Green tea effects on cognition, mood and human brain function: A systematic review.

PubMed

Mancini, Edele; Beglinger, Christoph; Drewe, Jürgen; Zanchi, Davide; Lang, Undine E; Borgwardt, Stefan

2017-10-15

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is a beverage consumed for thousands of years. Numerous claims about the benefits of its consumption were stated and investigated. As green tea is experiencing a surge in popularity in Western culture and as millions of people all over the world drink it every day, it is relevant to understand its effects on the human brain. To assess the current state of knowledge in the literature regarding the effects of green tea or green tea extracts, l-theanine and epigallocatechin gallate both components of green tea-on general neuropsychology, on the sub-category cognition and on brain functions in humans. We systematically searched on PubMed database and selected studies by predefined eligibility criteria. We then assessed their quality and extracted data. We structured our effort according to the PRISMA statement. We reviewed and assessed 21 studies, 4 of which were randomised controlled trials, 12 cross-over studies (both assessed with an adapted version of the DELPHI-list), 4 were cross-sectional studies and one was a cohort study (both assessed with an adapted version of the Newcastle-Ottawa assessment scale). The average study quality as appraised by means of the DELPHI-list was good (8.06/9); the studies evaluated with the Newcastle-Ottawa-scale were also good (6.7/9). The reviewed studies presented evidence that green tea influences psychopathological symptoms (e.g. reduction of anxiety), cognition (e.g. benefits in memory and attention) and brain function (e.g. activation of working memory seen in functional MRI). The effects of green tea cannot be attributed to a single constituent of the beverage. This is exemplified in the finding that beneficial green tea effects on cognition are observed under the combined influence of both caffeine and l-theanine, whereas separate administration of either substance was found to have a lesser impact. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier GmbH.

Generation of 180 W average green power from a frequency-doubled picosecond rod fiber amplifier

DOE PAGES

Zhao, Zhi; Sheehy, Brian; Minty, Michiko

2017-03-29

Here, we report on the generation of 180 W average green power from a frequency-doubled picosecond rod fiber amplifier. In an Yb-doped fiber master-oscillator-power-amplifier system, 2.3-ps 704 MHz pulses are first amplified in small-core fibers and then in large-mode-area rod fibers to produce 270 W average infrared power with a high polarization extinction ratio and diffraction-limited beam quality. By carrying out frequency doubling in a lithium triborate (LBO) crystal, 180 W average green power is generated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest average green power achieved in fiber-based laser systems.

Reliable Viscosity Calculation from Equilibrium Molecular Dynamics Simulations: A Time Decomposition Method.

PubMed

Zhang, Yong; Otani, Akihito; Maginn, Edward J

2015-08-11

Equilibrium molecular dynamics is often used in conjunction with a Green-Kubo integral of the pressure tensor autocorrelation function to compute the shear viscosity of fluids. This approach is computationally expensive and is subject to a large amount of variability because the plateau region of the Green-Kubo integral is difficult to identify unambiguously. Here, we propose a time decomposition approach for computing the shear viscosity using the Green-Kubo formalism. Instead of one long trajectory, multiple independent trajectories are run and the Green-Kubo relation is applied to each trajectory. The averaged running integral as a function of time is fit to a double-exponential function with a weighting function derived from the standard deviation of the running integrals. Such a weighting function minimizes the uncertainty of the estimated shear viscosity and provides an objective means of estimating the viscosity. While the formal Green-Kubo integral requires an integration to infinite time, we suggest an integration cutoff time tcut, which can be determined by the relative values of the running integral and the corresponding standard deviation. This approach for computing the shear viscosity can be easily automated and used in computational screening studies where human judgment and intervention in the data analysis are impractical. The method has been applied to the calculation of the shear viscosity of a relatively low-viscosity liquid, ethanol, and relatively high-viscosity ionic liquid, 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane-sulfonyl)imide ([BMIM][Tf2N]), over a range of temperatures. These test cases show that the method is robust and yields reproducible and reliable shear viscosity values.

Cost-Benefit Analysis of Green Infrastructures on Community Stormwater Reduction and Utilization: A Case of Beijing, China.

PubMed

Liu, Wen; Chen, Weiping; Feng, Qi; Peng, Chi; Kang, Peng

2016-12-01

Cost-benefit analysis is demanded for guiding the plan, design and construction of green infrastructure practices in rapidly urbanized regions. We developed a framework to calculate the costs and benefits of different green infrastructures on stormwater reduction and utilization. A typical community of 54,783 m 2 in Beijing was selected for case study. For the four designed green infrastructure scenarios (green space depression, porous brick pavement, storage pond, and their combination), the average annual costs of green infrastructure facilities are ranged from 40.54 to 110.31 thousand yuan, and the average of the cost per m 3 stormwater reduction and utilization is 4.61 yuan. The total average annual benefits of stormwater reduction and utilization by green infrastructures of the community are ranged from 63.24 to 250.15 thousand yuan, and the benefit per m 3 stormwater reduction and utilization is ranged from 5.78 to 11.14 yuan. The average ratio of average annual benefit to cost of four green infrastructure facilities is 1.91. The integrated facilities had the highest economic feasibility with a benefit to cost ratio of 2.27, and followed by the storage pond construction with a benefit to cost ratio of 2.14. The results suggested that while the stormwater reduction and utilization by green infrastructures had higher construction and maintenance costs, their comprehensive benefits including source water replacements benefits, environmental benefits and avoided cost benefits are potentially interesting. The green infrastructure practices should be promoted for sustainable management of urban stormwater.

Tartarus: A relativistic Green's function quantum average atom code

DOE PAGES

Gill, Nathanael Matthew; Starrett, Charles Edward

2017-06-28

A relativistic Green’s Function quantum average atom model is implemented in the Tartarus code for the calculation of equation of state data in dense plasmas. We first present the relativistic extension of the quantum Green’s Function average atom model described by Starrett [1]. The Green’s Function approach addresses the numerical challenges arising from resonances in the continuum density of states without the need for resonance tracking algorithms or adaptive meshes, though there are still numerical challenges inherent to this algorithm. We discuss how these challenges are addressed in the Tartarus algorithm. The outputs of the calculation are shown in comparisonmore » to PIMC/DFT-MD simulations of the Principal Shock Hugoniot in Silicon. Finally, we also present the calculation of the Hugoniot for Silver coming from both the relativistic and nonrelativistic modes of the Tartarus code.« less

Tartarus: A relativistic Green's function quantum average atom code

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

Gill, Nathanael Matthew; Starrett, Charles Edward

A relativistic Green’s Function quantum average atom model is implemented in the Tartarus code for the calculation of equation of state data in dense plasmas. We first present the relativistic extension of the quantum Green’s Function average atom model described by Starrett [1]. The Green’s Function approach addresses the numerical challenges arising from resonances in the continuum density of states without the need for resonance tracking algorithms or adaptive meshes, though there are still numerical challenges inherent to this algorithm. We discuss how these challenges are addressed in the Tartarus algorithm. The outputs of the calculation are shown in comparisonmore » to PIMC/DFT-MD simulations of the Principal Shock Hugoniot in Silicon. Finally, we also present the calculation of the Hugoniot for Silver coming from both the relativistic and nonrelativistic modes of the Tartarus code.« less

Quality of Green's Functions Improved by Automatic Detection and Removal of Coherent Anthropogenic Noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Williams, E. F.; Martin, E. R.; Biondi, B. C.; Lindsey, N.; Ajo Franklin, J. B.; Wagner, A. M.; Bjella, K.; Daley, T. M.; Dou, S.; Freifeld, B. M.; Robertson, M.; Ulrich, C.

2016-12-01

We analyze the impact of identifying and removing coherent anthropogenic noise on synthetic Green's functions extracted from ambient noise recorded on a dense linear distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) array. Low-cost, low-impact urban seismic surveys are possible with DAS, which uses dynamic strain sensing to record seismic waves incident to a buried fiber optic cable. However, interferometry and tomography of ambient noise data recorded in urban areas include coherent noise from near-field infrastructure such as cars and trains passing the array, in some cases causing artifacts in estimated Green's functions and potentially incorrect surface wave velocities. Based on our comparison of several methods, we propose an automated, real-time data processing workflow to detect and reduce the impact of these events on data from a dense array in an urban environment. We utilize a recursive STA/LTA (short-term average/long-term average) algorithm on each channel to identify sharp amplitude changes typically associated with an event arrival. In order to distinguish between optical noise and physical events, an event is cataloged only if STA/LTA is triggered on enough channels across the array in a short time window. For each event in the catalog, a conventional semblance analysis is performed across a straight segment of the array to determine whether the event has a coherent velocity signature. Events that demonstrate a semblance peak at low apparent velocities (5-50 m/s) are assumed to represent coherent transportation-related noise and are down-weighted in the time domain before cross-correlation. We show the impact of removing such noise on estimated Green's functions from ambient noise data recorded in Richmond, CA in December 2014. This method has been developed for use on a continuous time-lapse ambient noise survey collected with DAS near Fairbanks, AK, and an upcoming ambient noise survey on the Stanford University campus using DAS with a re-purposed telecommunications fiber optic cable.

Mapping the rupture process of moderate earthquakes by inverting accelerograms

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hellweg, M.; Boatwright, J.

1999-01-01

We present a waveform inversion method that uses recordings of small events as Green's functions to map the rupture growth of moderate earthquakes. The method fits P and S waveforms from many stations simultaneously in an iterative procedure to estimate the subevent rupture time and amplitude relative to the Green's function event. We invert the accelerograms written by two moderate Parkfield earthquakes using smaller events as Green's functions. The first earthquake (M = 4.6) occurred on November 14, 1993, at a depth of 11 km under Middle Mountain, in the assumed preparation zone for the next Parkfield main shock. The second earthquake (M = 4.7) occurred on December 20, 1994, some 6 km to the southeast, at a depth of 9 km on a section of the San Andreas fault with no previous microseismicity and little inferred coseismic slip in the 1966 Parkfield earthquake. The inversion results are strikingly different for the two events. The average stress release in the 1993 event was 50 bars, distributed over a geometrically complex area of 0.9 km2. The average stress release in the 1994 event was only 6 bars, distributed over a roughly elliptical area of 20 km2. The ruptures of both events appear to grow spasmodically into relatively complex shapes: the inversion only constrains the ruptures to grow more slowly than the S wave velocity but does not use smoothness constraints. Copyright 1999 by the American Geophysical Union.

Correlation range in a supercooled liquid via Green-Kubo expression for viscosity, local atomic stresses, and MD simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levashov, Valentin A.; Egami, Takeshi; Morris, James R.

2009-03-01

We present a new approach to the issue of correlation range in supercooled liquids based on Green-Kubo expression for viscosity. The integrand of this expression is the average stress-stress autocorrelation function. This correlation function could be rewritten in terms of correlations among local atomic stresses at different times and distances. The features of the autocorrelation function decay with time depend on temperature and correlation range. Through this approach we can study the development of spatial correlation with time, thus directly addressing the question of dynamic heterogeneity. We performed MD simulations on a single component system of particles interacting through short range pair potential. Our results indicate that even above the crossover temperature correlations extend well beyond the nearest neighbors. Surprisingly we found that the system size effects exist even on relatively large systems. We also address the role of diffusion in decay of stress-stress correlation function.

Rapid computation of photoacoustic fields from normal and pathological red blood cells using a Green's function method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saha, Ratan K.; Fadhel, Muhannad N.; Lawrence, Aamna; Karmakar, Subhajit; Adhikari, Arunabha; Kolios, Michael C.

2017-03-01

Photoacoustic (PA) field calculations using a Green's function approach is presented. The method has been applied to predict PA spectra generated by normal (discocyte) and pathological (stomatocyte) red blood cells (RBCs). The contours of normal and pathological RBCs were generated by employing a popular parametric model and accordingly, fitted with the Legendre polynomial expansions for surface parametrization. The first frequency minimum of theoretical PA spectrum approximately appears at 607 MHz for a discocyte and 410 MHz for a stomatocyte when computed from the direction of symmetry axis. The same feature occurs nearly at 247 and 331 MHz, respectively, for those particles when measured along the perpendicular direction. The average experimental spectrum for normal RBCs is found to be flat over a bandwidth of 150-500 MHz when measured along the direction of symmetry axis. For spherical RBCs, both the theoretical and experimental spectra demonstrate negative slope over a bandwidth of 250-500 MHz. Using the Green's function method discussed, it may be possible to rapidly characterize cellular morphology from single-particle PA spectra.

Urban area and green space: volume estimation using medium resolution satellite imagery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Handayani, H. H.

2017-12-01

The latest revision of the UN World Urbanization Prospects predicts the world's urban population to increase by 1.4 billion between 2010 and 2030, 60% of the population will live in cities. Consequently, this expansion affects the existence of ecosystem services in the context of sustainability environment. Green space is a focal point of the ecological system and is affected by the urbanization process. The green space has essential functions in cleaning the water, adjusting the microclimate, eliminating noise, and beautifying the surrounding makes the green quantity as well as quality very vital to its existence. The urban expansion leads the growth into vertical development. Therefore, the third dimension using urban volume as an indicator of vertical development is introduced. Therefore, this study estimates the urban and green volume by using medium resolution remote sensing. Surabaya is used as a case study since the city has grown up significantly in both of population and capital investment in this decade. Here, urban and green volume is investigated by ALOS datasets with urban referring built-up. Also, we examine the area with low and high green volume by performing hot and cold spots analysis. The average of built-up volume reaches 173.05 m3/pixel presented by the building for a residential single house with the height less than 7m. The average of green volume is 14.74m3/pixel performed by the vegetation with the height generally 0.6 to 1m which is frequently planted in the backyard of house. However, the ratio of green volume to the built-up volume shows a small portion which is around 8.52%. Therefore, we identify the hot and cold spots, we evaluate 5 areas having cold spot regarding lack of green volume. The two locations of cold spot are located in the northern part and another is in the southern part. Those areas have high number of built-up volume which is in particularly as sub-CBD area. We emphasize that the improvement of green quantity is needed in those areas, in order to enhance the green quantity and also for the city's image improvement.

Urban green valuation integrating biophysical and qualitative aspects.

PubMed

Lang, Stefan

2018-01-01

Urban green mapping has become an operational task in city planning, urban land management, and quality of life assessments. As a multi-dimensional, integrative concept, urban green comprising several ecological, socio-economic, and policy-related aspects. In this paper, the author advances the representation of urban green by deriving scale-adapted, policy-relevant units. These so-called geons represent areas of uniform green valuation under certain size and homogeneity constraints in a spatially explicit representation. The study accompanies a regular monitoring scheme carried out by the urban municipality of the city of Salzburg, Austria, using optical satellite data. It was conducted in two stages, namely SBG_QB (10.2 km², QuickBird data from 2005) and SBG_WV (140 km², WorldView-2 data from 2010), within the functional urban area of Salzburg. The geon delineation was validated by several quantitative measures and spatial analysis techniques, as well as ground documentation, including panorama photographs and visual interpretation. The spatial association pattern was assessed by calculating Global Moran's I with incremental search distances. The final geonscape, consisting of 1083 units with an average size of 13.5 ha, was analyzed by spatial metrics. Finally, categories were derived for different types of functional geons. Future research paths and improvements to the described strategy are outlined.

Brownian systems with spatially inhomogeneous activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, A.; Brader, J. M.

2017-09-01

We generalize the Green-Kubo approach, previously applied to bulk systems of spherically symmetric active particles [J. Chem. Phys. 145, 161101 (2016), 10.1063/1.4966153], to include spatially inhomogeneous activity. The method is applied to predict the spatial dependence of the average orientation per particle and the density. The average orientation is given by an integral over the self part of the Van Hove function and a simple Gaussian approximation to this quantity yields an accurate analytical expression. Taking this analytical result as input to a dynamic density functional theory approximates the spatial dependence of the density in good agreement with simulation data. All theoretical predictions are validated using Brownian dynamics simulations.

Influence of contrast morphogenetic features of urban constructed soils on the functioning of Moscow green lawn urban ecosystems: analysis based on the field model experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Epikhina, Anna; Vizirskaya, Mariya; Mazirov, Ilya; Vasenev, Vyacheslav; Vasenev, Ivan; Valentini, Riccardo

2014-05-01

Green lawns are the key element of the urban environment. They occupy a considerable part of the city area and locate in different urban functional zones. Urban constructed soils under green lawns have a unique spatial variability in chemical and morphogenetic features. So far, there is lack of information on the influence of morphogenetic features of urban soils on the functioning of the green lawn ecosystems especially in Moscow - the biggest megalopolis in Europe. Urban lawns perform a number of principal functions including both aesthetic and environmental. The role of the green lawn ecosystems in global carbon cycle is one of their main environmental functions. It is traditionally assessed through carbon stocks and fluxes in the basic ecosystem components. So far, such a data for the urban lawn ecosystems of the Moscow megapolis is lacking. In addition to environmental functions, green lawns perform an important ornamental role, which is also a critical criterion of their optimal functioning. Considering the variability of driving factors, influencing green lawns in urban environment, we carry out the model experiment in order to analyze "pure" effect of soil morphogenetic features. The current study aimed to analyze the influence of contrast morphogenetic features of urban constructed soils on the environmental and aesthetic functions of lawn ecosystems in Moscow megapolis basing in the model experiment. We carry out the model experiment located at the experimental field of the Russian State Agrarian University. Special transparent containers developed for the experiment, provided an option to observe soil morphogenetic features dynamics, including the depth and material of the organic transformation. At the same soil body inside the containers was united with the outside environment through the system of holes in the bottom and walls. The set of urban constructed soils includ four contrast types of the top soil (turf (T), turf-sand (TSa), turf-soil (TSo) and sand-soil (SS)) with three version of the depths (5, 10 and 20 cm). Soil construction with 10 cm organic horizon from TS top soil was taken as a reference. Grass mixture used for the green lawn including: Lolium perenne, Poa pratensis and Festuca rubra. For all the containers we measured soil CO2 emission by Li-820, soil temperature and moisture and the grass ornamental quality based on the 30-score scale (Laptev; 1988). All the measurements have been done in June-October 2013 with two-week time steps. We also observed the dynamic in soil chemical features (Corg, Ntot and pHKCl) monthly. We found high seasonal dynamics for all the observed functioning parameters. The highest CO2 emission was obtained in the beginning of July, whereas the lowest one - at the end of August. Maximal averaged CO2 emission was shown for the TSa and TSo substrates with the 20 cm depth. The lowest flux has been fixed for the more mineralized substrat. Soil moisture was shown as the main driving factor influencing CO2 emission both for the seasonal dynamics and for the averaged values for different substrates and depths (r=0.5, p<0.05). As for the aesthetic function the highest grass ornamental quality was shown for 20 cm TS and 5 cm T substrate (30 scores), whereas the lowest one was obtained for SS substrate with 5 and 20 cm depths (5 scores). We also obtained high positive correlation between the grass ornamental quality and the CO2 emissions (r=0.84, p>0.05). This outcome highlights that the standards of urban constructed soils' optimal features should be the compromise between the beauty of the green lawn and climate mitigation demands. Supported by the RF governmental grant 11.G34.31.0079

Method to manage integration error in the Green-Kubo method.

PubMed

Oliveira, Laura de Sousa; Greaney, P Alex

2017-02-01

The Green-Kubo method is a commonly used approach for predicting transport properties in a system from equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. The approach is founded on the fluctuation dissipation theorem and relates the property of interest to the lifetime of fluctuations in its thermodynamic driving potential. For heat transport, the lattice thermal conductivity is related to the integral of the autocorrelation of the instantaneous heat flux. A principal source of error in these calculations is that the autocorrelation function requires a long averaging time to reduce remnant noise. Integrating the noise in the tail of the autocorrelation function becomes conflated with physically important slow relaxation processes. In this paper we present a method to quantify the uncertainty on transport properties computed using the Green-Kubo formulation based on recognizing that the integrated noise is a random walk, with a growing envelope of uncertainty. By characterizing the noise we can choose integration conditions to best trade off systematic truncation error with unbiased integration noise, to minimize uncertainty for a given allocation of computational resources.

Method to manage integration error in the Green-Kubo method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oliveira, Laura de Sousa; Greaney, P. Alex

2017-02-01

The Green-Kubo method is a commonly used approach for predicting transport properties in a system from equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. The approach is founded on the fluctuation dissipation theorem and relates the property of interest to the lifetime of fluctuations in its thermodynamic driving potential. For heat transport, the lattice thermal conductivity is related to the integral of the autocorrelation of the instantaneous heat flux. A principal source of error in these calculations is that the autocorrelation function requires a long averaging time to reduce remnant noise. Integrating the noise in the tail of the autocorrelation function becomes conflated with physically important slow relaxation processes. In this paper we present a method to quantify the uncertainty on transport properties computed using the Green-Kubo formulation based on recognizing that the integrated noise is a random walk, with a growing envelope of uncertainty. By characterizing the noise we can choose integration conditions to best trade off systematic truncation error with unbiased integration noise, to minimize uncertainty for a given allocation of computational resources.

Ranking prediction model using the competition record of Ladies Professional Golf Association players.

PubMed

Chae, Jin Seok; Park, Jin; So, Wi-Young

2017-07-28

The purpose of this study was to suggest a ranking prediction model using the competition record of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) players. The top 100 players on the tour money list from the 2013-2016 US Open were analyzed in this model. Stepwise regression analysis was conducted to examine the effect of performance and independent variables (i.e., driving accuracy, green in regulation, putts per round, driving distance, percentage of sand saves, par-3 average, par-4 average, par-5 average, birdies average, and eagle average) on dependent variables (i.e., scoring average, official money, top-10 finishes, winning percentage, and 60-strokes average). The following prediction model was suggested:Y (Scoring average) = 55.871 - 0.947 (Birdies average) + 4.576 (Par-4 average) - 0.028 (Green in regulation) - 0.012 (Percentage of sand saves) + 2.088 (Par-3 average) - 0.026 (Driving accuracy) - 0.017 (Driving distance) + 0.085 (Putts per round)Y (Official money) = 6628736.723 + 528557.907 (Birdies average) - 1831800.821 (Par-4 average) + 11681.739 (Green in regulation) + 6476.344 (Percentage of sand saves) - 688115.074 (Par-3 average) + 7375.971 (Driving accuracy)Y (Top-10 finish%) = 204.462 + 12.562 (Birdies average) - 47.745 (Par-4 average) + 1.633 (Green in regulation) - 5.151 (Putts per round) + 0.132 (Percentage of sand saves)Y (Winning percentage) = 49.949 + 3.191 (Birdies average) - 15.023 (Par-4 average) + 0.043 (Percentage of sand saves)Y (60-strokes average) = 217.649 + 13.978 (Birdies average) - 44.855 (Par-4 average) - 22.433 (Par-3 average) + 0.16 (Green in regulation)Scoring of the above five prediction models and the prediction of golf ranking in the 2016 Women's Golf Olympic competition in Rio revealed a significant correlation between the predicted and real ranking (r = 0.689, p < 0.001) and between the predicted and the real average score (r = 0.653, p < 0.001). Our ranking prediction model using LPGA data may help coaches and players to identify which players are likely to participate in Olympic and World competitions, based on their performance.

Fenton-treated functionalized diamond nanoparticles as gene delivery system.

PubMed

Martín, Roberto; Alvaro, Mercedes; Herance, José Raúl; García, Hermenegildo

2010-01-26

When raw diamond nanoparticles (Dnp, 7 nm average particle size) obtained from detonation are submitted to harsh Fenton-treatment, the resulting material becomes free of amorphous soot matter and the process maintains the crystallinity, reduces the particle size (4 nm average particle size), increases the surface OH population, and increases water solubility. All these changes are beneficial for subsequent Dnp covalent functionalization and for the ability of Dnp to cross cell membranes. Fenton-treated Dnps have been functionalized with thionine and the resulting sample has been observed in HeLa cell nuclei. A triethylammonium-functionalized Dnp pairs electrostatically with a plasmid having the green fluorescent protein gene and acts as gene delivery system permitting the plasmid to cross HeLa cell membrane, something that does not occur for the plasmid alone without assistance of polycationic Dnp.

Determination of malachite green and its leuco form in water

USGS Publications Warehouse

Allen, J.L.; Meinertz, J.R.; Gofus, J.E.

1992-01-01

Liquid chromatographic (lc) analysis can detect malachite green residues in water at less than 10 mu-g/l. Water samples were concentrated on disposable diol columns, eluted with 0.05m P-toluene-sulfonic acid in methanol, and determined by reversed-phase lc. When combined with a lead oxide postcolumn reactor, the lc method can simultaneously determine both leuco and chromatic forms of malachite green. Recoveries averaged 95.4% For the chromatic form and 57.3% For the leuco form of malachite green oxalate and leuco malachite green in spiked pond water samples. Recoveries of the carbinol form of malachite green (an equilibrium product of the dye in water) from spiked tap water samples averaged 98.6%. Recoveries of leuco malachite green were low and ph-dependent.

Thermal transport across metal–insulator interface via electron–phonon interaction.

PubMed

Zhang, Lifa; Lü, Jing-Tao; Wang, Jian-Sheng; Li, Baowen

2013-11-06

The thermal transport across a metal–insulator interface can be characterized by electron–phonon interaction through which an electron lead is coupled to a phonon lead if phonon–phonon coupling at the interface is very weak. We investigate the thermal conductance and rectification between the electron part and the phonon part using the nonequilibrium Green's function method. It is found that the thermal conductance has a nonmonotonic behavior as a function of average temperature or the coupling strength between the phonon leads in the metal part and the insulator part. The metal–insulator interface shows a clear thermal rectification effect, which can be reversed by a change in average temperature or the electron–phonon coupling.

The effect of urban green on small-area (healthy) life expectancy.

PubMed

Jonker, M F; van Lenthe, F J; Donkers, B; Mackenbach, J P; Burdorf, A

2014-10-01

Several epidemiological studies have investigated the effect of the quantity of green space on health outcomes such as self-rated health, morbidity and mortality ratios. These studies have consistently found positive associations between the quantity of green and health. However, the impact of other aspects, such as the perceived quality and average distance to public green, and the effect of urban green on population health are still largely unknown. Linear regression models were used to investigate the impact of three different measures of urban green on small-area life expectancy (LE) and healthy life expectancy (HLE) in The Netherlands. All regressions corrected for average neighbourhood household income, accommodated spatial autocorrelation, and took measurement uncertainty of LE, HLE as well as the quality of urban green into account. Both the quantity and the perceived quality of urban green are modestly related to small-area LE and HLE: an increase of 1 SD in the percentage of urban green space is associated with a 0.1-year higher LE, and, in the case of quality of green, with an approximately 0.3-year higher LE and HLE. The average distance to the nearest public green is unrelated to population health. The quantity and particularly quality of urban green are positively associated with small-area LE and HLE. This concurs with a growing body of evidence that urban green reduces stress, stimulates physical activity, improves the microclimate and reduces ambient air pollution. Accordingly, urban green development deserves a more prominent place in urban regeneration and neighbourhood renewal programmes. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Estimation and Simulation of Inter-station Green's Functions in the Beppu-Bay Area, Oita Prefecture, Southwest Japan: the Effect of Sedimentary Basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayashida, T.; Yoshimi, M.; Komatsu, M.; Takenaka, H.

2017-12-01

Continuous long-term observations of ambient noise (microseisms) were performed from August 2014 to February 2017 in the Beppu-Bay area, Oita prefecture, to investigate S-wave velocity structure of deep sedimentary basin (Hayashida et al., 2015SSJ; Yoshimi and Hayashida, 2017WCEE). The observation array consists of 12 broadband stations with an average spacing of 12 km. We applied the seismic interferometry technique to the ambient noise data and derived nine-component ambient noise cross-correlation functions (Z-R, Z-T, Z-Z, R-R, R-T, R-Z, T-R, T-T, and T-Z components) between 66 pairs of stations (distance of 6.4 km to 65.2 km). We assumed the stacked cross-correlation functions as "observed Green's functions" between two stations and estimated group velocities of Rayleigh and Love waves in the frequency between 0.2 and 0.5 Hz (Hayashida et al., 2017AGU-JpGU). Theoretical Green's functions for all stations pairs were also calculated using the finite difference method (HOT-FDM, Nakamura et al., 2012BSSA), with an existing three-dimensional basin structure model (J-SHIS V2) with land and seafloor topography and a seawater layer (Okunaka et al., 2016JpGU) and a newly constructed basin structure model of the target area (Yoshimi et al., 2017AGU). The comparisons between observed and simulated Green's functions generally show good agreements in the frequency range between 0.2 and 0.5 Hz. On the other hand, both observed and simulated Green's functions for some station pairs whose traverse lines run across the deeper part of the sedimentary basin (> 2000 m) show prominent later phases that might be generated and propagated inside the basin. This indicates that the understanding of the phase generation and propagation processes can be a key factor to validate the basin structure model and we investigated the characteristics of the later phases, such as its particle motions and arrival times, using observed and simulated Green's functions in detail. Acknowledgements: This work is supported by the Comprehensive Research on the Beppu-Haneyama Fault Zone funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT), Japan.

On the Computation of H/V and its Application to Microzonation and Seismic Design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perton, M.; Martínez, J. A.; Lermo, J. F.; Sanchez-Sesma, F. J.

2014-12-01

The H/V ratio is the square root of the ratio of horizontal to vertical energies of ground motion. It has been observed that the frequency of the main peak is well suited for the characterization of site effects and had been widely used for micro-zonation and seismic structural design. Historically that ratio was made from the average of individual H/V ratios obtained from noise autocorrelations. Nevertheless, it has been recently pointed out that the H/V ratio should be calculated differently as the ratio of the average of H over the average of V. This calculation is based on the relation between the directional energies (the imaginary part of Green's function) and the noise autocorrelations. In general, the average of ratios is different from the ratio of averages. Although the frequency of the main response was correctly obtained, the associated amplification factor has generally been badly predicted, having little matching with the amplification observed during strong earthquakes. The unexpected decay behavior of such ratios at high frequency and the lack of stability and reproducibility of the H/V ratios are other problems that face the method. These problems are addressed here from the point of view of normalization of noise correlations. In fact, several normalization techniques have already been proposed in order to correctly retrieve the Green's function. Some of them are well suited for the retrieval of the surface wave contribution, while others are more appropriate for bulk wave incidence. Since the H/V ratio may be used for various purposes like surface wave tomography, micro-zonation or seismic design, different normalizations are discussed in functions of the objectives. The H/V obtained from local historical earthquakes on top or far away from the subduction zone are also discussed. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This research has been partially supported by DGAPA-UNAM under Project IN104712 and the AXA Research Fund.

Using Acceleration Records as Diffuse Fields for Tomography of the Valley of Mexico City: Synthetic Results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baena, M.; Perton, M.; Molina-Villegas, J. C.; Sanchez-Sesma, F. J.

2013-12-01

In order to improve the understanding of the seismic response of Mexico City Valley, we have proposed to perform a tomography study of the seismic wave velocities. For that purpose, we used a collection of acceleration seismograms (corresponding to earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 4.5 to 8.1 and various epicentral distances to the City) recorded since 1985 in 83 stations distributed across the Valley. The H/V spectral ratios (obtained from average autocorrelations) strongly suggest these movements belong to a 3D generalized diffuse field. Thus, we interpret that cross-correlations between the signals of station pairs are proportional to the imaginary part of the corresponding Green function. Finally, the dispersion curves are constructed from the Green function which lead to the tomography. Other tomographies have already been made around the world using either the seismic coda or seismic noise. We used instead the ensemble of many earthquakes from distant sources that have undergone multiple scattering by the heterogeneities of the Earth and assume the wave fields are equipartitioned. The purpose of the present study is to describe the different steps of the data processing by using synthetic models. The wave propagation within an alluvial basin is simulated using the Indirect Boundary Element Method (IBEM) in 2D configuration for the propagation of P and SV waves. The theoretical Green function for a station pair is obtained by placing a unit force at one station and a receiver at the other. The valley illumination is composed by incoming waves which are simulated using distant independent sources and several diffractors. Data process is validated by the correct retrieval the theoretical Green function. We present here the in-plane Green function for the P-SV case and show the dispersion curves constructed from the cross-correlations compared with analytic results for a layer over a half-space. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. This study is partially supported by AXA Research Fund and by DGAPA-UNAM under Project IN104712.

Building a Catalog of Time-Dependent Inversions for Cascadia ETS Events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bartlow, N. M.; Williams, C. A.; Wallace, L. M.

2017-12-01

Episodic Tremor and Slip (ETS), composed of periodically occurring slow slip events accompanied by tectonic tremor, have been recognized in Cascadia since 1999. While the tremor has been continuously and automatically monitored for a few years (Wech et al., SRL, 2010; pnsn.org/tremor), the geodetically-derived slip has not been systematically monitored in the same way. Instead, numerous time-dependent and static inversions of the geodetic data have been performed for individual ETS events, with many events going unstudied. Careful study of, and monitoring of, ETS is important both to advance the scientific understanding of fault mechanics and to improve earthquake hazard forecasting in Cascadia. Here we present the results of initial efforts to standardize geodetic inversions of slow slip during Cascadia ETS. We use the Network Inversion Filter (NIF, Segall and Matthews,1997; McGuire and Segall, 2003; Miyazaki et al.,2006), applied evenly to an extended time period, to detect and catalog slow slip transients. Bartlow et al., 2014, conducted a similar study for the Hikurangi subduction zone, covering a 2.5 year period. Additionally, we generate Green's functions using the PyLith finite element code (Aagaard et al., 2013) to allow consideration of elastic property variations derived from a Cascadia-wide seismic velocity model (Stephenson, USGS pub., 2007). These Green's functions are then integrated to provide Green's functions compatible with the Network Inversion Filter. The use of heterogeneous elastic Green's functions allows for a more accurate estimation of slip amplitudes, both during individual ETS events and averaged over multiple events. This is useful for constraining the total slip budget in Cascadia, including whether ETS takes up the entire plate motion on the deeper extent of the plate interface where it occurs. The recent study of Williams and Wallace, GRL, 2015 demonstrated that the use heterogeneous elastic Green's Functions in inversions can make a significant difference in resulting slip distributions.

Midsouth Pulpwood Prices, 1983

Treesearch

Dennis M. May

1985-01-01

The average price per cord for Midsouth roundwood pulpwood increased less than 1 percent to $48.38 in 1983. The average price for a green ton of chipped mill residues fell 9.3 percent to $23.34. Sawdust prices averaged $13.04 per green ton, a 42.2 percent increase over 1982 prices. Prices for rail delivery of wood fiber continue to be slightly lower than truck...

Midsouth Pulpwood Prices, 1987

Treesearch

John S. Vissage

1990-01-01

In 1987, the average price per cord of Midsouth pulpwood was $47.47, an increase of less than 1 percent from the 1988 price. The average price per green ton of chipped residues decreased less than 1 percent to $2164. The average price of other residues remained at $10.25 per green ton. The total expenditure for pulpwood in the Midsouth increased approximately 1...

The Prediction and Analysis of Jet Flows and Scattered Turbulent Mixing Noise about Flight Vehicle Airframes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, Steven A. E.

2014-01-01

Jet flows interacting with nearby surfaces exhibit a complex behavior in which acoustic and aerodynamic characteristics are altered. The physical understanding and prediction of these characteristics are essential to designing future low noise aircraft. A new approach is created for predicting scattered jet mixing noise that utilizes an acoustic analogy and steady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes solutions. A tailored Green's function accounts for the propagation of mixing noise about the airframe and is calculated numerically using a newly developed ray tracing method. The steady aerodynamic statistics, associated unsteady sound source, and acoustic intensity are examined as jet conditions are varied about a large flat plate. A non-dimensional number is proposed to estimate the effect of the aerodynamic noise source relative to jet operating condition and airframe position.The steady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes solutions, acoustic analogy, tailored Green's function, non-dimensional number, and predicted noise are validated with a wide variety of measurements. The combination of the developed theory, ray tracing method, and careful implementation in a stand-alone computer program result in an approach that is more first principles oriented than alternatives, computationally efficient, and captures the relevant physics of fluid-structure interaction.

The Prediction and Analysis of Jet Flows and Scattered Turbulent Mixing Noise About Flight Vehicle Airframes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, Steven A.

2014-01-01

Jet flows interacting with nearby surfaces exhibit a complex behavior in which acoustic and aerodynamic characteristics are altered. The physical understanding and prediction of these characteristics are essential to designing future low noise aircraft. A new approach is created for predicting scattered jet mixing noise that utilizes an acoustic analogy and steady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes solutions. A tailored Green's function accounts for the propagation of mixing noise about the air-frame and is calculated numerically using a newly developed ray tracing method. The steady aerodynamic statistics, associated unsteady sound source, and acoustic intensity are examined as jet conditions are varied about a large at plate. A non-dimensional number is proposed to estimate the effect of the aerodynamic noise source relative to jet operating condition and airframe position. The steady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes solutions, acoustic analogy, tailored Green's function, non- dimensional number, and predicted noise are validated with a wide variety of measurements. The combination of the developed theory, ray tracing method, and careful implementation in a stand-alone computer program result in an approach that is more first principles oriented than alternatives, computationally efficient, and captures the relevant physics of fluid-structure interaction.

Midsouth Pulpwood Prices, 1984

Treesearch

Dennis M. May

1986-01-01

In 1984, the average price for a cord of Midsouth roundwood was $50.55, an increase of 4.5 percent from 1983. The average price for a green ton of chipped residues also increased, up 9.0 percent to $25.44. However, the average price for a green ton of sawdust fell 17.3 percent to $10.79. Rail delivery prices for wood fiber continue to be lower than truck delivery...

Midsouth Pulpwood Prices, 1986

Treesearch

Dennis M. May

1988-01-01

In 1986, the average price for a cord of Midsouth roundwood was $47.20, a decrease of 6 percent from the 1985 price. The average price for a green ton of chipped residues also decreased, down 1 percent to $21.77. The average price for a green ton of sawdust fell to $10.25, 3 percent below the 1985 price. Between 1977 and 1986, real prices for roundwood fell, but real...

Midsouth Pulpwood Prices, 1985

Treesearch

Dennis M. May

1987-01-01

In 1985, the average price for a cord of Midsouth roundwood was $50.12, a decrease of less than 1 percent from the 1984 price. In contrast, the average price for a green ton of chipped residues decreased to $21.97, 14 percent below the price paid in 1984. The average price for a green ton of sawdust also fell in 1985, dropping 2 percent to $10.60. The 1985 expenditure...

Absorption Cross-Sections of Sodium Diatomic Molecules

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fong, Zeng-Shevan

1985-01-01

The absorption cross sections of sodium dimers were studied using a heat pipe over operating in the non-heat-pipe mode. Three wavelength regions were observed. They are in the red, the green-blue, and the near ultraviolet regions. The absorption cross section depends on the wavelength of the incident light. Representative peak values for the v"=0 progression in the red and green-blue regions are 2.59 A sup 2 (average value) and 11.77 A sup 2 (T sub ave=624 K). The value for the C greater than X transitions is several tenths A sup 2. The cross sections were measured from absorption spectra taken as a function of temperature.

The effect of leaf size on the microwave backscattering by corn

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Paris, J. F.

1986-01-01

Attema and Ulaby (1978) proposed the cloud model to predict the microwave backscattering properties of vegetation. This paper describes a modification in which the biophysical properties and microwave properties of vegetation are related at the level of the individual scatterer (e.g., the leaf or the stalk) rather than at the level of the aggregated canopy (e.g., the green leaf area index). Assuming that the extinction cross section of an average leaf was proportional to its water content, that a power law relationship existed between the backscattering cross section of an average green corn leaf and its area, and that the backscattering coefficient of the surface was a linear function of its volumetric soil moisture content, it is found that the explicit inclusion of the effects of corn leaf size in the model led to an excellent fit between the observed and predicted backscattering coefficients. Also, an excellent power law relationship existed between the backscattering cross section of a corn leaf and its area.

Effect of processing on the in vitro and in vivo protein quality of red and green lentils (Lens culinaris).

PubMed

Nosworthy, Matthew G; Medina, Gerardo; Franczyk, Adam J; Neufeld, Jason; Appah, Paulyn; Utioh, Alphonsus; Frohlich, Peter; House, James D

2018-02-01

In order to determine the effect of extrusion, baking and cooking on the protein quality of red and green lentils, a rodent bioassay was conducted and compared to an in vitro method of protein quality determination. On average, the Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Score of red lentils (55.0) was higher than that of green lentils (50.8). Extruded lentil flour had higher scores (63.01 red, 57.09 green) than either cooked (57.40 red, 52.92 green) or baked (53.84 red, 47.14 green) flours. The average Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score of red lentils (0.54) was higher than green lentils (0.49). The Protein Efficiency Ratio of the extruded lentil flours (1.30 red, 1.34 green) was higher than that of the baked flour (0.98 red, 1.09 green). A correlation was found between in vivo and in vitro methods of determining protein digestibility (R 2 =0.8934). This work could influence selection of processing method during product development. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Biophysical Approach to Mechanisms of Cancer Prevention and Treatment with Green Tea Catechins.

PubMed

Suganuma, Masami; Takahashi, Atsushi; Watanabe, Tatsuro; Iida, Keisuke; Matsuzaki, Takahisa; Yoshikawa, Hiroshi Y; Fujiki, Hirota

2016-11-18

Green tea catechin and green tea extract are now recognized as non-toxic cancer preventives for humans. We first review our brief historical development of green tea cancer prevention. Based on exciting evidence that green tea catechin, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in drinking water inhibited lung metastasis of B16 melanoma cells, we and other researchers have studied the inhibitory mechanisms of metastasis with green tea catechins using biomechanical tools, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and microfluidic optical stretcher. Specifically, determination of biophysical properties of cancer cells, low cell stiffness, and high deformability in relation to migration, along with biophysical effects, were studied by treatment with green tea catechins. The study with AFM revealed that low average values of Young's moduli, indicating low cell stiffness, are closely associated with strong potential of cell migration and metastasis for various cancer cells. It is important to note that treatments with EGCG and green tea extract elevated the average values of Young's moduli resulting in increased stiffness (large elasticity) of melanomas and various cancer cells. We discuss here the biophysical basis of multifunctions of green tea catechins and green tea extract leading to beneficial effects for cancer prevention and treatment.

Green synthesis of carbon quantum dots from lignite coal and the application in Fe3+ detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xuexia; Hao, Juanyuan; Liu, Jianhui; Tao, Hongcai

2018-02-01

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) had attracted much attention due to their unique structures and excellent properties. Their green preparation was one of the research frontiers. However, most of the CQDs were prepared by strong acid oxidation, the way of which was not friendly to the environment. In this study, CQDs were prepared by green ozone oxidation of lignite coal, which is abundant and inexpensive. The CQDs were well dispersed, the size distribution of the obtained CQDs centralized from 2 to 4 nm with the average diameter of about 2.8 nm. In addition, the as-prepared CQDs containing rich oxygen functional groups exhibited good water-solubility and optical properties with yield reached 35%. The CQDs showed a highly sensitive and selective quenching effect to Fe3+ with desirable anti-interference performance. Moreover, the fluorescence intensity of CQDs had a good linear response to the Fe3+ concentration ranging from 10 to 150 µmol/L with the detection limit of 0.26 µmol/L. This green and facile synthesis method had the prospect of large-scale preparation of CQDs.

First-principles quantum transport method for disordered nanoelectronics: Disorder-averaged transmission, shot noise, and device-to-device variability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Jiawei; Wang, Shizhuo; Xia, Ke; Ke, Youqi

2017-03-01

Because disorders are inevitable in realistic nanodevices, the capability to quantitatively simulate the disorder effects on electron transport is indispensable for quantum transport theory. Here, we report a unified and effective first-principles quantum transport method for analyzing effects of chemical or substitutional disorder on transport properties of nanoelectronics, including averaged transmission coefficient, shot noise, and disorder-induced device-to-device variability. All our theoretical formulations and numerical implementations are worked out within the framework of the tight-binding linear muffin tin orbital method. In this method, we carry out the electronic structure calculation with the density functional theory, treat the nonequilibrium statistics by the nonequilbrium Green's function method, and include the effects of multiple impurity scattering with the generalized nonequilibrium vertex correction (NVC) method in coherent potential approximation (CPA). The generalized NVC equations are solved from first principles to obtain various disorder-averaged two-Green's-function correlators. This method provides a unified way to obtain different disorder-averaged transport properties of disordered nanoelectronics from first principles. To test our implementation, we apply the method to investigate the shot noise in the disordered copper conductor, and find all our results for different disorder concentrations approach a universal Fano factor 1 /3 . As the second test, we calculate the device-to-device variability in the spin-dependent transport through the disordered Cu/Co interface and find the conductance fluctuation is very large in the minority spin channel and negligible in the majority spin channel. Our results agree well with experimental measurements and other theories. In both applications, we show the generalized nonequilibrium vertex corrections play a determinant role in electron transport simulation. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of the first-principles generalized CPA-NVC for atomistic analysis of disordered nanoelectronics, extending the capability of quantum transport simulation.

Electron- and photon-impact ionization of furfural

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jones, D. B.; Ali, E.; Nixon, K. L.; Limão-Vieira, P.; Hubin-Franskin, M.-J.; Delwiche, J.; Ning, C. G.; Colgan, J.; Murray, A. J.; Madison, D. H.; Brunger, M. J.

2015-11-01

The He(i) photoelectron spectrum of furfural has been investigated, with its vibrational structure assigned for the first time. The ground and excited ionized states are assigned through ab initio calculations performed at the outer-valence Green's function level. Triple differential cross sections (TDCSs) for electron-impact ionization of the unresolved combination of the 4a″ + 21a' highest and next-highest occupied molecular orbitals have also been obtained. Experimental TDCSs are recorded in a combination of asymmetric coplanar and doubly symmetric coplanar kinematics. The experimental TDCSs are compared to theoretical calculations, obtained within a molecular 3-body distorted wave framework that employed either an orientation average or proper TDCS average. The proper average calculations suggest that they may resolve some of the discrepancies regarding the angular distributions of the TDCS, when compared to calculations employing the orbital average.

Two-photon excitation of 2,5-diphenyloxazole using a low power green solid state laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luchowski, Rafal

2011-01-01

This Letter concerns two-photon excitation of 2,5-diphenyloxazole (PPO) upon illumination from a pulsed 532 nm solid state laser, with an average power of 30 mW, and a repetition rate of 20 MHz. A very agreeable emission spectrum position and shape has been achieved for PPO receiving one- and two-photon excitation, which suggests that the same excited state is involved for both excitation modes. Also, a perfect quadratic dependence of laser power in the emission intensity function has been recorded. We tested the application of a small solid state green laser to two-photon induced time-resolved fluorescence, revealing the emission anisotropy of PPO to be considerably higher for two-photon than for one-photon excitation.

Sitnikov problem in the cyclic kite configuration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shahbaz Ullah, M.; Bhatnagar, K. B.; Hassan, M. R.

2014-12-01

This manuscript deals with the development of the series solutions of the Sitnikov kite configuration by the methods given of Lindstedt-Poincarė, using Green's function and MacMillan. Next we have developed averaged equation of motion by applying the Van der Pol transformation and averaging technique of Guckenheimer and Holmes (Nonlinear oscillations, dynamical system bifurcations of vector fields. Springer, Berlin, 1983). In addition to the resonance criterion at the 3/2 commensurability we have chosen ω=2 n/3, n=2, ω is the angular velocity of the coordinate system. Lastly the periodicity of the solutions has been examined by the Poincarė section.

GREEN GALAXIES IN THE COSMOS FIELD

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

Pan, Zhizheng; Kong, Xu; Fan, Lulu, E-mail: panzz@mail.ustc.edu.cn, E-mail: xkong@ustc.edu.cn

2013-10-10

We present research on the morphologies, spectra, and environments of ≈2350 'green valley' galaxies at 0.2 < z < 1.0 in the COSMOS field. The bimodality of dust-corrected NUV–r {sup +} color is used to define 'green valley'; it removes dusty star-forming galaxies from galaxies that are truly transitioning between the blue cloud and the red sequence. Morphological parameters of green galaxies are intermediate between those of blue and red galaxy populations, both on the Gini-asymmetry and the Gini-M{sub 20} planes. Approximately 60%-70% of green disk galaxies have intermediate or big bulges, and only 5%-10% are pure disk systems, basedmore » on morphological classification using the Zurich Estimator of Structural Types. The obtained average spectra of green galaxies are intermediate between blue and red ones in terms of [O II], Hα, and Hβ emission lines. Stellar population synthesis on the average spectra shows that green galaxies are on average older than blue galaxies but younger than red galaxies. Green galaxies and blue galaxies have similar projected galaxy density (Σ{sub 10}) distributions at z > 0.7. At z < 0.7, the fractions of M{sub *} < 10{sup 10.0} M{sub ☉} green galaxies located in a dense environment are found to be significantly larger than those of blue galaxies. The morphological and spectral properties of green galaxies are consistent with the transitioning population between the blue cloud and the red sequence. The possible mechanisms for quenching star formation activities in green galaxies are discussed. The importance of active galactic nucleus feedback cannot be well constrained in our study. Finally, our findings suggest that environmental conditions, most likely starvation and harassment, significantly affect the transformation of M{sub *} < 10{sup 10.0} M{sub ☉} blue galaxies into red galaxies, especially at z < 0.5.« less

Extraction of thermal Green's function using diffuse fields: a passive approach applied to thermography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Capriotti, Margherita; Sternini, Simone; Lanza di Scalea, Francesco; Mariani, Stefano

2016-04-01

In the field of non-destructive evaluation, defect detection and visualization can be performed exploiting different techniques relying either on an active or a passive approach. In the following paper the passive technique is investigated due to its numerous advantages and its application to thermography is explored. In previous works, it has been shown that it is possible to reconstruct the Green's function between any pair of points of a sensing grid by using noise originated from diffuse fields in acoustic environments. The extraction of the Green's function can be achieved by cross-correlating these random recorded waves. Averaging, filtering and length of the measured signals play an important role in this process. This concept is here applied in an NDE perspective utilizing thermal fluctuations present on structural materials. Temperature variations interacting with thermal properties of the specimen allow for the characterization of the material and its health condition. The exploitation of the thermographic image resolution as a dense grid of sensors constitutes the basic idea underlying passive thermography. Particular attention will be placed on the creation of a proper diffuse thermal field, studying the number, placement and excitation signal of heat sources. Results from numerical simulations will be presented to assess the capabilities and performances of the passive thermal technique devoted to defect detection and imaging of structural components.

An evaluation of the effects of PEO/PEG molecular weights on extruded alumina rods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bolger, Nancy Beth

1998-12-01

Alumina rods were piston extruded from bodies containing polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and polyethylene oxides (PEOs) with molecular weights ranging from 1,300 to 3,800,000 g/mol. A blend of aluminas possessing different particle size distributions was evaluated with regard to its extrusion pressure by varying the amount of PEG/PEO addition. Behavior exhibited by the alumina blend was dependent upon the additive that was used. The higher molecular weight binders with average molecular weight of 200,000 g/mol and 3,350,000 g/mol displayed the most severe behaviors of near dilatant and dilatant respectively. Physical properties of the green and fired states, as well as the binder burnout, were investigated with the changing additions. Correlation between the green and fired strengths and the changing molecular weights were examined. The additive present influenced the surface properties of the rods, which affected the green strengths. The highest average molecular weight polyethylene glycols showed higher green strengths, while the lowest green strengths were observed for the high molecular weight polyethylene oxides. Fired strengths generally ranged from approximately 12,000 psi to 16,000 psi for additive batches. Alumina pellets containing twelve separate combinations of polyethylene glycol with polyethylene oxide were dry pressed. Physical properties of the green and fired states were examined. Statistical analysis was performed upon the data and seven combinations of polyethylene glycol with polyethylene oxide were deemed significant. These combinations in conjunction with the same alumina blend were then piston extruded. The addition of polyethylene glycol reduced the near dilatant behavior exhibited by the 200,000 g/mol average molecular weight polyethylene oxide. Dilatant behavior was completely eliminated from the 3,350,000 g/mol average molecular weight polyethylene oxide batches. Physical properties of the green and fired states were again investigated with the changing additions. Polyethylene oxide, in combination with polyethylene glycol, did show an increase in green strength versus the polyethylene oxide alone. Strengths were still lower than those displayed by the polyethylene glycols alone. Reductions or degradations in molecular weight of the polymers due to mixing and extrusion processes may account for lower green strength of bodies, especially those containing polyethylene oxides.

Infrasound Predictions Using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model: Atmospheric Green's Functions for the Source Physics Experiments 1-6.

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

Poppeliers, Christian; Aur, Katherine Anderson; Preston, Leiph

This report shows the results of constructing predictive atmospheric models for the Source Physics Experiments 1-6. Historic atmospheric data are combined with topography to construct an atmo- spheric model that corresponds to the predicted (or actual) time of a given SPE event. The models are ultimately used to construct atmospheric Green's functions to be used for subsequent analysis. We present three atmospheric models for each SPE event: an average model based on ten one- hour snap shots of the atmosphere and two extrema models corresponding to the warmest, coolest, windiest, etc. atmospheric snap shots. The atmospheric snap shots consist ofmore » wind, temperature, and pressure profiles of the atmosphere for a one-hour time window centered at the time of the predicted SPE event, as well as nine additional snap shots for each of the nine preceding years, centered at the time and day of the SPE event.« less

Fluorescence spectral analysis of resinite macerals from coals of the Hanna Formation, Wyoming, U.S.A.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Teerman, S.C.; Crelling, J.C.; Glass, G.B.

1987-01-01

Flourescence spectral analysis indicates that resinite macerals from Tertiary Hanna Formation coals (Hanna Coal Field, southcentral Wyoming, U.S.A.) can be separated into five distinct groups. The first resinite group fluoresces a a medium green (in blue light); its average spectral maximum occurs at or below 440 mm with a red/green quotient of 0.22. The second resinite group fluoresces yellow-green with an average spectral maximum of 500 nm and a red/green quotient of 0.53. The third resinite group displays a yellow fluorescence having an average spectral maximum of 580 nm and a red/green quotient of 0.86. The fourth resinite group fluorescence orange-brown having an average spectral maximum of 610 nm and a red/green quotient of 1.20. These four groups mostly occur as primary globular resinites exhibiting scratches and fractures, indicating that they are brittle, solid substances. Primary cell-filling and secondary fracture-filling resinites also occur in these four groups. The fifth group only occurs as a secondary void-filling material and lacks evidence of br of brittle properties. It fluoresces a reddish-brown, has a spectral maximum at 690 nm, and a red/green quotient of 1.54. The fifth group has properties resembling exsudatinite. The five resinite groups can be separated on the basis of their nine spectral properties alone, without qualitative petrographic interpretation. The relative quantities of the five resinite groups vary among Hanna Formation coals. The origins of these five resinite groups are probably related to their botanical properties and pre- and post-depossitional conditions. Overall, Hanna Formation resinites have petrographic characteristics similar to other North American resinites; however, only four resinite groups have been distinguished in in certain coals from Utah and New Mexico (U.S.A.), and western Canada. ?? 1987.

Facile and green synthesis of highly stable L-cysteine functionalized copper nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Nikhil; Upadhyay, Lata Sheo Bachan

2016-11-01

A simple eco-friendly method for L-cysteine capped copper nanoparticles (CCNPs) synthesis in aqueous solution has been developed. Glucose and L-cysteine were used as reducing agent and capping/functionalizing agent, respectively. Different parameters such as capping agent concentration, pH, reaction temperature, and reducing agent concentration were optimized during the synthesis. The L-cysteine capped copper nanoparticle were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Particle size and zeta potential analyser, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. Spherical shaped cysteine functionalized/capped copper nanoparticles with an average size of 40 nm were found to be highly stable at room temperature (RT) for a period of 1 month

In-vitro evaluation of copper nanoparticles cytotoxicity on prostate cancer cell lines and their antioxidant, sensing and catalytic activity: One-pot green approach.

PubMed

Prasad, P Reddy; Kanchi, S; Naidoo, E B

2016-08-01

In this study, Broccoli green extract was reported as a green and environmental friendly precursor for the one-pot biosynthesis of copper nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-vis, FTIR, TEM, DLS, XRD and cyclic voltammetry. The TEM and DLS results showed that the NPs are in spherical and monodispersed with an average particle size of ~4.8nm. The FTIR results confirmed the occurrence of bioactive functional groups that are responsible for reducing cupric sulphate to copper ions. The UV-vis spectrophotometry was used for catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol and its dynamic reaction in Britton-Robinson buffer solution. This catalytic activity was further supported with methylene blue and methyl red dyes degradation. The nanocatalyst can be recovered from the reaction mixture and reused many times with none vital loss of catalytic activity. The Broccoli green extract modified copper nanoparticles coated on screen printing electrode laid a new sensing platform and has an excellent electrocatalytic activity. Furthermore, surface modified CuNPs with Broccoli green extract exhibited no cytotoxicity at the concentration ranging from 0.5 to 1.5μM on the prostate cancer (PC-3) cell lines. The maximum scavenging % of Broccoli green extract modified CuNPs was found to be >70.50% at the concentration of 0.25mM against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Spectral properties of four-time fermionic Green's functions

DOE PAGES

Shvaika, A. M.

2016-09-01

The spectral relations for the four-time fermionic Green's functions are derived in the most general case. The terms which correspond to the zero-frequency anomalies, known before only for the bosonic Green's functions, are separated and their connection with the second cumulants of the Boltzmann distribution function is elucidated. Furthermore, the high-frequency expansions of the four-time fermionic Green's functions are provided for different directions in the frequency space.

Spectral properties of four-time fermionic Green's functions

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

Shvaika, A. M.

The spectral relations for the four-time fermionic Green's functions are derived in the most general case. The terms which correspond to the zero-frequency anomalies, known before only for the bosonic Green's functions, are separated and their connection with the second cumulants of the Boltzmann distribution function is elucidated. Furthermore, the high-frequency expansions of the four-time fermionic Green's functions are provided for different directions in the frequency space.

Dual number algebra method for Green's function derivatives in 3D magneto-electro-elasticity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dziatkiewicz, Grzegorz

2018-01-01

The Green functions are the basic elements of the boundary element method. To obtain the boundary integral formulation the Green function and its derivative should be known for the considered differential operator. Today the interesting group of materials are electronic composites. The special case of the electronic composite is the magnetoelectroelastic continuum. The mentioned continuum is a model of the piezoelectric-piezomagnetic composites. The anisotropy of their physical properties makes the problem of Green's function determination very difficult. For that reason Green's functions for the magnetoelectroelastic continuum are not known in the closed form and numerical methods should be applied to determine such Green's functions. These means that the problem of the accurate and simply determination of Green's function derivatives is even harder. Therefore in the present work the dual number algebra method is applied to calculate numerically the derivatives of 3D Green's functions for the magnetoelectroelastic materials. The introduced method is independent on the step size and it can be treated as a special case of the automatic differentiation method. Therefore, the dual number algebra method can be applied as a tool for checking the accuracy of the well-known finite difference schemes.

Surface Green's function of a piezoelectric half-space.

PubMed

Laude, Vincent; Jerez-Hanckes, Carlos F; Ballandras, Sylvain

2006-02-01

The computation of the two-dimensional harmonic spatial-domain Green's function at the surface of a piezoelectric half-space is discussed. Starting from the known form of the Green's function expressed in the spectral domain, the singular contributions are isolated and treated separately. It is found that the surface acoustic wave contributions (i.e., poles in the spectral Green's function) give rise to an anisotropic generalization of the Hankel function H0(2), the spatial Green's function for the scalar two-dimensional wave equation. The asymptotic behavior at infinity and at the origin (for the electrostatic contribution) also are explicitly treated. The remaining nonsingular part of the spectral Green's function is obtained numerically by a combination of fast Fourier transform and quadrature. Illustrations are given in the case of a substrate of Y-cut lithium niobate.

Green Power Equivalency Calculator

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Use this calculator to translate your green power use from kilowatt-hours to more understandable terms, such as the equivalent number of average American homes it could power or miles an electric car could drive.

Quantum conductance oscillation in linear monatomic silicon chains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Fu-Ti; Cheng, Yan; Yang, Fu-Bin; Chen, Xiang-Rong

2014-02-01

The conductance of linear silicon atomic chains with n=1-8 atoms sandwiched between Au electrodes is investigated by using the density functional theory combined with non-equilibrium Green's function. The results show that the conductance oscillates with a period of two atoms as the number of atoms in the chain is varied. We optimize the geometric structure of nanoscale junctions in different distances, and obtain that the average bond-length of silicon atoms in each chain at equilibrium positions is 2.15±0.03 Å. The oscillation of average Si-Si bond-length can explain the conductance oscillation from the geometric structure of atomic chains. We calculate the transmission spectrum of the chains in the equilibrium positions, and explain the conductance oscillation from the electronic structure. The transport channel is mainly contributed by px and py orbital electrons of silicon atoms. The even-odd oscillation is robust under external voltage up to 1.2 V.

Chemical composition of some seaweed from Mediterranean Sea coast, Egypt.

PubMed

El-Said, Ghada F; El-Sikaily, Amany

2013-07-01

This study pointed to the assessment of the chemical composition (F, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, Cd, and carbohydrate) of different marine seaweeds (red, green, and brown) from the Egyptian Mediterranean Sea coast. The results showed that green seaweeds supplied better calcium sources than the red and brown ones. Also, red and brown seaweeds showed higher averages of Na and K than that in green species and these seaweeds could play an important role in the electrolyte balance in humans. On the other hand, green seaweeds gave the highest average carbohydrate concentration; thus, these green species could be used as a source of polysaccharides. Ion quotient values for almost seaweed species were between 1.4 and 4.0, so they can reduce hypertension, preeclampsia, and heart disease in human beings. Interestingly, the calculated hazard quotient of elements was below 1. Accordingly, these seaweed species were of high quality and safety and might be used in the field of nutrition.

A single-sided homogeneous Green's function representation for holographic imaging, inverse scattering, time-reversal acoustics and interferometric Green's function retrieval

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wapenaar, Kees; Thorbecke, Jan; van der Neut, Joost

2016-04-01

Green's theorem plays a fundamental role in a diverse range of wavefield imaging applications, such as holographic imaging, inverse scattering, time-reversal acoustics and interferometric Green's function retrieval. In many of those applications, the homogeneous Green's function (i.e. the Green's function of the wave equation without a singularity on the right-hand side) is represented by a closed boundary integral. In practical applications, sources and/or receivers are usually present only on an open surface, which implies that a significant part of the closed boundary integral is by necessity ignored. Here we derive a homogeneous Green's function representation for the common situation that sources and/or receivers are present on an open surface only. We modify the integrand in such a way that it vanishes on the part of the boundary where no sources and receivers are present. As a consequence, the remaining integral along the open surface is an accurate single-sided representation of the homogeneous Green's function. This single-sided representation accounts for all orders of multiple scattering. The new representation significantly improves the aforementioned wavefield imaging applications, particularly in situations where the first-order scattering approximation breaks down.

Understanding the atomic-level Green-Kubo stress correlation function for a liquid through phonons in a model crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levashov, V. A.

2014-11-01

In order to gain insight into the connection between the vibrational dynamics and the atomic-level Green-Kubo stress correlation function in liquids, we consider this connection in a model crystal instead. Of course, vibrational dynamics in liquids and crystals are quite different and it is not expected that the results obtained on a model crystal should be valid for liquids. However, these considerations provide a benchmark to which the results of the previous molecular dynamics simulations can be compared. Thus, assuming that vibrations are plane waves, we derive analytical expressions for the atomic-level stress correlation functions in the classical limit and analyze them. These results provide, in particular, a recipe for analysis of the atomic-level stress correlation functions in Fourier space and extraction of the wave-vector and frequency-dependent information. We also evaluate the energies of the atomic-level stresses. The energies obtained are significantly smaller than the energies previously determined in molecular dynamics simulations of several model liquids. This result suggests that the average energies of the atomic-level stresses in liquids and glasses are largely determined by the structural disorder. We discuss this result in the context of equipartition of the atomic-level stress energies. Analysis of the previously published data suggests that it is possible to speak about configurational and vibrational contributions to the average energies of the atomic-level stresses in a glass state. However, this separation in a liquid state is problematic. We also introduce and briefly consider the atomic-level transverse current correlation function. Finally, we address the broadening of the peaks in the pair distribution function with increase of distance. We find that the peaks' broadening (by ≈40 % ) occurs due to the transverse vibrational modes, while contribution from the longitudinal modes does not change with distance.

Self-consistent approximation beyond the CPA: Part II

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

Kaplan, T.; Gray, L.J.

1981-08-01

In Part I, Professor Leath has described the substantial efforts to generalize the CPA. In this second part, a particular self-consistent approximation for random alloys developed by Kaplan, Leath, Gray, and Diehl is described. This approximation is applicable to diagonal, off-diagonal and environmental disorder, includes cluster scattering, and yields a translationally invariant and analytic (Herglotz) average Green's function. Furthermore Gray and Kaplan have shown that an approximation for alloys with short-range order can be constructed from this theory.

Three-point Green functions in the odd sector of QCD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kadavý, T.; Kampf, K.; Novotný, J.

2016-11-01

A review of familiar results of the three-point Green functions of currents in the odd-intrinsic parity sector of QCD is presented. Such Green functions include very well-known examples of VVP, VAS or AAP correlators. We also shortly present some of the new results for VVA and AAA Green functions with a discussion of their high-energy behaviour and its relation to the QCD condensates.

Sequence divergence of the red and green visual pigments in great apes and humans.

PubMed Central

Deeb, S S; Jorgensen, A L; Battisti, L; Iwasaki, L; Motulsky, A G

1994-01-01

We have determined the coding sequences of red and green visual pigment genes of the chimpanzee, gorilla, and orangutan. The deduced amino acid sequences of these pigments are highly homologous to the equivalent human pigments. None of the amino acid differences occurred at sites that were previously shown to influence pigment absorption characteristics. Therefore, we predict the spectra of red and green pigments of the apes to have wavelengths of maximum absorption that differ by < 2 nm from the equivalent human pigments and that color vision in these nonhuman primates will be very similar, if not identical, to that in humans. A total of 14 within-species polymorphisms (6 involving silent substitutions) were observed in the coding sequences of the red and green pigment genes of the great apes. Remarkably, the polymorphisms at 6 of these sites had been observed in human populations, suggesting that they predated the evolution of higher primates. Alleles at polymorphic sites were often shared between the red and green pigment genes. The average synonymous rate of divergence of red from green sequences was approximately 1/10th that estimated for other proteins of higher primates, indicating the involvement of gene conversion in generating these polymorphisms. The high degree of homology and juxtaposition of these two genes on the X chromosome has promoted unequal recombination and/or gene conversion that led to sequence homogenization. However, natural selection operated to maintain the degree of separation in peak absorbance between the red and green pigments that resulted in optimal chromatic discrimination. This represents a unique case of molecular coevolution between two homologous genes that functionally interact at the behavioral level. PMID:8041777

Surface energy balance of an extensive green roof as quantified by full year eddy-covariance measurements.

PubMed

Heusinger, Jannik; Weber, Stephan

2017-01-15

Green roofs are discussed as a promising type of green infrastructure to lower heat stress in cities. In order to enhance evaporative cooling, green roofs should ideally have similar Bowen ratio (β=sensible heat flux/latent heat flux) characteristics such as rural sites, especially during summer periods with high air temperatures. We use the eddy-covariance (EC) method to quantify the energy balance of an 8600m 2 extensive, non-irrigated green roof at the Berlin Brandenburg Airport, Germany over a full annual cycle. To understand the influence of water availability on green roof-atmosphere energy exchange, we studied dry and wet periods and looked into functional relationships between leaf area, volumetric water content (VWC) of the substrate, shortwave radiation and β. The surface energy balance was dominated by turbulent heat fluxes in comparison to conductive substrate heat fluxes. The Bowen ratio was slightly below unity on average but highly variable due to ambient meteorology and substrate water availability, i.e. β increased to 2 in the summer season. During dry periods mean daytime β was 3, which is comparable to typical values of urban instead of rural sites. In contrast, mean daytime β was 0.3 during wet periods. Following a summer wet period the green roof maximum daily evapotranspiration (ET) was 3.3mm, which is a threefold increase with respect to the mean summer ET. A multiple regression model indicated that the substrate VWC at the present site has to be >0.11m 3 m -3 during summer high insolation periods (>500Wm -2 ) in order to maintain favourable green roof energy partitioning, i.e. mid-day β<1. The microclimate benefit of urban green roofs can be significantly optimised by using sustainable irrigation approaches. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A perspective on the hemolytic activity of chemical and green-synthesized silver and silver oxide nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashokraja, C.; Sakar, M.; Balakumar, S.

2017-10-01

We report the hemolysis properties of silver and silver oxide nanoparticles (NPs) prepared by chemical and green-synthesis methods. The prepared silver and silver oxide NPs were analyzed using UV-vis spectroscopy to confirm their formation by characterizing their surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and absorption band peaks respectively. The Fourier transmission infrared (FTIR) spectra of the materials showed the characteristic functional groups corresponding to the molecules present in leaf extracts, which is proposed to be acted as reducing and capping agents that are also found on the surface of silver and silver oxide nanoparticles that synthesized via green-synthesis method. Zeta potential analysis revealed the surface charge and stability of the prepared NPs. HRTEM images showed almost spherical shape nanoparticles with an average size of 15.2 and 31.5 nm for wet chemical synthesized silver and silver oxide nanoparticles respectively. In the case of green synthesized silver and silver oxide nanoparticles, it was observed to be 19.4 and 30.4 nm respectively. The order of hemolysis efficacy of the materials is found to be as follows: chemically synthesized Ag2O>  chemically synthesized Ag NPs followed by green-synthesized Ag2O and green-synthesized Ag NPs which showed almost similar hemolysis with respect to concentration. The relatively stable nature of the silver NPs could be attributed to their lower hemolysis efficacy, while the increased lysis properties of silver oxide could be attributed due to reductive/oxidative processes that give rise to the hemolysis through interfacial charge interactions with RBCs.

Evaluation of XD/A Plus and ST8G films for cephalometric radiography with Grenex G8 and BH-III screens.

PubMed

Wakoh, M; Farman, A G; Scarfe, W C; Shibuya, H; Nishikawa, K; Kuroyanagi, K

1997-02-01

Sensitometric properties, clinical image quality, and patient dose requirements are important considerations when selecting film for cephalometrics. Two recently released films, XD/A Plus and ST 8G green sensitive films, were studied. The films were each combined with Grenex G8 (Fuji Medical) green-fluorescing matched and BH-III (Kasei Optonix) blue-fluorescing mismatched intensifying screens. The density response and resolution for each screen-film combination were evaluated by use of the characteristic curve and modulation transfer function. The kilovoltage settings providing clinically acceptable images were assessed individually by 12 observers. Clinically acceptable images for each combination were also compared, and the skin entrance doses in the temporomandibular joint region were determined. The average contrast at the most effective density range was found to be slightly higher for the BH-III group than for the G8 group. The modulation transfer function for the BH-III group was inferior to that for the G8 screens. There were no significant differences in diagnostically acceptable image quality among the four combinations; nevertheless the BH-III screen group required two to three times more exposure than the G8 screen group. XD/A Plus and ST8G films provide acceptable image detail for cephalometrics. To minimize the patient dose they should be used with green-emitting screens.

The Scaling of Broadband Shock-Associated Noise with Increasing Temperature

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, Steven A. E.

2013-01-01

A physical explanation for the saturation of broadband shock-associated noise (BBSAN) intensity with increasing jet stagnation temperature has eluded investigators. An explanation is proposed for this phenomenon with the use of an acoustic analogy. To isolate the relevant physics, the scaling of BBSAN peak intensity level at the sideline observer location is examined. The equivalent source within the framework of an acoustic analogy for BBSAN is based on local field quantities at shock wave shear layer interactions. The equivalent source combined with accurate calculations of the propagation of sound through the jet shear layer, using an adjoint vector Green's function solver of the linearized Euler equations, allows for predictions that retain the scaling with respect to stagnation pressure and allows for saturation of BBSAN with increasing stagnation temperature. The sources and vector Green's function have arguments involving the steady Reynolds- Averaged Navier-Stokes solution of the jet. It is proposed that saturation of BBSAN with increasing jet temperature occurs due to a balance between the amplication of the sound propagation through the shear layer and the source term scaling.

Functional Use Change in Green Spaces: A Case Study of Kirklareli Province

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sat Gungor, Beyza; Culha Ozanguc, Kadiriye

2017-10-01

Green spaces which are one of the most important public spaces in urban design have an important role on qualified daily urban life. People escape from intense work pressure and traffic jam of metropoles to those urban green areas to take a breath even they cover a small size. In time, people’s expectations from green spaces as functional and quantitative needs are changing. This change occurs due to increasing population and as the character of the urban life. This study examines the functional use and quantitative change of urban green spaces of Kırklareli Province from past to present. Kırklareli is a border city to Bulgaria which is located in north-west part of Turkey and this gives a transitional and a multicultural character to the city. The population is about 67360. In the course of time; green space needs have increased by the increasing population. In addition to this, green spaces’ functional use change has been identified. According to the results of the study; from the aspect of the green space standards, Kırklareli found above standards with 17.5 m2 per capita, but on the other hand, sport and playground areas found insufficient. The Oldest and the newest city plans of Kırklareli (1940s and 2012s cadastral plans) have been compared and site surveys implemented as the methodology. In site survey, current green spaces’ functional uses as sport or playground are observed and determined and also current quantitative measure of the green spaces are verified. Urban green spaces in Kırklareli Province evaluated through considering world’s most populated urban green space standards and Turkey’s standards. This study utilizes to compose a substructure of the urban green space. Determined deficiencies and inadequacies of green spaces and functional needs in this study, can guide to further studies and implementations of Kırklareli Municipality.

Understanding the links between composition, polyhedral distortion, and luminescence properties in green-emitting β-Si 6–zAl zO zN 8–z:Eu 2+ phosphors

DOE PAGES

Cozzan, Clayton; Laurita, Geneva; Gaultois, Michael W.; ...

2017-09-21

Inorganic phosphor materials play a crucial role in the creation of white light from blue and near-UV solid-state light-emitting diodes. Understanding the intricacies of the phosphor structure is key for setting the stage for improved, more efficient functionality. Average structure and coordination environment analysis of the robust and efficient green-emitting phosphor, β-SiAlON:Eu 2+ (β-Si 6–zAl zO zN 8–zEu 0.009), is combined here with a range of property measurements to elucidate the role of Al content ( z) in luminescence properties, including the red shift of emission and the thermal quenching of luminescence as a function of increasing Al content z.more » Average structure techniques reveal changes in polyhedral distortion with increasing z for the 9-coordinate Eu site in β-SiAlON:Eu 2+. X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) is used to confirm that the majority of the activator Eu is in the Eu 2+ state, exhibiting the symmetry-allowed and efficient 4f 75d 0 → 4f 65d 1 transitions. As a result, room temperature and temperature-dependent luminescence indicate a curious increase in thermal stability with increasing z over a small range due to an increasing barrier for thermal ionization, which is correlated to an increase in the quantum yield of the phosphor.« less

Understanding the links between composition, polyhedral distortion, and luminescence properties in green-emitting β-Si 6–zAl zO zN 8–z:Eu 2+ phosphors

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

Cozzan, Clayton; Laurita, Geneva; Gaultois, Michael W.

Inorganic phosphor materials play a crucial role in the creation of white light from blue and near-UV solid-state light-emitting diodes. Understanding the intricacies of the phosphor structure is key for setting the stage for improved, more efficient functionality. Average structure and coordination environment analysis of the robust and efficient green-emitting phosphor, β-SiAlON:Eu 2+ (β-Si 6–zAl zO zN 8–zEu 0.009), is combined here with a range of property measurements to elucidate the role of Al content ( z) in luminescence properties, including the red shift of emission and the thermal quenching of luminescence as a function of increasing Al content z.more » Average structure techniques reveal changes in polyhedral distortion with increasing z for the 9-coordinate Eu site in β-SiAlON:Eu 2+. X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) is used to confirm that the majority of the activator Eu is in the Eu 2+ state, exhibiting the symmetry-allowed and efficient 4f 75d 0 → 4f 65d 1 transitions. As a result, room temperature and temperature-dependent luminescence indicate a curious increase in thermal stability with increasing z over a small range due to an increasing barrier for thermal ionization, which is correlated to an increase in the quantum yield of the phosphor.« less

Green tea consumption and the risk of incident functional disability in elderly Japanese: the Ohsaki Cohort 2006 Study.

PubMed

Tomata, Yasutake; Kakizaki, Masako; Nakaya, Naoki; Tsuboya, Toru; Sone, Toshimasa; Kuriyama, Shinichi; Hozawa, Atsushi; Tsuji, Ichiro

2012-03-01

Previous studies have reported that green tea consumption is associated with a lower risk of diseases that cause functional disability, such as stroke, cognitive impairment, and osteoporosis. Although it is expected that green tea consumption would lower the risk of incident functional disability, this has never been investigated directly. The objective was to determine the association between green tea consumption and incident functional disability in elderly individuals. We conducted a prospective cohort study in 13,988 Japanese individuals aged ≥65 y. Information on daily green tea consumption and other lifestyle factors was collected via questionnaire in 2006. Data on functional disability were retrieved from the public Long-term Care Insurance database, in which subjects were followed up for 3 y. We used Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to investigate the association between green tea consumption and functional disability. The 3-y incidence of functional disability was 9.4% (1316 cases). The multiple-adjusted HR (95% CI) of incident functional disability was 0.90 (0.77, 1.06) among respondents who consumed 1-2 cups green tea/d, 0.75 (0.64, 0.88) for those who consumed 3-4 cups/d, and 0.67 (0.57, 0.79) for those who consumed ≥5 cups/d in comparison with those who consumed <1 cup/d (P-trend < 0.001). Green tea consumption is significantly associated with a lower risk of incident functional disability, even after adjustment for possible confounding factors.

OPE of Green functions in the odd sector of QCD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kadavý, T.; Kampf, K.; Novotný, J.

2017-03-01

A review of familiar results of the three-point Green functions of currents in the odd-intrinsic parity sector of QCD is presented. Such Green functions include very well-known examples of VVP, VAS or AAP correlators. We also present new results for VVA and AAA Green functions that have not yet been studied extensively in the literature before, more importantly with a phenomenological study and a discussion of the highenergy behaviour and its relation to the QCD condensates.

Green-Kubo relations for the viscosity of biaxial nematic liquid crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarman, Sten

1996-09-01

We derive Green-Kubo relations for the viscosities of a biaxial nematic liquid crystal. In this system there are seven shear viscosities, three twist viscosities, and three cross coupling coefficients between the antisymmetric strain rate and the symmetric traceless pressure tensor. According to the Onsager reciprocity relations these couplings are equal to the cross couplings between the symmetric traceless strain rate and the antisymmetric pressure. Our method is based on a comparison of the microscopic linear response generated by the SLLOD equations of motion for planar Couette flow (so named because of their close connection to the Doll's tensor Hamiltonian) and the macroscopic linear phenomenological relations between the pressure tensor and the strain rate. In order to obtain simple Green-Kubo relations we employ an equilibrium ensemble where the angular velocities of the directors are identically zero. This is achieved by adding constraint torques to the equations for the molecular angular accelerations. One finds that all the viscosity coefficients can be expressed as linear combinations of time correlation function integrals (TCFIs). This is much simpler compared to the expressions in the conventional canonical ensemble, where the viscosities are complicated rational functions of the TCFIs. The reason for this is, that in the constrained angular velocity ensemble, the thermodynamic forces are given external parameters whereas the thermodynamic fluxes are ensemble averages of phase functions. This is not the case in the canonical ensemble. The simplest way of obtaining numerical estimates of viscosity coefficients of a particular molecular model system is to evaluate these fluctuation relations by equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations.

Characterization of the Spatial Structure of Local Functional Connectivity Using Multidistance Average Correlation Measures.

PubMed

Macià, Dídac; Pujol, Jesus; Blanco-Hinojo, Laura; Martínez-Vilavella, Gerard; Martín-Santos, Rocío; Deus, Joan

2018-06-01

There is ample evidence from basic research in neuroscience of the importance of local corticocortical networks. Millimetric resolution is achievable with current functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanners and sequences, and consequently a number of "local" activity similarity measures have been defined to describe patterns of segregation and integration at this spatial scale. We have introduced the use of IsoDistant Average Correlation (IDAC), easily defined as the average fMRI temporal correlation of a given voxel with other voxels placed at increasingly separated isodistant intervals, to characterize the curve of local fMRI signal similarities. IDAC curves can be statistically compared using parametric multivariate statistics. Furthermore, by using red-green-blue color coding to display jointly IDAC values belonging to three different distance lags, IDAC curves can also be displayed as multidistance IDAC maps. We applied IDAC analysis to a sample of 41 subjects scanned under two different conditions, a resting state and an auditory-visual continuous stimulation. Multidistance IDAC mapping was able to discriminate between gross anatomofunctional cortical areas and, moreover, was sensitive to modulation between the two brain conditions in areas known to activate and deactivate during audiovisual tasks. Unlike previous fMRI local similarity measures already in use, our approach draws special attention to the continuous smooth pattern of local functional connectivity.

Green synthesis and antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles using wild medicinal mushroom Ganoderma applanatum (Pers.) Pat. from Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha, India.

PubMed

Mohanta, Yugal Kishore; Singdevsachan, Sameer Kumar; Parida, Umesh Kumar; Panda, Sujogya Kumar; Mohanta, Tapan Kumar; Bae, Hanhong

2016-08-01

In the present study, green synthesis and cost effective approach of silver nanoparticles using wild medicinal mushroom Ganoderma applanatum (Pers.) Pat. from Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha, India is reported. The biosynthesised AgNPs were characterised using UV-visible spectroscopy, particle analyser and scanning electron microscopy studies. It was found by dynamic light scattering analysis, that the average size and charges of the AgNPs were 133.0 ± 0.361 nm and -6.01 ± 5.30 mV, respectively. Moreover, the Fourier transform infrared study was also conducted to identify the biomolecules or functional groups responsible for the reduction of Ag and stabilisation of the AgNPs. The potential biomedical application with reference to antimicrobial activity of the synthesised AgNPs was investigated against some pathogenic microorganisms viz. Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Vibrio cholerae, Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella flexneri.

Ground state of excitonic molecules by the Green's-function Monte Carlo method

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

Lee, M.A.; Vashishta, P.; Kalia, R.K.

1983-12-26

The ground-state energy of excitonic molecules is evaluated as a function of the ratio of electron and hole masses, sigma, with use of the Green's-function Monte Carlo method. For all sigma, the Green's-function Monte Carlo energies are significantly lower than the variational estimates and in favorable agreement with experiments. In excitonic rydbergs, the binding energy of the positronium molecule (sigma = 1) is predicted to be -0.06 and for sigma<<1, the Green's-function Monte Carlo energies agree with the ''exact'' limiting behavior, E = -2.346+0.764sigma.

Green tea consumption and the risk of incident functional disability in elderly Japanese: the Ohsaki Cohort 2006 Study123

PubMed Central

Kakizaki, Masako; Nakaya, Naoki; Tsuboya, Toru; Sone, Toshimasa; Kuriyama, Shinichi; Hozawa, Atsushi; Tsuji, Ichiro

2012-01-01

Background: Previous studies have reported that green tea consumption is associated with a lower risk of diseases that cause functional disability, such as stroke, cognitive impairment, and osteoporosis. Although it is expected that green tea consumption would lower the risk of incident functional disability, this has never been investigated directly. Objective: The objective was to determine the association between green tea consumption and incident functional disability in elderly individuals. Design: We conducted a prospective cohort study in 13,988 Japanese individuals aged ≥65 y. Information on daily green tea consumption and other lifestyle factors was collected via questionnaire in 2006. Data on functional disability were retrieved from the public Long-term Care Insurance database, in which subjects were followed up for 3 y. We used Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to investigate the association between green tea consumption and functional disability. Results: The 3-y incidence of functional disability was 9.4% (1316 cases). The multiple-adjusted HR (95% CI) of incident functional disability was 0.90 (0.77, 1.06) among respondents who consumed 1–2 cups green tea/d, 0.75 (0.64, 0.88) for those who consumed 3–4 cups/d, and 0.67 (0.57, 0.79) for those who consumed ≥5 cups/d in comparison with those who consumed <1 cup/d (P-trend < 0.001). Conclusion: Green tea consumption is significantly associated with a lower risk of incident functional disability, even after adjustment for possible confounding factors. PMID:22277550

The effects of the Green House nursing home model on ADL function trajectory: A retrospective longitudinal study.

PubMed

Yoon, Ju Young; Brown, Roger L; Bowers, Barbara J; Sharkey, Siobhan S; Horn, Susan D

2016-01-01

Growing attention in the past few decades has focused on improving care quality and quality of life for nursing home residents. Many traditional nursing homes have attempted to transform themselves to become more homelike emphasizing individualized care. This trend is referred to as nursing home culture change in the U.S. A promising culture change nursing home model, the Green House nursing home model, has shown positive psychological outcomes. However, little is known about whether the Green House nursing home model has positive effects on physical function compared to traditional nursing homes. To examine the longitudinal effects of the Green House nursing home model by comparing change patterns of activities of daily living function over time between Green House home residents and traditional nursing home residents. A retrospective longitudinal study. Four Green House organizations (nine Green House units and four traditional units). A total of 242 residents (93 Green House residents and 149 traditional home residents) who had stayed in the nursing home at least 6 months from admission. The outcome was activities of daily living function, and the main independent variable was the facility type in which the resident stayed: a Green House or traditional unit. Age, gender, comorbidity score, cognitive function, and depressive symptoms at baseline were controlled. All of these measures were from a minimum dataset. Growth curve modeling and growth mixture modeling were employed in this study for longitudinal analyses. The mean activities of daily living function showed deterioration over time, and the rates of deterioration between Green House and traditional home residents were not different over time. Four different activities of daily living function trajectories were identified for 18 months, but there was no statistical difference in the likelihood of being in one of the four trajectory classes between the two groups. Although Green House nursing homes are considered to represent an innovative model changing the nursing home environment into more person-centered, this study did not demonstrate significant differences in activities of daily living function changes for residents in the Green House nursing homes compared to traditional nursing homes. Given that the Green House model continues to evolve as it is being implemented and variations within and across Green House homes are identified, large-scale longitudinal studies are needed to provide further relevant information on the effects of the Green House model. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Algal-mediated ecosystem exchanges in the Eel River drainage network: towards photogrammetric mapping of color to function

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Power, M. E.; Welter, J.; Furey, P.; Lowe, R.; Finlay, J. C.; Hondzo, M.; Limm, M.; Bode, C.; Dietrich, W. E.

2009-12-01

Seasonal algal proliferations in river networks are typically short-lived (weeks-months) but spatially extensive. They mediate important ecological and biogeochemical exchanges within and between ecosystems. We are investigating correspondence of assemblage color with ecosystem function in the nitrogen-limited Eel River of northern California. During summer base flow following winter floods, Eel algal assemblages are dominated by the green macroalga Cladophora glomerata. New growths are green, but blooms turn yellow as Cladophora filaments are colonized by epiphytic diatoms (Cocconeis spp.). Later, proliferations turn rust colored as epiphytic assemblages became dominated by Epithemia spp., diatoms that contain nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterial endosymbionts. Epithemia-encrusted Cladophora occurs at and downstream of reaches draining > 100 km2 (where summer inundated average channel widths > 25 m), coinciding with a threshold increase in concentration of total dissolved nitrogen. Areal nitrogen fixation rates are 14x higher in rusty algal proliferations than in green, and 3-4x higher than in yellow Cladophora mats. Corresponding increases in insect emergence suggest that nitrogen fixed by cyanobacterial endosymbionts is highly edible. Rates of biomass emergence from rusty Cladophora mats are 12-17 times greater than from green mats, and 8-10 times greater from rusty than from yellow Cladophora mats, because larger taxa emerge from rusty mats (Chironominae versus Ceratopogonidae in yellow mats). Photogrammetric detection of spatial coverage and color changes in algal proliferations may help us track nitrogen fluxes they mediate (riverine loading from the atmosphere via fixation, river to the watershed return via insect emergence) that link riverine to aerial, watershed, and potentially nearshore marine ecosystems at reach to basin scales.

Numerical simulation of electromagnetic waves in Schwarzschild space-time by finite difference time domain method and Green function method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jia, Shouqing; La, Dongsheng; Ma, Xuelian

2018-04-01

The finite difference time domain (FDTD) algorithm and Green function algorithm are implemented into the numerical simulation of electromagnetic waves in Schwarzschild space-time. FDTD method in curved space-time is developed by filling the flat space-time with an equivalent medium. Green function in curved space-time is obtained by solving transport equations. Simulation results validate both the FDTD code and Green function code. The methods developed in this paper offer a tool to solve electromagnetic scattering problems.

The Role of Stakeholders Related to the Management of Ecological Function of Urban Green Open Space. Case Study: City of Depok, Indonesia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mangopa Malik, Andy Anton

2017-12-01

Urban green open space is one of the assets that provide substantial benefits to the urban community. One important function of urban green open space is a function of ecology. This study will provide initial explanation on the various studies related to the ecological function of urban green open space. The study of urban space management approach related to ecological function will explain the extent of the role of stakeholders in the urban areas that will further strengthen the importance of the existence of green open space, especially in city of Depok. With so many problems related to the supply and use of green open space in the city of Depok. This approach was originally applied by the private sector and many applications made a great contribution, so it began to be used by the government in managing public assets there. This study will use descriptive method, at the beginning of the study will explain the existence of the reality of urban green open space as part of the urban space by viewing it from theoretical overview of space, function and role of the various problems that occur in it. The results of this study indicate there are six problems in the management of green open spaces in city of Depok. Using the stages in asset management will provide space for participation of existing stakeholders in the management of green open spaces in city of Depok.

Cosmic Ray Measurements Inside Mir With Sileye-2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Casolino, M.; Sileye-2 Team

smallIntensity of the coronal green line (small = 5303cm) is considered as an impor- tant parameter to characterize the changes of diffusion coefficient of galactic cosmic rays versus the solar activity. A contribution of the coronal green line intensity in GCR diffusion coefficient is taken into account using its real distribution on the whole disk of the Sun averaging for three days. An assumption is made that the observed changes of the intensity of the coronal green line on the Sun's surface is taken away to the in- terplanetary space with the average solar wind velocity, U = 400 km/s. Thus, to cover the modulation region of the size of the 100 AU there is necessary data of the coronal green line intensity of the one-year duration. Alternating the coefficient of proportion- ality between the intensity of coronal green line and the diffusion coefficient of GCR the appropriate correspondence between the observation of GCR intensity sensitive to neutron monitors and solution of the Parker's transport equation have been found. The best correspondence between the observation of GCR intensity and solution of the Parker's transport equation has been found when the role of the coronal green line intensity in diffusion coefficient of GCR is gradually diminished versus the distance from the Sun.

Empirical Green's functions from small earthquakes: A waveform study of locally recorded aftershocks of the 1971 San Fernando earthquake

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

Hutchings, L.; Wu, F.

1990-02-10

Seismograms from 52 aftershocks of the 1971 San Fernando earthquake recorded at 25 stations distributed across the San Fernando Valley are examined to identify empirical Green's functions, and characterize the dependence of their waveforms on moment, focal mechanism, source and recording site spatial variations, recording site geology, and recorded frequency band. Recording distances ranged from 3.0 to 33.0 km, hypocentral separations ranged from 0.22 to 28.4 km, and recording site separations ranged from 0.185 to 24.2 km. The recording site geologies are diorite gneiss, marine and nonmarine sediments, and alluvium of varying thicknesses. Waveforms of events with moment below aboutmore » 1.5 {times} 10{sup 21} dyn cm are independent of the source-time function and are termed empirical Green's functions. Waveforms recorded at a particular station from events located within 1.0 to 3.0 km of each other, depending upon site geology, with very similar focal mechanism solutions are nearly identical for frequencies up to 10 Hz. There is no correlation to waveforms between recording sites at least 1.2 km apart, and waveforms are clearly distinctive for two sites 0.185 km apart. The geologic conditions of the recording site dominate the character of empirical Green's functions. Even for source separations of up to 20.0 km, the empirical Green's functions at a particular site are consistent in frequency content, amplification, and energy distribution. Therefore, it is shown that empirical Green's functions can be used to obtain site response functions. The observations of empirical Green's functions are used as a basis for developing the theory for using empirical Green's functions in deconvolution for source pulses and synthesis of seismograms of larger earthquakes.« less

A new numerical algorithm for the analytic continuation of Green`s functions

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

Natoli, V.D.; Cohen, M.H.; Fornberg, B.

1996-06-01

The need to calculate the spectral properties of a Hermitian operation H frequently arises in the technical sciences. A common approach to its solution involves the construction of the Green`s function operator G(z) = [z - H]{sup -1} in the complex z plane. For example, the energy spectrum and other physical properties of condensed matter systems can often be elegantly and naturally expressed in terms of the Kohn-Sham Green`s functions. However, the nonanalyticity of resolvents on the real axis makes them difficult to compute and manipulate. The Herglotz property of a Green`s function allows one to calculate it along anmore » arc with a small but finite imaginary part, i.e., G(x + iy), and then to continue it to the real axis to determine quantities of physical interest. In the past, finite-difference techniques have been used for this continuation. We present here a fundamentally new algorithm based on the fast Fourier transform which is both simpler and more effective. 14 refs., 9 figs.« less

Averaged variational principle for autoresonant Bernstein-Greene-Kruskal modes

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

Khain, P.; Friedland, L.

2010-10-15

Whitham's averaged variational principle is applied in studying dynamics of formation of autoresonant (continuously phase-locked) Bernstein-Greene-Kruskal (BGK) modes in a plasma driven by a chirped frequency ponderomotive wave. A flat-top electron velocity distribution is used as a model allowing a variational formulation within the water bag theory. The corresponding Lagrangian, averaged over the fast phase variable yields evolution equations for the slow field variables, allows uniform description of all stages of excitation of driven-chirped BGK modes, and predicts modulational stability of these nonlinear phase-space structures. Numerical solutions of the system of slow variational equations are in good agreement with Vlasov-Poissonmore » simulations.« less

The Association between Lifelong Greenspace Exposure and 3-Dimensional Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Barcelona Schoolchildren.

PubMed

Dadvand, Payam; Pujol, Jesus; Macià, Dídac; Martínez-Vilavella, Gerard; Blanco-Hinojo, Laura; Mortamais, Marion; Alvarez-Pedrerol, Mar; Fenoll, Raquel; Esnaola, Mikel; Dalmau-Bueno, Albert; López-Vicente, Mónica; Basagaña, Xavier; Jerrett, Michael; Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark J; Sunyer, Jordi

2018-02-23

Proponents of the biophilia hypothesis believe that contact with nature, including green spaces, has a crucial role in brain development in children. Currently, however, we are not aware of evidence linking such exposure with potential effects on brain structure. We determined whether lifelong exposure to residential surrounding greenness is associated with regional differences in brain volume based on 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (3D MRI) among children attending primary school. We performed a series of analyses using data from a subcohort of 253 Barcelona schoolchildren from the Brain Development and Air Pollution Ultrafine Particles in School Children (BREATHE) project. We averaged satellite-based normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) across 100-m buffers around all residential addresses since birth to estimate each participant's lifelong exposure to residential surrounding greenness, and we used high-resolution 3D MRIs of brain anatomy to identify regional differences in voxel-wise brain volume associated with greenness exposure. In addition, we performed a supporting substudy to identify regional differences in brain volume associated with measures of working memory ( d' from computerized n -back tests) and inattentiveness (hit reaction time standard error from the Attentional Network Task instrument) that were repeated four times over one year. We also performed a second supporting substudy to determine whether peak voxel tissue volumes in brain regions associated with residential greenness predicted cognitive function test scores. Lifelong exposure to greenness was positively associated with gray matter volume in the left and right prefrontal cortex and in the left premotor cortex and with white matter volume in the right prefrontal region, in the left premotor region, and in both cerebellar hemispheres. Some of these regions partly overlapped with regions associated with cognitive test scores (prefrontal cortex and cerebellar and premotor white matter), and peak volumes in these regions predicted better working memory and reduced inattentiveness. Our findings from a study population of urban schoolchildren in Barcelona require confirmation, but they suggest that being raised in greener neighborhoods may have beneficial effects on brain development and cognitive function. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1876.

An inverse problem of determining the implied volatility in option pricing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Zui-Cha; Yu, Jian-Ning; Yang, Liu

2008-04-01

In the Black-Scholes world there is the important quantity of volatility which cannot be observed directly but has a major impact on the option value. In practice, traders usually work with what is known as implied volatility which is implied by option prices observed in the market. In this paper, we use an optimal control framework to discuss an inverse problem of determining the implied volatility when the average option premium, namely the average value of option premium corresponding with a fixed strike price and all possible maturities from the current time to a chosen future time, is known. The issue is converted into a terminal control problem by Green function method. The existence and uniqueness of the minimum of the control functional are addressed by the optimal control method, and the necessary condition which must be satisfied by the minimum is also given. The results obtained in the paper may be useful for those who engage in risk management or volatility trading.

Frequency-doubled green picosecond laser based on K3B6O10Br nonlinear optical crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meng, Luping; Zhang, Ling; Hou, Zhanyu; Wang, Lirong; Xu, Hui; Shi, Meng; Wang, Lingwu; Yang, Yingying; Qi, Yaoyao; He, Chaojian; Yu, Haijuan; Lin, Xuechun; Su, Fufang; Xia, Mingjun; Li, Rukang

2018-05-01

We report a frequency-doubled green picosecond (ps) laser based on K3B6O10Br (KBB) nonlinear optical crystal with cutting angle of θ = 34.7° and φ = 30°. Through intracavity frequency doubling using a type I phase-matched KBB crystal with dimensions of 4 mm × 4 mm × 13.2 mm, the average output power of 185.00 mW green ps laser was obtained with a repetition rate of 80 MHz and pulse width of 25.0 ps. In addition, we present external frequency doubling using KBB crystal. The average output power of 3.00 W green ps laser was generated with a repetition rate of 10 kHz and pulse width of 38.1 ps, which corresponds to a pulse energy of 0.30 mJ and a peak power 7.89 MW, respectively. The experimental results show that KBB crystal is a promising nonlinear optical material.

The content of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg and Mn and antioxidant activity of green coffee brews.

PubMed

Stelmach, Ewelina; Pohl, Pawel; Szymczycha-Madeja, Anna

2015-09-01

A simple and fast method of the analysis of green coffee infusions was developed to measure total concentrations of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg and Mn by high resolution-continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The precision of the method was within 1-8%, while the accuracy was within -1% to 2%. The method was used to the analysis of infusions of twelve green coffees of different geographical origin. It was found that Ca and Mg were leached the easiest, i.e., on average 75% and 70%, respectively. As compared to the mug coffee preparation, the rate of the extraction of elements was increased when infusions were prepared using dripper or Turkish coffee preparation methods. Additionally, it was established that the antioxidant activity of green coffee infusions prepared using the mug coffee preparation was high, 75% on average, and positively correlated with the total content of phenolic compounds and the concentration of Ca in the brew. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Inversion of H/V in layered media from seismic ambient noise based on the diffuse field theory and on improved calculation of Green functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sánchez-Sesma, Francisco J.; Piña, José; García-Jerez, Antonio; Luzón, Francisco; Perton, Mathieu

2014-05-01

The microtremor H/V spectral ratio (MHVSR) is widely used to assess the dominant frequency of soil sites. Measurements are relatively simple as only one station is needed. It has been recently proposed a theoretical basis linking ambient noise vibrations with diffuse field theory. In this theory the directional energy density computed as the average spectral density of motion at a point, is proportional to the imaginary part of Green function at the observation point. Appropriate normalization is crucial to make the experimental spectral ratios closer to the theoretical counterpart. According to this theory the square of H/V is twice the ratio ImG11 / ImG33, where ImG11 and ImG33 are the imaginary part of Green functions at the load point for horizontal and vertical components, respectively. In order to efficiently compute the imaginary part of Green's functions in a layered medium we start from an integral on the complex k plane and, using Harkrider's nomenclature, separate formulae for body-, Rayleigh-, and Love-wave components to the spectral densities are obtained. Then the poles allow for integration using the Cauchy residue theorem plus some contributions from branch integrals. It is possible to isolate pseudo reflections from ImG11 and thus constrain the inversion of soil profile. We assess ImG11 removing the influence of illumination spectrum using the H/V spectral ratio and an estimate of ImG33 (from an a priori model) by means of ImG11=0.5(H/V )2*ImG33. It has been found that ImG33 is less sensitive to details of stratigraphy. In fact, the Poisson ratio of the uppermost layer controls the slope in high frequency. With the obtained model ImG33 can be updated and the estimate of ImG11 will be improved. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. This research has been partially supported by DGAPA-UNAM under Project IN104712, by the MINECO research project CGL2010-16250, Spain, by the EU with FEDER, and the AXA Research Fund.

Adjoint tomography of Empirical Green's functions from ambient noise in Southern California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, K.; Liu, Q.; Yang, Y.; Basini, P.; Tape, C.

2017-12-01

We construct a new shear-wave velocity (Vsv) model in Southern California by adjoint tomography of Rayleigh-wave Empirical Green's functions at 5-50 s period from Z-Z component ambient noise cross-correlations. The initial model of our adjoint tomography is the isotropic Vs model M16 from Tape et al. [2010], which is generated by three-component body and surface waves at 2-30 s period from local earthquake data. Synthetic Green's functions (SGFs) from M16 show a good agreement with the Empirical Green's functions (EGFs) from ambient noise at 5-50 s and 10-50 s period bands, but have an average 1.75 s advance in time at 20-50 s. By minimizing the traveltime differences between the EGFs and SGFs using gradient-based algorithm, the initial model is refined and improved and the total misfits is reduced from the initial 1.75s to its convergent point of 0.33 s after five iterations. The final Vsv model fits EGF waveforms better than the initial model at all the three frequency bands with smaller misfit distributions. Our new Vsv model reveals some new features in the mid- and lower-crust, mainly including: (1) the mean speed of lower crust is slowed down by about 5%; (2) In the Los Angeles Basin and its Northern area, the speed is higher than the initial model throughout the crust; (3) beneath the westernmost Peninsular Range Batholith (PRB) and Sierra Nevada Batholith (SNB), we observe high shear velocities in the lower crust; (4) a shallow high-velocity zone in the mid-crust are observed beneath Salton Trough Basin. Our model also shows refined lateral velocity gradient across PRB, SNB, San Andreas Fault (SAF), which helps to understand the west-east compositional boundary in PRB, SNB, and the dip angle and the depth extent of SAF. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of adjoint tomography of ambient noise data in southern California, which is an important complement to earthquake data. The numerical solver used in adjoint tomography can provide more accurate structure sensitivity kernels than analytical methods used in traditional ambient noise tomography.

Habitat connectivity and local conditions shape taxonomic and functional diversity of arthropods on green roofs.

PubMed

Braaker, Sonja; Obrist, Martin Karl; Ghazoul, Jaboury; Moretti, Marco

2017-05-01

Increasing development of urban environments creates high pressure on green spaces with potential negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services. There is growing evidence that green roofs - rooftops covered with vegetation - can contribute mitigate the loss of urban green spaces by providing new habitats for numerous arthropod species. Whether green roofs can contribute to enhance taxonomic and functional diversity and increase connectivity across urbanized areas remains, however, largely unknown. Furthermore, only limited information is available on how environmental conditions shape green roof arthropod communities. We investigated the community composition of arthropods (Apidae, Curculionidae, Araneae and Carabidae) on 40 green roofs and 40 green sites at ground level in the city of Zurich, Switzerland. We assessed how the site's environmental variables (such as area, height, vegetation, substrate and connectivity among sites) affect species richness and functional diversity using generalized linear models. We used an extension of co-inertia analysis (RLQ) and fourth-corner analysis to highlight the mechanism underlying community assemblages across taxonomic groups on green roof and ground communities. Species richness was higher at ground-level sites, while no difference in functional diversity was found between green roofs and ground sites. Green roof arthropod diversity increased with higher connectivity and plant species richness, irrespective of substrate depth, height and area of green roofs. The species trait analysis reviewed the mechanisms related to the environmental predictors that shape the species assemblages of the different taxa at ground and roof sites. Our study shows the important contribution of green roofs in maintaining high functional diversity of arthropod communities across different taxonomic groups, despite their lower species richness compared with ground sites. Species communities on green roofs revealed to be characterized by specific trait assemblages. The study also provides details on the environmental conditions that influence arthropod diversity and gives new perspectives on how the design of green roofs can be improved to increase their ecological value. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of integrating green roofs in planning policies which aim to enhance urban habitat connectivity. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Animal Ecology © 2017 British Ecological Society.

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) catechins and vascular function.

PubMed

Moore, Rosalind J; Jackson, Kim G; Minihane, Anne M

2009-12-01

The health benefits of green tea (Camellia sinensis) catechins are becoming increasingly recognised. Amongst the proposed benefits are the maintenance of endothelial function and vascular homeostasis and an associated reduction in atherogenesis and CVD risk. The mounting evidence for the influential effect of green tea catechins on vascular function from epidemiological, human intervention and animal studies is subject to review together with exploration of the potential mechanistic pathways involved. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, one of the most abundant and widely studied catechin found in green tea, will be prominent in the present review. Since there is a substantial inconsistency in the published data with regards to the impact of green tea catechins on vascular function, evaluation and interpretation of the inter- and intra-study variability is included. In conclusion, a positive effect of green tea catechins on vascular function is becoming apparent. Further studies in animal and cell models using physiological concentrations of catechins and their metabolites are warranted in order to gain some insight into the physiology and molecular basis of the observed beneficial effects.

Association of neighborhood greenness with self-perceived stress, depression and anxiety symptoms in older U.S adults.

PubMed

Pun, Vivian C; Manjourides, Justin; Suh, Helen H

2018-04-16

Neighborhood environment, such as green vegetation, has been shown to play a role in coping with stress and mental ill health. Yet, epidemiological evidence of the association between greenness and mental health is inconsistent. We examined whether living in green space is associated with self-perceived stress, depressive and anxiety symptoms in a nationally representative, longitudinal sample of community-dwelling older adults (N = 4118; aged 57-85 years) in the United States. We evaluated perceived stress, depression and anxiety symptoms using the Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale, the Center for Epidemiological Studies - Depression, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - anxiety subscale, respectively. Greenness was assessed for each participant using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index at 250-m resolution, as well as a buffer of 1000-m. We conducted longitudinal analyses to assess the associations between greenness and mental health upon adjusting for confounders (e.g., education), and to examine potential mediation and effect modification. An interquartile range (0.25 point) increase in contemporaneous greenness was significantly associated with 0.238 unit (95% CI: - 0.346, - 0.130) and 0.162 unit (95% CI: - 0.271, - 0.054) decrease in the perceived stress in base and multivariable models, respectively. The magnitude of the association was similar or even stronger when examining summer (- 0.161; 95% CI: - 0.295, - 0.027) and annual average of greenness (- 0.188; 95% CI: - 0.337, - 0.038), as well as greenness buffer of 1000-m. The greenness-stress association was partially mediated by physical activity (15.1% mediated), where increased greenness led to increased physical activity and less stress, and by history of respiratory diseases (- 3.8% mediated), where increased greenness led to increased respiratory disease and more stress. The association was also significantly modified by race, social support, physical function, socioeconomic status, and region. While greenness was not significantly associated with anxiety and depressive scores across all participants, significant inverse associations were found for Whites participants, and for individuals with higher socioeconomic status, who were physically active, as compared to their counterparts. We found a direct association of greenness with perceived stress among older adults, and an indirect association mediated through physical activity and respiratory disease history. Our study findings warrant further examination of the mediation and modification of the greenness-mental health association.

Teasing apart the effects of natural and constructed green ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Summer low flows and stream temperature maxima are key drivers affecting the sustainability of fish populations. Thus, it is critical to understand both the natural templates of spatiotemporal variability, how these are shifting due to anthropogenic influences of development and climate change, and how these impacts can be moderated by natural and constructed green infrastructure. Low flow statistics of New England streams have been characterized using a combination of regression equations to describe long-term averages as a function of indicators of hydrologic regime (rain- versus snow-dominated), precipitation, evapotranspiration or temperature, surface water storage, baseflow recession rates, and impervious cover. Difference equations have been constructed to describe interannual variation in low flow as a function of changing air temperature, precipitation, and ocean-atmospheric teleconnection indices. Spatial statistical network models have been applied to explore fine-scale variability of thermal regimes along stream networks in New England as a function of variables describing natural and altered energy inputs, groundwater contributions, and retention time. Low flows exacerbate temperature impacts by reducing thermal inertia of streams to energy inputs. Based on these models, we can construct scenarios of fish habitat suitability using current and projected future climate and the potential for preservation and restoration of historic habitat regimes th

Theoretical study of the dependence of single impurity Anderson model on various parameters within distributional exact diagonalization method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Syaina, L. P.; Majidi, M. A.

2018-04-01

Single impurity Anderson model describes a system consisting of non-interacting conduction electrons coupled with a localized orbital having strongly interacting electrons at a particular site. This model has been proven successful to explain the phenomenon of metal-insulator transition through Anderson localization. Despite the well-understood behaviors of the model, little has been explored theoretically on how the model properties gradually evolve as functions of hybridization parameter, interaction energy, impurity concentration, and temperature. Here, we propose to do a theoretical study on those aspects of a single impurity Anderson model using the distributional exact diagonalization method. We solve the model Hamiltonian by randomly generating sampling distribution of some conducting electron energy levels with various number of occupying electrons. The resulting eigenvalues and eigenstates are then used to define the local single-particle Green function for each sampled electron energy distribution using Lehmann representation. Later, we extract the corresponding self-energy of each distribution, then average over all the distributions and construct the local Green function of the system to calculate the density of states. We repeat this procedure for various values of those controllable parameters, and discuss our results in connection with the criteria of the occurrence of metal-insulator transition in this system.

Analytic and numeric Green's functions for a two-dimensional electron gas in an orthogonal magnetic field

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

Cresti, Alessandro; Grosso, Giuseppe; Parravicini, Giuseppe Pastori

2006-05-15

We have derived closed analytic expressions for the Green's function of an electron in a two-dimensional electron gas threaded by a uniform perpendicular magnetic field, also in the presence of a uniform electric field and of a parabolic spatial confinement. A workable and powerful numerical procedure for the calculation of the Green's functions for a large infinitely extended quantum wire is considered exploiting a lattice model for the wire, the tight-binding representation for the corresponding matrix Green's function, and the Peierls phase factor in the Hamiltonian hopping matrix element to account for the magnetic field. The numerical evaluation of themore » Green's function has been performed by means of the decimation-renormalization method, and quite satisfactorily compared with the analytic results worked out in this paper. As an example of the versatility of the numerical and analytic tools here presented, the peculiar semilocal character of the magnetic Green's function is studied in detail because of its basic importance in determining magneto-transport properties in mesoscopic systems.« less

LSMS

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

Eisenbach, Markus; Li, Ying Wai; Liu, Xianglin

2017-12-01

LSMS is a first principles, Density Functional theory based, electronic structure code targeted mainly at materials applications. LSMS calculates the local spin density approximation to the diagonal part of the electron Green's function. The electron/spin density and energy are easily determined once the Green's function is known. Linear scaling with system size is achieved in the LSMS by using several unique properties of the real space multiple scattering approach to the Green's function.

The changing value of the `green' label on the US municipal bond market

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karpf, Andreas; Mandel, Antoine

2018-01-01

Green bonds are seen as a key instrument to unlock climate finance. While their volume has grown steadily in recent years, the impact of the `green' label on the bond market is poorly understood. Here, we investigate the differences between the yield term structures of green and conventional bonds in the US municipal bond market. We show that, although returns on conventional bonds are on average higher than for green bonds, the differences can largely be explained by the fundamental properties of the bonds. Historically, green bonds have been penalized on the municipal market, being traded at lower prices and higher yields than expected by their credit profiles. In recent years, however, the credit quality of municipal green bonds has increased and the premium turned positive. Green bonds are thus becoming an increasingly attractive investment, with scope to bridge the climate finance gap for mitigation and adaptation.

Highly Efficient Green-Emitting Phosphors Ba2Y5B5O17 with Low Thermal Quenching Due to Fast Energy Transfer from Ce3+ to Tb3.

PubMed

Xiao, Yu; Hao, Zhendong; Zhang, Liangliang; Xiao, Wenge; Wu, Dan; Zhang, Xia; Pan, Guo-Hui; Luo, Yongshi; Zhang, Jiahua

2017-04-17

This paper demonstrates a highly thermally stable and efficient green-emitting Ba 2 Y 5 B 5 O 17 :Ce 3+ , Tb 3+ phosphor prepared by high-temperature solid-state reaction. The phosphor exhibits a blue emission band of Ce 3+ and green emission lines of Tb 3+ upon Ce 3+ excitation in the near-UV spectral region. The effect of Ce 3+ to Tb 3+ energy transfer on blue to green emission color tuning and on luminescence thermal stability is studied in the samples codoped with 1% Ce 3+ and various concentrations (0-40%) of Tb 3+ . The green emission of Tb 3+ upon Ce 3+ excitation at 150 °C can keep, on average, 92% of its intensity at room temperature, with the best one showing no intensity decreasing up to 210 °C for 30% Tb 3+ . Meanwhile, Ce 3+ emission intensity only keeps 42% on average at 150 °C. The high thermal stability of the green emission is attributed to suppression of Ce 3+ thermal de-excitation through fast energy transfer to Tb 3+ , which in the green-emitting excited states is highly thermally stable such that no lifetime shortening is observed with raising temperature to 210 °C. The predominant green emission is observed for Tb 3+ concentration of at least 10% due to efficient energy transfer with the transfer efficiency approaching 100% for 40% Tb 3+ . The internal and external quantum yield of the sample with Tb 3+ concentration of 20% can be as high as 76% and 55%, respectively. The green phosphor, thus, shows attractive performance for near-UV-based white-light-emitting diodes applications.

Effect of Processing on the in Vitro and in Vivo Protein Quality of Yellow and Green Split Peas (Pisum sativum).

PubMed

Nosworthy, Matthew G; Franczyk, Adam J; Medina, Gerardo; Neufeld, Jason; Appah, Paulyn; Utioh, Alphonsus; Frohlich, Peter; House, James D

2017-09-06

In order to determine the effect of extrusion, baking, and cooking on the protein quality of yellow and green split peas, a rodent bioassay was conducted and compared to an in vitro method of protein quality determination. The Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) of green split peas (71.4%) was higher than that of yellow split peas (67.8%), on average. Similarly, the average Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS) of green split peas (69%) was higher than that of yellow split peas (67%). Cooked green pea flour had lower PDCAAS and DIAAS values (69.19% and 67%) than either extruded (73.61%, 70%) or baked (75.22%, 70%). Conversely, cooked yellow split peas had the highest PDCCAS value (69.19%), while extruded yellow split peas had the highest DIAAS value (67%). Interestingly, a strong correlation was found between in vivo and in vitro analysis of protein quality (R 2 = 0.9745). This work highlights the differences between processing methods on pea protein quality and suggests that in vitro measurements of protein digestibility could be used as a surrogate for in vivo analysis.

Maximum entropy formalism for the analytic continuation of matrix-valued Green's functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kraberger, Gernot J.; Triebl, Robert; Zingl, Manuel; Aichhorn, Markus

2017-10-01

We present a generalization of the maximum entropy method to the analytic continuation of matrix-valued Green's functions. To treat off-diagonal elements correctly based on Bayesian probability theory, the entropy term has to be extended for spectral functions that are possibly negative in some frequency ranges. In that way, all matrix elements of the Green's function matrix can be analytically continued; we introduce a computationally cheap element-wise method for this purpose. However, this method cannot ensure important constraints on the mathematical properties of the resulting spectral functions, namely positive semidefiniteness and Hermiticity. To improve on this, we present a full matrix formalism, where all matrix elements are treated simultaneously. We show the capabilities of these methods using insulating and metallic dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT) Green's functions as test cases. Finally, we apply the methods to realistic material calculations for LaTiO3, where off-diagonal matrix elements in the Green's function appear due to the distorted crystal structure.

On singular and highly oscillatory properties of the Green function for ship motions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xiao-Bo; Xiong Wu, Guo

2001-10-01

The Green function used for analysing ship motions in waves is the velocity potential due to a point source pulsating and advancing at a uniform forward speed. The behaviour of this function is investigated, in particular for the case when the source is located at or close to the free surface. In the far field, the Green function is represented by a single integral along one closed dispersion curve and two open dispersion curves. The single integral along the open dispersion curves is analysed based on the asymptotic expansion of a complex error function. The singular and highly oscillatory behaviour of the Green function is captured, which shows that the Green function oscillates with indefinitely increasing amplitude and indefinitely decreasing wavelength, when a field point approaches the track of the source point at the free surface. This sheds some light on the nature of the difficulties in the numerical methods used for predicting the motion of a ship advancing in waves.

Combining Density Functional Theory and Green's Function Theory: Range-Separated, Nonlocal, Dynamic, and Orbital-Dependent Hybrid Functional.

PubMed

Kananenka, Alexei A; Zgid, Dominika

2017-11-14

We present a rigorous framework which combines single-particle Green's function theory with density functional theory based on a separation of electron-electron interactions into short- and long-range components. Short-range contribution to the total energy and exchange-correlation potential is provided by a density functional approximation, while the long-range contribution is calculated using an explicit many-body Green's function method. Such a hybrid results in a nonlocal, dynamic, and orbital-dependent exchange-correlation functional of a single-particle Green's function. In particular, we present a range-separated hybrid functional called srSVWN5-lrGF2 which combines the local-density approximation and the second-order Green's function theory. We illustrate that similarly to density functional approximations, the new functional is weakly basis-set dependent. Furthermore, it offers an improved description of the short-range dynamic correlation. The many-body contribution to the functional mitigates the many-electron self-interaction error present in many density functional approximations and provides a better description of molecular properties. Additionally, we illustrate that the new functional can be used to scale down the self-energy and, therefore, introduce an additional sparsity to the self-energy matrix that in the future can be exploited in calculations for large molecules or periodic systems.

Improved surface-wave retrieval from ambient seismic noise by multi-dimensional deconvolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wapenaar, Kees; Ruigrok, Elmer; van der Neut, Joost; Draganov, Deyan

2011-01-01

The methodology of surface-wave retrieval from ambient seismic noise by crosscorrelation relies on the assumption that the noise field is equipartitioned. Deviations from equipartitioning degrade the accuracy of the retrieved surface-wave Green's function. A point-spread function, derived from the same ambient noise field, quantifies the smearing in space and time of the virtual source of the Green's function. By multidimensionally deconvolving the retrieved Green's function by the point-spread function, the virtual source becomes better focussed in space and time and hence the accuracy of the retrieved surface-wave Green's function may improve significantly. We illustrate this at the hand of a numerical example and discuss the advantages and limitations of this new methodology.

The GreenCut: re-evaluation of physiological role of previously studied proteins and potential novel protein functions.

PubMed

Heinnickel, Mark L; Grossman, Arthur R

2013-10-01

Based on comparative genomics, a list of proteins present in the green algal, flowering and nonflowering plant lineages, but not detected in nonphotosynthetic organisms, was assembled (Merchant et al., Science 318:245-250, 2007; Karpowicz et al., J Biol Chem 286:21427-21439, 2011). This protein grouping, previously designated the GreenCut, was established using stringent comparative genomic criteria; they are those Chlamydomonas reinhardtii proteins with orthologs in Arabidopsis thaliana, Physcomitrella patens, Oryza sativa, Populus tricocarpa and at least one of the three Ostreococcus species with fully sequenced genomes, but not in bacteria, yeast, fungi or mammals. Many GreenCut proteins are also present in red algae and diatoms and a subset of 189 have been identified as encoded on nearly all cyanobacterial genomes. Of the current GreenCut proteins (597 in total), approximately half have been studied previously. The functions or activities of a number of these proteins have been deduced from phenotypic analyses of mutants (defective for genes encoding specific GreenCut proteins) of A. thaliana, and in many cases the assigned functions do not exist in C. reinhardtii. Therefore, precise physiological functions of several previously studied GreenCut proteins are still not clear. The GreenCut also contains a number of proteins with certain conserved domains. Three of the most highly conserved domains are the FK506 binding, cyclophilin and PAP fibrillin domains; most members of these gene families are not well characterized. In general, our analysis of the GreenCut indicates that many processes critical to green lineage organisms remain unstudied or poorly characterized. We have begun to examine the functions of some GreenCut proteins in detail. For example, our work on the CPLD38 protein has demonstrated that it has an essential role in photosynthetic function and the stability of the cytochrome b 6 f complex.

Unified double- and single-sided homogeneous Green's function representations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wapenaar, Kees; van der Neut, Joost; Slob, Evert

2016-06-01

In wave theory, the homogeneous Green's function consists of the impulse response to a point source, minus its time-reversal. It can be represented by a closed boundary integral. In many practical situations, the closed boundary integral needs to be approximated by an open boundary integral because the medium of interest is often accessible from one side only. The inherent approximations are acceptable as long as the effects of multiple scattering are negligible. However, in case of strongly inhomogeneous media, the effects of multiple scattering can be severe. We derive double- and single-sided homogeneous Green's function representations. The single-sided representation applies to situations where the medium can be accessed from one side only. It correctly handles multiple scattering. It employs a focusing function instead of the backward propagating Green's function in the classical (double-sided) representation. When reflection measurements are available at the accessible boundary of the medium, the focusing function can be retrieved from these measurements. Throughout the paper, we use a unified notation which applies to acoustic, quantum-mechanical, electromagnetic and elastodynamic waves. We foresee many interesting applications of the unified single-sided homogeneous Green's function representation in holographic imaging and inverse scattering, time-reversed wave field propagation and interferometric Green's function retrieval.

Algebraic diagrammatic construction formalism with three-body interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raimondi, Francesco; Barbieri, Carlo

2018-05-01

Background: Self-consistent Green's function theory has recently been extended to the basic formalism needed to account for three-body interactions [Carbone, Cipollone, Barbieri, Rios, and Polls, Phys. Rev. C 88, 054326 (2013), 10.1103/PhysRevC.88.054326]. The contribution of three-nucleon forces has so far been included in ab initio calculations on nuclear matter and finite nuclei only as averaged two-nucleon forces. Purpose: We derive the working equations for all possible two- and three-nucleon terms that enter the expansion of the self-energy up to the third order, thus including the interaction-irreducible (i.e., not averaged) diagrams with three-nucleon forces that have been previously neglected. Methods: We employ the algebraic diagrammatic construction up to the third order as an organization scheme for generating a nonperturbative self-energy, in which ring (particle-hole) and ladder (particle-particle) diagrams are resummed to all orders. Results: We derive expressions of the static and dynamic self-energy up to the third order, by taking into account the set of diagrams required when either the skeleton or nonskeleton expansions of the single-particle propagator are assumed. A hierarchy of importance among different diagrams is revealed, and a particular emphasis is given to a third-order diagram [see Fig. 2(c)] that is expected to play a significant role among those featuring an interaction-irreducible three-nucleon force. Conclusion: A consistent formalism to resum at infinite order correlations induced by three-nucleon forces in the self-consistent Green's function theory is now available and ready to be implemented in the many-body solvers.

Nonequilibrium Green's function theory for nonadiabatic effects in quantum electron transport

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kershaw, Vincent F.; Kosov, Daniel S.

2017-12-01

We develop nonequilibrium Green's function-based transport theory, which includes effects of nonadiabatic nuclear motion in the calculation of the electric current in molecular junctions. Our approach is based on the separation of slow and fast time scales in the equations of motion for Green's functions by means of the Wigner representation. Time derivatives with respect to central time serve as a small parameter in the perturbative expansion enabling the computation of nonadiabatic corrections to molecular Green's functions. Consequently, we produce a series of analytic expressions for non-adiabatic electronic Green's functions (up to the second order in the central time derivatives), which depend not solely on the instantaneous molecular geometry but likewise on nuclear velocities and accelerations. An extended formula for electric current is derived which accounts for the non-adiabatic corrections. This theory is concisely illustrated by the calculations on a model molecular junction.

Nonequilibrium Green's function theory for nonadiabatic effects in quantum electron transport.

PubMed

Kershaw, Vincent F; Kosov, Daniel S

2017-12-14

We develop nonequilibrium Green's function-based transport theory, which includes effects of nonadiabatic nuclear motion in the calculation of the electric current in molecular junctions. Our approach is based on the separation of slow and fast time scales in the equations of motion for Green's functions by means of the Wigner representation. Time derivatives with respect to central time serve as a small parameter in the perturbative expansion enabling the computation of nonadiabatic corrections to molecular Green's functions. Consequently, we produce a series of analytic expressions for non-adiabatic electronic Green's functions (up to the second order in the central time derivatives), which depend not solely on the instantaneous molecular geometry but likewise on nuclear velocities and accelerations. An extended formula for electric current is derived which accounts for the non-adiabatic corrections. This theory is concisely illustrated by the calculations on a model molecular junction.

The Euclidean scalar Green function in the five-dimensional Kaluza-Klein magnetic monopole space-time

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

Bezerra de Mello, E.R.

2006-01-15

In this paper we present, in a integral form, the Euclidean Green function associated with a massless scalar field in the five-dimensional Kaluza-Klein magnetic monopole superposed to a global monopole, admitting a nontrivial coupling between the field with the geometry. This Green function is expressed as the sum of two contributions: the first one related with uncharged component of the field, is similar to the Green function associated with a scalar field in a four-dimensional global monopole space-time. The second contains the information of all the other components. Using this Green function it is possible to study the vacuum polarizationmore » effects on this space-time. Explicitly we calculate the renormalized vacuum expectation value <{phi}{sup *}(x){phi}(x)>{sub Ren}, which by its turn is also expressed as the sum of two contributions.« less

Potential of green infrastructure to restore predevelopment water budget of a semi-arid urban catchment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Youcan; Burian, Steven; Pomeroy, Christine

2016-11-01

This paper presents a study of the potential for green infrastructure (GI) to restore the predevelopment hydrologic cycle in a semi-arid urban catchment. Simulations of stormwater runoff from a 0.11-km2 urban catchment in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA for predeveloped (Natural Hydrology, NH), developed (Baseline, BL), and developed with GI (Green Infrastructure, GI) conditions were executed for a one-year period. The study was repeated for a relatively dry year, wet year, and an average year based on precipitation amounts in the year. Bioretention and green roofs were chosen for the GI plan. Results showed that the water budget of the catchment with the GI plan implemented more closely matches the NH water budget compared to the BL scenario, for all three years (dry, wet, average). The BL and GI scenarios showed more significant modifications to the water budget than what has been found by studies in humid climates. Compared to the BL condition, GI annually reduces surface runoff by 35%, 45%, and 43% and restores evapotranspiration by 18%, 19%, and 25% for the dry, average, wet years, respectively. Based on the introduced water budget restoration coefficient (WBRC), the water budget of the study catchment was restored by the GI plan to 90%, 90%, and 82% of the predevelopment state in the dry, average, and wet years, respectively. By comparing the WBRC estimated for other studies, it is further inferred that the water budget is more significantly affected by development and GI restoration in semi-arid than humid climates, but the differences lessen as the precipitation amount increases.

Modeling and inversion of the microtremor H/ V spectral ratio: physical basis behind the diffuse field approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sánchez-Sesma, Francisco J.

2017-07-01

Microtremor H/ V spectral ratio (MHVSR) has gained popularity to assess the dominant frequency of soil sites. It requires measurement of ground motion due to seismic ambient noise at a site and a relatively simple processing. Theory asserts that the ensemble average of the autocorrelation of motion components belonging to a diffuse field at a given receiver gives the directional energy densities (DEDs) which are proportional to the imaginary parts of the Green's function components when both source and receiver are the same point and the directions of force and response coincide. Therefore, the MHVSR can be modeled as the square root of 2 × Im G 11/Im G 33, where Im G 11 and Im G 33 are the imaginary parts of Green's functions at the load point for the horizontal (sub-index 1) and vertical (sub-index 3) components, respectively. This connection has physical implications that emerge from the duality DED force and allows understanding the behavior of the MHVSR. For a given model, the imaginary parts of the Green's functions are integrals along a radial wavenumber. To deal with these integrals, we have used either the popular discrete wavenumber method or the Cauchy's residue theorem at the poles that account for surface waves normal modes giving the contributions due to Rayleigh and Love waves. For the retrieval of the velocity structure, one can minimize the weighted differences between observations and calculated values using the strategy of an inversion scheme. In this research, we used simulated annealing but other optimization techniques can be used as well. This last approach allows computing separately the contributions of different wave types. An example is presented for the mouth of Andarax River at Almería, Spain. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Vacuum polarization and classical self-action near higher-dimensional defects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grats, Yuri V.; Spirin, Pavel

2017-02-01

We analyze the gravity-induced effects associated with a massless scalar field in a higher-dimensional spacetime being the tensor product of (d-n)-dimensional Minkowski space and n-dimensional spherically/cylindrically symmetric space with a solid/planar angle deficit. These spacetimes are considered as simple models for a multidimensional global monopole (if n≥slant 3) or cosmic string (if n=2) with (d-n-1) flat extra dimensions. Thus, we refer to them as conical backgrounds. In terms of the angular-deficit value, we derive the perturbative expression for the scalar Green function, valid for any d≥slant 3 and 2≤slant n≤slant d-1, and compute it to the leading order. With the use of this Green function we compute the renormalized vacuum expectation value of the field square {< φ {2}(x)rangle }_{ren} and the renormalized vacuum averaged of the scalar-field energy-momentum tensor {< T_{M N}(x)rangle }_{ren} for arbitrary d and n from the interval mentioned above and arbitrary coupling constant to the curvature ξ . In particular, we revisit the computation of the vacuum polarization effects for a non-minimally coupled massless scalar field in the spacetime of a straight cosmic string. The same Green function enables to consider the old purely classical problem of the gravity-induced self-action of a classical point-like scalar or electric charge, placed at rest at some fixed point of the space under consideration. To deal with divergences, which appear in consideration of the two problems, we apply the dimensional-regularization technique, widely used in quantum field theory. The explicit dependence of the results upon the dimensionalities of both the bulk and conical submanifold is discussed.

A linearly-polarized Nd:YVO4/KTP microchip green laser.

PubMed

Jung, C; Yu, B-A; Kim, I-S; Lee, Y L; Yu, N E; Ko, D-K

2009-10-26

We described the principle and the fabrication of a Nd:YVO(4)/KTP microchip for the linearly-polarized green laser and verified its availability by manufacturing and characterizing the green laser using the microchip. Under the driving condition having the modulation frequency of 60 Hz and the duty ratio of 25%, the laser showed the stable linear polarization, the maximum average power of 37 mW, yielding the high electrical-to-optical efficiency of 10.9%.

Lead concentrations in bullfrog Rana catesbeiana and green frog R. clamitans tadpoles inhabiting highway drainages

USGS Publications Warehouse

Birdsall, C.W.; Grue, C.E.; Anderson, A.

1986-01-01

Lead concentrations were determined in sediment and tadpoles of bullfrogs Rana catesbeiana and green frogs R. clamitans from drainages along highways with different daily average traffic volumes (range, 4272 to I08,800 vehicles day-I) and from ponds >0.4 km from the nearest highway. Lead concentrations (mg kg--I dry weight) in sediment (7-8 to 940) were usually greater (4-5 times) than those in the tadpoles (bullfrog, 0,07 to 270; green frog, 0,90 to 240 mg kg-I). Lead concentrations in sediment (r =0.63) and in both species of tadpoles (bullfrog, r = 0.69; green frog, r = 0.57) were positively correlated with average daily traffic volume. Lead concentrations in both species of tadpoles (bullfrog, r = (). 76: green frog, r = 0.75) were also positively correlated with lead concentrations in sediment. At sites where both bullfrog and green frog tadpoles were collected. lead concentrations in the two species were closely related (r = 0.84). Lead concentrations in tadpoles living near highways may contribute to the elevated lead levels reported in wildlife that are potential tadpole predators. Dietary lead concentrations similar to those in our tadpoles have been associated with physiological and reproductive effects in some species of birds and mammals. However, additional data are needed to determine the hazards to predators of lead concentrations in tadpoles.

SU-C-207-02: A Method to Estimate the Average Planar Dose From a C-Arm CBCT Acquisition

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

Supanich, MP

2015-06-15

Purpose: The planar average dose in a C-arm Cone Beam CT (CBCT) acquisition had been estimated in the past by averaging the four peripheral dose measurements in a CTDI phantom and then using the standard 2/3rds peripheral and 1/3 central CTDIw method (hereafter referred to as Dw). The accuracy of this assumption has not been investigated and the purpose of this work is to test the presumed relationship. Methods: Dose measurements were made in the central plane of two consecutively placed 16cm CTDI phantoms using a 0.6cc ionization chamber at each of the 4 peripheral dose bores and in themore » central dose bore for a C-arm CBCT protocol. The same setup was scanned with a circular cut-out of radiosensitive gafchromic film positioned between the two phantoms to capture the planar dose distribution. Calibration curves for color pixel value after scanning were generated from film strips irradiated at different known dose levels. The planar average dose for red and green pixel values was calculated by summing the dose values in the irradiated circular film cut out. Dw was calculated using the ionization chamber measurements and film dose values at the location of each of the dose bores. Results: The planar average dose using both the red and green pixel color calibration curves were within 10% agreement of the planar average dose estimated using the Dw method of film dose values at the bore locations. Additionally, an average of the planar average doses calculated using the red and green calibration curves differed from the ionization chamber Dw estimate by only 5%. Conclusion: The method of calculating the planar average dose at the central plane of a C-arm CBCT non-360 rotation by calculating Dw from peripheral and central dose bore measurements is a reasonable approach to estimating the planar average dose. Research Grant, Siemens AG.« less

Green's function methods in heavy ion shielding

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, John W.; Costen, Robert C.; Shinn, Judy L.; Badavi, Francis F.

1993-01-01

An analytic solution to the heavy ion transport in terms of Green's function is used to generate a highly efficient computer code for space applications. The efficiency of the computer code is accomplished by a nonperturbative technique extending Green's function over the solution domain. The computer code can also be applied to accelerator boundary conditions to allow code validation in laboratory experiments.

Reduced-order surrogate models for Green's functions in black hole spacetimes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galley, Chad; Wardell, Barry

2016-03-01

The fundamental nature of linear wave propagation in curved spacetime is encoded in the retarded Green's function (or propagator). Green's functions are useful tools because almost any field quantity of interest can be computed via convolution integrals with a source. In addition, perturbation theories involving nonlinear wave propagation can be expressed in terms of multiple convolutions of the Green's function. Recently, numerical solutions for propagators in black hole spacetimes have been found that are globally valid and accurate for computing physical quantities. However, the data generated is too large for practical use because the propagator depends on two spacetime points that must be sampled finely to yield accurate convolutions. I describe how to build a reduced-order model that can be evaluated as a substitute, or surrogate, for solutions of the curved spacetime Green's function equation. The resulting surrogate accurately and quickly models the original and out-of-sample data. I discuss applications of the surrogate, including self-consistent evolutions and waveforms of extreme mass ratio binaries. Green's function surrogate models provide a new and practical way to handle many old problems involving wave propagation and motion in curved spacetimes.

Theory of inhomogeneous quantum systems. III. Variational wave functions for Fermi fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krotscheck, E.

1985-04-01

We develop a general variational theory for inhomogeneous Fermi systems such as the electron gas in a metal surface, the surface of liquid 3He, or simple models of heavy nuclei. The ground-state wave function is expressed in terms of two-body correlations, a one-body attenuation factor, and a model-system Slater determinant. Massive partial summations of cluster expansions are performed by means of Born-Green-Yvon and hypernetted-chain techniques. An optimal single-particle basis is generated by a generalized Hartree-Fock equation in which the two-body correlations screen the bare interparticle interaction. The optimization of the pair correlations leads to a state-averaged random-phase-approximation equation and a strictly microscopic determination of the particle-hole interaction.

Combined Volar and Dorsal Approach for Fixation of Comminuted Intra-Articular Distal Radial Fractures.

PubMed

Medlock, G; Smith, M; Johnstone, A J

2018-07-01

Purpose  Multifragmentary intra-articular fractures displaced in multiple planes are a challenge. We use a reproducible technique of fracture and articular reduction using an initial volar approach targeting reduction in the volar lunate facet first with plate and unicortical locking screws. This creates a template for reduction in dorsal fragments through a dorsal approach. Our study investigated the radiological, clinical, and functional outcomes of patients treated with this technique. Materials and Methods  We reviewed the postoperative radiographs and notes of 18 patients that had this method of fixation between the years 2008 and 2015, the mean age being 43. These patients were reviewed functionally on average 2 years and 3 months following their definitive operation. Results  Normal alignment and length to the distal radius were restored with on average a 0.6 mm articular step. The average range of motion was 64% and preservation of grip strength was 71% compared with the uninjured wrist. Functional assessment averages were 29 for both the quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and for Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation. The modified system of Green and O'Brien had results of good in 10, fair in 7, and poor in 1. With respect to the Gartland and Werley system, three patients had an excellent result, four had a good result, six had a fair result, and five had a poor result. The mean arthritic grading was 1 (grading 0-3) according to Knirk and Jupiter. Conclusion  This reproducible technique provides an option for these devastating fractures providing a functioning wrist with all of the patients returning to their original form of employment.

Spatial Characteristics of Small Green Spaces' Mitigating Effects on Microscopic Urban Heat Islands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, J.; Lee, D. K.; Jeong, W.; Kim, J. H.; Huh, K. Y.

2015-12-01

The purpose of the study is to find small greens' disposition, types and sizes to reduce air temperature effectively in urban blocks. The research sites were six high developed blocks in Seoul, Korea. Air temperature was measured with mobile loggers in clear daytime during summer, from August to September, at screen level. Also the measurement repeated over three times a day during three days by walking and circulating around the experimental blocks and the control blocks at the same time. By analyzing spatial characteristics, the averaged air temperatures were classified with three spaces, sunny spaces, building-shaded spaces and small green spaces by using Kruskal-Wallis Test; and small green spaces in 6 blocks were classified into their outward forms, polygonal or linear and single or mixed. The polygonal and mixed types of small green spaces mitigated averaged air temperature of each block which they belonged with a simple linear regression model with adjusted R2 = 0.90**. As the area and volume of these types increased, the effect of air temperature reduction (ΔT; Air temperature difference between sunny space and green space in a block) also increased in a linear relationship. The experimental range of this research is 100m2 ~ 2,000m2 of area, and 1,000m3 ~ 10,000m3 of volume of small green space. As a result, more than 300m2 and 2,300m3 of polygonal green spaces with mixed vegetation is required to lower 1°C; 650m2 and 5,000m3 of them to lower 2°C; about 2,000m2 and about 10,000m3 of them to lower 4°C air temperature reduction in an urban block.

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Botanical Sources and Their Use for Control of Medical Insects and Malaria Parasites

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The use of "green" processes for the synthesis of nanoparticles is a new branch of nanotechnology. However, knowledge of the bioactivity of nanoparticles against mosquitoes and malaria parasites is limited. We tested silver nanoparticles (average size 450 nm) bio-reduced in 5% Cassia occidentalis ...

Relativistic central-field Green's functions for the RATIP package

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koval, Peter; Fritzsche, Stephan

2005-11-01

From perturbation theory, Green's functions are known for providing a simple and convenient access to the (complete) spectrum of atoms and ions. Having these functions available, they may help carry out perturbation expansions to any order beyond the first one. For most realistic potentials, however, the Green's functions need to be calculated numerically since an analytic form is known only for free electrons or for their motion in a pure Coulomb field. Therefore, in order to facilitate the use of Green's functions also for atoms and ions other than the hydrogen-like ions, here we provide an extension to the RATIP program which supports the computation of relativistic (one-electron) Green's functions in an—arbitrarily given—central-field potential V(r). Different computational modes have been implemented to define these effective potentials and to generate the radial Green's functions for all bound-state energies E<0. In addition, care has been taken to provide a user-friendly component of the RATIP package by utilizing features of the Fortran 90/95 standard such as data structures, allocatable arrays, or a module-oriented design. Program summaryTitle of program:XGREENS Catalogue number: ADWM Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/ADWM Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University of Belfast, N. Ireland Licensing provisions:None Computer for which the new version has been tested: PC Pentium II, III, IV, Athlon Installations: University of Kassel (Germany) Operating systems: SuSE Linux 8.2, SuSE Linux 9.0 Program language used in the new version: ANSI standard Fortran 90/95 Memory required to execute with typical data: On a standard grid (400 nodes), one central-field Green's function requires about 50 kBytes in RAM while approximately 3 MBytes are needed if saved as two-dimensional array on some external disc space No. of bits in a word: Real variables of double- and quad-precision are used Peripheral used: Disk for input/output CPU time required to execute test data: 2 min on a 450 MHz Pentium III processor No. of lines in distributed program, including test data etc.: 82 042 No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data etc.: 814 096 Distribution format: tar.gz Nature of the physical problem: In atomic perturbation theory, Green's functions may help carry out the summation over the complete spectrum of atom and ions, including the (summation over the) bound states as well as an integration over the continuum [R.A. Swainson, G.W.F. Drake, J. Phys. A 24 (1991) 95]. Analytically, however, these functions are known only for free electrons ( V(r)≡0) and for electrons in a pure Coulomb field ( V(r)=-Z/r). For all other choices of the potential, in contrast, the Green's functions must be determined numerically. Method of solution: Relativistic Green's functions are generated for an arbitrary central-field potential V(r)=-Z(r)/r by using a piecewise linear approximation of the effective nuclear charge function Z(r) on some grid r(i=1,…,N): Z(r)=Z0i+Z1ir. Then, following McGuire's algorithm [E.J. McGuire, Phys. Rev. A 23 (1981) 186], the radial Green's functions are constructed from the (two) linear-independent solutions of the homogeneous equation [P. Morse, H. Feshbach, Methods of Theoretical Physics, McGraw-Hill, New York 1953 (Part 1, p. 825)]. In the computation of these radial functions, the Kummer and Tricomi functions [J. Spanier, B. Keith, An Atlas of Functions, Springer, New York, 1987] are used extensively. Restrictions onto the complexity of the problem: The main restrictions of the program concern the shape of the effective nuclear charge Z(r)=-rV(r), i.e. the choice of the potential, and the allowed energies. Apart from obeying the proper boundary conditions for a point-like nucleus, namely, Z(r→0)=Z>0 and Z(r→∞)=Z-N⩾0, the first derivative of the charge function Z(r) must be smaller than the (absolute value of the) energy of the Green's function, {∂Z(r)}/{∂r}<|E|. Unusual features of the program:XGREENS has been designed as a part of the RATIP package [S. Fritzsche, J. Elec. Spec. Rel. Phen. 114-116 (2001) 1155] for the calculation of relativistic atomic transition and ionization properties. In a short dialog at the beginning of the execution, the user can specify the choice of the potential as well as the energies and the symmetries of the radial Green's functions to be calculated. Apart from central-field Green's functions, of course, the Coulomb Green's function [P. Koval, S. Fritzsche, Comput. Phys. Comm. 152 (2003) 191] can also be computed by selecting a constant nuclear charge Z(r)=Z. In order to test the generated Green's functions, moreover, we compare the two lowest bound-state orbitals which are calculated from the Green's functions with those as generated separately for the given potential. Like the other components of the RATIP package, XGREENS makes careful use of the Fortran 90/95 standard.

ShiftNMFk 1.2

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

Alexandrov, Boian S.; Vesselinov, Velimir V.; Stanev, Valentin

The ShiftNMFk1.2 code, or as we call it, GreenNMFk, represents a hybrid algorithm combining unsupervised adaptive machine learning and Green's function inverse method. GreenNMFk allows an efficient and high performance de-mixing and feature extraction of a multitude of nonnegative signals that change their shape propagating through the medium. The signals are mixed and recorded by a network of uncorrelated sensors. The code couples Non-negative Matrix Factorization (NMF) and inverse-analysis Green's functions method. GreenNMF synergistically performs decomposition of the recorded mixtures, finds the number of the unknown sources and uses the Green's function of the governing partial differential equation to identifymore » the unknown sources and their charecteristics. GreenNMF can be applied directly to any problem controlled by a known partial-differential parabolic equation where mixtures of an unknown number of sources are measured at multiple locations. Full GreenNMFk method is a subject LANL U.S. Patent application S133364.000 August, 2017. The ShiftNMFk 1.2 version here is a toy version of this method that can work with a limited number of unknown sources (4 or less).« less

Extension of many-body theory and approximate density functionals to fractional charges and fractional spins.

PubMed

Yang, Weitao; Mori-Sánchez, Paula; Cohen, Aron J

2013-09-14

The exact conditions for density functionals and density matrix functionals in terms of fractional charges and fractional spins are known, and their violation in commonly used functionals has been shown to be the root of many major failures in practical applications. However, approximate functionals are designed for physical systems with integer charges and spins, not in terms of the fractional variables. Here we develop a general framework for extending approximate density functionals and many-electron theory to fractional-charge and fractional-spin systems. Our development allows for the fractional extension of any approximate theory that is a functional of G(0), the one-electron Green's function of the non-interacting reference system. The extension to fractional charge and fractional spin systems is based on the ensemble average of the basic variable, G(0). We demonstrate the fractional extension for the following theories: (1) any explicit functional of the one-electron density, such as the local density approximation and generalized gradient approximations; (2) any explicit functional of the one-electron density matrix of the non-interacting reference system, such as the exact exchange functional (or Hartree-Fock theory) and hybrid functionals; (3) many-body perturbation theory; and (4) random-phase approximations. A general rule for such an extension has also been derived through scaling the orbitals and should be useful for functionals where the link to the Green's function is not obvious. The development thus enables the examination of approximate theories against known exact conditions on the fractional variables and the analysis of their failures in chemical and physical applications in terms of violations of exact conditions of the energy functionals. The present work should facilitate the calculation of chemical potentials and fundamental bandgaps with approximate functionals and many-electron theories through the energy derivatives with respect to the fractional charge. It should play an important role in developing accurate approximate density functionals and many-body theory.

The hydrological behaviour of extensive and intensive green roofs in a dry climate.

PubMed

Razzaghmanesh, M; Beecham, S

2014-11-15

This paper presents the results of a hydrological investigation of four medium scale green roofs that were set up at the University of South Australia. In this study, the potential of green roofs as a source control device was investigated over a 2 year period using four medium size green roof beds comprised of two growth media types and two media depths. During the term of this study, 226 rainfall events were recorded and these were representative of the Adelaide climate. In general, there were no statistically significant differences between the rainfall and runoff parameters for the intensive and extensive beds except for peak attenuation and peak runoff delay, for which higher values were recorded in the intensive beds. Longer dry periods generally resulted in higher retention coefficients and higher retention was also recorded in warmer seasons. The average retention coefficient for intensive systems (89%) was higher than for extensive systems (74%). It was shown that rainfall depth, intensity, duration and also average dry weather period between events can change the retention performance and runoff volume of the green roofs. Comparison of green and simulated conventional roofs indicated that the former were able to mitigate the peak of runoff and could delay the start of runoff. These characteristics are important for most source control measures. The recorded rainfall and runoff data displayed a non-linear relationship. Also, the results indicated that continuous time series modelling would be a more appropriate technique than using peak rainfall intensity methods for green roof design and simulation. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Use of Green's functions in the numerical solution of two-point boundary value problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gallaher, L. J.; Perlin, I. E.

1974-01-01

This study investigates the use of Green's functions in the numerical solution of the two-point boundary value problem. The first part deals with the role of the Green's function in solving both linear and nonlinear second order ordinary differential equations with boundary conditions and systems of such equations. The second part describes procedures for numerical construction of Green's functions and considers briefly the conditions for their existence. Finally, there is a description of some numerical experiments using nonlinear problems for which the known existence, uniqueness or convergence theorems do not apply. Examples here include some problems in finding rendezvous orbits of the restricted three body system.

Analysis of Discontinuities in a Rectangular Waveguide Using Dyadic Green's Function Approach in Conjunction with Method of Moments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deshpande, M. D.

1997-01-01

The dyadic Green's function for an electric current source placed in a rectangular waveguide is derived using a magnetic vector potential approach. A complete solution for the electric and magnetic fields including the source location is obtained by simple differentiation of the vector potential around the source location. The simple differentiation approach which gives electric and magnetic fields identical to an earlier derivation is overlooked by the earlier workers in the derivation of the dyadic Green's function particularly around the source location. Numerical results obtained using the Green's function approach are compared with the results obtained using the Finite Element Method (FEM).

On singular cases in the design derivative of Green's functional

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reiss, Robert

1987-01-01

The author's prior development of a general abstract representation for the design sensitivities of Green's functional for linear structural systems is extended to the case where the structural stiffness vanishes at an internal location. This situation often occurs in the optimal design of structures. Most optimality criteria require that optimally designed beams be statically determinate. For clamped-pinned beams, for example, this is possible only if the flexural stiffness vanishes at some intermediate location. The Green's function for such structures depends upon the stiffness and the location where it vanishes. A precise representation for Green's function's sensitivity to the location of vanishing stiffness is presented for beams and axisymmetric plates.

Irreducible Green's functions method for a quantum dot coupled to metallic and superconducting leads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Górski, Grzegorz; Kucab, Krzysztof

2017-05-01

Using irreducible Green's functions (IGF) method we analyse the Coulomb interaction dependence of the spectral functions and the transport properties of a quantum dot coupled to isotropic superconductor and metallic leads (SC-QD-N). The irreducible Green's functions method is the modification of classical equation of motion technique. The IGF scheme is based on differentiation of double-time Green's functions, both over the primary and secondary times. The IGF method allows to obtain the spectral functions for equilibrium and non-equilibrium impurity Anderson model used for SC-QD-N system. By the numerical computations, we show the change of spectral and the anomalous densities under the influence of the Coulomb interactions. The observed sign change of the anomalous spectral density can be used as the criterion of the SC singlet-Kondo singlet transition.

Coherency of seismic noise, Green functions and site effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prieto, G. A.; Beroza, G. C.

2007-12-01

The newly rediscovered methodology of cross correlating seismic noise (or seismic coda) to retrieve the Green function takes advantage of the coherency of the signals across a set of stations. Only coherent signals are expected to emerge after stacking over a long enough time. Cross-correlation has a significant disadvantage for this purpose, in that the Green function recovered is convolved with the source-time function of the noise source. For seismic waves, this can mean that the microseism peak dominates the signal. We show how the use of the transfer function between sensors provides a better resolved Green function (after inverse Fourier transform), because the deconvolution process removes the effect of the noise source-time function. In addition, we compute the coherence of the seismic noise as a function of frequency and distance, providing information about the effective frequency band over which Green function retrieval is possible. The coherence may also be used in resolution analysis for time reversal as a constraint on the de-coherence length (the distance between sensors over which the signals become uncorrelated). We use the information from the transfer function and the coherence to examine wave propagation effects (attenuation and site effects) for closely spaced stations compared to a reference station.

Population estimates of Hyla cinerea (Schneider) (Green Tree frog) in an urban environment

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pham, L.; Boudreaux, S.; Karhbet, S.; Price, B.; Ackleh, A.S.; Carter, J.; Pal, N.

2007-01-01

Hyla cinerea (Green Treefrog) is a common wetlands species in the southeastern US. To better understand its population dynamics, we followed a relatively isolated population of Green Treefrogs from June 2004 through October 2004 at a federal office complex in Lafayette, LA. Weekly, Green Treefrogs were caught, measured, marked with VIE tags, and released. The data were used to estimate population size. The time frame was split into two periods: before and after August 17, 2004. Before August 17, 2004, the average estimated population size was 143, and after August 24, 2005, this value jumped to 446, an increase possibly due to tadpoles metamorphosing into adults.

Pelletizing lignite

DOEpatents

Goksel, Mehmet A.

1983-11-01

Lignite is formed into high strength pellets having a calorific value of at least 9,500 Btu/lb by blending a sufficient amount of an aqueous base bituminous emulsion with finely-divided raw lignite containing its inherent moisture to form a moistened green mixture containing at least 3 weight % of the bituminous material, based on the total dry weight of the solids, pelletizing the green mixture into discrete green pellets of a predetermined average diameter and drying the green pellets to a predetermined moisture content, preferrably no less than about 5 weight %. Lignite char and mixture of raw lignite and lignite char can be formed into high strength pellets in the same general manner.

Pinch technique and the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Binosi, Daniele; Papavassiliou, Joannis

2002-07-01

In this paper we take the first step towards a nondiagrammatic formulation of the pinch technique. In particular we proceed into a systematic identification of the parts of the one-loop and two-loop Feynman diagrams that are exchanged during the pinching process in terms of unphysical ghost Green's functions; the latter appear in the standard Slavnov-Taylor identity satisfied by the tree-level and one-loop three-gluon vertex. This identification allows for the consistent generalization of the intrinsic pinch technique to two loops, through the collective treatment of entire sets of diagrams, instead of the laborious algebraic manipulation of individual graphs, and sets up the stage for the generalization of the method to all orders. We show that the task of comparing the effective Green's functions obtained by the pinch technique with those computed in the background field method Feynman gauge is significantly facilitated when employing the powerful quantization framework of Batalin and Vilkovisky. This formalism allows for the derivation of a set of useful nonlinear identities, which express the background field method Green's functions in terms of the conventional (quantum) ones and auxiliary Green's functions involving the background source and the gluonic antifield; these latter Green's functions are subsequently related by means of a Schwinger-Dyson type of equation to the ghost Green's functions appearing in the aforementioned Slavnov-Taylor identity.

A single-sided representation for the homogeneous Green's function of a unified scalar wave equation.

PubMed

Wapenaar, Kees

2017-06-01

A unified scalar wave equation is formulated, which covers three-dimensional (3D) acoustic waves, 2D horizontally-polarised shear waves, 2D transverse-electric EM waves, 2D transverse-magnetic EM waves, 3D quantum-mechanical waves and 2D flexural waves. The homogeneous Green's function of this wave equation is a combination of the causal Green's function and its time-reversal, such that their singularities at the source position cancel each other. A classical representation expresses this homogeneous Green's function as a closed boundary integral. This representation finds applications in holographic imaging, time-reversed wave propagation and Green's function retrieval by cross correlation. The main drawback of the classical representation in those applications is that it requires access to a closed boundary around the medium of interest, whereas in many practical situations the medium can be accessed from one side only. Therefore, a single-sided representation is derived for the homogeneous Green's function of the unified scalar wave equation. Like the classical representation, this single-sided representation fully accounts for multiple scattering. The single-sided representation has the same applications as the classical representation, but unlike the classical representation it is applicable in situations where the medium of interest is accessible from one side only.

Overcomplete compact representation of two-particle Green's functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shinaoka, Hiroshi; Otsuki, Junya; Haule, Kristjan; Wallerberger, Markus; Gull, Emanuel; Yoshimi, Kazuyoshi; Ohzeki, Masayuki

2018-05-01

Two-particle Green's functions and the vertex functions play a critical role in theoretical frameworks for describing strongly correlated electron systems. However, numerical calculations at the two-particle level often suffer from large computation time and massive memory consumption. We derive a general expansion formula for the two-particle Green's functions in terms of an overcomplete representation based on the recently proposed "intermediate representation" basis. The expansion formula is obtained by decomposing the spectral representation of the two-particle Green's function. We demonstrate that the expansion coefficients decay exponentially, while all high-frequency and long-tail structures in the Matsubara-frequency domain are retained. This representation therefore enables efficient treatment of two-particle quantities and opens a route to the application of modern many-body theories to realistic strongly correlated electron systems.

Band-limited Green's Functions for Quantitative Evaluation of Acoustic Emission Using the Finite Element Method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leser, William P.; Yuan, Fuh-Gwo; Leser, William P.

2013-01-01

A method of numerically estimating dynamic Green's functions using the finite element method is proposed. These Green's functions are accurate in a limited frequency range dependent on the mesh size used to generate them. This range can often match or exceed the frequency sensitivity of the traditional acoustic emission sensors. An algorithm is also developed to characterize an acoustic emission source by obtaining information about its strength and temporal dependence. This information can then be used to reproduce the source in a finite element model for further analysis. Numerical examples are presented that demonstrate the ability of the band-limited Green's functions approach to determine the moment tensor coefficients of several reference signals to within seven percent, as well as accurately reproduce the source-time function.

δ2H isotopic flux partitioning of evapotranspiration over a grass field following a water pulse and subsequent dry down

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Good, Stephen P.; Soderberg, Keir; Guan, Kaiyu; King, Elizabeth G.; Scanlon, Todd M.; Caylor, Kelly K.

2014-02-01

The partitioning of surface vapor flux (FET) into evaporation (FE) and transpiration (FT) is theoretically possible because of distinct differences in end-member stable isotope composition. In this study, we combine high-frequency laser spectroscopy with eddy covariance techniques to critically evaluate isotope flux partitioning of FET over a grass field during a 15 day experiment. Following the application of a 30 mm water pulse, green grass coverage at the study site increased from 0 to 10% of ground surface area after 6 days and then began to senesce. Using isotope flux partitioning, transpiration increased as a fraction of total vapor flux from 0% to 40% during the green-up phase, after which this ratio decreased while exhibiting hysteresis with respect to green grass coverage. Daily daytime leaf-level gas exchange measurements compare well with daily isotope flux partitioning averages (RMSE = 0.0018 g m-2 s-1). Overall the average ratio of FT to FET was 29%, where uncertainties in Keeling plot intercepts and transpiration composition resulted in an average of uncertainty of ˜5% in our isotopic partitioning of FET. Flux-variance similarity partitioning was partially consistent with the isotope-based approach, with divergence occurring after rainfall and when the grass was stressed. Over the average diurnal cycle, local meteorological conditions, particularly net radiation and relative humidity, are shown to control partitioning. At longer time scales, green leaf area and available soil water control FT/FET. Finally, we demonstrate the feasibility of combining isotope flux partitioning and flux-variance similarity theory to estimate water use efficiency at the landscape scale.

Efficient Approaches for Evaluating the Planar Microstrip Green's Function and its Applications to the Analysis of Microstrip Antennas.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barkeshli, Sina

A relatively simple and efficient closed form asymptotic representation of the microstrip dyadic surface Green's function is developed. The large parameter in this asymptotic development is proportional to the lateral separation between the source and field points along the planar microstrip configuration. Surprisingly, this asymptotic solution remains accurate even for very small (almost two tenths of a wavelength) lateral separation of the source and field points. The present asymptotic Green's function will thus allow a very efficient calculation of the currents excited on microstrip antenna patches/feed lines and monolithic millimeter and microwave integrated circuit (MIMIC) elements based on a moment method (MM) solution of an integral equation for these currents. The kernal of the latter integral equation is the present asymptotic form of the microstrip Green's function. It is noted that the conventional Sommerfeld integral representation of the microstrip surface Green's function is very poorly convergent when used in this MM formulation. In addition, an efficient exact steepest descent path integral form employing a radially propagating representation of the microstrip dyadic Green's function is also derived which exhibits a relatively faster convergence when compared to the conventional Sommerfeld integral representation. The same steepest descent form could also be obtained by deforming the integration contour of the conventional Sommerfeld representation; however, the radially propagating integral representation exhibits better convergence properties for laterally separated source and field points even before the steepest descent path of integration is used. Numerical results based on the efficient closed form asymptotic solution for the microstrip surface Green's function developed in this work are presented for the mutual coupling between a pair of dipoles on a single layer grounded dielectric slab. The accuracy of the latter calculations is confirmed by comparison with results based on an exact integral representation for that Green's function.

A real-time moment-tensor inversion system (GRiD-MT-3D) using 3-D Green's functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagao, A.; Furumura, T.; Tsuruoka, H.

2016-12-01

We developed a real-time moment-tensor inversion system using 3-D Green's functions (GRiD-MT-3D) by improving the current system (GRiD-MT; Tsuruoka et al., 2009), which uses 1-D Green's functions for longer periods than 20 s. Our moment-tensor inversion is applied to the real-time monitoring of earthquakes occurring beneath Kanto basin area. The basin, which is constituted of thick sediment layers, lies on the complex subduction of the Philippine-Sea Plate and the Pacific Plate that can significantly affect the seismic wave propagation. We compute 3-D Green's functions using finite-difference-method (FDM) simulations considering a 3-D velocity model, which is based on the Japan Integrated Velocity Structure Model (Koketsu et al., 2012), that includes crust, mantle, and subducting plates. The 3-D FDM simulations are computed over a volume of 468 km by 432 km by 120 km in the EW, NS, and depth directions, respectively, that is discretized into 0.25 km grids. Considering that the minimum S wave velocity of the sedimentary layer is 0.5 km/s, simulations can compute seismograms up to 0.5 Hz. We calculate Green's functions between 24,700 sources, which are distributed every 0.1° in the horizontal direction and every 9 km in depth direction, and 13 F-net stations. To compute this large number of Green's functions, we used the EIC parallel computer of ERI. The reciprocity theory, which switches the source and station positions, is used to reduce total computation costs. It took 156 hours to compute all the Green's functions. Results show that at long-periods (T>15 s), only small differences are observed between the 3-D and 1-D Green's functions as indicated by high correlation coefficients of 0.9 between the waveforms. However, at shorter periods (T<10 s), the differences become larger and the correlation coefficients drop to 0.5. The effect of the 3-D heterogeneous structure especially affects the Green's functions for the ray paths that across complex geological structures, such as the sedimentary basin or the subducting plates. After incorporation of the 3-D Green's functions in the GRiD-MT-3D system, we compare the results to the former GRiD-MT system to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new system in terms of variance reduction and accuracy of the moment-tensor estimation for much smaller events than the current one.

Quantifying blue and green virtual water contents in global crop production as well as potential production losses without irrigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siebert, Stefan; Döll, Petra

2010-04-01

SummaryCrop production requires large amounts of green and blue water. We developed the new global crop water model GCWM to compute consumptive water use (evapotranspiration) and virtual water content (evapotranspiration per harvested biomass) of crops at a spatial resolution of 5' by 5', distinguishing 26 crop classes, and blue versus green water. GCWM is based on the global land use data set MIRCA2000 that provides monthly growing areas for 26 crop classes under rainfed and irrigated conditions for the period 1998-2002 and represents multi-cropping. By computing daily soil water balances, GCWM determines evapotranspiration of blue and green water for each crop and grid cell. Cell-specific crop production under both rainfed and irrigated conditions is computed by downscaling average crop yields reported for 402 national and sub-national statistical units, relating rainfed and irrigated crop yields reported in census statistics to simulated ratios of actual to potential crop evapotranspiration for rainfed crops. By restricting water use of irrigated crops to green water only, the potential production loss without any irrigation was computed. For the period 1998-2002, the global value of total crop water use was 6685 km 3 yr -1, of which blue water use was 1180 km 3 yr -1, green water use of irrigated crops was 919 km 3 yr -1 and green water use of rainfed crops was 4586 km 3 yr -1. Total crop water use was largest for rice (941 km 3 yr -1), wheat (858 km 3 yr -1) and maize (722 km 3 yr -1). The largest amounts of blue water were used for rice (307 km 3 yr -1) and wheat (208 km 3 yr -1). Blue water use as percentage of total crop water use was highest for date palms (85%), cotton (39%), citrus fruits (33%), rice (33%) and sugar beets (32%), while for cassava, oil palm and cocoa, almost no blue water was used. Average crop yield of irrigated cereals was 442 Mg km -2 while average yield of rainfed cereals was only 266 Mg km -2. Average virtual water content of cereal crops was 1109 m 3 Mg -1 of green water and 291 m 3 Mg -1 of blue water, while average crop water productivity of cereal crops was 714 g m -3. If currently irrigated crops were not irrigated, global production of dates, rice, cotton, citrus and sugar cane would decrease by 60%, 39%, 38%, 32% and 31%, respectively. Forty-three per cent of cereal production was on irrigated land, and without irrigation, cereal production on irrigated land would decrease by 47%, corresponding to a 20% loss of total cereal production. The largest cereal production losses would occur in Northern Africa (66%) and Southern Asia (45%) while losses would be very low for Northern Europe (0.001%), Western Europe (1.2%), Eastern Europe (1.5%) and Middle Africa (1.6%). Uncertainties and limitations are discussed in the manuscript, and a comparison of GCWM results to statistics or results of other studies shows good agreement at the regional scale, but larger differences for specific countries.

Biomass statistics for Vermont - 1983

Treesearch

Thomas S. Frieswyk; Anne M. Malley

1986-01-01

A new measure of the forest resource has been added to the fourth forest inventory of Vermont. The inventory, which was conducted in 1982-83, included estimates of aboveground tree biomass on timberland. There are approximately 413 million green tons of wood and bark in the aboveground portion of all trees, which equates to an average of 93 green tons per acre...

Cephalanthus occidentalis L.

Treesearch

K.F Connor

2004-01-01

Buttonbush is a deciduous, wetland shrub or small tree that can reach 6 m in height but generally averages 1 to 3 m tall. The trunk base is often swollen. Branches are generally green when young but darken upon maturity and have conspicuous, raised lenticels. The short-petioled glossy green leaves are elliptic or lanceolate-oblong; they are mostly opposite but, on the...

Indocyanine green. Its use as an early indicator of hepatic dysfunction following injury in man.

PubMed

Gottlieb, M E; Stratton, H H; Newell, J C; Shah, D M

1984-03-01

To evaluate hepatic function, the kinetics of indocyanine green clearance were studied in seven injured patients with hepatic venous catheters. Indocyanine green clearance after a bolus injection of 20 mg was relatively monoexponential on the first day after injury. Following this, a second slower compartment of indocyanine green clearance was uniformly evident, becoming most prominent around the fourth day after injury. Indocyanine green clearance again became more uniform as recovery continued. Fractional indocyanine green extraction ten minutes after injection decreased from 0.9 on the first day after injury to 0.2 three days later, and then returned to 0.7 on the seventh day after injury. These decreases in indocyanine green clearance preceded an increase in total serum bilirubin concentration to a mean value of 1.9 mg/dL. Indocyanine green clearance was thus found to be an early and sensitive indicator of impaired hepatic function.

Carrier envelope offset frequency detection and stabilization of a diode-pumped mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser.

PubMed

Gürel, Kutan; Wittwer, Valentin J; Hakobyan, Sargis; Schilt, Stéphane; Südmeyer, Thomas

2017-03-15

We demonstrate the first diode-pumped Ti:sapphire laser frequency comb. It is pumped by two green laser diodes with a total pump power of 3 W. The Ti:sapphire laser generates 250 mW of average output power in 61-fs pulses at a repetition rate of 216 MHz. We generated an octave-spanning supercontinuum spectrum in a photonic-crystal fiber and detected the carrier envelope offset (CEO) frequency in a standard f-to-2f interferometer setup. We stabilized the CEO-frequency through direct current modulation of one of the green pump diodes with a feedback bandwidth of 55 kHz limited by the pump diode driver used in this experiment. We achieved a reduction of the CEO phase noise power spectral density by 140 dB at 1 Hz offset frequency. An advantage of diode pumping is the ability for high-bandwidth modulation of the pump power via direct current modulation. After this experiment, we studied the modulation capabilities and noise properties of green pump laser diodes with improved driver electronics. The current-to-output-power modulation transfer function shows a bandwidth larger than 1 MHz, which should be sufficient to fully exploit the modulation bandwidth of the Ti:sapphire gain for CEO stabilization in future experiments.

Preparation and characterization of green graphene using grape seed extract for bioapplications.

PubMed

Yaragalla, Srinivasarao; Rajendran, Rajakumari; Jose, Jiya; AlMaadeed, Mariam A; Kalarikkal, Nandakumar; Thomas, Sabu

2016-08-01

The development of functionalized graphene materials concerning health and environmental aspects via green approaches is currently the most recent topic in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Herein, we report the green reduction of graphene oxide (GO) to reduced graphene oxide (RGO) using grape seed extract (GSE). Structural properties of the prepared RGO were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV-Visible spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. These all characterization techniques clearly revealed that the RGO has been successfully prepared. Moreover, the average thickness (4.2nm) of RGO layers was also confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Optical properties such as band gap and photoluminescence of the synthesized RGO were evaluated. The band gap of RGO was found to be 3.84eV and it showed emission in the visible region. Efficient antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was observed with 4μgml(-1) & 5μgml(-1) of RGO and also the cell wall damage of these strains has been proved by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The in vitro study of RGO (500μg) disclosed the effective anti-proliferative activity (88%) against HCT-116 cell lines. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[Analysis on influential factors of Chinese medicinal herb growers' willingness to use green pesticides: evidence on Panax notoginseng production areas in Wenshan, Yunnan province].

PubMed

Qian, Yun-Xu; Yang, Yue; Zhao, Wei; Cui, Xiu-Ming; Bi, Kai-Shun

2013-10-01

The purpose of the article is to apply a binary logistic model to analyze the major factors, which influence Chinese medicinal herb growers' willingness to use green pesticides by using survey data collected in Wenshan, Yunnan Province. The results indicate that, output per capita, average pesticide cost per mu, cognition of pesticide residues, expectations on Panax notoginseng prices, cognition of pesticides' effect of pests control, cognition of P. notoginseng prices of low pesticide residues have a significant influence on growers' willingness to use green pesticides. According to the analysis above, some proposals for enhancing Chinese medicinal herb growers' willingness to use green pesticides are put forward, such as, moving toward the intensive planting systems, fetching down the pieces of green pesticides, emphasizing and propagating the advantages of green pesticides, keeping the prices of Chinese medicinal herb running at steady rates.

Are Wave and Tidal Energy Plants New Green Technologies?

PubMed

Douziech, Mélanie; Hellweg, Stefanie; Verones, Francesca

2016-07-19

Wave and tidal energy plants are upcoming, potentially green technologies. This study aims at quantifying their various potential environmental impacts. Three tidal stream devices, one tidal range plant and one wave energy harnessing device are analyzed over their entire life cycles, using the ReCiPe 2008 methodology at midpoint level. The impacts of the tidal range plant were on average 1.6 times higher than the ones of hydro-power plants (without considering natural land transformation). A similar ratio was found when comparing the results of the three tidal stream devices to offshore wind power plants (without considering water depletion). The wave energy harnessing device had on average 3.5 times higher impacts than offshore wind power. On the contrary, the considered plants have on average 8 (wave energy) to 20 (tidal stream), or even 115 times (tidal range) lower impact than electricity generated from coal power. Further, testing the sensitivity of the results highlighted the advantage of long lifetimes and small material requirements. Overall, this study supports the potential of wave and tidal energy plants as alternative green technologies. However, potential unknown effects, such as the impact of turbulence or noise on marine ecosystems, should be further explored in future research.

A study of the vibrational energies of two coupled beams by finite element and green function (receptance) methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shankar, K.; Keane, A. J.

1995-04-01

The behaviour of two hinged-hinged beams, point coupled by springs (translational, rotary and a combination of both) with weak to strong coupling is studied from the point of view of vibrational energies, input power and power transferred through the coupling. Two configurations are studied: in the first case the beams are placed parallel to each other and only the transverse, Euler-Bernoulli modes are considered; the second configuration is more complicated with the beams placed perpendicular to each other, executing axial as well as transverse vibrations. These models are studied by using a finite element analysis (FEA) package and, alternatively, via the modally derived Green functions of the uncoupled subsystems. In both cases the beams are given proportional damping and one of the beams is driven by a point harmonic force. The effects of coupling stiffness and modal summation bandwidth are studied. It is shown that there is good agreement between the FEA and the Green function approach over a range of coupling strengths, but that at higher strengths the number of uncoupled modes used significantly affects the accuracy of the Green function method used here. The beams in the second configuration are then further studied from the point of view of SEA coupling loss factors. The frequency averaged coupling loss factors are calculated for weak and strong coupling, first by using a power injection method, where the power balance equations are formed on the assumption of only direct coupling loss factors. Then, the entire matrix of direct and indirect coupling loss factors is derived by using a deterministic modal approach. These are compared and the indirect coupling loss factors are found to be significant in magnitude in respect to the direct coupling loss factors. Several cases are studied in which the coupling powers and energy levels are predicted by using only the direct coupling loss factors and compared with the exact results obtained by using both direct and indirect factors. These agree only under certain conditions for weak coupling and show rather poorer agreement in the case of strong coupling. This behaviour demonstrates the importance of taking into account indirect coupling loss factors in SEA models having several subsystems.

The Scaling of Broadband Shock-Associated Noise with Increasing Temperature

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, Steven A.

2012-01-01

A physical explanation for the saturation of broadband shock-associated noise (BBSAN) intensity with increasing jet stagnation temperature has eluded investigators. An explanation is proposed for this phenomenon with the use of an acoustic analogy. For this purpose the acoustic analogy of Morris and Miller is examined. To isolate the relevant physics, the scaling of BBSAN at the peak intensity level at the sideline ( = 90 degrees) observer location is examined. Scaling terms are isolated from the acoustic analogy and the result is compared using a convergent nozzle with the experiments of Bridges and Brown and using a convergent-divergent nozzle with the experiments of Kuo, McLaughlin, and Morris at four nozzle pressure ratios in increments of total temperature ratios from one to four. The equivalent source within the framework of the acoustic analogy for BBSAN is based on local field quantities at shock wave shear layer interactions. The equivalent source combined with accurate calculations of the propagation of sound through the jet shear layer, using an adjoint vector Green s function solver of the linearized Euler equations, allows for predictions that retain the scaling with respect to stagnation pressure and allows for the accurate saturation of BBSAN with increasing stagnation temperature. This is a minor change to the source model relative to the previously developed models. The full development of the scaling term is shown. The sources and vector Green s function solver are informed by steady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes solutions. These solutions are examined as a function of stagnation temperature at the first shock wave shear layer interaction. It is discovered that saturation of BBSAN with increasing jet stagnation temperature occurs due to a balance between the amplification of the sound propagation through the shear layer and the source term scaling.A physical explanation for the saturation of broadband shock-associated noise (BBSAN) intensity with increasing jet stagnation temperature has eluded investigators. An explanation is proposed for this phenomenon with the use of an acoustic analogy. For this purpose the acoustic analogy of Morris and Miller is examined. To isolate the relevant physics, the scaling of BBSAN at the peak intensity level at the sideline psi = 90 degrees) observer location is examined. Scaling terms are isolated from the acoustic analogy and the result is compared using a convergent nozzle with the experiments of Bridges and Brown and using a convergent-divergent nozzle with the experiments of Kuo, McLaughlin, and Morris at four nozzle pressure ratios in increments of total temperature ratios from one to four. The equivalent source within the framework of the acoustic analogy for BBSAN is based on local field quantities at shock wave shear layer interactions. The equivalent source combined with accurate calculations of the propagation of sound through the jet shear layer, using an adjoint vector Green s function solver of the linearized Euler equations, allows for predictions that retain the scaling with respect to stagnation pressure and allows for the accurate saturation of BBSAN with increasing stagnation temperature. This is a minor change to the source model relative to the previously developed models. The full development of the scaling term is shown. The sources and vector Green s function solver are informed by steady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes solutions. These solutions are examined as a function of stagnation temperature at the first shock wave shear layer interaction. It is discovered that saturation of BBSAN with increasing jet stagnation temperature occurs due to a balance between the amplification of the sound propagation through the shear layer and the source term scaling.

Optical perturbation of atoms in weak localization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yedjour, A.

2018-01-01

We determine the microscopic transport parameters that are necessary to describe the diffusion process of the atomic gas in optical speckle. We use the self-consistent theory to calculate the self-energy of the atomic gas. We compute the spectral function numerically by an average over disorder realizations in terms of the Greens function. We focus mainly on the behaviour of the energy distribution of the atoms to estimate a correction to the mobility edge. Our results show that the energy distribution of the atoms locates the mobility edge position under the disorder amplitude. This behaviour changes for each disorder parameter. We conclude that the disorder amplitude potential induced modification of the energy distribution of the atoms that plays a major role for the prediction of the mobility edge.

Elementary Introduction to the Green's Function

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Whitten, R. C.; McCormick, P. T.

1975-01-01

Presents a technique, using the method of variation of parameters for solving differential equations, for introducing Green's function early in an undergraduate curriculum. Presents various examples. (Author/MLH)

Defect and grain boundary scattering in tungsten: A combined theoretical and experimental study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lanzillo, Nicholas A.; Dixit, Hemant; Milosevic, Erik; Niu, Chengyu; Carr, Adra V.; Oldiges, Phil; Raymond, Mark V.; Cho, Jin; Standaert, Theodorus E.; Kamineni, Vimal K.

2018-04-01

Several major electron scattering mechanisms in tungsten (W) are evaluated using a combination of first-principles density functional theory, a Non-Equilibrium Green's Function formalism, and thin film Kelvin 4-point sheet resistance measurements. The impact of grain boundary scattering is found to be roughly an order of magnitude larger than the impact of defect scattering. Ab initio simulations predict average grain boundary reflection coefficients for a number of twin grain boundaries to lie in the range r = 0.47 to r = 0.62, while experimental data can be fit to the empirical Mayadas-Schatzkes model with a comparable but slightly larger value of r = 0.69. The experimental and simulation data for grain boundary resistivity as a function of grain size show excellent agreement. These results provide crucial insights for understanding the impact of scaling of W-based contacts between active devices and back-end-of-line interconnects in next-generation semiconductor technology.

Effects of volcanic tremor on noise-based measurements of temporal velocity changes at Hawaiian volcanoes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ballmer, S.; Wolfe, C. J.; Okubo, P.; Haney, M. M.; Thurber, C. H.

2011-12-01

Green's functions calculated with ambient seismic noise may aid in volcano research and monitoring. The continuous character of ambient seismic noise and hence of the reconstructed Green's functions has enabled measurements of short-term (~days) temporal perturbations in seismic velocities. Very small but clear velocity decreases prior to some volcanic eruptions have been documented and motivate our present study. We apply this method to Hawaiian volcanoes using data from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) seismic network. In order to obtain geologically relevant and reliable results, stable Green's functions need to be recovered from the ambient noise. Station timing problems, changes in noise source directivity, as well as changes in the source's spectral content are known biases that critically affect the Green's functions' stability and hence need to be considered. Here we show that volcanic tremor is a potential additional bias. During the time period of our study (2007-present), we find that volcanic tremor is a common feature in the HVO seismic data. Pu'u O'o tremor is continuously present before a dike intrusion into Kilauea's east rift zone in June 2007 and Halema'uma'u tremor occurs before and during resumed Kilauea summit activity from early 2008 and onward. For the frequency band considered (0.1-0.9 Hz), we find that these active tremor sources can drastically modify the recovered Green's functions for station pairs on the entire island at higher (> 0.5 Hz) frequencies, although the effect of tremor appears diminished at lower frequencies. In this presentation, we perform measurements of temporal velocity changes using ambient noise Green's functions and explore how volcanic tremor affects the results. Careful quality assessment of reconstructed Green's functions appears to be essential for the desired high precision measurements.

Time-varying trends of global vegetation activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, N.; Feng, X.; Fu, B.

2016-12-01

Vegetation plays an important role in regulating the energy change, water cycle and biochemical cycle in terrestrial ecosystems. Monitoring the dynamics of vegetation activity and understanding their driving factors have been an important issue in global change research. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), an indicator of vegetation activity, has been widely used in investigating vegetation changes at regional and global scales. Most studies utilized linear regression or piecewise linear regression approaches to obtain an averaged changing rate over a certain time span, with an implicit assumption that the trend didn't change over time during that period. However, no evidence shows that this assumption is right for the non-linear and non-stationary NDVI time series. In this study, we adopted the multidimensional ensemble empirical mode decomposition (MEEMD) method to extract the time-varying trends of NDVI from original signals without any a priori assumption of their functional form. Our results show that vegetation trends are spatially and temporally non-uniform during 1982-2013. Most vegetated area exhibited greening trends in the 1980s. Nevertheless, the area with greening trends decreased over time since the early 1990s, and the greening trends have stalled or even reversed in many places. Regions with browning trends were mainly located in southern low latitudes in the 1980s, whose area decreased before the middle 1990s and then increased at an accelerated rate. The greening-to-browning reversals were widespread across all continents except Oceania (43% of the vegetated areas), most of which happened after the middle 1990s. In contrast, the browning-to-greening reversals occurred in smaller area and earlier time. The area with monotonic greening and browning trends accounted for 33% and 5% of the vegetated area, respectively. By performing partial correlation analyses between NDVI and climatic elements (temperature, precipitation and cloud cover) and analyzing the MEEMD-extracted trends of these climatic elements, we discussed possible driving factors of the time-varying trends of NDVI in several specific regions where trend reversals occurred.

Frequency-domain Green's functions for radar waves in heterogeneous 2.5D media

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ellefsen, K.J.; Croize, D.; Mazzella, A.T.; McKenna, J.R.

2009-01-01

Green's functions for radar waves propagating in heterogeneous 2.5D media might be calculated in the frequency domain using a hybrid method. The model is defined in the Cartesian coordinate system, and its electromagnetic properties might vary in the x- and z-directions, but not in the y-direction. Wave propagation in the x- and z-directions is simulated with the finite-difference method, and wave propagation in the y-direction is simulated with an analytic function. The absorbing boundaries on the finite-difference grid are perfectly matched layers that have been modified to make them compatible with the hybrid method. The accuracy of these numerical Greens functions is assessed by comparing them with independently calculated Green's functions. For a homogeneous model, the magnitude errors range from -4.16% through 0.44%, and the phase errors range from -0.06% through 4.86%. For a layered model, the magnitude errors range from -2.60% through 2.06%, and the phase errors range from -0.49% through 2.73%. These numerical Green's functions might be used for forward modeling and full waveform inversion. ?? 2009 Society of Exploration Geophysicists. All rights reserved.

Brazilian Green Propolis Improves Antioxidant Function in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

PubMed

Zhao, Liting; Pu, Lingling; Wei, Jingyu; Li, Jinghua; Wu, Jianquan; Xin, Zhonghao; Gao, Weina; Guo, Changjiang

2016-05-13

Propolis contains a variety of bioactive components and possesses many biological properties. This study was designed to evaluate potential effects of Brazilian green propolis on glucose metabolism and antioxidant function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In the 18-week randomized controlled study, enrolled patients with T2DM were randomly assigned to Brazilian green propolis group (900 mg/day) (n = 32) and control group (n = 33). At the end of the study, no significant difference was found in serum glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin, aldose reductase or adiponectin between the two groups. However, serum GSH and total polyphenols were significantly increased, and serum carbonyls and lactate dehydrogenase activity were significantly reduced in the Brazilian green propolis group. Serum TNF-α was significantly decreased, whereas serum IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly increased in the Brazilian green propolis group. It is concluded that Brazilian green propolis is effective in improving antioxidant function in T2DM patients.

The water footprint of humanity.

PubMed

Hoekstra, Arjen Y; Mekonnen, Mesfin M

2012-02-28

This study quantifies and maps the water footprint (WF) of humanity at a high spatial resolution. It reports on consumptive use of rainwater (green WF) and ground and surface water (blue WF) and volumes of water polluted (gray WF). Water footprints are estimated per nation from both a production and consumption perspective. International virtual water flows are estimated based on trade in agricultural and industrial commodities. The global annual average WF in the period 1996-2005 was 9,087 Gm(3)/y (74% green, 11% blue, 15% gray). Agricultural production contributes 92%. About one-fifth of the global WF relates to production for export. The total volume of international virtual water flows related to trade in agricultural and industrial products was 2,320 Gm(3)/y (68% green, 13% blue, 19% gray). The WF of the global average consumer was 1,385 m(3)/y. The average consumer in the United States has a WF of 2,842 m(3)/y, whereas the average citizens in China and India have WFs of 1,071 and 1,089 m(3)/y, respectively. Consumption of cereal products gives the largest contribution to the WF of the average consumer (27%), followed by meat (22%) and milk products (7%). The volume and pattern of consumption and the WF per ton of product of the products consumed are the main factors determining the WF of a consumer. The study illustrates the global dimension of water consumption and pollution by showing that several countries heavily rely on foreign water resources and that many countries have significant impacts on water consumption and pollution elsewhere.

Efficiency optimization of a fast Poisson solver in beam dynamics simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Dawei; Pöplau, Gisela; van Rienen, Ursula

2016-01-01

Calculating the solution of Poisson's equation relating to space charge force is still the major time consumption in beam dynamics simulations and calls for further improvement. In this paper, we summarize a classical fast Poisson solver in beam dynamics simulations: the integrated Green's function method. We introduce three optimization steps of the classical Poisson solver routine: using the reduced integrated Green's function instead of the integrated Green's function; using the discrete cosine transform instead of discrete Fourier transform for the Green's function; using a novel fast convolution routine instead of an explicitly zero-padded convolution. The new Poisson solver routine preserves the advantages of fast computation and high accuracy. This provides a fast routine for high performance calculation of the space charge effect in accelerators.

Ocean acoustic interferometry.

PubMed

Brooks, Laura A; Gerstoft, Peter

2007-06-01

Ocean acoustic interferometry refers to an approach whereby signals recorded from a line of sources are used to infer the Green's function between two receivers. An approximation of the time domain Green's function is obtained by summing, over all source positions (stacking), the cross-correlations between the receivers. Within this paper a stationary phase argument is used to describe the relationship between the stacked cross-correlations from a line of vertical sources, located in the same vertical plane as two receivers, and the Green's function between the receivers. Theory and simulations demonstrate the approach and are in agreement with those of a modal based approach presented by others. Results indicate that the stacked cross-correlations can be directly related to the shaded Green's function, so long as the modal continuum of any sediment layers is negligible.

Identifying aboveground wood fiber potentials in New York State

Treesearch

Eric H. Wharton

1984-01-01

New York forests are made up of more than just the growing stock that is measured during conventional forest inventories. A biomass inventory, completed in 1980, showed that New York commercial forest lands contain nearly 1,164.4 million green tons of aboveground tree biomass, or an average of 75.6 green tons per acre. Conventional growing stock accounted for 57...

Stand Parameters of 11- to 15-Year Old Green Ash Plantings

Treesearch

Roger M. Krinard

1989-01-01

Three green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh.) plantings, ages 11, 13, and 15, and a 13-year-old pumpkin ash (F. profunda (Bush) Bush) planting were sampled to determine d.b.h. and height development and survival of free-to-grow trees. On medium-textured (Commerce) and clay-capped (Bowdre and Tunica) soils, the average d.b.h...

Computer-assisted image analysis of human cilia and Chlamydomonas flagella reveals both similarities and differences in axoneme structure.

PubMed

O'Toole, Eileen T; Giddings, Thomas H; Porter, Mary E; Ostrowski, Lawrence E

2012-08-01

In the past decade, investigations from several different fields have revealed the critical role of cilia in human health and disease. Because of the highly conserved nature of the basic axonemal structure, many different model systems have proven useful for the study of ciliopathies, especially the unicellular, biflagellate green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Although the basic axonemal structure of cilia and flagella is highly conserved, these organelles often perform specialized functions unique to the cell or tissue in which they are found. These differences in function are likely reflected in differences in structural organization. In this work, we directly compare the structure of isolated axonemes from human cilia and Chlamydomonas flagella to identify similarities and differences that potentially play key roles in determining their functionality. Using transmission electron microscopy and 2D image averaging techniques, our analysis has confirmed the overall structural similarity between these two species, but also revealed clear differences in the structure of the outer dynein arms, the central pair projections, and the radial spokes. We also show how the application of 2D image averaging can clarify the underlying structural defects associated with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). Overall, our results document the remarkable similarity between these two structures separated evolutionarily by over a billion years, while highlighting several significant differences, and demonstrate the potential of 2D image averaging to improve the diagnosis and understanding of PCD. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Temporal evolution of the Green's function reconstruction in the seismic coda

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clerc, V.; Roux, P.; Campillo, M.

2013-12-01

In presence of multiple scattering, the wavefield evolves towards an equipartitioned state, equivalent to ambient noise. CAMPILLO and PAUL (2003) reconstructed the surface wave part of the Green's function between three pairs of stations in Mexico. The data indicate that the time asymmetry between causal and acausal part of the Green's function is less pronounced when the correlation is performed in the later windows of the coda. These results on the correlation of diffuse waves provide another perspective on the reconstruction of Green function which is independent of the source distribution and which suggests that if the time of observation is long enough, a single source could be sufficient. The paper by ROUX et al. (2005) provides a theoretical frame for the reconstruction of the Green's function in a homogeneous middle. In a multiple scattering medium with a single source, scatterers behave as secondary sources according to the Huygens principle. Coda waves are relevant to multiple scattering, a regime which can be approximated by diffusion for long lapse times. We express the temporal evolution of the correlation function between two receivers as a function of the secondary sources. We are able to predict the effect of the persistence of the net flux of energy observed by CAMPILLO and PAUL (2003) in numerical simulations. This method is also effective in order to retrieve the scattering mean free path. We perform a partial reconstruction of the Green's function in a strongly scattering medium in numerical simulations. The prediction of the flux asymmetry allows defining the parts of the coda providing the same information as ambient noise cross correlation.

Finite Temperature Densities via the S-Function Method with Application to Electron Screening in Plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watrous, Mitchell James

1997-12-01

A new approach to the Green's-function method for the calculation of equilibrium densities within the finite temperature, Kohn-Sham formulation of density functional theory is presented, which extends the method to all temperatures. The contour of integration in the complex energy plane is chosen such that the density is given by a sum of Green's function differences evaluated at the Matsubara frequencies, rather than by the calculation and summation of Kohn-Sham single-particle wave functions. The Green's functions are written in terms of their spectral representation and are calculated as the solutions of their defining differential equations. These differential equations are boundary value problems as opposed to the standard eigenvalue problems. For large values of the complex energy, the differential equations are further simplified from second to first-order by writing the Green's functions in terms of logarithmic derivatives. An asymptotic expression for the Green's functions is derived, which allows the sum over Matsubara poles to be approximated. The method is applied to the screening of nuclei by electrons in finite temperature plasmas. To demonstrate the method's utility, and to illustrate its advantages, the results of previous wave function type calculations for protons and neon nuclei are reproduced. The method is also used to formulate a new screening model for fusion reactions in the solar core, and the predicted reaction rate enhancements factors are compared with existing models.

Active probing of cloud multiple scattering, optical depth, vertical thickness, and liquid water content using wide-angle imaging lidar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Love, Steven P.; Davis, Anthony B.; Rohde, Charles A.; Tellier, Larry; Ho, Cheng

2002-09-01

At most optical wavelengths, laser light in a cloud lidar experiment is not absorbed but merely scattered out of the beam, eventually escaping the cloud via multiple scattering. There is much information available in this light scattered far from the input beam, information ignored by traditional 'on-beam' lidar. Monitoring these off-beam returns in a fully space- and time-resolved manner is the essence of our unique instrument, Wide Angle Imaging Lidar (WAIL). In effect, WAIL produces wide-field (60-degree full-angle) 'movies' of the scattering process and records the cloud's radiative Green functions. A direct data product of WAIL is the distribution of photon path lengths resulting from multiple scattering in the cloud. Following insights from diffusion theory, we can use the measured Green functions to infer the physical thickness and optical depth of the cloud layer, and, from there, estimate the volume-averaged liquid water content. WAIL is notable in that it is applicable to optically thick clouds, a regime in which traditional lidar is reduced to ceilometry. Here we present recent WAIL data on various clouds and discuss the extension of WAIL to full diurnal monitoring by means of an ultra-narrow magneto-optic atomic line filter for daytime measurements.

Application of microencapsulation for the safe delivery of green tea polyphenols in food systems: Review and recent advances.

PubMed

Massounga Bora, Awa Fanny; Ma, Shaojie; Li, Xiaodong; Liu, Lu

2018-03-01

Green tea has been associated with the prevention and reduction of a wide range of severe health conditions such as cancer, immune, and cardiovascular diseases. The health benefits associated with green tea consumption have been predominantly attributed to green tea polyphenols. The functional properties of green tea polyphenols are mainly anti-oxidative, antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic, anti-microbial, etc. These excellent properties have recently gained considerable attention in the food industry. However, their application is limited by their sensitivity to factors like temperature, light, pH, oxygen, etc. More, studies have reported the occurrence of unpleasant taste and color transfer during food processing. Lastly, the production of functional food requires to maintain the stability, bioactivity, and bioavailability of the active compounds. To tackle these obstacles, technological approaches like microencapsulation have been developed and applied for the formulation of green tea-enriched food products. The present review discusses the novelty in microencapsulation techniques for the safe delivery of green tea polyphenols in food matrices. After a literature on the green tea polyphenols composition, and their health attributes, the encapsulation methods and the coating materials are presented. The application of green tea encapsulates in food matrices as well as their effect on food functional and sensory properties are also discussed. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Antibacterial activity of propolins from Taiwanese green propolis.

PubMed

Chen, Yue-Wen; Ye, Siou-Ru; Ting, Chieh; Yu, Yu-Hsiang

2018-04-01

Taiwanese green propolis is a prenylated flavonoid rich honeybee product and propolins isolated from Taiwanese green propolis exert a broad spectrum of biological activities, such as anti-cancer and anti-oxidant. However, the anti-bacterial effects of Taiwanese green propolis or propolins are still poorly understood. In the current study, the antibacterial effects of Taiwanese green propolis and propolins were evaluated. Results show that the maximum dry matter yields of Taiwanese green propolis were observed in the 95% and 99.5% ethanol extracts compared to other extraction methods. Consistently, the highest concentration of propolins C, D, F and G from Taiwanese green propolis was obtained in 95% and 99.5% ethanol extracts. Propolins inhibited the growth of gram-positive bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes and Paenibacillus larvae). The average minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of propolins from ethanol extracts were 20 μg/ml. Among the propolins, propolin C had the highest antibacterial activity. Furthermore, Taiwanese green propolis also showed antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). In conclusion, these results demonstrate that Taiwanese green propolis and propolins have significant antibacterial activity, particularly against gram-positive bacterial strains. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

A computationally efficient software application for calculating vibration from underground railways

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hussein, M. F. M.; Hunt, H. E. M.

2009-08-01

The PiP model is a software application with a user-friendly interface for calculating vibration from underground railways. This paper reports about the software with a focus on its latest version and the plans for future developments. The software calculates the Power Spectral Density of vibration due to a moving train on floating-slab track with track irregularity described by typical values of spectra for tracks with good, average and bad conditions. The latest version accounts for a tunnel embedded in a half space by employing a toolbox developed at K.U. Leuven which calculates Green's functions for a multi-layered half-space.

Theory of slightly fluctuating ratchets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rozenbaum, V. M.; Shapochkina, I. V.; Lin, S. H.; Trakhtenberg, L. I.

2017-04-01

We consider a Brownian particle moving in a slightly fluctuating potential. Using the perturbation theory on small potential fluctuations, we derive a general analytical expression for the average particle velocity valid for both flashing and rocking ratchets with arbitrary, stochastic or deterministic, time dependence of potential energy fluctuations. The result is determined by the Green's function for diffusion in the time-independent part of the potential and by the features of correlations in the fluctuating part of the potential. The generality of the result allows describing complex ratchet systems with competing characteristic times; these systems are exemplified by the model of a Brownian photomotor with relaxation processes of finite duration.

Developing resilient green roofs in a dry climate.

PubMed

Razzaghmanesh, M; Beecham, S; Brien, C J

2014-08-15

Living roofs are an emerging green infrastructure technology that can potentially be used to ameliorate both climate change and urban heat island effects. There is not much information regarding the design of green roofs for dry climates and so the aim of this study was to develop low maintenance and unfertilized green roofs for a dry climate. This paper describes the effects of four important elements of green roofs namely slope, depth, growing media and plant species and their possible interactions in terms of plant growth responses in a dry climate. Sixteen medium-scale green roofs were set up and monitored during a one year period. This experiment consisted of twelve vegetated platforms and four non-vegetated platforms as controls. The design for the experiment was a split-split-plot design in which the factors Slope (1° and 25°) and Depth (100mm, 300 mm) were randomized to the platforms (main plots). Root depth and volume, average height of plants, final dry biomass and ground cover, relative growth rate, final dry shoot-root ratio, water use efficiency and leaf succulence were studied during a twelve month period. The results showed little growth of the plants in media type A, whilst the growth was significant in both media types B and C. On average, a 90% survival rate of plants was observed. Also the growth indices indicated that some plants can grow efficiently in the harsh environment created by green roofs in a dry climate. The root growth pattern showed that retained water in the drainage layer is an alternative source of water for plants. It was also shown that stormwater can be used as a source of irrigation water for green roofs during six months of the year at the study site. In summary, mild sloping intensive systems containing media type C and planted with either Chrysocephalum apiculatum or Disphyma crassifolium showed the best performance. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Quantitative analysis and comparative study of four cities green pattern in API system on the background of big data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xin, YANG; Si-qi, WU; Qi, ZHANG

2018-05-01

Beijing, London, Paris, New York are typical cities in the world, so comparative study of four cities green pattern is very important to find out gap and advantage and to learn from each other. The paper will provide basis and new ideas for development of metropolises in China. On the background of big data, API (Application Programming Interface) system can provide extensive and accurate basic data to study urban green pattern in different geographical environment in domestic and foreign. On the basis of this, Average nearest neighbor tool, Kernel density tool and Standard Ellipse tool in ArcGIS platform can process and summarize data and realize quantitative analysis of green pattern. The paper summarized uniqueness of four cities green pattern and reasons of formation on basis of numerical comparison.

Neighbourhood green space, physical function and participation in physical activities among elderly men: the Caerphilly Prospective study

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background The built environment in which older people live plays an important role in promoting or inhibiting physical activity. Most work on this complex relationship between physical activity and the environment has excluded people with reduced physical function or ignored the difference between groups with different levels of physical function. This study aims to explore the role of neighbourhood green space in determining levels of participation in physical activity among elderly men with different levels of lower extremity physical function. Method Using data collected from the Caerphilly Prospective Study (CaPS) and green space data collected from high resolution Landmap true colour aerial photography, we first investigated the effect of the quantity of neighbourhood green space and the variation in neighbourhood vegetation on participation in physical activity for 1,010 men aged 66 and over in Caerphilly county borough, Wales, UK. Second, we explored whether neighbourhood green space affects groups with different levels of lower extremity physical function in different ways. Results Increasing percentage of green space within a 400 meters radius buffer around the home was significantly associated with more participation in physical activity after adjusting for lower extremity physical function, psychological distress, general health, car ownership, age group, marital status, social class, education level and other environmental factors (OR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.05, 1.41). A statistically significant interaction between the variation in neighbourhood vegetation and lower extremity physical function was observed (OR = 1.92, 95% CI 1.12, 3.28). Conclusion Elderly men living in neighbourhoods with more green space have higher levels of participation in regular physical activity. The association between variation in neighbourhood vegetation and regular physical activity varied according to lower extremity physical function. Subjects reporting poor lower extremity physical function living in neighbourhoods with more homogeneous vegetation (i.e. low variation) were more likely to participate in regular physical activity than those living in neighbourhoods with less homogeneous vegetation (i.e. high variation). Good lower extremity physical function reduced the adverse effect of high variation vegetation on participation in regular physical activity. This provides a basis for the future development of novel interventions that aim to increase levels of physical activity in later life, and has implications for planning policy to design, preserve, facilitate and encourage the use of green space near home. PMID:24646136

Neighbourhood green space, physical function and participation in physical activities among elderly men: the Caerphilly Prospective study.

PubMed

Gong, Yi; Gallacher, John; Palmer, Stephen; Fone, David

2014-03-19

The built environment in which older people live plays an important role in promoting or inhibiting physical activity. Most work on this complex relationship between physical activity and the environment has excluded people with reduced physical function or ignored the difference between groups with different levels of physical function. This study aims to explore the role of neighbourhood green space in determining levels of participation in physical activity among elderly men with different levels of lower extremity physical function. Using data collected from the Caerphilly Prospective Study (CaPS) and green space data collected from high resolution Landmap true colour aerial photography, we first investigated the effect of the quantity of neighbourhood green space and the variation in neighbourhood vegetation on participation in physical activity for 1,010 men aged 66 and over in Caerphilly county borough, Wales, UK. Second, we explored whether neighbourhood green space affects groups with different levels of lower extremity physical function in different ways. Increasing percentage of green space within a 400 meters radius buffer around the home was significantly associated with more participation in physical activity after adjusting for lower extremity physical function, psychological distress, general health, car ownership, age group, marital status, social class, education level and other environmental factors (OR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.05, 1.41). A statistically significant interaction between the variation in neighbourhood vegetation and lower extremity physical function was observed (OR = 1.92, 95% CI 1.12, 3.28). Elderly men living in neighbourhoods with more green space have higher levels of participation in regular physical activity. The association between variation in neighbourhood vegetation and regular physical activity varied according to lower extremity physical function. Subjects reporting poor lower extremity physical function living in neighbourhoods with more homogeneous vegetation (i.e. low variation) were more likely to participate in regular physical activity than those living in neighbourhoods with less homogeneous vegetation (i.e. high variation). Good lower extremity physical function reduced the adverse effect of high variation vegetation on participation in regular physical activity. This provides a basis for the future development of novel interventions that aim to increase levels of physical activity in later life, and has implications for planning policy to design, preserve, facilitate and encourage the use of green space near home.

Green's Functions in Space and Time.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rowe, E. G. Peter

1979-01-01

Gives a sketch of some topics in distribution theory that is technically simple, yet provides techniques for handling the partial differential equations satisfied by the most important Green's functions in physics. (Author/GA)

Evaluating green infrastructure in urban environments using a multi-taxa and functional diversity approach.

PubMed

Pinho, Pedro; Correia, Otília; Lecoq, Miguel; Munzi, Silvana; Vasconcelos, Sasha; Gonçalves, Paula; Rebelo, Rui; Antunes, Cristina; Silva, Patrícia; Freitas, Catarina; Lopes, Nuno; Santos-Reis, Margarida; Branquinho, Cristina

2016-05-01

Forested areas within cities host a large number of species, responsible for many ecosystem services in urban areas. The biodiversity in these areas is influenced by human disturbances such as atmospheric pollution and urban heat island effect. To ameliorate the effects of these factors, an increase in urban green areas is often considered sufficient. However, this approach assumes that all types of green cover have the same importance for species. Our aim was to show that not all forested green areas are equal in importance for species, but that based on a multi-taxa and functional diversity approach it is possible to value green infrastructure in urban environments. After evaluating the diversity of lichens, butterflies and other-arthropods, birds and mammals in 31 Mediterranean urban forests in south-west Europe (Almada, Portugal), bird and lichen functional groups responsive to urbanization were found. A community shift (tolerant species replacing sensitive ones) along the urbanization gradient was found, and this must be considered when using these groups as indicators of the effect of urbanization. Bird and lichen functional groups were then analyzed together with the characteristics of the forests and their surroundings. Our results showed that, contrary to previous assumptions, vegetation density and more importantly the amount of urban areas around the forest (matrix), are more important for biodiversity than forest quantity alone. This indicated that not all types of forested green areas have the same importance for biodiversity. An index of forest functional diversity was then calculated for all sampled forests of the area. This could help decision-makers to improve the management of urban green infrastructures with the goal of increasing functionality and ultimately ecosystem services in urban areas. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ecological connectivity networks in rapidly expanding cities.

PubMed

Nor, Amal Najihah M; Corstanje, Ron; Harris, Jim A; Grafius, Darren R; Siriwardena, Gavin M

2017-06-01

Urban expansion increases fragmentation of the landscape. In effect, fragmentation decreases connectivity, causes green space loss and impacts upon the ecology and function of green space. Restoration of the functionality of green space often requires restoring the ecological connectivity of this green space within the city matrix. However, identifying ecological corridors that integrate different structural and functional connectivity of green space remains vague. Assessing connectivity for developing an ecological network by using efficient models is essential to improve these networks under rapid urban expansion. This paper presents a novel methodological approach to assess and model connectivity for the Eurasian tree sparrow ( Passer montanus ) and Yellow-vented bulbul ( Pycnonotus goiavier ) in three cities (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Jakarta, Indonesia and Metro Manila, Philippines). The approach identifies potential priority corridors for ecological connectivity networks. The study combined circuit models, connectivity analysis and least-cost models to identify potential corridors by integrating structure and function of green space patches to provide reliable ecological connectivity network models in the cities. Relevant parameters such as landscape resistance and green space structure (vegetation density, patch size and patch distance) were derived from an expert and literature-based approach based on the preference of bird behaviour. The integrated models allowed the assessment of connectivity for both species using different measures of green space structure revealing the potential corridors and least-cost pathways for both bird species at the patch sites. The implementation of improvements to the identified corridors could increase the connectivity of green space. This study provides examples of how combining models can contribute to the improvement of ecological networks in rapidly expanding cities and demonstrates the usefulness of such models for biodiversity conservation and urban planning.

Green light for liver function monitoring using indocyanine green? An overview of current clinical applications.

PubMed

Vos, J J; Wietasch, J K G; Absalom, A R; Hendriks, H G D; Scheeren, T W L

2014-12-01

The dye indocyanine green is familiar to anaesthetists, and has been studied for more than half a century for cardiovascular and hepatic function monitoring. It is still, however, not yet in routine clinical use in anaesthesia and critical care, at least in Europe. This review is intended to provide a critical analysis of the available evidence concerning the indications for clinical measurement of indocyanine green elimination as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in two areas: its role in peri-operative liver function monitoring during major hepatic resection and liver transplantation; and its role in critically ill patients on the intensive care unit, where it is used for prediction of mortality, and for assessment of the severity of acute liver failure or that of intra-abdominal hypertension. Although numerous studies have demonstrated that indocyanine green elimination measurements in these patient populations can provide diagnostic or prognostic information to the clinician, 'hard' evidence - i.e. high-quality prospective randomised controlled trials - is lacking, and therefore it is not yet time to give a green light for use of indocyanine green in routine clinical practice. © 2014 The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland.

Towards anti-causal Green's function for three-dimensional sub-diffraction focusing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Guancong; Fan, Xiying; Ma, Fuyin; de Rosny, Julien; Sheng, Ping; Fink, Mathias

2018-06-01

In causal physics, the causal Green's function describes the radiation of a point source. Its counterpart, the anti-causal Green's function, depicts a spherically converging wave. However, in free space, any converging wave must be followed by a diverging one. Their interference gives rise to the diffraction limit that constrains the smallest possible dimension of a wave's focal spot in free space, which is half the wavelength. Here, we show with three-dimensional acoustic experiments that we can realize a stand-alone anti-causal Green's function in a large portion of space up to a subwavelength distance from the focus point by introducing a near-perfect absorber for spherical waves at the focus. We build this subwavelength absorber based on membrane-type acoustic metamaterial, and experimentally demonstrate focusing of spherical waves beyond the diffraction limit.

High-speed rupture during the initiation of the 2015 Bonin Islands deep earthquake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhan, Z.; Ye, L.; Shearer, P. M.; Lay, T.; Kanamori, H.

2015-12-01

Among the long-standing questions on how deep earthquakes rupture, the nucleation phase of large deep events is one of the most puzzling parts. Resolving the rupture properties of the initiation phase is difficult to achieve with far-field data because of the need for accurate corrections for structural effects on the waveforms (e.g., attenuation, scattering, and site effects) and alignment errors. Here, taking the 2015 Mw 7.9 Bonin Islands earthquake (depth = 678 km) as an example, we jointly invert its far-field P waves at multiple stations for the average rupture speed during the first second of the event. We use waveforms from a closely located aftershock as empirical Green's functions, and correct for possible differences in focal mechanisms and waveform misalignments with an iterative approach. We find that the average initial rupture speed is over 5 km/s, significantly higher than the average rupture speed of 3 km/s later in the event. This contrast suggests that rupture speeds of deep earthquakes can be highly variable during individual events and may define different stages of rupture, potentially with different mechanisms.

Average biomass of four Northwest shrubs by fuel size class and crown cover.

Treesearch

Robert E. Martin; David W. Frewing; James L. McClanahan

1981-01-01

The average biomass of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.), antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata (Pursh) DC.), snowbrush ceanothus (Ceanothus velutinus Dougl. ex Hook.), and greenleaf manzanita (Arctostaphylos patula Greene) was 6.1, 5.1, 10.7, and 16.2 tons per acre (13.9,...

Experiments in rooting bishop pine (Pinus muricata D. Don) cuttings

Treesearch

Constance I. Millar

1987-01-01

Presented here are results of rooting studies using hedges established from juvenile seedlings of "blue" and "green" foliaged bishop pine (Pinus muricata D. Don) from Mendocino and Sonoma Counties, California. Rootability, averaged over all clones and all setting dates, was 88%. The average time for 50% of the...

Green Space Visits among Adolescents: Frequency and Predictors in the PIAMA Birth Cohort Study.

PubMed

Bloemsma, Lizan D; Gehring, Ulrike; Klompmaker, Jochem O; Hoek, Gerard; Janssen, Nicole A H; Smit, Henriëtte A; Vonk, Judith M; Brunekreef, Bert; Lebret, Erik; Wijga, Alet H

2018-04-30

Green space may influence health through several pathways, for example, increased physical activity, enhanced social cohesion, reduced stress, and improved air quality. For green space to increase physical activity and social cohesion, spending time in green spaces is likely to be important. We examined whether adolescents visit green spaces and for what purposes. Furthermore, we assessed the predictors of green space visits. In this cross-sectional study, data for 1911 participants of the Dutch PIAMA (Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy) birth cohort were analyzed. At age 17, adolescents reported how often they visited green spaces for physical activities, social activities, relaxation, and to experience nature and quietness. We assessed the predictors of green space visits altogether and for different purposes by log-binomial regression. Fifty-three percent of the adolescents visited green spaces at least once a week in summer, mostly for physical and social activities. Adolescents reporting that a green environment was (very) important to them visited green spaces most frequently {adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] very vs. not important: 6.84 (5.10, 9.17) for physical activities and 4.76 (3.72, 6.09) for social activities}. Boys and adolescents with highly educated fathers visited green spaces more often for physical and social activities. Adolescents who own a dog visited green spaces more often to experience nature and quietness. Green space visits were not associated with the objectively measured quantity of residential green space, i.e., the average normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and percentages of urban, agricultural, and natural green space in circular buffers around the adolescents' homes. Subjective variables are stronger predictors of green space visits in adolescents than the objectively measured quantity of residential green space. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP2429.

OPTIMIZING POTENTIAL GREEN REPLACEMENT CHEMICALS – BALANCING FUNCTION AND RISK

EPA Science Inventory

An important focus of green chemistry is the design of new chemicals that are inherently less toxic than the ones they might replace, but still retain required functional properties. A variety of methods exist to measure or model both functional and toxicity surrogates that could...

On regreening and degradation in Sahelian watersheds.

PubMed

Kaptué, Armel T; Prihodko, Lara; Hanan, Niall P

2015-09-29

Over many decades our understanding of the impacts of intermittent drought in water-limited environments like the West African Sahel has been influenced by a narrative of overgrazing and human-induced desertification. The desertification narrative has persisted in both scientific and popular conception, such that recent regional-scale recovery ("regreening") and local success stories (community-led conservation efforts) in the Sahel, following the severe droughts of the 1970s-1980s, are sometimes ignored. Here we report a study of watershed-scale vegetation dynamics in 260 watersheds, sampled in four regions of Senegal, Mali, and Niger from 1983-2012, using satellite-derived vegetation indices as a proxy for net primary production. In response to earlier controversy, we first examine the shape of the rainfall-net primary production relationship and how it impacts conclusions regarding greening or degradation. We conclude that the choice of functional relationship has little quantitative impact on our ability to infer greening or degradation trends. We then present an approach to analyze changes in long-term (decade-scale) average rain-use efficiency (an indicator of slowly responding vegetation structural changes) relative to changes in interannual-scale rainfall sensitivity (an indicator of landscape ability to respond rapidly to rainfall variability) to infer trends in greening/degradation of the watersheds in our sample regions. The predominance of increasing rain-use efficiency in our data supports earlier reports of a "greening" trend across the Sahel. However, there are strong regional differences in the extent and direction of change, and in the apparent role of changing woody and herbaceous components in driving those temporal trends.

Empirical Green's tensor retrieved from ambient noise cross-correlations at The Geysers geothermal field, Northern California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nayak, Avinash; Taira, Taka'aki; Dreger, Douglas S.; Gritto, Roland

2018-04-01

We retrieve empirical Green's functions in the frequency range (˜0.2-0.9 Hz) for interstation distances ranging from ˜1 to ˜30 km (˜0.22 to ˜6.5 times the wavelength) at The Geysers geothermal field, Northern California, from coherency of ambient seismic noise being recorded by a variety of sensors (broad-band, short-period surface and borehole sensors, and one accelerometer). The applied methodology preserves the intercomponent relative amplitudes of the nine-component Green's tensor that allows us to directly compare noise-derived Green's functions (NGFs) with normalized displacement waveforms of complete single-force synthetic Green's functions (SGFs) computed with various 1-D and 3-D velocity models using the frequency-wavenumber integration method and a 3-D finite-difference wave propagation method, respectively. These comparisons provide an effective means of evaluating the suitability of different velocity models to different regions of The Geysers, and assessing the quality of the sensors and the NGFs. In the T-Tangential, R-Radial, Z-Vertical reference frame, the TT, RR, RZ, ZR and ZZ components (first component: force direction, second component: response direction) of NGFs show clear surface waves and even body-wave phases for many station pairs. They are also broadly consistent in phase and intercomponent relative amplitudes with SGFs for the known local seismic velocity structure that was derived primarily from body-wave traveltime tomography, even at interstation distances less than one wavelength. We also find anomalous large amplitudes in TR, TZ, RT and ZT components of NGFs at small interstation distances (≲4 km) that can be attributed to ˜10°-30° sensor misalignments at many stations inferred from analysis of longer period teleseismic waveforms. After correcting for sensor misalignments, significant residual amplitudes in these components for some longer interstation distance (≳8 km) paths are better reproduced by the 3-D velocity model than by the 1-D models incorporating known values and fast axis directions of crack-induced VS anisotropy in the geothermal field. We also analyse the decay of Fourier spectral amplitudes of the TT component of NGFs at 0.72 Hz with distance in terms of geometrical spreading and attenuation. While there is considerable scatter in the NGF amplitudes, we find the average decay to be consistent with the decay expected from SGF amplitudes and with the decay of tangential component local-earthquake ground-motion amplitudes with distance at the same frequency.

Spending at mobile fruit and vegetable carts and using SNAP benefits to pay, Bronx, New York, 2013 and 2014.

PubMed

Breck, Andrew; Kiszko, Kamila M; Abrams, Courtney; Elbel, Brian

2015-06-04

This study examines purchases at fruit and vegetable carts and evaluates the potential benefits of expanding the availability of electronic benefit transfer machines at Green Carts. Customers at 4 Green Carts in the Bronx, New York, were surveyed in 3 waves from June 2013 through July 2014. Customers who used Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits spent on average $3.86 more than customers who paid with cash. This finding suggests that there may be benefits to increasing the availability of electronic benefit transfer machines at Green Carts.

High energy, high average power solid state green or UV laser

DOEpatents

Hackel, Lloyd A.; Norton, Mary; Dane, C. Brent

2004-03-02

A system for producing a green or UV output beam for illuminating a large area with relatively high beam fluence. A Nd:glass laser produces a near-infrared output by means of an oscillator that generates a high quality but low power output and then multi-pass through and amplification in a zig-zag slab amplifier and wavefront correction in a phase conjugator at the midway point of the multi-pass amplification. The green or UV output is generated by means of conversion crystals that follow final propagation through the zig-zag slab amplifier.

Diagrammatic expansion for positive spectral functions beyond GW: Application to vertex corrections in the electron gas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stefanucci, G.; Pavlyukh, Y.; Uimonen, A.-M.; van Leeuwen, R.

2014-09-01

We present a diagrammatic approach to construct self-energy approximations within many-body perturbation theory with positive spectral properties. The method cures the problem of negative spectral functions which arises from a straightforward inclusion of vertex diagrams beyond the GW approximation. Our approach consists of a two-step procedure: We first express the approximate many-body self-energy as a product of half-diagrams and then identify the minimal number of half-diagrams to add in order to form a perfect square. The resulting self-energy is an unconventional sum of self-energy diagrams in which the internal lines of half a diagram are time-ordered Green's functions, whereas those of the other half are anti-time-ordered Green's functions, and the lines joining the two halves are either lesser or greater Green's functions. The theory is developed using noninteracting Green's functions and subsequently extended to self-consistent Green's functions. Issues related to the conserving properties of diagrammatic approximations with positive spectral functions are also addressed. As a major application of the formalism we derive the minimal set of additional diagrams to make positive the spectral function of the GW approximation with lowest-order vertex corrections and screened interactions. The method is then applied to vertex corrections in the three-dimensional homogeneous electron gas by using a combination of analytical frequency integrations and numerical Monte Carlo momentum integrations to evaluate the diagrams.

Water footprinting of pasture-based farms; beef and sheep.

PubMed

Murphy, E; Curran, T P; Holden, N M; O'Brien, D; Upton, J

2018-05-01

In the context of water use for agricultural production, water footprints (WFs) have become an important sustainability indicator. To understand better the water demand for beef and sheep meat produced on pasture-based systems, a WF of individual farms is required. The main objective of this study was to determine the primary contributors to freshwater consumption up to the farm gate expressed as a volumetric WF and associated impacts for the production of 1 kg of beef and 1 kg of sheep meat from a selection of pasture-based farms for 2 consecutive years, 2014 and 2015. The WF included green water, from the consumption of soil moisture due to evapotranspiration, and blue water, from the consumption of ground and surface waters. The impact of freshwater consumption on global water stress from the production of beef and sheep meat in Ireland was also computed. The average WF of the beef farms was 8391 l/kg carcass weight (CW) of which 8222 l/kg CW was green water and 169 l/kg CW was blue water; water for the production of pasture (including silage and grass) contributed 88% to the WF, concentrate production - 10% and on-farm water use - 1%. The average stress-weighted WF of beef was 91 l H2O eq/kg CW, implying that each kg of beef produced in Ireland contributed to freshwater scarcity equivalent to the consumption of 91 l of freshwater by an average world citizen. The average WF of the sheep farms was 7672 l/kg CW of which 7635 l/kg CW was green water and 37 l/kg CW was blue water; water for the production of pasture contributed 87% to the WF, concentrate production - 12% and on-farm water use - 1%. The average stress-weighted WF was 2 l H2O eq/kg CW for sheep. This study also evaluated the sustainability of recent intensification initiatives in Ireland and found that increases in productivity were supported through an increase in green water use and higher grass yields per hectare on both beef and sheep farms.

Air-water CO2 Fluxes In Seasonal Hypoxia-influenced Green Bay, Lake Michigan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, P.; Klump, J. V.; Guo, L.

2016-02-01

Increasing anthropogenic nutrient enrichment has led to seasonal hypoxia in Green Bay, the largest freshwater estuary in the Laurentian Great Lakes, but change in carbon dynamics associated with the development of hypoxia remains poorly understood. Variations in alkalinity, abundance of carbon species, and air-water CO2 fluxes were quantified under contrasting hypoxic conditions during summer 2014. Green Bay was characterized with high pH (average 8.62 ± 0.16 in August), high DIC concentrations (2113 - 3213 µmol/kg) and high pCO2 in the water column. pCO2 was mostly >700 µatm in June, resulting in a net CO2 source to the air, while pCO2 was mostly <650 µatm in August when hypoxic conditions occurred in Green Bay. In central Green Bay, pCO2 was the highest during both sampling months, accompanying by low dissolved oxygen (DO) and lower pH in the water column. In August, pCO2 was inversely correlated with DOC concentration and increased with DOC/DOP ratio, suggesting a control by organic matter on air-water CO2 dynamics and consumption of DO in Green Bay. Positive CO2 fluxes to the atmosphere during August were only observed in northern bay but a CO2 sink was found in southern Green Bay ( 40% of study area) with high biological production and terrestrial DOM. Daily CO2 flux ranged from 10.9 to 48.5 mmol-C m-2 d-1 in June with an average of 18.29 ± 7.44 mmol-C m-2 d-1, whereas it varied from 1.82 ± 1.18 mmol m-2 d-1 in the north to -2.05 ± 1.89 mmol m-2 d-1 in the south of Green Bay in August. Even though strong biological production reduced the CO2 emission, daily CO2 fluxes from Green Bay to the air were as high as 7.4 × 107 mole-C in June and 4.6 × 106 mole-C in August, suggesting a significant role of high-DIC lakes in global CO2 budget and cycling.

Quadratic forms involving Green's and Robin functions

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

Dubinin, Vladimir N

2009-10-31

General inequalities for quadratic forms with coefficients depending on the values of Green's and Robin functions are obtained. These inequalities cover also the reduced moduli of strips and half-strips. Some applications of the results obtained to extremal partitioning problems and related questions of geometric function theory are discussed. Bibliography: 29 titles.

Updated bioavailability and 48 h excretion profile of flavan-3-ols from green tea in humans.

PubMed

Calani, Luca; Del Rio, Daniele; Luisa Callegari, Maria; Morelli, Lorenzo; Brighenti, Furio

2012-08-01

Green tea is a popular beverage, prepared with infusion of unfermented dried leaves of Camellia sinensis, and is one of the most relevant sources of polyphenolic compounds in the human diet. This study reports green tea flavan-3-ol absorption, metabolism and complete urinary excretion up to 48 h in 20 healthy volunteers. Urinary and tea samples were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Green tea contained monomeric flavan-3-ols and proanthocyanidins with a total polyphenol content of 728 μmol. A total of 41 metabolites were identified in urines, all present in conjugated forms. Among these, six colonic metabolites of green tea flavan-3-ols were identified for the first time after green tea consumption in humans. The average 48 h bioavailability was close to 62%, major contributors being microbial metabolites. Some volunteer showed a 100% absorption/excretion, whereas some others were unable to efficiently absorb/excrete this class of flavonoids. This suggests that colonic ring fission metabolism could be relevant in the putative bioactivity of green tea polyphenols.

Green's function of radial inhomogeneous spheres excited by internal sources.

PubMed

Zouros, Grigorios P; Kokkorakis, Gerassimos C

2011-01-01

Green's function in the interior of penetrable bodies with inhomogeneous compressibility by sources placed inside them is evaluated through a Schwinger-Lippmann volume integral equation. In the case of a radial inhomogeneous sphere, the radial part of the unknown Green's function can be expanded in a double Dini's series, which allows analytical evaluation of the involved cumbersome integrals. The simple case treated here can be extended to more difficult situations involving inhomogeneous density as well as to the corresponding electromagnetic or elastic problem. Finally, numerical results are given for various inhomogeneous compressibility distributions.

Digging the New York City Skyline: Soil Fungal Communities in Green Roofs and City Parks

PubMed Central

McGuire, Krista L.; Payne, Sara G.; Palmer, Matthew I.; Gillikin, Caitlyn M.; Keefe, Dominique; Kim, Su Jin; Gedallovich, Seren M.; Discenza, Julia; Rangamannar, Ramya; Koshner, Jennifer A.; Massmann, Audrey L.; Orazi, Giulia; Essene, Adam; Leff, Jonathan W.; Fierer, Noah

2013-01-01

In urban environments, green roofs provide a number of benefits, including decreased urban heat island effects and reduced energy costs for buildings. However, little research has been done on the non-plant biota associated with green roofs, which likely affect their functionality. For the current study, we evaluated whether or not green roofs planted with two native plant communities in New York City functioned as habitats for soil fungal communities, and compared fungal communities in green roof growing media to soil microbial composition in five city parks, including Central Park and the High Line. Ten replicate roofs were sampled one year after planting; three of these roofs were more intensively sampled and compared to nearby city parks. Using Illumina sequencing of the fungal ITS region we found that green roofs supported a diverse fungal community, with numerous taxa belonging to fungal groups capable of surviving in disturbed and polluted habitats. Across roofs, there was significant biogeographical clustering of fungal communities, indicating that community assembly of roof microbes across the greater New York City area is locally variable. Green roof fungal communities were compositionally distinct from city parks and only 54% of the green roof taxa were also found in the park soils. Phospholipid fatty acid analysis revealed that park soils had greater microbial biomass and higher bacterial to fungal ratios than green roof substrates. City park soils were also more enriched with heavy metals, had lower pH, and lower quantities of total bases (Ca, K, and Mg) compared to green roof substrates. While fungal communities were compositionally distinct across green roofs, they did not differentiate by plant community. Together, these results suggest that fungi living in the growing medium of green roofs may be an underestimated component of these biotic systems functioning to support some of the valued ecological services of green roofs. PMID:23469260

Digging the New York City Skyline: soil fungal communities in green roofs and city parks.

PubMed

McGuire, Krista L; Payne, Sara G; Palmer, Matthew I; Gillikin, Caitlyn M; Keefe, Dominique; Kim, Su Jin; Gedallovich, Seren M; Discenza, Julia; Rangamannar, Ramya; Koshner, Jennifer A; Massmann, Audrey L; Orazi, Giulia; Essene, Adam; Leff, Jonathan W; Fierer, Noah

2013-01-01

In urban environments, green roofs provide a number of benefits, including decreased urban heat island effects and reduced energy costs for buildings. However, little research has been done on the non-plant biota associated with green roofs, which likely affect their functionality. For the current study, we evaluated whether or not green roofs planted with two native plant communities in New York City functioned as habitats for soil fungal communities, and compared fungal communities in green roof growing media to soil microbial composition in five city parks, including Central Park and the High Line. Ten replicate roofs were sampled one year after planting; three of these roofs were more intensively sampled and compared to nearby city parks. Using Illumina sequencing of the fungal ITS region we found that green roofs supported a diverse fungal community, with numerous taxa belonging to fungal groups capable of surviving in disturbed and polluted habitats. Across roofs, there was significant biogeographical clustering of fungal communities, indicating that community assembly of roof microbes across the greater New York City area is locally variable. Green roof fungal communities were compositionally distinct from city parks and only 54% of the green roof taxa were also found in the park soils. Phospholipid fatty acid analysis revealed that park soils had greater microbial biomass and higher bacterial to fungal ratios than green roof substrates. City park soils were also more enriched with heavy metals, had lower pH, and lower quantities of total bases (Ca, K, and Mg) compared to green roof substrates. While fungal communities were compositionally distinct across green roofs, they did not differentiate by plant community. Together, these results suggest that fungi living in the growing medium of green roofs may be an underestimated component of these biotic systems functioning to support some of the valued ecological services of green roofs.

Response of freshwater algae to water quality in Qinshan Lake within Taihu Watershed, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Jianying; Ni, Wanmin; Luo, Yang; Jan Stevenson, R.; Qi, Jiaguo

Although frequent algal blooms in Taihu Lake in China have become major environmental problems and have drawn national and international attention, little is understood about the relationship between algal blooms and water quality. The goal of this study was to assess the growth and species responses of freshwater algae to variation in water quality in Qinshan Lake, located in headwaters of the Taihu watershed. Water samples were collected monthly from ten study sites in the Qinshan Lake and were analyzed for species distribution of freshwater algae and physiochemical parameters such as total nitrogen (TN), NH4+-N, NO3--N, total phosphorus (TP), chemical oxygen demand (COD Mn) and Chl-a. The results showed that average TN was 4.47 mg/L, with 92.2% of values greater than the TN standard set by the Chinese Environmental Protection Agency; average TP was 0.051 mg/L, with 37.9% of values above the TP national standard; and average trophic level index (TLI) was 53, the lower end of eutrophic condition. Average Chl-a concentration was 12.83 mg/m 3. Green algae and diatom far outweighed other freshwater algae and were dominant most time of the year, with the highest relative abundances of 96% and 99%, respectively. Blue-green algae, composed mainly toxic strains like Microcystis sp ., Nostoc sp. and Oscillatoria sp., became most dominant in the summer with the maximum relative abundance of 69%. The blue-green algae sank to the lake bottom to overwinter, and then dinoflagellates became the dominant species in the winter, with highest relative abundance of 89%. Analysis indicated that nutrients, especially control of ammonia and co-varying nutrients were the major restrictive factor of population growth of blue-green algae, suggesting that control in nutrient enrichments is the major preventive measure of algal blooms in Qinshan Lake.

Compact 151 W green laser with U-type resonator for prostate surgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bazyar, Hossein; Aghaie, Mohammad; Daemi, Mohammad Hossein; Bagherzadeh, Seyed Morteza

2013-04-01

We analyzed, designed and fabricated a U-type resonator for intra-cavity frequency doubling of a diode-side-pumped Q-switched Nd:YAG rod laser with high power and high stability for surgery of prostatic tissue. The resonator stability conditions were analyzed graphically in the various configurations for a U-type resonator. We obtained green light at 532 nm using a single KTP crystal, with average output power of 151 W at 10 kHz repetition rate, and with 113 ns pulse duration at 810 W input pump power. We achieved 1064-532 nm conversion efficiency of 75.8%, and pump-to-green optical-optical efficiency of 18.6%. The green power fluctuation was ±1.0% and pointing stability was better than 4 μrad. The green laser output was coupled to a side-firing medical fiber to transfer the laser beam to the prostatic tissue.

The water footprint of humanity

PubMed Central

Hoekstra, Arjen Y.; Mekonnen, Mesfin M.

2012-01-01

This study quantifies and maps the water footprint (WF) of humanity at a high spatial resolution. It reports on consumptive use of rainwater (green WF) and ground and surface water (blue WF) and volumes of water polluted (gray WF). Water footprints are estimated per nation from both a production and consumption perspective. International virtual water flows are estimated based on trade in agricultural and industrial commodities. The global annual average WF in the period 1996–2005 was 9,087 Gm3/y (74% green, 11% blue, 15% gray). Agricultural production contributes 92%. About one-fifth of the global WF relates to production for export. The total volume of international virtual water flows related to trade in agricultural and industrial products was 2,320 Gm3/y (68% green, 13% blue, 19% gray). The WF of the global average consumer was 1,385 m3/y. The average consumer in the United States has a WF of 2,842 m3/y, whereas the average citizens in China and India have WFs of 1,071 and 1,089 m3/y, respectively. Consumption of cereal products gives the largest contribution to the WF of the average consumer (27%), followed by meat (22%) and milk products (7%). The volume and pattern of consumption and the WF per ton of product of the products consumed are the main factors determining the WF of a consumer. The study illustrates the global dimension of water consumption and pollution by showing that several countries heavily rely on foreign water resources and that many countries have significant impacts on water consumption and pollution elsewhere. PMID:22331890

Green's functions for analysis of dynamic response of wheel/rail to vertical excitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazilu, Traian

2007-09-01

An analytical model to simulate wheel/rail interaction using the Green's functions method is proposed in this paper. The model consists of a moving wheel on a discretely supported rail. Particularly for this model of rail, the bending and the longitudinal displacement are coupled due to the rail pad and a complex model of the rail pad is adopted. An efficient method for solving a time-domain analysis for wheel/rail interaction is presented. The method is based on the properties of the rail's Green functions and starting to these functions, a track's Green matrix is assembled for the numerical simulations of wheel/rail response due to three kinds of vertical excitations: the steady-state interaction, the rail corrugation and the wheel flat. The study points to influence of the worn rail—rigid contact—on variation in the wheel/rail contact force. The concept of pinned-pinned inhibitive rail pad is also presented.

The impact of the catechol-O-methyltransferase genotype on vascular function and blood pressure after acute green tea ingestion.

PubMed

Miller, Rosalind J; Jackson, Kim G; Dadd, Tony; Mayes, Andrew E; Brown, A Louise; Lovegrove, Julie A; Minihane, Anne M

2012-06-01

Evidence for the benefits of green tea catechins on vascular function is inconsistent, with genotype potentially contributing to the heterogeneity in response. Here, the impact of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genotype on vascular function and blood pressure (BP) after green tea extract ingestion are reported. Fifty subjects (n = 25 of the proposed low-activity [AA] and of the high-activity [GG] COMT rs4680 genotype), completed a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Peripheral arterial tonometry, digital volume pulse (DVP), and BP were assessed at baseline and 90 min after 1.06 g of green tea extract or placebo. A 5.5 h and subsequent 18.5 h urine collection was performed to assess green tea catechin excretion. A genotype × treatment interaction was observed for DVP reflection index (p = 0.014), with green tea extract in the AA COMT group attenuating the increase observed with placebo. A tendency for a greater increase in diastolic BP was evident at 90 min after the green tea extract compared to placebo (p = 0.07). A genotypic effect was observed for urinary methylated epigallocatechin during the first 5.5 h, with the GG COMT group demonstrating a greater concentration (p = 0.049). Differences in small vessel tone according to COMT genotype were evident after acute green tea extract. © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Indocyanine green plasma disappearance rate during the anhepatic phase of orthotopic liver transplantation.

PubMed

Bruegger, Lukas; Studer, Peter; Schmid, Stefan W; Pestel, Gunther; Reichen, Juerg; Seiler, Christian; Candinas, Daniel; Inderbitzin, Daniel

2008-01-01

Non-invasive pulse spectrophotometry to measure indocyanine green (ICG) elimination correlates well with the conventional invasive ICG clearance test. Nevertheless, the precision of this method remains unclear for any application, including small-for-size liver remnants. We therefore measured ICG plasma disappearance rate (PDR) during the anhepatic phase of orthotopic liver transplantation using pulse spectrophotometry. Measurements were done in 24 patients. The median PDR after exclusion of two outliers and two patients with inconstant signal was 1.55%/min (95% confidence interval [CI]=0.8-2.2). No correlation with patient age, gender, body mass, blood loss, administration of fresh frozen plasma, norepinephrine dose, postoperative albumin (serum), or difference in pre and post transplant body weight was detected. In conclusion, we found an ICG-PDR different from zero in the anhepatic phase, an overestimation that may arise in particular from a redistribution into the interstitial space. If ICG pulse spectrophotometry is used to measure functional hepatic reserve, the verified average difference from zero (1.55%/min) determined in our study needs to be taken into account.

A novel green one-step synthesis of gold nanoparticles using crocin and their anti-cancer activities.

PubMed

Hoshyar, Reyhane; Khayati, Gholam Reza; Poorgholami, Maliheh; Kaykhaii, Massoud

2016-06-01

Functionalized nanoparticles are specifically designed to deliver drugs at tumor cells and can potentially enhance anticancer activity of drugs such as crocin. In the present study, we have applied antioxidant crocin as a reducing agent for one pot green synthesis of controlled size gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Spherical, stable and uniform AuNPs were synthesized using crocin. These AuNPs are characterized by UV-Vis, TEM and XRD techniques. The prepared AuNPs showed surface plasm on resonance centered at 520nm with the average particle size of about 4-10nm. The anti-cancer effect of AuNPs was determined using MTT and LDH tests. The cellular data showed that these AuNPs significantly decreased cancerous cells' growth after 24 and 48hours in a time- and dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). The results suggest that such AuNPs can be synthesized simply and quickly with invaluable clinical as well as pharmaceutical activities which can help to treat human breast cancer. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Characterization of biosynthesized gold nanoparticles from aqueous extract of Chlorella vulgaris and their anti-pathogenic properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Annamalai, Jayshree; Nallamuthu, Thangaraju

2015-06-01

In this study, biosynthesis of self-assembled gold nanoparticles (GNPs) was accomplished using an aqueous extract of green microalga, Chlorella vulgaris. The optical, physical, chemical and bactericidal properties of the GNPs were investigated to identify their average shape and size, crystal nature, surface chemistry and toxicity, via UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and antimicrobial activity. The sizes of the spherical self-assembled cores of the synthesized GNPs ranged from 2 to 10 nm. The XRD patterns showed a (111) preferential orientation and the crystalline nature of the GNPs. The results of the FTIR analysis suggested that the peptides, proteins, phenol and flavonoid carried out the dual function of effective Au III reduction and successful capping of the GNPs. Human pathogen Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus were susceptible to synthesized aqueous GNPs. Thus, biosynthesis, stabilization and self-assembly of the GNPs by Chlorella vulgaris extract can be an example of green chemistry and effective drug in the medicinal field.

Daylight Redirecting Window Films

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-01

58) • Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-140) • National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2007 (P.L. 109-364) • National Defense...Authorization Act for FY 2008 (P.L. 110-181) • National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2009 (P.L. 10-417) • Executive Order 13423 • Executive...green-house gas equivalents based on national averages Green-house- gas-equivalent conversion factor for national level usage. Embedded

CFD Analysis to Calculate the Optimal Air Velocity in Drying Green Tea Process Using Fluidized Bed Dryer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yohana, Eflita; Nugraha, Afif Prasetya; Diana, Ade Eva; Mahawan, Ilham; Nugroho, Sri

2018-02-01

Tea processing is basically distinguished into three types which black tea, green tea, and oolong tea. Green tea is processed by heating and drying the leaves. Green tea factories in Indonesia are generally using the process of drying by panning the leaves. It is more recommended to use the fluidization process to speed up the drying process as the quality of the tea can be maintained. Bubbling fluidization is expected to occur in this research. It is a process of bubbles are formed in the fluidization. The effectiveness of the drying process in a fluidized bed dryer machine needs to be improved by using a CFD simulation method to proof that umf < u < ut, where the average velocity value is limited by the minimum and the maximum velocity of the calculation the experimental data. The minimum and the maximum velocity value of the fluidization is 0.96 m/s and 8.2 m/s. The result of the simulation obtained that the average velocity of the upper bed part is 1.81 m/s. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that the calculation and the simulation data is in accordance with the condition of bubbling fluidization in fluidized bed dryer.

Plant species and functional group combinations affect green roof ecosystem functions.

PubMed

Lundholm, Jeremy; Macivor, J Scott; Macdougall, Zachary; Ranalli, Melissa

2010-03-12

Green roofs perform ecosystem services such as summer roof temperature reduction and stormwater capture that directly contribute to lower building energy use and potential economic savings. These services are in turn related to ecosystem functions performed by the vegetation layer such as radiation reflection and transpiration, but little work has examined the role of plant species composition and diversity in improving these functions. We used a replicated modular extensive (shallow growing- medium) green roof system planted with monocultures or mixtures containing one, three or five life-forms, to quantify two ecosystem services: summer roof cooling and water capture. We also measured the related ecosystem properties/processes of albedo, evapotranspiration, and the mean and temporal variability of aboveground biomass over four months. Mixtures containing three or five life-form groups, simultaneously optimized several green roof ecosystem functions, outperforming monocultures and single life-form groups, but there was much variation in performance depending on which life-forms were present in the three life-form mixtures. Some mixtures outperformed the best monocultures for water capture, evapotranspiration, and an index combining both water capture and temperature reductions. Combinations of tall forbs, grasses and succulents simultaneously optimized a range of ecosystem performance measures, thus the main benefit of including all three groups was not to maximize any single process but to perform a variety of functions well. Ecosystem services from green roofs can be improved by planting certain life-form groups in combination, directly contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. The strong performance by certain mixtures of life-forms, especially tall forbs, grasses and succulents, warrants further investigation into niche complementarity or facilitation as mechanisms governing biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships in green roof ecosystems.

Plant Species and Functional Group Combinations Affect Green Roof Ecosystem Functions

PubMed Central

Lundholm, Jeremy; MacIvor, J. Scott; MacDougall, Zachary; Ranalli, Melissa

2010-01-01

Background Green roofs perform ecosystem services such as summer roof temperature reduction and stormwater capture that directly contribute to lower building energy use and potential economic savings. These services are in turn related to ecosystem functions performed by the vegetation layer such as radiation reflection and transpiration, but little work has examined the role of plant species composition and diversity in improving these functions. Methodology/Principal Findings We used a replicated modular extensive (shallow growing- medium) green roof system planted with monocultures or mixtures containing one, three or five life-forms, to quantify two ecosystem services: summer roof cooling and water capture. We also measured the related ecosystem properties/processes of albedo, evapotranspiration, and the mean and temporal variability of aboveground biomass over four months. Mixtures containing three or five life-form groups, simultaneously optimized several green roof ecosystem functions, outperforming monocultures and single life-form groups, but there was much variation in performance depending on which life-forms were present in the three life-form mixtures. Some mixtures outperformed the best monocultures for water capture, evapotranspiration, and an index combining both water capture and temperature reductions. Combinations of tall forbs, grasses and succulents simultaneously optimized a range of ecosystem performance measures, thus the main benefit of including all three groups was not to maximize any single process but to perform a variety of functions well. Conclusions/Significance Ecosystem services from green roofs can be improved by planting certain life-form groups in combination, directly contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. The strong performance by certain mixtures of life-forms, especially tall forbs, grasses and succulents, warrants further investigation into niche complementarity or facilitation as mechanisms governing biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships in green roof ecosystems. PMID:20300196

Automatic numerical evaluation of vacancy-mediated transport for arbitrary crystals: Onsager coefficients in the dilute limit using a Green function approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trinkle, Dallas R.

2017-10-01

A general solution for vacancy-mediated diffusion in the dilute-vacancy/dilute-solute limit for arbitrary crystal structures is derived from the master equation. A general numerical approach to the vacancy lattice Green function reduces to the sum of a few analytic functions and numerical integration of a smooth function over the Brillouin zone for arbitrary crystals. The Dyson equation solves for the Green function in the presence of a solute with arbitrary but finite interaction range to compute the transport coefficients accurately, efficiently and automatically, including cases with very large differences in solute-vacancy exchange rates. The methodology takes advantage of the space group symmetry of a crystal to reduce the complexity of the matrix inversion in the Dyson equation. An open-source implementation of the algorithm is available, and numerical results are presented for the convergence of the integration error of the bare vacancy Green function, and tracer correlation factors for a variety of crystals including wurtzite (hexagonal diamond) and garnet.

The Green's functions for peridynamic non-local diffusion.

PubMed

Wang, L J; Xu, J F; Wang, J X

2016-09-01

In this work, we develop the Green's function method for the solution of the peridynamic non-local diffusion model in which the spatial gradient of the generalized potential in the classical theory is replaced by an integral of a generalized response function in a horizon. We first show that the general solutions of the peridynamic non-local diffusion model can be expressed as functionals of the corresponding Green's functions for point sources, along with volume constraints for non-local diffusion. Then, we obtain the Green's functions by the Fourier transform method for unsteady and steady diffusions in infinite domains. We also demonstrate that the peridynamic non-local solutions converge to the classical differential solutions when the non-local length approaches zero. Finally, the peridynamic analytical solutions are applied to an infinite plate heated by a Gauss source, and the predicted variations of temperature are compared with the classical local solutions. The peridynamic non-local diffusion model predicts a lower rate of variation of the field quantities than that of the classical theory, which is consistent with experimental observations. The developed method is applicable to general diffusion-type problems.

Functional Characterization of Epitheaflagallin 3-O-Gallate Generated in Laccase-Treated Green Tea Extracts in the Presence of Gallic Acid.

PubMed

Itoh, Nobuya; Kurokawa, Junji; Isogai, Yasuhiro; Ogasawara, Masaru; Matsunaga, Takayuki; Okubo, Tsutomu; Katsube, Yuji

2017-12-06

Epitheaflagallin (ETFG) and epitheaflagallin 3-O-gallate (ETFGg) are minor polyphenols in black tea extract that are enzymatically synthesized from epigallocatechin (EGC) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), respectively, in green tea extract via laccase oxidation in the presence of gallic acid. The constituents of laccase-treated green tea extract in the presence of gallic acid are thus quite different from those of nonlaccase-treated green tea extract: EGC and EGCg are present in lower concentrations, and ETFG and ETFGg are present in higher concentrations. Additionally, laccase-treated green tea extract contains further polymerized catechin derivatives, comparable with naturally fermented teas such as oolong tea and black tea. We found that ETFGg and laccase-treated green tea extracts exhibit versatile physiological functions in vivo and in vitro, including antioxidative activity, pancreatic lipase inhibition, Streptococcus sorbinus glycosyltransferase inhibition, and an inhibiting effect on the activity of matrix metalloprotease-1 and -3 and their synthesis by human gingival fibroblasts. We confirmed that these inhibitory effects of ETFGg in vitro match well with the results obtained by docking simulations of the compounds with their target enzymes or noncatalytic protein. Thus, ETFGg and laccase-treated green tea extracts containing ETFGg are promising functional food materials with potential antiobesity and antiperiodontal disease activities.

Novel green tissue-specific synthetic promoters and cis-regulatory elements in rice.

PubMed

Wang, Rui; Zhu, Menglin; Ye, Rongjian; Liu, Zuoxiong; Zhou, Fei; Chen, Hao; Lin, Yongjun

2015-12-11

As an important part of synthetic biology, synthetic promoter has gradually become a hotspot in current biology. The purposes of the present study were to synthesize green tissue-specific promoters and to discover green tissue-specific cis-elements. We first assembled several regulatory sequences related to tissue-specific expression in different combinations, aiming to obtain novel green tissue-specific synthetic promoters. GUS assays of the transgenic plants indicated 5 synthetic promoters showed green tissue-specific expression patterns and different expression efficiencies in various tissues. Subsequently, we scanned and counted the cis-elements in different tissue-specific promoters based on the plant cis-elements database PLACE and the rice cDNA microarray database CREP for green tissue-specific cis-element discovery, resulting in 10 potential cis-elements. The flanking sequence of one potential core element (GEAT) was predicted by bioinformatics. Then, the combination of GEAT and its flanking sequence was functionally identified with synthetic promoter. GUS assays of the transgenic plants proved its green tissue-specificity. Furthermore, the function of GEAT flanking sequence was analyzed in detail with site-directed mutagenesis. Our study provides an example for the synthesis of rice tissue-specific promoters and develops a feasible method for screening and functional identification of tissue-specific cis-elements with their flanking sequences at the genome-wide level in rice.

Performance of dryland and wetland plant species on extensive green roofs.

PubMed

MacIvor, J Scott; Ranalli, Melissa A; Lundholm, Jeremy T

2011-04-01

Green roofs are constructed ecosystems where plants perform valuable services, ameliorating the urban environment through roof temperature reductions and stormwater interception. Plant species differ in functional characteristics that alter ecosystem properties. Plant performance research on extensive green roofs has so far indicated that species adapted to dry conditions perform optimally. However, in moist, humid climates, species typical of wetter soils might have advantages over dryland species. In this study, survival, growth and the performance of thermal and stormwater capture functions of three pairs of dryland and wetland plant species were quantified using an extensive modular green roof system. Seedlings of all six species were germinated in a greenhouse and planted into green roof modules with 6 cm of growing medium. There were 34 treatments consisting of each species in monoculture and all combinations of wet- and dryland species in a randomized block design. Performance measures were survival, vegetation cover and roof surface temperature recorded for each module over two growing seasons, water loss (an estimate of evapotranspiration) in 2007, and albedo and water capture in 2008. Over two seasons, dryland plants performed better than wetland plants, and increasing the number of dryland species in mixtures tended to improve functioning, although there was no clear effect of species or habitat group diversity. All species had survival rates >75 % after the first winter; however, dryland species had much greater cover, an important indicator of green roof performance. Sibbaldiopsis tridentata was the top performing species in monoculture, and was included in the best treatments. Although dryland species outperformed wetland species, planting extensive green roofs with both groups decreased performance only slightly, while increasing diversity and possibly habitat value. This study provides further evidence that plant composition and diversity can influence green roof functions.

The function of green belt Jatibarang as quality control for the environment of Semarang city

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murtini, Titien Woro; Harani, Arnis Rochma; Ernadia, Loretta

2017-06-01

The quality of the healthy environment in a neighborhood city is decreasing in number. According to the government regulation, Act No. 26 of 2007, a city should have 20% of green areas from the total area of the city. Now, Semarang only has 7.5% of green areas from the total city area. One of the efforts made by the Government of Semarang is the establishment of a greenbelt in Jatibarang area. It consists of several parts, namely, the reservoirs in the green belt area and also the plant zone in other sectors. The reservoir has a function as the controller of water resources sustainability where the crops serve as the balance for the combination. Thus, it is interesting to study how the interplay of these two functions in a green belt area. The primary data used in this study was obtained from the locus of research by direct observation, interview, and physical data collection. Based on the data collection, data was then processed and analyzed in accordance with the indicators that had been compiled based on theories of reservoirs, green belts, and the quality of the urban environment. Government regulations regarding with the greenbelt and tanks were also used as references in the discussion. The research found out that the presence of the reservoir and the plants in the green belt of Jatibarang can improve the function of the green belt optimally which is a real influence for the improvement of the environment quality, especially water. The Greenbelt was divided into four zones, namely the Arboretum, Argo - Forestry, Ecotourism, Buffer - Zone also made the region became a beautiful greenbelt that brought a positive influence to environmental quality.

Performance of dryland and wetland plant species on extensive green roofs

PubMed Central

MacIvor, J. Scott; Ranalli, Melissa A.; Lundholm, Jeremy T.

2011-01-01

Background and Aims Green roofs are constructed ecosystems where plants perform valuable services, ameliorating the urban environment through roof temperature reductions and stormwater interception. Plant species differ in functional characteristics that alter ecosystem properties. Plant performance research on extensive green roofs has so far indicated that species adapted to dry conditions perform optimally. However, in moist, humid climates, species typical of wetter soils might have advantages over dryland species. In this study, survival, growth and the performance of thermal and stormwater capture functions of three pairs of dryland and wetland plant species were quantified using an extensive modular green roof system. Methods Seedlings of all six species were germinated in a greenhouse and planted into green roof modules with 6 cm of growing medium. There were 34 treatments consisting of each species in monoculture and all combinations of wet- and dryland species in a randomized block design. Performance measures were survival, vegetation cover and roof surface temperature recorded for each module over two growing seasons, water loss (an estimate of evapotranspiration) in 2007, and albedo and water capture in 2008. Key Results Over two seasons, dryland plants performed better than wetland plants, and increasing the number of dryland species in mixtures tended to improve functioning, although there was no clear effect of species or habitat group diversity. All species had survival rates >75 % after the first winter; however, dryland species had much greater cover, an important indicator of green roof performance. Sibbaldiopsis tridentata was the top performing species in monoculture, and was included in the best treatments. Conclusions Although dryland species outperformed wetland species, planting extensive green roofs with both groups decreased performance only slightly, while increasing diversity and possibly habitat value. This study provides further evidence that plant composition and diversity can influence green roof functions. PMID:21292676

Integrated Multiscale Modeling of Molecular Computing Devices

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

Gregory Beylkin

2012-03-23

Significant advances were made on all objectives of the research program. We have developed fast multiresolution methods for performing electronic structure calculations with emphasis on constructing efficient representations of functions and operators. We extended our approach to problems of scattering in solids, i.e. constructing fast algorithms for computing above the Fermi energy level. Part of the work was done in collaboration with Robert Harrison and George Fann at ORNL. Specific results (in part supported by this grant) are listed here and are described in greater detail. (1) We have implemented a fast algorithm to apply the Green's function for themore » free space (oscillatory) Helmholtz kernel. The algorithm maintains its speed and accuracy when the kernel is applied to functions with singularities. (2) We have developed a fast algorithm for applying periodic and quasi-periodic, oscillatory Green's functions and those with boundary conditions on simple domains. Importantly, the algorithm maintains its speed and accuracy when applied to functions with singularities. (3) We have developed a fast algorithm for obtaining and applying multiresolution representations of periodic and quasi-periodic Green's functions and Green's functions with boundary conditions on simple domains. (4) We have implemented modifications to improve the speed of adaptive multiresolution algorithms for applying operators which are represented via a Gaussian expansion. (5) We have constructed new nearly optimal quadratures for the sphere that are invariant under the icosahedral rotation group. (6) We obtained new results on approximation of functions by exponential sums and/or rational functions, one of the key methods that allows us to construct separated representations for Green's functions. (7) We developed a new fast and accurate reduction algorithm for obtaining optimal approximation of functions by exponential sums and/or their rational representations.« less

Rainwater runoff retention on an aged intensive green roof.

PubMed

Speak, A F; Rothwell, J J; Lindley, S J; Smith, C L

2013-09-01

Urban areas are characterised by large proportions of impervious surfaces which increases rainwater runoff and the potential for surface water flooding. Increased precipitation is predicted under current climate change projections, which will put further pressure on urban populations and infrastructure. Roof greening can be used within flood mitigation schemes to restore the urban hydrological balance of cities. Intensive green roofs, with their deeper substrates and higher plant biomass, are able to retain greater quantities of runoff, and there is a need for more studies on this less common type of green roof which also investigate the effect of factors such as age and vegetation composition. Runoff quantities from an aged intensive green roof in Manchester, UK, were analysed for 69 rainfall events, and compared to those on an adjacent paved roof. Average retention was 65.7% on the green roof and 33.6% on the bare roof. A comprehensive soil classification revealed the substrate, a mineral soil, to be in good general condition and also high in organic matter content which can increase the water holding capacity of soils. Large variation in the retention data made the use of predictive regression models unfeasible. This variation arose from complex interactions between Antecedant Dry Weather Period (ADWP), season, monthly weather trends, and rainfall duration, quantity and peak intensity. However, significantly lower retention was seen for high rainfall events, and in autumn, which had above average rainfall. The study period only covers one unusually wet year, so a longer study may uncover relationships to factors which can be applied to intensive roofs elsewhere. Annual rainfall retention for Manchester city centre could be increased by 2.3% by a 10% increase in intensive green roof construction. The results of this study will be of particular interest to practitioners implementing greenspace adaptation in temperate and cool maritime climates. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Breathe Plant Breathe: A Study of CO2 conversion in plants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weiss, M.

2016-12-01

Some of the research that I have found is that plants with green oxygen produce the most oxygen.Green oxygen is the Some examples of plants like this are spouts (such as the sweet pea, buckwheat, and sunflower.) Some of the other plants are the snake plant and the areca plant. These three plants are most commonly used in households to produce more oxygen when needed. Looking at a few more websites I saw that the plants do not produce oxygen at night because they have no light to transfer within photosynthesis. Some other information that I got was that plants with thick leaves or have a lot of leaves on them produce more oxygen. Some examples of this are the peace lily and the bamboo palm. Since these plants have thick and big leaves they have more photosynthesis cells and can produce more oxygen. In conclusion, my hypothesis was supported. The plant that converted the most CO2 was the pothos. I learned that if you need house plants to help create oxygen, one of the best ones would be a pothos because of its fast conversion rate. As a result the plant that converted the most carbon dioxide into oxygen was the pothos. With an average start of 5259.6, and average finish of 1463, and an average change of 3796.6 The Fern had an: average change of: 5205, average start of: 6564.6, and an average finish of: 1500 The Aloe had an: average change of: 4409.2, average start of: 7707.6, and an average finish of: 3298.4 And the Panda had an: average change of: 4821.8 average start of: 6971.2, and an average finish of:2149

A Green's function formulation for a nonlinear potential flow solution applicable to transonic flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baker, A. J.; Fox, C. H., Jr.

1977-01-01

Routine determination of inviscid subsonic flow fields about wing-body-tail configurations employing a Green's function approach for numerical solution of the perturbation velocity potential equation is successfully extended into the high subsonic subcritical flow regime and into the shock-free supersonic flow regime. A modified Green's function formulation, valid throughout a range of Mach numbers including transonic, that takes an explicit accounting of the intrinsic nonlinearity in the parent governing partial differential equations is developed. Some considerations pertinent to flow field predictions in the transonic flow regime are discussed.

More on the covariant retarded Green's function for the electromagnetic field in de Sitter spacetime

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

Higuchi, Atsushi; Lee, Yen Cheong; Nicholas, Jack R.

2009-11-15

In a recent paper 2 it was shown in examples that the covariant retarded Green's functions in certain gauges for electromagnetism and linearized gravity can be used to reproduce field configurations correctly in spite of the spacelike nature of past infinity in de Sitter spacetime. In this paper we extend the work of Ref. 2 concerning the electromagnetic field and show that the covariant retarded Green's function with an arbitrary value of the gauge parameter reproduces the electromagnetic field from two opposite charges at antipodal points of de Sitter spacetime.

The acoustic Green's function for swirling flow with variable entropy in a lined duct

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mathews, J. R.; Peake, N.

2018-04-01

This paper extends previous work by the authors (Journal of Sound and Vibration, 395:294-316,2017) on the acoustic field inside an annular duct with acoustic lining carrying mean axial and swirling flow so as to allow for non-uniform mean entropy, as would be found for instance in the turbine stage of an aeroengine. The main aim of this paper is to understand the effect of a non-uniform entropy on both the eigenmodes of the flow and the Green's function, which will allow noise prediction once we have identified acoustic sources. We first derive a new acoustic analogy in isentropic swirling flow, which allows us to derive the equation the tailored Green's function satisfies. The eigenmodes are split into two distinct families, acoustic and hydrodynamic modes, and are computed using different analytical methods; in the limit of high reduced frequency using the WKB method for the acoustic modes; and by considering a Frobenius expansion for the hydrodynamic modes. These are then compared with numerical results, with excellent agreement for all eigenmodes. The Green's function is also calculating analytically using the realistic limit of high reduced frequency, again with excellent agreement compared to numerical calculations. We see that for both the eigenmodes and Green's function the effect of non-uniform mean entropy is significant.

Green's function of multi-layered poroelastic half-space for models of ground vibration due to railway traffic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Futong; Tao, Xiaxin; Xie, Lili; Raj, Siddharthan

2017-04-01

This study proposes a Green's function, an essential representation of water-saturated ground under moving excitation, to simulate ground borne vibration from trains. First, general solutions to the governing equations of poroelastic medium are derived by means of integral transform. Secondly, the transmission and reflection matrix approach is used to formulate the relationship between displacement and stress of the stratified ground, which results in the matrix of the Green's function. Then the Green's function is combined into a train-track-ground model, and is verified by typical examples and a field test. Additional simulations show that the computed ground vibration attenuates faster in the immediate vicinity of the track than in the surrounding area. The wavelength of wheel-rail unevenness has a notable effect on computed displacement and pore pressure. The variation of vibration intensity with the depth of ground is significantly influenced by the layering of the strata soil. When the train speed is equal to the velocity of the Rayleigh wave, the Mach cone appears in the simulated wave field. The proposed Green's function is an appropriate representation for a layered ground with shallow ground water table, and will be helpful to understand the dynamic responses of the ground to complicated moving excitation.

Identifying effective factors on consumers' choice behavior toward green products: the case of Tehran, the capital of Iran.

PubMed

Rahnama, Hassan; Rajabpour, Shayan

2017-01-01

The environment is increasingly turning to a vital and very important issue for all people. By increasing environmental concerns as well as legislating and regulating rules on the protection of the environment and the emergence of green consumers, implementing green marketing approach for organizations seems to be more crucial and essential. As a result, the need for ecological products and green business activities compels companies to combine environmental issues with marketing strategies. The first step in the success of companies and organizations is to identify consumers and their consumption behaviors correctly and accurately. So, the purpose of this study is to identify effective factors for the choice of consumers of green products. We used consumption values (functional value, social value, emotional value, conditional value, epistemic value, and environmental value) as the effective factor for choosing green products. The original place of this research was in Tehran, capital city of Iran, which is one of the most polluted cities in the world due to environmental issues. The results from the survey questionnaires are analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. The results indicated that functional value-price, functional value-quality, social value, epistemic value, and environmental value had significantly positive effects on the choice of green products; also, conditional value and emotional value had no influence on it. It was concluded that the main influential factors for consumers' choice behavior regarding green products included environmental value and epistemic value. This study emphasized the proper pricing of green products by producers and sellers.

Influence of Surface Roughness on Strong Light-Matter Interaction of a Quantum Emitter-Metallic Nanoparticle System.

PubMed

Lu, Yu-Wei; Li, Ling-Yan; Liu, Jing-Feng

2018-05-08

We investigate the quantum optical properties of strong light-matter interaction between a quantum emitter and a metallic nanoparticle beyond idealized structures with a smooth surface. Based on the local coupling strength and macroscopic Green's function, we derived an exact quantum optics approach to obtain the field enhancement and light-emission spectrum of a quantum emitter. Numerical simulations show that the surface roughness has a greater effect on the near-field than on the far-field, and slightly increases the vacuum Rabi splitting on average. Further, we verified that the near-field enhancement is mainly determined by the surface features of hot-spot area.

Multiple mobility edges in a 1D Aubry chain with Hubbard interaction in presence of electric field: Controlled electron transport

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saha, Srilekha; Maiti, Santanu K.; Karmakar, S. N.

2016-09-01

Electronic behavior of a 1D Aubry chain with Hubbard interaction is critically analyzed in presence of electric field. Multiple energy bands are generated as a result of Hubbard correlation and Aubry potential, and, within these bands localized states are developed under the application of electric field. Within a tight-binding framework we compute electronic transmission probability and average density of states using Green's function approach where the interaction parameter is treated under Hartree-Fock mean field scheme. From our analysis we find that selective transmission can be obtained by tuning injecting electron energy, and thus, the present model can be utilized as a controlled switching device.

Assessing climate change impacts on fresh water resources of the Athabasca River Basin, Canada.

PubMed

Shrestha, Narayan Kumar; Du, Xinzhong; Wang, Junye

2017-12-01

Proper management of blue and green water resources is important for the sustainability of ecosystems and for the socio-economic development of river basins such as the Athabasca River Basin (ARB) in Canada. For this reason, quantifying climate change impacts on these water resources at a finer temporal and spatial scale is often necessary. In this study, we used a Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to assess climate change impacts on fresh water resources, focusing explicitly on the impacts to both blue and green water. We used future climate data generated by the Canadian Center for Climate Modelling and Analysis Regional Climate Model (CanRCM4) with a spatial resolution of 0.22°×0.22° (~25km) for two emission scenarios (RCP 4.5 and 8.5). Results projected the climate of the ARB to be wetter by 21-34% and warmer by 2-5.4°C on an annual time scale. Consequently, the annual average blue and green water flow was projected to increase by 16-54% and 11-34%, respectively, depending on the region, future period, and emission scenario. Furthermore, the annual average green water storage at the boreal region was expected to increase by 30%, while the storage was projected to remain fairly stable or decrease in other regions, especially during the summer season. On average, the fresh water resources in the ARB are likely to increase in the future. However, evidence of temporal and spatial heterogeneity could pose many future challenges to water resource planners and managers. Crown Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Pre-soaking of the feed pellets: a trick for successful feed utilization in juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas Linnaeus, 1758).

PubMed

Kanghae, H; Thongprajukaew, K; Phromkunthong, W; Plangsri, S; Jatupornpitukchat, S; Kittiwattanawong, K

2017-04-01

Pre-soaking of the feed pellets in water can improve feed utilization in juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas Linnaeus, 1758), but the pre-soaking has not previously been optimized. This study aimed to optimize the water amount used for pre-soaking the pellets. The experiments followed a completely randomized design with three replications of each dietary treatment group. Initially 10-day-old green turtles (20-22 g body weight) were treated in an indoor aquaculture system for 3 months. The dietary treatment pellets were pre-soaked with 0.3, 0.5 or 0.7 (v/w) relative amounts of water that are here termed soaking ratios. At the end of experiment, there were no significant differences in survival (96% on average) and growth (average body weight 75.34 g and specific growth rate 2%/day, on average) of turtles in three dietary treatments (p > 0.05). Feed utilization was the best in turtles fed with 0.7 pre-soaked ratio, as indicated by significant reductions (p < 0.05) in the feeding rate (7.44% body weight/day) and the feed conversion ratio (1.12 g feed/g gain). Digestion was also improved by the induction of faecal digestive enzymes as well as the faecal thermal properties. The rapid growth did not negatively affect the general haematological parameters of reared turtles. These findings indicate that the pre-soaking of feed pellets at the optimal soaking ratio (1:0.7 w/v of pellet to water) can contribute through improved feed utilization of green turtles. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition © 2016 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

The Research on the Impact of Green Beans Sports Drinks on Relieving Fatigue in Sports Training.

PubMed

Qi, Li; Ying, Liu

2015-01-01

For researching the function of relieving fatigue of green beans sports drinks, this paper selected 60 mice as subjects. They were randomly divided into four groups (low dose group, middle dose group, high dose group and physiological saline group). Each time they were respectively feed 10g 20g/L, 40g/L, 80 g/L green beans sports drinks and 15ml/(kg.d) physiological saline. The experiment lasted for a month. We recorded weight of mice, swimming time and blood urea nitrogen indicators. The results show that green beans sports drinks can significantly prolong swimming time of mice (p <0.05). For serum urea the results show no effect. So green beans sports drinks have a certain function of relieving physical fatigue.

The water footprint of humanity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mekonnen, M. M.; Hoekstra, A. Y.

2011-12-01

This study quantifies and maps the water footprint (WF) of humanity at a high spatial resolution level. It reports on consumptive use of rainwater (green WF) and ground and surface water (blue WF) and volumes of water polluted (grey WF). Water footprints are estimated per nation from both a production and consumption perspective. International virtual water flows are estimated based on trade in agricultural and industrial commodities. The global WF in the period 1996-2005 was 9087 Gm3/yr (74% green, 11% blue, 15% grey). Agricultural production contributes 92%. About one fifth of the global WF relates to production for export. The total volume of international virtual water flows related to trade in agricultural and industrial products was 2320 Gm3/yr (68% green, 13% blue, 19% grey). The WF of the global average consumer was 1385 m3/yr. The average consumer in the US has a WF of 2842 m3/yr, while the average citizens in China and India have WFs of 1071 m3/yr and 1089 m3/yr, respectively. Consumption of cereal products gives the largest contribution to the WF of the average consumer (27%), followed by meat (22%) and milk products (7%). The volume and pattern of consumption and the WF per ton of product of the products consumed are the main factors determining the WF of a consumer. The study illustrates the global dimension of water consumption and pollution by showing that several countries heavily rely on foreign water resources and that many countries have significant impacts on water consumption and pollution elsewhere.

Reconnaissance of water quality of Pueblo Reservoir, Colorado: May through December 1985

USGS Publications Warehouse

Edelmann, Patrick

1989-01-01

Pueblo Reservoir is the farthest upstream, main-stream reservoir constructed on the Arkansas River and is located in Pueblo County approximately 6 miles upstream from the city of Pueblo, Colorado. During the 1985 sampling period, the reservoir was stratified, and underflow from the Arkansas River occurred that resulted in stratification with respect to specific conductance. Concentrations of dissolved solids decreased markedly below the thermocline during June. Later in the summer, dissolved-solids concentrations increased substantially below the thermocline. Substantial depletion of dissolved oxygen occurred near the bottom of the reservoir. The dissolved oxygen minimum of 0.1 mg/L occurred during August near the reservoir bottom at transect 7 (near the dam). The average total-inorganic-nitrogen concentration near the reservoir surface was about 0.2 mg/L; near the reservoir bottom, the average concentration was about 0.3 mg/L. Concentrations of total phosphorus ranged from less than 0.01 to 0.05 mg/L near the reservoir surface, and from less than 0.01 to 0.22 mg/L near the reservoir bottom. At transect 2 (about 7 miles upstream from the dam) near the bottom of the reservoir, concentrations of total iron exceeded aquatic-life standards, and dissolved-manganese concentrations exceeded standards for public water supply. Diatoms, green algae, blue-green algae, and cryptomonads comprised the majority of phytoplankton in Pueblo Reservoir in 1985. The maximum average of 41,000 cells/ml occurred in July. Blue-green algae dominated from June to September; diatoms were the dominant group of algae in October. The average concentrations of phytoplankton decreased from July to October. (USGS)

Calibrating the ECCO ocean general circulation model using Green's functions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Menemenlis, D.; Fu, L. L.; Lee, T.; Fukumori, I.

2002-01-01

Green's functions provide a simple, yet effective, method to test and calibrate General-Circulation-Model(GCM) parameterizations, to study and quantify model and data errors, to correct model biases and trends, and to blend estimates from different solutions and data products.

Towards a Comprehensive Model of Jet Noise Using an Acoustic Analogy and Steady RANS Solutions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, Steven A. E.

2013-01-01

An acoustic analogy is developed to predict the noise from jet flows. It contains two source models that independently predict the noise from turbulence and shock wave shear layer interactions. The acoustic analogy is based on the Euler equations and separates the sources from propagation. Propagation effects are taken into account by calculating the vector Green's function of the linearized Euler equations. The sources are modeled following the work of Tam and Auriault, Morris and Boluriaan, and Morris and Miller. A statistical model of the two-point cross-correlation of the velocity fluctuations is used to describe the turbulence. The acoustic analogy attempts to take into account the correct scaling of the sources for a wide range of nozzle pressure and temperature ratios. It does not make assumptions regarding fine- or large-scale turbulent noise sources, self- or shear-noise, or convective amplification. The acoustic analogy is partially informed by three-dimensional steady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes solutions that include the nozzle geometry. The predictions are compared with experiments of jets operating subsonically through supersonically and at unheated and heated temperatures. Predictions generally capture the scaling of both mixing noise and BBSAN for the conditions examined, but some discrepancies remain that are due to the accuracy of the steady RANS turbulence model closure, the equivalent sources, and the use of a simplified vector Green's function solver of the linearized Euler equations.

Extracting information from AGN variability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasliwal, Vishal P.; Vogeley, Michael S.; Richards, Gordon T.

2017-09-01

Active galactic nuclei (AGNs) exhibit rapid, high-amplitude stochastic flux variations across the entire electromagnetic spectrum on time-scales ranging from hours to years. The cause of this variability is poorly understood. We present a Green's function-based method for using variability to (1) measure the time-scales on which flux perturbations evolve and (2) characterize the driving flux perturbations. We model the observed light curve of an AGN as a linear differential equation driven by stochastic impulses. We analyse the light curve of the Kepler AGN Zw 229-15 and find that the observed variability behaviour can be modelled as a damped harmonic oscillator perturbed by a coloured noise process. The model power spectrum turns over on time-scale 385 d. On shorter time-scales, the log-power-spectrum slope varies between 2 and 4, explaining the behaviour noted by previous studies. We recover and identify both the 5.6 and 67 d time-scales reported by previous work using the Green's function of the Continuous-time AutoRegressive Moving Average equation rather than by directly fitting the power spectrum of the light curve. These are the time-scales on which flux perturbations grow, and on which flux perturbations decay back to the steady-state flux level, respectively. We make the software package kālī used to study light curves using our method available to the community.

Time-dependent inversions of slow slip at the Hikurangi subduction zone, New Zealand, using numerical Green's functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Williams, C. A.; Wallace, L. M.; Bartlow, N. M.

2017-12-01

Slow slip events (SSEs) have been observed throughout the world, and the existence of these events has fundamentally altered our understanding of the possible ranges of slip behavior at subduction plate boundaries. In New Zealand, SSEs occur along the Hikurangi Margin, with shallower events in the north and deeper events to the south. In a recent study, Williams and Wallace (2015) found that static SSE inversions that consider elastic property variations provided significantly different results than those based on an elastic half-space. For deeper events, the heterogeneous models predicted smaller amounts of slip, while for shallower events the heterogeneous model predicted larger amounts of slip. In this study, we extend our initial work to examine the temporal variations in slip. We generate Green's functions using the PyLith finite element code (Aagaard et al., 2013) to allow consideration of elastic property variations provided by the New Zealand-wide seismic velocity model (Eberhart-Phillips et al., 2010). These Green's functions are then integrated to provide Green's functions compatible with the Network Inversion Filter (NIF, Segall and Matthews,1997; McGuire and Segall, 2003; Miyazaki et al.,2006). We examine 12 SSEs occurring along the Hikurangi Margin during 2010 and 2011, and compare the results using heterogeneous Green's functions with those of Bartlow et al. (2014), who examined the same set of SSEs with the NIF using a uniform elastic half-space model. The use of heterogeneous Green's functions should provide a more accurate picture of the slip distribution and evolution of the SSEs. This will aid in understanding the correlations between SSEs and seismicity and/or tremor and the role of SSEs in the accommodation of plate motion budgets in New Zealand.

Midsouth Pulpwood Prices, 1988

Treesearch

John S. Vissage

1990-01-01

In 1988, the average price per cord of Midsouth roundwood pulpwood was $49.21, an increase of approximately 4 percent since 1987. The average price per green ton of chipped residues fell 3 percent to $20.99. The total expenditure by Midsouth pulpmills for pulpwood increased about one-half percent to $1,569 million in 1988. However, the real prices, in terms of...

Green strips or vegetative fuel breaks

Treesearch

Loren St. John; Dan Ogle

2009-01-01

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, between 1998 and 2008 there were on average 65,581 fires per year and an average of 6,114,135 acres burned each year in the United States. Rangelands in the western United States have been invaded by many annual weed species including cheatgrass, an introduced winter annual grass that produces large quantities of...

Gold Functionalized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle Mediated Protein and DNA Codelivery to Plant Cells Via the Biolistic Method

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

Martin-Ortigosa, Susana; Valenstein, Justin S.; Lin, Victor S.-Y.

2012-09-11

The synthesis and characterization of a gold nanoparticle functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticle (Au-MSN) platform for codelivery of proteins and plasmid DNA to plant tissues using a biolistic particle delivery system is reported. The in vitro uptake and release profiles of fluorescently labeled bovine serum albumin (BSA) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) are investigated. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, Au-MSN with large average pore diameters (10 nm) are shown to deliver and subsequently release proteins and plasmid DNA to the same cell after passing through the plant cell wall upon bombardment. Release of fluorescent eGFP indicates the delivery of active, non-denaturedmore » proteins to plant cells. This advance represents the first example of biolistic-mediated codelivery of proteins and plasmid DNA to plant cells via gold-functionalized MSN and provides a powerful tool for both fundamental and applied research of plant sciences.« less

Terrestrial basking sea turtles are responding to spatio-temporal sea surface temperature patterns.

PubMed

Van Houtan, Kyle S; Halley, John M; Marks, Wendy

2015-01-01

Naturalists as early as Darwin observed terrestrial basking in green turtles (Chelonia mydas), but the distribution and environmental influences of this behaviour are poorly understood. Here, we examined 6 years of daily basking surveys in Hawaii and compared them with the phenology of local sea surface temperatures (SST). Data and models indicated basking peaks when SST is coolest, and we found this timeline consistent with bone stress markings. Next, we assessed the decadal SST profiles for the 11 global green turtle populations. Basking generally occurs when winter SST falls below 23°C. From 1990 to 2014, the SST for these populations warmed an average 0.04°C yr(-1) (range 0.01-0.09°C yr(-1)); roughly three times the observed global average over this period. Owing to projected future warming at basking sites, we estimated terrestrial basking in green turtles may cease globally by 2100. To predict and manage for future climate change, we encourage a more detailed understanding for how climate influences organismal biology. © 2015 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.

Terrestrial basking sea turtles are responding to spatio-temporal sea surface temperature patterns

PubMed Central

Van Houtan, Kyle S.; Halley, John M.; Marks, Wendy

2015-01-01

Naturalists as early as Darwin observed terrestrial basking in green turtles (Chelonia mydas), but the distribution and environmental influences of this behaviour are poorly understood. Here, we examined 6 years of daily basking surveys in Hawaii and compared them with the phenology of local sea surface temperatures (SST). Data and models indicated basking peaks when SST is coolest, and we found this timeline consistent with bone stress markings. Next, we assessed the decadal SST profiles for the 11 global green turtle populations. Basking generally occurs when winter SST falls below 23°C. From 1990 to 2014, the SST for these populations warmed an average 0.04°C yr−1 (range 0.01–0.09°C yr−1); roughly three times the observed global average over this period. Owing to projected future warming at basking sites, we estimated terrestrial basking in green turtles may cease globally by 2100. To predict and manage for future climate change, we encourage a more detailed understanding for how climate influences organismal biology. PMID:25589483

Surface Characteristics of Green Island Wakes from Satellite Imagery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Kai-Ho; Hsu, Po-Chun; Ho, Chung-Ru

2017-04-01

Characteristics of an island wake induced by the Kuroshio Current flows pass by Green Island, a small island 40 km off southeast of Taiwan is investigated by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite imagery. The MODIS sea surface temperature (SST) and chlorophyll-a (chl-a) imagery is produced at 250-meter resolution from 2014 to 2015 using the SeaDAS software package which is developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The wake occurrence is 59% observed from SST images during the data span. The average cooling area is 190 km2, but the area is significantly changed with wind directions. The wake area is increased during southerly winds and is reduced during northerly winds. Besides, the average cooling SST was about 2.1 oC between the front and rear island. Comparing the temperature difference between the wake and its left side, the difference is 1.96 oC. In addition, the wakes have 1 3 times higher than normal in chlorophyll concentration. The results indicate the island mass effect makes the surface water of Green island wake colder and chl-a higher.

Physical and biochemical properties of green banana flour.

PubMed

Suntharalingam, S; Ravindran, G

1993-01-01

Banana flour prepared from two cooking banana varieties, namely 'Alukehel' and 'Monthan', were evaluated for their physical and biochemical characteristics. The yields of flour averaged 31.3% for 'Alukehel' and 25.5% for 'Monthan'. The pH of the flour ranged from 5.4 to 5.7. The bulk density and particle size distribution were also measured. The average chemical composition (% dry matter) of the flours were as follows: crude protein, 3.2; crude fat, 1.3; ash, 3.7; neutral detergent fiber, 8.9; acid detergent fiber, 3.8; cellulose, 3.1; lignin, 1.0 and hemicellulose, 5.0. Carbohydrate composition indicated the flour to contain 2.8% soluble sugars, 70.0% starch and 12.0% non-starch polysaccharides. Potassium is the predominant mineral in banana flour. Fresh green banana is a good source of vitamin C, but almost 65% is lost during the preparation of flour. Oxalate content (1.1-1.6%) of banana flour is probably nutritionally insignificant. The overall results are suggestive of the potential of green bananas as a source of flour.

[Treatment of polluted urban river water using filamentous green algae].

PubMed

Liang, Xia; Li, Xiao-Ping

2008-01-01

Filamentous green algae dominated treatment system was set up to remove contaminants from polluted urban river water under lab conditions. Experiments show that TP is decreased up to 50%, associated with 72% removal of TSS. The removal efficiencies of soluble species, PO4(3-) and NH4(+)-N, are up to 90% and 85% respectively. Under heavily polluted conditions (TP > 3.0 mg x L(-1), TN > 22.0 mg x L(-1)), the average removal efficiencies of TP and TN are 89% and 45% respectively, while under light polluted conditions (TP < 0.50 mg x L(-1), TN < 10 mg x L(-1)), the average effluent concentration of PO4(3-) and NH4(+)-N are well below 0.1 mg x L(-1) and 2.0 mg x L(-1) respectively. During the experiments, the biomass of filamentous green algae is increased significantly (38.78%), and at the same time a large number of unicellular Chlorophytes and Cyanophytes species are occurred on the interior wall surface of experimental fertility. The maximum biomass occurs at the highest concentration of DO.

Molecular diversity and population structure of Chinese green foxtail [Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv.] revealed by microsatellite analysis.

PubMed

Jia, Guanqing; Shi, Shenkui; Wang, Chunfang; Niu, Zhengang; Chai, Yang; Zhi, Hui; Diao, Xianmin

2013-09-01

Green foxtail (Setaria viridis) is a new model plant for the genomic investigation of C4 photosynthesis biology. As the ancestor of foxtail millet (Setaria italica), an ancient cereal of great importance in arid regions of the world, green foxtail is crucial for the study of domestication and evolution of this ancient crop. In the present study, 288 green foxtail accessions, which were collected from all geographical regions of China, were analysed using 77 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) that cover the whole genome. A high degree of molecular diversity was detected in these accessions, with an average of 33.5 alleles per locus. Two clusters, which were inconsistent with the distribution of eco-geographical regions in China, were inferred from STRUCTURE, Neighbor-Joining, and principal component analysis, indicating a partially mixed distribution of Chinese green foxtails. The higher subpopulation diversity was from accessions mainly collected from North China. A low level of linkage disequilibrium was observed in the green foxtail genome. Furthermore, a combined analysis of green foxtail and foxtail millet landraces was conducted, and the origin and domestication of foxtail millet was inferred in North China.

Learning curves and perioperative outcomes after endoscopic enucleation of the prostate: a comparison between GreenLight 532-nm and holmium lasers.

PubMed

Peyronnet, Benoit; Robert, Grégoire; Comat, Vincent; Rouprêt, Morgan; Gomez-Sancha, Fernando; Cornu, Jean-Nicolas; Misrai, Vincent

2017-06-01

To compare the learning curves, perioperative and early functional outcomes after HoLEP and GreenLEP. Data from the first 100 consecutive cases treated by GreenLEP and HoLEP by two surgeons were prospectively collected from dedicated databases and analysed retrospectively. En-bloc GreenLEP and two-lobar HoLEP enucleations were conducted using the GreenLight HPS™ 2090 laser and Lumenis™ holmium laser. Patients' characteristics, perioperative outcomes and functional outcomes after 1, 3 and 6 months were compared between groups. Total energy delivered and operative times were significantly shorter for GreenLEP (58 vs. 110 kJ, p < 0.0001; 60 vs. 90 min, p < 0.0001). Operative time reached a plateau after 30 procedures in each group. Length of catheterization and hospital stay were significantly shorter in the HoLEP group (2 vs. 1 day, p < 0.0001; 2 vs. 1 day, p < 0.0001). Postoperative complications were comparable between GreenLEP and HoLEP (19 vs. 25 %; p = 0.13). There was a greater increase of Q max at 3 months and a greater IPSS decrease at 1 month for GreenLEP, whereas decreases in IPSS and IPSS-Q8 at 6 months were greater for HoLEP. Transient stress urinary incontinence was comparable between both groups (6 vs. 9 % at 3 months; p = 0.42). Pentafecta was achieved in four consecutive patients after the 18th and the 40th procedure in the GreenLEP and HoLEP group, respectively. Learning curves ranged from 14 to 30 cases for GreenLEP and 22 to 40 cases for HoLEP. Learning curves of GreenLEP and HoLEP provided roughly similar peri-operative and short-term functional outcomes.

Green-diode-pumped femtosecond Ti:Sapphire laser with up to 450 mW average power.

PubMed

Gürel, K; Wittwer, V J; Hoffmann, M; Saraceno, C J; Hakobyan, S; Resan, B; Rohrbacher, A; Weingarten, K; Schilt, S; Südmeyer, T

2015-11-16

We investigate power-scaling of green-diode-pumped Ti:Sapphire lasers in continuous-wave (CW) and mode-locked operation. In a first configuration with a total pump power of up to 2 W incident onto the crystal, we achieved a CW power of up to 440 mW and self-starting mode-locking with up to 200 mW average power in 68-fs pulses using semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM) as saturable absorber. In a second configuration with up to 3 W of pump power incident onto the crystal, we achieved up to 650 mW in CW operation and up to 450 mW in 58-fs pulses using Kerr-lens mode-locking (KLM). The shortest pulse duration was 39 fs, which was achieved at 350 mW average power using KLM. The mode-locked laser generates a pulse train at repetition rates around 400 MHz. No complex cooling system is required: neither the SESAM nor the Ti:Sapphire crystal is actively cooled, only air cooling is applied to the pump diodes using a small fan. Because of mass production for laser displays, we expect that prices for green laser diodes will become very favorable in the near future, opening the door for low-cost Ti:Sapphire lasers. This will be highly attractive for potential mass applications such as biomedical imaging and sensing.

The use of reactive material for limiting P-leaching from green roof substrate.

PubMed

Bus, Agnieszka; Karczmarczyk, Agnieszka; Baryła, Anna

2016-01-01

The aim of the study is to assess the influence of drainage layer made of reactive material Polonite(®) on the water retention and P-PO(4) concentration in runoff. A column experiment was performed for extensive substrate underlined by 2 cm of Polonite(®) layer (SP) and the same substrate without supporting layer as a reference (S). The leakage phosphorus concentration ranged from 0.001 to 0.082 mg P-PO(4)·L(-1), with average value 0.025 P-PO(4)·L(-1) of S experiment and 0.000-0.004 P-PO(4)·L(-1) and 0.001 P-PO(4)·L(-1) of SP experiment, respectively. The 2 cm layer of Polonite(®) was efficient in reducing P outflow from green roof substrate by 96%. The average effluent volumes from S and SP experiments amounted 61.1 mL (5.8-543.3 mL) and 46.4 mL (3.3-473.3 mL) with the average irrigation rate of 175.5 mL (6.3-758.0 mL). The substrate retention ability of S and SP experiments was 65% and 74%, respectively. Provided with reactive materials, green roof layers implemented in urban areas for rain water retention and delaying runoff also work for protection of water quality.

[Variation pattern and its affecting factors of three-dimensional landscape in urban residential community of Shenyang].

PubMed

Zhang, Pei-Feng; Hu, Yuan-Man; Xiong, Zai-Ping; Liu, Miao

2011-02-01

Based on the 1:10000 aerial photo in 1997 and the three QuickBird images in 2002, 2005, and 2008, and by using Barista software and GIS and RS techniques, the three-dimensional information of the residential community in Tiexi District of Shenyang was extracted, and the variation pattern of the three-dimensional landscape in the district during its reconstruction in 1997-2008 and related affecting factors were analyzed with the indices, ie. road density, greening rate, average building height, building height standard deviation, building coverage rate, floor area rate, building shape coefficient, population density, and per capita GDP. The results showed that in 1997-2008, the building area for industry decreased, that for commerce and other public affairs increased, and the area for residents, education, and medical cares basically remained stable. The building number, building coverage rate, and building shape coefficient decreased, while the floor area rate, average building height, height standard deviation, road density, and greening rate increased. Within the limited space of residential community, the containing capacity of population and economic activity increased, and the environment quality also improved to some extent. The variation degree of average building height increased, but the building energy consumption decreased. Population growth and economic development had positive correlations with floor area rate, road density, and greening rate, but negative correlation with building coverage rate.

Experimental evaluation of thermal and energy performance of temperate green roofs: a case study in Beijing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, T.; Institute of Hydrology; Water Resources

2011-12-01

An experimental evaluation of thermal and energy performance of temperate green roofs was carried out by thermal and meteorological observation and energy budget modeling using a setup of green roof in Beijing urban area. From both the yearly and daily temperature trends, the green roof could effectively damp down the undulation of roof surface temperature comparing with the conventional one. As an insulating screen, the green roof abated the amplitude of temperature by 9.0 in winter and 9.1 °C in summer, respectively. Under different cloud conditions, the green roof in summer time resulted in decreases in sensible heat and heat flux by 125.3W m-2 and 32.0 W m-2, respectively, on daily average comparing with the conventional one. Based on the energy budget analyses, under an assumptive scenario of 50% roof-greening in Beijing, a total of 34.1 PJ of sensible heat and 8.7 PJ of heat flux would be decreased for a summer period of 90 days. This study demonstrated that green roof, serving as an insulating screen to building top in comparison with the conventional roof, proved thermal improving effect in building scale and high energy saving potential for urban development.

Dynamics of active sites in biological macromolecules using a Green-function approach: An application to heme vibrational dynamics in myoglobin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rai, Brajesh; Prohofsky, Earl

2003-03-01

Dynamics of functionally active regions of biological macromolecules can be studied using a Green-function technique. This approach uses the fact that in most cases one has a good set of force constants for active sites, and rather poorly defined force field parameters for other regions of the macromolecule. The Green-function method is applied to study the iron vibrational modes of the heme active site in myoglobin. In this approach, the heme active site is viewed as a system interacting with surrounding globin, which acts as an excitation bath. The normal modes of heme and globin are separately calculated using the best available force fields for the two entities. The iron vibrational spectrum of myoglobin is then obtained using the solutions of the heme and globin, and by considering physically meaningful interactions between the two units. The refinement of the Green-function calculations to the experimental data from an x-ray synchrotron-based Nuclear Resonance Vibrational Spectroscopy provides important insights into the character of iron normal modes of myoglobin.

Superalgebraically convergent smoothly windowed lattice sums for doubly periodic Green functions in three-dimensional space

PubMed Central

Bruno, Oscar P.; Turc, Catalin; Venakides, Stephanos

2016-01-01

This work, part I in a two-part series, presents: (i) a simple and highly efficient algorithm for evaluation of quasi-periodic Green functions, as well as (ii) an associated boundary-integral equation method for the numerical solution of problems of scattering of waves by doubly periodic arrays of scatterers in three-dimensional space. Except for certain ‘Wood frequencies’ at which the quasi-periodic Green function ceases to exist, the proposed approach, which is based on smooth windowing functions, gives rise to tapered lattice sums which converge superalgebraically fast to the Green function—that is, faster than any power of the number of terms used. This is in sharp contrast to the extremely slow convergence exhibited by the lattice sums in the absence of smooth windowing. (The Wood-frequency problem is treated in part II.) This paper establishes rigorously the superalgebraic convergence of the windowed lattice sums. A variety of numerical results demonstrate the practical efficiency of the proposed approach. PMID:27493573

Green's function and image system for the Laplace operator in the prolate spheroidal geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xue, Changfeng; Deng, Shaozhong

2017-01-01

In the present paper, electrostatic image theory is studied for Green's function for the Laplace operator in the case where the fundamental domain is either the exterior or the interior of a prolate spheroid. In either case, an image system is developed to consist of a point image inside the complement of the fundamental domain and an additional symmetric continuous surface image over a confocal prolate spheroid outside the fundamental domain, although the process of calculating such an image system is easier for the exterior than for the interior Green's function. The total charge of the surface image is zero and its centroid is at the origin of the prolate spheroid. In addition, if the source is on the focal axis outside the prolate spheroid, then the image system of the exterior Green's function consists of a point image on the focal axis and a line image on the line segment between the two focal points.

Communication: The description of strong correlation within self-consistent Green's function second-order perturbation theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phillips, Jordan J.; Zgid, Dominika

2014-06-01

We report an implementation of self-consistent Green's function many-body theory within a second-order approximation (GF2) for application with molecular systems. This is done by iterative solution of the Dyson equation expressed in matrix form in an atomic orbital basis, where the Green's function and self-energy are built on the imaginary frequency and imaginary time domain, respectively, and fast Fourier transform is used to efficiently transform these quantities as needed. We apply this method to several archetypical examples of strong correlation, such as a H32 finite lattice that displays a highly multireference electronic ground state even at equilibrium lattice spacing. In all cases, GF2 gives a physically meaningful description of the metal to insulator transition in these systems, without resorting to spin-symmetry breaking. Our results show that self-consistent Green's function many-body theory offers a viable route to describing strong correlations while remaining within a computationally tractable single-particle formalism.

Establishing green roof infrastructure through environmental policy instruments.

PubMed

Carter, Timothy; Fowler, Laurie

2008-07-01

Traditional construction practices provide little opportunity for environmental remediation to occur in urban areas. As concerns for environmental improvement in urban areas become more prevalent, innovative practices which create ecosystem services and ecologically functional land cover in cities will be in higher demand. Green roofs are a prime example of one of these practices. The past decade has seen the North American green roof industry rapidly expand through international green roof conferences, demonstration sites, case studies, and scientific research. This study evaluates existing international and North American green roof policies at the federal, municipal, and community levels. Green roof policies fall into a number of general categories, including direct and indirect regulation, direct and indirect financial incentives, and funding of demonstration or research projects. Advantages and disadvantages of each category are discussed. Salient features and a list of prompting standards common to successfully implemented green roof strategies are then distilled from these existing policies. By combining these features with data collected from an experimental green roof site in Athens, Georgia, the planning and regulatory framework for widespread green roof infrastructure can be developed. The authors propose policy instruments be multi-faceted and spatially focused, and also propose the following recommendations: (1) Identification of green roof overlay zones with specifications for green roofs built in these zones. This spatial analysis is important for prioritizing areas of the jurisdiction where green roofs will most efficiently function; (2) Offer financial incentives in the form of density credits and stormwater utility fee credits to help overcome the barriers to entry of the new technology; (3) Construct demonstration projects and institutionalize a commitment greening roofs on publicly-owned buildings as an effective way of establishing an educated roofing industry and experienced installers for future green roof construction.

Establishing Green Roof Infrastructure Through Environmental Policy Instruments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carter, Timothy; Fowler, Laurie

2008-07-01

Traditional construction practices provide little opportunity for environmental remediation to occur in urban areas. As concerns for environmental improvement in urban areas become more prevalent, innovative practices which create ecosystem services and ecologically functional land cover in cities will be in higher demand. Green roofs are a prime example of one of these practices. The past decade has seen the North American green roof industry rapidly expand through international green roof conferences, demonstration sites, case studies, and scientific research. This study evaluates existing international and North American green roof policies at the federal, municipal, and community levels. Green roof policies fall into a number of general categories, including direct and indirect regulation, direct and indirect financial incentives, and funding of demonstration or research projects. Advantages and disadvantages of each category are discussed. Salient features and a list of prompting standards common to successfully implemented green roof strategies are then distilled from these existing policies. By combining these features with data collected from an experimental green roof site in Athens, Georgia, the planning and regulatory framework for widespread green roof infrastructure can be developed. The authors propose policy instruments be multi-faceted and spatially focused, and also propose the following recommendations: (1) Identification of green roof overlay zones with specifications for green roofs built in these zones. This spatial analysis is important for prioritizing areas of the jurisdiction where green roofs will most efficiently function; (2) Offer financial incentives in the form of density credits and stormwater utility fee credits to help overcome the barriers to entry of the new technology; (3) Construct demonstration projects and institutionalize a commitment greening roofs on publicly-owned buildings as an effective way of establishing an educated roofing industry and experienced installers for future green roof construction.

Effects of green tea tannin on cisplatin-induced nephropathy in LLC-PK1 cells and rats.

PubMed

Yokozawa, T; Nakagawa, T; Lee, K I; Cho, E J; Terasawa, K; Takeuchi, S

1999-11-01

A study was conducted to clarify whether green tea tannin ameliorated cisplatin-induced renal injury in terms of lactate dehydrogenase and malondialdehyde leakage from a renal epithelial cell line, swine-derived LLC-PK1 cells in culture. Green tea tannin was shown to suppress the cytotoxicity of cisplatin, the suppressive effect increasing with the dose of green tea tannin. The effect of cisplatin was then investigated in rats given green tea tannin for 40 days before cisplatin administration and in control rats given no green tea tannin. In control rats, blood, urinary and renal parameters and the activities of antioxidative enzymes in renal tissue deviated from the normal range, indicating dysfunction of the kidneys. In contrast, rats given green tea tannin showed decreased blood levels of urea nitrogen and creatinine, and decreased urinary levels of protein and glucose, reflecting less damage to the kidney. In this group, the activity of catalase in the renal tissue was increased, while the level of malondialdehyde was decreased, suggesting the involvement of radicals in the normalizing of kidney function. Based on the evidence available it appeared that green tea tannin eliminated oxidative stress and was beneficial to renal function.

BN-C Hybrid Nanoribbons as Gas Sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Darvishi Gilan, Mahdi; Chegel, Raad

2018-02-01

The effects of carbon monoxide (CO) and ammonia (NH3) molecules adsorption on the various composites of boron nitride and graphene BN-C hybrid nanoribbons are investigated using the non-equilibrium Green's function (NEGF) technique based on density functional theory (DFT). The effects of adsorption with possible random configurations on the average of the density of states (DOS), transmission coefficient, and the current-voltage ( I- V) characteristics are calculated. The results indicate that, by embedding armchair graphene nanoribbon (AGNR) with boron nitride nanoribbon (BNNR), the various electronic properties can be observed after gas molecule adsorption. The electronic structure and gap of hybrids system is modified due to gas adsorption, and the systems act like the n-type semiconductor by NH3 molecule adsorption. The hybrid structures due to their tunable band gap are better candidates for gas detecting compared to the pristine BNNRs and AGNRs.

Asymmetric dumbbell-shaped silver nanoparticles and spherical gold nanoparticles green-synthesized by mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) pericarp waste extracts

PubMed Central

Park, Ji Su; Ahn, Eun-Young; Park, Youmie

2017-01-01

Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) pericarp waste extract was used to synthesize gold and silver nanoparticles by a green strategy. The extract was both a reducing and stabilizing agent during synthesis. Phytochemical screening of the extract was conducted to obtain information regarding the presence/absence of primary and secondary metabolites in the extract. The in vitro antioxidant activity results demonstrated that the extract had excellent antioxidant activity, which was comparable to a standard (butylated hydroxy toluene). Spherical gold nanoparticles (gold nanoparticles green synthesized by mangosteen pericarp extract [GM-AuNPs]) with an average size of 15.37±3.99 to 44.20±16.99 nm were observed in high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) images. Most interestingly, the silver nanoparticles (silver nanoparticles green synthesized by mangosteen pericarp extract [GM-AgNPs]) had asymmetric nanodumbbell shapes where one tail grew from a spherical head. The average head size was measured to be 13.65±5.07 to 31.08±3.99 nm from HR-TEM images. The hydrodynamic size of both nanoparticles tended to increase with increasing extract concentration. Large negative zeta potentials (−18.92 to −34.77 mV) suggested that each nanoparticle solution possessed excellent colloidal stability. The reaction yields were 99.7% for GM-AuNPs and 82.8% for GM-AgNPs, which were assessed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. A high-resolution X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the face-centered cubic structure of both nanoparticles. Based on phytochemical screening and Fourier transform infrared spectra, the hydroxyl functional groups of carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, and phenolic compounds were most likely involved in a reduction reaction of gold or silver salts to their corresponding nanoparticles. The in vitro cytotoxicity (based on a water-soluble tetrazolium assay) demonstrated that GM-AgNPs were toxic to both A549 (a human lung cancer cell) and NIH3T3 (a mouse fibroblast cell). The cytotoxicity of GM-AgNPs on A549 cells was related to apoptotic cell death. However, GM-AuNPs did not show any significant cytotoxicity to either cell. These results suggest that GM-AuNPs have the potential to be drug delivery vehicles or carriers for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. PMID:29066885

Asymmetric dumbbell-shaped silver nanoparticles and spherical gold nanoparticles green-synthesized by mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) pericarp waste extracts.

PubMed

Park, Ji Su; Ahn, Eun-Young; Park, Youmie

2017-01-01

Mangosteen ( Garcinia mangostana ) pericarp waste extract was used to synthesize gold and silver nanoparticles by a green strategy. The extract was both a reducing and stabilizing agent during synthesis. Phytochemical screening of the extract was conducted to obtain information regarding the presence/absence of primary and secondary metabolites in the extract. The in vitro antioxidant activity results demonstrated that the extract had excellent antioxidant activity, which was comparable to a standard (butylated hydroxy toluene). Spherical gold nanoparticles (gold nanoparticles green synthesized by mangosteen pericarp extract [GM-AuNPs]) with an average size of 15.37±3.99 to 44.20±16.99 nm were observed in high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) images. Most interestingly, the silver nanoparticles (silver nanoparticles green synthesized by mangosteen pericarp extract [GM-AgNPs]) had asymmetric nanodumbbell shapes where one tail grew from a spherical head. The average head size was measured to be 13.65±5.07 to 31.08±3.99 nm from HR-TEM images. The hydrodynamic size of both nanoparticles tended to increase with increasing extract concentration. Large negative zeta potentials (-18.92 to -34.77 mV) suggested that each nanoparticle solution possessed excellent colloidal stability. The reaction yields were 99.7% for GM-AuNPs and 82.8% for GM-AgNPs, which were assessed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. A high-resolution X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the face-centered cubic structure of both nanoparticles. Based on phytochemical screening and Fourier transform infrared spectra, the hydroxyl functional groups of carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, and phenolic compounds were most likely involved in a reduction reaction of gold or silver salts to their corresponding nanoparticles. The in vitro cytotoxicity (based on a water-soluble tetrazolium assay) demonstrated that GM-AgNPs were toxic to both A549 (a human lung cancer cell) and NIH3T3 (a mouse fibroblast cell). The cytotoxicity of GM-AgNPs on A549 cells was related to apoptotic cell death. However, GM-AuNPs did not show any significant cytotoxicity to either cell. These results suggest that GM-AuNPs have the potential to be drug delivery vehicles or carriers for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.

Survival of Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7 on strawberries, basil, and other leafy greens during storage.

PubMed

Delbeke, Stefanie; Ceuppens, Siele; Jacxsens, Liesbeth; Uyttendaele, Mieke

2015-04-01

The survival of Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7 on strawberries, basil leaves, and other leafy greens (spinach leaves, lamb and butterhead lettuce leaves, baby leaves, and fresh-cut iceberg lettuce) was assessed at cold (<7 °C) and ambient temperatures. All commodities were spot inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 or Salmonella to obtain an initial inoculum of 5 to 6 log and 4 to 5 log CFU/g for strawberries and leafy greens, respectively. Samples were air packed. Strawberries were stored at 4, 10, 15, and 22 °C and basil leaves and other leafy greens at 7, 15, and 22 °C for up to 7 days (or less if spoiled before). Both Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 showed a gradual decrease in numbers if inoculated on strawberries, with a similar reduction observed at 4, 10, and 15 °C (2 to 3 log after 5 days). However, at 15 °C (and 10 °C for E. coli O157:H7), the survival experiment stopped before day 7, as die-off of both pathogens below the lower limit of detection was achieved or spoilage occurred. At 22 °C, strawberries were moldy after 2 or 4 days. At that time, a 1- to 2-log reduction of both pathogens had occurred. A restricted die-off (on average 1.0 log) and increase (on average , 0.5 log) of both pathogens on basil leaves occurred after 7 days of storage at 7 and 22 °C, respectively. On leafy greens, a comparable decrease as on basil was observed after 3 days at 7 °C. At 22 °C, both pathogens increased to higher numbers on fresh-cut iceberg and butterhead lettuce leaves (on average 1.0 log), probably due to the presence of exudates. However, by using spot inoculation, the increase was rather limited, probably due to minimized contact between the inoculum and cell exudates. Avoiding contamination, in particular, at cultivation (and harvest or postharvest) is important, as both pathogens survive during storage, and strawberries, basil, and other leafy green leaves are consumed without inactivation treatment.

Control of gaseous pollution via the leaves of non-edible trees

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Maliky, S. J. B.

2015-11-01

The accelerated increase of the use of various transportation means, industrial machinery and other power consuming technologies has led to tremendous degradation of outdoor air quality all around the world. Green solution was tested here as an innovative gas control mean via non edible Myrtus communis green leaves as natural sorption media. Statistical analyses were applied in order to examine the correlation between various parameters of this study. The tests of gas records around the tree that was targeted by a gas stream of 5 KW power generators have demonstrated an excellent gas control role of the green leaves, with average efficiencies of about 75% and 82% for the removal of Nitrogen Dioxide and Carbon Monoxide, respectively. An interesting finding of this research was that the sorption role of green leaves has promoted their sizes and Chlorophyll Content Index.

PSR B0329+54: Statistics of Substructure Discovered within the Scattering Disk on RadioAstron Baselines of up to 235,000 km

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gwinn, C. R.; Popov, M. V.; Bartel, N.; Andrianov, A. S.; Johnson, M. D.; Joshi, B. C.; Kardashev, N. S.; Karuppusamy, R.; Kovalev, Y. Y.; Kramer, M.; Rudnitskii, A. G.; Safutdinov, E. R.; Shishov, V. I.; Smirnova, T. V.; Soglasnov, V. A.; Steinmassl, S. F.; Zensus, J. A.; Zhuravlev, V. I.

2016-05-01

We discovered fine-scale structure within the scattering disk of PSR B0329+54 in observations with the RadioAstron ground-space radio interferometer. Here we describe this phenomenon, characterize it with averages and correlation functions, and interpret it as the result of decorrelation of the impulse-response function of interstellar scattering between the widely separated antennas. This instrument included the 10 m Space Radio Telescope, the 110 m Green Bank Telescope, the 14 × 25 m Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope, and the 64 m Kalyazin Radio Telescope. The observations were performed at 324 MHz on baselines of up to 235,000 km in 2012 November and 2014 January. In the delay domain, on long baselines the interferometric visibility consists of many discrete spikes within a limited range of delays. On short baselines it consists of a sharp spike surrounded by lower spikes. The average envelope of correlations of the visibility function shows two exponential scales, with characteristic delays of {τ }1=4.1+/- 0.3 μ {{s}} and {τ }2=23+/- 3 μ {{s}}, indicating the presence of two scales of scattering in the interstellar medium. These two scales are present in the pulse-broadening function. The longer scale contains 0.38 times the scattered power of the shorter one. We suggest that the longer tail arises from highly scattered paths, possibly from anisotropic scattering or from substructure at large angles.

A Mathematical Account of the NEGF Formalism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cornean, Horia D.; Moldoveanu, Valeriu; Pillet, Claude-Alain

2018-02-01

The main goal of this paper is to put on solid mathematical grounds the so-called Non-Equilibrium Green's Function (NEGF) transport formalism for open systems. In particular, we derive the Jauho-Meir-Wingreen formula for the time-dependent current through an interacting sample coupled to non-interacting leads. Our proof is non-perturbative and uses neither complex-time Keldysh contours, nor Langreth rules of 'analytic continuation'. We also discuss other technical identities (Langreth, Keldysh) involving various many body Green's functions. Finally, we study the Dyson equation for the advanced/retarded interacting Green's function and we rigorously construct its (irreducible) self-energy, using the theory of Volterra operators.

Simulations of Coulomb systems confined by polarizable surfaces using periodic Green functions.

PubMed

Dos Santos, Alexandre P; Girotto, Matheus; Levin, Yan

2017-11-14

We present an efficient approach for simulating Coulomb systems confined by planar polarizable surfaces. The method is based on the solution of the Poisson equation using periodic Green functions. It is shown that the electrostatic energy arising from the surface polarization can be decoupled from the energy due to the direct Coulomb interaction between the ions. This allows us to combine an efficient Ewald summation method, or any other fast method for summing over the replicas, with the polarization contribution calculated using Green function techniques. We apply the method to calculate density profiles of ions confined between the charged dielectric and metal surfaces.

Combinations of laxatives and green banana biomass on the treatment of functional constipation in children and adolescents: a randomized study.

PubMed

Cassettari, Vanessa Mello Granado; Machado, Nilton Carlos; Lourenção, Pedro Luiz Toledo de Arruda; Carvalho, Marry Assis; Ortolan, Erika Veruska Paiva

2018-01-05

Evaluate the effect of combinations of green banana biomass and laxatives in children and adolescents with chronic constipation. This was a randomized study of 80 children and adolescents with functional constipation according to the Rome IV Criteria, who were divided into five groups: (1) green banana biomass alone; (2) green banana biomass plus PEG 3350 with electrolytes; (3) green banana biomass plus sodium picosulfate; (4) PEG 3350 with electrolytes alone; and (5) sodium picosulfate alone. Primary outcome measure was the reduction of the proportion of patients with Bristol Stool Form Scale ratings 1 or 2. Secondary outcome measures were: increase of the proportion of >3 bowel movements/week and reduction of the proportion of fecal incontinence, straining on defecation, painful defecation, blood in stool, abdominal pain, and decreased laxative doses. On consumption of green banana biomass alone, a statistically significant reduction was observed in the proportion of children with Bristol Stool Form Scale rating 1 or 2, straining on defecation, painful defecation, and abdominal pain. Conversely, no reduction was observed in fecal incontinence episodes/week, blood in stool, and no increase was observed in the proportion of children with >3 bowel movements/week. The percentage of children who required decreased laxative dose was high when green banana biomass was associated with sodium picosulfate (87%), and PEG 3350 with electrolytes (63%). Green banana biomass alone and associated with laxatives was well tolerated, and no adverse effects were reported. Green banana biomass is advantageous as an adjunct therapy on functional constipation, mainly for reducing doses of laxatives. Copyright © 2017 Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) administration induces expression of immune relevant genes and biochemical parameters in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

PubMed

Nootash, Shahab; Sheikhzadeh, Najmeh; Baradaran, Behzad; Oushani, Ali Khani; Maleki Moghadam, Mohammad Reza; Nofouzi, Katayoon; Monfaredan, Amir; Aghebati, Leili; Zare, Fatemeh; Shabanzadeh, Sadigheh

2013-12-01

Present study elucidates the efficacy of green tea (Camellia sinensis) on growth performance, immune and antioxidant systems and cytokine gene expression in rainbow trout tissues. Green tea was supplemented at 20, 100, and 500 mg kg(-1) diet and fed to fish (average weight: 23.5 g) for 35 days. No remarkable changes in growth performance were observed among all test groups. Lower lipid peroxidation product and higher superoxide dismutase activity were noted in fish received the medium dose of green tea. Significant increase in serum bactericidal activity and total protein were recorded in all treatment groups. All doses of green tea up-regulated Interleukin-1β transcription in the spleen, while Interleukin-1β mRNA level decreased significantly in the kidney of low dose of green tea. Interleukin-6 mRNA level was up-regulated in the spleen of high dose of green tea and liver of middle and high doses of green tea. High dose and medium dose of green tea up-regulated the interleukin-8 transcription in the kidney and liver, respectively. Meanwhile, green tea inhibited the production of interleukin-10 in all treatment groups compared with control group. Medium dose of green tea up-regulated tumor necrosis factor-α transcription in all fish tissues, while high dose and low dose of green tea enhanced tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA levels in the kidney and spleen, respectively. Present study suggests that green tea especially at 100 mg kg(-1) feed may effectively enhance the antioxidant system and immune system in rainbow trout. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Temporal trend of green space coverage in China and its relationship with urbanization over the last two decades.

PubMed

Zhao, Juanjuan; Chen, Shengbin; Jiang, Bo; Ren, Yin; Wang, Hua; Vause, Jonathan; Yu, Haidong

2013-01-01

Irrespective of which side is taken in the densification-sprawl debate, insights into the relationship between urban green space coverage and urbanization have been recognized as essential for guiding sustainable urban development. However, knowledge of the relationships between socio-economic variables of urbanization and long-term green space change is still limited. In this paper, using simple regression, hierarchical partitioning and multi-regression, the temporal trend in green space coverage and its relationship with urbanization were investigated using data from 286 cities between 1989 and 2009, covering all provinces in mainland China with the exception of Tibet. We found that: [1] average green space coverage of cities investigated increased steadily from 17.0% in 1989 to 37.3% in 2009; [2] cities with higher recent green space coverage also had relatively higher green space coverage historically; [3] cities in the same region exhibited similar long-term trends in green space coverage; [4] eight of the nine variables characterizing urbanization showed a significant positive linear relationship with green space coverage, with 'per capita GDP' having the highest independent contribution (24.2%); [5] among the climatic and geographic factors investigated, only mean elevation showed a significant effect; and [6] using the seven largest contributing individual factors, a linear model to predict variance in green space coverage was constructed. Here, we demonstrated that green space coverage in built-up areas tended to reflect the effects of urbanization rather than those of climatic or geographic factors. Quantification of the urbanization effects and the characteristics of green space development in China may provide a valuable reference for research into the processes of urban sprawl and its relationship with green space change. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Intravenous injection of indocyanine green results in an artificial transient desaturation by pulse oximetry.

PubMed

Ediriwickrema, Lilangi S; Francis, Jasmine H; Arslan-Carlon, Vittoria; Dalecki, Paul H; Brodie, Scott E; Marr, Brian P; Abramson, David H

2015-01-01

To describe a case series of transient oxygen desaturation measured by pulse oximetry during the intravenous infusion of indocyanine green to enhance transpupillary thermotherapy in treating retinoblastoma after ophthalmic artery chemosurgery. Retrospective descriptive case series. The intravenous administration of indocyanine green for ophthalmic angiography resulted in a transient drop in oxygen saturation as measured by Nellcor fingertip pulse oximetry in three children with retinoblastoma receiving indocyanine green-guided transpupillary thermotherapy. The magnitude of reduction ranged from 92% to 94% from an initial reading of 99% to 100% in each case, with an average duration of 3 minutes. Concurrent measurement of blood pressure, pulse, and expired CO2 showed no changes during this process. Administration of intravenous indocyanine green resulted in a transient desaturation by oximetry during transpupillary thermotherapy for children with retinoblastoma under anesthesia because of the fluorescent dye's absorption of red light in a manner similar to that of deoxygenated hemoglobin, thereby leading to transient instrument misinterpretation and miscalculation of arterial oxygenation.

Step-by-Step Simulation of Radiation Chemistry Using Green Functions for Diffusion-Influenced Reactions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Plante, Ianik; Cucinotta, Francis A.

2011-01-01

Radiolytic species are formed approximately 1 ps after the passage of ionizing radiation through matter. After their formation, they diffuse and chemically react with other radiolytic species and neighboring biological molecules, leading to various oxidative damage. Therefore, the simulation of radiation chemistry is of considerable importance to understand how radiolytic species damage biological molecules [1]. The step-by-step simulation of chemical reactions is difficult, because the radiolytic species are distributed non-homogeneously in the medium. Consequently, computational approaches based on Green functions for diffusion-influenced reactions should be used [2]. Recently, Green functions for more complex type of reactions have been published [3-4]. We have developed exact random variate generators of these Green functions [5], which will allow us to use them in radiation chemistry codes. Moreover, simulating chemistry using the Green functions is which is computationally very demanding, because the probabilities of reactions between each pair of particles should be evaluated at each timestep [2]. This kind of problem is well adapted for General Purpose Graphic Processing Units (GPGPU), which can handle a large number of similar calculations simultaneously. These new developments will allow us to include more complex reactions in chemistry codes, and to improve the calculation time. This code should be of importance to link radiation track structure simulations and DNA damage models.

Numerical evaluation of longitudinal motions of Wigley hulls advancing in waves by using Bessho form translating-pulsating source Green'S function

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Wenbin; Dong, Wencai

2016-06-01

In the framework of 3D potential flow theory, Bessho form translating-pulsating source Green's function in frequency domain is chosen as the integral kernel in this study and hybrid source-and-dipole distribution model of the boundary element method is applied to directly solve the velocity potential for advancing ship in regular waves. Numerical characteristics of the Green function show that the contribution of local-flow components to velocity potential is concentrated at the nearby source point area and the wave component dominates the magnitude of velocity potential in the far field. Two kinds of mathematical models, with or without local-flow components taken into account, are adopted to numerically calculate the longitudinal motions of Wigley hulls, which demonstrates the applicability of translating-pulsating source Green's function method for various ship forms. In addition, the mesh analysis of discrete surface is carried out from the perspective of ship-form characteristics. The study shows that the longitudinal motion results by the simplified model are somewhat greater than the experimental data in the resonant zone, and the model can be used as an effective tool to predict ship seakeeping properties. However, translating-pulsating source Green function method is only appropriate for the qualitative analysis of motion response in waves if the ship geometrical shape fails to satisfy the slender-body assumption.

Selective Attention in Pigeon Temporal Discrimination.

PubMed

Subramaniam, Shrinidhi; Kyonka, Elizabeth

2017-07-27

Cues can vary in how informative they are about when specific outcomes, such as food availability, will occur. This study was an experimental investigation of the functional relation between cue informativeness and temporal discrimination in a peak-interval (PI) procedure. Each session consisted of fixed-interval (FI) 2-s and 4-s schedules of food and occasional, 12-s PI trials during which pecks had no programmed consequences. Across conditions, the phi (ϕ) correlation between key light color and FI schedule value was manipulated. Red and green key lights signaled the onset of either or both FI schedules. Different colors were either predictive (ϕ = 1), moderately predictive (ϕ = 0.2-0.8), or not predictive (ϕ = 0) of a specific FI schedule. This study tested the hypothesis that temporal discrimination is a function of the momentary conditional probability of food; that is, pigeons peck the most at either 2 s or 4 s when ϕ = 1 and peck at both intervals when ϕ < 1. Response distributions were bimodal Gaussian curves; distributions from red- and green-key PI trials converged when ϕ ≤ 0.6. Peak times estimated by summed Gaussian functions, averaged across conditions and pigeons, were 1.85 s and 3.87 s, however, pigeons did not always maximize the momentary probability of food. When key light color was highly correlated with FI schedules (ϕ ≥ 0.6), estimates of peak times indicated that temporal discrimination accuracy was reduced at the unlikely interval, but not the likely interval. The mechanism of this reduced temporal discrimination accuracy could be interpreted as an attentional process.

Multifunctionality is affected by interactions between green roof plant species, substrate depth, and substrate type.

PubMed

Dusza, Yann; Barot, Sébastien; Kraepiel, Yvan; Lata, Jean-Christophe; Abbadie, Luc; Raynaud, Xavier

2017-04-01

Green roofs provide ecosystem services through evapotranspiration and nutrient cycling that depend, among others, on plant species, substrate type, and substrate depth. However, no study has assessed thoroughly how interactions between these factors alter ecosystem functions and multifunctionality of green roofs. We simulated some green roof conditions in a pot experiment. We planted 20 plant species from 10 genera and five families (Asteraceae, Caryophyllaceae, Crassulaceae, Fabaceae, and Poaceae) on two substrate types (natural vs. artificial) and two substrate depths (10 cm vs. 30 cm). As indicators of major ecosystem functions, we measured aboveground and belowground biomasses, foliar nitrogen and carbon content, foliar transpiration, substrate water retention, and dissolved organic carbon and nitrates in leachates. Interactions between substrate type and depth strongly affected ecosystem functions. Biomass production was increased in the artificial substrate and deeper substrates, as was water retention in most cases. In contrast, dissolved organic carbon leaching was higher in the artificial substrates. Except for the Fabaceae species, nitrate leaching was reduced in deep, natural soils. The highest transpiration rates were associated with natural soils. All functions were modulated by plant families or species. Plant effects differed according to the observed function and the type and depth of the substrate. Fabaceae species grown on natural soils had the most noticeable patterns, allowing high biomass production and high water retention but also high nitrate leaching from deep pots. No single combination of factors enhanced simultaneously all studied ecosystem functions, highlighting that soil-plant interactions induce trade-offs between ecosystem functions. Substrate type and depth interactions are major drivers for green roof multifunctionality.

The effect of a hot, spherical scattering cloud on quasi-periodic oscillation behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bussard, R. W.; Weisskopf, M. C.; Elsner, R. F.; Shibazaki, N.

1988-04-01

A Monte Carlo technique is used to investigate the effects of a hot electron scattering cloud surrounding a time-dependent X-ray source. Results are presented for the time-averaged emergent energy spectra and the mean residence time in the cloud as a function of energy. Moreover, after Fourier transforming the scattering Green's function, it is shown how the cloud affects both the observed power spectrum of a time-dependent source and the cross spectrum (Fourier transform of a cross correlation between energy bands). It is found that the power spectra intrinsic to the source are related to those observed by a relatively simple frequency-dependent multiplicative factor (a transmission function). The cloud can severely attenuate high frequencies in the power spectra, depending on optical depth, and, at lower frequencies, the transmission function has roughly a Lorentzian shape. It is also found that if the intrinsic energy spectrum is constant in time, the phase of the cross spectrum is determined entirely by scattering. Finally, the implications of the results for studies of the X-ray quasi-periodic oscillators are discussed.

Inequality, green spaces, and pregnant women: roles of ethnicity and individual and neighbourhood socioeconomic status.

PubMed

Dadvand, Payam; Wright, John; Martinez, David; Basagaña, Xavier; McEachan, Rosemary R C; Cirach, Marta; Gidlow, Christopher J; de Hoogh, Kees; Gražulevičienė, Regina; Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark J

2014-10-01

Evidence of the impact of green spaces on pregnancy outcomes is limited with no report on how this impact might vary by ethnicity. We investigated the association between residential surrounding greenness and proximity to green spaces and birth weight and explored the modification of this association by ethnicity and indicators of individual (maternal education) and neighbourhood (Index of Multiple Deprivation) socioeconomic status. Our study was based on 10,780 singleton live-births from the Born in Bradford cohort, UK (2007-2010). We defined residential surrounding greenness as average of satellite-based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in buffers of 50 m, 100 m, 250 m, 500 m and 1000 m around each maternal home address. Residential proximity to green spaces was defined as living within 300 m of a green space with an area of ≥ 5000 m(2). We utilized mixed effects models to estimate adjusted change in birth weight associated with residential surrounding greenness as well as proximity to green spaces. We found a positive association between birth weight and residential surrounding greenness. Furthermore, we observed an interaction between ethnicity and residential surrounding greenness in that for White British participants there was a positive association between birth weight and residential surrounding greenness whereas for participants of Pakistani origin there was no such an association. For surrounding greenness in larger buffers (500 m and 1000 m) there were some indications of stronger associations for participants with lower education and those living in more deprived neighbourhoods which were not replicated for surrounding greenness in smaller buffer sizes (i.e. 50 m, 100 m, and 250 m). The findings for residential proximity to a green space were not conclusive. Our study showed that residential surrounding greenness is associated with better foetal growth and this association could vary between different ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bio-functionalized silver nanoparticles for selective colorimetric sensing of toxic metal ions and antimicrobial studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vinod Kumar, V.; Anbarasan, S.; Christena, Lawrence Rene; SaiSubramanian, Nagarajan; Philip Anthony, Savarimuthu

2014-08-01

Hibiscus Sabdariffa (Gongura) plant extracts (leaves (HL) and stem (HS) were used for the first time in the green synthesis of bio-functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The bio-functionality of AgNPs has been successfully utilized for selective colorimetric sensing of potentially health and environmentally hazardous Hg2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ metal ions at ppm level in aqueous solution. Importantly, clearly distinguishable colour for all three metal ions was observed. The influence of extract preparation condition and pH were also explored on the formation of AgNPs. Both selectivity and sensitivity differed for AgNPs synthesized from different parts of the plant. Direct correlation between the stability of green synthesized AgNPs at different pH and its antibacterial effects has been established. The selective colorimetric sensing of toxic metal ions and antimicrobial effect of green synthesized AgNPs demonstrated the multifunctional applications of green nanotechnology.

Environmental Perceptions and Health before and after Relocation to a Green Building.

PubMed

MacNaughton, Piers; Spengler, John; Vallarino, Jose; Santanam, Suresh; Satish, Usha; Allen, Joseph

2016-08-01

Green buildings are designed to have low environmental impacts and improved occupant health and well-being. Improvements to the built environment including ventilation, lighting, and materials have resulted in improved indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in green buildings, but the evidence around occupant health is currently centered around environmental perceptions and self-reported health. To investigate the objective impact of green buildings on health, we tracked IEQ, self-reported health, and heart rate in 30 participants from green and conventional buildings for two weeks. 24 participants were then selected to be relocated to the Syracuse Center of Excellence, a LEED platinum building, for six workdays. While they were there, ventilation, CO 2 , and volatile organic compound (VOC) levels were changed on different days to match the IEQ of conventional, green, and green+ (green with increased ventilation) buildings. Participants reported improved air quality, odors, thermal comfort, ergonomics, noise and lighting and fewer health symptoms in green buildings prior to relocation. After relocation, participants consistently reported fewer symptoms during the green building conditions compared to the conventional one, yet symptom counts were more closely associated with environmental perceptions than with measured IEQ. On average, participants had 4.7 times the odds of reporting a lack of air movement, 1.4 more symptoms (p-value = 0.019) and a 2 bpm higher heart rate (p-value < 0.001) for a 1000 ppm increase in indoor CO 2 concentration. These findings suggest that occupant health in green and conventional buildings is driven by both environmental perceptions and physiological pathways.

Exact Fourier expansion in cylindrical coordinates for the three-dimensional Helmholtz Green function

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Conway, John T.; Cohl, Howard S.

2010-06-01

A new method is presented for Fourier decomposition of the Helmholtz Green function in cylindrical coordinates, which is equivalent to obtaining the solution of the Helmholtz equation for a general ring source. The Fourier coefficients of the Green function are split into their half advanced + half retarded and half advanced-half retarded components, and closed form solutions for these components are then obtained in terms of a Horn function and a Kampé de Fériet function respectively. Series solutions for the Fourier coefficients are given in terms of associated Legendre functions, Bessel and Hankel functions and a hypergeometric function. These series are derived either from the closed form 2-dimensional hypergeometric solutions or from an integral representation, or from both. A simple closed form far-field solution for the general Fourier coefficient is derived from the Hankel series. Numerical calculations comparing different methods of calculating the Fourier coefficients are presented. Fourth order ordinary differential equations for the Fourier coefficients are also given and discussed briefly.

Construction Performance Optimization toward Green Building Premium Cost Based on Greenship Rating Tools Assessment with Value Engineering Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Latief, Yusuf; Berawi, Mohammed Ali; Basten, Van; Riswanto; Budiman, Rachmat

2017-07-01

Green building concept becomes important in current building life cycle to mitigate environment issues. The purpose of this paper is to optimize building construction performance towards green building premium cost, achieving green building rating tools with optimizing life cycle cost. Therefore, this study helps building stakeholder determining building fixture to achieve green building certification target. Empirically the paper collects data of green building in the Indonesian construction industry such as green building fixture, initial cost, operational and maintenance cost, and certification score achievement. After that, using value engineering method optimized green building fixture based on building function and cost aspects. Findings indicate that construction performance optimization affected green building achievement with increasing energy and water efficiency factors and life cycle cost effectively especially chosen green building fixture.

Midsouth Pulpwood Prices, 1989

Treesearch

John S. Vissage

1992-01-01

In 1989, the average delivered price for a cord of Midsouth roundwood was $49.92, an increase of less than 2 percent since 1988. The average delivered price for a green ton of chipped residues increased about 3 percent to $21.70. The total pulpwood expenditure for Midsouth pulpmills increased about 6 percent to $1,658.5 million in 1989. In terms of 1980 dollars,...

The Performance of Multilevel Growth Curve Models under an Autoregressive Moving Average Process

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Murphy, Daniel L.; Pituch, Keenan A.

2009-01-01

The authors examined the robustness of multilevel linear growth curve modeling to misspecification of an autoregressive moving average process. As previous research has shown (J. Ferron, R. Dailey, & Q. Yi, 2002; O. Kwok, S. G. West, & S. B. Green, 2007; S. Sivo, X. Fan, & L. Witta, 2005), estimates of the fixed effects were unbiased, and Type I…

Midsouth Pulpwood Prices, 1990

Treesearch

Patrick E. Miller

1992-01-01

In 1990, the average delivered price for a cord of Midsouth roundwood was $52.95, an increase of 5.7 percent since 1989. The average delivered price for a green ton of chipped residues increased about 3.7 percent to $22.51. The total pulpwood expenditure for Midsouth pulpmills increased 13 percent to $1,883 million in 1990. In terms of 1981 dollars, real prices fell...

Slash pine rootwood in flakeboard

Treesearch

E.T. Howard

1974-01-01

Flakes 3 Inches along the grain. 3/8-inch wide, and 0.02 inch thick were machined from the taproots (with 6-inch-high stump) and second logs at eight 31-year-old slash pines. Specific gravity (O.D. weight, green volume) of stems averaged 0.52; rootwood averaged 0.43 and decreased sharply with depth below ground. Forty-four-lb./cu. ft. structural-type particleboards...

Protection of brain and pancreas from high-fat diet: effects of catechin and caffeine.

PubMed

Unno, Keiko; Yamamoto, Hiroyuki; Maeda, Ken-Ichi; Takabayashi, Fumiyo; Yoshida, Hirotoshi; Kikunaga, Naomi; Takamori, Nina; Asahina, Shunsuke; Iguchi, Kazuaki; Sayama, Kazutoshi; Hoshino, Minoru

2009-02-16

To investigate the effect of a high-fat diet on brain and pancreas functions, we used SAMP10 mice that have characteristics of brain atrophy and cognitive dysfunction with aging. Simultaneously, we investigated the effect of green tea catechin consumption on high-fat diet feeding, because green tea catechin has been reported to improve brain atrophy, brain dysfunction and obesity. The body weight of mice fed a high-fat diet from 2 to 12 months was higher than that of the control, although the calorie intake was not. The high-fat diet also increased insulin secretion; however, the hypersecretion of insulin and obesity were suppressed when mice were fed a high-fat diet with green tea catechin and caffeine. Furthermore, brain atrophy was suppressed and the working memory, tested using Y-maze, improved in mice fed a high-fat diet containing green tea catechin and caffeine. The secretion of insulin might affect both obesity and brain function. A strong correlation was found between working memory and insulin release in mice fed a high-fat diet with green tea catechin and/or caffeine. The results indicate the protective effect of green tea catechin and caffeine on the functions of brain and pancreas in mice fed a high-fat diet.

[A review of green roof performance towards management of roof runoff].

PubMed

Chen, Xiao-ping; Huang, Pei; Zhou, Zhi-xiang; Gao, Chi

2015-08-01

Green roof has a significant influence on reducing runoff volume, delaying runoff-yielding time, reducing the peak flow and improving runoff quality. This paper addressed the related research around the world and concluded from several aspects, i.e., the definition of green roof of different types, the mechanism how green roof manages runoff quantity and quality, the ability how green roof controls roof runoff, and the influence factors of green roof toward runoff quantity and quality. Afterwards, there was a need for more future work on research of green roof toward roof runoff, i.e., vegetation selection of green roof, efficient construction model selection of green roof, the regulating characteristics of green roof on roof runoff, the value assessment of green roof on roof runoff, analysis of source-sink function of green roof on the water pollutants of roof runoff and the research on the mitigation measures of roof runoff pollution. This paper provided a guideline to develop green roofs aiming to regulating roof runoff.

Immunomodulating effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate from green tea: mechanisms and applications

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Consuming green tea or its active ingredient, epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG), has been shown consistently to benefit the healthy functioning of several body systems. In the immune system specifically, accumulating evidence has revealed an immunomodulating effect of green tea/EGCG. Several types ...

Fueling and Stabilizing a Biomolecular Motor-Powered Biosensor for Remote Detection Scenarios

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-10-01

streptavidin, cyclodextrin host - guest 0 , malachite green - aptamer", DNA - DNA12, and antibody - antigen . Using functionalized microtubules gliding on...3), 646-648 (2005). 11 Hirabayashi, M. et al. Malachite green-conjugated microtubules as mobile bioprobes selective for malachite green aptamers with

The problems of formation and conservation of the green frame (green carcass) of the satellite city (on the example of Zelenodolsk)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zakirova, J.; Khusnutdinova, S.

2018-01-01

The article is devoted to the study of the problems of formation and conservation of the green frame (green carcass) of a satellite city of a monocentric city agglomeration. Nowadays the green spaces fulfill not only ecological, but also social and economic functions. This is especially important for mono-industrial and satellite cities. Zelenodolsk is satellite city of Kazan agglomeration. This city has significant natural, geographical, industrial aspects. The article shows the possibilities of forming the green frame of the city and its socio-economic use.

Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using chlorogenic acid and their enhanced performance for inflammation.

PubMed

Hwang, Su Jung; Jun, Sang Hui; Park, Yohan; Cha, Song-Hyun; Yoon, Minho; Cho, Seonho; Lee, Hyo-Jong; Park, Youmie

2015-10-01

Here we developed a novel green synthesis method for gold nanoparticles (CGA-AuNPs) using chlorogenic acid (CGA) as reductants without the use of other chemicals and validated the anti-inflammatory efficacy of CGA-AuNPs in vitro and in vivo. The resulting CGA-AuNPs appeared predominantly spherical in shape with an average diameter of 22.25±4.78nm. The crystalline nature of the CGA-AuNPs was confirmed by high-resolution X-ray diffraction and by selected-area electron diffraction analyses. High-resolution liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry revealed that the caffeic acid moiety of CGA forms quinone structure through a two-electron oxidation causing the reduction of Au(3+) to Au(0). When compared to CGA, CGA-AuNPs exhibited enhanced anti-inflammatory effects on NF-κB-mediated inflammatory network, as well as cell adhesion. Collectively, green synthesis of CGA-AuNPs using bioactive reductants and mechanistic studies based on mass spectrometry may open up new directions in nanomedicine and CGA-AuNPs can be an anti-inflammatory nanomedicine for future applications. Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) have been shown to be very useful in many applications due to their easy functionalization capability. In this article, the authors demonstrated a novel method for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles using chlorogenic acid (CGA) as reductants. In-vitro experiments also confirmed biological activity of the resultant gold nanoparticles. Further in-vivo studies are awaited. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Self-force calculations with matched expansions and quasinormal mode sums

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

Casals, Marc; Dolan, Sam; Ottewill, Adrian C.

2009-06-15

Accurate modeling of gravitational wave emission by extreme-mass ratio inspirals is essential for their detection by the LISA mission. A leading perturbative approach involves the calculation of the self-force acting upon the smaller orbital body. In this work, we present the first application of the Poisson-Wiseman-Anderson method of 'matched expansions' to compute the self-force acting on a point particle moving in a curved spacetime. The method employs two expansions for the Green function, which are, respectively, valid in the 'quasilocal' and 'distant past' regimes, and which may be matched together within the normal neighborhood. We perform our calculation in amore » static region of the spherically symmetric Nariai spacetime (dS{sub 2}xS{sup 2}), in which scalar-field perturbations are governed by a radial equation with a Poeschl-Teller potential (frequently used as an approximation to the Schwarzschild radial potential) whose solutions are known in closed form. The key new ingredients in our study are (i) very high order quasilocal expansions and (ii) expansion of the distant past Green function in quasinormal modes. In combination, these tools enable a detailed study of the properties of the scalar-field Green function. We demonstrate that the Green function is singular whenever x and x{sup '} are connected by a null geodesic, and apply asymptotic methods to determine the structure of the Green function near the null wave front. We show that the singular part of the Green function undergoes a transition each time the null wave front passes through a caustic point, following a repeating fourfold sequence {delta}({sigma}), 1/{pi}{sigma}, -{delta}({sigma}), -1/{pi}{sigma}, etc., where {sigma} is Synge's world function. The matched-expansion method provides insight into the nonlocal properties of the self-force. We show that the self-force generated by the segment of the worldline lying outside the normal neighborhood is not negligible. We apply the matched-expansion method to compute the scalar self-force acting on a static particle on the Nariai spacetime, and validate against an alternative method, obtaining agreement to six decimal places. We conclude with a discussion of the implications for wave propagation and self-force calculations. On black hole spacetimes, any expansion of the Green function in quasinormal modes must be augmented by a branch-cut integral. Nevertheless, we expect the Green function in Schwarzschild spacetime to inherit certain key features, such as a fourfold singular structure manifesting itself through the asymptotic behavior of quasinormal modes. In this way, the Nariai spacetime provides a fertile testing ground for developing insight into the nonlocal part of the self-force on black hole spacetimes.« less

Dyadic Green function for the electromagnetic field in mutilayered isotropic media - An operator approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sphicopoulos, T.; Teodoridis, V.; Gardiol, F. E.

1985-08-01

The dyadic Green functions of electric and magnetic type for multilayered isotropic media are discussed, and a tractable form is obtained by an operator method, which does not involve infinite sums of Hansen functions. The formulation considers a TE-TM decomposition and the use of propagation matrices. Special attention is given to the application of these functions to the analysis of problems in the field of nondestructive measurement of materials.

The Hydrologic Implications Of Unique Urban Soil Horizon Sequencing On The Functions Of Passive Green Infrastructure

EPA Science Inventory

Green infrastructure represents a broad set of site- to landscape-scale practices that can be flexibly implemented to increase sewershed retention capacity, and can thereby improve on the management of water quantity and quality. Although much green infrastructure presents as for...

Green synthesis of nanomaterials and sustainable applications of nano-catalysts

EPA Science Inventory

Green synthesis efforts involving the use of vitamins B1, B2, C, and tea and wine polyphenols which function both as reducing and capping agents will be presented which enables extremely simple, one-pot, green synthetic methods to nanomaterials in water.1a Shape-controlled synth...

Texas Greenup

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2007-01-01

June 2007 was one of the wettest Junes on record for the state of Texas. Starting in late May, a string of low-pressure systems settled in over the U.S. Southern Plains and unleashed weeks of heavy to torrential rain. During the final week of June, much of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas received more than 330 percent of their average rainfall, said the National Climatic Data Center. The widespread heavy rain brought deadly floods to the entire region. On July 6, the Associated Press reported that every major river basin in Texas was at flood stage, an event that had not occurred since 1957. In addition to causing floods, the rains stimulated plant growth. The grassy, often arid, plains and plateaus of northern Mexico (bottom left), Texas (center), and New Mexico (top, left of center) burst to life with dense vegetation as this vegetation anomaly image shows. Regions where plants were growing more quickly or fuller than average are green, while areas where growth is below average are brown. Most of Texas is green, with a concentrated deep green, almost black, spot where vegetation growth was greatest. This area of western Texas is where the Pecos River flows out of New Mexico and heads southeast to the Rio Grande. In the darkest areas, vegetation was more than 100 percent above average. The brown spots in northeastern Texas and Oklahoma (top, right of center) may be areas where persistent clouds or water on the ground are hiding the plants from the satellite's view. Plants may also be growing less than average if swamped by too much rain. The image was made with data collected by the SPOT satellite between June 11 and June 20, 2007. NASA imagery created by Jesse Allen, Earth Observatory, using SPOT data provided courtesy of the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service and processed by Jennifer Small and Assaf Anyamba of the GIMMS Group at NASA GSFC.

Differential Tissue-specific and Pathway-specific Anti-obesity Effects of Green Tea and Taeumjowitang, a Traditional Korean Medicine, in Mice.

PubMed

Kim, Junil; Park, Sujin; An, Haein; Choi, Ji-Young; Choi, Myung-Sook; Choi, Sang-Woon; Kim, Seong-Jin

2017-09-01

Traditional medicines have been leveraged for the treatment and prevention of obesity, one of the fastest growing diseases in the world. However, the exact mechanisms underlying the effects of traditional medicine on obesity are not yet fully understood. We produced the transcriptomes of epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), liver, muscle, and hypothalamus harvested from mice fed a normal diet, high-fat-diet alone, high-fat-diet together with green tea, or a high-fat-diet together with Taeumjowitang, a traditional Korean medicine. We found tissue-specific gene expression patterns as follows: (i) the eWAT transcriptome was more significantly altered by Taeumjowitang than by green tea, (ii) the liver transcriptome was similarly altered by Taeumjowitang and green tea, and (iii) both the muscle and hypothalamus transcriptomes were more significantly altered by green tea than Taeumjowitang. We then applied integrated network analyses, which revealed that functional networks associated with lymphocyte activation were more effectively regulated by Taeumjowitang than by green tea in the eWAT. In contrast, green tea was a more effective regulator of functional networks associated with glucose metabolic processes in the eWAT. Taeumjowitang and green tea have a differential tissue-specific and pathway-specific therapeutic effect on obesity.

Differential Tissue-specific and Pathway-specific Anti-obesity Effects of Green Tea and Taeumjowitang, a Traditional Korean Medicine, in Mice

PubMed Central

Kim, Junil; Park, Sujin; An, Haein; Choi, Ji-Young; Choi, Myung-Sook; Choi, Sang-Woon; Kim, Seong-Jin

2017-01-01

Background Traditional medicines have been leveraged for the treatment and prevention of obesity, one of the fastest growing diseases in the world. However, the exact mechanisms underlying the effects of traditional medicine on obesity are not yet fully understood. Methods We produced the transcriptomes of epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), liver, muscle, and hypothalamus harvested from mice fed a normal diet, high-fat-diet alone, high-fat-diet together with green tea, or a high-fat-diet together with Taeumjowitang, a traditional Korean medicine. Results We found tissue-specific gene expression patterns as follows: (i) the eWAT transcriptome was more significantly altered by Taeumjowitang than by green tea, (ii) the liver transcriptome was similarly altered by Taeumjowitang and green tea, and (iii) both the muscle and hypothalamus transcriptomes were more significantly altered by green tea than Taeumjowitang. We then applied integrated network analyses, which revealed that functional networks associated with lymphocyte activation were more effectively regulated by Taeumjowitang than by green tea in the eWAT. In contrast, green tea was a more effective regulator of functional networks associated with glucose metabolic processes in the eWAT. Conclusions Taeumjowitang and green tea have a differential tissue-specific and pathway-specific therapeutic effect on obesity. PMID:29018779

One-step green route to narrowly dispersed copper nanocrystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Chunwei; Mosher, Brian P.; Zeng, Taofang

2006-12-01

We report a total "green" chemical method in aqueous solution for synthesizing stable narrowly distributed copper nanoparticles with average diameter less than 5 nm in the presence of Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a stabilizer and without any inert gas protection. In our synthesis route, ascorbic acid, natural vitamin C (VC), an excellent oxygen scavenger, acts as both reducing agent and antioxidant, to reduce the metallic ion precursor, and to effectively prevent the common oxidation process of the newborn pure copper nanoclusters.

Residential green power demand in the United States

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

Dagher, Leila; Bird, Lori; Heeter, Jenny

This paper investigates the demand determinants of green power in the U.S. residential sector. The data employed were collected by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and consist of a cross-section of seven utilities observed over 13 years. A series of tests are performed that resulted in estimating a demand equation using the one-way cross-section random effects model. As expected, we find that demand is highly price inelastic. More interestingly though, is that elasticity with respect to number of customers is 0.52 leading to the conclusion that new subscribers tend to purchase less green power on average than the existing customers.more » Another compelling finding is that obtaining accreditation will have a 28.5% positive impact on consumption. Knowing that gaining green accreditation is important to the success of programs, utilities may want to seek certification and highlight it in their advertising campaigns.« less

Green Synthesis of NiFe2O4 Spinel-Structured Nanoparticles Using Hydrangea paniculata Flower Extract with Excellent Magnetic Property

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karunakaran, Gopalu; Jagathambal, Matheswaran; Van Minh, Nguyen; Kolesnikov, Evgeny; Kuznetsov, Denis

2018-05-01

Nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) spinel-structured nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by a green synthesis approach using Hydrangea paniculata flower extract. Green synthesis of NPs was preliminary monitored by a color change. Further confirmation was carried out using different techniques. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the cubic crystalline system (fcc) of NiFe2O4. Energy-dispersive spectrum analysis showed the presence of iron, nickel, oxygen, and carbon. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the agglomerating nature of the NPs (30-50 nm). The specific surface area was found to be 46.73 m2/g, revealing the average size D of NPs to be 24 nm. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the spherical, oval, and irregular shapes of the NPs with a size range between 10 nm and 45 nm, and an average size of 28 nm. The magnetization of the obtained NiFe2O4 NPs in a high magnetic field of 20 kOe was found to be 20 emu/g. The values of remanent magnetization (M r) and coercive field (H c) were found to be 1.1 emu/g and 28 Oe, respectively. In the process of magnetization reversal (with a small value of M r/M s, 0.055), NiFe2O4 NPs had a loop with low energy loss, showing that the obtained NiFe2O4 NPs were soft magnetic materials. The magnetization curve with a sigmoidal shape indicated that the obtained NiFe2O4 NPs are super-paramagnetic material. In addition, the comparison of green synthesis with the methods available in the literature proved that the green synthesis is the best method. Thus, it is clear that green synthesis is a novel eco-friendly approach for the synthesis of magnetic NiFe2O4 NPs.

Evaluation of blue and green water resources in the upper Yellow River basin of China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Xiaoxi; Zuo, Depeng; Xu, Zongxue; Cai, Siyang; Xianming, Han

2018-06-01

The total amount of water resources severely affects socioeconomic development of a region or watershed, which means that accurate quantification of the total amount of water resources is vital for the area, especially for the arid and semi-arid regions. Traditional evaluation of water resources only focused on the qualification of blue water, while the importance of green water was not fully considered. As the second largest river in China, the Yellow River plays an important role in socioeconomic development of the Yellow River basin. Therefore, the blue and green water resources in the upper Yellow River basin (UYRB) were evaluated by the SWAT model in this study. The results show that the average annual total amount of water resources in the UYRB was 140.5 billion m3, in which the blue water resources is 37.8 billion m3, and green water resources is 107.7 billion m3. The intra-annual variability of the blue water and green water is relatively similar during the same period. The higher temperature, the greater difference between the blue and green water. The inter-annual variability of the blue and green water shows that the trends in precipitation, blue and green water have a relatively similar characteristic. The spatial distribution of the blue and green water is characteristic with gradually decreasing from the northwest to the southeast, and the blue water around the main stream is greater than that in the other areas.

Solution of the radiative transfer equation for Rayleigh scattering using the infinite medium Green's function

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biçer, M.; Kaşkaş, A.

2018-03-01

The infinite medium Green's function is used to solve the half-space albedo, slab albedo and Milne problems for the unpolarized Rayleigh scattering case; these problems are the most classical problems of radiative transfer theory. The numerical results are obtained and are compared with previous ones.

Green's function solution to radiative heat transfer between longitudinal gray fins

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frankel, J. I.; Silvestri, J. J.

1991-01-01

A demonstration is presented of the applicability and versatility of a pure integral formulation for radiative-conductive heat-transfer problems. Preliminary results have been obtained which indicate that this formulation allows an accurate, fast, and stable computation procedure to be implemented. Attention is given to the accessory problem defining Green's function.

Indirect boundary element method to simulate elastic wave propagation in piecewise irregular and flat regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perton, Mathieu; Contreras-Zazueta, Marcial A.; Sánchez-Sesma, Francisco J.

2016-06-01

A new implementation of indirect boundary element method allows simulating the elastic wave propagation in complex configurations made of embedded regions that are homogeneous with irregular boundaries or flat layers. In an older implementation, each layer of a flat layered region would have been treated as a separated homogeneous region without taking into account the flat boundary information. For both types of regions, the scattered field results from fictitious sources positioned along their boundaries. For the homogeneous regions, the fictitious sources emit as in a full-space and the wave field is given by analytical Green's functions. For flat layered regions, fictitious sources emit as in an unbounded flat layered region and the wave field is given by Green's functions obtained from the discrete wavenumber (DWN) method. The new implementation allows then reducing the length of the discretized boundaries but DWN Green's functions require much more computation time than the full-space Green's functions. Several optimization steps are then implemented and commented. Validations are presented for 2-D and 3-D problems. Higher efficiency is achieved in 3-D.

Ambient Seismic Noise Monitoring of Time-lapse Velocity Changes During CO2 Injection at Otway, South Australia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saygin, E.; Lumley, D. E.

2017-12-01

We use continuous seismic data recorded with an array of 909 buried geophones at Otway, South Australia, to investigate the potential of using ambient seismic noise for time-lapse monitoring of the subsurface. The array was installed prior to a 15,000 ton CO2 injection in 2016-17, in order to detect and monitor the evolution of the injected CO2 plume, and any associated microseismic activity. Continuously recorded data from the vertical components of the geophone array were cross-correlated to retrieve the inter-station Green's functions. The dense collection of Green's functions contains diving body waves and surface Rayleigh waves. Green's Functions were then compared with each other at different time frames including the pre-injection period to track subtle changes in the travel times due to the CO2 injection. Our results show a clear change in the velocities of Green's functions at the start of injection for both body waves and surface waves for wave paths traversing the injection area, whereas the observed changes are much smaller for areas which are far from the injection well.

How to use retarded Green's functions in de Sitter spacetime

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

Higuchi, Atsushi; Cheong, Lee Yen

2008-10-15

We demonstrate in examples that the covariant retarded Green's functions in electromagnetism and linearized gravity work as expected in de Sitter spacetime. We first clarify how retarded Green's functions should be used in spacetimes with spacelike past infinity such as de Sitter spacetime. In particular, we remind the reader of a general formula which gives the field for given initial data on a Cauchy surface and a given source (a charge or stress-energy tensor distribution) in its future. We then apply this formula to three examples: (i) electromagnetism in the future of a Cauchy surface in Minkowski spacetime, (ii) electromagnetismmore » in de Sitter spacetime, and (iii) linearized gravity in de Sitter spacetime. In each example the field is reproduced correctly as predicted by the general argument. In the third example we construct a linearized gravitational field from two equal point masses located at the 'North and South Poles' which is nonsingular on the cosmological horizon and satisfies a covariant gauge condition and show that this field is reproduced by the retarded Green's function with corresponding gauge parameters.« less

On the Cubic Lattice Green Functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joyce, G. S.

1994-05-01

Wheatstone Physics Laboratory, King's College, University of London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, U.K. It is proved that K (k+) = [(4-eta )1/2 - (1 - eta )1/2]K(k-), where eta is a complex variable which lies in a certain region R2 of the eta plane, and K (k±) are complete elliptic integrals of the first kind with moduli k± which are given by k±2equiv k±2(eta ) = 1/2 ± 1/4eta (4 - eta )1/2 - 1/4(2-eta )(1-eta )1/2. This basic result is then used to express the face-centred cubic and simple cubic lattice Green functions at the origin in terms of the square of a complete elliptic integral of the first kind. Several new identities involving the Heun function F(a, b; α , β , γ , δ ; eta ) are also derived. Next it is shown that the three cubic lattice Green functions all have parametric representations which involve the Green function for the two-dimensional honeycomb lattice. Finally, the results are applied to a variety of problems in lattice statistics. In particular, a new simplified formula for the generating function of staircase polygons on a four-dimensional hypercubic lattice is derived.

Thermal Influence of a Large Green Space on a Hot Urban Environment.

PubMed

Sugawara, Hirofumi; Shimizu, Shogo; Takahashi, Hideo; Hagiwara, Shinsuke; Narita, Ken-Ichi; Mikami, Takehiko; Hirano, Tatsuki

2016-01-01

City-scale warming is becoming a serious problem in terms of human health. Urban green spaces are expected to act as a countermeasure for urban warming, and therefore better understanding of the micro-climate benefits of urban green is needed. This study quantified the thermal influence of a large green park in Tokyo, Japan on the surrounding urban area by collecting long-term measurements. Apparent variations in the temperature difference between the park and surrounding town were found at both the diurnal and seasonal scales. Advection by regional-scale wind and turbulent mixing transfers colder air from the park to urban areas in its vicinity. The extent of the park's thermal influence on the town was greater on the downwind side of the park (450 m) than on the upwind side (65 m). The extent was also greater in an area where the terrain slopes down toward the town. Even on calm nights, the extent of the thermal influence extended by the park breeze to an average of 200 m from the park boundary. The park breeze was characterized by its divergent flow in a horizontal plane, which was found to develop well in calm conditions late at night (regional scale wind <1.5 m s and after 02:00 LST). The average magnitude of the cooling effect of the park breeze was estimated at 39 Wm. This green space tempered the hot summer nights on a city block scale. These findings can help urban planners in designing a heat-adapted city. Copyright © by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, Inc.

On Green's function retrieval by iterative substitution of the coupled Marchenko equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van der Neut, Joost; Vasconcelos, Ivan; Wapenaar, Kees

2015-11-01

Iterative substitution of the coupled Marchenko equations is a novel methodology to retrieve the Green's functions from a source or receiver array at an acquisition surface to an arbitrary location in an acoustic medium. The methodology requires as input the single-sided reflection response at the acquisition surface and an initial focusing function, being the time-reversed direct wavefield from the acquisition surface to a specified location in the subsurface. We express the iterative scheme that is applied by this methodology explicitly as the successive actions of various linear operators, acting on an initial focusing function. These operators involve multidimensional crosscorrelations with the reflection data and truncations in time. We offer physical interpretations of the multidimensional crosscorrelations by subtracting traveltimes along common ray paths at the stationary points of the underlying integrals. This provides a clear understanding of how individual events are retrieved by the scheme. Our interpretation also exposes some of the scheme's limitations in terms of what can be retrieved in case of a finite recording aperture. Green's function retrieval is only successful if the relevant stationary points are sampled. As a consequence, internal multiples can only be retrieved at a subsurface location with a particular ray parameter if this location is illuminated by the direct wavefield with this specific ray parameter. Several assumptions are required to solve the Marchenko equations. We show that these assumptions are not always satisfied in arbitrary heterogeneous media, which can result in incomplete Green's function retrieval and the emergence of artefacts. Despite these limitations, accurate Green's functions can often be retrieved by the iterative scheme, which is highly relevant for seismic imaging and inversion of internal multiple reflections.

Optical characteristics and parameters of gas-discharge plasma in a mixture of mercury dibromide vapor with argon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malinina, A. A.; Malinin, A. N.

2015-03-01

Results are presented from studies of the optical characteristics and parameters of the plasma of a dielectric barrier discharge in a mixture of mercury dibromide vapor with argon—the working medium of an exciplex gas-discharge emitter. It is established that the partial pressures of mercury dibromide vapor and argon at which the average and pulsed emission intensities in the blue—green spectral region (λmax = 502 nm) reach their maximum values are 0.6 and 114.4 kPa, respectively. The electron energy distribution function, the transport characteristics, the specific power spent on the processes involving electrons, the electron density and temperature, and the rate constants for the processes of elastic and inelastic electron scattering from the molecules and atoms of the working mixture are determined by numerical simulation, and their dependences on the reduced electric field strength are analyzed. The rate constant of the process leading to the formation of exciplex mercury monobromide molecules for a reduced electric field of E/ N = 20 Td, at which the maximum emission intensity in the blue—green spectral region was observed in this experiment, is found to be 8.1 × 10-15 m3/s.

A standardized model for predicting flap failure using indocyanine green dye

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zimmermann, Terence M.; Moore, Lindsay S.; Warram, Jason M.; Greene, Benjamin J.; Nakhmani, Arie; Korb, Melissa L.; Rosenthal, Eben L.

2016-03-01

Techniques that provide a non-invasive method for evaluation of intraoperative skin flap perfusion are currently available but underutilized. We hypothesize that intraoperative vascular imaging can be used to reliably assess skin flap perfusion and elucidate areas of future necrosis by means of a standardized critical perfusion threshold. Five animal groups (negative controls, n=4; positive controls, n=5; chemotherapy group, n=5; radiation group, n=5; chemoradiation group, n=5) underwent pre-flap treatments two weeks prior to undergoing random pattern dorsal fasciocutaneous flaps with a length to width ratio of 2:1 (3 x 1.5 cm). Flap perfusion was assessed via laser-assisted indocyanine green dye angiography and compared to standard clinical assessment for predictive accuracy of flap necrosis. For estimating flap-failure, clinical prediction achieved a sensitivity of 79.3% and a specificity of 90.5%. When average flap perfusion was more than three standard deviations below the average flap perfusion for the negative control group at the time of the flap procedure (144.3+/-17.05 absolute perfusion units), laser-assisted indocyanine green dye angiography achieved a sensitivity of 81.1% and a specificity of 97.3%. When absolute perfusion units were seven standard deviations below the average flap perfusion for the negative control group, specificity of necrosis prediction was 100%. Quantitative absolute perfusion units can improve specificity for intraoperative prediction of viable tissue. Using this strategy, a positive predictive threshold of flap failure can be standardized for clinical use.

Passive detection and localization of fatigue cracking in aluminum plates using Green's function reconstruction from ambient noise.

PubMed

Yang, Yang; Xiao, Li; Qu, Wenzhong; Lu, Ye

2017-11-01

Recent theoretical and experimental studies have demonstrated that a local Green's function can be retrieved from the cross-correlation of ambient noise field. This technique can be used to detect fatigue cracking in metallic structures, owing to the fact that the presence of crack can lead to a change in Green's function. This paper presents a method of structural fatigue cracking characterization method by measuring Green's function reconstruction from noise excitation and verifies the feasibility of crack detection in poor noise source distribution. Fatigue cracks usually generate nonlinear effects, in which different wave amplitudes and frequency compositions can cause different nonlinear responses. This study also undertakes analysis of the capacity of the proposed approach to identify fatigue cracking under different noise amplitudes and frequency ranges. Experimental investigations of an aluminum plate are conducted to assess the cross-correlations of received noise between sensor pairs and finally to detect the introduced fatigue crack. A damage index is proposed according to the variation between cross-correlations obtained from the pristine crack closed state and the crack opening-closure state when sufficient noise amplitude is used to generate nonlinearity. A probability distribution map of damage is calculated based on damage indices. The fatigue crack introduced in the aluminum plate is successfully identified and oriented, verifying that a fatigue crack can be detected by reconstructing Green's functions from an imperfect diffuse field in which ambient noise sources exist locally. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mitigating and adapting to climate change: multi-functional and multi-scale assessment of green urban infrastructure.

PubMed

Demuzere, M; Orru, K; Heidrich, O; Olazabal, E; Geneletti, D; Orru, H; Bhave, A G; Mittal, N; Feliu, E; Faehnle, M

2014-12-15

In order to develop climate resilient urban areas and reduce emissions, several opportunities exist starting from conscious planning and design of green (and blue) spaces in these landscapes. Green urban infrastructure has been regarded as beneficial, e.g. by balancing water flows, providing thermal comfort. This article explores the existing evidence on the contribution of green spaces to climate change mitigation and adaptation services. We suggest a framework of ecosystem services for systematizing the evidence on the provision of bio-physical benefits (e.g. CO2 sequestration) as well as social and psychological benefits (e.g. improved health) that enable coping with (adaptation) or reducing the adverse effects (mitigation) of climate change. The multi-functional and multi-scale nature of green urban infrastructure complicates the categorization of services and benefits, since in reality the interactions between various benefits are manifold and appear on different scales. We will show the relevance of the benefits from green urban infrastructures on three spatial scales (i.e. city, neighborhood and site specific scales). We will further report on co-benefits and trade-offs between the various services indicating that a benefit could in turn be detrimental in relation to other functions. The manuscript identifies avenues for further research on the role of green urban infrastructure, in different types of cities, climates and social contexts. Our systematic understanding of the bio-physical and social processes defining various services allows targeting stressors that may hamper the provision of green urban infrastructure services in individual behavior as well as in wider planning and environmental management in urban areas. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Near-infrared lymphatic imaging demonstrates the dynamics of lymph flow and lymphangiogenesis during the acute versus chronic phases of arthritis in mice.

PubMed

Zhou, Quan; Wood, Ronald; Schwarz, Edward M; Wang, Yong-Jun; Xing, Lianping

2010-07-01

To develop an in vivo imaging method to assess lymphatic draining function in the K/BxN mouse model of inflammatory arthritis. Indocyanine green, a near-infrared fluorescent dye, was injected intradermally into the footpads of wild-type mice, mouse limbs were illuminated with an 806-nm near-infrared laser, and the movement of indocyanine green from the injection site to the draining popliteal lymph node (LN) was recorded with a CCD camera. Indocyanine green near-infrared images were analyzed to obtain 5 measures of lymphatic function across time. Images of K/BxN arthritic mice and control nonarthritic littermates were obtained at 1 month of age, when acute joint inflammation commenced, and again at 3 months of age, when joint inflammation became chronic. Lymphangiogenesis in popliteal LNs was assessed by immunochemistry. Indocyanine green and its transport within lymphatic vessels were readily visualized, and quantitative measures were derived. During the acute phase of arthritis, the lymphatic vessels were dilated, with increased indocyanine green signal intensity and lymphatic pulses, and popliteal LNs became fluorescent quickly. During the chronic phase, new lymphatic vessels were present near the foot. However, the appearance of indocyanine green in lymphatic vessels was delayed. The size and area of popliteal LN lymphatic sinuses progressively increased in the K/BxN mice. Our findings indicate that indocyanine green near-infrared lymphatic imaging is a valuable method for assessing the lymphatic draining function in mice with inflammatory arthritis. Indocyanine green-near-infrared imaging of K/BxN mice identified 2 distinct lymphatic phenotypes during the acute and chronic phase of inflammation. This technique can be used to assess new therapies for lymphatic disorders.

Simulation of the cumulative hydrological response to green infrastructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Avellaneda, P. M.; Jefferson, A. J.; Grieser, J. M.; Bush, S. A.

2017-04-01

In this study, we evaluated the cumulative hydrologic performance of green infrastructure in a residential area of the city of Parma, Ohio, draining to a tributary of the Cuyahoga River. Green infrastructure included the following spatially distributed devices: 16 street-side bioretention cells, 7 rain gardens, and 37 rain barrels. Data consisted of rainfall and outfall flow records for a wide range of storm events, including pretreatment and treatment periods. The Stormwater Management Model was calibrated and validated to predict the hydrologic response of green infrastructure. The calibrated model was used to quantify annual water budget alterations and discharge frequency over a 6 year simulation period. For the study catchment, we observed a treatment effect with increases of 1.4% in evaporation, 7.6% in infiltration, and a 9.0% reduction in surface runoff. The hydrologic performance of green infrastructure was evaluated by comparing the flow duration curve for pretreatment and treatment outfall flow scenarios. The flow duration curve shifted downward for the green infrastructure scenario. Discharges with a 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 year return period were reduced by an average of 29%. Parameter and predictive uncertainties were inspected by implementing a Bayesian statistical approach.

Indocyanine green fluorescence-guided parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism.

PubMed

DeLong, Jonathan C; Ward, Erin P; Lwin, Thinzar M; Brumund, Kevin T; Kelly, Kaitlyn J; Horgan, Santiago; Bouvet, Michael

2018-02-01

Our aim was to evaluate the ease and utility of using indocyanine green fluorescence angiography for intraoperative localization of the parathyroid glands. Indocyanine green fluorescence angiography was performed during 60 parathyroidectomies for primary hyperparathyroidism during a 22-month period. Indocyanine green was administered intravenously to guide operative navigation using a commercially available fluorescence imaging system. Video files were graded by 3 independent surgeons for strength of enhancement using an adapted numeric scoring system. There were 46 (77%) female patients and 14 (23%) male patients whose ages ranged from 17 to 87 (average 60) years old. Of the 60 patients, 43 (71.6%) showed strong enhancement, 13 (21.7%) demonstrated mild to moderate vascular enhancement, and 4 (6.7%) exhibited little or no vascular enhancement. Of the 54 patients who had a preoperative sestamibi scan, a parathyroid adenoma was identified in 36, while 18 failed to localize. Of the 18 patients who failed to localize, all 18 patients (100%) had an adenoma that fluoresced on indocyanine green imaging. The operations were performed safely with minimal blood loss and short operative times. Indocyanine green angiography has the potential to assist surgeons in identifying parathyroid glands rapidly with minimal risk. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Urban stress is associated with variation in microbial species composition—but not richness—in Manhattan

PubMed Central

Reese, Aspen T; Savage, Amy; Youngsteadt, Elsa; McGuire, Krista L; Koling, Adam; Watkins, Olivia; Frank, Steven D; Dunn, Robert R

2016-01-01

The biological diversity and composition of microorganisms influences both human health outcomes and ecological processes; therefore, understanding the factors that influence microbial biodiversity is key to creating healthy, functional landscapes in which to live. In general, biological diversity is predicted to be limited by habitat size, which for green areas is often reduced in cities, and by chronic disturbance (stress). These hypotheses have not previously been tested in microbial systems in direct comparison to macroorganisms. Here we analyzed bacterial, fungal and ant communities in small road medians (average area 0.0008 km2) and larger parks (average area 0.64 km2) across Manhattan (NYC). Bacterial species richness was not significantly different between medians and parks, but community composition was significantly distinct. In contrast, ant communities differed both in composition and richness with fewer ant species in medians than parks. Fungi showed no significant variation in composition or richness but had few shared taxa between habitats or sites. The diversity and composition of microbes appears less sensitive to habitat patchiness or urban stress than those of macroorganisms. Microbes and their associated ecosystem services and functions may be more resilient to the negative effects of urbanization than has been previously appreciated. PMID:26394011

Quantum field theory in the presence of a medium: Green's function expansions

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

Kheirandish, Fardin; Salimi, Shahriar

2011-12-15

Starting from a Lagrangian and using functional-integration techniques, series expansions of Green's function of a real scalar field and electromagnetic field, in the presence of a medium, are obtained. The parameter of expansion in these series is the susceptibility function of the medium. Relativistic and nonrelativistic Langevin-type equations are derived. Series expansions for Lifshitz energy in finite temperature and for an arbitrary matter distribution are derived. Covariant formulations for both scalar and electromagnetic fields are introduced. Two illustrative examples are given.

Proving relations between modular graph functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basu, Anirban

2016-12-01

We consider modular graph functions that arise in the low energy expansion of the four graviton amplitude in type II string theory. The vertices of these graphs are the positions of insertions of vertex operators on the toroidal worldsheet, while the links are the scalar Green functions connecting the vertices. Graphs with four and five links satisfy several non-trivial relations, which have been proved recently. We prove these relations by using elementary properties of Green functions and the details of the graphs. We also prove a relation between modular graph functions with six links.

Midsouth Pulpwood Prices, 1991

Treesearch

Patrick E. Miller

1993-01-01

The average delivered price for a cord of Midsouth roundwood in 1991 was $56.39, an increase of 6.5 percent since 1990. Softwood roundwood averaged $58.24 and hardwoods, $50.48 per standard cord, up 2.8 and 7.9 percent, respectively. Chipped residue prices were $26.52 for softwood and $21.0l for hardwood per green ton. The expenditure for wood fiber in the Midsouth...

Midsouth Pulpwood Prices, 1992

Treesearch

Patrick E. Miller

1994-01-01

The average price in the Midsouth for a cord of roundwood pulpwood increased 5.1 percent from $56.39 in 1991 to $59.29 in 1992. The average delivered price for a green ton of chipped residues was $27.30, an increase of 6.1 percent. In 1992, expenditures for Midsouth pulpwood increased 14.0 percent to $2.2 million. Real prices continued to rise for both softwood and...

Market potential of mesquite as fuel

Treesearch

A.T. Wiley; F.G. Manwiller

1976-01-01

The heat of combustion of mesquite heartwood, sapwood, bark, and a mixture of stems and leaves was tested. The values averaged 8,657, 8,021, 7,836, and 8,123 Btu per OD pound, respectively. If an industrial plant requiring 50,000 pounds of steam per hour were located in an area averaging 25 green tons of mesquite fiber per acre, a harvest radius of about 3 miles would...

Market potential of mesquite as fuel

Treesearch

A.T. Wiley; F.G. Manwiller

1976-01-01

The heat combustion of mesquite heartwood, aspwood, bark, and a mixture of stems and leaves was tested. The values averaged 8,657, 8,021, 7,836, and 8,123 Btu per OD pound, respectively. If an industrial plant requiring 50,000 pounds of steam per hour were located in an area averaging 25 green tons of mesquite fiber per acre, a harvest radius of about 3 miles would be...

Ambient Noise Interferometry and Surface Wave Array Tomography: Promises and Problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van der Hilst, R. D.; Yao, H.; de Hoop, M. V.; Campman, X.; Solna, K.

2008-12-01

In the late 1990ies most seismologists would have frowned at the possibility of doing high-resolution surface wave tomography with noise instead of with signal associated with ballistic source-receiver propagation. Some may still do, but surface wave tomography with Green's functions estimated through ambient noise interferometry ('sourceless tomography') has transformed from a curiosity into one of the (almost) standard tools for analysis of data from dense seismograph arrays. Indeed, spectacular applications of ambient noise surface wave tomography have recently been published. For example, application to data from arrays in SE Tibet revealed structures in the crust beneath the Tibetan plateau that could not be resolved by traditional tomography (Yao et al., GJI, 2006, 2008). While the approach is conceptually simple, in application the proverbial devil is in the detail. Full reconstruction of the Green's function requires that the wavefields used are diffusive and that ambient noise energy is evenly distributed in the spatial dimensions of interest. In the field, these conditions are not usually met, and (frequency dependent) non-uniformity of the noise sources may lead to incomplete reconstruction of the Green's function. Furthermore, ambient noise distributions can be time-dependent, and seasonal variations have been documented. Naive use of empirical Green's functions may produce (unknown) bias in the tomographic models. The degrading effect on EGFs of the directionality of noise distribution forms particular challenges for applications beyond isotropic surface wave inversions, such as inversions for (azimuthal) anisotropy and attempts to use higher modes (or body waves). Incomplete Green's function reconstruction can (probably) not be prevented, but it may be possible to reduce the problem and - at least - understand the degree of incomplete reconstruction and prevent it from degrading the tomographic model. We will present examples of Rayleigh wave inversions and discuss strategies to mitigate effects of incomplete Green's function reconstruction on tomographic images.

Analysis and attenuation of artifacts caused by spatially and temporally correlated noise sources in Green's function estimates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, E. R.; Dou, S.; Lindsey, N.; Chang, J. P.; Biondi, B. C.; Ajo Franklin, J. B.; Wagner, A. M.; Bjella, K.; Daley, T. M.; Freifeld, B. M.; Robertson, M.; Ulrich, C.; Williams, E. F.

2016-12-01

Localized strong sources of noise in an array have been shown to cause artifacts in Green's function estimates obtained via cross-correlation. Their effect is often reduced through the use of cross-coherence. Beyond independent localized sources, temporally or spatially correlated sources of noise frequently occur in practice but violate basic assumptions of much of the theory behind ambient noise Green's function retrieval. These correlated noise sources can occur in urban environments due to transportation infrastructure, or in areas around industrial operations like pumps running at CO2 sequestration sites or oil and gas drilling sites. Better understanding of these artifacts should help us develop and justify methods for their automatic removal from Green's function estimates. We derive expected artifacts in cross-correlations from several distributions of correlated noise sources including point sources that are exact time-lagged repeats of each other and Gaussian-distributed in space and time with covariance that exponentially decays. Assuming the noise distribution stays stationary over time, the artifacts become more coherent as more ambient noise is included in the Green's function estimates. We support our results with simple computational models. We observed these artifacts in Green's function estimates from a 2015 ambient noise study in Fairbanks, AK where a trenched distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) array was deployed to collect ambient noise alongside a road with the goal of developing a permafrost thaw monitoring system. We found that joints in the road repeatedly being hit by cars travelling at roughly the speed limit led to artifacts similar to those expected when several points are time-lagged copies of each other. We also show test results of attenuating the effects of these sources during time-lapse monitoring of an active thaw test in the same location with noise detected by a 2D trenched DAS array.

Comparison of the Cut-and-Paste and Full Moment Tensor Methods for Estimating Earthquake Source Parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Templeton, D.; Rodgers, A.; Helmberger, D.; Dreger, D.

2008-12-01

Earthquake source parameters (seismic moment, focal mechanism and depth) are now routinely reported by various institutions and network operators. These parameters are important for seismotectonic and earthquake ground motion studies as well as calibration of moment magnitude scales and model-based earthquake-explosion discrimination. Source parameters are often estimated from long-period three- component waveforms at regional distances using waveform modeling techniques with Green's functions computed for an average plane-layered models. One widely used method is waveform inversion for the full moment tensor (Dreger and Helmberger, 1993). This method (TDMT) solves for the moment tensor elements by performing a linearized inversion in the time-domain that minimizes the difference between the observed and synthetic waveforms. Errors in the seismic velocity structure inevitably arise due to either differences in the true average plane-layered structure or laterally varying structure. The TDMT method can account for errors in the velocity model by applying a single time shift at each station to the observed waveforms to best match the synthetics. Another method for estimating source parameters is the Cut-and-Paste (CAP) method. This method breaks the three-component regional waveforms into five windows: vertical and radial component Pnl; vertical and radial component Rayleigh wave; and transverse component Love waves. The CAP method performs a grid search over double-couple mechanisms and allows the synthetic waveforms for each phase (Pnl, Rayleigh and Love) to shift in time to account for errors in the Green's functions. Different filtering and weighting of the Pnl segment relative to surface wave segments enhances sensitivity to source parameters, however, some bias may be introduced. This study will compare the TDMT and CAP methods in two different regions in order to better understand the advantages and limitations of each method. Firstly, we will consider the northeastern China/Korean Peninsula region where average plane-layered structure is well known and relatively laterally homogenous. Secondly, we will consider the Middle East where crustal and upper mantle structure is laterally heterogeneous due to recent and ongoing tectonism. If time allows we will investigate the efficacy of each method for retrieving source parameters from synthetic data generated using a three-dimensional model of seismic structure of the Middle East, where phase delays are known to arise from path-dependent structure.

Green sturgeon physical habitat use in the coastal Pacific Ocean.

PubMed

Huff, David D; Lindley, Steven T; Rankin, Polly S; Mora, Ethan A

2011-01-01

The green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) is a highly migratory, oceanic, anadromous species with a complex life history that makes it vulnerable to species-wide threats in both freshwater and at sea. Green sturgeon population declines have preceded legal protection and curtailment of activities in marine environments deemed to increase its extinction risk. Yet, its marine habitat is poorly understood. We built a statistical model to characterize green sturgeon marine habitat using data from a coastal tracking array located along the Siletz Reef near Newport, Oregon, USA that recorded the passage of 37 acoustically tagged green sturgeon. We classified seafloor physical habitat features with high-resolution bathymetric and backscatter data. We then described the distribution of habitat components and their relationship to green sturgeon presence using ordination and subsequently used generalized linear model selection to identify important habitat components. Finally, we summarized depth and temperature recordings from seven green sturgeon present off the Oregon coast that were fitted with pop-off archival geolocation tags. Our analyses indicated that green sturgeon, on average, spent a longer duration in areas with high seafloor complexity, especially where a greater proportion of the substrate consists of boulders. Green sturgeon in marine habitats are primarily found at depths of 20-60 meters and from 9.5-16.0°C. Many sturgeon in this study were likely migrating in a northward direction, moving deeper, and may have been using complex seafloor habitat because it coincides with the distribution of benthic prey taxa or provides refuge from predators. Identifying important green sturgeon marine habitat is an essential step towards accurately defining the conditions that are necessary for its survival and will eventually yield range-wide, spatially explicit predictions of green sturgeon distribution.

Green Sturgeon Physical Habitat Use in the Coastal Pacific Ocean

PubMed Central

Huff, David D.; Lindley, Steven T.; Rankin, Polly S.; Mora, Ethan A.

2011-01-01

The green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) is a highly migratory, oceanic, anadromous species with a complex life history that makes it vulnerable to species-wide threats in both freshwater and at sea. Green sturgeon population declines have preceded legal protection and curtailment of activities in marine environments deemed to increase its extinction risk. Yet, its marine habitat is poorly understood. We built a statistical model to characterize green sturgeon marine habitat using data from a coastal tracking array located along the Siletz Reef near Newport, Oregon, USA that recorded the passage of 37 acoustically tagged green sturgeon. We classified seafloor physical habitat features with high-resolution bathymetric and backscatter data. We then described the distribution of habitat components and their relationship to green sturgeon presence using ordination and subsequently used generalized linear model selection to identify important habitat components. Finally, we summarized depth and temperature recordings from seven green sturgeon present off the Oregon coast that were fitted with pop-off archival geolocation tags. Our analyses indicated that green sturgeon, on average, spent a longer duration in areas with high seafloor complexity, especially where a greater proportion of the substrate consists of boulders. Green sturgeon in marine habitats are primarily found at depths of 20–60 meters and from 9.5–16.0°C. Many sturgeon in this study were likely migrating in a northward direction, moving deeper, and may have been using complex seafloor habitat because it coincides with the distribution of benthic prey taxa or provides refuge from predators. Identifying important green sturgeon marine habitat is an essential step towards accurately defining the conditions that are necessary for its survival and will eventually yield range-wide, spatially explicit predictions of green sturgeon distribution. PMID:21966442

Observing Bridge Dynamic Deflection in Green Time by Information Technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Chengxin; Zhang, Guojian; Zhao, Yongqian; Chen, Mingzhi

2018-01-01

As traditional surveying methods are limited to observe bridge dynamic deflection; information technology is adopted to observe bridge dynamic deflection in Green time. Information technology used in this study means that we use digital cameras to photograph the bridge in red time as a zero image. Then, a series of successive images are photographed in green time. Deformation point targets are identified and located by Hough transform. With reference to the control points, the deformation values of these deformation points are obtained by differencing the successive images with a zero image, respectively. Results show that the average measurement accuracies of C0 are 0.46 pixels, 0.51 pixels and 0.74 pixels in X, Z and comprehensive direction. The average measurement accuracies of C1 are 0.43 pixels, 0.43 pixels and 0.67 pixels in X, Z and comprehensive direction in these tests. The maximal bridge deflection is 44.16mm, which is less than 75mm (Bridge deflection tolerance value). Information technology in this paper can monitor bridge dynamic deflection and depict deflection trend curves of the bridge in real time. It can provide data support for the site decisions to the bridge structure safety.

Flow and chloride transport in the tidal Hudson River, NY

USGS Publications Warehouse

Weiss, Lawrence A.; Schaffranek, Raymond W.; de Vries, M. Peter

1994-01-01

A one-dimensional dynamic-flow model and a one-dimensional solute-transport model were used to evaluate the effects of hypothetical public-supply water withdrawals on saltwater intrusion in a 133-mile reach of the tidal Hudson River between Green Island dam, near Troy, N.Y., and Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y. Regression techniques were used in analyses of current and extreme historical conditions, and numerical models were used to investigate the effect of various water withdrawals. Of four withdrawal scenarios investigated, simulations of a 27-day period during which discharges at Green Island dam averaged 7,090 ft3/s indicate that increasing the present Chelsea pumping-station withdrawal rate of 100 Mgal/d (million gallons per day) to 300 Mgal/d would have the least effect on upstream saltwater movement. A 90-day simulation, during which discharges at Green Island dam averaged 25,200 ft3/s, indicates that withdrawals of 1,940 Mgal/d at Chelsea would not measurably increase chloride concentrations at Chelsea under normal tidal and meteorological conditions, but withdrawals of twice that rate (3,880 Mgal/d) could increase the chloride concentration at Chelsea to 250 mg/L.

Green fluorescent protein nanopolygons as monodisperse supramolecular assemblies of functional proteins with defined valency

PubMed Central

Kim, Young Eun; Kim, Yu-na; Kim, Jung A.; Kim, Ho Min; Jung, Yongwon

2015-01-01

Supramolecular protein assemblies offer novel nanoscale architectures with molecular precision and unparalleled functional diversity. A key challenge, however, is to create precise nano-assemblies of functional proteins with both defined structures and a controlled number of protein-building blocks. Here we report a series of supramolecular green fluorescent protein oligomers that are assembled in precise polygonal geometries and prepared in a monodisperse population. Green fluorescent protein is engineered to be self-assembled in cells into oligomeric assemblies that are natively separated in a single-protein resolution by surface charge manipulation, affording monodisperse protein (nano)polygons from dimer to decamer. Several functional proteins are multivalently displayed on the oligomers with controlled orientations. Spatial arrangements of protein oligomers and displayed functional proteins are directly visualized by a transmission electron microscope. By employing our functional protein assemblies, we provide experimental insight into multivalent protein–protein interactions and tools to manipulate receptor clustering on live cell surfaces. PMID:25972078

Energy Consumption Evaluation of United States Navy Leed Certified Building For Fiscal Year 2009

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

administration functions, classroom training, laboratory functions, personnel detention, and a fully functioning dog kennel on the exterior of the...Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certified by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The goal of this effort is in...and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certified by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The goal of this effort is in compliance with

Electrospun polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/green tea extract composite nanofiber mats and their antioxidant activities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pusporini, Pusporini; Edikresnha, Dhewa; Sriyanti, Ida; Suciati, Tri; Miftahul Munir, Muhammad; Khairurrijal, Khairurrijal

2018-05-01

Electrospinning was employed to make PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone)/GTE (green tea extract) composite nanofiber mats. The electrospun PVP nanofiber mat as well as the PVP/GTE nanofiber mats were uniform. The average fiber diameter of PVP/GTE composite nanofiber mat decreased with increasing the GTE weight fraction (or decreasing the PVP weight fraction) in the PVP/GTE solution because the PVP/GTE solution concentration decreased. Then, the broad FTIR peak representing the stretching vibrations of O–H in hydroxyl groups of phenols and the stretching of N–H in amine groups of the GTE paste shifted to higher wavenumbers in the PVP/GTE composite nanofiber mats. These peak shifts implied that PVP and catechins of GTE in the PVP/GTE composite nanofiber mats had intermolecular interactions via hydrogen bonds between carbonyl groups of PVP and hydroxyl groups of catechins in GTE. Lastly, the antioxidant activity of the PVP/GTE composite nanofiber mat increased with reducing the average fiber diameter because the amount of catechins in the composite nanofiber mat increased with the increase of surface area due to the reduction of the average fiber diameter.

The Universe Going Green: Extraordinarily Strong [OIII]5007 in Typical Dwarf Galaxies at z~3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malkan, Matthew Arnold; Cohen, Daniel

2017-01-01

We constructed the average SEDs of U-dropout galaxies in the Subaru Deep Field. This sample contains more than 5000 Lyman-break galaxies at z~3. Their average near- and mid-IR colors were obtained by stacking JHK and IRAC imaging, in bins of stellar mass. At the lowest mass bins an increasingly strong excess flux is seen in the K filter. This excess can reach 1 magnitude in the broadband filter, and we attribute it to strong \\OIII $\\lambda{5007}$ line emission. The equivalent width is extraordinarily high, reaching almost 1000\\Ang\\ for the average z=3 galaxy at an i magnitude of 27. Such extreme [OIII] emission is very rare in the current epoch, only seen in a handful of metal-deficient dwarf starbursts sometimes referred to as ''Green Peas". In contrast, extreme [OIII]--strong enough to dominate the entire broad-band SED--was evidently the norm for faint galaxies at high redshift. We present evidence that these small but numerous galaxies were primarily responsible for the reionization of the Universe.

Levels of heavy metals in green-lipped mussel Perna veridis (Linnaeus) from Muar Estuary, Johore, Malaysia.

PubMed

Kamaruzzaman, B Y; Ong, M C; Zaleha, K; Shahbudin, S

2008-09-15

Muscle and feather in tissue of 40 juveniles and 40 adult green-lipped mussel Perna veridis (L.) collected from Muar Estuary, Johor were analyzed for copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) concentration using a fast and sensitive Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). In this study, the average concentration of Cu was 8.96 microg g(-1) dry weights, Cd with 0.58 microg g(-1) dry weight, Pb averaging 2.28 microg g(-1) dry weights and Zn averaged to 86.73 microg g(-1) dry weight. The highest accumulation of metal studied was found in feather sample compared to the muscle. The positive relationship of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn with P. virdis length suggesting that the accumulation of these metals were formed in the mussel. In all cases, metal levels found were lower than the guideline of international standards of reference and the examined bivalve were not associated with enhanced metal content in their tissues and were safe within the limits for human consumption.

Study on the Index System of Green Ecological Building and Its Evaluation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Ying

2017-12-01

Based on the concept of sustainable development, green and ecology has become a hot topic in the development and research of many industries. It is not only a new culture, but also that art, technology, material and so on will change under the guidance of this kind of thought. Architecture is the main body of the city, and it also is the necessary component of the human survival and social developments, the basic function of the building is to provide people with living space. With the development of society, the architectural function is constantly enriched, the structure tends to be complicated, but the influence of its own problems is also expanding. The development of the construction industry requires a lot of resources, and in the process of using its function and it needs other energy to provide its due support, because in the past we only consider the building function, ignoring the energy and information consumption. Considering the current social development, we have to take the energy and resource issues into account, based on this condition, the green eco-building concept and technical standards is producing, and it changed people’s views on social development. Green eco-buildings also need to have indicators as a reference, while providing guidance of architectural design and construction. This paper gives a brief exposition of the research system of green ecological architecture and its evaluation.

Lasers' spectral and temporal profile can affect visual glare disability.

PubMed

Beer, Jeremy M A; Freeman, David A

2012-12-01

Experiments measured the effects of laser glare on visual orientation and motion perception. Laser stimuli were varied according to spectral composition and temporal presentation as subjects identified targets' tilt (Experiment 1) and movement (Experiment 2). The objective was to determine whether the glare parameters would alter visual disruption. Three spectral profiles (monochromatic Green vs. polychromatic White vs. alternating Red-Green) were used to produce a ring of laser glare surrounding a target. Two experiments were performed to measure the minimum contrast required to report target orientation or motion direction. The temporal glare profile was also varied: the ring was illuminated either continuously or discontinuously. Time-averaged luminance of the glare stimuli was matched across all conditions. In both experiments, threshold (deltaL) values were approximately 0.15 log units higher in monochromatic Green than in polychromatic White conditions. In Experiment 2 (motion identification), thresholds were approximately 0.17 log units higher in rapidly flashing (6, 10, or 14 Hz) than in continuous exposure conditions. Monochromatic extended-source laser glare disrupted orientation and motion identification more than polychromatic glare. In the motion task, pulse trains faster than 6 Hz (but below flicker fusion) elevated thresholds more than continuous glare with the same time-averaged luminance. Under these conditions, alternating the wavelength of monochromatic glare over time did not aggravate disability relative to green-only glare. Repetitively flashing monochromatic laser glare induced occasional episodes of impaired motion identification, perhaps resulting from cognitive interference. Interference speckle might play a role in aggravating monochromatic glare effects.

Effect of Free Jet on Refraction and Noise

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Khavaran, Abbas; Georgiadis, Nicholas J.; Bridges, James E.; Dippold, Vance F., III

2005-01-01

This article investigates the role of a free jet on the sound radiated from a jet. In particular, the role of an infinite wind tunnel, which simulates the forward flight condition, is compared to that of a finite wind tunnel. The second configuration is usually used in experiments, where the microphones are located in a static ambient medium far outside the free jet. To study the effect of the free jet on noise, both propagation and source strength need to be addressed. In this work, the exact Green's function in a locally parallel flow is derived for a simulated flight case. Numerical examples are presented that show a reduction in the magnitude of the Green's function in the aft arc and an increase in the forward arc for the simulated flight condition. The effect of finite wind tunnel on refraction is sensitive to the source location and is most pronounced in the aft arc. A Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes solution (RANS) yields the required mean flow and turbulence scales that are used in the jet mixing noise spectrum calculations. In addition to the sound/flow interaction, the separate effect of source strength and elongation of the noise-generating region of the jet in a forward flight is studied. Comparisons are made with experiments for the static and finite tunnel cases. Finally, the standard free-jet shear corrections that convert the finite wind tunnel measurements to an ideal wind tunnel arrangement are evaluated.

Green synthesis of silver/montmorillonite/chitosan bionanocomposites using the UV irradiation method and evaluation of antibacterial activity

PubMed Central

Shameli, Kamyar; Ahmad, Mansor Bin; Yunus, Wan Md Zin Wan; Rustaiyan, Abdolhossein; Ibrahim, Nor Azowa; Zargar, Mohsen; Abdollahi, Yadollah

2010-01-01

In this study, silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were synthesized using a green physical synthetic route into the lamellar space of montmorillonite (MMT)/chitosan (Cts) utilizing the ultraviolet (UV) irradiation reduction method in the absence of any reducing agent or heat treatment. Cts, MMT, and AgNO3 were used as the natural polymeric stabilizer, solid support, and silver precursor, respectively. The properties of Ag/MMT/Cts bionanocomposites (BNCs) were studied as the function of UV irradiation times. UV irradiation disintegrated the Ag-NPs into smaller sizes until a relatively stable size and size distribution were achieved. Meanwhile, the crystalline structure and d-spacing of the MMT interlayer, average size and size distribution, surface morphology, elemental signal peaks, functional groups, and surface plasmon resonance of Ag/MMT/Cts BNCs were determined by powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared, and UV-visible spectroscopy. The antibacterial activity of Ag-NPs in MMT/Cts was investigated against Gram-positive bacteria, ie, Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus and Gram-negative bacteria (ie, Escherichia coli) by the disk diffusion method on Muller–Hinton Agar at different sizes of Ag-NPs. All of the synthesized Ag/MMT/Cts BNCs were found to have high antibacterial activity. These results show that Ag/MMT/Cts BNCs can be useful in different biologic research and biomedical applications, such as surgical devices and drug delivery vehicles. PMID:21116328

Multiple scattering from icequakes at Erebus volcano, Antarctica: Implications for imaging at glaciated volcanoes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaput, J.; Campillo, M.; Aster, R. C.; Roux, P.; Kyle, P. R.; Knox, H.; Czoski, P.

2015-02-01

We examine seismic coda from an unusually dense deployment of over 100 short-period and broadband seismographs in the summit region of Mount Erebus volcano on a network with an aperture of approximately 5 km. We investigate the energy-partitioning properties of the seismic wavefield generated by thousands of small icequake sources originating on the upper volcano and use them to estimate Green's functions via coda cross correlation. Emergent coda seismograms suggest that this locale should be particularly amenable to such methods. Using a small aperture subarray, we find that modal energy partition between S and P wave energy between ˜1 and 4 Hz occurs in just a few seconds after event onset and persists for tens of seconds. Spatially averaged correlograms display clear body and surface waves that span the full aperture of the array. We test for stable bidirectional Green's function recovery and note that good symmetry can be achieved at this site even with a geographically skewed distribution of sources. We estimate scattering and absorption mean free path lengths and find a power law decrease in mean free path between 1.5 and 3.3 Hz that suggests a quasi-Rayleigh or Rayleigh-Gans scattering situation. Finally, we demonstrate the existence of coherent backscattering (weak localization) for this coda wavefield. The remarkable properties of scattered seismic wavefields in the vicinity of active volcanoes suggests that the abundant small icequake sources may be used for illumination where temporal monitoring of such dynamic structures is concerned.

Bio-functionalized silver nanoparticles for selective colorimetric sensing of toxic metal ions and antimicrobial studies.

PubMed

Vinod Kumar, V; Anbarasan, S; Christena, Lawrence Rene; SaiSubramanian, Nagarajan; Philip Anthony, Savarimuthu

2014-08-14

Hibiscus Sabdariffa (Gongura) plant extracts (leaves (HL) and stem (HS)) were used for the first time in the green synthesis of bio-functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The bio-functionality of AgNPs has been successfully utilized for selective colorimetric sensing of potentially health and environmentally hazardous Hg(2+), Cd(2+) and Pb(2+) metal ions at ppm level in aqueous solution. Importantly, clearly distinguishable colour for all three metal ions was observed. The influence of extract preparation condition and pH were also explored on the formation of AgNPs. Both selectivity and sensitivity differed for AgNPs synthesized from different parts of the plant. Direct correlation between the stability of green synthesized AgNPs at different pH and its antibacterial effects has been established. The selective colorimetric sensing of toxic metal ions and antimicrobial effect of green synthesized AgNPs demonstrated the multifunctional applications of green nanotechnology. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Secondary Plastids of Euglenids and Chlorarachniophytes Function with a Mix of Genes of Red and Green Algal Ancestry.

PubMed

Ponce-Toledo, Rafael I; Moreira, David; López-García, Purificación; Deschamps, Philippe

2018-06-19

Endosymbiosis has been common all along eukaryotic evolution, providing opportunities for genomic and organellar innovation. Plastids are a prominent example. After the primary endosymbiosis of the cyanobacterial plastid ancestor, photosynthesis spread in many eukaryotic lineages via secondary endosymbioses involving red or green algal endosymbionts and diverse heterotrophic hosts. However, the number of secondary endosymbioses and how they occurred remain poorly understood. In particular, contrasting patterns of endosymbiotic gene transfer (EGT) have been detected and subjected to various interpretations. In this context, accurate detection of EGTs is essential to avoid wrong evolutionary conclusions. We have assembled a strictly selected set of markers that provides robust phylogenomic evidence suggesting that nuclear genes involved in the function and maintenance of green secondary plastids in chlorarachniophytes and euglenids have unexpected mixed red and green algal origins. This mixed ancestry contrasts with the clear red algal origin of most nuclear genes carrying similar functions in secondary algae with red plastids.

From Green to Blue: Site-Directed Mutagenesis of the Green Fluorescent Protein to Teach Protein Structure-Function Relationships

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Giron, Maria D.; Salto, Rafael

2011-01-01

Structure-function relationship studies in proteins are essential in modern Cell Biology. Laboratory exercises that allow students to familiarize themselves with basic mutagenesis techniques are essential in all Genetic Engineering courses to teach the relevance of protein structure. We have implemented a laboratory course based on the…

Acousto-Optic Beam Sampler, Part 2. Green’s Function Solution to Acousto-Optic Interaction Problem.

DTIC Science & Technology

This part of the ’ Acousto - Optic Beam Sampler,’ series lays down the formalism behind the Green’s function integral approach to solving the acousto ... optic scattering problem. The advantage of this formulation which is applicable to gases is shown through developing the solution to the scattering

Green function of the double-fractional Fokker-Planck equation: path integral and stochastic differential equations.

PubMed

Kleinert, H; Zatloukal, V

2013-11-01

The statistics of rare events, the so-called black-swan events, is governed by non-Gaussian distributions with heavy power-like tails. We calculate the Green functions of the associated Fokker-Planck equations and solve the related stochastic differential equations. We also discuss the subject in the framework of path integration.

Non-linear vacuum polarization in strong fields

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

Gyulassy, M.

1981-07-01

The Wichmann-Kroll formalism for calculating the vacuum polarization density to first order in ..cap alpha.. but to all orders in Z..cap alpha.. is derived. The most essential quantity is shown to be the electrons Green's function in these calculations. The method of constructing that Green's function in the field of finite radius nuclei is then presented.

Efficient Green's Function Reaction Dynamics (GFRD) simulations for diffusion-limited, reversible reactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bashardanesh, Zahedeh; Lötstedt, Per

2018-03-01

In diffusion controlled reversible bimolecular reactions in three dimensions, a dissociation step is typically followed by multiple, rapid re-association steps slowing down the simulations of such systems. In order to improve the efficiency, we first derive an exact Green's function describing the rate at which an isolated pair of particles undergoing reversible bimolecular reactions and unimolecular decay separates beyond an arbitrarily chosen distance. Then the Green's function is used in an algorithm for particle-based stochastic reaction-diffusion simulations for prediction of the dynamics of biochemical networks. The accuracy and efficiency of the algorithm are evaluated using a reversible reaction and a push-pull chemical network. The computational work is independent of the rates of the re-associations.

Water hammer prediction and control: the Green's function method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xuan, Li-Jun; Mao, Feng; Wu, Jie-Zhi

2012-04-01

By Green's function method we show that the water hammer (WH) can be analytically predicted for both laminar and turbulent flows (for the latter, with an eddy viscosity depending solely on the space coordinates), and thus its hazardous effect can be rationally controlled and minimized. To this end, we generalize a laminar water hammer equation of Wang et al. (J. Hydrodynamics, B2, 51, 1995) to include arbitrary initial condition and variable viscosity, and obtain its solution by Green's function method. The predicted characteristic WH behaviors by the solutions are in excellent agreement with both direct numerical simulation of the original governing equations and, by adjusting the eddy viscosity coefficient, experimentally measured turbulent flow data. Optimal WH control principle is thereby constructed and demonstrated.

Green energy products in the United Kingdom, Germany and Finland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hast, Aira; McDermott, Liisa; Järvelä, Marja; Syri, Sanna

2014-12-01

In liberalized electricity markets, suppliers are offering several kinds of voluntary green electricity products marketed as environmentally friendly. This paper focuses on the development of these voluntary markets at household level in the UK, Germany and Finland. Since there are already existing renewable energy policies regulating and encouraging the use of renewable energy, it is important to consider whether voluntary products offer real additional benefits above these policies. Problems such as double counting or re-marketing hydropower produced in existing plants are identified. According to our study, the demand varies between countries: in Germany the number of green electricity customers has increased and is also higher than in the UK or Finland. Typically the average additional cost to consumer from buying green electricity product instead of standard electricity product is in the range of 0-5% in all studied countries, although the level of price premium depends on several factors like electricity consumption. Case study of Finland and literature show that the impacts of green energy are not solely environmental. Renewable energy can benefit local public policy.

Satellite-Based Evidence for Shrub and Graminoid Tundra Expansion in Northern Quebec from 1986-2010

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McManus, K. M.; Morton, D. C.; Masek, J. G.; Wang, D.; Sexton, J. O.; Nagol, J.; Ropars, P.; Boudreau, S.

2012-01-01

Global vegetation models predict rapid poleward migration of tundra and boreal forest vegetation in response to climate warming. Local plot and air-photo studies have documented recent changes in high-latitude vegetation composition and structure, consistent with warming trends. To bridge these two scales of inference, we analyzed a 24-year (1986-2010) Landsat time series in a latitudinal transect across the boreal forest-tundra biome boundary in northern Quebec province, Canada. This region has experienced rapid warming during both winter and summer months during the last forty years. Using a per-pixel (30 m) trend analysis, 30% of the observable (cloud-free) land area experienced a significant (p < 0.05) positive trend in the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). However, greening trends were not evenly split among cover types. Low shrub and graminoid tundra contributed preferentially to the greening trend, while forested areas were less likely to show significant trends in NDVI. These trends reflect increasing leaf area, rather than an increase in growing season length, because Landsat data were restricted to peak-summer conditions. The average NDVI trend (0.007/yr) corresponds to a leaf-area index (LAI) increase of 0.6 based on the regional relationship between LAI and NDVI from the Moderate Resolution Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Across the entire transect, the area-averaged LAI increase was 0.2 during 1986-2010. A higher area-averaged LAI change (0.3) within the shrub-tundra portion of the transect represents a 20-60% relative increase in LAI during the last two decades. Our Landsat-based analysis subdivides the overall high-latitude greening trend into changes in peak-summer greenness by cover type. Different responses within and among shrub, graminoid, and tree-dominated cover types in this study indicate important fine-scale heterogeneity in vegetation growth. Although our findings are consistent with community shifts in low-biomass vegetation types over multi-decadal time scales, the response in tundra and forest ecosystems to recent warming was not uniform.

Green laser pointers for visual astronomy: how much power is enough?

PubMed

Bará, Salvador; Robles, Marisol; Tejelo, Isabel; Marzoa, Ramón I; González, Héctor

2010-02-01

Green laser pointers with output powers in the tens to hundreds of milliwatt (mW) range, clearly exceeding the limiting 5 mW of American National Standards Institute class 3a (International Electrotechnical Commission class 3R), are now easily available in the global market. They are increasingly being used in public sky observations and other nighttime outreach activities by educators and science communicators in countries where their use is not well regulated, despite the fact that such high power levels may represent a potential threat to visual health. The purpose of this study was to determine the output power reasonably required to perform satisfactorily this kind of activities. Twenty-three observers were asked to vary continuously the output power of a green laser source (wavelength 532 nm) until clearly seeing the laser beam propagating skyward through the atmosphere in a heavily light-polluted urban setting. Measurements were conducted with observers of a wide range of ages (9 to 56 years), refractions (spherical equivalents -8.50 to +1.50 diopters), and previous expertise in using lasers as pointing devices outdoors (from no experience to professional astronomers). Two measurement runs were made in different nights under different meteorological conditions. The output power chosen by observers in the first run (11 observers) averaged to 1.84 mW (+/-0.68 mW, 1 SD). The second run (17 observers) averaged to 2.91 mW (+/-1.54 mW). The global average was 2.38 mW (+/-1.30 mW). Only one observer scored 5.6 mW, just above the class 3a limit. The power chosen by the remaining 22 observers ranged from 1.37 to 3.53 mW. Green laser pointers with output powers below 5 mW (laser classes American National Standards Institute 3a or International Electrotechnical Commission 3R) appear to be sufficient for use in educational nighttime outdoors activities, providing enough bright beams at reasonable safety levels.

Spatiotemporal variations in the abundance and composition of bulk and chromophoric dissolved organic matter in seasonally hypoxia-influenced Green Bay, Lake Michigan, USA.

PubMed

DeVilbiss, Stephen E; Zhou, Zhengzhen; Klump, J Val; Guo, Laodong

2016-09-15

Green Bay, Lake Michigan, USA, is the largest freshwater estuary in the Laurentian Great Lakes and receives disproportional terrestrial inputs as a result of a high watershed to bay surface area ratio. While seasonal hypoxia and the formation of "dead zones" in Green Bay have received increasing attention, there are no systematic studies on the dynamics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and its linkage to the development of hypoxia. During summer 2014, bulk dissolved organic carbon (DOC) analysis, UV-vis spectroscopy, and fluorescence excitation-emission matrices (EEMs) coupled with PARAFAC analysis were used to quantify the abundance, composition and source of DOM and their spatiotemporal variations in Green Bay, Lake Michigan. Concentrations of DOC ranged from 202 to 571μM-C (average=361±73μM-C) in June and from 279 to 610μM-C (average=349±64μM-C) in August. In both months, absorption coefficient at 254nm (a254) was strongly correlated to bulk DOC and was most abundant in the Fox River, attesting a dominant terrestrial input. Non-chromophoric DOC comprised, on average, ~32% of bulk DOC in June with higher terrestrial DOM and ~47% in August with higher aquagenic DOM, indicating that autochthonous and more degraded DOM is of lower optical activity. PARAFAC modeling on EEM data resulted in four major fluorescent DOM components, including two terrestrial humic-like, one aquagenic humic-like, and one protein-like component. Variations in the abundance of DOM components further supported changes in DOM sources. Mixing behavior of DOM components also indicated that while bulk DOM behaved quasi-conservatively, significant compositional changes occurred during transport from the Fox River to the open bay. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Green materials for sustainable development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Purwasasmita, B. S.

2017-03-01

Sustainable development is an integrity of multidiscipline concept combining ecological, social and economic aspects to construct a liveable human living system. The sustainable development can be support through the development of green materials. Green materials offers a unique characteristic and properties including abundant in nature, less toxic, economically affordable and versatility in term of physical and chemical properties. Green materials can be applied for a numerous field in science and technology applications including for energy, building, construction and infrastructures, materials science and engineering applications and pollution management and technology. For instance, green materials can be developed as a source for energy production. Green materials including biomass-based source can be developed as a source for biodiesel and bioethanol production. Biomass-based materials also can be transformed into advanced functionalized materials for advanced bio-applications such as the transformation of chitin into chitosan which further used for biomedicine, biomaterials and tissue engineering applications. Recently, cellulose-based material and lignocellulose-based materials as a source for the developing functional materials attracted the potential prospect for biomaterials, reinforcing materials and nanotechnology. Furthermore, the development of pigment materials has gaining interest by using the green materials as a source due to their unique properties. Eventually, Indonesia as a large country with a large biodiversity can enhance the development of green material to strengthen our nation competitiveness and develop the materials technology for the future.

Ecohydrology frameworks for green infrastructure design and ecosystem service provision

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pavao-Zuckerman, M.; Knerl, A.; Barron-Gafford, G.

2014-12-01

Urbanization is a dominant form of landscape change that affects the structure and function of ecosystems and alters control points in biogeochemical and hydrologic cycles. Green infrastructure (GI) has been proposed as a solution to many urban environmental challenges and may be a way to manage biogeochemical control points. Despite this promise, there has been relatively limited empirical focus to evaluate the efficacy of GI, relationships between design and function, and the ability of GI to provide ecosystem services in cities. This work has been driven by goals of adapting GI approaches to dryland cities and to harvest rain and storm water for providing ecosystem services related to storm water management and urban heat island mitigation, as well as other co-benefits. We will present a modification of ecohydrologic theory for guiding the design and function of green infrastructure for dryland systems that highlights how GI functions in context of Trigger - Transfer - Reserve - Pulse (TTRP) dynamic framework. Here we also apply this TTRP framework to observations of established street-scape green infrastructure in Tucson, AZ, and an experimental installation of green infrastructure basins on the campus of Biosphere 2 (Oracle, AZ) where we have been measuring plant performance and soil biogeochemical functions. We found variable sensitivity of microbial activity, soil respiration, N-mineralization, photosynthesis and respiration that was mediated both by elements of basin design (soil texture and composition, choice of surface mulches) and antecedent precipitation inputs and soil moisture conditions. The adapted TTRP framework and field studies suggest that there are strong connections between design and function that have implications for stormwater management and ecosystem service provision in dryland cities.

Golf Ball Roll Distance: A Field Exercise to Explore Management Factors Affecting Putting Green Speed

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bigelow, Cale A.; Walker, Kristina S.

2007-01-01

Putting greens are the most important golf course use area and regularly draw comments regarding their appearance and playing condition. This field laboratory exercise taught students how to properly measure putting green speed, an important functional characteristic, using a Stimpmeter device that measures golf ball roll distance (BRD).…

Force and work to shear green southern pine logs at slow speed

Treesearch

Peter Koch

1971-01-01

When logs of three diameter classes and two specific gravity classes were sheared with a 3/8-inch-thick knife travelling at 2 inches per minute, shearing force and work averaged greatest for dense 13.6-inch logs cut with a knife having a 45o sharpness angle (73,517 pounds; 49,838 foot-pounds). Force and work averaged at least 5.1-inch bolts of...

Aboveground Biomass of Choctawhatchee Sand Pine in Northwest Florida

Treesearch

Michael A. Taras

1980-01-01

Choctawhatchee sand pine trees 4 to 14 inches d.b.h. were selected from a natural, uneven-aged stand in northwest Florida to determine the weight and volume of above ground biomass. On the average, 85 percent of the green weight of the total tree was wood, 11 percent bark. and 4 percent needles. The average tree sampled had 82 percent of its wood in the stem and 18...

The Impact of Working in a Green Certified Building on Cognitive Function and Health.

PubMed

MacNaughton, Piers; Satish, Usha; Laurent, Jose Guillermo Cedeno; Flanigan, Skye; Vallarino, Jose; Coull, Brent; Spengler, John D; Allen, Joseph G

2017-03-01

Thirty years of public health research have demonstrated that improved indoor environmental quality is associated with better health outcomes. Recent research has demonstrated an impact of the indoor environment on cognitive function. We recruited 109 participants from 10 high-performing buildings (i.e. buildings surpassing the ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2010 ventilation requirement and with low total volatile organic compound concentrations) in five U.S. cities. In each city, buildings were matched by week of assessment, tenant, type of worker and work functions. A key distinction between the matched buildings was whether they had achieved green certification. Workers were administered a cognitive function test of higher order decision-making performance twice during the same week while indoor environmental quality parameters were monitored. Workers in green certified buildings scored 26.4% (95% CI: [12.8%, 39.7%]) higher on cognitive function tests, controlling for annual earnings, job category and level of schooling, and had 30% fewer sick building symptoms than those in non-certified buildings. These outcomes may be partially explained by IEQ factors, including thermal conditions and lighting, but the findings suggest that the benefits of green certification standards go beyond measureable IEQ factors. We describe a holistic "buildingomics" approach for examining the complexity of factors in a building that influence human health.

The Impact of Working in a Green Certified Building on Cognitive Function and Health

PubMed Central

MacNaughton, Piers; Satish, Usha; Laurent, Jose Guillermo Cedeno; Flanigan, Skye; Vallarino, Jose; Coull, Brent; Spengler, John D.; Allen, Joseph G.

2017-01-01

Thirty years of public health research have demonstrated that improved indoor environmental quality is associated with better health outcomes. Recent research has demonstrated an impact of the indoor environment on cognitive function. We recruited 109 participants from 10 high-performing buildings (i.e. buildings surpassing the ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2010 ventilation requirement and with low total volatile organic compound concentrations) in five U.S. cities. In each city, buildings were matched by week of assessment, tenant, type of worker and work functions. A key distinction between the matched buildings was whether they had achieved green certification. Workers were administered a cognitive function test of higher order decision-making performance twice during the same week while indoor environmental quality parameters were monitored. Workers in green certified buildings scored 26.4% (95% CI: [12.8%, 39.7%]) higher on cognitive function tests, controlling for annual earnings, job category and level of schooling, and had 30% fewer sick building symptoms than those in non-certified buildings. These outcomes may be partially explained by IEQ factors, including thermal conditions and lighting, but the findings suggest that the benefits of green certification standards go beyond measureable IEQ factors. We describe a holistic “buildingomics” approach for examining the complexity of factors in a building that influence human health. PMID:28785124

Influence of the noise sources motion on the estimated Green's functions from ambient noise cross-correlations.

PubMed

Sabra, Karim G

2010-06-01

It has been demonstrated theoretically and experimentally that an estimate of the Green's function between two receivers can be obtained by cross-correlating acoustic (or elastic) ambient noise recorded at these two receivers. Coherent wavefronts emerge from the noise cross-correlation time function due to the accumulated contributions over time from noise sources whose propagation path pass through both receivers. Previous theoretical studies of the performance of this passive imaging technique have assumed that no relative motion between noise sources and receivers occurs. In this article, the influence of noise sources motion (e.g., aircraft or ship) on this passive imaging technique was investigated theoretically in free space, using a stationary phase approximation, for stationary receivers. The theoretical results were extended to more complex environments, in the high-frequency regime, using first-order expansions of the Green's function. Although sources motion typically degrades the performance of wideband coherent processing schemes, such as time-delay beamforming, it was found that the Green's function estimated from ambient noise cross-correlations are not expected to be significantly affected by the Doppler effect, even for supersonic sources. Numerical Monte-Carlo simulations were conducted to confirm these theoretical predictions for both cases of subsonic and supersonic moving sources.

A Comparison of Simple Methods to Incorporate Material Temperature Dependency in the Green's Function Method for Estimating Transient Thermal Stresses in Thick-Walled Power Plant Components.

PubMed

Rouse, James; Hyde, Christopher

2016-01-06

The threat of thermal fatigue is an increasing concern for thermal power plant operators due to the increasing tendency to adopt "two-shifting" operating procedures. Thermal plants are likely to remain part of the energy portfolio for the foreseeable future and are under societal pressures to generate in a highly flexible and efficient manner. The Green's function method offers a flexible approach to determine reference elastic solutions for transient thermal stress problems. In order to simplify integration, it is often assumed that Green's functions (derived from finite element unit temperature step solutions) are temperature independent (this is not the case due to the temperature dependency of material parameters). The present work offers a simple method to approximate a material's temperature dependency using multiple reference unit solutions and an interpolation procedure. Thermal stress histories are predicted and compared for realistic temperature cycles using distinct techniques. The proposed interpolation method generally performs as well as (if not better) than the optimum single Green's function or the previously-suggested weighting function technique (particularly for large temperature increments). Coefficients of determination are typically above 0 . 96 , and peak stress differences between true and predicted datasets are always less than 10 MPa.

Spatiotemporal variation characteristics of green space ecosystem service value at urban fringes: A case study on Ganjingzi District in Dalian, China.

PubMed

Yang, Jun; Guan, Yingying; Xia, Jianhong Cecilia; Jin, Cui; Li, Xueming

2018-10-15

In this study, a green space classification system for urban fringes was established based on multisource land use data from Ganjingzi District, China (2000-2015). The purpose of this study was to explore the spatiotemporal variation of green space landscapes and ecosystem service values (ESV). During 2006-2015, as urbanization advanced rapidly, the green space area decreased significantly (359.57 to 213.46 km 2 ), the ESV decreased from 397.42 to 124.93 million yuan, and the dynamic degrees of ESV variation were always <0. The green space large plaque index and class area both declined and the number of plaques and plaque density increased, indicating green space landscape fragmentation. The dynamic degrees of ESV variation in western and northern regions (with relatively intensive green space distributions) were higher than in the east. The ESV for closed forestland and sparse woodland had the highest functional values of ecological regulation and support, whereas dry land and irrigated cropland provided the highest functional values of production supply. The findings of this study are expected to provide support for better construction practices in Dalian and for the improvement of the ecological environment. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Diagrammatic expansion for positive density-response spectra: Application to the electron gas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uimonen, A.-M.; Stefanucci, G.; Pavlyukh, Y.; van Leeuwen, R.

2015-03-01

In a recent paper [Phys. Rev. B 90, 115134 (2014), 10.1103/PhysRevB.90.115134] we put forward a diagrammatic expansion for the self-energy which guarantees the positivity of the spectral function. In this work we extend the theory to the density-response function. We write the generic diagram for the density-response spectrum as the sum of "partitions." In a partition the original diagram is evaluated using time-ordered Green's functions on the left half of the diagram, antitime-ordered Green's functions on the right half of the diagram, and lesser or greater Green's function gluing the two halves. As there exists more than one way to cut a diagram in two halves, to every diagram corresponds more than one partition. We recognize that the most convenient diagrammatic objects for constructing a theory of positive spectra are the half-diagrams. Diagrammatic approximations obtained by summing the squares of half-diagrams do indeed correspond to a combination of partitions which, by construction, yield a positive spectrum. We develop the theory using bare Green's functions and subsequently extend it to dressed Green's functions. We further prove a connection between the positivity of the spectral function and the analytic properties of the polarizability. The general theory is illustrated with several examples and then applied to solve the long-standing problem of including vertex corrections without altering the positivity of the spectrum. In fact already the first-order vertex diagram, relevant to the study of gradient expansion, Friedel oscillations, etc., leads to spectra which are negative in certain frequency domain. We find that the simplest approximation to cure this deficiency is given by the sum of the zeroth-order bubble diagram, the first-order vertex diagram, and a partition of the second-order ladder diagram. We evaluate this approximation in the three-dimensional homogeneous electron gas and show the positivity of the spectrum for all frequencies and densities.

Green Infrastructure Research at EPA's Edison Environmental Center

EPA Science Inventory

The presentation outline includes: (1) Green infrastructure research objectives (2) Introduction to ongoing research projects - Aspects of design, construction, and maintenence that affect function - Real-world applications of GI research

Investigation of porous silicon nanopowders functionalized by antibiotic Kanamycin, fluorophore Indocyanine Green

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bespalova, K.; Somov, P. A.; Spivak, Yu M.

2017-11-01

Porous silicon nanopowders for target drug delivery were obtained by electrochemical anodic etching in a hydrofluoric acid solution using the monocrystalline silicon n-type conductivity. Porous silicon powders were obtained by sonification of porous silicon layers. The powders were functionalized by antibiotic Kanamycin and fluorophore Indocyanine Green by the passive adsorption method. The peculiarities of absorption spectra in 190-600 nm region were revealed for functionalized porous silicon powders dispersions in water.

Green's formula and variational principles for cosmic-ray transport with application to rotating and shearing flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Webb, G. M.; Jokipii, J. R.; Morfill, G. E.

1994-01-01

Green's theorem and Green's formula for the diffusive cosmic-ray transport equation in relativistic flows are derived. Green's formula gives the solution of the transport equation in terms of the Green's function of the adjoint transport equation, and in terms of distributed sources throughout the region R of interest, plus terms involving the particle intensity and streaming on the boundary. The adjoint transport equation describes the time-reversed particle transport. An Euler-Lagrange variational principle is then obtained for both the mean scattering frame distribution function f, and its adjoint f(dagger). Variations of the variational functional with respect to f(dagger) yield the transport equation, whereas variations of f yield the adjoint transport equation. The variational principle, when combined with Noether's theorem, yields the conservation law associated with Green's theorem. An investigation of the transport equation for steady, azimuthal, rotating flows suggests the introduction of a new independent variable H to replace the comoving frame momentum variable p'. For the case of rigid rotating flows, H is conserved and is shown to be analogous to the Hamiltonian for a bead on a rigidly rotating wire. The variable H corresponds to a balance between the centrifugal force and the particle inertia in the rotating frame. The physical interpretation of H includes a discussion of nonrelativistic and special relativistic rotating flows as well as the cases of aziuthal, differentially rotating flows about Schwarzs-child and Kerr black holes. Green's formula is then applied to the problem of the acceleration of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays by galactic rotation. The model for galactic rotation assumes an angular velocity law Omega = Omega(sub 0)(omega(sub 0)/omega), where omega denotes radial distance from the axis of rotation. Green's functions for the galactic rotation problem are used to investigate the spectrum of accelerated particles arising from monoenergetic and truncated power-law sources. We conclude that it is possible to accelerate particles beyond the knee by galactic rotation, but not in sufficient number to adequately explain the observed spectrum.

Casimir force in brane worlds: Coinciding results from Green's and zeta function approaches

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

Linares, Roman; Morales-Tecotl, Hugo A.; Pedraza, Omar

2010-06-15

Casimir force encodes the structure of the field modes as vacuum fluctuations and so it is sensitive to the extra dimensions of brane worlds. Now, in flat spacetimes of arbitrary dimension the two standard approaches to the Casimir force, Green's function, and zeta function yield the same result, but for brane world models this was only assumed. In this work we show that both approaches yield the same Casimir force in the case of universal extra dimensions and Randall-Sundrum scenarios with one and two branes added by p compact dimensions. Essentially, the details of the mode eigenfunctions that enter themore » Casimir force in the Green's function approach get removed due to their orthogonality relations with a measure involving the right hypervolume of the plates, and this leaves just the contribution coming from the zeta function approach. The present analysis corrects previous results showing a difference between the two approaches for the single brane Randall-Sundrum; this was due to an erroneous hypervolume of the plates introduced by the authors when using the Green's function. For all the models we discuss here, the resulting Casimir force can be neatly expressed in terms of two four-dimensional Casimir force contributions: one for the massless mode and the other for a tower of massive modes associated with the extra dimensions.« less

Rapid finite-fault inversions in Southern California using Cybershake Green's functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thio, H. K.; Polet, J.

2017-12-01

We have developed a system for rapid finite fault inversion for intermediate and large Southern California earthquakes using local, regional and teleseismic seismic waveforms as well as geodetic data. For modeling the local seismic data, we use 3D Green's functions from the Cybershake project, which were made available to us courtesy of the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC). The use of 3D Green's functions allows us to extend the inversion to higher frequency waveform data and smaller magnitude earthquakes, in addition to achieving improved solutions in general. The ultimate aim of this work is to develop the ability to provide high quality finite fault models within a few hours after any damaging earthquake in Southern California, so that they may be used as input to various post-earthquake assessment tools such as ShakeMap, as well as by the scientific community and other interested parties. Additionally, a systematic determination of finite fault models has value as a resource for scientific studies on detailed earthquake processes, such as rupture dynamics and scaling relations. We are using an established least-squares finite fault inversion method that has been applied extensively both on large as well as smaller regional earthquakes, in conjunction with the 3D Green's functions, where available, as well as 1D Green's functions for areas for which the Cybershake library has not yet been developed. We are carrying out validation and calibration of this system using significant earthquakes that have occurred in the region over the last two decades, spanning a range of locations and magnitudes (5.4 and higher).

The Post-Processing Approach in the Finite Element Method. Part 1. Calculation of Displacements, Stresses, and other Higher Derivatives of the Displacements.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-12-01

Were the influence function (Green’s function) known for this point, then we could take i=O and 0 would be expressible in terms of the input data...alone. So (1.1) would take the form 4=R . Of course, the influence function is not in general available. At the other extreme, if we take to be the Dirac...where n is some integer, which, for the moment, will remain arbitrary. If we select for the influence function (Green’s function), then (2.5a) and

Green's function calculations for semi-infinite carbon nanotubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

John, D. L.; Pulfrey, D. L.

2006-02-01

In the modeling of nanoscale electronic devices, the non-equilibrium Green's function technique is gaining increasing popularity. One complication in this method is the need for computation of the self-energy functions that account for the interactions between the active portion of a device and its leads. In the one-dimensional case, these functions may be computed analytically. In higher dimensions, a numerical approach is required. In this work, we generalize earlier methods that were developed for tight-binding Hamiltonians, and present results for the case of a carbon nanotube.

One-pot green synthesis of zinc oxide nano rice and its application as sonocatalyst for degradation of organic dye and synthesis of 2-benzimidazole derivatives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paul, Bappi; Vadivel, Sethumathavan; Dhar, Siddhartha Sankar; Debbarma, Shyama; Kumaravel, M.

2017-05-01

In this paper, we report novel and green approach for one-pot biosynthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs). Highly stable and hexagonal phase ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using seeds extract from the tender pods of Parkia roxburghii and characterized by XRD, FT-IR, EDX, TEM, and N2 adsorption-desorption (BET) studies. The present method of synthesis of ZnO NPs is very efficient and cost effective. The powder XRD pattern furnished evidence for the formation of hexagonal close packing structure of ZnO NPs having average crystallite size 25.6 nm. The TEM image reveals rice shapes ZnO NPs are with an average diameter of 40-60 nm. The as-synthesized ZnO NPs has proved to be an excellent sonocatalysts for degradation of organic dye and synthesis of 2-benzimidazole derivatives.

Analysis of the optical characteristics of adipose tissue in vitro sensitized by indocyanine green and exposed to IR-laser irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yanina, I. Yu.; Doubrovski, V. A.; Tuchin, V. V.

2015-03-01

The effect of IR-laser irradiation on adipose tissue sensitized by indocyanine green is studied in vitro. Experiments and statistical analysis are used to show that wavelength-selective irradiation leads to an increase in the homogeneity of optical images of adipose cells with time. The transmission coefficient that is averaged over the image area weakly depends on the observation time. An increase in the homogeneity of images is interpreted as a result of immersion of optical inhomogeneities of tissue owing to the intracellular liquid that is released through the photochemically induced pores in cellular membranes. An increase in the optical homogeneity of the medium is compensated for by a decrease in the transmission coefficient of the sensitizer, which is manifested as a weak time dependence of the image-averaged transmittance of tissue.

Fixed precision sampling plans for white apple leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) on apple.

PubMed

Beers, Elizabeth H; Jones, Vincent P

2004-10-01

Constant precision sampling plans for the white apple leafhopper, Typhlocyba pomaria McAtee, were developed so that it could be used as an indicator species for system stability as new integrated pest management programs without broad-spectrum pesticides are developed. Taylor's power law was used to model the relationship between the mean and the variance, and Green's constant precision sequential sample equation was used to develop sampling plans. Bootstrap simulations of the sampling plans showed greater precision (D = 0.25) than the desired precision (Do = 0.3), particularly at low mean population densities. We found that by adjusting the Do value in Green's equation to 0.4, we were able to reduce the average sample number by 25% and provided an average D = 0.31. The sampling plan described allows T. pomaria to be used as reasonable indicator species of agroecosystem stability in Washington apple orchards.

Description of quasiparticle and satellite properties via cumulant expansions of the retarded one-particle Green's function

DOE PAGES

Mayers, Matthew Z.; Hybertsen, Mark S.; Reichman, David R.

2016-08-22

A cumulant-based GW approximation for the retarded one-particle Green's function is proposed, motivated by an exact relation between the improper Dyson self-energy and the cumulant generating function. We explore qualitative aspects of this method within a simple one-electron independent phonon model, where it is seen that the method preserves the energy moment of the spectral weight while also reproducing the exact Green's function in the weak-coupling limit. For the three-dimensional electron gas, this method predicts multiple satellites at the bottom of the band, albeit with inaccurate peak spacing. But, its quasiparticle properties and correlation energies are more accurate than bothmore » previous cumulant methods and standard G0W0. These results point to features that may be exploited within the framework of cumulant-based methods and suggest promising directions for future exploration and improvements of cumulant-based GW approaches.« less

Poisson equation for the three-loop ladder diagram in string theory at genus one

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basu, Anirban

2016-11-01

The three-loop ladder diagram is a graph with six links and four cubic vertices that contributes to the D12ℛ4 amplitude at genus one in type II string theory. The vertices represent the insertion points of vertex operators on the toroidal worldsheet and the links represent scalar Green functions connecting them. By using the properties of the Green function and manipulating the various expressions, we obtain a modular invariant Poisson equation satisfied by this diagram, with source terms involving one-, two- and three-loop diagrams. Unlike the source terms in the Poisson equations for diagrams at lower orders in the momentum expansion or the Mercedes diagram, a particular source term involves a five-point function containing a holomorphic and a antiholomorphic worldsheet derivative acting on different Green functions. We also obtain simple equalities between topologically distinct diagrams, and consider some elementary examples.

Light-cone expansion of the Dirac sea in the presence of chiral and scalar potentials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Finster, Felix

2000-10-01

We study the Dirac sea in the presence of external chiral and scalar/pseudoscalar potentials. In preparation, a method is developed for calculating the advanced and retarded Green's functions in an expansion around the light cone. For this, we first expand all Feynman diagrams and then explicitly sum up the perturbation series. The light-cone expansion expresses the Green's functions as an infinite sum of line integrals over the external potential and its partial derivatives. The Dirac sea is decomposed into a causal and a noncausal contribution. The causal contribution has a light-cone expansion which is closely related to the light-cone expansion of the Green's functions; it describes the singular behavior of the Dirac sea in terms of nested line integrals along the light cone. The noncausal contribution, on the other hand, is, to every order in perturbation theory, a smooth function in position space.

Modeling Sound Propagation Through Non-Axisymmetric Jets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leib, Stewart J.

2014-01-01

A method for computing the far-field adjoint Green's function of the generalized acoustic analogy equations under a locally parallel mean flow approximation is presented. The method is based on expanding the mean-flow-dependent coefficients in the governing equation and the scalar Green's function in truncated Fourier series in the azimuthal direction and a finite difference approximation in the radial direction in circular cylindrical coordinates. The combined spectral/finite difference method yields a highly banded system of algebraic equations that can be efficiently solved using a standard sparse system solver. The method is applied to test cases, with mean flow specified by analytical functions, corresponding to two noise reduction concepts of current interest: the offset jet and the fluid shield. Sample results for the Green's function are given for these two test cases and recommendations made as to the use of the method as part of a RANS-based jet noise prediction code.

Thermal Properties of Green Fuel Briquettes from Residue Corncobs Materials Mixed Macadamia Shell Charcoal Powder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teeta, Suminya; Nachaisin, Mali; Wanish, Suchana

2017-09-01

The objective of this research was to produce green fuel briquettes from corncobs by adding macadamia shell charcoal powder. The study was sectioned into 3 parts: 1) Quality improvement of green fuel briquettes by adding macadamia; 2) Fuel property analysis based on ASTM standards and thermal fuel efficiency; and 3) Economics appropriateness in producing green fuel briquettes. This research produced green fuel briquettes using the ratio of corncobs weight and macadamia shell charcoal powder in 100:0 90:10 80:20 70:30 60:40 and 50:50 and pressing in the cold briquette machine. Fuel property analysis showed that green fuel briquettes at the ratio 50:50 produced maximum heating values at 21.06 Megajoule per kilogram and briquette density of 725.18 kilograms per cubic meter, but the percent of moisture content, volatile matter, ash, and fixed carbon were 10.09, 83.02, 2.17 and 4.72 respectively. The thermal efficiency of green fuel briquettes averaged 20.22%. Economics appropriateness was most effective where the ratio of corncobs weight to macadamia shell charcoal powder was at 50:50 which accounted for the cost per kilogram at 5.75 Baht. The net present value was at 1,791.25 Baht. Internal rate of return was at 8.62 and durations for a payback period of investment was at 1.9 years which was suitable for investment.

Bright green light treatment of depression for older adults [ISRCTN69400161].

PubMed

Loving, Richard T; Kripke, Daniel F; Knickerbocker, Nancy C; Grandner, Michael A

2005-11-09

Bright white light has been successfully used for the treatment of depression. There is interest in identifying which spectral colors of light are the most efficient in the treatment of depression. It is theorized that green light could decrease the intensity duration of exposure needed. Late Wake Treatment (LWT), sleep deprivation for the last half of one night, is associated with rapid mood improvement which has been sustained by light treatment. Because spectral responsiveness may differ by age, we examined whether green light would provide efficient antidepressant treatment in an elder age group. We contrasted one hour of bright green light (1,200 Lux) and one hour of dim red light placebo (<10 Lux) in a randomized treatment trial with depressed elders. Participants were observed in their homes with mood scales, wrist actigraphy and light monitoring. On the day prior to beginning treatment, the participants self-administered LWT. The protocol was completed by 33 subjects who were 59 to 80 years old. Mood improved on average 23% for all subjects, but there were no significant statistical differences between treatment and placebo groups. There were negligible adverse reactions to the bright green light, which was well tolerated. Bright green light was not shown to have an antidepressant effect in the age group of this study, but a larger trial with brighter green light might be of value.

Modelling reduction of urban heat load in Vienna by modifying surface properties of roofs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Žuvela-Aloise, Maja; Andre, Konrad; Schwaiger, Hannes; Bird, David Neil; Gallaun, Heinz

2018-02-01

The study examines the potential of urban roofs to reduce the urban heat island (UHI) effect by changing their reflectivity and implementing vegetation (green roofs) using the example of the City of Vienna. The urban modelling simulations are performed based on high-resolution orography and land use data, climatological observations, surface albedo values from satellite imagery and registry of the green roof potential in Vienna. The modelling results show that a moderate increase in reflectivity of roofs (up to 0.45) reduces the mean summer temperatures in the densely built-up environment by approximately 0.25 °C. Applying high reflectivity materials (roof albedo up to 0.7) leads to average cooling in densely built-up area of approximately 0.5 °C. The green roofs yield a heat load reduction in similar order of magnitude as the high reflectivity materials. However, only 45 % of roof area in Vienna is suitable for greening and the green roof potential mostly applies to industrial areas in city outskirts and is therefore not sufficient for substantial reduction of the UHI effect, particularly in the city centre which has the highest heat load. The strongest cooling effect can be achieved by combining the green roofs with high reflectivity materials. In this case, using 50 or 100 % of the green roof potential and applying high reflectivity materials on the remaining surfaces have a similar cooling effect.

Biodiversity in the City: Fundamental Questions for Understanding the Ecology of Urban Green Spaces for Biodiversity Conservation

Treesearch

Christopher A. Lepczyk; Myla F. J. Aronson; Karl L. Evans; Mark A. Goddard; Susannah B. Lerman; J. Scott MacIvor

2017-01-01

As urban areas expand, understanding how ecological processes function in cities has become increasingly important for conserving biodiversity. Urban green spaces are critical habitats to support biodiversity, but we still have a limited understanding of their ecology and how they function to conserve biodiversity at local and landscape scales across multiple taxa....

Green's functions for dislocations in bonded strips and related crack problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ballarini, R.; Luo, H. A.

1990-01-01

Green's functions are derived for the plane elastostatics problem of a dislocation in a bimaterial strip. Using these fundamental solutions as kernels, various problems involving cracks in a bimaterial strip are analyzed using singular integral equations. For each problem considered, stress intensity factors are calculated for several combinations of the parameters which describe loading, geometry and material mismatch.

Time-domain comparisons of power law attenuation in causal and noncausal time-fractional wave equations

PubMed Central

Zhao, Xiaofeng; McGough, Robert J.

2016-01-01

The attenuation of ultrasound propagating in human tissue follows a power law with respect to frequency that is modeled by several different causal and noncausal fractional partial differential equations. To demonstrate some of the similarities and differences that are observed in three related time-fractional partial differential equations, time-domain Green's functions are calculated numerically for the power law wave equation, the Szabo wave equation, and for the Caputo wave equation. These Green's functions are evaluated for water with a power law exponent of y = 2, breast with a power law exponent of y = 1.5, and liver with a power law exponent of y = 1.139. Simulation results show that the noncausal features of the numerically calculated time-domain response are only evident very close to the source and that these causal and noncausal time-domain Green's functions converge to the same result away from the source. When noncausal time-domain Green's functions are convolved with a short pulse, no evidence of noncausal behavior remains in the time-domain, which suggests that these causal and noncausal time-fractional models are equally effective for these numerical calculations. PMID:27250193

Efficient three-dimensional Poisson solvers in open rectangular conducting pipe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiang, Ji

2016-06-01

Three-dimensional (3D) Poisson solver plays an important role in the study of space-charge effects on charged particle beam dynamics in particle accelerators. In this paper, we propose three new 3D Poisson solvers for a charged particle beam in an open rectangular conducting pipe. These three solvers include a spectral integrated Green function (IGF) solver, a 3D spectral solver, and a 3D integrated Green function solver. These solvers effectively handle the longitudinal open boundary condition using a finite computational domain that contains the beam itself. This saves the computational cost of using an extra larger longitudinal domain in order to set up an appropriate finite boundary condition. Using an integrated Green function also avoids the need to resolve rapid variation of the Green function inside the beam. The numerical operational cost of the spectral IGF solver and the 3D IGF solver scales as O(N log(N)) , where N is the number of grid points. The cost of the 3D spectral solver scales as O(Nn N) , where Nn is the maximum longitudinal mode number. We compare these three solvers using several numerical examples and discuss the advantageous regime of each solver in the physical application.

Global high-frequency source imaging accounting for complexity in Green's functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lambert, V.; Zhan, Z.

2017-12-01

The general characterization of earthquake source processes at long periods has seen great success via seismic finite fault inversion/modeling. Complementary techniques, such as seismic back-projection, extend the capabilities of source imaging to higher frequencies and reveal finer details of the rupture process. However, such high frequency methods are limited by the implicit assumption of simple Green's functions, which restricts the use of global arrays and introduces artifacts (e.g., sweeping effects, depth/water phases) that require careful attention. This motivates the implementation of an imaging technique that considers the potential complexity of Green's functions at high frequencies. We propose an alternative inversion approach based on the modest assumption that the path effects contributing to signals within high-coherency subarrays share a similar form. Under this assumption, we develop a method that can combine multiple high-coherency subarrays to invert for a sparse set of subevents. By accounting for potential variability in the Green's functions among subarrays, our method allows for the utilization of heterogeneous global networks for robust high resolution imaging of the complex rupture process. The approach also provides a consistent framework for examining frequency-dependent radiation across a broad frequency spectrum.

The influence of dual-substrate-layer extensive green roofs on rainwater runoff quantity and quality.

PubMed

Wang, Xiaoou; Tian, Yimei; Zhao, Xinhua

2017-08-15

This study investigates the ability of dual-substrate-layer extensive green roofs to retain rainwater and reduce pollutant leaching. The substrates in dual-substrate-layer green roofs consist of an upper organic nutrition layer for plant growth and a lower inorganic adsorption layer for water retention and pollutant reduction. One traditional single-substrate-layer extensive green roof was built for comparison with dual-substrate-layer green roofs. During the experimental period, dual-substrate-layer green roofs supported better natural vegetation growth, with coverage exceeding 90%, while the coverage in single-substrate-layer green roof was over 80%. Based on the average retention value of the total rainfall for four types of simulated rains (the total rainfall depth (mm) was 43.2, 54.6, 76.2 and 86.4, respectively), the dual-substrate-layer green roofs, which used the mixture of activated charcoal with perlite and vermiculite as the adsorption substrate, possessed better rainfall retention performance (65.9% and 55.4%) than the single-substrate-layer green roof (52.5%). All of the dual-substrate-layer green roofs appeared to be sinks for organics, heavy metals and all forms of nitrogen in all cases, while acted as sources of phosphorus contaminants in the case of heavy rains. In consideration of the factors of water retention, pollution reduction and service life of the green roof, a mixture of activated charcoal and/or pumice with perlite and vermiculite is recommended as the adsorption substrate. The green roofs were able to mitigate mild acid rain, raising the pH from approximately 5.6 in rainfall to 6.5-7.6 in green roof runoff. No signs of a first flush effect for phosphate, total phosphorus, ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, total nitrogen, organics, zinc, lead, chromium, manganese, copper, pH or turbidity were found in the green roof runoff. Cost analysis further proved the practicability of dual-substrate-layer green roofs in retaining rainwater, and their long-term rainwater runoff quantity and quality performance in urban environments merit further investigation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Green and Blue Spaces and Behavioral Development in Barcelona Schoolchildren: The BREATHE Project

PubMed Central

Amoly, Elmira; Forns, Joan; López-Vicente, Mónica; Basagaña, Xavier; Julvez, Jordi; Alvarez-Pedrerol, Mar; Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark J.; Sunyer, Jordi

2014-01-01

Background: Green spaces have been associated with improved mental health in children; however, available epidemiological evidence on their impact on child behavioral development is scarce. Objectives: We investigated the impact of contact with green spaces and blue spaces (beaches) on indicators of behavioral development and symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in schoolchildren. Methods: This study was based on a sample of 2,111 schoolchildren (7–10 years of age) from 36 schools in Barcelona in 2012. We obtained data on time spent in green spaces and beaches and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ) from parents, and ADHD/DSM-IV questionnaires from teachers. Surrounding greenness was abstracted as the average Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in buffers of 100 m, 250 m, and 500 m around each home address. Proximity to green spaces was defined as living within 300 m of a major green space (≥ 0.05 km2). We applied quasi-Poisson mixed-effects models (with school random effect) to separately estimate associations between indicators of contact with green spaces and SDQ and ADHD total and subscale scores. Results: We generally estimated beneficial associations between behavioral indicators and longer time spent in green spaces and beaches, and with residential surrounding greenness. Specifically, we found statistically significant inverse associations between green space playing time and SDQ total difficulties, emotional symptoms, and peer relationship problems; between residential surrounding greenness and SDQ total difficulties and hyperactivity/inattention and ADHD/DSM-IV total and inattention scores; and between annual beach attendance and SDQ total difficulties, peer relationship problems, and prosocial behavior. For proximity to major green spaces, the results were not conclusive. Conclusion: Our findings support beneficial impacts of contact with green and blue spaces on behavioral development in schoolchildren. Citation: Amoly E, Dadvand P, Forns J, López-Vicente M, Basagaña X, Julvez J, Alvarez-Pedrerol M, Nieuwenhuijsen MJ, Sunyer J. 2014. Green and blue spaces and behavioral development in Barcelona schoolchildren: the BREATHE Project. Environ Health Perspect 122:1351–1358; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1408215 PMID:25204008

Finite-Source Inversion for the 2004 Parkfield Earthquake using 3D Velocity Model Green's Functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, A.; Dreger, D.; Larsen, S.

2008-12-01

We determine finite fault models of the 2004 Parkfield earthquake using 3D Green's functions. Because of the dense station coverage and detailed 3D velocity structure model in this region, this earthquake provides an excellent opportunity to examine how the 3D velocity structure affects the finite fault inverse solutions. Various studies (e.g. Michaels and Eberhart-Phillips, 1991; Thurber et al., 2006) indicate that there is a pronounced velocity contrast across the San Andreas Fault along the Parkfield segment. Also the fault zone at Parkfield is wide as evidenced by mapped surface faults and where surface slip and creep occurred in the 1966 and the 2004 Parkfield earthquakes. For high resolution images of the rupture process"Ait is necessary to include the accurate 3D velocity structure for the finite source inversion. Liu and Aurchuleta (2004) performed finite fault inversions using both 1D and 3D Green's functions for 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake using the same source paramerization and data but different Green's functions and found that the models were quite different. This indicates that the choice of the velocity model significantly affects the waveform modeling at near-fault stations. In this study, we used the P-wave velocity model developed by Thurber et al (2006) to construct the 3D Green's functions. P-wave speeds are converted to S-wave speeds and density using by the empirical relationships of Brocher (2005). Using a finite difference method, E3D (Larsen and Schultz, 1995), we computed the 3D Green's functions numerically by inserting body forces at each station. Using reciprocity, these Green's functions are recombined to represent the ground motion at each station due to the slip on the fault plane. First we modeled the waveforms of small earthquakes to validate the 3D velocity model and the reciprocity of the Green"fs function. In the numerical tests we found that the 3D velocity model predicted the individual phases well at frequencies lower than 0.25 Hz but that the velocity model is fast at stations located very close to the fault. In this near-fault zone the model also underpredicts the amplitudes. This implies the need to include an additional low velocity zone in the fault zone to fit the data. For the finite fault modeling we use the same stations as in our previous study (Kim and Dreger 2008), and compare the results to investigate the effect of 3D Green's functions on kinematic source inversions. References: Brocher, T. M., (2005), Empirical relations between elastic wavespeeds and density in the Earth's crust, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am., 95, No. 6, 2081-2092. Eberhart-Phillips, D., and A.J. Michael, (1993), Three-dimensional velocity structure and seismicity in the Parkfield region, central California, J. Geophys. Res., 98, 15,737-15,758. Kim A., D. S. Dreger (2008), Rupture process of the 2004 Parkfield earthquake from near-fault seismic waveform and geodetic records, J. Geophys. Res., 113, B07308. Thurber, C., H. Zhang, F. Waldhauser, J. Hardebeck, A. Michaels, and D. Eberhart-Phillips (2006), Three- dimensional compressional wavespeed model, earthquake relocations, and focal mechanisms for the Parkfield, California, region, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am., 96, S38-S49. Larsen, S., and C. A. Schultz (1995), ELAS3D: 2D/3D elastic finite-difference wave propagation code, Technical Report No. UCRL-MA-121792, 19pp. Liu, P., and R. J. Archuleta (2004), A new nonlinear finite fault inversion with three-dimensional Green's functions: Application to the 1989 Loma Prieta, California, earthquake, J. Geophys. Res., 109, B02318.

When can time-dependent currents be reproduced by the Landauer steady-state approximation?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carey, Rachel; Chen, Liping; Gu, Bing; Franco, Ignacio

2017-05-01

We establish well-defined limits in which the time-dependent electronic currents across a molecular junction subject to a fluctuating environment can be quantitatively captured via the Landauer steady-state approximation. For this, we calculate the exact time-dependent non-equilibrium Green's function (TD-NEGF) current along a model two-site molecular junction, in which the site energies are subject to correlated noise, and contrast it with that obtained from the Landauer approach. The ability of the steady-state approximation to capture the TD-NEGF behavior at each instant of time is quantified via the same-time correlation function of the currents obtained from the two methods, while their global agreement is quantified by examining differences in the average currents. The Landauer steady-state approach is found to be a useful approximation when (i) the fluctuations do not disrupt the degree of delocalization of the molecular eigenstates responsible for transport and (ii) the characteristic time for charge exchange between the molecule and leads is fast with respect to the molecular correlation time. For resonant transport, when these conditions are satisfied, the Landauer approach is found to accurately describe the current, both on average and at each instant of time. For non-resonant transport, we find that while the steady-state approach fails to capture the time-dependent transport at each instant of time, it still provides a good approximation to the average currents. These criteria can be employed to adopt effective modeling strategies for transport through molecular junctions in interaction with a fluctuating environment, as is necessary to describe experiments.

Current conserving theory at the operator level

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Jiangtao; Wang, Yin; Wang, Jian

The basic assumption of quantum transport in mesoscopic systems is that the total charge inside the scattering region is zero. This means that the potential deep inside reservoirs is effectively screened and therefore the electric field at interface of scattering region is zero. Thus the current conservation condition can be satisfied automatically which is an important condition in mesoscopic transport. So far the current conserving ac theory is well developed by considering the displacement current which is due to Coulomb interaction if we just focus on the average current. However, the frequency dependent shot noise does not satisfy the conservation condition since we do not consider the current conservation at the operator level. In this work, we formulate a generalized current conserving theory at the operator level using non-equilibrium Green's function theory which could be applied to both average current and frequency dependent shot noise. A displacement operator is derived for the first time so that the frequency dependent correlation of displacement currents could be investigated. Moreover, the equilibrium shot noise is investigated and a generalized fluctuation-dissipation relationship is presented.

Finite-fault slip model of the 2011 Mw 5.6 Prague, Oklahoma earthquake from regional waveforms

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sun, Xiaodan; Hartzell, Stephen

2014-01-01

The slip model for the 2011 Mw 5.6 Prague, Oklahoma, earthquake is inferred using a linear least squares methodology. Waveforms of six aftershocks recorded at 21 regional stations are used as empirical Green's functions (EGFs). The solution indicates two large slip patches: one located around the hypocenter with a depth range of 3–5.5 km; the other located to the southwest of the epicenter with a depth range from 7.5 to 9.5 km. The total moment of the solution is estimated at 3.37 × 1024 dyne cm (Mw 5.65). The peak slip and average stress drop for the source at the hypocenter are 70 cm and 90 bars, respectively, approximately one half the values for the Mw 5.8 2011 Mineral, Virginia, earthquake. The stress drop averaged over all areas of slip is 16 bars. The relatively low peak slip and stress drop may indicate an induced component in the origin of the Prague earthquake from deep fluid injection.

Cell-Averaged discretization for incompressible Navier-Stokes with embedded boundaries and locally refined Cartesian meshes: a high-order finite volume approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhalla, Amneet Pal Singh; Johansen, Hans; Graves, Dan; Martin, Dan; Colella, Phillip; Applied Numerical Algorithms Group Team

2017-11-01

We present a consistent cell-averaged discretization for incompressible Navier-Stokes equations on complex domains using embedded boundaries. The embedded boundary is allowed to freely cut the locally-refined background Cartesian grid. Implicit-function representation is used for the embedded boundary, which allows us to convert the required geometric moments in the Taylor series expansion (upto arbitrary order) of polynomials into an algebraic problem in lower dimensions. The computed geometric moments are then used to construct stencils for various operators like the Laplacian, divergence, gradient, etc., by solving a least-squares system locally. We also construct the inter-level data-transfer operators like prolongation and restriction for multi grid solvers using the same least-squares system approach. This allows us to retain high-order of accuracy near coarse-fine interface and near embedded boundaries. Canonical problems like Taylor-Green vortex flow and flow past bluff bodies will be presented to demonstrate the proposed method. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, ASCR (Award Number DE-AC02-05CH11231).

Sound source identification and sound radiation modeling in a moving medium using the time-domain equivalent source method.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiao-Zheng; Bi, Chuan-Xing; Zhang, Yong-Bin; Xu, Liang

2015-05-01

Planar near-field acoustic holography has been successfully extended to reconstruct the sound field in a moving medium, however, the reconstructed field still contains the convection effect that might lead to the wrong identification of sound sources. In order to accurately identify sound sources in a moving medium, a time-domain equivalent source method is developed. In the method, the real source is replaced by a series of time-domain equivalent sources whose strengths are solved iteratively by utilizing the measured pressure and the known convective time-domain Green's function, and time averaging is used to reduce the instability in the iterative solving process. Since these solved equivalent source strengths are independent of the convection effect, they can be used not only to identify sound sources but also to model sound radiations in both moving and static media. Numerical simulations are performed to investigate the influence of noise on the solved equivalent source strengths and the effect of time averaging on reducing the instability, and to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed method on the source identification and sound radiation modeling.

An adaptive grid scheme using the boundary element method

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

Munipalli, R.; Anderson, D.A.

1996-09-01

A technique to solve the Poisson grid generation equations by Green`s function related methods has been proposed, with the source terms being purely position dependent. The use of distributed singularities in the flow domain coupled with the boundary element method (BEM) formulation is presented in this paper as a natural extension of the Green`s function method. This scheme greatly simplifies the adaption process. The BEM reduces the dimensionality of the given problem by one. Internal grid-point placement can be achieved for a given boundary distribution by adding continuous and discrete source terms in the BEM formulation. A distribution of vortexmore » doublets is suggested as a means of controlling grid-point placement and grid-line orientation. Examples for sample adaption problems are presented and discussed. 15 refs., 20 figs.« less

On regreening and degradation in Sahelian watersheds

PubMed Central

Kaptué, Armel T.; Prihodko, Lara; Hanan, Niall P.

2015-01-01

Over many decades our understanding of the impacts of intermittent drought in water-limited environments like the West African Sahel has been influenced by a narrative of overgrazing and human-induced desertification. The desertification narrative has persisted in both scientific and popular conception, such that recent regional-scale recovery (“regreening”) and local success stories (community-led conservation efforts) in the Sahel, following the severe droughts of the 1970s–1980s, are sometimes ignored. Here we report a study of watershed-scale vegetation dynamics in 260 watersheds, sampled in four regions of Senegal, Mali, and Niger from 1983–2012, using satellite-derived vegetation indices as a proxy for net primary production. In response to earlier controversy, we first examine the shape of the rainfall–net primary production relationship and how it impacts conclusions regarding greening or degradation. We conclude that the choice of functional relationship has little quantitative impact on our ability to infer greening or degradation trends. We then present an approach to analyze changes in long-term (decade-scale) average rain-use efficiency (an indicator of slowly responding vegetation structural changes) relative to changes in interannual-scale rainfall sensitivity (an indicator of landscape ability to respond rapidly to rainfall variability) to infer trends in greening/degradation of the watersheds in our sample regions. The predominance of increasing rain-use efficiency in our data supports earlier reports of a “greening” trend across the Sahel. However, there are strong regional differences in the extent and direction of change, and in the apparent role of changing woody and herbaceous components in driving those temporal trends. PMID:26371296

Green biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using leaves extract of Artemisia vulgaris and their potential biomedical applications.

PubMed

Rasheed, Tahir; Bilal, Muhammad; Iqbal, Hafiz M N; Li, Chuanlong

2017-10-01

Biosynthesis of nanoparticles from plant extracts is receiving enormous interest due to their abundant availability and a broad spectrum of bioactive reducing metabolites. In this study, the reducing potential of Artemisia vulgaris leaves extract (AVLE) was investigated for synthesizing silver nanoparticles without the addition of any external reducing or capping agent. The appearance of blackish brown color evidenced the complete synthesis of nanoparticles. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscope (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis. UV-vis absorption profile of the bio-reduced sample elucidated the main peak around 420nm, which correspond to the surface plasmon resonance of silver nanoparticles. SEM and AFM analyses confirmed the morphology of the synthesized nanoparticles. Similarly, particles with a distinctive peak of silver were examined with EDX. The average diameter of silver nanoparticles was about 25nm from Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). FTIR spectroscopy scrutinized the involvement of various functional groups during nanoparticle synthesis. The green synthesized nanoparticles presented effective antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria than AVLE alone. In-vitro antioxidant assays revealed that silver nanoparticles (AV-AgNPs) exhibited promising antioxidant properties. The nanoparticles also displayed a potent cytotoxic effect against HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines. In conclusion, the results supported the advantages of employing a bio-green approach for developing silver nanoparticles with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activities in a simple and cost- competitive manner. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The power and value of green in promoting sustainable transport behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaker, David; Vautin, David; Vij, Akshay; Walker, Joan L.

2011-07-01

While it is increasingly popular to broadcast information regarding environmental impact, little is known regarding the effects that this information has on human behavior. This research aims to provide insight into whether, and to what extent, presenting environmental attributes of transport alternatives influences individual transport decisions. We designed and conducted three experiments in which subjects (UC Berkeley undergraduates) were presented with hypothetical scenarios of transport decisions, including auto purchase choice, mode choice, and route choice. We analyzed their decisions via a choice model to determine how they value reducing their emissions relative to other attributes. We found that our subjects are willing to adjust their behavior to reduce emissions, exhibiting an average willingness to pay for emissions reduction, or value of green (VoG), of 15 cents per pound of CO2 saved. Despite concern that people cannot meaningfully process quantities of CO2, we found evidence to the contrary in our subject pool in that the estimated VoG was consistent across context (the wide range of transport decisions that we presented) and presentation (e.g., whether the information was presented in tons or pounds, or whether a social reference point of the emissions of an average person was provided). We also found significant heterogeneity in VoG, with most of the respondents valuing green somewhere between 0 and 70 cents per pound and with women, on average, willing to pay 7 cents more per saved pound than men. While the findings are encouraging, further work is required to determine whether they hold outside of a lab environment and with a more representative pool of subjects.

Protective effects of green tea on olanzapine-induced-metabolic syndrome in rats.

PubMed

Razavi, Bibi Marjan; Lookian, Fariba; Hosseinzadeh, Hossein

2017-08-01

Atypical antipsychotics particularly olanzapine are associated with obesity and serious metabolic disturbances. As green tea (Camellia sinensis) is generally associated with beneficial effects on obesity and other metabolic disturbances, this study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of green tea aqueous extract (GTAE) on olanzapine induced weight gain and metabolic abnormalities in rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into eight groups: control, olanzapine (5mg/kg/day, IP.), GTAE (25, 50 and 100mg/kg/day, IP.) plus olanzapine and GTAE (25, 50 and 100mg/kg/day, IP.). Treatments were continued for 11 days. Body weight gain, average food and water intake were measured during the experiment. Plasma lipid, glucose and leptin levels, mean systolic blood pressure and total locomotion were evaluated at the end of experiment. Olanzapine induced significant weight gain at the end of treatment (10.38% of body weight) when compared to control (3.13% of body weight) in male Wistar rats. Average food and water intake were increased by olanzapine treatment. 11days olanzapine administration led to hyperleptinemia, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia. Olanzapine also increased mean systolic blood pressure and decreased total locomotion. GTAE decreased significantly body weight gain and average food and water intake, improved the changes in lipid profile as well as fasting blood glucose, and finally decreased hyperleptinemia and hypertension induced by olanzapine. Results of this study demonstrated that GTAE could exert protective effects against olanzapine induced obesity partially due to its lowering effect on leptin. GTAE improved other metabolic abnormalities including dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia and hypertension induced by olanzapine in rats. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Green-cane harvested sugarcane crop residue decomposition as a function of temperature, soil moisture, and particle size

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Sugarcane, a complex hybrid of Saccharum species, is grown on over 170,000 ha in the state of Louisiana. In 2016, the crop was worth $750 million US. Green-cane harvest, widely used in sugarcane producing countries, deposits up to 20 Mg ha-1 of crop residue annually. Green cane harvesting of sugarca...

Adaptation of light-harvesting functions of unicellular green algae to different light qualities.

PubMed

Ueno, Yoshifumi; Aikawa, Shimpei; Kondo, Akihiko; Akimoto, Seiji

2018-05-28

Oxygenic photosynthetic organisms perform photosynthesis efficiently by distributing captured light energy to photosystems (PSs) at an appropriate balance. Maintaining photosynthetic efficiency under changing light conditions requires modification of light-harvesting and energy-transfer processes. In the current study, we examined how green algae regulate their light-harvesting functions in response to different light qualities. We measured low-temperature time-resolved fluorescence spectra of unicellular green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Chlorella variabilis cells grown under different light qualities. By observing the delayed fluorescence spectra, we demonstrated that both types of green algae primarily modified the associations between light-harvesting chlorophyll protein complexes (LHCs) and PSs (PSII and PSI). Under blue light, Chlamydomonas transferred more energy from LHC to chlorophyll (Chl) located far from the PSII reaction center, while energy was transferred from LHC to PSI via different energy-transfer pathways in Chlorella. Under green light, both green algae exhibited enhanced energy transfer from LHCs to both PSs. Red light induced fluorescence quenching within PSs in Chlamydomonas and LHCs in Chlorella. In Chlorella, energy transfer from PSII to PSI appears to play an important role in balancing excitation between PSII and PSI.

A mini review on the integration of resource recovery from wastewater into sustainability of the green building through phycoremediation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yulistyorini, Anie

2017-09-01

Green building implementation is an important assessment for sustainable development to establish a good quality of the environment. To develop the future green building implementation, resource recovery from the building wastewater is significantly important to consider as a part of the green building development. Discharge of urban wastewater into water bodies trigger of eutrophication in the water catchment, accordingly need further treatment to recover the nutrient before it is reused or discharged into receiving water bodies. In this regard, integration of microalgae cultivation in closed photobioreactor as building façade is critically important to be considered in the implementation of the green building. Microalgae offer multi-function as bioremediation (phycoremediation) of the wastewater, production of the biofuels, and important algal bio-products. At the same time, algae façade boost the reduction of the operating cost in forms of light, thermal energy and add the benefit into the building for energy reduction and architecture function. It promises an environmental benefit to support green building spirit through nutrient recovery and wastewater reuse for algae cultivation and to enhance the aesthetic of the building façade.

Value of urban green spaces in promoting healthy living and wellbeing: prospects for planning.

PubMed

Lee, Andrew Chee Keng; Jordan, Hannah C; Horsley, Jason

2015-01-01

There has been considerable work done in recent years exploring the value of urban green space for health and wellbeing. Urban green spaces provide environmental benefits through their effects on negating urban heat, offsetting greenhouse gas emissions, and attenuating storm water. They also have direct health benefits by providing urban residents spaces for physical activity and social interaction, and allowing psychological restoration to take place. Consequently, there is a real need to understand the mechanisms by which these benefits accrue. Previously, much of the focus has been on the characteristics of the urban green space that are likely to influence its use, such as its accessibility, quality, facilities, attractiveness, and security. This assumes a causal relationship, when in reality the relationship is more complex and multifactorial. It is more likely that it is the functionality of the green space, be it for exercise or sociocultural activities, rather than its character, which translates to the reported benefits. Challenges exist, such as competing urban planning priorities, economic considerations, and market forces. There is thus a need for urban planning to match the health benefits sought with the needs of the community and the functionality that the urban green space will serve.

Retention performance of green roofs in three different climate regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sims, Andrew W.; Robinson, Clare E.; Smart, Charles C.; Voogt, James A.; Hay, Geoffrey J.; Lundholm, Jeremey T.; Powers, Brandon; O'Carroll, Denis M.

2016-11-01

Green roofs are becoming increasingly popular for moderating stormwater runoff in urban areas. This study investigated the impact different climates have on the retention performance of identical green roofs installed in London Ontario (humid continental), Calgary Alberta (semi-arid, continental), and Halifax Nova Scotia (humid, maritime). Drier climates were found to have greater percent cumulative stormwater retention with Calgary (67%) having significantly better percent retention than both London (48%) and Halifax (34%). However, over the same study period the green roof in London retained the greatest depth of stormwater (598 mm), followed by the green roof in Halifax (471 mm) and then Calgary (411 mm). The impact of climate was largest for medium sized storms where the antecedent moisture condition (AMC) at the beginning of a rainfall event governs retention performance. Importantly AMC was a very good predictor of stormwater retention, with similar retention at all three sites for a given AMC, emphasizing that AMC is a relevant indicator of retention performance in any climate. For large rainfall events (i.e., >45 mm) green roof average retention ranged between 16% and 29% in all cities. Overall, drier climates have superior retention due to lower AMC in the media. However, moderate and wet climates still provide substantial total volume reduction benefits.

Green lasers are beyond power limits mandated by safety standards.

PubMed

Lee, M H; Fox, K; Goldwasser, S; Lau, D W M; Aliahmad, B; Sarossy, M

2016-08-01

There has been an increasing number of reports of people losing vision from laser exposure from pocket laser pointers despite the safety limit of 1 milliwatt (1mW) imposed by the Australian government. We hypothesize that this is because commercially available red and green laser pointers are exceeding their labeled power outputs. We tested the power outputs of 4 red and 4 green lasers which were purchased for less than AUD$30 each. The average of 10 measurements was recorded for each laser. We found that 3 out of 4 red lasers conformed to the 1mW safety standard; in contrast, all of the green lasers exceeded this limit, with one of the lasers recording an output of 127.9 mW. This contrast in compliance is explained by the construction of these lasers - green lasers are typically Diode Pumped Solid State (DPSS) lasers that can emit excessive infrared (IR) radiation with poor workmanship or inconsistent adherence to practices of safe design and quality control; red lasers are diode lasers which have limited power outputs due to `Catastrophic Optical Damage' (COD). Relevant professional bodies ought to advocate more strongly for stringent testing, quality control and licensing of DPSS lasers with a view towards government intervention to banning green laser pointer use.

Metamorphosis increases biotransformation of polychlorinated biphenyls: a comparative study of polychlorinated biphenyl metabolism in green frogs (Rana clamitans) and leopard frogs (Rana pipiens) at various life stages.

PubMed

Leney, Jocelyn L; Drouillard, Ken G; Haffner, G Douglas

2006-11-01

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) elimination rates were used to determine whether green frogs (Rana clamitans) and leopard frogs (Rana pipiens) at three life stages (tadpole, metamorph, and adult) were capable of metabolic biotransformation of PCBs. Polychlorinated biphenyls were grouped according to their structural properties to determine whether congeners with specific structures were eliminated more rapidly than others, which would suggest the occurrence of metabolic biotransformation. For both species and at all life stages studied, PCBs with adjacent unsubstituted meta-para sites (group-2 PCBs) were eliminated significantly faster than PCBs with adjacent unsubstituted ortho-meta sites (group-3 PCBs). Because these groups of PCBs span similar hydrophobicity ranges, it was concluded that green and leopard frogs can selectively metabolize group-2 PCBs. Metabolic activity was more pronounced in the metamorph stage than in any other life stage. In green frog metamorphs, the average elimination rate of the group-2 PCBs was 4.9-fold greater than that of the group-3 PCBs. By contrast, in green frog tadpoles, group-2 PCBs were eliminated 1.9-fold faster than group-3 PCBs, and in green frog adults, group-2 PCBs were eliminated 1.5-fold faster than group-3 PDBs.

Generation of 46 W green-light by frequency doubling of 96 W picosecond unpolarized Yb-doped fiber amplifier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qi, Yaoyao; Yu, Haijuan; Zhang, Jingyuan; Zhang, Ling; He, Chaojian; Lin, Xuechun

2018-05-01

We demonstrated a high efficiency and high average power picosecond green light source based on SHG (second harmonic generation) of an unpolarized ytterbium-doped fiber amplifier chain. Using single-pass frequency doubling in two temperature-tuned type-I phase-matching LBO crystals, we were able to generate 46 W, >70 ps pulses at 532 nm from a fundamental beam at 1064 nm, whose output is 96 W, 4.8 μJ, with a repetition frequency of 20 MHz and nearly diffraction limited. The optical conversion efficiency was ∼48% in a highly compact design. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported on ps green source through SHG of an unpolarized fiber laser with such a high output and high efficiency.

Microwave-assisted one-pot synthesis of water-soluble rare-earth doped fluoride luminescent nanoparticles with tunable colors

PubMed Central

Mi, Cong-Cong; Tian, Zhen-huang; Han, Bao-fu; Mao, Chuan-bin; Xu, Shu-kun

2012-01-01

Polyethyleneimine (PEI) functionalized multicolor luminescent LaF3 nanoparticles were synthesized via a novel microwave-assisted method, which can achieve fast and uniform heating under eco-friendly and energy efficient conditions. The as-prepared nanoparticles possess a pure hexagonal structure with an average size of about 12 nm. When doped with different ions (Tb3+ and Eu3+), the morphology and structure of the nanoparticles were not changed, whereas the optical properties varied with doped ions and their molar ratio, and as a result emission of four different colors (green, yellow, orange and red) were achieved by simply switching the types of doping ions (Eu3+ versus Tb3 +) and the molar ratio of the two doping ions. PMID:22879690

Tip-enhanced fluorescence with radially polarized illumination for monitoring loop-mediated isothermal amplification on Hepatitis C virus cDNA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Shih-Chung; Chuang, Tsung-Liang; Wang, Da-Shin; Lu, Hui-Hsin; Gu, Frank X.; Sung, Kung-Bin; Lin, Chii-Wann

2015-02-01

A tip nanobiosensor for monitoring DNA replication was presented. The effects of excitation power and polarization on tip-enhanced fluorescence (TEF) were assessed with the tip immersed in fluorescein isothiocyanate solution first. The photon count rose on average fivefold with radially polarized illumination at 50 mW. We then used polymerase-functionalized tips for monitoring loop-mediated isothermal amplification on Hepatitis C virus cDNA. The amplicon-SYBR Green I complex was detected and compared to real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification. The signals of the reaction using 4 and 0.004 ng/μl templates were detected 10 and 30 min earlier, respectively. The results showed the potential of TEF in developing a nanobiosensor for real-time DNA amplification.

Mean dyadic Green's function for a two layer random medium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zuniga, M. A.

1981-01-01

The mean dyadic Green's function for a two-layer random medium with arbitrary three-dimensional correlation functions has been obtained with the zeroth-order solution to the Dyson equation by applying the nonlinear approximation. The propagation of the coherent wave in the random medium is similar to that in an anisotropic medium with different propagation constants for the characteristic transverse electric and transverse magnetic polarizations. In the limit of a laminar structure, two propagation constants for each polarization are found to exist.

Sensitometric properties of Agfa Dentus OrthoLux, Agfa Dentus ST8G, and Kodak Ektavision panoramic radiographic film.

PubMed

Wakoh, M; Nishikawa, K; Kobayashi, N; Farman, A G; Kuroyanagi, K

2001-02-01

The purpose of this study was to compare the sensitometric properties of and visualization of anatomical structures with Agfa OrthoLux green-sensitive panoramic radiographic film, Agfa ST8G green sensitive panoramic radiographic film, and Kodak Ektavision green-sensitive panoramic radiographic film used in combination with an Agfa Ortho Regular 400 imaging screen, Kodak Ektavision imaging screen, and Kodak Lanex Regular imaging screen. The density response and resolution of panoramic radiographic film/intensifying screen combinations was evaluated by means of Hunter and Driffield curves, modulation transfer functions, and noise-equivalent number of quanta. Image clarity of selected anatomical structures was rated independently by 6 oral and maxillofacial radiologists. The ISO speed for the Agfa OrthoLux panoramic radiographic film combinations was the fastest, and the ISO speed for the Kodak Ektavision green-sensitive panoramic radiographic film combinations was the slowest. The average gradient for the Agfa ST8G systems was relatively steep in comparison with those for the other film/screen combinations. The modulation transfer functions for the Kodak Ektavision film were higher than those for the other films, irrespective of the screen combination used, and those for Agfa OrthoLux film were slightly higher than those for Agfa ST8G film. The noise-equivalent number of quanta for the Agfa ST8G film/screen combinations was lower than those for the other film/screen combinations. The noise-equivalent number of quanta for the Kodak Ektavision film/screen combinations was well within the high-frequency range, whereas Agfa OrthoLux combined with either the Kodak Ektavision imaging screen or the Kodak Lanex Regular imaging screen produced a noise-equivalent number of quanta similar to those of the Kodak Ektavision film/screen combinations in the low-frequency range. Agfa OrthoLux was perceived to provide clearer images of the selected anatomical details than Agfa ST8G, and the Agfa OrthoLux/Agfa Ortho Regular 400 combination was not significantly different from the Kodak Ektavision/Kodak Lanex Regular combination in terms of perceived image quality. Agfa OrthoLux is an improvement over Agfa ST8G in film speed, spatial resolution, granularity, and perceived diagnostic image quality. The Agfa OrthoLux/Agfa Ortho Regular 400 combination did not exceed the Kodak Ektavision film/Kodak Ektavision imaging screen combination in resolution, granularity, or perceived image quality.

Multi-charge-state molecular dynamics and self-diffusion coefficient in the warm dense matter regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Yongsheng; Hou, Yong; Kang, Dongdong; Gao, Cheng; Jin, Fengtao; Yuan, Jianmin

2018-01-01

We present a multi-ion molecular dynamics (MIMD) simulation and apply it to calculating the self-diffusion coefficients of ions with different charge-states in the warm dense matter (WDM) regime. First, the method is used for the self-consistent calculation of electron structures of different charge-state ions in the ion sphere, with the ion-sphere radii being determined by the plasma density and the ion charges. The ionic fraction is then obtained by solving the Saha equation, taking account of interactions among different charge-state ions in the system, and ion-ion pair potentials are computed using the modified Gordon-Kim method in the framework of temperature-dependent density functional theory on the basis of the electron structures. Finally, MIMD is used to calculate ionic self-diffusion coefficients from the velocity correlation function according to the Green-Kubo relation. A comparison with the results of the average-atom model shows that different statistical processes will influence the ionic diffusion coefficient in the WDM regime.

Vacuum Polarization by a Magnetic Flux Tube at Finite Temperature in the Cosmic String Space-Time

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spinelly, J.; Bezerra de Mello, E. R.

In this paper, we analyze the effect produced by the temperature in the vacuum polarization associated with a charged massless scalar field in the presence of a magnetic flux tube in the cosmic string space-time. Three different configurations of magnetic fields are taken into account: (i) a homogeneous field inside the tube, (ii) a field proportional to 1/r, and (iii) a cylindrical shell with δ-function. In these three cases, the axis of the infinitely long tube of radius R coincides with the cosmic string. Because of the complexity of this analysis in the region inside the tube, we consider the thermal effect in the region outside. In order to develop this analysis, we construct the thermal Green function associated with this system for the three above-mentioned situations considering points in the region outside the tube. We explicitly calculate, in the high-temperature limit, the thermal average of the field square and the energy-momentum tensor.

Scaling analysis and model estimation of solar corona index

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ray, Samujjwal; Ray, Rajdeep; Khondekar, Mofazzal Hossain; Ghosh, Koushik

2018-04-01

A monthly average solar green coronal index time series for the period from January 1939 to December 2008 collected from NOAA (The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has been analysed in this paper in perspective of scaling analysis and modelling. Smoothed and de-noising have been done using suitable mother wavelet as a pre-requisite. The Finite Variance Scaling Method (FVSM), Higuchi method, rescaled range (R/S) and a generalized method have been applied to calculate the scaling exponents and fractal dimensions of the time series. Autocorrelation function (ACF) is used to find autoregressive (AR) process and Partial autocorrelation function (PACF) has been used to get the order of AR model. Finally a best fit model has been proposed using Yule-Walker Method with supporting results of goodness of fit and wavelet spectrum. The results reveal an anti-persistent, Short Range Dependent (SRD), self-similar property with signatures of non-causality, non-stationarity and nonlinearity in the data series. The model shows the best fit to the data under observation.

A regularized vortex-particle mesh method for large eddy simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spietz, H. J.; Walther, J. H.; Hejlesen, M. M.

2017-11-01

We present recent developments of the remeshed vortex particle-mesh method for simulating incompressible fluid flow. The presented method relies on a parallel higher-order FFT based solver for the Poisson equation. Arbitrary high order is achieved through regularization of singular Green's function solutions to the Poisson equation and recently we have derived novel high order solutions for a mixture of open and periodic domains. With this approach the simulated variables may formally be viewed as the approximate solution to the filtered Navier Stokes equations, hence we use the method for Large Eddy Simulation by including a dynamic subfilter-scale model based on test-filters compatible with the aforementioned regularization functions. Further the subfilter-scale model uses Lagrangian averaging, which is a natural candidate in light of the Lagrangian nature of vortex particle methods. A multiresolution variation of the method is applied to simulate the benchmark problem of the flow past a square cylinder at Re = 22000 and the obtained results are compared to results from the literature.

General MoM Solutions for Large Arrays

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

Fasenfest, B; Capolino, F; Wilton, D R

2003-07-22

This paper focuses on a numerical procedure that addresses the difficulties of dealing with large, finite arrays while preserving the generality and robustness of full-wave methods. We present a fast method based on approximating interactions between sufficiently separated array elements via a relatively coarse interpolation of the Green's function on a uniform grid commensurate with the array's periodicity. The interaction between the basis and testing functions is reduced to a three-stage process. The first stage is a projection of standard (e.g., RWG) subdomain bases onto a set of interpolation functions that interpolate the Green's function on the array face. Thismore » projection, which is used in a matrix/vector product for each array cell in an iterative solution process, need only be carried out once for a single cell and results in a low-rank matrix. An intermediate stage matrix/vector product computation involving the uniformly sampled Green's function is of convolutional form in the lateral (transverse) directions so that a 2D FFT may be used. The final stage is a third matrix/vector product computation involving a matrix resulting from projecting testing functions onto the Green's function interpolation functions; the low-rank matrix is either identical to (using Galerkin's method) or similar to that for the bases projection. An effective MoM solution scheme is developed for large arrays using a modification of the AIM (Adaptive Integral Method) method. The method permits the analysis of arrays with arbitrary contours and nonplanar elements. Both fill and solve times within the MoM method are improved with respect to more standard MoM solvers.« less

Dioxin-like toxic potency in Forster's tern eggs from Green Bay, Lake Michigan, North America

USGS Publications Warehouse

Tillitt, D. E.; Kubiak, T.J.; Ankley, G.T.; Giesy, J.P.

1993-01-01

The endangered Forster's tern (Sternaforsteri) population on Green Bay, Wisconsin has exhibited symptoms of embryotoxicity, congenital deformities, and poor hatching success. The putative causal agents are planar halogenated hydrocarbons (PHH). The objectives of this study were: 1) to evaluate the toxic potency of PHHs in extracts of Forster's tern eggs taken from Green Bay, Lake Michigan and a reference site, Lake Poygan, WI; and 2) to compare the toxic potencies of the egg extracts with the reproductive data available from the same water bird colonies. The relative toxic potency of the egg extracts was assessed with the H4IIE bioassay system to obtain 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TCDD-EQ). The average concentrations of TCDD-EQ in Forster's tern eggs were 214.5 pg/g and 23.4 pg/g from Green Bay and Lake Poygan, respectively. The bioassay results presented here concur with the biological effects and chemical analyses information from other studies on the same Forster's tern colonies.

Potential benefits of plant diversity on vegetated roofs: a literature review.

PubMed

Cook-Patton, Susan C; Bauerle, Taryn L

2012-09-15

Although vegetated green roofs can be difficult to establish and maintain, they are an increasingly popular method for mitigating the negative environmental impacts of urbanization. Most green roof development has focused on maximizing green roof performance by planting one or a few drought-tolerant species. We present an alternative approach, which recognizes green roofs as dynamic ecosystems and employs a diversity of species. We draw links between the ecological and green roof literature to generate testable predictions about how increasing plant diversity could improve short- and long-term green roof functioning. Although we found few papers that experimentally manipulated diversity on green roofs, those that did revealed ecological dynamics similar to those in more natural systems. However, there are many unresolved issues. To improve overall green roof performance, we should (1) elucidate the links among plant diversity, structural complexity, and green roof performance, (2) describe feedback mechanisms between plant and animal diversity on green roofs, (3) identify species with complementary traits, and (4) determine whether diverse green roof communities are more resilient to disturbance and environmental change than less diverse green roofs. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Basis for Design Development. Facilities Programming for a New Senior High School in the City of Green Bay.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bloomfield, Byron C.; Wakefield, Howard E.

The mobilization of support data and documentation sufficient to give appropriate physical expression to the required functions of the new senior high school, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is the objective of this report. The consultants have proceeded in two steps--(1) to identify the functions to be performed in the new high school by analyzing…

Retrieving both phase and amplitude information of Green's functions by ambient seismic wave field cross-correlation: A case study with a limestone mine induced seismic event

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwak, S.; Song, S. G.; Kim, G.; Shin, J. S.

2015-12-01

Recently many seismologists have paid attention to ambient seismic field, which is no more referred as noise and called as Earth's hum, but as useful signal to understand subsurface seismic velocity structure. It has also been demonstrated that empirical Green's functions can be constructed by retrieving both phase and amplitude information from ambient seismic field (Prieto and Beroza 2008). The constructed empirical Green's functions can be used to predict strong ground motions after focal depth and double-couple mechanism corrections (Denolle et al. 2013). They do not require detailed subsurface velocity model and intensive computation for ground motion simulation. In this study, we investigate the capability of predicting long period surface waves by the ambient seismic wave field with a seismic event of Mw 4.0, which occurred with a limestone mine collapse in South Korea on January 31, 2015. This limestone-mine event provides an excellent opportunity to test the efficiency of the ambient seismic wave field in retrieving both phase and amplitude information of Green's functions due to the single force mechanism of the collapse event. In other words, both focal depth and double-couple mechanism corrections are not required for this event. A broadband seismic station, which is about 5.4 km away from the mine event, is selected as a source station. Then surface waves retrieved from the ambient seismic wave field cross-correlation are compared with those generated by the event. Our preliminary results show some potential of the ambient seismic wave field in retrieving both phase and amplitude of Green's functions from a single force impulse source at the Earth's surface. More comprehensive analysis by increasing the time length of stacking may improve the results in further studies. We also aim to investigate the efficiency of retrieving the full empirical Green's functions with the 2007 Mw 4.6 Odaesan earthquake, which is one of the strongest earthquakes occurred in South Korea in the last decade.

Accurate thermometry based on the red and green fluorescence intensity ratio in NaYF₄: Yb, Er nanocrystals for bioapplication.

PubMed

Liu, Lixin; Qin, Feng; Lv, Tianquan; Zhang, Zhiguo; Cao, Wenwu

2016-10-15

A biological temperature measurement method based on the fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) was developed to reduce uncertainty. The upconversion luminescence of NaYF₄:Yb, Er nanocrystals was studied as a function of temperature around the physiologically relevant range of 300-330 K. We found that the green-green FIR Fe and red-green FIR (I₆₆₀/I₅₄₀) varied linearly as temperature increased. The thermometric uncertainties using the two FIRs were discussed and were determined to be almost constant at 0.6 and 0.09 K for green-green and red-green, respectively. The lower thermometric uncertainty comes from the intense signal-to-noise ratio of the measured FIRs owing to their comparable fluorescence intensities.

Chlorogenic acids and lactones in regular and water-decaffeinated arabica coffees.

PubMed

Farah, Adriana; de Paulis, Tomas; Moreira, Daniel P; Trugo, Luiz C; Martin, Peter R

2006-01-25

The market for decaffeinated coffees has been increasingly expanding over the years. Caffeine extraction may result in losses of other compounds such as chlorogenic acids (CGA) and, consequently, their 1,5-gamma-quinolactones (CGL) in roasted coffee. These phenolic compounds are important for flavor formation as well as the health effects of coffee; therefore, losses due to decaffeination need to be investigated. The present study evaluates the impact of decaffeination processing on CGA and CGL levels of green and roasted arabica coffees. Decaffeination produced a 16% average increase in the levels of total CGA in green coffee (dry matter), along with a 237% increase in CGL direct precursors. Different degrees of roasting showed average increments of 5.5-18% in CGL levels of decaffeinated coffee, compared to regular, a change more consistent with observed levels of total CGA than with those of CGL direct precursors in green samples. On the other hand, CGA levels in roasted coffee were 3-9% lower in decaffeinated coffee compared to regular coffee. Although differences in CGA and CGL contents of regular and decaffeinated roasted coffees appear to be relatively small, they may be enough to affect flavor characteristics as well as the biopharmacological properties of the final beverage, suggesting the need for further study.

Optimised synthesis of ZnO-nano-fertiliser through green chemistry: boosted growth dynamics of economically important L. esculentum.

PubMed

Jabeen, Nyla; Maqbool, Qaisar; Bibi, Tahira; Nazar, Mudassar; Hussain, Syed Z; Hussain, Talib; Jan, Tariq; Ahmad, Ishaq; Maaza, Malik; Anwaar, Sadaf

2018-06-01

Mounting-up economic losses to annual crops yield due to micronutrient deficiency, fertiliser inefficiency and increasing microbial invasions (e.g. Xanthomonas cempestri attack on tomatoes) are needed to be solved via nano-biotechnology. So keeping this in view, the authors' current study presents the new horizon in the field of nano-fertiliser with highly nutritive and preservative effect of green fabricated zinc oxide-nanostructures (ZnO-NSs) during Lycopersicum esculentum (tomato) growth dynamics. ZnO-NS prepared via green chemistry possesses highly homogenous crystalline structures well-characterised through ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The ZnO-NS average size was found as small as 18 nm having a crystallite size of 5 nm. L. esculentum were grown in different concentrations of ZnO-NS to examine the different morphological parameters includes time of seed germination, germination percentage, the number of plant leaves, the height of the plant, average number of branches, days count for flowering and fruiting time period along with fruit quantity. Promising results clearly predict that bio-fabricated ZnO-NS at optimum concentration resulted as growth booster and dramatically triggered the plant yield.

EPA's Summary Report of the Collaborative Green ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The United States Environmental Protection Agency evaluated the performance of a hybrid green-gray infrastructure pilot project installed into the Marlborough Neighborhood by the Kansas City Water Services Department. Kansas City installed 135 vegetated SCMs, 24,290 square feet of porous or permeable pavement, and 292,000 gallons of underground storage space in the residential neighborhood which drained 54% of the total 100 areas studied. Independently, both the Environmental Protection Agency and Kansas City determined that the green-gray combined infrastructure reduced the sewer flow runoff volume by approximately 30% in the combined sewer when the after test conditions were compared to before test conditions. It was also determined that the average drop in concentrations was 52% +/-34% for total suspended solids, 51% +/-33% suspended solid concentration, 37% +/-22% national turbidity units, and 50% average diameter particle size was 21% +/-59% when the outlet from one bioretention measure was compared to the inlet. There was only one storm in which nitrate and phosphate could be compared. The nitrate concentration was reduced by 52% and phosphate reduced by 57%. All analyzed influent samples were non-detect for lead and zinc (< 50 ug/L). Greater than 50% of the total copper concentrations were in the dissolved form. Fecal coliform concentrations were unexpectedly high, with concentrations often above the upper detection limit of 6 million most probable

Power mixture and green body for producing silicon nitride base articles of high fracture toughness and strength

DOEpatents

Huckabee, M.L.; Buljan, S.T.; Neil, J.T.

1991-09-17

A powder mixture and a green body for producing a silicon nitride-based article of improved fracture toughness and strength are disclosed. The powder mixture includes (a) a bimodal silicon nitride powder blend consisting essentially of about 10-30% by weight of a first silicon nitride powder of an average particle size of about 0.2 [mu]m and a surface area of about 8-12m[sup 2]g, and about 70-90% by weight of a second silicon nitride powder of an average particle size of about 0.4-0.6 [mu]m and a surface area of about 2-4 m[sup 2]/g, (b) about 10-50 percent by volume, based on the volume of the densified article, of refractory whiskers or fibers having an aspect ratio of about 3-150 and having an equivalent diameter selected to produce in the densified article an equivalent diameter ratio of the whiskers or fibers to grains of silicon nitride of greater than 1.0, and (c) an effective amount of a suitable oxide densification aid. The green body is formed from the powder mixture, an effective amount of a suitable oxide densification aid, and an effective amount of a suitable organic binder. No Drawings

Power mixture and green body for producing silicon nitride base & articles of high fracture toughness and strength

DOEpatents

Huckabee, Marvin L.; Buljan, Sergej-Tomislav; Neil, Jeffrey T.

1991-01-01

A powder mixture and a green body for producing a silicon nitride-based article of improved fracture toughness and strength. The powder mixture includes 9a) a bimodal silicon nitride powder blend consisting essentially of about 10-30% by weight of a first silicon mitride powder of an average particle size of about 0.2 .mu.m and a surface area of about 8-12m.sup.2 g, and about 70-90% by weight of a second silicon nitride powder of an average particle size of about 0.4-0.6 .mu.m and a surface area of about 2-4 m.sup.2 /g, (b) about 10-50 percent by volume, based on the volume of the densified article, of refractory whiskers or fibers having an aspect ratio of about 3-150 and having an equivalent diameter selected to produce in the densified articel an equivalent diameter ratio of the whiskers or fibers to grains of silicon nitride of greater than 1.0, and (c) an effective amount of a suitable oxide densification aid. The green body is formed from the powder mixture, an effective amount of a suitable oxide densification aid, and an effective amount of a suitable organic binder.

Surface phenology and satellite sensor-derived onset of greenness: An initial comparison

USGS Publications Warehouse

Schwartz, Mark D.; Reed, Bradley C.

1999-01-01

The objective of this work was to document the utility of phenological data derived from satellite sensors by comparing them with modelled phenology. Surface phenological model outputs (first leaf and first bloom dates) were correlated positively with satellite sensor-derived start of season (SOS) dates for 1991-1995 across the eastern United States. The correlation was highest for forest (r 0.62 for deciduous trees and 0.64 for mixed woodland) and tall grass (r 0.46) and lowest for short grass (r 0.37). The average correlation over all land cover types was 0.61. Average SOS dates were consistently earlier than Spring Index dates across all land cover types. This finding and limited native tree phenology data suggest that the SOS technique detects understorey green-up in the forest rather than overstorey species. The biweekly temporal resolution of the satellite sensor data placed an upper limit on prediction accuracy; thus, year-to-year variations at individual sites were typically small. Nevertheless, the correct biweek SOS could be identified from the surface models 61% of the time, and 1 biweek 96% of the time. Further temporal refinement of the satellite sensor measurements is necessary in order to connect them with surface phenology adequately and to develop links among 'green wave' components in selected biomes.

Dielectric response properties of parabolically-confined nanostructures in a quantizing magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sabeeh, Kashif

This thesis presents theoretical studies of dielectric response properties of parabolically-confined nanostructures in a magnetic field. We have determined the retarded Schrodinger Green's function for an electron in such a parabolically confined system in the presence of a time dependent electric field and an ambient magnetic field. Following an operator equation of motion approach developed by Schwinger, we calculate the result in closed form in terms of elementary functions in direct-time representation. From the retarded Schrodinger Green's function we construct the closed-form thermodynamic Green's function for a parabolically confined quantum-dot in a magnetic field to determine its plasmon spectrum. Due to confinement and Landau quantization this system is fully quantized, with an infinite number of collective modes. The RPA integral equation for the inverse dielectric function is solved using Fredholm theory in the nondegenerate and quantum limit to determine the frequencies with which the plasmons participate in response to excitation by an external potential. We exhibit results for the variation of plasmon frequency as a function of magnetic field strength and of confinement frequency. A calculation of the van der Waals interaction energy between two harmonically confined quantum dots is discussed in terms of the dipole-dipole correlation function. The results are presented as a function of confinement strength and distance between the dots. We also rederive a result of Fertig & Halperin [32] for the tunneling-scattering of an electron through a saddle potential which is also known as a quantum point contact (QPC), in the presence of a magnetic field. Using the retarded Green's function we confirm the result for the transmission coefficient and analyze it.

Identification of climate-resilient integrated nutrient management practices for rice-rice cropping system--an empirical approach to uphold food security.

PubMed

Subash, N; Gangwar, B; Singh, Rajbir; Sikka, A K

2015-01-01

Yield datasets of long-term experiments on integrated nutrient management in rice-rice cropping systems were used to investigate the relationship of variability in rainfall, temperature, and integrated nutrient management (INM) practices in rice-rice cropping system in three different agroecological regions of India. Twelve treatments with different combinations of inorganic (chemical fertilizer) and organic (farmyard manure, green manure, and paddy straw) were compared with farmer's conventional practice. The intraseasonal variations in rice yields are largely driven by rainfall during kharif rice and by temperature during rabi rice. Half of the standard deviation from the average monthly as well as seasonal rainfall during kharif rice and 1 °C increase or decrease from the average maximum and minimum temperature during rabi rice has been taken as the classification of yield groups. The trends in the date of effective onset of monsoon indicate a 36-day delay during the 30-year period at Rajendranagar, which is statistically significant at 95 % confidence level. The mean annual maximum temperature shows an increasing trend in all the study sites. The length of monsoon also showed a shrinking trend in the rate of 40 days during the 30-year study period at Rajendranagar representing a semiarid region. At Bhubaneshwar, the application of 50 % recommended NPK through chemical fertilizers and 50 % N through green manure resulted in an overall average higher increase of 5.1 % in system productivity under both excess and deficit rainfall years and also during the years having seasonal mean maximum temperature ≥35 °C. However, at Jorhat, the application of 50 % recommended NPK through chemical fertilizers and 50 % N through straw resulted in an overall average higher increase of 7.4 % in system productivity, while at Rajendranagar, the application of 75 % NPK through chemical fertilizers and 25 % N through green manusre resulted in an overall average higher increase of 8.8 % in system productivity. This study highlights the adaptive capacity of different integrated nutrient management practices to rainfall and temperature variability under a rice-rice cropping system in humid, subhumid, and semiarid ecosystems.

Chlorogenic acid oxidation-induced greening of sunflower butter cookies as a function of different sweeteners and storage conditions.

PubMed

Liang, Sihui; Were, Lilian M

2018-02-15

Sunflower butter use as an allergen-free alternative to tree and legume nut butter in baking is limited by chlorogenic acid induced greening that occurs at alkaline pH. Limited information is available on controlling this greening in a food matrix. This study examined how different liquid sweeteners and relative humidity influenced greening of sunflower butter cookies. Doughs had similar initial pH (7.52-7.66) which increased to 8.44-9.13 after baking as ranked: xylitol>maple syrup>corn syrup>honey>agave syrup. Cookies made with maple syrup had the highest moisture and greening corresponding with lowest free chlorogenic acid. The % greening followed the same trend as greening intensity, and was positively correlated (r=0.9101) with chlorogenic-lysine adduct content. Our findings provide an ingredient solution to controlling greening, as results demonstrate that greening can be promoted with high relative humidity storage, and use of high moisture and pH ingredients. Unwanted greening can be inhibited by simply changing the liquid sweetener. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Modeling the Effect of Summertime Heating on Urban Runoff Temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thompson, A. M.; Gemechu, A. L.; Norman, J. M.; Roa-Espinosa, A.

2007-12-01

Urban impervious surfaces absorb and store thermal energy, particularly during warm summer months. During a rainfall/runoff event, thermal energy is transferred from the impervious surface to the runoff, causing it to become warmer. As this higher temperature runoff enters receiving waters, it can be harmful to coldwater habitat. A simple model has been developed for the net energy flux at the impervious surfaces of urban areas to account for the heat transferred to runoff. Runoff temperature is determined as a function of the physical characteristics of the impervious areas, the weather, and the heat transfer between the moving film of runoff and the heated impervious surfaces that commonly exist in urban areas. Runoff from pervious surfaces was predicted using the Green- Ampt Mein-Larson infiltration excess method. Theoretical results were compared to experimental results obtained from a plot-scale field study conducted at the University of Wisconsin's West Madison Agricultural Research Station. Surface temperatures and runoff temperatures from asphalt and sod plots were measured throughout 15 rainfall simulations under various climatic conditions during the summers of 2004 and 2005. Average asphalt runoff temperatures ranged from 23.2°C to 37.1°C. Predicted asphalt runoff temperatures were in close agreement with measured values for most of the simulations (average RMSE = 4.0°C). Average pervious runoff temperatures ranged from 19.7° to 29.9°C and were closely approximated by the rainfall temperature (RMSE = 2.8°C). Predicted combined asphalt and sod runoff temperatures using a flow-weighted average were in close agreement with observed values (average RMSE = 3.5°C).

[Capacity of extensive green roof to retain rainwater runoff in hot and humid region.

PubMed

Liu, Ming Xin; Dai, Se Ping; Zhou, Tian Yang; Ruan, Lin; Zhang, Qiao Song

2017-02-01

The water logging has become the environmental problem of major cities with the sharp increase of impermeable urban pavement as the contributing cause. Abroad, the green roof has been widely used as a practical measure to intercept rainwater, yet the capacity of green roof to retain rainwater varies with climate conditions. As the hot and humid climate zone features high temperature, humidity and precipitation, it is meaningful to study the capacity of green roof to retain rainwater under such climatic condition. In this research, 3 plat forms were set up in Guangzhou in rainy and hot summer to test the capability of simple green roof to retain rainwater runoff, and the efficiency of green roof to retain rainwater under local climate conditions was worked out based on the meteorological observation and data measurement during the 13-month test period. The results showed that the simple green roof with a substrate thickness of 30, 50 and 70 mm could retain 27.2%, 30.9% and 32.1% of precipitation and reduce the average peak value by 18.9%, 26.2% and 27.7%, respectively. Given an urban built-up area of 1035.01 km 2 in Guangzhou and a roof area percentage of approximately 37.3% and assuming the green roofs with 30 mm-thick substrate were applied within the area, the light, medium and heavy rain could be delayed at 72.8%, 22.6% and 17.4%, respectively. Accordingly, the rainwater retained could reach up to 14317×10 4 m 3 . It suggested the great potential of the simple green roof in retaining rainwater. The research could serve as reference for the hot and humid climate zone to alleviate water logging and visualize sponge city construction.

New fluorescence spectroscopic method for the simultaneous determination of alkaloids in aqueous extract of green coffee beans.

PubMed

Yisak, Hagos; Redi-Abshiro, Mesfin; Chandravanshi, Bhagwan Singh

2018-05-11

There is no fluorescence spectroscopic method for the determination of trigonelline and theobromine in green coffee beans. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a new fluorescence spectroscopic method to determine the alkaloids simultaneously in the aqueous extract of green coffee beans. The calibration curves were linear in the range 2-6, 1-6, 1-5 mg/L for caffeine, theobromine and trigonelline, respectively, with R 2  ≥ 0.9987. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were 2, 6 and 7 µg/L and 40, 20 and 20 µg/L for caffeine, theobromine and trigonelline, respectively. Caffeine and trigonelline exhibited well separated fluorescence excitation spectra and therefore the two alkaloids were selectively quantified in the aqueous extract of green coffee. While theobromine showed overlapping fluorescence excitation spectra with caffeine and hence theobromine could not be determined in the aqueous extract of green coffee beans. The amount of caffeine and trigonelline in the three samples of green coffee beans were found to be 0.95-1.10 and 1.00-1.10% (w/w), respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSD ≤ 4%) of the method for the three compounds of interest were of very good. The accuracy of the developed analytical method was evaluated by spiking standard caffeine and trigonelline to green coffee beans and the average recoveries were 99 ± 2% for both the alkaloids. A fast, sensitive and reliable fluorescence method for the simultaneous determination of caffeine and trigonelline in the aqueous extract of green coffee beans was developed and validated. The developed method reflected an effective performance to the direct determination of the two alkaloids in the aqueous extract of green coffee beans.

Spawning habitat unsuitability: an impediment to cisco rehabilitation in Lake Michigan?

USGS Publications Warehouse

Madenjian, Charles P.; Rutherford, Edward S.; Blouin, Marc A.; Sederberg, Bryan J.; Elliott, Jeff R.

2011-01-01

The cisco Coregonus artedi was one of the most important native prey fishes in Lake Michigan and in the other four Laurentian Great Lakes. Most of the cisco spawning in Lake Michigan was believed to have occurred in Green Bay. The cisco population in Lake Michigan collapsed during the 1950s, and the collapse was attributed in part to habitat degradation within Green Bay. Winter water quality surveys of lower Green Bay during the 1950s and 1960s indicated that the bottom dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration was less than 2 mg/L throughout much of the lower bay, and most cisco eggs would not successfully hatch at such low DO concentrations. To determine present-day spawning habitat suitability in lower Green Bay, we compared cisco egg survival in lower Green Bay with survival at a reference site (St. Marys River, Michigan–Ontario) during 2009. We also conducted winter water quality surveys in lower Green Bay and the St. Marys River during 2009 and 2010. Cisco egg survival in lower Green Bay averaged 65.3%, which was remarkably similar to and not significantly different from the mean at the St. Marys River site (64.0%). Moreover, the lowest bottom DO concentrations recorded during the winter surveys were 11.2 mg/L in lower Green Bay and 12.7 mg/L in the St. Marys River. These relatively high DO concentrations would not be expected to have any negative effect on cisco egg survival. We conclude that winter water quality conditions in lower Green Bay were suitable for successful hatching of cisco eggs and that water quality during the egg incubation period did not represent an impediment to cisco rehabilitation in Lake Michigan. Our approach to determining spawning habitat suitability for coregonids would be applicable to other aquatic systems.

Green Tea Improves Metabolic Biomarkers, not Weight or Body Composition: A Pilot Study in Overweight Breast Cancer Survivors

PubMed Central

Stendell-Hollis, Nicole R; Thomson, Cynthia A; Thompson, Patricia A; Bea, Jennifer W; Cussler, Ellen C; Hakim, Iman A

2010-01-01

Background Overweight status after breast cancer treatment may increase a woman’s risk for recurrent disease and/or early onset cardiovascular disease. Green tea has been proposed to promote weight loss and favourably modify glucose, insulin and blood lipids. This pilot study tested the effect of daily decaffeinated green tea consumption for 6 months on weight and body composition, select metabolic parameters, and lipid profiles in overweight breast cancer survivors. Methods The effect of daily decaffeinated green tea intake on weight, body composition and changes in resting metabolic rate, energy intake, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and lipids was evaluated in overweight breast cancer survivors. Participants had a mean weight of 80.2 kg; BMI 30.1 kg/m2; and body fat 46.4%. Participants (N=54) were randomised to 960 mL decaffeinated green or placebo tea daily for 6 months. Results Average tea intake among study completers (N=39) was 5952 ± 1176 mL/week and was associated with a significant reduction in energy intake (P =0.02). Change in body weight of −1.2 kg (green tea) versus + 0.2 kg (placebo) suggests a weight change effect, but was not statistically significant. Decaffeinated green tea intake was associated with elevated HDL levels (P=0.003) and non-significant improvements in the HOMA-IR (−1.1±5.9: green tea; +3.2±7.2: herbal) and the HDL/LDL ratio. Conclusions Intake of decaffeinated green tea for 6 months was associated with a slight reduction in body weight and improved HDL and glucose homeostasis in overweight breast cancer survivors. PMID:20807303

"Red-Yellow-Green": Effect of an Initiative to Guide Surgeon Choice of Orthopaedic Implants.

PubMed

Okike, Kanu; Pollak, Rachael; O'Toole, Robert V; Pollak, Andrew N

2017-04-05

Orthopaedic procedures are expensive, and devices account for a large proportion of the overall costs. Hospitals have employed a variety of strategies to decrease implant costs, but many center on restricting surgeon choice. At our institution, we developed an implant selection tool that guides surgeons toward more cost-effective implants, while minimally restricting choice. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of this tool on preferred implant usage rates, vendor attitudes toward pricing structure, and hospital implant expenditures. For 6 commonly used orthopaedic trauma devices, similar constructs were created for the 4 vendors used at our hospital, and the costs were determined. On the basis of these costs, the available options for each device type were categorized as "green" (preferred vendor), "yellow" (midrange), or "red" (used for patient-specific requirements). The "Red-Yellow-Green" chart was posted on the wall of each orthopaedic trauma operating room. To assess the effect of the tool, we compared implant usage patterns before and after implementation of the implant selection tool. We also assessed changes in vendor contract prices, as well as overall savings to our institution. Implant usage changed significantly from 30% "red," 56% "yellow," and 14% "green" prior to the intervention, to 9% "red," 21% "yellow," and 70% "green" after the intervention (p < 0.0001). As a result of price renegotiation with vendors following implementation, we observed average price decreases that ranged from 1.1% to 22.4%. Average expenditures on these 6 implants decreased 20% during the study period, which represented a savings of $216,495 per year. At our institution, we designed and implemented "Red-Yellow-Green," a simple tool that guides surgeons toward the selection of lower-cost implants without violating vendor confidentiality clauses, limiting the implants from which surgeons can choose, or requiring surgeons to discern the prices of complex constructs. Following implementation, hospital implant expenditures decreased as a result of a combination of increased preferred vendor usage by surgeons, as well as increased competition among vendors, which resulted in lower overall prices.

The association of air pollution and greenness with mortality and life expectancy in Spain: A small-area study.

PubMed

de Keijzer, Carmen; Agis, David; Ambrós, Albert; Arévalo, Gustavo; Baldasano, Jose M; Bande, Stefano; Barrera-Gómez, Jose; Benach, Joan; Cirach, Marta; Dadvand, Payam; Ghigo, Stefania; Martinez-Solanas, Èrica; Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark; Cadum, Ennio; Basagaña, Xavier

2017-02-01

Air pollution exposure has been associated with an increase in mortality rates, but few studies have focused on life expectancy, and most studies had restricted spatial coverage. A limited body of evidence is also suggestive for a beneficial association between residential exposure to greenness and mortality, but the evidence for such an association with life expectancy is still very scarce. To investigate the association of exposure to air pollution and greenness with mortality and life expectancy in Spain. Mortality data from 2148 small areas (average population of 20,750 inhabitants, and median population of 7672 inhabitants) covering Spain for years 2009-2013 were obtained. Average annual levels of PM 10 , PM 2.5 , NO 2 and O 3 were derived from an air quality forecasting system at 4×4km resolution. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was used to assess greenness in each small area. Air pollution and greenness were linked to standardized mortality rates (SMRs) using Poisson regression and to life expectancy using linear regression. The models were adjusted for socioeconomic status and lung cancer mortality rates (as a proxy for smoking), and accounted for spatial autocorrelation. The increase of 5μg/m 3 in PM 10 , NO 2 and O 3 or of 2μg/m 3 in PM 2.5 concentration resulted in a loss of life in years of 0.90 (95% credibility interval CI: 0.83, 0.98), 0.13 (95% CI: 0.09, 0.17), 0.20years (95% CI: 0.16, 0.24) and 0.64 (0.59, 0.70), respectively. Similar associations were found in the SMR analysis, with stronger associations for PM 2.5 and PM 10 , which were associated with an increased mortality risk of 3.7% (95% CI: 3.5%, 4.0%) and 5.7% (95% CI: 5.4%, 6.1%). For greenness, a protective effect on mortality and longer life expectancy was only found in areas with lower socioeconomic status. Air pollution concentrations were associated to important reductions in life expectancy. The reduction of air pollution should be a priority for public health. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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

Mills, Evan

Large numbers of commercial buildings have sought to improve their energy and environmental performance, with half of all leasable U.S. offices now designated at some level of “green”. All proper/es fall somewhere on the green/high-­performance spectrum (above and below average) whether or not they bear a formal label or ra/ng.1 Variations in the level of performance can either positively or negatively influence value. This component of value can be shaped by many factors, from utility costs to tenant/owner preferences that translate into income (rent levels, vacancy rates, lease-­up /mes, etc.). Occupant perceptions of indoor environmental quality are another potential influencemore » on value. While there has been little uptake of this thinking by practicing appraisers, the increased prevalence of green/HP practices combined with concerns about appraiser competency are compelling the industry to adapt their traditional techniques to this new driver of value. However, the overly narrow focus of policymakers on appraisal of labeled or rated exemplary buildings (e.g., LEED or ENERGY STAR Certified) represents a significant missed opportunity. Any level of green or energy performance can in fact influence value, including below-­average performance (a.k.a. “brown discount”), irrespec/ve of whether or not the building has been formally rated. Another surmountable challenge is the limitations to non-­appraisers’ understanding of the appraisal process (and constraints therein). A crucial byproduct of this is unrealistic expectations of what appraisers can and will do in the marketplace. This report identifies opportunities for catalyzing improvement of the green/HP appraisal process, which apply to all involved actors—from owner, report-­ordering client, the appraiser, and the appraisal reviewer—and fostering more demand for appraisals that recognize green/HP property attributes. The intended audience is primarily the public policy community and other stakeholders outside the formal appraisal community who can contribute to the broader effort to advance professional practces. The discussion begins with a descripton of the appraisal process and the points at which green/HP consideratons can enter the analysis. A series of major barriers to better practces are identfied along with approaches to reducing them.« less

A Guided Tour of Mathematical Methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Snieder, Roel

2009-04-01

1. Introduction; 2. Dimensional analysis; 3. Power series; 4. Spherical and cylindrical co-ordinates; 5. The gradient; 6. The divergence of a vector field; 7. The curl of a vector field; 8. The theorem of Gauss; 9. The theorem of Stokes; 10. The Laplacian; 11. Conservation laws; 12. Scale analysis; 13. Linear algebra; 14. The Dirac delta function; 15. Fourier analysis; 16. Analytic functions; 17. Complex integration; 18. Green's functions: principles; 19. Green's functions: examples; 20. Normal modes; 21. Potential theory; 22. Cartesian tensors; 23. Perturbation theory; 24. Asymptotic evaluation of integrals; 25. Variational calculus; 26. Epilogue, on power and knowledge; References.

Transient difference solutions of the inhomogeneous wave equation - Simulation of the Green's function

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baumeister, K. J.

1983-01-01

A time-dependent finite difference formulation to the inhomogeneous wave equation is derived for plane wave propagation with harmonic noise sources. The difference equation and boundary conditions are developed along with the techniques to simulate the Dirac delta function associated with a concentrated noise source. Example calculations are presented for the Green's function and distributed noise sources. For the example considered, the desired Fourier transformed acoustic pressures are determined from the transient pressures by use of a ramping function and an integration technique, both of which eliminates the nonharmonic pressure associated with the initial transient.

Transient difference solutions of the inhomogeneous wave equation: Simulation of the Green's function

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baumeiste, K. J.

1983-01-01

A time-dependent finite difference formulation to the inhomogeneous wave equation is derived for plane wave propagation with harmonic noise sources. The difference equation and boundary conditions are developed along with the techniques to simulate the Dirac delta function associated with a concentrated noise source. Example calculations are presented for the Green's function and distributed noise sources. For the example considered, the desired Fourier transformed acoustic pressures are determined from the transient pressures by use of a ramping function and an integration technique, both of which eliminates the nonharmonic pressure associated with the initial transient.

The effect of longitudinal chromatic aberration on the lag of accommodation and depth of field.

PubMed

Jaskulski, Mateusz; Marín-Franch, Iván; Bernal-Molina, Paula; López-Gil, Norberto

2016-11-01

Longitudinal chromatic aberration is present in all states of accommodation and may play a role in the accommodation response and the emmetropisation process. We study the change of the depth of field (DOFi) with the state of accommodation, taking into account the longitudinal chromatic aberration. Subjective DOFi was defined as the range of defocus beyond which the blur of the target (one line of optotypes of 0.1 logMAR shown on a black-and-white microdisplay, seen through different colour filters) was perceived as objectionable. The subject's eye was paralysed and different, previously-measured accommodative states (corresponding to the accommodative demands of 0D, 2D and 4D) were simulated with a deformable mirror. Different colour conditions (monochromatic red, green and blue and polychromatic (white) were tested. The DOFi was measured subjectively, using a motorised Badal system. Taking as reference the average accommodative response for the white stimulus, the blue response exhibits on average a lead of 0.45 ± 0.09D, the green a negligible lead of 0.07 ± 0.02D and red a lag of 0.49 ± 0.10D. The monochromatic DOFi, calculated by averaging DOFi over the red, green and blue colour conditions for each accommodative demand was 1.10 ± 0.10D for 0D, 1.20 ± 0.08D for 2D, and 1.26 ± 0.40D for 4D. The polychromatic white DOFi were greater than the average monochromatic DOFi by 19%, 9% and 14% for 0D, 2D, and 4D of accommodative demand, respectively. The longitudinal chromatic aberration causes a dioptric shift of the monochromatic accommodation response. The study did not reveal this shift to depend on the accommodative demand or to have an effect on the DOFi. © 2016 The Authors Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics © 2016 The College of Optometrists.

Subadditive responses to extremely short blue and green pulsed light on visual evoked potentials, pupillary constriction and electroretinograms.

PubMed

Lee, Soomin; Uchiyama, Yuria; Shimomura, Yoshihiro; Katsuura, Tetsuo

2017-11-17

The simultaneous exposure to blue and green light was reported to result in less melatonin suppression than monochromatic exposure to blue or green light. Here, we conducted an experiment using extremely short blue- and green-pulsed light to examine their visual and nonvisual effects on visual evoked potentials (VEPs), pupillary constriction, electroretinograms (ERGs), and subjective evaluations. Twelve adult male subjects were exposed to three light conditions: blue-pulsed light (2.5-ms pulse width), green-pulsed light (2.5-ms pulse width), and simultaneous blue- and green-pulsed light with white background light. We measured the subject's pupil diameter three times in each condition. Then, after 10 min of rest, the subject was exposed to the same three light conditions. We measured the averaged ERG and VEP during 210 pulsed-light exposures in each condition. We also determined subjective evaluations using a visual analog scale (VAS) method. The pupillary constriction during the simultaneous exposure to blue- and green-pulsed light was significantly lower than that during the blue-pulsed light exposure despite the double irradiance intensity of the combination. We also found that the b/|a| wave of the ERGs during the simultaneous exposure to blue- and green-pulsed light was lower than that during the blue-pulsed light exposure. We confirmed the subadditive response to pulsed light on pupillary constriction and ERG. However, the P100 of the VEPs during the blue-pulsed light were smaller than those during the simultaneous blue- and green-pulsed light and green-pulsed light, indicating that the P100 amplitude might depend on the luminance of light. Our findings demonstrated the effect of the subadditive response to extremely short pulsed light on pupillary constriction and ERG responses. The effects on ipRGCs by the blue-pulsed light exposure are apparently reduced by the simultaneous irradiation of green light. The blue versus yellow (b/y) bipolar cells in the retina might be responsible for this phenomenon.

Comparative study of the functional properties of lupin, green pea, fava bean, hemp, and buckwheat flours as affected by pH

PubMed Central

Raikos, Vassilios; Neacsu, Madalina; Russell, Wendy; Duthie, Garry

2014-01-01

The demand for products of high nutritional value from sustainable sources is growing rapidly in the global food market. In this study, the effect of pH on the functional properties of lupin, green pea, fava bean, hemp, and buckwheat flours was investigated and compared with wheat flour. Functional properties included solubility, emulsifying and foaming properties, gelling ability, and water holding capacity (WHC). All flours had minimal solubility at pH 4 and their corresponding values increased with increasing pH. Emulsifying properties were improved at pH 10 for all samples and emulsion stability showed a similar trend. Increasing pH in the range 4–10 enhanced the foaming properties of the flours, particularly buckwheat and hemp. Wheat, green pea, buckwheat, and fava bean were more capable of forming firm gels compared with lupin and hemp, as indicated by least gelling concentrations (LGCs). The ranking of the water binding properties of the different types of flours were lupin>hemp>fava bean>buckwheat>green pea>wheat. Results indicate that underutilized flours from sustainable plant sources could be exploited by the food industry as functional food ingredients or as replacements of wheat flour for various food applications. Depending on the application, flour functionality may be effectively tailored by pH adjustment. PMID:25493199

Computing the Dynamic Response of a Stratified Elastic Half Space Using Diffuse Field Theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanchez-Sesma, F. J.; Perton, M.; Molina Villegas, J. C.

2015-12-01

The analytical solution for the dynamic response of an elastic half-space for a normal point load at the free surface is due to Lamb (1904). For a tangential force, we have Chaós (1960) formulae. For an arbitrary load at any depth within a stratified elastic half space, the resulting elastic field can be given in the same fashion, by using an integral representation in the radial wavenumber domain. Typically, computations use discrete wave number (DWN) formalism and Fourier analysis allows for solution in space and time domain. Experimentally, these elastic Greeńs functions might be retrieved from ambient vibrations correlations when assuming a diffuse field. In fact, the field could not be totally diffuse and only parts of the Green's functions, associated to surface or body waves, are retrieved. In this communication, we explore the computation of Green functions for a layered media on top of a half-space using a set of equipartitioned elastic plane waves. Our formalism includes body and surface waves (Rayleigh and Love waves). These latter waves correspond to the classical representations in terms of normal modes in the asymptotic case of large separation distance between source and receiver. This approach allows computing Green's functions faster than DWN and separating the surface and body wave contributions in order to better represent Green's function experimentally retrieved.

Benefits and Challenges of Linking Green Infrastructure and Highway Planning in the United States

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marcucci, Daniel J.; Jordan, Lauren M.

2013-01-01

Landscape-level green infrastructure creates a network of natural and semi-natural areas that protects and enhances ecosystem services, regenerative capacities, and ecological dynamism over long timeframes. It can also enhance quality of life and certain economic activity. Highways create a network for moving goods and services efficiently, enabling commerce, and improving mobility. A fundamentally profound conflict exists between transportation planning and green infrastructure planning because they both seek to create connected, functioning networks across the same landscapes and regions, but transportation networks, especially in the form of highways, fragment and disconnect green infrastructure networks. A key opportunity has emerged in the United States during the last ten years with the promotion of measures to link transportation and environmental concerns. In this article we examined the potential benefits and challenges of linking landscape-level green infrastructure planning and implementation with integrated transportation planning and highway project development in the United States policy context. This was done by establishing a conceptual model that identified logical flow lines from planning to implementation as well as the potential interconnectors between green infrastructure and highway infrastructure. We analyzed the relationship of these activities through literature review, policy analysis, and a case study of a suburban Maryland, USA landscape. We found that regionally developed and adopted green infrastructure plans can be instrumental in creating more responsive regional transportation plans and streamlining the project environmental review process while enabling better outcomes by enabling more targeted mitigation. In order for benefits to occur, however, landscape-scale green infrastructure assessments and plans must be in place before integrated transportation planning and highway project development occurs. It is in the transportation community's interests to actively facilitate green infrastructure planning because it creates a more predictable environmental review context. On the other hand, for landscape-level green infrastructure, transportation planning and development is much more established and better funded and can provide a means of supporting green infrastructure planning and implementation, thereby enhancing conservation of ecological function.

Benefits and challenges of linking green infrastructure and highway planning in the United States.

PubMed

Marcucci, Daniel J; Jordan, Lauren M

2013-01-01

Landscape-level green infrastructure creates a network of natural and semi-natural areas that protects and enhances ecosystem services, regenerative capacities, and ecological dynamism over long timeframes. It can also enhance quality of life and certain economic activity. Highways create a network for moving goods and services efficiently, enabling commerce, and improving mobility. A fundamentally profound conflict exists between transportation planning and green infrastructure planning because they both seek to create connected, functioning networks across the same landscapes and regions, but transportation networks, especially in the form of highways, fragment and disconnect green infrastructure networks. A key opportunity has emerged in the United States during the last ten years with the promotion of measures to link transportation and environmental concerns. In this article we examined the potential benefits and challenges of linking landscape-level green infrastructure planning and implementation with integrated transportation planning and highway project development in the United States policy context. This was done by establishing a conceptual model that identified logical flow lines from planning to implementation as well as the potential interconnectors between green infrastructure and highway infrastructure. We analyzed the relationship of these activities through literature review, policy analysis, and a case study of a suburban Maryland, USA landscape. We found that regionally developed and adopted green infrastructure plans can be instrumental in creating more responsive regional transportation plans and streamlining the project environmental review process while enabling better outcomes by enabling more targeted mitigation. In order for benefits to occur, however, landscape-scale green infrastructure assessments and plans must be in place before integrated transportation planning and highway project development occurs. It is in the transportation community's interests to actively facilitate green infrastructure planning because it creates a more predictable environmental review context. On the other hand, for landscape-level green infrastructure, transportation planning and development is much more established and better funded and can provide a means of supporting green infrastructure planning and implementation, thereby enhancing conservation of ecological function.

Tannase-converted green tea catechins and their anti-wrinkle activity in humans.

PubMed

Hong, Yang-Hee; Jung, Eun Young; Shin, Kwang-Soon; Yu, Kwang-Won; Chang, Un Jae; Suh, Hyung Joo

2013-06-01

This study was performed to investigate the anti-wrinkle effects of topical applications of green tea extract with high antioxidant activity by tannase treatment. Increases in gallic acid (GA), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), and (-)-epicatechin (EC) were observed in the green tea extract after tannase treatment. This study was performed to investigate the anti-wrinkle effects of topical applications of green tea extract exhibiting high antioxidant activity after tannase treatment. Subjects, randomly divided into two groups, received the application of either tannase-converted green tea extract (TGE) or normal green tea extract (NGE) on their crow's feet for 8 weeks. The anti-wrinkle effects were evaluated with two methods: (i) self-assessment; and (ii) average roughness of skin surface (R(a), R(z), and R(t) value) using skin replica and Skin-Visiometer SV 600. The scavenging abilities of TGE against radicals were significantly higher compared to NGE. The evaluation of skin wrinkle index values after 8 weeks of treatment showed that reductions of R(a), R(z), and R(t) values in the TGE group were significantly greater than in the NGE group, which indicated that tannase treatment improved the anti-wrinkle effects of green tea extract. According to the overall ratings for wrinkle treatment by applying the formulations, most of the TGE group (63.60%) reported marked or moderate improvement in wrinkles compared with only 36.30% of the NGE group. Tannase treatment can improve the antioxidant activity of green tea extract, conferring anti-wrinkle activities. These results suggest that TGE may have beneficial properties as an anti-wrinkle agent. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Patterning Self-Assembled Monolayers on Gold: Green Materials Chemistry in the Teaching Laboratory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McFarland, Adam D.; Huffman, Lauren M.; Parent, Kathryn, E.; Hutchison, James E.; Thompson, John E.

2004-01-01

An experiment demonstrating self-assembled monolayer (SAM) chemistry, organic thin-film patterning and the use of molecular functionality to control macroscopic properties is described. Several important green chemistry principles are introduced.

There's a Green Glob in Your Classroom.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dugdale, Sharon

1983-01-01

Discusses computer games (called intrinsic models) focusing on mathematics rather than on unrelated motivations (flashing lights or sounds). Games include "Green Globs," (equations/linear functions), "Darts"/"Torpedo" (fractions), "Escape" (graphing), and "Make-a-Monster" (equivalent fractions and…

[Study on soil enzyme activities and microbial biomass carbon in greenland irrigated with reclaimed water].

PubMed

Pan, Neng; Hou, Zhen-An; Chen, Wei-Ping; Jiao, Wen-Tao; Peng, Chi; Liu, Wen

2012-12-01

The physicochemical properties of soils might be changed under the long-term reclaimed water irrigation. Its effects on soil biological activities have received great attentions. We collected surface soil samples from urban green spaces and suburban farmlands of Beijing. Soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), five types of soil enzyme activities (urease, alkaline phosphatase, invertase, dehydrogenase and catalase) and physicochemical indicators in soils were measured subsequently. SMBC and enzyme activities from green land soils irrigated with reclaimed water were higher than that of control treatments using drinking water, but the difference is not significant in farmland. The SMBC increased by 60.1% and 14.2% than those control treatments in 0-20 cm soil layer of green land and farmland, respectively. Compared with their respective controls, the activities of enzymes in 0-20 cm soil layer of green land and farmland were enhanced by an average of 36.7% and 7.4%, respectively. Investigation of SMBC and enzyme activities decreased with increasing of soil depth. Significantly difference was found between 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm soil layer in green land. Soil biological activities were improved with long-term reclaimed water irrigation in Beijing.

Application of silver nanoparticles in the detection of SYBR Green I by surface enhanced Raman and surface-enhanced fluorescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Wei; Wu, Jian; Wang, Chunyan; Zhang, Tian; Chen, Tao

2018-05-01

Silver nanomaterials have remarkable application in biomedical detection due to their unique surface plasmon resonance (SPR) characteristics. It can be used for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and surface-enhanced fluorescence (SEF). Current research elaborates a technique for improvement of SYBR Green I detection obtained from surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and surface-enhanced fluorescence (SEF) by silver nanoparticles with the average size about 70 nm. Primarily, SYBR Green I is an important fluorescent dye used in polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It is found that both Raman and fluorescence can be used for detection of this dye. Furthermore, the enhanced efficiency of the Raman and fluorescence by SERS and SEF is observed in this study, the enhancement factor for Raman signals is 3.2 × 103, and the fluorescence intensity bincreased two times by SEF. The quantitative detection of SYBR Green I by SERS and SEF can be achieved. The present work can be used to improve the detection of SYBR Green I by SERS and SEF. It would also be employed for high-sensitive detection of other materials in the future.

Quantification, dissipation behavior and risk assessment of ethion in green pea by gas chromatography-electron capture detector.

PubMed

Jan, Ishrat; Dar, Alamgir A; Mubashir, Sofi; Alam Wani, Ashraf; Mukhtar, Malik; Sofi, Khurshid A; Dar, Irshad H; Sofi, Javid A

2018-05-01

Residue investigation was carried out to scrutinize the persistence, dissipation behavior, half-life, and risk assessment of ethion on green pea fruit by spraying ethion at the fruiting stage followed by another application at 10 day intervals. The samples were extracted by using a quick, easy, low-cost, effective, rugged, and safe method, and the residues of ethion were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Here we report a novel, accurate, and cost-effective gas chromatography method for the determination of average deposits of ethion on green pea. The initial deposits were found to be 4.65 mg/kg following the application of insecticide. Residues of ethion reached below the detection limit of 0.10 mg/kg after 25 days at recommended dosage. The half-life of ethion was found to be 4.62 days. For risk assessment studies, the 25th day will be safe for consumers for the consumption of green peas. The developed method is simple, sensitive, selective, and repeatable and can be extended for ethion-based standardization of herbal formulations containing green pea and its use in pesticide industries. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Risk assessment, dissipation behavior and persistence of quinalphos in/on green pea by gas chromatography with electron capture detector.

PubMed

Dar, Alamgir A; Jan, Ishrat; Wani, Ashraf A; Mubashir, Sofi; Sofi, Khurshid A; Sofi, Javid A; Dar, Irshad H

2018-06-01

Chemical investigation was carried out to examine the risk assessment, dissipation behavior, persistence, and half-life period of quinalphos in/on green pea fruit by spraying quinalphos at fruiting stage followed by another application after 10-day interval. The samples were extracted by using the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method, and the residues of quinalphos were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detector. Herein, we report a novel, accurate, and cost-effective gas chromatography method for the determination of average deposits of quinalphos in/on green pea. The initial deposits and half-life of quinalphos were found to be 1.20 mg/kg and 2.77 days, respectively, following the application of insecticide. Residues of quinalphos reached below detection limit of 0.05 mg/kg after 10 days at recommended dosage. For risk assessment studies, the tenth day will be safe for consumers for consumption of green pea. The developed method is simple, selective, and repeatable, and it can be extended for quinalphos-based standardization of herbal formulations containing green pea and its use in pesticide industries. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Vectorial model for guided-mode resonance gratings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fehrembach, A.-L.; Gralak, B.; Sentenac, A.

2018-04-01

We propose a self-consistent vectorial method, based on a Green's function technique, to describe the resonances that appear in guided-mode resonance gratings. The model provides intuitive expressions of the reflectivity and transmittivity matrices of the structure, involving coupling integrals between the modes of a planar reference structure and radiative modes. When one mode is excited, the diffracted field for a suitable polarization can be written as the sum of a resonant and a nonresonant term, thus extending the intuitive approach used to explain the Fano shape of the resonance in scalar configurations. When two modes are excited, we derive a physical analysis in a configuration which requires a vectorial approach. We provide numerical validations of our model. From a technical point of view, we show how the Green's tensor of our planar reference structure can be expressed as two scalar Green's functions, and how to deal with the singularity of the Green's tensor.

The pointwise estimates of diffusion wave of the compressible micropolar fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Zhigang; Wang, Weike

2018-09-01

The pointwise estimates for the compressible micropolar fluids in dimension three are given, which exhibit generalized Huygens' principle for the fluid density and fluid momentum as the compressible Navier-Stokes equation, while the micro-rational momentum behaves like the fluid momentum of the Euler equation with damping. To circumvent the complexity from 7 × 7 Green's matrix, we use the decomposition of fluid part and electromagnetic part for the momentums to study three smaller Green's matrices. The following from this decomposition is that we have to deal with the new problem that the nonlinear terms contain nonlocal operators. We solve it by using the natural match of these new Green's functions and the nonlinear terms. Moreover, to derive the different pointwise estimates for different unknown variables such that the estimate of each unknown variable is in agreement with its Green's function, we develop some new estimates on the nonlinear interplay between different waves.

Magnetic properties of spinels GeNi2-xCoxO4 systems: Green's function and high-temperature series expansions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El Grini, A.; Salmi, S.; Masrour, R.; Hamedoun, M.; Bouslykhane, K.; Marzouk, A.; Hourmatallah, A.; Benzakour, N.

2018-06-01

The Green's function theory and high-temperature series expansions technical have been developed for magnetic systems GeNi2-xCoxO4. We have applied the Green's function theory to evaluate thermal magnetization and magnetic susceptibility for different values of magnetic field and dilution x, considering all components of the magnetization when an external magnetic field is applied in (x,z)-plane. The second theory combined with the Padé approximants method for a randomly diluted Heisenberg magnet is used to deduce the magnetic phase diagram of GeNi2 - xCoxO4 systems. The critical exponents ? and ? associated with the magnetic susceptibility ? and the correlation length ξ, respectively, have been deduced. The theoretical results are compared with those given by magnetic measurements.

Photoacoustic tomography based on the Green's function retrieval with ultrasound interferometry for sample partially behind an acoustically scattering layer

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

Yin, Jie; Department of Automation, Nanjing Polytechnic Institute, 210048 Nanjing; Tao, Chao, E-mail: taochao@nju.edu.cn

2015-06-08

Acoustically inhomogeneous mediums with multiple scattering are often the nightmare of photoacoustic tomography. In order to break this limitation, a photoacoustic tomography scheme combining ultrasound interferometry and time reversal is proposed to achieve images in acoustically scattering medium. An ultrasound interferometry is developed to determine the unknown Green's function of strong scattering tissue. Using the determined Greens' function, a time-reversal process is carried out to restore images behind an acoustically inhomogeneous layer from the scattering photoacoustic signals. This method effectively decreases the false contrast, noise, and position deviation of images induced by the multiple scattering. Phantom experiment is carried outmore » to validate the method. Therefore, the proposed method could have potential value in extending the biomedical applications of photoacoustic tomography in acoustically inhomogeneous tissue.« less

Steady, Oscillatory, and Unsteady Subsonic and Supersonic Aerodynamics, production version (SOUSSA-P 1.1). Volume 1: Theoretical manual. [Green function

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morino, L.

1980-01-01

Recent developments of the Green's function method and the computer program SOUSSA (Steady, Oscillatory, and Unsteady Subsonic and Supersonic Aerodynamics) are reviewed and summarized. Applying the Green's function method to the fully unsteady (transient) potential equation yields an integro-differential-delay equation. With spatial discretization by the finite-element method, this equation is approximated by a set of differential-delay equations in time. Time solution by Laplace transform yields a matrix relating the velocity potential to the normal wash. Premultiplying and postmultiplying by the matrices relating generalized forces to the potential and the normal wash to the generalized coordinates one obtains the matrix of the generalized aerodynamic forces. The frequency and mode-shape dependence of this matrix makes the program SOUSSA useful for multiple frequency and repeated mode-shape evaluations.

Norbornane: An investigation into its valence electronic structure using electron momentum spectroscopy, and density functional and Green's function theories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knippenberg, S.; Nixon, K. L.; Brunger, M. J.; Maddern, T.; Campbell, L.; Trout, N.; Wang, F.; Newell, W. R.; Deleuze, M. S.; Francois, J.-P.; Winkler, D. A.

2004-12-01

We report on the results of an exhaustive study of the valence electronic structure of norbornane (C7H12), up to binding energies of 29 eV. Experimental electron momentum spectroscopy and theoretical Green's function and density functional theory approaches were all utilized in this investigation. A stringent comparison between the electron momentum spectroscopy and theoretical orbital momentum distributions found that, among all the tested models, the combination of the Becke-Perdew functional and a polarized valence basis set of triple-ζ quality provides the best representation of the electron momentum distributions for all of the 20 valence orbitals of norbornane. This experimentally validated quantum chemistry model was then used to extract some chemically important properties of norbornane. When these calculated properties are compared to corresponding results from other independent measurements, generally good agreement is found. Green's function calculations with the aid of the third-order algebraic diagrammatic construction scheme indicate that the orbital picture of ionization breaks down at binding energies larger than 22.5 eV. Despite this complication, they enable insights within 0.2 eV accuracy into the available ultraviolet photoemission and newly presented (e,2e) ionization spectra, except for the band associated with the 1a2-1 one-hole state, which is probably subject to rather significant vibronic coupling effects, and a band at ˜25 eV characterized by a momentum distribution of "s-type" symmetry, which Green's function calculations fail to reproduce. We note the vicinity of the vertical double ionization threshold at ˜26 eV.

Working With the Wave Equation in Aeroacoustics: The Pleasures of Generalized Functions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Farassat, F.; Brentner, Kenneth S.; Dunn, mark H.

2007-01-01

The theme of this paper is the applications of generalized function (GF) theory to the wave equation in aeroacoustics. We start with a tutorial on GFs with particular emphasis on viewing functions as continuous linear functionals. We next define operations on GFs. The operation of interest to us in this paper is generalized differentiation. We give many applications of generalized differentiation, particularly for the wave equation. We discuss the use of GFs in finding Green s function and some subtleties that only GF theory can clarify without ambiguities. We show how the knowledge of the Green s function of an operator L in a given domain D can allow us to solve a whole range of problems with operator L for domains situated within D by the imbedding method. We will show how we can use the imbedding method to find the Kirchhoff formulas for stationary and moving surfaces with ease and elegance without the use of the four-dimensional Green s theorem, which is commonly done. Other subjects covered are why the derivatives in conservation laws should be viewed as generalized derivatives and what are the consequences of doing this. In particular we show how we can imbed a problem in a larger domain for the identical differential equation for which the Green s function is known. The primary purpose of this paper is to convince the readers that GF theory is absolutely essential in aeroacoustics because of its powerful operational properties. Furthermore, learning the subject and using it can be fun.

Spectroscopic Characterization of a Green Copper Site in a Single-Domain Cupredoxin

PubMed Central

Roger, Magali; Biaso, Frédéric; Castelle, Cindy J.; Bauzan, Marielle; Chaspoul, Florence; Lojou, Elisabeth; Sciara, Giuliano; Caffarri, Stefano; Giudici-Orticoni, Marie-Thérèse; Ilbert, Marianne

2014-01-01

Cupredoxins are widespread copper-binding proteins, mainly involved in electron transfer pathways. They display a typical rigid greek key motif consisting of an eight stranded β-sandwich. A fascinating feature of cupredoxins is the natural diversity of their copper center geometry. These geometry variations give rise to drastic changes in their color, such as blue, green, red or purple. Based on several spectroscopic and structural analyses, a connection between the geometry of their copper-binding site and their color has been proposed. However, little is known about the relationship between such diversity of copper center geometry in cupredoxins and possible implications for function. This has been difficult to assess, as only a few naturally occurring green and red copper sites have been described so far. We report herein the spectrocopic characterization of a novel kind of single domain cupredoxin of green color, involved in a respiratory pathway of the acidophilic organism Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Biochemical and spectroscopic characterization coupled to bioinformatics analysis reveal the existence of some unusual features for this novel member of the green cupredoxin sub-family. This protein has the highest redox potential reported to date for a green-type cupredoxin. It has a constrained green copper site insensitive to pH or temperature variations. It is a green-type cupredoxin found for the first time in a respiratory pathway. These unique properties might be explained by a region of unknown function never found in other cupredoxins, and by an unusual length of the loop between the second and the fourth copper ligands. These discoveries will impact our knowledge on non-engineered green copper sites, whose involvement in respiratory chains seems more widespread than initially thought. PMID:24932914

Decoupled diversity dynamics in green and brown webs during primary succession in a saltmarsh.

PubMed

Schrama, Maarten; van der Plas, Fons; Berg, Matty P; Olff, Han

2017-01-01

Terrestrial ecosystems are characterized by a strong functional connection between the green (plant-herbivore-based) and brown (detritus-detritivore-based) parts of the food web, which both develop over successional time. However, the interlinked changes in green and brown food web diversity patterns in relation to key ecosystem processes are rarely studied. Here, we demonstrate changes in species richness, diversity and evenness over a wide range of invertebrate green and brown trophic groups during 100 years of primary succession in a saltmarsh ecosystem, using a well-calibrated chronosequence. We contrast two hypotheses on the relationship between green and brown food web diversity across succession: (i) 'coupled diversity hypothesis', which predicts that all trophic groups covary similarly with the main drivers of successional ecosystem assembly vs. (ii) the 'decoupled diversity hypothesis', where green and brown trophic groups diversity respond to different drivers during succession. We found that, while species richness for plants and invertebrate herbivores (green web groups) both peaked at intermediate productivity and successional age, the diversity of macrodetritivores, microarthropod microbivores and secondary consumers (brown web groups) continuously increased towards the latest successional stages. These results suggest that green web trophic groups are mainly driven by vegetation parameters, such as the amount of bare soil, vegetation biomass production and vegetation height, while brown web trophic groups are mostly driven by the production and standing stock of dead organic material and soil development. Our results show that plant diversity cannot simply be used as a proxy for the diversity of all other species groups that drive ecosystem functioning, as brown and green diversity components in our ecosystem responded differently to successional gradients. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Animal Ecology © 2016 British Ecological Society.

Spectroscopic characterization of a green copper site in a single-domain cupredoxin.

PubMed

Roger, Magali; Biaso, Frédéric; Castelle, Cindy J; Bauzan, Marielle; Chaspoul, Florence; Lojou, Elisabeth; Sciara, Giuliano; Caffarri, Stefano; Giudici-Orticoni, Marie-Thérèse; Ilbert, Marianne

2014-01-01

Cupredoxins are widespread copper-binding proteins, mainly involved in electron transfer pathways. They display a typical rigid greek key motif consisting of an eight stranded β-sandwich. A fascinating feature of cupredoxins is the natural diversity of their copper center geometry. These geometry variations give rise to drastic changes in their color, such as blue, green, red or purple. Based on several spectroscopic and structural analyses, a connection between the geometry of their copper-binding site and their color has been proposed. However, little is known about the relationship between such diversity of copper center geometry in cupredoxins and possible implications for function. This has been difficult to assess, as only a few naturally occurring green and red copper sites have been described so far. We report herein the spectrocopic characterization of a novel kind of single domain cupredoxin of green color, involved in a respiratory pathway of the acidophilic organism Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Biochemical and spectroscopic characterization coupled to bioinformatics analysis reveal the existence of some unusual features for this novel member of the green cupredoxin sub-family. This protein has the highest redox potential reported to date for a green-type cupredoxin. It has a constrained green copper site insensitive to pH or temperature variations. It is a green-type cupredoxin found for the first time in a respiratory pathway. These unique properties might be explained by a region of unknown function never found in other cupredoxins, and by an unusual length of the loop between the second and the fourth copper ligands. These discoveries will impact our knowledge on non-engineered green copper sites, whose involvement in respiratory chains seems more widespread than initially thought.

The amount and integrity of mtDNA in maize decline with development.

PubMed

Oldenburg, Delene J; Kumar, Rachana A; Bendich, Arnold J

2013-02-01

In maize and other grasses there is a developmental gradient from the meristematic cells at the base of the stalk to the differentiated cells at the leaf tip. This gradient presents an opportunity to investigate changes in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that accompany growth under light and dark conditions, as done previously for plastid DNA. Maize mtDNA was analyzed by DAPI-DNA staining of individual mitochondria, gel electrophoresis/blot hybridization, and real-time qPCR. Both the amount and integrity of the mtDNA were found to decline with development. There was a 20-fold decline in mtDNA copy number per cell from the embryo to the light-grown leaf blade. The amount of DNA per mitochondrial particle was greater in dark-grown leaf blade (24 copies, on average) than in the light (2 copies), with some mitochondria lacking any detectable DNA. Three factors that influence the demise of mtDNA during development are considered: (1) the decision to either repair or degrade mtDNA molecules that are damaged by the reactive oxygen species produced as byproducts of respiration; (2) the generation of ATP by photophosphorylation in chloroplasts, reducing the need for respiratory-competent mitochondria; and (3) the shift in mitochondrial function from energy-generating respiration to photorespiration during the transition from non-green to green tissue.

Calculation of photoelectron spectra of molybdenum and tungsten complexes using Green's functions methods.

PubMed

Bayse, Craig A; Ortwine, Kristine N

2007-08-16

Green's functions calculations are presented for several complexes of molybdenum and tungsten, two metals that are similar structurally but display subtle, but significant, differences in electronic structure. Outer valence Green's functions IPs for M(CO)6, M(Me)6, MH6, [MCl4O](-), and [MO4](-) (M = Mo, W) are generally within +/-0.2 eV of available experimental photoelectron spectra. The calculations show that electrons in M-L bonding orbitals are ejected at lower energies for Mo while the detachment energy for electrons in d orbitals varies with metal and complex. For the metal carbonyls, the quasiparticle picture assumed in OVGF breaks down for the inner valence pi CO molecular orbitals due to the coupling of two-hole-one-particle charge transfer states to the one-hole states. Incorporation of the 2h1p states through a Tamm-Dancoff approximation calculation accurately represents the band due to detachment from these molecular orbitals. Though the ordering of IPs for Green's functions methods and DFT Koopmans' theorem IPs is similar for the highest IPs for most compounds considered, the breakdown of the quasiparticle picture for the metal carbonyls suggests that scaling of the latter values may result in a fortuitous or incorrect assignment of experimental VDEs.

Diffusion of phonons through (along and across) the ultrathin crystalline films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Šetrajčić, J. P.; Jaćimovski, S. K.; Vučenović, S. M.

2017-11-01

Instead of usual approach, applying displacement-displacement Green's functions, the momentum-momentum Green's functions will be used to calculate the diffusion tensor. With this type of Green's function we have calculated and analyzed dispersion law in film-structures. A small number of phonon energy levels along the direction of boundary surfaces joint of the film are discrete-ones and in this case standing waves could occur. This is consequence of quantum size effects. These Green's functions enter into Kubo's formula defining diffusion properties of the system and possible heat transfer direction through observed structures. Calculation of the diffusion tensor for phonons in film-structure requires solving of the system of difference equations. Boundary conditions are included into mentioned system through the Hamiltonian of the film-structure. It has been shown that the diagonal elements of the diffusion tensor express discrete behavior of the dispersion law of elementary excitations. More important result is-that they are temperature independent and that their values are much higher comparing with bulk structures. This result favors better heat conduction of the film, but in direction which is perpendicular to boundary film surface. In the same time this significantly favors appearance 2D superconducting surfaces inside the ultra-thin crystal structure, which are parallel to the boundary surface.

Low-rank canonical-tensor decomposition of potential energy surfaces: application to grid-based diagrammatic vibrational Green's function theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rai, Prashant; Sargsyan, Khachik; Najm, Habib; Hermes, Matthew R.; Hirata, So

2017-09-01

A new method is proposed for a fast evaluation of high-dimensional integrals of potential energy surfaces (PES) that arise in many areas of quantum dynamics. It decomposes a PES into a canonical low-rank tensor format, reducing its integral into a relatively short sum of products of low-dimensional integrals. The decomposition is achieved by the alternating least squares (ALS) algorithm, requiring only a small number of single-point energy evaluations. Therefore, it eradicates a force-constant evaluation as the hotspot of many quantum dynamics simulations and also possibly lifts the curse of dimensionality. This general method is applied to the anharmonic vibrational zero-point and transition energy calculations of molecules using the second-order diagrammatic vibrational many-body Green's function (XVH2) theory with a harmonic-approximation reference. In this application, high dimensional PES and Green's functions are both subjected to a low-rank decomposition. Evaluating the molecular integrals over a low-rank PES and Green's functions as sums of low-dimensional integrals using the Gauss-Hermite quadrature, this canonical-tensor-decomposition-based XVH2 (CT-XVH2) achieves an accuracy of 0.1 cm-1 or higher and nearly an order of magnitude speedup as compared with the original algorithm using force constants for water and formaldehyde.

An extended diffraction tomography method for quantifying structural damage using numerical Green's functions.

PubMed

Chan, Eugene; Rose, L R Francis; Wang, Chun H

2015-05-01

Existing damage imaging algorithms for detecting and quantifying structural defects, particularly those based on diffraction tomography, assume far-field conditions for the scattered field data. This paper presents a major extension of diffraction tomography that can overcome this limitation and utilises a near-field multi-static data matrix as the input data. This new algorithm, which employs numerical solutions of the dynamic Green's functions, makes it possible to quantitatively image laminar damage even in complex structures for which the dynamic Green's functions are not available analytically. To validate this new method, the numerical Green's functions and the multi-static data matrix for laminar damage in flat and stiffened isotropic plates are first determined using finite element models. Next, these results are time-gated to remove boundary reflections, followed by discrete Fourier transform to obtain the amplitude and phase information for both the baseline (damage-free) and the scattered wave fields. Using these computationally generated results and experimental verification, it is shown that the new imaging algorithm is capable of accurately determining the damage geometry, size and severity for a variety of damage sizes and shapes, including multi-site damage. Some aspects of minimal sensors requirement pertinent to image quality and practical implementation are also briefly discussed. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ionization energies and electron affinities from a random-phase-approximation many-body Green's-function method including exchange interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heßelmann, Andreas

2017-06-01

A many-body Green's-function method employing an infinite order summation of ring and exchange-ring contributions to the self-energy is presented. The individual correlation and relaxation contributions to the quasiparticle energies are calculated using an iterative scheme which utilizes density fitting of the particle-hole, particle-particle and hole-hole densities. It is shown that the ionization energies and electron affinities of this approach agree better with highly accurate coupled-cluster singles and doubles with perturbative triples energy difference results than those obtained with second-order Green's-function approaches. An analysis of the correlation and relaxation terms of the self-energy for the direct- and exchange-random-phase-approximation (RPA) Green's-function methods shows that the inclusion of exchange interactions leads to a reduction of the two contributions in magnitude. These differences, however, strongly cancel each other when summing the individual terms to the quasiparticle energies. Due to this, the direct- and exchange-RPA methods perform similarly for the description of ionization energies (IPs) and electron affinities (EAs). The coupled-cluster reference IPs and EAs, if corrected to the adiabatic energy differences between the neutral and charged molecules, were shown to be in very good agreement with experimental measurements.

Antigenotoxic and Apoptotic Activity of Green Tea Polyphenol Extracts on Hexavalent Chromium-Induced DNA Damage in Peripheral Blood of CD-1 Mice: Analysis with Differential Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide Staining

PubMed Central

García-Rodríguez, María del Carmen; Carvente-Juárez, Megumi Monserrat; Altamirano-Lozano, Mario Agustín

2013-01-01

This study was conducted to investigate the modulating effects of green tea polyphenols on genotoxic damage and apoptotic activity induced by hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)] in CD-1 mice. Animals were divided into the following groups: (i) injected with vehicle; (ii) treated with green tea polyphenols (30 mg/kg) via gavage; (iii) injected with CrO3 (20 mg/kg) intraperitoneally; (iv) treated with green tea polyphenols in addition to CrO3. Genotoxic damage was evaluated by examining micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MN-PCEs) obtained from peripheral blood at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment. Induction of apoptosis and cell viability were assessed by differential acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining. Treatment of green tea polyphenols led to no significant changes in the MN-PCEs. However, CrO3 treatment significantly increased MN-PCEs at 24 and 48 h after injection. Green tea polyphenols treatment prior to CrO3 injection led to a decrease in MN-PCEs compared to the group treated with CrO3 only. The average of apoptotic cells was increased at 48 h after treatment compared to control mice, suggesting that apoptosis could contribute to eliminate the DNA damaged cells induced by Cr (VI). Our findings support the proposed protective effects of green tea polyphenols against the genotoxic damage induced by Cr (VI). PMID:24363823

Convective Cloud Towers and Precipitation Initiation, Frequency and Intensity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vant-hull, B.; Mahani, S. E.; Autones, F.; Rabin, R.; Mecikalski, J. R.; Khanbilvardi, R.

2012-12-01

: Geosynchronous satellite retrieval of precipitation is desirable because it would provide continuous observation throughout most of the globe in regions where radar data is not available. In the current work the distribution of precipitation rates is examined as a function of cloud tower area and cloud top temperature. A thunderstorm tracking algorithm developed at Meteo-France is used to track cumulus towers that are matched up with radar data at 5 minute 1 km resolution. It is found that roughly half of the precipitation occurs in the cloud mass that surrounds the towers, and when a tower is first detected the precipitation is already in progress 50% of the time. The average density of precipitation per area is greater as the towers become smaller and colder, yet the averaged shape of the precipitation intensity distribution is remarkably constant in all convective situations with cloud tops warmer than 220 K. This suggests that on average all convective precipitation events look the same, unaffected by the higher frequency of occurrence per area inside the convective towers. Only once the cloud tops are colder than 220 K does the precipitation intensity distribution become weighted towards higher instantaneous intensities. Radar precipitation shown in shades of green to blue, lightning in orange; black diamonds are coldest points in each tower. Ratio of number of pixels of given precipitation inside versus outside the convective towers, for various average cloud top temperatures. A flat plot indicates the distribution of rainfall inside and outside the towers has the same shape.

Green tea consumption affects cognitive dysfunction in the elderly: a pilot study.

PubMed

Ide, Kazuki; Yamada, Hiroshi; Takuma, Norikata; Park, Mijong; Wakamiya, Noriko; Nakase, Junpei; Ukawa, Yuuichi; Sagesaka, Yuko M

2014-09-29

Green tea is known to have various health benefits for humans. However, the effect of green tea consumption on cognitive dysfunction remains to be clinically verified. We conducted a clinical study to investigate the effects of green tea consumption on cognitive dysfunction. Twelve elderly nursing home residents with cognitive dysfunction (Mini-Mental State Examination Japanese version (MMSE-J) score: <28) participated in the study (2 men, 10 women; mean age, 88 years). The participants consumed green tea powder 2 g/day for 3 months. After three months of green tea consumption, the participants' MMSE-J scores were significantly improved (before, 15.3 ± 7.7; after, 17.0 ± 8.2; p = 0.03). This result suggests that green tea consumption may be effective in improving cognitive function or reducing the progression of cognitive dysfunction; however, long-term large-scale controlled studies are needed to further clarify the effect.

Water quality of Lake Arlington on Village Creek, north-central Texas; 1973 to 1981

USGS Publications Warehouse

Andrews, Freeman L.; Gibbons, Willard J.

1983-01-01

The densities and composition of algal populations varied seasonally. At site AC, total algae counts ranged from 200 to 240,000 cells per mi Hi liter and averaged about 50,000 cells per milliliter. At site FC, total algae counts ranged from 1,000 to 290,000 cells per milliliter and averaged about 56,000 cells per milliliter. Algal densities were greatest during the summer with blue-green algae being the predominant phyla.

A green and black tea extract benefits urological health in men with lower urinary tract symptoms

PubMed Central

Efros, Mitchell; Kaminetsky, Jed; Herrlinger, Kelli; Chirouzes, Diana; Ceddia, Michael

2014-01-01

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of a green and black tea extract blend [AssuriTEA Men’s Health (AMH)] in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 46 men aged 30–70 with an American Urologic Association symptom score (AUAss) of at least 8 and up to 24 were randomized to 500 mg AMH, 1000 mg AMH, or placebo daily for 12 weeks. Measurements were taken at baseline (BL), week 6 and week 12 for AUAss, simple uroflowmetry, postvoid residual volume (PVR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Results: A total of 40 subjects completed the study. AUAss decreased 34.5% from BL to week 12 in the 1000 mg AMH group (p = 0.008). At week 12, CRP increased in the 500 mg AMH (p = 0.003) and placebo (p = 0.012) groups from their BL levels but not in the 1000 mg group. Average urine flow (Qmean) increased in the 500 mg (p = 0.033) and 1000 mg AMH (p = 0.002) groups versus placebo. PVR decreased in the 1000 mg AMH group (p = 0.034) from BL at week 6. Treatment group effects were observed for the physical functioning and sexual desire domains of the SF-36 and IIEF (p = 0.051 and p = 0.005 respectively). AMH was well tolerated. Conclusions: Oral administration of AMH improved LUTS and quality of life in as little as 6 weeks. PMID:24883106

Green synthesis of Kocuran-functionalized silver glyconanoparticles for use as antibiofilm coatings on silicone urethral catheters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ganesh Kumar, C.; Sujitha, Pombala

2014-08-01

Microbial infections due to biofilm formation on medical implants are serious complications arising after surgery which can be prevented by using antimicrobial coatings on biomaterial surfaces. We developed a simple, rapid and green chemistry approach for synthesis of silver glyconanoparticles (AgNPs) using Kocuran, an exopolysaccharide produced by Kocuria rosea strain BS-1. Kocuran-capped AgNPs exhibited a characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak around 435 nm. They were mono-dispersed, spherical with an average particle size of 12 nm. XRD and SAED studies suggested that AgNPs were crystalline in nature. AgNPs had a zeta potential of -33.9 mV and were anionic charged. They showed colloidal stability at different pH (6 to 10), temperatures (30 °C to 100 °C), in NaCl, NaNO3 and BSA solutions. Kocuran-capped AgNPs exhibited effective antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and cell death was mainly due to hydroxyl radical induction and depletion of NADH. They also inhibited the biofilm development by S. aureus and E. coli and confocal scanning laser microscopic images revealed the damage of intact cell architecture. In vitro evaluation of Kocuran-capped silver glyconanoparticles on human gingival fibroblasts demonstrated good cell proliferation as compared to commercial AgNPs suggesting that they are biocompatible and non-toxic in nature. This is a first report on Kocuran-functionalized AgNPs exhibiting potential antibacterial and antiadhesive properties for use as antimicrobial coatings against bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on silicone urethral catheters.

Effects of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed oil press-cake and decaffeinated green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) on functional characteristics of gluten-free crackers.

PubMed

Radočaj, Olga; Dimić, Etelka; Tsao, Rong

2014-03-01

A mixture, simplex centroid, 2 components experimental design was used to evaluate the addition of hemp seed oil press-cake and decaffeinated green tea leaves, as functional ingredients to assess nutritional characteristics and antioxidant properties of gluten-free crackers. All samples with added hemp flour had much better nutritional qualities than the brown rice flour crackers in terms of higher protein, crude fibers, minerals, and essential fatty acids content. Likewise, all samples with added decaffeinated green tea leaves had much better antioxidant properties than crackers with no added green tea leaves. All crackers with added hemp flour had a significantly increased fiber content (39% to 249%) and decreased carbohydrate content (8.4% to 42.3%), compared to the brown rice flour crackers. All samples had antioxidant properties, even without the addition of green tea leaves. Optimization of the responses was conducted based on the maximized values for protein, fibers, omega-3 fatty acids content, as well as for the antioxidant activity and overall score. The suggested values for the addition of the hemp oil press-cake was 20% (total flour weight) with 4 g of decaffeinated green tea leaves that would provide protein content of 14.1 g/100 g; fibers content of 8.4 g/100 g; omega-3 fatty acids content of 3.2 g/100 g; antioxidant activity measured via 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl value of 30.3 μmol TE/g d.w.; and an overall score of 8.9. This formulation has demonstrated potential application in the baking industry and marketing of these gluten-free crackers as a value-added functional product. Hemp seed oil press-cake as a by-product of cold-pressed oil processing and brown rice flour were used to design a functional gluten-free snack-type product-savory crackers. All crackers were high in minerals, fibers, and omega-3 fatty acids with a desirable omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids ratio. Green tea leaves were added to improve antioxidant activity, which greatly contributed to their functional properties. This qualified the crackers as a healthy snack with a minimal content saturated fatty acids and an abundance of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids that originated from chia seeds residual oil present in the hemp flour. © 2014 Institute of Food Technologists®

Application of the Green's function method for 2- and 3-dimensional steady transonic flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tseng, K.

1984-01-01

A Time-Domain Green's function method for the nonlinear time-dependent three-dimensional aerodynamic potential equation is presented. The Green's theorem is being used to transform the partial differential equation into an integro-differential-delay equation. Finite-element and finite-difference methods are employed for the spatial and time discretizations to approximate the integral equation by a system of differential-delay equations. Solution may be obtained by solving for this nonlinear simultaneous system of equations in time. This paper discusses the application of the method to the Transonic Small Disturbance Equation and numerical results for lifting and nonlifting airfoils and wings in steady flows are presented.

Comparison of different final impression techniques for management of resorbed mandibular ridge: a case report.

PubMed

Yadav, Bhupender; Jayna, Manisha; Yadav, Harish; Suri, Shrey; Phogat, Shefali; Madan, Reshu

2014-01-01

The history of complete denture impression procedures has been influenced largely by the development of impression materials from which new techniques and ideas arose. The purpose of this study was to compare the retention of complete dentures made by using different impression techniques like conventional, admixed, all green, and functional techniques. The results showed that there was significant difference in retention between the six techniques where functional technique showed the highest mean value of retention followed by elastomeric, all green, and admixed, while cocktail and green stick compound showed the lowest mean value. However, on clinical examination, the retention produced by the six techniques was satisfactory.

Comparison of Different Final Impression Techniques for Management of Resorbed Mandibular Ridge: A Case Report

PubMed Central

Yadav, Bhupender; Jayna, Manisha; Yadav, Harish; Suri, Shrey; Phogat, Shefali; Madan, Reshu

2014-01-01

The history of complete denture impression procedures has been influenced largely by the development of impression materials from which new techniques and ideas arose. The purpose of this study was to compare the retention of complete dentures made by using different impression techniques like conventional, admixed, all green, and functional techniques. The results showed that there was significant difference in retention between the six techniques where functional technique showed the highest mean value of retention followed by elastomeric, all green, and admixed, while cocktail and green stick compound showed the lowest mean value. However, on clinical examination, the retention produced by the six techniques was satisfactory. PMID:25180105

Resonance, criticality, and emergence in city traffic investigated in cellular automaton models.

PubMed

Varas, A; Cornejo, M D; Toledo, B A; Muñoz, V; Rogan, J; Zarama, R; Valdivia, J A

2009-11-01

The complex behavior that occurs when traffic lights are synchronized is studied for a row of interacting cars. The system is modeled through a cellular automaton. Two strategies are considered: all lights in phase and a "green wave" with a propagating green signal. It is found that the mean velocity near the resonant condition follows a critical scaling law. For the green wave, it is shown that the mean velocity scaling law holds even for random separation between traffic lights and is not dependent on the density. This independence on car density is broken when random perturbations are considered in the car velocity. Random velocity perturbations also have the effect of leading the system to an emergent state, where cars move in clusters, but with an average velocity which is independent of traffic light switching for large injection rates.

Green synthesis and spectral characterization of silver nanoparticles from Lakshmi tulasi (Ocimum sanctum) leaf extract

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Subba Rao, Y.; Kotakadi, Venkata S.; Prasad, T. N. V. K. V.; Reddy, A. V.; Sai Gopal, D. V. R.

2013-02-01

A simple method for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous extract of Lakshmi tulasi (Ocimum sanctum) leaf as a reducing and stabilizing agent. AgNPs were rapidly synthesized using aqueous extract of tulasi leaf with AgNO3 solution within 15 min. The green synthesized AgNPs were characterized using physic-chemical techniques viz., UV-Vis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) coupled with X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Characterization data reveals that the particles were crystalline in nature and triangle shaped with an average size of 42 nm. The zeta potential of AgNPs were found to be -55.0 mV. This large negative zeta potential value indicates repulsion among AgNPs and their dispersion stability.

Incidence of the pine wood nematode in green coniferous sawn wood in Oregon and California. Forest Service research note

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

Dwinell, L.D.

1993-05-01

Samples of green sawn Douglas-fir, redwood, ponderosa pine, and white fir were collected in August and September 1992 from seven mills in Oregon and California, and assayed for the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. The mills produced about 108 million board feet during the survey period. The pine wood nematode was not found in any of the 424 samples of Douglas-fir, the 192 of redwood, or the 3 of white fir. The nematode was recovered from 8 of 105 samples of green ponderosa pine lumber from a mill in Oregon. These eight samples contained an average of 54 pine woodmore » nematodes per gram of dry weight. This is the first report of the pine wood nematode in Oregon.« less

Photodynamic inactivation of microorganisms which cause pulmonary diseases with infrared light: an in vitro study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leite, Ilaiáli S.; Geralde, Mariana C.; Salina, Ana C.; Medeiros, Alexandra I.; Kurachi, Cristina; Bagnato, Vanderlei S.; Inada, Natalia M.

2014-03-01

Lower respiratory infections are among the leading causes of death worldwide. In this study, it was evaluated the interaction of indocyanine green, a photosensitizer activated by infrared light, with alveolar macrophages and the effectiveness of the photodynamic therapy using this compound against Streptococcus pneumoniae . Initial experiments analyzed indocyanine green toxicity to alveolar macrophages in the dark with different drug concentrations and incubation times, and macrophage viability was obtained with the MTT method. The average of the results showed viability values below 90% for the two highest concentrations. Experiments with Streptococcus pneumoniae showed photodynamic inactivation with 10 μM indocyanine green solution. Further experiments with the bacteria in co-culture with AM will be conducted verifying the photodynamic inactivation effectiveness of the tested drug concentrations and incubation periods using infrared light.

Modified Grice-Green subtalar arthrodesis performed using a partial fibular graft yields satisfactory results in patients with cerebral palsy.

PubMed

Güven, Melih; Tokyay, Abbas; Akman, Budak; Encan, Mehmet E; Altintaş, Faik

2016-03-01

The aim of this study was to report the experience with the use of a modified Grice-Green technique, which was performed using a partial subperiosteal fibular bone graft because of valgus unstable foot in children with cerebral palsy. Fifteen feet of 11 patients were evaluated on the basis of the appearance of the feet, clinical symptoms, and radiographic measurements. After an average follow-up duration of 24 (9-39) months, all feet showed satisfactory clinical and radiological results. Solid fusion and sustained correction took place in all feet. The gap at the donor site was bridged with new bone in all cases. No donor-site morbidity was detected. This modification of the Grice-Green technique can be used effectively in the correction of planovalgus foot in cerebral palsy.

Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles by a green process and the investigation of their physical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nethavhanani, T.; Diallo, A.; Madjoe, R.; Kotsedi, L.; Maaza, M.

2018-05-01

This contribution reports on the synthesis and the physical properties of ZnO nanoparticles prepared using a green chemistry process. Aspalathus Linearis's extract was used as an effective chelating agent. The whole reaction process for the ZnO nanoparticle was conducted at room temperature. The microstructural properties of ZnO was investigated using X-ray diffraction, furthermore Electron Dispersive X-rays Spectroscopy was employed as quantitative elemental analysis. From the Transmission Electron Microscopy results, the ZnO nanoparticles were found to be highly crystalline with an average diameter of 23.7 nm.