et des performances optiques ont été introduites, et leur potentiel démontré dans la réalisation de fonctions aussi complexes que la réfraction négative, le couplage de mode plasmoniques, les nano senseurs pour la biologie et l’invisibilité électromagnétique en infrarouge. Les transformations d’espace, et le nouveau paradigme qu’elles offrent à l’optique, rendant possible une ingénierie de l’espace pour les photons ainsi que leur implémentation par métamatériaux ont été présentés par la première démonstration expérimentale d’une cape d’invisibilité non magnétique.

Application du concept de maillon faible à un critère d'endurance multiaxial

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flacelière, L.; Morel, F.; Palin-Luc, T.

2002-12-01

En fatigue à grand nombre de cycle, il est aujourd'hui admis que la distribution des contraintes, ainsi que la taille des composants, sont responsables de variations de la limite de fatigue. Sous chargement uniaxial ou multiaxial, on peut montrer qu'une approche statistique dite du maillon le plus faible, combiné à un critère multiaxial d'endurance basé sur une analyse micro plastique, permet de prédire la limite de fatigue de plusieurs matériaux métalliques. Quatre types de chargement sont analysés (traction-compression, torsion, flexion rotative et flexion plane), puis comparées aux résultats expérimentaux, pour une fonte et deux aciers haute résistance. L'approche statistique proposée permet d'intégrer un certain nombre d'aspects: la dispersion des données pour tous types de chargement, l'effet de gradient et l'influence de la présence de défauts matériaux. Enfin, ce modèle rend également compte de la diminution de la limite de fatigue avec l'augmentation du volume contraint. Les prédictions des probabilités de rupture sont raisonnables bien que seules des limites de fatigue relatives à des probabilités de rupture de 50% soient utilisées pour l'identification des paramètres du modèle.

Guidance, Control and Positioning of Future Precision Guided Stand-off Weapons Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-06-01

environment tests. The programme consists of approximately ten fl ights, the firsts having a passive nature . These are followed by progressive...Limited _. .. , 40 Chigwell Lane, Loughton, Essex IGIO 3TZ PREFACE The environment in which tactical air forces must be able to operate is becoming...GUIDANCE SYSTEM CONCEPT FOR HIGH-DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENT * by U.K.Krogmann 17 APPLICATIONS DES CENTRALES A COMPOSANTS LIES AUX MISSILES TACTIQUES: CAS DES

Le Role des ONG dans la Mise en Application de la Convention des Droit de l'Enfant (The Role of Non Governmental Organizations in the Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goutard, M.

1992-01-01

Examines cooperative efforts among nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in France to implement the United Nation's Convention on the Rights of the Child. Describes collaborative efforts between NGO committees and government authorities, highlighting government experts' recommendations for changes in four areas of French law to conform to…

STABLE ISOTOPES IN ECOLOGICAL STUDIES: NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN MIXING MODELS

EPA Science Inventory

Stable isotopes are increasingly being used as tracers in ecological studies. One application uses isotopic ratios to quantify the proportional contributions of multiple sources to a mixture. Examples include food sources for animals, water sources for plants, pollution sources...

Why we need a centralized repository for isotopic data

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Stable isotopes encode the origin and integrate the history of matter; thus, their analysis offers tremendous potential to address questions across diverse scientific disciplines. Indeed, the broad applicability of stable isotopes, coupled with advancements in high-throughput analysis, have created ...

Characterization of Fluid Transfer Properties in a Transpressive Fault System: Chaîne des Matheux Fold-and-Thrust Belt and Enriquillo-Plantain Garden Fault Zone - Haiti

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wessels, R.; Ellouz-Zimmermann, N.; Rosenberg, C.; Hamon, Y.; Battani, A.; Bellahsen, N.; Deschamps, R.; Leroy, S. D.; Momplaisir, R.

2016-12-01

The NW - SE trending Chaîne des Matheux (CdM) comprises the onshore frontal thrust sheet of the SW-verging Haitian fold-and-thrust belt (HFTB). The HFTB's active deformation front is covered by sediments of the Cul-de-Sac plain and is bounded on the south by the E - W trending left-lateral Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault zone (EPGFZ). Seismicity down to the junction between the two systems has been recorded during the 12 January 2010 Mw 7.0 Léogâne earthquake. Stratigraphic, structural and kinematic field data on a transect from the CdM to the EPGFZ indicate (N)NE - (S)SW oriented shortening, which is partitioned over 1) (N)NE-dipping oblique thrusts rooted in Cretaceous basement, 2) decollement levels in both latest Cretaceous and Paleogene limestones, and 3) by strike-slip and positive flower structures along the EPGFZ. We investigated the geometry and kinematics of both fault and fracture systems, which was coupled with sampling and analysis of fluid-derived mineralizations to constrain the timing and geological evolution. C & O isotope and whole-rock analyses have been performed to characterize the geochemistry of the source of these fluids. Raman spectroscopy and fluid-inclusion analyses has been applied to selected samples to comprehend the local burial history. Fluid and gas seepages along fault planes are qualitative indicators for transfer properties between different fault segments and their connectivity with deeper crustal or mantle reservoirs. Relative timing of structures in the CdM coupled with cathodoluminescence (CL) microscopy reveals three deformation phases, characterized by associated calcite veins that precipitated from oxidizing meteoric fluids. The deeply rooted frontal CdM thrust lacks mineralization, but fluids expelled from along-strike natural springs registered He and Ne isotope ratios suggesting a strong mantle-derived component. CL microscopy results on calcite veins from the EPGFZ's fault core imply fluid circulation in an episodically `open' system under a reducing environment. He and Ne isotope ratios from fluids derived along the EPGFZ suggest a significant, but less pronounced, mantle-derived component compared to the frontal thrust of the CdM. The above results indicate a change in fluid transfer properties over time for this transpressive system.

La Station Laser ultra mobile: de l'Obtention d'une Exactitude centimétrique des Mesures à des Applications en Océanographie et Géodésie Spatiales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nicolas, Joëlle

2000-12-01

La Station Laser Ultra Mobile est la plus petite station de télémétrie laser au monde, ne pesant que 300 kg, dédiée à la poursuite de satellites équipés de rétroréflecteurs laser. Elle utilise un petit télescope de 13 cm de diamètre placé sur une monture issue d'un théodolite de précision et motorisé, un laser très compact et une photodiode à avalanche permettant la détection au niveau du simple photo-électron. Les premières expériences (Corse, fin 1996) ont révélé de nombreuses instabilités dans la qualité des mesures. Ce travail concerne l'étude et la mise en place de nombreuses modifications techniques afin d'atteindre une exactitude centimétrique des mesures et de pouvoir participer à la campagne de validation des orbites et d'étalonnage de l'altimètre du satellite océanographique JASON-1 (2001). La précision instrumentale souhaitée a été vérifiée avec succès en laboratoire. Outre cet aspect instrumental et métrologique, une analyse a été développée afin de pouvoir estimer l'exactitude et la stabilité des observations de la station mobile après intégration des modifications. A partir d'une expérience de co-localisation entre les deux stations laser fixe du plateau de Calern, l'analyse est basée sur l'ajustement, par station, de coordonnées et d'un biais instrumental moyen à partir d'une orbite de référence des satellites LAGEOS. Des variations saisonnières ont été mises en évidence dans les séries temporelles des différentes composantes. La comparaison locale des déformations de la croûte terrestre se traduisant par des variations d'altitude issues des données laser a montré une cohérence remarquable avec les mesures du gravimètre absolu transportable FG5. Des signaux de même amplitude ont aussi été observés par GPS. Ces variations sont également mises en évidence à l'échelle mondiale et leur interprétation géophysique est faite (combinaison des effets de marées terrestres et polaire et des effets de charge atmosphérique).

Jonction Josephson en couche épaisse d'oxydes supraconducteurs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gunther, C.; Monfort, Y.; Sing, M. Lam Chok; Bloyet, D.; Brousse, T.; Provost, J.; Raveau, B.

1992-02-01

Constrictions engraved in YBaCuO thick films fabricated by screen printing on YSZ substrate (J_c>3 000 A/cm^2 at 77 K) have been studied. Microwave irradiation of the devices at LN2 showed distinct Shapiro steps demonstrating the presence intrinsic Josephson junctions. The latter have an I_c(T) dependence fitting (1-T/T_c)^2 characteristic of SNS junctions. Furthermore, dc SQUID effects have also been observed with a peak-to-peak response simeq 0.2 μV and with a magnetic field periodicity extending through several hundred of φ_0. An energy resolution close to 3× 10^{-29} J/Hz is estimated for our constriction operating in the white noise frequency range (f>50 Hz) at 77 K. This sensitivity is adequate to use this flux sensor in many applications : geomagnetism, magnetocardiology, ... Nous avons étudié des constrictions gravées dans des couches épaisses d'YBaCuO déposées sur substrat de YSZ (J_c>3 000 A/cm^2 à 77 K). L'observation de marches de Shapiro lors d'irradiations des échantillons à 77 K par un champ HF met clairement en évidence la présence de jonctions Josephson intrinsèques de type SNS, leur dépendance en température du courant critique étant en (1-T/T_c)^2. De plus, nous avons obtenu des réponses en champ magnétique, caractéristiques des SQUIDs dc, d'amplitude 0,2 μVcc et dont la périodicité s'étend sur plusieurs centaines de φ_0. La résolution en énergie est de l'ordre de 3× 10^{-29} J/Hz en zone de bruit blanc (f>50 Hz) à 77 K. Cette sensibilité est suffisante pour envisager son utilisation dans des applications telles que : géomagnétisme, magnétocardiologie, ...

Uranium Measurement Improvements at the Savannah River Technology Center

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

Shick, C. Jr.

Uranium isotope ratio and isotope dilution methods by mass spectrometry are used to achieve sensitivity, precision and accuracy for various applications. This report presents recent progress made at SRTC in the analysis of minor isotopes of uranium. Comparison of routine measurements of NBL certified uranium (U005a) using the SRTC Three Stage Mass Spectrometer (3SMS) and the SRTC Single Stage Mass Spectrometer (SSMS). As expected, the three stage mass spectrometer yielded superior sensitivity, precision, and accuracy for this application.

Stable isotopes in mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal systems: Interactions between fluids, minerals, and organisms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shanks, W. C., III; Böhlke, J. K.; Seal, R. R., II

Studies of abundance variations of light stable isotopes in nature have had a tremendous impact on all aspects of geochemistry since the development, in 1947, of a gas source isotope ratio mass spectrometer capable of measuring small variations in stable isotope ratios [Nier, 1947] Stable isotope geochemistry is now a mature field, as witnessed by the proliferation of commercially available mass spectrometers installed at virtually every major academic, government, and private-sector research geochemistry laboratory. A recent search of a literature database revealed over 3,000 articles that utilized stable isotope geochemistry over the last 20 years. Nonetheless, many exciting new technical developments are leading to exciting new discoveries and applications. In particular, micro analytical techniques involving new generations of laser- and ion-microprobes are revolutionizing the types of analyses that can be done on spot sizes as small as a few tens of micrometers [Shanks and Criss, 1989]. New generations of conventional gas source and thermal ionization mass spectrometers, with high levels of automation and increased sensitivity and precision, are allowing analyses of large numbers of samples, like those needed for stable isotope stratigraphy in marine sediments, and are enabling the development and application of new isotopic systems.

Stable isotopes in mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal systems: Interactions between fluids, minerals, and organisms

USGS Publications Warehouse

Shanks, Wayne C.; Böhlke, John Karl; Seal, Robert R.; Humphries, S.D.; Zierenberg, Robert A.; Mullineaux, Lauren S.; Thomson, Richard E.

1995-01-01

Studies of abundance variations of light stable isotopes in nature have had a tremendous impact on all aspects of geochemistry since the development, in 1947, of a gas source isotope ratio mass spectrometer capable of measuring small variations in stable isotope ratios (Nice, 1947]. Stable isotope geochemistry is now a mature field, as witnessed by the proliferation of commercially available mass spectrometers installed at virtually every major academic, government, and private-sector research geochemistry laboratory. A recent search of a literature database revealed over 3,000 articles that utilized stable isotope geochemistry over the last 20 years. Nonetheless, many exciting new technical developments are leading to exciting new discoveries and applications. In particular, micro-analytical techniques involving new generations of laser- and ion-microprobes are revolutionizing the types of analyses that can be done on spot sizes as small as a few tens of micrometers [Shanks and Criss, 1989]. New generations of conventional gas source and thermal ionization mass spectrometers, with high levels of automation and increased sensitivity and precision, are allowing analyses of large numbers of samples, like those needed for stable isotope stratigraphy in marine sediments, and are enabling the development and application of new isotopic systems.

A critical review of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry for geoanalysis, geochemistry and hydrology, Part 1. Analytical performance

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brenner, I.B.; Taylor, Howard E.

1992-01-01

Present-day inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) instrumentation is described briefly. Emphasis is placed on performance characteristics for geoanalysis, geochemistry, and hydrology. Applications where ICP-MS would be indispensable are indicated. Determination of geochemically diagnostic trace elements (such as the rare earth elements [REE], U and Th), of isotope ratios for fingerprinting, tracer and other geo-isotope applications, and benchmark isotope dilution determinations are considered to be typical priority applications for ICP-MS. It is concluded that ICP-MS furnishes unique geoanalytical and environmental data that are not readily provided by conventional spectroscopic (emission and absorption) techniques.

STABLE ISOTOPES IN ECOLOGICAL STUDIES: NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN MIXING MODELS (URUGUAY)

EPA Science Inventory

Stable isotopes are increasingly being used as tracers in ecological studies. One application uses isotopic ratios to quantify the proportional contributions of multiple sources to a mixture. Examples include pollution sources for air or water bodies, food sources for animals, ...

STABLE ISOTOPES IN ECOLOGICAL STUDIES: NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN MIXING MODELS (BRAZIL)

EPA Science Inventory

Stable isotopes are increasingly being used as tracers in ecological studies. One application uses isotopic ratios to quantify the proportional contributions of multiple sources to a mixture. Examples include pollution sources for air or water bodies, food sources for animals, ...

COMPOUND-SPECIFIC STABLE ISOTOPE ANALYSIS TO DEMONSTRATE IN-SITU MTBE BIOTRANSFORMATION

EPA Science Inventory

Change of stable isotope composition of organic contaminants (isotopic fractionation) is a useful indicator of biotransformation. Most of applications to date are in the area of chlorinated solvents and recently BTEX, MTBE and TBA. Chemical reactions (biotic- and abiotic transfor...

Removal and Biodegradation of 17β-Estradiol and Diethylstilbestrol by the Freshwater Microalgae Raphidocelis subcapitata

PubMed Central

Chen, Qi; Sun, Kaifeng; Sun, Dong; Wu, Xiaoqing; Duan, Shunshan

2018-01-01

Natural steroidal and synthetic non-steroidal estrogens such as 17β-estradiol (E2) and diethylstilbestrol (DES) have been found in natural water, which can potentially endanger public health and aquatic ecosystems. The removal and biodegradation of E2 and DES by Raphidocelis subcapitata were studied in bacteria-free cultures exposed to single and mixture treatments at different concentrations for 96 h. The results showed that R. subcapitata exhibited a rapid and strong ability to remove E2 and DES in both single and mixture treatments by biodegradation. At the end of 96 h, the removal percentage of single E2 and DES achieved 82.0%, 80.4%, 74.6% and 89.9%, 73.4%, 54.1% in 0.1, 0.5, and 1.5 mg·L−1, respectively. With the exception of the 0.1 mg·L−1 treatment at 96 h, the removal capacity of E2 was more efficient than that of DES by R. subcapitata. Furthermore, the removal percentage of mixture E2 and DES achieved 88.5%, 82.9%, 84.3% and 87.2%, 71.8%, 51.1% in 0.1, 0.5, and 1.5 mg·L−1, respectively. The removal percentage of mixed E2 was significantly higher than that of the single E2. The presence of DES could accelerate the removal of E2 from the mixture treatments in equal concentrations. In addition, the removal was mainly attributed to the biodegradation or biotransformation process by the microalgae cells rather than simple sorption and accumulation in the cells. The microalgae R. subcapitata demonstrated a high capability for the removal of the E2 and DES indicating future prospects for its application. PMID:29510598

De l'importance des orbites periodiques: Detection et applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doyon, Bernard

L'ensemble des Orbites Periodiques Instables (OPIs) d'un systeme chaotique est intimement relie a ses proprietes dynamiques. A partir de l'ensemble (en principe infini) d'OPIs cachees dans l'espace des phases, on peut obtenir des quantites dynamiques importantes telles les exposants de Lyapunov, la mesure invariante, l'entropie topologique et la dimension fractale. En chaos quantique (i.e. l'etude de systemes quantiques qui ont un equivalent chaotique dans la limite classique), ces memes OPIs permettent de faire le pont entre le comportement classique et quantique de systemes non-integrables. La localisation de ces cycles fondamentaux est un probleme complexe. Cette these aborde dans un premier temps le probleme de la detection des OPIs dans les systemes chaotiques. Une etude comparative de deux algorithmes recents est presentee. Nous approfondissons ces deux methodes afin de les utiliser sur differents systemes dont des flots continus dissipatifs et conservatifs. Une analyse du taux de convergence des algorithmes est aussi realisee afin de degager les forces et les limites de ces schemes numeriques. Les methodes de detection que nous utilisons reposent sur une transformation particuliere de la dynamique initiale. Cette astuce nous a inspire une methode alternative pour cibler et stabiliser une orbite periodique quelconque dans un systeme chaotique. Le ciblage est en general combine aux methodes de controle pour stabiliser rapidement un cycle donne. En general, il faut connaitre la position et la stabilite du cycle en question. La nouvelle methode de ciblage que nous presentons ne demande pas de connaitre a priori la position et la stabilite des orbites periodiques. Elle pourrait etre un outil complementaire aux methodes de ciblage et de controle actuelles.

Fabrication et caracterisation de nanocristaux de silicium localises, realises par gravure electrochimique pour des applications nanoelectroniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ayari-Kanoun, Asma

Ce travail de these porte sur le developpement d'une nouvelle approche pour la localisation et l'organisation de nanocristaux de silicium realises par gravure electrochimique. Cette derniere represente une technique simple et peu couteuse par rapport aux autres techniques couramment utilisees pour la fabrication de nanocristaux de silicium. L'idee de ce travail a ete d'etudier la nanostructuration de minces couches de nitrure de silicium, d'environ 30 nm d'epaisseur pour permettre par la suite un arrangement periodique des nanocristaux de silicium. Cette pre-structuration est obtenue de facon artificielle en imposant un motif periodique via une technique de lithographie par faisceau d'electrons combinee avec une gravure plasma. Une optimisation des conditions de lithographie et de gravure plasma ont permis d'obtenir des reseaux de trous de 30 nm de diametre debouchant sur le silicium avec un bon controle de leur morphologie (taille, profondeur et forme). En ajustant les conditions de gravure electrochimique (concentration d'acide, temps de gravure et densite de courant), nous avons obtenu des reseaux -2D ordonnes de nanocristaux de silicium de 10 nm de diametre a travers ces masques de nanotrous avec le controle parfait de leur localisation, la distance entre les nanocristaux et leur orientation cristalline. Des etudes electriques preliminaires sur ces nanocristaux ont permis de mettre en evidence des effets de chargement. Ces resultats tres prometteurs confirment l'interet des nanocristaux de silicium realises par gravure electrochimique dans le futur pour la fabrication a grande echelle de dispositifs nanoelectroniques. Mots-cles : localisation, organisation, nanocristaux de silicium, gravure electrochimique, lithographie electronique, gravure plasma, nitrure de silicium.

Method for production of an isotopically enriched compound

DOEpatents

Watrous, Matthew G.

2012-12-11

A method is presented for producing and isolating an isotopically enriched compound of a desired isotope from a parent radionuclide. The method includes forming, or placing, a precipitate containing a parent radionuclide of the desired daughter isotope in a first reaction zone and allowing sufficient time for the parent to decay into the desired gaseous daughter radioisotope. The method further contemplates collecting the desired daughter isotope as a solid in a second reaction zone through the application of temperatures below the freezing point of the desired isotope to a second reaction zone that is connected to the first reaction zone. Specifically, a method is presented for producing isotopically enriched compounds of xenon, including the radioactive isotope Xe-131m and the stable isotope Xe-131.

Image segmentation for uranium isotopic analysis by SIMS: Combined adaptive thresholding and marker controlled watershed approach

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

Willingham, David G.; Naes, Benjamin E.; Heasler, Patrick G.

A novel approach to particle identification and particle isotope ratio determination has been developed for nuclear safeguard applications. This particle search approach combines an adaptive thresholding algorithm and marker-controlled watershed segmentation (MCWS) transform, which improves the secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) isotopic analysis of uranium containing particle populations for nuclear safeguards applications. The Niblack assisted MCWS approach (a.k.a. SEEKER) developed for this work has improved the identification of isotopically unique uranium particles under conditions that have historically presented significant challenges for SIMS image data processing techniques. Particles obtained from five NIST uranium certified reference materials (CRM U129A, U015, U150, U500more » and U850) were successfully identified in regions of SIMS image data 1) where a high variability in image intensity existed, 2) where particles were touching or were in close proximity to one another and/or 3) where the magnitude of ion signal for a given region was count limited. Analysis of the isotopic distributions of uranium containing particles identified by SEEKER showed four distinct, accurately identified 235U enrichment distributions, corresponding to the NIST certified 235U/238U isotope ratios for CRM U129A/U015 (not statistically differentiated), U150, U500 and U850. Additionally, comparison of the minor uranium isotope (234U, 235U and 236U) atom percent values verified that, even in the absence of high precision isotope ratio measurements, SEEKER could be used to segment isotopically unique uranium particles from SIMS image data. Although demonstrated specifically for SIMS analysis of uranium containing particles for nuclear safeguards, SEEKER has application in addressing a broad set of image processing challenges.« less

Stable isotopic variation in tropical forest plants for applications in primatology.

PubMed

Blumenthal, Scott A; Rothman, Jessica M; Chritz, Kendra L; Cerling, Thure E

2016-10-01

Stable isotope analysis is a promising tool for investigating primate ecology although nuanced ecological applications remain challenging, in part due to the complex nature of isotopic variability in plant-animal systems. The aim of this study is to investigate sources of carbon and nitrogen isotopic variation at the base of primate food webs that reflect aspects of primate ecology. The majority of primates inhabit tropical forest ecosystems, which are dominated by C3 vegetation. We used stable isotope ratios in plants from Kibale National Park, Uganda, a well-studied closed-canopy tropical forest, to investigate sources of isotopic variation among C3 plants related to canopy stratification, leaf age, and plant part. Unpredictably, our results demonstrate that vertical stratification within the canopy does not explain carbon or nitrogen isotopic variation in leaves. Leaf age can be a significant source of isotopic variation, although the direction and magnitude of this difference is not consistent across tree species. Some plant parts are clearly differentiated in carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition, particularly leaves compared to non-photosynthetic parts such as reproductive parts and woody stem parts. Overall, variation in the isotopic composition of floral communities, plant species, and plant parts demonstrates that stable isotope studies must include analysis of local plant species and parts consumed by the primates under study from within the study area. Am. J. Primatol. 78:1041-1054, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

APPLICABILITY OF La-Ce SYSTEMATICS TO PLANETARY SAMPLES.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Nakamura, Noboru; Tatsumoto, Mitsunobu; Ludwig, Kenneth R.

1984-01-01

Ce isotopic compositions in several terrestrial and extraterrestrial materials were determined in order to investigate the applicability of using Ce as an isotopic tracer to geological processes. Owing to the low abundances of **1**3**8La and **1**3**8Ce in nature, the measurements of **1**3**8Ce/**1**4**0Ce ratios of natural samples have relatively large ( greater than 0. 02%) errors, and the variations in Ce-isotope ratios were barely resolved. A tenuous anticorrelation was observed between epsilon //C//e and epsilon //N//d for terrestrial basalts and granites, indicating that with some improvement in analytical techniques the Ce isotopic composition may prove useful as a tracer for geological processes.

Application of neodymium isotope ratio measurements for the origin assessment of uranium ore concentrates.

PubMed

Krajkó, Judit; Varga, Zsolt; Yalcintas, Ezgi; Wallenius, Maria; Mayer, Klaus

2014-11-01

A novel procedure has been developed for the measurement of (143)Nd/(144)Nd isotope ratio in various uranium-bearing materials, such as uranium ores and ore concentrates (UOC) in order to evaluate the usefulness and applicability of variations of (143)Nd/(144)Nd isotope ratio for provenance assessment in nuclear forensics. Neodymium was separated and pre-concentrated by extraction chromatography and then the isotope ratios were measured by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). The method was validated by the measurement of standard reference materials (La Jolla, JB-2 and BCR-2) and the applicability of the procedure was demonstrated by the analysis of uranium samples of world-wide origin. The investigated samples show distinct (143)Nd/(144)Nd ratio depending on the ore type, deposit age and Sm/Nd ratio. Together with other characteristics of the material in question, the Nd isotope ratio is a promising signature for nuclear forensics and suggests being indicative of the source material, the uranium ore. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

SOURCE PARTITIONING USING STABLE ISOTOPES: COPING WITH TOO MANY SOURCES

EPA Science Inventory

Stable isotopes are increasingly being used as tracers in environmental studies. One application is to use isotopic ratios to quantitatively determine the proportional contribution of several sources to a mixture, such as the proportion of various pollution sources in a waste st...

USE OF STABLE ISOTOPES IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND FORENSIC GEOCHEMISTRY STUDIES

EPA Science Inventory

Stable carbon and hydrogen isotopes have been used for many decades in the petroleum industry, but the development of combined gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GCIRMS) has led to a virtual explosion in application of this technique not only in petroleum explora...

Enhanced CAX Architecture, Design and Methodology - SPHINX (Architecture, definition et methodologie ameliorees des exercices assistes par ordinateur (CAX) - SPHINX)

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-08-01

REPORT TR-MSG-106 Enhanced CAX Architecture, Design and Methodology – SPHINX (Architecture, définition et méthodologie améliorées des exercices...STO TECHNICAL REPORT TR-MSG-106 Enhanced CAX Architecture, Design and Methodology – SPHINX (Architecture, définition et méthodologie...transition, application and field-testing, experimentation and a range of related scientific activities that include systems engineering, operational

Physiological responses to fertilization recorded in tree rings: isotopic lessons from a long-term fertilization trial - 2008

EPA Science Inventory

Nitrogen fertilizer applications are common land-use management tools, but details on physiological responses to these applications are often lacking, particularly for long-term responses over decades of forest management. We used tree-ring growth patterns and stable isotopes to...

Physiological responses to fertilization recorded in tree rings: Isotopic lessons from a long-term fertilization trial

EPA Science Inventory

Nitrogen fertilizer applications are common land use management tools, but details on physiological responses to these applications are often lacking, particularly for long-term responses over decades of forest management. We used tree ring growth patterns and stable isotopes to ...

78 FR 63501 - Request To Submit a Two-Part Application-Northwest Medical Isotopes, LLC

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-24

... NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Project No. 0803; NRC-2013-0235] Request To Submit a Two-Part Application--Northwest Medical Isotopes, LLC AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Exemption. SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing an exemption in response to an August 9, 2013...

Préface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jörgen Stevefelt, Henri Bachau Et

2003-06-01

UVX 2002, sixième édition du “Colloque sur les Sources Cohérentes et Incohérentes UV, VUV, et X : Applications et Développements Récents" s'est tenu du 11 au 14 juin 2002 au Centre CAES du CNRS “La Vieille, Perrotine", à Saint-Pierre d'Oléron. Le colloque a réunni une centaine de chercheurs et d'industriels et a permis de faire le point sur la production, la caractérisation et l'utilisation de rayonnement dans un domaine spectral s'étendant de l'ultraviolet aux rayons X. Les participants ont pu assister a trente conférences et une table ronde autour des problèmes locaux de pollution, une cinquantaine d'affiches ont été présentées au travers de deux sessions. Une douzaine d'industriels ont exposé leurs produits durant les séances d'affiches.Conformément aux éditions précédentes, les domaines couverts par le colloque UVX 2002 sont très variés et il est impossible de les résumer en quelques lignes. Parmi les activités en développement rapide on notera les lasers femtosecondes dont les applications se multiplient dans les laboratoires (propriétés des molécules, agrégats et solides), dans l'industrie (usinage, ablation...) et en médecine. L'absence de thermalisation ou de diffusion thermique ouvre aussi des perspectives pour la réalisation de films minces par ablation laser, un domaine où les lasers excimères sont traditionnellement utilisés, avec des applications importantes dans le secteur des télécommunications. Dans le domaine de l'extrème UV, des progrès significatifs ont été réalisés par plusieurs groupes dans la gamme de longueur d'onde de 5 à 20 nm, ouvrant ainsi la voie au développement industriel de la lithographie EUV. On note les progrès dans la réalisation des sources UV et X (laser X, génération d'harmoniques, laser a électrons libres) et la nécessité de développer des optiques adaptées. Une perspective intéressante, ouverte par la génération d'harmoniques, est la production d'impulsions attosecondes qui permettra d'explorer la matière à l'echelle de temps atomique. En même temps la caractérisation de ces impulsions nécessite la conception de techniques nouvelles d'analyse du signal aux temps ultra brefs.L'intéret particulier du colloque UVX est de réunir les communautés de scientifiques qui vont des chercheurs s'intéressant aux processus fondamentaux à ceux travaillant dans les domaines les plus appliqués, voire industriels. Une caractéristique marquante de notre discipline est la rapidité avec laquelle les progrès réalisés dans les laboratoires de recherche sont diffusés vers les applications industrielles. Il est donc important de maintenir un bon équilibre entre les recherches a caractères fondamental et appliqué dans les laboratoires.Nous tenons remercier les membres du comité d'organisation, le comité scientifique et les différents partenaires, institutionnels et industriels, qui par leur soutien ont permis que le colloque UVX puisse se dérouler. Ce colloque a été parrainé par les départements des Sciences Physiques et Mathématiques (SPM) et des Sciences pour l'Ingénieur (SPI) du CNRS, la Délégation Générale de l'Armement (DGA), le CEA DRECAM, le CEA DAM, le Conseil Géneral de Charente Maritime, l'Université de Bordeaux I, la Société Française d'optique, le Groupement de Recherche “SAXO" du CNRS et la société Air Liquide.

Traitement intra-artériel des métastases hépatiques de cancer colorectal

PubMed Central

Pellerin, O.; Geschwind, J.-F.

2015-01-01

Le cancer colorectal représente un problème majeur de santé publique. Son incidence annuelle mondiale est d’environ un million de cas et la mortalité annuelle est de plus de 500 000 cas par an. Le foie est l’organe le plus fréquemment touché par les métastases. Leur survenue est observée dans 40 à 60% des cas (contemporaines dans 25% des cas). Bien que la résection chirurgicale soit le seul traitement curatif, nombre de patients ne peuvent en bénéficier en raison de l’importante diffusion des métastases hépatiques. Chimiothérapies et biothérapies systémiques sont les options conventionnelles de la prise en charge des métastases hépatiques multiples. C’est dans ces situations cliniques que les thérapies intra-artérielles peuvent jouer un rôle important. Dans cet article, nous présenterons les différentes thérapies endovasculaires applicables aux métastases hépatiques de cancers colorectaux, avec leurs indications, résultats et complications éventuelles. PMID:21944243

Resistance of Aëdes aegypti to certain chlorinated hydrocarbon and organo-phosphorus insecticides in Puerto Rico*

PubMed Central

Fox, Irving

1961-01-01

Failure to control Aëdes aegypti in Puerto Rico has suggested resistance to the insecticides, particularly DDT. A laboratory colony (named Isla Verde strain) was established from material obtained near the International Airport. This strain proved highly resistant to DDT and dieldrin as well as various other insecticides. The scientific and practical significance of this is far-reaching. Heretofore, it was thought that populations of Aëdes aegypti could be resistant to the DDT group of insecticides or to the dieldrin group but not to both, and that one type of resistance involved biochemical, toxicological and genetic characteristics different from the other. This theory must now be modified or even abandoned. From the practical point of view, it is clear that the continued use of DDT or dieldrin for Aëdes aegypti control in Puerto Rico is questionable, for it is not wise to attempt to overcome high resistance by increasing the concentration or rate of application. Further, the situation demonstrated for Puerto Rico may also obtain in other islands of the Caribbean where Aëdes aegypti is known to be DDT-resistant. PMID:13701099

Direct comparison of coronary bare metal vs. drug-eluting stents: same platform, different mechanics?

PubMed

Schmidt, Wolfram; Lanzer, Peter; Behrens, Peter; Brandt-Wunderlich, Christoph; Öner, Alper; Ince, Hüseyin; Schmitz, Klaus-Peter; Grabow, Niels

2018-01-08

Drug-eluting stents (DES) compared to bare metal stents (BMS) have shown superior clinical performance, but are considered less suitable in complex cases. Most studies do not distinguish between DES and BMS with respect to their mechanical performance. The objective was to obtain mechanical parameters for direct comparison of BMS and DES. In vitro bench tests evaluated crimped stent profiles, crossability in stenosis models, elastic recoil, bending stiffness (crimped and expanded), and scaffolding properties. The study included five pairs of BMS and DES each with the same stent platforms (all n = 5; PRO-Kinetic Energy, Orsiro: BIOTRONIK AG, Bülach, Switzerland; MULTI-LINK 8, XIENCE Xpedition: Abbott Vascular, Temecula, CA; REBEL Monorail, Promus PREMIER, Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA; Integrity, Resolute Integrity, Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN; Kaname, Ultimaster: Terumo Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). Statistical analysis used pooled variance t tests for pairwise comparison of BMS with DES. Crimped profiles in BMS groups ranged from 0.97 ± 0.01 mm (PRO-Kinetic Energy) to 1.13 ± 0.01 mm (Kaname) and in DES groups from 1.02 ± 0.01 mm (Orsiro) to 1.13 ± 0.01 mm (Ultimaster). Crossability was best for low profile stent systems. Elastic recoil ranged from 4.07 ± 0.22% (Orsiro) to 5.87 ± 0.54% (REBEL Monorail) including both BMS and DES. The bending stiffness of crimped and expanded stents showed no systematic differences between BMS and DES neither did the scaffolding. Based on in vitro measurements BMS appear superior to DES in some aspects of mechanical performance, yet the differences are small and not class uniform. The data provide assistance in selecting the optimal system for treatment and assessment of new generations of bioresorbable scaffolds. not applicable.

Extended hierarchical solvent perturbations from curved surfaces of mesoporous silica particles in a deep eutectic solvent.

PubMed

Hammons, Joshua A; Zhang, Fan; Ilavsky, Jan

2018-06-15

Many applications of deep eutectic solvents (DES) rely on exploitation of their unique yet complex liquid structures. Due to the ionic nature of the DES components, their diffuse structures are perturbed in the presence of a charged surface. We hypothesize that it is possible to perturb the bulk DES structure far (>100 nm) from a curved, charged surface with mesoscopic dimensions. We performed in situ, synchrotron-based ultra-small angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) experiments to study the solvent distribution near the surface of charged mesoporous silica particles (MPS) (≈0.5 µm in diameter) suspended in both water and a common type of DES (1:2 choline Cl-:ethylene glycol). A careful USAXS analysis reveals that the perturbation of electron density distribution within the DES extends ≈1 μm beyond the particle surface, and that this perturbation can be manipulated by the addition of salt ions (AgCl). The concentration of the pore-filling fluid is greatly reduced in the DES. Notably, we extracted the real-space structures of these fluctuations from the USAXS data using a simulated annealing approach that does not require a priori knowledge about the scattering form factor, and can be generalized to a wide range of complex small-angle scattering problems. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Instrumental Response Model and Detrending for the Dark Energy Camera

DOE PAGES

Bernstein, G. M.; Abbott, T. M. C.; Desai, S.; ...

2017-09-14

We describe the model for mapping from sky brightness to the digital output of the Dark Energy Camera (DECam) and the algorithms adopted by the Dark Energy Survey (DES) for inverting this model to obtain photometric measures of celestial objects from the raw camera output. This calibration aims for fluxes that are uniform across the camera field of view and across the full angular and temporal span of the DES observations, approaching the accuracy limits set by shot noise for the full dynamic range of DES observations. The DES pipeline incorporates several substantive advances over standard detrending techniques, including principal-components-based sky and fringe subtraction; correction of the "brighter-fatter" nonlinearity; use of internal consistency in on-sky observations to disentangle the influences of quantum efficiency, pixel-size variations, and scattered light in the dome flats; and pixel-by-pixel characterization of instrument spectral response, through combination of internal-consistency constraints with auxiliary calibration data. This article provides conceptual derivations of the detrending/calibration steps, and the procedures for obtaining the necessary calibration data. Other publications will describe the implementation of these concepts for the DES operational pipeline, the detailed methods, and the validation that the techniques can bring DECam photometry and astrometry withinmore » $$\\approx 2$$ mmag and $$\\approx 3$$ mas, respectively, of fundamental atmospheric and statistical limits. In conclusion, the DES techniques should be broadly applicable to wide-field imagers.« less

Instrumental Response Model and Detrending for the Dark Energy Camera

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

Bernstein, G. M.; Abbott, T. M. C.; Desai, S.

We describe the model for mapping from sky brightness to the digital output of the Dark Energy Camera (DECam) and the algorithms adopted by the Dark Energy Survey (DES) for inverting this model to obtain photometric measures of celestial objects from the raw camera output. This calibration aims for fluxes that are uniform across the camera field of view and across the full angular and temporal span of the DES observations, approaching the accuracy limits set by shot noise for the full dynamic range of DES observations. The DES pipeline incorporates several substantive advances over standard detrending techniques, including principal-components-based sky and fringe subtraction; correction of the "brighter-fatter" nonlinearity; use of internal consistency in on-sky observations to disentangle the influences of quantum efficiency, pixel-size variations, and scattered light in the dome flats; and pixel-by-pixel characterization of instrument spectral response, through combination of internal-consistency constraints with auxiliary calibration data. This article provides conceptual derivations of the detrending/calibration steps, and the procedures for obtaining the necessary calibration data. Other publications will describe the implementation of these concepts for the DES operational pipeline, the detailed methods, and the validation that the techniques can bring DECam photometry and astrometry withinmore » $$\\approx 2$$ mmag and $$\\approx 3$$ mas, respectively, of fundamental atmospheric and statistical limits. In conclusion, the DES techniques should be broadly applicable to wide-field imagers.« less

Revetements bioactifs a base de chondroitine sulfate et de facteurs de croissance pour applications vasculaires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lequoy, Pauline

Malgre des avancees technologiques indeniables, l'efficacite des implants biomedicaux est encore limitee par les biomateriaux synthetiques qui les composent, notamment en raison de leur incapacite a generer une reponse biologique adequate. En particulier, la guerison tissulaire autour des implants vasculaires reste problematique. Une etude de la litterature a montre que dans le cas des endoprotheses couvertes (tuyaux polymeriques utilises pour la reparation endovasculaire des anevrismes de l'aorte abdominale), le manque de guerison observe s'explique non seulement par l'inertie des biomateriaux utilises mais aussi par le fait que l'implant est insere dans un vaisseau malade favorisant la mort des cellules par apoptose et presentant une depletion cellulaire marquee. L'hypothese a la base de ce projet est qu'un revetement bioactif pourrait ameliorer la guerison et la colonisation de l'implant par les cellules vasculaires et ainsi favoriser l'attachement de l'implant dans le vaisseau malade afin de prevenir les complications a long terme. Dans ce contexte, deux molecules anti-apoptotiques ont ete selectionnees pour developper le revetement, la chondroitine sulfate (CS), un glycosaminoglycane de la matrice extracellulaire, et le facteur de croissance de l'epiderme (EGF) qui possede egalement un role important dans la guerison tissulaire. L'un des defis de ce projet est de preserver la bioactivite de ces molecules lors de leur immobilisation dans un revetement. Pour etablir une preuve de concept, nous avons demontre qu'un revetement CS+EGF obtenu par greffage covalent permet d'ameliorer significativement la survie des cellules vasculaires humaines (cellules musculaires lisses, CMLV, et fibroblastes) sur les materiaux realistes (PET, ePTFE). Apres avoir transfere ce revetement sur des implants commerciaux en ePTFE, des tests in vivo ont demontre une amelioration de la guerison grâce au revetement bioactif, cependant la guerison n'a pas ete totale dans la cavite anevrismale. Pour ameliorer la bioactivite du revetement, un systeme de capture oriente base sur la complementarite de deux peptides (superhelices 'coiled-coil') a ete utilise pour immobiliser l'EGF sur CS. Cette immobilisation orientee a permis une meilleure efficacite de capture, ainsi qu'une augmentation marquee de la survie des CMLV par rapport au greffage covalent aleatoire utilise precedemment. De plus, les travaux realises ont permis l'avancement de la comprehension des proprietes antiadhesives selectives de CS par comparaison avec le dextrane carboxymethyle. Enfin, nous avons demontre que la polyvalence du systeme de capture oriente pour facteurs de croissance permet la co-immobilisation de deux facteurs de croissance, EGF et VEGF (facteur de croissance de l'endothelium vasculaire), et ce a des ratios variables. Les densites surfaciques ont ete optimisees par simple changement de concentration lors de l'incubation. Des etudes cellulaires avec une gamme de ratios EGF/VEGF ont revele un effet synergique des deux facteurs de croissance sur la survie des CMLV et des cellules endotheliales. Les travaux menes ont permis de developper des revetements bioactifs anti-apoptotiques qui ameliorent la survie des cellules vasculaires et constituent une avancee vers la creation d'endoprotheses bioactives. Il apparait egalement que la plateforme d'immobilisation coiled-coil presente un grand potentiel pour la construction de surfaces bioactives complexes et la comprehension du role de differents facteurs de croissance dans les comportements cellulaires.

Contribution a l'etude et au developpement de nouvelles poudres de fonte

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boisvert, Mathieu

L'obtention de graphite libre dans des pieces fabriquees par metallurgie des poudres (M/P) est un defi auquel plusieurs chercheurs se sont attardes. En effet, la presence de graphite apres frittage ameliore l'usinabilite des pieces, permettant donc de reduire les couts de production, et peut aussi engendrer une amelioration des proprietes tribologiques. L'approche utilisee dans cette these pour tenter d'obtenir du graphite libre apres frittage est par l'utilisation de nouvelles poudres de fontes atomisees a l'eau. L'atomisation a l'eau etant un procede de production de poudres relativement peu couteux qui permet de grandes capacites de production, le transfert des decouvertes de ce doctorat vers des applications industrielles sera donc economiquement plus favorable. En plus de l'objectif d'obtenir du graphite libre apres frittage, un autre aspect important des travaux est le controle de la morphologie du graphite libre apres frittage. En effet, il est connu dans la litterature des fontes coulees/moulees que la morphologie du graphite influencera les proprietes des fontes, ce qui est aussi vrai pour les pieces de M/P. Les fontes ductiles, pour lesquelles le graphite est sous forme de nodules spheroidaux isoles les uns des autres, possedent des proprietes mecaniques superieures aux fontes grises pour lesquelles le graphite est sous forme lamellaire et continu dans la matrice. Les resultats presentes dans cette these montrent qu'il est possible, dans des melanges contenant des poudres de fontes, d'avoir un controle sur la morphologie du graphite et donc sur les proprietes des pieces. Le controle de la morphologie du graphite a principalement ete realise par le type de frittage et le phenomene de diffusion " uphill " du carbone cause par des gradients en silicium. En effet, pour les frittages en phase solide, tous les nodules de graphite sont presents a l'interieur des grains de poudre apres frittage. Pour les frittages en phase liquide, l'intensite de la diffusion " uphill " permet de conserver plus ou moins de graphite nodulaire a l'interieur des regions riches en silicium, alors que le reste du graphite precipite sous forme lamellaire/vermiculaire dans les regions interparticulaires. L'etude des poudres de fontes et la recherche des mecanismes regissant la morphologie du graphite dans les fontes coulees/moulees nous ont amenes a produire des poudres de fontes traitees au magnesium avant l'atomisation. Plusieurs resultats fondamentaux ont ete obtenus de la caracterisation des poudres traitees au magnesium et de leur comparaison avec des poudres de chimies similaires non traitees au magnesium. D'abord, il a ete possible d'observer des bifilms d'oxyde de silicium dans la structure du graphite primaire d'une poudre de fonte grise hypereutectique. Il s'agit des premieres images montrant la structure double de ces defauts, venant ainsi appuyer la theorie elaboree par le professeur John Campbell. Ensuite, il a ete montre que le traitement au magnesium forme une atmosphere protectrice gazeuse autogeneree qui empeche l'oxydation de la surface du bain liquide et donc, la formation et l'entrainement des bifilms. Le role du magnesium sur la morphologie du graphite est de diminuer le soufre en solution en formant des precipites de sulfure de magnesium et ainsi d'augmenter l'energie d'interface graphite-liquide. En reponse a cette grande energie d'interface graphite-liquide, le graphite cherche a minimiser son ratio surface/volume, ce qui favorise la formation de graphite spheroidal. De plus, deux types de germination ont ete observes dans la poudre de fonte hypereutectique traitee au magnesium. Le premier type est une germination heterogene sur un nombre limite de particules faites de magnesium, d'aluminium, de silicium et d'oxygene. Le deuxieme type est une germination homogene des nodules dans certaines regions du liquide plus riches en silicium. L'observation du centre reel tridimensionnel, en microscopie electronique en transmission en haute resolution, d'un des nodules ayant subi une germination homogene a permis de confirmer que le mode de croissance du graphite spheroidal se produit selon le modele de la croissance en feuille de chou. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).

Uterine adenocarcinoma in mice treated neonatally with genistein.

PubMed

Newbold, R R; Banks, E P; Bullock, B; Jefferson, W N

2001-06-01

The developing fetus is uniquely sensitive to perturbation with estrogenic chemicals. The carcinogenic effect of prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) is the classic example. Because phytoestrogen use in nutritional and pharmaceutical applications for infants and children is increasing, we investigated the carcinogenic potential of genistein, a naturally occurring plant estrogen in soy, in an experimental animal model previously reported to result in a high incidence of uterine adenocarcinoma after neonatal DES exposure. Outbred female CD-1 mice were treated on days 1-5 with equivalent estrogenic doses of DES (0.001 mg/kg/day) or genistein (50 mg/kg/day). At 18 months, the incidence of uterine adenocarcinoma was 35% for genistein and 31% for DES. These data suggest that genistein is carcinogenic if exposure occurs during critical periods of differentiation. Thus, the use of soy-based infant formulas in the absence of medical necessity and the marketing of soy products designed to appeal to children should be closely examined.

Transport aérien longue distance des brûlés graves: revue de la littérature et application pratique

PubMed Central

Leclerc, T.; Hoffmann, C.; Forsans, E.; Cirodde, A.; Boutonnet, M.; Jault, P.; Tourtier, J.-P.; Bargues, L.; Donat, N.

2015-01-01

Summary Les brûlés graves nécessitent une prise en charge multidisciplinaire dans des centres hautement spécialisés. La rareté de ces centres impose souvent le transport aérien médicalisé longue distance. Cependant, il y a peu de données publiées sur ces transferts. Dans cette mise au point, pour optimiser la prise en charge des brûlés dès qu’un transport aérien est décidé ou même seulement envisagé, nous proposons d’extraire de cette littérature limitée des principes simples s’appuyant aussi sur l’expérience pratique du Service de Santé des Armées françaises. Nous décrivons d’abord comment les contraintes aéronautiques peuvent affecter le transport de brûlés graves à bord d’aéronefs. Nous abordons ensuite la régulation de ces missions, en analysant les risques associés au transport aérien des brûlés graves et leurs implications sur les indications, la chronologie et les modalités du transport. Enfin, nous développons la conduite de la mission, comprenant la préparation du matériel et des consommables avant le vol, l’évaluation et la mise en condition du patient avant l’embarquement, et la poursuite de la prise en charge en vol. PMID:26668564

Isotope pattern deconvolution as rising tool for isotope tracer studies in environmental research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Irrgeher, Johanna; Zitek, Andreas; Prohaska, Thomas

2014-05-01

During the last decade stable isotope tracers have emerged as versatile tool in ecological research. Besides 'intrinsic' isotope tracers caused by the natural variation of isotopes, the intentional introduction of 'extrinsic' enriched stable isotope tracers into biological systems has gained significant interest. Hereby the induced change in the natural isotopic composition of an element allows amongst others for studying the fate and fluxes of metals, trace elements and species in organisms or provides an intrinsic marker or tag of particular biological samples. Due to the shoreless potential of this methodology, the number of publications dealing with applications of isotope (double) spikes as tracers to address research questions in 'real world systems' is constantly increasing. However, some isotope systems like the natural Sr isotopic system, although potentially very powerful for this type of application, are still rarely used, mainly because their adequate measurement/determination poses major analytical challenges; as e.g. Sr is available in significant amounts in natural samples. In addition, biological systems underlie complex processes such as metabolism, adsorption/desorption or oxidation/reduction. As a consequence, classic evaluation approaches such as the isotope dilution mass spectrometry equation are often not applicable because of the unknown amount of tracer finally present in the sample. Isotope pattern deconvolution (IPD), based on multiple linear regression, serves as simplified alternative data processing strategy to double spike isotope dilution calculations. The outstanding advantage of this mathematical tool lies in the possibility of deconvolving the isotope pattern in a spiked sample without knowing the quantities of enriched isotope tracer being incorporated into the natural sample matrix as well as the degree of impurities and species-interconversion (e.g. from sample preparation). Here, the potential of IPD for environmental tracer studies is critically discussed, where special emphasis is set on evaluating different data processing strategies on the example of enriched stable Sr isotopes.1 The analytical key parameters such as blank (Kr, Sr and Rb), variation of the natural Sr isotopic composition in the sample, mass bias, interferences (Rb) and total combined uncertainty are considered. A full metrological protocol for data processing using IPD is presented based on data gained during two transgenerational marking studies of fish, where the transfer of a Sr isotope double spike (84Sr and 86Sr) from female spawners of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) and brown trout (Salmo trutta f.f.)2 to the centre of the otoliths of their offspring was studied by (LA)-MC-ICP-MS. 1J. Irrgeher, A. Zitek, M. Cervicek and T. Prohaska, J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2014, 29, 193-200. 2A. Zitek, J. Irrgeher, M. Kletzl, T. Weismann and T. Prohaska, Fish. Manage. Ecol., 2013, 20, 654-361.

Combining Solvent Isotope Effects with Substrate Isotope Effects in Mechanistic Studies of Alcohol and Amine Oxidation by Enzymes*

PubMed Central

Fitzpatrick, Paul F.

2014-01-01

Oxidation of alcohols and amines is catalyzed by multiple families of flavin-and pyridine nucleotide-dependent enzymes. Measurement of solvent isotope effects provides a unique mechanistic probe of the timing of the cleavage of the OH and NH bonds, necessary information for a complete description of the catalytic mechanism. The inherent ambiguities in interpretation of solvent isotope effects can be significantly decreased if isotope effects arising from isotopically labeled substrates are measured in combination with solvent isotope effects. The application of combined solvent and substrate (mainly deuterium) isotope effects to multiple enzymes is described here to illustrate the range of mechanistic insights that such an approach can provide. PMID:25448013

Embrace the Dark Side: Advancing the Dark Energy Survey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suchyta, Eric

The Dark Energy Survey (DES) is an ongoing cosmological survey intended to study the properties of the accelerated expansion of the Universe. In this dissertation, I present work of mine that has advanced the progress of DES. First is an introduction, which explores the physics of the cosmos, as well as how DES intends to probe it. Attention is given to developing the theoretical framework cosmologists use to describe the Universe, and to explaining observational evidence which has furnished our current conception of the cosmos. Emphasis is placed on the dark sector - dark matter and dark energy - the content of the Universe not explained by the Standard Model of particle physics. As its name suggests, the Dark Energy Survey has been specially designed to measure the properties of dark energy. DES will use a combination of galaxy cluster, weak gravitational lensing, angular clustering, and supernovae measurements to derive its state of the art constraints, each of which is discussed in the text. The work described in this dissertation includes science measurements directly related to the first three of these probes. The dissertation presents my contributions to the readout and control system of the Dark Energy Camera (DECam); the name of this software is SISPI. SISPI uses client-server and publish-subscribe communication patterns to coordinate and command actions among the many hardware components of DECam - the survey instrument for DES, a 570 megapixel CCD camera, mounted at prime focus of the Blanco 4-m Telescope. The SISPI work I discuss includes coding applications for DECam's filter changer mechanism and hexapod, as well as developing the Scripts Editor, a GUI application for DECam users to edit and export observing sequence SISPI can load and execute. Next, the dissertation describes the processing of early DES data, which I contributed. This furnished the data products used in the first-completed DES science analysis, and contributed to improving the collaboration-wide treatment of the data. The science measurements themselves are also detailed. We verified DES's capabilities for performing weak lensing analyses by measuring the masses of four galaxy clusters, finding consistency with previous measurements, and utilized DECam's wide field-of-view for a photometric study of filament-like structures in the fields. Finally, my recent work with Balrog is presented. Balrog is a simulation toolkit for embedding fake objects into real survey images in order to correct for systematic biases. We have used Balrog to extend DES galaxy clustering measurements down to fainter limits than previously possible, finding results consistent with higher-resolution space-based data. The methodology used in this analysis generalizes beyond galaxy clustering alone, and promises to be useful in future imaging survey measurements.

Light stable isotope analysis of meteorites by ion microprobe

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcsween, Harry Y., Jr.

1994-01-01

The main goal was to develop the necessary secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS) techniques to use a Cameca ims-4f ion microprobe to measure light stable isotope ratios (H, C, O and S) in situ and in non-conducting mineral phases. The intended application of these techniques was the analysis of meteorite samples, although the techniques that have been developed are equally applicable to the investigation of terrestrial samples. The first year established techniques for the analysis of O isotope ratios (delta O-18 and delta O-17) in conducting mineral phases and the measurement of S isotope ratios (delta S-34) in a variety of sulphide phases. In addition, a technique was developed to measure delta S-34 values in sulphates, which are insulators. Other research undertaken in the first year resulted in SIMS techniques for the measurement of wide variety of trace elements in carbonate minerals, with the aim of understanding the nature of alteration fluids in carbonaceous chondrites. In the second year we developed techniques for analyzing O isotope ratios in nonconducting mineral phases. These methods are potentially applicable to the measurement of other light stable isotopes such as H, C and S in insulators. Also, we have further explored the analytical techniques used for the analysis of S isotopes in sulphides by analyzing troilite in a number of L and H ordinary chondrites. This was done to see if there was any systematic differences with petrological type.

Fabrication de memoire monoelectronique non volatile par une approche de nanogrille flottante

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guilmain, Marc

Les transistors monoelectroniques (SET) sont des dispositifs de tailles nanometriques qui permettent la commande d'un electron a la fois et donc, qui consomment peu d'energie. Une des applications complementaires des SET qui attire l'attention est son utilisation dans des circuits de memoire. Une memoire monoelectronique (SEM) non volatile a le potentiel d'operer a des frequences de l'ordre des gigahertz ce qui lui permettrait de remplacer en meme temps les memoires mortes de type FLASH et les memoires vives de type DRAM. Une puce SEM permettrait donc ultimement la reunification des deux grands types de memoire au sein des ordinateurs. Cette these porte sur la fabrication de memoires monoelectroniques non volatiles. Le procede de fabrication propose repose sur le procede nanodamascene developpe par C. Dubuc et al. a 1'Universite de Sherbrooke. L'un des avantages de ce procede est sa compatibilite avec le back-end-of-line (BEOL) des circuits CMOS. Ce procede a le potentiel de fabriquer plusieurs couches de circuits memoirestres denses au-dessus de tranches CMOS. Ce document presente, entre autres, la realisation d'un simulateur de memoires monoelectroniques ainsi que les resultats de simulations de differentes structures. L'optimisation du procede de fabrication de dispositifs monoelectroniques et la realisation de differentes architectures de SEM simples sont traitees. Les optimisations ont ete faites a plusieurs niveaux : l'electrolithographie, la gravure de l'oxyde, le soulevement du titane, la metallisation et la planarisation CMP. La caracterisation electrique a permis d'etudier en profondeur les dispositifs formes de jonction de Ti/TiO2 et elle a demontre que ces materiaux ne sont pas appropries. Par contre, un SET forme de jonction de TiN/Al2O3 a ete fabrique et caracterise avec succes a basse temperature. Cette demonstration demontre le potentiel du procede de fabrication et de la deposition de couche atomique (ALD) pour la fabrication de memoires monoelectroniques. Mots-cles: Transistor monoelectronique (SET), memoire monoelectronique (SEM), jonction tunnel, temps de retention, nanofabrication, electrolithographie, planarisation chimicomecanique.

Final report of the key comparison CCQM-K98: Pb isotope amount ratios in bronze

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vogl, Jochen; Yim, Yong-Hyeon; Lee, Kyoung-Seok; Goenaga-Infante, Heidi; Malinowskiy, Dmitriy; Ren, Tongxiang; Wang, Jun; Vocke, Robert D., Jr.; Murphy, Karen; Nonose, Naoko; Rienitz, Olaf; Noordmann, Janine; Näykki, Teemu; Sara-Aho, Timo; Ari, Betül; Cankur, Oktay

2014-01-01

Isotope amount ratios are proving useful in an ever increasing array of applications that range from studies unravelling transport processes, to pinpointing the provenance of specific samples as well as trace element quantification by using isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS). These expanding applications encompass fields as diverse as archaeology, food chemistry, forensic science, geochemistry, medicine and metrology. However, to be effective tools, the isotope ratio data must be reliable and traceable to enable the comparability of measurement results. The importance of traceability and comparability in isotope ratio analysis has already been recognized by the Inorganic Analysis Working Group (IAWG) within the CCQM. While the requirements for isotope ratio accuracy and precision in the case of IDMS are generally quite modest, 'absolute' Pb isotope ratio measurements for geochemical applications as well as forensic provenance studies require Pb isotope ratio measurements of the highest quality. To support present and future CMCs on isotope ratio determinations, a key comparison was urgently needed and therefore initiated at the IAWG meeting in Paris in April 2011. The analytical task within such a comparison was decided to be the measurement of Pb isotope amount ratios in water and bronze. Measuring Pb isotope amount ratios in an aqueous Pb solution tested the ability of analysts to correct for any instrumental effects on the measured ratios, while the measurement of Pb isotope amount ratios in a metal matrix sample provided a real world test of the whole chemical and instrumental procedure. A suitable bronze material with a Pb mass fraction between 10 and 100 mg•kg-1 and a high purity solution of Pb with a mass fraction of approximately 100 mg•kg-1 was available at the pilot laboratory (BAM), both offering a natural-like Pb isotopic composition. The mandatory measurands, the isotope amount ratios n(206Pb)/n(204Pb), n(207Pb)/n(204Pb) and n(208Pb)/n(204Pb) were selected such that they correspond with those commonly reported in Pb isotopic studies and fully describe the isotopic composition of Pb in the sample. Additionally, the isotope amount ratio n(208Pb)/n(206Pb) was added, as this isotope ratio is typically measured when performing Pb quantitation by IDMS involving a 206Pb spike. Each participant was free to use any method they deemed suitable for measuring the individual isotope ratios. However, the majority of the results were obtained by using muIti-collector ICPMS or TIMS. The key requirements for all analytical procedures were a traceability statement for all results and the establishment of an uncertainty budget meeting a target uncertainty for all ratios of 0.2 %, relative (k=1). Additionally, the use of a Pb-matrix separation procedure was encouraged. The obtained overall result was excellent, demonstrating that the individual results reported by the NMIs/DIs were comparable and compatible for the determination of Pb isotope ratios. MC-ICPMS and MC-TIMS data were consistent with each other and agree to within 0.05 %. The corresponding uncertainties can be considered as realistic uncertainties and mainly range from 0.02 % to 0.08 % (k=1). As stated above isotope ratios are being increasingly used in different fields. Despite the availability and ease of use of new mass spectrometers, the metrology of unbiased isotope ratio measurements remains very challenging. Therefore, further comparisons are urgently needed, and should be designed to also engage scientists outside the NMI/DI community. Possible follow-up studies should focus on isotope ratio and delta measurements important for environmental and technical applications (e.g. B), food traceability and forensics (e.g. H, C, N, O, S and 87Sr/86Sr) or climate change issues (e.g. Li, B, Mg, Ca, Si). Main text. To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM.

Microbial populations in contaminant plumes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haack, Sheridan K.; Bekins, Barbara A.

Efficient biodegradation of subsurface contaminants requires two elements: (1) microbial populations with the necessary degradative capabilities, and (2) favorable subsurface geochemical and hydrological conditions. Practical constraints on experimental design and interpretation in both the hydrogeological and microbiological sciences have resulted in limited knowledge of the interaction between hydrogeological and microbiological features of subsurface environments. These practical constraints include: (1) inconsistencies between the scales of investigation in the hydrogeological and microbiological sciences, and (2) practical limitations on the ability to accurately define microbial populations in environmental samples. However, advances in application of small-scale sampling methods and interdisciplinary approaches to site investigations are beginning to significantly improve understanding of hydrogeological and microbiological interactions. Likewise, culture-based and molecular analyses of microbial populations in subsurface contaminant plumes have revealed significant adaptation of microbial populations to plume environmental conditions. Results of recent studies suggest that variability in subsurface geochemical and hydrological conditions significantly influences subsurface microbial-community structure. Combined investigations of site conditions and microbial-community structure provide the knowledge needed to understand interactions between subsurface microbial populations, plume geochemistry, and contaminant biodegradation. La biodégradation efficace des polluants souterrains requiert deux éléments: des populations microbiennes possédant les aptitudes nécessaires à la dégradation, et des conditions géochimiques et hydrologiques souterraines favorables. Des contraintes pratiques sur la conception et l'interprétation des expériences à la fois en microbiologie et en hydrogéologie ont conduit à une connaissance limitée des interactions entre les phénomènes hydrogéologiques et microbiologiques des environnements souterrains. Ces contraintes pratiques sont dues à des contradictions entre les échelles d'étude de l'hydrogéologie et de la microbiologie et à des limitations pratiques sur la capacitéà définir avec précision les populations microbiennes dans les échantillons. Cependant, des progrès dans l'application de méthodes d'échantillonnage à l'échelle locale et des approches pluridisciplinaires des études de terrain ont commencéà améliorer de façon significative notre compréhension des interactions hydrogéologiques et microbiologiques. De plus, les analyses moléculaires et sur les cultures des populations microbiennes présentes dans les panaches de pollution souterraine ont mis en évidence une adaptation significative de ces populations aux conditions environnementales du panache. Les résultats d'études récentes laissent penser que la variabilité des conditions géochimiques et hydrologiques souterraines influence significativement la structure des communautés microbiennes souterraines. Des recherches combinées sur les conditions de terrain et sur la structure des communautés microbiennes apportent les informations nécessaires à la compréhension des interactions entre les populations microbiennes souterraines, la géochimie du panache et la biodégradation du polluant. Para que la biodegradación de los contaminantes en el subsuelo sea eficiente se requiere: (1) una población microbiana con capacidad de degradación y (2) unas condiciones hidrológicas y geoquímicas favorables. Las restricciones de tipo práctico en los diseños y la interpretación de experimentos, tanto hidrogeológicos como microbiológicos, han dado lugar a un conocimiento limitado de la interrelación entre estas dos ciencias por lo que respecta al subsuelo. Estas restricciones incluyen: (1) inconsistencias entre las escalas de investigación en ambas ciencias (hidrogeología y microbiología) y (2) limitaciones prácticas para definir poblaciones microbianas en las muestras. Sin embargo, los avances en la aplicación de métodos de muestreo a pequeña escala y las investigaciones de campo con equipos interdisciplinares están mejorando significativamente el conocimiento de las interacciones entre hidrogeología y microbiología. Del mismo modo, los análisis moleculares y de cultivos sobre poblaciones microbianas en penachos contaminados han mostrado la adaptación de los microbios a las condiciones naturales. Estudios recientes sugieren que la variabilidad en las condiciones geoquímicas e hidrogeológicas del subsuelo afecta enormemente la estructura de la comunidad microbiana. Las investigaciones que combinan las condiciones del medio con la estructura de la comunidad microbiana proporcionarán el conocimiento necesario para entender las complejas relaciones entre las poblaciones microbianas subsuperficiales, la geoquímica de los penachos de contaminación y la biodegradación de los contaminantes.

Lipid Correction for Carbon Stable Isotope Analysis of Deep-sea Fishes

EPA Science Inventory

Lipid extraction is used prior to stable isotope analysis of fish tissues to remove variability in the carbon stable isotope ratio (d13C) caused by varying lipid content among samples. Our objective was to evaluate an application of a mass balance correction for the effect of lip...

Natural isotope correction of MS/MS measurements for metabolomics and (13)C fluxomics.

PubMed

Niedenführ, Sebastian; ten Pierick, Angela; van Dam, Patricia T N; Suarez-Mendez, Camilo A; Nöh, Katharina; Wahl, S Aljoscha

2016-05-01

Fluxomics and metabolomics are crucial tools for metabolic engineering and biomedical analysis to determine the in vivo cellular state. Especially, the application of (13)C isotopes allows comprehensive insights into the functional operation of cellular metabolism. Compared to single MS, tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) provides more detailed and accurate measurements of the metabolite enrichment patterns (tandem mass isotopomers), increasing the accuracy of metabolite concentration measurements and metabolic flux estimation. MS-type data from isotope labeling experiments is biased by naturally occurring stable isotopes (C, H, N, O, etc.). In particular, GC-MS(/MS) requires derivatization for the usually non-volatile intracellular metabolites introducing additional natural isotopes leading to measurements that do not directly represent the carbon labeling distribution. To make full use of LC- and GC-MS/MS mass isotopomer measurements, the influence of natural isotopes has to be eliminated (corrected). Our correction approach is analyzed for the two most common applications; (13)C fluxomics and isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) based metabolomics. Natural isotopes can have an impact on the calculated flux distribution which strongly depends on the substrate labeling and the actual flux distribution. Second, we show that in IDMS based metabolomics natural isotopes lead to underestimated concentrations that can and should be corrected with a nonlinear calibration. Our simulations indicate that the correction for natural abundance in isotope based fluxomics and quantitative metabolomics is essential for correct data interpretation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Standoff Detection of Uranium and its Isotopes by Femtosecond Filament Laser Ablation Molecular Isotopic Spectrometry

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

Hartig, Kyle C.; Ghebregziabher, Isaac; Jovanovic, Igor

The ability to perform not only elementally but also isotopically sensitive detection and analysis at standoff distances is important for remote sensing applications in diverse ares, such as nuclear nonproliferation, environmental monitoring, geophysics, and planetary science. We demonstrate isotopically sensitive real-time standoff detection of uranium by the use of femtosecond filament-induced laser ablation molecular isotopic spectrometry. A uranium oxide molecular emission isotope shift of 0.05 ± 0.007 nm is reported at 593.6 nm. We implement both spectroscopic and acoustic diagnostics to characterize the properties of uranium plasma generated at different filament- uranium interaction points. The resulting uranium oxide emission exhibitsmore » a nearly constant signal-to-background ratio over the length of the filament, unlike the uranium atomic and ionic emission, for which the signal-to-background ratio varies significantly along the filament propagation. This is explained by the different rates of increase of plasma density and uranium oxide density along the filament length resulting from spectral and temporal evolution of the filament along its propagation. Lastly, the results provide a basis for the optimal use of filaments for standoff detection and analysis of uranium isotopes and indicate the potential of the technique for a wider range of remote sensing applications that require isotopic sensitivity.« less

Standoff Detection of Uranium and its Isotopes by Femtosecond Filament Laser Ablation Molecular Isotopic Spectrometry

PubMed Central

Hartig, Kyle C.; Ghebregziabher, Isaac; Jovanovic, Igor

2017-01-01

The ability to perform not only elementally but also isotopically sensitive detection and analysis at standoff distances is impor-tant for remote sensing applications in diverse ares, such as nuclear nonproliferation, environmental monitoring, geophysics, and planetary science. We demonstrate isotopically sensitive real-time standoff detection of uranium by the use of femtosecond filament-induced laser ablation molecular isotopic spectrometry. A uranium oxide molecular emission isotope shift of 0.05 ± 0.007 nm is reported at 593.6 nm. We implement both spectroscopic and acoustic diagnostics to characterize the properties of uranium plasma generated at different filament-uranium interaction points. The resulting uranium oxide emis-sion exhibits a nearly constant signal-to-background ratio over the length of the filament, unlike the uranium atomic and ionic emission, for which the signal-to-background ratio varies significantly along the filament propagation. This is explained by the different rates of increase of plasma density and uranium oxide density along the filament length resulting from spectral and temporal evolution of the filament along its propagation. The results provide a basis for the optimal use of filaments for standoff detection and analysis of uranium isotopes and indicate the potential of the technique for a wider range of remote sensing applications that require isotopic sensitivity. PMID:28272450

Isotopic composition of atmospheric moisture from pan water evaporation measurements.

PubMed

Devi, Pooja; Jain, Ashok Kumar; Rao, M Someshwer; Kumar, Bhishm

2015-01-01

A continuous and reliable time series data of the stable isotopic composition of atmospheric moisture is an important requirement for the wider applicability of isotope mass balance methods in atmospheric and water balance studies. This requires routine sampling of atmospheric moisture by an appropriate technique and analysis of moisture for its isotopic composition. We have, therefore, used a much simpler method based on an isotope mass balance approach to derive the isotopic composition of atmospheric moisture using a class-A drying evaporation pan. We have carried out the study by collecting water samples from a class-A drying evaporation pan and also by collecting atmospheric moisture using the cryogenic trap method at the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, India, during a pre-monsoon period. We compared the isotopic composition of atmospheric moisture obtained by using the class-A drying evaporation pan method with the cryogenic trap method. The results obtained from the evaporation pan water compare well with the cryogenic based method. Thus, the study establishes a cost-effective means of maintaining time series data of the isotopic composition of atmospheric moisture at meteorological observatories. The conclusions drawn in the present study are based on experiments conducted at Roorkee, India, and may be examined at other regions for its general applicability.

Standoff Detection of Uranium and its Isotopes by Femtosecond Filament Laser Ablation Molecular Isotopic Spectrometry

DOE PAGES

Hartig, Kyle C.; Ghebregziabher, Isaac; Jovanovic, Igor

2017-03-08

The ability to perform not only elementally but also isotopically sensitive detection and analysis at standoff distances is important for remote sensing applications in diverse ares, such as nuclear nonproliferation, environmental monitoring, geophysics, and planetary science. We demonstrate isotopically sensitive real-time standoff detection of uranium by the use of femtosecond filament-induced laser ablation molecular isotopic spectrometry. A uranium oxide molecular emission isotope shift of 0.05 ± 0.007 nm is reported at 593.6 nm. We implement both spectroscopic and acoustic diagnostics to characterize the properties of uranium plasma generated at different filament- uranium interaction points. The resulting uranium oxide emission exhibitsmore » a nearly constant signal-to-background ratio over the length of the filament, unlike the uranium atomic and ionic emission, for which the signal-to-background ratio varies significantly along the filament propagation. This is explained by the different rates of increase of plasma density and uranium oxide density along the filament length resulting from spectral and temporal evolution of the filament along its propagation. Lastly, the results provide a basis for the optimal use of filaments for standoff detection and analysis of uranium isotopes and indicate the potential of the technique for a wider range of remote sensing applications that require isotopic sensitivity.« less

Standoff Detection of Uranium and its Isotopes by Femtosecond Filament Laser Ablation Molecular Isotopic Spectrometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hartig, Kyle C.; Ghebregziabher, Isaac; Jovanovic, Igor

2017-03-01

The ability to perform not only elementally but also isotopically sensitive detection and analysis at standoff distances is impor-tant for remote sensing applications in diverse ares, such as nuclear nonproliferation, environmental monitoring, geophysics, and planetary science. We demonstrate isotopically sensitive real-time standoff detection of uranium by the use of femtosecond filament-induced laser ablation molecular isotopic spectrometry. A uranium oxide molecular emission isotope shift of 0.05 ± 0.007 nm is reported at 593.6 nm. We implement both spectroscopic and acoustic diagnostics to characterize the properties of uranium plasma generated at different filament-uranium interaction points. The resulting uranium oxide emis-sion exhibits a nearly constant signal-to-background ratio over the length of the filament, unlike the uranium atomic and ionic emission, for which the signal-to-background ratio varies significantly along the filament propagation. This is explained by the different rates of increase of plasma density and uranium oxide density along the filament length resulting from spectral and temporal evolution of the filament along its propagation. The results provide a basis for the optimal use of filaments for standoff detection and analysis of uranium isotopes and indicate the potential of the technique for a wider range of remote sensing applications that require isotopic sensitivity.

Minor isotope safeguards techniques (MIST): Analysis and visualization of gas centrifuge enrichment plant process data using the MSTAR model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shephard, Adam M.; Thomas, Benjamin R.; Coble, Jamie B.; Wood, Houston G.

2018-05-01

This paper presents a development related to the use of minor isotope safeguards techniques (MIST) and the MSTAR cascade model as it relates to the application of international nuclear safeguards at gas centrifuge enrichment plants (GCEPs). The product of this paper is a derivation of the universal and dimensionless MSTAR cascade model. The new model can be used to calculate the minor uranium isotope concentrations in GCEP product and tails streams or to analyze, visualize, and interpret GCEP process data as part of MIST. Applications of the new model include the detection of undeclared feed and withdrawal streams at GCEPs when used in conjunction with UF6 sampling and/or other isotopic measurement techniques.

Method for the controlled liberation of fusion nuclear energy (in French)

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

None

1972-08-18

L'invention concerne des reactions thermonucleaires. Elle se rapporte a un procede de fusion dans lequel de l'energie laser est concentree sur de minuscules spheres de combustible forme de deuterium et de tritium, de maniere a creer d'une part un plasma superficiel assurant un transfert efficace d'energie et d'autre part des ondes de choc convergeant au centre et assurant la fusion nucleaire de la matiere centrale. Ceci est applicable a la production d'energie thermique par fusion nucleaire. (FR)

Assessing Vulnerability of Biometric Technologies for Identity Management Applications

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-10-01

de vulnérabilité et d’analyse de la relation entre la performance du système et la force de sécurité de la fonction. En Octobre 2010, IBG-Canada...Les agences et ministères du gouvernement du Canada ont besoin d’information sur la performance , les vulnérabilités et l’efficacité des solutions...négligent des éléments humains qui peuvent stimuler la performance , de sécurité et les

Real Time Intrusion Detection (la detection des intrusions en temps reel)

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-06-01

prometteuses actuelles et nouvelles, susceptibles d’être utilisées pour des applications temps réel, et laisse prévoir ainsi les technologies et les...components, to survivability, as a risk management problem requiring the involvement of the whole organization to support the survival of the organization’s...this topic. In all fairness , until recently “reaction” has not been part of IDS’s functionality. Above all and as stated previously, traditional RT

Development and applications of groundwater remediation technologies in the USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barcelona, Michael J.

2005-03-01

The future of the development and application of groundwater remediation technologies will unfold in an atmosphere of heightened public concern and attention. Cleanup policy will undergo incremental change towards more comprehensive efforts which account for the impact of remediation on nearby resources. Newly discovered contaminants will cause the re-examination of "mature" technologies since they may be persistent, mobile and difficult to treat in-situ. Evaluations of the effectiveness of remedial technologies will eventually include by-product formation, geochemical consequences and sustainability. Long-term field trials of remedial technologies alone can provide the data necessary to support claims of effectiveness. Dans le futur, le développement et les applications des technologies de traitement des eaux souterraines seront déroulés en tenant compte de l'inquiétude et l'attention croissante de l'opinion publique. La politique de nettoyage va subir un changement vers des efforts plus compréhensifs qui prendront en compte l'impact du traitement sur les ressources voisines. Les nouveaux contaminants seront persistants, mobiles et difficile de traiter in situ; par conséquence ils vont provoquer la reexamination des technologies consacrées. L'évaluation de l'efficacité des technologies de traitement doit considérer l'apparition des produits secondaires ainsi que les conséquences géochimiques et le développement durable. Seulement les essais in situ, pendant des longues périodes sur les technologies peuvent fournir les éléments nécessaires pour démontrer leur efficacité. El futuro del desarrollo y de la aplicación de las tecnologías para la recuperación del agua subterránea, se revelará en una atmósfera de gran atención e interés público elevado. La política de limpieza sufrirá un cambio adicional hacia esfuerzos más tangibles, los cuales incluyan el impacto de la recuperación en los recursos circundantes. Los contaminantes recientemente descubiertos causarán la revisión de las tecnologías "maduras", pues aquellos pueden ser persistentes, móviles y difíciles para tratar in situ. Las evaluaciones de la efectividad de las tecnologías de recuperación, incluirán eventualmente la formación de subproductos, consecuencias geoquímicas y la sostenibilidad. Las experiencias de campo de largo plazo, que se han hecho aplicando tecnologías de recuperación, pueden por si solas suministrar los datos necesarios para soportar las afirmaciones sobre su efectividad.

Nouvelles morphologies de fibres electrofilees de polymere thermosensible =

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sta, Marwa

Ce memoire presente une etude sur la possibilite d'obtenir des membranes a base de polymeres thermosensibles avec differentes morphologies pour des applications d'administration de medicaments. Ces membranes ont ete obtenues par electrofilage du Poly (N vinylcaprolactame) (PNVCL), un polymere thermosensible, soit seul ou en melange avec du Polycaprolactone (PCL), un polymere biodegradable. Les parametres de procede ainsi que les proprietes de la solution a electrofiler ont ete optimises dans le but de creer des fibres de PNVCL lisses, continues et sans perles. Des solutions du melange (PNVCL) / (PCL) ont ete ensuite preparees en suivant quatre methodes differentes de preparation. Ces methodes se basent sur l'emploi de solvants distincts, eau distillee et chloroforme, avec differentes concentrations de polymere, 42wt% et 30wt% respectivement. Ces solutions ont ete electrofilees en utilisant les parametres de procede qui correspondaient aux meilleures conditions pour l'electrofilage du PNVCL. Ensuite, le ketophofene, un medicament hydrophobe, a ete ajoute au PNVCL et au melange PNVCL/PCL avant l'electrofilage afin d'etudier la capacite des fibres de PNVCL et de melanges de retenir le medicament hydrophobe et a en faire sa liberation. Enfin, des fibres noyau-enveloppes ont ete obtenues par electrofilage coaxial, en utilisant une solution aqueuse du melange PNVCL/PCL (42 wt%) pour l'enveloppe et une solution aqueuse du PEG (30 wt%) pour le noyau. Les morphologies des membranes resultantes et de leurs fibres ont ete caracterisees par microscopie electronique a balayage (MEB). La temperature de solution critique inferieure (LCST) de ces fibres, qui est la temperature en dessous de laquelle le polymere est soluble dans l'eau et au-dessus duquel il precipite, a ete evaluee par calorimetrie differentielle a balayage (DSC). L'efficacite d'encapsulation (EE) et la liberation du medicament ont ete evaluees en utilisant la technique de spectrophotometrie UV-visible. Des coupes transversales des fibres du melange (PNVCL) / (PCL) et des fibres preparees par electrofilage coaxial ont ete caracterisees par microscopie electronique a balayage (MEB) a haute resolution dans le but de determiner la taille des particules de PCL a l'interieur des fibres et de visualiser la morphologie noyau/enveloppe des fibres resultantes. Une membrane a nanofibres lisses et continues a ete obtenue par l'optimisation de l'electrofilage de PNVCL. L'addition de PCL au melange a conduit a un controle de la LCST et de l'hydrophobicite de la membrane. Il a egalement ete demontre que la liberation de medicament hydrophobe peut etre controlee par la morphologie de ce melange PCL/PNVCL. Finalement, il a ete possible de fabriquer des fibres noyau-enveloppe par l'electrofilage coaxial de PNVCL.

Precise and accurate isotope ratio measurements by ICP-MS.

PubMed

Becker, J S; Dietze, H J

2000-09-01

The precise and accurate determination of isotope ratios by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and laser ablation ICP-MS (LA-ICP-MS) is important for quite different application fields (e.g. for isotope ratio measurements of stable isotopes in nature, especially for the investigation of isotope variation in nature or age dating, for determining isotope ratios of radiogenic elements in the nuclear industry, quality assurance of fuel material, for reprocessing plants, nuclear material accounting and radioactive waste control, for tracer experiments using stable isotopes or long-lived radionuclides in biological or medical studies). Thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS), which used to be the dominant analytical technique for precise isotope ratio measurements, is being increasingly replaced for isotope ratio measurements by ICP-MS due to its excellent sensitivity, precision and good accuracy. Instrumental progress in ICP-MS was achieved by the introduction of the collision cell interface in order to dissociate many disturbing argon-based molecular ions, thermalize the ions and neutralize the disturbing argon ions of plasma gas (Ar+). The application of the collision cell in ICP-QMS results in a higher ion transmission, improved sensitivity and better precision of isotope ratio measurements compared to quadrupole ICP-MS without the collision cell [e.g., for 235U/238U approximately 1 (10 microg x L(-1) uranium) 0.07% relative standard deviation (RSD) vs. 0.2% RSD in short-term measurements (n = 5)]. A significant instrumental improvement for ICP-MS is the multicollector device (MC-ICP-MS) in order to obtain a better precision of isotope ratio measurements (with a precision of up to 0.002%, RSD). CE- and HPLC-ICP-MS are used for the separation of isobaric interferences of long-lived radionuclides and stable isotopes by determination of spallation nuclide abundances in an irradiated tantalum target.

Abstracts of the 24th international isotope society (UK group) symposium: synthesis and applications of labelled compounds 2015.

PubMed

Aigbirhio, F I; Allwein, S; Anwar, A; Atzrodt, J; Audisio, D; Badman, G; Bakale, R; Berthon, F; Bragg, R; Brindle, K M; Bushby, N; Campos, S; Cant, A A; Chan, M Y T; Colbon, P; Cornelissen, B; Czarny, B; Derdau, V; Dive, V; Dunscombe, M; Eggleston, I; Ellis-Sawyer, K; Elmore, C S; Engstrom, P; Ericsson, C; Fairlamb, I J S; Georgin, D; Godfrey, S P; He, L; Hickey, M J; Huscroft, I T; Kerr, W J; Lashford, A; Lenz, E; Lewinton, S; L'Hermite, M M; Lindelöf, Å; Little, G; Lockley, W J S; Loreau, O; Maddocks, S; Marguerit, M; Mirabello, V; Mudd, R J; Nilsson, G N; Owens, P K; Pascu, S I; Patriarche, G; Pimlott, S L; Pinault, M; Plastow, G; Racys, D T; Reif, J; Rossi, J; Ruan, J; Sarpaki, S; Sephton, S M; Simonsson, R; Speed, D J; Sumal, K; Sutherland, A; Taran, F; Thuleau, A; Wang, Y; Waring, M; Watters, W H; Wu, J; Xiao, J

2016-04-01

The 24th annual symposium of the International Isotope Society's United Kingdom Group took place at the Møller Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge, UK on Friday 6th November 2015. The meeting was attended by 77 delegates from academia and industry, the life sciences, chemical, radiochemical and scientific instrument suppliers. Delegates were welcomed by Dr Ken Lawrie (GlaxoSmithKline, UK, chair of the IIS UK group). The subsequent scientific programme consisted of oral presentations, short 'flash' presentations in association with particular posters and poster presentations. The scientific areas covered included isotopic synthesis, regulatory issues, applications of labelled compounds in imaging, isotopic separation and novel chemistry with potential implications for isotopic synthesis. Both short-lived and long-lived isotopes were represented, as were stable isotopes. The symposium was divided into a morning session chaired by Dr Rebekka Hueting (University of Oxford, UK) and afternoon sessions chaired by Dr Sofia Pascu (University of Bath, UK) and by Dr Alan Dowling (Syngenta, UK). The UK meeting concluded with remarks from Dr Ken Lawrie (GlaxoSmithKline, UK). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Geochemical and stable isotopic evolution of the Guarani Aquifer System in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sracek, Ondra; Hirata, Ricardo

2002-09-01

The purpose of this report is to explain geochemical and stable isotopes trends in the Brazilian unit of the Guarani Aquifer System (Botucatu and Piramboia aquifers) in São Paulo State, Brazil. Trends of dissolved species concentrations and geochemical modeling indicated a significant role of cation exchange and dissolution of carbonates in downgradient evolution of groundwater chemistry. Loss of calcium by the exchange for sodium drives dissolution of carbonates and results in Na-HCO3 type of groundwater. The cation-exchange front moves downgradient at probably much slower rate compared to the velocity of groundwater flow and at present is located near to the cities of Sertãozinho and Águas de Santa Barbara (wells PZ-34 and PZ-148, respectively) in a shallow confined area, 50-70 km from the recharge zone. Part of the sodium probably enters the Guarani Aquifer System. together with chloride and sulfate from the underlying Piramboia Formation by diffusion related to the dissolution of evaporates like halite and gypsum. High concentrations of fluorine (up to 13.3 mg/L) can be explained by dissolution of mineral fluoride also driven by cation exchange. However, it is unclear if the dissolution takes place directly in the Guarani Aquifer System or in the overlying basaltic Serra Geral Formation. There is depletion in δ2H and δ18O values in groundwater downgradient. Values of δ13C(DIC) are enriched downgradient, indicating dissolution of calcite under closed system conditions. Values of δ13C(DIC) in deep geothermal wells are very high (>-6.0‰) and probably indicate isotopic exchange with carbonates with δ13C about -3.0‰. Future work should be based on evaluation of vertical fluxes and potential for penetration of contamination to the Guarani Aquifer System. Résumé. Cet article a pour objet d'expliquer l'évolution de la géochimie et des isotopes stables dans l'unité brésilienne du système aquifère du Guarani (aquifères de Botucatu et Piramboia), dans l'État de Sao Paulo (Brésil). L'évolution des concentrations des espèces dissoutes et la modélisation géochimique ont fait apparaître le rôle notable des échanges de cations et de la dissolution des carbonates de l'amont vers l'aval des nappes. La perte de calcium par échange de cation avec le sodium pilote la dissolution des carbonates et donne naissance à des eaux souterraines à faciès Na-HCO3. Le front d'échange de cation se déplace vers l'aval probablement plus lentement que la vitesse d'écoulement de l'eau souterraine et est actuellement situé à proximité des villes de Sertaozinho et de Aguas de Santa Barbara (respectivement puits PZ-34 et PZ-148), dans une zone captive proche de la surface, à 50-70 km de la zone de recharge. Une partie du sodium provient probablement du système aquifère du Guarani, associée aux chlorures et aux sulfates de la formation Piramboia sous-jacente, par diffusion liée à la dissolution d'évaporites comme la halite et le gypse. De fortes concentrations en fluorures (jusqu'à 13,3 mg/L) peuvent être expliquées par la dissolution d'un minéral fluoré également pilotée par l'échange de cations. Cependant, on ne sait pas bien si la dissolution intervient directement dans le système aquifère du Guarani ou dans la formation basaltique sus-jacente de Serra Geral. Les valeurs de δ2H et δ18O décroissent vers l'aval de la nappe. Les valeurs de δ13C du carbone minéral dissous sont enrichies vers l'aval, indiquant qu'il se produit une dissolution de calcite en système fermé. Les valeurs de δ13C du carbone minéral dissous dans les puits géothermaux profonds sont très élevées (supérieures à -6,0‰) et rendent probablement compte d'échanges isotopiques avec des carbonates possédant un δ13C d'environ -3,0‰. De prochaines études devront s'attacher à évaluer les flux verticaux et le potentiel de pénétration de contamination du système aquifère du Guarani. Resumen. El propósito de este informe es explicar las tendencias geoquímicas y de los isótopos estables en la unidad brasileña del Sistema Acuífero Guaraní (acuíferos de Botucatu y Piramboya), en el Estado de Sao Paulo. Las concentraciones de especies disueltas y los resultados de modelaciones geoquímicas indican que el intercambio catiónico y la disolución de carbonatos desempeñan un papel importante en la evolución aguas abajo del acuífero. La disminución de calcio por el intercambio con sodio origina la disolución de carbonatos, dando lugar a aguas subterráneas de tipo bicarbonatado sódico. El frente de intercambio catiónico se desplaza a una velocidad probablemente mucho más lenta que la del flujo de agua; actualmente, se halla cerca de las ciudades de Sertaozinho y Aguas de Santa Bárbara (pozos PZ-34 y PZ-148, respectivamente), en una zona confinada somera que dista entre 50 y 70 km del área de recarga. Parte del sodio entra probablemente en el Sistema Acuífero Guaraní junto con el cloruro y el sulfato procedentes de la Formación Piramboia inferior, debido a la difusión relacionada con la disolución de evaporitas como la halita y los yesos. Se puede explicar las elevadas concentraciones de flúor (hasta 13,3 mg/L) por la disolución de fluoruro mineral, que sucede también por intercambio catiónico. Sin embargo, no está claro si la disolución ocurre directamente en el Sistema Acuífero Guaraní o en la Formación basáltica superior de Serra Geral. Hay una reducción de δ2H y de δ18O a favor del gradiente hidráulico. Hay un enriquecimiento en δ13C inorgánico aguas abajo, lo que indica que la calcita se disuelve en condiciones de sistema cerrado. Los valores de δ13C inorgánico en pozos geotérmicos profundos son muy altos (mayores que -6,0‰), y probablemente apuntan a un intercambio isotópico con carbonatos de δ13C que tiene un valor del orden del -3,0‰. Las líneas de investigación deberían centrarse en evaluar los flujos verticales y el potencial de penetración de contaminantes en el Sistema Acuífero Guaraní.

Integrated modelling of enhanced in situ biodenitrification in a fractured aquifer: biogeochemistry and isotope geochemistry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodríguez-Escales, Paula; Folch, Albert; van Breukelen, Boris M.; Vidal-Gavilan, Georgina; Soler, Albert

2014-05-01

Enhanced in-situ biodenitrification is a feasible technology to recovery groundwater polluted by nitrates and achieves drinking water standards. Under optimum conditions, nitrate is reduced by autochthonous bacteria trough different reactions until arrive to harmless dinitrogen gas. Isotopic fractionation monitoring in field applications allows knowing the exact degree and the real scope of this technology. Using the Rayleigh equation the change in the isotope ratio of the nitrate molecule (δ15N-NO3-, δ18O-NO3-) is related to the fraction of molecules remaining as a result of biodenitrification. However, Rayleigh application at field scale is sometimes limited due to other processes involved during groundwater flow such as dispersion or adsorption and geological media heterogeneities that interferes in concentration values. Then, include isotope fractionation processes in reactive transport models is a useful tool to interpret and predict data from in-situ biodenitrification. We developed a reactive transport model of enhanced in situ application at field scale in a fractured aquifer that considers biogeochemical processes as well as isotope fractionation to enable better monitoring and management of this technology. Processes considered were: microbiological- exogenous and endogenous nitrate and sulfate respiration coupled with microbial growth and decay, geochemical reactions (precipitation of calcite) and isotopic fractionation (δ15N-NO3-; δ18O- NO3- and carbon isotope network). The 2-D simulations at field scale were developed using PHAST code. Modeling of nitrate isotope geochemistry has allowed determining the extent of biodenitrification in model domain. We have quantified which is the importance in decreasing of nitrate concentrations due to biodegradation (percentage of biodegradation, 'B%') and due to dilution process (percentage of dilution, 'D%'). On the other hand, the stable carbon isotope geochemistry has been modeled. We have considered the isotopic carbon fractionation of different carbon species involved in enhanced biodenitrification: external organic carbon, biomass, inorganic carbon (in different forms) and calcite. The inclusion of carbon isotopes in the model, which are involved in both direct (oxidation of organic carbon) and indirect (carbonate mineral interaction) processes of enhanced biodenitrification, improves the evaluation of the overall model consistency due to the central role of carbon in the reaction network.

La supraconductivité a 100 ans !

ScienceCinema

Lebrun, Philippe

2018-06-12

Il y a 100 ans, le 8 avril 1911, une découverte majeure était réalisée : celle de la supraconductivité. La supraconductivité est la caractéristique qu’ont certains métaux et alliages de perdre toute résistance électrique en dessous d’une température donnée. Cette renversante découverte, réalisée de manière presque fortuite par Kammerlingh Onnes de l’Université de Leyde (Pays-Bas) et son étudiant Gilles Holst, a ouvert un nouveau champ de recherche en physique et de fabuleuses perspectives d’applications technologiques. Du point de vue scientifique, la supraconductivité est en effet l’une des rares manifestations de la physique quantique à l’échelle macroscopique.  Du point de vue des retombées techniques, elle est porteuse d’applications majeures dans le domaine de la santé, des communications et de l’énergie. 100 ans après, les physiciens n’ont toujours pas fini d’explorer ce phénomène et ses applications. Le CERN abrite des applications de la supraconductivité à des échelles inédites. L’accélérateur de particules LHC, avec ses milliers d’aimants supraconducteurs répartis sur 27 kilomètres de circonférence, est en effet la plus grande application mondiale de la supraconductivité. Il ne pourrait exister sans elle. Le CERN fête donc la découverte de la supraconductivité avec une conférence exceptionnelle donnée par Philippe Lebrun. Au cours de cette conférence, l’expérience historique de Kammerlingh Onnes sera reproduite. Philippe Lebrun racontera l’histoire de cette étonnante découverte, en la replaçant dans le contexte scientifique de l’époque. Il racontera les développements scientifiques et les applications du premier siècle de la supraconductivité. Conférence en français Merci de bien vouloir vous inscrire au : +41 22 767 76 76 ou cern.reception@cern.ch

Metal stable isotopes in low-temperature systems: A primer

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bullen, T.D.; Eisenhauer, A.

2009-01-01

Recent advances in mass spectrometry have allowed isotope scientists to precisely determine stable isotope variations in the metallic elements. Biologically infl uenced and truly inorganic isotope fractionation processes have been demonstrated over the mass range of metals. This Elements issue provides an overview of the application of metal stable isotopes to low-temperature systems, which extend across the borders of several science disciplines: geology, hydrology, biology, environmental science, and biomedicine. Information on instrumentation, fractionation processes, data-reporting terminology, and reference materials presented here will help the reader to better understand this rapidly evolving field.

Hydrogen Isotope Measurements of Organic Acids and Alcohols by Pyrolysis-GC-MS-TC-IRMS: Application to Analysis of Experimentally Derived Hydrothermal Mineral-Catalyzed Organic Products

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Socki, R. A.; Fu, Q.; Niles, P. B.; Gibson, E. K.

2012-03-01

We report results of experiments to measure the H-isotope composition of organic acids and alcohols. These experiments make use of a pyroprobe interfaced with a GC and high-temperature extraction furnace to make quantitative H-isotope measurements.

A Report Guide to Radiographic Testing Literature. Volume 6

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-04-01

Sources and Applications IITRI, Chicago, 111., 21-22 October 1964, ORNL -11C5, UC-23-Isotopes-Industrial Technology, November 1965 This...Applications IITRI, Chicago, IU., 21-22 October 1964. ORNL -11C5, UC-23lsotopes-lndustria3 Technology November 1965 The design of radioactive sources...Mich. Proceedings of Symposium on Low-Energy X and Gamma Sources and Applications IITRI, Chicago, HI., 21-22 October 1964. ORNL -11C5, US-23-Isotopes

Determination of phenylalanine isotope ratio enrichment by liquid chromatography/time- of-flight mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Wu, Zhanpin; Zhang, Xiao-Jun; Cody, Robert B; Wolfe, Robert R

2004-01-01

The application of time-of-flight mass spectrometry to isotope ratio measurements has been limited by the relatively low dynamic range of the time-to-digital converter detectors available on commercial LC/ToF-MS systems. Here we report the measurement of phenylalanine isotope ratio enrichment by using a new LC/ToF-MS system with wide dynamic range. Underivatized phenylalanine was injected onto a C18 column directly with 0.1% formic acid/acetonitrile as the mobile phase. The optimal instrument parameters for the time-of-flight mass spectrometer were determined by tuning the instrument with a phenylalanine standard. The accuracy of the isotope enrichment measurement was determined by the injection of standard solutions with known isotope ratios ranging from 0.02% to 9.2%. A plot of the results against the theoretical values gave a linear curve with R2 of 0.9999. The coefficient of variation for the isotope ratio measurement was below 2%. The method is simple, rapid, and accurate and presents an attractive alternative to traditional GC/MS applications.

A critical examination of the possible application of zinc stable isotope ratios in bivalve mollusks and suspended particulate matter to trace zinc pollution in a tropical estuary.

PubMed

Araújo, Daniel; Machado, Wilson; Weiss, Dominik; Mulholland, Daniel S; Boaventura, Geraldo R; Viers, Jerome; Garnier, Jeremie; Dantas, Elton L; Babinski, Marly

2017-07-01

The application of zinc (Zn) isotopes in bivalve tissues to identify zinc sources in estuaries was critically assessed. We determined the zinc isotope composition of mollusks (Crassostrea brasiliana and Perna perna) and suspended particulate matter (SPM) in a tropical estuary (Sepetiba Bay, Brazil) historically impacted by metallurgical activities. The zinc isotope systematics of the SPM was in line with mixing of zinc derived from fluvial material and from metallurgical activities. In contrast, source mixing alone cannot account for the isotope ratios observed in the bivalves, which are significantly lighter in the contaminated metallurgical zone (δ 66 Zn JMC  = +0.49 ± 0.06‰, 2σ, n = 3) compared to sampling locations outside (δ 66 Zn JMC  = +0.83 ± 0.10‰, 2σ, n = 22). This observation suggests that additional factors such as speciation, bioavailability and bioaccumulation pathways (via solution or particulate matter) influence the zinc isotope composition of bivalves. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Applicability evaluation of Deep Eutectic Solvents-Cellulase system for lignocellulose hydrolysis.

PubMed

Gunny, Ahmad Anas Nagoor; Arbain, Dachyar; Nashef, Enas Muen; Jamal, Parveen

2015-04-01

Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) have recently emerged as a new generation of ionic liquids for lignocellulose pretreatment. However, DESs contain salt components which tend to inactivate cellulase in the subsequent saccharification process. To alleviate this problem, it is necessary to evaluate the applicability of the DESs-Cellulase system. This was accomplished in the present study by first studying the stability of cellulase in the presence of selected DESs followed by applicability evaluation based on glucose production, energy consumption and kinetic performance. Results showed that the cellulase was able to retain more than 90% of its original activity in the presence of 10% (v/v) for glycerol based DES (GLY) and ethylene glycol based DES (EG). Furthermore, both DESs system exhibited higher glucose percentage enhancement and lower energy consumption as compared to diluted alkali system. Among the two DESs studied, EG showed comparatively better kinetic performance. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fluctuations Magnetiques des Gaz D'electrons Bidimensionnels: Application AU Compose Supraconducteur LANTHANE(2-X) Strontium(x) Cuivre OXYGENE(4)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benard, Pierre

Nous presentons une etude des fluctuations magnetiques de la phase normale de l'oxyde de cuivre supraconducteur La_{2-x}Sr _{x}CuO_4 . Le compose est modelise par le Hamiltonien de Hubbard bidimensionnel avec un terme de saut vers les deuxiemes voisins (modele tt'U). Le modele est etudie en utilisant l'approximation de la GRPA (Generalized Random Phase Approximation) et en incluant les effets de la renormalisation de l'interaction de Hubbard par les diagrammes de Brueckner-Kanamori. Dans l'approche presentee dans ce travail, les maximums du facteur de structure magnetique observes par les experiences de diffusion de neutrons sont associes aux anomalies 2k _{F} de reseau du facteur de structure des gaz d'electrons bidimensionnels sans interaction. Ces anomalies proviennent de la diffusion entre particules situees a des points de la surface de Fermi ou les vitesses de Fermi sont tangentes, et conduisent a des divergences dont la nature depend de la geometrie de la surface de Fermi au voisinage de ces points. Ces resultats sont ensuite appliques au modele tt'U, dont le modele de Hubbard usuel tU est un cas particulier. Dans la majorite des cas, les interactions ne determinent pas la position des maximums du facteur de structure. Le role de l'interaction est d'augmenter l'intensite des structures du facteur de structure magnetique associees a l'instabilite magnetique du systeme. Ces structures sont souvent deja presentes dans la partie imaginaire de la susceptibilite sans interaction. Le rapport d'intensite entre les maximums absolus et les autres structures du facteur de structure magnetique permet de determiner le rapport U_ {rn}/U_{c} qui mesure la proximite d'une instabilite magnetique. Le diagramme de phase est ensuite etudie afin de delimiter la plage de validite de l'approximation. Apres avoir discute des modes collectifs et de l'effet d'une partie imaginaire non-nulle de la self-energie, l'origine de l'echelle d'energie des fluctuations magnetiques est examinee. Il est ensuite demontre que le modele a trois bandes predit les memes resultats pour la position des structures du facteur de structure magnetique que le modele a une bande, dans la limite ou l'hybridation des orbitales des atomes d'oxygene des plans Cu-O_2 et l'amplitude de sauts vers les seconds voisins sont nulles. Il est de plus constate que l'effet de l'hybridation des orbitales des atomes d'oxygene est bien modelise par le terme de saut vers les seconds voisins. Meme si ils decrivent correctement le comportement qualitatif des maximums du facteur de structure magnetique, les modeles a trois bandes et a une bande ne permettent pas d'obtenir une position de ces structures conforme avec les mesures experimentales, si on suppose que la bande est rigide, c'est-a-dire que les parametres du Hamiltonien sont independants de la concentration de strontium. Ceci peut etre cause par la dependance des parametres du Hamiltonien sur la concentration de strontium. Finalement, les resultats sont compares avec les experiences de diffusion de neutrons et les autres theories, en particulier celles de Littlewood et al. (1993) et de Q. Si et al. (1993). La comparaison avec les resultats experimentaux pour le compose de lanthane suggere que le liquide de Fermi possede une surface de Fermi disjointe, et qu'il est situe pres d'une instabilite magnetique incommensurable.

Absolute measurement of the 1S0 − 3P0 clock transition in neutral 88Sr over the 330 km-long stabilized fibre optic link

PubMed Central

Morzyński, Piotr; Bober, Marcin; Bartoszek-Bober, Dobrosława; Nawrocki, Jerzy; Krehlik, Przemysław; Śliwczyński, Łukasz; Lipiński, Marcin; Masłowski, Piotr; Cygan, Agata; Dunst, Piotr; Garus, Michał; Lisak, Daniel; Zachorowski, Jerzy; Gawlik, Wojciech; Radzewicz, Czesław; Ciuryło, Roman; Zawada, Michał

2015-01-01

We report a stability below 7 × 10−17 of two independent optical lattice clocks operating with bosonic 88Sr isotope. The value (429 228 066 418 008.3(1.9)syst (0.9)stat Hz) of the absolute frequency of the 1S0 – 3P0 transition was measured with an optical frequency comb referenced to the local representation of the UTC by the 330 km-long stabilized fibre optical link. The result was verified by series of measurements on two independent optical lattice clocks and agrees with recommendation of Bureau International des Poids et Mesures. PMID:26639347

Isotope effects in the evaporation of water: a status report of the Craig-Gordon model.

PubMed

Horita, Juske; Rozanski, Kazimierz; Cohen, Shabtai

2008-03-01

The Craig-Gordon model (C-G model) [H. Craig, L.I. Gordon. Deuterium and oxygen 18 variations in the ocean and the marine atmosphere. In Stable Isotopes in Oceanographic Studies and Paleotemperatures, E. Tongiorgi (Ed.), pp. 9-130, Laboratorio di Geologia Nucleare, Pisa (1965).] has been synonymous with the isotope effects associated with the evaporation of water from surface waters, soils, and vegetations, which in turn constitutes a critical component of the global water cycle. On the occasion of the four decades of its successful applications to isotope geochemistry and hydrology, an attempt is made to: (a) examine its physical background within the framework of modern evaporation models, (b) evaluate our current knowledge of the environmental parameters of the C-G model, and (c) comment on a general strategy for the use of these parameters in field applications. Despite its simplistic representation of evaporation processes at the water-air interface, the C-G model appears to be adequate to provide the isotopic composition of the evaporation flux. This is largely due to its nature for representing isotopic compositions (a ratio of two fluxes of different isotopic water molecules) under the same environmental conditions. Among many environmental parameters that are included in the C-G model, accurate description and calculations are still problematic of the kinetic isotope effects that occur in a diffusion-dominated thin layer of air next to the water-air interface. In field applications, it is of importance to accurately evaluate several environmental parameters, particularly the relative humidity and isotopic compositions of the 'free-atmosphere', for a system under investigation over a given time-scale of interest (e.g., hourly to daily to seasonally). With a growing interest in the studies of water cycles of different spatial and temporal scales, including paleoclimate and water resource studies, the importance and utility of the C-G model is also likely to grow in the future.

Réalisation de couches minces magnétiques d'hexaferrite de baryum en vue de concevoir un isolateur coplanaire passif

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Capraro, S.; Nader, C.; Chatelon, J. P.; Le Berre, M.; Rouiller, T.; Bayard, B.; Joisten, H.; Barbier, D.; Rousseau, J. J.

2005-05-01

Le développement des dispositifs intégrés employant un ferrite est un objectif majeur pour des applications électroniques dans la gamme hyperfréquence (circulateurs et isolateurs). Les ferrites hexagonaux, tel que l'hexaferrite de baryum (BaFe{12}O{19} ou BaM), présentent un grand intérêt pour de tels dispositifs en raison de leurs grandes résistivités et de leurs perméabilités élevées aux hautes fréquences. Dans cette étude, les couches minces de BaM, sont déposées et optimisées par pulvérisation cathodique RF sur des substrats d'alumine et de silicium. Après dépôt, les films sont amorphes et un recuit thermique à 800° C est nécessaire pour que les couches de BaM cristallisent et présentent des propriétés magnétiques. Les propriétés magnétiques des couches minces de BaM ont été déterminées par VSM, et on constate que le champ coercitif et l'aimantation à saturation atteignent respectivement 330 kA/m et 500 mT. Des isolateurs sont réalisés par dépôt d'une couche conductrice d'or en utilisant la technique du lift-off qui permet la mise en place du ruban signal ainsi que des plans de masse. Les premiers résultats de mesure en transmission ont montré un effet non réciproque qui atteint 8 dB/cm à 50 GHz.

Isotope Geochemistry for Comparative Planetology of Exoplanets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mandt, K. E.; Atreya, S.; Luspay-Kuti, A.; Mousis, O.; Simon, A.; Hofstadter, M. D.

2017-01-01

Isotope geochemistry has played a critical role in understanding processes at work in and the history of solar system bodies. Application of these techniques to exoplanets would be revolutionary and would allow comparative planetology with the formation and evolution of exoplanet systems. The roadmap for comparative planetology of the origins and workings of exoplanets involves isotopic geochemistry efforts in three areas: (1) technology development to expand observations of the isotopic composition of solar system bodies and expand observations to isotopic composition of exoplanet atmospheres; (2) theoretical modeling of how isotopes fractionate and the role they play in evolution of exoplanetary systems, atmospheres, surfaces and interiors; and (3) laboratory studies to constrain isotopic fractionation due to processes at work throughout the solar system.

Investigation of sulphur isotope variation due to different processes applied during uranium ore concentrate production.

PubMed

Krajkó, Judit; Varga, Zsolt; Wallenius, Maria; Mayer, Klaus; Konings, Rudy

The applicability and limitations of sulphur isotope ratio as a nuclear forensic signature have been studied. The typically applied leaching methods in uranium mining processes were simulated for five uranium ore samples and the n ( 34 S)/ n ( 32 S) ratios were measured. The sulphur isotope ratio variation during uranium ore concentrate (UOC) production was also followed using two real-life sample sets obtained from industrial UOC production facilities. Once the major source of sulphur is revealed, its appropriate application for origin assessment can be established. Our results confirm the previous assumption that process reagents have a significant effect on the n ( 34 S)/ n ( 32 S) ratio, thus the sulphur isotope ratio is in most cases a process-related signature.

Stable isotope dimethyl labelling for quantitative proteomics and beyond

PubMed Central

Hsu, Jue-Liang; Chen, Shu-Hui

2016-01-01

Stable-isotope reductive dimethylation, a cost-effective, simple, robust, reliable and easy-to- multiplex labelling method, is widely applied to quantitative proteomics using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. This review focuses on biological applications of stable-isotope dimethyl labelling for a large-scale comparative analysis of protein expression and post-translational modifications based on its unique properties of the labelling chemistry. Some other applications of the labelling method for sample preparation and mass spectrometry-based protein identification and characterization are also summarized. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Quantitative mass spectrometry’. PMID:27644970

Iron and nickel isotope fractionation by diffusion, with applications to iron meteorites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watson, Heather C.; Richter, Frank; Liu, Ankun; Huss, Gary R.

2016-10-01

Mass-dependent, kinetic fractionation of isotopes through processes such as diffusion can result in measurable isotopic signatures. When these signatures are retained in geologic materials, they can be used to help interpret their thermal histories. The mass dependence of the diffusion coefficient of isotopes 1 and 2 can be written as (D1 /D2) =(m2 /m1) β, where D1 and D2 are the diffusion coefficients of m1 and m2 respectively, and β is an empirical coefficient that relates the two ratios. Experiments have been performed to measure β in the Fe-Ni alloy system. Diffusion couple experiments between pure Fe and Ni metals were run in a piston cylinder at 1300-1400 °C and 1 GPa. Concentration and isotopic profiles were measured by electron microprobe and ion microprobe respectively. We find that a single β coefficient of β = 0.32 ± 0.04 can describe the isotopic effect in all experiments. This result is comparable to the isotope effect determined in many other similar alloy systems. The new β coefficient is used in a model of the isotopic profiles to be expected during the Widmanstätten pattern formation in iron meteorites. The results are consistent with previous estimates of the cooling rate of the iron meteorite Toluca. The application of isotopic constraints based on these results in addition to conventional cooling rate models could provide a more robust picture of the thermal history of these early planetary bodies.

Correction partielle des Effets de la Turbulence atmosphérique en Interférométrie optique: Traitement des Données et Développement d'Optiques adaptatives pour l'Interféromètre GI2T

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vérinaud, Christophe

2000-11-01

Dans le domaine de la haute résolution angulaire en astronomie, les techniques de l'interférométrie optique et de l'optique adaptative sont en plein essor. La principale limitation de l'interférométrie est laturbulence atmosphérique qui entraîne des pertes de cohérence importantes, préjudiciables à la sensibilité et à la précision des mesures. L'optique adaptative appliquée à l'interférométrie va permettre un gain en sensibilité considérable. Le but de cette thèse est l'étude de l'influence de l'optique adaptative sur les mesures interférométriques et son application au Grand Interféromètre à DeuxTélescopes (GI2T) situé sur le Mont Calern dans le sud de la France. Deux problèmes principaux sont étudiés de manière théorique par des développements analytiques et des simulations numériques: le premier est le contrôle en temps réel de la variation des différences de marche optique, encore appelée piston différentiel, induite par l'optique adaptative ; le deuxième problème important est la calibration des mesures de contraste des franges dans le cas de la correction partielle. Je limite mon étude au cas d'un interféromètre multi-modes en courtes poses, mode de fonctionnement principal du GI2T également prévu sur le Very Large Telescope Interferometer installé au Cerro Paranal au Chili. Je développe une méthode de calibration des pertes de cohérence spatio-temporelles connaissant la fonction de structure des fronts d'onde corrigés. Je montre en particulier qu'il est possible d'estimer fréquence par fréquence la densité spectrale des images en courtes poses, méthode très utile pour augmenter la couverture du plan des fréquences spatiales dans l'observation d'objets étendus. La dernière partie de ce mémoire est consacrée au développements instrumentaux auxquels j'ai participé. J'ai développé un banc de qualification du système d'optique adaptative à courbure destiné au GI2T et j'ai étudié l'implantation optique de deux systèmes dans la table de recombinaison.

77 FR 37044 - Ocean Transportation Intermediary License; Applicants

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-20

... Logistics (NVO & OFF), 10550 Deerwood Park Blvd., 509, Jacksonville, FL 32256, Officers: Ronald M. Doyle... (Qualifying Individual), Margaret Kong, CFO/Secretary, Application Type: New NVO & OFF License. FSG Logistics (USA), Inc. dba FSG Logistics, Inc. (NVO & OFF), 27013 Pacific Highway South, PMB386, Des Moines, WA...

ICC-CLASS: isotopically-coded cleavable crosslinking analysis software suite

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Successful application of crosslinking combined with mass spectrometry for studying proteins and protein complexes requires specifically-designed crosslinking reagents, experimental techniques, and data analysis software. Using isotopically-coded ("heavy and light") versions of the crosslinker and cleavable crosslinking reagents is analytically advantageous for mass spectrometric applications and provides a "handle" that can be used to distinguish crosslinked peptides of different types, and to increase the confidence of the identification of the crosslinks. Results Here, we describe a program suite designed for the analysis of mass spectrometric data obtained with isotopically-coded cleavable crosslinkers. The suite contains three programs called: DX, DXDX, and DXMSMS. DX searches the mass spectra for the presence of ion signal doublets resulting from the light and heavy isotopic forms of the isotopically-coded crosslinking reagent used. DXDX searches for possible mass matches between cleaved and uncleaved isotopically-coded crosslinks based on the established chemistry of the cleavage reaction for a given crosslinking reagent. DXMSMS assigns the crosslinks to the known protein sequences, based on the isotopically-coded and un-coded MS/MS fragmentation data of uncleaved and cleaved peptide crosslinks. Conclusion The combination of these three programs, which are tailored to the analytical features of the specific isotopically-coded cleavable crosslinking reagents used, represents a powerful software tool for automated high-accuracy peptide crosslink identification. See: http://www.creativemolecules.com/CM_Software.htm PMID:20109223

Possible application of laser isotope separation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Delionback, L. M.

1975-01-01

The laser isotope separation process is described and its special economic features discussed. These features are its low cost electric power operation, capital investment costs, and the costs of process materials.

Diffusion thermique et de porteurs de courant au voisinage d'un joint de grain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lepoutre, F.

1993-07-01

The photothermal methods (indirect detection of the temperature increase of a sample after absorption of a pulsed or modulated light beam) allow to measure the thermal and electronic diffusions that follow the optical absorption. We report the main applications of a photothermal microscope that we have built to provide informations about these diffusion phenomena at a micronic scale. Comparisons between the photothermal observations and microanalysis data associated with electronic microscopy have been achieved to get qualitative informations. In the case of a purely thermal diffusion this apparatus is able to detect the resistances which may appear at grain boundaries or inside the grains themselves. We present some interesting experimental features which seem to be closely related to the physical origins of these resistances (crystal orientation, dislocation, segregation, secondary phases, cracks). Using a theoretical model developed by other authors we also report quantitative values of the detected thermal resistances that we relate to macroscopic thermal diffusivities measurements of the inspected materials. When electronic carriers are photogenerated by the light excitation, the photothermal microscope can be used to follow the diffusion and the recombination of these carriers. A competition between plasma and heat diffusions is then observed. Such a competition is illustrated in the case of silicon bicristals containing metallic impurities. Les méthodes phototherrniques (détection indirecte de l'accroissement de température d'un échantillon après absorption d'un flux lumineux modulé ou pulsé de lumière) permettent d'étudier les diffusions thermique et électronique qui suivent l'absorption optique. Nous présentons dans cet article les principales applications d'un microscope photothermique que nous avons construit pour suivre les phénomènes de diffusion à l'échelle du micromètre. Des comparaisons entre les observations photothermiques et des résultats de microanalyse permettent d'obtenir des informations qualitatives. Dans les cas où les phénomènes observés sont purement thermiques, cet appareil permet de détecter les résistances thermiques qui apparaissent aux joints de grain ou à l'intérieur des grains eux-mêmes. Nous présentons des résultats expérimentaux qui semblent reliés à l'origine physique de ces résistances thermiques de contact (orientation cristalline, ségrégation, phase secondaire, dislocation, fissuration). En utilisant un modèle théorique développé par d'autres auteurs, nous rapportons également des valeurs quantitatives de résistances thermiques qui ont pu être reliées à des mesures macroscopiques de la diffusivité thermique des matériaux inspectés. Lorsque l'excitation lumineuse génère des porteurs électroniques, le microscope photothermique peut être utilisé pour suivre la diffusion et la recombinaison de ces porteurs. La compétition entre les diffusions électronique et thermique est alors observée. Une illustration de ces phénomènes est donnée dans le cas des bicristaux de silicium contenant des impuretés métalliques.

Patterns of local and nonlocal water resource use across the western U.S. determined via stable isotope intercomparisons

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The stable isotope ratios of hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) are valuable tracers of the origin of biological materials and water sources. Application of these environmental tracers is largely based on the distinct and pervasive spatial patterns of precipitation isotopes, which are preserved in many hy...

Quantifying dispersal rates and distances in North American martens: a test of enriched isotope labeling

Treesearch

Jonathan N. Pauli; Winston P. Smith; Merav Ben-David

2012-01-01

Advances in the application of stable isotopes have allowed the quantitative evaluation of previously cryptic ecological processes. In particular, researchers have utilized the predictable spatial patterning in natural abundance of isotopes to better understand animal dispersal and migration. However, quantifying dispersal via natural abundance alone has proven to be...

Modeling nitrate-nitrogen load reduction strategies for the des moines river, iowa using SWAT

USGS Publications Warehouse

Schilling, K.E.; Wolter, C.F.

2009-01-01

The Des Moines River that drains a watershed of 16,175 km2 in portions of Iowa and Minnesota is impaired for nitrate-nitrogen (nitrate) due to concentrations that exceed regulatory limits for public water supplies. The Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was used to model streamflow and nitrate loads and evaluate a suite of basin-wide changes and targeting configurations to potentially reduce nitrate loads in the river. The SWAT model comprised 173 subbasins and 2,516 hydrologic response units and included point and nonpoint nitrogen sources. The model was calibrated for an 11-year period and three basin-wide and four targeting strategies were evaluated. Results indicated that nonpoint sources accounted for 95% of the total nitrate export. Reduction in fertilizer applications from 170 to 50 kg/ha achieved the 38% reduction in nitrate loads, exceeding the 34% reduction required. In terms of targeting, the most efficient load reductions occurred when fertilizer applications were reduced in subbasins nearest the watershed outlet. The greatest load reduction for the area of land treated was associated with reducing loads from 55 subbasins with the highest nitrate loads, achieving a 14% reduction in nitrate loads achieved by reducing applications on 30% of the land area. SWAT model results provide much needed guidance on how to begin implementing load reduction strategies most efficiently in the Des Moines River watershed. ?? 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Conception de lois de pilotage robustes et sequencement de gains par l'approche de systemes lineaires a parametres variants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hentabli, Kamel

Cette recherche s'inscrit dans le cadre du projet de recherche Active Control Technology entre l'Ecole de Technologie Superieure et le constructeur Bombardier Aeronautique . Le but est de concevoir des strategies de commandes multivariables et robustes pour des modeles dynamiques d'avions. Ces strategies de commandes devraient assurer a l'avion une haute performance et satisfaire des qualites de vol desirees en l'occurrence, une bonne manoeuvrabilite, de bonnes marges de stabilite et un amortissement des mouvements phugoides et rapides de l'avion. Dans un premier temps, nous nous sommes principalement interesses aux methodes de synthese LTI et plus exactement a l'approche Hinfinity et la mu-synthese. Par la suite, nous avons accorde un interet particulier aux techniques de commande LPV. Pour mener a bien ce travail, nous avons envisage une approche frequentielle, typiquement Hinfinity. Cette approche est particulierement interessante, dans la mesure ou le modele de synthese est construit directement a partir des differentes specifications du cahier des charges. En effet, ces specifications sont traduites sous forme de gabarits frequentiels, correspondant a des ponderations en entree et en sortie que l'on retrouve dans la synthese Hinfinity classique. Par ailleurs, nous avons utilise une representation de type lineaire fractionnelle (LFT), jugee mieux adaptee pour la prise en compte des differents types d'incertitudes, qui peuvent intervenir sur le systeme. De plus, cette representation s'avere tres appropriee pour l'analyse de la robustesse via les outils de la mu-analyse. D'autre part, afin d'optimiser le compromis entre les specifications de robustesse et de performance, nous avons opte pour une structure de commande a 2 degres de liberte avec modele de reference. Enfin, ces techniques sont illustrees sur des applications realistes, demontrant ainsi la pertinence et l'applicabilite de chacune d'elle. Mots cles. Commande de vol, qualites de vol et manoeuvrabilite, commande robuste, approche Hinfinity , mu-synthese, systemes lineaires a parametres variants, sequencement de gains, transformation lineaire fractionnelle, inegalite matricielle lineaire.

The plasma separation process as a pre-cursor for large scale radioisotope production

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stevenson, Nigel R.

2001-07-01

Radioisotope production generally employs either accelerators or reactors to convert stable (usually enriched) isotopes into the desired product species. Radioisotopes have applications in industry, environmental sciences, and most significantly in medicine. The production of many potentially useful radioisotopes is significantly hindered by the lack of availability or by the high cost of key enriched stable isotopes. To try and meet this demand, certain niche enrichment processes have been developed and commercialized. Calutrons, centrifuges, and laser separation processes are some of the devices and techniques being employed to produce large quantities of selective enriched stable isotopes. Nevertheless, the list of enriched stable isotopes in sufficient quantities remains rather limited and this continues to restrict the availability of many radioisotopes that otherwise could have a significant impact on society. The Plasma Separation Process is a newly available commercial technique for producing large quantities of a wide range of enriched isotopes and thereby holds promise of being able to open the door to producing new and exciting applications of radioisotopes in the future.

Silicon Isotopes doping experiments to measure quartz dissolution and precipitation rates at equilibrium and test the principle of detailed balance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, C.; Rimstidt, J. D.; Liu, Z.; Yuan, H.

2016-12-01

The principle of detailed balance (PDB) has been a cornerstone for irreversible thermodynamics and chemical kinetics for a long time, and its wide application in geochemistry has mostly been implicit and without experimental testing of its applicability. Nevertheless, many extrapolations based on PDB without experimental validation have far reaching impacts on society's mega environmental enterprises. Here we report an isotope doping method that independently measures simultaneous dissolution and precipitation rates and can test this principle. The technique reacts a solution enriched in a rare isotope of an element with a solid having natural isotopic abundances (Beck et al., 1992; Gaillardet, 2008; Gruber et al., 2013). Dissolution and precipitation rates are found from the changing isotopic ratios. Our quartz experiment doped with 29Si showed that the equilibrium dissolution rate remains unchanged at all degrees of undersaturation. We recommend this approach to test the validity of using the detailed balance relationship in rate equations for other substances.

Discrete event simulation for healthcare organizations: a tool for decision making.

PubMed

Hamrock, Eric; Paige, Kerrie; Parks, Jennifer; Scheulen, James; Levin, Scott

2013-01-01

Healthcare organizations face challenges in efficiently accommodating increased patient demand with limited resources and capacity. The modern reimbursement environment prioritizes the maximization of operational efficiency and the reduction of unnecessary costs (i.e., waste) while maintaining or improving quality. As healthcare organizations adapt, significant pressures are placed on leaders to make difficult operational and budgetary decisions. In lieu of hard data, decision makers often base these decisions on subjective information. Discrete event simulation (DES), a computerized method of imitating the operation of a real-world system (e.g., healthcare delivery facility) over time, can provide decision makers with an evidence-based tool to develop and objectively vet operational solutions prior to implementation. DES in healthcare commonly focuses on (1) improving patient flow, (2) managing bed capacity, (3) scheduling staff, (4) managing patient admission and scheduling procedures, and (5) using ancillary resources (e.g., labs, pharmacies). This article describes applicable scenarios, outlines DES concepts, and describes the steps required for development. An original DES model developed to examine crowding and patient flow for staffing decision making at an urban academic emergency department serves as a practical example.

Le Laser A Argon Ionise : Applications Therapeutiques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brunetaud, J. M.; Mosquet, L.; Mordon, S.; Rotteleur, G.

1984-03-01

Le laser a argon ionise est un laser a emission continue, reglee en general en multiraies de 487 a 544 nm. Le rayonnement de ce laser est bien absorbe par les tissus vivants, avec une action preferentielle au niveau des pigments rouges (hemoglobine, myoglobine) et noirs (melanine). Le laser a argon est princi-palement utilise en therapeutique pour ses effets thermiques : en fonction du choix des parametres (puissance optique, surface exposee, temps d'exposition) on peut obtenir une coagulation (temperature optimale au niveau des tissus 60° - 80°) ou une volatisation (temperature superieure a 100°). Si la zone volatilisee est tres etroite (inferieure a 0,5 mm) on obtient un effet de coupe. Par rapport aux deux autres lasers egalement utilises pour leurs effets thermiques (CO2 et Nd. YAG) l'argon a des effets intermediaires : la coagulation sera plus superficielle qu'avec le Nd. YAG et la volatisation plus profonde qu'avec le CO2. Lors de la coupe, la necrose sur les berges sera egalement plus importante qu'avec le CO2.

Polyatomic interferences on high precision uranium isotope ratio measurements by MC-ICP-MS: Applications to environmental sampling for nuclear safeguards

DOE PAGES

Pollington, Anthony D.; Kinman, William S.; Hanson, Susan K.; ...

2015-09-04

Modern mass spectrometry and separation techniques have made measurement of major uranium isotope ratios a routine task; however accurate and precise measurement of the minor uranium isotopes remains a challenge as sample size decreases. One particular challenge is the presence of isobaric interferences and their impact on the accuracy of minor isotope 234U and 236U measurements. Furthermore, we present techniques used for routine U isotopic analysis of environmental nuclear safeguards samples and evaluate polyatomic interferences that negatively impact accuracy as well as methods to mitigate their impacts.

Measurement of isotope ratios on transient signals by MC-ICP-MS.

PubMed

Günther-Leopold, Ines; Wernli, Beat; Kopajtic, Zlatko; Günther, Detlef

2004-01-01

Precise and accurate isotope ratio measurements are an important task in many applications such as isotope-dilution mass spectrometry, bioavailability studies, or the determination of isotope variations in geological or nuclear samples. The technique of MC-ICP-MS has attracted much attention because it permits the precise measurement of isotope compositions for a wide range of elements combined with excellent detection limits due to high ionisation efficiencies. However, the results are based mainly on measurements using continuous sample introduction. In the present study the determination of isotope ratios on various transient signals with a time duration of 30 to 60 s has been achieved by coupling high-performance liquid chromatography to a multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. In order to investigate the origin of ratio drifts across the transient signals for this hyphenated technique, measurements with the same standard solutions were also carried out using a flow-injection device for sample introduction. As a result of this application it could be concluded that the main source of the bias in the measured isotope ratios is within the ICP-MS instead of fractionation effects on the chromatographic column material. Preliminary studies on short transient signals of gaseous samples (dry plasma) showed a reverse fractionation effect compared with wet plasma conditions (flow injection and HPLC).

Progress in the Use of Isotopes: The Atomic Triad - Reactors, Radioisotopes and Radiation

DOE R&D Accomplishments Database

Libby, W. F.

1958-08-04

Recent years have seen a substantial growth in the use of isotopes in medicine, agriculture, and industry: up to the minute information on the production and use of isotopes in the U.S. is presented. The application of radioisotopes to industrial processes and manufacturing operations has expanded more rapidly than any one except its most ardent advocates expected. New uses and new users are numerous. The adoption by industry of low level counting techniques which make possible the use of carbon-14 and tritium in the control of industrial processes and in certain exploratory and research problems is perhaps most promising of current developments. The latest information on savings to industry will be presented. The medical application of isotopes has continued to develop at a rapid pace. The current trend appears to be in the direction of improvements in technique and the substitution of more effective isotopes for those presently in use. Potential and actual benefits accruing from the use of isotopes in agriculture are reviewed. The various methods of production of radioisotopes are discussed. Not only the present methods but also interesting new possibilities are covered. Although isotopes are but one of the many peaceful uses of the atom, it is the first to pay its way. (auth)

Formulation, caracterisation, modelisation et prevision du comportement thermomecanique des pieces plastiques et composites de fibres de bois : Application aux engrenages =

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mijiyawa, Faycal

Cette etude permet d'adapter des materiaux composites thermoplastiques a fibres de bois aux engrenages, de fabriquer de nouvelles generations d'engrenages et de predire le comportement thermique de ces engrenages. Apres une large revue de la litterature sur les materiaux thermoplastiques (polyethylene et polypropylene) renforces par les fibres de bois (bouleau et tremble), sur la formulation et l'etude du comportement thermomecanique des engrenages en plastique-composite; une relation a ete etablie avec notre presente these de doctorat. En effet, beaucoup d'etudes sur la formulation et la caracterisation des materiaux composites a fibres de bois ont ete deja realisees, mais aucune ne s'est interessee a la fabrication des engrenages. Les differentes techniques de formulation tirees de la litterature ont facilite l'obtention d'un materiau composite ayant presque les memes proprietes que les materiaux plastiques (nylon, acetal...) utilises dans la conception des engrenages. La formulation des materiaux thermoplastiques renforces par les fibres de bois a ete effectuee au Centre de recherche en materiaux lignocellulosiques (CRML) de l'Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres (UQTR), en collaboration avec le departement de Genie Mecanique, en melangeant les composites avec deux rouleaux sur une machine de type Thermotron-C.W. Brabender (modele T-303, Allemand) ; puis des pieces ont ete fabriquees par thermocompression. Les thermoplastiques utilises dans le cadre de cette these sont le polypropylene (PP) et le polyethylene haute densite (HDPE), avec comme renfort des fibres de bouleau et de tremble. A cause de l'incompatibilite entre la fibre de bois et le thermoplastique, un traitement chimique a l'aide d'un agent de couplage a ete realise pour augmenter les proprietes mecaniques des materiaux composites. Pour les composites polypropylene/bois : (1) Les modules elastiques et les contraintes a la rupture en traction des composites PP/bouleau et PP/tremble evoluent lineairement en fonction du taux de fibres, avec ou sans agent de couplage (Maleate de polypropylene MAPP). De plus, l'adherence entre les fibres de bois et le plastique est amelioree en utilisant seulement 3 % MAPP, entrainant donc une augmentation de la contrainte maximale bien qu'aucun effet significatif ne soit observe sur le module d'elasticite. (2) Les resultats obtenus montrent que, en general, les proprietes en traction des composites polypropylene/bouleau, polypropylene/tremble et polypropylene/bouleau/ tremble sont tres semblables. Les composites plastique-bois (WPCs), en particulier ceux contenant 30 % et 40 % de fibres, ont des modules elastiques plus eleves que certains plastiques utilises dans l'application des engrenages (ex. Nylon). Pour les composites polyethylene/bois, avec 3%Maleate de polyethylene (MAPE): (1) Tests de traction : le module elastique passe de 1.34 GPa a 4.19 GPa pour le composite HDPE/bouleau, alors qu'il passe de 1.34 GPa a 3.86 GPa pour le composite HDPE/tremble. La contrainte maximale passe de 22 MPa a 42.65 MPa pour le composite HDPE/bouleau, alors qu'elle passe de 22 MPa a 43.48 MPa pour le composite HDPE/tremble. (2) Tests de flexion : le module elastique passe de 1.04 GPa a 3.47 GPa pour le composite HDPE/bouleau et a 3.64 GPa pour le composite HDPE/tremble. La contrainte maximale passe de 23.90 MPa a 66.70 MPa pour le composite HDPE/bouleau, alors qu'elle passe a 59.51 MPa pour le composite HDPE/tremble. (3) Le coefficient de Poisson determine par impulsion acoustique est autour de 0.35 pour tous les composites HDPE/bois. (4) Le test de degradation thermique TGA nous revele que les materiaux composites presentent une stabilite thermique intermediaire entre les fibres de bois et la matrice HDPE. (5) Le test de mouillabilite (angle de contact) revele que l'ajout de fibres de bois ne diminue pas de facon significative les angles de contact avec de l'eau parce que les fibres de bois (bouleau ou tremble) semblent etre enveloppees par la matrice sur la surface des composites, comme le montrent des images prises au microscope electronique a balayage MEB. (6) Le modele de Lavengoof-Goettler predit mieux le module elastique du composite thermoplastique/bois. (7) Le HDPE renforce par 40 % de bouleau est mieux adapte pour la fabrication des engrenages, car le retrait est moins important lors du refroidissement au moulage. La simulation numerique semble mieux predire la temperature d'equilibre a la vitesse de 500 tr/min; alors qu'a 1000 tr/min, on remarque une divergence du modele. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.). None None None None None None None None

Teledetection passive et processus decisionnel a reference spatiale: Application a l'aquaculture en milieu marin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Habbane, Mohamed

L'objectif de cette etude est d'elaborer un processus decisionnel a reference spatiale (PDRS) pour la mariculture. Le PDRS est applique aux eaux cotieres de la baie des Chaleurs, dans le golfe du Saint-Laurent (Canada). Une carte preliminaire regionale d'indices du potentiel maricole, d'une limite de resolution spatiale de 1 kmsp2, est produite avec des parametres du niveau 1. Ces parametres englobent la temperature de l'eau de surface, extraite des images AVHRR, la salinite, les courants ainsi que les pigments chlorophylliens, quantifies a l'aide de mesures in situ. Les images AVHRR, prises en 1994, ont ete utiliees comme reference primaire pour selectionner des aires pouvant supporter une activite maricole sur la cote nord de la baie des Chaleurs. La temperature de surface extraite de ces images permet une analyse mesoechelle a la fois qualitative et quantitative des processus cotiers observes pendant la periode d'acquisition des donnees. Les autres donnees, soit la salinite, les courants et les concentrations en pigments chlorophylliens, sont analysees de facon a identifier la variabilite spatio-temporelle des caracteristiques des eaux de surface. L'ensemble des informations permet de produire une carte preliminaire regionale d'indices du potentiel maricole de la partie centrale de la baie des Chaleurs. Selon cet indice (defini entre 0 et 1), le secteur de potentiel aquicole de 0,5 a 0,75 s'etend sur une superficie d'environ 300 kmsp2. La localisation de cette aire potentielle est en accord avec les fortes concentrations en pigments chlrophylliens, presentant des conditions environnementales ideales a une haute productivite biologique. Par la suite la carte preliminaire est modifiee en tenant compte des parametres du niveau 2. Ces parametres sont la geomorphologie littorale, la bathymetrie, les sediments en suspension, les vents, les vagues, le debit d'eau douce, la glace marine, le carbone organique dissous, les aires de peche et les sources de pollution. Ces parametres sont compares deux a deux par rapport a la carte preliminaire regionale d'indices du potentiel maricole pour determiner leur poids relatif. La carte finale produite avec ces parametres du niveau 2 presente un secteur ou les indices du potentiel maricole sont de 0,5 a 0,75. Ce secteur longe la cote et epouse les isobathes de 10 a 30 m de profondeur. L'effet de la profondeur d'eau semble avoir jouer un role important. Le secteur de potentiel maricole de 0,25 a 0,5 est toujours present et couvre une superficie d'environ 426 kmsp2. L'etude necessitera toujours un suivi des conditions environnementales prevalant dans la region. Ce suivi peut etre effectue a l'aide d'un outil de vision aerospatiale (capteurs de teledetection) et d'analyse spatio-temporelle (SIG-PDRS). (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Photochemical isotope separation

DOEpatents

Robinson, C. Paul; Jensen, Reed J.; Cotter, Theodore P.; Greiner, Norman R.; Boyer, Keith

1987-01-01

A process for separating isotopes by selective excitation of isotopic species of a volatile compound by tuned laser light. A highly cooled gas of the volatile compound is produced in which the isotopic shift is sharpened and defined. Before substantial condensation occurs, the cooled gas is irradiated with laser light precisely tuned to a desired wavelength to selectively excite a particular isotopic species in the cooled gas. The laser light may impart sufficient energy to the excited species to cause it to undergo photochemical reaction or even to photoionize. Alternatively, a two-photon irradiation may be applied to the cooled gas to induce photochemical reaction or photoionization. The process is particularly applicable to the separation of isotopes of uranium and plutonium.

Laser isotope separation

DOEpatents

Robinson, C. Paul; Jensen, Reed J.; Cotter, Theodore P.; Boyer, Keith; Greiner, Norman R.

1988-01-01

A process and apparatus for separating isotopes by selective excitation of isotopic species of a volatile compound by tuned laser light. A highly cooled gas of the volatile compound is produced in which the isotopic shift is sharpened and defined. Before substantial condensation occurs, the cooled gas is irradiated with laser light precisely tuned to a desired wavelength to selectively excite a particular isotopic species in the cooled gas. The laser light may impart sufficient energy to the excited species to cause it to undergo photolysis, photochemical reaction or even to photoionize. Alternatively, a two-photon irradiation may be applied to the cooled gas to induce photolysis, photochemical reaction or photoionization. The process is particularly applicable to the separation of isotopes of uranium.

Isotope separation by laser means

DOEpatents

Robinson, C. Paul; Jensen, Reed J.; Cotter, Theodore P.; Greiner, Norman R.; Boyer, Keith

1982-06-15

A process for separating isotopes by selective excitation of isotopic species of a volatile compound by tuned laser light. A highly cooled gas of the volatile compound is produced in which the isotopic shift is sharpened and defined. Before substantial condensation occurs, the cooled gas is irradiated with laser light precisely tuned to a desired wavelength to selectively excite a particular isotopic species in the cooled gas. The laser light may impart sufficient energy to the excited species to cause it to undergo photochemical reaction or even to photoionize. Alternatively, a two-photon irradiation may be applied to the cooled gas to induce photochemical reaction or photoionization. The process is particularly applicable to the separation of isotopes of uranium and plutonium.

Le niobate de lithium a haute temperature pour les applications ultrasons =

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Castilla, Hector

L'objectif de ce travail de maitrise en sciences appliquees est de trouver puis etudier un materiau piezoelectrique qui est potentiellement utilisable dans les transducteurs ultrasons a haute temperature. En effet, ces derniers sont actuellement limites a des temperatures de fonctionnement en dessous de 300°C a cause de l'element piezoelectrique qui les compose. Palier a cette limitation permettrait des controles non destructifs par ultrasons a haute temperature. Avec de bonnes proprietes electromecaniques et une temperature de Curie elevee (1200°C), le niobate de lithium (LiNbO 3) est un bon candidat. Mais certaines etudes affirment que des processus chimiques tels que l'apparition de conductivite ionique ou l'emergence d'une nouvelle phase ne permettent pas son utilisation dans les transducteurs ultrasons au-dessus de 600°C. Cependant, d'autres etudes plus recentes ont montre qu'il pouvait generer des ultrasons jusqu'a 1000°C et qu'aucune conductivite n'etait visible. Une hypothese a donc emerge : une conductivite ionique est presente dans le niobate de lithium a haute temperature (>500°C) mais elle n'affecte que faiblement ses proprietes a hautes frequences (>100 kHz). Une caracterisation du niobate de lithium a haute temperature est donc necessaire afin de verifier cette hypothese. Pour cela, la methode par resonance a ete employee. Elle permet une caracterisation de la plupart des coefficients electromecaniques avec une simple spectroscopie d'impedance electrochimique et un modele reliant de facon explicite les proprietes au spectre d'impedance. Il s'agit de trouver les coefficients du modele permettant de superposer au mieux le modele avec les mesures experimentales. Un banc experimental a ete realise permettant de controler la temperature des echantillons et de mesurer leur impedance electrochimique. Malheureusement, les modeles actuellement utilises pour la methode par resonance sont imprecis en presence de couplages entre les modes de vibration. Cela implique de posseder plusieurs echantillons de differentes formes afin d'isoler chaque mode principal de vibration. De plus, ces modeles ne prennent pas bien en compte les harmoniques et modes en cisaillement. C'est pourquoi un nouveau modele analytique couvrant tout le spectre frequentiel a ete developpe afin de predire les resonances en cisaillement, les harmoniques et les couplages entre les modes. Neanmoins, certains modes de resonances et certains couplages ne sont toujours pas modelises. La caracterisation d'echantillons carres a pu etre menee jusqu'a 750°C. Les resultats confirment le caractere prometteur du niobate de lithium. Les coefficients piezoelectriques sont stables en fonction de la temperature et l'elasticite et la permittivite ont le comportement attendu. Un effet thermoelectrique ayant un effet similaire a de la conductivite ionique a ete observe ce qui ne permet pas de quantifier l'impact de ce dernier. Bien que des etudes complementaires soient necessaires, l'intensite des resonances a 750°C semble indiquer que le niobate de lithium peut etre utilise pour des applications ultrasons a hautes frequences (>100 kHz).

Internal stresses, dislocation mobility and ductility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saada, G.

1991-06-01

The description of plastic deformation must take into account individual mechanisms and heterogeneity of plastic strain. Influence of dislocation interaction with forest dislocations and of cross slip are connected with the organization of dipole walls. The latter are described and their development is explained as a consequence of edge effects. Applications are discussed. La description de la déformation plastique doit prendre en compte les interactions individuelles des dislocations et l'hétérogénéité à grande échelle de la déformation plastique. Les interactions des dislocations mobiles avec la forêt de dislocations, le glissement dévié, ont pour effet la création de parois dipolaires. Celles-ci sont décrites et leur développement est appliqué à partir des effets de bord.

Computer modeling of lung cancer diagnosis-to-treatment process

PubMed Central

Ju, Feng; Lee, Hyo Kyung; Osarogiagbon, Raymond U.; Yu, Xinhua; Faris, Nick

2015-01-01

We introduce an example of a rigorous, quantitative method for quality improvement in lung cancer care-delivery. Computer process modeling methods are introduced for lung cancer diagnosis, staging and treatment selection process. Two types of process modeling techniques, discrete event simulation (DES) and analytical models, are briefly reviewed. Recent developments in DES are outlined and the necessary data and procedures to develop a DES model for lung cancer diagnosis, leading up to surgical treatment process are summarized. The analytical models include both Markov chain model and closed formulas. The Markov chain models with its application in healthcare are introduced and the approach to derive a lung cancer diagnosis process model is presented. Similarly, the procedure to derive closed formulas evaluating the diagnosis process performance is outlined. Finally, the pros and cons of these methods are discussed. PMID:26380181

The DES Science Verification Weak Lensing Shear Catalogs

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

Jarvis, M.

We present weak lensing shear catalogs for 139 square degrees of data taken during the Science Verification (SV) time for the new Dark Energy Camera (DECam) being used for the Dark Energy Survey (DES). We describe our object selection, point spread function estimation and shear measurement procedures using two independent shear pipelines, IM3SHAPE and NGMIX, which produce catalogs of 2.12 million and 3.44 million galaxies respectively. We also detail a set of null tests for the shear measurements and find that they pass the requirements for systematic errors at the level necessary for weak lensing science applications using the SVmore » data. Furthermore, we discuss some of the planned algorithmic improvements that will be necessary to produce sufficiently accurate shear catalogs for the full 5-year DES, which is expected to cover 5000 square degrees.« less

The DES Science Verification Weak Lensing Shear Catalogs

DOE PAGES

Jarvis, M.

2016-05-01

We present weak lensing shear catalogs for 139 square degrees of data taken during the Science Verification (SV) time for the new Dark Energy Camera (DECam) being used for the Dark Energy Survey (DES). We describe our object selection, point spread function estimation and shear measurement procedures using two independent shear pipelines, IM3SHAPE and NGMIX, which produce catalogs of 2.12 million and 3.44 million galaxies respectively. We also detail a set of null tests for the shear measurements and find that they pass the requirements for systematic errors at the level necessary for weak lensing science applications using the SVmore » data. Furthermore, we discuss some of the planned algorithmic improvements that will be necessary to produce sufficiently accurate shear catalogs for the full 5-year DES, which is expected to cover 5000 square degrees.« less

Schritt fur Schritt: Die Durschsetzung der Rechte geistig behinderter Menschen; Pas a Pas: La mise en application des droits des personnes handicapees mentales; Paso a Paso: Puesta en practica de los derechos de los deficientes mentales (Step by Step: Implementation of the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

International League of Societies for the Mentally Handicapped, Brussels (Belgium).

The booklet presents the proceedings (in English, French, Spanish, and German) of Session 62 of the Seventh World Congress of the International League of Societies for the Mentally Handicapped, detailing some analytical guidelines for national societies on the implementation of the rights of mentally retarded persons. Rights discussed include…

Refractive Surgery: New Techniques and Usability for Military Personnel (La chirurgie refractive: Nouvelles techniques et leur application pour le personnel militaire)

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-11-01

de loin sans correction, la chirurgie réfractive permet aux jeunes recrues ou militaires du rang de satisfaire aux normes de vision sans...correction exigées pour le métier militaire de leur choix, d’où une augmentation du nombre de candidats et la possibilité pour les individus...réfractive risquent d’engendrer des handicaps visuels et d’écourter des carrières militaires. Pour cette raison, la qualité du service fourni

Integrating Occupational Characteristics into Human Performance Models: IPME Versus ISMAT Approach

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-08-01

modélisation générique de la performance humaine appelé Integrated Performance Modelling Environment (IPME). Ce projet a permis d’explorer l’utilisation de la...groupes professionnels dans des modèles de performance humaine : l’approche IPME et l’approche ISMAT Par Christy Lorenzen; RDDC RC 2009-059; R & D...application de simulation d’événements discrets disponible sur le marché et servant à développer des modèles qui simulent la performance humaine et de

Ensemble des troubles causés par l'alcoolisation fœtale : lignes directrices canadiennes concernant le diagnostic

PubMed Central

Chudley, Albert E.; Conry, Julianne; Cook, Jocelynn L.; Loock, Christine; Rosales, Ted; LeBlanc, Nicole

2005-01-01

Résumé LE DIAGNOSTIC DE L'ENSEMBLE DES TROUBLES CAUSÉS PAR L'ALCOOLISATION FÉTALE (ETCAF) est complexe et l'élaboration de lignes directrices concernant le diagnostic est justifiée. Un sous-comité du Comité consultatif national de l'Agence de santé publique du Canada sur l'Ensemble des troubles causés par l'alcoolisation fœtale a examiné, analysé et intégré les méthodes de diagnostic actuelles afin de parvenir à une méthode de diagnostic normalisée faisant le consensus au Canada. L'objet du présent document est d'examiner et de clarifier l'utilisation des systèmes de diagnostic actuels et de formuler des recommandations quant à leur application pour le diagnostic des déficiences liées à l'ETCAF chez des individus de tous les âges. Les lignes directrices sont fondées sur un vaste consensus de praticiens et d'autres intervenants spécialisés dans le domaine. Ces lignes directrices ont été organisées en sept catégories, soit le dépistage et l'orientation vers les spécialistes, l'examen physique et le diagnostic différentiel, l'évaluation du comportement neurologique, le traitement et le suivi, les antécédents de consommation d'alcool de la mère pendant la grossesse, les critères du diagnostic pour le syndrome d'alcoolisation fœtale (SAF), SAF partiel et troubles neurologiques du développement liés à l'alcool, l'harmonisation de l'Institute of Medicine (IOM) et des approches du Code diagnostique à 4 chiffres. Le diagnostic exige une évaluation complète des antécédents, ainsi qu'un examen physique et du comportement neurologique, tout en recourant à une approche multidisciplinaire. Les présentes lignes directrices pour le diagnostic du syndrome d'alcoolisation fœtale et des déficiences qui y sont associées sont les premières à avoir été élaborées au Canada et elles sont fondées sur la consultation d'un grand éventail de spécialistes du diagnostic.

75 FR 15406 - Inviting Applications for Rural Business Opportunity Grants

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-29

... Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 873, 210 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309... corporations, Indian Tribes on Federal or State reservations and other Federally-recognized Tribal groups, and... (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0570- 0024. B. Content and Form of Submission An application must be...

Détection des transitions lithologiques par l'analyse de la composante fractale des diagraphies par transformée continue en ondelettes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zaourar, Naima; Hamoudi, Mohamed; Briqueu, Louis

2006-06-01

The frequency analysis of many log data permits to verify that their stochastic component show 'power-law-type' spectral densities, characteristic of 1/f noise. They can be modelled by fractional Brownian motions. Continuous Wavelet Transformation (CWT) provides us with very efficient methods to determine the local spectral exponents of these scaling laws. These new attributes are related to the local fractality of these signals. We first present some theoretical results and an application to a fractional Brownian motion. The second application concerns a dataset recorded in the MAR203 borehole. We show that clustering of these new pseudo-logs leads to a good resolution between different lithofacies. To cite this article: N. Zaourar et al., C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).

Multi-factorial in vivo stable isotope fractionation: causes, correlations, consequences and applications.

PubMed

Schmidt, Hanns-Ludwig; Robins, Richard J; Werner, Roland A

2015-01-01

Many physical and chemical processes in living systems are accompanied by isotope fractionation on H, C, N, O and S. Although kinetic or thermodynamic isotope effects are always the basis, their in vivo manifestation is often modulated by secondary influences. These include metabolic branching events or metabolite channeling, metabolite pool sizes, reaction mechanisms, anatomical properties and compartmentation of plants and animals, and climatological or environmental conditions. In the present contribution, the fundamentals of isotope effects and their manifestation under in vivo conditions are outlined. The knowledge about and the understanding of these interferences provide a potent tool for the reconstruction of physiological events in plants and animals, their geographical origin, the history of bulk biomass and the biosynthesis of defined representatives. It allows the use of isotope characteristics of biomass for the elucidation of biochemical pathways and reaction mechanisms and for the reconstruction of climatic, physiological, ecological and environmental conditions during biosynthesis. Thus, it can be used for the origin and authenticity control of food, the study of ecosystems and animal physiology, the reconstruction of present and prehistoric nutrition chains and paleaoclimatological conditions. This is demonstrated by the outline of fundamental and application-orientated examples for all bio-elements. The aim of the review is to inform (advanced) students from various disciplines about the whole potential and the scope of stable isotope characteristics and fractionations and to provide them with a comprehensive introduction to the literature on fundamental aspects and applications.

MIR hollow waveguide (HWG) isotope ratio analyzer for environmental applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhenyou; Zhuang, Yan; Deev, Andrei; Wu, Sheng

2017-05-01

An advanced commercial Mid-InfraRed Isotope Ratio (IR2) analyzer was developed in Arrow Grand Technologies based on hollow waveguide (HWG) as the sample tube. The stable carbon isotope ratio, i.e. δ13C, was obtained by measuring the selected CO2 absorption peaks in the MIR. Combined with a GC and a combustor, it has been successfully employed to measure compound specific δ13C isotope ratios in the field. By using both the 1- pass HWG and 5-path HWG, we are able to measure δ13C isotope ratio at a broad CO2 concentration of 300 ppm-37,500 ppm. Here, we demonstrate its applications in environmental studies. The δ13C isotope ratio and concentration of CO2 exhaled by soil samples was measured in real time with the isotope analyzer. The concentration was found to change with the time. We also convert the Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) into CO2, and then measure the δ13C isotope ratio with an accuracy of better than 0.3 ‰ (1 σ) with a 6 min test time and 1 ml sample usage. Tap water, NaHCO3 solvent, coca, and even beer were tested. Lastly, the 13C isotope ratio of CO2 exhaled by human beings was obtained <10 seconds after simply blowing the exhaled CO2 into a tube with an accuracy of 0.5‰ (1 σ) without sample preconditioning. In summary, a commercial HWG isotope analyzer was demonstrated to be able to perform environmental and health studies with a high accuracy ( 0.3 ‰/Hz1/2 1 σ), fast sampling rate (up to 10 Hz), low sample consumption ( 1 ml), and broad CO2 concentration range (300 ppm-37,500 ppm).

High-frequency field-deployable isotope analyzer for hydrological applications

Treesearch

Elena S.F. Berman; Manish Gupta; Chris Gabrielli; Tina Garland; Jeffrey J. McDonnell

2009-01-01

A high-frequency, field-deployable liquid water isotope analyzer was developed. The instrument was deployed for 4 contiguous weeks in the H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest Long-term Ecological Research site in western Oregon, where it was used for real-time measurement of the isotope ratios of precipitation and stream water during three large storm events. We were able...

Improved Discrimination for Brassica Vegetables Treated with Agricultural Fertilizers Using a Combined Chemometric Approach.

PubMed

Yuan, Yuwei; Hu, Guixian; Chen, Tianjin; Zhao, Ming; Zhang, Yongzhi; Li, Yong; Xu, Xiahong; Shao, Shengzhi; Zhu, Jiahong; Wang, Qiang; Rogers, Karyne M

2016-07-20

Multielement and stable isotope (δ(13)C, δ(15)N, δ(2)H, δ(18)O, (207)Pb/(206)Pb, and (208)Pb/(206)Pb) analyses were combined to provide a new chemometric approach to improve the discrimination between organic and conventional Brassica vegetable production. Different combinations of organic and conventional fertilizer treatments were used to demonstrate this authentication approach using Brassica chinensis planted in experimental test pots. Stable isotope analyses (δ(15)N and δ(13)C) of B. chinensis using elemental analyzer-isotope ratio mass spectrometry easily distinguished organic and chemical fertilizer treatments. However, for low-level application fertilizer treatments, this dual isotope approach became indistinguishable over time. Using a chemometric approach (combined isotope and elemental approach), organic and chemical fertilizer mixes and low-level applications of synthetic and organic fertilizers were detectable in B. chinensis and their associated soils, improving the detection limit beyond the capacity of individual isotopes or elemental characterization. LDA shows strong promise as an improved method to discriminate genuine organic Brassica vegetables from produce treated with chemical fertilizers and could be used as a robust test for organic produce authentication.

Development of a High Resolution-High Sensitivity Ion Microprobe Facility for Cosmochemical Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McKeegan, Kevin D.

1998-01-01

NASA NAGW-4112 has supported development of the CAMECA ims 1270 ion microprobe at UCLA for applications in cosmochemistry. The instrument has been brought to an operational status and techniques developed for accurate, precise microbeam analysis of oxygen isotope ratios in polished thin-sections. We made the first oxygen isotopic (delta(18)O and delta(17)O) measurements of rare mafic silicates in the most chemically primitive meteorites, the a chondrites (Leshin et al., 1997). The results have implications for both high temperature processing in the nebula and low-T aqueous alteration on the CI asteroid. We have performed measurements of oxygen isotopic compositions of magnetite and co-existing olivine from carbonaceous (Choi et al., 1997) and unequilibrated ordinary chondrites (Choi et al., in press). This work has identified a significant new oxygen isotope reservoir in the early solar system: water characterized by a very high Delta(17)) value of approx. 5 % per thousand. We have determined the spatial distributions of oxygen isotopic anomalies in all major mineral phases of a type B CAI from Allende. We have also studied an unusual fractionated CAI from Leoville and made the first oxygen isotopic measurements in rare CAIs from ordinary chondrites.

Mass spectrometry in Earth sciences: the precise and accurate measurement of time.

PubMed

Schaltegger, Urs; Wotzlaw, Jörn-Frederik; Ovtcharova, Maria; Chiaradia, Massimo; Spikings, Richard

2014-01-01

Precise determinations of the isotopic compositions of a variety of elements is a widely applied tool in Earth sciences. Isotope ratios are used to quantify rates of geological processes that occurred during the previous 4.5 billion years, and also at the present time. An outstanding application is geochronology, which utilizes the production of radiogenic daughter isotopes by the radioactive decay of parent isotopes. Geochronological tools, involving isotopic analysis of selected elements from smallest volumes of minerals by thermal ionization mass spectrometry, provide precise and accurate measurements of time throughout the geological history of our planet over nine orders of magnitude, from the accretion of the proto-planetary disk, to the timing of the last glaciation. This article summarizes the recent efforts of the Isotope Geochemistry, Geochronology and Thermochronology research group at the University of Geneva to advance the U-Pb geochronological tool to achieve unprecedented precision and accuracy, and presents two examples of its application to two significant open questions in Earth sciences: what are the triggers and timescales of volcanic supereruptions, and what were the causes of mass extinctions in the geological past, driven by global climatic and environmental deterioration?

Population-Level Metrics of Trophic Structure Based on Stable Isotopes and Their Application to Invasion Ecology

PubMed Central

Jackson, Michelle C.; Donohue, Ian; Jackson, Andrew L.; Britton, J. Robert; Harper, David M.; Grey, Jonathan

2012-01-01

Biological invasions are a significant driver of human-induced global change and many ecosystems sustain sympatric invaders. Interactions occurring among these invaders have important implications for ecosystem structure and functioning, yet they are poorly understood. Here we apply newly developed metrics derived from stable isotope data to provide quantitative measures of trophic diversity within populations or species. We then use these to test the hypothesis that sympatric invaders belonging to the same functional feeding group occupy a smaller isotopic niche than their allopatric counterparts. Two introduced, globally important, benthic omnivores, Louisiana swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) and carp (Cyprinus carpio), are sympatric in Lake Naivasha, Kenya. We applied our metrics to an 8-year data set encompassing the establishment of carp in the lake. We found a strong asymmetric interaction between the two invasive populations, as indicated by inverse correlations between carp abundance and measures of crayfish trophic diversity. Lack of isotopic niche overlap between carp and crayfish in the majority of years indicated a predominantly indirect interaction. We suggest that carp-induced habitat alteration reduced the diversity of crayfish prey, resulting in a reduction in the dietary niche of crayfish. Stable isotopes provide an integrated signal of diet over space and time, offering an appropriate scale for the study of population niches, but few isotope studies have retained the often insightful information revealed by variability among individuals in isotope values. Our population metrics incorporate such variation, are robust to the vagaries of sample size and are a useful additional tool to reveal subtle dietary interactions among species. Although we have demonstrated their applicability specifically using a detailed temporal dataset of species invasion in a lake, they have a wide array of potential ecological applications. PMID:22363724

Population-level metrics of trophic structure based on stable isotopes and their application to invasion ecology.

PubMed

Jackson, Michelle C; Donohue, Ian; Jackson, Andrew L; Britton, J Robert; Harper, David M; Grey, Jonathan

2012-01-01

Biological invasions are a significant driver of human-induced global change and many ecosystems sustain sympatric invaders. Interactions occurring among these invaders have important implications for ecosystem structure and functioning, yet they are poorly understood. Here we apply newly developed metrics derived from stable isotope data to provide quantitative measures of trophic diversity within populations or species. We then use these to test the hypothesis that sympatric invaders belonging to the same functional feeding group occupy a smaller isotopic niche than their allopatric counterparts. Two introduced, globally important, benthic omnivores, Louisiana swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) and carp (Cyprinus carpio), are sympatric in Lake Naivasha, Kenya. We applied our metrics to an 8-year data set encompassing the establishment of carp in the lake. We found a strong asymmetric interaction between the two invasive populations, as indicated by inverse correlations between carp abundance and measures of crayfish trophic diversity. Lack of isotopic niche overlap between carp and crayfish in the majority of years indicated a predominantly indirect interaction. We suggest that carp-induced habitat alteration reduced the diversity of crayfish prey, resulting in a reduction in the dietary niche of crayfish. Stable isotopes provide an integrated signal of diet over space and time, offering an appropriate scale for the study of population niches, but few isotope studies have retained the often insightful information revealed by variability among individuals in isotope values. Our population metrics incorporate such variation, are robust to the vagaries of sample size and are a useful additional tool to reveal subtle dietary interactions among species. Although we have demonstrated their applicability specifically using a detailed temporal dataset of species invasion in a lake, they have a wide array of potential ecological applications.

Stable isotope tracers and exercise physiology: past, present and future.

PubMed

Wilkinson, Daniel J; Brook, Matthew S; Smith, Kenneth; Atherton, Philip J

2017-05-01

Stable isotope tracers have been invaluable assets in physiological research for over 80 years. The application of substrate-specific stable isotope tracers has permitted exquisite insight into amino acid, fatty-acid and carbohydrate metabolic regulation (i.e. incorporation, flux, and oxidation, in a tissue-specific and whole-body fashion) in health, disease and response to acute and chronic exercise. Yet, despite many breakthroughs, there are limitations to 'substrate-specific' stable isotope tracers, which limit physiological insight, e.g. the need for intravenous infusions and restriction to short-term studies (hours) in controlled laboratory settings. In recent years significant interest has developed in alternative stable isotope tracer techniques that overcome these limitations, in particular deuterium oxide (D 2 O or heavy water). The unique properties of this tracer mean that through oral administration, the turnover and flux through a number of different substrates (muscle proteins, lipids, glucose, DNA (satellite cells)) can be monitored simultaneously and flexibly (hours/weeks/months) without the need for restrictive experimental control. This makes it uniquely suited for the study of 'real world' human exercise physiology (amongst many other applications). Moreover, using D 2 O permits evaluation of turnover of plasma and muscle proteins (e.g. dynamic proteomics) in addition to metabolomics (e.g. fluxomics) to seek molecular underpinnings, e.g. of exercise adaptation. Here, we provide insight into the role of stable isotope tracers, from substrate-specific to novel D 2 O approaches, in facilitating our understanding of metabolism. Further novel potential applications of stable isotope tracers are also discussed in the context of integration with the snowballing field of 'omic' technologies. © 2016 The Authors. The Journal of Physiology © 2016 The Physiological Society.

IsoCor: correcting MS data in isotope labeling experiments.

PubMed

Millard, Pierre; Letisse, Fabien; Sokol, Serguei; Portais, Jean-Charles

2012-05-01

Mass spectrometry (MS) is widely used for isotopic labeling studies of metabolism and other biological processes. Quantitative applications-e.g. metabolic flux analysis-require tools to correct the raw MS data for the contribution of all naturally abundant isotopes. IsoCor is a software that allows such correction to be applied to any chemical species. Hence it can be used to exploit any isotopic tracer, from well-known ((13)C, (15)N, (18)O, etc) to unusual ((57)Fe, (77)Se, etc) isotopes. It also provides new features-e.g. correction for the isotopic purity of the tracer-to improve the accuracy of quantitative isotopic studies, and implements an efficient algorithm to process large datasets. Its user-friendly interface makes isotope labeling experiments more accessible to a wider biological community. IsoCor is distributed under OpenSource license at http://metasys.insa-toulouse.fr/software/isocor/

Bottlebrush elastomers: a promising molecular engineering route to tunable, prestrain-free dielectric elastomers (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vatankhah-Varnosfaderani, Mohammad; Daniel, William F. M.; Zhushma, Alexandr P.; Li, Qiaoxi; Morgan, Benjamin J.; Matyjaszewski, Krzysztof; Armstrong, Daniel P.; Dobrynin, Andrey V.; Sheyko, Sergei S.; Spontak, Richard J.

2017-04-01

Electroactive polymers (EAPs) refer to a broad range of relatively soft materials that change size and/or shape upon application of an electrical stimulus. Of these, dielectric elastomers (DEs) generated from either chemically- or physically-crosslinked polymer networks afford the highest levels of electroactuation strain, thereby making this class of EAPs the leading technology for artificial-muscle applications. While mechanically prestraining elastic networks remarkably enhances DEs electroactuation, external prestrain protocols severely limit both actuator performance and device implementation due to gradual DE stress relaxation and the presence of a cumbersome load frame. These drawbacks have persisted with surprisingly minimal advances in the actuation of single-component elastomers since the dawn of the "pre-strain era" introduced by Pelrine et al. (Science, 2000). In this work, we present a bottom-up, molecular-based strategy for the design of prestrain-free (freestanding) DEs derived from covalently-crosslinked bottlebrush polymers. This architecture, wherein design factors such as crosslink density, graft density and graft length can all be independently controlled, yields inherently strained polymer networks that can be readily adapted to a variety of chemistries. To validate the use of these molecularly-tunable materials as DEs, we have synthesized a series of bottlebrush silicone elastomers in as-cast shapes. Examination of these materials reveals that they undergo giant electroactuation strains (>300%) at relatively low fields (<10 V/m), thereby outperforming all commercial DEs to date and opening new opportunities in responsive soft-material technologies (e.g., robotics). The molecular design approach to controlling (electro)mechanical developed here is independent of chemistry and permits access to an unprecedented range of actuation properties from elastomeric materials with traditionally modest electroactuation performance (e.g., polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS). Experimental results obtained here compare favorably with theoretical predictions and demonstrate that the unique behavior of these materials is a direct consequence of the molecular architecture.

Apport de la simulation numérique à la compréhension des mécanismes d'interaction de cavités dans le cadre de la modélisation de l'endommagement ductile sous sollicitation dynamique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, G.; Buy, F.; Llorca, F.

2002-12-01

L'étude présentée s'inscrit dans le cadre d'une démarche menant à la construction d'un modèle analytique ou semi analytique de comportement élasto-visco-plastique endommageable, applicable aux chargements rencontrés en configuration d'impact violent et générant de l'écaillage ductile. La prise en compte des effets de compressibilité et de micro inertie est essentielle pour modéliser la phase de croissance. Des simulations numériques globales de la structure et locales à l'échelle des hétérogénéités permettent d'évaluer les niveaux de sollicitations dans les zones susceptibles de s'endommager, dévaluer des critères analytiques de germination de l'endommagement et de comprendre les mécanismes d'interaction entre les défauts. Les effets micro inertiels et de compressibilité sont ainsi mis en évidence dans les phases de germination et de coalescence des micro défauts. II s'agit ici d'une illustration non exhaustive de travaux engagés au CEA Valduc sur le tantale, dans le cadre d'une thèse [10]. Un programme matériaux en partenariat CEA-CNRS sur la modélisation multi échelles du comportement de structures a également été initié dans ce contexte.

Conception, elaboration et mise a l'essai d'un simulateur interactif permettant une approche modelisante: Application aux lois de la genetique mendelienne

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lasri, Abdel-Halim

Dans cette recherche-developpement, nous avons concu, developpe et mis a l'essai un simulateur interactif pour favoriser l'apprentissage des lois probabilistes impliqees dans la genetique mendelienne. Cet environnement informatise devra permettre aux etudiants de mener des experiences simulees, utilisant les statistiques et les probebilites comme outils mathematiques pour modeliser le phenomene de la transmission des caracteres hereditaires. L'approche didactique est essentiellement orientee vers l'utilisation des methodes quantitatives impliquees dans l'experimentation des facteurs hereditaires. En incorporant au simulateur le principe de la "Lunette cognitive" de Nonnon (1986), l'etudiant fut place dans une situation ou il a pu synchroniser la perception de la representation iconique (concrete) et symbolique (abstraite) des lois probabilistes de Mendel. A l'aide de cet environnement, nous avons amene l'etudiant a identifier le(s) caractere(s) hereditaire(s) des parents a croiser, a predire les frequences phenotypiques probables de la descendance issue du croisement, a observer les resultats statistiques et leur fluctuation au niveau de l'histogramme des frequences, a comparer ces resultats aux predictions anticipees, a interpreter les donnees et a selectionner en consequence d'autres experiences a realiser. Les etapes de l'approche inductive sont privilegiees du debut a la fin des activites proposees. L'elaboration, du simulateur et des documents d'accompagnement, a ete concue a partir d'une vingtaine de principes directeurs et d'un modele d'action. Ces principes directeurs et le modele d'action decoulent de considerations theoriques psychologiques, didactiques et technologiques. La recherche decrit la structure des differentes parties composant le simulateur. L'architecture de celui-ci est construite autour d'une unite centrale, la "Principale", dont les liens et les ramifications avec les autres unites confere a l'ensemble du simulateur sa souplesse et sa facilite d'utilisation. Le simulateur "Genetique", a l'etat de prototype, et la documentation qui lui est afferente ont ete soumis a deux mises a l'essai: l'une fonctionnelle, l'autre empirique. La mise a l'essai fonctionnelle, menee aupres d'un groupe d'enseignants experts, a permis d'identifier les lacunes du materiel elabore afin de lui apporter les reajustements qui s'imposaient. La mise a l'essai empirique, conduite par un groupe de onze (11) etudiants de niveau secondaire, avait pour but, d'une part, de tester la facilite d'utilisation du simulateur "Genetique" ainsi que les documents d'accompagnement et, d'autre part, de verifier si les participants retiraient des avantages pedagogiques de cet environnement. Trois techniques furent exploitees pour recolter les donnees de la mise a l'essai empirique. L'analyse des resultats a permis de faire un retour critique sur les productions concretes de cette recherche et d'apporter les modifications necessaires tant au simulateur qu'aux documents d'accompagnement. Cette analyse a permis egalement de conclure que notre simulateur interactif favorise une approche inductive permettant aux etudiants de s'approprier les lois probabilistes de Mendel. Enfin, la conclusion degage des pistes de recherches destinees aux etudes ulterieures, plus particulierement celles qui s'interessent a developper des simulateurs, afin d'integrer a ceux-ci des representations concretes et abstraites presentees en temps reel. Les disquettes du simulateur "Genetique" et les documents d'accompagnement sont annexes a la presente recherche.

Petrological, geochemical, and stable isotope constraints on the genesis of the Miocene igneous rocks of Chetaibi and Cap de Fer (NE Algeria)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laouar, R.; Boyce, A. J.; Arafa, M.; Ouabadi, A.; Fallick, A. E.

2005-06-01

Miocene igneous rocks (diorites, andesites, dacites, rhyolites and microgranites) of Chetaibi and Cap de Fer massif, NE Algeria, are high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic rocks. Fresh diorites have δ 34S and δ 18O values ranging between -2.5‰ and +5.9‰, +6.5‰ and +6.7‰ respectively, indicating a mantle origin. The relatively low δ 34S values (-5.4‰ to -12.2‰) and high δ 18O (+8.3‰ to +9.0‰) of altered diorites indicate the input of a crustal component to the initial magma. The microgranites' I-type signature is indicated by the geochemical data and the δ 34S and δ 18O values of -1.2‰ and -3.6‰, and +7.8‰ to +10.4‰ respectively. The andesites show a large variation of δ 34S, between -33.2‰ and +25.7‰. Massive andesites with δ 34S between +6.8‰ and +7.6‰ preserve a 34S-enriched mantle signature. The δ 34S of the lava flows between +25.7‰ and +25.8‰ are attributed to open system magma degassing, whereas the low δ 34S of two andesitic dyke samples (-13.7‰ and -33.2‰) strongly suggest a crustal sulphur input. High δ 18O (+9.2‰ to +15.7‰) of andesites indicate post-magmatic alteration (mainly silicification); the flyschs with δ 18O between of +13.3‰ and +21.7‰ are most likely the contaminant. Quartz veins within the andesites gave a δ 18O value of +23.0‰ while silica-filling vesicles yielded a value of +13.8‰. Initial Sr-isotope data are rather high for all the rocks (diorites: 0.707-0.708, andesites: 0.707-0.710, and microgranites and rhyolites: 0.717-0.719), and because geochemical and stable isotope data do not indicate a substantial amount of crustal assimilation, an extensive enrichment of the mantle source by subducted sediments is called for. A metasomatized-mantle source, characterized by high radiogenic Sr and relatively high δ 18O, has also been indicated for the genesis of similar Tertiary igneous rocks in the Western Mediterranean basin, e.g. the Volcanic Province of southeasten Spain [Benito, R., Lopez-Ruiz, J., Cebria, J.M., Hertogen, J., Doblas M., Oyarzun, R., Demaiffe, D., 1999. Sr and O isotope constraints on source and crustal contamination in the high-K calc-alkaline and shoshonitic neogene volcanic rocks of SE Spain. Lithos 46, 773-802] and some plutons of northeastern Algeria [Ouabadi, A., 1994. Pétrologie, géochimie et origine des granitoïdes peralumineux à cordiérite (Cap Bougaroun, Béni-Touffout et Filfila), Algérie nord-orientale. Thèse de Doctorat, Université de Rennes I, France, 257p; Fourcade, S., Capdevila, R., Ouabadi, A., Martineau, F., 2001. The origin and geodynamic significance of the Alpine cordierite-bearing granitoids of northern Algeria. A combined petrological, mineralogical, geochemical and isotopic (O, H, Sr, Nd) study. Lithos 57, 187-216].

Estimating pathway-specific contributions to biodegradation in aquifers based on dual isotope analysis: theoretical analysis and reactive transport simulations.

PubMed

Centler, Florian; Heße, Falk; Thullner, Martin

2013-09-01

At field sites with varying redox conditions, different redox-specific microbial degradation pathways contribute to total contaminant degradation. The identification of pathway-specific contributions to total contaminant removal is of high practical relevance, yet difficult to achieve with current methods. Current stable-isotope-fractionation-based techniques focus on the identification of dominant biodegradation pathways under constant environmental conditions. We present an approach based on dual stable isotope data to estimate the individual contributions of two redox-specific pathways. We apply this approach to carbon and hydrogen isotope data obtained from reactive transport simulations of an organic contaminant plume in a two-dimensional aquifer cross section to test the applicability of the method. To take aspects typically encountered at field sites into account, additional simulations addressed the effects of transverse mixing, diffusion-induced stable-isotope fractionation, heterogeneities in the flow field, and mixing in sampling wells on isotope-based estimates for aerobic and anaerobic pathway contributions to total contaminant biodegradation. Results confirm the general applicability of the presented estimation method which is most accurate along the plume core and less accurate towards the fringe where flow paths receive contaminant mass and associated isotope signatures from the core by transverse dispersion. The presented method complements the stable-isotope-fractionation-based analysis toolbox. At field sites with varying redox conditions, it provides a means to identify the relative importance of individual, redox-specific degradation pathways. © 2013.

Hydrogeology of a fractured shale (Opalinus Clay): Implications for deep geological disposal of radioactive wastes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gautschi, Andreas

2001-01-01

As part of the Swiss programme for high-level radioactive-waste disposal, a Jurassic shale (Opalinus Clay) is being investigated as a potential host rock. Observations in clay pits and the results of a German research programme focusing on hazardous waste disposal have demonstrated that, at depths of 10-30 m, the permeability of the Opalinus Clay decreases by several orders of magnitude. Hydraulic tests in deeper boreholes (test intervals below 300 m) yielded hydraulic conductivities <10-12 m/s, even though joints and faults were included in some of the test intervals. These measurements are consistent with hydrogeological data from Opalinus Clay sections in ten tunnels in the Folded Jura of northern Switzerland. Despite extensive faulting, only a few indications of minor water inflow were encountered in more than 6,600 m of tunnel. All inflows were in tunnel sections where the overburden is less than 200 m. The hydraulic data are consistent with clay pore-water hydrochemical and isotopic data. The extensive hydrogeological data base - part of which derives from particularly unfavourable geological environments - provides arguments that advective transport through faults and joints is not a critical issue for the suitability of Opalinus Clay as a host rock for deep geological waste disposal. Résumé. Dans le cadre du programme suisse de stockage de déchets hautement radioactifs, une formation argileuse du Jurassique, l'argile à Opalinus, a été étudiée en tant que roche hôte potentielle. Des observations dans des cavités dans l'argile et les résultats du programme de recherche allemand consacré au stockage de déchets à risques ont démontré que, à des profondeur de 10 à 30 m, la perméabilité des argiles à Opalinus décroît de plusieurs ordres de grandeur. Des essais hydrauliques dans des forages plus profonds (intervalles de test á une profondeur de plus de 300 m) ont donné des conductivités hydrauliques inférieures à 10-12 m/s, même lorsque des fractures et des failles existaient dans certains des intervalles d'essais. Ces mesures sont conformes aux données hydrogéologiques tirées du recoupement des argiles à Opalinus par dix tunnels du Jura plissé du nord de la Suisse. Malgré une tectonique intense, peu de manifestations de faibles venues d'eau ont été rencontrées dans plus de 6600 m de tunnel. Toutes les venues d'eau se sont produites dans des sections de tunnel où le recouvrement est inférieur à 200 m. Les données hydrauliques sont en bon accord avec les données hydrochimiques et isotopiques de l'eau porale des argiles. En se basant sur le grand nombre de données hydrogéologiques, qui portent en partie sur les environnements géologiques particulièrement peu propices, on peut avancer que le transport advectif le long des failles et des fractures n'est pas un facteur susceptible de remettre en question le choix de l'argile à Opalinus comme roche hôte pour le stockage de déchets radioactifs en formation géologique profonde. Resúmen. Dentro del programa suizo de eliminación de residuos radiactivos de alta actividad, se está investigando la posibilidad de utilizar unos esquistos Jurásicos (Arcilla Opalina) como depósito geológico. Las observaciones efectuadas en pozos en arcilla y los resultados de un programa de estudio alemán sobre eliminación de residuos peligrosos han demostrado que, a profundidades de entre 10 y 30 m, la permeabilidad de la Arcilla Opalina decrece en varios órdenes de magnitud. Los ensayos hidráulicos realizados en sondeos más profundos (en intervalos situados a más de 300 m) proporcionaron conductividades hidráulicas inferiores a 10-12 m/s, pese a que algunos de los intervalos interceptaban juntas y fallas. Estas medidas son coherentes con los datos hidrogeológicos de las secciones de Arcilla Opalina existentes en 10 túneles del Jurásico Plegado, al norte de Suiza. A pesar de las fallas extensivas, apenas se hallaron indicios de entrada de agua en los más de 6.600 m de túnel. Todos los flujos tenían lugar en secciones del túnel que soportan sobrecargas inferiores a 200 m. Los datos hidráulicos son coherentes con los datos hidroquímicos e isotópicos del agua intersticial de las arcillas. Los abundantes datos hidrogeológicos -parte de los cuales proceden de medios particularmente desfavorables desde el punto de vista geológico- proporcionan argumentos de que el transporte advectivo a través de fallas y juntas no es un aspecto crítico en lo que respecta a la idoneidad de la Arcilla Opalina como almacenamiento geológico profundo de residuos.

Stable isotope views on ecosystem function: challenging or challenged?

PubMed

Resco, Víctor; Querejeta, José I; Ogle, Kiona; Voltas, Jordi; Sebastià, Maria-Teresa; Serrano-Ortiz, Penélope; Linares, Juan C; Moreno-Gutiérrez, Cristina; Herrero, Asier; Carreira, José A; Torres-Cañabate, Patricia; Valladares, Fernando

2010-06-23

Stable isotopes and their potential for detecting various and complex ecosystem processes are attracting an increasing number of scientists. Progress is challenging, particularly under global change scenarios, but some established views have been challenged. The IX meeting of the Spanish Association of Terrestrial Ecology (AAET, Ubeda, 18-22 October 2009) hosted a symposium on the ecology of stable isotopes where the linear mixing model approach of partitioning sinks and sources of carbon and water fluxes within an ecosystem was challenged, and new applications of stable isotopes for the study of plant interactions were evaluated. Discussion was also centred on the need for networks that monitor ecological processes using stable isotopes and key ideas for fostering future research with isotopes.

A comparison of lead-isotope measurements on exploration-type samples using inductively coupled plasma and thermal ionization mass spectrometry

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gulson, B.L.; Meier, A.L.; Church, S.E.; Mizon, K.J.

1989-01-01

Thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TI-MS) has long been the method of choice for Pb-isotope determinations. More recently, however, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been used to determine Pb-isotope ratios for mineral exploration. The ICP-MS technique, although not as precise as TI-MS, may promote a wider application of Ph-isotope ratio methods because it allows individual isotopes to be determined more rapidly, generally without need for chemical separation (e.g., Smith et al., 1984; Hinners et al., 1987). To demonstrate the utility of the ICP-MS method, we have conducted a series of Pb-isotope measurements on several suites of samples using both TI-MS and ICP-MS. ?? 1989.

Stable isotope views on ecosystem function: challenging or challenged?

PubMed Central

Resco, Víctor; Querejeta, José I.; Ogle, Kiona; Voltas, Jordi; Sebastià, Maria-Teresa; Serrano-Ortiz, Penélope; Linares, Juan C.; Moreno-Gutiérrez, Cristina; Herrero, Asier; Carreira, José A.; Torres-Cañabate, Patricia; Valladares, Fernando

2010-01-01

Stable isotopes and their potential for detecting various and complex ecosystem processes are attracting an increasing number of scientists. Progress is challenging, particularly under global change scenarios, but some established views have been challenged. The IX meeting of the Spanish Association of Terrestrial Ecology (AAET, Úbeda, 18–22 October 2009) hosted a symposium on the ecology of stable isotopes where the linear mixing model approach of partitioning sinks and sources of carbon and water fluxes within an ecosystem was challenged, and new applications of stable isotopes for the study of plant interactions were evaluated. Discussion was also centred on the need for networks that monitor ecological processes using stable isotopes and key ideas for fostering future research with isotopes. PMID:20015858

Laser isotope separation

DOEpatents

Robinson, C.P.; Reed, J.J.; Cotter, T.P.; Boyer, K.; Greiner, N.R.

1975-11-26

A process and apparatus for separating isotopes by selective excitation of isotopic species of a volatile compound by tuned laser light is described. A highly cooled gas of the volatile compound is produced in which the isotopic shift is sharpened and defined. Before substantial condensation occurs, the cooled gas is irradiated with laser light precisely tuned to a desired wavelength to selectively excite a particular isotopic species in the cooled gas. The laser light may impart sufficient energy to the excited species to cause it to undergo photolysis, photochemical reaction or even to photoionize. Alternatively, a two-photon irradiation may be applied to the cooled gas to induce photolysis, photochemical reaction or photoionization. The process is particularly applicable to the separation of isotopes of uranium.

Photochemical isotope separation

DOEpatents

Robinson, C.P.; Jensen, R.J.; Cotter, T.P.; Greiner, N.R.; Boyer, K.

1987-04-28

A process is described for separating isotopes by selective excitation of isotopic species of a volatile compound by tuned laser light. A highly cooled gas of the volatile compound is produced in which the isotopic shift is sharpened and defined. Before substantial condensation occurs, the cooled gas is irradiated with laser light precisely tuned to a desired wavelength to selectively excite a particular isotopic species in the cooled gas. The laser light may impart sufficient energy to the excited species to cause it to undergo photochemical reaction or even to photoionize. Alternatively, a two-photon irradiation may be applied to the cooled gas to induce photochemical reaction or photoionization. The process is particularly applicable to the separation of isotopes of uranium and plutonium. 8 figs.

Modelingofwaterisotopesinpolarregionsandapplicationtoicecorestudies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jouzel, J.

2012-04-01

Willi Dansgaard spear-headed the use of the stable isotopes of water in climatology and palaeoclimatology especially as applied to deep ice cores for which measurements of the oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios remain the key tools for reconstructing continuous palaeotemperature records. In the line of his pioneering work on "Stable isotopes in precipitation" published in Tellus in 1964, I will review how isotopic models, either Rayleigh type or based on the implementation of water isotopes in General Circulation Models, have developed and been used for applications in polar ice core studies. This will include a discussion of the conventional approach for interpreting water isotopes in ice cores and of additional information provided by measurements of the deuterium excess and more recently of the 17O-excess.

Transcriptional changes in organoculture of full-thickness human skin following topical application of all-trans retinoic acid

PubMed Central

Gillbro, J M; Al-Bader, T; Westman, M; Olsson, M J; Mavon, A

2014-01-01

Synopsis Objective Retinoids are used as therapeutic agents for numerous skin diseases, for example, psoriasis, acne and keratinization disorders. The same substances have also been recognized in the treatment for hyperpigmentation disorders such as melasma. Other studies on photo-damaged skin have shown that retinoids reduce wrinkles, surface roughness, mottled pigmentation, and visual skin appearance as a whole. We tested the hypothesis that an organoculture of full-thickness human skin could be used as a preclinical model to investigate the retinoid transcriptional profile in human skin in vitro. Methods Full-thickness skin explants were exposed to topically applied all-trans retinoic acid (RA) for 24 h. The gene expression profile was analysed using oligonucleotide microarrays, and data were validated with real-time (RT) PCR. Results We showed that the expression of 93 genes was significantly altered more than twofold. Several of the altered genes, for example, KRT4, CYP26 and LCN2, have previously been shown to be affected by RA in keratinocyte monocultures, reconstructed epidermis and skin biopsies from patients treated topically or orally with RA. In addition, genes, such as SCEL, NRIP1, DGAT2, RDH12 EfnB2, MAPK14, SAMD9 and CEACAM6 not previously reported to be affected by RA in human skin, were identified for the first time in this study. Conclusion The results in the present study show that full-thickness human explants represent a valuable pre-clinical model for studying the effects of retinoids in skin. Résumé Objectif Les rétinoïdes sont utilisés comme agents thérapeutiques pour de nombreuses maladies de la peau, p.ex. le psoriasis, l'acné et les troubles de la kératinisation. Les mêmes substances ont également été reconnues dans le traitement des troubles de l' hyperpigmentation tels que le melasma. D'autres études sur la peau photo-endommagée ont montré que les rétinoïdes réduisent les rides, la rugosité de la surface, la pigmentation tachetée, et l'aspect visuel de la peau dans son ensemble. Nous avons testé l'hypothèse selon laquelle une organoculture de épaisseur intégrale de la peau humaine pourrait être utilisée comme modèle préclinique pour étudier le profil transcriptionnel des rétinoïdes dans la peau humaine in vitro. Méthodes Des explants de peau intégrale ont été exposés à l'application topique de all-trans acide rétinoïque (RA) pendant 24 heures. Le profil d' expression des gènes a été analysé en utilisant des puces DNA array et les données ont été validées par (RT) -PCR. Resultats Nous avons montré que l'expression de 93 gènes a été modifiée de façon significative par plus d'un facteur 2. Plusieurs des gènes modifiés par exemple KRT4, CYP26 et LCN2 ont été montrés précédemment d'être affectés par RA dans les monocultures de kératinocytes, dans l'épiderme reconstruit et dans des biopsies cutanées de patients traités par voie topique ou par voie orale avec RA. En outre, des gènes tels que SCEL, NRIP1, DGAT2, RDH12 EfnB2, MAPK14, SAMD9 et CEACAM6 non signalés précédemment, sont touchés par RA dans la peau humaine, et ont été identifiés pour la première fois dans cette étude. Conclusion Les résultats de la présente étude montrent que les explants humains de pleine épaisseur représentent un modèle préclinique précieux pour l'étude des effets des rétinoïdes dans la peau. PMID:24697191

Isotope effect of mercury diffusion in air

PubMed Central

Koster van Groos, Paul G.; Esser, Bradley K.; Williams, Ross W.; Hunt, James R.

2014-01-01

Identifying and reducing impacts from mercury sources in the environment remains a considerable challenge and requires process based models to quantify mercury stocks and flows. The stable isotope composition of mercury in environmental samples can help address this challenge by serving as a tracer of specific sources and processes. Mercury isotope variations are small and result only from isotope fractionation during transport, equilibrium, and transformation processes. Because these processes occur in both industrial and environmental settings, knowledge of their associated isotope effects is required to interpret mercury isotope data. To improve the mechanistic modeling of mercury isotope effects during gas phase diffusion, an experimental program tested the applicability of kinetic gas theory. Gas-phase elemental mercury diffusion through small bore needles from finite sources demonstrated mass dependent diffusivities leading to isotope fractionation described by a Rayleigh distillation model. The measured relative atomic diffusivities among mercury isotopes in air are large and in agreement with kinetic gas theory. Mercury diffusion in air offers a reasonable explanation of recent field results reported in the literature. PMID:24364380

Isotope effect of mercury diffusion in air.

PubMed

Koster van Groos, Paul G; Esser, Bradley K; Williams, Ross W; Hunt, James R

2014-01-01

Identifying and reducing impacts from mercury sources in the environment remains a considerable challenge and requires process based models to quantify mercury stocks and flows. The stable isotope composition of mercury in environmental samples can help address this challenge by serving as a tracer of specific sources and processes. Mercury isotope variations are small and result only from isotope fractionation during transport, equilibrium, and transformation processes. Because these processes occur in both industrial and environmental settings, knowledge of their associated isotope effects is required to interpret mercury isotope data. To improve the mechanistic modeling of mercury isotope effects during gas phase diffusion, an experimental program tested the applicability of kinetic gas theory. Gas-phase elemental mercury diffusion through small bore needles from finite sources demonstrated mass dependent diffusivities leading to isotope fractionation described by a Rayleigh distillation model. The measured relative atomic diffusivities among mercury isotopes in air are large and in agreement with kinetic gas theory. Mercury diffusion in air offers a reasonable explanation of recent field results reported in the literature.

Application of isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to the analysis of marine sediments

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

McLaren, J.W.; Beauchemin, D.; Berman, S.S.

1987-02-15

Isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been applied to the determination of 11 trace elements (Cr, Ni, Zn, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Tl, Pb, and U) in the marine sediment reference materials MESS-1 and BCSS-1. Accuracy and, especially, precision are better than those that can be easily achieved by other ICP-MS calibration strategies, as long as isotopic equilibration is achieved and the isotopes used for the ratio measurement are free of isobaric interferences by molecular species. The measurement of the isotope ratios on unspiked samples provides a sensitive diagnostic of such interferences.

Precise and traceable carbon isotope ratio measurements by multicollector ICP-MS: what next?

PubMed

Santamaria-Fernandez, Rebeca

2010-06-01

This article reviews recent developments in the use of multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) to provide high-precision carbon isotope ratio measurements. MC-ICP-MS could become an alternative method to isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) for rapid carbon isotope ratio determinations in organic compounds and characterisation and certification of isotopic reference materials. In this overview, the advantages, drawbacks and potential of the method for future applications are critically discussed. Furthermore, suggestions for future improvements in terms of precision and sensitivity are made. No doubt, this is an exciting analytical challenge and, as such, hurdles will need to be cleared.

Detached-Eddy Simulations of Separated Flow Around Wings With Ice Accretions: Year One Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choo, Yung K. (Technical Monitor); Thompson, David; Mogili, Prasad

2004-01-01

A computational investigation was performed to assess the effectiveness of Detached-Eddy Simulation (DES) as a tool for predicting icing effects. The AVUS code, a public domain flow solver, was employed to compute solutions for an iced wing configuration using DES and steady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equation methodologies. The configuration was an extruded GLC305/944-ice shape section with a rectangular planform. The model was mounted between two walls so no tip effects were considered. The numerical results were validated by comparison with experimental data for the same configuration. The time-averaged DES computations showed some improvement in lift and drag results near stall when compared to steady RANS results. However, comparisons of the flow field details did not show the level of agreement suggested by the integrated quantities. Based on our results, we believe that DES may prove useful in a limited sense to provide analysis of iced wing configurations when there is significant flow separation, e.g., near stall, where steady RANS computations are demonstrably ineffective. However, more validation is needed to determine what role DES can play as part of an overall icing effects prediction strategy. We conclude the report with an assessment of existing computational tools for application to the iced wing problem and a discussion of issues that merit further study.

Applying the Verona coding definitions of emotional sequences (VR-CoDES) in the dental context involving patients with complex communication needs: An exploratory study.

PubMed

Zhou, Yuefang; Black, Rolf; Freeman, Ruth; Herron, Daniel; Humphris, Gerry; Menzies, Rachel; Quinn, Sandra; Scott, Lesley; Waller, Annalu

2014-11-01

The VR-CoDES has been previously applied in the dental context. However, we know little about how dental patients with intellectual disabilities (ID) and complex communication needs express their emotional distress during dental visits. This is the first study explored the applicability of the VR-CoDES to a dental context involving patients with ID. Fourteen dental consultations were video recorded and coded using the VR-CoDES, assisted with the additional guidelines for the VR-CoDES in a dental context. Both inter- and intra-coder reliabilities were checked on the seven consultations where cues were observed. Sixteen cues (eight non-verbal) were identified within seven of the 14 consultations. Twenty responses were observed (12 reducing space) with four multiple responses. Cohen's Kappa were 0.76 (inter-coder) and 0.88 (intra-coder). With the additional guidelines, cues and responses were reliably identified. Cue expression was exhibited by non-verbal expression of emotion with people with ID in the literature. Further guidance is needed to improve the coding accuracy on multiple providers' responses and to investigate potential impacts of conflicting responses on patients. The findings provided a useful initial step towards an ongoing exploration of how healthcare providers identify and manage emotional distress of patients with ID. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

External adjustment sensitivity analysis for unmeasured confounding: an application to coronary stent outcomes, Pennsylvania 2004-2008.

PubMed

Huesch, Marco D

2013-06-01

Assessing the real-world comparative effectiveness of common interventions is challenged by unmeasured confounding. To determine whether the mortality benefit shown for drug-eluting stents (DES) over bare metal stents (BMS) in observational studies persists after controls for/tests for confounding. Retrospective observational study involving 38,019 patients, 65 years or older admitted for an index percutaneous coronary intervention receiving DES or BMS in Pennsylvania in 2004-2005 followed up for death through 3 years. Analysis was at the patient level. Mortality was analyzed with Cox proportional hazards models allowing for stratification by disease severity or DES use propensity, accounting for clustering of patients. Instrumental variables analysis used lagged physician stent usage to proxy for the focal stent type decision. A method originating in work by Cornfield and others in 1954 and popularized by Greenland in 1996 was used to assess robustness to confounding. DES was associated with a significantly lower adjusted risk of death at 3 years in Cox and in instrumented analyses. An implausibly strong hypothetical unobserved confounder would be required to fully explain these results. Confounding by indication can bias observational studies. No strong evidence of such selection biases was found in the reduced risk of death among elderly patients receiving DES instead of BMS in a Pennsylvanian state-wide population. © Health Research and Educational Trust.

L'analyse par activation de neutrons de réacteur

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyer, G.

2003-02-01

Quand les neutrons traversent la matière, certains sont transmis sans interaction, les autres interagissent avec le milieu traversé par diffusion et par absorption. Ce phénomène d'absorption est utilisé pour se protéger des neutrons, mais aussi pour les détecter; il peut également être utilisé pour identifier les noyaux “absorbants" et ainsi analyser le milieu traversé. En effet par différentes réactions nucléaires (n,γ), (n,p), (n,α), (n,fission), on obtient des noyaux résiduels qui sont souvent radioactifs; on dit que l'échantillon est “activé". Si l'on connaît le rendement d'activation et donc le pourcentage de noyaux ainsi “transmutés", les mesures de radioactivité induite vont permettre de déterminer la composition de l'échantillon irradié. Cette méthode dite d'analyse par activation neutronique est pratiquée depuis la découverte du neutron. Elle a permis grâce à sa sélectivité et à sa sensibilité d'avoir accès au domaine des traces et des ultra-traces dans des champs d'application très divers comme la métallurgie, l'archéologie, la biologie, la géochimie etc...

Vortex lines in layered superconductors. II. Pinning and critical currents in high temperature superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manuel, P.

1994-02-01

In this article, a qualitative survey is given on the various phenomena which influence the critical current of high temperature superconductors. Critical current is defined as a property related to a non-zero electric field criterion, the level of which is fixed by experimental considerations, or efficiency requirements of applications. The presentation is restricted to extrinsic intragranular critical current, which depends in a complex way on the interplay between the characteristics of pinning centres and the properties of the vortex lattice. The discussion is focussed on the configuration {B} / / {c}, which contains the main elements of this problem. Differences of behaviour between Y(123) and BSCCO (Bi(2212) or Bi(2223)) are analysed in the context of their respective anisotropy factors. Possible regimes for pinning and creep are discussed in various temperature domains. From critical current results, a strong pinning regime is found to occur in BSCCO, whereas the pinning strength in Y(123) is still an open question. The thermal decrease of critical current allows a collective creep regime to appear in both materials, but at different temperature ranges. The disappearance of correlation effects near the irreversibility line results in a fall of the effective pinning energy. We show that in BSCCO, the effective pinning energy deduced from experimental results is not in agreement with pinning by randomly dispersed oxygen vacancies. Finally, we shortly describe the microstructures which could allow a more efficient pinning in future materials. On effectue une présentation qualitative des divers phénomènes qui contrôlent la valeur du courant critique dans les supraconducteurs à haute température. La notion de courant critique qui est utilisée est reliée à un critère de champ électrique non nul, fixé par des considérations expérimentales ou des exigences de rendement pour les applications. On se restreint au problème des courants critiques intragranulaires d'origine extrinsèque, qui dépendent de façon complexe des caractéristiques d'ancrage des défauts présents dans le matériau et des propriétés du réseau de vortex. On privilégie la configuration de champ {B} / / {c} qui est la plus révélatrice à cet égard. On analyse les différences de comportement entre les composés Y(123) et BSCCO (Bi(2212) ou Bi(2223)) en liaison avec leurs degrés d'anisotropie respectifs. Les différents régimes d'ancrage et de ll creep gg possibles pour ces composés sont examinés en fonction de la température. Les courants critiques obtenus pour BSCCO semblent correspondre à un régime d'ancrage fort, alors que la question reste ouverte pour Y(l23). La décroissance en température du courant critique expérimental suscite l'apparition d'un régime de ll creep gg collectif pour ces deux composés, avec cependant des différences notables sur la position et l'étendue des domaines correspondants. Au voisinage de la ligne d'irréversibilité, la disparition progressive des corrélations entre vortex provoque une chute de l'énergie d'ancrage effective. Dans BSCCO, celle-ci ne semble pas compatible avec l'hypothèse d'un ancrage par des lacunes d'oxygène réparties de façon aléatoire. On donne en conclusion quelques indications concernant les microstructures susceptibles d'améliorer les propriétés d'ancrage des futurs matériaux.

Application of zinc isotope tracer technology in tracing soil heavy metal pollution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Norbu, Namkha; Wang, Shuguang; Xu, Yan; Yang, Jianqiang; Liu, Qiang

2017-08-01

Recent years the soil heavy metal pollution has become increasingly serious, especially the zinc pollution. Due to the complexity of this problem, in order to prevent and treat the soil pollution, it's crucial to accurately and quickly find out the pollution sources and control them. With the development of stable isotope tracer technology, it's able to determine the composition of zinc isotope. Based on the theory of zinc isotope tracer technique, and by means of doing some latest domestic and overseas literature research about the zinc isotope multi-receiving cups of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS) testing technology, this paper summarized the latest research results about the pollution tracer of zinc isotope, and according to the deficiencies and existing problems of previous research, made outlooks of zinc isotope fractionation mechanism, repository establishment and tracer multiple solutions.

Mass fractionation processes of transition metal isotopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, X. K.; Guo, Y.; Williams, R. J. P.; O'Nions, R. K.; Matthews, A.; Belshaw, N. S.; Canters, G. W.; de Waal, E. C.; Weser, U.; Burgess, B. K.; Salvato, B.

2002-06-01

Recent advances in mass spectrometry make it possible to utilise isotope variations of transition metals to address some important issues in solar system and biological sciences. Realisation of the potential offered by these new isotope systems however requires an adequate understanding of the factors controlling their isotope fractionation. Here we show the results of a broadly based study on copper and iron isotope fractionation during various inorganic and biological processes. These results demonstrate that: (1) naturally occurring inorganic processes can fractionate Fe isotope to a detectable level even at temperature ˜1000°C, which challenges the previous view that Fe isotope variations in natural system are unique biosignatures; (2) multiple-step equilibrium processes at low temperatures may cause large mass fractionation of transition metal isotopes even when the fractionation per single step is small; (3) oxidation-reduction is an importation controlling factor of isotope fractionation of transition metal elements with multiple valences, which opens a wide range of applications of these new isotope systems, ranging from metal-silicate fractionation in the solar system to uptake pathways of these elements in biological systems; (4) organisms incorporate lighter isotopes of transition metals preferentially, and transition metal isotope fractionation occurs stepwise along their pathways within biological systems during their uptake.

Analysis and application of heavy isotopes in the environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steier, Peter; Dellinger, Franz; Forstner, Oliver; Golser, Robin; Knie, Klaus; Kutschera, Walter; Priller, Alfred; Quinto, Francesca; Srncik, Michaela; Terrasi, Filippo; Vockenhuber, Christof; Wallner, Anton; Wallner, Gabriele; Wild, Eva Maria

2010-04-01

A growing number of AMS laboratories are pursuing applications of actinides. We discuss the basic requirements of the AMS technique of heavy (i.e., above ˜150 amu) isotopes, present the setup at the Vienna Environmental Research Accelerator (VERA) which is especially well suited for the isotope 236U, and give a comparison with other AMS facilities. Special emphasis will be put on elaborating the effective detection limits for environmental samples with respect to other mass spectrometric methods. At VERA, we have carried out measurements for radiation protection and environmental monitoring ( 236U, 239,240,241,242,244Pu), astrophysics ( 182Hf, 236U, 244Pu, 247Cm), nuclear physics, and a search for long-lived super-heavy elements ( Z > 100). We are pursuing the environmental distribution of 236U, as a basis for geological applications of natural 236U.

A new algorithm to handle finite nuclear mass effects in electronic calculations: the ISOTOPE program.

PubMed

Gonçalves, Cristina P; Mohallem, José R

2004-11-15

We report the development of a simple algorithm to modify quantum chemistry codes based on the LCAO procedure, to account for the isotope problem in electronic structure calculations. No extra computations are required compared to standard Born-Oppenheimer calculations. An upgrade of the Gamess package called ISOTOPE is presented, and its applicability is demonstrated in some examples.

Non-traditional isotopes in analytical ecogeochemistry assessed by MC-ICP-MS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prohaska, Thomas; Irrgeher, Johanna; Horsky, Monika; Hanousek, Ondřej; Zitek, Andreas

2014-05-01

Analytical ecogeochemistry deals with the development and application of tools of analytical chemistry to study dynamic biological and ecological processes within ecosystems and across ecosystem boundaries in time. It can be best described as a linkage between modern analytical chemistry and a holistic understanding of ecosystems ('The total human ecosystem') within the frame of transdisciplinary research. One focus of analytical ecogeochemistry is the advanced analysis of elements and isotopes in abiotic and biotic matrices and the application of the results to basic questions in different research fields like ecology, environmental science, climatology, anthropology, forensics, archaeometry and provenancing. With continuous instrumental developments, new isotopic systems have been recognized for their potential to study natural processes and well established systems could be analyzed with improved techniques, especially using multi collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). For example, in case of S, isotope ratio measurements at high mass resolution could be achieved at much lower S concentrations with ICP-MS as compared to IRMS, still keeping suitable uncertainty. Almost 50 different isotope systems have been investigated by ICP-MS, so far, with - besides Sr, Pb and U - Ca, Mg, Cd, Li, Hg, Si, Ge and B being the most prominent and considerably pushing the limits of plasma based mass spectrometry also by applying high mass resolution. The use of laser ablation in combination with MC-ICP-MS offers the possibility to achieve isotopic information on high spatial (µm-range) and temporal scale (in case of incrementally growing structures). The information gained with these analytical techniques can be linked between different hierarchical scales in ecosystems, offering means to better understand ecosystem processes. The presentation will highlight the use of different isotopic systems in ecosystem studies accomplished by ICP-MS. Selected examples on combining isotopic systems for the study of ecosystem processes on different spatial scales will underpin the great opportunities substantiated by the field of analytical ecogeochemistry. Moreover, recent developments in plasma mass spectrometry and the application of new isotopic systems require sound metrological approaches in order to prevent scientific conclusions drawn from analytical artifacts.

Improvements in Precise and Accurate Isotope Ratio Determination via LA-MC-ICP-MS by Application of an Alternative Data Reduction Protocol

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fietzke, J.; Liebetrau, V.; Guenther, D.; Frische, M.; Zumholz, K.; Hansteen, T. H.; Eisenhauer, A.

2008-12-01

An alternative approach for the evaluation of isotope ratio data using LA-MC-ICP-MS will be presented. In contrast to previously applied methods it is based on the simultaneous responses of all analyte isotopes of interest and the relevant interferences without performing a conventional background correction. Significant improvements in precision and accuracy can be achieved when applying this new method and will be discussed based on the results of two first methodical applications: a) radiogenic and stable Sr isotopes in carbonates b) stable chlorine isotopes of pyrohydrolytic extracts. In carbonates an external reproducibility of the 87Sr/86Sr ratios of about 19 ppm (RSD) was achieved, an improvement of about a factor of 5. For recent and sub-recent marine carbonates a mean radiogenic strontium isotope ratio 87Sr/86Sr of 0.709170±0.000007 (2SE) was determined, which agrees well with the value of 0.7091741±0.0000024 (2SE) reported for modern sea water [1,2]. Stable chlorine isotope ratios were determined ablating pyrohydrolytic extracts with a reproducibility of about 0.05‰ (RSD). For basaltic reference material JB1a and JB2 chlorine isotope ratios were determined relative to SMOC (standard mean ocean chlorinity) δ37ClJB-1a = (-0.99±0.06) ‰ and δ37ClJB-1a = (-0.60±0.03) ‰ (SD), respectively, in accordance with published data [3]. The described strategies for data reduction are considered to be generally applicable for all isotope ratio measurements using LA-MC-ICP-MS. [1] J.M. McArthur, D. Rio, F. Massari, D. Castradori, T.R. Bailey, M. Thirlwall, S. Houghton, Palaeogeo. Palaeoclim. Palaeoeco., 2006, 242 (126), doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2006.06.004 [2] J. Fietzke, V. Liebetrau, D. Guenther, K. Guers, K. Hametner, K. Zumholz, T.H. Hansteen and A. Eisenhauer, J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2008, 23, 955-961, doi:10.1039/B717706B [3] J. Fietzke, M. Frische, T.H. Hansteen and A. Eisenhauer, J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2008, 23, 769-772, doi:10.1039/B718597A

Les phénols de la lignine et le 13C, traceurs de l'origine des matières organiques du solLabelling the origin of soil organic matter by lignin phenols and 13C natural abundance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jolivet, Claudy; Guillet, Bernard; Karroum, Michel; Andreux, Francis; Bernoux, Martial; Arrouays, Dominique

2001-11-01

In spodosols of Gascony (France), conversion of maritime pine stands into maize cropping leads to an incorporation of maize organic matter, which changed the isotopic ( δ13C) and phenolic signature in A and L horizons of soil. Hydrolysis of phenol lignin in forests and cultivated soils showed the predominance of vanillic units under forest and the early but moderate incorporation of cinnamic acids. Incorporation of syringic units appeared higher, related to a large maize production of stable syringic phenols. Syringic units represented a long-term marker of maize inputs in soils, whereas vanillic units revealed the degradation of forest organic matter.

Thermodynamic properties of deep eutectic solvent and ionic liquid mixtures at temperatures from 293.15 K to 343.15 K

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Achsah, R. S.; Shyam, S.; Mayuri, N.; Anantharaj, R.

2018-04-01

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) and ionic liquids (ILs) have their applications in various fields of research and in industries due to their attractive physiochemical properties. In this study, the combined thermodynamic properties of DES (choline chloride-glycerol) + IL1 (1-butyl-3-methylimiazolium acetate) and DES(choline chloride-glycerol) + IL2 (1-ethyl-3-methylimadzolium ethyl sulphate) have been studied. The thermodynamic properties such as excess molar volume, partial molar volume, excess partial molar volume and apparent molar volume were calculated for different mole fractions ranging from 0 to 1 and varying temperatures from 293.15 K to 343.15 K. In order to know the solvent properties of DESs and ILs mixtures at different temperatures and their molecular interactions to enhance the solvent performance and process efficiency at fixed composition and temperature the thermodynamic properties were analyzed.

Miroirs multicouches C/SI a incidence normale pour la region spectrale 25-40 nanometres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grigonis, Marius

Nous avons propose la nouvelle combinaison de materiaux, C/Si, pour la fabrication de miroirs multicouches a incidence normale dans la region spectrale 25-40 nm. Les resultats experimentaux montrent que cette combinaison possede une reflectivite d'environ ~25% dans la region spectrale 25-33 nm et une reflectivite d'environ ~23% dans la region spectrale 33-40 nm. Ces valeurs de reflectivite sont les plus grandes obtenues jusqu'a maintenant dans la region spectrale 25-40 nm. Les miroirs multicouches ont ete par la suite caracterises par microscopie electronique a transmission, par diverses techniques de diffraction des rayons X et par spectroscopies d'electrons AES et ESCA. La resistance des miroirs aux temperatures elevees a ete egalement etudiee. Les resultats fournis par les methodes de caracterisation indiquent que cette combinaison possede des caracteristiques tres prometteuses pour son application comme miroir pour les rayons X mous.

Center for Disease Control's Diethylstilbestrol Update: a case for effective operationalization of messaging in social marketing practice.

PubMed

Mattson, Marifran; Basu, Ambar

2010-07-01

The Center for Disease Control's (CDC) Diethylstilbestrol (DES) Update, a campaign to educate people who may have been exposed to the drug DES, is framed on the premises of the social marketing model, namely formative research, audience segmentation, product, price, placement, promotion, and campaign evaluation. More than that, the campaign takes a critical step in extending the social marketing paradigm by highlighting the need to situate the messaging process at the heart of any health communication campaign. This article uses CDC's DES Update as a case study to illustrate an application of a message development tool within social marketing. This tool promotes the operationalization of messaging within health campaigns. Ultimately, the goal of this project is to extend the social marketing model and provide useful theoretical guidance to health campaign practitioners on how to accomplish stellar communication within a social marketing campaign.

Propriétés optiques du silicium mésoporeux et ses applications potentielles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lévy-Clément, C.; Bastide, S.

2002-04-01

Une couche de silicium poreux formée électrochimiquement à la surface de l'émetteur d'une jonction p-n+ peut jouer efficacement le rôle d'une couche antireflet pour les cellules solaires au silicium. En ajustant la densité de courant et le temps de formation, des simple et double-couches antireflet aux propriétés optiques optimisées ont pu être réalisées, conduisant à des réflectivités effectives respectives de 7.3 et 2.7 % sur l'ensemble du spectre solaire utile pour les cellules (400-1000 nm). De hauts rendements de conversion de l'énergie solaire, de l'ordre de 13-13.4 %, sont ainsi actuellement obtenus pour des cellules au silicium multicristallin avec une couche antireflet de silicium poreux.

Biomedical research applications of electromagnetically separated enriched stable isotopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lambrecht, R. M.

The current and projected annual requirements through 1985 for stable isotopes enriched by electromagnetic separation methods were reviewed for applications in various types of biomedical research: (1) medical radiosiotope production, labeled compounds, and potential radio-pharmaceuticals; (2) nutrition, food science, and pharmacology: (3) metallobiochemistry and environmental toxicology; (4) nuclear magnetic resonance, electron paramagnetic resonance, and moessbauer spectroscopy in biochemical, biophysical, and biomedical research; and (5) miscellaneous advances in radioactive and nonradioactive tracer technology. Radioisotopes available from commercial sources or routinely used in clinical nuclear medicine were excluded. Current requirements for enriched stable isotopes in biomedical research are not being satisfied. Severe shortages exist for Mg 26, Ca 43, Zn 70, Se 76, Se 77, Se 78, Pd 102, Cd 111, Cd 113, and Os 190. Many interesting and potentially important investigations in biomedical research require small quantities of specific elements at high isotopic enrichments.

Methods for determination of radioactive substances in water and fluvial sediments

USGS Publications Warehouse

Thatcher, Leland Lincoln; Janzer, Victor J.; Edwards, Kenneth W.

1977-01-01

Analytical methods for the determination of some of the more important components of fission or neutron activation product radioactivity and of natural radioactivity found in water are reported. The report for each analytical method includes conditions for application of the method, a summary of the method, interferences, required apparatus and reagents, analytical procedures, calculations, reporting of results, and estimation of precision. The fission product isotopes considered are cesium-137, strontium-90, and ruthenium-106. The natural radioelements and isotopes considered are uranium, lead-210, radium-226, radium-228, tritium, and carbon-14. A gross radioactivity survey method and a uranium isotope ratio method are given. When two analytical methods are in routine use for an individual isotope, both methods are reported with identification of the specific areas of application of each. Techniques for the collection and preservation of water samples to be analyzed for radioactivity are discussed.

Relevé postnatal Rourke 2014

PubMed Central

Riverin, Bruno; Li, Patricia; Rourke, Leslie; Leduc, Denis; Rourke, James

2015-01-01

Résumé Objectif Mettre à jour la version de 2011 du Relevé postnatal Rourke (RPR) à la suite d’une révision des meilleures données probantes récentes sur le suivi de la santé des nourrissons et des enfants de la naissance jusqu’à l’âge de 5 ans. Qualité des données La qualité des données a été cotée en fonction de l’ancien système de classification du Groupe d’étude canadien sur les soins de santé préventifs (jusqu’à 2006) et l’approche de détermination, d’élaboration et d’évaluation des recommandations (GRADE). Message principal De nouveaux faits scientifiques ont été pris en compte dans les recommandations du RPR 2014 en ce qui a trait au suivi de la croissance, à la nutrition, à l’éducation et aux conseils, au développement, à l’examen physique et à l’immunisation. La croissance est surveillée à l’aide des courbes de l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé qui ont été révisées en 2014. On devrait introduire les aliments solides en fonction de l’état de préparation du nourrisson et ces produits devraient contenir du fer. Il n’est actuellement plus recommandé de retarder l’introduction des allergènes alimentaires courants pour prévenir les allergies. Il faut promouvoir l’utilisation d’une tasse sans couvercle au lieu d’une tasse à bec dès l’âge de 12 mois. La section sur l’éducation et les conseils porte sur les blessures causées par du mobilier instable, ainsi que l’utilisation d’un siège d’auto orienté vers l’arrière jusqu’à 2 ans. Elle comporte aussi de l’information sur les saines habitudes de sommeil, la prévention de la maltraitance des enfants, la vie saine et active et la sédentarité de la famille, de même que l’hygiène buccale. On a aussi ajouté à cette section une nouvelle catégorie consacrée à la santé environnementale pour tenir compte des effets des dangers environnementaux sur la santé des enfants. Le RPR a recours à une surveillance développementale globale pour reconnaître les enfants qui pourraient être à risque de retards de développement. La vérification de la mobilité de la langue et de la perméabilité de l’anus est incluse dans l’examen physique du premier bilan de santé du bébé. Le RPR présente aussi les mises à jour concernant le vaccin contre la rougeole, les oreillons et la rubéole, le vaccin atténué vivant contre la grippe et celui contre le virus du papillome humain. Conclusion Le RPR 2014 représente la mise à jour de l’outil d’application pratique des connaissances, fondé depuis longtemps sur des données probantes, accompagné de ses ressources connexes dans le web, à l’intention des professionnels de la santé et des parents pour les soins de santé préventifs durant la petite enfance. La Société canadienne de pédiatrie, le Collège des médecins de famille du Canada et Les diététistes du Canada ont donné leur aval au RPR 2014. Des versions nationales et adaptées à l’Ontario du RPR sont accessibles en français et en anglais.

Environmental and biomedical applications of natural metal stable isotope variations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bullen, T.D.; Walczyk, T.

2009-01-01

etal stable isotopes are now being used to trace metal contaminants in the environment and as indicators of human systemic function where metals play a role. Stable isotope abundance variations provide information about metal sources and the processes affecting metals in complex natural systems, complementing information gained from surrogate tracers, such as metal abundance ratios or biochemical markers of metal metabolism. The science is still in its infancy, but the results of initial studies confirm that metal stable isotopes can provide a powerful tool for forensic and biomedical investigations.

Membrane inlet laser spectroscopy to measure H and O stable isotope compositions of soil and sediment pore water with high sample throughput

DOE PAGES

Oerter, Erik J.; Perelet, Alexei; Pardyjak, Eric; ...

2016-10-20

Here, the fast and accurate measurement of H and O stable isotope compositions (δ 2H and δ 18O values) of soil and sediment pore water remains an impediment to scaling-up the application of these isotopes in soil and vadose hydrology. Here we describe a method and its calibration to measuring soil and sediment pore water δ 2H and δ 18O values using a water vapor-permeable probe coupled to an isotope ratio infrared spectroscopy analyzer.

An Isotope-Powered Thermal Storage unit for space applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lisano, Michael E.; Rose, M. F.

1991-01-01

An Isotope-Powered Thermal Storage Unit (ITSU), that would store and utilize heat energy in a 'pulsed' fashion in space operations, is described. Properties of various radioisotopes are considered in conjunction with characteristics of thermal energy storage materials, to evaluate possible implementation of such a device. The utility of the unit is discussed in light of various space applications, including rocket propulsion, power generation, and spacecraft thermal management.

Protein quantification using a cleavable reporter peptide.

PubMed

Duriez, Elodie; Trevisiol, Stephane; Domon, Bruno

2015-02-06

Peptide and protein quantification based on isotope dilution and mass spectrometry analysis are widely employed for the measurement of biomarkers and in system biology applications. The accuracy and reliability of such quantitative assays depend on the quality of the stable-isotope labeled standards. Although the quantification using stable-isotope labeled peptides is precise, the accuracy of the results can be severely biased by the purity of the internal standards, their stability and formulation, and the determination of their concentration. Here we describe a rapid and cost-efficient method to recalibrate stable isotope labeled peptides in a single LC-MS analysis. The method is based on the equimolar release of a protein reference peptide (used as surrogate for the protein of interest) and a universal reporter peptide during the trypsinization of a concatenated polypeptide standard. The quality and accuracy of data generated with such concatenated polypeptide standards are highlighted by the quantification of two clinically important proteins in urine samples and compared with results obtained with conventional stable isotope labeled reference peptides. Furthermore, the application of the UCRP standards in complex samples is described.

Metal Stable Isotope Tagging: Renaissance of Radioimmunoassay for Multiplex and Absolute Quantification of Biomolecules.

PubMed

Liu, Rui; Zhang, Shixi; Wei, Chao; Xing, Zhi; Zhang, Sichun; Zhang, Xinrong

2016-05-17

The unambiguous quantification of biomolecules is of great significance in fundamental biological research as well as practical clinical diagnosis. Due to the lack of a detectable moiety, the direct and highly sensitive quantification of biomolecules is often a "mission impossible". Consequently, tagging strategies to introduce detectable moieties for labeling target biomolecules were invented, which had a long and significant impact on studies of biomolecules in the past decades. For instance, immunoassays have been developed with radioisotope tagging by Yalow and Berson in the late 1950s. The later languishment of this technology can be almost exclusively ascribed to the use of radioactive isotopes, which led to the development of nonradioactive tagging strategy-based assays such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, fluorescent immunoassay, and chemiluminescent and electrochemiluminescent immunoassay. Despite great success, these strategies suffered from drawbacks such as limited spectral window capacity for multiplex detection and inability to provide absolute quantification of biomolecules. After recalling the sequences of tagging strategies, an apparent question is why not use stable isotopes from the start? A reasonable explanation is the lack of reliable means for accurate and precise quantification of stable isotopes at that time. The situation has changed greatly at present, since several atomic mass spectrometric measures for metal stable isotopes have been developed. Among the newly developed techniques, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry is an ideal technique to determine metal stable isotope-tagged biomolecules, for its high sensitivity, wide dynamic linear range, and more importantly multiplex and absolute quantification ability. Since the first published report by our group, metal stable isotope tagging has become a revolutionary technique and gained great success in biomolecule quantification. An exciting research highlight in this area is the development and application of the mass cytometer, which fully exploited the multiplexing potential of metal stable isotope tagging. It realized the simultaneous detection of dozens of parameters in single cells, accurate immunophenotyping in cell populations, through modeling of intracellular signaling network and undoubted discrimination of function and connection of cell subsets. Metal stable isotope tagging has great potential applications in hematopoiesis, immunology, stem cells, cancer, and drug screening related research and opened a post-fluorescence era of cytometry. Herein, we review the development of biomolecule quantification using metal stable isotope tagging. Particularly, the power of multiplex and absolute quantification is demonstrated. We address the advantages, applicable situations, and limitations of metal stable isotope tagging strategies and propose suggestions for future developments. The transfer of enzymatic or fluorescent tagging to metal stable isotope tagging may occur in many aspects of biological and clinical practices in the near future, just as the revolution from radioactive isotope tagging to fluorescent tagging happened in the past.

Compelling Research Opportunities using Isotopes

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

None

Isotopes are vital to the science and technology base of the US economy. Isotopes, both stable and radioactive, are essential tools in the growing science, technology, engineering, and health enterprises of the 21st century. The scientific discoveries and associated advances made as a result of the availability of isotopes today span widely from medicine to biology, physics, chemistry, and a broad range of applications in environmental and material sciences. Isotope issues have become crucial aspects of homeland security. Isotopes are utilized in new resource development, in energy from bio-fuels, petrochemical and nuclear fuels, in drug discovery, health care therapies andmore » diagnostics, in nutrition, in agriculture, and in many other areas. The development and production of isotope products unavailable or difficult to get commercially have been most recently the responsibility of the Department of Energy's Nuclear Energy program. The President's FY09 Budget request proposed the transfer of the Isotope Production program to the Department of Energy's Office of Science in Nuclear Physics and to rename it the National Isotope Production and Application program (NIPA). The transfer has now taken place with the signing of the 2009 appropriations bill. In preparation for this, the Nuclear Science Advisory Committee (NSAC) was requested to establish a standing subcommittee, the NSAC Isotope Subcommittee (NSACI), to advise the DOE Office of Nuclear Physics. The request came in the form of two charges: one, on setting research priorities in the short term for the most compelling opportunities from the vast array of disciplines that develop and use isotopes and two, on making a long term strategic plan for the NIPA program. This is the final report to address charge 1. NSACI membership is comprised of experts from the diverse research communities, industry, production, and homeland security. NSACI discussed research opportunities divided into three areas: (1) medicine, pharmaceuticals, and biology, (2) physical sciences and engineering, and (3) national security and other applications. In each area, compelling research opportunities were considered and the subcommittee as a whole determined the final priorities for research opportunities as the foundations for the recommendations. While it was challenging to prioritize across disciplines, our order of recommendations reflect the compelling research prioritization along with consideration of time urgency for action as well as various geopolitical market issues. Common observations to all areas of research include the needs for domestic availability of crucial stable and radioactive isotopes and the education of the skilled workforce that will develop new advances using isotopes in the future. The six recommendations of NSACI reflect these concerns and the compelling research opportunities for potential new discoveries. The science case for each of the recommendations is elaborated in the respective chapters.« less

Developpement et application d'un systeme mobile de laser terrestre pour quantifier le bilan sedimentaire des plages

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Van-Wierts, Stefanie

Au Québec maritime, l'érosion côtière est une problématique d'envergure, notamment sur les côtes de formations meubles. Les plages ont un rôle de zone tampon ayant comme fonction naturelle d'absorber l'énergie des vagues et donc d'assurer l'équilibre de certains écosystèmes et le maintien de l'écoumène en réduisant l'érosion de la côte. Les méthodes d'acquisition conventionnelles ne permettent pas de quantifier convenablement les changements morphosédimentaires d'une plage à l'échelle des cellules hydrosédimentaires. Le manque de méthode d'acquisition fiable et de données quantitatives mène à une surestimation ou à une sous-estimation de la disponibilité sédimentaire d'un système côtier. Pour contrer ces lacunes et afin de minimiser les coûts d'acquisition, un nouveau système mobile de LiDAR terrestre a été mis en place, permettant d'acquérir des données topographiques de l'estran, de la haute plage et des falaises. Le système multicapteurs comprend un LiDAR, un système de navigation à haute précision (IMU et D-GPS) et une caméra. L'ensemble des instruments et capteurs sont montés sur un véhicule de type tout-terrain. Le système a été évalué sur la zone côtière de la péninsule de Manicouagan. La comparaison des données LiDAR avec 1 050 points de référence géopositionnés au D-GPS montre une erreur verticale moyenne de 0,1 m sur les secteurs de plage. Les résultats montrent que le volume sédimentaire moyen des plages devant les zones où la ligne de rivage présente un ouvrage de protection en enrochement (12 m 3/m) est plus de trois fois plus faible que devant les secteurs à l'état naturel (35,5 m3/m). La moyenne des secteurs en transition, constituant les segments où une zone artificielle et une zone naturelle se chevauchent présentent un volume moyen de 28 m3/m. Aussi, les plages devant les secteurs anthropisés sont en moyenne près de 2 fois plus étroites (12,7 m) que devant les secteurs naturels (25,4 m). Un indice de bilan sédimentaire des plages a été testé et il constitue un excellent proxy pour évaluer la disponibilité sédimentaire des plages ainsi qu'identifier les secteurs déficitaires. La réalisation d'une couverture complète au LiDAR a permis de constater que des profils de plage réalisés à un intervalle de plus de 200 m sur des côtes diversifiées mènent à des résultats significativement différents de la réalité. Par contre, il semble que l'intervalle des profils à peu d'impact sur de longs secteurs de plages uniformes.

Silent Ship Research Applications and Operation. Volume 2. Unclassified Papers. Proceedings of a Conference Held at SACLANTCEN on 2-4 October 1984

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-01-15

moyennes calculees sur 62 bateaux sont priesnteesdans le tableau suivznt aoy’?nno mowvuw. desma yonn des mayavw dom % aupentation genral: bate"u A bateaux 5...i coque en bois, acier ou polyester. Le decoupaqe des variables en classes pernet de bitir deux matrices *un - tableau disjonctif complet", *un...pr6sentents quelques expertises ac oustiques provenant de deux t~tudes lr~alis~es .par le G.E.R.B.A.M. .I *la premiý-re, sur 95 thoniers ligneurs

Global Security, Medical Isotopes, and Nuclear Science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahle, Larry

2007-10-01

Over the past century basic nuclear science research has led to the use of radioactive isotopes into a wide variety of applications that touch our lives everyday. Some are obvious, such as isotopes for medical diagnostics and treatment. Others are less so, such as National/Global security issues. And some we take for granted, like the small amount of 241 Am that is in every smoke detector. At the beginning of this century, we are in a position where the prevalence and importance of some applications of nuclear science are pushing the basic nuclear science community for improved models and nuclear data. Yet, at the same time, the push by the basic nuclear science community to study nuclei that are farther and farther away from stability also offer new opportunities for many applications. This talk will look at several global security applications of nuclear science, summarizing current R&D and need for improved nuclear data It will also look at how applications of nuclear science, such as to medicine, will benefit from the push for more and more powerful radioactive ion beam facilities.

Mesoscopic Field-Effect-Induced Devices in Depleted Two-Dimensional Electron Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bachsoliani, N.; Platonov, S.; Wieck, A. D.; Ludwig, S.

2017-12-01

Nanoelectronic devices embedded in the two-dimensional electron system (2DES) of a GaAs /(Al ,Ga )As heterostructure enable a large variety of applications ranging from fundamental research to high-speed transistors. Electrical circuits are thereby commonly defined by creating barriers for carriers by the selective depletion of a preexisting 2DES. We explore an alternative approach: we deplete the 2DES globally by applying a negative voltage to a global top gate and screen the electric field of the top gate only locally using nanoscale gates placed on the wafer surface between the plane of the 2DES and the top gate. Free carriers are located beneath the screen gates, and their properties can be controlled by means of geometry and applied voltages. This method promises considerable advantages for the definition of complex circuits by the electric-field effect, as it allows us to reduce the number of gates and simplify gate geometries. Examples are carrier systems with ring topology or large arrays of quantum dots. We present a first exploration of this method pursuing field effect, Hall effect, and Aharonov-Bohm measurements to study electrostatic, dynamic, and coherent properties.

Simultaneous determination of environmental estrogens: Diethylstilbestrol and estradiol using Cu-BTC frameworks-sensitized electrode.

PubMed

Ji, Liudi; Wang, Yanying; Wu, Kangbing; Zhang, Weikang

2016-10-01

It is quite important to monitor environmental estrogens in a rapid, sensitive, simple and cost-effective manner due to their wide existence and high toxicity. Using 1,3,5-Benzenetricarboxylic acid (H3BTC) as the ligand and copper ions as the center, Cu-BTC frameworks with surface area of 654.6m(2)/g were prepared, and then used to construct a novel electrochemical sensing platform for diethylstilbestrol (DES) and estradiol (E2). On the surface of Cu-BTC frameworks, two oxidation waves at 0.26V and 0.45V are observed for DES and E2, and the oxidation signals are improved greatly. The prepared Cu-BTC frameworks not only enhance the accumulation efficiency of DES and E2, but also improve their electron transfer ability. The influences of pH value, modification amount of Cu-BTC and accumulation time were examined. As a result, a highly-sensitive, rapid and convenient electrochemical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of DES and E2, with detection limit of 2.7nM and 1.1nM. The practical applications manifest this new sensing system is accurate and feasible. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In situ fabrication of electrochemically grown mesoporous metallic thin films by anodic dissolution in deep eutectic solvents.

PubMed

Renjith, Anu; Roy, Arun; Lakshminarayanan, V

2014-07-15

We describe here a simple electrodeposition process of forming thin films of noble metallic nanoparticles such as Au, Ag and Pd in deep eutectic solvents (DES). The method consists of anodic dissolution of the corresponding metal in DES followed by the deposition on the cathodic surface. The anodic dissolution process in DES overcomes the problems associated with copious hydrogen and oxygen evolution on the electrode surface when carried out in aqueous medium. The proposed method utilizes the inherent abilities of DES to act as a reducing medium while simultaneously stabilizing the nanoparticles that are formed. The mesoporous metal films were characterized by SEM, XRD and electrochemical techniques. Potential applications of these substrates in surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy and electrocatalysis have been investigated. A large enhancement of Raman signal of analyte was achieved on the mesoporous silver substrate after removing all the stabilizer molecules from the surface by calcination. The highly porous texture of the electrodeposited film provides superior electro catalytic performance for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The mechanisms of HER on the fabricated substrates were studied by Tafel analysis and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The effect of deep eutectic solvent on the pharmacokinetics of salvianolic acid B in rats and its acute toxicity test.

PubMed

Chen, Jue; Wang, Qi; Liu, Mengjun; Zhang, Liwei

2017-09-15

Deep eutectic solvent (DES), the benign green solvent with uniquely physical properties, has been widely applied in various fields. Our previous study indicated that DES could improve the stability and extraction efficiency of salvianolic acid B (SAB). In this work, with SAB as a model drug, the feasibility of DES as a drug carrier for oral preparation was investigated by evaluating the influence of DES on the pharmacokinetics of SAB and the toxicity of DES. Acute oral toxicity test illustrated that choline chloride-glycerol (ChCl-GL, molar ratio 1:2) was non-toxic with the median lethal dose of 7733mg/kg. To comparison the difference of pharmacokinetics between SAB dissolved in ChCl-GL (1:2) and in water, a rapid and sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrum was established to determine SAB and its metabolites in rat plasma. The method validation was also tested for the specificity, linearity (r 2 >0.9980 over two orders of magnitude), precision (intra-day relative standard deviation (RSD)<2.73% and inter-day RSD<7.72%), extraction recovery (70.96-80.78%) and stability under three different situations. Compared to water, the pharmacokinetic parameters clarified that ChCl-GL (1:2) could promote the absorption of SAB, the peak concentration (C max ) of 0.308±0.020mg/L was slightly higher than 0.277±0.024mg/L (SAB dissolved in water), and the peak time (T max ) was significantly decreased from 30min (SAB dissolved in water) to 20min. There was no significant difference on the metabolites between SAB dissolved in ChCl-GL (1:2) and in water. This is the first report on the pharmacokinetic study of DES as a candidate of drug carrier, and the results provide a meaningful basis for the application of DES in pharmaceutical preparation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electrotechnical prospects for superconducting applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brunet, Y.; Renard, M.

After a review of the classical limitations, due to iron and copper losses, we give the necessary superconducting properties, needed to achieve significant progresses, either in the size, or in the efficiency of electrotechnical plants. The successive achievement in SC will be explained, in relation with the physics of usual SC, and the needed properties for technology. The problems encountered in electrotechnics by decreasing interest are : networks losses and stability, storage of energy production, transformation and protection. In each case, SC solutions may be found or at least imagined. We shall review the limitations estimated in each case, generally by extrapolation of small scale experiments, with 4 K SC, and try to see what are the modifications which may be obtained by the use of high Tc SC. Special attention will be paid to energy storage and electrical machinery and the interest of completely superconducting plants will be shown. Une fois précisées les limitations actuelles des matériels électriques imposées essentiellement par l'utilisation de matériaux comme le fer ou le cuivre, nous détaillons les caractéristiques des supraconducteurs susceptibles d'améliorer les performances des installations électrotechniques. Les progrès successifs des conducteurs supraconducteurs sont expliqués en tenant compte de leur impact technologique. Les problèmes rencontrés en électrotechnique sont : les pertes et la stabilité des réseaux, le stockage et la production de l'énergie. Dans chaque cas des solutions supraconductrices existent ou peuvent être imaginées. Nous examinons notamment pour les machines électriques et le stockage de l'énergie, les solutions qui existent ou sont en cours de développement avec des supraconducteurs à basse température (˜ 4 K) et quelles sont les modifications apportées par l'utilisation de supraconducteurs à haut Tc.

Statistical and Probabilistic Extensions to Ground Operations' Discrete Event Simulation Modeling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Trocine, Linda; Cummings, Nicholas H.; Bazzana, Ashley M.; Rychlik, Nathan; LeCroy, Kenneth L.; Cates, Grant R.

2010-01-01

NASA's human exploration initiatives will invest in technologies, public/private partnerships, and infrastructure, paving the way for the expansion of human civilization into the solar system and beyond. As it is has been for the past half century, the Kennedy Space Center will be the embarkation point for humankind's journey into the cosmos. Functioning as a next generation space launch complex, Kennedy's launch pads, integration facilities, processing areas, launch and recovery ranges will bustle with the activities of the world's space transportation providers. In developing this complex, KSC teams work through the potential operational scenarios: conducting trade studies, planning and budgeting for expensive and limited resources, and simulating alternative operational schemes. Numerous tools, among them discrete event simulation (DES), were matured during the Constellation Program to conduct such analyses with the purpose of optimizing the launch complex for maximum efficiency, safety, and flexibility while minimizing life cycle costs. Discrete event simulation is a computer-based modeling technique for complex and dynamic systems where the state of the system changes at discrete points in time and whose inputs may include random variables. DES is used to assess timelines and throughput, and to support operability studies and contingency analyses. It is applicable to any space launch campaign and informs decision-makers of the effects of varying numbers of expensive resources and the impact of off nominal scenarios on measures of performance. In order to develop representative DES models, methods were adopted, exploited, or created to extend traditional uses of DES. The Delphi method was adopted and utilized for task duration estimation. DES software was exploited for probabilistic event variation. A roll-up process was used, which was developed to reuse models and model elements in other less - detailed models. The DES team continues to innovate and expand DES capabilities to address KSC's planning needs.

An MS-DOS-based program for analyzing plutonium gamma-ray spectra

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

Ruhter, W.D.; Buckley, W.M.

1989-09-07

A plutonium gamma-ray analysis system that operates on MS-DOS-based computers has been developed for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to perform in-field analysis of plutonium gamma-ray spectra for plutonium isotopics. The program titled IAEAPU consists of three separate applications: a data-transfer application for transferring spectral data from a CICERO multichannel analyzer to a binary data file, a data-analysis application to analyze plutonium gamma-ray spectra, for plutonium isotopic ratios and weight percents of total plutonium, and a data-quality assurance application to check spectral data for proper data-acquisition setup and performance. Volume 3 contains the software listings for these applications.

In-Situ Survey System of Resistive and Thermoelectric Properties of Either Pure or Mixed Materials in Thin Films Evaporated Under Ultra High Vacuum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lechevallier, L.; Le Huerou, J.-Y.; Richon, G.; Sarrau, J.-M.; Gouault, J.

1995-04-01

The study of thermoelectric and resistive in situ behaviours depending on temperature for thin films of either pure or composite materials obtained under ultra-high vacuum, is very interesting, since they can be used as strain gauges or superficial resistances. However, studies become particularly difficult when the measurements generate very low-level electrical signals. Indeed, these turn out to be hardly detectable because of the perturbations brought by the experimental environment. The apparatus described below allows for the measurement of resistance with a relative uncertainty of 2×10^{-4}, resistance variation with an absolute uncertainty of 2 mΩ and thermoelectric e.m.f. of about 2 μV. Films studied in the laboratory generally exhibit resistances lower than 100 Ω and resistance variations due to temperature variations of about a few ohms. So this device has sufficient technical characteristics for our studies. It can be connected to a PC, which allows for easy data collection and treatment. L'étude des comportements résistif et thermoélectrique in situ en fonction de la température de couches minces de matériaux simples ou composites obtenus en milieu raréfié s'avére intéressante en vue d'applications comme jauge de contrainte ou résistance superficielle mais particulièrement délicate lorsque les mesures donnent naissance à des signaux électriques de très faible amplitude. Ces derniers deviennent en effet difficilement décelables en raison des perturbations apportées par l'environnement expérimental. Le système qui est décrit ici permet de mesurer des résistances avec une certitude relative de 2×10^{-4} et d'apprécier des variations de résistance de 2 mΩ et des f.e.m. thermoélectriques de l'ordre de 2 μV. Les couches étudiées au laboratoire présentent généralement des résistances inférieures à 100 Ω et des variations de résistance dues aux variations de température de l'ordre de quelques Ω. Le dispositif de mesure présente donc des caractéristiques techniques suffisantes pour nos études. Connecté à un PC il permet l'acquisition des données et un traitement rapide.

Quantitative Fissile Assay In Used Fuel Using LSDS System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, YongDeok; Jeon, Ju Young; Park, Chang-Je

2017-09-01

A quantitative assay of isotopic fissile materials (U235, Pu239, Pu241) was done at Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), using lead slowing down spectrometer (LSDS). The optimum design of LSDS was performed based on economics, easy maintenance and assay effectiveness. LSDS system consists of spectrometer, neutron source, detection and control. LSDS system induces fissile fission and fast neutrons are collected at fission chamber. The detected signal has a direct relation to the mass of existing fissile isotopes. Many current commercial assay technologies have a limitation in direct application on isotopic fissile assay of spent fuel, except chemical analysis. In the designed system, the fissile assay model was setup and the correction factor for self-shield was obtained. The isotopic fissile content assay was performed by changing the content of Pu239. Based on the fuel rod, the isotopic content was consistent with 2% uncertainty for Pu239. By applying the covering (neutron absorber), the effective shielding was obtained and the activation was calculated on the target. From the assay evaluation, LSDS technique is very powerful and direct to analyze the isotopic fissile content. LSDS is applicable for nuclear fuel cycle and spent fuel management for safety and economics. Additionally, an accurate fissile content will contribute to the international transparency and credibility on spent fuel.

Analysis of phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) to characterize microbial communities in aquifers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Green, Christopher T.; Scow, Kate M.

This paper reviews published applications of lipid-based biochemical techniques for characterizing microbial communities in aquifers and other deep subsurface habitats. These techniques, such as phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis, can provide information on a variety of microbial characteristics, such as biomass, physiology, taxonomic and functional identity, and overall community composition. In addition, multivariate statistical analysis of lipid data can relate spatial or temporal changes in microbial communities to environmental factors. The use of lipid-based techniques in the study of groundwater microbiology is advantageous because they do not require culturing and can provide quantitative data on entire communities. However, combined effects of physiological and phylogenetic changes on the lipid composition of a community can confound interpretation of the data, and many questions remain about the validity of various lipid techniques. Despite these caveats, lipid-based research has begun to show trends in community composition in contaminated and pristine aquifers that contribute to our understanding of groundwater microbial ecology and have potential for use in optimization of bioremediation of groundwater pollutants. Résumé Ce papier passe en revue les applications des techniques biochimiques basées sur les lipides pour caractériser les communautés microbiennes présentes dans les aquifères et dans les autres habitats souterrains profonds. Ces techniques, telles que l'analyse des acides gras phospholipidiques (PLFA), peuvent fournir des informations sur un ensemble de caractères microbiens, tels que la biomasse, la physiologie, l'identité taxonomique et fonctionnelle, et surtout la composition de la communauté. En outre, l'analyse statistique multivariée des données sur les lipides peut établir les liens entre des changements spatiaux ou temporels dans la communauté microbienne et des facteurs environnementaux. L'utilisation des techniques basées sur les lipides dans l'étude de la microbiologie des eaux souterraines est intéressante parce qu'elle ne nécessite pas de mise en culture et qu'elle peut fournir des données quantitatives sur les communautés dans leur ensemble. Toutefois, les effets combinés de changements physiologiques et phylogénétiques sur la composition d'une communauté peuvent brouiller l'interprétation des données de nombreuses questions se posent sur la validité des différentes techniques lipidiques. Malgré ces oppositions, la recherche basée sur les lipides a commencéà montrer des tendances dans la composition des communautés dans les aquifères pollués et dans ceux non perturbés ces résultats contribuent ainsi à notre compréhension de l'écologie microbienne des eaux souterraines et montrent qu'il existe un potentiel pour leur utilisation en vue d'une optimisation de la dépollution biologique des eaux souterraines. Resumen Se revisan distintas técnicas bioquímicas que se basan en el análisis de lípidos para caracterizar las comunidades microbianas en hábitats subsuperficiales, incluyendo acuíferos. Estas técnicas, entre las que se incluye el análisis de ácidos grasos fosfolípidos (PLFA), pueden proporcionar información sobre toda una serie de características de las comunidades microbianas, como su biomasa, fisiología, identidad taxonómica y funcional y composición. Además, el análisis estadístico multivariado de los datos de lípidos permite relacionar los cambios espaciales o temporales en las comunidades microbianas con factores ambientales. Las técnicas basadas en lípidos son muy útiles para el estudio microbiológico de las aguas subterráneas, puesto que no requieren cultivos y además proporcionan datos cuantitativos de comunidades completas. Sin embargo, la acción combinada de los cambios fisiológicos y filogenéticos en la composición de lípidos en una comunidad pueden confundir la interpretación de los datos, por lo existen muchas cuestiones abiertas respecto a la validez de algunas de estas técnicas. A pesar de estas dificultades, estas técnicas han permitido detectar diferentes tendencias en la composición de las comunidades en acuíferos con y sin contaminación, lo que contribuye a nuestro entendimiento de la ecología microbiana de los acuíferos. Este último aspecto tiene un uso potencial en la optimización de los métodos de biorremediación de acuíferos.

Stable Chlorine Isotope Study: Application to Early Solar System Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mala,ira. M/; Nyquist, L. E.; Reese, Y.; Shih, C-Y; Fujitani, T.; Okano, O.

2010-01-01

A significantly large mass fractionation between two stable chlorine isotopes is expected during planetary processes In addition, in view of the isotopic heterogeneity of other light elements, the chlorine isotopes can potentially be used as a tracer for the origins and evolutionary processes of early solar system materials. Due to analytical difficulties, however, current chlorine isotope studies on planetary materials are quite controversial among IRMS (gas source mass spectrometry) and/or TIMS (Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry) groups [i.e. 1-3]. Although a cross-calibration of IRMS and TIMS indicates that both techniques are sufficiently consistent with each other [4], some authors have claimed that the Cl-37/Cl-35 ratio of geological samples obtained by TIMS technique are, in general, misleadingly too high and variable compared to those of IRMS [3]. For example, almost no differences of Cl isotope composition were observed among mantle materials and carbonaceous meteorites by [3]. On the other hand, according to more recent IRMS work [2], significant Cl isotope variations are confirmed for mantle materials. Therefore, additional careful investigation of Cl isotope analyses are now required to confirm real chlorine isotope variations for planetary materials including carbonaceous chondrites [5]. A significantly large mass fractionation between two stable chlorine isotopes is expected during planetary processes In addition, in view of the isotopic heterogeneity of other light elements, the chlorine isotopes can potentially be used as a tracer for the origins and evolutionary processes of early solar system materials. Due to analytical difficulties, however, current chlorine isotope studies on planetary materials are quite controversial among IRMS (gas source mass spectrometry) and/or TIMS (Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry) groups [i.e. 1-3]. Although a cross-calibration of IRMS and TIMS indicates that both techniques are sufficiently consistent with each other [4], some authors have claimed that the 37Cl/35Cl ratio of geological samples obtained by TIMS technique are, in general, misleadingly too high and variable compared to those of IRMS [3]. For eample, almost no differences of Cl isotope composition were observed among mantle materials and carbonaceous meteorites by [3]. On the other hand, according to more recent IRMS work [2], significant Cl isotope variations are confirmed for mantle materials. Therefore, additional careful investigation of Cl isotope analyses are now required to confirm real chlorine isotope variations for planetary materials including carbonaceous chondrites [5]. In order to clarify the stable chlorine isotope features of early solar system materials, we have initiated development of the TIMS technique at NASA JSC applicable to analysis of small amounts of meteoritic and planetary materials. We report here the current status of chlorine isotope analysis at NASA JSC.

Advanced Laser-Compton Gamma-Ray Sources for Nuclear Materials Detection, Assay and Imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barty, C. P. J.

2015-10-01

Highly-collimated, polarized, mono-energetic beams of tunable gamma-rays may be created via the optimized Compton scattering of pulsed lasers off of ultra-bright, relativistic electron beams. Above 2 MeV, the peak brilliance of such sources can exceed that of the world's largest synchrotrons by more than 15 orders of magnitude and can enable for the first time the efficient pursuit of nuclear science and applications with photon beams, i.e. Nuclear Photonics. Potential applications are numerous and include isotope-specific nuclear materials management, element-specific medical radiography and radiology, non-destructive, isotope-specific, material assay and imaging, precision spectroscopy of nuclear resonances and photon-induced fission. This review covers activities at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory related to the design and optimization of mono-energetic, laser-Compton gamma-ray systems and introduces isotope-specific nuclear materials detection and assay applications enabled by them.

Presence de Carbone-13 dans les elements combustibles de type (U,Pu)O 2 irradies en reacteur rapide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kryger, Bernard; Hagemann, Robert

1982-06-01

Du carbone-13 produit par la réaction de capture neutronique 168O + 10n → 136C + 42He se forme dans les combustibles de type oxyde irradiés en neutrons rapides. Cette réaction, dont le seuil d'énergie se situe à 2.35 MeV, conduit à la formation d'une quantité de carbone-13 qui peut varier notablement suivant le spectre neutronique du réacteur (entre 20 et 40 × 10 -6g 13C/g (U,Pu)O 2 pour une fluence de 2 × 10 23 n/cm 2). DES mesures effectuées sur le combustible et la gaine par spectrométrie de masse après irradiation montrent qu'une fraction égale ou supérieure à la moitié du carbone-13 produit dans l'oxyde peut être transférée dans la gaine. Un tel comportement nous fait considérer le carbone-13 comme un véritable marqueur du carbone plus généralement contenu dans l'oxyde et, à ce titre, la détection de cet isotope devrait contribuer à élucider tout particulièrement les mécanismes de carburation de la gaine par les combustibles (U,Pu)O 2 des réacteurs surgénérateurs.

Nuclear Forensics and Radiochemistry: Radiation Detection

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

Rundberg, Robert S.

Radiation detection is necessary for isotope identification and assay in nuclear forensic applications. The principles of operation of gas proportional counters, scintillation counters, germanium and silicon semiconductor counters will be presented. Methods for calibration and potential pitfalls in isotope quantification will be described.

Elucidating Water Contamination by Fracturing Fluids and Formation Waters from Gas Wells: Integrating Isotopic and Geochemical Tracers

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The objective of this presentation is to evaluate the potential and applicability of different geochemical and isotopic tracers for tracing the impacts of fracturing fluids and co-produced waters on water resources.

Technique distribuee de gestion de la charge sur le reseau electrique et ring-tree: Un nouveau systeme de communication P2P

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ayoub, Simon

Le reseau de distribution et de transport de l'electricite se modernise dans plusieurs pays dont le Canada. La nouvelle generation de ce reseau que l'on appelle smart grid, permet entre autre l'automatisation de la production, de la distribution et de la gestion de la charge chez les clients. D'un autre cote, des appareils domestiques intelligents munis d'une interface de communication pour des applications du smart grid commencent a apparaitre sur le marche. Ces appareils intelligents pourraient creer une communaute virtuelle pour optimiser leurs consommations d'une facon distribuee. La gestion distribuee de ces charges intelligentes necessite la communication entre un grand nombre d'equipements electriques. Ceci represente un defi important a relever surtout si on ne veut pas augmenter le cout de l'infrastructure et de la maintenance. Lors de cette these deux systemes distincts ont ete concus : un systeme de communication peer-to-peer, appele Ring-Tree, permettant la communication entre un nombre important de noeuds (jusqu'a de l'ordre de grandeur du million) tel que des appareils electriques communicants et une technique distribuee de gestion de la charge sur le reseau electrique. Le systeme de communication Ring-Tree inclut une nouvelle topologie reseau qui n'a jamais ete definie ou exploitee auparavant. Il inclut egalement des algorithmes pour la creation, l'exploitation et la maintenance de ce reseau. Il est suffisamment simple pour etre mis en oeuvre sur des controleurs associes aux dispositifs tels que des chauffe-eaux, chauffage a accumulation, bornes de recharges electriques, etc. Il n'utilise pas un serveur centralise (ou tres peu, seulement lorsqu'un noeud veut rejoindre le reseau). Il offre une solution distribuee qui peut etre mise en oeuvre sans deploiement d'une infrastructure autre que les controleurs sur les dispositifs vises. Finalement, un temps de reponse de quelques secondes pour atteindre 1'ensemble du reseau peut etre obtenu, ce qui est suffisant pour les besoins des applications visees. Les protocoles de communication s'appuient sur un protocole de transport qui peut etre un de ceux utilises sur l'Internet comme TCP ou UDP. Pour valider le fonctionnement de de la technique de controle distribuee et le systeme de communiction Ring-Tree, un simulateur a ete developpe; un modele de chauffe-eau, comme exemple de charge, a ete integre au simulateur. La simulation d'une communaute de chauffe-eaux intelligents a montre que la technique de gestion de la charge combinee avec du stockage d'energie sous forme thermique permet d'obtenir, sans affecter le confort de l'utilisateur, des profils de consommation varies dont un profil de consommation uniforme qui represente un facteur de charge de 100%. Mots-cles : Algorithme Distribue, Demand Response, Gestion de la Charge Electrique, M2M (Machine-to-Machine), P2P (Peer-to-Peer), Reseau Electrique Intelligent, Ring-Tree, Smart Grid

Microgenerateurs electriques a base d'oscillateurs thermiques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leveille, Etienne

Dans un contexte de developpement durable et d'automatisation de notre environnement, l'utilisation de capteurs sans-fil distribues est croissante. Hors l'usage et le remplacement de piles s'avere couteux. La consommation energetique de plus en plus faible de l'electronique rend l'extraction energetique de l'energie ambiante envisageable. La chaleur residuelle est une source d'energie interessante puisqu'elle est la forme finale de la majeure partie de l'energie utilisee par l'humain. Cependant, a petite echelle, seuls les elements thermoelectriques sont disponibles. Les presents travaux s'interessent donc a explorer et comparer des mecanismes de generation alternatifs. Puisque la majorite des mecanismes de transduction alternatifs sont dynamiques, leur utilisation requiert une transformation de l'energie thermique continue en oscillations. Les mecanismes etudies ont donc tous en commun de posseder un oscillateur thermique en plus d'un mecanisme de transduction vers la forme d'energie electrique. Parmi les divers mecanismes identifies, deux sont etudies en details pour comprendre leurs comportements ainsi que connaitre leur efficacite et leur puissance potentielle. Le premier generateur etudie theoriquement est base sur le changement de ferromagnetisme d'une masse suspendue par des ressorts au-dessus d'un aimant. Les comportements du modele developpe correspondent aux comportements reportes dans la litterature. Deux parametres de conception principaux ont ete identifies, permettant un controle de la frequence, de la plage de temperatures d'operation. De plus le mecanisme peut operer avec de faibles differences de temperature et des temperatures proches de l'ambiant, ouvrant la porte a des applications utilisant la chaleur du corps humain. L'utilisation de materiau pyroelectrique comme mecanisme de transduction pourrait offrir des densites de puissance electrique envisageables de l'ordre de 1mW/cm3. Le second generateur etudie experimentalement est base sur l'evaporation explosive d'un liquide surchauffe en absence de sites de nucleation. Un premier prototype a permis de demontrer, pour la premiere fois, le fonctionnement d'un tel cycle. Une etude de l'effet de la temperature de la source de chaleur et de l'effet du debit de liquide montre qu'une zone d'operation ideale est presente. La puissance de sortie maximale mesuree est de l'ordre de 1.6muW. Des ameliorations sont proposees pour faire croitre cette puissance de deux ordres de grandeur. Finalement, l'utilisation du pompage capillaire pour rendre le systeme autonome est demontre, mais reste sensible aux variations de conditions. Finalement, l'etude des dispositifs montre que les microgenerateurs a base d'oscillateurs thermiques peuvent presenter un interet, par rapport aux elements thermoelectriques, dans les applications ou les temperatures sont faibles ou incertaines. Cependant, ces mecanismes souffrent d'une tres faible efficacite causee par les multiples transformations energetiques a faible couplage. Mots-cles : microgenerateur, oscillateur thermique, cycle thermodynamique, thermoelectricite, microsystemes electromecaniques, MEMS

La Description des langues naturelles en vue d'applications linguistiques: Actes du colloque (The Description of Natural Languages with a View to Linguistic Applications: Conference Papers). Publication K-10.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ouellon, Conrad, Comp.

Presentations from a colloquium on applications of research on natural languages to computer science address the following topics: (1) analysis of complex adverbs; (2) parser use in computerized text analysis; (3) French language utilities; (4) lexicographic mapping of official language notices; (5) phonographic codification of Spanish; (6)…

46 CFR 199.10 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Type Vessel Service Subchapter W Subparts applicable 1 A B C D E F Other 2 D Tank ≥ 500 tons... X X 4 X 5 X X Notes: 1 Subchapter W does not apply to inspected nonself-propelled vessels without... North America and the River Saint Lawrence as far east as a straight line drawn from Cap des Rosiers to...

Observation of the 162Dy-164Dy Isotope Shift for the 0 → 16 717.79 cm-1 Optical Transition.

PubMed

Nardin Barreta, Luiz Felipe; Victor, Alessandro Rogério; Bueno, Patrícia; Dos Santos, Jhonatha Ricardo; da Silveira, Carlos Alberto Barbosa; Neri, José Wilson; Neto, Jonas Jakutis; Sbampato, Maria Esther; Destro, Marcelo Geraldo

2017-08-01

In this work, we report a newly observed isotope shift between 162 Dy and 164 Dy isotopes for the 0 → 16 717.79 cm -1 (598.003 nm) optical transition. We compared the newly observed results against two other lines (597.452 nm and 598.859 nm), which we measured in this work, and were already reported in the literature. The newly observed 162-164 Dy isotope shift, shows at least a 20% larger isotope shift than the isotope shifts for the other two lines investigated. The larger 162-164 isotope shift observed for the 598.003 nm line could lead to an increased isotope selectivity for atomic vapor laser isotope separation (AVLIS). Hence, this line could be a good choice for application in AVLIS. Experimental data available in the literature for the 597.452 nm and 598.859 nm lines, enabled us to perform simulations of spectra for both lines, in order to confirm the accuracy of our experimental measurements.

Sulfur and oxygen isotope fractionation during benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene degradation by sulfate-reducing bacteria.

PubMed

Knöller, Kay; Vogt, Carsten; Richnow, Hans-Herrmann; Weise, Stephan M

2006-06-15

We examined the oxygen and sulfur isotope fractionation of sulfate during anaerobic degradation of toluene by sulfate-reducing bacteria in culture experiments with Desulfobacula toluolica as a type strain and with an enrichment culture Zz5-7 obtained from a benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX)-contaminated aquifer. Sulfur isotope fractionation can show considerable variation upon sulfate reduction and may react extremely sensitively to changes in environmental conditions. In contrast, oxygen isotope fractionation seems to be less sensitive to environmental changes. Our results clearly indicate that oxygen isotope fractionation is dominated by isotope exchange with ambient water. To verify our experimental results and to test the applicability of oxygen and sulfur isotope investigations under realistic field conditions, we evaluated isotope data from two BTEX-contaminated aquifers presented in the recent literature. On a field scale, bacterial sulfate reduction may be superimposed by processes such as dispersion, adsorption, reoxidation, or mixing. The dual isotope approach enables the identification of such sulfur transformation processes. This identification is vital for a general qualitative evaluation of the natural attenuation potential of the contaminated aquifer.

Approche à l’égard des nouveaux anticoagulants oraux en pratique familiale

PubMed Central

Douketis, James; Bell, Alan David; Eikelboom, John; Liew, Aaron

2014-01-01

Résumé Objectif Traiter des différentes éventualités pouvant survenir durant le suivi clinique et la prise en charge prolongés des patients prenant de nouveaux anticoagulants oraux (NACO). Qualité des données Aux fins de cette révision narrative (non systématique), nous avons effectué une recherche dans la base de données PubMed afin de relever des études cliniques récentes (soit de janvier 2008 à la semaine 32 de 2013) portant sur l’emploi des NACO pour la prévention des AVC dans les cas de fibrillation auriculaire et le traitement de la thromboembolie veineuse aiguë. Nous avons utilisé cette base de données probantes pour répondre à nos questions prédéfinies ayant trait à l’emploi des NACO en pratique générale. Message principal Le dabigatran et le rivaroxaban doivent être pris avec les repas afin de limiter la dyspepsie et de favoriser l’absorption, respectivement. Aucun NACO n’est accompagné de restrictions alimentaires, à l’exception de la consommation modérée d’alcool, et le rivaroxaban et l’apixaban peuvent être écrasés, au besoin. Les antiacides ne semblent pas perturber l’efficacité des NACO. Comme c’est le cas avec la warfarine, les patients traités aux NACO doivent éviter l’emploi prolongé d’anti-inflammatoires non stéroïdiens et d’antiplaquettaires. Chez les patients devant subir une chirurgie, il faut interrompre la prise de NACO de 2 à 5 jours avant l’intervention, en fonction du risque de saignement, et le traitement par le NACO doit être habituellement repris au moins 24 heures après la chirurgie. Il n’est habituellement pas nécessaire d’effectuer un test préopératoire de coagulation. Chez les patients qui développent un saignement, un saignement mineur ne justifie habituellement pas un test de laboratoire ni l’interruption du traitement par le NACO; dans le cas des saignements majeurs, il faut se concentrer sur l’application de mesures localisées visant à endiguer le saignement et sur les soins infirmiers et il y a aussi lieu de procéder à un test de coagulation. Il n’existe à l’heure actuelle aucun antidote pour renverser les effets des NACO. Ces derniers ne doivent pas être administrés aux patients porteurs d’une valvule cardiaque mécanique ou qui sont atteints d’une maladie valvulaire cardiaque, d’une thrombose veineuse profonde liée au cancer ou d’une thrombophlébite superficielle. Conclusion La prise en charge des scénarios éventuels chez les patients qui prennent des NACO a été proposée, mais plus d’études sur ces questions sont nécessaires, particulièrement sur la prise en charge peropératoire et les saignements.

Nitrate dynamics in natural plants: insights based on the concentration and natural isotope abundances of tissue nitrate

PubMed Central

Liu, Xue-Yan; Koba, Keisuke; Makabe, Akiko; Liu, Cong-Qiang

2014-01-01

The dynamics of nitrate (NO−3), a major nitrogen (N) source for natural plants, has been studied mostly through experimental N addition, enzymatic assay, isotope labeling, and genetic expression. However, artificial N supply may not reasonably reflect the N strategies in natural plants because NO−3 uptake and reduction may vary with external N availability. Due to abrupt application and short operation time, field N addition, and isotopic labeling hinder the elucidation of in situ NO−3-use mechanisms. The concentration and natural isotopes of tissue NO−3 can offer insights into the plant NO−3 sources and dynamics in a natural context. Furthermore, they facilitate the exploration of plant NO−3 utilization and its interaction with N pollution and ecosystem N cycles without disturbing the N pools. The present study was conducted to review the application of the denitrifier method for concentration and isotope analyses of NO−3 in plants. Moreover, this study highlights the utility and advantages of these parameters in interpreting NO−3 sources and dynamics in natural plants. We summarize the major sources and reduction processes of NO−3 in plants, and discuss the implications of NO−3 concentration in plant tissues based on existing data. Particular emphasis was laid on the regulation of soil NO−3 and plant ecophysiological functions in interspecific and intra-plant NO−3 variations. We introduce N and O isotope systematics of NO−3 in plants and discuss the principles and feasibilities of using isotopic enrichment and fractionation factors; the correlation between concentration and isotopes (N and O isotopes: δ18O and Δ17O); and isotope mass-balance calculations to constrain sources and reduction of NO−3 in possible scenarios for natural plants are deliberated. Finally, we offer a preliminary framework of intraplant δ18O-NO−3 variation, and summarize the uncertainties in using tissue NO−3 parameters to interpret plant NO−3 utilization. PMID:25101106

Nitrate dynamics in natural plants: insights based on the concentration and natural isotope abundances of tissue nitrate.

PubMed

Liu, Xue-Yan; Koba, Keisuke; Makabe, Akiko; Liu, Cong-Qiang

2014-01-01

The dynamics of nitrate (NO(-) 3), a major nitrogen (N) source for natural plants, has been studied mostly through experimental N addition, enzymatic assay, isotope labeling, and genetic expression. However, artificial N supply may not reasonably reflect the N strategies in natural plants because NO(-) 3 uptake and reduction may vary with external N availability. Due to abrupt application and short operation time, field N addition, and isotopic labeling hinder the elucidation of in situ NO(-) 3-use mechanisms. The concentration and natural isotopes of tissue NO(-) 3 can offer insights into the plant NO(-) 3 sources and dynamics in a natural context. Furthermore, they facilitate the exploration of plant NO(-) 3 utilization and its interaction with N pollution and ecosystem N cycles without disturbing the N pools. The present study was conducted to review the application of the denitrifier method for concentration and isotope analyses of NO(-) 3 in plants. Moreover, this study highlights the utility and advantages of these parameters in interpreting NO(-) 3 sources and dynamics in natural plants. We summarize the major sources and reduction processes of NO(-) 3 in plants, and discuss the implications of NO(-) 3 concentration in plant tissues based on existing data. Particular emphasis was laid on the regulation of soil NO(-) 3 and plant ecophysiological functions in interspecific and intra-plant NO(-) 3 variations. We introduce N and O isotope systematics of NO(-) 3 in plants and discuss the principles and feasibilities of using isotopic enrichment and fractionation factors; the correlation between concentration and isotopes (N and O isotopes: δ(18)O and Δ(17)O); and isotope mass-balance calculations to constrain sources and reduction of NO(-) 3 in possible scenarios for natural plants are deliberated. Finally, we offer a preliminary framework of intraplant δ(18)O-NO(-) 3 variation, and summarize the uncertainties in using tissue NO(-) 3 parameters to interpret plant NO(-) 3 utilization.

Forensic applications of nitrogen and oxygen isotopes in tracing nitrate sources in urban environments

USGS Publications Warehouse

Silva, S.R.; Ging, P.B.; Lee, R.W.; Ebbert, J.C.; Tesoriero, A.J.; Inkpen, E.L.

2002-01-01

Ground and surface waters in urban areas are susceptible to nitrate contamination from septic systems, leaking sewer lines, and fertilizer applications. Source identification is a primary step toward a successful remediation plan in affected areas. In this respect, nitrogen and oxygen isotope ratios of nitrate, in conjunction with hydrologic data and water chemistry, have proven valuable in urban studies from Austin, Texas, and Tacoma, Washington. In Austin, stream water was sampled during stremflow and baseflow conditions to assess surface and subsurface sources of nitrate, respectively. In Tacoma, well waters were sampled in adjacent sewered and un-sewered areas to determine if locally high nitrate concentrations were caused by septic systems in the un-sewered areas. In both studies, sewage was identified as a nitrate source and mixing between sewage and other sources of nitrate was apparent. In addition to source identification, combined nitrogen and oxygen isotopes were important in determining the significance of denitrification, which can complicate source assessment by reducing nitrate concentrations and increasing ??15N values. The two studies illustrate the value of nitrogen and oxygen isotopes of nitrate for forensic applications in urban areas. ?? Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. on behalf of AEHS.

Isotopic Discrimination of Perchlorate Sources in Ground Water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bohlke, J.; Hatzinger, P. B.; Sturchio, N. C.; Gu, B.; Jackson, W. A.; Abbene, I. J.

2007-12-01

Perchlorate has been detected in ground water and drinking water in many areas of the U.S. during the past decade. Sources of potential perchlorate enrichment in ground water include releases from past military activities, fireworks manufacture and display, fertilizer applications, discarded road flares, and local atmospheric deposition. Here we present analyses of stable isotopes (δ37Cl, δ18O, and Δ17O) of dissolved perchlorate, along with other supporting environmental tracer data, from selected occurrences in ground water in the U.S. The isotope data indicate that both synthetic and natural perchlorate are present in ground water, and that multiple sources are present locally in some areas. The sampled ground waters generally were oxic and the perchlorate isotopes generally were not affected substantially by biodegradation. In some areas, natural perchlorate, with Δ17O = +7 to +10 ‰, can be attributed to agricultural applications of atmospherically derived natural nitrate fertilizer imported from South America (Atacama Desert, Chile). In at least one agricultural area in New York, concentrations of perchlorate increase with depth and ground-water age, possibly because of decreasing application rates of Atacama nitrate fertilizer and(or) decreasing perchlorate concentrations in the imported fertilizer products in recent years.

Calcium Isotope Analysis by Mass Spectrometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boulyga, S.; Richter, S.

2010-12-01

The variations in the isotopic composition of calcium caused by fractionation in heterogeneous systems and by nuclear reactions can provide insight into numerous biological, geological, and cosmic processes, and therefore isotopic analysis finds a wide spectrum of applications in cosmo- and geochemistry, paleoclimatic, nutritional, and biomedical studies. The measurement of calcium isotopic abundances in natural samples has challenged the analysts for more than three decades. Practically all Ca isotopes suffer from significant isobaric interferences, whereas low-abundant isotopes can be particularly affected by neighboring major isotopes. The extent of natural variations of stable isotopes appears to be relatively limited, and highly precise techniques are required to resolve isotopic effects. Isotope fractionation during sample preparation and measurements and instrumental mass bias can significantly exceed small isotope abundance variations in samples, which have to be investigated. Not surprisingly, a TIMS procedure developed by Russell et al. (Russell et al., 1978. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 42: 1075-1090) for Ca isotope measurements was considered as revolutionary for isotopic measurements in general, and that approach is used nowadays (with small modifications) for practically all isotopic systems and with different mass spectrometric techniques. Nevertheless, despite several decades of calcium research and corresponding development of mass spectrometers, the available precision and accuracy is still not always sufficient to achieve the challenging goals. This presentation discusses figures of merits of presently used analytical methods and instrumentation, and attempts to critically assess their limitations. Additionally, the availability of Ca isotope reference materials will be discussed.

The Sensitivity of Atmospheric Water Isotopes to Entrainment and Precipitation Efficiency in a Bulk Plume Model of Convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duan, S.; Wright, J. S.; Romps, D. M.

2016-12-01

Atmospheric water isotopes have been proposed as potentially powerful constraints on the physics of convective clouds and parameterizations of convective processes in models. We have previously derived an analytical model of water vapor (H2O) and one of its heavy isotopes (HDO) in convective environments based on a bulk-plume convective water budget in radiative convective equilibrium. This analytical model provides a useful starting point for examining the joint responses of water vapor and its isotopic composition to changes in convective parameters; however, certain idealistic assumptions are required to make the model analytically solvable. Here, we develop a more flexible numerical framework that enables a wider range of model configurations and includes additional isotopic tracers. This model provides a bridge between Rayleigh distillation, which is simple but inflexible, and more complicated convection schemes and cloud resolving models, which are more realistic but also more difficult to perturb and interpret. Application of realistic in-cloud water profiles in our model produces vertical distributions of δD that qualitatively match satellite observations from the Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES). We test the sensitivity of water vapor and its isotopic composition to a wide range of perturbations in the model parameters and their vertical profiles. In this presentation, we focus especially on establishing constraints for convective entrainment and precipitation efficiency. We conclude by discussing the potential application of this model as part of a larger water isotope toolkit for use with offline diagnostics provided by reanalyses and GCMs.

Efficiency of endoscopy units can be improved with use of discrete event simulation modeling.

PubMed

Sauer, Bryan G; Singh, Kanwar P; Wagner, Barry L; Vanden Hoek, Matthew S; Twilley, Katherine; Cohn, Steven M; Shami, Vanessa M; Wang, Andrew Y

2016-11-01

Background and study aims: The projected increased demand for health services obligates healthcare organizations to operate efficiently. Discrete event simulation (DES) is a modeling method that allows for optimization of systems through virtual testing of different configurations before implementation. The objective of this study was to identify strategies to improve the daily efficiencies of an endoscopy center with the use of DES. Methods: We built a DES model of a five procedure room endoscopy unit at a tertiary-care university medical center. After validating the baseline model, we tested alternate configurations to run the endoscopy suite and evaluated outcomes associated with each change. The main outcome measures included adequate number of preparation and recovery rooms, blocked inflow, delay times, blocked outflows, and patient cycle time. Results: Based on a sensitivity analysis, the adequate number of preparation rooms is eight and recovery rooms is nine for a five procedure room unit (total 3.4 preparation and recovery rooms per procedure room). Simple changes to procedure scheduling and patient arrival times led to a modest improvement in efficiency. Increasing the preparation/recovery rooms based on the sensitivity analysis led to significant improvements in efficiency. Conclusions: By applying tools such as DES, we can model changes in an environment with complex interactions and find ways to improve the medical care we provide. DES is applicable to any endoscopy unit and would be particularly valuable to those who are trying to improve on the efficiency of care and patient experience.

Efficiency of endoscopy units can be improved with use of discrete event simulation modeling

PubMed Central

Sauer, Bryan G.; Singh, Kanwar P.; Wagner, Barry L.; Vanden Hoek, Matthew S.; Twilley, Katherine; Cohn, Steven M.; Shami, Vanessa M.; Wang, Andrew Y.

2016-01-01

Background and study aims: The projected increased demand for health services obligates healthcare organizations to operate efficiently. Discrete event simulation (DES) is a modeling method that allows for optimization of systems through virtual testing of different configurations before implementation. The objective of this study was to identify strategies to improve the daily efficiencies of an endoscopy center with the use of DES. Methods: We built a DES model of a five procedure room endoscopy unit at a tertiary-care university medical center. After validating the baseline model, we tested alternate configurations to run the endoscopy suite and evaluated outcomes associated with each change. The main outcome measures included adequate number of preparation and recovery rooms, blocked inflow, delay times, blocked outflows, and patient cycle time. Results: Based on a sensitivity analysis, the adequate number of preparation rooms is eight and recovery rooms is nine for a five procedure room unit (total 3.4 preparation and recovery rooms per procedure room). Simple changes to procedure scheduling and patient arrival times led to a modest improvement in efficiency. Increasing the preparation/recovery rooms based on the sensitivity analysis led to significant improvements in efficiency. Conclusions: By applying tools such as DES, we can model changes in an environment with complex interactions and find ways to improve the medical care we provide. DES is applicable to any endoscopy unit and would be particularly valuable to those who are trying to improve on the efficiency of care and patient experience. PMID:27853739

Medical Isotope Program: O-18, C-13, and Xe-129 Final Report CRADA No. TC-2043-02

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

Scheibner, K. F.; Fought, J.

This was a collaborative effort between the University of California, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and Spectra Gases, Inc., to develop new and cheaper sources of Oxgyen-18 (O-18), Carbon-13 (C-13), and Xenon-129 (Xe-129), and to develop new applications of these stable medical isotopes in medicine resulting in a substantial increase in stable isotopes that are important to human health sciences.

Development of stable isotope mixing models in ecology - Dublin

EPA Science Inventory

More than 40 years ago, stable isotope analysis methods used in geochemistry began to be applied to ecological studies. One common application is using mathematical mixing models to sort out the proportional contributions of various sources to a mixture. Examples include contri...

Historical development of stable isotope mixing models in ecology

EPA Science Inventory

More than 40 years ago, stable isotope analysis methods used in geochemistry began to be applied to ecological studies. One common application is using mathematical mixing models to sort out the proportional contributions of various sources to a mixture. Examples include contri...

Development of stable isotope mixing models in ecology - Perth

EPA Science Inventory

More than 40 years ago, stable isotope analysis methods used in geochemistry began to be applied to ecological studies. One common application is using mathematical mixing models to sort out the proportional contributions of various sources to a mixture. Examples include contri...

Development of stable isotope mixing models in ecology - Fremantle

EPA Science Inventory

More than 40 years ago, stable isotope analysis methods used in geochemistry began to be applied to ecological studies. One common application is using mathematical mixing models to sort out the proportional contributions of various sources to a mixture. Examples include contri...

Development of stable isotope mixing models in ecology - Sydney

EPA Science Inventory

More than 40 years ago, stable isotope analysis methods used in geochemistry began to be applied to ecological studies. One common application is using mathematical mixing models to sort out the proportional contributions of various sources to a mixture. Examples include contri...

Application of stable isotope ratio analysis for biodegradation monitoring in groundwater

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hatzinger, Paul B.; Böhlke, John Karl; Sturchio, Neil C.

2013-01-01

Stable isotope ratio analysis is increasingly being applied as a tool to detect, understand, and quantify biodegradation of organic and inorganic contaminants in groundwater. An important feature of this approach is that it allows degradative losses of contaminants to be distinguished from those caused by non-destructive processes such as dilution, dispersion, and sorption. Recent advances in analytical techniques, and new approaches for interpreting stable isotope data, have expanded the utility of this method while also exposing complications and ambiguities that must be considered in data interpretations. Isotopic analyses of multiple elements in a compound, and multiple compounds in the environment, are being used to distinguish biodegradative pathways by their characteristic isotope effects. Numerical models of contaminant transport, degradation pathways, and isotopic composition are improving quantitative estimates of in situ contaminant degradation rates under realistic environmental conditions.

Avant-Propos

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ollivier, J.; Farhi, E.; Ferrand, M.; Benoit, M.

2005-11-01

L'École Thématique “Neutrons et Biologie” s'est tenue du 22 au 26 Mai 2004 à Praz/Arly (Haute-Savoie, France), dans le cadre des 12 èmes Journees de la Diffusion Neutronique de la Societe Française de Neutronique. Cette école a ete organisee avec le concours financier du CNRS (formation permanente), du Laboratoire Léon Brillouin (CEA Saclay), de la region Rhône-Alpes, du conseil général de Haute-Savoie et de l'Université Joseph Fourier de Grenoble. Une cinquantaine de participants, dont une vingtaine d'intervenants, ont largement contribué à la réussite de l'École. D'un point de vue scientifique, l'École s'est déclinée en sept sessions thématiques majeures: - une première session introductive a été consacrée à une revue globale des méthodes biophysiques ayant un fort impact pour l'étude de la structure et de la dynamique des macromolécules biologiques (J. Parello). Un accent tout particulier à été apporté pour décrire les neutrons en tant que composante importante de la panoplie des techniques couramment utilisées en biophysique moléculaire (J. Schweitzer). - une session dédiée aux mesures dynamiques par diffusion incohérente de neutrons a été largement developpée. Qu'ils s'agissent de vibrations et de relaxations moléculaires dans les protéines (J.M. Zanotti), de dynamique globale des protéines (G. Zaccaï), ainsi que de dynamique de l'eau d'hydratation (F. Gabel), de nombreux exemples ont permis d'illustrer la pertinence des neutrons pour étudier la dynamique fonctionnelle des protéines sur l'échelle de temps picosecond nanoseconde. L'analyse des données de diffusion inélastique de neutrons ne peut se passer de modélisation théorique analytique des propriétés dynamique des biomolécules (D. Bicout). - une large place avait été réservée aux études structurales en biologie. Cette troisième session a rassemblé des contributions en diffusion aux petits angles de neutrons pour l'étude structurale en solution (D. Lairez), en réflectométrie de neutrons pour l'étude de systèmes des membranes ou de protéines en interaction avec des membranes (G. Fragneto), ainsi qu'en diffraction de fibres appliquée à l'étude de l'ADN (T. Forsyth). - les simulations de dynamique moléculaire constituent une méthode théorique unique pour étudier, au niveau atomique, les mouvements internes des macromolécules biologiques, que ce soit à l'équilibre (G. Kneller, S. Crouzy) ou hors équilibre (B. Gilquin). Les trajectoires de dynamique moléculaire s'étendent aujourd'hui à la centaine de nanosecondes, et peuvent être de ce fait utilisées par certains programmes pour calculer les observables expérimentales fournies par la diffusion de neutrons (G. Kneller, T. Hinsen). - l'ouverture des neutrons à des techniques instrumentales permettant d'approcher, d'une part, des états hors-équilibre par le biais d'études cinétiques couplées à des mélanges rapides pour des études de croissance de phases (I. Grillo) ou de repliement de protéines, d'autre part, des conditions expérimentales extrèmes (hautes-pressions, M. Plazanet), nous ont semblé constituer des émergences prometteuses. À ce titre, une revue sur le repliement des protéines (V. Forge) a précisé l'importance de nombreuses techniques (fluorescence intrinsèque, dichroïsme, infra-rouge, RMN) dans le domaine, tout en permettant d'entrevoir l'intérêt des études par neutrons. - en marge des sessions purement “neutrons”, il nous semblait important de pouvoir présenter des techniques et méthodes souvent reconnues comme très complémentaires des neutrons, en privilégiant un volet “études structurales” et un volet “études dynamiques”. Côté méthodes dynamiques, la RMN (M. Blackledge) a été positionnée comme une technique permettant d'étudier la flexibilité moléculaire sur des echelles de temps plus lentes (ms). Côté méthodes structurales, la bio-cristallographie des RX appliquée à l'études des structures virales (P. Gouet) a permis de mettre en évidence des aspects complémentaires entre RX et neutrons, et de souligner les avantages et inconvenients respectifs de ces techniques. - l'École Thématique s'est achevée par une session commune avec les Journées Rossat-Mignod, au cours de laquelle J. Helliwell a établi une revue comparative RX/neutrons sur les développements récents en bio-cristallographie des protéines, suivi de deux presentations portant sur la dynamique incohérente et cohérente de systèmes membranaires (F. Natali, M. Rheinstadter). Contrairement aux années précédentes, le contenu de cet ouvrage se veut davantage refléter les applications des neutrons en biologie et biophysique moléculaire, en se reportant à des travaux scientifiques précis, plutôt que d'être constitué d'un recueil de cours, certes trés pédagogiques, mais quelquefois trop éloignés de l'expérience. Nous espérons que ce choix saura satisfaire le lecteur et encourager de nouveaux biologistes à utiliser les neutrons dès que possible pour leurs systèmes d'intérêt. Bonne lecture et bonnes manips !!!!

Nuclear applications of inorganic mass spectrometry.

PubMed

De Laeter, John

2010-01-01

There are several basic characteristics of mass spectrometry that are not always fully appreciated by the science community. These characteristics include the distinction between relative and absolute isotope abundances, and the influence of isotope fractionation on the accuracy of isotopic measurements. These characteristics can be illustrated in the field of nuclear physics with reference to the measurement of nuclear parameters, which involve the use of enriched isotopes, and to test models of s-, r-, and p-process nucleosynthesis. The power of isotope-dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) to measure trace elements in primitive meteorites to produce accurate Solar System abundances has been essential to the development of nuclear astrophysics. The variety of mass spectrometric instrumentation used to measure the isotopic composition of elements has sometimes been accompanied by a lack of implementation of basic mass spectrometric protocols which are applicable to all instruments. These metrological protocols are especially important in atomic weight determinations, but must also be carefully observed in cases where the anomalies might be very small, such as in studies of the daughter products of extinct radionuclides to decipher events in the early history of the Solar System. There are occasions in which misleading conclusions have been drawn from isotopic data derived from mass spectrometers where such protocols have been ignored. It is important to choose the mass spectrometer instrument most appropriate to the proposed experiment. The importance of the integrative nature of mass spectrometric measurements has been demonstrated by experiments in which long, double beta decay and geochronological decay half-lives have been measured as an alternative to costly radioactive-counting experiments. This characteristic is also illustrated in the measurement of spontaneous fission yields, which have accumulated over long periods of time. Mass spectrometry is also a valuable tool in the determination of neutron capture cross-section measurements and the application of such determinations in Planetary Science. 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Evaluated nuclear data files for the naturally-occurring isotopes of cadmium

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

McCabe, J.; Smith, A.B.; Meadows, J.W.

1993-06-01

Comprehensive neutronic evaluated data files for the naturally-occurring isotopes of cadmium are deduced from experimental data and nuclear models, and presented in the ENDF/B-VI formats. Particular attention is given to those processes relevant to fuel-cycle and fission-product applications. Comparisons are made with prior evaluations of the cadmium isotopes, and discrepancies and consistencies cited. Some of the discrepancies are very large 9.9 as much as 100%), and the differences have the potential for a pronounced impact on applications usage. The present files are comprehensive, including may important processes that are not represented in the contemporary ENDF/B-VI system. Recommendations are made formore » future measurements where appropriate.« less

Functionalization of graphene using deep eutectic solvents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayyan, Maan; Abo-Hamad, Ali; AlSaadi, Mohammed AbdulHakim; Hashim, Mohd Ali

2015-08-01

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have received attention in various applications because of their distinctive properties. In this work, DESs were used as functionalizing agents for graphene due to their potential to introduce new functional groups and cause other surface modifications. Eighteen different types of ammonium- and phosphonium-salt-based DESs were prepared and characterized by FTIR. The graphene was characterized by FTIR, STA, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, and TEM. Additional experiments were performed to study the dispersion behavior of the functionalized graphene in different solvents. The DESs exhibited both reduction and functionalization effects on DES-treated graphene. Dispersion stability was investigated and then characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy and zeta potential. DES-modified graphene can be used in many applications, such as drug delivery, wastewater treatment, catalysts, composite materials, nanofluids, and biosensors. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation on the use of DESs for graphene functionalization.

Functionalization of graphene using deep eutectic solvents.

PubMed

Hayyan, Maan; Abo-Hamad, Ali; AlSaadi, Mohammed AbdulHakim; Hashim, Mohd Ali

2015-12-01

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have received attention in various applications because of their distinctive properties. In this work, DESs were used as functionalizing agents for graphene due to their potential to introduce new functional groups and cause other surface modifications. Eighteen different types of ammonium- and phosphonium-salt-based DESs were prepared and characterized by FTIR. The graphene was characterized by FTIR, STA, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, and TEM. Additional experiments were performed to study the dispersion behavior of the functionalized graphene in different solvents. The DESs exhibited both reduction and functionalization effects on DES-treated graphene. Dispersion stability was investigated and then characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy and zeta potential. DES-modified graphene can be used in many applications, such as drug delivery, wastewater treatment, catalysts, composite materials, nanofluids, and biosensors. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation on the use of DESs for graphene functionalization.

Recent Developments in MC-ICP-MS for Uranium Isotopic Determination from Small Samples.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Field, P.; Lloyd, N. S.

2016-12-01

V002: Advances in approaches and instruments for isotope studies Session ID#: 12653 Recent Developments in MC-ICP-MS for Uranium Isotopic Determination from small samples.M. Paul Field 1 & Nicholas S. Lloyd. 1 Elemental Scientific Inc., Omaha, Nebraska, USA. field@icpms.com 2 Thermo Fisher Scientific, Hanna-Kunath-Str. 11, 28199 Bremen, Germany. nicholas.lloyd@thermofisher.com Uranium isotope ratio determination for nuclear, nuclear safeguards and for environmental applications can be challenging due to, 1) the large isotopic differences between samples and 2) low abundance of 234U and 236U. For some applications the total uranium quantities can be limited, or it is desirable to run at lower concentrations for radiological protection. Recent developments in inlet systems and detector technologies allow small samples to be analyzed at higher precisions using MC-ICP-MS. Here we evaluate the combination of Elemental Scientific apex omega desolvation system and microFAST-MC dual loop-loading flow-injection system with the Thermo Scientific NEPTUNE Plus MC-ICP-MS. The inlet systems allow for the automated syringe loading and injecting handling of small sample volumes with efficient desolvation to minimize the hydride interference on 236U. The highest ICP ion sampling efficiency is realized using the Thermo Scientific Jet Interface. Thermo Scientific 1013 ohm amplifier technology allows small ion beams to be measured at higher precision, offering the highest signal/noise ratio with a linear and stable response that covers a wide dynamic range (ca. 1 kcps - 30 Mcps). For nanogram quantities of low enriched and depleted uranium standards the 235U was measured with 1013 ohm amplifier technology. The minor isotopes (234U and 236U) were measured by SEM ion counters with RPQ lens filters, which offer the lowest detection limits. For sample amounts ca. 20 ng the minor isotopes can be moved onto 1013 ohm amplifiers and the 235U onto standard 1011 ohm amplifier. To illustrate the application a set of solutions from environmental particles [1] were analyzed, the use of precise three isotope ratio plots allows for source attribution with increased confidence. [1] Lloyd et al. 2009, J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 24(6), 752-758.

Development of procedure for measurement of Pb isotope ratios in seawater by application of seaFAST sample pre-treatment system and Sector Field Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vassileva, Emilia; Wysocka, Irena

2016-12-01

Anthropogenic Pb in the oceans, derived from high-temperature industrial processes, fuel combustion and incineration can have an isotopic signature distinct from naturally occurring Pb, supplied by rock weathering. To identify the different pollution sources accurately and to quantify their relative contributions, Pb isotope ratios are widely used. Due to the high salt content (approximately 3.5% of total dissolved solids) and very low levels of Pb (typically from 1 to 100 ng L- 1) in seawater the determination of Pb isotope ratios requires preliminary matrix separation and analyte preconcentration. An analytical protocol for the measurements of Pb isotope ratios in seawater combining seaFAST sample pre-treatment system and Sector Field Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (SF ICP-MS) was developed. The application of seaFAST system was advantageous, because of its completely closed working cycle and small volumes of chemicals introduced in pre-treatment step, resulting in very low detection limits and procedural blanks. The preconcentration/matrix separation step was also of crucial importance for minimizing the isobaric and matrix interferences, coming from the seawater. In order to differentiate between anthropogenic and natural Pb sources, particular attention was paid to the determination of 204Pb isotope because of its implication in some geological interpretations. The validation of the analytical procedure was effectuated according to the recommendations of the ISO/IEC 17025 standard. The method was validated by processing the common Pb isotope reference material NIST SRM 981. All major sources of uncertainty were identified and propagated together following the ISO/GUM guidelines. The estimation of the total uncertainty associated to each measurement result was fundamental tool for sorting the main sources of possible biases. The developed analytical procedure was applied to the coastal and open seawater samples, collected in different regions of the world and revealed that the procedure is applicable for the measurement of Pb isotope ratios in seawater with combined uncertainty adequate to discuss the origin of Pb pollution in the ocean.

Multi-isotope tracers to investigate processes in the Elbe, Weser and Ems river catchment using B, Mo, Sr, and Pb isotope ratios assessed by MC ICP-MS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Irrgeher, Johanna; Reese, Anna; Zimmermann, Tristan; Prohaska, Thomas; Retzmann, Anika; Wieser, Michael E.; Zitek, Andreas; Proefrock, Daniel

2017-04-01

Environmental monitoring of complex ecosystems requires reliable sensitive techniques based on sound analytical strategies to identify the source, fate and sink of elements and matter. Isotopic signatures can serve to trace pathways by making use of specific isotopic fingermarks or to distinguish between natural and anthropogenic sources. The presented work shows the potential of using the isotopic variation of Sr, Pb (as well-established isotopic systems), Mo and B (as novel isotopic system) assessed by MC ICP-MS in water and sediment samples to study aquatic ecosystem transport processes. The isotopic variation of Sr, Pb, Mo and B was determined in different marine and estuarine compartments covering the catchment of the German Wadden Sea and its main tributaries, the Elbe, Weser and Ems River. The varying elemental concentrations, the complex matrix and the expected small variations in the isotopic composition required the development and application of reliable analytical measurement approaches as well as suited metrological data evaluation strategies. Aquatic isoscapes were created using ArcGIS® by relating spatial isotopic data with geographical and geological maps. The elemental and isotopic distribution maps show large variation for different parameters and also reflect the numerous impact factors (e.g. geology, anthropogenic sources) influencing the catchment area.

Betons durables a base de cendres d'ecorces de riz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, William

De nos jours, le développement durable est devenu une nécessité dans l'ensemble des sphères d'activité de notre monde, et particulièrement dans le domaine du béton. En effet, le développement des sociétés passe inévitablement par l'augmentation des infrastructures; le béton est le matériau principalement utilisé et son empreinte environnementale considérable gagnerait à être diminuée. L'industrie et la recherche sont très actives à ce niveau et la science des bétons durables est en pleine expansion. Dans ce contexte, une piste de solution est l'utilisation de résidus industriels ou agricoles comme ajouts cimentaires, ce qui permet de remplacer partiellement le ciment très polluant, tout en produisant des bétons avec une meilleure durabilité. Les cendres d'écorce de riz (RHA) présentent ainsi un potentiel cimentaire similaire aux meilleurs ajouts cimentaires actuellement utilisés, mais les applications concrètes de ce nouveau matériau demeurent peu développées à ce jour. Le présent projet a donc été conçu afin d'illustrer le potentiel des RHA d'une part dans les pays industrialisés pour améliorer la durabilité des bétons hautes performances (BHP) et pour améliorer les propriétés à l'état frais des bétons autoplaçants (BAP); et d'autre part, dans les pays en développement pour démocratiser les bétons durables produits avec des technologies adaptées aux réalités locales. Une première phase réalisée avec des RHA de haute qualité (RHAI) a ainsi été consacrée aux applications en pays industrialisés. La caractérisation des RHAI a indiqué une composition de 90% de silice amorphe, des particules légèrement plus grossières que le ciment, et une microstructure très poreuse et absorbante. Afin de pallier à cette absorption d'eau, l'optimisation du type de superplastifiant a permis de déterminer que l'utilisation du Plastol 5000 ou de l'Adva 405 avec les RHAI favorise un équilibre optimal entre dispersion initiale, rétention d'affaissement et résistances mécaniques. L'optimisation du dosage en RHAI a démontré que 10 ou 15% en remplacement du ciment améliore significativement la durabilité, que les résistances mécaniques sont peu affectées par le dosage en RHAI, et que 20% (ou plus) de RHAI entraîne des problèmes de maniabilité associés à une consistance rhéo-épaississante. Suite à ces optimisations, le bon potentiel des RHAI pour améliorer la durabilité des BHP a été déterminé en comparaison avec la fumée de silice (FS) et le métakaolin : le retrait endogène a été diminué par un effet de cure interne, les perméabilités aux chlorures ont été diminuées au même niveau que par la FS, et la résistance à l'écaillage a été améliorée possiblement par diminution du ressuage de surface. Finalement, l'augmentation de la viscosité par les RHAI a été utilisée avantageusement dans les BAP où un dosage de 10% a permis d'éviter la ségrégation sans utiliser d'adjuvant modificateur de viscosité très coûteux. Une deuxième phase a consisté à optimiser l'utilisation sur bétons de RHA produites avec un four à écorces de riz artisanal fabriqué selon un modèle actuellement utilisé au Burkina Faso (RHAG). Ces RHAG ont été broyées à la même granulométrie que les RHAI et des performances mécaniques similaires ont été obtenues. Une méthode de caractérisation simplifiée adaptée aux réalités du terrain a aussi été développée : elle permet d'optimiser le broyage en limitant les outils nécessaires à un tamis de 45 tm et à une balance. Un béton pour dalle a par la suite été développé à partir d'une recette typique de béton du Burkina Faso : ce béton avec RHAG a développé des résistances similaires à un contrôle, tout en permettant des économies de 23% sur le ciment. En conclusion, ce projet a réussi à illustrer le potentiel des RHA pour favoriser le développement durable dans différents types de bétons, dans différents contextes et avec des méthodes adaptées aux technologies disponibles. Suite à ce bref résumé, je vous invite fortement à poursuivre votre lecture pour en apprendre encore davantage. Mots-clés : Béton durable, matériaux cimentaires, ajouts cimentaires alternatifs, cendres d'écorces de riz (RHA/Rice Husk Ash), caractérisation, performances mécaniques, durabilité.

The new high-resolution IRMS MAT253 ULTRA at Utrecht University

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Röckmann, Thomas; Hofmann, Magdalena; Paul, Dipayan; Popa, Elena; Adnew, Getachew

2017-04-01

In 2016, the new high-resolution, multi-collector isotope ratio mass spectrometer MAT253 ULTRA [1] was installed at Utrecht University. This instrument is designed to reach a mass resolving power of 20,000 to 40,000 (M/ΔM). The ion currents are detected with a variable multi-collector unit that allows to register up to 9 ion currents simultaneously with Faraday cups and ion counters. The width of the entrance slit can be varied between 5 and 250μm so that the instrument can be operated under low, medium and high mass resolution, and an optimum balance between resolution and sensitivity can be selected for the respective applications. The central field of application of the new IRMS at Utrecht University is the measurement of multiply substituted isotopologues (clumped isotopes) in atmospheric trace compounds (e.g. 13CDH3, 13C18O16O, 18O18O, 15N14N18O) [1-7]. It is known from thermodynamics that the zero point energy of a chemical bond usually decreases when multiple heavy isotopes clump together in a molecule, and this effect depends on temperature [7]. Therefore, the abundance of clumped isotopes can be used as temperature indicator under thermodynamical equilibrium conditions. However, in the atmosphere, many reactions are controlled kinetically. It has been shown recently for a few examples that negative clumping signatures (anti-clumping) can be produced under non-equilibrium conditions [3,4]. In addition, based on purely statistical reasons, anti-clumping signatures will be produced in any molecule that contains indistinguishable atoms, which originate from isotopically distinct reservoir [5,6]. Thus, the investigation of multiply substituted isotopologues is expected to generate novel isotope signatures that can complement conventional stable isotope analysis in atmospheric science. We will present data on the performance of the MAT 253 ULTRA instrument and first scientific applications to atmospheric research. 1. Eiler, J.M., et al., A high-resolution gas-source isotope ratio mass spectrometer, Int. J. Mass Spect., 2013. 335: 45- 56. 2. Young, E.D., et al., A large-radius high-mass-resolution multiple-collector isotope ratio mass spectrometer for analysis of rare isotopologues of O2, N2, CH4 and other gases, Int. J. Mass Spect., 2016. 401: 1-10. 3. Wang, D.T., et al., Nonequilibrium clumped isotope signals in microbial methane, Science, 2015. 348: 428-431. 4. Yeung, L.Y., et al., Biological signatures in clumped isotopes of O2, Science, 2015. 348: 431-434. 5. Yeung, L.Y., Combinatorial effects on clumped isotopes and their significance in biogeochemistry, Geochim. Cosmochim. Act., 2016: doi:10.1016/j.gca.2015.09.020. 6. Röckmann, T., et al., Statistical clumped isotope signatures Scientific reports, 2016. 6: 31947; doi: 10.1038/srep31947. 7. Wang, Z.G., et al., Equilibrium thermodynamics of multiply substituted isotopologues of molecular gases, Geochim. Cosmochim. Act., 2004. 68: 4779-4797.

CRTs – Cluster Randomized Trials or “Courting Real Troubles”

PubMed Central

Ranson, M. Kent; Sinha, Tara; Morris, Saul S.; Mills, Anne J.

2006-01-01

This paper addresses the logistical challenges of implementing public health interventions in the setting of cluster randomized trials (CRTs), drawing on the experience of carrying out a CRT within a community-based health insurance (CBHI) scheme in rural India. Our CRT is seeking to improve the equity impact – i.e., reduce the differential in claims submission for hospitalization between poor and less poor – of this CBHI in rural areas. Five main challenges are identified and discussed: 1) assigning control clusters, 2) blinding, 3) implementing interventions simultaneously, 4) minimizing leakage, and 5) piggy-backing on a changing scheme. These challenges are not likely to be unique to low-income settings, although the fifth challenge is particularly likely when working with relatively small and resource-constrained programs. While compromises to methodological best-practice may reduce internal validity, they make the intervention more ‘real’, and potentially more applicable, to other programs and settings. Further, careful documentation of compromises allows them to be considered in the final analysis. RÉSUMÉ Cet article traite des difficultés logistiques rencontrées dans la mise en oeuvre d'interventions de santé publique dans le cadre d'essais contrôlés randomisés par grappes. Il tire les enseignements d'une expérience menée au sein d'un système d'assurance-santé communautaire dans une région rurale de l'Inde. Il s'agit d'une intervention randomisée par grappes qui a pour but d'améliorer l'équité du système, à savoir réduire l'écart entre les demandes de remboursement des frais d'hospitalisation soumises par les populations pauvres et moins pauvres. Cinq grandes difficultés sont présentées et discutées dans l'article : 1) la mise en place des groupes de contrôle, 2) la création des conditions d'un test en aveugle, 3) la simultanéité des interventions, 4) le risque de contamination entre les groupes et 5) l'implantation sur un dispositif connaissant des modifications. Ces problèmes ne sont pas propres au contexte des pays en développement, bien que le dernier soit plus courant dans le cas de petits programmes aux ressources limitées. Les concessions faites par rapport aux canons méthodologiques sont susceptibles de réduire la validité interne de l'étude, mais elles rendent l'intervention plus réaliste et potentiellement plus applicable à d'autres contextes. En outre, une documentation précise de ces compromis nous permet de les prendre en compte à la fin de l'analyse. PMID:16512334

Online induction heating for determination of isotope composition of woody stem water with laser spectrometry: A methods assessment

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lazarus, Brynne E.; Germino, Matthew; Vander Veen, Jessica L.

2016-01-01

Application of stable isotopes of water to studies of plant–soil interactions often requires a substantial preparatory step of extracting water from samples without fractionating isotopes. Online heating is an emerging approach for this need, but is relatively untested and major questions of how to best deliver standards and assess interference by organics have not been evaluated. We examined these issues in our application of measuring woody stem xylem of sagebrush using a Picarro laser spectrometer with online induction heating. We determined (1) effects of cryogenic compared to induction-heating extraction, (2) effects of delivery of standards on filter media compared to on woody stem sections, and (3) spectral interference from organic compounds for these approaches (and developed a technique to do so). Our results suggest that matching sample and standard media improves accuracy, but that isotopic values differ with the extraction method in ways that are not due to spectral interference from organics.

Measurement of infiltration rates in urban sewer systems by use of oxygen isotopes.

PubMed

De Bénédittis, J; Bertrand-Krajewski, J L

2005-01-01

The paper presents the principle of a method to measure infiltration rates in sewer systems based on the use of oxygen isotopes and its application in Lyon (France). In the urban area of Lyon, significant differences in delta 18O that can reach 3 per thousand are observed between the oxygen isotopic compositions of groundwater originating from Rhone, Saone and from their associated alluvial aquifers. Drinking water supplying Lyon results mainly from pumping in the Rhone alluvial aquifer. Therefore, in some areas, the difference of isotopic composition between wastewater resulting from the consumption of drinking water and local groundwater can be used to measure infiltration in sewer systems. The application in the catchment of Ecully shows that the infiltration flow rate presents strong fluctuations at an hourly scale: it varies between 15 and 40 m3/h. This variability could be explained by non-constant discharges of pumping and by variations of the water level in the sewer.

Pan-derived isotopic composition of atmospheric vapour in a Mediterranean wetland (Rhône River Delta, France).

PubMed

Vallet-Coulomb, Christine; Cartapanis, Olivier; Radakovitch, Olivier; Sonzogni, Corinne; Pichaud, Marc

2010-03-01

A continuous record of atmospheric vapour isotopic composition (delta(A)) can be derived from the isotope mass balance of a water body submitted to natural evaporation. In this paper, we present preliminary results of the application of this method to a drying evaporation pan, located in a Mediterranean wetland, during a two-month summer period. Results seem consistent with few atmospheric vapour data based on the assumption of isotopic equilibrium with precipitation, but we observed a shift between pan-derived delta(A) and the composition of vapour samples collected by cold trapping. These results suggest that further investigations are necessary to evaluate the effect of diurnal variations of atmospheric conditions on the applicability of the pan-evaporation method, and on the representative of grab atmospheric samples. We also propose a sensitivity analysis for evaluating the impact of the different measured components on delta(A) calculation, and show an improvement in the method efficiency as the pan is drying.

Physics of the Isotopic Dependence of Galactic Cosmic Ray Fluence Behind Shielding

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cucinotta, Francis A.; Saganti, Premkumar B.; Hu, Xiao-Dong; Kim, Myung-Hee Y.; Cleghorn, Timothy F.; Wilson, John W.; Tripathi, Ram K.; Zeitlin, Cary J.

2003-01-01

For over 25 years, NASA has supported the development of space radiation transport models for shielding applications. The NASA space radiation transport model now predicts dose and dose equivalent in Earth and Mars orbit to an accuracy of plus or minus 20%. However, because larger errors may occur in particle fluence predictions, there is interest in further assessments and improvements in NASA's space radiation transport model. In this paper, we consider the effects of the isotopic composition of the primary galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and the isotopic dependence of nuclear fragmentation cross-sections on the solution to transport models used for shielding studies. Satellite measurements are used to describe the isotopic composition of the GCR. Using NASA's quantum multiple-scattering theory of nuclear fragmentation (QMSFRG) and high-charge and energy (HZETRN) transport code, we study the effect of the isotopic dependence of the primary GCR composition and secondary nuclei on shielding calculations. The QMSFRG is shown to accurately describe the iso-spin dependence of nuclear fragmentation. The principal finding of this study is that large errors (plus or minus 100%) will occur in the mass-fluence spectra when comparing transport models that use a complete isotope grid (approximately 170 ions) to ones that use a reduced isotope grid, for example the 59 ion-grid used in the HZETRN code in the past, however less significant errors (less than 20%) occur in the elemental-fluence spectra. Because a complete isotope grid is readily handled on small computer workstations and is needed for several applications studying GCR propagation and scattering, it is recommended that they be used for future GCR studies.

Isotopic effects on phonon anharmonicity in layered van der Waals crystals: Isotopically pure hexagonal boron nitride

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cuscó, Ramon; Artús, Luis; Edgar, James H.; Liu, Song; Cassabois, Guillaume; Gil, Bernard

2018-04-01

Hexagonal boron nitride (h -BN) is a layered crystal that is attracting a great deal of attention as a promising material for nanophotonic applications. The strong optical anisotropy of this crystal is key to exploit polaritonic modes for manipulating light-matter interactions in 2D materials. h -BN has also great potential for solid-state neutron detection and neutron imaging devices, given the exceptionally high thermal neutron capture cross section of the boron-10 isotope. A good knowledge of phonons in layered crystals is essential for harnessing long-lived phonon-polariton modes for nanophotonic applications and may prove valuable for developing solid-state 10BN neutron detectors with improved device architectures and higher detection efficiencies. Although phonons in graphene and isoelectronic materials with a similar hexagonal layer structure have been studied, the effect of isotopic substitution on the phonons of such lamellar compounds has not been addressed yet. Here we present a Raman scattering study of the in-plane high-energy Raman active mode on isotopically enriched single-crystal h -BN. Phonon frequency and lifetime are measured in the 80-600-K temperature range for 10B-enriched, 11B-enriched, and natural composition high quality crystals. Their temperature dependence is explained in the light of perturbation theory calculations of the phonon self-energy. The effects of crystal anisotropy, isotopic disorder, and anharmonic phonon-decay channels are investigated in detail. The isotopic-induced changes in the phonon density of states are shown to enhance three-phonon anharmonic decay channels in 10B-enriched crystals, opening the possibility of isotope tuning of the anharmonic phonon decay processes.

Evaluation of the effect of a CO2 laser and fluoride on the reduction of carious lesions progression in primary teeth: an in vitro study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zancopé, Bruna R.; Cesar, Marina M. C.; Rodrigues, Lidiany K. A.; Nobre-dos-Santos, Marinês

2014-02-01

This study aimed at investigating if CO2 laser irradiation (λ =10.6μm - 11.3 J/cm2) combined with fluoridated products, enhances the CaF2 formation on enamel surface and inhibits lesion progression of demineralized primary enamel. Thus, 135 demineralized primary enamel specimens (DES) were allocated to 9 groups (n=15) as follows: 1- DES only, 2- DES + pH cycling (control), 3- 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride gel (APF), 4- 1.23% fluoride foam (FF), 5- 5% fluoride varnish (FV), 6- CO2 Laser (L), 7 - Laser during APF application, 8-Laser during FF application and 9-Laser during FV application. Except for the demineralized enamel group, all specimens were submitted to a 7 day pH cycling regime. The knoop hardness number (KHN) was determined by cross-sectional microhardness analysis. After treatments application, three specimens of each group had their surface examined for CaF2 formation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The data was analyzed by ANOVA and Student's t-test (α= 0.05). Enamel mineral loss (ΔS) for groups 1 to 9 were respectively,(8,676.28+/-1,077.46b),(12,419.54+/-1,050.21a),(8,156.80+/-1,279.90b),(8,081.32+/-1,019.69b),(8,820.86+/-1,805. 99b),(8,723.45+/-1,167.14b),(9,003.17+/-796.90b),(8.229,03+/-961.25b),(9,023.32+/-1,1069b). The results showed statistically significant difference between control and all treatments groups (p<0.05). However there was no difference among them (p>0.05). SEM observations showed evidences of melting, fusion and calcium fluoride formation on enamel surface. In conclusion, laser irradiation alone or combined with fluoridated products inhibited lesion progression of demineralized primary enamel surface. However, no synergistic effect was observed when CO2 laser irradiation and fluoridated products application were combined.

Determination of LongR3-IGF-I, R3-IGF-I, Des1-3 IGF-I and their metabolites in human plasma samples by means of LC-MS.

PubMed

Thomas, Andreas; Walpurgis, Katja; Delahaut, Philippe; Fichant, Eric; Schänzer, Wilhelm; Thevis, Mario

2017-08-01

According to the regulations of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), growth promoting peptides such as the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and its synthetic analogues belong to the class of prohibited compounds. While several assays to quantify endogenous IGF-I have been established, the potential misuse of synthetic analogues such as LongR 3 -IGF-I, R 3 -IGF-I and Des1-3-IGF-I remains a challenge and superior pharmacokinetic properties have been described for these analogues. Within the present study, it was demonstrated that the target peptides can be successfully detected in plasma samples by means of magnetic beads-based immunoaffinity purification and subsequent nanoscale liquid chromatographic separation with high resolution mass spectrometric detection. Noteworthy, the usage of a specific antibody for LongR 3 -IGF-I enables the determination in low ng/mL levels despite the presence of an enormous excess of endogenous human IGF-I. In addition, different metabolism studies (in-vitro and in-vivo) were performed using sophisticated strategies such as incubation with skin tissue microsomes, degradation in biological fluids (for all analogues), and administration to rats (for LongR 3 -IGF-I). Herewith, several C-and N-terminally truncated metabolites were identified and their relevancy was additionally confirmed by in-vivo experiments with rodents. Especially for LongR 3 -IGF-I, a metabolite ((Des1-11)-LongR 3 -IGF-I) was identified that prolonged the detectability in-vivo by a factor of approximately 2. The method was validated for qualitative interpretation considering the parameters specificity, identification capability, recovery (26-60%), limit of detection (0.5ng/mL), imprecision (<25%), linearity, stability, and matrix effects. A stable isotope labelled ( 15 N)-IGF-I was used as internal standard to control all sample preparation steps. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

IsoWeb: A Bayesian Isotope Mixing Model for Diet Analysis of the Whole Food Web

PubMed Central

Kadoya, Taku; Osada, Yutaka; Takimoto, Gaku

2012-01-01

Quantitative description of food webs provides fundamental information for the understanding of population, community, and ecosystem dynamics. Recently, stable isotope mixing models have been widely used to quantify dietary proportions of different food resources to a focal consumer. Here we propose a novel mixing model (IsoWeb) that estimates diet proportions of all consumers in a food web based on stable isotope information. IsoWeb requires a topological description of a food web, and stable isotope signatures of all consumers and resources in the web. A merit of IsoWeb is that it takes into account variation in trophic enrichment factors among different consumer-resource links. Sensitivity analysis using realistic hypothetical food webs suggests that IsoWeb is applicable to a wide variety of food webs differing in the number of species, connectance, sample size, and data variability. Sensitivity analysis based on real topological webs showed that IsoWeb can allow for a certain level of topological uncertainty in target food webs, including erroneously assuming false links, omission of existent links and species, and trophic aggregation into trophospecies. Moreover, using an illustrative application to a real food web, we demonstrated that IsoWeb can compare the plausibility of different candidate topologies for a focal web. These results suggest that IsoWeb provides a powerful tool to analyze food-web structure from stable isotope data. We provide R and BUGS codes to aid efficient applications of IsoWeb. PMID:22848427

Strontium isotope measurement of basaltic glasses by laser ablation multiple collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry based on a linear relationship between analytical bias and Rb/Sr ratios.

PubMed

Zhang, Le; Ren, Zhong-Yuan; Wu, Ya-Dong; Li, Nan

2018-01-30

In situ strontium (Sr) isotope analysis of geological samples by laser ablation multiple collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS) provides useful information about magma mixing, crustal contamination and crystal residence time. Without chemical separation, during Sr isotope analysis with laser ablation, many kinds of interference ions (such as Rb + and Kr + ) are on the Sr isotope spectrum. Most previous in situ Sr isotope studies only focused on Sr-enriched minerals (e.g. plagioclase, calcite). Here we established a simple method for in situ Sr isotope analysis of basaltic glass with Rb/Sr ratio less than 0.14 by LA-MC-ICP-MS. Seven Faraday cups, on a Neptune Plus MC-ICP-MS instrument, were used to receive the signals on m/z 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87 and 88 simultaneously for the Sr isotope analysis of basaltic glass. The isobaric interference of 87 Rb was corrected by the peak stripping method. The instrumental mass fractionation of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr was corrected to 86 Sr/ 88 Sr = 0.1194 with an exponential law. Finally, the residual analytical biases of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr were corrected with a relationship between the deviation of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr from the reference values and the measured 87 Rb/ 86 Sr. The validity of the protocol present here was demonstrated by measuring the Sr isotopes of four basaltic glasses, a plagioclase crystal and a piece of modern coral. The measured 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios of all these samples agree within 100 ppm with the reference values. In addition, the Sr isotopes of olivine-hosted melt inclusions from the Emeishan large igneous province (LIP) were measured to show the application of our method to real geological samples. A simple but accurate approach for in situ Sr isotope measurement by LA-MC-ICP-MS has been established, which should greatly facilitate the wider application of in situ Sr isotope geochemistry, especially to volcanic rock studies. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Small-scale studies of roasted ore waste reveal extreme ranges of stable mercury isotope signatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, Robin S.; Wiederhold, Jan G.; Jew, Adam D.; Brown, Gordon E.; Bourdon, Bernard; Kretzschmar, Ruben

2014-07-01

Active and closed Hg mines are significant sources of Hg contamination to the environment, mainly due to large volumes of mine waste material disposed of on-site. The application of Hg isotopes as source tracer from such contaminated sites requires knowledge of the Hg isotope signatures of different materials potentially released to the environment. Previous work has shown that calcine, the waste residue of the on-site ore roasting process, can exhibit distinct Hg isotope signatures compared with the primary ore. Here, we report results from a detailed small-scale study of Hg isotope variations in calcine collected from the closed New Idria Hg mine, San Benito County, CA, USA. The calcine samples exhibited different internal layering features which were investigated using optical microscopy, micro X-ray fluorescence, micro X-ray absorption spectroscopy (μ-XAS), and stable Hg isotope analysis. Significant Fe, S, and Hg concentration gradients were found across the different internal layers. Isotopic analyses revealed an extreme variation with pronounced isotopic gradients across the internal layered features. Overall, δ202Hg (±0.10‰, 2 SD) describing mass-dependent fractionation (MDF) ranged from -5.96 to 14.49‰, which is by far the largest range of δ202Hg values reported for any environmental sample. In addition, Δ199Hg (±0.06‰, 2 SD) describing mass-independent fractionation (MIF) ranged from -0.17 to 0.21‰. The μ-XAS analyses suggested that cinnabar and metacinnabar are the dominant Hg-bearing phases in the calcine. Our results demonstrate that the incomplete roasting of HgS ores in Hg mines can cause extreme mass-dependent Hg isotope fractionations at the scale of individual calcine pieces with enrichments in both light and heavy Hg isotopes relative to the primary ore signatures. This finding has important implications for the application of Hg isotopes as potential source tracers for Hg released to the environment from closed Hg mines and highlights the need for detailed source signature identification.

Sur l'origine par altération du substratum schisteux de la minéralisation chlorurée des eaux d'une nappe côtière sous climat semi-aride (Chtouka-Massa, Maroc)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krimissa, Samira; Michelot, Jean-Luc; Bouchaou, Lhoussaine; Mudry, Jacques; Hsissou, Youssef

2004-11-01

The origin of chloride ions in groundwater from the Chtouka-Massa plain (Morocco) was studied by using chemical and isotopic analyses of water, and petrographic and chemical analyses of rocks. It appears that the schist formation, which forms the basement of the studied aquifer, is the main source of the high Cl - concentrations in groundwater. In these schists, chloride is, for a part, probably contained in biotites, and is released into groundwater through the weathering of these minerals. However, the exceptionally high chloride contents of these schists are difficult to explain if one does not assume that they also contain evaporitic-type minerals. To cite this article: S. Krimissa et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).

GEISA-97 spectroscopic database system related information resources: current status and perspectives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chursin, Alexei A.; Jacquinet-Husson, N.; Lefevre, G.; Scott, Noelle A.; Chedin, Alain

2000-01-01

This paper presents the recently developed information content diffusion facilities, e.g. the WWW-server of GEISA, MS DOS, WINDOWS-95/NT, and UNIX software packages, associated with the 1997 version of the GEISA-(Gestion et Etude des Informations Spectroscopiques Atmospheriques; word translation: Management and Study of Atmospheric Spectroscopic Information) infrared spectroscopic databank developed at LMD (Laboratoire de Meteorologie Dynamique, France). GEISA-97 individual lines file involves 42 molecules (96 isotopic species) and contains 1,346,266 entries, between 0 and 22,656 cm-1. GEISA-97 also has a catalog of cross-sections at different temperatures and pressures for species (such as chlorofluorocarbons) with complex spectra. The current version of the GEISA-97 cross- section databank contains 4,716,743 entries related to 23 molecules between 555 and 1700 cm-1.

Chlorofluorocarbon dating of herbicide-containing well waters in Fresno and Tulare counties, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Spurlock, F.; Burow, K.; Dubrovsky, N.

2000-01-01

Simazine, diuron, and bromacil are the most frequently detected currently registered pesticides in California groundwater. These herbicides have been used for several decades in Fresno and Tulare counties, California; however, previous data are inadequate to determine whether the detections are a result of recent or historical applications (i.e., within the last decade, or 20-30 yr ago). Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) groundwater age-dating was used in conjunction with one-dimensional transport modeling to address this question. The estimated times between herbicide application and subsequent detection in groundwater samples from 18 domestic wells ranged from 3 to 33 yr; the aggregate data indicate that more than half of the detections are associated with applications in the last decade. The data also suggest that changes in groundwater quality arising from modified management practices will probably not be discernible for at least a decade. A secondary objective of this study was to evaluate the contribution of simazine degradates deethylsimazine (DES; 2-amino-4-chloro-6-ethylamino-s-triazine) and diaminochlorotriazine (DACT; 2,4-diamino-6-chloro-s-triazine) to total triazine concentrations (defined here as simazine + DES + DACT) in 30 domestic wells. The N-dealkylated s- chlorotriazine degradates DES and DACT substantially contribute to total triazine concentrations in Fresno and Tulare County groundwater, composing 24 to 100% of the total triazines, with a median of 82%. If s-chlorotriazines display a common mode of toxicological action, the prevalence of triazine degradates in water samples found in this and other studies indicate that drinking water standards based on total s-chlorotriazine concentrations may be most appropriate.

Science Town 2.0: An integrating Concept for S&T Support for Multi-Agency Crisis and Disaster Management

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-12-01

la Reine (en droit du Canada), telle que représentée par le ministre de la Défense nationale, 2012 DRDC CSS TM 2012-029 i...importantes forces d’application de la loi et de sécurité nationale de l’histoire du Canada. L’empreinte de la sécurité du théâtre d’opérations des Jeux...sécurité et de défense par la mise en place d’une « ville scientifique » mobile. La réussite du déploiement des

Application of underdamped Langevin dynamics simulations for the study of diffusion from a drug-eluting stent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Regev, Shaked; Farago, Oded

2018-10-01

We use a one-dimensional two layer model with a semi-permeable membrane to study the diffusion of a therapeutic drug delivered from a drug-eluting stent (DES). The rate of drug transfer from the stent coating to the arterial wall is calculated by using underdamped Langevin dynamics simulations. Our results reveal that the membrane has virtually no delay effect on the rate of delivery from the DES. The work demonstrates the great potential of underdamped Langevin dynamics simulations as an easy to implement, efficient, method for solving complicated diffusion problems in systems with a spatially-dependent diffusion coefficient.

Alternative Submarine Watch Systems: Recommendation for a New CF Submarine Watch Schedule (Systemes Differents d’Horaire de Garde a Bord des Sous-Marins: Nouvel Horaire Recommande Pour les Sous-Marins des FC)

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

comparativement à une efficacité cognitive de 96 % pour l’horaire de 1 tour sur trois de quatre heures ainsi que pour l’horaire de 1 tour sur trois de...tour sur 2 (8-4-4-8) comparativement à une efficacité cognitive de 96 % pour l’horaire de 1 tour sur trois de quatre heures ainsi que pour l’horaire...FAST™ (Fatigue Avoidance and Safety Tool), a computer application designed to predict and prevent fatigue in operational settings. The output of FAST

Le TERS, ou comment obtenir une signature chimique à l'échelle nanométrique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsia, Patrick; Chaigneau, Marc

2018-02-01

Le TERS pour tip enhanced raman scattering, est une technique de pointe (dans tous les sens du terme) basée sur l'amplification du signal Raman relative à la résonance de plasmons de surface. Cette technique non-destructive, qui ne nécessite pas de marquage particulier, permet de caractériser un échantillon à l'échelle nanométrique. Le TERS s'impose aujourd'hui pour sonder les propriétés physico-chimiques des nanomatériaux et participer ainsi au développement de nouvelles applications dans le domaine des nanotechnologies.

Réduction in situ des ions nitrate dans des eaux par les bactéries indigènes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdelouas, Abdesselam; Deng, Lijun; Nuttall, Eric; Lutze, Werner; Fritz, Bertrand; Crovisier, Jean-Louis

1999-02-01

We studied the possibility of cleaning groundwater contaminated with nitrate ions using indigenous bacteria. The groundwater occurs in a site located near a former vegetable farm near Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA) and contains up to 500 mg·L -1 of nitrate ion. Batch and column experiments using groundwater and local sediment showed that indigenous bacteria catalyzed the nitrate ions reduction. Sodium acetate was selected as the best carbon source for the in situ application. As expected, the best conditions for denitrification were encountered in situ. Nitrate ions and their byproducts were reduced to nitrogen gas within 5 days.

The tissue microarray data exchange specification: A document type definition to validate and enhance XML data

PubMed Central

Nohle, David G; Ayers, Leona W

2005-01-01

Background The Association for Pathology Informatics (API) Extensible Mark-up Language (XML) TMA Data Exchange Specification (TMA DES) proposed in April 2003 provides a community-based, open source tool for sharing tissue microarray (TMA) data in a common format. Each tissue core within an array has separate data including digital images; therefore an organized, common approach to produce, navigate and publish such data facilitates viewing, sharing and merging TMA data from different laboratories. The AIDS and Cancer Specimen Resource (ACSR) is a HIV/AIDS tissue bank consortium sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD). The ACSR offers HIV-related malignancies and uninfected control tissues in microarrays (TMA) accompanied by de-identified clinical data to approved researchers. Exporting our TMA data into the proposed API specified format offers an opportunity to evaluate the API specification in an applied setting and to explore its usefulness. Results A document type definition (DTD) that governs the allowed common data elements (CDE) in TMA DES export XML files was written, tested and evolved and is in routine use by the ACSR. This DTD defines TMA DES CDEs which are implemented in an external file that can be supplemented by internal DTD extensions for locally defined TMA data elements (LDE). Conclusion ACSR implementation of the TMA DES demonstrated the utility of the specification and allowed application of a DTD to validate the language of the API specified XML elements and to identify possible enhancements within our TMA data management application. Improvements to the specification have additionally been suggested by our experience in importing other institution's exported TMA data. Enhancements to TMA DES to remove ambiguous situations and clarify the data should be considered. Better specified identifiers and hierarchical relationships will make automatic use of the data possible. Our tool can be used to reorder data and add identifiers; upgrading data for changes in the specification can be automatically accomplished. Using a DTD (optionally reflecting our proposed enhancements) can provide stronger validation of exported TMA data. PMID:15871741

Mass spectrometry.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burlingame, A. L.; Johanson, G. A.

1972-01-01

Review of the current state of mass spectrometry, indicating its unique importance for advanced scientific research. Mass spectrometry applications in computer techniques, gas chromatography, ion cyclotron resonance, molecular fragmentation and ionization, and isotope labeling are covered. Details are given on mass spectrometry applications in bio-organic chemistry and biomedical research. As the subjects of these applications are indicated alkaloids, carbohydrates, lipids, terpenes, quinones, nucleic acid components, peptides, antibiotics, and human and animal metabolisms. Particular attention is given to the mass spectra of organo-inorganic compounds, inorganic mass spectrometry, surface phenomena such as secondary ion and electron emission, and elemental and isotope analysis. Further topics include mass spectrometry in organic geochemistry, applications in geochronology and cosmochemistry, and organic mass spectrometry.

Investigation of the Photochemical Method for Uranium Isotope Separation

DOE R&D Accomplishments Database

Urey, H. C.

1943-07-10

To find a process for successful photochemical separation of isotopes several conditions have to be fulfilled. First, the different isotopes have to show some differences in the spectrum. Secondly, and equally important, this difference must be capable of being exploited in a photochemical process. Parts A and B outline the physical and chemical conditions, and the extent to which one might expect to find them fulfilled. Part C deals with the applicability of the process.

An Industry-Scale Mass Marking Technique for Tracing Farmed Fish Escapees

PubMed Central

Warren-Myers, Fletcher; Dempster, Tim; Fjelldal, Per Gunnar; Hansen, Tom; Swearer, Stephen E.

2015-01-01

Farmed fish escape and enter the environment with subsequent effects on wild populations. Reducing escapes requires the ability to trace individuals back to the point of escape, so that escape causes can be identified and technical standards improved. Here, we tested if stable isotope otolith fingerprint marks delivered during routine vaccination could be an accurate, feasible and cost effective marking method, suitable for industrial-scale application. We tested seven stable isotopes, 134Ba, 135Ba, 136Ba, 137Ba, 86Sr, 87Sr and 26Mg, on farmed Atlantic salmon reared in freshwater, in experimental conditions designed to reflect commercial practice. Marking was 100% successful with individual Ba isotopes at concentrations as low as 0.001 µg. g-1 fish and for Sr isotopes at 1 µg. g-1 fish. Our results suggest that 63 unique fingerprint marks can be made at low cost using Ba (0.0002 – 0.02 $US per mark) and Sr (0.46 – 0.82 $US per mark) isotopes. Stable isotope fingerprinting during vaccination is feasible for commercial application if applied at a company level within the world’s largest salmon producing nations. Introducing a mass marking scheme would enable tracing of escapees back to point of origin, which could drive greater compliance, better farm design and improved management practices to reduce escapes. PMID:25738955

OpenMebius: an open source software for isotopically nonstationary 13C-based metabolic flux analysis.

PubMed

Kajihata, Shuichi; Furusawa, Chikara; Matsuda, Fumio; Shimizu, Hiroshi

2014-01-01

The in vivo measurement of metabolic flux by (13)C-based metabolic flux analysis ((13)C-MFA) provides valuable information regarding cell physiology. Bioinformatics tools have been developed to estimate metabolic flux distributions from the results of tracer isotopic labeling experiments using a (13)C-labeled carbon source. Metabolic flux is determined by nonlinear fitting of a metabolic model to the isotopic labeling enrichment of intracellular metabolites measured by mass spectrometry. Whereas (13)C-MFA is conventionally performed under isotopically constant conditions, isotopically nonstationary (13)C metabolic flux analysis (INST-(13)C-MFA) has recently been developed for flux analysis of cells with photosynthetic activity and cells at a quasi-steady metabolic state (e.g., primary cells or microorganisms under stationary phase). Here, the development of a novel open source software for INST-(13)C-MFA on the Windows platform is reported. OpenMebius (Open source software for Metabolic flux analysis) provides the function of autogenerating metabolic models for simulating isotopic labeling enrichment from a user-defined configuration worksheet. Analysis using simulated data demonstrated the applicability of OpenMebius for INST-(13)C-MFA. Confidence intervals determined by INST-(13)C-MFA were less than those determined by conventional methods, indicating the potential of INST-(13)C-MFA for precise metabolic flux analysis. OpenMebius is the open source software for the general application of INST-(13)C-MFA.

Direct uranium isotope ratio analysis of single micrometer-sized glass particles

PubMed Central

Kappel, Stefanie; Boulyga, Sergei F.; Prohaska, Thomas

2012-01-01

We present the application of nanosecond laser ablation (LA) coupled to a ‘Nu Plasma HR’ multi collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS) for the direct analysis of U isotope ratios in single, 10–20 μm-sized, U-doped glass particles. Method development included studies with respect to (1) external correction of the measured U isotope ratios in glass particles, (2) the applied laser ablation carrier gas (i.e. Ar versus He) and (3) the accurate determination of lower abundant 236U/238U isotope ratios (i.e. 10−5). In addition, a data processing procedure was developed for evaluation of transient signals, which is of potential use for routine application of the developed method. We demonstrate that the developed method is reliable and well suited for determining U isotope ratios of individual particles. Analyses of twenty-eight S1 glass particles, measured under optimized conditions, yielded average biases of less than 0.6% from the certified values for 234U/238U and 235U/238U ratios. Experimental results obtained for 236U/238U isotope ratios deviated by less than −2.5% from the certified values. Expanded relative total combined standard uncertainties Uc (k = 2) of 2.6%, 1.4% and 5.8% were calculated for 234U/238U, 235U/238U and 236U/238U, respectively. PMID:22595724

Modeling the effects of diagenesis on carbonate clumped-isotope values in deep- and shallow-water settings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stolper, Daniel A.; Eiler, John M.; Higgins, John A.

2018-04-01

The measurement of multiply isotopically substituted ('clumped isotope') carbonate groups provides a way to reconstruct past mineral formation temperatures. However, dissolution-reprecipitation (i.e., recrystallization) reactions, which commonly occur during sedimentary burial, can alter a sample's clumped-isotope composition such that it partially or wholly reflects deeper burial temperatures. Here we derive a quantitative model of diagenesis to explore how diagenesis alters carbonate clumped-isotope values. We apply the model to a new dataset from deep-sea sediments taken from Ocean Drilling Project site 807 in the equatorial Pacific. This dataset is used to ground truth the model. We demonstrate that the use of the model with accompanying carbonate clumped-isotope and carbonate δ18O values provides new constraints on both the diagenetic history of deep-sea settings as well as past equatorial sea-surface temperatures. Specifically, the combination of the diagenetic model and data support previous work that indicates equatorial sea-surface temperatures were warmer in the Paleogene as compared to today. We then explore whether the model is applicable to shallow-water settings commonly preserved in the rock record. Using a previously published dataset from the Bahamas, we demonstrate that the model captures the main trends of the data as a function of burial depth and thus appears applicable to a range of depositional settings.

Direct uranium isotope ratio analysis of single micrometer-sized glass particles.

PubMed

Kappel, Stefanie; Boulyga, Sergei F; Prohaska, Thomas

2012-11-01

We present the application of nanosecond laser ablation (LA) coupled to a 'Nu Plasma HR' multi collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS) for the direct analysis of U isotope ratios in single, 10-20 μm-sized, U-doped glass particles. Method development included studies with respect to (1) external correction of the measured U isotope ratios in glass particles, (2) the applied laser ablation carrier gas (i.e. Ar versus He) and (3) the accurate determination of lower abundant (236)U/(238)U isotope ratios (i.e. 10(-5)). In addition, a data processing procedure was developed for evaluation of transient signals, which is of potential use for routine application of the developed method. We demonstrate that the developed method is reliable and well suited for determining U isotope ratios of individual particles. Analyses of twenty-eight S1 glass particles, measured under optimized conditions, yielded average biases of less than 0.6% from the certified values for (234)U/(238)U and (235)U/(238)U ratios. Experimental results obtained for (236)U/(238)U isotope ratios deviated by less than -2.5% from the certified values. Expanded relative total combined standard uncertainties U(c) (k = 2) of 2.6%, 1.4% and 5.8% were calculated for (234)U/(238)U, (235)U/(238)U and (236)U/(238)U, respectively. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

76 FR 67723 - CRD Hydroelectric, LLC; Notice of Application To Amend License and Accepted for Filing...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-02

.... Name of Project: Red Rock Hydroelectric Project. f. Location: The project is located at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lake Red Rock Dam on the Des Moines River in Marion County, Iowa. g. Filed Pursuant.... Army Corps of Engineers' Lake Red Rock Dam. The applicant's proposal also includes the installation of...

Effects of tillage and poultry manure application rates on Salmonella and fecal indicator bacteria concentrations in tiles draining Des Moines Lobe soils

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Application of poultry manure (PM) to cropland as fertilizer is a common practice in artificially drained regions of the Upper Midwest. To assess the potential for PM to contribute pathogenic bacteria to downstream waters, information is needed on the impacts of manure management and tillage practi...

Chlorine Isotopes: As a Possible Tracer of Fluid/Bio-Activities on Mars and a Progress Report on Chlorine Isotope Analysis by TIMs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nakamura, N.; Nyquist, L.E.; Reese, Y.; Shih, C-Y.; Numata, M.; Fujitani, T.; Okano, O.

2009-01-01

Significantly large mass fractionations between chlorine isotopes (Cl-35, Cl-37) have been reported for terrestrial materials including both geological samples and laboratory materials. Also, the chlorine isotopic composition can be used as a tracer for early solar system processes. Moreover, chlorine is ubiquitous on the Martian surface. Typical chlorine abundances in Gusev soils are approx.0.5 %. The global surface average chlorine abundance also is approx.0.5 %. Striking variations among outcrop rocks at Meridiani were reported with some chlorine abundances as high as approx.2%. Characterizing conditions under which chlorine isotopic fractionation may occur is clearly of interest to planetary science. Thus, we have initiated development of a chlorine isotopic analysis technique using TIMS at NASA-JSC. We present here a progress report on the current status of development at JSC and discuss the possible application of chlorine isotopic analysis to Martian meteorites in a search for fluid- and possibly biological activity on Mars.

Isotopic Resonance Hypothesis: Experimental Verification by Escherichia coli Growth Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Xueshu; Zubarev, Roman A.

2015-03-01

Isotopic composition of reactants affects the rates of chemical and biochemical reactions. As a rule, enrichment of heavy stable isotopes leads to progressively slower reactions. But the recent isotopic resonance hypothesis suggests that the dependence of the reaction rate upon the enrichment degree is not monotonous. Instead, at some ``resonance'' isotopic compositions, the kinetics increases, while at ``off-resonance'' compositions the same reactions progress slower. To test the predictions of this hypothesis for the elements C, H, N and O, we designed a precise (standard error +/-0.05%) experiment that measures the parameters of bacterial growth in minimal media with varying isotopic composition. A number of predicted resonance conditions were tested, with significant enhancements in kinetics discovered at these conditions. The combined statistics extremely strongly supports the validity of the isotopic resonance phenomenon (p << 10-15). This phenomenon has numerous implications for the origin of life studies and astrobiology, and possible applications in agriculture, biotechnology, medicine, chemistry and other areas.

Defining a stable water isotope framework for isotope hydrology application in a large trans-boundary watershed (Russian Federation/Ukraine).

PubMed

Vystavna, Yuliya; Diadin, Dmytro; Huneau, Frédéric

2018-05-01

Stable isotopes of hydrogen ( 2 H) and oxygen ( 18 O) of the water molecule were used to assess the relationship between precipitation, surface water and groundwater in a large Russia/Ukraine trans-boundary river basin. Precipitation was sampled from November 2013 to February 2015, and surface water and groundwater were sampled during high and low flow in 2014. A local meteoric water line was defined for the Ukrainian part of the basin. The isotopic seasonality in precipitation was evident with depletion in heavy isotopes in November-March and an enrichment in April-October, indicating continental and temperature effects. Surface water was enriched in stable water isotopes from upstream to downstream sites due to progressive evaporation. Stable water isotopes in groundwater indicated that recharge occurs mainly during winter and spring. A one-year data set is probably not sufficient to report the seasonality of groundwater recharge, but this survey can be used to identify the stable water isotopes framework in a weakly gauged basin for further hydrological and geochemical studies.

Integrated carbon and chlorine isotope modeling: applications to chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons dechlorination.

PubMed

Jin, Biao; Haderlein, Stefan B; Rolle, Massimo

2013-02-05

We propose a self-consistent method to predict the evolution of carbon and chlorine isotope ratios during degradation of chlorinated hydrocarbons. The method treats explicitly the cleavage of isotopically different C-Cl bonds and thus considers, simultaneously, combined carbon-chlorine isotopologues. To illustrate the proposed modeling approach we focus on the reductive dehalogenation of chlorinated ethenes. We compare our method with the currently available approach, in which carbon and chlorine isotopologues are treated separately. The new approach provides an accurate description of dual-isotope effects regardless of the extent of the isotope fractionation and physical characteristics of the experimental system. We successfully applied the new approach to published experimental results on dehalogenation of chlorinated ethenes both in well-mixed systems and in situations where mass-transfer limitations control the overall rate of biodegradation. The advantages of our self-consistent dual isotope modeling approach proved to be most evident when isotope fractionation factors of carbon and chlorine differed significantly and for systems with mass-transfer limitations, where both physical and (bio)chemical transformation processes affect the observed isotopic values.

A New Method to Quantify the Isotopic Signature of Leaf Transpiration: Implications for Landscape-Scale Evapotranspiration Partitioning Studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, L.; Good, S. P.; Caylor, K. K.

2010-12-01

Characterizing the constituent components of evapotranspiration is crucial to better understand ecosystem-level water budgets and water use dynamics. Isotope based evapotranspiration partitioning methods are promising but their utility lies in the accurate estimation of the isotopic composition of underlying transpiration and evaporation. Here we report a new method to quantify the isotopic signature of leaf transpiration under field conditions. This method utilizes a commercially available laser-based isotope analyzer and a transparent leaf chamber, modified from Licor conifer leaf chamber. The method is based on the water mass balance in ambient air and leaf transpired air. We verified the method using “artificial leaves” and glassline extracted samples. The method provides a new and direct way to estimate leaf transpiration isotopic signatures and it has wide applications in ecology, hydrology and plant physiology.

Isotope effects on the optical spectra of semiconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cardona, Manuel; Thewalt, M. L. W.

2005-10-01

Since the end of the cold war, macroscopic amounts of separated stable isotopes of most elements have been available “off the shelf” at affordable prices. Using these materials, single crystals of many semiconductors have been grown and the dependence of their physical properties on isotopic composition has been investigated. The most conspicuous effects observed have to do with the dependence of phonon frequencies and linewidths on isotopic composition. These affect the electronic properties of solids through the mechanism of electron-phonon interaction, in particular, in the corresponding optical excitation spectra and energy gaps. This review contains a brief introduction to the history, availability, and characterization of stable isotopes, including their many applications in science and technology. It is followed by a concise discussion of the effects of isotopic composition on the vibrational spectra, including the influence of average isotopic masses and isotopic disorder on the phonons. The final sections deal with the effects of electron-phonon interaction on energy gaps, the concomitant effects on the luminescence spectra of free and bound excitons, with particular emphasis on silicon, and the effects of isotopic composition of the host material on the optical transitions between the bound states of hydrogenic impurities.

Deep Eutectic Solvents as Efficient Media for the Extraction and Recovery of Cynaropicrin from Cynara cardunculus L. Leaves.

PubMed

de Faria, Emanuelle L P; do Carmo, Rafael S; Cláudio, Ana Filipa M; Freire, Carmen S R; Freire, Mara G; Silvestre, Armando J D

2017-10-30

In recent years a high demand for natural ingredients with nutraceutical properties has been witnessed, for which the development of more environmentally-friendly and cost-efficient extraction solvents and methods play a primary role. In this perspective, in this work, the application of deep eutectic solvents (DES), composed of quaternary ammonium salts and organic acids, as alternative solvents for the extraction of cynaropicrin from Cynara cardunculus L. leaves was studied. After selecting the most promising DES, their aqueous solutions were investigated, allowing to obtain a maximum cynaropicrin extraction yield of 6.20 wt %, using 70 wt % of water. The sustainability of the extraction process was further optimized by carrying out several extraction cycles, reusing either the biomass or the aqueous solutions of DES. A maximum cynaropicrin extraction yield of 7.76 wt % by reusing the solvent, and of 8.96 wt % by reusing the biomass, have been obtained. Taking advantage of the cynaropicrin solubility limit in aqueous solutions, water was added as an anti-solvent, allowing to recover 73.6 wt % of the extracted cynaropicrin. This work demonstrates the potential of aqueous solutions of DES for the extraction of value-added compounds from biomass and the possible recovery of both the target compounds and solvents.

Dielectric elastomer memory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Brien, Benjamin M.; McKay, Thomas G.; Xie, Sheng Q.; Calius, Emilio P.; Anderson, Iain A.

2011-04-01

Life shows us that the distribution of intelligence throughout flexible muscular networks is a highly successful solution to a wide range of challenges, for example: human hearts, octopi, or even starfish. Recreating this success in engineered systems requires soft actuator technologies with embedded sensing and intelligence. Dielectric Elastomer Actuator(s) (DEA) are promising due to their large stresses and strains, as well as quiet flexible multimodal operation. Recently dielectric elastomer devices were presented with built in sensor, driver, and logic capability enabled by a new concept called the Dielectric Elastomer Switch(es) (DES). DES use electrode piezoresistivity to control the charge on DEA and enable the distribution of intelligence throughout a DEA device. In this paper we advance the capabilities of DES further to form volatile memory elements. A set reset flip-flop with inverted reset line was developed based on DES and DEA. With a 3200V supply the flip-flop behaved appropriately and demonstrated the creation of dielectric elastomer memory capable of changing state in response to 1 second long set and reset pulses. This memory opens up applications such as oscillator, de-bounce, timing, and sequential logic circuits; all of which could be distributed throughout biomimetic actuator arrays. Future work will include miniaturisation to improve response speed, implementation into more complex circuits, and investigation of longer lasting and more sensitive switching materials.

Conception d'un capteur intelligent pour la détection des vapeurs de styrène dans l'industrie

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agbossou, Kodjo; Agbebavi, T. James; Koffi, Demagna; Elhiri, Mohammed

1994-10-01

The techniques of measurement of toxic gases are nowadays based on the semiconductor type sensors. The modelling and the electronic processing of their signals can be used to improve the accuracy and the efficiency of the measurement. In this paper, an intelligent system using a semiconductor sensor has been designed for the detection of the styrene vapors. A set of the environmental parameters sensors such as the temperature, the pressure and the humidity, is added to the basic sensor and allows a precise detection of the styrene vapors in air. A microcontroller and a communication interface, that are included in the control system and in the data processing system, provide the local intelligence. The linearization routines of the differents sensors are in the memory of the microcontroller. The system made of the sensors, of the amplification circuits, of the microcontroller and of the communication network between the smart sensor and the computer is analysed. A laboratory test of the device is presented and the accuracies and efficiencies of the differents sensors are given. Les techniques fiables de quantification des gaz polluants sont aujourd'hui basées sur l'utilisation des détecteurs à récepteurs chimiques et sur des capteurs à semiconducteurs. La modélisation et le traitement numérique des signaux résultants sont importants pour une mesure efficace et précise dans un milieu donné. Dans cet article, un capteur intelligent, utilisant un détecteur de gaz type semiconducteur a été réalisé pour la détection des vapeurs de styrène. Un ensemble de détecteurs des paramètres environnementaux, tels que la température, la pression et l'humidité, ajoutés au capteur de styrène, permettent de mesurer avec un bon contrôle les vapeurs de styrène dans l'air. Le système de contrôle et de gestion local des données est constitué d'un microcontrôleur et d'une interface de communication. Le microcontrôleur contient dans sa mémoire toutes les fonctions de linéarisation des différents capteurs. Cet ensemble de capteurs, de circuits conditionneurs, de microcontrôleur et d'interface de communication est appelé " capteur intelligent ". Le réseau de communication entre le capteur intelligent et le micro-ordinateur est analysé en terme de traitement de signal. Un exemple d'application au laboratoire est présenté, les sensibilités et les précisions des différents capteurs sont données.

Isotope effect in the organic superconductor β_H-(BEDT-TTF)2I3 where BEDT-TTF is bis (ethylenedithiotetrathiafulvalene)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Auban-Senzier, P.; Bourbonnais, C.; Jérome, D.; Lenoir, C.; Batail, P.; Canadell, E.; Buisson, J. P.; Lefrant, S.

1993-03-01

We have performed the simultaneous investigation of the isotope effect on the superconducting transition and on the Raman spectra in the organic superconductor β_H-(BEDT-TTF)2I3 (T_c = 8 K). For this purpose, we substitute ^{13}C for ^{12}C on the carbon sites of the central double bond of BEDT-TTF molecule. The isotope shifts measured by Raman experiments can be fairly well explained by standard molecular dynamics. However, the critical temperature is lowered by 0.2 K in the ^{13}C enriched material. We analyse the possible sources of this remarkable downward shift which leads to an isotope coefficient higher than the BCS value. The extended-Hückel calculations of the density of states for the two HOMO bands of β_H-(BEDT-TTF)2I3 do show that, within the framework of a weak coupling theory, its sizeable variation on the scale of ω_D cannot account for the observed isotope effect. On the other hand, we discuss how inelastic electronic scattering observed in resistivity measurements just above T_c can lead through a pair breaking mechanism to a sizeable increase of the isotope coefficient. Nous présentons une étude simultanée d'effet isotopique sur la transition supraconductrice et les spectres Raman dans le supraconducteur organique β_H-(BEDT-TTF)2I3 (T_c = 8 K). Pour cela, nous avons synthétisé le composé dans lequel les atomes de carbone de la double liaison centrale de la molécule BEDT-TTF sont substitués par l'isotope ^{13}C. Les déplacements isotopiques mesurés par spectroscopie Raman sont bien expliqués par la dynamique moléculaire standard. Cependant, la température critique est abaissée de 0.2 K dans le matériau enrichi en ^{13}C. Nous étudions les origines possibles de cet effet qui permet d'obtenir un coefficient isotopique supérieur à la valeur BCS. Des calculs de la densité d'états effectués par la méthode de Hückel étendue pour les deux bandes HOMO du composé montrent que, dans le cadre d'une théorie de couplage faible, son importante variation à l'échelle de ω_D ne peut expliquer l'effet observé. D'autre part, nous expliquons comment la diffusion électronique inélastique observée en résistivité juste au-dessus de T_c peut conduire via un mécanisme de brisure de paires, à une augmentation significative du coefficient isotopique.

Heavy atom labeled nucleotides for measurement of kinetic isotope effects.

PubMed

Weissman, Benjamin P; Li, Nan-Sheng; York, Darrin; Harris, Michael; Piccirilli, Joseph A

2015-11-01

Experimental analysis of kinetic isotope effects represents an extremely powerful approach for gaining information about the transition state structure of complex reactions not available through other methodologies. The implementation of this approach to the study of nucleic acid chemistry requires the synthesis of nucleobases and nucleotides enriched for heavy isotopes at specific positions. In this review, we highlight current approaches to the synthesis of nucleic acids enriched site specifically for heavy oxygen and nitrogen and their application in heavy atom isotope effect studies. This article is part of a special issue titled: Enzyme Transition States from Theory and Experiment. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Making Wireless Networks Secure for NASA Mission Critical Applications using Virtual Private Network (VPN) Technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nichols, Kelvin F.; Best, Susan; Schneider, Larry

2004-01-01

With so many security issues involved with wireless networks, the technology has not been fully utilized in the area of mission critical applications. These applications would include the areas of telemetry, commanding, voice and video. Wireless networking would allow payload operators the mobility to take computers outside of the control room to their offices and anywhere else in the facility that the wireless network was extended. But the risk is too great of having someone sit just inside of your wireless network coverage and intercept enough of your network traffic to steal proprietary data from a payload experiment or worse yet hack back into your system and do even greater harm by issuing harmful commands. Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is improving but has a ways to go before it can be trusted to protect mission critical data. Today s hackers are becoming more aggressive and innovative, and in order to take advantage of the benefits that wireless networking offer, appropriate security measures need to be in place that will thwart hackers. The Virtual Private Network (VPN) offers a solution to the security problems that have kept wireless networks from being used for mission critical applications. VPN provides a level of encryption that will ensure that data is protected while it is being transmitted over a wireless local area network (IAN). The VPN allows a user to authenticate to the site that the user needs to access. Once this authentication has taken place the network traffic between that site and the user is encapsulated in VPN packets with the Triple Data Encryption Standard (3DES). 3DES is an encryption standard that uses a single secret key to encrypt and decrypt data. The length of the encryption key is 168 bits as opposed to its predecessor DES that has a 56-bit encryption key. Even though 3DES is the common encryption standard for today, the Advance Encryption Standard (AES), which provides even better encryption at a lower cycle cost is growing acceptance. The user computer running the VPN client and the. target site that is running the . VPN firewall exchange this encryption key and therefore are the only ones that are able to decipher the data. The level of encryption offered by the VPN is making it possible for wireless networks to pass the strict security policies that have kept them from being used in the past. Now people will be able to benefit from the many advantages that wireless networking has to offer in the area of mission critical applications.

Making Wireless Networks Secure for NASA Mission Critical Applications Using Virtual Private Network (VPN) Technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nichols, Kelvin F.; Best, Susan; Schneider, Larry

2004-01-01

With so many security issues involved with wireless networks, the technology has not been fully utilized in the area of mission critical applications. These applications would include the areas of telemetry, commanding, voice and video. Wireless networking would allow payload operators the mobility to take computers outside of the control room to their off ices and anywhere else in the facility that the wireless network was extended. But the risk is too great of having someone sit just inside of your wireless network coverage and intercept enough of your network traffic to steal proprietary data from a payload experiment or worse yet hack back into your system and do even greater harm by issuing harmful commands. Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is improving but has a ways to go before it can be trusted to protect mission critical data. Today s hackers are becoming more aggressive and innovative, and in order to take advantage of the benefits that wireless networking offer, appropriate security measures need to be in place that will thwart hackers. The Virtual Private Network (VPN) offers a solution to the security problems that have kept wireless networks from being used for mission critical applications. VPN provides a level of encryption that will ensure that data is protected while it is being transmitted over a wireless local area network (LAN). The VPN allows a user to authenticate to the site that the user needs to access. Once this authentication has taken place the network traffic between that site and the user is encapsulated in VPN packets with the Triple Data Encryption Standard (3DES). 3DES is an encryption standard that uses a single secret key to encrypt and decrypt data. The length of the encryption key is 168 bits as opposed to its predecessor DES that has a 56-bit encryption key. Even though 3DES is the common encryption standard for today, the Advance Encryption Standard (AES), which provides even better encryption at a lower cycle cost is growing acceptance. The user computer running the VPN client and the target site that is running the VPN firewall exchange this encryption key and therefore are the only ones that are able to decipher the data. The level of encryption offered by the VPN is making it possible for wireless networks to pass the strict security policies that have kept them from being used in the past. Now people will be able to benefit from the many advantages that wireless networking has to offer in the area of mission critical applications.

Etude du champ magnetique dans les nuages moleculaires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Houde, Martin

2001-12-01

Ce travail est une étude du champ magnétique duns l'environnement circumstellaire des étoiles jeunes. Il a pour origine la certitude qu'avait l'auteur qu'il se devait d'être possible de détecter la présence d'un champ magnétique, et de possiblement le caractériser, par le biais d'observations de profils spectraux d'espèces moléculaires ioniques. Il en découle donc qu'un des buts principaux était de prouver que cela est effectivement possible. La thèse comporte alors des éléments théoriques et expérimentaux qui sont à la fois complémentaires et intimement liés. L'aspect théorique est basé sur l'interaction mutuelle que des particules neutres et chargées peuvent avoir l'une sur l'autre daps un plasma faiblement ionisé comme ceux existants daps les nuages moléculaires sites de formation stellaire. Il appert que la présence d'un champ magnétique a un effet direct sur le comportement des ions (via la force de Lorentz) et indirect sur les molécules neutres (via les nombreuses collisions entre les deux types de particules). Une telle interaction est, comme il est maintenant bien connu, présente dans les premières étapes de la formation dune étoile. Il s'agit bien sûr de la diffusion ambipolaire. Nous montrerons qu'il existe cependant un autre type de diffusion, jusqu'ici inconnue, qui se manifeste plus tard au tours de l'évolution des nuages moléculaires. Celle-ci peut avoir un effet dramatique sur l'apparence des profils spectraux (de rotation moléculaire) des espèces ioniques lorsque comparés à ceux qu'exhibent des espèces neutres coexistantes. Mais pour ce faire, il doit y avoir existence de mouvements organisés (des flots ou jets) de matière ou encore la présence de turbulence dans les régions considérées. Une distribution de vélocité du type maxwellienne ne révèlera pas la présence du champ magnétique. Les observations, qui ont pour but de confirmer la théorie, se situent dans le domaine des longueurs d'ondes millimétriques et sous- millimétriques. Plusieurs espèces moléculaires furent détectées dans un échantillon significatif de nuages moléculaires. L'effet prédit fut confirmé et ce peu importe si les raies observées sont opaques ou transparentes. Dans le dernier chapitre, nous considérerons une application intéressante où nous utiliserons la manifestation de cet effet (ou son manque) pour vérifier l'alignement préférentiel des flots bipolaires, qui accompagnent souvent la présence de proto- étoiles, avec le champ magnétique local.

Application of non-lethal stable isotope analysis to assess feeding patterns of juvenile pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus: a comparison of tissue types and sample preservation methods

USGS Publications Warehouse

Andvik, R.T.; VanDeHey, J.A.; Fincel, M.J.; French, William E.; Bertrand, K.N.; Chipps, Steven R.; Klumb, Robert A.; Graeb, B.D.S.

2010-01-01

Traditional techniques for stable isotope analysis (SIA) generally require sacrificing animals to collect tissue samples; this can be problematic when studying diets of endangered species such as the pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus. Our objectives were to (i) determine if pectoral fin tissue (non-lethal) could be a substitute for muscle tissue (lethal) in SIA of juvenile pallid sturgeon, and (ii) evaluate the influence of preservation techniques on stable isotope values. In the laboratory, individual juvenile pallid sturgeon were held for up to 186 day and fed chironomids, fish, or a commercially available pellet diet. Significant, positive relationships (r² ≥ 0.8) were observed between fin and muscle tissues for both δ15N and δ13C; in all samples isotopes were enriched in fins compared to muscle tissue. Chironomid and fish based diets of juvenile pallid sturgeon were distinguishable for fast growing fish (0.3 mm day−1) using stable δ15N and δ13C isotopes. Frozen and preserved fin tissue δ15N isotopes were strongly related (r2 = 0.89) but δ13C isotopes were weakly related (r2 = 0.16). Therefore, freezing is recommended for preservation of fin clips to avoid the confounding effect of enrichment by ethanol. This study demonstrates the utility of a non-lethal technique to assess time integrated food habits of juvenile pallid sturgeon and should be applicable to other threatened or endangered species.

A new approach for deciphering between single and multiple accumulation events using intra-tooth isotopic variations: Application to the Middle Pleistocene bone bed of Schöningen 13 II-4.

PubMed

Julien, Marie-Anne; Rivals, Florent; Serangeli, Jordi; Bocherens, Hervé; Conard, Nicholas J

2015-12-01

It is often difficult to differentiate between archaeological bonebeds formed by one event such as a mass kill of a single herd, and those formed by multiple events that occurred over a longer period of time. The application of high temporal resolution studies such as intra-tooth isotopic profiles on archaeological mammal cohorts offers new possibilities for exploring this issue, allowing investigators to decipher between single and multiple accumulation events. We examined (18)O and (13)C isotopic variations from the enamel carbonate of 23 horse third molars from the Middle Pleistocene archaeological site of Schöningen. We employed a new approach to investigate processes of fossil accumulation that uses both bulk and intra-tooth isotopic variations and takes into account animal behavior, age at death and dental development to test the degree of isotopic affinity of animals from the same fossil assemblage. Oxygen and carbon isotope bulk values indicate that the horses from Schöningen 13 II-4 experienced relatively similar climatic and dietary regimes. Inter-individual differences of the bulk values of the horses sampled in the current study present nevertheless inter-individual variability similar to individuals from multi-layered localities. In addition, the intra-tooth isotopic variation of specimens of the same age at death seems to indicate that the studied cohort corresponds to a mix of individuals that recorded both similar and different isotopic histories. Finally, the conditions recorded in the isotopic signal shortly before death (i.e., for teeth not fully mineralized) varied between sampled individuals, suggesting possible differences in the seasonality of death. Considering those results, we discuss the possibility that the horses from Schöningen 13 II-4 correspond to an accumulation of different death events. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Optical spectroscopy of laser-produced plasmas for standoff isotopic analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harilal, S. S.; Brumfield, B. E.; LaHaye, N. L.; Hartig, K. C.; Phillips, M. C.

2018-06-01

Rapid, in-field, and non-contact isotopic analysis of solid materials is extremely important to a large number of applications, such as nuclear nonproliferation monitoring and forensics, geochemistry, archaeology, and biochemistry. Presently, isotopic measurements for these and many other fields are performed in laboratory settings. Rapid, in-field, and non-contact isotopic analysis of solid material is possible with optical spectroscopy tools when combined with laser ablation. Laser ablation generates a transient vapor of any solid material when a powerful laser interacts with a sample of interest. Analysis of atoms, ions, and molecules in a laser-produced plasma using optical spectroscopy tools can provide isotopic information with the advantages of real-time analysis, standoff capability, and no sample preparation requirement. Both emission and absorption spectroscopy methods can be used for isotopic analysis of solid materials. However, applying optical spectroscopy to the measurement of isotope ratios from solid materials presents numerous challenges. Isotope shifts arise primarily due to variation in nuclear charge distribution caused by different numbers of neutrons, but the small proportional nuclear mass differences between nuclei of various isotopes lead to correspondingly small differences in optical transition wavelengths. Along with this, various line broadening mechanisms in laser-produced plasmas and instrumental broadening generated by the detection system are technical challenges frequently encountered with emission-based optical diagnostics. These challenges can be overcome by measuring the isotope shifts associated with the vibronic emission bands from molecules or by using the techniques of laser-based absorption/fluorescence spectroscopy to marginalize the effect of instrumental broadening. Absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy probe the ground state atoms existing in the plasma when it is cooler, which inherently provides narrower lineshapes, as opposed to emission spectroscopy which requires higher plasma temperatures to be able to detect thermally excited emission. Improvements in laser and detection systems and spectroscopic techniques have allowed for isotopic measurements to be carried out at standoff distances under ambient atmospheric conditions, which have expanded the applicability of optical spectroscopy-based isotopic measurements to a variety of scientific fields. These technological advances offer an in-situ measurement capability that was previously not available. This review will focus on isotope detection through emission, absorption, and fluorescence spectroscopy of atoms and molecules in a laser-produced plasma formed from a solid sample. A description of the physics behind isotope shifts in atoms and molecules is presented, followed by the physics behind solid sampling of laser ablation plumes, optical methods for isotope measurements, the suitable physical conditions of laser-produced plasma plumes for isotopic analysis, and the current status. Finally, concluding remarks will be made on the existing knowledge/technological gaps identified from the current literature and suggestions for the future work.

Preliminary results of oxygen isotope ratio measurement with a particle-gamma coincidence method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borysiuk, Maciek; Kristiansson, Per; Ros, Linus; Abdel, Nassem S.; Elfman, Mikael; Nilsson, Charlotta; Pallon, Jan

2015-04-01

The possibility to study variations in the oxygen isotopic ratio with photon tagged nuclear reaction analysis (pNRA) is evaluated in the current work. The experiment described in the article was performed at Lund Ion Beam Analysis Facility (LIBAF) with a 2 MeV deuteron beam. Isotopic fractionation of light elements such as carbon, oxygen and nitrogen is the basis of many analytical tools in hydrology, geology, paleobiology and paleogeology. IBA methods provide one possible tool for measurement of isotopic content. During this experimental run we focused on measurement of the oxygen isotopic ratio. The measurement of stable isotopes of oxygen has a number of applications; the particular one driving the current investigation belongs to the field of astrogeology and specifically evaluation of fossil extraterrestrial material. There are three stable isotopes of oxygen: 16O, 17O and 18O. We procured samples highly enriched with all three isotopes. Isotopes 16O and 18O were easily detected in the enriched samples, but no significant signal from 17O was detected in the same samples. The measured yield was too low to detect 18O in a sample with natural abundances of oxygen isotopes, at least in the current experimental setup, but the spectral line from the reaction with 16O was clearly visible.

Stable isotope probing in the metagenomics era: a bridge towards improved bioremediation

PubMed Central

Uhlik, Ondrej; Leewis, Mary-Cathrine; Strejcek, Michal; Musilova, Lucie; Mackova, Martina; Leigh, Mary Beth; Macek, Tomas

2012-01-01

Microbial biodegradation and biotransformation reactions are essential to most bioremediation processes, yet the specific organisms, genes, and mechanisms involved are often not well understood. Stable isotope probing (SIP) enables researchers to directly link microbial metabolic capability to phylogenetic and metagenomic information within a community context by tracking isotopically labeled substances into phylogenetically and functionally informative biomarkers. SIP is thus applicable as a tool for the identification of active members of the microbial community and associated genes integral to the community functional potential, such as biodegradative processes. The rapid evolution of SIP over the last decade and integration with metagenomics provides researchers with a much deeper insight into potential biodegradative genes, processes, and applications, thereby enabling an improved mechanistic understanding that can facilitate advances in the field of bioremediation. PMID:23022353

Thermodynamics and performance of the Mg-H-F system for thermochemical energy storage applications.

PubMed

Tortoza, Mariana S; Humphries, Terry D; Sheppard, Drew A; Paskevicius, Mark; Rowles, Matthew R; Sofianos, M Veronica; Aguey-Zinsou, Kondo-Francois; Buckley, Craig E

2018-01-24

Magnesium hydride (MgH 2 ) is a hydrogen storage material that operates at temperatures above 300 °C. Unfortunately, magnesium sintering occurs above 420 °C, inhibiting its application as a thermal energy storage material. In this study, the substitution of fluorine for hydrogen in MgH 2 to form a range of Mg(H x F 1-x ) 2 (x = 1, 0.95, 0.85, 0.70, 0.50, 0) composites has been utilised to thermodynamically stabilise the material, so it can be used as a thermochemical energy storage material that can replace molten salts in concentrating solar thermal plants. These materials have been studied by in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, temperature-programmed-desorption mass spectrometry and Pressure-Composition-Isothermal (PCI) analysis. Thermal analysis has determined that the thermal stability of Mg-H-F solid solutions increases proportionally with fluorine content, with Mg(H 0.85 F 0.15 ) 2 having a maximum rate of H 2 desorption at 434 °C, with a practical hydrogen capacity of 4.6 ± 0.2 wt% H 2 (theoretical 5.4 wt% H 2 ). An extremely stable Mg(H 0.43 F 0.57 ) 2 phase is formed upon the decomposition of each Mg-H-F composition of which the remaining H 2 is not released until above 505 °C. PCI measurements of Mg(H 0.85 F 0.15 ) 2 have determined the enthalpy (ΔH des ) to be 73.6 ± 0.2 kJ mol -1 H 2 and entropy (ΔS des ) to be 131.2 ± 0.2 J K -1 mol -1 H 2 , which is slightly lower than MgH 2 with ΔH des of 74.06 kJ mol -1 H 2 and ΔS des = 133.4 J K -1 mol -1 H 2 . Cycling studies of Mg(H 0.85 F 0.15 ) 2 over six absorption/desorption cycles between 425 and 480 °C show an increased usable cycling temperature of ∼80 °C compared to bulk MgH 2 , increasing the thermal operating temperatures for technological applications.

A specialized isotope mass spectrometer for noninvasive diagnostics of Helicobacter pylori infection in human beings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blashenkov, N. M.; Sheshenya, E. S.; Solov'ev, S. M.; Sachenko, V. D.; Gall, L. N.; Zarutskii, I. V.; Gall, N. R.

2013-05-01

A specialized isotope mass spectrometer for noninvasive diagnostics of Helicobacter pylori infection in human beings based on the carbon-13 isotope breath test has been designed and constructed. Important stages of the work included (i) calculating a low-aberration mass analyzer, (ii) manufacturing and testing special gas inlet system, and (iii) creating a small-size collector of ions. The proposed instrument ensures 13C/12C isotopic ratio measurement to within 1.7‰ (pro mille) accuracy, which corresponds to requirements for a diagnostic tool. Preliminary medical testing showed that the mass spectrometer is applicable to practical diagnostics. The instrument is also capable of measuring isotopic ratios of other light elements, including N, O, B (for BF2+ ions), Ar, Cl, and S.

13C metabolic flux analysis: optimal design of isotopic labeling experiments.

PubMed

Antoniewicz, Maciek R

2013-12-01

Measuring fluxes by 13C metabolic flux analysis (13C-MFA) has become a key activity in chemical and pharmaceutical biotechnology. Optimal design of isotopic labeling experiments is of central importance to 13C-MFA as it determines the precision with which fluxes can be estimated. Traditional methods for selecting isotopic tracers and labeling measurements did not fully utilize the power of 13C-MFA. Recently, new approaches were developed for optimal design of isotopic labeling experiments based on parallel labeling experiments and algorithms for rational selection of tracers. In addition, advanced isotopic labeling measurements were developed based on tandem mass spectrometry. Combined, these approaches can dramatically improve the quality of 13C-MFA results with important applications in metabolic engineering and biotechnology. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ion current as a precise measure of the loading rate of a magneto-optical trap

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

Jiang, W.; Bailey, K.; Lu, Z. -T.

2014-01-01

We have demonstrated that the ion current resulting from collisions between metastable krypton atoms in a magneto-optical trap can be used to precisely measure the trap loading rate. We measured both the ion current of the abundant isotope Kr-83 (isotopic abundance = 11%) and the single-atom counting rate of the rare isotope Kr-85 (isotopic abundance similar to 1 x 10(-11)), and found the two quantities to be proportional at a precision level of 0.9%. This work results in a significant improvement in using the magneto-optical trap as an analytical tool for noble-gas isotope ratio measurements, and will benefit both atomicmore » physics studies and applications in the earth sciences. (C) 2014 Optical Society of America« less

Finite mixture models for the computation of isotope ratios in mixed isotopic samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koffler, Daniel; Laaha, Gregor; Leisch, Friedrich; Kappel, Stefanie; Prohaska, Thomas

2013-04-01

Finite mixture models have been used for more than 100 years, but have seen a real boost in popularity over the last two decades due to the tremendous increase in available computing power. The areas of application of mixture models range from biology and medicine to physics, economics and marketing. These models can be applied to data where observations originate from various groups and where group affiliations are not known, as is the case for multiple isotope ratios present in mixed isotopic samples. Recently, the potential of finite mixture models for the computation of 235U/238U isotope ratios from transient signals measured in individual (sub-)µm-sized particles by laser ablation - multi-collector - inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICPMS) was demonstrated by Kappel et al. [1]. The particles, which were deposited on the same substrate, were certified with respect to their isotopic compositions. Here, we focus on the statistical model and its application to isotope data in ecogeochemistry. Commonly applied evaluation approaches for mixed isotopic samples are time-consuming and are dependent on the judgement of the analyst. Thus, isotopic compositions may be overlooked due to the presence of more dominant constituents. Evaluation using finite mixture models can be accomplished unsupervised and automatically. The models try to fit several linear models (regression lines) to subgroups of data taking the respective slope as estimation for the isotope ratio. The finite mixture models are parameterised by: • The number of different ratios. • Number of points belonging to each ratio-group. • The ratios (i.e. slopes) of each group. Fitting of the parameters is done by maximising the log-likelihood function using an iterative expectation-maximisation (EM) algorithm. In each iteration step, groups of size smaller than a control parameter are dropped; thereby the number of different ratios is determined. The analyst only influences some control parameters of the algorithm, i.e. the maximum count of ratios, the minimum relative group-size of data points belonging to each ratio has to be defined. Computation of the models can be done with statistical software. In this study Leisch and Grün's flexmix package [2] for the statistical open-source software R was applied. A code example is available in the electronic supplementary material of Kappel et al. [1]. In order to demonstrate the usefulness of finite mixture models in fields dealing with the computation of multiple isotope ratios in mixed samples, a transparent example based on simulated data is presented and problems regarding small group-sizes are illustrated. In addition, the application of finite mixture models to isotope ratio data measured in uranium oxide particles is shown. The results indicate that finite mixture models perform well in computing isotope ratios relative to traditional estimation procedures and can be recommended for more objective and straightforward calculation of isotope ratios in geochemistry than it is current practice. [1] S. Kappel, S. Boulyga, L. Dorta, D. Günther, B. Hattendorf, D. Koffler, G. Laaha, F. Leisch and T. Prohaska: Evaluation Strategies for Isotope Ratio Measurements of Single Particles by LA-MC-ICPMS, Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 2013, accepted for publication on 2012-12-18 (doi: 10.1007/s00216-012-6674-3) [2] B. Grün and F. Leisch: Fitting finite mixtures of generalized linear regressions in R. Computational Statistics & Data Analysis, 51(11), 5247-5252, 2007. (doi:10.1016/j.csda.2006.08.014)

Influences on the stable oxygen and carbon isotopes in gerbillid rodent teeth in semi-arid and arid environments: Implications for past climate and environmental reconstruction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeffrey, Amy; Denys, Christiane; Stoetzel, Emmanuelle; Lee-Thorp, Julia A.

2015-10-01

The stable isotope composition of small mammal tissues has the potential to provide detailed information about terrestrial palaeoclimate and environments, because their remains are abundant in palaeontological and archaeological sites, and they have restricted home ranges. Applications to the Quaternary record, however, have been sparse and limited by an acute lack of understanding of small mammal isotope ecology, particularly in arid and semi-arid environments. Here we document the oxygen and carbon isotope composition of Gerbillinae (gerbil) tooth apatite across a rainfall gradient in northwestern Africa, in order to test the relative influences of the 18O/16O in precipitation or moisture availability on gerbil teeth values, the sensitivity of tooth apatite 13C/12C to plant responses to moisture availability, and the influence of developmental period on the isotopic composition of gerbil molars and incisors. The results show that the isotopic composition of molars and incisors from the same individuals differs consistent with the different temporal periods reflected by the teeth; molar teeth are permanently rooted and form around the time of birth, whereas incisors grow continuously. The results indicate that tooth choice is an important consideration for applications as proxy Quaternary records, but also highlights a new potential means to distinguish seasonal contexts. The oxygen isotope composition of gerbil tooth apatite is strongly correlated with mean annual precipitation (MAP) below 600 mm, but above 600 mm the teeth reflect the oxygen isotope composition of local meteoric water instead. Predictably, the carbon isotope composition of the gerbil teeth reflected C3 and C4 dietary inputs, however arid and mesic sites could not be distinguished because of the high variability displayed in the carbon isotope composition of the teeth due to the microhabitat and short temporal period reflected by the gerbil. We show that the oxygen isotope composition of small mammal teeth strongly reflects moisture availability in semi-arid and arid environments and would provide an excellent record of palaeo-aridity in a terrestrial setting. The results illustrate that an understanding of an animal's physiology is essential for interpreting the animal's isotopic responses to external contexts, especially in arid zones.

Reactive transport modeling of Li isotope fractionation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wanner, C.; Sonnenthal, E. L.

2013-12-01

The fractionation of Li isotopes has been used as a proxy for interaction processes between silicate rocks and any kind of fluids. In particular, Li isotope measurements are powerful because Li is almost exclusively found in silicate minerals. Moreover, the two stable Li isotopes, 6Li and 7Li, differ by 17% in mass introducing a large mass dependent isotope fractionation even at high temperature. Typical applications include Li isotope measurements along soil profiles and of river waters to track silicate weathering patterns and Li isotope measurements of geothermal wells and springs to assess water-rock interaction processes in geothermal systems. For this contribution we present a novel reactive transport modeling approach for the simulation of Li isotope fractionation using the code TOUGHREACT [1]. It is based on a 6Li-7Li solid solution approach similar to the one recently described for simulating Cr isotope fractionation [2]. Model applications include the simulation of granite weathering along a 1D flow path as well as the simulation of a column experiment related to an enhanced geothermal system. Results show that measured δ7Li values are mainly controlled by (i) the degree of interaction between Li bearing primary silicate mineral phases (e.g., micas, feldspars) and the corresponding fluid, (ii) the Li isotope fractionation factor during precipitation of secondary mineral phases (e.g., clays), (iii) the Li concentration in primary and secondary Li bearing mineral phases and (iv) the proportion of dissolved Li that adsorbs to negatively charged surfaces (e.g., clays, Fe/Al-hydroxides). To date, most of these parameters are not very well constrained. Reactive transport modeling thus currently has to rely on many assumptions. Nevertheless, such models are powerful because they are the only viable option if individual contributions of all potential processes on the resulting (i.e., measured) Li isotopic ratio have to be quantitatively assessed. Accordingly, we suggest performing more experimental work in conjunction with reactive transport modeling to better understand Li isotope fractionation processes and to obtain a better understanding of water rock interaction processes, eventually. [1] Xu, T., Spycher, N., Sonnenthal, E. L., Zhang, G., Zheng, L., Pruess, K. (2011), Comput. Geosci. 37, 763-774. [2] Wanner, C., Sonnenthal, E. L. (2013), Chem. Geol. 337, 88-98.

Isotopic Ratios of Samarium by TIMS for Nuclear Forensic Application

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

Louis Jean, James; Inglis, Jeremy David

The isotopic ratio of Nd, Sm, and Gd can provide important information regarding fissile material (nuclear devices, reactors), neutron environment, and device yield. These studies require precise measurement of Sm isotope ratios, by either TIMS or MC-ICP-MS. There has been an increasing trend to measure smaller and smaller quantities of Sm bearing samples. In nuclear forensics 10-100 ng of Sm are needed for precise measurement. To measure sub-ng Sm samples using TIMS for nuclear forensic analysis.

The Temporal Dynamics of Terrestrial Organic Matter Transfer to the Oceans: Initial Assessment and Application

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-06-01

2.2.4 A QUALITATIVE VIEW OF OC CYCLING 44 2.2.5 COUPLED ISOTOPE MASS BALANCE CALCULATIONS 47 2.3 CONCLUSIONS 56 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 57 REFERENCES 58...METHODS 71 3.2 RESULTS & DISCUSSION 73 3.2.1 CHRONOLOGY DEVELOPMENT 73 3.2.2 ELEMENTAL AND ISOTOPIC PROFILES 77 3.2.3 MASS BALANCE CALCULATIONS 80 3.3...2005). Within this framework, isotopic mass balance calculations used to assess the fractional abundance of modem and ancient OC (Blair et al., 2003

High accuracy method for the application of isotope dilution to gas chromatography/mass spectrometric analysis of gases.

PubMed

Milton, Martin J T; Wang, Jian

2003-01-01

A new isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) method for high-accuracy quantitative analysis of gases has been developed and validated by the analysis of standard mixtures of carbon dioxide in nitrogen. The method does not require certified isotopic reference materials and does not require direct measurements of the highly enriched spike. The relative uncertainty of the method is shown to be 0.2%. Reproduced with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Copyright Crown copyright 2003.

Module 5: Applications of Stable Isotope Analyses: Data Interpretation and Data Quality Issues

EPA Science Inventory

When organic contaminants such as benzene, TCE or MTBE are degraded, the ratio of the stable isotopes of carbon in the organic contaminants will often change in a predictable fashion. In the last ten years, advances in analytical chemistry have made it possible to measure these ...

APPLICATION OF STABLE CARBON AND HYDROGEN ISOTOPIC TECHNIQUES FOR MONITORING BIODEGRADATION OF MTBE IN THE FIELD

EPA Science Inventory

A significant challenge in environmental studies is to determine the onset and extent of MTBE bioremediation at an affected site, which may involve indirect approaches such as microcosm verification of microbial activities at a given site. Stable isotopic fractionation is cha...

ISOTOPIC BIOGEOCHEMISTRY OF DISSOLVED ORGANIC NITROGEN: A NEW TECHNIQUE AND APPLICATION. (R825151)

EPA Science Inventory

We present a new technique for isolating and isotopically characterizing dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) for non-marine waters, ¹⁵N values for DON from lacustrine samples and data suggesting that this technique will be a...

L'etude de l'InP et du GaP suite a l'implantation ionique de Mn et a un recuit thermique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bucsa, Ioan Gigel

Cette these est dediee a l'etude des materiaux InMnP et GaMnP fabriques par implantation ionique et recuit thermique. Plus precisement nous avons investigue la possibilite de former par implantation ionique des materiaux homogenes (alliages) de InMnP et GaMnP contenant de 1 a 5 % atomiques de Mn qui seraient en etat ferromagnetique, pour des possibles applications dans la spintronique. Dans un premier chapitre introductif nous donnons les motivations de cette recherche et faisons une revue de la litterature sur ce sujet. Le deuxieme chapitre decrit les principes de l'implantation ionique, qui est la technique utilisee pour la fabrication des echantillons. Les effets de l'energie, fluence et direction du faisceau ionique sur le profil d'implantation et la formation des dommages seront mis en evidence. Aussi dans ce chapitre nous allons trouver des informations sur les substrats utilises pour l'implantation. Les techniques experimentales utilisees pour la caracterisation structurale, chimique et magnetique des echantillons, ainsi que leurs limitations sont presentees dans le troisieme chapitre. Quelques principes theoriques du magnetisme necessaires pour la comprehension des mesures magnetiques se retrouvent dans le chapitre 4. Le cinquieme chapitre est dedie a l'etude de la morphologie et des proprietes magnetiques des substrats utilises pour implantation et le sixieme chapitre, a l'etude des echantillons implantes au Mn sans avoir subi un recuit thermique. Notamment nous allons voir dans ce chapitre que l'implantation de Mn a plus que 1016 ions/cm 2 amorphise la partie implantee du materiau et le Mn implante se dispose en profondeur sur un profil gaussien. De point de vue magnetique les atomes implantes se trouvent dans un etat paramagnetique entre 5 et 300 K ayant le spin 5/2. Dans le chapitre 7 nous presentons les proprietes des echantillons recuits a basses temperatures. Nous allons voir que dans ces echantillons la couche implantee est polycristalline et les atomes de Mn sont toujours dans un etat paramagnetique. Dans les chapitres 8 et 9, qui sont les plus volumineux, nous presentons les resultats des mesures sur les echantillons recuits a hautes temperatures: il s'agit d'InP et du GaP implantes au Mn, dans le chapitre 8 et d'InP co-implante au Mn et au P, dans le chapitre 9. D'abord, dans le chapitre 8 nous allons voir que le recuit a hautes temperatures mene a une recristallisation epitaxiale du InMnP et du GaMnP; aussi la majorite des atomes de Mn se deplacent vers la surface a cause d'un effet de segregation. Dans les regions de la surface, concentres en Mn, les mesures XRD et TEM identifient la formation de MnP et d'In cristallin. Les mesures magnetiques identifient aussi la presence de MnP ferromagnetique. De plus dans ces mesures on trouve qu'environ 60 % du Mn implante est en etat paramagnetique avec la valeur du spin reduite par rapport a celle trouvee dans les echantillons non-recuits. Dans les echantillons InP co-implantes au Mn et au P la recristallisation est seulement partielle mais l'effet de segregation du Mn a la surface est beaucoup reduit. Dans ce cas plus que 50 % du Mn forme des particules MnP et le restant est en etat paramagnetique au spin 5/2, dilue dans la matrice de l'InP. Finalement dans le dernier chapitre, 10, nous presentons les conclusions principales auxquels nous sommes arrives et discutons les resultats et leurs implications. Mots cles: implantation ionique, InP, GaP, amorphisation, MnP, segregation, co-implantation, couche polycristalline, paramagnetisme, ferromagnetisme.

Plutonium isotopes offer an alternative approach to establishing chronological profiles in coarse sediments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pondell, C.; Kuehl, S. A.; Canuel, E. A.

2016-12-01

There are several methodologies used to determine chronologies for sediments deposited within the past 100 years, including 210Pb and 137Cs radioisotopes and organic and inorganic contaminants. These techniques are quite effective in fine sediments, which generally have a high affinity for metals and organic compounds. However, the application of these chronological tools becomes limited in systems where coarse sediments accumulate. Englebright Lake is an impoundment in northern California where sediment accumulation is characterized by a combination of fine and coarse sediments. This combination of sediment grain size complicated chronological analysis using the more traditional 137Cs chronological approach. This study established a chronology of these sediments using 239+240Pu isotopes. While most of the 249+240Pu activity was measured in the fine grain size fraction (<63 microns), up to 25% of the plutonium activity was detected in the coarse size fractions of sediments from Englebright Lake. Profiles of 239+240Pu were similar to available 137Cs profiles, verifying the application of plutonium isotopes for determining sediment chronologies and expanding the established geochronology for Englebright Lake sediments. This study of sediment accumulation in Englebright Lake demonstrates the application of plutonium isotopes in establishing chronologies in coarse sediments and highlights the potential for plutonium to offer new insights into patterns of coarse sediment accumulation.

EasyDelta: A spreadsheet for kinetic modeling of the stable carbon isotope composition of natural gases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Yan-Rong; Wang, Lianyuan; Shuai, Yanhua; Peng, Ping'an

2005-08-01

A new kinetic model and an Excel © spreadsheet program for modeling the stable carbon isotope composition of natural gases is provided in this paper. The model and spreadsheet could be used to describe and predict the variances in stable carbon isotope of natural gases under both experimental and geological conditions with heating temperature or geological time. It is a user-friendly convenient tool for the modeling of isotope variation with time under experimental and geological conditions. The spreadsheet, based on experimental data, requires the input of the kinetic parameters of gaseous hydrocarbons generation. Some assumptions are made in this model: the conventional (non-isotope species) kinetic parameters represent the light isotope species; the initial isotopic value is the same for all parallel chemical reaction of gaseous hydrocarbons generation for simplicity, the re-exponential factor ratio, 13A/ 12A, is a constant, and both heavy and light isotope species have similar activation energy distribution. These assumptions are common in modeling of isotope ratios. The spreadsheet is used for searching the best kinetic parameters of the heavy isotope species to reach the minimum errors compared with experimental data, and then extrapolating isotopic changes to the thermal history of sedimentary basins. A short calculation example on the variation in δ13C values of methane is provided in this paper to show application to geological conditions.

Cross-correlation redshift calibration without spectroscopic calibration samples in DES Science Verification Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, C.; Rozo, E.; Roodman, A.; Alarcon, A.; Cawthon, R.; Gatti, M.; Lin, H.; Miquel, R.; Rykoff, E. S.; Troxel, M. A.; Vielzeuf, P.; Abbott, T. M. C.; Abdalla, F. B.; Allam, S.; Annis, J.; Bechtol, K.; Benoit-Lévy, A.; Bertin, E.; Brooks, D.; Buckley-Geer, E.; Burke, D. L.; Carnero Rosell, A.; Carrasco Kind, M.; Carretero, J.; Castander, F. J.; Crocce, M.; Cunha, C. E.; D'Andrea, C. B.; da Costa, L. N.; Desai, S.; Diehl, H. T.; Doel, P.; Drlica-Wagner, A.; Fausti Neto, A.; Flaugher, B.; Fosalba, P.; Frieman, J.; García-Bellido, J.; Gaztanaga, E.; Gerdes, D. W.; Giannantonio, T.; Gruen, D.; Gruendl, R. A.; Gutierrez, G.; Honscheid, K.; Jain, B.; James, D. J.; Jeltema, T.; Krause, E.; Kuehn, K.; Kuhlmann, S.; Kuropatkin, N.; Lahav, O.; Li, T. S.; Lima, M.; March, M.; Marshall, J. L.; Martini, P.; Melchior, P.; Ogando, R. L. C.; Plazas, A. A.; Romer, A. K.; Sanchez, E.; Scarpine, V.; Schindler, R.; Schubnell, M.; Sevilla-Noarbe, I.; Smith, M.; Soares-Santos, M.; Sobreira, F.; Suchyta, E.; Swanson, M. E. C.; Tarle, G.; Thomas, D.; Vikram, V.; Walker, A. R.; Wechsler, R. H.

2018-06-01

Galaxy cross-correlations with high-fidelity redshift samples hold the potential to precisely calibrate systematic photometric redshift uncertainties arising from the unavailability of complete and representative training and validation samples of galaxies. However, application of this technique in the Dark Energy Survey (DES) is hampered by the relatively low number density, small area, and modest redshift overlap between photometric and spectroscopic samples. We propose instead using photometric catalogues with reliable photometric redshifts for photo-z calibration via cross-correlations. We verify the viability of our proposal using redMaPPer clusters from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) to successfully recover the redshift distribution of SDSS spectroscopic galaxies. We demonstrate how to combine photo-z with cross-correlation data to calibrate photometric redshift biases while marginalizing over possible clustering bias evolution in either the calibration or unknown photometric samples. We apply our method to DES Science Verification (DES SV) data in order to constrain the photometric redshift distribution of a galaxy sample selected for weak lensing studies, constraining the mean of the tomographic redshift distributions to a statistical uncertainty of Δz ˜ ±0.01. We forecast that our proposal can, in principle, control photometric redshift uncertainties in DES weak lensing experiments at a level near the intrinsic statistical noise of the experiment over the range of redshifts where redMaPPer clusters are available. Our results provide strong motivation to launch a programme to fully characterize the systematic errors from bias evolution and photo-z shapes in our calibration procedure.

Cross-correlation redshift calibration without spectroscopic calibration samples in DES Science Verification Data

DOE PAGES

Davis, C.; Rozo, E.; Roodman, A.; ...

2018-03-26

Galaxy cross-correlations with high-fidelity redshift samples hold the potential to precisely calibrate systematic photometric redshift uncertainties arising from the unavailability of complete and representative training and validation samples of galaxies. However, application of this technique in the Dark Energy Survey (DES) is hampered by the relatively low number density, small area, and modest redshift overlap between photometric and spectroscopic samples. We propose instead using photometric catalogs with reliable photometric redshifts for photo-z calibration via cross-correlations. We verify the viability of our proposal using redMaPPer clusters from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) to successfully recover the redshift distribution of SDSS spectroscopic galaxies. We demonstrate how to combine photo-z with cross-correlation data to calibrate photometric redshift biases while marginalizing over possible clustering bias evolution in either the calibration or unknown photometric samples. We apply our method to DES Science Verification (DES SV) data in order to constrain the photometric redshift distribution of a galaxy sample selected for weak lensing studies, constraining the mean of the tomographic redshift distributions to a statistical uncertainty ofmore » $$\\Delta z \\sim \\pm 0.01$$. We forecast that our proposal can in principle control photometric redshift uncertainties in DES weak lensing experiments at a level near the intrinsic statistical noise of the experiment over the range of redshifts where redMaPPer clusters are available. Here, our results provide strong motivation to launch a program to fully characterize the systematic errors from bias evolution and photo-z shapes in our calibration procedure.« less

Etude analytique et numérique de la réponse en vibration à hautes fréquences d'éprouvettes de fatigue vibratoire des métaux. Application aux aciers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ben Aich, A.; El Kihel, B.; Kifani, A.; Sahban, F.

1994-07-01

In the present paper, the so-called " ultrasonic fatigue " or fatigue at very high frequency has been studied in the materials elastic behaviour case while neglecting the thermal effects that influence the mechanical fields. The determination of mechanical fields and specimen resonance length has been done both analytically and numerically. The numerical method used for this calculation is the finite element method (FEM). Martensitic steel " Soleil A2 " and austenitic steel " ICL 472 BC " have been considered in order to compare the two methods (analytical and numerical). It is shown that a perfect convergence is obtained between the two solutions. Dans le présent travail, la fatigue vibratoire a été étudiée dans le cas du comportement élastique des matériaux en négligeant les effets thermiques pouvant influencer les champs mécaniques. La détermination de ces champs et de la longueur de résonance des éprouvettes de fatigue a été faite analytiquement et numériquement. Le calcul numérique effectué se base sur la méthode des éléments finis. Dans le but d'une comparaison des solutions analytiques et numériques, deux aciers ont été considérés : un acier martensitique (Soleil A2) et un acier austénitique de type 18-10 (ICL 472 BC). Une parfaite convergence est obtenue entre les deux solutions.

Cross-correlation redshift calibration without spectroscopic calibration samples in DES Science Verification Data

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

Davis, C.; Rozo, E.; Roodman, A.

Galaxy cross-correlations with high-fidelity redshift samples hold the potential to precisely calibrate systematic photometric redshift uncertainties arising from the unavailability of complete and representative training and validation samples of galaxies. However, application of this technique in the Dark Energy Survey (DES) is hampered by the relatively low number density, small area, and modest redshift overlap between photometric and spectroscopic samples. We propose instead using photometric catalogs with reliable photometric redshifts for photo-z calibration via cross-correlations. We verify the viability of our proposal using redMaPPer clusters from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) to successfully recover the redshift distribution of SDSS spectroscopic galaxies. We demonstrate how to combine photo-z with cross-correlation data to calibrate photometric redshift biases while marginalizing over possible clustering bias evolution in either the calibration or unknown photometric samples. We apply our method to DES Science Verification (DES SV) data in order to constrain the photometric redshift distribution of a galaxy sample selected for weak lensing studies, constraining the mean of the tomographic redshift distributions to a statistical uncertainty ofmore » $$\\Delta z \\sim \\pm 0.01$$. We forecast that our proposal can in principle control photometric redshift uncertainties in DES weak lensing experiments at a level near the intrinsic statistical noise of the experiment over the range of redshifts where redMaPPer clusters are available. Here, our results provide strong motivation to launch a program to fully characterize the systematic errors from bias evolution and photo-z shapes in our calibration procedure.« less

Advancing capability for bioassessment using DNA metabarcoding: Application to aquatic invasive species monitoring

EPA Science Inventory

Characterizing biological communities by their constituent species is fundamental to biological monitoring and ecological condition assessment. Finding and identifying rare species is a long-standing challenge for monitoring programs. Nevertheless, conducting surveys that can des...

Modeling rheumatoid arthritis using different techniques - a review of model construction and results.

PubMed

Scholz, Stefan; Mittendorf, Thomas

2014-12-01

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory disease with severe effects on the functional ability of patients. Due to the prevalence of 0.5 to 1.0 percent in western countries, new treatment options are a major concern for decision makers with regard to their budget impact. In this context, cost-effectiveness analyses are a helpful tool to evaluate new treatment options for reimbursement schemes. To analyze and compare decision analytic modeling techniques and to explore their use in RA with regard to their advantages and shortcomings. A systematic literature review was conducted in PubMED and 58 studies reporting health economics decision models were analyzed with regard to the modeling technique used. From the 58 reviewed publications, we found 13 reporting decision tree-analysis, 25 (cohort) Markov models, 13 publications on individual sampling methods (ISM) and seven discrete event simulations (DES). Thereby 26 studies were identified as presenting independently developed models and 32 models as adoptions. The modeling techniques used were found to differ in their complexity and in the number of treatment options compared. Methodological features are presented in the article and a comprehensive overview of the cost-effectiveness estimates is given in Additional files 1 and 2. When compared to the other modeling techniques, ISM and DES have advantages in the coverage of patient heterogeneity and, additionally, DES is capable to model more complex treatment sequences and competing risks in RA-patients. Nevertheless, the availability of sufficient data is necessary to avoid assumptions in ISM and DES exercises, thereby enabling biased results. Due to the different settings, time frames and interventions in the reviewed publications, no direct comparison of modeling techniques was applicable. The results from other indications suggest that incremental cost-effective ratios (ICERs) do not differ significantly between Markov and DES models, but DES is able to report more outcome parameters. Given a sufficient data supply, DES is the modeling technique of choice when modeling cost-effectiveness in RA. Otherwise transparency on the data inputs is crucial for valid results and to inform decision makers about possible biases. With regard to ICERs, Markov models might provide similar estimates as more advanced modeling techniques.

Clinical practice guideline: management of acute pancreatitis

PubMed Central

Greenberg, Joshua A.; Hsu, Jonathan; Bawazeer, Mohammad; Marshall, John; Friedrich, Jan O.; Nathens, Avery; Coburn, Natalie; May, Gary R.; Pearsall, Emily; McLeod, Robin S.

2016-01-01

There has been an increase in the incidence of acute pancreatitis reported worldwide. Despite improvements in access to care, imaging and interventional techniques, acute pancreatitis continues to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite the availability of clinical practice guidelines for the management of acute pancreatitis, recent studies auditing the clinical management of the condition have shown important areas of noncompliance with evidence-based recommendations. This underscores the importance of creating understandable and implementable recommendations for the diagnosis and management of acute pancreatitis. The purpose of the present guideline is to provide evidence-based recommendations for the management of both mild and severe acute pancreatitis as well as the management of complications of acute pancreatitis and of gall stone–induced pancreatitis. Une hausse de l’incidence de pancréatite aiguë a été constatée à l’échelle mondiale. Malgré l’amélioration de l’accès aux soins et aux techniques d’imagerie et d’intervention, la pancréatite aiguë est toujours associée à une morbidité et une mortalité importantes. Bien qu’il existe des guides de pratique clinique pour la prise en charge de la pancréatite aiguë, des études récentes sur la vérification de la prise en charge clinique de cette affection révèlent des lacunes importantes dans la conformité aux recommandations fondées sur des données probantes. Ces résultats mettent en relief l’importance de formuler des recommandations compréhensibles et applicables pour le diagnostic et la prise en charge de la pancréatite aiguë. La présente ligne directrice vise à fournir des recommandations fondées sur des données probantes pour la prise en charge de la pancréatite aiguë, qu’elle soit bénigne ou grave, ainsi que de ses complications et de celles de la pancréatite causée par un calcul biliaire. PMID:27007094

A new and fast DLLME-CE method for the enantioselective analysis of zopiclone and its active metabolite after fungal biotransformation.

PubMed

de Albuquerque, Nayara Cristina Perez; de Gaitani, Cristiane Masetto; de Oliveira, Anderson Rodrigo Moraes

2015-05-10

Zopiclone (ZO) is a chiral drug that undergoes extensive metabolism to N-desmethylzopiclone (N-Des-ZO) and zopiclone-N-oxide (N-Ox-ZO). Pharmacological studies have shown (S)-N-Des-ZO metabolite presents anxiolytic activity and a patent for this metabolite was requested for anxiety treatment and related disorders. In this context, biotransformation employing fungi may be a promising strategy to obtain N-Des-ZO. To perform the biotransformation study in this work, an enantioselective method based on capillary electrophoresis (CE) and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) was developed. CE analyses were carried out in sodium phosphate buffer (pH 2.5; 50mmolL(-1)) containing 0.5% (w/v) carboxymethyl-β-CD, at a constant voltage of +25kV. DLLME was conducted using 2mL of liquid culture medium pH 9.5. Chloroform (100μL) and methanol (300μL) were employed as extraction and disperser solvent, respectively. After CE and DLLME optimization, the analytical method was fully validated. The method was linear over a concentration range of 90-6000ngmL(-1) for each ZO enantiomer (r>0.999) and 50-1000ngmL(-1) for each N-Des-ZO enantiomer (r>0.998). Absolute recovery of 51 and 82% was achieved for N-Des-ZO and ZO, respectively. The accuracy and precision results agreed with the EMA (European Medicines Agency) guideline, and so did the stability study. Application of the developed method in a biotransformation study was conducted in order to investigate the ability of fungi, belonging to the genus Cunninghamella, in metabolizing ZO chiral drug. Fungi Cunninghamella elegans ATCC 10028B and Cunninghamella echinulata var elegans ATCC 8688A demonstrated to be able to enantioselectively biotransform ZO to its active metabolite, N-Des-ZO. Therefore, the proposed goals of this work, i.e. a fast DLLME-CE method and an outstanding strategy to obtain N-Des-ZO, were successfully attained. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Miocene climate as recorded on slope carbonates : examples from Malta (Central Mediterranean) and Northeastern Australia (Marion Plateau, ODP LEG 194)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

John, Cédric Michaël

2003-08-01

This study investigated the slope carbonates of two Miocene carbonate systems: the Maltese Islands (in the Central Mediterranean) and the Marion Plateau (Northeastern Australia, drilled during ODP Leg 194). The aim of the study was to trace the impact of the Miocene cooling steps (events Mi1-Mi6) in these carbonate systems, especially the Mi3 event, which took place around 13.6 Ma and deeply impacted the marine oxygen isotope record. This event also profoundly impacted oceanographic and climatic patterns, eventually leading to the establishment of the modern ice-house world. In particular, East Antarctica became ice covered at that period. The rational behind the present study was to investigate the impact that this event had on shallow water systems in order to complement the deep-sea record and hence acquire a more global perspective on Miocene climate change. The Maltese Islands were investigated for trends in bulk-rock carbon and oxygen isotopes, as well as bulk-rock mineralogy, clay minerals analysis and organic geochemisty. Results showed that the mid Miocene cooling event deeply impacted sedimentation at that location by changing sedimentation from carbonate to clay-rich sediments. Moreover, it was discovered that each phase of Antarctic glaciation, not just the major mid Miocene event, resulted in higher terrigenous input on Malta. Mass accumulation rates revealed that this was linked to increased runoff during periods when Antarctica was glaciated, and thus that the carbonate sediments were “diluted” by clay-rich sediments. The model subsequently developed to explain this implies feedback from Antarctic glaciations creating cold, dense air masses that push the ITCZ Northward, thus increasing precipitation on the North African subcontinent. Increased precipitation (or stronger African monsoon) accelerated continental weathering and runoff, thus bringing more terrigenous sediment to the paleo-location of the slope sediments of Malta. Spectral analysis of carbonate content and organic matter geochemical analysis furthermore suggest that the clay-rich intervals are similar to sapropelic deposits. On the Marion Plateau, trends in oxygen and carbon isotopes were obtained by measuring Cibicidoides spp foraminifers. Moreover, carbonate content was reconstructed using a chemical method (coulometer). Results show that the mid Miocene cooling step profoundly affected this system: a major drop in accumulation rates of carbonates occurs precisely at 13.8 Ma, around the time of the East Antarctic ice sheet formation. Moreover, sedimentation changes occurred at that time, carbonate fragments coming from neritic environments becoming less abundant, planktonic foraminifer content increasing and quartz and reworked glauconite being deposited. Conversely, a surprising result is that the major N12-N14 sea-level fall occurring around 11.5 Ma did not impact the accumulation of carbonates on the slope. This was unexpected since carbonate platform are very sensitive to sea-level changes. The model developed to explain that mass accumulation rates of carbonates diminished around 13.6 Ma (Mi3 Event) instead of 11.5 Ma (N12-N14 event), suggests that oceanic currents were controlling slope carbonate deposition on the Marion Plateau prior to the mid-Miocene, and that the mid Miocene event considerably increase their strength, hence reducing the amount of carbonate being deposited on slope sites. Moreover, by combining results from deep-sea oxygen isotopes with sea-level estimates based on coastal onlaps made during Leg 194, we constrain the amplitude of the N12-N14 sea-level fall to 90 meters. When integrating isotopic results from this study, this amplitude is lowered to 70 meters. A general conclusion of this work is that the mid Miocene climatic shift did impact carbonate systems, at least at the two locations studied. However, the nature of this response was highly dependant on the regional settings, in particular the presence of land mass (Malta) and the absence of a barrier to shelter from the effects of open ocean (Marion Plateau). Im Rahmen dieser Doktorarbeit wurden die Hangkarbonate von zwei miozänen heterozoischen Karbonatsystemen näher untersucht: die Malta Inselgruppe (zentrales Mittelmeer) und das Marion Plateau (Nordost Australien, ODP Leg 194). Die Auswirkungen der mittelmiozänen Abkühlung (Mi3), die auf 13.6 Ma datiert wird und starken Einfluß auf die Sauerstoffisotopenkurve hatte, in den oben genannten Flachwassersystemen stellten das Ziel dieser Arbeit dar. Dieses Abkühlungsereignis beeinflußte außerdem sehr stark die ozeanographischen und klimatischen Muster, die im weiteren Verlauf zum modernen Eishausklima führten. So steht insbesondere die Vereisung von Ostantarktika mit diesem Ereignis in Verbindung. Diese Arbeit untersucht den Einfluß dieses Ereignisses auf Flachwassersysteme, um vorliegende Untersuchungen in Tiefwassersystemen zu ergänzen und so zum globalen Verständnis des miozänen Klimawechsels beizutragen. Die Profile auf der Maltainselgruppe wurden mit Hilfe von Kohlenstoff- und Sauerstoffisotopen Auswertungen im Gesamtgestein, Gesamtgesteinmineralogie, Tonmineralanalyse und organischer Geochemie untersucht. Durch einen Wechsel von karbonatischeren zu tonigeren Sedimenten beeinflußte das mittelmiozäne Abkühlungsereignis die Sedimentation in diesem Gebiet sehr stark. Weiterhin wurde beobachtet, daß jede Phase der antarktischen Vereisung, nicht nur das mittelmiozäne Hauptereignis, zu einem erhöhten terrigenen Eintrag in den Hangsedimenten der Maltainselgruppe führte. Akkumulationsraten zeigen, daß dieser erhöhte terrigene Eintrag den einzelnen Vereisungsperioden zusammenhängt und die karbonatischen Sedimente durch tonreiche Sedimente “verunreinigt” wurden. Das daraufhin entwickelte Modell erklärt diesen erhöhten terrigenen Eintrag mit einer nordwärtigen Verlagerung der innertropischen Konvergenzzone durch die Bildung von kalten, dichten Luftmassen, die zu verstärkten Niederschlägen in Nordafrika führten. Diese verstärkten Niederschläge (oder verstärkter afrikanischer Monsun) beeinflußten die kontinentale Verwitterung und den Eintrag, mit der Folge, daß verstärkt terrigene Sedimente im Bereich der Hangsedimente der Maltainselgruppe abgelagert wurden. Die tonreichen Intervalle weisen Ähnlichkeiten zu sapropelischen Ablagerungen auf, was mit Hilfe der Spektral analyse des Karbonatgehalts und der geochemischen Analyse des organischen Materials gezeigt wurde. Auf dem Marion Plateau wurden die Sauerstoff- und Kohlenstoffisotopenkurven anhand von Foraminiferen der Gattung Cibicidoides spp. rekonstruiert. Der Karbonatgehalt wurde mit Hilfe einer chemischen Methode (Coulometer) ermittelt. Genauso wie die Sedimente der Maltainselgruppe beeinflußte das mittelmiozäne Abkühlungsereignis (Mi3) auch die Sedimente auf dem Marion Plateau. So kam es bei 13,8 Ma, in etwa zur Zeit der Vereisung von Ostantarktika, zu einem Abfall der Karbonatakkumulationsraten. Weiterhin traten Änderungen in der Zusammensetzung der Sedimente auf, so nehmen neritische Karbonatfragmente ab, der planktische Foraminiferengehalt nimmt zu und es wurden verstärkt Quarz und Glaukonit abgelagert. Ein überraschendes Ergebnis ist die Tatsache, daß der große N12-N14 Meeresspiegelabfall um 11,5 Ma die Akkumulationsraten der Karbonate auf dem Hang nicht beeinflußte. Dieses Ergebnis ist umso erstaunlicher, da Karbonatplattformen normalerweise sehr sensitiv auf Meeresspiegeländerungen reagieren. Der Grund, warum sich die Karbonatakkumulationsraten schon um 13,6 Ma (Mi3) und nicht erst um 11,5 Ma (N12-N14) verringerten, liegt in der Tatsache, daß die ozeanischen Strömungen die Karbonatsedimentation auf dem Hang des Marion Plateau schon im Miozän kontrollierten. Das mittelmiozäne Ereignis (Mi3) erhöhte die Stärke diese Strömungen und als eine Ursache wurde die Karbonatakkumulation auf den Hängen reduziert. Die Amplitude des N12-N14 Meeresspiegelabfalls liegt bei 90 m unter der Berücksichtigung der Sauerstoffisotopendaten aus der Tiefsee und Berechnungen des Meeresspiegels anhand des “coastal onlaps”, die während Leg 194 gemacht wurden. Die Isotopendaten dieser Arbeit weisen hingegen auf einen verringerten Meeresspiegelabfall von 70 m hin. Als allgemeine Schlußfolgerung kann gesagt werden, daß der mittelmiozäne Klimaumschwung die Karbonatsysteme zumindest an den beiden untersuchten Lokalitäten beeinflußt hat. Allerdings waren die Auswirkungen sehr von den unterschiedlichen lokalen Gegebenheiten abhängig. Insbesondere wirkten sich die Anwesenheit einer Landmasse (Malta) und die Abwesenheit einer Barriere vor den Einflüssen des offenen Ozeans (Marion Plateau) stark auf die Ablagerung der Karbonate aus.

Calcium Isotope Systematics During Development of the Domestic Chicken (Gallus gallus)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wheatley, P. V.

2003-12-01

Calcium isotope distributions have been recognized as showing systematic and predictable fractionation in nature. However, most of the observed calcium isotope fractionation to date is due to biological processes. The presence of abundant amounts of calcium in mineralized tissues makes the isotopic system of calcium particularly valuable in biological and paleobiological questions involving biomineralization. In order to apply calcium isotope systematics to paleobiological questions the changes in the calcium isotope signatures of mineralized tissue in modern animals should be studied. My study observed the domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) through embryologic ontogeny. This was accomplished by obtaining fertilized eggs staged in a growth series from day 12 to day 20. The eggs were dissected and shell, embryonic bone, albumen, and yolk were analyzed in order to characterize the calcium isotopic composition of the individual components over the course of the growth series. Several systematic changes in the isotopic signatures of various tissues were observed during the course of the development of the embryos. In general, mineralization in biological systems preferentially partitions the lighter isotopes of calcium into hard parts. As a result of this fractionation during mineralization, partitioning of light isotopes of calcium into the mineralized tissues may result in residual tissues being enriched in the heavier isotopes as ontogeny progresses. Better understanding of the behavior of calcium in modern biological systems will improve its application to fossils and expand the number of paleobiological and evolutionary questions that can be addressed using calcium isotopic data.

Knowledge Based System Applications for Guidance and Control (Application des Systemes a Base de Connaissances au Guidage-Pilotage)

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-01-01

techniques and integration concepts. Recent advances in digital computation techniques including data base management , represent the core enabling...tactical information management and effective pilot interaction are essential. Pilot decision aiding, combat automation, sensor fusion and ol-board...tactical battle management concepts offer the opportunity for substantial mission effectiveness improvements. Although real-time tactical military

Surface area dependence of calcium isotopic reequilibration in carbonates: Implications for isotopic signatures in the weathering zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernandez, N. M.; Druhan, J. L.; Potrel, A.; Jacobson, A. D.

2016-12-01

The concept of dynamic equilibrium carries the implicit assumption of continued isotopic exchange between a mineral and the surrounding fluid. While this effect has received much attention in the marine paleoproxy literature, it has been relatively overlooked in application to the terrestrial environment. In weathering systems, a potential consequence is that rapid reequilibration may alter or erase isotopic signatures generated during secondary mineral formation. The extent and timescale over which isotopic signatures are reset in these hydrologic systems is unknown. Using reactive transport modeling, we show isotopic reequilibration under conditions reflecting terrestrial hydrologic settings to be significant and dependent on the reactive surface area of the solid. In particular, we suggest that the non-traditional stable isotopes commonly used in application to carbonates (e.g., Ca, Mg, Sr) are sensitive to these effects due to their rapid reaction rates. We aim to characterize the dependence of Ca isotopic reequilibration on surface area during calcite precipitation via batch experiments conducted at ambient temperature over 48-hour time periods. Calcite precipitation was performed in a closed batch reactor utilizing a controlled free-drift method. The batch reactors contained mixed supersaturated solutions of CaCl2 and NaHCO3 at an initial pH of 8.54. Precipitation was initiated by seed inoculation of calcite crystals with two distinct, pre-constrained surface areas. All experiments achieved the same final state of chemical equilibrium, but as expected, the fastest approach to equilibrium occurred for experiments employing calcite seeds with the highest surface area. This implies that differences in equilibrated Ca isotope ratios (δ44/40Ca) should reflect differences in surface area. This prediction is upheld by models of the experiments, indicating a measureable difference in δ44Ca during calcite precipitation where the higher surface area corresponds to lower δ44Ca values and a faster approach to isotopic equilibrium. The dependence of δ44Ca resetting on calcite surface areas has broad ramifications for tracing carbonate weathering in the Critical Zone.

Development of laser ablation multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for boron isotopic measurement in marine biocarbonates: new improvements and application to a modern Porites coral.

PubMed

Thil, François; Blamart, Dominique; Assailly, Caroline; Lazareth, Claire E; Leblanc, Thierry; Butsher, John; Douville, Eric

2016-02-15

Laser Ablation coupled to Multi-Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-MC-ICPMS) is a powerful tool for the high-precision measurement of the isotopic ratios of many elements in geological samples, with the isotope ratio ((11) B/(10) B) of boron being used as an indicator of the pH of oceanic waters. Most geological samples or standards are polished and ablation occurs on flat surfaces. However, the shape and the irregularities of marine biocarbonates (e.g., corals, foraminifera) can make precise isotopic measurements of boron difficult. Even after polishing, the porosity properties and the presence of holes or micro-fractures affect the signal and the isotopic ratio when ablating the material, especially in raster mode. The effect of porosity and of the crater itself on the (11) B signal and the isotopic ratio acquired by LA-MC-ICPMS in both raster and spot mode was studied. Characterization of the craters was then performed with an optical profilometer to determine their shapes and depths. Surface state effects were examined by analyzing the isotopic fractionation of boron in silicate (NIST-SRM 612 and 610 standards) and in carbonate (corals). Surface irregularities led to a considerable loss of signal when the crater depth exceeded 20 µm. The stability and precision were degraded when ablation occurred in a deep cavity. The effect of laser focusing and of blank correction was also highlighted and our observations indicate that the accuracy of the boron isotopic ratio does not depend on the shape of the surface. After validation of the analytical protocol for boron isotopes, a raster application on a Porites coral, which grew for 18 months in an aquarium after field sampling, was carried out. This original LA-MC-ICPMS study revealed a well-marked boron isotope ratio temporal variability, probably related to growth rate and density changes, irrespective of the pH of the surrounding seawater. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Quantification of spatial and seasonal variations in the proportional contribution of nitrate sources using a multi-isotope approach and Bayesian isotope mixing model.

PubMed

Meghdadi, Aminreza; Javar, Narmin

2018-04-01

Spatial and seasonal variations in nitrate contamination are a globally concern. While numerous studies have used δ 15 N-NO 3 and δ 18 O-NO 3 to elucidate the dominant sources of nitrate in groundwater, this approach has significant limitations due to the overlap of nitrate isotopic ranges and the occurrence of nitrate isotopic fractionation. This study quantitatively assessed the spatial and seasonal variations in the proportional contributions of nitrate sources from different land uses in the Tarom watershed in North-West Iran. To achieve this aim, orthogonal projection of the hydrochemical and isotopic dataset of the principal component analysis (PCA) as well as correlation coefficient matrix (Corr-PCA) were evaluated to reduce the dimensionality of the inter-correlated dataset. Next, a nitrate isotopic biplot accompanied with a Bayesian isotope mixing model (SIAR) were applied to specify the spatial and seasonal trends in the proportional contribution of three dominant sources of nitrate (fertilizers, animal manure and residential waste) in the watershed. Finally, in order to provide a sensitive framework for nitrate source appointment and overcome the associated limitations of dual nitrate isotope application, the integration of boron isotope (δ 11 B) and strontium isotopic ratio ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) was introduced. The results revealed that the mean contribution of residential sewage increased (17%-27.5%), while the mean contribution of fertilizers decreased (28.3%-19%), from late spring to early autumn. Also, fertilizer was the highest contributor (42.1% ± 3.2) during late spring, especially in regions with more than 75% agricultural land. Meanwhile, the mean contribution of sewage was highest in early autumn (32.1% ± 2.8) in the areas with more than 20% residential land. These results were confirmed by coupled application of δ 11 B and 87 Sr/ 86 Sr. This study provides a useful insight for environmental managers to verify groundwater pollution contributors and to better apply remedial solutions. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Multi-element compound specific stable isotope analysis of volatile organic compounds at trace levels in groundwater samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herrero-Martín, Sara; Nijenhuis, Ivonne; Schmidt, Marie; Wolfram, Diana; Richnow, Hans. H.; Gehre, Matthias

2013-04-01

Groundwater pollution remains one of the major environmental and health concerns. A thorough understanding of sources, sinks and transformation processes of groundwater contaminants is needed to improve risk management evaluation, and to design efficient remediation and water treatment strategies. Isotopic tools provide unique information for an in-depth understanding of the fate of organic chemicals in the environment. During the last decades compound specific isotope analysis (CSIA) of complex mixtures, using gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-IRMS), has gained popularity for the characterization and risk assessment of hazardous waste sites and for isotope forensics of organic contaminants. Multi-element isotope fingerprinting of organic substances provides a more robust framework for interpretation than the isotope analysis of only one element. One major challenge for application of CSIA is the analysis of trace levels of organic compounds in environmental matrices. It is necessary to inject 1 nmol carbon or 8 nmol hydrogen on column, to obtain an accurate and precise measurement of the isotope ratios, which is between two and three orders of magnitude larger than the amount of compound needed for conventional analysis of compound concentrations. Therefore, efficient extraction and pre-concentration techniques have to be integrated with GC-IRMS. Further research is urgently needed in this field, to evaluate the potential of novel and environmental-friendly sample pre-treatment techniques for CSIA to lower the detection limits and extending environmental applications. In this study, the novel coupling of a headspace autosampler (HS) with a programmed temperature vaporizer (PTV), allowing large volume injection of headspace samples, is proposed to improve the sensitivity of CSIA. This automatic, fast and solvent free strategy provides a significant increase on the sensitivity of GC-based methods maintaining the simple headspace instrumentation. The method was developed for the multi-element isotope analysis (carbon and hydrogen) of priority volatile organic groundwater pollutants (methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and o-xylene (BTEX)), and for carbon isotope analysis of chlorinated benzenes and ethenes. The extraction and injection conditions were optimized in terms of maximum sensitivity and minimum isotope effects. During the injection of the headspace sample, the liner is maintained at a low temperature, such that the compounds are retained in a hydrophobic insert packing while the water vapor is eliminated through the split line. With the optimized conditions, it was possible to inject up to 5mL headspace sample with no significant carbon or hydrogen isotopic effects except for the most hydrophobic substance (MTBE), which was subject to a small and reproducible isotope fractionation for hydrogen. The increment on method sensitivity was at least 20 fold in comparison with conventional static headspace analysis. The environmental applicability of the HS-PTV-GC-IRMS method was evaluated by the analysis of groundwater samples from different contaminated field sites, containing BTEX and chlorinated volatile organic contaminants in the low µg/L range. The results obtained demonstrate that this pre-concentration technique is highly promising to enhance the limits of detection of current CSIA methods and broaden its possibilities.

Radiogenic Isotopes in Weathering and Hydrology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blum, J. D.; Erel, Y.

2003-12-01

There are a small group of elements that display variations in their isotopic composition, resulting from radioactive decay within minerals over geological timescales. These isotopic variations provide natural fingerprints of rock-water interactions and have been widely utilized in studies of weathering and hydrology. The isotopic systems that have been applied in such studies are dictated by the limited number of radioactive parent-daughter nuclide pairs with half-lives and isotopic abundances that result in measurable differences in daughter isotope ratios among common rocks and minerals. Prior to their application to studies of weathering and hydrology, each of these isotopic systems was utilized in geochronology and petrology. As in the case of their original introduction into geochronology and petrology, isotopic systems with the highest concentrations of daughter isotopes in common rocks and minerals and systems with the largest observed isotopic variations were introduced first and have made the largest impact on our understanding of weathering and hydrologic processes. Although radiogenic isotopes have helped elucidate many important aspects of weathering and hydrology, it is important to note that in almost every case that will be discussed in this chapter, our fundamental understanding of these topics came from studies of variations in the concentrations of major cations and anions. This chapter is a "tools chapter" and thus it will highlight applications of radiogenic isotopes that have added additional insight into a wide spectrum of research areas that are summarized in almost all of the other chapters of this volume.The first applications of radiogenic isotopes to weathering processes were based on studies that sought to understand the effects of chemical weathering on the geochronology of whole-rock samples and geochronologically important minerals (Goldich and Gast, 1966; Dasch, 1969; Blaxland, 1974; Clauer, 1979, 1981; Clauer et al., 1982); as well as on the observation that radiogenic isotopes are sometimes preferentially released compared to nonradiogenic isotopes of the same element during acid leaching of rocks ( Hart and Tilton, 1966; Silver et al., 1984; Erel et al., 1991). A major finding of these investigations was that weathering often results in anomalously young Rb-Sr isochron ages, and discordant Pb-Pb ages. Rubidium is generally retained relative to strontium in whole-rock samples, and in some cases radiogenic strontium and lead are lost preferentially to common strontium and lead from weathered minerals.The most widely utilized of these isotopic systems is Rb-Sr, followed by U-Pb. The K-Ar system is not directly applicable to most studies of rock-water interaction, because argon is a noble gas, and upon release during mineral weathering mixes with atmospheric argon, limiting its usefulness as a tracer in most weathering applications. Argon and other noble gas isotopes have, however, found important applications in hydrology (see Chapter 5.15). Three other isotopic systems commonly used in geochronology and petrology include Sm-Nd, Lu-Hf, and Re-Os. These parent and daughter elements are in very low abundance and concentrated in trace mineral phases. Sm-Nd, Lu-Hf, and Re-Os have been used in a few weathering studies but have not been utilized extensively in investigations of weathering and hydrology.The decay of 87Rb to 87Sr has a half-life of 48.8 Gyr, and this radioactive decay results in natural variability in the 87Sr/86Sr ratio in rubidium-bearing minerals (e.g., Blum, 1995). The trace elements rubidium and strontium are geochemically similar to the major elements potassium and calcium, respectively. Therefore, minerals with high K/Ca ratios develop high 87Sr/86Sr ratios over geologic timescales. Once released into the hydrosphere, strontium retains its isotopic composition without significant fractionation by geochemical or biological processes, and is therefore a good tracer for sources and cycling of calcium. The decay of 235U to 207Pb, 238U to 206Pb, and 232Th to 208Pb have half-lives of 0.704 Gyr, 4.47 Gyr, and 14.0 Gyr, respectively, and result in variations in the 207Pb/204Pb, 206Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb ratios (e.g., Blum, 1995). Uranium-234 has a half-life of 0.25 Myr and the ratio 234U/238U approaches a constant secular equilibrium value in rocks and minerals if undisturbed for ˜1 Myr. Differences in this ratio are often observed in solutions following rock-water interaction and have been used in studies of weathering and hydrology. Uranium and thorium tend to be highly concentrated in the trace accessory minerals such as zircon, monazite, apatite, and sphene, which therefore develop high 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb ratios. Once released into the hydrosphere, lead retains its isotopic composition without significant geochemical or biological fractionation and tends to generally follow the chemistry of iron in soils and aqueous systems (Erel and Morgan, 1992). The use of the U-Th disequilibrium series as a dating tool falls outside the scope of this chapter and is reviewed in Chapters 6.14 and 6.17 as well as Chapter 3.15. The decay of 147Sm to 143Nd, 176Lu to 176Hf, and 187Re to 187Os have half-lives of 106 Gyr, 35.7 Gyr, and 42.3 Gyr, respectively, and result in natural variability in the 144Nd/143Nd, 176Hf/177Hf, and 187Os/188Os ratios (e.g., Blum, 1995). Neodymium is a rare earth element (REE), hafnium is a transition metal with chemical similarities to zirconium, and osmium is a platinum group element. The geochemical behaviors of these elements in the hydrosphere are largely determined by these chemical affinities.

Application d'une technique de modelisation aerodynamique conceptuelle sur la simulation d'un pilote automatique a commande optimale pour un avion d'affaires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pollender-Moreau, Olivier

Ce document présente, dans le cadre d'un contexte conceptuel, une méthode d'enchaînement servant à faire le lien entre les différentes étapes qui permettent de réaliser la simulation d'un aéronef à partir de ses données géométriques et de ses propriétés massiques. En utilisant le cas de l'avion d'affaires Hawker 800XP de la compagnie Hawker Beechcraft, on démontre, via des données, un processus de traitement par lots et une plate-forme de simulation, comment (1) modéliser la géométrie d'un aéronef en plusieurs surfaces, (2) calculer les forces aérodynamiques selon une technique connue sous le nom de Vortex Lattice Method, (3) construire un modèle de vol servant à la simulation des aéronefs pour leur enveloppe de vol en ajoutant des fonctions supplémentaires, (4) construire un modèle de turbosoufflante simplifié, (5) développer un algorithme d'équilibre (trim) du mouvement longitudinal, (6) développer des algorithmes de contrôle à commande moderne, (7) développer certaines fonctions d'un système de pilotage automatique, et (8) rassembler le tout sous une même plate-forme de simulation. Afin de supporter ce travail, une application publique Matlab, connue sous le nom de Tornado, est utilisée conjointement avec d'autres fonctions pour la conception du modèle de vol aérodynamique. D'ailleurs, il sera démontré que le modèle de vol, quoiqu'il soit quand même crédible, ne concorde pas tout à fait avec les données de référence. Par contre, puisque le modèle des moteurs fonctionne bien, que l'algorithme d'équilibrage du mouvement longitudinal fonctionne bien et que les pôles des systèmes dynamiques concordent avec la littérature, les tests dynamiques effectués au sein de la plate-forme de simulation permettent d'obtenir des résultats fonctionnels et crédibles. D'ailleurs, deux systèmes d'augmentation de la stabilité basés sur la méthode de contrôle moderne LQR et couvrant l'enveloppe de vol de l'aéronef via un système d'ordonnancement des gains sont implémentés respectivement selon les mouvements longitudinal et latéral. Ces fonctions fonctionnent bien et permettent de rencontrer les qualités de vol requises pour un avion d'affaires. Finalement, certaines fonctions concernant un système de pilotage automatique sont implémentées. Dans le cas du mouvement latéral, ces fonctions sont basées sur les méthodes de contrôle modernes et couvrent la totalité de l'enveloppe de vol; mais en ce qui concerne le mouvement longitudinal, elles sont basées sur des algorithmes d'équilibre difficile à gérer pour implémenter sur toute l'enveloppe de vol, c'est pourquoi les tests présentés sont limités à des scénarios bien précis. Dans les deux cas, les essais effectués donnent d'assez bons résultats.

Le role du phytoplancton de petite taille (<20 mum) dans les variations des proprietes optiques des eaux du Saint-Laurent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mas, Sebastien

Les mesures satellitaires de couleur des oceans sont largement determinees par les proprietes optiques inherentes (IOPs) des eaux de surface. D'autre part, le phytoplancton de petite taille (<20 mum) est le plus souvent dominant dans les oceans, et peut donc etre une source importante de variation des IOPs dans les oceans. Dans ce contexte, le but principal de ce doctorat etait de definir l'impact du phytoplancton (<20 mum) sur les variations des proprietes optiques de l'Estuaire et du Golfe du Saint-Laurent (Canada). Afin d'atteindre cet objectif, il etait necessaire de determiner en milieu controle les facteurs de variabilite des proprietes optiques cellulaires et des IOPs du phytoplancton (<20 mum) des eaux du Saint-Laurent, et d'evaluer la contribution du phytoplancton (<20 mum) aux proprietes optiques totales des eaux du Saint-Laurent. Des experiences en laboratoire ont montre que les variations des proprietes optiques des cellules phytoplanctoniques soumises a un cycle jour-nuit, ainsi qu'a des changements concomitants d'intensite lumineuse, peuvent contribuer significativement a la variabilite des proprietes optiques observee en milieu naturel. D'autres experiences ont, quant a elles, mis en evidence que les variations des proprietes optiques des cellules phytoplanctoniques dues aux phases de croissance peuvent alterer les IOPs des oceans, particulierement pendant les periodes de floraison. De plus, la presence de bacteries et de particules detritiques peut egalement affecter la variabilite des IOPs totales, notamment la diffusion. Au printemps, dans l'Estuaire et le Golfe du Saint-Laurent, la contribution du phytoplancton <20 mum aux IOPs presentait des differences regionales evidentes pour les proprietes d'absorption et de diffusion. En plus de la variabilite spatiale, les proprietes optiques cellulaires presentaient des variations journalieres, et ce particulierement pour le picophytoplancton. Enfin, la plupart des differences observees dans les proprietes biooptiques, particulierement l'absorption, etaient attribuables a la contribution du phytoplancton <20 mum. Ceci confirme l'importance de la structure de taille des communautes phytoplanctoniques dans les modeles bio-optiques appliques au Saint-Laurent. L'ensemble des resultats a permis de mettre en evidence l'importance des mecanismes de photoacclimatation et de synchronisation du cycle cellulaire du phytoplancton sur les variations journalieres des IOPs, ainsi que de l'etat physiologique relie au stade de croissance sur les variations temporelles a long terme des IOPs. De plus, le phytoplancton <20 mum contribue de maniere importante aux IOPs et a leur variabilite dans l'Estuaire et le Golfe du St-Laurent, et ce particulierement pour l'absorption. Cette etude de doctorat souligne donc l'importance du phytoplancton <20 mum sur la variabilite des IOPs des oceans.

Natural radium and radon tracers to quantify water exchange and movement in reservoirs

USGS Publications Warehouse

Smith, Christopher G.; Baskaran, Mark

2011-01-01

Radon and radium isotopes are routinely used to quantify exchange rates between different hydrologic reservoirs. Since their recognition as oceanic tracers in the 1960s, both radon and radium have been used to examine processes such as air-sea exchange, deep oceanic mixing, benthic inputs, and many others. Recently, the application of radon-222 and the radium-quartet (223,224,226,228Ra) as coastal tracers has seen a revelation with the growing interest in coastal groundwater dynamics. The enrichment of these isotopes in benthic fluids including groundwater makes both radium and radon ideal tracers of coastal benthic processes (e.g. submarine groundwater discharge). In this chapter we review traditional and recent advances in the application of radon and radium isotopes to understand mixing and exchange between various hydrologic reservoirs, specifically: (1) atmosphere and ocean, (2) deep and shallow oceanic water masses, (3) coastal groundwater/benthic pore waters and surface ocean, and (4) aquifer-lakes. While the isotopes themselves and their distribution in the environment provide qualitative information about the exchange processes, it is mixing/exchange and transport models for these isotopes that provide specific quantitative information about these processes. Brief introductions of these models and mixing parameters are provided for both historical and more recent studies.

La planification préalable des soins pour les patients en pédiatrie

PubMed Central

2008-01-01

RÉSUMÉ Les progrès médicaux et technologiques ont permis d’ac-croître les taux de survie et d’améliorer la qualité de vie des nourrissons, des enfants et des adolescents ayant des maladies chroniques mettant la vie en danger. La planifi-cation préalable des soins inclut le processus relié aux discussions sur les traitements essentiels au maintien de la survie et la détermination des objectifs des soins de longue durée. Les dispensateurs de soins pédiatriques ont l’obligation éthique d’assimiler cet aspect des soins médicaux. Le présent document de principes vise à aider les dispensateurs de soins à discuter de la planification préalable des soins des patients pédiatriques dans diverses situations. La planification préalable des soins exige des communications efficaces afin de clarifier les objectifs des soins et de s’entendre sur les traitements pertinents ou non pour réaliser ces objectifs, y compris les mesures de réanimation et les mesures palliatives.

La projection par plasma : une revue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fauchais, P.; Grimaud, A.; Vardelle, A.; Vardelle, M.

The quality of a plasma sprayed coating depends on numerous parameters that start to be understood due to the recent progresses in modelling and measurement techniques for plasma jets, momentum, heat and mass transfers between plasma and particles, the way the particules splat and cool down upon impact on the substrate or the previously deposited layers. In this paper, first are recalled the used measurement techniques and their limitations both for plasma jets and particles in flight. Then are underlined the importance of the different phenomena envolved in the transfers between plasma and particles such as steep temperature and chemical species density gradients around the particles, heat propagation phenomenon especially for ceramic particles and the connected evaporation effect, rarefaction effect which occurs even at atmospheric pressure. The problems related to the size and injection velocity distributions which determine the trajectory distributions and the heat treatments undergone by the particles are treated. The study of plasma generation shows on one hand for d.c. arc plasma torches the drastic influence on the plasma jets lengths and diameters of the gas injection chamber design, the gas nature, the design of the arc chamber and nozzle, the surrounding atmosphere (especially air pumping which cools down very fast the plasma) and on the other hand for RF plasmas the importance of the particle injection design to avoid the coupling between the RF discharge and the carrier gas with the particles. All these points are illustrated with examples of coatings of alumina, zirconia carbide and nickel particles. The way the particles splat is then studied with the chemical reactions in flight, the fast quenching of the particles and the resulting cristalline structures, the coating adhesion and also the residual stesses and their control through that of the temperature gradients into the coatings during spraying. At last a few actual and potential applications are presented in the fields of aeronautics and mechanics. La qualité d'un dépôt projete par plasma dépend de nombreux paramètres que l'on commence à mieux appréhender du fait des progrès de la modélisation et de la métrologie tant des écoulements plasmas que des transferts plasma-particules ou que des conditions d'écrasement et de refroidissement des particules lors de leur impact sur le substrat ou les couches déjà déposées. Les techniques de mesure utilisdes et leurs limitations sont d'abord rappelées tant pour les jets de plasma que pour les particules en vol et l'importance des différents phénomènes intervenant dans les transferts plasma-particules est soulignée : gradients de température et de concentration d'espèces chimiques très élevés autour des particules, effets de propagation de la chaleur, notamment pour les particules céramiques, effet d'évaporation, effet de raréfaction sensible dès la pression atmosphérique. Les problèmes de distribution de taille et de vitesse d'injection des particules sont également abordés car ils conditionnent les distributions de trajectoires et donc le traitement des particules dans le jet de plasma. La génération du plasma montre d'une part 1'influence considérable de l'injection du gaz, de sa nature, du dessin de la chambre d'arc et de la tuyère ainsi que du pompage de l'air ambiant sur la longueur des jets de plasma d'arc et d'autre part les problèmes d'injection pour éviter le couplage avec la décharge dans les jets de plasmas R.E Tout ceci est illustré avec des exemples de dépôt d'alumine, de zircone, de cermet carbure et de nickel. L'écrasement des particules est ensuite abordé avec les problèmes de réactions chimiques, de trempe ultra-rapide et donc de structure cristalline des dépôts, d'adhdsion mais aussi de containtes résiduelles et de leur contrôle via les gradients de température dans les dépôts pendant le tir. Enfin quelques applications actuelles sont présentées notamment pour l'aéronautique et la mécanique.

Isotopica: a tool for the calculation and viewing of complex isotopic envelopes.

PubMed

Fernandez-de-Cossio, Jorge; Gonzalez, Luis Javier; Satomi, Yoshinori; Betancourt, Lazaro; Ramos, Yassel; Huerta, Vivian; Amaro, Abel; Besada, Vladimir; Padron, Gabriel; Minamino, Naoto; Takao, Toshifumi

2004-07-01

The web application Isotopica has been developed as an aid to the interpretation of ions that contain naturally occurring isotopes in a mass spectrum. It allows the calculation of mass values and isotopic distributions based on molecular formulas, peptides/proteins, DNA/RNA, carbohydrate sequences or combinations thereof. In addition, Isotopica takes modifications of the input molecule into consideration using a simple and flexible language as a straightforward extension of the molecular formula syntax. This function is especially useful for biomolecules, which are often subjected to additional modifications other than normal constituents, such as the frequently occurring post-translational modification in proteins. The isotopic distribution of any molecule thus defined can be calculated by considering full widths at half maximum or mass resolution. The combined envelope of several overlapping isotopic distributions of a mixture of molecules can be determined after specifying each molecule's relative abundance. The results can be displayed graphically on a local PC using the Isotopica viewer, a standalone application that is downloadable from the sites below, as a complement to the client browser. The m/z and intensity values can also be obtained in the form of a plain ASCII text file. The software has proved to be useful for peptide mass fingerprinting and validating an observed isotopic ion distribution with reference to the theoretical one, even from a multi-component sample. The web server can be accessed at http://bioinformatica.cigb.edu.cu/isotopica and http://coco.protein.osaka-u.ac.jp/isotopica [correction].

Sr - an element shows the way - Applications of Sr isotopes for provenance, tracing and migration (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prohaska, T.; Irrgeher, J.; Zitek, A.; Teschler Nicola, M.

2010-12-01

Strontium - named after the small Scottish town Strontian - as such is an element with little popularity. Firstly described by Martin Heinrich Klaproth in 1798, the metal is used in metallurgy to some extent whereas its compounds are interesting in glass industries, electronics and pyrotechnics. The element has chemical similarity to Ca and makes up 1/60 of the earth’s amount of the latter. Nonetheless, it is its isotopic composition which makes Sr so interesting for a large number of scientists. The natural composition of the four naturally occurring isotopes (84Sr, 86Sr 87Sr and 88Sr) varies in nature due to the radioactive decay of 87Rb to 87Sr. Thus, it was early recognized as geochronometer especially in Ca rich matrices. With increasing precision of applied methodology, the natural variation of the 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratio (analyzed at first mainly by thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS)) became more and more popular in provenance studies. The natural variation of the ratio is mainly determined by the geological age and the original composition of the rock and can be used therefore as fingerprint of the local geology. The ratio is transferred with no significant fractionation via the water into plants and finally via the food chain into animal and human tissues (especially bones and teeth). As the element is chemically similar to Ca, it appears in most matrices. The use for provenance studies is supported by the fact that the long half life (4.8 x 1010 years) does not lead to an alteration during the time scales which are investigated (from recent samples to human or animal skeletal remains which date back up to 30.000 BC). The uniqueness of the system besides the natural variation is defined by the ubiquity in nature and the relatively high (and thus measurable) elemental concentration in most tissues. It was finally the advent of multiple collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) which augmented the number of applications presented for Sr isotope ratios simply supported by the fact that a higher statistical number of samples could be analyzed. Further supported by direct introductions systems such as laser ablation, the popularity of Sr in science has increased steadily. A number of fields of applications make nowadays use of the system so far: anthropology and archaeology as well as food science, chemical technology, forensic science, medicine or biology. The Sr isotope system will be presented along with analytical techniques applied. Selected examples making use of the natural Sr isotopic variation will be reported: Proof of provenance of food, forensic applications and migration studies on prehistoric cultures or modern biological systems. In addition, the application of enriched Sr isotope spikes will be presented. The spikes are administered in order to investigate Sr turnovers (e.g. as proxy for Ca in biomedical studies), marking tissues for tracing and migration experiments and investigating environmental processes.

Applications for reuse of lime sludge from water softening.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2005-07-15

Lime sludge, an inert material mostly composed of calcium carbonate, is the result of : softening hard water for distribution as drinking water. A large city such as Des Moines, : Iowa, produces about 30,700 tons of lime sludge (dry weight basis) ann...

A large column analog experiment of stable isotope variations during reactive transport: I. A comprehensive model of sulfur cycling and δ34S fractionation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Druhan, Jennifer L.; Steefel, Carl I.; Conrad, Mark E.; DePaolo, Donald J.

2014-01-01

This study demonstrates a mechanistic incorporation of the stable isotopes of sulfur within the CrunchFlow reactive transport code to model the range of microbially-mediated redox processes affecting kinetic isotope fractionation. Previous numerical models of microbially mediated sulfate reduction using Monod-type rate expressions have lacked rigorous coupling of individual sulfur isotopologue rates, with the result that they cannot accurately simulate sulfur isotope fractionation over a wide range of substrate concentrations using a constant fractionation factor. Here, we derive a modified version of the dual-Monod or Michaelis-Menten formulation (Maggi and Riley, 2009, 2010) that successfully captures the behavior of the 32S and 34S isotopes over a broad range from high sulfate and organic carbon availability to substrate limitation using a constant fractionation factor. The new model developments are used to simulate a large-scale column study designed to replicate field scale conditions of an organic carbon (acetate) amended biostimulation experiment at the Old Rifle site in western Colorado. Results demonstrate an initial period of iron reduction that transitions to sulfate reduction, in agreement with field-scale behavior observed at the Old Rifle site. At the height of sulfate reduction, effluent sulfate concentrations decreased to 0.5 mM from an influent value of 8.8 mM over the 100 cm flow path, and thus were enriched in sulfate δ34S from 6.3‰ to 39.5‰. The reactive transport model accurately reproduced the measured enrichment in δ34S of both the reactant (sulfate) and product (sulfide) species of the reduction reaction using a single fractionation factor of 0.987 obtained independently from field-scale measurements. The model also accurately simulated the accumulation and δ34S signature of solid phase elemental sulfur over the duration of the experiment, providing a new tool to predict the isotopic signatures associated with reduced mineral pools. To our knowledge, this is the first rigorous treatment of sulfur isotope fractionation subject to Monod kinetics in a mechanistic reactive transport model that considers the isotopic spatial distribution of both dissolved and solid phase sulfur species during microbially-mediated sulfate reduction. describe the design and results of the large-scale column experiment; demonstrate incorporation of the stable isotopes of sulfur in a dual-Monod kinetic expression such that fractionation is accurately modeled at both high and low substrate availability; verify accurate simulation of the chemical and isotopic gradients in reactant and product sulfur species using a kinetic fractionation factor obtained from field-scale analysis (Druhan et al., 2012); utilize the model to predict the final δ34S values of secondary sulfur minerals accumulated in the sediment over the course of the experiment. The development of rigorous isotope-specific Monod-type rate expressions are presented here in application to sulfur cycling during amended biostimulation, but are readily applicable to a variety of stable isotope systems associated with both steady state and transient biogenic redox environments. In other words, the association of this model with a uranium remediation experiment does not limit its applicability to more general redox systems. Furthermore, the ability of this model treatment to predict the isotopic composition of secondary minerals accumulated as a result of fractionating processes (item 4) offers an important means of interpreting solid phase isotopic compositions and tracking long-term stability of precipitates.

Reduction of chemical formulas from the isotopic peak distributions of high-resolution mass spectra.

PubMed

Roussis, Stilianos G; Proulx, Richard

2003-03-15

A method has been developed for the reduction of the chemical formulas of compounds in complex mixtures from the isotopic peak distributions of high-resolution mass spectra. The method is based on the principle that the observed isotopic peak distribution of a mixture of compounds is a linear combination of the isotopic peak distributions of the individual compounds in the mixture. All possible chemical formulas that meet specific criteria (e.g., type and number of atoms in structure, limits of unsaturation, etc.) are enumerated, and theoretical isotopic peak distributions are generated for each formula. The relative amount of each formula is obtained from the accurately measured isotopic peak distribution and the calculated isotopic peak distributions of all candidate formulas. The formulas of compounds in simple spectra, where peak components are fully resolved, are rapidly determined by direct comparison of the calculated and experimental isotopic peak distributions. The singular value decomposition linear algebra method is used to determine the contributions of compounds in complex spectra containing unresolved peak components. The principles of the approach and typical application examples are presented. The method is most useful for the characterization of complex spectra containing partially resolved peaks and structures with multiisotopic elements.

Equilibrium properties of dense hydrogen isotope gases based on the theory of simple fluids.

PubMed

Kowalczyk, Piotr; MacElroy, J M D

2006-08-03

We present a new method for the prediction of the equilibrium properties of dense gases containing hydrogen isotopes. The proposed approach combines the Feynman-Hibbs effective potential method and a deconvolution scheme introduced by Weeks et al. The resulting equations of state and the chemical potentials as functions of pressure for each of the hydrogen isotope gases depend on a single set of Lennard-Jones parameters. In addition to its simplicity, the proposed method with optimized Lennard-Jones potential parameters accurately describes the equilibrium properties of hydrogen isotope fluids in the regime of moderate temperatures and pressures. The present approach should find applications in the nonlocal density functional theory of inhomogeneous quantum fluids and should also be of particular relevance to hydrogen (clean energy) storage and to the separation of quantum isotopes by novel nanomaterials.

Applications of DNA-Stable Isotope Probing in Bioremediation Studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yin; Vohra, Jyotsna; Murrell, J. Colin

DNA-stable isotope probing, a method to identify active microorganisms without the prerequisite of cultivation, has been widely applied in the study of microorganisms involved in the degradation of environmental pollutants. Recent advances and technique considerations in applying DNA-SIP in bioremediation are highlighted. A detailed protocol of a DNA-SIP experiment is provided.

Applications of DNA-stable isotope probing in bioremediation studies.

PubMed

Chen, Yin; Vohra, Jyotsna; Murrell, J Colin

2010-01-01

DNA-stable isotope probing, a method to identify active microorganisms without the prerequisite of cultivation, has been widely applied in the study of microorganisms involved in the degradation of environmental pollutants. Recent advances and technique considerations in applying DNA-SIP in bioremediation are highlighted. A detailed protocol of a DNA-SIP experiment is provided.

Advances in the application of amino acid nitrogen isotopic analysis in ecological and biogeochemical studies

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Compound-specific isotopic analysis of amino acids (CSIA-AA) has emerged in the last decade as a powerful approach for tracing the origins and fate of nitrogen in ecological and biogeochemical studies. This approach is based on the empirical knowledge that source AAs (i.e., phenylalanine), fractiona...

Sulphur isotope applications in two Philippine geothermal systems

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

Bayon, F.E.B.

1996-12-31

A general and very preliminary study of sulphur isotope geochemistry is presented in this paper. Data from the Mt. Apo and Palinpinon geothermal fields are used to demonstrate the use of sulphur isotopes in geothermometry and correlation of sulphur species. Sulphur and oxygen isotope geothermometers applied to Mt. Apo data show very good agreement with temperatures estimated using other established geothermometers, as well as bore measured temperatures. This signifies that sulphur isotopes in S-species in fluids of the Mt. Apo hydrothermal system are in equilibrium at drilled depths. In Palinpinon, on the other hand, temperature estimates from fluid and mineralmore » sulphur isotope geothermometry calculations do not agree with, and are commonly higher than, well measured temperatures and temperatures estimated from other geothermometers. Sulphur isotopes in the presently-exploited Palinpinon fluid are not in equilibrium, and sulphur isotope geothermometry may be reflective of isotopic equilibrium of the deeper portions of the hydrothermal system. Dissolved sulphate in both the Palinpinon and Mt. Apo geothermal fluids appear to originate from the disproportionation of magmatic SO{sub 2} at temperatures below 400{degrees}C. Hydrogen sulphide in well discharge fluids are dominantly directly derived from the magma, with a minor amount coming from SO{sub 2} disproportionation.« less

Heterogeneous distribution of Zn stable isotopes in mice and applications to medical sciences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moynier, F.; Fujii, T.; Shaw, A.; Le Borgne, M.

2013-12-01

Zinc is required for the function of more than 300 enzymes involved in many metabolic pathways, and is a vital micronutrient for living organisms. To investigate if Zn isotopes could be used to better understand metal homeostasis, as well as a biomarker for diseases, we assessed the distribution of natural Zn isotopes in various mouse tissues. We found that, with respect to Zn isotopes, most mouse organs are isotopically distinct and that the total range of variation within one mouse encompasses the variations observed in the Earth's crust. Therefore, biological activity must have a major impact on the distribution of Zn isotopes in inorganic materials. The most striking aspect of the data is that red blood cells and bones are enriched by ~0.5 per mil in 66Zn relative to 64Zn when compared to serum, and up to ~1 per mil when compared to the brain and liver. This fractionation is well explained by the equilibrium distribution of isotopes between different bonding environments of Zn in different organs. Differences in gender and genetic background did not appear to affect the isotopic distribution of Zn. Together, these results suggest that potential use of Zn isotopes as a tracer for dietary Zn, and for detecting disturbances in Zn metabolism due to pathological conditions.

Zinc isotope fractionation during magmatic differentiation and the isotopic composition of the bulk Earth

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chen, Heng; Savage, Paul S.; Teng, Fang-Zehn; Helz, Rosalind T.; Moynier, Frédéric

2013-01-01

he zinc stable isotope system has been successfully applied to many and varied fields in geochemistry, but to date it is still not completely clear how this isotope system is affected by igneous processes. In order to evaluate the potential application of Zn isotopes as a proxy for planetary differentiation and volatile history, it is important to constrain the magnitude of Zn isotopic fractionation induced by magmatic differentiation. In this study we present high-precision Zn isotope analyses of two sets of chemically diverse, cogenetic samples from Kilauea Iki lava lake, Hawaii, and Hekla volcano, Iceland, which both show clear evidence of having undergone variable and significant degrees of magmatic differentiation. The Kilauea Iki samples display small but resolvable variations in Zn isotope composition (0.26‰66Zn66Zn defined as the per mille deviation of a sample's 66Zn/64Zn compositional ratio from the JMC-Lyon standard), with the most differentiated lithologies exhibiting more positive δ66Zn values. This fractionation is likely a result of the crystallization of olivine and/or Fe–Ti oxides, which can both host Zn in their crystal structures. Samples from Hekla have a similar range of isotopic variation (0.22‰66Zn66Zn=0.28±0.05‰ (2s.d.).

Isotopic niches support the resource breadth hypothesis

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rader, Jonathan A.; Newsome, Seth D.; Sabat, Pablo; Chesser, R. Terry; Dillon, Michael E.; Martinez del Rio, Carlos

2017-01-01

Because a broad spectrum of resource use allows species to persist in a wide range of habitat types, and thus permits them to occupy large geographical areas, and because broadly distributed species have access to more diverse resource bases, the resource breadth hypothesis posits that the diversity of resources used by organisms should be positively related with the extent of their geographic ranges.We investigated isotopic niche width in a small radiation of South American birds in the genus Cinclodes. We analysed feathers of 12 species of Cinclodes to test the isotopic version of the resource breadth hypothesis and to examine the correlation between isotopic niche breadth and morphology.We found a positive correlation between the widths of hydrogen and oxygen isotopic niches (which estimate breadth of elevational range) and widths of the carbon and nitrogen isotopic niches (which estimates the diversity of resources consumed, and hence of habitats used). We also found a positive correlation between broad isotopic niches and wing morphology.Our study not only supports the resource breadth hypothesis but it also highlights the usefulness of stable isotope analyses as tools in the exploration of ecological niches. It is an example of a macroecological application of stable isotopes. It also illustrates the importance of scientific collections in ecological studies.

Future trends in transport and fate of diffuse contaminants in catchments, with special emphasis on stable isotope applications

USGS Publications Warehouse

Turner, J.; Albrechtsen, H.-J.; Bonell, M.; Duguet, J.-P.; Harris, B.; Meckenstock, R.; McGuire, K.; Moussa, R.; Peters, N.; Richnow, H.H.; Sherwood-Lollar, B.; Uhlenbrook, S.; van, Lanen H.

2006-01-01

A summary is provided of the first of a series of proposed Integrated Science Initiative workshops supported by the UNESCO International Hydrological Programme. The workshop brought together hydrologists, environmental chemists, microbiologists, stable isotope specialists and natural resource managers with the purpose of communicating new ideas on ways to assess microbial degradation processes and reactive transport at catchment scales. The focus was on diffuse contamination at catchment scales and the application of compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) in the assessment of biological degradation processes of agrochemicals. Major outcomes were identifying the linkage between water residence time distribution and rates of contaminant degradation, identifying the need for better information on compound specific microbial degradation isotope fractionation factors and the potential of CSIA in identifying key degradative processes. In the natural resource management context, a framework was developed where CSIA techniques were identified as practically unique in their capacity to serve as distributed integrating indicators of process across a range of scales (micro to diffuse) of relevance to the problem of diffuse pollution assessment. Copyright ?? 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A new dimethyl labeling-based SID-MRM-MS method and its application to three proteases involved in insulin maturation.

PubMed

Cheng, Dongwan; Zheng, Li; Hou, Junjie; Wang, Jifeng; Xue, Peng; Yang, Fuquan; Xu, Tao

2015-01-01

The absolute quantification of target proteins in proteomics involves stable isotope dilution coupled with multiple reactions monitoring mass spectrometry (SID-MRM-MS). The successful preparation of stable isotope-labeled internal standard peptides is an important prerequisite for the SID-MRM absolute quantification methods. Dimethyl labeling has been widely used in relative quantitative proteomics and it is fast, simple, reliable, cost-effective, and applicable to any protein sample, making it an ideal candidate method for the preparation of stable isotope-labeled internal standards. MRM mass spectrometry is of high sensitivity, specificity, and throughput characteristics and can quantify multiple proteins simultaneously, including low-abundance proteins in precious samples such as pancreatic islets. In this study, a new method for the absolute quantification of three proteases involved in insulin maturation, namely PC1/3, PC2 and CPE, was developed by coupling a stable isotope dimethyl labeling strategy for internal standard peptide preparation with SID-MRM-MS quantitative technology. This method offers a new and effective approach for deep understanding of the functional status of pancreatic β cells and pathogenesis in diabetes.

Determination of plutonium-239, thorium-232, and natural uranium isotopic concentrations in biological samples using photofission track analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parry, James Roswell

Fission track analysis (FTA) has many uses in the scientific community including but not limited to geological dating, neutron flux mapping, and dose reconstruction. The common method of fission for FTA is through neutrons from a nuclear reactor. This dissertation investigates the use of bremsstrahlung radiation produced from an electron linear accelerator to induce fission in FTA samples. This provides a means of simultaneously measuring the amount of Pu-239, U-nat, and Th-232 in a single sample. The benefit of measuring the three isotopes simultaneously is the possible elimination of costly and time consuming chemical processing for dose reconstruction samples. Samples containing the three isotopes were irradiated in two different bremsstrahlung spectra and a neutron spectrum to determine the amount of Pu-239, U-nat, and Th-232 in the samples. The reaction rate from the calibration samples and the counted fission tracks on the samples were used in determining the concentration of each isotope in the samples. The results were accurate to within a factor of two or three, showing that the method can work to predict the concentrations of multiple isotopes in a sample. The limitations of current accelerators and detectors limits the application of this specific procedure to higher concentrations of isotopes. The method detection limits for Pu-239, U-nat, and Th-232 are 20 pCi, 1 fCi, and 0.4 flCI respectively. Analysis of extremely low concentrations of isotopes would require the use of different detectors such as quartz due to the embrittlement encountered in the Lexan at high exposures. Cracking of the Texan detectors started to appear at a fluence of about 2 x 1018 electrons from the accelerator. This may be partly due to the beam stop not being an adequate thickness. The procedure is likely limited to specialty applications for the near term. However, with the world concerns of exposure to depleted uranium, this procedure may find applications in this area since it would be simple to adapt the procedure to depleted uranium detection.

An Approach for Validating Actinide and Fission Product Burnup Credit Criticality Safety Analyses-Isotopic Composition Predictions

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

Radulescu, Georgeta; Gauld, Ian C; Ilas, Germina

2011-01-01

The expanded use of burnup credit in the United States (U.S.) for storage and transport casks, particularly in the acceptance of credit for fission products, has been constrained by the availability of experimental fission product data to support code validation. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff has noted that the rationale for restricting the Interim Staff Guidance on burnup credit for storage and transportation casks (ISG-8) to actinide-only is based largely on the lack of clear, definitive experiments that can be used to estimate the bias and uncertainty for computational analyses associated with using burnup credit. To address themore » issues of burnup credit criticality validation, the NRC initiated a project with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory to (1) develop and establish a technically sound validation approach for commercial spent nuclear fuel (SNF) criticality safety evaluations based on best-available data and methods and (2) apply the approach for representative SNF storage and transport configurations/conditions to demonstrate its usage and applicability, as well as to provide reference bias results. The purpose of this paper is to describe the isotopic composition (depletion) validation approach and resulting observations and recommendations. Validation of the criticality calculations is addressed in a companion paper at this conference. For isotopic composition validation, the approach is to determine burnup-dependent bias and uncertainty in the effective neutron multiplication factor (keff) due to bias and uncertainty in isotopic predictions, via comparisons of isotopic composition predictions (calculated) and measured isotopic compositions from destructive radiochemical assay utilizing as much assay data as is available, and a best-estimate Monte Carlo based method. This paper (1) provides a detailed description of the burnup credit isotopic validation approach and its technical bases, (2) describes the application of the approach for representative pressurized water reactor and boiling water reactor safety analysis models to demonstrate its usage and applicability, (3) provides reference bias and uncertainty results based on a quality-assurance-controlled prerelease version of the Scale 6.1 code package and the ENDF/B-VII nuclear cross section data.« less

Preservation of carbonate clumped isotopes in sedimentary paleoclimate archives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henkes, G. A.; Passey, B. H.; Grossman, E. L.; Shenton, B.; Perez-Huerta, A.

2014-12-01

Carbonate clumped isotope thermometry is increasingly used to reconstruct paleotemperatures of ancient terrestrial environments. One promising application is elucidating paleoelevation from carbonate archives such as paleosols, lacustrine marls, and fossil freshwater shells. Unlike conventional stable isotope approaches (e.g., mineral δ18O or δD), clumped isotope thermometry is independent of the isotopic composition of the precipitating waters and can therefore be used to reconstruct elevation by both the temperature-altitude relationship and the rainfall δ18O-altitude relationship. However, interpretation of clumped isotope data is not without its own complications. Like conventional stable isotopes, clumped isotope paleotemperatures can be effectively reset to warmer values by dissolution/reprecipitation-type diagenesis during sedimentary burial. It is also known that carbonate clumped isotope bonds (i.e., 13C-18O) are susceptible to 'reordering' in the solid mineral lattice at warmer burial temperatures, with laboratory studies of natural carbonates indicating activation of this phenomenon at temperatures as low as 100 °C over geologic timescales. A challenge in applying carbonate clumped isotope thermometry to natural samples is now evaluating terrestrial archives with respect to both types of alteration: 'open-system' alteration and 'closed-system' bond reordering. In this talk we will review our experimental efforts to constrain the kinetics of clumped isotope reordering, with relevance to low-temperature carbonates like fossil shells and early diagenetic minerals, and present new laboratory data that further inform our theoretical framework for the mechanism(s) of 13C-18O bond reordering. Together with traditional analytical and petrographic screening for recrystallization, empirical and laboratory studies of carbonate clumped isotope reordering represent the next steps in evaluating isotopic records of paleoclimate, paleobiology, and paleoelevation that are emerging from clumped isotope analyses.

Development and validation of an universal interface for compound-specific stable isotope analysis of chlorine (37Cl/35Cl) by GC-high-temperature conversion (HTC)-MS/IRMS.

PubMed

Renpenning, Julian; Hitzfeld, Kristina L; Gilevska, Tetyana; Nijenhuis, Ivonne; Gehre, Matthias; Richnow, Hans-Hermann

2015-03-03

A universal application of compound-specific isotope analysis of chlorine was thus far limited by the availability of suitable analysis techniques. In this study, gas chromatography in combination with a high-temperature conversion interface (GC-HTC), converting organic chlorine in the presence of H2 to gaseous HCl, was coupled to a dual-detection system, combining an ion trap mass spectrometer (MS) and isotope-ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS). The combination of the MS/IRMS detection enabled a detailed characterization, optimization, and online monitoring of the high-temperature conversion process via ion trap MS as well as a simultaneous chlorine isotope analysis by the IRMS. Using GC-HTC-MS/IRMS, chlorine isotope analysis at optimized conversion conditions resulted in very accurate isotope values (δ(37)Cl(SMOC)) for measured reference material with known isotope composition, including chlorinated ethylene, chloromethane, hexachlorocyclohexane, and trichloroacetic acids methyl ester. Respective detection limits were determined to be <15 nmol Cl on column with achieved precision of <0.3‰.

Stable isotope methodology in the pharmacokinetic studies of androgenic steroids in humans.

PubMed

Shinohara, Y; Baba, S

1990-04-01

The use of stable isotopically labeled steroids combined with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) has found a broad application in pharmacologic studies. Initially, stable isotopically labeled steroids served as the ideal analytic internal standard for GC/MS analysis; however, their in vivo use has expanded and has proven to be a powerful pharmacokinetic tool. We have successfully used stable isotope methodology to study the pharmacokinetic/bioavailability of androgens. The primary advantage of the technique is that endogenous and exogenous steroids with the same basic structure can be differentiated by using stable isotopically labeled analogs. The method was used to examine the pharmacokinetics of testosterone and testosterone propionate, and to clarify the influence of endogenous testosterone. Another advantage of the isotope methods is that steroidal drugs can be administered concomitantly in two formulations (e.g., solution and solid dosage). A single set of blood samples serves to describe the time course of the formulations being compared. This stable isotope coadministration technique was used to estimate the relative bioavailability of 17 alpha-methyltestosterone.

Stable Chlorine Isotopes and Elemental Chlorine by Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry and Ion Chromatography; Martian Meteorites, Carbonaceous Chondrites and Standard Rocks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nakamura, N.; Nyquist, L. E.; Reese, Y.; Shih, C.-Y.; Fujitani, T.; Okano, O.

2011-01-01

Recently significantly large mass fractionation of stable chlorine isotopes has been reported for terrestrial and lunar samples [1,2]. In addition, in view of possible early solar system processes [3] and also potential perchlorate-related fluid/microbial activities on the Martian surface [4,5], a large chlorine isotopic fractionation might be expected for some types of planetary materials. Due to analytical difficulties of isotopic and elemental analyses, however, current chlorine analyses for planetary materials are controversial among different laboratories, particularly between IRMS (gas source mass spectrometry) and TIMS (Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry) groups [i.e. 1,6,7] for isotopic analyses, as well as between those doing pyrohydrolysis and other groups [i.e. 6,8]. Additional careful investigations of Cl isotope and elemental abundances are required to confirm real chlorine isotope and elemental variations for planetary materials. We have developed a TIMS technique combined with HF-leaching/ion chromatography at NASA JSC that is applicable to analysis of small amounts of meteoritic and planetary materials. We present here results for several standard rocks and meteorites, including Martian meteorites.

Application of nuclear physics in medical physics and nuclear medicine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoehr, Cornelia

2016-09-01

Nuclear physics has a long history of influencing and advancing medical fields. At TRIUMF we use the applications of nuclear physics to diagnose several diseases via medical isotopes and treat cancer by using proton beams. The Life Science division has a long history of producing Positron Emission Tomography (PET) isotopes but we are also investigating the production of SPECT and PET isotopes with a potential shortage for clinical operation or otherwise limited access to chemists, biologists and medical researchers. New targets are being developed, aided by a simulation platform investigating the processes inside a target under proton irradiation - nuclear, thermodynamic, and chemical. Simulations also aid in the development of new beam-shaping devices for TRIUMF's Proton Therapy facility, Canada's only proton therapy facility, as well as new treatment testing systems. Both promise improved treatment delivery for cancer patients.