Studying neuronal biomechanics and its role in CNS development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franze, Kristian; Svoboda, Hanno; da F. Costa, Luciano; Guck, Jochen; Holt, Christine

2013-03-01

During the development of the nervous system, neurons migrate and grow over great distances. Currently, our understanding of nervous tissue development is, in large part, based on studies of biochemical signaling. Despite the fact that forces are involved in any kind of cell motion, mechanical aspects have so far rarely been considered. Here we used deformable cell culture substrates, traction force microscopy and calcium imaging to investigate how neurons probe and respond to their mechanical environment. While the growth rate of retinal ganglion cell axons was increased on stiffer substrates, their tendency to grow in bundles, which they show in vivo, was significantly enhanced on more compliant substrates. Moreover, if grown on substrates incorporating linear stiffness gradients, neuronal axons were repelled by stiff substrates. Mechanosensing involved the application of forces driven by the interaction of actin and myosin II, and the activation of stretch-activated ion channels leading to calcium influxes into the cells. Applying a modified atomic force microscopy techniquein vivo, we found mechanical gradients in developing brain tissue along which neurons grow. The application of chondroitin sulfate, which is a major extracellular matrix component in the developing brain, changed tissue mechanics and disrupted axonal pathfinding. Hence, our data suggest that neuronal growth is not only guided by chemical signals - as it is currently assumed - but also by the nervous tissue's mechanical properties.

Generating multiplex gradients of biomolecules for controlling cellular adhesion in parallel microfluidic channels.

PubMed

Didar, Tohid Fatanat; Tabrizian, Maryam

2012-11-07

Here we present a microfluidic platform to generate multiplex gradients of biomolecules within parallel microfluidic channels, in which a range of multiplex concentration gradients with different profile shapes are simultaneously produced. Nonlinear polynomial gradients were also generated using this device. The gradient generation principle is based on implementing parrallel channels with each providing a different hydrodynamic resistance. The generated biomolecule gradients were then covalently functionalized onto the microchannel surfaces. Surface gradients along the channel width were a result of covalent attachments of biomolecules to the surface, which remained functional under high shear stresses (50 dyn/cm(2)). An IgG antibody conjugated to three different fluorescence dyes (FITC, Cy5 and Cy3) was used to demonstrate the resulting multiplex concentration gradients of biomolecules. The device enabled generation of gradients with up to three different biomolecules in each channel with varying concentration profiles. We were also able to produce 2-dimensional gradients in which biomolecules were distributed along the length and width of the channel. To demonstrate the applicability of the developed design, three different multiplex concentration gradients of REDV and KRSR peptides were patterned along the width of three parallel channels and adhesion of primary human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) in each channel was subsequently investigated using a single chip.

Geomorphic effects of rural-to-urban land use conversion on three streams in the Central Redbed Plains of Oklahoma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kang, Ranbir S.; Marston, Richard A.

2006-09-01

This research evaluates the impact of rural-to-urban land use conversion on channel morphology and riparian vegetation for three streams in the Central Redbed Plains geomorphic province (central Great Plains ecoregion) of Oklahoma. The Deep Fork Creek watershed is largely urbanized; the Skeleton Creek watershed is largely rural; and the Stillwater Creek watershed is experiencing a rapid transition from rural to urban land cover. Each channel was divided into reaches based on tributary junctions, sinuosity, and slope. Field surveys were conducted at transects in a total of 90 reaches, including measurements of channel units, channel cross-section at bankfull stage, and riparian vegetation. Historical aerial photographs were available for only Stillwater Creek watershed, which were used to document land cover in this watershed, especially changes in the extent of urban areas (impervious cover). The three streams have very low gradients (< 0.001), width-to-depth ratios < 10, and cohesive channel banks, but have incised into red Permian shales and sandstone. The riparian vegetation is dominated by cottonwoods, ash, and elm trees that provide a dense root mat on stream banks where the riparian vegetation is intact. Channels increased in width and depth in the downstream direction as is normally expected, but the substrate materials and channel units remained unchanged. Statistical analyses demonstrated that urbanization did not explain spatial patterns of changes in any variables. These three channels in the central Redbed Plains are responding as flumes during peak flows, funneling runoff and the wash-load sediment downstream in major runoff events without any effect on channel dimensions. Therefore, local geological conditions (similar bedrock, cohesive substrates and similar riparian vegetation) are mitigating the effects of urbanization.

Ion channel-transporter interactions

PubMed Central

Neverisky, Daniel L.; Abbott, Geoffrey W.

2016-01-01

All living cells require membrane proteins that act as conduits for the regulated transport of ions, solutes and other small molecules across the cell membrane. Ion channels provide a pore that permits often rapid, highly selective, and tightly regulated movement of ions down their electrochemical gradient. In contrast, active transporters can move moieties up their electrochemical gradient. The secondary active transporters (such as SLC superfamily solute transporters) achieve this by coupling uphill movement of the substrate to downhill movement of another ion, such as sodium. The primary active transporters (including H+/K+-ATPases and Na+/K+-ATPases) utilize ATP hydrolysis as an energy source to power uphill transport. It is well known that proteins in each of these classes work in concert with members of the other classes to ensure, for example, ion homeostasis, ion secretion, and restoration of ion balance following action potentials. More recently, evidence is emerging of direct physical interaction between true ion channels, and some primary or secondary active transporters. Here, we review the first known members of this new class of macromolecular complexes that we term “chansporters”, explore their biological roles, and discuss the pathophysiological consequences of their disruption. We compare functional and/or physical interactions between the ubiquitous KCNQ1 potassium channel and various active transporters, and examine other newly discovered chansporter complexes that suggest we may be seeing the tip of the iceberg in a newly emerging signaling modality. PMID:27098917

Bedload entrainment in low-gradient paraglacial coastal rivers of Maine, U.S.A.: Implications for habitat restoration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Snyder, Noah P.; Castele, Michael R.; Wright, Jed R.

2009-02-01

The rivers of coastal Maine flow through mainstem lakes and long low-gradient reaches that break the continuum of bedload transport expected in nonparaglacial landscapes. Stream erosion of glacial deposits supplies coarse sediment to these systems. The land use history includes intensive timber harvest and associated dam construction, which may have altered the frequency of substrate-mobilizing events. These watersheds are vital habitat for the last remaining wild anadromous Atlantic salmon in the United States. Future adjustments in channel morphology and habitat quality (via natural stream processes or restoration projects) depend on erosion, transport, and deposition of coarse sediment. These factors motivate our study of competence at four sites in the Sheepscot and Narraguagus watersheds. Three of the four sites behaved roughly similarly, with particle entrainment during intervals that include winter ice and spring flood conditions, and relatively minor bed mobilization during moderate floods in the summer and fall (with a recurrence interval of 2-3 years). The fourth site, on the Sheepscot River mainstem, exhibits more vigorous entrainment of marked particles and more complex three-dimensional channel morphology. This contrast is partially due to local geomorphic conditions that favor high shear stresses (particularly relatively steep gradient), but also likely to nourishment of the bedload saltation system by recruitment from an eroding glacial deposit upstream. Our results suggest that the frequency and magnitude of bedload transport are reach specific, depending on factors including local channel geometry, upstream sediment supply and transport, and formation of anchor ice. This presents a challenge for stream practitioners in this region: different reaches may require contrasting management strategies. Our results underscore the importance of understanding channel processes at a given site and assessing conditions upstream and downstream as a prerequisite for conducting habitat restoration projects.

Microelectromechanical pump utilizing porous silicon

DOEpatents

Lantz, Jeffrey W [Albuquerque, NM; Stalford, Harold L [Norman, OK

2011-07-19

A microelectromechanical (MEM) pump is disclosed which includes a porous silicon region sandwiched between an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. The porous silicon region is formed in a silicon substrate and contains a number of pores extending between the inlet and outlet chambers, with each pore having a cross-section dimension about equal to or smaller than a mean free path of a gas being pumped. A thermal gradient is provided along the length of each pore by a heat source which can be an electrical resistance heater or an integrated circuit (IC). A channel can be formed through the silicon substrate so that inlet and outlet ports can be formed on the same side of the substrate, or so that multiple MEM pumps can be connected in series to form a multi-stage MEM pump. The MEM pump has applications for use in gas-phase MEM chemical analysis systems, and can also be used for passive cooling of ICs.

Fabrication of microfluidic architectures for optimal flow rate and concentration measurement for lab on chip application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adam, Tijjani; Hashim, U.

2017-03-01

Optimum flow in micro channel for sensing purpose is challenging. In this study, The optimizations of the fluid sample flows are made through the design and characterization of the novel microfluidics' architectures to achieve the optimal flow rate in the micro channels. The biocompatibility of the Polydimetylsiloxane (Sylgard 184 silicon elastomer) polymer used to fabricate the device offers avenue for the device to be implemented as the universal fluidic delivery system for bio-molecules sensing in various bio-medical applications. The study uses the following methodological approaches, designing a novel microfluidics' architectures by integrating the devices on a single 4 inches silicon substrate, fabricating the designed microfluidic devices using low-cost solution soft lithography technique, characterizing and validating the flow throughput of urine samples in the micro channels by generating pressure gradients through the devices' inlets. The characterization on the urine samples flow in the micro channels have witnessed the constant flow throughout the devices.

Historical Channel Changes in Cache Creek, Capay Valley, California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Higgins, S. A.; Kamman, G. R.

2009-12-01

Historical channel changes were assessed for the 21-mile segment of Cache Creek through Capay Valley in order to evaluate temporal changes in stream channel morphology. The Capay Valley segment of Cache Creek is primarily a low-gradient channel with a gravel/cobble substrate. Hydrologic conditions have been affected by dam operations that store runoff during the wet season and deliver water during the dry season for downstream irrigation uses. Widespread distribution of invasive plant species has altered the condition of the riparian corridor. The assessment evaluated a hypothesis that historical changes in hydrology and vegetation cover have triggered changes in geomorphic conditions. Historic channel alignments were digitized to assess planform channel adjustments. Results illustrate a dynamic system with frequent channel movements throughout the historic period. Evaluation of longitudinal channel adjustments revealed a relatively stable bed surface elevation since the 1930’s. Comparisons of cross-sectional channel geometry for topographic profiles surveyed in 1984 were compared to equivalent features in a LiDAR survey from 2008. The comparisons show a relatively consistent channel geometry that has maintained a similar form despite rather large planform adjustments with areas of bank retreat in excess of 500 feet. Results suggest that the study reach has maintained a relatively stable morphology through a series of dynamic planform adjustments during the historic period.

Structural pathway of regulated substrate transfer and threading through an Hsp100 disaggregase.

PubMed

Deville, Célia; Carroni, Marta; Franke, Kamila B; Topf, Maya; Bukau, Bernd; Mogk, Axel; Saibil, Helen R

2017-08-01

Refolding aggregated proteins is essential in combating cellular proteotoxic stress. Together with Hsp70, Hsp100 chaperones, including Escherichia coli ClpB, form a powerful disaggregation machine that threads aggregated polypeptides through the central pore of tandem adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) rings. To visualize protein disaggregation, we determined cryo-electron microscopy structures of inactive and substrate-bound ClpB in the presence of adenosine 5'- O -(3-thiotriphosphate), revealing closed AAA+ rings with a pronounced seam. In the substrate-free state, a marked gradient of resolution, likely corresponding to mobility, spans across the AAA+ rings with a dynamic hotspot at the seam. On the seam side, the coiled-coil regulatory domains are locked in a horizontal, inactive orientation. On the opposite side, the regulatory domains are accessible for Hsp70 binding, substrate targeting, and activation. In the presence of the model substrate casein, the polypeptide threads through the entire pore channel and increased nucleotide occupancy correlates with higher ATPase activity. Substrate-induced domain displacements indicate a pathway of regulated substrate transfer from Hsp70 to the ClpB pore, inside which a spiral of loops contacts the substrate. The seam pore loops undergo marked displacements, along with ordering of the regulatory domains. These asymmetric movements suggest a mechanism for ATPase activation and substrate threading during disaggregation.

Solvent Flux Method (SFM): A Case Study of Water Access to Candida antarctica Lipase B.

PubMed

Benson, Sven P; Pleiss, Jürgen

2014-11-11

The solvent flux method (SFM) was developed to comprehensively characterize the influx of solvent molecules from the solvent environment into the active site of a protein in the framework of molecular dynamics simulations. This was achieved by introducing a solvent concentration gradient as well as partially reorienting and rescaling the velocity vector of all solvent molecules contained within a spherical volume enclosing the protein, thus inducing an accelerated solvent influx toward the active site. In addition to the detection of solvent access pathway within the protein structure, it is hereby possible to identify potential amino acid positions relevant to solvent-related enzyme engineering with high statistical significance. The method is particularly aimed at improving the reverse hydrolysis reaction rates in nonaqueous media. Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) binds to a triglyceride-water interface with its substrate entrance channel oriented toward the hydrophobic substrate interface. The lipase-triglyceride-water system served as a model system for SFM to evaluate the influx of water molecules to the active site. As a proof of principle for SFM, a previously known water access pathway in CALB was identified as the primary water channel. In addition, a secondary water channel and two pathways for water access which contribute to water leakage between the protein and the triglyceride-water interface were identified.

Planar waveguide sensor of ammonia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rogoziński, Roman; Tyszkiewicz, Cuma; Karasiński, Paweł; Izydorczyk, Weronika

2015-12-01

The paper presents the concept of forming ammonia sensor based on a planar waveguide structure. It is an amplitude sensor produced on the basis of the multimode waveguide. The technological base for this kind of structure is the ion exchange method and the sol-gel method. The planar multimode waveguide of channel type is produced in glass substrate (soda-lime glass of Menzel-Glaser company) by the selective Ag+↔Na+ ion exchange. On the surface of the glass substrate a porous (~40%) silica layer is produced by the sol-gel method. This layer is sensitized to the presence of ammonia in the surrounding atmosphere by impregnation with Bromocresol Purple (BCP) dye. Therefore it constitutes a sensor layer. Spectrophotometric tests carried out showed about 50% reduction of cross-transmission changes of such sensor layer for a wave λ=593 nm caused by the presence of 25% ammonia water vapor in its ambience. The radiation source used in this type of sensor structure is a light emitting diode LED. The gradient channel waveguide is designed for frontal connection (optical glue) with a standard multimode telecommunications waveguide 62.5/125μm.

Design keys for paper-based concentration gradient generators.

PubMed

Schaumburg, Federico; Urteaga, Raúl; Kler, Pablo A; Berli, Claudio L A

2018-08-03

The generation of concentration gradients is an essential operation for several analytical processes implemented on microfluidic paper-based analytical devices. The dynamic gradient formation is based on the transverse dispersion of chemical species across co-flowing streams. In paper channels, this transverse flux of molecules is dominated by mechanical dispersion, which is substantially different than molecular diffusion, which is the mechanism acting in conventional microchannels. Therefore, the design of gradient generators on paper requires strategies different from those used in traditional microfluidics. This work considers the foundations of transverse dispersion in porous substrates to investigate the optimal design of microfluidic paper-based concentration gradient generators (μPGGs) by computer simulations. A set of novel and versatile μPGGs were designed in the format of numerical prototypes, and virtual experiments were run to explore the ranges of operation and the overall performance of such devices. Then physical prototypes were fabricated and experimentally tested in our lab. Finally, some basic rules for the design of optimized μPGGs are proposed. Apart from improving the efficiency of mixers, diluters and μPGGs, the results of this investigation are relevant to attain highly controlled concentration fields on paper-based devices. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Turbine component having surface cooling channels and method of forming same

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

Miranda, Carlos Miguel; Trimmer, Andrew Lee; Kottilingam, Srikanth Chandrudu

2017-09-05

A component for a turbine engine includes a substrate that includes a first surface, and an insert coupled to the substrate proximate the substrate first surface. The component also includes a channel. The channel is defined by a first channel wall formed in the substrate and a second channel wall formed by at least one coating disposed on the substrate first surface. The component further includes an inlet opening defined in flow communication with the channel. The inlet opening is defined by a first inlet wall formed in the substrate and a second inlet wall defined by the insert.

Transmission electron microscope cells for use with liquid samples

DOEpatents

Khalid, Waqas; Alivisatos, Paul A.; Zettl, Alexander K.

2016-08-09

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices related to transmission electron microscopy cells for use with liquids. In one aspect a device includes a substrate, a first graphene layer, and a second graphene layer. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface defines a first channel, a second channel, and an outlet channel. The first channel and the second channel are joined to the outlet channel. The outlet channel defines a viewport region forming a though hole in the substrate. The first graphene layer overlays the first surface of the substrate, including an interior area of the first channel, the second channel, and the outlet channel. The second graphene layer overlays the first surface of the substrate, including open regions defined by the first channel, the second channel, and the outlet channel.

Micro-channel filling flow considering surface tension effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Dong Sung; Lee, Kwang-Cheol; Kwon, Tai Hun; Lee, Seung S.

2002-05-01

Understanding filling flow into micro-channels is important in designing micro-injection molding, micro-fluidic devices and an MIMIC (micromolding in capillaries) process. In this paper, we investigated, both experimentally and numerically, 'transient filling' flow into micro-channels, which differs from steady-state completely 'filled' flow in micro-channels. An experimental flow visualization system was devised to facilitate observation of flow characteristics in filling into micro-channels. Three sets of micro-channels of various widths of different thicknesses (20, 30, and 40 μm) were fabricated using SU-8 on the silicon substrate to find a geometric effect with regard to pressure gradient, viscous force and, in particular, surface tension. A numerical analysis system has also been developed taking into account the surface tension effect with a contact angle concept. Experimental observations indicate that surface tension significantly affects the filling flow to such an extent that even a flow blockage phenomenon was observed at channels of small width and thickness. A numerical analysis system also confirms that the flow blockage phenomenon could take place due to the flow hindrance effect of surface tension, which is consistent with experimental observation. For proper numerical simulations, two correction factors have also been proposed to correct the conventional hydraulic radius for the filling flow in rectangular cross-sectioned channels.

Investigating the spatial distribution of water levels in the Mackenzie Delta using airborne LiDAR

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hopkinson, C.; Crasto, N.; Marsh, P.; Forbes, D.; Lesack, L.

2011-01-01

Airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data were used to map water level (WL) and hydraulic gradients (??H/??x) in the Mackenzie Delta. The LiDAR WL data were validated against eight independent hydrometric gauge measurements and demonstrated mean offsets from - 0??22 to + 0??04 m (??< 0??11). LiDAR-based WL gradients could be estimated with confidence over channel lengths exceeding 5-10 km where the WL change exceeded local noise levels in the LiDAR data. For the entire Delta, the LiDAR sample coverage indicated a rate of change in longitudinal gradient (??2H/??x) of 5??5 ?? 10-10 m m-2; therefore offering a potential means to estimate average flood stage hydraulic gradient for areas of the Delta not sampled or monitored. In the Outer Delta, within-channel and terrain gradient measurements all returned a consistent estimate of - 1 ?? 10-5 m m-1, suggesting that this is a typical hydraulic gradient for the downstream end of the Delta. For short reaches (<10 km) of the Peel and Middle Channels in the middle of the Delta, significant and consistent hydraulic gradient estimates of - 5 ?? 10-5 m m-1 were observed. Evidence that hydraulic gradients can vary over short distances, however, was observed in the Peel Channel immediately upstream of Aklavik. A positive elevation anomaly (bulge) of > 0??1 m was observed at a channel constriction entering a meander bend, suggesting a localized modification of the channel hydraulics. Furthermore, water levels in the anabranch channels of the Peel River were almost 1 m higher than in Middle Channel of the Mackenzie River. This suggests: (i) the channels are elevated and have shallower bank heights in this part of the delta, leading to increased cross-delta and along-channel hydraulic gradients; and/or (ii) a proportion of the Peel River flow is lost to Middle Channel due to drainage across the delta through anastamosing channels. This study has demonstrated that airborne LiDAR data contain valuable information describing Arctic river delta water surface and hydraulic attributes that would be challenging to acquire by other means. ?? 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Cell orientation gradients on an inverse opal substrate.

PubMed

Lu, Jie; Zou, Xin; Zhao, Ze; Mu, Zhongde; Zhao, Yuanjin; Gu, Zhongze

2015-05-20

The generation of cell gradients is critical for understanding many biological systems and realizing the unique functionality of many implanted biomaterials. However, most previous work can only control the gradient of cell density and this has no effect on the gradient of cell orientation, which has an important role in regulating the functions of many connecting tissues. Here, we report on a simple stretched inverse opal substrate for establishing desired cell orientation gradients. It was demonstrated that tendon fibroblasts on the stretched inverse opal gradient showed a corresponding alignment along with the elongation gradient of the substrate. This "random-to-aligned" cell gradient reproduces the insertion part of many connecting tissues, and thus, will have important applications in tissue engineering.

Synthesis and characterization of polymer layers for control of fluid transport

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vatansever, Fehime

The level of wetting of fiber surface with liquids is an important characteristic of fibrous materials. It is related to fiber surface energy and the structure of the material. Surface energy can be changed by surface modification via the grafting methodologies that have been reported for introducing new and stable functionality to fibrous substrates without changing bulk properties. Present work is dedicated to synthesis and characterization of macromolecular layers grafted to fiber surface in order to achieve directional liquid transport for the modified fabric. Modification technique used here is based on formation of stable polymer layer on fabric surface using "grafting to" technique. Specifically, modification of fabric with wettability gradient for facilitated one way-liquid transport, and pointed modification of yarn-based channels on textile microfluidic device for directional liquid transport are reported here. First, fabric was activated with alkali (NaOH) solution. Second, poly (glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) was deposited on fabric as an anchoring layer. Finally, polymers of interest were grafted to surface through the epoxy functionality of PGMA. Effect of polymer grafting on the wicking property of the fabric has been evaluated by vertical wicking technique at the each step of surface modification. The results shows that wicking performance of fabric can be altered by grafting of a thin nanoscale polymeric film. For the facilitated liquid transport, the gradient polymer coating was created using "grafting to" technique and its dependence on the grafting temperature. Wettability gradient from hydrophilic to hydrophobic (change in water contact angle from 0 to 140 degrees on fabric) was achieved by grafting of polystyrene (PS) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) sequentially with concentration gradient. This study proposes that fabric with wettability gradient property can be used to transfer sweat from skin and support moisture management when it is used in a laminated garment structure. For cooling performance evaluation, modified fabrics were tested with surface differential scanning calorimeter, and improved cooling effect was found with the fabric that has wettability gradient. Directional liquid transport can be achieved on amphiphilic fabric. To this end, fabric consisting of PET and PP yarn is fabricated. Activation and PGMA deposition yields an array of highly reactive PET channels that are constrained by hydrophobic PP boundaries. Aqueous solutions are transported in the channels by capillary forces where the direction of the liquid transport is defined by pH-response of the grafted polymers. The system of pH-selective channels in the developed textile based microfluidic chip could find analytical applications and can be used for smart cloth.

Graphene doped ZnO films for photoelectrowetting on microchannels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Aribe, Khaled; Knopf, George K.

2017-02-01

Photoelectrowetting on dielectric surfaces can be used to drive droplets of liquid along reconfigurable paths on a microfluidic chip using controlled optical signals. These electrostatically activated surfaces along the desired path eliminate the need for precision molded channels and discrete functional components such as microvalves and micropumps. The photoelectrowetting effect exploits the surface tension of the droplet to maintain its volume during the transportation pathway and the photoelectric properties of the substrate surface are used to induce reversible fluidic flow. The active light-driven substrate is structured from graphene doped zinc-oxide (ZnO-G) films deposited on ITO coated glass. This substrate is coated from the ZnO-G side with Ruthenium-based dye (N719) to maximize its absorbability. The light triggers two forces that enable the droplet to be transported along the substrate. The first arises from the induced hydrophobicity gradient formed across the droplet contact area with the substrate surface. Exposing the ZnO-G film to a broad spectrum white light source alters the surface's electric potential which induces a change in the droplet's contact angle and the associated hydrophobicity. Once the hydrophobicity gradient is generated the droplet will start to move in the direction of the wetting zone. The second force is also created by the optical input when the absorbed light generates a photoelectric potential that produces a piezo-electrical effect on the ZnO-G film. The light triggered piezo-electrical behavior of the ZnO-G film can be used to generate the erasable microchannels that can guide droplet movement through a microfluidic chip. Preliminary experiments are performed to investigate the photoelectric potential of light activated ZnO-G films.

Man-induced channel adjustment in Tennessee streams

USGS Publications Warehouse

Robbins, C.H.; Simon, Andrew

1983-01-01

Channel modifications in Tennessee, particularly in the western part, have led to large-scale instabilities in the channelized rivers and may have contributed to several bridge failures. These modifications, together with land-use practices, led to downcutting, headward erosion, downstream aggradation, accelerated scour, and bank instabilities. Changes in gradient by channel straightening caused more severe channel response than did dredging or clearing. Large-scale changes continue to occur in all the channelized rivers: the Obion River, its forks, and the South Fork Forked Deer River. However, the non-channelized Hatchie River in west Tennessee not only withstood the natural stresses imposed by the wet years of 1973 to 1975 but continues to exhibit characteristics of stability. Water-surface slope, the primary dependent variable, proved to be a sensitive and descriptive parameter useful in determining channel adjustment. Adjustments to man-induced increases in channel-slope are described by inverse exponential functions of the basic form S=ae(-b(t)); where ' S ' is some function describing channel-slope, ' t ' is the number of years since completion of channel work, and ' a ' and ' b ' are coefficients. Response times for the attainment of ' equilibrium ' channel slopes are a function of the magnitude and extent of the imposed modifications. The adjusted profile gradients attained by the streams following channelization are similar to the predisturbed profile gradients, where no alteration to channel length was made. Where the channels were straightened by constructing cut-offs, thus shortening channel length, then slope adjustments (reduction) proceed past the predisturbed profile gradients, to new profiles with lower gradients. (USGS)

Microfluid oscillator based on thermocapillarity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Teng-chao; Shen, Yi-bing; Liu, Xu; Bai, Jian; Hou, Xiyun; Ye, Hui; Lou, Di

2004-12-01

A novel micro fluid oscillator with a boron diffused resistor is proposed in this paper. The actuation principle is based on the combination of Marangoni effect. The contemporary microfabrication technique enables us to fabricate microheater tiny enough to control temperature so quickly and precisely in micro length scale. The devices exhibiting the Marangoni effect in square channels were designed and fabricated from one silicon substrate and two quartz substrates. And the three substrates were aligned, bonded and packaged for testing. In this actuator there is a pair of micro-heaters to produce a thermal gradient along the slit. The driving wattage is about 0.1W and the resistors can make a temperature difference about 100 degrees during 0.1s with a pulsewidth of 20us for 0.1A current pulses. Then the movement is driven towards the lower temperature direction by the interfacial tension of the air-liquid interface. This micro fluid actuator can play important role in many liquid micro-systems such as in micromotor and micro valve.

Mobility of large woody debris (LWD) jams in a low gradient channel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Curran, Joanna C.

2010-04-01

Mobility of large woody debris (LWD) in low gradient channels is an important but often overlooked transport process. The majority of studies on LWD have focused on its role in geomorphic and ecologic river processes. When jams extend across the width of the channel, they have the potential to retain sediment and alter the channel profile. When jams obstruct only a portion of the channel, they can re-direct flow, altering patterns of scour and deposition. The boundary complexity created by LWD has a recognized role in riverine ecosystems which has led to programs of replacing LWD in-channel corridors where it was previously removed. Although LWD jams are common in rivers around the world, they have been studied most intensely in steep, forested channel reaches where they are often found to be stable channel features. It is not fully known how much of the information on LWD from steep forested channels will transfer to other channel types. Whereas it may be reasonable to assume that the ecological benefits of LWD are similar in low gradient channels, research has shown that a much higher rate of LWD transport occurs in low gradient channels, with jams mobilized on timescales of 10 0-10 2 years. This study evaluates the distribution and mobility of LWD over 72 km of the San Antonio River, a low gradient channel in southeast Texas. LWD jam locations were identified for 2003 and 2007 using a combination of aerial photography and field mapping. Each jam was cataloged according to its location in the channel cross-section and the amount of channel area blocked. During the four-year period, all the LWD jams were mobilized, including those jams extending across the channel width. Although easily mobilized, 34 jams re-form in the same locations, creating 34 channel locations with persistent LWD jams. Data from the San Antonio River are applied to two models developed to predict LWD mobility and transport distances to assess the applicability of each model to a low gradient channel. The locations of stable (or recurring) LWD jams were matched to model results where predicted LWD transport distances were equal to measured LWD jam spacing. Model results showed good agreement with the mean and median spacing of LWD jams when given input parameters specific to the channel and wood species. The ability to predict where LWD jams will persist over time in a low gradient channel has application in watershed management. Persistent LWD jams can exert a greater influence on channel morphology and may require active management.

Optofluidic devices and methods for sensing single particles

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

Fernandez-Cuesta, Irene; Cabrini, Stefano

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to optofluidic devices. In one aspect, an optofluidic device includes a substrate, a first nanostructure, a second nanostructure, and a cover. A channel having cross-sectional dimensions of less than about 100 nanometers is defined in a surface of the substrate. The first nanostructure is disposed on the substrate on a first side of the channel and proximate the channel. The second nanostructure is disposed on the substrate on a second side of the channel and proximate the channel. The first and the second nanostructures are disposed on a line that passes acrossmore » the channel. The cover is disposed on the surface of the substrate.« less

Microfluidic channel fabrication method

DOEpatents

Arnold, Don W.; Schoeniger, Joseph S.; Cardinale, Gregory F.

2001-01-01

A new channel structure for microfluidic systems and process for fabricating this structure. In contrast to the conventional practice of fabricating fluid channels as trenches or grooves in a substrate, fluid channels are fabricated as thin walled raised structures on a substrate. Microfluidic devices produced in accordance with the invention are a hybrid assembly generally consisting of three layers: 1) a substrate that can or cannot be an electrical insulator; 2) a middle layer, that is an electrically conducting material and preferably silicon, forms the channel walls whose height defines the channel height, joined to and extending from the substrate; and 3) a top layer, joined to the top of the channels, that forms a cover for the channels. The channels can be defined by photolithographic techniques and are produced by etching away the material around the channel walls.

Surface enhanced Raman optical activity of molecules on orientationally averaged substrates: theory of electromagnetic effects.

PubMed

Janesko, Benjamin G; Scuseria, Gustavo E

2006-09-28

We present a model for electromagnetic enhancements in surface enhanced Raman optical activity (SEROA) spectroscopy. The model extends previous treatments of SEROA to substrates, such as metal nanoparticles in solution, that are orientationally averaged with respect to the laboratory frame. Our theoretical treatment combines analytical expressions for unenhanced Raman optical activity with molecular polarizability tensors that are dressed by the substrate's electromagnetic enhancements. We evaluate enhancements from model substrates to determine preliminary scaling laws and selection rules for SEROA. We find that dipolar substrates enhance Raman optical activity (ROA) scattering less than Raman scattering. Evanescent gradient contributions to orientationally averaged ROA scale to first or higher orders in the gradient of the incident plane-wave field. These evanescent gradient contributions may be large for substrates with quadrupolar responses to the plane-wave field gradient. Some substrates may also show a ROA contribution that depends only on the molecular electric dipole-electric dipole polarizability. These conclusions are illustrated via numerical calculations of surface enhanced Raman and ROA spectra from (R)-(-)-bromochlorofluoromethane on various model substrates.

Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) driven droplet mixer

DOEpatents

Lee, Abraham P.; Lemoff, Asuncion V.; Miles, Robin R.

2004-05-11

A magnetohydrodynamic fluidic system mixes a first substance and a second substance. A first substrate section includes a first flow channel and a first plurality of pairs of spaced electrodes operatively connected to the first flow channel. A second substrate section includes a second flow channel and a second plurality of pairs of spaced electrodes operatively connected to the second flow channel. A third substrate section includes a third flow channel and a third plurality of pairs of spaced electrodes operatively connected to the third flow channel. A magnetic section and a control section are operatively connected to the spaced electrodes. The first substrate section, the second substrate section, the third substrate section, the first plurality of pairs of spaced electrodes, the second plurality of pairs of spaced electrodes, the third plurality of pairs of spaced electrodes, the magnetic section, and the control section are operated to move the first substance through the first flow channel, the second substance through the second flow channel, and both the first substance and the second substance into the third flow channel where they are mixed.

Method for single crystal growth of photovoltaic perovskite material and devices

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

Huang, Jinsong; Dong, Qingfeng

Systems and methods for perovskite single crystal growth include using a low temperature solution process that employs a temperature gradient in a perovskite solution in a container, also including at least one small perovskite single crystal, and a substrate in the solution upon which substrate a perovskite crystal nucleates and grows, in part due to the temperature gradient in the solution and in part due to a temperature gradient in the substrate. For example, a top portion of the substrate external to the solution may be cooled.

Structure, function and translational relevance of aquaporin dual water and ion channels.

PubMed

Yool, Andrea J; Campbell, Ewan M

2012-01-01

Aquaporins have been assumed to be selective for water alone, and aquaglyceroporins are accepted as carrying water and small uncharged solutes including glycerol. This review presents an expanded view of aquaporins as channels with more complex mechanisms of regulation and diverse repertoires of substrate permeabilities than were originally appreciated in the early establishment of the field. The role of aquaporins as dual water and gated ion channels is likely to have physiological and potentially translational relevance, and can be evaluated with newly developed molecular and pharmacological tools. Ion channel activity has been shown for Aquaporins -0, -1, and -6, Drosphila Big Brain, and plant Nodulin-26. Although the concept of ion channel function in aquaporins remains controversial, research advances are beginning to define not only the ion channel function but also the detailed molecular mechanisms that govern and mediate the multifunctional capabilities. With regard to physiological relevance, the adaptive benefit of expression of ion channel activity in aquaporins, implied by amino acid sequence conservation of the ion channel gating domains, suggests they provide more than water or glycerol and solute transport. Dual ion and water channels are of interest for understanding the modulation of transmembrane fluid gradients, volume regulation, and possible signal transduction in tissues expressing classes of aquaporins that have the dual function capability. Other aquaporin classes might be found in future work to have ion channel activities, pending identification of the possible signaling pathways that could govern activation. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mechanosensing is critical for axon growth in the developing brain

PubMed Central

Pillai, Eva K.; Sheridan, Graham K.; Svoboda, Hanno; Viana, Matheus; da F. Costa, Luciano; Guck, Jochen; Holt, Christine E.; Franze, Kristian

2016-01-01

During nervous system development, neurons extend axons along well-defined pathways. The current understanding of axon pathfinding is based mainly on chemical signalling. However, growing neurons interact not only chemically but also mechanically with their environment. Here we identify mechanical signals as important regulators of axon pathfinding. In vitro, substrate stiffness determined growth patterns of Xenopus retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons. In vivo atomic force microscopy revealed striking stiffness gradient patterns in the embryonic brain. RGC axons grew towards the tissue’s softer side, which was reproduced in vitro in the absence of chemical gradients. To test the importance of mechanical signals for axon growth in vivo, we altered brain stiffness, blocked mechanotransduction pharmacologically, and knocked down the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1. All treatments resulted in aberrant axonal growth and pathfinding errors, suggesting that local tissue stiffness–read out by mechanosensitive ion channels–is critically involved in instructing neuronal growth in vivo. PMID:27643431

An augmented Young-Laplace model of an evaporating meniscus in a micro-channel with high heat flux

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wayner, P. C., Jr.; Plawsky, J.; Schonberg, J. A.; Dasgupta, S.

1993-01-01

High flux evaporations from a steady meniscus formed in a 2 micron channel is modeled using the augmented Young-Laplace equation. The heat flux is found to be a function of the long range van der Waals dispersion force which represents interfacial conditions between heptane and various substrates. Heat fluxes of (1.3-1.6) x 10(exp 6) W/m(exp 2) based on the width of the channel are obtained for heptane completely wetting the substrate at 100 C. Small channels are used to obtain these large fluxes. Even though the real contact angle is 0 deg, the apparent contact angle is found to vary between 24.8 deg and 25.6 deg. The apparent contact angle, which represents viscous losses near the contact line, has a large effect on the heat flow rate because of its effect on capillary suction and the area of the meniscus. The interfacial heat flux is modeled using kinetic theory for the evaporation rate. The superheated state depends on the temperature and the pressure of the liquid phase. The liquid pressure differs from the pressure of the vapor phase due to capillarity and long range van der Waals dispersion forces which are relevant in the ultra think film formed at the leading edge of the meniscus. Important pressure gradients in the thin film cause a substantial apparent contact angle for a complete wetting system. The temperature of the liquid is related to the evaporation rate and to the substrate temperature through the steady heat conduction equation. Conduction in the liquid phase is calculated using finite element analysis except in the vicinity of the thin film. A lubrication theory solution for the thin film is combined with the finite element analysis by the method of matched asymptotic expansions.

Thermal Gradient During Vacuum-Deposition Dramatically Enhances Charge Transport in Organic Semiconductors: Toward High-Performance N-Type Organic Field-Effect Transistors.

PubMed

Kim, Joo-Hyun; Han, Singu; Jeong, Heejeong; Jang, Hayeong; Baek, Seolhee; Hu, Junbeom; Lee, Myungkyun; Choi, Byungwoo; Lee, Hwa Sung

2017-03-22

A thermal gradient distribution was applied to a substrate during the growth of a vacuum-deposited n-type organic semiconductor (OSC) film prepared from N,N'-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-1,7-dicyanoperylene-3,4:9,10-bis(dicarboxyimide) (PDI-CN2), and the electrical performances of the films deployed in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) were characterized. The temperature gradient at the surface was controlled by tilting the substrate, which varied the temperature one-dimensionally between the heated bottom substrate and the cooled upper substrate. The vacuum-deposited OSC molecules diffused and rearranged on the surface according to the substrate temperature gradient, producing directional crystalline and grain structures in the PDI-CN2 film. The morphological and crystalline structures of the PDI-CN2 thin films grown under a vertical temperature gradient were dramatically enhanced, comparing with the structures obtained from either uniformly heated films or films prepared under a horizontally applied temperature gradient. The field effect mobilities of the PDI-CN2-FETs prepared using the vertically applied temperature gradient were as high as 0.59 cm 2 V -1 s -1 , more than a factor of 2 higher than the mobility of 0.25 cm 2 V -1 s -1 submitted to conventional thermal annealing and the mobility of 0.29 cm 2 V -1 s -1 from the horizontally applied temperature gradient.

Substrate channel in nitrogenase revealed by a molecular dynamics approach.

PubMed

Smith, Dayle; Danyal, Karamatullah; Raugei, Simone; Seefeldt, Lance C

2014-04-15

Mo-dependent nitrogenase catalyzes the biological reduction of N2 to two NH3 molecules at FeMo-cofactor buried deep inside the MoFe protein. Access of substrates, such as N2, to the active site is likely restricted by the surrounding protein, requiring substrate channels that lead from the surface to the active site. Earlier studies on crystallographic structures of the MoFe protein have suggested three putative substrate channels. Here, we have utilized submicrosecond atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to allow the nitrogenase MoFe protein to explore its conformational space in an aqueous solution at physiological ionic strength, revealing a putative substrate channel. The viability of this observed channel was tested by examining the free energy of passage of N2 from the surface through the channel to FeMo-cofactor, resulting in the discovery of a very low energy barrier. These studies point to a viable substrate channel in nitrogenase that appears during thermal motions of the protein in an aqueous environment and that approaches a face of FeMo-cofactor earlier implicated in substrate binding.

Chryse Basin channels: low-gradients and ponded flows.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lucchitta, B.K.; Ferguson, H.M.

1983-01-01

Gradients on the floors of the Martian outflow channels that are derived from radar-elevation profiles across Lunae Planum and Chryse Basin have much lower values than those obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey's topographic map. Whereas the gradients of Maja and Ares Valles are similar to those of the catastrophic flood channels in the Scablands of Washington State, the gradients of Simud and Tiu Valles are essentially level, and the movement of fluids to the N poses problems. It is proposed that ponding may have formed lakes in depressions associated with the Valles Marineris grabens, ancient craters in the chaotic terrain area, and possibly even the regional low where most chaotic terrains occur. It is envisaged that lakes eventually overflowed, forming the present channels. When dams broke, floods were released catastrophically, with a final gigantic flood from the Valles Marineris system of troughs, which would have had sufficient head to move fluids across nearly level gradients through the Simud and Tiu channels. -P.Br.

Gradient isolator for flow field of fuel cell assembly

DOEpatents

Ernst, W.D.

1999-06-15

Isolator(s) include isolating material and optionally gasketing material strategically positioned within a fuel cell assembly. The isolating material is disposed between a solid electrolyte and a metal flow field plate. Reactant fluid carried by flow field plate channel(s) forms a generally transverse electrochemical gradient. The isolator(s) serve to isolate electrochemically a portion of the flow field plate, for example, transversely outward from the channel(s), from the electrochemical gradient. Further, the isolator(s) serve to protect a portion of the solid electrolyte from metallic ions. 4 figs.

Gradient isolator for flow field of fuel cell assembly

DOEpatents

Ernst, William D.

1999-01-01

Isolator(s) include isolating material and optionally gasketing material strategically positioned within a fuel cell assembly. The isolating material is disposed between a solid electrolyte and a metal flow field plate. Reactant fluid carried by flow field plate channel(s) forms a generally transverse electrochemical gradient. The isolator(s) serve to isolate electrochemically a portion of the flow field plate, for example, transversely outward from the channel(s), from the electrochemical gradient. Further, the isolator(s) serve to protect a portion of the solid electrolyte from metallic ions.

Preferential paths in yield stress fluid flow through a porous medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guasto, Jeffrey; Waisbord, Nicolas; Stoop, Norbert; Dunkel, Jörn

2016-11-01

A broad range of biological, geological, and industrial materials with complex rheological properties are subjected to flow through porous media in applications ranging from oil recovery to food manufacturing. In this experimental study, we examine the flow of a model yield stress fluid (Carbopol micro-gel) through a quasi-2D porous medium, fabricated in a microfluidic channel. The flow is driven by applying a precisely-controlled pressure gradient and measured by particle tracking velocimetry, and our observations are complemented by a pore-network model of the yield stress fluid flow. While remaining unyielded at small applied pressure, the micro-gel begins to yield at a critical pressure gradient, exhibiting a single preferential flow path that percolates through the porous medium. As the applied pressure gradient increases, we observe a subsequent coarsening and invasion of the yielded, fluidized network. An examination of both the yielded network topology and pore-scale flow reveal that two cooperative phenomena are involved in sculpting the preferential flow paths: (1) the geometry of the porous microstructure, and (2) the adhesive surface interactions between the micro-gel and substrate. NSF CBET-1511340.

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

Ahn, Cheol Hyoun; Hee Kim, So; Gu Yun, Myeong

In this study, we proposed the artificially designed channel structure in oxide thin-film transistors (TFTs) called a “step-composition gradient channel.” We demonstrated Al step-composition gradient Al-Zn-O (AZO) channel structures consisting of three AZO layers with different Al contents. The effects of stacking sequence in the step-composition gradient channel on performance and electrical stability of bottom-gate TFT devices were investigated with two channels of inverse stacking order (ascending/descending step-composition). The TFT with ascending step-composition channel structure (5 → 10 → 14 at. % Al composition) showed relatively negative threshold voltage (−3.7 V) and good instability characteristics with a reduced threshold voltage shift (Δmore » 1.4 V), which was related to the alignment of the conduction band off-set within the channel layer depending on the Al contents. Finally, the reduced Al composition in the initial layer of ascending step-composition channel resulted in the best field effect mobility of 4.5 cm{sup 2}/V s. We presented a unique active layer of the “step-composition gradient channel” in the oxide TFTs and explained the mechanism of adequate channel design.« less

Product selectivity control induced by using liquid-liquid parallel laminar flow in a microreactor.

PubMed

Amemiya, Fumihiro; Matsumoto, Hideyuki; Fuse, Keishi; Kashiwagi, Tsuneo; Kuroda, Chiaki; Fuchigami, Toshio; Atobe, Mahito

2011-06-07

Product selectivity control based on a liquid-liquid parallel laminar flow has been successfully demonstrated by using a microreactor. Our electrochemical microreactor system enables regioselective cross-coupling reaction of aldehyde with allylic chloride via chemoselective cathodic reduction of substrate by the combined use of suitable flow mode and corresponding cathode material. The formation of liquid-liquid parallel laminar flow in the microreactor was supported by the estimation of benzaldehyde diffusion coefficient and computational fluid dynamics simulation. The diffusion coefficient for benzaldehyde in Bu(4)NClO(4)-HMPA medium was determined to be 1.32 × 10(-7) cm(2) s(-1) by electrochemical measurements, and the flow simulation using this value revealed the formation of clear concentration gradient of benzaldehyde in the microreactor channel over a specific channel length. In addition, the necessity of the liquid-liquid parallel laminar flow was confirmed by flow mode experiments.

Biased migration of confined neutrophil-like cells in asymmetric hydraulic environments.

PubMed

Prentice-Mott, Harrison V; Chang, Chi-Han; Mahadevan, L; Mitchison, Timothy J; Irimia, Daniel; Shah, Jagesh V

2013-12-24

Cells integrate multiple measurement modalities to navigate their environment. Soluble and substrate-bound chemical gradients and physical cues have all been shown to influence cell orientation and migration. Here we investigate the role of asymmetric hydraulic pressure in directional sensing. Cells confined in microchannels identified and chose a path of lower hydraulic resistance in the absence of chemical cues. In a bifurcating channel with asymmetric hydraulic resistances, this choice was preceded by the elaboration of two leading edges with a faster extension rate along the lower resistance channel. Retraction of the "losing" edge appeared to precipitate a final choice of direction. The pressure differences altering leading edge protrusion rates were small, suggesting weak force generation by leading edges. The response to the physical asymmetry was able to override a dynamically generated chemical cue. Motile cells may use this bias as a result of hydraulic resistance, or "barotaxis," in concert with chemotaxis to navigate complex environments.

Experimental Investigation of Terminal Fans Prograding on a Salt Substrate: 3-d Physical Experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chatmas, E.; Kim, W.

2015-12-01

Interactions between geologic features and a mobile substrate layer are present in several passive margin locations throughout the world. Deformation of a substrate layer is primarily due to differential loading of sediment and results in complexities within the morphology and subsequently the stratigraphic record. By using simplified scaled tank experiments, we investigated the relationship between substrate deformation and fan evolution in a fluvial-dump-wind-redistribution setting. In this system, sediment is being eroded from a mountain range and creating terminal fans; fluvial channels form off of the fan body and the deposited fluvial sediment is the source for an aeolian dune field. Several past experimental studies have focused on how deltas and dunes are affected on when deposited on a salt substrate, however terminal fans and channel formation off of fans have not been thoroughly investigated. The current experiments focused on which variables are the most significant in controlling fan growth, channel initiation and channel behavior on the salt substrate. Our experimental basin is 120 cm long, 60 cm wide and 30 cm tall. The materials used for a suite of five experiments involved a polymer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as the deformable substrate analog and 100-μm quartz sand. By isolating certain variables such as substrate thickness, basin slope and sediment discharge we are able to see how terminal fans and channels are affected in different settings. The experimental results show that 1) increase in substrate thickness increased the amount of subsidence around the fan body, limiting sediment transport to channels off of the toe of the fan, 2) a higher basin slope increased the number of channels formed and increased sinuosity and width variations of channels over distance, and 3) a higher sediment discharge rate on a thin substrate allowed for the farthest downstream fan deposits. Preliminary results show that channel behavior and fan morphology is strongly dependent on substrate thickness and basin slope directly influences channel geometry. These findings will also be compared to the Mojave River Wash located in southern California off the San Bernardino Mountains near Zzyzx, CA to further understand the dynamics of terminal fans on a mobile substrate.

Proton transfer in the K-channel analog of B-type Cytochrome c oxidase from Thermus thermophilus.

PubMed

Woelke, Anna Lena; Wagner, Anke; Galstyan, Gegham; Meyer, Tim; Knapp, Ernst-Walter

2014-11-04

A key enzyme in aerobic metabolism is cytochrome c oxidase (CcO), which catalyzes the reduction of molecular oxygen to water in the mitochondrial and bacterial membranes. Substrate electrons and protons are taken up from different sides of the membrane and protons are pumped across the membrane, thereby generating an electrochemical gradient. The well-studied A-type CcO uses two different entry channels for protons: the D-channel for all pumped and two consumed protons, and the K-channel for the other two consumed protons. In contrast, the B-type CcO uses only a single proton input channel for all consumed and pumped protons. It has the same location as the A-type K-channel (and thus is named the K-channel analog) without sharing any significant sequence homology. In this study, we performed molecular-dynamics simulations and electrostatic calculations to characterize the K-channel analog in terms of its energetic requirements and functionalities. The function of Glu-15B as a proton sink at the channel entrance is demonstrated by its rotational movement out of the channel when it is deprotonated and by its high pKA value when it points inside the channel. Tyr-244 in the middle of the channel is identified as the valve that ensures unidirectional proton transfer, as it moves inside the hydrogen-bond gap of the K-channel analog only while being deprotonated. The electrostatic energy landscape was calculated for all proton-transfer steps in the K-channel analog, which functions via proton-hole transfer. Overall, the K-channel analog has a very stable geometry without large energy barriers.

Proton Transfer in the K-Channel Analog of B-Type Cytochrome c Oxidase from Thermus thermophilus

PubMed Central

Woelke, Anna Lena; Wagner, Anke; Galstyan, Gegham; Meyer, Tim; Knapp, Ernst-Walter

2014-01-01

A key enzyme in aerobic metabolism is cytochrome c oxidase (CcO), which catalyzes the reduction of molecular oxygen to water in the mitochondrial and bacterial membranes. Substrate electrons and protons are taken up from different sides of the membrane and protons are pumped across the membrane, thereby generating an electrochemical gradient. The well-studied A-type CcO uses two different entry channels for protons: the D-channel for all pumped and two consumed protons, and the K-channel for the other two consumed protons. In contrast, the B-type CcO uses only a single proton input channel for all consumed and pumped protons. It has the same location as the A-type K-channel (and thus is named the K-channel analog) without sharing any significant sequence homology. In this study, we performed molecular-dynamics simulations and electrostatic calculations to characterize the K-channel analog in terms of its energetic requirements and functionalities. The function of Glu-15B as a proton sink at the channel entrance is demonstrated by its rotational movement out of the channel when it is deprotonated and by its high pKA value when it points inside the channel. Tyr-244 in the middle of the channel is identified as the valve that ensures unidirectional proton transfer, as it moves inside the hydrogen-bond gap of the K-channel analog only while being deprotonated. The electrostatic energy landscape was calculated for all proton-transfer steps in the K-channel analog, which functions via proton-hole transfer. Overall, the K-channel analog has a very stable geometry without large energy barriers. PMID:25418102

Finite Element Analysis of Multilayered and Functionally Gradient Tribological Coatings With Measured Material Properties (Preprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-11-01

gradient coatings with diamond like carbon (DLC) coating on 440C stainless steel substrate were assumed as a series of perfectly bonded layers with...resistance and low friction. Ti1-xCx (0≤ x ≤1) gradient coatings with diamond like carbon (DLC) coating on 440C stainless steel substrate were...indenter tip was used for the FEA model. Each coating sample consists of 1 μm thick coating and 440C stainless steel substrate. The area function for

A novel optical assay system for the quantitative measurement of chemotaxis.

PubMed

Kanegasaki, Shiro; Nomura, Yuka; Nitta, Nao; Akiyama, Shuichi; Tamatani, Takuya; Goshoh, Yasuhiro; Yoshida, Takashi; Sato, Tsuyoshi; Kikuchi, Yuji

2003-11-01

We have developed an optically accessible, horizontal chemotaxis apparatus consisting of an etched silicon substrate and a flat glass plate, both of which form two compartments with a 5-microm-deep microchannel in between. The device is held together with a stainless steel holder with holes for injecting cells and a chemoattractant to the different compartments. Migration of cells in the channel is traced with time-lapse intervals using a CCD camera. By developing a method for aligning cells at the edge of the channel, we could successfully reduce the number of cells required for a chemotactic assay, depending on the experiment, to 100 or less. To prevent ceaseless flow of contents between the adjacent compartments via the communicating microchannel, a space at the top end of the holder was filled with medium after aligning the cells. By using a fluorescent probe, we demonstrated experimentally that a stable concentration gradient could be maintained. Furthermore, we determined theoretical details of the gradient established using a model chemokine and a computational fluid dynamics code. Reproducible kinetic results of cell migration were obtained using human neutrophils and IL-8 as a model. Migration of other cells such as eosinophils, basophils and Jurkat lymphocytes toward the appropriate chemokines were also demonstrated.

Water-quality assessment of the Ozark Plateaus study unit, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma- habitat data and characteristics at selected sites, 1993-95

USGS Publications Warehouse

Femmer, Suzanne R.

1997-01-01

The characterization of instream and riparian habitat is part of the multiple lines of evidence used by the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program to assess the water quality of streams. In the NAWQA Program, integrated physical, chemical, and biological assessments are used to describe water-quality conditions. The instream and riparian habitat data are collected at sites selected for surface-water chemistry analyses and biological assessment. Instream and riparian habitat data are structured in a nested scheme?at sampling reach, segment, and basin scales. The habitat data were collected in the Ozark Plateaus study unit at 41 sites during 1993-95. Thirteen of these sites, representative of selected combinations of physiography, land use, and basin size, have longitudinal, transverse, and quarter point vegetation plot surveys in addition to the Level I survey measurements (reach length, depth, velocity, dominant substrate, embeddedness, and vegetation quarter points, for example) recommended by the NAWQA Program protocols. These habitat data were from onsite measurements, U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps, and a geographic information system. The analyses of the habitat data indicates substantial differences between sites of differing physiography and basin-scale land-use activities. The basins range from 46.4 to 4,318 square kilometers and have stream orders from 2 to 6. All streams studied are a riffle/pool type, and most have cobble that is less than 50 percent embedded as the dominant streambed substrate. Of the three physiographic sections studied, the Boston Mountains have the largest mean segment and sideslope gradients, basin relief, woody species diversity, and stream depths when compared with sites of similar size. Channel sinuosities, mean velocities, and canopy angles are largest at sites in the Springfield Plateau physiographic section. The sites in the Salem Plateau physiographic section have the largest woody vegetation densities and mean channel widths. Sites in basins with predominantly agricultural land use tend to have more open canopies, steeper segment gradients, and more sinuous stream channels than the forested sites. Sites in predominantly forested basins tend to have deeper and swifter flow, smaller channel widths, and more dense woody riparian vegetation (at small basins) than the agricultural sites.

Instream wood recruitment, channel complexity, and their relationship to stream ecology in forested headwater streams under alternative stable states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Livers, B.; Wohl, E.

2015-12-01

Human alteration to forests has had lasting effects on stream channels worldwide. Such land use changes affect how wood enters and is stored in streams as individual pieces and as logjams. Changes in wood recruitment affect the complexity and benefits wood can provide to the stream environment, such as zones of flow separation that store fine sediment and organic matter, increased nutrient processing, and greater habitat potential, which can enhance biota and cascade through stream-riparian ecosystems. Previous research in our study area shows that modern headwater streams flowing through old-growth, unmanaged forests have more wood than streams in young, managed forests, but does not explicitly evaluate how wood affects channel complexity or local ecology. 'Managed' refers to forests previously or currently exposed to human alteration. Alteration has long since ceased in some areas, but reduced wood loads in managed streams persist. Our primary objective was to quantify stream complexity metrics, with instream wood as a mediator, on streams across a gradient of management and disturbance histories in order to examine legacy effects of human alteration to forests. Data collected in the Southern Rocky Mountains include 24 2nd to 3rd order subalpine streams categorized into: old-growth unmanaged; younger, naturally disturbed unmanaged; and younger managed. We assessed instream wood loads and logjams and evaluated how they relate to channel complexity using a number of metrics, such as standard deviation of bed and banks, volume of pools, ratios of stream to valley lengths and stream to valley area, and diversity of substrate, gradient, and morphology. Preliminary results show that channel complexity is directly related to instream wood loads and is greatest in streams in old-growth. Related research in the field area indicates that streams with greater wood loads also have increased nutrient processing and greater abundance and diversity of aquatic insect predators.

A diffusion based long-range and steady chemical gradient generator on a microfluidic device for studying bacterial chemotaxis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murugesan, Nithya; Singha, Siddhartha; Panda, Tapobrata; Das, Sarit K.

2016-03-01

Studies on chemotaxis in microfluidics device have become a major area of research to generate physiologically similar environment in vitro. In this work, a novel micro-fluidic device has been developed to study chemo-taxis of cells in near physiological condition which can create controllable, steady and long-range chemical gradients using various chemo-effectors in a micro-channel. Hydrogels like agarose, collagen, etc, can be used in the device to maintain exclusive diffusive flux of various chemical species into the micro-channel under study. Variations of concentrations and flow rates of Texas Red dextran in the device revealed that an increase in the concentration of the dye in the feed from 6 to 18 μg ml-1, causes a steeper chemical gradient in the device, whereas the flow rate of the dye has practically no effect on the chemical gradient in the device. This observation confirms that a diffusion controlled chemical gradient is generated in the micro-channel. Chemo-taxis of E. coli cells were studied under the steady gradient of a chemo-attractant and a chemo-repellent separately in the same chemical gradient generator. For sorbitol and NiSO4·6H2O, the bacterial cells exhibit a steady distribution in the micro channel after 1 h and 30 min, respectively. From the distribution of bacterial population chemo-tactic strength of the chemo-effectors was estimated for E. coli. In a long microfluidic channel, migration behavior of bacterial cells under diffusion controlled chemical gradient showed chemotaxis, random movement, aggregation, and concentration dependent reverse chemotaxis.

Effects of the magnetic field gradient on the wall power deposition of Hall thrusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Yongjie; Li, Peng; Zhang, Xu; Wei, Liqiu; Sun, Hezhi; Peng, Wuji; Yu, Daren

2017-04-01

The effect of the magnetic field gradient in the discharge channel of a Hall thruster on the ionization of the neutral gas and power deposition on the wall is studied through adopting the 2D-3V particle-in-cell (PIC) and Monte Carlo collisions (MCC) model. The research shows that by gradually increasing the magnetic field gradient while keeping the maximum magnetic intensity at the channel exit and the anode position unchanged, the ionization region moves towards the channel exit and then a second ionization region appears near the anode region. Meanwhile, power deposition on the walls decreases initially and then increases. To avoid power deposition on the walls produced by electrons and ions which are ionized in the second ionization region, the anode position is moved towards the channel exit as the magnetic field gradient is increased; when the anode position remains at the zero magnetic field position, power deposition on the walls decreases, which can effectively reduce the temperature and thermal load of the discharge channel.

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

Smith, Dayle; Danyal, Karamatullah; Raugei, Simone

Mo-dependent nitrogenase catalyzes the biological reduction of N 2 to 2NH 3 at the FeMo-cofactor buried deep inside the MoFe protein. Access of substrates, such as N 2, to the active site is likely restricted by the surrounding protein, requiring substrate channels that lead from the surface to the active site. Earlier studies on crystallographic structures of the MoFe protein have suggested three putative substrate channels. Here, we have utilized sub-microsecond atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to allow the nitrogenase MoFe protein to explore its conformational space in an aqueous solution at physiological ionic strength, revealing a putative substrate channel notmore » previously reported. The viability of the proposed channel was tested by examining the free energy of passage of N 2 from the surface through the channel to FeMo-cofactor, with discovery of a very low energy barrier. These studies point to a viable substrate channel in nitrogenase that appears during thermal motions of the protein in an aqueous environment that approaches a face of FeMo-cofactor earlier implicated in substrate binding.« less

Archaeological Geology of the Fort Hood Military Reservation, Fort Hood, Texas

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-06-01

stream with a sinuosity of 1.3 and channel gradient of 1.4 m/km. Discharge records near Killeen over a six year period during the 1920’s and 1940’s...drains approximately 175 km2 of lower Cretaceous limestones, shales and marls (Fig. 2). Sinuosity is 1.3, channel gradient 3.2 m/km, and drainage...CREEK Within the study area Owl Creek drains approximately 72 km 2 of shales and limestones, has a sinuosity of 1.1, channel gradient of 3.4 m/kin, and

Voltage-gated Proton Channels

PubMed Central

DeCoursey, Thomas E.

2014-01-01

Voltage-gated proton channels, HV1, have vaulted from the realm of the esoteric into the forefront of a central question facing ion channel biophysicists, namely the mechanism by which voltage-dependent gating occurs. This transformation is the result of several factors. Identification of the gene in 2006 revealed that proton channels are homologues of the voltage-sensing domain of most other voltage-gated ion channels. Unique, or at least eccentric, properties of proton channels include dimeric architecture with dual conduction pathways, perfect proton selectivity, a single-channel conductance ~103 smaller than most ion channels, voltage-dependent gating that is strongly modulated by the pH gradient, ΔpH, and potent inhibition by Zn2+ (in many species) but an absence of other potent inhibitors. The recent identification of HV1 in three unicellular marine plankton species has dramatically expanded the phylogenetic family tree. Interest in proton channels in their own right has increased as important physiological roles have been identified in many cells. Proton channels trigger the bioluminescent flash of dinoflagellates, facilitate calcification by coccolithophores, regulate pH-dependent processes in eggs and sperm during fertilization, secrete acid to control the pH of airway fluids, facilitate histamine secretion by basophils, and play a signaling role in facilitating B-cell receptor mediated responses in B lymphocytes. The most elaborate and best-established functions occur in phagocytes, where proton channels optimize the activity of NADPH oxidase, an important producer of reactive oxygen species. Proton efflux mediated by HV1 balances the charge translocated across the membrane by electrons through NADPH oxidase, minimizes changes in cytoplasmic and phagosomal pH, limits osmotic swelling of the phagosome, and provides substrate H+ for the production of H2O2 and HOCl, reactive oxygen species crucial to killing pathogens. PMID:23798303

Probing Dynamic Cell-Substrate Interactions using Photochemically Generated Surface-Immobilized Gradients: Application to Selectin-Mediated Leukocyte Rolling

PubMed Central

Herman, Christine T.; Potts, Gregory K.; Michael, Madeline C.; Tolan, Nicole V.

2014-01-01

Model substrates presenting biochemical cues immobilized in a controlled and well-defined manner are of great interest for their applications in biointerface studies that elucidate the molecular basis of cell receptor-ligand interactions. Herein, we describe a direct, photochemical method to generate one-component surface-immobilized biomolecular gradients that are applied to the study of selectin-mediated leukocyte rolling. The technique employs benzophenone-modified glass substrates, which upon controlled exposure to UV light (350 – 365 nm) in the presence of protein-containing solutions facilitate the generation of covalently immobilized protein gradients. Conditions were optimized to generate gradient substrates presenting P-selectin and PSGL-1 (P-selectin Glycoprotein Ligand-1) immobilized at site densities over a 5- to 10-fold range (from as low as ~200 molecules/μm2 to as high as 6000 molecules/μm2). The resulting substrates were quantitatively characterized via fluorescence analysis and radioimmunoassays before their use in the leukocyte rolling assays. HL-60 promyelocytes and Jurkat T lymphocytes were assessed for their ability to tether to and roll on substrates presenting immobilized P-selectin and PSGL-1 under conditions of physiologically relevant shear stress. The results of these flow assays reveal the combined effect of immobilized protein site density and applied wall shear stress on cell rolling behavior. Two-component substrates presenting P-selectin and ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1) were also generated to assess the interplay between these two proteins and their effect on cell rolling and adhesion. These proof-of-principle studies verify that the described gradient generation approach yields well-defined gradient substrates that present immobilized proteins over a large range of site densities that are applicable for investigation of cell-materials interactions, including multi-parameter leukocyte flow studies. Future applications of this enabling methodology may lead to new insights into the biophysical phenomena and molecular mechanism underlying complex biological processes such as leukocyte recruitment and the inflammatory response. PMID:21614364

Fabrication of microscale materials with programmable composition gradients.

PubMed

Laval, Cédric; Bouchaudy, Anne; Salmon, Jean-Baptiste

2016-04-07

We present an original microfluidic technique coupling pervaporation and the use of Quake valves to fabricate microscale materials (∼10 × 100 μm(2) × 1 cm) with composition gradients along their longest dimension. Our device exploits pervaporation of water through a thin poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) membrane to continuously pump solutions (or dispersions) contained in different reservoirs connected to a microfluidic channel. This pervaporation-induced flow concentrates solutes (or particles) at the tip of the channel up to the formation of a dense material. The latter invades the channel as it is constantly enriched by an incoming flux of solutes/particles. Upstream Quake valves are used to select which reservoir is connected to the pervaporation channel and thus which solution (or dispersion) enriches the material during its growth. The microfluidic configuration of the pervaporation process is used to impose controlled growth along the channel thus enabling one to program spatial composition gradients using appropriate actuations of the valves. We demonstrate the possibilities offered by our technique through the fabrication of dense assemblies of nanoparticles and polymer composites with programmed gradients of fluorescent dyes. We also address the key issue of the spatial resolution of our gradients and we show that well-defined spatial modulations down to ≈50 μm can be obtained within colloidal materials, whereas gradients within polymer materials are resolved on length scales down to ≈1 mm due to molecular diffusion.

Time and the rivers flowing: Fluvial geomorphology since 1960

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wohl, Ellen

2014-07-01

Fluvial geomorphology has been the largest single subdiscipline within geomorphology for many decades. Fluvial geomorphic expertise is integral to understanding and managing rivers and to developing strategies for sustainable development. This paper provides an overview of some of the significant advances in fluvial geomorphology between 1960 and 2010 with respect to: conceptual models; fluvial features and environments being studied; tools used by fluvial geomorphologists; geomorphic specialty groups within professional societies; journals in which fluvial geomorphic research is published; and textbooks of fluvial geomorphology. During this half century, fluvial geomorphology broadened considerably in scope, from a focus primarily on physical principles underlying process and form in lower gradient channels with limited grain size range, to a more integrative view of rivers as ecosystems with nonlinear behavior and great diversity of gradient, substrate composition, and grain size. The array of tools for making basic observations, analyzing data, and disseminating research results also expanded considerably during this period, as did the diversity of the fluvial geomorphic community.

Wide-range stiffness gradient PVA/HA hydrogel to investigate stem cell differentiation behavior.

PubMed

Oh, Se Heang; An, Dan Bi; Kim, Tae Ho; Lee, Jin Ho

2016-04-15

Although stiffness-controllable substrates have been developed to investigate the effect of stiffness on cell behavior and function, the use of separate substrates with different degrees of stiffness, substrates with a narrow range stiffness gradient, toxicity of residues, different surface composition, complex fabrication procedures/devices, and low cell adhesion are still considered as hurdles of conventional techniques. In this study, a cylindrical polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel with a wide-range stiffness gradient (between ∼20kPa and ∼200kPa) and cell adhesiveness was prepared by a liquid nitrogen (LN2)-contacting gradual freezing-thawing method that does not use any additives or specific devices to produce the stiffness gradient hydrogel. From an in vitro cell culture using the stiffness gradient PVA/HA hydrogel, it was observed that human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells have favorable stiffness ranges for induction of differentiation into specific cell types (∼20kPa for nerve cell, ∼40kPa for muscle cell, ∼80kPa for chondrocyte, and ∼190kPa for osteoblast). The PVA/HA hydrogel with a wide range of stiffness spectrum can be a useful tool for basic studies related with the stem cell differentiation, cell reprogramming, cell migration, and tissue regeneration in terms of substrate stiffness. It is postulated that the stiffness of the extracellular matrix influences cell behavior. To prove this concept, various techniques to prepare substrates with a stiffness gradient have been developed. However, the narrow ranges of stiffness gradient and complex fabrication procedures/devices are still remained as limitations. Herein, we develop a substrate (hydrogel) with a wide-range stiffness gradient using a gradual freezing-thawing method which does not need specific devices to produce a stiffness gradient hydrogel. From cell culture experiments using the hydrogel, it is observed that human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells have favorable stiffness ranges for induction of differentiation into specific cell types (∼20kPa for nerve, ∼40kPa for muscle, ∼80kPa for cartilage, and ∼190kPa for bone in our hydrogel system). Copyright © 2016 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Numerical modeling of the destruction of steel plates with a gradient substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orlov, M. Yu.; Glazyrin, V. P.; Orlov, Yu. N.

2017-10-01

The paper presents the results of numerical simulation of the shock loading process of steel barriers with a gradient substrate. In an elastic plastic axisymmetric statement, a shock is simulated along the normal in the range of initial velocities up to 300 m / s. A range of initial velocities was revealed, in which the presence of a substrate "saved" the obstacle from spallation. New tasks were announced to deepen scientific knowledge about the behavior of unidirectional gradient barriers at impact. The results of calculations are obtained in the form of graphs, calculated configurations of the "impact - barrier" and tables.

Metal-semiconductor interfacial reactions - Ni/Si system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cheung, N. W.; Grunthaner, P. J.; Grunthaner, F. J.; Mayer, J. W.; Ullrich, B. M.

1981-01-01

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and channeling measurements with MeV He-4(+) ions have been used to probe the structure of the interface in the Ni/Si system. It is found that reactions occur where Ni is deposited on Si at 10 to the -10th torr: Si atoms are displaced from lattice sites, the Ni atoms are in an Si-rich environment, and the Ni/Si interface is graded in composition. Composition gradients are present at both interfaces in the Si/Ni2/Si/Ni system. For the Ni-Si system, cooling the substrate to 100 K slows down the reaction rate. The temperature dependence of the interfacial reactivity indicates the kinetic nature of metal-semiconductor interfaces.

Access channels to the buried active site control substrate specificity in CYP1A P450 enzymes.

PubMed

Urban, Philippe; Truan, Gilles; Pompon, Denis

2015-04-01

A cytochrome P450 active site is buried within the protein molecule and several channels connect the catalytic cavity to the protein surface. Their role in P450 catalysis is still matter of debate. The aim of this study was to understand the possible relations existing between channels and substrate specificity. Time course studies were carried out with a collection of polycyclic substrates of increasing sizes assayed with a library of wild-type and chimeric CYP1A enzymes. This resulted in a matrix of activities sufficiently large to allow statistical analysis. Multivariate statistical tools were used to decipher the correlation between observed activity shifts and sequence segment swaps. The global kinetic behavior of CYP1A enzymes toward polycyclic substrates is significantly different depending on the size of the substrate. Mutations which are close or lining the P450 channels significantly affect this discrimination, whereas mutations distant from the P450 channels do not. Size discrimination is taking place for polycyclic substrates at the entrance of the different P450 access channels. It is thus hypothesized that channels differentiate small from large substrates in CYP1A enzymes, implying that residues located at the surface of the protein may be implied in this differential recognition. Catalysis thus occurs after a two-step recognition process, one at the surface of the protein and the second within the catalytic cavity in enzymes with a buried active site. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Solvent-programmed microchip open-channel electrochromatography.

PubMed

Kutter, J P; Jacobson, S C; Matsubara, N; Ramsey, J M

1998-08-01

Open-channel electrochromatography in combination with solvent programming is demonstrated using a microchip device. Channel walls were coated with octadecylsilanes at ambient temperatures, yielding stationary phases for chromatographic separations of neutral dyes. The electroosmotic flow after coating was sufficient to ensure transport of all species and on-chip mixing of isocratic and gradient elution conditions with acetonitrile-buffer mixtures. Chips having different channel depths between 10.2 and 2.9 μm were evaluated for performance, and van Deemter plots were established. Channel depths of about 5 μm were found to be a good compromise between efficiency and ease of operation. Isocratic and gradient elution conditions were easily established and manipulated by computer-controlled application of voltages to the terminals of the microchip. Linear gradients with different slopes, start times, duration times, and start percentages of organic modifier proved to be powerful tools to tune selectivity and analysis time for the separation of a test mixture. Even very steep gradients still produced excellent efficiencies. Together with fast reconditioning times, complete runs could be finished in under 60 s.

Studies of bacterial aerotaxis in a microfluidic device

PubMed Central

Adler, Micha; Erickstad, Michael; Gutierrez, Edgar; Groisman, Alex

2012-01-01

Aerotaxis, the directional motion of bacteria in gradients of oxygen, was discovered in late 19th century and has since been reported in a variety of bacterial species. Nevertheless, quantitative studies of aerotaxis have been complicated by the lack of tools for generation of stable gradients of oxygen concentration, [O2]. Here we report a series of experiments on aerotaxis of Escherichia coli in a specially built experimental setup consisting of a computer-controlled gas mixer and a two-layer microfluidic device made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The setup enables generation of a variety of stable linear profiles of [O2] across a long gradient channel, with characteristic [O2] ranging from aerobic to microaerobic conditions. A suspension of E. coli cells is perfused through the gradient channel at a low speed, allowing cells enough time to explore the [O2] gradient, and the distribution of cells across the channel is analyzed near the channel outlet at a throughput of >105 cells per hour. Aerotaxis experiments are performed in [O2] gradients with identical logarithmic slopes and varying mean concentrations, as well as in gradients with identical mean concentrations and varying slopes. Experiments in gradients with [O2] ranging from 0 to ~11.5% indicate that, in contrast to some previous reports, E. coli cells do not congregate at some intermediate level of [O2], but rather prefer the highest accessible [O2]. The presented technology can be applied to studies of aerotaxis of other aerobic and microaerobic bacteria. PMID:23010909

Fabrication of Buried Nanochannels From Nanowire Patterns

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choi, Daniel; Yang, Eui-Hyeok

2007-01-01

A method of fabricating channels having widths of tens of nanometers in silicon substrates and burying the channels under overlying layers of dielectric materials has been demonstrated. With further refinement, the method might be useful for fabricating nanochannels for manipulation and analysis of large biomolecules at single-molecule resolution. Unlike in prior methods, burying the channels does not involve bonding of flat wafers to the silicon substrates to cover exposed channels in the substrates. Instead, the formation and burying of the channels are accomplished in a more sophisticated process that is less vulnerable to defects in the substrates and less likely to result in clogging of, or leakage from, the channels. In this method, the first step is to establish the channel pattern by forming an array of sacrificial metal nanowires on an SiO2-on-Si substrate. In particular, the wire pattern is made by use of focused-ion-beam (FIB) lithography and a subsequent metallization/lift-off process. The pattern of metal nanowires is then transferred onto the SiO2 layer by reactive-ion etching, which yields sacrificial SiO2 nanowires covered by metal. After removal of the metal covering the SiO2 nanowires, what remains are SiO2 nanowires on an Si substrate. Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) is used to form a layer of a dielectric material over the Si substrate and over the SiO2 wires on the surface of the substrate. FIB milling is then performed to form trenches at both ends of each SiO2 wire. The trenches serve as openings for the entry of chemicals that etch SiO2 much faster than they etch Si. Provided that the nanowires are not so long that the diffusion of the etching chemicals is blocked, the sacrificial SiO2 nanowires become etched out from between the dielectric material and the Si substrate, leaving buried channels. At the time of reporting the information for this article, channels 3 m long, 20 nm deep, and 80 nm wide (see figure) had been fabricated by this method.

Performance optimization in electric field gradient focusing.

PubMed

Sun, Xuefei; Farnsworth, Paul B; Tolley, H Dennis; Warnick, Karl F; Woolley, Adam T; Lee, Milton L

2009-01-02

Electric field gradient focusing (EFGF) is a technique used to simultaneously separate and concentrate biomacromolecules, such as proteins, based on the opposing forces of an electric field gradient and a hydrodynamic flow. Recently, we reported EFGF devices fabricated completely from copolymers functionalized with poly(ethylene glycol), which display excellent resistance to protein adsorption. However, the previous devices did not provide the predicted linear electric field gradient and stable current. To improve performance, Tris-HCl buffer that was previously doped in the hydrogel was replaced with a phosphate buffer containing a salt (i.e., potassium chloride, KCl) with high mobility ions. The new devices exhibited stable current, good reproducibility, and a linear electric field distribution in agreement with the shaped gradient region design due to improved ion transport in the hydrogel. The field gradient was calculated based on theory to be approximately 5.76 V/cm(2) for R-phycoerythrin when the applied voltage was 500 V. The effect of EFGF separation channel dimensions was also investigated; a narrower focused band was achieved in a smaller diameter channel. The relationship between the bandwidth and channel diameter is consistent with theory. Three model proteins were resolved in an EFGF channel of this design. The improved device demonstrated 14,000-fold concentration of a protein sample (from 2 ng/mL to 27 microg/mL).

Optimization of flexible substrate by gradient elastic modulus design for performance improvement of flexible electronic devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Minggang; Liang, Chunping; Hu, Ruixue; Cheng, Zhaofang; Liu, Shiru; Zhang, Shengli

2018-05-01

It is imperative and highly desirable to buffer the stress in flexible electronic devices. In this study, we designed and fabricated lamellate poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) samples with gradient elastic moduli, motivated by the protection of the pomelo pulp by its skin, followed by the measurements of their elastic moduli. We demonstrated that the electrical and fatigue performances of a Ag-nanowire thin film device on the PDMS substrate with a gradient elastic modulus are significantly better than those of a device on a substrate with a monolayer PDMS. This study provides a robust scheme to effectively protect flexible electronic devices.

Lithologic and hydraulic controls on network-scale variations in sediment yield: Big Wood and North Fork Big Lost Rivers, Idaho

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mueller, E. R.; Pitlick, J.; Smith, M. E.

2008-12-01

Channel morphology and sediment textures in streams and rivers are a product of the flux of sediment and water conveyed to channel networks. Differences in sediment supply between watersheds should thus be reflected by differences in channel and bed-material properties. In order to address this directly, field measurements of channel morphology, substrate lithology, and bed sediment textures were made at 35 sites distributed evenly across two adjacent watersheds in south-central Idaho, the Big Wood River (BW) and N. Fork Big Lost River (NBL). Measurements of sediment transport indicate a five-fold difference in sediment yields between these basins, despite their geographic proximity. Three dominant lithologic modes (an intrusive and extrusive volcanic suite and a sedimentary suite) exist in different proportions between these basins. The spatial distribution of lithologies exhibits a first-order control on the variation in sediment supply, bed sediment textures, and size distribution of the bed load at the basin outlet. Here we document the coupled hydraulic and sedimentologic structuring of these stream channel networks to differences in sediment supply. The results show that width and depth are remarkably similar between the two basins across a range in channel gradient and drainage area, with the primary difference being decreased bed armoring in the NBL. As a result, dimensionless shear stress (τ*) increases downstream in the NBL with an average value of 0.073, despite declining slope. The opposite is true in the BW where τ* averages 0.048. Lithologic characterization of the substrate indicates that much of the discrepancy in bed armoring can be attributed to an increasing downstream supply of resistant intrusive granitic rocks to the BW, whereas the NBL is dominated by erodible extrusive volcanic and sedimentary rocks. A simple modeling approach using an excess shear stress-based bed load transport equation and observed channel geometry shows that subtle changes in sediment texture can reproduce the marked difference in sediment yield between basins. This suggests that in gravel-bed streams the flux of sediment through the channel network is governed as much by textural changes as by morphological changes, and that these textural changes are tightly coupled to source area lithology.

Observations and consequences of nonuniform aluminum concentrations in the channel regions of AlGaAs channeled-substrate-planar lasers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Evans, Gary A.; Goldstein, Bernard; Butler, Jerome K.

1987-01-01

Compositional changes in the n-clad layer within the channel region of channel substrate planar (CSP) type semiconductor lasers have been observed. As a consequece, a large optical cavity (LOC) or an enhanced substrate loss (ESL) version of the CSP geometry may result, both of which may have significantly different characteristics from those of a conventional CSP laser. The CSP-LOC generally has a larger near-field spot size, while the ESL-CSP is characterized by an off-axis, asymmetric far-field pattern.

Mechanism of competitive grain growth in a curvilinear channel of crystal-sorter during the orientational solidification of nickel-based heat-resistant alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monastyrskiy, V. P.; Pozdnyakov, A. N.; Ershov, M. Yu.; Monastyrskiy, A. V.

2017-07-01

Using numerical simulation in the ProCAST program complex, the conditions of the solidification of heat-resistant nickel alloy in curvilinear channels of a ceramic mold have been investigated. It has been shown that, in practically important cases, the vector of the temperature gradient is oriented along the axis of the curvilinear channel. In a spiral crystal selector, a cyclic change in the preferred direction of growth occurs because of the cyclic change in the direction of the vector of the temperature gradient. The fact that the vector of the temperature gradient is almost always directed along the axis of the curvilinear channel makes it possible to govern the orientation of the vector of the temperature gradient in space and, therefore, to obtain a grain with the preferred crystallographic orientation. Based on the results of this investigation, a method of the grain selection with a desired azimuthal orientation is proposed.

Preparation and corrosion resistance of electroless Ni-P/SiC functionally gradient coatings on AZ91D magnesium alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hui-Long; Liu, Ling-Yun; Dou, Yong; Zhang, Wen-Zhu; Jiang, Wen-Feng

2013-12-01

In this paper, the protective electroless Ni-P/SiC gradient coatings on AZ91D magnesium alloy substrate were successfully prepared. The prepared Ni-P/SiC gradient coatings were characterized for its microstructure, morphology, microhardness and adhesion to the substrate. The deposition reaction kinetics was investigated and an empirical rate equation for electroless Ni-P/SiC plating on AZ91D magnesium alloy was developed. The anticorrosion properties of the Ni-P/SiC gradient coatings in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution were evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies. The potentiodynamic polarization measurements revealed that the SiC concentration in the bath and heat treatment can influence the corrosion protection performance of electroless deposited Ni-P/SiC gradient coatings. EIS studies indicated that higher charge transfer resistance and slightly lower capacitance values were obtained for Ni-P/SiC gradient coatings compared to Ni-P coatings. The corrosion resistance of the Ni-P/SiC gradient coatings increases initially and decreases afterwards with the sustained increasing of immersion time in the aggressive medium. The electroless Ni-P/SiC gradient coatings can afford better corrosion protection for magnesium alloy substrate compared with Ni-P coatings.

Macroinvertebrates communities associated with the decomposition of Phragmites australis and Fucus vesiculosus in transitional systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lopes, Marta Lobão; Martins, Patrícia; Rodrigues, Ana Maria; Quintino, Victor

2013-10-01

The decomposition rates of a macrophyte (Phragmites australis) and an alga (Fucus vesiculosus) and the associated macrofauna communities were studied along a full salinity gradient, using the leaf-bag technique and four sampling times (days 3, 7, 15 and 30). A control was set up using an artificial substrate. A subsequent study conducted in the mesohaline part of the salinity gradient also included empty bags as procedure control. The decay rates of the alga and the macrophyte were significantly different, the alga decaying faster, and presented an opposite trend along the salinity gradient, with the faster decay rate for reed in the less saline areas and for the alga in the euhaline part of the gradient. The fauna associated with the decaying and the artificial substrate showed equally well the benthic succession from the marine to the freshwater areas, in all sampling times. Arthropods were dominant in all substrates along the estuarine gradient and replaced by annelids in freshwater. No significant differences were found between the benthic communities associated with P. australis and F. vesiculosus, despite the strong differences in the decay rates, suggesting that these do not seem to be primarily related to the benthic colonizers. Although the organic substrates sustained a more abundant fauna, the benthic communities did not show significant differences between the organic and the artificial substrates, especially at the level of the species composition, suggesting that the macroinvertebrates may colonize both substrates to feed on the biofilm and/or to seek shelter. The strongly impoverished benthic community sampled by the empty bags reinforced this idea.

Using Remote Sensing and High-Resolution Digital Elevation Models to Identify Potential Erosional Hotspots Along River Channels During High Discharge Storm Events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orland, E. D.; Amidon, W. H.

2017-12-01

As global warming intensifies, large precipitation events and associated floods are becoming increasingly common. Channel adjustments during floods can occur by both erosion and deposition of sediment, often damaging infrastructure in the process. There is thus a need for predictive models that can help managers identify river reaches that are most prone to adjustment during storms. Because rivers in post-glacial landscapes often flow over a mixture of bedrock and alluvial substrates, the identification of bedrock vs. alluvial channel reaches is an important first step in predicting vulnerability to channel adjustment during flood events, especially because bedrock channels are unlikely to adjust significantly, even during floods. This study develops a semi-automated approach to predicting channel substrate using a high-resolution LiDAR-derived digital elevation model (DEM). The study area is the Middlebury River in Middlebury, VT-a well-studied watershed with a wide variety of channel substrates, including reaches with documented channel adjustments during recent flooding events. Multiple metrics were considered for reference—such as channel width and drainage area—but the study utilized channel slope as a key parameter for identifying morphological variations within the Middlebury River. Using data extracted from the DEM, a power law was fit to selected slope and drainage area values for each branch in order to model idealized slope-drainage area relationships, which were then compared with measured slope-drainage area relationships. Differences in measured slope minus predicted slope (called delta-slope) are shown to help predict river channel substrate. Compared with field observations, higher delta-slope values correlate with more stable, boulder rich channels or bedrock gorges; conversely the lowest delta-slope values correlate with flat, sediment rich alluvial channels. The delta-slope metric thus serves as a reliable first-order predictor of channel substrate in the Middlebury River, which in turn can be used to help identify local reaches that are most vulnerable to channel adjustment during large flood events.

Lateral transport of solutes in microfluidic channels using electrochemically generated gradients in redox-active surfactants.

PubMed

Liu, Xiaoyang; Abbott, Nicholas L

2011-04-15

We report principles for a continuous flow process that can separate solutes based on a driving force for selective transport that is generated by a lateral concentration gradient of a redox-active surfactant across a microfluidic channel. Microfluidic channels fabricated with gold electrodes lining each vertical wall were used to electrochemically generate concentration gradients of the redox-active surfactant 11-ferrocenylundecyl-trimethylammonium bromide (FTMA) in a direction perpendicular to the flow. The interactions of three solutes (a hydrophobic dye, 1-phenylazo-2-naphthylamine (yellow AB), an amphiphilic molecule, 2-(4,4-difluoro-5,7-dimethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene-3-pentanoyl)-1-hexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (BODIPY C(5)-HPC), and an organic salt, 1-methylpyridinium-3-sulfonate (MPS)) with the lateral gradients in surfactant/micelle concentration were shown to drive the formation of solute-specific concentration gradients. Two distinct physical mechanisms were identified to lead to the solute concentration gradients: solubilization of solutes by micelles and differential adsorption of the solutes onto the walls of the microchannels in the presence of the surfactant concentration gradient. These two mechanisms were used to demonstrate delipidation of a mixture of BODIPY C(5)-HPC (lipid) and MPS and purification of BODIPY C(5)-HPC from a mixture of BODIPY C(5)-HPC and yellow AB. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that lateral concentration gradients of redox-active surfactants formed within microfluidic channels can be used to transport solutes across the microfluidic channels in a solute-dependent manner. The approach employs electrical potentials (<1 V) that are sufficiently small to avoid electrolysis of water, can be performed in solutions having high ionic strength (>0.1M), and offers the basis of continuous processes for the purification or separation of solutes in microscale systems. © 2011 American Chemical Society

Capillary interconnect device

DOEpatents

Renzi, Ronald F.

2007-12-25

A manifold for connecting external capillaries to the inlet and/or outlet ports of a microfluidic device for high pressure applications is provided. The fluid connector for coupling at least one fluid conduit to a corresponding port of a substrate that includes: (i) a manifold comprising one or more channels extending therethrough wherein each channel is at least partially threaded, (ii) one or more threaded ferrules each defining a bore extending therethrough with each ferrule supporting a fluid conduit wherein each ferrule is threaded into a channel of the manifold, (iii) a substrate having one or more ports on its upper surface wherein the substrate is positioned below the manifold so that the one or more ports is aligned with the one or more channels of the manifold, and (iv) means for applying an axial compressive force to the substrate to couple the one or more ports of the substrate to a corresponding proximal end of a fluid conduit.

Edge compression manifold apparatus

DOEpatents

Renzi, Ronald F.

2004-12-21

A manifold for connecting external capillaries to the inlet and/or outlet ports of a microfluidic device for high pressure applications is provided. The fluid connector for coupling at least one fluid conduit to a corresponding port of a substrate that includes: (i) a manifold comprising one or more channels extending therethrough wherein each channel is at least partially threaded, (ii) one or more threaded ferrules each defining a bore extending therethrough with each ferrule supporting a fluid conduit wherein each ferrule is threaded into a channel of the manifold, (iii) a substrate having one or more ports on its upper surface wherein the substrate is positioned below the manifold so that the one or more ports is aligned with the one or more channels of the manifold, and (iv) device to apply an axial compressive force to the substrate to couple the one or more ports of the substrate to a corresponding proximal end of a fluid conduit.

Edge compression manifold apparatus

DOEpatents

Renzi, Ronald F [Tracy, CA

2007-02-27

A manifold for connecting external capillaries to the inlet and/or outlet ports of a microfluidic device for high pressure applications is provided. The fluid connector for coupling at least one fluid conduit to a corresponding port of a substrate that includes: (i) a manifold comprising one or more channels extending therethrough wherein each channel is at least partially threaded, (ii) one or more threaded ferrules each defining a bore extending therethrough with each ferrule supporting a fluid conduit wherein each ferrule is threaded into a channel of the manifold, (iii) a substrate having one or more ports on its upper surface wherein the substrate is positioned below the manifold so that the one or more ports is aligned with the one or more channels of the manifold, and (iv) device to apply an axial compressive force to the substrate to couple the one or more ports of the substrate to a corresponding proximal end of a fluid conduit.

Flow convergence caused by a salinity minimum in a tidal channel

USGS Publications Warehouse

Warner, John C.; Schoellhamer, David H.; Burau, Jon R.; Schladow, S. Geoffrey

2006-01-01

Residence times of dissolved substances and sedimentation rates in tidal channels are affected by residual (tidally averaged) circulation patterns. One influence on these circulation patterns is the longitudinal density gradient. In most estuaries the longitudinal density gradient typically maintains a constant direction. However, a junction of tidal channels can create a local reversal (change in sign) of the density gradient. This can occur due to a difference in the phase of tidal currents in each channel. In San Francisco Bay, the phasing of the currents at the junction of Mare Island Strait and Carquinez Strait produces a local salinity minimum in Mare Island Strait. At the location of a local salinity minimum the longitudinal density gradient reverses direction. This paper presents four numerical models that were used to investigate the circulation caused by the salinity minimum: (1) A simple one-dimensional (1D) finite difference model demonstrates that a local salinity minimum is advected into Mare Island Strait from the junction with Carquinez Strait during flood tide. (2) A three-dimensional (3D) hydrodynamic finite element model is used to compute the tidally averaged circulation in a channel that contains a salinity minimum (a change in the sign of the longitudinal density gradient) and compares that to a channel that contains a longitudinal density gradient in a constant direction. The tidally averaged circulation produced by the salinity minimum is characterized by converging flow at the bed and diverging flow at the surface, whereas the circulation produced by the constant direction gradient is characterized by converging flow at the bed and downstream surface currents. These velocity fields are used to drive both a particle tracking and a sediment transport model. (3) A particle tracking model demonstrates a 30 percent increase in the residence time of neutrally buoyant particles transported through the salinity minimum, as compared to transport through a constant direction density gradient. (4) A sediment transport model demonstrates increased deposition at the near-bed null point of the salinity minimum, as compared to the constant direction gradient null point. These results are corroborated by historically noted large sedimentation rates and a local maximum of selenium accumulation in clams at the null point in Mare Island Strait.

Micromachined peristaltic pump

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hartley, Frank T. (Inventor)

1998-01-01

A micromachined pump including a channel formed in a semiconductor substrate by conventional processes such as chemical etching. A number of insulating barriers are established in the substrate parallel to one another and transverse to the channel. The barriers separate a series of electrically conductive strips. An overlying flexible conductive membrane is applied over the channel and conductive strips with an insulating layer separating the conductive strips from the conductive membrane. Application of a sequential voltage to the series of strips pulls the membrane into the channel portion of each successive strip to achieve a pumping action. A particularly desirable arrangement employs a micromachined push-pull dual channel cavity employing two substrates with a single membrane sandwiched between them.

Loss of an actin crosslinker uncouples cell spreading from cell stiffening on gels with a gradient of stiffness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wen, Qi; Byfield, Fitzroy J.; Nordstrom, Kerstin; Arratia, Paulo E.; Miller, R. Tyler; Janmey, Paul A.

2009-03-01

We use microfluidics techniques to produce gels with a gradient of stiffness to show the essential function of the actin crosslinker filamin A in cell responses to mechanical stimuli. M2 melanoma cells null for filamin A do not alter their adherent area in response to increased substrate stiffness when they link to the substrate only through collagen receptors, but change adherent area normally when bound through fibronectin receptors. In contrast, filamin A-replete A7 cells change adherent area on both substrates and respond more strongly to collagen 1-coated gels than to fibronectin-coated gels. A7 cells alter their stiffness, as measured by atomic force microscopy, to match the elastic modulus of the substrate immediately adjacent to them on the gradient. M2 cells, in contrast, maintain a constant stiffness on all substrates that is as low as that of A7 cells on the softest gels achievable (1000 Pa). By contrasting the responses of these cell types to different adhesive substrates, cell spreading can be dissociated from stiffening.

Effect of gradient dielectric coefficient in a functionally graded material (FGM) substrate on the propagation behavior of love waves in an FGM-piezoelectric layered structure.

PubMed

Cao, Xiaoshan; Shi, Junping; Jin, Feng

2012-06-01

The propagation behavior of Love waves in a layered structure that includes a functionally graded material (FGM) substrate carrying a piezoelectric thin film is investigated. Analytical solutions are obtained for both constant and gradient dielectric coefficients in the FGM substrate. Numerical results show that the gradient dielectric coefficient decreases phase velocity in any mode, and the electromechanical coupling factor significantly increases in the first- and secondorder modes. In some modes, the difference in Love waves' phase velocity between these two types of structure might be more than 1%, resulting in significant differences in frequency of the surface acoustic wave devices.

Generation and precise control of dynamic biochemical gradients for cellular assays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saka, Yasushi; MacPherson, Murray; Giuraniuc, Claudiu V.

2017-03-01

Spatial gradients of diffusible signalling molecules play crucial roles in controlling diverse cellular behaviour such as cell differentiation, tissue patterning and chemotaxis. In this paper, we report the design and testing of a microfluidic device for diffusion-based gradient generation for cellular assays. A unique channel design of the device eliminates cross-flow between the source and sink channels, thereby stabilizing gradients by passive diffusion. The platform also enables quick and flexible control of chemical concentration that makes highly dynamic gradients in diffusion chambers. A model with the first approximation of diffusion and surface adsorption of molecules recapitulates the experimentally observed gradients. Budding yeast cells cultured in a gradient of a chemical inducer expressed a reporter fluorescence protein in a concentration-dependent manner. This microfluidic platform serves as a versatile prototype applicable to a broad range of biomedical investigations.

Method and system for optical figuring by imagewise heating of a solvent

DOEpatents

Rushford, Michael C.

2005-08-30

A method and system of imagewise etching the surface of a substrate, such as thin glass, in a parallel process. The substrate surface is placed in contact with an etchant solution which increases in etch rate with temperature. A local thermal gradient is then generated in each of a plurality of selected local regions of a boundary layer of the etchant solution to imagewise etch the substrate surface in a parallel process. In one embodiment, the local thermal gradient is a local heating gradient produced at selected addresses chosen from an indexed array of addresses. The activation of each of the selected addresses is independently controlled by a computer processor so as to imagewise etch the substrate surface at region-specific etch rates. Moreover, etching progress is preferably concurrently monitored in real time over the entire surface area by an interferometer so as to deterministically control the computer processor to image-wise figure the substrate surface where needed.

Composition gradient, structure, stress, roughness and magnetic properties of 5-500 nm thin NiFe films obtained by electrodeposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gong, Jie; Riemer, Steve; Kautzky, Michael; Tabakovic, Ibro

2016-01-01

The composition gradients of 5-500 nm thin NiFe films on Cu and NiP substrates obtained by electrodeposition in stirred plating solutions at pH 3.0 on 8 in wafers were studied. It was found that the average elemental composition of the NiFe changes during electrodeposition with steep downturns of Fe-content, from 58 to 50 wt% Fe, in composition gradient zone near the substrate interface in the thickness range 5-250 nm depending on the electrode substrate (Cu and NiP). The increase of Fe-content in the composition gradient zone is accompanied by the increase of coercivity, Hc, magnetic flux saturation, Bs, saturation magnetostriction, λs, increase of dimensionless roughness, ρrms, and change of stress, σ. The coercivity (easy and hard axis) follows the Neel's relation Hc=ct-n (t is thickness and c is a constant). The mechanisms related to the change of coercivity of the NiFe films deposited on different substrates (Cu and NiP) are discussed in terms of material properties of these films.

Fully depleted back illuminated CCD

DOEpatents

Holland, Stephen Edward

2001-01-01

A backside illuminated charge coupled device (CCD) is formed of a relatively thick high resistivity photon sensitive silicon substrate, with frontside electronic circuitry, and an optically transparent backside ohmic contact for applying a backside voltage which is at least sufficient to substantially fully deplete the substrate. A greater bias voltage which overdepletes the substrate may also be applied. One way of applying the bias voltage to the substrate is by physically connecting the voltage source to the ohmic contact. An alternate way of applying the bias voltage to the substrate is to physically connect the voltage source to the frontside of the substrate, at a point outside the depletion region. Thus both frontside and backside contacts can be used for backside biasing to fully deplete the substrate. Also, high resistivity gaps around the CCD channels and electrically floating channel stop regions can be provided in the CCD array around the CCD channels. The CCD array forms an imaging sensor useful in astronomy.

Monolithically compatible impedance measurement

DOEpatents

Ericson, Milton Nance; Holcomb, David Eugene

2002-01-01

A monolithic sensor includes a reference channel and at least one sensing channel. Each sensing channel has an oscillator and a counter driven by the oscillator. The reference channel and the at least one sensing channel being formed integrally with a substrate and intimately nested with one another on the substrate. Thus, the oscillator and the counter have matched component values and temperature coefficients. A frequency determining component of the sensing oscillator is formed integrally with the substrate and has an impedance parameter which varies with an environmental parameter to be measured by the sensor. A gating control is responsive to an output signal generated by the reference channel, for terminating counting in the at least one sensing channel at an output count, whereby the output count is indicative of the environmental parameter, and successive ones of the output counts are indicative of changes in the environmental parameter.

Characterization of the startup transient electrokinetic flow in rectangular channels of arbitrary dimensions, zeta potential distribution, and time-varying pressure gradient.

PubMed

Miller, Andrew; Villegas, Arturo; Diez, F Javier

2015-03-01

The solution to the startup transient EOF in an arbitrary rectangular microchannel is derived analytically and validated experimentally. This full 2D transient solution describes the evolution of the flow through five distinct periods until reaching a final steady state. The derived analytical velocity solution is validated experimentally for different channel sizes and aspect ratios under time-varying pressure gradients. The experiments used a time resolved micro particle image velocimetry technique to calculate the startup transient velocity profiles. The measurements captured the effect of time-varying pressure gradient fields derived in the analytical solutions. This is tested by using small reservoirs at both ends of the channel which allowed a time-varying pressure gradient to develop with a time scale on the order of the transient EOF. Results showed that under these common conditions, the effect of the pressure build up in the reservoirs on the temporal development of the transient startup EOF in the channels cannot be neglected. The measurements also captured the analytical predictions for channel walls made of different materials (i.e., zeta potentials). This was tested in channels that had three PDMS and one quartz wall, resulting in a flow with an asymmetric velocity profile due to variations in the zeta potential between the walls. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Ion Trapping with Fast-Response Ion-Selective Microelectrodes Enhances Detection of Extracellular Ion Channel Gradients

PubMed Central

Messerli, Mark A.; Collis, Leon P.; Smith, Peter J.S.

2009-01-01

Previously, functional mapping of channels has been achieved by measuring the passage of net charge and of specific ions with electrophysiological and intracellular fluorescence imaging techniques. However, functional mapping of ion channels using extracellular ion-selective microelectrodes has distinct advantages over the former methods. We have developed this method through measurement of extracellular K+ gradients caused by efflux through Ca2+-activated K+ channels expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. We report that electrodes constructed with short columns of a mechanically stable K+-selective liquid membrane respond quickly and measure changes in local [K+] consistent with a diffusion model. When used in close proximity to the plasma membrane (<4 μm), the ISMs pose a barrier to simple diffusion, creating an ion trap. The ion trap amplifies the local change in [K+] without dramatically changing the rise or fall time of the [K+] profile. Measurement of extracellular K+ gradients from activated rSlo channels shows that rapid events, 10–55 ms, can be characterized. This method provides a noninvasive means for functional mapping of channel location and density as well as for characterizing the properties of ion channels in the plasma membrane. PMID:19217875

Water and glucose gradients in the substrate measured with NMR imaging during solid-state fermentation with Aspergillus oryzae.

PubMed

Nagel, Frank-Jan; Van As, Henk; Tramper, Johannes; Rinzema, Arjen

2002-09-20

Gradients inside substrate particles cannot be prevented in solid-state fermentation. These gradients can have a strong effect on the physiology of the microorganisms but have hitherto received little attention in experimental studies. We report gradients in moisture and glucose content during cultivation of Aspergillus oryzae on membrane-covered wheat-dough slices that were calculated from (1)H-NMR images. We found that moisture gradients in the solid substrate remain small when evaporation is minimized. This is corroborated by predictions of a diffusion model. In contrast, strong glucose gradients developed. Glucose concentrations just below the fungal mat remained low due to high glucose uptake rates, but deeper in the matrix glucose accumulated to very high levels. Integration of the glucose profile gave an average concentration close to the measured average content. On the basis of published data, we expect that the glucose levels in the matrix cause a strong decrease in water activity. The results demonstrate that NMR can play an important role in quantitative analysis of water and glucose gradients at the particle level during solid-state fermentation, which is needed to improve our understanding of the response of fungi to this nonconventional fermentation environment. Copyright 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Reach-scale characterization of large woody debris in a low-gradient, Midwestern U.S.A. river system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, Derek J.; Pavlowsky, Robert T.; Harden, Carol P.

2016-06-01

Addition of large woody debris (LWD) to rivers has increasingly become a popular stream restoration strategy, particularly in river systems of the Midwestern United States. However, our knowledge of LWD dynamics is mostly limited to high gradient montane river systems, or coastal river systems. The LWD-related management of low-gradient, Midwestern river systems is thus largely based on higher gradient analogs of LWD dynamics. This research characterizes fluvial wood loads and investigates the relationships between fluvial wood, channel morphology, and sediment deposition in a relatively low-gradient, semiconfined, alluvial river. The LWD and channel morphology were surveyed at nine reaches along the Big River in southeastern Missouri to investigate those relationships in comparison to other regions. Wood loads in the Big River are low (3-114 m3/100 m) relative to those of higher gradient river systems of the Pacific Northwest, but high relative to lower-gradient river systems of the Eastern United States. Wood characteristics such as size and orientation suggest that the dominant LWD recruitment mechanism in the Big River is bank erosion. Also, ratios of wood geometry to channel geometry show that the Big River maintains a relatively high wood transport capacity for most of its length. Although LWD creates sites for sediment storage, the overall impact on reach-scale sediment storage in the Big River is low (< 4.2% of total in-channel storage). However, wood loads, and thus opportunities for sediment storage, have the potential to grow in the future as Midwestern riparian forests mature. This study represents the first of its kind within this particular type of river system and within this region and thus serves as a basis for understanding fluvial wood dynamics in low-gradient river systems of the Midwestern United States.

Inherent interfacial mechanical gradients in 3D hydrogels influence tumor cell behaviors.

PubMed

Rao, Shreyas S; Bentil, Sarah; DeJesus, Jessica; Larison, John; Hissong, Alex; Dupaix, Rebecca; Sarkar, Atom; Winter, Jessica O

2012-01-01

Cells sense and respond to the rigidity of their microenvironment by altering their morphology and migration behavior. To examine this response, hydrogels with a range of moduli or mechanical gradients have been developed. Here, we show that edge effects inherent in hydrogels supported on rigid substrates also influence cell behavior. A Matrigel hydrogel was supported on a rigid glass substrate, an interface which computational techniques revealed to yield relative stiffening close to the rigid substrate support. To explore the influence of these gradients in 3D, hydrogels of varying Matrigel content were synthesized and the morphology, spreading, actin organization, and migration of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumor cells were examined at the lowest (<50 µm) and highest (>500 µm) gel positions. GBMs adopted bipolar morphologies, displayed actin stress fiber formation, and evidenced fast, mesenchymal migration close to the substrate, whereas away from the interface, they adopted more rounded or ellipsoid morphologies, displayed poor actin architecture, and evidenced slow migration with some amoeboid characteristics. Mechanical gradients produced via edge effects could be observed with other hydrogels and substrates and permit observation of responses to multiple mechanical environments in a single hydrogel. Thus, hydrogel-support edge effects could be used to explore mechanosensitivity in a single 3D hydrogel system and should be considered in 3D hydrogel cell culture systems.

Photographic guidance for selecting flow resistance coefficients in high-gradient channels

Treesearch

Steven E. Yochum; Francesco Comiti; Ellen Wohl; Gabrielle C. L. David; Luca Mao

2014-01-01

Photographic guidance is presented to assist with the estimation of Manning’s n and Darcy-Weisbach f in high-gradient plane-bed, step-pool, and cascade channels. Reaches both with and without instream wood are included. These coefficients are necessary for the estimation of reachaverage velocity, energy loss, and...

Membraneless seawater desalination

DOEpatents

Crooks, Richard A.; Knust, Kyle N.; Perdue, Robbyn K.

2018-04-03

Disclosed are microfluidic devices and systems for the desalination of water. The devices and systems can include an electrode configured to generate an electric field gradient in proximity to an intersection formed by the divergence of two microfluidic channels from an inlet channel. Under an applied bias and in the presence of a pressure driven flow of saltwater, the electric field gradient can preferentially direct ions in saltwater into one of the diverging microfluidic channels, while desalted water flows into second diverging channel. Also provided are methods of using the devices and systems described herein to decrease the salinity of water.

Microfluidic sieve using intertwined, free-standing carbon nanotube mesh as active medium

DOEpatents

Bakajin, Olgica; Noy, Aleksandr

2007-11-06

A microfluidic sieve having a substrate with a microfluidic channel, and a carbon nanotube mesh. The carbon nanotube mesh is formed from a plurality of intertwined free-standing carbon nanotubes which are fixedly attached within the channel for separating, concentrating, and/or filtering molecules flowed through the channel. In one embodiment, the microfluidic sieve is fabricated by providing a substrate having a microfluidic channel, and growing the intertwined free-standing carbon nanotubes from within the channel to produce the carbon nanotube mesh attached within the channel.

Identification of linear and threshold responses in streams along a gradient of urbanization in Anchorage, Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ourso, R.T.; Frenzel, S.A.

2003-01-01

We examined biotic and physiochemical responses in urbanized Anchorage, Alaska, to the percent of impervious area within stream basins, as determined by high-resolution IKONOS satellite imagery and aerial photography. Eighteen of the 86 variables examined, including riparian and instream habitat, macroinvertebrate communities, and water/sediment chemistry, were significantly correlated with percent impervious area. Variables related to channel condition, instream substrate, water chemistry, and residential and transportation right-of-way land uses were identified by principal components analysis as significant factors separating site groups. Detrended canonical correspondence analysis indicated that the macroinvertebrate communities responded to an urbanization gradient closely paralleling the percent of impervious area within the subbasin. A sliding regression analysis of variables significantly correlated with percent impervious area revealed 8 variables exhibiting threshold responses that correspond to a mean of 4.4-5.8% impervious area, much lower than mean values reported in other, similar investigations. As contributing factors to a subbasin's impervious area, storm drains and roads appeared to be important elements influencing the degradation of water quality with respect to the biota.

Heavy metal multilayers for switching of magnetic unit via electrical current without magnetic field, method and applications

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

Ma, Qinli; Li, Yufan; Chien, Chia-ling

Provided is an electric-current-controllable magnetic unit, including: a substrate, an electric-current channel disposed on the substrate, the electric-current channel including a composite heavy-metal multilayer comprising at least one heavy-metal; a capping layer disposed over the electric-current channel; and at least one ferromagnetic layer disposed between the electric-current channel and the capping layer.

Micro-composite substrates for the study of cell-matrix mechanical interactions.

PubMed

Chao, Pen-hsiu Grace; Sheng, Shou-Chien; Chang, Wei-Ren

2014-10-01

The chemical and physical gradients in the native cell microenvironment induce intracellular polarization and control cell behaviors such as morphology, migration and phenotypic changes. Directed cell migration in response to substrate stiffness gradients, known as durotaxis or mechanotaxis, has drawn attention due to its significance in development, metastasis, and wound healing. We developed a microcomposite substrate (μCS) platform with a microfabricated base and collagen hydrogel top to generate physiological linear stiffness gradients without any variation in chemical or transport properties. This platform is compatible with both 2D and 3D cell culturing and can be assembled with common supplies found in most biology labs. Ligament fibroblasts (LFs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) both respond to the mechanical gradient with directed migration. Interestingly, LFs exhibit higher mechanosensitivity compared with MSCs. Polarized nonmuscle myosin IIB distribution was also found on the μCS gradient, confirming previous reports. This robust system provides an easily accessible platform to study cell mechanosensing and a more physiological microenvironment for cell studies. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

High-content profiling of cell responsiveness to graded substrates based on combinyatorially variant polymers.

PubMed

Liu, Er; Treiser, Matthew D; Patel, Hiral; Sung, Hak-Joon; Roskov, Kristen E; Kohn, Joachim; Becker, Matthew L; Moghe, Prabhas V

2009-08-01

We have developed a novel approach combining high information and high throughput analysis to characterize cell adhesive responses to biomaterial substrates possessing gradients in surface topography. These gradients were fabricated by subjecting thin film blends of tyrosine-derived polycarbonates, i.e. poly(DTE carbonate) and poly(DTO carbonate) to a gradient temperature annealing protocol. Saos-2 cells engineered with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter for farnesylation (GFP-f) were cultured on the gradient substrates to assess the effects of nanoscale surface topology and roughness that arise during the phase separation process on cell attachment and adhesion strength. The high throughput imaging approach allowed us to rapidly identify the "global" and "high content" structure-property relationships between cell adhesion and biomaterial properties such as polymer chemistry and topography. This study found that cell attachment and spreading increased monotonically with DTE content and were significantly elevated at the position with intermediate regions corresponding to the highest "gradient" of surface roughness, while GFP-f farnesylation intensity descriptors were sensitively altered by surface roughness, even in cells with comparable levels of spreading.

Stream-profile analysis and stream-gradient index

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hack, John T.

1973-01-01

The generally regular three-dimensional geometry of drainage networks is the basis for a simple method of terrain analysis providing clues to bedrock conditions and other factors that determine topographic forms. On a reach of any stream, a gradient-index value can be obtained which allows meaningful comparisons of channel slope on streams of different sizes. The index is believed to reflect stream power or competence and is simply the product of the channel slope at a point and channel length measured along the longest stream above the pointwhere the calculation is made. In an adjusted topography, changes in gradient-index values along a stream generally correspond to differences in bedrock or introduced load. In any landscape the gradient index of a stream is related to total relief and stream regimen. Thus, climate, tectonic events, and geomorphic history must be considered in using the gradient index. Gradient-index values can be obtained quickly by simple measurements on topographic maps, or they can be obtained by more sophisticated photogrammetric measurements that involve simple computer calculations from x, y, z coordinates.

Spatial patterns in gravel habitats and communities in the central and eastern English Channel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coggan, Roger; Barrio Froján, Christopher R. S.; Diesing, Markus; Aldridge, John

2012-10-01

The distribution of sediment type and benthic communities in the central and eastern English Channel is shown to be polarised around a distinctive local hydrodynamic feature. The seabed in the region includes an extensive area of gravel substrate which is both an important habitat for benthic marine fauna and a valuable source of material for the marine aggregate industry. Effective management of the area is predicated on an understanding of whether it represents a single homogeneous unit, or several different units that may need to be managed in different ways. The aim of this study was to provide information that would inform such management decisions. Spatial patterns in gravel habitats and communities were studied by investigating the physical environment through modelled and empirical data, and the distribution of infauna and epifauna along an east-west trending transect. A common spatial pattern was observed in both physical and biological parameters, but rather than indicating a simple longitudinal gradient, there was a distinct polarisation around a central feature, a bedload parting (BLP) zone situated between the Isle of Wight and Cotentin peninsula. Sediments and communities at the eastern and western ends of the transect were more similar to each other than to those in the middle. The strong hydrodynamic regime in the BLP area controls sediment distribution, transporting finer material, mainly sand, away from the mid transect area. The pattern in sand content of the substrate mirrors the magnitude of the potential bedload transport, which is complex in this region due to the interplay between the M2 and M4 tidal constituents and produced a series of erosional and depositional zones. The structure of benthic communities reflected the local substrate and hydrodynamic conditions, with sponges observed among the stable substrates and stronger currents that characterised the mid transect area, while infauna became more diverse towards the ends of the transect where substrates were more mobile. We conclude that the area should not be considered as a homogeneous unit for management purposes, despite its apparent uniformity on contemporary seabed sediment maps.

Silicon nanowire-based tunneling field-effect transistors on flexible plastic substrates.

PubMed

Lee, Myeongwon; Koo, Jamin; Chung, Eun-Ae; Jeong, Dong-Young; Koo, Yong-Seo; Kim, Sangsig

2009-11-11

A technique to implement silicon nanowire (SiNW)-based tunneling field-effect transistors (TFETs) on flexible plastic substrates is developed for the first time. The p-i-n configured Si NWs are obtained from an Si wafer using a conventional top-down CMOS-compatible technology, and they are then transferred onto the plastic substrate. Based on gate-controlled band-to-band tunneling (BTBT) as their working principle, the SiNW-based TFETs show normal p-channel switching behavior with a threshold voltage of -1.86 V and a subthreshold swing of 827 mV/dec. In addition, ambipolar conduction is observed due to the presence of the BTBT between the heavily doped p+ drain and n+ channel regions, indicating that our TFETs can operate in the n-channel mode as well. Furthermore, the BTBT generation rates for both the p-channel and n-channel operating modes are nearly independent of the bending state (strain = 0.8%) of the plastic substrate.

WinXSPRO, a channel cross section analyzer, User's Manual, Version 3.0

Treesearch

Thomas Hardy; Palavi Panja; Dean Mathias

2005-01-01

WinXSPRO is an interactive Windows software package designed to analyze stream channel cross section data for geometric, hydraulic, and sediment transport parameters. WinXSPRO was specifically developed for use in high-gradient streams (gradient > 0.01) and supports four alternative resistance equations for computing boundary roughness and resistance to flow. Cross...

Temperature gradient scale length measurement: A high accuracy application of electron cyclotron emission without calibration

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

Houshmandyar, S., E-mail: houshmandyar@austin.utexas.edu; Phillips, P. E.; Rowan, W. L.

2016-11-15

Calibration is a crucial procedure in electron temperature (T{sub e}) inference from a typical electron cyclotron emission (ECE) diagnostic on tokamaks. Although the calibration provides an important multiplying factor for an individual ECE channel, the parameter ΔT{sub e}/T{sub e} is independent of any calibration. Since an ECE channel measures the cyclotron emission for a particular flux surface, a non-perturbing change in toroidal magnetic field changes the view of that channel. Hence the calibration-free parameter is a measure of T{sub e} gradient. B{sub T}-jog technique is presented here which employs the parameter and the raw ECE signals for direct measurement ofmore » electron temperature gradient scale length.« less

Lateral baroclinic forcing enhances sediment transport from shallows to channel in an estuary

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lacy, Jessica R.; Gladding, Steve; Brand, Andreas; Collignon, Audric; Stacey, Mark

2014-01-01

We investigate the dynamics governing exchange of sediment between estuarine shallows and the channel based on field measurements at eight stations spanning the interface between the channel and the extensive eastern shoals of South San Francisco Bay. The study site is characterized by longitudinally homogeneous bathymetry and a straight channel, with friction more important than the Coriolis forcing. Data were collected for 3 weeks in the winter and 4 weeks in the late summer of 2009, to capture a range of hydrologic and meteorologic conditions. The greatest sediment transport from shallows to channel occurred during a pair of strong, late-summer wind events, with westerly winds exceeding 10 m/s for more than 24 h. A combination of wind-driven barotropic return flow and lateral baroclinic circulation caused the transport. The lateral density gradient was produced by differences in temperature and suspended sediment concentration (SSC). During the wind events, SSC-induced vertical density stratification limited turbulent mixing at slack tides in the shallows, increasing the potential for two-layer exchange. The temperature- and SSC-induced lateral density gradient was comparable in strength to salinity-induced gradients in South Bay produced by seasonal freshwater inflows, but shorter in duration. In the absence of a lateral density gradient, suspended sediment flux at the channel slope was directed towards the shallows, both in winter and during summer sea breeze conditions, indicating the importance of baroclinically driven exchange to supply of sediment from the shallows to the channel in South San Francisco Bay and systems with similar bathymetry.

Constant fields and constant gradients in open ionic channels.

PubMed Central

Chen, D P; Barcilon, V; Eisenberg, R S

1992-01-01

Ions enter cells through pores in proteins that are holes in dielectrics. The energy of interaction between ion and charge induced on the dielectric is many kT, and so the dielectric properties of channel and pore are important. We describe ionic movement by (three-dimensional) Nemst-Planck equations (including flux and net charge). Potential is described by Poisson's equation in the pore and Laplace's equation in the channel wall, allowing induced but not permanent charge. Asymptotic expansions are constructed exploiting the long narrow shape of the pore and the relatively high dielectric constant of the pore's contents. The resulting one-dimensional equations can be integrated numerically; they can be analyzed when channels are short or long (compared with the Debye length). Traditional constant field equations are derived if the induced charge is small, e.g., if the channel is short or if the total concentration gradient is zero. A constant gradient of concentration is derived if the channel is long. Plots directly comparable to experiments are given of current vs voltage, reversal potential vs. concentration, and slope conductance vs. concentration. This dielectric theory can easily be tested: its parameters can be determined by traditional constant field measurements. The dielectric theory then predicts current-voltage relations quite different from constant field, usually more linear, when gradients of total concentration are imposed. Numerical analysis shows that the interaction of ion and channel can be described by a mean potential if, but only if, the induced charge is negligible, that is to say, the electric field is spatially constant. Images FIGURE 1 PMID:1376159

High-voltage compatible, full-depleted CCD

DOEpatents

Holland, Stephen Edward

2007-09-18

A charge coupled device for detecting electromagnetic and particle radiation is described. The device includes a high-resistivity semiconductor substrate, buried channel regions, gate electrode circuitry, and amplifier circuitry. For good spatial resolution and high performance, especially when operated at high voltages with full or nearly full depletion of the substrate, the device can also include a guard ring positioned near channel regions, a biased channel stop, and a biased polysilicon electrode over the channel stop.

Ion channels versus ion pumps: the principal difference, in principle.

PubMed

Gadsby, David C

2009-05-01

The incessant traffic of ions across cell membranes is controlled by two kinds of border guards: ion channels and ion pumps. Open channels let selected ions diffuse rapidly down electrical and concentration gradients, whereas ion pumps labour tirelessly to maintain the gradients by consuming energy to slowly move ions thermodynamically uphill. Because of the diametrically opposed tasks and the divergent speeds of channels and pumps, they have traditionally been viewed as completely different entities, as alike as chalk and cheese. But new structural and mechanistic information about both of these classes of molecular machines challenges this comfortable separation and forces its re-evaluation.

Cell Blebbing in Confined Microfluidic Environments

PubMed Central

Ibo, Markela; Srivastava, Vasudha; Robinson, Douglas N.; Gagnon, Zachary R.

2016-01-01

Migrating cells can extend their leading edge by forming myosin-driven blebs and F-actin-driven pseudopods. When coerced to migrate in resistive environments, Dictyostelium cells switch from using predominately pseudopods to blebs. Bleb formation has been shown to be chemotactic and can be influenced by the direction of the chemotactic gradient. In this study, we determine the blebbing responses of developed cells of Dictyostelium discoideum to cAMP gradients of varying steepness produced in microfluidic channels with different confining heights, ranging between 1.7 μm and 3.8 μm. We show that microfluidic confinement height, gradient steepness, buffer osmolarity and Myosin II activity are important factors in determining whether cells migrate with blebs or with pseudopods. Dictyostelium cells were observed migrating within the confines of microfluidic gradient channels. When the cAMP gradient steepness is increased from 0.7 nM/μm to 20 nM/μm, cells switch from moving with a mixture of blebs and pseudopods to moving only using blebs when chemotaxing in channels with confinement heights less than 2.4 μm. Furthermore, the size of the blebs increases with gradient steepness and correlates with increases in myosin-II localization at the cell cortex. Reduction of intracellular pressure by high osmolarity buffer or inhibition of myosin-II by blebbistatin leads to a decrease in bleb formation and bleb size. Together, our data reveal that the protrusion type formed by migrating cells can be influenced by the channel height and the steepness of the cAMP gradient, and suggests that a combination of confinement-induced myosin-II localization and cAMP-regulated cortical contraction leads to increased intracellular fluid pressure and bleb formation. PMID:27706201

Controlling the Accumulation of Water at Oil-Solid Interfaces with Gradient Coating.

PubMed

Li, Yan; Yang, Qiaomu; Mei, Ran Andy; Cai, Meirong; Heng, Jerry Y Y; Yang, Zhongqiang

2017-07-13

In this work, we demonstrate a strategy to control the accumulation of water in the oil-solid interface using a gradient coating. Gradient chemistry on glass surface is created by vapor diffusion of organosilanes, leading to a range of contact angles from 110 to 20°. Hexadecane is placed on the gradient substrate as an oil layer, forming a "water/hexadecane/gradient solid substrate" sandwich structure. During incubation, water molecules spontaneously migrate through the micrometer-thick oil layer and result in the formation of micrometer-sized water droplets at the oil-solid interface. It turns out that water droplets at more hydrophobic regions tend to be closer to a regular spherical shape, which is attributed to their higher contact angle with the hydrophobic substrate. However, along the gradient from hydrophobic to hydrophilic, the water droplets gradually form more irregular shapes, as hydrophilic surfaces pin the edges of droplets to form a distorted morphology. It indicates that more hydrophilic surfaces containing more Si-OH groups lead to a higher electrostatic interaction with water and a higher growth rate of interfacial water droplets. This work provides further insights into the mechanism of spontaneous water accumulation at oil-solid interfaces and assists in the rational design for controlling such interfacial phenomenon.

Electric Field-Controlled Ion Transport In TiO2 Nanochannel.

PubMed

Li, Dan; Jing, Wenheng; Li, Shuaiqiang; Shen, Hao; Xing, Weihong

2015-06-03

On the basis of biological ion channels, we constructed TiO2 membranes with rigid channels of 2.3 nm to mimic biomembranes with flexible channels; an external electric field was employed to regulate ion transport in the confined channels at a high ionic strength in the absence of electrical double layer overlap. Results show that transport rates for both Na+ and Mg2+ were decreased irrespective of the direction of the electric field. Furthermore, a voltage-gated selective ion channel was formed, the Mg2+ channel closed at -2 V, and a reversed relative electric field gradient was at the same order of the concentration gradient, whereas the Na+ with smaller Stokes radius and lower valence was less sensitive to the electric field and thus preferentially occupied and passed the channel. Thus, when an external electric field is applied, membranes with larger nanochannels have promising applications in selective separation of mixture salts at a high concentration.

SLITHER: a web server for generating contiguous conformations of substrate molecules entering into deep active sites of proteins or migrating through channels in membrane transporters.

PubMed

Lee, Po-Hsien; Kuo, Kuei-Ling; Chu, Pei-Ying; Liu, Eric M; Lin, Jung-Hsin

2009-07-01

Many proteins use a long channel to guide the substrate or ligand molecules into the well-defined active sites for catalytic reactions or for switching molecular states. In addition, substrates of membrane transporters can migrate to another side of cellular compartment by means of certain selective mechanisms. SLITHER (http://bioinfo.mc.ntu.edu.tw/slither/or http://slither.rcas.sinica.edu.tw/) is a web server that can generate contiguous conformations of a molecule along a curved tunnel inside a protein, and the binding free energy profile along the predicted channel pathway. SLITHER adopts an iterative docking scheme, which combines with a puddle-skimming procedure, i.e. repeatedly elevating the potential energies of the identified global minima, thereby determines the contiguous binding modes of substrates inside the protein. In contrast to some programs that are widely used to determine the geometric dimensions in the ion channels, SLITHER can be applied to predict whether a substrate molecule can crawl through an inner channel or a half-channel of proteins across surmountable energy barriers. Besides, SLITHER also provides the list of the pore-facing residues, which can be directly compared with many genetic diseases. Finally, the adjacent binding poses determined by SLITHER can also be used for fragment-based drug design.

Simulation of cooling efficiency via miniaturised channels in multilayer LTCC for power electronics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pietrikova, Alena; Girasek, Tomas; Lukacs, Peter; Welker, Tilo; Müller, Jens

2017-03-01

The aim of this paper is detailed investigation of thermal resistance, flow analysis and distribution of coolant as well as thermal distribution inside multilayer LTCC substrates with embedded channels for power electronic devices by simulation software. For this reason four various structures of internal channels in the multilayer LTCC substrates were designed and simulated. The impact of the volume flow, structures of channels, and power loss of chip was simulated, calculated and analyzed by using the simulation software Mentor Graphics FloEFDTM. The structure, size and location of channels have the significant impact on thermal resistance, pressure of coolant as well as the effectivity of cooling power components (chips) that can be placed on the top of LTCC substrate. The main contribution of this paper is thermal analyze, optimization and impact of 4 various cooling channels embedded in LTCC multilayer structure. Paper investigate, the effect of volume flow in cooling channels for achieving the least thermal resistance of LTCC substrate that is loaded by power thermal chips. Paper shows on the impact of the first chips thermal load on the second chip as well as. This possible new technology could ensure in the case of practical realization effective cooling and increasing reliability of high power modules.

Heat rejection sublimator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dingell, Charles W. (Inventor); Quintana, Clemente E. (Inventor); Le, Suy (Inventor); Clark, Michael R. (Inventor); Cloutier, Robert E. (Inventor); Hafermalz, David Scott (Inventor)

2009-01-01

A sublimator includes a sublimation plate having a thermal element disposed adjacent to a feed water channel and a control point disposed between at least a portion of the thermal element and a large pore substrate. The control point includes a sintered metal material. A method of dissipating heat using a sublimator includes a sublimation plate having a thermal element and a control point. The thermal element is disposed adjacent to a feed water channel and the control point is disposed between at least a portion of the thermal element and a large pore substrate. The method includes controlling a flow rate of feed water to the large pore substrate at the control point and supplying heated coolant to the thermal element. Sublimation occurs in the large pore substrate and the controlling of the flow rate of feed water is independent of time. A sublimator includes a sublimation plate having a thermal element disposed adjacent to a feed water channel and a control point disposed between at least a portion of the thermal element and a large pore substrate. The control point restricts a flow rate of feed water from the feed water channel to the large pore substrate independent of time.

Steering of aggregating magnetic microparticles using propulsion gradients coils in an MRI Scanner.

PubMed

Mathieu, Jean-Baptiste; Martel, Sylvain

2010-05-01

Upgraded gradient coils can effectively enhance the MRI steering of magnetic microparticles in a branching channel. Applications of this method include MRI targeting of magnetic embolization agents for oncologic therapy. A magnetic suspension of Fe(3)O(4) magnetic particles was injected inside a y-shaped microfluidic channel. Magnetic gradients of 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mT/m were applied to the magnetic particles perpendicularly to the flow by a custom-built gradient coil inside a 1.5-T MRI scanner. Measurement of the steering ratio was performed both by video analyses and quantification of the mass of the particles collected at each outlet of the microfluidic channel, using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Magnetic particles steering ratios of 0.99 and 0.75 were reached with 400 mT/m gradient amplitude and measured by video analyses and atomic absorption spectroscopy, respectively. Experimental data shows that the steering ratio increases with higher magnetic gradients. Moreover, theory suggests that larger particles (or aggregates), higher magnetizations, and lower flows can also be used to improve the steering ratio. The technological limitation of the approach is that an MRI gradient amplitude increase to a few hundred milliteslas per meter is needed. A simple analytical method based on magnetophoretic velocity predictions and geometric considerations is proposed for steering ratio calculation. (c) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Response of wetland herbaceous communities to gradients of light and substrate following disturbance by thermal pollution

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dunn, Christopher P.; Scott, Michael L.

1987-01-01

The influence of thermal disturbance and site characteristics on distribution of herbs was studied in portions of a 3020 ha wetland in the southeastern USA. Presence-absence of 52 species in 130 0.25 m2 plots was determined from four sites with different disturbance histories and from an undisturbed site. Data from the four disturbed sites were ordinated by detrended correspondence analysis. Differences in species composition among sites (coarse scale) were associated with water depth, light, and substrate type. Within a site (at a fine scale), correlation of environmental variables with ordination scores at a chronically disturbed site was weakly correlated with light (r=0.50). At two sites with episodic disturbance, species composition correlated significantly and positively with substrate and water depth. At a recovering site, vegetation patterns were moderately correlated with water depth (r=−0.52). Species richness was correlated with substrate type along the disturbance gradient. Our results are consistent the intermediate disturbance hypothesis and the subsidy-stress gradient concept.

Role of the α clamp in the protein translocation mechanism of anthrax toxin

PubMed Central

Brown, Michael J.; Thoren, Katie L.; Krantz, Bryan A.

2015-01-01

Membrane-embedded molecular machines are utilized to move water-soluble proteins across these barriers. Anthrax toxin forms one such machine through the self-assembly of its three component proteins—protective antigen (PA), lethal factor (LF), and edema factor (EF). Upon endocytosis into host cells, acidification of the endosome induces PA to form a membrane-inserted channel, which unfolds LF and EF and translocates them into the host cytosol. Translocation is driven by the proton motive force, comprised of the chemical potential, the proton-gradient (ΔpH), and the membrane potential (ΔΨ). A crystal structure of the lethal toxin core complex revealed an “α clamp” structure that binds to substrate helices nonspecifically. Here we test the hypothesis that through the recognition of unfolding helical structure the α clamp can accelerate the rate of translocation. We produced a synthetic PA mutant in which an α helix was crosslinked into the α clamp to block its function. This synthetic construct impairs translocation by raising a yet uncharacterized translocation barrier shown to be much less force dependent than the known unfolding barrier. We also report that the α clamp more stably binds substrates that can form helices than those, such as polyproline, that cannot. Hence the α clamp recognizes substrates by a general shape-complementarity mechanism. Substrates that are incapable of forming compact secondary structure (due to the introduction of a polyproline track) are severely deficient for translocation. Therefore, the α clamp and its recognition of helical structure in the translocating substrate play key roles in the molecular mechanism of protein translocation. PMID:26344833

Characterization of the respiration-induced yeast mitochondrial permeability transition pore.

PubMed

Bradshaw, Patrick C; Pfeiffer, Douglas R

2013-12-01

When isolated mitochondria from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae oxidize respiratory substrates in the absence of phosphate and ADP, the yeast mitochondrial unselective channel, also called the yeast permeability transition pore (yPTP), opens in the inner membrane, dissipating the electrochemical gradient. ATP also induces yPTP opening. yPTP opening allows mannitol transport into isolated mitochondria of laboratory yeast strains, but mannitol is not readily permeable through the yPTP in an industrial yeast strain, Yeast Foam. The presence of oligomycin, an inhibitor of ATP synthase, allowed for respiration-induced mannitol permeability in mitochondria from this strain. Potassium (K+) had varied effects on the respiration-induced yPTP, depending on the concentration of the respiratory substrate added. At low respiratory substrate concentrations K+ inhibited respiration-induced yPTP opening, while at high substrate concentrations this effect diminished. However, at the high respiratory substrate concentrations, the presence of K+ partially prevented phosphate inhibition of yPTP opening. Phosphate was found to inhibit respiration-induced yPTP opening by binding a site on the matrix space side of the inner membrane in addition to its known inhibitory effect of donating protons to the matrix space to prevent the pH change necessary for yPTP opening. The respiration-induced yPTP was also inhibited by NAD, Mg2+, NH4 + or the oxyanion vanadate polymerized to decavanadate. The results demonstrate similar effectors of the respiration-induced yPTP as those previously described for the ATP-induced yPTP and reconcile previous strain-dependent differences in yPTP solute selectivity. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Different elution modes and field programming in gravitational field-flow fractionation. III. Field programming by flow-rate gradient generated by a programmable pump.

PubMed

Plocková, J; Chmelík, J

2001-05-25

Gravitational field-flow fractionation (GFFF) utilizes the Earth's gravitational field as an external force that causes the settlement of particles towards the channel accumulation wall. Hydrodynamic lift forces oppose this action by elevating particles away from the channel accumulation wall. These two counteracting forces enable modulation of the resulting force field acting on particles in GFFF. In this work, force-field programming based on modulating the magnitude of hydrodynamic lift forces was implemented via changes of flow-rate, which was accomplished by a programmable pump. Several flow-rate gradients (step gradients, linear gradients, parabolic, and combined gradients) were tested and evaluated as tools for optimization of the separation of a silica gel particle mixture. The influence of increasing amount of sample injected on the peak resolution under flow-rate gradient conditions was also investigated. This is the first time that flow-rate gradients have been implemented for programming of the resulting force field acting on particles in GFFF.

GEOMORPHIC THRESHOLDS AND CHANNEL MORPHOLOGY IN LARGE RIVERS

EPA Science Inventory

Systematic changes in channel morphology occur as channel gradient, streamflow, and sediment character change and interact. Geomorphic thresholds of various kinds are useful metrics to define these changes along the river network, as they are based on in-channel processes that d...

Prediction and validation of concentration gradient generation in a paper-based microfluidic channel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jang, Ilhoon; Kim, Gang-June; Song, Simon

2016-11-01

A paper-based microfluidic channel has obtained attention as a diagnosis device that can implement various chemical or biological reactions. With benefits of thin, flexible, and strong features of paper devices, for example, it is often utilized for cell culture where controlling oxygen, nutrients, metabolism, and signaling molecules gradient affects the growth and movement of the cells. Among various features of paper-based microfluidic devices, we focus on establishment of concentration gradient in a paper channel. The flow is subject to dispersion and capillary effects because a paper is a porous media. In this presentation, we describe facile, fast and accurate method of generating a concentration gradient by using flow mixing of different concentrations. Both theoretical prediction and experimental validation are discussed along with inter-diffusion characteristics of porous flows. This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) Grant funded by the Korea government(MSIP) (No. 2016R1A2B3009541).

On-chip gradient generation in 256 microfluidic cell cultures: simulation and experimental validation.

PubMed

Somaweera, Himali; Haputhanthri, Shehan O; Ibraguimov, Akif; Pappas, Dimitri

2015-08-07

A microfluidic diffusion diluter was used to create a stable concentration gradient for dose response studies. The microfluidic diffusion diluter used in this study consisted of 128 culture chambers on each side of the main fluidic channel. A calibration method was used to find unknown concentrations with 12% error. Flow rate dependent studies showed that changing the flow rates generated different gradient patterns. Mathematical simulations using COMSOL Multi-physics were performed to validate the experimental data. The experimental data obtained for the flow rate studies agreed with the simulation results. Cells could be loaded into culture chambers using vacuum actuation and cultured for long times under low shear stress. Decreasing the size of the culture chambers resulted in faster gradient formation (20 min). Mass transport into the side channels of the microfluidic diffusion diluter used in this study is an important factor in creating the gradient using diffusional mixing as a function of the distance. To demonstrate the device's utility, an H2O2 gradient was generated while culturing Ramos cells. Cell viability was assayed in the 256 culture chambers, each at a discrete H2O2 concentration. As expected, the cell viability for the high concentration side channels increased (by injecting H2O2) whereas the cell viability in the low concentration side channels decreased along the chip due to diffusional mixing as a function of distance. COMSOL simulations were used to identify the effective concentration of H2O2 for cell viability in each side chamber at 45 min. The gradient effects were confirmed using traditional H2O2 culture experiments. Viability of cells in the microfluidic device under gradient conditions showed a linear relationship with the viability of the traditional culture experiment. Development of the microfluidic device used in this study could be used to study hundreds of concentrations of a compound in a single experiment.

Apparatus and method for performing microfluidic manipulations for chemical analysis

DOEpatents

Ramsey, J. Michael

1999-01-01

A microchip apparatus and method provide fluidic manipulations for a variety of applications, including sample injection for microchip liquid chromatography. The microchip is fabricated using standard photolithographic procedures and chemical wet etching, with the substrate and cover plate joined using direct bonding. Capillary electrophoresis is performed in channels formed in the substrate. Injections are made by electro-osmotically pumping sample through the injection channel that crosses the separation channel, followed by a switching of the potentials to force a plug into the separation channel.

Apparatus and method for performing microfluidic manipulations for chemical analysis

DOEpatents

Ramsey, J. Michael

2002-01-01

A microchip apparatus and method provide fluidic manipulations for a variety of applications, including sample injection for microchip liquid chromatography. The microchip is fabricated using standard photolitographic procedures and chemical wet etching, with the substrate and cover plate joined using direct bonding. Capillary electrophoresis is performed in channels formed in the substrate. Injections are made by electro-osmotically pumping sample through the injection channel that crosses the separation channel, followed by a switching of the potentials to force a plug into the separation channel.

Microfluidic Channels on Nanopatterned Substrates: Monitoring Protein Binding to Lipid Bilayers with Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Banerjee, Amrita; Perez-Castillejos, R.; Hahn, D.; Smirnov, Alex I.; Grebel, H.

2013-01-01

We used Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) to detect binding events between streptavidin and biotinylated lipid bilayers. The binding events took place at the surface between microfluidic channels and anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) with the latter serving as substrates. The bilayers were incorporated in the substrate pores. It was revealed that non-bound molecules were easily washed away and that large suspended cells (Salmonella enterica) are less likely to interfere with the monitoring process: when focusing to the lower surface of the channel, one may resolve mostly the bound molecules. PMID:24932024

Capillary electrophoresis-electrochemical detection microchip device and supporting circuits

DOEpatents

Jackson, Douglas J [New Albany, IN; Roussel, Jr., Thomas J.; Crain, Mark M [Georgetown, IN; Baldwin, Richard P [Louisville, KY; Keynton, Robert S [Louisville, KY; Naber, John F [Prospect, KY; Walsh, Kevin M [Louisville, KY; Edelen, John G [Versailles, KY

2008-03-18

The present invention is a capillary electrophoresis device, comprising a substrate; a first channel in the substrate, and having a buffer arm and a detection arm; a second channel in the substrate intersecting the first channel, and having a sample arm and a waste arm; a buffer reservoir in fluid communication with the buffer arm; a waste reservoir in fluid communication with the waste arm; a sample reservoir in fluid communication with the sample arm; and a detection reservoir in fluid communication with the detection arm. The detection arm and the buffer arm are of substantially equal length.

Micro-fluidic channels on nanopatterned substrates: Monitoring protein binding to lipid bilayers with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banerjee, Amrita; Perez-Castillejos, R.; Hahn, D.; Smirnov, Alex I.; Grebel, H.

2010-04-01

We used surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to detect binding events between streptavidin and biotinylated lipid bilayers. The binding events took place at the surface between micro-fluidic channels and anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) with the latter serving as substrates. The bilayers were incorporated in the substrate pores. It was revealed that non-bound molecules were easily washed away and that large suspended cells ( Salmonella enterica) are less likely to interfere with the monitoring process: when focusing to the lower surface of the channel, one may resolve mostly the bound molecules.

High resolution masks for ion milling pores through substrates of biological interest

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Donovan, S. S.

1978-01-01

The feasibility was investigated of electrochemically oxidizing vapor deposited aluminum coatings to produce porous aluminum oxide coatings with submicron pore diameters and with straight channels normal to the substrate surface. Porous aluminum oxide coatings were produced from vapor deposited aluminum coatings on thin stainless steel (304), copper, Teflon (FEP) and Kapton substrates and also on pure aluminum substrates. Scanning electron microscope examination indicated that porous oxide coatings can be produced with straight channels, appropriate pore diameters and none or minimal intervening residual aluminum. The oxide coatings on the copper and Kapton substrates had the straightest channels and in general were superior to those fabricated on the other substrate materials. For oxide coatings fabricated at 600 V and 300 V, pore diameters were 0.4-0.6, and 0.3 micron with center-to-center spacing of 0.7-0.8, and 0.4 micron, respectively. Estimated direct labor and materials costs to prepare an oxide mask is anticipated to be about $4-$6 per square foot.

Giant Peak Voltage of Thermopower Waves Driven by the Chemical Potential Gradient of Single-Crystalline Bi2 Te3.

PubMed

Singh, Swati; Mun, Hyeona; Lee, Sanghoon; Kim, Sung Wng; Baik, Seunghyun

2017-09-01

The self-propagating exothermic chemical reaction with transient thermovoltage, known as the thermopower wave, has received considerable attention recently. A greater peak voltage and specific power are still demanded, and materials with greater Seebeck coefficients have been previously investigated. However, this study employs an alternative mechanism of transient chemical potential gradient providing an unprecedentedly high peak voltage (maximum: 8 V; average: 2.3 V) and volume-specific power (maximum: 0.11 W mm -3 ; average: 0.04 W mm -3 ) using n-type single-crystalline Bi 2 Te 3 substrates. A mixture of nitrocellulose and sodium azide is used as a fuel, and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy reveals a significant downshift in Fermi energy (≈5.09 eV) of the substrate by p-doping of the fuel. The induced electrical potential by thermopower waves has two distinct sources: the Seebeck effect and the transient chemical potential gradient. Surprisingly, the Seebeck effect contribution is less than 2.5% (≈201 mV) of the maximum peak voltage. The right combination of substrate, fuel doping, and anisotropic substrate geometry results in an order of magnitude greater transient chemical potential gradient (≈5.09 eV) upon rapid removal of fuel by exothermic chemical reaction propagation. The role of fuel doping and chemical potential gradient can be viewed as a key mechanism for enhanced heat to electric conversion performance. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Cover of coastal vegetation as an indicator of eutrophication along environmental gradients.

PubMed

Wikström, Sofia A; Carstensen, Jacob; Blomqvist, Mats; Krause-Jensen, Dorte

2016-01-01

Coastal vegetation communities are important for primary production, biodiversity, coastal protection, carbon and nutrient cycling which, in combination with their sensitivity to eutrophication, render them potential indicators of environmental status for environmental policies like the EU Water and Marine Strategy Framework Directives. We evaluated one potential indicator for coastal vegetation, the cumulative cover at depths where the vegetation is light limited, by investigating its response to eutrophication along gradients in natural conditions. We used a large data set covering the Swedish coastline, spanning broad gradients in nutrient level, water clarity, seabed substrate, physical exposure and climate in addition to a salinity gradient from 0.5 to 30.5. Macroalgal cover increased significantly along gradients of declining nutrient concentration and increasing water clarity when we had accounted for diver effects, spatio-temporal sampling variability, salinity gradients, wave exposure and latitude. The developed empirical model explained 79% of the variation in algal cover across 130 areas. Based on this, we identified macroalgal cover as a promising indicator across the Baltic Sea, Kattegat and Skagerrak. A parallel analysis of soft-substrate macrophytes similarly identified significant increases in cover with decreasing concentrations of total nitrogen and increasing salinity, but the resulting empirical model explained only 52% of the variation in cover, probably due to the spatially more variable nature of soft-substrate vegetation. The identified general responses of vegetation cover to gradients of eutrophication across wide ranges in environmental settings may be useful for monitoring and management of marine vegetation in areas with strong environmental gradients.

Study on Manipulations of Fluids in Micro-scale and Their Applications in Physical, Bio/chemistry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Bingpu

Microfluidics is a highly interdisciplinary research field which manipulates, controls and analyzes fluids in micro-scale for physical and bio/chemical applications. In this thesis, several aspects of fluid manipulations in micro-scale were studied, discussed and employed for demonstrations of practical utilizations. To begin with, mixing in continuous flow microfluidic was raised and investigated. A simple method for mixing actuation based on magnetism was proposed and realized via integration of magnetically functionalized micropillar arrays inside the microfluidic channel.With such technique, microfluidic mixing could be swiftly switched on and off via simple application or retraction of the magnetic field. Thereafter, in Chapter 3 we mainly focused on how to establish stable while tunable concentration gradients inside microfluidic network using a simple design. The proposed scheme could also be modified with on-chip pneumatic actuated valve to realize pulsatile/temporal concentration gradients simultaneously in ten microfluidic branches. We further applied such methodology to obtain roughness gradients onPolydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface via combinations of the microfluidic network andphoto-polymerizations. The obtained materials were utilized in parallel cell culture to figure out the relationship between substrate morphologies and the cell behaviors. In the second part of this work, we emphasized on manipulations on microdroplets insidethe microfluidic channel and explored related applications in bio/chemical aspects. Firstly, microdroplet-based microfluidic universal logic gates were successfully demonstrated vialiquid-electronic hybrid divider. For application based on such novel scheme of control lable droplet generation, on-demand chemical reaction within paired microdroplets was presented using IF logic gate. Followed by this, another important operation of microdroplet - splitting -was investigated. Addition lateral continuous flow was applied at the bifurcation as a mediumto controllably divide microdroplets with highly tunable splitting ratios. Related physical mechanism was proposed and such approach was adopted further for rapid synthesis of multi-scale microspheres.

Krebs cycle metabolon: structural evidence of substrate channeling revealed by cross-linking and mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Wu, Fei; Minteer, Shelley

2015-02-02

It has been hypothesized that the high metabolic flux in the mitochondria is due to the self-assembly of enzyme supercomplexes (called metabolons) that channel substrates from one enzyme to another, but there has been no experimental confirmation of this structure or the channeling. A structural investigation of enzyme organization within the Krebs cycle metabolon was accomplished by in vivo cross-linking and mass spectrometry. Eight Krebs cycle enzyme components were isolated upon chemical fixation, and interfacial residues between mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, and aconitase were identified. Using constraint protein docking, a low-resolution structure for the three-enzyme complex was achieved, as well as the two-fold symmetric octamer. Surface analysis showed formation of electrostatic channeling upon protein-protein association, which is the first structural evidence of substrate channeling in the Krebs cycle metabolon. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Transient bedrock channel evolution across a precipitation gradient: A case study from Kohala, Hawaii.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gasparini, N. M.; Han, J.; Johnson, J. P.; Menking, J. A.

2011-12-01

This study uses observations from the Kohala Peninsula, on the Big Island of Hawaii, and numerical modeling, to explore how precipitation gradients may affect fluvial bedrock incision and channel morphology. Orographic precipitation patterns result in over 4 m/yr of rainfall on the wet side of the peninsula and less than 0.5 m/yr on the dry side. These precipitation patterns likely strongly contribute to the observed channel morphology. Further, the region is subsiding, leading to prolonged transient channel evolution. We explore changes in a number of channel morphologic parameters with watershed averaged precipitation rate. We use PRISM precipitation data and data from isohyets developed from historic rain gauge data. Not surprisingly, valley depth, measured from a 10 meter DEM, increases with spatially averaged precipitation rate. We also find that channel profile form varies with precipitation rate, with drier channels exhibiting a straight to slightly concave channel form and wetter channels exhibiting a convex to concave channel form. The precipitation value at which this transition in channel profile form occurs depends on the precipitation data-set used, highlighting the need for more accurate measurements of precipitation in settings with extreme precipitation patterns similar to our study area. The downstream pattern in precipitation is likely significant in the development of the convex-concave profile form. Numerical modeling results support that precipitation patterns such as those observed on the wet-side of the Kohala Peninsula may contribute to the convex-concave profile form. However, we emphasize that while precipitation patterns may contribute to the channel form, these channel features are transient and not expected to be sustained in steady-state landscapes. We also emphasize that it is fluvial discharge, as driven by precipitation, rather than precipitation alone, that drives the processes shaping the channel form. Because fluvial discharge is integrative, relatively extreme precipitation gradients are required to produce anomalous channel profile forms.

West-Antarctic Ice Streams: Analog to Ice Flow in Channels on Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lucchitta, B. K.

1997-01-01

Sounding of the sea floor in front of the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica recently revealed large persistent patterns of longitudinal megaflutes and drumlinoid forms, which are interpreted to have formed at the base of ice streams during the list glacial advance. The flutes bear remarkable resemblance to longitudinal grooves and highly elongated streamlined islands found on the floors of some large martian channels, called outflow channels. ln addition, other similarities exist between Antarctic ice streams and outflow channels. Ice streams are 30 to 80 km wide and hundreds of kilometers long, as are the martian channels. Ice stream beds are below sea level. Floors of many martian outflow channels lie below martian datum, which may have been close to or below past martian sea levels. The Antarctic ice stream bed gradient is flat and locally may go uphill, and surface slopes are exceptionally low. So are gradients of martian channels. The depth to the bed in ice streams is 1 to 1.5 km. At bankful stage, the depth of the fluid in outflow channels would have been 1 to 2 km. These similarities suggest that the martian outflow channels, whose origin is commonly attributed to gigantic catastrophic floods, were locally filled by ice that left a conspicuous morphologic imprint. Unlike the West-Antarctic-ice streams, which discharge ice from an ice sheet, ice in the martian channels came from water erupting from the ground. In the cold martian environment, this water, if of moderate volume, would eventually freeze. Thus it may have formed icings on springs, ice dams and jams on constrictions in the channel path, or frozen pools. Given sufficient thickness and downhill surface gradient, these ice masses would have moved; and given the right conditions, they could have moved like Antarctic ice streams.

Mechanisms of cooperation and competition of two-species transport in narrow nanochannels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bauer, Wolfgang Rudolf

2017-12-01

Flow of particles of two different species through a narrow channel with solely two discrete spatial positions is analyzed with respect to the species' capability to cooperate or compete for transport. The origin of the latter arises from particle-channel and interparticle interactions within the channel, i.e., blocking the position of a particle, and its interaction with its neighbors in the channel. The variety of occupation options within the channel defines the state space. The transition dynamics within is considered as a continuous Markov process, which, in contrast to mean-field approaches, conserves explicitly spatial correlations. A strong repulsive interaction between particles of the same kind and a very attractive empty channel imply a strong entanglement of transport of both species. In the limiting case of perfect coupling, flows in state space are restricted to a cyclic subspace, where they become all equivalent in the steady state. In particular, this implies equal particle flows of the two species. Entanglement of transport implies that the species mutually exert entropic forces on each other. For parallel directed concentration gradients this implies that the species' ability to cooperate increases with the degree of entanglement. Thus, the gradient of one species reciprocally induces a higher flow of the other species when compared to that in its absence. The opposite holds for antiparallel gradients where species mutually hamper their transport. For a sufficient strong coupling, the species under the influence of the stronger concentration gradient drives the other against its gradient, i.e., the positive mixing entropy production of the driving species becomes the motor for the negative mixing entropy production of the driven one. The degree of effectiveness by which negative entropy production emerges at the cost of positive entropy production increases with the coupling strength. This becomes evident from location and connectivity of the sources of entropy production in state space.

The voltage-gated proton channel: a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma

PubMed Central

DeCoursey, Thomas E.

2016-01-01

The main properties of voltage gated proton channels are described, along with what is known about how the channel protein structure accomplishes these functions. Just as protons are unique among ions, proton channels are unique among ion channels. Their four transmembrane helices sense voltage, the pH gradient, and conduct protons exclusively. Selectivity is achieved by the unique ability of H3O+ to protonate an Asp-Arg salt bridge. Pathognomonic sensitivity of gating to the pH gradient ensures channel opening only when acid extrusion will result, which is crucial to most biological functions. An exception occurs in dinoflagellates in which H+ influx through HV1 triggers the bioluminescent flash. Pharmacological interventions that promise to ameliorate cancer, asthma, brain damage in ischemic stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, autoimmune diseases, and numerous other conditions, await future progress. PMID:25964989

Electric potentiation of gravikinesis in Paramecium is possibly mediated by filaments.

PubMed

Machemer, H

1998-01-01

Sensitivity of Paramecium to mechanical stress including gravitational force is organized along two opposing gradients of membrane channel distribution: depolarizing Ca channels and hyperpolarizing K channels. Mechanoreceptor channels reside in the membrane of the cell soma and are activated, when the weight of the cytoplasm deforms the "lower" plasma membrane. Channel distribution is such as to generate ciliary activation which can counteract sedimentation of the cells: a reduction in downward swimming rate and an augmentation in upward swimming rate. Application of weak DC fields does not only induce the well-known cathodal orientation and swimming of Paramecium toward the cathode (galvano-taxis). We document that swimming velocity is augmented up to 175% as a function of the voltage gradient between 0.3 V/cm and 0.8 V/cm (galvanokinesis). A gradient of 0.3 V/cm was highly effective in raising the common negative gravikinesis of downward swimmers threefold. The gravikinesis of upward swimmers reversed polarity under field stimulation inducing cells to augment sedimentation effects (positive gravikinesis). Both effects of electric-field stimulation on ciliary activation are of the depolarizing type: reduction in the frequency of normally beating cilia. Analysis of the data shows that a voltage-sensitivity of gravireceptor channels would not account for the observed potentiation of negative gravikinesis. It is suggested that a previously described voltage-dependent Ca channel of the soma membrane interferes with a Ca(2+)-sensitive, peripheral filament system, which directly connects to gravireceptor channels.

Rolling motion of an elastic cylinder induced by elastic strain gradients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Lei; Chen, Shaohua

2014-10-01

Recent experiment shows that an elastic strain gradient field can be utilized to transport spherical particles on a stretchable substrate by rolling, inspired by which a generalized plane-strain Johnson-Kendall-Roberts model is developed in this paper in order to verify possible rolling of an elastic cylinder adhering on an elastic substrate subject to a strain gradient. With the help of contact mechanics, closed form solutions of interface tractions, stress intensity factors, and corresponding energy release rates in the plane-strain contact model are obtained, based on which a possible rolling motion of an elastic cylinder induced by strain gradients is found and the criterion for the initiation of rolling is established. The theoretical prediction is consistent well with the existing experimental observation. The result should be helpful for understanding biological transport mechanisms through muscle contractions and the design of transport systems with strain gradient.

Deltas as Ecomorphodynamic Systems: Effects of Vegetation Gradients on Sediment Trapping and Channel Dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piliouras, A.; Kim, W.; Goggin, H.

2014-12-01

Understanding the feedbacks between water, sediment, and vegetation in deltas is an important part of understanding deltas as ecomorphodynamic systems. We conducted a set of laboratory experiments using alfalfa (Medicago sativa) as a proxy for delta vegetation to determine (1) the effects of plants on delta growth and channel dynamics and (2) the influence of fine material on delta evolution. Vegetated experiments were compared to a control run without plants to isolate the effects of vegetation, and experiments with fine sediment were compared to a set of similar experiments with only sand. We found that alfalfa increased sediment trapping on the delta topset, and that the plants were especially effective at retaining fine material. Compared to the control run, the vegetated experiments showed an increased retention of fine sediment on the floodplain that resulted in increased delta relief and stronger pulses of shoreline progradation when channel avulsion and migration occurred. In other words, a higher amount of sediment storage with the addition of vegetation corresponded to a higher amount of sediment excavation during channelization events. In natural systems, dense bank vegetation is typically expected to help confine flow. We seeded our delta uniformly, which eliminated typical vegetation density gradients from riverbank to island center and therefore diminished the gradient in overbank sedimentation that best confines channels by creating levees. Dense clusters of alfalfa throughout the interior of the floodplain and delta islands were therefore able to induce flow splitting, where channels diverged around a stand of plants. This created several smaller channels that were then able to more widely distribute sediment at the delta front compared to unvegetated experiments. We conclude that plants are efficient sediment trappers that change the rate and amount of sediment storage in the delta topset, and that gradients in vegetation density are an important factor in determining how channel behavior may change.

Supersonic cavity flows over concave and convex walls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, A. Ran; Das, Rajarshi; Setoguchi, Toshiaki; Kim, Heuy Dong

2016-04-01

Supersonic cavity flows are characterized by compression and expansion waves, shear layer, and oscillations inside the cavity. For decades, investigations into cavity flows have been conducted, mostly with flows at zero pressure gradient entering the cavity in straight walls. Since cavity flows on curved walls exert centrifugal force, the features of these flows are likely to differ from those of straight wall flows. The aim of the present work is to study the flow physics of a cavity that is cut out on a curved wall. Steady and unsteady numerical simulations were carried out for supersonic flow through curved channels over the cavity with L/H = 1. A straight channel flow was also analyzed which serves as the base model. The velocity gradient along the width of the channel was observed to increase with increasing the channel curvature for both concave and convex channels. The pressure on the cavity floor increases with the increase in channel curvature for concave channels and decreases for convex channels. Moreover, unsteady flow characteristics are more dependent on channel curvature under supersonic free stream conditions.

A review of gradient stiffness hydrogels used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

PubMed

Xia, Tingting; Liu, Wanqian; Yang, Li

2017-06-01

Substrate stiffness is known to impact characteristics including cell differentiation, proliferation, migration and apoptosis. Hydrogels are polymeric materials distinguished by high water content and diverse physical properties. Gradient stiffness hydrogels are designed by the need to develop biologically friendly materials as extracellular matrix (ECM) alternatives to replace the separated and narrow-ranged hydrogel substrates. Important new discoveries in cell behaviors have been realized with model gradient stiffness hydrogel systems from the two-dimensional (2D) to three-dimensional (3D) scale. Basic and clinical applications for gradient stiffness hydrogels in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine continue to drive the development of stiffness and structure varied hydrogels. Given the importance of gradient stiffness hydrogels in basic research and biomedical applications, there is a clear need for systems for gradient stiffness hydrogel design strategies and their applications. This review will highlight past work in the field of gradient stiffness hydrogels fabrication methods, mechanical property test, applications as well as areas for future study. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1799-1812, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Performance Evaluation of LDPC Coding and Iterative Decoding System in BPM R/W Channel Affected by Head Field Gradient, Media SFD and Demagnetization Field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakamura, Yasuaki; Okamoto, Yoshihiro; Osawa, Hisashi; Aoi, Hajime; Muraoka, Hiroaki

We evaluate the performance of the write-margin for the low-density parity-check (LDPC) coding and iterative decoding system in the bit-patterned media (BPM) R/W channel affected by the write-head field gradient, the media switching field distribution (SFD), the demagnetization field from adjacent islands and the island position deviation. It is clarified that the LDPC coding and iterative decoding system in R/W channel using BPM at 3 Tbit/inch2 has a write-margin of about 20%.

The Effects of Large Wood on Stream Channel Morphology on Three Low-Gradient Stream Reaches in the Coastal Redwood Region

Treesearch

Scott Carroll; E. George Robison

2007-01-01

Several studies have shown that large wood has a prominent role in habitat quality, however there is little research on the role of wood on pool characteristics and other habitat components in low gradient streams (channel slopes less than one percent). Longitudinal profiles are used to analyze general residual pool characteristics of three approximately 1000-meter...

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Oil-Detachment from the Hydroxylated Silica Surface: Effects of Surfactants, Electrostatic Interactions, and Water Flows on the Water Molecular Channel Formation.

PubMed

Tang, Jian; Qu, Zhou; Luo, Jianhui; He, Lanyan; Wang, Pingmei; Zhang, Ping; Tang, Xianqiong; Pei, Yong; Ding, Bin; Peng, Baoliang; Huang, Yunqing

2018-02-15

The detachment process of an oil molecular layer situated above a horizontal substrate was often described by a three-stage process. In this mechanism, the penetration and diffusion of water molecules between the oil phase and the substrate was proposed to be a crucial step to aid in removal of oil layer/drops from substrate. In this work, the detachment process of a two-dimensional alkane molecule layer from a silica surface in aqueous surfactant solutions is studied by means of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. By tuning the polarity of model silica surfaces, as well as considering the different types of surfactant molecules and the water flow effects, more details about the formation of water molecular channel and the expansion processes are elucidated. It is found that for both ionic and nonionic type surfactant solutions, the perturbation of surfactant molecules on the two-dimensional oil molecule layer facilitates the injection and diffusion of water molecules between the oil layer and silica substrate. However, the water channel formation and expansion speed is strongly affected by the substrate polarity and properties of surfactant molecules. First, only for the silica surface with relative stronger polarity, the formation of water molecular channel is observed. Second, the expansion speed of the water molecular channel upon the ionic surfactant (dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide, DTAB and sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate, SDBS) flooding is more rapidly than the nonionic surfactant system (octylphenol polyoxyethylene(10) ether, OP-10). Third, the water flow speed may also affect the injection and diffusion of water molecules. These simulation results indicate that the water molecular channel formation process is affected by multiple factors. The synergistic effects of perturbation of surfactant molecules and the electrostatic interactions between silica substrate and water molecules are two key factors aiding in the injection and diffusion of water molecules and helpful for the oil detachment from silica substrate.

An analysis of induced pressure fields in electroosmotic flows through microchannels.

PubMed

Zhang, Yonghao; Gu, Xiao-Jun; Barber, Robert W; Emerson, David R

2004-07-15

Induced pressure gradients are found to cause band-broadening effects which are important to the performance of microfluidic devices, such as capillary electrophoresis and capillary chromatography. An improved understanding of the underlying mechanisms causing an induced pressure gradient in electroosmotic flows is presented. The analysis shows that the induced pressure distribution is the key to understanding the experimentally observed phenomena of leakage flows. A novel way of determining the static pressures at the inlet and outlet of microchannels is also presented that takes account of the pressure losses due to flow contraction and expansion. These commonly neglected pressure losses at the channel entrance and outlet are shown to be important in accurately describing the flow. The important parameters that define the effect of induced pressure on the flows are discussed, which may facilitate the design of improved microfluidic devices. The present model clearly identifies the mechanism behind the experimentally observed leakage flows, which is further confirmed by numerical simulations. Not only can the leakage flow occur from the electric-field-free side channel to the main channel, but also the fluid in the main channel can be attracted into the side channel by the induced pressure gradient. Copyright 2004 Elsevier Inc.

A study on the unsteady flow of two immiscible micropolar and Newtonian fluids through a horizontal channel: A numerical approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Devakar, M.; Raje, Ankush

2018-05-01

The unsteady flow of two immiscible micropolar and Newtonian fluids through a horizontal channel is considered. In addition to the classical no-slip and hyper-stick conditions at the boundary, it is assumed that the fluid velocities and shear stresses are continuous across the fluid-fluid interface. Three cases for the applied pressure gradient are considered to study the problem: one with constant pressure gradient and the other two cases with time-dependent pressure gradients, viz. periodic and decaying pressure gradient. The Crank-Nicolson approach has been used to obtain numerical solutions for fluid velocity and microrotation for diverse sets of fluid parameters. The nature of fluid velocities and microrotation with various values of pressure gradient, Reynolds number, ratio of viscosities, micropolarity parameter and time is illustrated through graphs. It has been observed that micropolarity parameter and ratio of viscosities reduce the fluid velocities.

Motion Driven by Strain Gradient Fields

PubMed Central

Wang, Chao; Chen, Shaohua

2015-01-01

A new driving mechanism for direction-controlled motion of nano-scale objects is proposed, based on a model of stretching a graphene strip linked to a rigid base with linear springs of identical stiffness. We find that the potential energy difference induced by the strain gradient field in the graphene strip substrate can generate sufficient force to overcome the static and kinetic friction forces between the nano-flake and the strip substrate, resulting in the nanoscale flake motion in the direction of gradient reduction. The dynamics of the nano-flake can be manipulated by tuning the stiffness of linear springs, stretching velocity and the flake size. This fundamental law of directional motion induced by strain gradient could be very useful for promising designs of nanoscale manipulation, transportation and smart surfaces. PMID:26323603

High-power AlGaAs channeled substrate planar diode lasers for spaceborne communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Connolly, J. C.; Goldstein, B.; Pultz, G. N.; Slavin, S. E.; Carlin, D. B.; Ettenberg, M.

1988-01-01

A high power channeled substrate planar AlGaAs diode laser with an emission wavelength of 8600 to 8800 A was developed. The optoelectronic behavior (power current, single spatial and spectral behavior, far field characteristics, modulation, and astigmatism properties) and results of computer modeling studies on the performance of the laser are discussed. Lifetest data on these devices at high output power levels is also included. In addition, a new type of channeled substrate planar laser utilizing a Bragg grating to stabilize the longitudinal mode was demonstrated. The fabrication procedures and optoelectronic properties of this new diode laser are described.

Ridge waveguide laser in Nd:LiNbO3 by Zn-diffusion and femtosecond-laser structuring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martínez de Mendívil, Jon; del Hoyo, Jesús; Solís, Javier; Lifante, Ginés

2016-12-01

Ridge waveguide lasers have been fabricated on Nd3+ doped LiNbO3 crystals. The fs-laser writing technique was used to define ridge structures on a gradient-index planar waveguide fabricated by Zn-diffusion. This planar waveguide was formed in a z-cut LiNbO3 substrate homogeneously doped with a 0.23% of Nd3+ ions. To obtain lateral light confinement, the surface was then micromachined using a multiplexed femtosecond laser writing beam, forming the ridge structures. By butting two mirrors at the channel waveguide end-facets, forming a waveguide laser cavity, TM-polarized laser action at 1085 nm was achieved by end-fire TM-pumping at 815 nm. The waveguide laser shows a threshold of 31 mW, with a 7% of slope efficiency.

Microelectromechanical flow control apparatus

DOEpatents

Okandan, Murat [NE Albuquerque, NM

2009-06-02

A microelectromechanical (MEM) flow control apparatus is disclosed which includes a fluid channel formed on a substrate from a first layer of a nonconducting material (e.g. silicon nitride). A first electrode is provided on the first layer of the nonconducting material outside the flow channel; and a second electrode is located on a second layer of the nonconducting material above the first layer. A voltage applied between the first and second electrodes deforms the fluid channel to increase its cross-sectional size and thereby increase a flow of a fluid through the channel. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the fluid flow can be decreased or stopped by applying a voltage between the first electrode and the substrate. A peristaltic pumping of the fluid through the channel is also possible when the voltage is applied in turn between a plurality of first electrodes and the substrate. A MEM flow control assembly can also be formed by providing one or more MEM flow control devices on a common substrate together with a submicron filter. The MEM flow control assembly can optionally include a plurality of pressure sensors for monitoring fluid pressure and determining flow rates through the assembly.

A Study of the Development of Steady and Periodic Unsteady Turbulent Wakes Through Curved Channels at Positive, Zero, and Negative Streamwise Pressure Gradients, Part 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schobeiri, M. T.; John, J.

1996-01-01

The turbomachinery wake flow development is largely influenced by streamline curvature and streamwise pressure gradient. The objective of this investigation is to study the development of the wake under the influence of streamline curvature and streamwise pressure gradient. The experimental investigation is carried out in two phases. The first phase involves the study of the wake behind a stationary circular cylinder (steady wake) in curved channels at positive, zero, and negative streamwise pressure gradients. The mean velocity and Reynolds stress components are measured using a X-hot-film probe. The measured quantities obtained in probe coordinates are transformed to a curvilinear coordinate system along the wake centerline and are presented in similarity coordinates. The results of the steady wakes suggest strong asymmetry in velocity and Reynolds stress components. However, the velocity defect profiles in similarity coordinates are almost symmetrical and follow the same distribution as the zero pressure gradient straight wake. The results of Reynolds stress distributions show higher values on the inner side of the wake than the outer side. Other quantities, including the decay of maximum velocity defect, growth of wake width, and wake integral parameters, are also presented for the three different pressure gradient cases of steady wake. The decay rate of velocity defect is fastest for the negative streamwise pressure gradient case and slowest for the positive pressure gradient case. Conversely, the growth of the wake width is fastest for the positive streamwise pressure gradient case and slowest for the negative streamwise pressure gradient. The second phase studies the development of periodic unsteady wakes generated by the circular cylinders of the rotating wake generator in a curved channel at zero streamwise pressure gradient. Instantaneous velocity components of the periodic unsteady wakes, measured with a stationary X-hot-film probe, are analyzed by the phase averaging techniques. The temporal distribution of velocity and Reynolds stress components obtained in a stationary frame of reference are transformed to a spatial distribution in a relative frame of reference. Profiles of phase-averaged velocity and Reynolds stress distributions in the relative frame of reference and similarity coordinates are presented. The velocity defect and Reynolds stress distributions agree with the results of the wake development behind a stationary cylinder in the curved channel at zero streamwise pressure gradient. The phase-averaged third-order correlations, presented in the relative frame of reference and similarity coordinates, show pronounced asymmetric features.

Size effect model on kinetics of interfacial reaction between Sn-xAg-yCu solders and Cu substrate

PubMed Central

Huang, M. L.; Yang, F.

2014-01-01

The downsizing of solder balls results in larger interfacial intermetallic compound (IMC) grains and less Cu substrate consumption in lead-free soldering on Cu substrates. This size effect on the interfacial reaction is experimentally demonstrated and theoretically analyzed using Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu and Sn-3.5Ag solder balls. The interfacial reaction between the Sn-xAg-yCu solders and Cu substrates is a dynamic response to a combination of effects of interfacial IMC growth, Cu substrate consumption and composition variation in the interface zone. A concentration gradient controlled (CGC) kinetics model is proposed to explain the combined effects. The concentration gradient of Cu at the interface, which is a function of solder volume, initial Cu concentration and reaction time, is the root cause of the size effect. We found that a larger Cu concentration gradient results in smaller Cu6Sn5 grains and more consumption of Cu substrate. According to our model, the growth kinetics of interfacial Cu6Sn5 obeys a t1/3 law when the molten solder has approached the solution saturation, and will be slower otherwise due to the interfering dissolution mechanism. The size effect introduced in this model is supported by a good agreement between theoretical and experimental results. Finally, the scope of application of this model is discussed. PMID:25408359

Relation of urbanization to stream habitat and geomorphic characteristics in nine metropolitan areas of the United States

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fitzpatrick, Faith A.; Peppler, Marie C.

2010-01-01

The relation of urbanization to stream habitat and geomorphic characteristics was examined collectively and individually for nine metropolitan areas of the United States?Portland, Oregon; Salt Lake City, Utah; Denver, Colorado; Dallas?Forth Worth, Texas; Milwaukee?Green Bay, Wisconsin; Birmingham, Alabama; Atlanta, Georgia; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Boston, Massachusetts. The study was part of a larger study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey from 1999 to 2004 to examine the effects of urbanization on the physical, chemical, and biological components of stream ecosystems. The objectives of the current study were to determine how stream habitat and geomorphic characteristics relate to different aspects of urbanization across a variety of diverse environmental settings and spatial scales. A space-for-time rural-to-urban land-cover gradient approach was used. Reach-scale habitat data and geomorphic characteristic data were collected once during low flow and included indicators of potential habitat degradation such as measures of channel geometry and hydraulics, streambed substrate, low-flow reach volume (an estimate of base-flow conditions), habitat complexity, and riparian/bank conditions. Hydrologic metrics included in the analyses were those expected to be altered by increases in impervious surfaces, such as high-flow frequency and duration, flashiness, and low-flow duration. Other natural and human features, such as reach-scale channel engineering, geologic setting, and slope, were quantified to identify their possible confounding influences on habitat relations with watershed-scale urbanization indicators. Habitat and geomorphic characteristics were compared to several watershed-scale indicators of urbanization, natural landscape characteristics, and hydrologic metrics by use of correlation analyses and stepwise linear regression. Habitat and geomorphic characteristics were related to percentages of impervious surfaces only in some metropolitan areas and environmental settings. The relations between watershed-scale indicators of urbanization and stream habitat depended on physiography and climate, hydrology, pre-urban channel alterations, reach-scale slope and presence of bedrock, and amount of bank stabilization and grade control. Channels increased in size with increasing percentages of impervious surfaces in southeastern and midwestern metropolitan areas regardless of whether the pre-existing land use was forest or agriculture. The amount of enlargement depended on annual precipitation and frequency of high-flow events. The lack of a relation between channel enlargement and increasing impervious surfaces in other metropolitan areas was thought to be confounded by pre-urbanization hydrologic and channel alterations. Direct relations of channel shape and streambed substrate to urbanization were variable or lacking, probably because the type, amount, and source of sediment are dependent on the phase of urbanization. Reach-scale slope also was important for determining variations in streambed substrate and habitat complexity (percentage of riffles and runs). Urbanization-associated changes in reach-scale riparian vegetation varied geographically, partially depending on pre-existing riparian vegetation characteristics. Bank erosion increased in Milwaukee?Green Bay and Boston urban streams, and bank erosion also increased with an increase in a streamflow flashiness index. However, potential relations likely were confounded by the frequent use of channel stabilization and bank protection in urban settings. Low-flow reach volume did not decrease with increasing urbanization, but instead was related to natural landscape characteristics and possibly other unmeasured factors. The presence of intermittent bedrock in some sampled reaches likely limited some geomorphic responses to urbanization, such as channel bed erosion. Results from this study emphasize the importance of including a wide range of landscape variables at m

A microfluidic multi-injector for gradient generation.

PubMed

Chung, Bong Geun; Lin, Francis; Jeon, Noo Li

2006-06-01

This paper describes a microfluidic multi-injector (MMI) that can generate temporal and spatial concentration gradients of soluble molecules. Compared to conventional glass micropipette-based methods that generate a single gradient, the MMI exploits microfluidic integration and actuation of multiple pulsatile injectors to generate arbitrary overlapping gradients that have not previously been possible. The MMI device is fabricated in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) using multi-layer soft lithography and consists of fluidic channels and control channels with pneumatically actuated on-chip barrier valves. Repetitive actuation of on-chip valves control pulsatile release of solution that establishes microscopic chemical gradients around the orifice. The volume of solution released per actuation cycle ranged from 30 picolitres to several hundred picolitres and increased linearly with the duration of valve opening. The shape of the measured gradient profile agreed closely with the simulated diffusion profile from a point source. Steady state gradient profiles could be attained within 10 minutes, or less with an optimized pulse sequence. Overlapping gradients from 2 injectors were generated and characterized to highlight the advantages of MMI over conventional micropipette assays. The MMI platform should be useful for a wide range of basic and applied studies on chemotaxis and axon guidance.

Comparative performance of different scale-down simulators of substrate gradients in Penicillium chrysogenum cultures: the need of a biological systems response analysis.

PubMed

Wang, Guan; Zhao, Junfei; Haringa, Cees; Tang, Wenjun; Xia, Jianye; Chu, Ju; Zhuang, Yingping; Zhang, Siliang; Deshmukh, Amit T; van Gulik, Walter; Heijnen, Joseph J; Noorman, Henk J

2018-05-01

In a 54 m 3 large-scale penicillin fermentor, the cells experience substrate gradient cycles at the timescales of global mixing time about 20-40 s. Here, we used an intermittent feeding regime (IFR) and a two-compartment reactor (TCR) to mimic these substrate gradients at laboratory-scale continuous cultures. The IFR was applied to simulate substrate dynamics experienced by the cells at full scale at timescales of tens of seconds to minutes (30 s, 3 min and 6 min), while the TCR was designed to simulate substrate gradients at an applied mean residence time (τc) of 6 min. A biological systems analysis of the response of an industrial high-yielding P. chrysogenum strain has been performed in these continuous cultures. Compared to an undisturbed continuous feeding regime in a single reactor, the penicillin productivity (q PenG ) was reduced in all scale-down simulators. The dynamic metabolomics data indicated that in the IFRs, the cells accumulated high levels of the central metabolites during the feast phase to actively cope with external substrate deprivation during the famine phase. In contrast, in the TCR system, the storage pool (e.g. mannitol and arabitol) constituted a large contribution of carbon supply in the non-feed compartment. Further, transcript analysis revealed that all scale-down simulators gave different expression levels of the glucose/hexose transporter genes and the penicillin gene clusters. The results showed that q PenG did not correlate well with exposure to the substrate regimes (excess, limitation and starvation), but there was a clear inverse relation between q PenG and the intracellular glucose level. © 2018 The Authors. Microbial Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Society for Applied Microbiology.

Comparison of the dynamics of substrate access channels in three cytochrome P450s reveals different opening mechanisms and a novel functional role for a buried arginine

PubMed Central

Winn, Peter J.; Lüdemann, Susanna K.; Gauges, Ralph; Lounnas, Valère; Wade, Rebecca C.

2002-01-01

Understanding the mechanism and specificity of substrate binding in the cytochrome P450 (P450) superfamily is an important step toward explaining its key role in drug metabolism, toxicity, xenobiotic degradation, and several biosynthetic pathways. Here we investigate the ligand exit pathways and mechanisms of P450cam (CYP101), P450BM-3 (CYP102), and P450eryF (CYP107A1) by using random expulsion molecular dynamics and classical molecular dynamics simulations. Although several different pathways are found for each protein, one pathway is common to all three. The mechanism of ligand exit along this pathway is, however, quite different in the three different proteins. For P450cam, small backbone conformational changes, in combination with aromatic side chain rotation, allow for the passage of the rather rigid, compact, and hydrophobic substrate, camphor. In P450BM-3, larger transient backbone changes are observed on ligand exit. R47, situated at the entrance to the channel, appears important in guiding negatively charged fatty acid substrates in and out of the active site. In P450eryF, an isolated buried arginine, R185, stabilized by four hydrogen bonds to backbone carbonyl oxygen atoms, is located in the exit channel and is identified as having a particularly unusual functionality, dynamically gating channel opening. The results for these three P450s suggest that the channel opening mechanisms are adjusted to the physico-chemical properties of the substrate and can kinetically modulate protein-substrate specificity. PMID:11959989

Eruption Constraints for a Young Channelized Lava Flow, Marte Vallis, Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Therkelsen, J. P.; Santiago, S. S.; Grosfils, E. B.; Sakimoto, S. E. H.; Mendelson, C. V.; Bleacher, J. E.

2001-01-01

This study constrains flow rates for a specific channelized lava flow in Marte Vallis, Mars. We measured slope-gradient, channel width, and channel depth. Our results are similar to other recent studies which suggests similarities to long, terrestrial basaltic flow. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Substrate effect on nanoporous structure of silica wires by channel-confined self-assembly of block-copolymer and sol-gel precursors

DOE PAGES

Hu, Michael Z.; Lai, Peng

2015-09-22

Nanoporous silica wires of various wire diameters were developed by space-confined molecular self-assembly of triblock copolymer ethylene/propylene/ethylene (P123) and silica alkoxide precursor (tetraethylorthosilicate, TEOS). Two distinctive hard-templating substrates, anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) and track-etched polycarbonate (EPC), with channel diameters in the range between 10 nm and 200 nm were employed for space-confinement of soft molecular self-assembly driven by the block-copolymer microphase separation. It was observed in the scanning and transmission electron microscope (STEM) studies that the substrate geometry and material characteristics had pronounced effects on the structure and morphology of the silica nanowires. A substrate wall effect was proposed tomore » explain the ordering and orientation of the intra-wire mesostructure. Circular and spiral nanostructures were found only in wires formed in AAO substrate, not in EPC. Pore-size differences and distinctive wall morphologies of the nanowires relating to the substrates were discussed. It was shown that the material and channel wall characteristics of different substrates play key roles in the ordering and morphology of the intra-wire nanostructures.« less

Curvature and bow of bulk GaN substrates

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

Foronda, Humberto M.; Young, Erin C.; Robertson, Christian A.

2016-07-21

We investigate the bow of free standing (0001) oriented hydride vapor phase epitaxy grown GaN substrates and demonstrate that their curvature is consistent with a compressive to tensile stress gradient (bottom to top) present in the substrates. The origin of the stress gradient and the curvature is attributed to the correlated inclination of edge threading dislocation (TD) lines away from the [0001] direction. A model is proposed and a relation is derived for bulk GaN substrate curvature dependence on the inclination angle and the density of TDs. The model is used to analyze the curvature for commercially available GaN substratesmore » as determined by high resolution x-ray diffraction. The results show a close correlation between the experimentally determined parameters and those predicted from theoretical model.« less

A Study of Stress Distribution in Layered and Gradient Tribological Coatings (Preprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-11-01

FG) Ti/TiC coating design. On the top of the 440C stainless steel substrate, α-Ti is added as a bond layer with 50nm thickness to improve the... stainless steel substrate and the rigid spherical indenter was performed. Figure 5 (a) shows the normalized Hertzian point contact pressure distribution...AFRL-ML-WP-TP-2007-402 A STUDY OF STRESS DISTRIBUTION IN LAYERED AND GRADIENT TRIBOLOGICAL COATINGS (PREPRINT) Young Sup Kang, Shashi K

Variation of alluvial-channel width with discharge and character of sediment

USGS Publications Warehouse

Osterkamp, W.R.

1979-01-01

Use of channel measurements to estimate discharge characteristics of alluvial streams has shown that little agreement exists for the exponent of the width-discharge relation. For the equation Q = aWAb, where Q is mean discharge and WA is active-channel width, it is proposed that the exponent, b, should be of fixed value for most natural, perennial, alluvial stream channels and that the coefficient, a, varies with the characteristics of the bed and bank material.Three groups of perennial stream channels with differing characteristics were selected for study using consistent procedures of data collection. A common feature of the groups was general channel stability, that is, absence of excessive widening by erosive discharges. Group 1 consisted of 32 channels of gradient exceeding 0.0080, low suspended-sediment discharge, high channel roughness, and low discharge variability. Group 2 consisted of 13 streams in Kansas having at least 70 percent silt and clay in the bed material and having similar discharge variability, climate, gradient, and riparian vegetation. Group 3, in southern Missouri, consisted of discharge channels of 18 springs having similar conditions of very low discharge variability, climate and vegetation, but variable bed and bank material. Values for the exponent for the three groups of data are 1.98, 1.97, and 1.97, respectively, whereas values of the coefficients are 0.017, 0.042, and 0.011 when discharge is expressed in cubic meters per second and width is in meters. The relation for high-gradient channels (group 1) is supported by published data from laboratory flumes.The similarity of the three values of the exponent demonstrates that a standard exponent of 2.0, significant to two figures, is reasonable for the width-mean discharge relation of perennial, alluvial stream channels, and that the exponent is independent of other variables. Using a fixed exponent of 2.0, a family of simple power-function equations was developed expressing the manner in which channel sediment affects the width-discharge relation.

A polydimethylsiloxane-polycarbonate hybrid microfluidic device capable of generating perpendicular chemical and oxygen gradients for cell culture studies.

PubMed

Chang, Chia-Wen; Cheng, Yung-Ju; Tu, Melissa; Chen, Ying-Hua; Peng, Chien-Chung; Liao, Wei-Hao; Tung, Yi-Chung

2014-10-07

This paper reports a polydimethylsiloxane-polycarbonate (PDMS-PC) hybrid microfluidic device capable of performing cell culture under combinations of chemical and oxygen gradients. The microfluidic device is constructed of two PDMS layers with microfluidic channel patterns separated by a thin PDMS membrane. The top layer contains an embedded PC film and a serpentine channel for a spatially confined oxygen scavenging chemical reaction to generate an oxygen gradient in the bottom layer for cell culture. Using the chemical reaction method, the device can be operated with a small amount of chemicals, without bulky gas cylinders and sophisticated flow control schemes. Furthermore, it can be directly used in conventional incubators with syringe pumps to simplify the system setup. The bottom layer contains arrangements of serpentine channels for chemical gradient generation and a cell culture chamber in the downstream. The generated chemical and oxygen gradients are experimentally characterized using a fluorescein solution and an oxygen-sensitive fluorescent dye, respectively. For demonstration, a 48 hour cell-based drug test and a cell migration assay using human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cells (A549) are conducted under various combinations of the chemical and oxygen gradients in the experiments. The drug testing results show an increase in A549 cell apoptosis due to the hypoxia-activated cytotoxicity of tirapazamine (TPZ) and also suggest great cell compatibility and gradient controllability of the device. In addition, the A549 cell migration assay results demonstrate an aerotactic behavior of the A549 cells and suggest that the oxygen gradient plays an essential role in guiding cell migration. The migration results, under combinations of chemokine and oxygen gradients, cannot be simply superposed with single gradient results. The device is promising to advance the control of in vitro microenvironments, to better study cellular responses under various physiological conditions for biomedical applications.

Relationships of elevation, channel slope, and stream width to occurrences of native fishes at the Great Plains-Rocky Mountains interface

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brunger, Lipsey T.S.; Hubert, W.A.; Rahel, F.J.

2005-01-01

Environmental gradients occur with upstream progression from plains to mountains and affect the occurrence of native warmwater fish species, but the relative importance of various environmental gradients are not defined. We assessed the relative influences of elevation, channel slope, and stream width on the occurrences of 15 native warmwater fish species among 152 reaches scattered across the North Platte River drainage of Wyoming at the interface of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains. Most species were collected in reaches that were lower in elevation, had lower channel slopes, and were wider than the medians of the 152 sampled reaches. Several species occurred over a relatively narrow range of elevation, channel slope, or stream width among the sampled reaches, but the distributions of some species appeared to extend beyond the ranges of the sampled reaches. We identified competing logistic-regression models that accounted for the occurrence of individual species using the information-theoretic approach. Linear logistic-regression models accounted for patterns in the data better than curvilinear models for all species. The highest ranked models included channel slope for seven species, elevation for six species, stream width for one species, and both channel slope and stream width for one species. Our results suggest that different environmental gradients may affect upstream boundaries of different fish species at the interface of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains in Wyoming.

Redirection of pyruvate flux toward desired metabolic pathways through substrate channeling between pyruvate kinase and pyruvate-converting enzymes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PubMed

Kim, Sujin; Bae, Sang-Jeong; Hahn, Ji-Sook

2016-04-07

Spatial organization of metabolic enzymes allows substrate channeling, which accelerates processing of intermediates. Here, we investigated the effect of substrate channeling on the flux partitioning at a metabolic branch point, focusing on pyruvate metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. As a platform strain for the channeling of pyruvate flux, PYK1-Coh-Myc strain was constructed in which PYK1 gene encoding pyruvate kinase is tagged with cohesin domain. By using high-affinity cohesin-dockerin interaction, the pyruvate-forming enzyme Pyk1 was tethered to heterologous pyruvate-converting enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase and α-acetolactate synthase, to produce lactic acid and 2,3-butanediol, respectively. Pyruvate flux was successfully redirected toward desired pathways, with a concomitant decrease in ethanol production even without genetic attenuation of the ethanol-producing pathway. This pyruvate channeling strategy led to an improvement of 2,3-butanediol production by 38%, while showing a limitation in improving lactic acid production due to a reduced activity of lactate dehydrogenase by dockerin tagging.

Local deformation gradients in epitaxial Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 layers investigated by transmission electron microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Denneulin, T.; Wollschläger, N.; Everhardt, A. S.; Farokhipoor, S.; Noheda, B.; Snoeck, E.; Hÿtch, M.

2018-05-01

Lead zirconate titanate samples are used for their piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties in various types of micro-devices. Epitaxial layers of tetragonal perovskites have a tendency to relax by forming ferroelastic domains. The accommodation of the a/c/a/c polydomain structure on a flat substrate leads to nanoscale deformation gradients which locally influence the polarization by flexoelectric effect. Here, we investigated the deformation fields in epitaxial layers of Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 grown on SrTiO3 substrates using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We found that the deformation gradients depend on the domain walls inclination ( or to the substrate interface) of the successive domains and we describe three different a/c/a domain configurations: one configuration with parallel a-domains and two configurations with perpendicular a-domains (V-shaped and hat--shaped). In the parallel configuration, the c-domains contain horizontal and vertical gradients of out-of-plane deformation. In the V-shaped and hat--shaped configurations, the c-domains exhibit a bending deformation field with vertical gradients of in-plane deformation. Each of these configurations is expected to have a different influence on the polarization and so the local properties of the film. The deformation gradients were measured using dark-field electron holography, a TEM technique, which offers a good sensitivity (0.1%) and a large field-of-view (hundreds of nanometers). The measurements are compared with finite element simulations.

Distribution and characterization of in-channel large wood in relation to geomorphic patterns on a low-gradient river

USGS Publications Warehouse

Moulin, Bertrand; Schenk, Edward R.; Hupp, Cliff R.

2011-01-01

A 177 river km georeferenced aerial survey of in-channel large wood (LW) on the lower Roanoke River, NC was conducted to determine LW dynamics and distributions on an eastern USA low-gradient large river. Results indicate a system with approximately 75% of the LW available for transport either as detached individual LW or as LW in log jams. There were approximately 55 individual LW per river km and another 59 pieces in log jams per river km. Individual LW is a product of bank erosion (73% is produced through erosion) and is isolated on the mid and upper banks at low flow. This LW does not appear to be important for either aquatic habitat or as a human risk. Log jams rest near or at water level making them a factor in bank complexity in an otherwise homogenous fine-grained channel. A segmentation test was performed using LW frequency by river km to detect breaks in longitudinal distribution and to define homogeneous reaches of LWfrequency. Homogeneous reaches were then analyzed to determine their relationship to bank height, channel width/depth, sinuosity, and gradient. Results show that log jams are a product of LW transport and occur more frequently in areas with high snag concentrations, low to intermediate bank heights, high sinuosity, high local LW recruitment rates, and narrow channel widths. The largest concentration of log jams (21.5 log jams/km) occurs in an actively eroding reach. Log jam concentrations downstream of this reach are lower due to a loss of river competency as the channel reaches sea level and the concurrent development of unvegetated mudflats separating the active channel from the floodplain forest. Substantial LW transport occurs on this low-gradient, dam-regulated large river; this study, paired with future research on transport mechanisms should provide resource managers and policymakers with options to better manage aquatic habitat while mitigating possible negative impacts to human interests.

Thermal transpiration: A molecular dynamics study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

T, Joe Francis; Sathian, Sarith P.

2014-12-01

Thermal transpiration is a phenomenon where fluid molecules move from the cold end towards the hot end of a channel under the influence of longitudinal temperature gradient alone. Although the phenomenon of thermal transpiration is observed at rarefied gas conditions in macro systems, the phenomenon can occur at atmospheric pressure if the characteristic dimensions of the channel is less than 100 nm. The flow through these nanosized channels is characterized by the free molecular flow regimes and continuum theory is inadequate to describe the flow. Thus a non-continuum method like molecular dynamics (MD) is necessary to study such phenomenon. In the present work, MD simulations were carried out to investigate the occurance of thermal transpiration in copper and platinum nanochannels at atmospheric pressure conditions. The mean pressure of argon gas confined inside the nano channels was maintained around 1 bar. The channel height is maintained at 2nm. The argon atoms interact with each other and with the wall atoms through the Lennard-Jones potential. The wall atoms are modelled using an EAM potential. Further, separate simulations were carried out where a Harmonic potential is used for the atom-atom interaction in the platinum channel. A thermally insulating wall was introduced between the low and high temperature regions and those wall atoms interact with fluid atoms through a repulsive potential. A reduced cut off radius were used to achieve this. Thermal creep is induced by applying a temperature gradient along the channel wall. It was found that flow developed in the direction of the increasing temperature gradient of the wall. An increase in the volumetric flux was observed as the length of the cold and the hot regions of the wall were increased. The effect of temperature gradient and the wall-fluid interaction strength on the flow parameters have been studied to understand the phenomenon better.

Chronology of processes in high-gradient channels of medium-high mountains and their influence on the properties of alluvial fans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Šilhán, Karel

2014-02-01

High-gradient channels are the locations of the greatest geomorphological activity in medium-high mountains. The channels' frequency and character influence the contemporary morphology and morphometry of alluvial fans. There is currently no detailed information regarding the frequency of these processes in high-gradient channels and the evolution of alluvial fans in medium-high mountains in Central Europe. This study in the Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mts. analysed 22 alluvial fans (10 debris flow fans and 12 fluvial fans). The processes occurring on the fans were dated using dendrogeomorphological methods. A total of 748 increment cores were taken from 374 trees to reconstruct 153 geomorphological process events (60 debris flow and 93 floods). The frequency of the processes has been considerably increasing in the last four decades, which can be related to extensive tree cutting since the 1970s. Processes in high-gradient channels in the region (affecting the alluvial fans across the mountain range) are predominantly controlled by cyclonal activity during the warm periods of the year. Probable triggers of local events are heavy downpours in the summer. In addition, spring snowmelt has been identified as occasionally important. This study of the relations affecting the type and frequency of the processes and their effect on the properties of alluvial fans led to the creation of a universal framework for the medium-high flysch mountains of Central Europe. The framework particularly reflects the influence of the character of hydrometeorological extremes on the frequency and type of processes and their reflection in the properties of alluvial fans.

Interaction of lateral baroclinic forcing and turbulence in an estuary

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lacy, J.R.; Stacey, M.T.; Burau, J.R.; Monismith, Stephen G.

2003-01-01

Observations of density and velocity in a channel in northern San Francisco Bay show that the onset of vertical density stratification during flood tides is controlled by the balance between the cross-channel baroclinic pressure gradient and vertical mixing due to turbulence. Profiles of velocity, salinity, temperature, and suspended sediment concentration were measured in transects across Suisun Cutoff, in northern San Francisco Bay, on two days over the 12.5-hour tidal cycle. During flood tides an axial density front developed between fresher water flowing from the shallows of Grizzly Bay into the northern side of Suisun Cutoff and saltier water flowing up the channel. North of the front, transverse currents were driven by the lateral salinity gradient, with a top-to-bottom velocity difference greater than 30 cm/s. South of the front, the secondary circulation was weak, and along-channel velocities were greater than to the north. The gradient Richardson number shows that stratification was stable north of the front, while the water column was turbulently mixed south of the front. Time-series measurements of velocity and salinity demonstrate that the front develops during each tidal cycle. In estuaries, longitudinal dynamics predict less stratification during flood than ebb tides. These data show that stratification can develop during flood tides due to a lateral baroclinic pressure gradient in estuaries with complex bathymetry.

Fine-tuning of microsolvation and hydrogen bond interaction regulates substrate channelling in the course of flavonoid biosynthesis.

PubMed

Diharce, Julien; Golebiowski, Jérôme; Fiorucci, Sébastien; Antonczak, Serge

2016-04-21

In the course of metabolite formation, some multienzymatic edifices, the so-called metabolon, are formed and lead to a more efficient production of these natural compounds. One of the major features of these enzyme complexes is the facilitation of direct transfer of the metabolite between enzyme active sites by substrate channelling. Biophysical insights into substrate channelling remain scarce because the transient nature of these macromolecular complexes prevents the observation of high resolution structures. Here, using molecular modelling, we describe the substrate channelling of a flavonoid compound between DFR (dihydroflavonol-4-reductase) and LAR (leucoanthocyanidin reductase). The simulation presents crucial details concerning the kinetic, thermodynamic, and structural aspects of this diffusion. The formation of the DFR-LAR complex leads to the opening of the DFR active site giving rise to a facilitated diffusion, in about 1 μs, of the DFR product towards LAR cavity. The theoretically observed substrate channelling is supported experimentally by the fact that this metabolite, i.e. the product of the DFR enzyme, is not stable in the media. Moreover, along this path, the influence of the solvent is crucial. The metabolite remains close to the surface of the complex avoiding full solvation. In addition, when the dynamic behaviour of the system leads to a loss of interaction between the metabolite and the enzymes, water molecules through bridging H-bonds prevent the former from escaping to the bulk.

Landslides control the spatial and temporal variation of channel width in southern Taiwan: implications for landscape evolution and cascading hazards in steep, tectonically active landscapes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yanites, B.; Bregy, J. C.; Carlson, G.; Cataldo, K.; Holahan, M.; Johnston, G.; Mitchell, N. A.; Nelson, A.; Valenza, J.; Wanker, M.

2017-12-01

Intense precipitation or seismic events can generate clustered mass movement processes across a landscape. These rare events have significant impacts on the landscape, however, the rarity of such events leads to uncertainty in how these events impact the entire geomorphic system over a range of timescales. Taiwan is a steep, seismically active region and is highly prone to landslide and debris flows, especially when exposed to heavy rainfall events. Typhoon Morakot made landfall in Taiwan in August of 2009, delivering record-breaking rainfall and inducing more than 22,000 landslides in southern Taiwan. The topographic gradient in southern Taiwan leads to spatial variability in landslide susceptibility providing an opportunity to infer the long-term impact of landslides on channel morphology. The availability of pre and post typhoon imagery allows a quantitative reconstruction on the propagating impact of this event on channel width. The pre and post typhoon patterns of channel width to river and hillslope gradients in 20 basins in the study area reveal the importance of cascading hazards from landslides on landscape evolution. Prior to Typhoon Morakot, the river channels in the central part of the study area were about 3-10 times wider than the channels in the south. Aggradation and widening was also a maximum in these basins where hillslope gradients and channel steepness is high. The results further show that the narrowest channels are located where channel steepness is the lowest, an observation inconsistent with a detachment-limited model for river evolution. We infer this pattern is indicative of a strong role of sediment supply, and associated landslide events, on long-term channel evolution. These findings have implications across a range of spatial and temporal scales including understanding the cascade of hazards in steep landscapes and geomorphic interpretation of channel morphology.

Modifying Effects of Plasticizer, Chain Connectivity, and Chain Adsorption on the Physical Aging and Interfacial Gradient in Dynamics in Thin Polystyrene Films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thees, Michael; Roth, Connie

How the glass transition and physical aging in thin films change with confinement is nontrival, with studies in the literature showing that these effects can be modified by various factors including chain adsorption to substrate interfaces and addition of diluents. Some studies indicate that addition of plasticizer appears to eliminate confinement effects such as Tg gradients and possibly impacts chain adsorption to substrates. In contrast, how plasticizer affects physical aging in glassy polymers has been largely unexplored experimentally, despite various theoretical and simulation efforts. Previously we have shown that for neat polystyrene (PS) films, with molecular weights MW < 3000 kg/mol, physical aging rates in thin films decrease with decreasing film thickness consistent with expectations from local Tg gradients. However, we have recently found that for very high molecular weights, MW > 7000 kg/mol, the physical aging rate in thin films was more bulk like, suggesting a diminished gradient in dynamics related to chain connectivity and possibly chain adsorption to the substrate interface. Here, we explore how the addition of dioctyl phthalate (DOP) plasticizer to PS can alter the physical aging rate of thin films and possibly modify the adsorbed layer.

Thermally induced delay and reversal of liquid film dewetting on chemically patterned surfaces.

PubMed

Kalpathy, Sreeram K; Francis, Lorraine F; Kumar, Satish

2013-10-15

A thin liquid film resting on a solid substrate that is heated or cooled from below experiences surface tension gradients, which lead to Marangoni flows. We explore the behavior of such a film on a chemically patterned substrate which drives film dewetting in order to determine how surface patterning and applied temperature gradients can be designed to influence the behavior of thin-film coatings. A nonlinear partial differential equation for the film height based on lubrication theory is solved numerically for a broad range of problem parameters. Uniform cooling of the substrate is found to significantly delay dewetting that is driven by wettability gradients. Uniform heating speeds up dewetting but can destroy the near-perfect templating imposed by the surface patterning. However, localized heating and cooling together can accelerate dewetting while maintaining templating quality. Localized heating and cooling can also be used to drive liquid onto areas that it would dewet from in the absence of heating. Overall, these results indicate that applied temperature gradients can significantly influence dewetting driven by surface patterning, and suggest strategies for the creation of spatially patterned thin-film coatings and flow control in microfluidic devices. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Composition Comprising Silicon Carbide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mehregany, Mehran (Inventor); Zorman, Christian A. (Inventor); Fu, Xiao-An (Inventor); Dunning, Jeremy L. (Inventor)

2012-01-01

A method of depositing a ceramic film, particularly a silicon carbide film, on a substrate is disclosed in which the residual stress, residual stress gradient, and resistivity are controlled. Also disclosed are substrates having a deposited film with these controlled properties and devices, particularly MEMS and NEMS devices, having substrates with films having these properties.

Local electrical properties of n-AlInAs/i-GaInAs electron channel structures characterized by the probe-electron-beam-induced current technique.

PubMed

Watanabe, Kentaro; Nokuo, Takeshi; Chen, Jun; Sekiguchi, Takashi

2014-04-01

We developed a probe-electron-beam-induced current (probe-EBIC) technique to investigate the electrical properties of n-Al(0.48)In(0.52)As/i-Ga(0.30)In(0.70)As electron channel structures for a high-electron-mobility transistor, grown on a lattice-matched InP substrate and lattice-mismatched GaAs (001) and Si (001) substrates. EBIC imaging of planar surfaces at low magnifications revealed misfit dislocations originating from the AlInAs-graded buffer layer. The cross-sections of GaInAs channel structures on an InP substrate were studied by high-magnification EBIC imaging as well as cathodoluminescence (CL) spectroscopy. EBIC imaging showed that the structure is nearly defect-free and the carrier depletion zone extends from the channel toward the i-AlInAs buffer layer.

Method for optimizing channelized quadratic observers for binary classification of large-dimensional image datasets

PubMed Central

Kupinski, M. K.; Clarkson, E.

2015-01-01

We present a new method for computing optimized channels for channelized quadratic observers (CQO) that is feasible for high-dimensional image data. The method for calculating channels is applicable in general and optimal for Gaussian distributed image data. Gradient-based algorithms for determining the channels are presented for five different information-based figures of merit (FOMs). Analytic solutions for the optimum channels for each of the five FOMs are derived for the case of equal mean data for both classes. The optimum channels for three of the FOMs under the equal mean condition are shown to be the same. This result is critical since some of the FOMs are much easier to compute. Implementing the CQO requires a set of channels and the first- and second-order statistics of channelized image data from both classes. The dimensionality reduction from M measurements to L channels is a critical advantage of CQO since estimating image statistics from channelized data requires smaller sample sizes and inverting a smaller covariance matrix is easier. In a simulation study we compare the performance of ideal and Hotelling observers to CQO. The optimal CQO channels are calculated using both eigenanalysis and a new gradient-based algorithm for maximizing Jeffrey's divergence (J). Optimal channel selection without eigenanalysis makes the J-CQO on large-dimensional image data feasible. PMID:26366764

Flume experimentation and simulation of bedrock channel processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thompson, Douglas; Wohl, Ellen

Flume experiments can provide cost effective, physically manageable miniature representations of complex bedrock channels. The inherent change in scale in such experiments requires a corresponding change in the scale of the forces represented in the flume system. Three modeling approaches have been developed that either ignore the scaling effects, utilize the change in scaled forces, or assume similarity of process between scales. An understanding of the nonlinear influence of a change in scale on all the forces involved is important to correctly analyze model results. Similarly, proper design and operation of flume experiments requires knowledge of the fundamental components of flume systems. Entrance and exit regions of the flume are used to provide good experimental conditions in the measurement region of the flume where data are collected. To insure reproducibility, large-scale turbulence must be removed in the head of the flume and velocity profiles must become fully developed in the entrance region. Water-surface slope and flow acceleration effects from downstream water-depth control must also be isolated in the exit region. Statistical design and development of representative channel substrate also influence model results in these systems. With proper experimental design, flumes may be used to investigate bedrock channel hydraulics, sediment-transport relations, and morphologic evolution. In particular, researchers have successfully used flume experiments to demonstrate the importance of turbulence and substrate characteristics in bedrock channel evolution. Turbulence often operates in a self perpetuating fashion, can erode bedrock walls with clear water and increase the mobility of sediment particles. Bedrock substrate influences channel evolution by offering varying resistance to erosion, controlling the location or type of incision and modifying the local influence of turbulence. An increased usage of scaled flume models may help to clarify the remaining uncertainties involving turbulence, channel substrate and bedrock channel evolution.

Mode transition induced by the magnetic field gradient in Hall thrusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Liang; Wei, Liqiu; Yu, Daren

2016-09-01

A mode transition phenomenon was found in Hall thrusters, which was induced by the increase of the magnetic field gradient. In the transition process, we observed experimentally that there have been obvious changes in the oscillation, the mean value of the discharge current, the thrust, the anode efficiency, and the plume pattern. The shifting and compression of the high magnetic field causes the electron density in the discharge channel to decrease and the ionization zone to move towards the exit plane. This also corresponds to a low atom density in the discharge channel, resulting in a loss of stability of the ionization at a high magnetic field gradient, which presents the transition of the discharge mode.

An elasto-plastic solution for channel cracking of brittle coating on polymer substrate

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

Zhang, Chao; Chen, Fangliang; Gray, Matthew H.

In this study, an elasto-plastic channel-cracking model is presented to study the open-mode fracture of a thin layer brittle coating grown on a polymer substrate. A linear elastic shear interlayer is introduced to describe the stress transfer from the elasto-plastic substrate to the brittle coating, on basis of the shear-lag principle. The channel cracking behavior involves three stages: elastic, elasto-plastic and plastic stages, which are solved in a continuous manner based on the deformation status of the substrate. Explicit solutions are derived for the mutli-stage cracking process. Corresponding experimental tests for a titanium oxide (TiO 2) coating on a polymore » (ethylene terephthalate) substrate are conducted. The fracture toughness of the coating layer is estimated based on the crack spacing versus layer thickness relationship at certain strain levels. This method is found to be more reliable than the traditional methods using crack onset strain. Parametric studies of the fracture energy release rate for the coating and interfacial compliance of the thin film system are conducted, through which the effect of plastic deformation on the channel cracking behavior is studied extensively. The results indicate that the tangent modulus of the substrate controls the evolution curvature of crack spacing where a smaller tangent modulus corresponds to a slower saturation of crack spacing. The energy release rate also varies significantly with the properties of the interlayer. The study highlights the necessity of an elasto-plastic model for the thin film systems of brittle coating on a plastic substrate.« less

An elasto-plastic solution for channel cracking of brittle coating on polymer substrate

DOE PAGES

Zhang, Chao; Chen, Fangliang; Gray, Matthew H.; ...

2017-04-25

In this study, an elasto-plastic channel-cracking model is presented to study the open-mode fracture of a thin layer brittle coating grown on a polymer substrate. A linear elastic shear interlayer is introduced to describe the stress transfer from the elasto-plastic substrate to the brittle coating, on basis of the shear-lag principle. The channel cracking behavior involves three stages: elastic, elasto-plastic and plastic stages, which are solved in a continuous manner based on the deformation status of the substrate. Explicit solutions are derived for the mutli-stage cracking process. Corresponding experimental tests for a titanium oxide (TiO 2) coating on a polymore » (ethylene terephthalate) substrate are conducted. The fracture toughness of the coating layer is estimated based on the crack spacing versus layer thickness relationship at certain strain levels. This method is found to be more reliable than the traditional methods using crack onset strain. Parametric studies of the fracture energy release rate for the coating and interfacial compliance of the thin film system are conducted, through which the effect of plastic deformation on the channel cracking behavior is studied extensively. The results indicate that the tangent modulus of the substrate controls the evolution curvature of crack spacing where a smaller tangent modulus corresponds to a slower saturation of crack spacing. The energy release rate also varies significantly with the properties of the interlayer. The study highlights the necessity of an elasto-plastic model for the thin film systems of brittle coating on a plastic substrate.« less

Resistance modulation in VO2 nanowires induced by an electric field via air-gap gates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kanki, Teruo; Chikanari, Masashi; Wei, Tingting; Tanaka, Hidekazu; The Institute of Scientific; Industrial Research Team

Vanadium dioxide (VO2) shows huge resistance change with metal-insulator transition (MIT) at around room temperature. Controlling of the MIT by applying an electric field is a topical ongoing research toward the realization of Mott transistor. In this study, we have successfully switched channel resistance of VO2 nano-wire channels by a pure electrostatic field effect using a side-gate-type field-effect transistor (SG-FET) viaair gap and found that single crystalline VO2 nanowires and the channels with narrower width enhance transport modulation rate. The rate of change in resistance ((R0-R)/R, where R0 and R is the resistance of VO2 channel with off state and on state gate voltage (VG) , respectively) was 0.42 % at VG = 30 V in in-plane poly-crystalline VO2 channels on Al2O3(0001) substrates, while the rate in single crystalline channels on TiO2 (001) substrates was 3.84 %, which was 9 times higher than that using the poly-crystalline channels. With reducing wire width from 3000 nm to 400 nm of VO2 on TiO2 (001) substrate, furthermore, resistance modulation ratio enhanced from 0.67 % to 3.84 %. This change can not be explained by a simple free-electron model. In this presentation, we will compare the electronic properties between in-plane polycrystalline VO2 on Al2O3 (0001) and single crystalline VO2 on TiO2 (001) substrates, and show experimental data in detail..

A method to integrate patterned electrospun fibers with microfluidic systems to generate complex microenvironments for cell culture applications

PubMed Central

Wallin, Patric; Zandén, Carl; Carlberg, Björn; Hellström Erkenstam, Nina; Liu, Johan; Gold, Julie

2012-01-01

The properties of a cell’s microenvironment are one of the main driving forces in cellular fate processes and phenotype expression invivo. The ability to create controlled cell microenvironments invitro becomes increasingly important for studying or controlling phenotype expression in tissue engineering and drug discovery applications. This includes the capability to modify material surface properties within well-defined liquid environments in cell culture systems. One successful approach to mimic extra cellular matrix is with porous electrospun polymer fiber scaffolds, while microfluidic networks have been shown to efficiently generate spatially and temporally defined liquid microenvironments. Here, a method to integrate electrospun fibers with microfluidic networks was developed in order to form complex cell microenvironments with the capability to vary relevant parameters. Spatially defined regions of electrospun fibers of both aligned and random orientation were patterned on glass substrates that were irreversibly bonded to microfluidic networks produced in poly-dimethyl-siloxane. Concentration gradients obtained in the fiber containing channels were characterized experimentally and compared with values obtained by computational fluid dynamic simulations. Velocity and shear stress profiles, as well as vortex formation, were calculated to evaluate the influence of fiber pads on fluidic properties. The suitability of the system to support cell attachment and growth was demonstrated with a fibroblast cell line. The potential of the platform was further verified by a functional investigation of neural stem cell alignment in response to orientation of electrospun fibers versus a microfluidic generated chemoattractant gradient of stromal cell-derived factor 1 alpha. The described method is a competitive strategy to create complex microenvironments invitro that allow detailed studies on the interplay of topography, substrate surface properties, and soluble microenvironment on cellular fate processes. PMID:23781291

Open forum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1973-01-01

Some experiments on turbulent free shear layers in pressure gradients are discussed. Topics covered in the discussion include: (1) two dimensional vortex structures, (2) the effect of channel walls, and (3) the case of a mixing layer in pressure gradient.

Channel Responses and Hydromodification in Southern California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hawley, R. J.; Dust, D. W.; Bledsoe, B. P.

2007-12-01

Hydromodification (changes in watershed hydrologic characteristics, and the resulting hydraulics and channel forms due to urbanization) is ubiquitous in Southern California. In this region, the effects of hydromodification are driven and compounded by the arid/semiarid climate, high relief, erodible soils, high urbanization rates, and relatively low frequency of retention/detention. We conducted a preliminary survey of over 50 stream reaches along a gradient from least disturbed to fully urbanized. All stages of the Channel Evolution Model (CEM) of Schumm et al. (1984) were observed, from stable to degrading, widening, aggrading, and quasi-equilibrium channels. Several sites have CEM stages II through V in close proximity due to headcutting, hardpoints, and infrastructure. We also observed channels in undeveloped watersheds impacted by downstream urbanization via headcutting. A range of intervention measures was observed, with the frequent evolutionary endpoint as a concrete engineered flood control channel. We also observed multiple channel evolution sequences that deviate from the CEM for single-thread, incising channels. An alternative channel response, particularly on smaller urbanized streams is a stabilized, vegetation encroached low-flow channel with regular baseflow supplied by residential irrigation runoff. The limited cases of unimpacted streams that remain tend to be high gradient, high energy systems that are naturally proximate to the transition between braided and meandering form for a given sediment size.

Drop casting of stiffness gradients for chip integration into stretchable substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naserifar, Naser; LeDuc, Philip R.; Fedder, Gary K.

2017-04-01

Stretchable electronics have demonstrated promise within unobtrusive wearable systems in areas such as health monitoring and medical therapy. One significant question is whether it is more advantageous to develop holistic stretchable electronics or to integrate mature CMOS into stretchable electronic substrates where the CMOS process is separated from the mechanical processing steps. A major limitation with integrating CMOS is the dissimilar interface between the soft stretchable and hard CMOS materials. To address this, we developed an approach to pattern an elastomeric polymer layer with spatially varying mechanical properties around CMOS electronics to create a controllable material stiffness gradient. Our experimental approach reveals that modifying the interfaces can increase the strain failure threshold up to 30% and subsequently decreases delamination. The stiffness gradient in the polymer layer provides a safe region for electronic chips to function under a substrate tensile strain up to 150%. These results will have impacts in diverse applications including skin sensors and wearable health monitoring systems.

Construction of oxygen and chemical concentration gradients in a single microfluidic device for studying tumor cell-drug interactions in a dynamic hypoxia microenvironment.

PubMed

Wang, Lei; Liu, Wenming; Wang, Yaolei; Wang, Jian-chun; Tu, Qin; Liu, Rui; Wang, Jinyi

2013-02-21

Recent microfluidic advancements in oxygen gradients have greatly promoted controllable oxygen-sensitive cellular investigations at microscale resolution. However, multi-gradient integration in a single microfluidic device for tissue-mimicking cell investigation is not yet well established. In this study, we describe a method that can generate oxygen and chemical concentration gradients in a single microfluidic device via the formation of an oxygen gradient in a chamber and a chemical concentration gradient between adjacent chambers. The oxygen gradient dynamics were systematically investigated, and were quantitatively controlled using simple exchange between the aerial oxygen and the oxygen-free conditions in the gas-permeable polydimethylsiloxane channel. Meanwhile, the chemical gradient dynamics was generated using a special channel-branched device. For potential medical applications of the established oxygen and chemical concentration gradients, a tumor cell therapy assessment was performed using two antitumor drugs (tirapazamine and bleomycin) and two tumor cell lines (human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells and human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells). The results of the proof-of-concept experiment indicate the dose-dependent antitumor effect of the drugs and hypoxia-induced cytotoxicity of tirapazamine. We demonstrate that the integration of oxygen and chemical concentration gradients in a single device can be applied to investigating oxygen- and chemical-sensitive cell events, which can also be valuable in the development of multi-gradient generating procedures and specific drug screening.

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Characteristics of an Asymmetric Head-Only Gradient Coil Compatible with a High-Channel-Count Receiver Array

PubMed Central

Lee, Seung-Kyun; Mathieu, Jean-Baptiste; Graziani, Dominic; Piel, Joseph; Budesheim, Eric; Fiveland, Eric; Hardy, Christopher J.; Tan, Ek Tsoon; Amm, Bruce; Foo, Thomas K.-F; Bernstein, Matt A.; Huston, John; Shu, Yunhong; Schenck, John F.

2015-01-01

Purpose To characterize peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) of an asymmetric head-only gradient coil that is compatible with a commercial high-channel-count receive-only array. Methods Two prototypes of an asymmetric head-only gradient coil set, with 42-cm inner diameter, were constructed for brain imaging at 3T with maximum performance specifications of up to 85 mT/m and 708 T/m/s. 24 volunteer tests were performed to measure PNS thresholds with the transverse (X, left/right; Y, anterior/posterior) gradient coils of both prototypes. 14 volunteers were also tested for the Z-gradient PNS in the second prototype, and were additionally scanned with high-slew-rate EPI immediately after the PNS tests. Results For both prototypes, the Y-gradient PNS threshold was markedly higher than the X-gradient. The Z-gradient threshold was intermediate between those for the X- and Y-coils. Out of the 24 volunteer subjects, only two experienced Y-gradient PNS at 80 mT/m, 500 T/m/s. All volunteers underwent the EPI scan without PNS when the readout direction was set to A/P. Conclusion Measured PNS characteristics of asymmetric head-only gradient coil prototypes indicate that such coils, especially in the A/P direction, can be used for fast EPI readout in high-performance neuroimaging scans with substantially reduced PNS concerns compared to conventional whole-body gradient coils. PMID:26628078

Micromachined peristaltic pumps

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hartley, Frank T. (Inventor)

1999-01-01

Micromachined pumps including a channel formed between a first membrane and a substrate or between first and second flexible membranes. A series of electrically conductive strips is applied to a surface of the substrate or one of the membranes. Application of a sequential voltage to the series of strips causes a region of closure to progress down the channel to achieve a pumping action.

Sediment Dynamics Affecting the Threatened Santa Ana Sucker in the Highly-modified Santa Ana River and Inset Channel, Southern California, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Minear, J. T.; Wright, S. A.

2015-12-01

In this study, we investigate the sediment dynamics of the low-flow channel of the Santa Ana River that is formed by wastewater discharges and contains some of the last remaining habitat of the Santa Ana Sucker (Catostomus santaanae). The Santa Ana River is a highly-modified river draining the San Bernardino Mountains and Inland Empire metropolitan area east of Los Angeles. Home to over 4 million people, the watershed provides habitat for the federally-threatened Santa Ana Sucker, which presently reside within the mainstem Santa Ana River in a reach supported by year-round constant discharges from water treatment plants. The nearly constant low-flow wastewater discharges and infrequent runoff events create a small, approximately 8 m wide, inset channel within the approximately 300 m wide mainstem channel that is typically dry except for large flood flows. The sediment dynamics within the inset channel are characterized by constantly evolving bed substrate and sediment transport rates, and occasional channel avulsions. The sediment dynamics have large influence on the Sucker, which rely on coarse-substrate (gravel and cobble) for their food production. In WY 2013 through the present, we investigated the sediment dynamics of the inset channel using repeat bathymetric and substrate surveys, bedload sampling, and discharge measurements. We found two distinct phases of the inset channel behavior: 1. 'Reset' flows, where sediment-laden mainstem discharges from upstream runoff events result in sand deposition in the inset channel or avulse the inset channel onto previously dry riverbed; and 2. 'Winnowing' flows, whereby the sand within the inset channel is removed by clear-water low flows from the wastewater treatment plant discharges. Thus, in contrast to many regulated rivers where high flows are required to flush fine sediments from the bed (for example, downstream from dams), in the Santa Ana River the low flows from wastewater treatment plants serve as the flushing flows that gradually remove sand and expose the coarser substrate. In effect, the inset channel is analogous to a flume subject to periodic sediment loading events from upstream (runoff events) with long periods of negligible upstream sediment supply between the events (wastewater discharges).

Direct cooled power electronics substrate

DOEpatents

Wiles, Randy H [Powell, TN; Wereszczak, Andrew A [Oak Ridge, TN; Ayers, Curtis W [Kingston, TN; Lowe, Kirk T [Knoxville, TN

2010-09-14

The disclosure describes directly cooling a three-dimensional, direct metallization (DM) layer in a power electronics device. To enable sufficient cooling, coolant flow channels are formed within the ceramic substrate. The direct metallization layer (typically copper) may be bonded to the ceramic substrate, and semiconductor chips (such as IGBT and diodes) may be soldered or sintered onto the direct metallization layer to form a power electronics module. Multiple modules may be attached to cooling headers that provide in-flow and out-flow of coolant through the channels in the ceramic substrate. The modules and cooling header assembly are preferably sized to fit inside the core of a toroidal shaped capacitor.

Toward Understanding the Outer Membrane Uptake of Small Molecules by Pseudomonas aeruginosa*

PubMed Central

Eren, Elif; Parkin, Jamie; Adelanwa, Ayodele; Cheneke, Belete; Movileanu, Liviu; Khalid, Syma; van den Berg, Bert

2013-01-01

Because small molecules enter Gram-negative bacteria via outer membrane (OM) channels, understanding OM transport is essential for the rational design of improved and new antibiotics. In the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, most small molecules are taken up by outer membrane carboxylate channel (Occ) proteins, which can be divided into two distinct subfamilies, OccD and OccK. Here we characterize substrate transport mediated by Occ proteins belonging to both subfamilies. Based on the determination of the OccK2-glucuronate co-crystal structure, we identify the channel residues that are essential for substrate transport. We further show that the pore regions of the channels are rigid in the OccK subfamily and highly dynamic in the OccD subfamily. We also demonstrate that the substrate carboxylate group interacts with central residues of the basic ladder, a row of arginine and lysine residues that leads to and away from the binding site at the channel constriction. Moreover, the importance of the basic ladder residues corresponds to their degree of conservation. Finally, we apply the generated insights by converting the archetype of the entire family, OccD1, from a basic amino acid-specific channel into a channel with a preference for negatively charged amino acids. PMID:23467408

Radiation tolerant back biased CMOS VLSI

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maki, Gary K. (Inventor); Gambles, Jody W. (Inventor); Hass, Kenneth J. (Inventor)

2003-01-01

A CMOS circuit formed in a semiconductor substrate having improved immunity to total ionizing dose radiation, improved immunity to radiation induced latch up, and improved immunity to a single event upset. The architecture of the present invention can be utilized with the n-well, p-well, or dual-well processes. For example, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described relative to a p-well process wherein the p-well is formed in an n-type substrate. A network of NMOS transistors is formed in the p-well, and a network of PMOS transistors is formed in the n-type substrate. A contact is electrically coupled to the p-well region and is coupled to first means for independently controlling the voltage in the p-well region. Another contact is electrically coupled to the n-type substrate and is coupled to second means for independently controlling the voltage in the n-type substrate. By controlling the p-well voltage, the effective threshold voltages of the n-channel transistors both drawn and parasitic can be dynamically tuned. Likewise, by controlling the n-type substrate, the effective threshold voltages of the p-channel transistors both drawn and parasitic can also be dynamically tuned. Preferably, by optimizing the threshold voltages of the n-channel and p-channel transistors, the total ionizing dose radiation effect will be neutralized and lower supply voltages can be utilized for the circuit which would result in the circuit requiring less power.

Method and apparatus for combinatorial chemistry

DOEpatents

Foote, Robert S.

2007-02-20

A method and apparatus are provided for performing light-directed reactions in spatially addressable channels within a plurality of channels. One aspect of the invention employs photoactivatable reagents in solutions disposed into spatially addressable flow streams to control the parallel synthesis of molecules immobilized within the channels. The reagents may be photoactivated within a subset of channels at the site of immobilized substrate molecules or at a light-addressable site upstream from the substrate molecules. The method and apparatus of the invention find particularly utility in the synthesis of biopolymer arrays, e.g., oligonucleotides, peptides and carbohydrates, and in the combinatorial synthesis of small molecule arrays for drug discovery.

Method and apparatus for combinatorial chemistry

DOEpatents

Foote, Robert S [Oak Ridge, TN

2012-06-05

A method and apparatus are provided for performing light-directed reactions in spatially addressable channels within a plurality of channels. One aspect of the invention employs photoactivatable reagents in solutions disposed into spatially addressable flow streams to control the parallel synthesis of molecules immobilized within the channels. The reagents may be photoactivated within a subset of channels at the site of immobilized substrate molecules or at a light-addressable site upstream from the substrate molecules. The method and apparatus of the invention find particularly utility in the synthesis of biopolymer arrays, e.g., oligonucleotides, peptides and carbohydrates, and in the combinatorial synthesis of small molecule arrays for drug discovery.

Pressure evolution and deformation of confined granular media during pneumatic fracturing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eriksen, Fredrik K.; Toussaint, Renaud; Turquet, Antoine Léo; Mâløy, Knut J.; Flekkøy, Eirik G.

2018-01-01

By means of digital image correlation, we experimentally characterize the deformation of a dry granular medium confined inside a Hele-Shaw cell due to air injection at a constant overpressure high enough to deform it (from 50 to 250 kPa). Air injection at these overpressures leads to the formation of so-called pneumatic fractures, i.e., channels empty of beads, and we discuss the typical deformations of the medium surrounding these structures. In addition we simulate the diffusion of the fluid overpressure into the medium, comparing it with the Laplacian solution over time and relating pressure gradients with corresponding granular displacements. In the compacting medium we show that the diffusing pressure field becomes similar to the Laplace solution on the order of a characteristic time given by the properties of the pore fluid, the granular medium, and the system size. However, before the diffusing pressure approaches the Laplace solution on the system scale, we find that it resembles the Laplacian field near the channels, with the highest pressure gradients on the most advanced channel tips and a screened pressure gradient behind them. We show that the granular displacements more or less always move in the direction against the local pressure gradients, and when comparing granular velocities with pressure gradients in the zone ahead of channels, we observe a Bingham type of rheology for the granular paste (the mix of air and beads), with an effective viscosity μB and displacement thresholds ∇ ⃗Pc evolving during mobilization and compaction of the medium. Such a rheology, with disorder in the displacement thresholds, could be responsible for placing the pattern growth at moderate injection pressures in a universality class like the dielectric breakdown model with η =2 , where fractal dimensions are found between 1.5 and 1.6 for the patterns.

Influence of alluvial cover and lithology on the adjustment characteristics of semi-alluvial bedrock channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferguson, Sean P.; Rennie, Colin D.

2017-05-01

A growing body of research has focused on evaluating the adjustment characteristics of semi-alluvial channels containing proximate bedrock, mixed, and alluvial sections. Active orogens have been the focus of most empirical field-based studies with comparatively less focus on semi-alluvial bedrock channels located in other regions. In this study, we present an inventory of channel geometry data collected from semi-alluvial bedrock channels in Ontario and Québec, Canada, which are not subject to tectonic uplift. Data were sourced from a variety of physiographic settings, permitting evaluation of the influence of alluvial cover, lithology, and gradient on cross-sectional channel form. Our results show no substantial difference in channel width or scaling behaviour amongst bedrock, mixed, and alluvial channels included in our study, except for sedimentary bedrock channels virtually bare of alluvial cover that represent a uniquely wide, distinct subgroup. Channel gradient does not appear to exhibit any observable control on channel width amongst our study rivers, suggesting that sedimentary bedrock channels form a distinct subgroup because of lithology. Comparatively, the widths of our bedrock channels formed in igneous/metamorphic bedrock are comparable to the widths of mixed channels and alluvial channels for a given discharge and drainage area. Our findings also suggest that cross-sectional adjustment of sedimentary bedrock channels is achieved through lateral erosion of the channel banks and downward erosion of the channel bed, whereas cross-sectional adjustment of igneous/metamorphic bedrock is primarily achieved through downward erosion of the bed with limited lateral erosion of the banks.

Local deformation gradients in epitaxial Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 layers investigated by transmission electron microscopy.

PubMed

Denneulin, T; Wollschläger, N; Everhardt, A S; Farokhipoor, S; Noheda, B; Snoeck, E; Hÿtch, M

2018-05-31

Lead zirconate titanate samples are used for their piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties in various types of micro-devices. Epitaxial layers of tetragonal perovskites have a tendency to relax by forming [Formula: see text] ferroelastic domains. The accommodation of the a/c/a/c polydomain structure on a flat substrate leads to nanoscale deformation gradients which locally influence the polarization by flexoelectric effect. Here, we investigated the deformation fields in epitaxial layers of Pb(Zr 0.2 Ti 0.8 )O 3 grown on SrTiO 3 substrates using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We found that the deformation gradients depend on the domain walls inclination ([Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] to the substrate interface) of the successive [Formula: see text] domains and we describe three different a/c/a domain configurations: one configuration with parallel a-domains and two configurations with perpendicular a-domains (V-shaped and hat-[Formula: see text]-shaped). In the parallel configuration, the c-domains contain horizontal and vertical gradients of out-of-plane deformation. In the V-shaped and hat-[Formula: see text]-shaped configurations, the c-domains exhibit a bending deformation field with vertical gradients of in-plane deformation. Each of these configurations is expected to have a different influence on the polarization and so the local properties of the film. The deformation gradients were measured using dark-field electron holography, a TEM technique, which offers a good sensitivity (0.1%) and a large field-of-view (hundreds of nanometers). The measurements are compared with finite element simulations.

Engineering antiparallel charge-transfer cascades into supramolecular n/p-heterojunction photosystems: toward directional self-sorting on surfaces.

PubMed

Lista, Marco; Areephong, Jetsuda; Orentas, Edvinas; Charbonnaz, Pierre; Sakai, Naomi; Matile, Stefan

2012-01-01

This contribution describes recent progress made with the design, synthesis and evaluation of supramolecular architectures for artificial photosynthesis. Emphasis is on the possible introduction of antiparallel redox gradients into the co-axial hole- and electron-transporting channels of supramolecular n/p-heterojunctions, and on directional, uniform axial and alternate lateral self-sorting to get there. Recent results suggest that two-component gradients in both channels are sufficient for photoinduced charge separation over very long distances. Removal of one gradient leads to charge recombination at the usual critical distances, inversion of both gradients causes photocurrent inhibition. These promising results call for user-friendly, cheap and fast approaches to oriented multicomponent architectures on solid surfaces. However, the reduction of efforts devoted to covalent organic synthesis will have to be compensated by the development of strategic concepts on the supramolecular level to tackle basic questions such as self-sorting on surfaces.

Subglacial drainage patterns of Devon Island, Canada: detailed comparison of rivers and subglacial meltwater channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grau Galofre, Anna; Jellinek, A. Mark; Osinski, Gordon R.; Zanetti, Michael; Kukko, Antero

2018-04-01

Subglacial meltwater channels (N-channels) are attributed to erosion by meltwater in subglacial conduits. They exert a major control on meltwater accumulation at the base of ice sheets, serving as drainage pathways and modifying ice flow rates. The study of exposed relict subglacial channels offers a unique opportunity to characterize the geomorphologic fingerprint of subglacial erosion as well as study the structure and characteristics of ice sheet drainage systems. In this study we present detailed field and remote sensing observations of exposed subglacial meltwater channels in excellent preservation state on Devon Island (Canadian Arctic Archipelago). We characterize channel cross section, longitudinal profiles, and network morphologies and establish the spatial extent and distinctive characteristics of subglacial drainage systems. We use field-based GPS measurements of subglacial channel longitudinal profiles, along with stereo imagery-derived digital surface models (DSMs), and novel kinematic portable lidar data to establish a detailed characterization of subglacial channels in our field study area, including their distinction from rivers and other meltwater drainage systems. Subglacial channels typically cluster in groups of ˜ 10 channels and are oriented perpendicular to active or former ice margins. Although their overall direction generally follows topographic gradients, channels can be oblique to topographic gradients and have undulating longitudinal profiles. We also observe that the width of first-order tributaries is 1 to 2 orders of magnitude larger than in Devon Island river systems and approximately constant. Furthermore, our findings are consistent with theoretical expectations drawn from analyses of flow driven by gradients in effective water pressure related to variations in ice thickness. Our field and remote sensing observations represent the first high-resolution study of the subglacial geomorphology of the high Arctic, and provide quantitative and qualitative descriptions of subglacial channels that revisit well-established field identification guidelines. Distinguishing subglacial channels in topographic data is critical for understanding the emergence, geometry, and extent of channelized meltwater systems and their role in ice sheet drainage. The final aim of this study is to facilitate the identification of subglacial channel networks throughout the globe by using remote sensing techniques, which will improve the detection of these systems and help to build understanding of the underlying mechanics of subglacial channelized drainage.

Biocompatible patterning of proteins on wettability gradient surface by thermo-transfer printing.

PubMed

Kim, Sungho; Ryu, Yong-Sang; Suh, Jeng-Hun; Keum, Chang-Min; Sohn, Youngjoo; Lee, Sin-Doo

2014-08-01

We develop a simple and biocompatible method of patterning proteins on a wettability gradient surface by thermo-transfer printing. The wettability gradient is produced on a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-modified glass substrate through the temperature gradient during thermo-transfer printing. The water contact angle on the PDMS-modified surface is found to gradually increase along the direction of the temperature gradient from a low to a high temperature region. Based on the wettability gradient, the gradual change in the adsorption and immobilization of proteins (cholera toxin B subunit) is achieved in a microfluidic cell with the PDMS-modified surface.

Apparatus and method for performing microfluidic manipulations for chemical analysis and synthesis

DOEpatents

Ramsey, J. Michael

2000-01-01

A microchip laboratory system and method provide fluid manipulations for a variety of applications, including sample injection for microchip chemical separations. The microchip is fabricated using standard photolithographic procedures and chemical wet etching, with the substrate and cover plate joined using direct bonding. Capillary electrophoresis and electrochromatography are performed in channels formed in the substrate. Analytes are loaded into a four-way intersection of channels by electrokinetically pumping the analyte through the intersection, followed by switching of the potentials to force an analyte plug into the separation channel.

Apparatus and method for performing microfluidic manipulations for chemical analysis and synthesis

DOEpatents

Ramsey, J. Michael

2000-01-01

A microchip laboratory system and method proved fluid manipulations for a variety of applications, including sample injection for microchip chemical separations. The microchip is fabricated using standard photolithographic procedures and chemical wet etching, with the substrate and cover plate joined using direct bonding. Capillary electrophoresis and electrochromatography are performed in channels formed in the substrate. Analytes are loaded into a four-way intersection of channels by electrokinetically pumping the analyte through the intersection, followed by switching of the potentials to force an analyte plug into the separation channel.

Apparatus and method for performing microfluidic manipulations for chemical analysis and synthesis

DOEpatents

Ramsey, J. Michael

2002-01-01

A microchip laboratory system and method provide fluid manipulations for a variety of applications, including sample injection for microchip chemical separations. The microchip is fabricated using standard photolithographic procedures and chemical wet etching, with the substrate and cover plate joined using direct bonding. Capillary electrophoresis and electrochromatography are performed in channels formed in the substrate. Analytes are loaded into a four-way intersection of channels by electrokinetically pumping the analyte through the intersection, followed by switching of the potentials to force an analyte plug into the separation channel.

Apparatus and method for performing microfluidic manipulations for chemical analysis and synthesis

DOEpatents

Ramsey, J. Michael

1999-01-01

A microchip laboratory system and method provide fluid manipulations for a variety of applications, including sample injection for microchip chemical separations. The microchip is fabricated using standard photolithographic procedures and chemical wet etching, with the substrate and cover plate joined using direct bonding. Capillary electrophoresis and electrochromatography are performed in channels formed in the substrate. Analytes are loaded into a four-way intersection of channels by electrokinetically pumping the analyte through the intersection, followed by switching of the potentials to force an analyte plug into the separation channel.

Voltage- and temperature- controlled LC:PDMS waveguide channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rutkowska, Katarzyna A.; Asquini, Rita; d'Alessandro, Antonio

2017-08-01

In this paper, we present our studies on electrical and thermal tuning of light propagation in waveguide channels, made for the scope from a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate infiltrated with nematic liquid crystal (LC). We demonstrated, via numerical simulations, the changes of the waveguide optical parameters when solicited by temperature changes or electric fields. Moreover, the paper goes through the fabrication process of a waveguide channel sample and its characterization, as well as some preliminary experimental trials of sputtering indium tin oxide (ITO) and chromium layers on PDMS substrate to obtain flat electrodes.

Apparatus and method for performing microfluidic manipulations for chemical analysis and synthesis

DOEpatents

Ramsey, J.M.

1999-01-12

A microchip laboratory system and method provide fluid manipulations for a variety of applications, including sample injection for microchip chemical separations. The microchip is fabricated using standard photolithographic procedures and chemical wet etching, with the substrate and cover plate joined using direct bonding. Capillary electrophoresis and electrochromatography are performed in channels formed in the substrate. Analytes are loaded into a four-way intersection of channels by electrokinetically pumping the analyte through the intersection, followed by switching of the potentials to force an analyte plug into the separation channel. 46 figs.

A pressure-gradient mechanism for vortex shedding in constricted channels

PubMed Central

Boghosian, M. E.; Cassel, K. W.

2013-01-01

Numerical simulations of the unsteady, two-dimensional, incompressible Navier–Stokes equations are performed for a Newtonian fluid in a channel having a symmetric constriction modeled by a two-parameter Gaussian distribution on both channel walls. The Reynolds number based on inlet half-channel height and mean inlet velocity ranges from 1 to 3000. Constriction ratios based on the half-channel height of 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 are considered. The results show that both the Reynolds number and constriction geometry have a significant effect on the behavior of the post-constriction flow field. The Navier–Stokes solutions are observed to experience a number of bifurcations: steady attached flow, steady separated flow (symmetric and asymmetric), and unsteady vortex shedding downstream of the constriction depending on the Reynolds number and constriction ratio. A sequence of events is described showing how a sustained spatially growing flow instability, reminiscent of a convective instability, leads to the vortex shedding phenomenon via a proposed streamwise pressure-gradient mechanism. PMID:24399860

Tensile cracking of a brittle conformal coating on a rough substrate

DOE PAGES

Reedy, Jr., E. D.

2016-04-07

This note examines the effect of interfacial roughness on the initiation and growth of channel cracks in a brittle film. A conformal film with cusp-like surface flaws that replicate the substrate roughness is investigated. This type of surface flaw is relatively severe in the sense that stress diverges as the cusp-tip is approached (i.e., there is a power-law stress singularity). For the geometry and range of film properties considered, the analysis suggests that smoothing the substrate could substantially increase the film’s resistance to the formation of the through-the-thickness cracks that precede channel cracking. Furthermore, smoothing the substrate’s surface has amore » relatively modest effect on the film stress needed to propagate a channel crack.« less

Monolithic active pixel radiation detector with shielding techniques

DOEpatents

Deptuch, Grzegorz W.

2018-03-20

A monolithic active pixel radiation detector including a method of fabricating thereof. The disclosed radiation detector can include a substrate comprising a silicon layer upon which electronics are configured. A plurality of channels can be formed on the silicon layer, wherein the plurality of channels are connected to sources of signals located in a bulk part of the substrate, and wherein the signals flow through electrically conducting vias established in an isolation oxide on the substrate. One or more nested wells can be configured from the substrate, wherein the nested wells assist in collecting charge carriers released in interaction with radiation and wherein the nested wells further separate the electronics from the sensing portion of the detector substrate. The detector can also be configured according to a thick SOA method of fabrication.

Monolithic active pixel radiation detector with shielding techniques

DOEpatents

Deptuch, Grzegorz W.

2016-09-06

A monolithic active pixel radiation detector including a method of fabricating thereof. The disclosed radiation detector can include a substrate comprising a silicon layer upon which electronics are configured. A plurality of channels can be formed on the silicon layer, wherein the plurality of channels are connected to sources of signals located in a bulk part of the substrate, and wherein the signals flow through electrically conducting vias established in an isolation oxide on the substrate. One or more nested wells can be configured from the substrate, wherein the nested wells assist in collecting charge carriers released in interaction with radiation and wherein the nested wells further separate the electronics from the sensing portion of the detector substrate. The detector can also be configured according to a thick SOA method of fabrication.

Characterization of the Navy Fan Channel-to-Lobe Transition: Geomorphology, Gradient, and Structure Imaged through High-Resolution AUV Bathymetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carvajal, C.; Paull, C. K.; Caress, D. W.; Anderson, K.; Lundsten, E. M.; Gwiazda, R.; Fildani, A.; Dykstra, M.; McGann, M.; Maier, K. L.; Herguera, J. C.

2016-12-01

Channel to lobe transition zones (CLTZ) are elusive sectors of the seafloor. They record complex interactions between sediment-gravity flows, flow confinement, and gradient that can result in contrasting geomorphologies. If present, structural controls can add additional intricacies. We illustrate such complexities in the Navy Fan CLTZ offshore California/Mexico using AUV-collected high-resolution (1x1x0.25 m) bathymetry and chirp profiles. The AUV bathymetry images the fine scale details of the seafloor, otherwise unresolved in surface-ship-mounted multibeam bathymetry. Three morphological areas standout that in a direction transverse to sediment transport are: 1) An unconfined area with variable but overall steep gradients (0.5o-1.7o), and considerable erosion shown by numerous large scours that truncate underlying strata. These scours are elongate (<500x180 m), deep (<18 m), asymmetric (steeper proximally), and more prominent along steeper gradients; 2) An area of moderate confinement along a smoother, gentler gradient (0.2o-0.5o; 0.9o locally). This area is 8 km long with a channel (WxD: 233x11 m) that transitions basinwards to low confinement (WxD: 1000x4 m); and 3) An area with an escarpment (<25 m high, <19o) and ridge of the San Clemente Fault. We hypothesize that the erosional morphologies of the unconfined areas reflect swifter turbidity currents due to high gradients, which resulted from relief along the San Clemente Fault and probably from differential seafloor aggradation. In the moderate confinement area, the smoother and gentler seafloor may be related to more efficient sediment dispersal able to transfer/deposit sediment to heal structural relief (though not completely) while avoiding significant local aggradation, hence preventing major gradient build up. In the faulted area, the steep and prominent structure reroutes the sediments. The findings of this study have broad application to any seafloor areas with rapid changes of gradient.

Hot gas path component cooling system having a particle collection chamber

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

Miranda, Carlos Miguel; Lacy, Benjamin Paul

A cooling system for a hot gas path component includes a substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines at least one interior space. A passage is formed in the substrate between the outer surface and the inner surface. An access passage is formed in the substrate and extends from the outer surface to the inner space. The access passage is formed at a first acute angle to the passage and includes a particle collection chamber. The access passage is configured to channel a cooling fluid to the passage. Furthermore, the passage is configured tomore » channel the cooling fluid therethrough to cool the substrate.« less

NANIVID: A New Research Tool for Tissue Microenvironment Studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raja, Waseem K.

Metastatic tumors are heterogeneous in nature and composed of subpopulations of cells having various metastatic potentials. The time progression of a tumor creates a unique microenvironment to improve the invasion capabilities and survivability of cancer cells in different microenvironments. In the early stages of intravasation, cancer cells establish communication with other cell types through a paracrine loop and covers long distances by sensing growth factor gradients through extracellular matrices. Cellular migration both in vitro and in vivo is a complex process and to understand their motility in depth, sophisticated techniques are required to document and record events in real time. This study presents the design and optimization of a new versatile chemotaxis device called the NANIVID (NANo IntraVital Imaging Device), developed using advanced Nano/Micro fabrication techniques. The current version of this device has been demonstrated to form a stable (epidermal growth factor) EGF gradient in vitro (2D and 3D) while a miniaturized size of NANIVID is used as an implantable device for intravital studies of chemotaxis and to collect cells in vivo. The device is fabricated using microfabrication techniques in which two substrates are bonded together using a thin polymer layer creating a bonded device with one point source (approximately 150 im x 50 im) outlet. The main structures of the device consist of two transparent substrates: one having etched chambers and channel while the second consists of a microelectrode system to measure real time cell arrival inside the device. The chamber of the device is loaded with a growth factor reservoir consisting of hydrogel to sustain a steady release of growth factor into the surrounding environment for long periods of time and establishing a concentration gradient from the device. The focus of this study was to design and optimize the new device for cell chemotaxis studies in breast cancer cells in cell culture. Our results show that we have created a flexible, cheap, miniature and autonomous chemotaxis device and demonstrate its usefulness in 2D and 3D cell culture. We also provide preliminary data for use of the device in vivo.

Nanocrystal-based complementary inverters constructed on flexible plastic substrates.

PubMed

Jang, Jaewon; Cho, Kyoungah; Yun, Junggwon; Kim, Sangsig

2013-05-01

We demonstrate a nanocrystal (NC)-based complementary inverter constructed on a flexible plastic substrate. The NC-based complementary inverter consists of n-type HgSe NC- and p-type HgTe NC-based thin-film transistors (TFTs). Solid films on a plastic substrate obtained from HgSe and HgTe nanocrystals by thermal transformation are utilized as the n- and p-channel layers in these TFTs, respectively. The electrical properties of these component TFTs on unstrained and strained substrates are characterized and the performance of the inverter on the flexible substrate is investigated. The inverter on the unstrained substrate exhibits a logic gain of about 8, a logic swing of 90%, and a noise margin of 2.0 V. The characteristics of the inverter are changed under tensile and compressive strains, but not very significantly. Moreover, a comparison of the electrical characteristics of the n- and p-channel TFTs and the inverter is made in this paper.

Increasing pumping efficiency in a micro throttle pump by enhancing displacement amplification in an elastomeric substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujiwara, T.; Johnston, I. D.; Tracey, M. C.; Tan, C. K. L.

2010-06-01

Fluid transport is accomplished in a micro throttle pump (MTP) by alternating deformation of a micro channel cast into a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomeric substrate. The active deformation is achieved using a bimorph PZT piezoelectric disc actuator bonded to a glass diaphragm. The bimorph PZT deflects the diaphragm as well as alternately pushing and pulling the elastomer layer providing displacement amplification in the PDMS directly surrounding the micro channel. In order to improve pumping rates we have embedded a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) ring into the PMDS substrate which increases the magnitude of the displacement amplification achieved. FEM simulation of the elastomeric substrate deformation predicts that the inclusion of the PMMA ring should increase the channel deformation. We experimentally demonstrate that inclusion of a PMMA ring, having a diameter equal to that of the circular node of the PZT/glass/PDMS composite, increases in the throttle resistance ratio by 40% and the maximum pumping rate by 90% compared to an MTP with no ring.

Silicon carbide and other films and method of deposition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mehregany, Mehran (Inventor); Zorman, Christian A. (Inventor); Fu, Xiao-An (Inventor); Dunning, Jeremy L. (Inventor)

2007-01-01

A method of depositing a ceramic film, particularly a silicon carbide film, on a substrate is disclosed in which the residual stress, residual stress gradient, and resistivity are controlled. Also disclosed are substrates having a deposited film with these controlled properties and devices, particularly MEMS and NEMS devices, having substrates with films having these properties.

Silicon carbide and other films and method of deposition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mehregany, Mehran (Inventor); Zorman, Christian A. (Inventor); Fu, Xiao-An (Inventor); Dunning, Jeremy (Inventor)

2011-01-01

A method of depositing a ceramic film, particularly a silicon carbide film, on a substrate is disclosed in which the residual stress, residual stress gradient, and resistivity are controlled. Also disclosed are substrates having a deposited film with these controlled properties and devices, particularly MEMS and NEMS devices, having substrates with films having these properties.

High Mobility SiGe/Si Transistor Structures on Sapphire Substrates Using Ion Implantation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alterovitz, S. A.; Mueller, C. H.; Croke, E. T.

2003-01-01

High mobility n-type SiGe/Si transistor structures have been fabricated on sapphire substrates by ion implanting phosphorus ions into strained 100 Angstrom thick silicon channels for the first time. The strained Si channels were sandwiched between Si(sub 0.7)Ge(sub 0.3) layers, which, in turn, were deposited on Si(sub 0.7)Ge(sub 0.3) virtual substrates and graded SiGe buffer layers. After the molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) film growth process was completed, ion thick silicon channels implantation and post-annealing were used to introduce donors. The phosphorous ions were preferentially located in the Si channel at a peak concentration of approximately 1x10(exp 18)/cu cm. Room temperature electron mobilities exceeding 750 sq cm/V-sec at carrier densities of 1x10(exp 12)/sq cm were measured. Electron concentration appears to be the key factor that determines mobility, with the highest mobility observed for electron densities in the 1 - 2x10(exp 12)/sq cm range.

Centrifugal precipitation chromatography

PubMed Central

Ito, Yoichiro; Lin, Qi

2009-01-01

Centrifugal precipitation chromatography separates analytes according their solubility in ammonium sulfate (AS) solution and other precipitants. The separation column is made from a pair of long spiral channels partitioned with a semipermeable membrane. In a typical separation, concentrated ammonium sulfate is eluted through one channel while water is eluted through the other channel in the opposite direction. The countercurrent process forms an exponential AS concentration gradient through the water channel. Consequently, protein samples injected into the water channel is subjected to a steadily increasing AS concentration and at the critical AS concentration they are precipitated and deposited in the channel bed by the centrifugal force. Then the chromatographic separation is started by gradually reducing the AS concentration in the AS channel which lowers the AS gradient concentration in the water channel. This results in dissolution of deposited proteins which are again precipitated at an advanced critical point as they move through the channel. Consequently, proteins repeat precipitation and dissolution through a long channel and finally eluted out from the column in the order of their solubility in the AS solution. The present method has been successfully applied to a number of analytes including human serum proteins, recombinant ketosteroid isomerase, carotenoid cleavage enzymes, plasmid DNA, polysaccharide, polymerized pigments, PEG-protein conjugates, etc. The method is capable to single out the target species of proteins by affinity ligand or immunoaffinity separation. PMID:19541553

Phase locking of a seven-channel continuous wave fibre laser system by a stochastic parallel gradient algorithm

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

Volkov, M V; Garanin, S G; Dolgopolov, Yu V

2014-11-30

A seven-channel fibre laser system operated by the master oscillator – multichannel power amplifier scheme is the phase locked using a stochastic parallel gradient algorithm. The phase modulators on lithium niobate crystals are controlled by a multichannel electronic unit with the microcontroller processing signals in real time. The dynamic phase locking of the laser system with the bandwidth of 14 kHz is demonstrated, the time of phasing is 3 – 4 ms. (fibre and integrated-optical structures)

How do animals use substrate-borne vibrations as an information source?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hill, Peggy S. M.

2009-12-01

Animal communication is a dynamic field that promotes cross-disciplinary study of the complex mechanisms of sending and receiving signals, the neurobiology of signal detection and processing, and the behaviors of animals creating and responding to encoded messages. Alongside visual signals, songs, or pheromones exists another major communication channel that has been rather neglected until recent decades: substrate-borne vibration. Vibrations carried in the substrate are considered to provide a very old and apparently ubiquitous communication channel that is used alone or in combination with other information channels in multimodal signaling. The substrate could be ‘the ground’, or a plant leaf or stem, or the surface of water, or a spider’s web, or a honeybee’s honeycomb. Animals moving on these substrates typically create incidental vibrations that can alert others to their presence. They also may use behaviors to create vibrational waves that are employed in the contexts of mate location and identification, courtship and mating, maternal care and sibling interactions, predation, predator avoidance, foraging, and general recruitment of family members to work. In fact, animals use substrate-borne vibrations to signal in the same contexts that they use vision, hearing, touch, taste, or smell. Study of vibrational communication across animal taxa provides more than just a more complete story. Communication through substrate-borne vibration has its own constraints and opportunities not found in other signaling modalities. Here, I review the state of our understanding of information acquisition via substrate-borne vibrations with special attention to the most recent literature.

Relocalization of the calcium gradient and a dihydropyridine receptor is involved in upward bending by bulging of Chara protonemata, but not in downward bending by bowing of Chara rhizoids.

PubMed

Braun, M; Richter, P

1999-10-01

The localization of cytoplasmic free calcium and a dihydropyridine (DHP) receptor, a putative calcium channel, was recorded during the opposite graviresponses of tip-growing Chara rhizoids and Chara protonemata by using the calcium indicator Calcium Crimson and a fluorescently labeled dihydropyridine (FL-DHP). In upward (negatively gravitropically) growing protonemata and downward (positively gravitropically) growing rhizoids, a steep Ca2+ gradient and DHP receptors were found to be symmetrically localized in the tip. However, the localization of the Ca2+ gradient and DHP receptors differed considerably during the gravitropic responses upon horizontal positioning of the two cell types. During the graviresponse of rhizoids, a continuous bowing downward by differential flank growth, the Ca2+ gradient and DHP receptors remained symmetrically localized in the tip at the centre of growth. However, after tilting protonemata into a horizontal position, there was a drastic displacement of the Ca2+ gradient and FL-DHP to the upper flank of the apical dome. This displacement occurred after the apical intrusion and sedimentation of the statoliths but clearly before the change in the growth direction became evident. In protonemata, the reorientation of the growth direction started with the appearance of a bulge on that site of the upper flank which was predicted by the asymmetrically displaced Ca2+ gradient. With the upward shift of the cell tip, which is suggested to result from a statolith-induced displacement of the growth centre, the Ca2+ gradient and DHP receptors became symmetrically relocalized in the apical dome. No major asymmetrical rearrangement was observed during the following phase of gravitropic curvature which is characterized by slower rates of bending. Labeling with FL-DHP was completely inhibited by a non-fluorescently labeled dihydropyridine. From these results it is suggested that FL-DHP labels calcium channels in rhizoids and protonemata. In rhizoids, positive gravitropic curvature is caused by differential growth limited to the opposite subapical flanks of the apical dome, a process which does not involve displacement of the growth centre, the calcium gradient or calcium channels. In protonemata, however, it is proposed that a statolith-induced asymmetrical relocalization of calcium channels and the Ca2+ gradient precedes, and might mediate, the rearrangement of the centre of growth, most likely by the displacement of the Spitzenkorper, to the upper flank, which results in the negative gravitropic reorientation of the growth direction.

Method of depositing a high-emissivity layer

DOEpatents

Wickersham, Charles E.; Foster, Ellis L.

1983-01-01

A method of depositing a high-emissivity layer on a substrate comprising RF sputter deposition of a carbide-containing target in an atmosphere of a hydrocarbon gas and a noble gas. As the carbide is deposited on the substrate the hydrocarbon gas decomposes to hydrogen and carbon. The carbon deposits on the target and substrate causing a carbide/carbon composition gradient to form on the substrate. At a sufficiently high partial pressure of hydrocarbon gas, a film of high-emissivity pure carbon will eventually form over the substrate.

Adaptation of a Simple Microfluidic Platform for High-Dimensional Quantitative Morphological Analysis of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells on Polystyrene-Based Substrates.

PubMed

Lam, Johnny; Marklein, Ross A; Jimenez-Torres, Jose A; Beebe, David J; Bauer, Steven R; Sung, Kyung E

2017-12-01

Multipotent stromal cells (MSCs, often called mesenchymal stem cells) have garnered significant attention within the field of regenerative medicine because of their purported ability to differentiate down musculoskeletal lineages. Given the inherent heterogeneity of MSC populations, recent studies have suggested that cell morphology may be indicative of MSC differentiation potential. Toward improving current methods and developing simple yet effective approaches for the morphological evaluation of MSCs, we combined passive pumping microfluidic technology with high-dimensional morphological characterization to produce robust tools for standardized high-throughput analysis. Using ultraviolet (UV) light as a modality for reproducible polystyrene substrate modification, we show that MSCs seeded on microfluidic straight channel devices incorporating UV-exposed substrates exhibited morphological changes that responded accordingly to the degree of substrate modification. Substrate modification also effected greater morphological changes in MSCs seeded at a lower rather than higher density within microfluidic channels. Despite largely comparable trends in morphology, MSCs seeded in microscale as opposed to traditional macroscale platforms displayed much higher sensitivity to changes in substrate properties. In summary, we adapted and qualified microfluidic cell culture platforms comprising simple straight channel arrays as a viable and robust tool for high-throughput quantitative morphological analysis to study cell-material interactions.

Temporal dynamics of urbanization-driven environmental changes explored by metal contamination in surface sediments in a restoring urban wetland park.

PubMed

Ma, Jun; Liu, Yi; Yu, Guangbin; Li, Hongbo; Yu, Shen; Jiang, Yueping; Li, Guilin; Lin, Jinchang

2016-05-15

Spatial patterns of metal distribution along urban-rural or multi-city gradients indicate that the urbanization process directly lead to metal enrichment and contamination in the environments. However, it has not yet looked at homogenization dynamics of an urban-rural gradient pattern over time with urbanization process in an area. This study monitored anthropogenic metals (Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in surface sediments from channels of a newly-opened National Wetland Park to elucidate the urbanization-driven dissolution of urban-rural gradient pattern between 2008 and 2011. Sixty-eight surface sediment samples were taken from these channels in July of both 2008 and 2011. Results showed that a spatial distribution pattern of total metal contents along the gradient of urbanization influence, evident in 2008, was homogenized in 2011 with the area development. The lead stable isotope ratio analysis identified anthropogenic Pb origins from vehicular exhausts, cements, and coal flying ashes, which elevated metal contents in the inner channels via atmospheric deposition. Specific hazard quotients of the metal contamination in surface sediment were also assessed and enhanced over time in the study wetland park. These findings suggest that emissions from traffic, construction, and energy generation contribute metal loadings in the urbanizing environment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Stability of exact solutions describing two-layer flows with evaporation at the interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bekezhanova, V. B.; Goncharova, O. N.

2016-12-01

A new exact solution of the equations of free convection has been constructed in the framework of the Oberbeck-Boussinesq approximation of the Navier-Stokes equations. The solution describes the joint flow of an evaporating viscous heat-conducting liquid and gas-vapor mixture in a horizontal channel. In the gas phase the Dufour and Soret effects are taken into account. The consideration of the exact solution allows one to describe different classes of flows depending on the values of the problem parameters and boundary conditions for the vapor concentration. A classification of solutions and results of the solution analysis are presented. The effects of the external disturbing influences (of the liquid flow rates and longitudinal gradients of temperature on the channel walls) on the stability characteristics have been numerically studied for the system HFE7100-nitrogen in the common case, when the longitudinal temperature gradients on the boundaries of the channel are not equal. In the system both monotonic and oscillatory modes can be formed, which damp or grow depending on the values of the initial perturbations, flow rates and temperature gradients. Hydrodynamic perturbations are most dangerous under large gas flow rates. The increasing oscillatory perturbations are developed due to the thermocapillary effect under large longitudinal gradients of temperature. The typical forms of the disturbances are shown.

Biophysics of microchannel-enabled neuron-electrode interfaces.

PubMed

Wang, Ling; Riss, Michael; Buitrago, Jennifer Olmos; Claverol-Tinturé, Enric

2012-04-01

We have previously described the use of microchannels (μChannels) as substrate-integrated equivalents of micropipettes and advantageous neuron-electrode interface enhancers. The use of μChannels to establish stable recording and stimulation of threading axons results in a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), potentially high-throughput and low-cost alternative to conventional substrate-embedded microelectrodes. Here we confirm the consistent achievement of high SNRs with μChannels and systematically characterize the impact of μChannel geometry on the measured signals via numerical simulations and in vitro experiments. We demonstrate and rationalize how channels with a length of ≤300 μm and channel cross section of ≤12 μm(2) support spontaneous formation of seals and yield spike sizes in the millivolt range. Despite the low degree of complexity involved in their fabrication and use, μChannel devices provide a single-unit mean SNR of 101 ± 76, which compares favourably with the SNR obtained from typical microelectrode arrays.

Lipid Microarray Biosensor for Biotoxin Detection.

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

Singh, Anup K.; Throckmorton, Daniel J.; Moran-Mirabal, Jose C.

2006-05-01

We present the use of micron-sized lipid domains, patterned onto planar substrates and within microfluidic channels, to assay the binding of bacterial toxins via total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM). The lipid domains were patterned using a polymer lift-off technique and consisted of ganglioside-populated DSPC:cholesterol supported lipid bilayers (SLBs). Lipid patterns were formed on the substrates by vesicle fusion followed by polymer lift-off, which revealed micron-sized SLBs containing either ganglioside GT1b or GM1. The ganglioside-populated SLB arrays were then exposed to either Cholera toxin subunit B (CTB) or Tetanus toxin fragment C (TTC). Binding was assayed on planar substrates bymore » TIRFM down to 1 nM concentration for CTB and 100 nM for TTC. Apparent binding constants extracted from three different models applied to the binding curves suggest that binding of a protein to a lipid-based receptor is strongly affected by the lipid composition of the SLB and by the substrate on which the bilayer is formed. Patterning of SLBs inside microfluidic channels also allowed the preparation of lipid domains with different compositions on a single device. Arrays within microfluidic channels were used to achieve segregation and selective binding from a binary mixture of the toxin fragments in one device. The binding and segregation within the microfluidic channels was assayed with epifluorescence as proof of concept. We propose that the method used for patterning the lipid microarrays on planar substrates and within microfluidic channels can be easily adapted to proteins or nucleic acids and can be used for biosensor applications and cell stimulation assays under different flow conditions. KEYWORDS. Microarray, ganglioside, polymer lift-off, cholera toxin, tetanus toxin, TIRFM, binding constant.4« less

The metabolic impact of β-hydroxybutyrate on neurotransmission: Reduced glycolysis mediates changes in calcium responses and KATP channel receptor sensitivity.

PubMed

Lund, Trine M; Ploug, Kenneth B; Iversen, Anne; Jensen, Anders A; Jansen-Olesen, Inger

2015-03-01

Glucose is the main energy substrate for neurons, and ketone bodies are known to be alternative substrates. However, the capacity of ketone bodies to support different neuronal functions is still unknown. Thus, a change in energy substrate from glucose alone to a combination of glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate might change neuronal function as there is a known coupling between metabolism and neurotransmission. The purpose of this study was to shed light on the effects of the ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate on glycolysis and neurotransmission in cultured murine glutamatergic neurons. Previous studies have shown an effect of β-hydroxybutyrate on glucose metabolism, and the present study further specified this by showing attenuation of glycolysis when β-hydroxybutyrate was present in these neurons. In addition, the NMDA receptor-induced calcium responses in the neurons were diminished in the presence of β-hydroxybutyrate, whereas a direct effect of the ketone body on transmitter release was absent. However, the presence of β-hydroxybutyrate augmented transmitter release induced by the KATP channel blocker glibenclamide, thus giving an indirect indication of the involvement of KATP channels in the effects of ketone bodies on transmitter release. Energy metabolism and neurotransmission are linked and involve ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP ) channels. However, it is still unclear how and to what degree available energy substrate affects this link. We investigated the effect of changing energy substrate from only glucose to a combination of glucose and R-β-hydroxybutyrate in cultured neurons. Using the latter combination, glycolysis was diminished, NMDA receptor-induced calcium responses were lower, and the KATP channel blocker glibenclamide caused a higher transmitter release. © 2014 International Society for Neurochemistry.

Modeling mechanical and thermo-mechanical erosion by flowing lava at Raglan, Cape Smith Belt, New Québec, Canada

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cataldo, V.; Williams, D. A.; Lesher, C. M.

2015-12-01

The 1.5-D Williams et al. model of thermal erosion by turbulent lava was recently applied to the Athabasca Valles lava channel on Mars, in an attempt to establish the importance of thermal erosion in excavating this ~80-100 m deep outflow channel. The modeled erosion depths (0.4-7.5 m) are far less than the depth of the channel which, combined with the short duration of the eruption, suggests that mechanical erosion may have had a greater role. Several studies suggest that mechanical erosion by lava is more important in channel-tube formation than previously thought, under certain circumstances. How would we be able to distinguish between mechanical and thermal erosion? By investigating model results when substrate properties change, as we move from a consolidated, mechanically strong substrate to a partially consolidated or unconsolidated, mechanically weaker substrate. The Proterozoic Raglan komatiitic basalt lava channel of the Cape Smith Belt, New Québec, Canada is a complex erosional environment involving invasive erosion of both sediment and gabbro substrates - which makes it a critical test case. The lava eroded an upper layer of soft sediment, with erosion at the tops, bottoms, and sides of the conduit, through underlying gabbro, and then burrowed laterally into underlying sediment, a scenario requiring a two-dimensional modeling approach. Using the available field data, we will simulate two-dimensional thermomechanical and mechanical erosion interfaces on all sides of a turbulent lava flow by creating a finite-element mesh. The mesh will be defined by the geometry of the lava flow at those lava conduits for which data on lava and substrate composition, lava thickness, slope of the ground, conduit area and volume, and lava flow length are available. Ultimately, this model will be applied to lunar sinuous rilles and martian lava channels for which the use of a two-dimensional approach is needed.

Effects of spatial gradients in thermophysical properties on the topology of turbulence in heated channel flow of supercritical fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Azih, Chukwudi; Yaras, Metin I.

2018-01-01

The current literature suggests that large spatial gradients of thermophysical properties, which occur in the vicinity of the pseudo-critical thermodynamic state, may result in significant variations in forced-convection heat transfer rates. Specifically, these property gradients induce inertia- and buoyancy-driven phenomena that may enhance or deteriorate the turbulence-dominated heat convection process. Through direct numerical simulations, the present study investigates the role of coherent flow structures in channel geometries for non-buoyant and buoyant flows of supercritical water, with buoyant configurations involving wall-normal oriented gravitational acceleration and downstream-oriented gravitational acceleration. This sequence of simulations enables the evaluation of the relative contributions of inertial and buoyancy phenomena to heat transfer variations. In these simulations, the state of the working fluid is in the vicinity of the pseudo-critical point. The uniform wall heat flux and the channel mass flux are specified such that the heat to mass flux ratio is 3 kJ/kg, with an inflow Reynolds number of 12 000 based on the channel hydraulic diameter, the area-averaged inflow velocity, and fluid properties evaluated at the bulk temperature and pressure of the inflow plane. In the absence of buoyancy forces, notable reductions in the density and viscosity in close proximity of the heated wall are observed to promote generation of small-scale vortices, with resultant breakdown into smaller scales as they interact with preexisting larger near-wall vortices. This interaction results in a reduction in the overall thermal mixing at particular wall-normal regions of the channel. Under the influence of wall-normal gravitational acceleration, the wall-normal density gradients are noted to enhance ejection motions due to baroclinic vorticity generation on the lower wall, thus providing additional wall-normal thermal mixing. Along the upper wall, the same mechanism generates streamwise vorticity of the opposing sense of rotation in the close vicinity to the respective legs of the hairpin vortices causing a net reduction in thermal mixing. Finally, in the case of downstream-oriented gravitational acceleration, baroclinic vorticity generation as per spanwise density gradients causes additional wall-normal thermal mixing by promoting larger-scale ejection and sweep motions.

Control of Internal Transport Barriers in Magnetically Confined Fusion Plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panta, Soma; Newman, David; Sanchez, Raul; Terry, Paul

2016-10-01

In magnetic confinement fusion devices the best performance often involves some sort of transport barriers to reduce the energy and particle flow from core to edge. Those barriers create gradients in the temperature and density profiles. If gradients in the profiles are too steep that can lead to instabilities and the system collapses. Control of these barriers is therefore an important challenge for fusion devices (burning plasmas). In this work we focus on the dynamics of internal transport barriers. Using a simple 7 field transport model, extensively used for barrier dynamics and control studies, we explore the use of RF heating to control the local gradients and therefore the growth rates and shearing rates for barrier initiation and control in self-heated fusion plasmas. Ion channel barriers can be formed in self-heated plasmas with some NBI heating but electron channel barriers are very sensitive. They can be formed in self-heated plasmas with additional auxiliary heating i.e. NBI and radio-frequency(RF). Using RF heating on both electrons and ions at proper locations, electron channel barriers along with ion channel barriers can be formed and removed demonstrating a control technique. Investigating the role of pellet injection in controlling the barriers is our next goal. Work supported by DOE Grant DE-FG02-04ER54741.

Electro-osmotic flow of couple stress fluids in a micro-channel propagated by peristalsis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tripathi, Dharmendra; Yadav, Ashu; Anwar Bég, O.

2017-04-01

A mathematical model is developed for electro-osmotic peristaltic pumping of a non-Newtonian liquid in a deformable micro-channel. Stokes' couple stress fluid model is employed to represent realistic working liquids. The Poisson-Boltzmann equation for electric potential distribution is implemented owing to the presence of an electrical double layer (EDL) in the micro-channel. Using long wavelength, lubrication theory and Debye-Huckel approximations, the linearized transformed dimensionless boundary value problem is solved analytically. The influence of electro-osmotic parameter (inversely proportional to Debye length), maximum electro-osmotic velocity (a function of external applied electrical field) and couple stress parameter on axial velocity, volumetric flow rate, pressure gradient, local wall shear stress and stream function distributions is evaluated in detail with the aid of graphs. The Newtonian fluid case is retrieved as a special case with vanishing couple stress effects. With increasing the couple stress parameter there is a significant increase in the axial pressure gradient whereas the core axial velocity is reduced. An increase in the electro-osmotic parameter both induces flow acceleration in the core region (around the channel centreline) and it also enhances the axial pressure gradient substantially. The study is relevant in the simulation of novel smart bio-inspired space pumps, chromatography and medical micro-scale devices.

Poly(aniline) nanowires in sol-gel coated ITO: A pH-responsive substrate for planar supported lipid bilayers

PubMed Central

Ge, Chenhao; Orosz, Kristina S.; Armstrong, Neal R.; Saavedra, S. Scott

2011-01-01

Facilitated ion transport across an artificial lipid bilayer coupled to a solid substrate is a function common to several types of bioelectronic devices based on supported membranes, including biomimetic fuel cells and ion channel biosensors. Described here is fabrication of a pH-sensitive transducer composed of a porous sol-gel layer derivatized with poly(aniline) (PANI) nanowires grown from an underlying planar indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrode. The upper sol-gel surface is hydrophilic, smooth, and compatible with deposition of a planar supported lipid bilayer (PSLB) formed via vesicle fusion. Conducting tip AFM was used to show that the PANI wires are connected to the ITO, which convert this electrode into a potentiometric pH sensor. The response to changes in the pH of the buffer contacting the PANI nanowire/sol-gel/ITO electrode is blocked by the very low ion permeability of the overlying, fluid PSLB. The feasibility of using this assembly to monitor facilitated proton transport across the PSLB was demonstrated by doping the membrane with lipophilic ionophores that respond to a transmembrane pH gradient, which produced an apparent proton permeability several orders of magnitude greater than values measured for undoped lipid bilayers. PMID:21707069

Neuromodulation, development and synaptic plasticity.

PubMed

Foehring, R C; Lorenzon, N M

1999-03-01

We discuss parallels in the mechanisms underlying use-dependent synaptic plasticity during development and long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) in neocortical synapses. Neuromodulators, such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and acetylcholine have also been implicated in regulating both developmental plasticity and LTP/LTD. There are many potential levels of interaction between neuromodulators and plasticity. Ion channels are substrates for modulation in many cell types. We discuss examples of modulation of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channels and the consequences for neocortical pyramidal cell firing behaviour. At the time when developmental plasticity is most evident in rat cortex, the substrate for modulation is changing as the densities and relative proportions of various ion channels types are altered during ontogeny. We discuss examples of changes in K+ and Ca2+ channels and the consequence for modulation of neuronal activity.

Solar cell collector and method for producing same

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Evans, J. C., Jr. (Inventor)

1978-01-01

A transparent, conductive collector layer containing conductive metal channels is formed as a layer on a photovoltaic substrate by coating a photovoltaic substract with a conductive mixed metal layer. A heat sink having portions protruding from one of its surfaces is attached. These protruding portions define a continuous pattern in combination with recessed regions among them such that they are in contact with the conductive layer of the photovoltaic substrate. Heating the substrate while simultaneously oxidizing the portions of the conductive layer exposed to a gaseous oxidizing substance forced into the recessed regions of the heat sink, creates a transparent metal oxide layer on the substrate. A continous pattern of highly conductive metal channels is contained in the metal oxide layer.

Study on the Hydrogenated ZnO-Based Thin Film Transistors. Part 1

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-04-30

IGZO film on the performance of thin film transistors 5 Chapter 2. Hydrogenation of a- IGZO channel layer in the thin film transistors 12...effect of substrate temperature during the deposition of a- IGZO film on the performance of thin film transistors Introduction The effect of substrate...temperature during depositing IGZO channel layer on the performance of amorphous indium-gallium-zinc oxide (a- IGZO

High-power 0.87-micron channel substrate planar lasers for spaceborne communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Connolly, J. C.; Stewart, T. R.; Gilbert, D. B.; Slavin, S. E.; Carlin, D. B.

1988-01-01

High-power single-mode channeled-substrate planar AlGaAs diode lasers are being developed for reliable high-power operation for use as sources in spaceborne optical communication systems. The CSP laser structure has been optimized for operation at an emission wavelength of 870 nm. Such devices have exhibited output powers in excess of 80 mW CW at an operating temperature of 80 C.

Reusable EGaIn-Injected Substrate-Integrated-Waveguide Resonator for Wireless Sensor Applications

PubMed Central

Memon, Muhammad Usman; Lim, Sungjoon

2015-01-01

The proposed structure in this research is constructed on substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) technology and has a mechanism that produces 16 different and distinct resonant frequencies between 2.45 and 3.05 GHz by perturbing a fundamental TE10 mode. It is a unique method for producing multiple resonances in a radio frequency planar structure without any extra circuitry or passive elements is developed. The proposed SIW structure has four vertical fluidic holes (channels); injecting eutectic gallium indium (EGaIn), also known commonly as liquid metal (LM), into these vertical channels produces different resonant frequencies. Either a channel is empty, or it is filled with LM. In total, the combination of different frequencies produced from four vertical channels is 16. PMID:26569257

Regional Curve Development and Use in Stream Restoration and Hydrologic Assessment in High Gradient Headwater Streams

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Introduction to Regional Curves including; regressions relating bankfull channelcharacteristics to drainage area, providing estimates of bankfull discharge and channel geometry, validating the selection of the bankfull channel as determined in the field

Rapid concentration of deoxyribonucleic acid via Joule heating induced temperature gradient focusing in poly-dimethylsiloxane microfluidic channel.

PubMed

Ge, Zhengwei; Wang, Wei; Yang, Chun

2015-02-09

This paper reports rapid microfluidic electrokinetic concentration of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) with the Joule heating induced temperature gradient focusing (TGF) by using our proposed combined AC and DC electric field technique. A peak of 480-fold concentration enhancement of DNA sample is achieved within 40s in a simple poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic channel of a sudden expansion in cross-section. Compared to a sole DC field, the introduction of an AC field can reduce DC field induced back-pressure and produce sufficient Joule heating effects, resulting in higher concentration enhancement. Within such microfluidic channel structure, negative charged DNA analytes can be concentrated at a location where the DNA electrophoretic motion is balanced with the bulk flow driven by DC electroosmosis under an appropriate temperature gradient field. A numerical model accounting for a combined AC and DC field and back-pressure driven flow effects is developed to describe the complex Joule heating induced TGF processes. The experimental observation of DNA concentration phenomena can be explained by the numerical model. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Skin Barrier and Calcium.

PubMed

Lee, Sang Eun; Lee, Seung Hun

2018-06-01

Epidermal barrier formation and the maintenance of barrier homeostasis are essential to protect us from the external environments and organisms. Moreover, impaired keratinocytes differentiation and dysfunctional skin barrier can be the primary causes or aggravating factors for many inflammatory skin diseases including atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Therefore, understanding the regulation mechanisms of keratinocytes differentiation and skin barrier homeostasis is important to understand many skin diseases and establish an effective treatment strategy. Calcium ions (Ca 2+ ) and their concentration gradient in the epidermis are essential in regulating many skin functions, including keratinocyte differentiation, skin barrier formation, and permeability barrier homeostasis. Recent studies have suggested that the intracellular Ca 2+ stores such as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are the major components that form the epidermal calcium gradient and the ER calcium homeostasis is crucial for regulating keratinocytes differentiation, intercellular junction formation, antimicrobial barrier, and permeability barrier homeostasis. Thus, both Ca 2+ release from intracellular stores, such as the ER and Ca 2+ influx mechanisms are important in skin barrier. In addition, growing evidences identified the functional existence and the role of many types of calcium channels which mediate calcium flux in keratinocytes. In this review, the origin of epidermal calcium gradient and their role in the formation and regulation of skin barrier are focused. We also focus on the role of ER calcium homeostasis in skin barrier. Furthermore, the distribution and role of epidermal calcium channels, including transient receptor potential channels, store-operated calcium entry channel Orai1, and voltage-gated calcium channels in skin barrier are discussed.

Peripheral nerve stimulation characteristics of an asymmetric head-only gradient coil compatible with a high-channel-count receiver array.

PubMed

Lee, Seung-Kyun; Mathieu, Jean-Baptiste; Graziani, Dominic; Piel, Joseph; Budesheim, Eric; Fiveland, Eric; Hardy, Christopher J; Tan, Ek Tsoon; Amm, Bruce; Foo, Thomas K-F; Bernstein, Matt A; Huston, John; Shu, Yunhong; Schenck, John F

2016-12-01

To characterize peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) of an asymmetric head-only gradient coil that is compatible with a commercial high-channel-count receive-only array. Two prototypes of an asymmetric head-only gradient coil set with a 42-cm inner diameter were constructed for brain imaging at 3T with maximum performance specifications of up to 85 mT/m and 708 T/m/s. Tests were performed in 24 volunteers to measure PNS thresholds with the transverse (x = left-right; y = anterior-posterior [A/P]) gradient coils of both prototypes. Fourteen of these 24 volunteers were also tested for the z-gradient PNS in the second prototype and were scanned with high-slew-rate echo planar imaging (EPI) immediately after the PNS tests. For both prototypes, the y-gradient PNS threshold was markedly higher than the x-gradient threshold. The z-gradient threshold was intermediate between those for the x- and y-coils. Of the 24 volunteers, only two experienced y-gradient PNS at 80 mT/m and 500 T/m/s. All volunteers underwent the EPI scan without PNS when the readout direction was set to A/P. Measured PNS characteristics of asymmetric head-only gradient coil prototypes indicate that such coils, especially in the A/P direction, can be used for fast EPI readout in high-performance neuroimaging scans with substantially reduced PNS concerns compared with conventional whole body gradient coils. Magn Reson Med 76:1939-1950, 2016. © 2015 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. © 2015 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

GREAT: a gradient-based color-sampling scheme for Retinex.

PubMed

Lecca, Michela; Rizzi, Alessandro; Serapioni, Raul Paolo

2017-04-01

Modeling the local color spatial distribution is a crucial step for the algorithms of the Milano Retinex family. Here we present GREAT, a novel, noise-free Milano Retinex implementation based on an image-aware spatial color sampling. For each channel of a color input image, GREAT computes a 2D set of edges whose magnitude exceeds a pre-defined threshold. Then GREAT re-scales the channel intensity of each image pixel, called target, by the average of the intensities of the selected edges weighted by a function of their positions, gradient magnitudes, and intensities relative to the target. In this way, GREAT enhances the input image, adjusting its brightness, contrast and dynamic range. The use of the edges as pixels relevant to color filtering is justified by the importance that edges play in human color sensation. The name GREAT comes from the expression "Gradient RElevAnce for ReTinex," which refers to the threshold-based definition of a gradient relevance map for edge selection and thus for image color filtering.

Connectivity of Secondary Channels in the Floodplain of a Low-Gradient Midwestern U.S. Agricultural River

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Czuba, J. A.; David, S. R.; Edmonds, D. A.

2016-12-01

Floodplains of low-gradient Midwestern U.S. agricultural rivers are commonly dissected by a network of secondary channels that convey flow only during flood events. These networks of secondary channels have only recently been revealed by high resolution digital elevation models. Secondary channels, as referred to here, span multiple meander wavelengths and appear fundamentally different from chute channels. While secondary channels have been described to some extent in other river systems, our focus here is on those found in Indiana, which are revealed by state-wide LiDAR data acquired in 2011. In this work, we quantify how the network connectivity of the secondary channels in the floodplain develops as a function of flow stage. Secondary channels begin conveying water at stages just below bankfull, become an interconnected web of flow pathways above bankfull stage, and are completely inundated at higher stages. We construct a two-dimensional numerical model of the river/floodplain system from LiDAR data and from main-channel river bathymetry in order to obtain the extent of floodplain inundation at various flows. The inundated area within the secondary channels is then converted into a river/floodplain flow-channel network and quantified using various network metrics. Future work will explore the morphodynamics of this river/floodplain system extended to 100-1,000 year timescales. The goal is to develop a simple model to test hypotheses about how these floodplain channels evolve. Relevant research questions include: do secondary channels serve as preferential avulsion pathways? Or could secondary channels evolve to create a multi-channeled anabranching system? Furthermore, under what hydrologic and sedimentologic conditions would a river/floodplain system evolve to one state or another?

Note on the Effect of Horizontal Gradients for Nadir-Viewing Microwave and Infrared Sounders

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Joiner, J.; Poli, P.

2004-01-01

Passive microwave and infrared nadir sounders such as the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit A (AMSU-A) and the Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder (AIRS), both flying on NASA s EOS Aqua satellite, provide information about vertical temperature and humidity structure that is used in data assimilation systems for numerical weather prediction and climate applications. These instruments scan cross track so that at the satellite swath edges, the satellite zenith angles can reach approx. 60 deg. The emission path through the atmosphere as observed by the satellite is therefore slanted with respect to the satellite footprint s zenith. Although radiative transfer codes currently in use at operational centers use the appropriate satellite zenith angle to compute brightness temperature, the input atmospheric fields are those from the vertical profile above the center of the satellite footprint. If horizontal gradients are present in the atmospheric fields, the use of a vertical atmospheric profile may produce an error. This note attempts to quantify the effects of horizontal gradients on AIRS and AMSU-A channels by computing brightness temperatures with accurate slanted atmospheric profiles. We use slanted temperature, water vapor, and ozone fields from data assimilation systems. We compare the calculated slanted and vertical brightness temperatures with AIRS and AMSU-A observations. We show that the effects of horizontal gradients on these sounders are generally small and below instrument noise. However, there are cases where the effects are greater than the instrument noise and may produce erroneous increments in an assimilation system. The majority of the affected channels have weighting functions that peak in the upper troposphere (water vapor sensitive channels) and above (temperature sensitive channels) and are unlikely t o significantly impact tropospheric numerical weather prediction. However, the errors could be significant for other applications such as stratospheric analysis. Gradients in ozone and tropospheric temperature appear to be well captured by the analyses. In contrast, gradients in upper stratospheric and mesospheric temperature as well as upper tropospheric humidity are less well captured. This is likely due in part to a lack of data to specify these fields accurately in the analyses. Advanced new sounders, like AIRS, may help to better specify these fields in the future.

Gradient SiNO anti-reflective layers in solar selective coatings

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

Ren, Zhifeng; Cao, Feng; Sun, Tianyi

A solar selective coating includes a substrate, a cermet layer having nanoparticles therein deposited on the substrate, and an anti-reflection layer deposited on the cermet layer. The cermet layer and the anti-reflection layer may each be formed of intermediate layers. A method for constructing a solar-selective coating is disclosed and includes preparing a substrate, depositing a cermet layer on the substrate, and depositing an anti-reflection layer on the cermet layer.

Protein-protein interactions and substrate channeling in orthologous and chimeric aldolase-dehydrogenase complexes.

PubMed

Baker, Perrin; Hillis, Colleen; Carere, Jason; Seah, Stephen Y K

2012-03-06

Bacterial aldolase-dehydrogenase complexes catalyze the last steps in the meta cleavage pathway of aromatic hydrocarbon degradation. The aldolase (TTHB246) and dehydrogenase (TTHB247) from Thermus thermophilus were separately expressed and purified from recombinant Escherichia coli. The aldolase forms a dimer, while the dehydrogenase is a monomer; these enzymes can form a stable tetrameric complex in vitro, consisting of two aldolase and two dehydrogenase subunits. Upon complex formation, the K(m) value of 4-hydroxy-2-oxopentanoate, the substrate of TTHB246, is decreased 4-fold while the K(m) of acetaldehyde, the substrate of TTHB247, is increased 3-fold. The k(cat) values of each enzyme were reduced by ~2-fold when they were in a complex. The half-life of TTHB247 at 50 °C increased by ~4-fold when it was in a complex with TTHB246. The acetaldehyde product from TTHB246 could be efficiently channelled directly to TTHB247, but the channeling efficiency for the larger propionaldehyde was ~40% lower. A single A324G substitution in TTHB246 increased the channeling efficiency of propionaldehyde to a value comparable to that of acetaldehyde. Stable and catalytically competent chimeric complexes could be formed between the T. thermophilus enzymes and the orthologous aldolase (BphI) and dehydrogenase (BphJ) from the biphenyl degradation pathway of Burkholderia xenovorans LB400. However, channeling efficiencies for acetaldehyde in these chimeric complexes were ~10%. Structural and sequence analysis suggests that interacting residues in the interface of the aldolase-dehydrogenase complex are highly conserved among homologues, but coevolution of partner enzymes is required to fine-tune this interaction to allow for efficient substrate channeling.

Size-dependent control of colloid transport via solute gradients in dead-end channels

PubMed Central

Shin, Sangwoo; Um, Eujin; Sabass, Benedikt; Ault, Jesse T.; Rahimi, Mohammad; Warren, Patrick B.; Stone, Howard A.

2016-01-01

Transport of colloids in dead-end channels is involved in widespread applications including drug delivery and underground oil and gas recovery. In such geometries, Brownian motion may be considered as the sole mechanism that enables transport of colloidal particles into or out of the channels, but it is, unfortunately, an extremely inefficient transport mechanism for microscale particles. Here, we explore the possibility of diffusiophoresis as a means to control the colloid transport in dead-end channels by introducing a solute gradient. We demonstrate that the transport of colloidal particles into the dead-end channels can be either enhanced or completely prevented via diffusiophoresis. In addition, we show that size-dependent diffusiophoretic transport of particles can be achieved by considering a finite Debye layer thickness effect, which is commonly ignored. A combination of diffusiophoresis and Brownian motion leads to a strong size-dependent focusing effect such that the larger particles tend to concentrate more and reside deeper in the channel. Our findings have implications for all manners of controlled release processes, especially for site-specific delivery systems where localized targeting of particles with minimal dispersion to the nontarget area is essential. PMID:26715753

Microfluidic approaches for the fabrication of gradient crosslinked networks based on poly(ethylene glycol) and hyperbranched polymers for manipulation of cell interactions

PubMed Central

Pedron, S; Peinado, C; Bosch, P; Benton, J A; Anseth, K S

2011-01-01

High-throughput methods allow rapid examination of parameter space to characterize materials and develop new polymeric formulations for biomaterials applications. One limitation is the difficulty of preparing libraries and performing high-throughput screening with conventional instrumentation and sample preparation. Here, we describe the fabrication of substrate materials with controlled gradients in composition by a rapid method of micromixing followed by a photopolymerization reaction. Specifically, poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate was copolymerized with a hyperbranched multimethacrylate (P1000MA or H30MA) in a gradient manner. The extent of methacrylate conversion and the final network composition were determined by near-infrared spectroscopy, and mechanical properties were measured by nanoindentation. A relationship was observed between the elastic modulus and network crosslinking density. Roughness and hydrophilicity were increased on surfaces with a higher concentration of P1000MA. These results likely relate to a phase segregation process of the hyperbranched macromer that occurs during the photopolymerization reaction. On the other hand, the decrease in the final conversion in H30MA polymerization reactions was attributed to the lower termination rate as a consequence of the softening of the network. Valvular interstitial cell attachment was evaluated on these gradient substrates as a demonstration of studying cell morphology as a function of the local substrate properties. Data revealed that the presence of P1000MA affects cell–material interaction with a higher number of adhered cells and more cell spreading on gradient regions with a higher content of the multifunctional crosslinker. PMID:21105168

Modeling fluvial incision and transient landscape evolution: Influence of dynamic channel adjustment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Attal, M.; Tucker, G. E.; Whittaker, A. C.; Cowie, P. A.; Roberts, G. P.

2008-09-01

Channel geometry exerts a fundamental control on fluvial processes. Recent work has shown that bedrock channel width depends on a number of parameters, including channel slope, and is not solely a function of drainage area as is commonly assumed. The present work represents the first attempt to investigate the consequences of dynamic, gradient-sensitive channel adjustment for drainage-basin evolution. We use the Channel-Hillslope Integrated Landscape Development (CHILD) model to analyze the response of a catchment to a given tectonic perturbation, using, as a template, the topography of a well-documented catchment in the footwall of an active normal fault in the Apennines (Italy) that is known to be undergoing a transient response to tectonic forcing. We show that the observed transient response can be reproduced to first order with a simple detachment-limited fluvial incision law. Transient landscape is characterized by gentler gradients and a shorter response time when dynamic channel adjustment is allowed. The differences in predicted channel geometry between the static case (width dependent solely on upstream area) and dynamic case (width dependent on both drainage area and channel slope) lead to contrasting landscape morphologies when integrated at the scale of a whole catchment, particularly in presence of strong tilting and/or pronounced slip-rate acceleration. Our results emphasize the importance of channel width in controlling fluvial processes and landscape evolution. They stress the need for using a dynamic hydraulic scaling law when modeling landscape evolution, particularly when the relative uplift field is nonuniform.

Plates for vacuum thermal fusion

DOEpatents

Davidson, James C.; Balch, Joseph W.

2002-01-01

A process for effectively bonding arbitrary size or shape substrates. The process incorporates vacuum pull down techniques to ensure uniform surface contact during the bonding process. The essence of the process for bonding substrates, such as glass, plastic, or alloys, etc., which have a moderate melting point with a gradual softening point curve, involves the application of an active vacuum source to evacuate interstices between the substrates while at the same time providing a positive force to hold the parts to be bonded in contact. This enables increasing the temperature of the bonding process to ensure that the softening point has been reached and small void areas are filled and come in contact with the opposing substrate. The process is most effective where at least one of the two plates or substrates contain channels or grooves that can be used to apply vacuum between the plates or substrates during the thermal bonding cycle. Also, it is beneficial to provide a vacuum groove or channel near the perimeter of the plates or substrates to ensure bonding of the perimeter of the plates or substrates and reduce the unbonded regions inside the interior region of the plates or substrates.

Vacuum pull down method for an enhanced bonding process

DOEpatents

Davidson, James C.; Balch, Joseph W.

1999-01-01

A process for effectively bonding arbitrary size or shape substrates. The process incorporates vacuum pull down techniques to ensure uniform surface contact during the bonding process. The essence of the process for bonding substrates, such as glass, plastic, or alloys, etc., which have a moderate melting point with a gradual softening point curve, involves the application of an active vacuum source to evacuate interstices between the substrates while at the same time providing a positive force to hold the parts to be bonded in contact. This enables increasing the temperature of the bonding process to ensure that the softening point has been reached and small void areas are filled and come in contact with the opposing substrate. The process is most effective where at least one of the two plates or substrates contain channels or grooves that can be used to apply vacuum between the plates or substrates during the thermal bonding cycle. Also, it is beneficial to provide a vacuum groove or channel near the perimeter of the plates or substrates to ensure bonding of the perimeter of the plates or substrates and reduce the unbonded regions inside the interior region of the plates or substrates.

Magnetic field effects on peristaltic flow of blood in a non-uniform channel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Latha, R.; Rushi Kumar, B.

2017-11-01

The objective of this paper is to carry out the effect of the MHD on the peristaltic transport of blood in a non-uniform channel have been explored under long wavelength approximation with low (zero) Reynolds number. Blood is made of an incompressible, viscous and electrically conducting. Explicit expressions for the axial velocity, axial pressure gradient are derived using long wavelength assumptions with slip and regularity conditions. It is determined that the pressure gradient diminishes as the couple stress parameter increments and it decreases as the magnetic parameter increments. We additionally concentrate the embedded parameters through graphs.

The Transport of Salt and Water across Isolated Rat Ileum

PubMed Central

Clarkson, T. W.

1967-01-01

The flows of sodium, potassium, and chloride under electrical and chemical gradients and of salt and water in the presence of osmotic pressure gradients are described by phenomenological equations based on the thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The aim was to give the simplest possible description, that is to postulate the least number of active transport processes and the least number of separate pathways across the intestine. On this basis, the results were consistent with the following picture of the intestine: Two channels exist across this tissue, one allowing only passive transport of ions and the other only active. In the passive channel, the predominant resistance to ion flow is friction with the water in the channel. The electroosmotic flow indicates that the passive channel is lined with negative fixed charged groups having a surface charge density of 3000 esu cm-2. The values of the ion-water frictional coefficients, and the relationship between ionic concentrations and flows indicate that the passive channel is extracellular. The active channel behaves as two membranes in series, the first membrane being semipermeable but allowing active transport of sodium, and the second membrane being similar to the passive channel. Friction with the ions in the second "membrane" is the predominant resistance to water flow. PMID:11526854

Wetting of flat gradient surfaces.

PubMed

Bormashenko, Edward

2018-04-01

Gradient, chemically modified, flat surfaces enable directed transport of droplets. Calculation of apparent contact angles inherent for gradient surfaces is challenging even for atomically flat ones. Wetting of gradient, flat solid surfaces is treated within the variational approach, under which the contact line is free to move along the substrate. Transversality conditions of the variational problem give rise to the generalized Young equation valid for gradient solid surfaces. The apparent (equilibrium) contact angle of a droplet, placed on a gradient surface depends on the radius of the contact line and the values of derivatives of interfacial tensions. The linear approximation of the problem is considered. It is demonstrated that the contact angle hysteresis is inevitable on gradient surfaces. Electrowetting of gradient surfaces is discussed. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Tidal Channel Dynamics and Muddy Substrates: A Comparison between a Wave Dominated and a Tidal Dominated System

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-30

standard linear wave theory. Suspended sediment concentration (SSC) was estimated using the backscatter signal of the ADCP and the turbidity value...measured by the OBS when present. The OBS turbidity signal was calibrated against SSC measured in a laboratory tank, using sediments collected on the...link the geotechnical properties of sediment substrates to the spatial and hydrodynamic characteristics of tidal channels • To develop new

Improved Performance of h-BN Encapsulated Double Gate Graphene Nanomesh Field Effect Transistor for Short Channel Length

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiwari, Durgesh Laxman; Sivasankaran, K.

This paper presents improved performance of Double Gate Graphene Nanomesh Field Effect Transistor (DG-GNMFET) with h-BN as substrate and gate oxide material. The DC characteristics of 0.95μm and 5nm channel length devices are studied for SiO2 and h-BN substrate and oxide material. For analyzing the ballistic behavior of electron for 5nm channel length, von Neumann boundary condition is considered near source and drain contact region. The simulated results show improved saturation current for h-BN encapsulated structure with two times higher on current value (0.375 for SiO2 and 0.621 for h-BN) as compared to SiO2 encapsulated structure. The obtained result shows h-BN to be a better substrate and oxide material for graphene electronics with improved device characteristics.

Non-planar microfabricated gas chromatography column

DOEpatents

Lewis, Patrick R.; Wheeler, David R.

2007-09-25

A non-planar microfabricated gas chromatography column comprises a planar substrate having a plurality of through holes, a top lid and a bottom lid bonded to opposite surfaces of the planar substrate, and inlet and outlet ports for injection of a sample gas and elution of separated analytes. A plurality of such planar substrates can be aligned and stacked to provide a longer column length having a small footprint. Furthermore, two or more separate channels can enable multi-channel or multi-dimensional gas chromatography. The through holes preferably have a circular cross section and can be coated with a stationary phase material or packed with a porous packing material. Importantly, uniform stationary phase coatings can be obtained and band broadening can be minimized with the circular channels. A heating or cooling element can be disposed on at least one of the lids to enable temperature programming of the column.

p - n Junction Dynamics Induced in a Graphene Channel by Ferroelectric-Domain Motion in the Substrate

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

Kurchak, Anatolii I.; Eliseev, Eugene A.; Kalinin, Sergei V.

The p - n junction dynamics induced in a graphene channel by stripe-domain nucleation, motion, and reversal in a ferroelectric substrate is explored using a self-consistent approach based on Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire phenomenology combined with classical electrostatics. Relatively low gate voltages are required to induce the hysteresis of ferroelectric polarization and graphene charge in response to the periodic gate voltage. Pronounced nonlinear hysteresis of graphene conductance with a wide memory window corresponds to high amplitudes of gate voltage. Also, we reveal the extrinsic size effect in the dependence of the graphene-channel conductivity on its length. We predict that the top-gate–dielectric-layer–graphene-channel–ferroelectric-substrate nanostructure consideredmore » here can be a promising candidate for the fabrication of the next generation of modulators and rectifiers based on the graphene p - n junctions.« less

Ultra-High-Speed DNA Fragment Separations Using Microfabricated Capillary Array Electrophoresis Chips

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woolley, Adam T.; Mathies, Richard A.

1994-11-01

Capillary electrophoresis arrays have been fabricated on planar glass substrates by photolithographic masking and chemical etching techniques. The photolithographically defined channel patterns were etched in a glass substrate, and then capillaries were formed by thermally bonding the etched substrate to a second glass slide. High-resolution electrophoretic separations of φX174 Hae III DNA restriction fragments have been performed with these chips using a hydroxyethyl cellulose sieving matrix in the channels. DNA fragments were fluorescently labeled with dye in the running buffer and detected with a laser-excited, confocal fluorescence system. The effects of variations in the electric field, procedures for injection, and sizes of separation and injection channels (ranging from 30 to 120 μm) have been explored. By use of channels with an effective length of only 3.5 cm, separations of φX174 Hae III DNA fragments from ≈70 to 1000 bp are complete in only 120 sec. We have also demonstrated high-speed sizing of PCR-amplified HLA-DQα alleles. This work establishes methods for high-speed, high-throughput DNA separations on capillary array electrophoresis chips.

AlGaAs/InGaAs/AlGaAs double pulse doped pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor structures on InGaAs substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoke, W. E.; Lyman, P. S.; Mosca, J. J.; McTaggart, R. A.; Lemonias, P. J.; Beaudoin, R. M.; Torabi, A.; Bonner, W. A.; Lent, B.; Chou, L.-J.; Hsieh, K. C.

1997-10-01

Double pulse doped AlGaAs/InGaAs/AlGaAs pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (PHEMT) structures have been grown on InxGa1-xAs (x=0.025-0.07) substrates using molecular beam epitaxy. A strain compensated, AlGaInAs/GaAs superlattice was used for improved resistivity and breakdown. Excellent electrical and optical properties were obtained for 110-Å-thick InGaAs channel layers with indium concentrations up to 31%. A room temperature mobility of 6860 cm2/V s with 77 K sheet density of 4.0×1012cm-2 was achieved. The InGaAs channel photoluminescence intensity was equivalent to an analogous structure on a GaAs substrate. To reduce strain PHEMT structures with a composite InGaP/AlGaAs Schottky layer were also grown. The structures also exhibited excellent electrical and optical properties. Transmission electron micrographs showed planar channel interfaces for highly strained In0.30Ga0.70As channel layers.

Temperature-profile methods for estimating percolation rates in arid environments

USGS Publications Warehouse

Constantz, Jim; Tyler, Scott W.; Kwicklis, Edward

2003-01-01

Percolation rates are estimated using vertical temperature profiles from sequentially deeper vadose environments, progressing from sediments beneath stream channels, to expansive basin-fill materials, and finally to deep fractured bedrock underlying mountainous terrain. Beneath stream channels, vertical temperature profiles vary over time in response to downward heat transport, which is generally controlled by conductive heat transport during dry periods, or by advective transport during channel infiltration. During periods of stream-channel infiltration, two relatively simple approaches are possible: a heat-pulse technique, or a heat and liquid-water transport simulation code. Focused percolation rates beneath stream channels are examined for perennial, seasonal, and ephemeral channels in central New Mexico, with estimated percolation rates ranging from 100 to 2100 mm d−1 Deep within basin-fill and underlying mountainous terrain, vertical temperature gradients are dominated by the local geothermal gradient, which creates a profile with decreasing temperatures toward the surface. If simplifying assumptions are employed regarding stratigraphy and vapor fluxes, an analytical solution to the heat transport problem can be used to generate temperature profiles at specified percolation rates for comparison to the observed geothermal gradient. Comparisons to an observed temperature profile in the basin-fill sediments beneath Frenchman Flat, Nevada, yielded water fluxes near zero, with absolute values <10 mm yr−1 For the deep vadose environment beneath Yucca Mountain, Nevada, the complexities of stratigraphy and vapor movement are incorporated into a more elaborate heat and water transport model to compare simulated and observed temperature profiles for a pair of deep boreholes. Best matches resulted in a percolation rate near zero for one borehole and 11 mm yr−1 for the second borehole.

The Influence of channel length to the characteristics of CuPc based OFET thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sujarwata; Handayani, L.; Mosik; Fianti

2018-03-01

The main focus of this research is to characterize organic field effect transistor (OFET) thin films based on CuPc with a bottom-contact structure and varied channel length. OFET was prepared by Si substrate cleaning in the ultrasonic cleaner first, then deposition of the source and drain electrodes on the substrate with vacuum evaporation at room temperature, and finally CuPc thin film deposition among the source, drain, and gate electrodes. The distance between source anddrain electrodes is the channel length of the CuPc thin film. In this research, the channel length was varied; 100 μm, 200 μm and 300 μm, with the same active areas of 2.9-3.42 V and different current, IDS. The result showed that the shorter channel length causes, the bigger IDS flowing on the OFET

Thermoplastic microchannel fabrication using carbon dioxide laser ablation.

PubMed

Wang, Shau-Chun; Lee, Chia-Yu; Chen, Hsiao-Ping

2006-04-14

We report the procedures of machining microchannels on Vivak co-polyester thermoplastic substrates using a simple industrial CO(2) laser marker. To avoid overheating the substrates, we develop low-power marking techniques in nearly anaerobic environment. These procedures are able to machine microchannels at various aspect ratios. Either straight or serpent channel can be easily marked. Like the wire-embossed channel walls, the ablated channel surfaces become charged after alkaline hydrolysis treatment. Stable electroosmotic flow in the charged conduit is observed to be of the same order of magnitude as that in fused silica capillary. Typical dynamic coating protocols to alter the conduit surface properties are transferable to the ablated channels. The effects of buffer acidity on electroosmotic mobility in both bare and coated channels are similar to those in fused silica capillaries. Using video microscopy we also demonstrate that this device is useful in distinguishing the electrophoretic mobility of bare and latex particles from that of functionalized ones.

Baseline Channel Geometry and Aquatic Habitat Data for Selected Streams in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Curran, Janet H.; Rice, William J.

2009-01-01

Small streams in the rapidly developing Matanuska-Susitna Valley in south-central Alaska are known to support anadromous and resident fish but little is known about their hydrologic and riparian conditions, or their sensitivity to the rapid development of the area or climate variability. To help address this need, channel geometry and aquatic habitat data were collected in 2005 as a baseline of stream conditions for selected streams. Three streams were selected as representative of various stream types, and one drainage network, the Big Lake drainage basin, was selected for a systematic assessment. Streams in the Big Lake basin were drawn in a Geographic Information System (GIS), and 55 reaches along 16 miles of Meadow Creek and its primary tributary Little Meadow Creek were identified from orthoimagery and field observations on the basis of distinctive physical and habitat parameters, most commonly gradient, substrate, and vegetation. Data-collection methods for sites at the three representative reaches and the 55 systematically studied reaches consisted of a field survey of channel and flood-plain geometry and collection of 14 habitat attributes using published protocols or slight modifications. Width/depth and entrenchment ratios along the Meadow-Little Meadow Creek corridor were large and highly variable upstream of Parks Highway and lower and more consistent downstream of Parks Highway. Channel width was strongly correlated with distance, increasing downstream in a log-linear relation. Runs formed the most common habitat type, and instream vegetation dominated the habitat cover types, which collectively covered 53 percent of the channel. Gravel suitable for spawning covered isolated areas along Meadow Creek and about 29 percent of Little Meadow Creek. Broad wetlands were common along both streams. For a comprehensive assessment of small streams in the Mat-Su Valley, critical additional data needs include hydrologic, geologic and geomorphic, and biologic data, in particular the contribution of ground water and lakes to streamflow, water quality, flood plain connectivity, and surficial geology.

Morphologic evolution of the Central Andes of Peru

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gonzalez, Laura; Pfiffner, O. Adrian

2012-01-01

In this paper, we analyze the morphology of the Andes of Peru and its evolution based on the geometry of river channels, their bedrock profiles, stream gradient indices and the relation between thrust faults and morphology. The rivers of the Pacific Basin incised Mesozoic sediments of the Marañon thrust belt, Cenozoic volcanics and the granitic rocks of the Coastal Batholith. They are mainly bedrock channels with convex upward shapes and show signs of active ongoing incision. The changes in lithology do not correlate with breaks in slope of the channels (or knick points) such that the high gradient indices (K) with values between 2,000-3,000 and higher than 3,000 suggest that incision is controlled by tectonic activity. Our analysis reveals that many of the ranges of the Western Cordillera were uplifted to the actual elevations where peaks reach to 6,000 m above sea level by thrusting along steeply dipping faults. We correlate this uplift with the Quechua Phase of Neogene age documented for the Subandean thrust belt. The rivers of the Amazonas Basin have steep slopes and high gradient indices of 2,000-3,000 and locally more than 3,000 in those segments where the rivers flow over the crystalline basement of the Eastern Cordillera affected by vertical faulting. Gradient indices decrease to 1,000-2,000 within the east-vergent thrust belt of the Subandean Zone. Here a correlation between breaks in river channel slopes and location of thrust faults can be established, suggesting that the young, Quechua Phase thrust faults of the Subandean thrust belt, which involve Neogene sediments, influenced the channel geometry. In the eastern lowlands, these rivers become meandering and flow parallel to anticlines that formed in the hanging wall of Quechua Phase thrust faults, suggesting that the river courses were actively displaced outward into the foreland.

Stream channel responses to streamflow diversion on small streams of the Snake River drainage, Idaho

Treesearch

Carolyn C. Bohn; John G. King

2000-01-01

The effects on channels of small, low-head seasonal water diversions in the Snake River drainage were investigated. Channels below small diversions were compared to the channels immediately above the same diversions to determine if differences in flow conveyance, substrate sediment size distribution, or streamside vegetation density were present. Estimates of flow...

The plasma electrolytic oxidation micro-discharge channel model and its microstructure characteristic based on Ti tracer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Fangyuan; Hao, Li; Li, Guang; Xia, Yuan

2018-02-01

This study focuses on the individual discharge channel of ceramic coating prepared by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO), and attempts to reveal the mechanism of breakdown discharge at low voltage. Titanium (Ti) was employed as a substrate with the layer of aluminum deposited on it (aluminized Ti). The shape and microstructure of the discharge channels in PEO coatings were investigated using transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A schematic model of the individual discharge channel was proposed based on Ti tracer method. The shape of the discharge channel was mainly cylinder-shaped in the compact coating, with a groove-like oxidation region existed at the coating/substrate interface. In the groove-like oxidation region, the phase composition mainly composed of amorphous and mixed polycrystalline (aluminum titanate and mullite). β-Al2O3 was found in the ceramic coating. TEM morphology showed that nanometer sized micro channels existed in the ceramic coatings.

Sedimentary processes of the lower Monterey Fan channel and channel-mouth lobe

USGS Publications Warehouse

Klaucke, I.; Masson, D.G.; Kenyon, Neil H.; Gardner, J.V.

2004-01-01

The distribution of deposits, sediment transport pathways and processes on the lower Monterey Fan channel and channel-mouth lobe (CML) are studied through the integration of GLORIA and TOBI sidescan sonar data with 7-kHz subbottom profiler records and sediment cores for ground-truthing. The lower Monterey channel is characterised by an up to 30-m-deep channel with poorly developed levees and alternating muddy and silty muddy overbank deposits. The channel is discontinuous, disappearing where gradients are less than about 1:350. Ground-truthing of the large CML shows that the entire CML is characterised by widespread deposits of generally fine sand, with coarser sand at the base of turbidites. Sand is particularly concentrated in finger-like areas of low-backscatter intensity and is interpreted as the result of non-turbulent sediment-gravity flows depositing metres thick massive, fine sand. TOBI sidescan sonar data reveal recent erosional features in the form of scours, secondary channels, large flow slides, and trains of blocks at the distal end of the CML. Erosion is probably related to increasing gradient as the CML approaches Murray Fracture zone and to differential loading of sandy submarine fan deposits onto pelagic clays. Reworking of older flow slides by sediment transport processes on the lobe produces trains of blocks that are several metres in diameter and aligned parallel to the flow direction. ?? 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Reduction of particle deposition on substrates using temperature gradient control

DOEpatents

Rader, Daniel J.; Dykhuizen, Ronald C.; Geller, Anthony S.

2000-01-01

A method of reducing particle deposition during the fabrication of microelectronic circuitry is presented. Reduction of particle deposition is accomplished by controlling the relative temperatures of various parts of the deposition system so that a large temperature gradient near the surface on which fabrication is taking place exists. This temperature gradient acts to repel particles from that surface, thereby producing cleaner surfaces, and thus obtaining higher yields from a given microelectronic fabrication process.

Fluvial signatures of modern and paleo orographic rainfall gradients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schildgen, Taylor; Strecker, Manfred

2016-04-01

The morphology of river profiles is intimately linked to both climate and tectonic forcing. While much interest recently has focused on how river profiles can be inverted to derive uplift histories, here we show how in regions of strong orographic rainfall gradients, rivers may primarily record spatial patterns of precipitation. As a case study, we examine the eastern margin of the Andean plateau in NW Argentina, where the outward (eastward) growth of a broken foreland has led to a eastward shift in the main orographic rainfall gradient over the last several million years. Rivers influenced by the modern rainfall gradient are characterized by normalized river steepness values in tributary valleys that closely track spatial variations in rainfall, with higher steepness values in drier areas and lower steepness values in wetter areas. The same river steepness pattern has been predicted in landscape evolution models that apply a spatial gradient in rainfall to a region of uniform erosivity and uplift rate (e.g., Han et al., 2015). Also, chi plots from river networks on individual ranges affected by the modern orographic rainfall reveal patterns consistent with assymmetric precipitation across the range: the largest channels on the windward slopes are characterized by capture, while the longest channels on the leeward slopes are dominated by beheadings. Because basins on the windward side both lengthen and widen, tributary channels in the lengthening basins are characterized by capture, while tributary channels from neighboring basins on the windward side are dominated by beheadings. These patterns from the rivers influenced by the modern orographic rainfall gradient provide a guide for identifying river morphometric signatures of paleo orographic rainfall gradients. Mountain ranges to the west of the modern orographic rainfall have been interpreted to mark the location of orographic rainfall in the past, but these ranges are now in spatially near-uniform semi-arid to arid precipitation regimes. Indeed, despite uniform lithology and uplift history, we see patterns in river steepness values and in chi plots that are consistest a rainfall gradient on the (former) windward side of the range and asymmetric precipitation across the range. We suggest that morphological aspects of the river networks in such regions are dominated by their history of changing climate. These morphologic signatures appear to persist for millions of years in NW Argentina, most likely because the transition from a wetter to a drier climate has prevented a rapid readjustment to new forcing conditions. Reference: Han, J., Gasparini, N.M., and Johnson, J.P., 2015, Measuring the imprint of orographic rainfall gradients on the morphology of steady-state numerical fluvial landscapes. Earth Surf. Process. Landforms, 40(10), 1334-1350.

Tip-localized Ca2+ -permeable channels control pollen tube growth via kinase-dependent R- and S-type anion channel regulation.

PubMed

Gutermuth, Timo; Herbell, Sarah; Lassig, Roman; Brosché, Mikael; Romeis, Tina; Feijó, José Alberto; Hedrich, Rainer; Konrad, Kai Robert

2018-05-01

Pollen tubes (PTs) are characterized by having tip-focused cytosolic calcium ion (Ca 2+ ) concentration ([Ca 2+ ] cyt ) gradients, which are believed to control PT growth. However, the mechanisms by which the apical [Ca 2+ ] cyt orchestrates PT growth are not well understood. Here, we aimed to identify these mechanisms by combining reverse genetics, cell biology, electrophysiology, and live-cell Ca 2+ and anion imaging. We triggered Ca 2+ -channel activation by applying hyperpolarizing voltage pulses and observed that the evoked [Ca 2+ ] cyt increases were paralleled by high anion channel activity and a decrease in the cytosolic anion concentration at the PT tip. We confirmed a functional correlation between these patterns by showing that inhibition of Ca 2+ -permeable channels eliminated the [Ca 2+ ] cyt increase, resulting in the abrogation of anion channel activity via Ca 2+ -dependent protein kinases (CPKs). Functional characterization of CPK and anion-channel mutants revealed a CPK2/20/6-dependent activation of SLAH3 and ALMT12/13/14 anion channels. The impaired growth phenotypes of anion channel and CPK mutants support the physiological significance of a kinase- and Ca 2+ -dependent pathway to control PT growth via anion channel activation. Other than unveiling this functional link, our membrane hyperpolarization method allows for unprecedented manipulation of the [Ca 2+ ] cyt gradient or oscillations in the PT tips and opens an array of opportunities for channel screenings. © 2018 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2018 New Phytologist Trust.

Formation and properties of surface-anchored polymer assemblies with tunable physico-chemical characteristics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Tao

We describe two new methodologies leading to the formation of novel surface-anchored polymer assemblies on solid substrates. While the main goal is to understand the fundamentals pertaining to the preparation and properties of the surface-bound polymer assemblies (including neutral and chargeable polymers), several examples also are mentioned throughout the Thesis that point out to practical applications of such structures. The first method is based on generating assemblies comprising anchored polymers with a gradual variation of grafting densities on solid substrates. These structures are prepared by first covering the substrate with a molecular gradient of the polymerization initiator, followed by polymerization from these substrate-bound initiator centers ("grafting from"). We apply this technique to prepare grafting density gradients of poly(acryl amide) (PAAm) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) on silica-covered substrates. We show that using the grafting density gradient geometry, the characteristics of surface-anchored polymers in both the low grafting density ("mushroom") regime as well as the high grafting density ("brush") regime can be accessed conveniently on a single sample. We use a battery of experimental methods, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Near-edge absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS), contact angle, ellipsometry, to study the characteristics of the surface-bound polymer layers. We also probe the scaling laws of neutral polymer as a function of grafting density, and for weak polyelectrolyte, in addition to the grafting density, we study the affect of solution ionic strength and pH values. In the second novel method, which we coined as "mechanically assisted polymer assembly" (MAPA), we form surface anchored polymers by "grafting from" polymerization initiators deposited on elastic surfaces that have been previously extended uniaxially by a certain length increment, Deltax. Upon releasing the strain in the substrate after completion of polymerization, we show the grafting density of the polymers grafted to flexible substrates can be tuned as a function of Deltax.

Hard substrate in the deep ocean: How sediment features influence epibenthic megafauna on the eastern Canadian margin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lacharité, Myriam; Metaxas, Anna

2017-08-01

Benthic habitats on deep continental margins (> 1000 m) are now considered heterogeneous - in particular because of the occasional presence of hard substrate in a matrix of sand and mud - influencing the distribution of megafauna which can thrive on both sedimented and rocky substrates. At these depths, optical imagery captured with high-definition cameras to describe megafauna can also describe effectively the fine-scale sediment properties in the immediate vicinity of the fauna. In this study, we determined the relationship between local heterogeneity (10-100 sm) in fine-scale sediment properties and the abundance, composition, and diversity of megafauna along a large depth gradient (1000-3000 m) in a previously-unexplored habitat: the Northeast Fan, which lies downslope of submarine canyons off the Gulf of Maine (northwest Atlantic). Substrate heterogeneity was quantified using a novel approach based on principles of computer vision. This approach proved powerful in detecting gradients in sediment, and sporadic complex features (i.e. large boulders) in an otherwise homogeneous environment because it characterizes sediment properties on a continuous scale. Sediment heterogeneity influenced megafaunal diversity (morphospecies richness and Shannon-Wiener Index) and community composition, with areas of higher substrate complexity generally supported higher diversity. However, patterns in abundance were not influenced by sediment properties, and may be best explained by gradients in food supply. Our study provides a new approach to quantify fine-scale sediment properties and assess their role in shaping megafaunal communities in the deep sea, which should be included into habitat studies given their potential ecological importance.

Atomic Force Microscope Mediated Chromatography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, Mark S.

2013-01-01

The atomic force microscope (AFM) is used to inject a sample, provide shear-driven liquid flow over a functionalized substrate, and detect separated components. This is demonstrated using lipophilic dyes and normal phase chromatography. A significant reduction in both size and separation time scales is achieved with a 25-micron-length column scale, and one-second separation times. The approach has general applications to trace chemical and microfluidic analysis. The AFM is now a common tool for ultra-microscopy and nanotechnology. It has also been demonstrated to provide a number of microfluidic functions necessary for miniaturized chromatography. These include injection of sub-femtoliter samples, fluidic switching, and sheardriven pumping. The AFM probe tip can be used to selectively remove surface layers for subsequent microchemical analysis using infrared and tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. With its ability to image individual atoms, the AFM is a remarkably sensitive detector that can be used to detect separated components. These diverse functional components of microfluidic manipulation have been combined in this work to demonstrate AFM mediated chromatography. AFM mediated chromatography uses channel-less, shear-driven pumping. This is demonstrated with a thin, aluminum oxide substrate and a non-polar solvent system to separate a mixture of lipophilic dyes. In conventional chromatographic terms, this is analogous to thin-layer chromatography using normal phase alumina substrate with sheardriven pumping provided by the AFM tip-cantilever mechanism. The AFM detection of separated components is accomplished by exploiting the variation in the localized friction of the separated components. The AFM tip-cantilever provides the mechanism for producing shear-induced flows and rapid pumping. Shear-driven chromatography (SDC) is a relatively new concept that overcomes the speed and miniaturization limitations of conventional liquid chromatography. SDC is based on a sliding plate system, consisting of two flat surfaces, one of which has a recessed channel. A fluid flow is produced by axially sliding one plate past another, where the fluid has mechanical shear forces imposed at each point along the channel length. The shear-induced flow rates are very reproducible, and do not have pressure or voltage gradient limitations. SDC opens up a new range of enhanced separation kinetics by permitting the sample confinement with submicron dimensions. Small, highly confined liquid is advantageous for chromatographic separation because the separation rate is known to scale according to the square of the confined sample diameter. In addition, because shear-driven flows are not limited by fluid velocity, shear-driven liquid chromatography may provide up to 100,000 plate efficiency.

Field migration rates of tidal meanders recapitulate fluvial morphodynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Finotello, Alvise; Lanzoni, Stefano; Ghinassi, Massimiliano; Marani, Marco; Rinaldo, Andrea; D'Alpaos, Andrea

2018-02-01

The majority of tidal channels display marked meandering features. Despite their importance in oil-reservoir formation and tidal landscape morphology, questions remain on whether tidal-meander dynamics could be understood in terms of fluvial processes and theory. Key differences suggest otherwise, like the periodic reversal of landscape-forming tidal flows and the widely accepted empirical notion that tidal meanders are stable landscape features, in stark contrast with their migrating fluvial counterparts. On the contrary, here we show that, once properly normalized, observed migration rates of tidal and fluvial meanders are remarkably similar. Key to normalization is the role of tidal channel width that responds to the strong spatial gradients of landscape-forming flow rates and tidal prisms. We find that migration dynamics of tidal meanders agree with nonlinear theories for river meander evolution. Our results challenge the conventional view of tidal channels as stable landscape features and suggest that meandering tidal channels recapitulate many fluvial counterparts owing to large gradients of tidal prisms across meander wavelengths.

Passive injection control for microfluidic systems

DOEpatents

Paul, Phillip H.; Arnold, Don W.; Neyer, David W.

2004-12-21

Apparatus for eliminating siphoning, "dead" regions, and fluid concentration gradients in microscale analytical devices. In its most basic embodiment, the present invention affords passive injection control for both electric field-driven and pressure-driven systems by providing additional fluid flow channels or auxiliary channels disposed on either side of a sample separation column. The auxiliary channels are sized such that volumetric fluid flow rate through these channels, while sufficient to move the sample away from the sample injection region in a timely fashion, is less than that through the sample separation channel or chromatograph.

Relationship among side channels, fish assemblages, and environmental gradients in the unimpounded Upper Mississippi River

USGS Publications Warehouse

Barko, V.A.; Herzog, D.P.

2003-01-01

We analyzed fish abundance and environmental data collected over nine years from six side channels of the unimpounded upper Mississippi River between river km 46.7 and 128.7. A partial canonical correspondence analysis revealed differences in fish assemblages and environmental factors correlated with the six side channels. Fishes correlated with open side channels represented large river species tolerant of current and/or turbidity. Fishes correlated with closed side channels represented assemblages preferring either moderate to low turbidity/current or pools.

Reach-Scale Channel Adjustments to Channel Network Geometry in Mountain Bedrock Streams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Plitzuweit, S. J.; Springer, G. S.

2008-12-01

Channel network geometry (CNG) is a critical determinant of hydrological response and may significantly affect incision processes within the Appalachian Plateau near Richwood, West Virginia. The Williams, Cherry, and Cranberry Rivers share drainage divides and their lower reaches flow atop resistant, quartz-rich sandstones. The lower two-thirds of the Cranberry and Williams Rivers display linear profiles atop the sandstones; whereas the Cherry is concave upwards atop the sandstones. Because lithologies and geological structures are similar among the watersheds, we tested whether differences in CNGs explain the profile shapes and reach-scale channel properties. Specifically, we quantified CNG by calculating reach- specific area-distance functions using DEMs. The area-distance functions were then converted into synthetic hydrographs to model hydrological responses. The Cherry River exhibits a classic dendritic drainage pattern, producing peaked hydrographs and low interval transit times. The Cranberry River displays a trellis-like drainage pattern, which produces attenuated hydrographs and high interval transit times. The upstream reaches of the Williams River have a dendritic drainage pattern, but the lower two-thirds of the watershed transitions into an elongated basin with trellis-like CNG. Reach gradients are steeper in the lower reaches of the Williams and Cranberry Rivers where hydrographs are attenuated. In contrast, peaked hydrographs within the Cherry River are associated with lower reach gradients despite resistant sandstone channel beds. Trellis-like CNG may restrict the ability of downstream reaches within the Williams and Cranberry Rivers to achieve the critical discharge needed to cause incision during floods (all other things being equal). If so, increased reach gradients may be hydraulic adjustments that compensate for comparatively low discharges. We are now applying the synthetic hydrographs to HEC-RAS flow models generated from field channel surveys in order to analyze whether stream power and shear stress are adjusted to reflect CNG at the reach- scale. These models are compared to those with discharges calculated using drainage area and precipitation totals alone. We conclude that gradients in bedrock mountain streams may reflect basin-scale hydrology (CNG) and not simply local geological or geomorphic factors. This challenges the conclusions of others who ascribe local channel adjustments to: i) lithology and structure alone, or ii) local colluvium grain sizes.

Spatial gradients in stream power and the implications for lateral and downstream transport of material during the 2013 Floods in Colorado and 2011 Irene Floods in Vermont, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gartner, J. D.; Renshaw, C. E.; Magilligan, F. J.; Buraas, E. M.; Dethier, E.; Dade, W. B.

2014-12-01

Classic approaches to understand sediment transport and channel-hillslope coupling focus on magnitudes of forces at a point location or reach. Yet often overlooked are downstream gradients in forces along a river. Here we show a physical rationale supported by field evidence that downstream spatial gradients in sediment transport capacity affect lateral exchange of material in the form of landslides, bank failures and floodplain deposition. Taking advantage of the strong signals of near-channel deposition and erosion during the record-high 2011 Irene floods in Vermont and 2013 floods in Colorado, USA, we test if these spatial gradients can predict geomorphic response in flood events. Total stream power, an indicator of total sediment transport capacity, was mapped using GIS analysis along the Saxtons River (190 km2) and West Branch of White River (112 km2) in Vermont and Fourmile Creek (20 km2) and an unnamed creek on Mt Sanitas (7 km2) in Boulder, CO. These mountainous streams exhibit reach slopes of 0.5 to > 10%, with less steep reaches interspersed among steeper reaches. Near-channel erosion and deposition were quantified along 52 river km by pre/post satellite imagery, field surveys, and, when available, differencing of pre/post topography measured by aerial LiDAR. Zones of abundant mass wasting inputs—up to 11,000 m3 per km—were generally distinct from zones of abundant floodplain deposition—up to 30,000 m3 per km. Spatial patterns indicate that zones of abundant mass wasting into the channels align approximately with zones of down-flow increasing stream power. These reaches can convey material delivered from upstream plus additional lateral inputs of sediment. Conversely, reaches of abundant lateral flux out of the channel via near-channel deposition occur predominantly where mapped total stream power declines in the down-flow direction. These reaches appear unable to convey material supplied from upstream, which induces lateral deposition. The demonstrated interaction between downstream and lateral fluxes of material provides insight on physical controls on broad-scale geomorphic processes at channel margins as well as the sources and fates of matter transported by rivers, with implications for flood recovery and long-term river management.

High Resolution Mapping and Interpretation of Channel and Floodplain Topography With a Narrow-Beam Terrestrial-Aquatic Lidar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McKean, J.; Isaak, D.; Tonina, D.; Wright, W.; Kinzel, P.

2007-12-01

Basic description of channel and floodplain topography remains a fundamental challenge for modeling flow and sediment transport or even simply mapping habitat. Standard field wading and boat surveys of stream topography are limited by costs and logistics to relatively small sample reaches and floodplain maps are seldom well- integrated with channel bathymetry. We used the NASA Experimental Advanced Airborne Research Lidar (EAARL) to map channel and floodplain topography and investigate geomorphic controls on physical habitat in two diverse channels in the watershed of the Middle Fork Salmon River, Idaho. Bear Valley Creek is a small low-gradient gravel-bed stream flowing across an unconfined valley filled with glacial outwash materials. A hierarchy of nested geomorphic features is evident in this channel with the broadest fluvial domains a legacy of ~15,000 years of post-glacial valley evolution. Contemporary hydraulics operate on this broad template and control two smaller scales of pool-riffle morphology. Salmon spawning patterns closely reflect these nested physical domains, demonstrating how geomorphic history can influence modern distributions of aquatic habitat and organisms. In contrast, Big Creek is a higher-gradient stream predominately confined by steep side slopes in a deep valley. Here, the distribution of geomorphic domains and physical habitat is controlled by modern erosion processes and rock quality. Tributaries and valley walls contribute coarse debris, up to large boulders, to the channel, resulting in very rough and poorly organized bed topography. Tributary fans also function as local grade control with sediment deposition in lower-gradient reaches upstream of fans. A GIS toolkit is under development to extract at-a-station channel metrics from EAARL data, including for example, cross section and longitudinal profile characteristics. A new investigation has also begun to further investigate the quality of EAARL data. This study will explore the question of how well we must describe channel topography to adequately: i) map the spatial distribution of physical habitat for management purposes and in support of organism population growth models, and ii) define boundary conditions for flow and sediment transport predictions using the USGS model MD SWMS.

Tidally-driven Surface Flow in a Georgia Estuarine Saltmarsh

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, D.; Bruder, B. L.; Haas, K. A.; Webster, D. R.

2016-02-01

Estuarine saltmarshes are diverse, valuable, and productive ecosystems. Vegetation dampens wave and current energy, thereby allowing the estuaries to serve as a nursery habitat for shellfish and fish species. Tidally-driven flow transports nutrients into and out of the estuary, nourishing inshore and offshore vegetation and animals. The effects of vegetation on the marsh hydrodynamics and on the estuary creek and channel flow are, unfortunately, poorly understood, and the knowledge that does exist primarily originates from modeling studies. Field studies addressing marsh surface flows are limited due to the difficulty of accurately measuring the water surface elevation and acquiring concurrent velocity measurements in the dense marsh vegetation. This study partially bridges the gap between the model observations of marsh flow driven by water surface elevation gradients and flume studies of flow through vegetation. Three current meters and three pressure transducers were deployed for three days along a transect perpendicular to the main channel (Little Ogeechee River) in a saltmarsh adjacent to Rose Dhu Island (Savannah, Georgia, USA). The pressure transducer locations were surveyed daily with static GPS yielding highly accurate water surface elevation data. During flood and ebb tide, water surface elevation differences between the marsh and Little Ogeechee River were observed up to 15 cm and pressure gradients were observed up to 0.0017 m of water surface elevation drop per m of linear distance. The resulting channel-to-saltmarsh pressure gradients substantially affected tidal currents at all current meters. At one current meter, the velocity was nearly perpendicular to the Little Ogeechee River bank. The velocity at this location was effectively modeled as a balance between the pressure gradient and marsh vegetation-induced drag force using the Darcy-Weisbach/Lindner's equations developed for flow-through-vegetation analysis in open channel flow.

Fabrication and optimization of a whiskerless Schottky barrier diode for submillimeter wave applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bishop, W.; Mattauch, R. J.

1990-01-01

The following accomplishments were made towards the goal of an optimized whiskerless diode chip for submillimeter wavelength applications. (1) Surface channel whiskerless diode structure was developed which offers excellent DC and RF characteristics, reduced shunt capacitance and simplified fabrication compared to mesa and proton isolated structures. (2) Reliable fabrication technology was developed for the surface channel structure. The new anode plating technology is a major improvement. (3) DC and RF characterization of the surface channel diode was compared with whisker contacted diodes. This data indicates electrical performance as good as the best reported for similar whisker contacted devices. (4) Additional batches of surface channel diodes were fabricated with excellent I-V and reduced shunt capacitance. (5) Large scale capacitance modelinng was done for the planar diode structure. This work revealed the importance of removing the substrate gallium arsenide for absolute minimum pad capacitance. (6) A surface channel diode was developed on quartz substrate and this substrate was completely removed after diode mounting for minimum parasitic capacitance. This work continues with the goal of producing excellent quality submillimeter wavelength planar diodes which satisfy the requirements of easy handling and robustness. These devices will allow the routine implementation of Schottky receivers into space-based applications at frequencies as high as 1 THz, and, in the future, beyond.

Thermoelectricity in Heterogeneous Nanofluidic Channels.

PubMed

Li, Long; Wang, Qinggong

2018-05-01

Ionic fluids are essential to energy conversion, water desalination, drug delivery, and lab-on-a-chip devices. Ionic transport in nanoscale confinements and complex physical fields still remain elusive. Here, a nanofluidic system is developed using nanochannels of heterogeneous surface properties to investigate transport properties of ions under different temperatures. Steady ionic currents are observed under symmetric temperature gradients, which is equivalent to generating electricity using waste heat (e.g., electronic chips and solar panels). The currents increase linearly with temperature gradient and nonlinearly with channel size. Contributions to ion motion from temperatures and channel properties are evaluated for this phenomenon. The findings provide insights into the study of confined ionic fluids in multiphysical fields, and suggest applications in thermal energy conversion, temperature sensors, and chip-level thermal management. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Regenerable adsorption system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roychoudhury, Subir (Inventor); Perry, Jay (Inventor); Walsh, Dennis (Inventor)

2006-01-01

A method for regenerable adsorption includes providing a substrate that defines at least one layer of ultra short channel length mesh capable of conducting an electrical current therethrough, coating at least a portion of the substrate with a desired sorbent for trace contaminant control or CO.sub.2 sorption, resistively heating the substrate, and passing a flowstream through the substrate and in contact with the sorbent.

Modified Acyl-ACP desaturase

DOEpatents

Cahoon, Edgar B.; Shanklin, John; Lindqvist, Ylva; Schneider, Gunter

1999-03-30

Disclosed is a method for modifying the chain length and double bond positional specificities of a soluble plant fatty acid desaturase. More specifically, the method involves modifying amino acid contact residues in the substrate binding channel of the soluble fatty acid desaturase which contact the fatty acid. Specifically disclosed is the modification of an acyl-ACP desaturase. Amino acid contact residues which lie within the substrate binding channel are identified, and subsequently replaced with different residues to effect the modification of activity.

Modified acyl-ACP desaturase

DOEpatents

Cahoon, Edgar B.; Shanklin, John; Lindgvist, Ylva; Schneider, Gunter

1998-01-06

Disclosed is a methods for modifying the chain length and double bond positional specificities of a soluble plant fatty acid desaturase. More specifically, the method involves modifying amino acid contact residues in the substrate binding channel of the soluble fatty acid desaturase which contact the fatty acid. Specifically disclosed is the modification of an acyl-ACP desaturase. Amino acid contact residues which lie within the substrate binding channel are identified, and subsequently replaced with different residues to effect the modification of activity.

A fast and low-cost microfabrication approach for six types of thermoplastic substrates with reduced feature size and minimized bulges using sacrificial layer assisted laser engraving.

PubMed

Gu, Longjun; Yu, Guodong; Li, Cheuk-Wing

2018-01-02

Since polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is notorious for its severe sorption to biological compounds and even nanoparticles, thermoplastics become a promising substrate for microdevices. Although CO 2 laser engraving is an efficient method for thermoplastic device fabrication, it accompanies with poor bonding issues due to severe bulging and large feature size determined by the diameter of laser beam. In this study, a low-cost microfabrication method is proposed by reversibly sealing a 1 mm thick polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) over an engraving substrate to reduce channel feature size and minimize bulges of laser engraved channels. PMMA, polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA), cyclic-olefin polymers (COP) and polylactic acid (PLA) were found compatible with this sacrificial layer assisted laser engraving technique. Microchannel width as small as ∼40 μm was attainable by a laser beam that was 5 times larger in diameter. Bulging height was significantly reduced to less 5 μm for most substrates, which facilitated leak proof device bonding without channel deformation. Microdevices with high aspect ratio channels were prepared to demonstrate the applicability of this microfabrication method. We believe this fast and low-cost fabrication approach for thermoplastics will be of interest to researchers who have encountered problem with polydimethylsiloxane based microdevices in their applications. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electrostatic attraction of weak monoacid anions increases probability for protonation and passage through aquaporins.

PubMed

Rothert, Monja; Rönfeldt, Deike; Beitz, Eric

2017-06-02

A positive electrostatic field emanating from the center of the aquaporin (AQP) water and solute channel is responsible for the repulsion of cations. At the same time, however, a positive field will attract anions. In this regard, l-lactate/lactic acid permeability has been shown for various isoforms of the otherwise highly water and neutral substrate selective AQP family. The structural requirements rendering certain AQPs permeable for weak monoacids and the mechanism of conduction have remained unclear. Here, we show by profiling pH-dependent substrate permeability, measurements of media alkalization, and proton decoupling that AQP9 acts as a channel for the protonated, neutral monocarboxylic acid species. Intriguingly, the obtained permeability rates indicate an up to 10 times higher probability of passage via AQP9 than given by the fraction of the protonated acid substrate at a certain pH. We generated AQP9 point mutants showing that this effect is independent from properties of the channel interior but caused by the protein surface electrostatics. Monocarboxylic acid-conducting AQPs thus employ a mechanism similar to the family of formate-nitrite transporters for weak monoacids. On a more general basis, our data illustrate semiquantitatively the contribution of surface electrostatics to the interaction of charged molecule substrates or ligands with target proteins, such as channels, transporters, enzymes, or receptors. © 2017 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Process for Polycrystalline film silicon growth

DOEpatents

Wang, Tihu; Ciszek, Theodore F.

2001-01-01

A process for depositing polycrystalline silicon on substrates, including foreign substrates, occurs in a chamber at about atmospheric pressure, wherein a temperature gradient is formed, and both the atmospheric pressure and the temperature gradient are maintained throughout the process. Formation of a vapor barrier within the chamber that precludes exit of the constituent chemicals, which include silicon, iodine, silicon diiodide, and silicon tetraiodide. The deposition occurs beneath the vapor barrier. One embodiment of the process also includes the use of a blanketing gas that precludes the entrance of oxygen or other impurities. The process is capable of repetition without the need to reset the deposition zone conditions.

In-channel Restoration Structures and the Implications on Hyporheic Exchange: a Laboratory Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, B.; Chu, H. H.; Endreny, T. A.

2014-12-01

In-channel structures, i.e. cross-vanes and J-hooks, are commonly installed in river restoration projects to modify the streambed morphology and stream water surface profile, and are known to change hyporhiec exchange flux and habitats for riverine animals. However, few studies have continuous and accurate pre- and post-treatment data to evaluate the impact of these structures on channel hydraulic gradients and morphology. To quantify the effects of in-channel structures, we developed a scaled physical model of a meandering stream with a cross-vane and 6 J-hooks on a mobile-bed river table. Close-range photogrammetry technique was applied to obtain 3-D water and ground surface profiles with sub-millimeter vertical accuracy and horizontal resolution. The experiment was compared with a control experiment without structures while maintaining the same initial conditions of river bed, floodplain and stream flow. Results indicated that the cross-vane caused an average local head loss that represented 16% of the total stream reach head loss, and a 74% increase in channel load in the entire stream reach. Most J-hooks can create stepwise patterns in stream longitudinal profile, and cross-vane can create even more significant ones. Hydraulic gradients across the intra-meander zone also increased with in-channel structures, i.e. from 2.5% to 3.5% at the meander neck. Scour pools developed downstream of the cross-vane, and mostly around the 4 meander apex J-hooks at their hooked tip. Backwater caused by the cross-vane steepened the local water table profile by an additional 4.2%, and was the primary driver of statistically significant hydraulic gradient increase. Reach scale water and streambed surface profiles from our study provided detailed data to improve the understanding of in-channel structure effects, and may serve as reliable data source in computational modeling of hyporheic exchange.

In-Plane Channel-Structured Catalyst Layer for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells.

PubMed

Lee, Dong-Hyun; Jo, Wonhee; Yuk, Seongmin; Choi, Jaeho; Choi, Sungyu; Doo, Gisu; Lee, Dong Wook; Kim, Hee-Tak

2018-02-07

In this study, we present a novel catalyst layer (CL) with in-plane flow channels to enhance the mass transports in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. The CL with in-plane channels on its surface is fabricated by coating a CL slurry onto a surface-treated substrate with the inverse line pattern and transferring the dried CL from the substrate to a membrane. The membrane electrode assembly with the in-plane channel-patterned CL has superior power performances in high current densities compared with an unpatterned, flat CL, demonstrating a significant enhancement of the mass-transport property by the in-plane channels carved in the CL. The performance gain is more pronounced when the channel direction is perpendicular to the flow field direction, indicating that the in-plane channels increase the utilization of the CL under the rib area. An oxygen-transport resistance analysis shows that both molecular and Knudsen diffusion can be facilitated with the introduction of the in-plane channels. The direct CL patterning technique provides a platform for the fabrication of advanced CL structures with a high structural fidelity and design flexibility and a rational guideline for designing high-performance CLs.

Increases in intracellular pH facilitate endocytosis and decrease availability of voltage-gated proton channels in osteoclasts and microglia

PubMed Central

Sakai, Hiromu; Li, Guangshuai; Hino, Yoshiko; Moriura, Yoshie; Kawawaki, Junko; Sawada, Makoto; Kuno, Miyuki

2013-01-01

Voltage-gated proton channels (H+ channels) are highly proton-selective transmembrane pathways. Although the primary determinants for activation are the pH and voltage gradients across the membrane, the current amplitudes fluctuate often when these gradients are constant. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the intracellular pH (pHi) in regulating the availability of H+ channels in osteoclasts and microglia. In whole-cell clamp recordings, the pHi was elevated after exposure to NH4Cl and returned to the control level after washout. However, the H+ channel conductance did not recover fully when the exposure was prolonged (>5 min). Similar results were observed in osteoclasts and microglia, but not in COS7 cells expressing a murine H+ channel gene (mVSOP). As other electrophysiological properties, like the gating kinetics and voltage dependence for activation, were unchanged, the decreases in the H+ channel conductance were probably due to the decreases in H+ channels available at the plasma membrane. The decreases in the H+ channel conductances were accompanied by reductions in the cell capacitance. Exposure to NH4Cl increased the uptake of the endocytosis marker FM1-43, substantiating the idea that pHi increases facilitated endocytosis. In osteoclasts, whose plasma membrane expresses V-ATPases and H+ channels, pHi increases by these H+-transferring molecules in part facilitated endocytosis. The endocytosis and decreases in the H+ channel conductance were reduced by dynasore, a dynamin blocker. These results suggest that pHi increases in osteoclasts and microglia decrease the numbers of H+ channels available at the plasma membrane through facilitation of dynamin-dependent endocytosis. PMID:24081153

The role of upper-regime flow bedforms in the morphodynamics of submarine channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Covault, Jacob A.; Kostic, Svetlana; Fildani, Andrea

2014-05-01

Advances in acoustic imaging of submarine canyons and channels have provided accurate renderings of seafloor geomorphology. Still, a fundamental understanding of channel inception, evolution, sediment transport, and the nature of the currents traversing these channels remains elusive. Here, we review a mosaic of geomorphology, shallow stratigraphy, and morphodynamics of channelized deep-water depositional systems of tectonically active slopes offshore of California, USA. These systems are imaged in high-resolution multi-beam sonar bathymetry (dominant frequency ~200 kHz) and seismic-reflection (2-16 kHz) data. From north to south, the Monterey East, Lucia Chica, and San Mateo channelized deep-water depositional systems show a breadth of geomorphology and stratigraphic architecture, including channel reaches of varying sinuosity, levees, terraces within channels, and crescent-shaped bedforms, especially in the thalwegs of incipient channel elements. Morphodynamic numerical modeling is combined with interpretations of seafloor and shallow subsurface stratigraphic imagery to demonstrate that the crescent-shaped bedforms common to channel thalwegs are likely to be cyclic steps. We propose that net-erosional and net-depositional cyclic steps play a fundamental role in the formation, filling, and maintenance phases of submarine channels in continental margins with high gradient, locally rugose bathymetry. These margins include passive-margin slopes subjected to gravity-driven tectonic deformation. In such settings, high gradients support the development of densimetric Froude-supercritical turbidity currents, and abrupt slope breaks can promote hydraulic jumps and the spontaneous evolution of an erodible seabed into cyclic steps. This morphodynamic investigation of turbidity currents and the seafloor has the potential to enhance prediction of the locations, stratigraphic evolution, and architecture of submarine canyon-channel systems.

Textured substrate tape and devices thereof

DOEpatents

Goyal, Amit

2006-08-08

A method for forming a sharply biaxially textured substrate, such as a single crystal substrate, includes the steps of providing a deformed metal substrate, followed by heating above the secondary recrystallization temperature of the deformed substrate, and controlling the secondary recrystallization texture by either using thermal gradients and/or seeding. The seed is selected to shave a stable texture below a predetermined temperature. The sharply biaxially textured substrate can be formed as a tape having a length of 1 km, or more. Epitaxial articles can be formed from the tapes to include an epitaxial electromagnetically active layer. The electromagnetically active layer can be a superconducting layer.

Composition gradient optimization and electrical characterization of (Pb, Ca)TiO3 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bao, Dinghua; Mizutani, Nobuyasu; Zhang, Liangying; Yao, Xi

2001-01-01

Compositionally graded (Pb, Ca)TiO3 thin films were prepared by a monoethanolamine-modified sol-gel technique on platinum-coated silicon substrates at the annealing temperature of 600 °C. The composition gradient of the films was greatly improved by a modified annealing method. The dielectric constants, for up-graded and down-graded films annealed at 600 °C for 60 min, were found to be 469 and 355, respectively. Both were larger than those reported for conventional (Pb, Ca)TiO3 thin films. The compositionally graded films had large polarization offsets in hysteresis loops when excited by an alternating electric field. The more smooth the composition gradient of the graded film, the larger the polarization offset. This was consistent with a theoretical model reported previously by Mantese and coworkers [Appl. Phys. Lett. 71, 2047 (1997)]. The magnitude of polarization offset displayed a power-law dependence on the electric field, and the direction of the offset depended on the direction of the composition gradient with respect to the substrate. Both up-graded and down-graded films had good leakage current characteristics.

Microstructure and high temperature oxidation resistance of Ti-Ni gradient coating on TA2 titanium alloy fabricated by laser cladding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Fencheng; Mao, Yuqing; Lin, Xin; Zhou, Baosheng; Qian, Tao

2016-09-01

To improve the high temperature oxidation resistance of TA2 titanium alloy, a gradient Ni-Ti coating was laser cladded on the surface of the TA2 titanium alloy substrate, and the microstructure and oxidation behavior of the laser cladded coating were investigated experimentally. The gradient coating with a thickness of about 420-490 μm contains two different layers, e.g. a bright layer with coarse equiaxed grain and a dark layer with fine and columnar dendrites, and a transition layer with a thickness of about 10 μm exists between the substrate and the cladded coating. NiTi, NiTi2 and Ni3Ti intermetallic compounds are the main constructive phases of the laser cladded coating. The appearance of these phases enhances the microhardness, and the dense structure of the coating improves its oxidation resistance. The solidification procedure of the gradient coating is analyzed and different kinds of solidification processes occur due to the heat dissipation during the laser cladding process.

Thermodiffusion as a means to manipulate liquid film dynamics on chemically patterned surfaces

PubMed Central

Kalpathy, Sreeram K.; Shreyes, Amrita Ravi

2017-01-01

The model problem examined here is the stability of a thin liquid film consisting of two miscible components, resting on a chemically patterned solid substrate and heated from below. In addition to surface tension gradients, the temperature variations also induce gradients in the concentration of the film by virtue of thermodiffusion/Soret effects. We study the stability and dewetting behaviour due to the coupled interplay between thermal gradients, Soret effects, long-range van der Waals forces, and wettability gradient-driven flows. Linear stability analysis is first employed to predict growth rates and the critical Marangoni number for chemically homogeneous surfaces. Then, nonlinear simulations are performed to unravel the interfacial dynamics and possible locations of the film rupture on chemically patterned substrates. Results suggest that appropriate tuning of the Soret parameter and its direction, in conjunction with either heating or cooling, can help manipulate the location and time scales of the film rupture. The Soret effect can either potentially aid or oppose film instability depending on whether the thermal and solutal contributions to flow are cooperative or opposed to each other. PMID:28595391

Spatial patterns of water-dispersed seed deposition along stream riparian gradients

PubMed Central

Moinier, Sophie; van Gogh, Iris; Timmers, Robert; van Deelen, Joost J.; Verhoeven, Jos T. A.; Soons, Merel B.

2017-01-01

Riparian ecosystems along streams naturally harbour a high plant diversity with many increasingly endangered species. In our current heavily modified and fragmented catchments, many of these species are sensitive to dispersal limitation. Better understanding of riparian plant dispersal pathways is required to predict species (re-)colonization potential and improve success rates of stream and riparian zone conservation and restoration. Dispersal by water (hydrochory) is an important mechanism for longitudinal and lateral dispersal of riparian species. Crucially for recruitment potential, it also influences the elevation along the riparian hydrological gradient where seeds become deposited. Due to the complex interplay between abiotic and biotic factors, however, it remains unclear how exactly patterns in seed deposition are formed. We compared hydrochorous and non-hydrochorous seed deposition, and quantified patterns of seed deposition along the bare substrate of newly created stream riparian gradients. Water levels were monitored and seed deposition was measured with seed traps along the full range of riparian hydrological conditions (from permanently flooded to never flooded). Average seed numbers and species richness were significantly higher in flooded than in non-flooded seed traps (5.7 and 1.5 times higher, respectively). Community-weighted trait means indicated that typically water-dispersed seeds were more dominant in flooded than in non-flooded seed traps and gradually decreased in concentration from the channel to the upland. Moreover, highly buoyant seeds accumulated at the average water line, and clear elevational sorting of non-buoyant seeds occurred within the floodplain. These results establish a critical role of flooding in shaping patterns of seed deposition along the riparian gradient, delivering many seeds of typical riparian species to riparian zones and depositing them at species-specific elevations as influenced by seed traits, suggesting species-specific dispersal pathways. This shows that hydrochory likely has important consequences for riparian vegetation development and that flooding forms a key process for successful restoration. PMID:28957365

High-flux water desalination with interfacial salt sieving effect in nanoporous carbon composite membranes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Wei; Chen, Shuyu; Liang, Tengfei; Zhang, Qiang; Fan, Zhongli; Yin, Hang; Huang, Kuo-Wei; Zhang, Xixiang; Lai, Zhiping; Sheng, Ping

2018-04-01

Freshwater flux and energy consumption are two important benchmarks for the membrane desalination process. Here, we show that nanoporous carbon composite membranes, which comprise a layer of porous carbon fibre structures grown on a porous ceramic substrate, can exhibit 100% desalination and a freshwater flux that is 3-20 times higher than existing polymeric membranes. Thermal accounting experiments demonstrated that the carbon composite membrane saved over 80% of the latent heat consumption. Theoretical calculations combined with molecular dynamics simulations revealed the unique microscopic process occurring in the membrane. When the salt solution is stopped at the openings to the nanoscale porous channels and forms a meniscus, the vapour can rapidly transport across the nanoscale gap to condense on the permeate side. This process is driven by the chemical potential gradient and aided by the unique smoothness of the carbon surface. The high thermal conductivity of the carbon composite membrane ensures that most of the latent heat is recovered.

Influence of Clay Platelet Spacing on Oxygen Permeability of Thin Film Assemblies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Priolo, Morgan; Gamboa, Daniel; Grunlan, Jaime

2010-03-01

Thin films of anionic natural montmorrilonite clay and various polyelectrolytes have been produced by alternately dipping a plastic substrate into dilute aqueous mixtures containing each ingredient in an effort to show the influence of clay platelet spacing on thin film permeability. After polymer-clay layers have been sequentially deposited, the resulting transparent films exhibit a brick wall nanostructure comprised of completely exfoliated clay bricks in polymeric mortar. This brick wall forms an extremely tortuous path for a molecule to traverse, creating channels perpendicular to the concentration gradient that increase the molecule's diffusion length and delay its transmission. To a first approximation, greater clay spacing (i.e., reduced clay concentration) produces greater oxygen barrier. Oxygen transmission rates below 0.005 cm^3/m^2.day have been achieved for films with only eight clay layers (total thickness of only 200 nm). With optical transparencies greater than 86% and the ability to be microwaved, these thin film composites are good candidates for flexible electronics packaging and foil replacement for food.

Re-meandering of lowland streams: will disobeying the laws of geomorphology have ecological consequences?

PubMed

Pedersen, Morten Lauge; Kristensen, Klaus Kevin; Friberg, Nikolai

2014-01-01

We evaluated the restoration of physical habitats and its influence on macroinvertebrate community structure in 18 Danish lowland streams comprising six restored streams, six streams with little physical alteration and six channelized streams. We hypothesized that physical habitats and macroinvertebrate communities of restored streams would resemble those of natural streams, while those of the channelized streams would differ from both restored and near-natural streams. Physical habitats were surveyed for substrate composition, depth, width and current velocity. Macroinvertebrates were sampled along 100 m reaches in each stream, in edge habitats and in riffle/run habitats located in the center of the stream. Restoration significantly altered the physical conditions and affected the interactions between stream habitat heterogeneity and macroinvertebrate diversity. The substrate in the restored streams was dominated by pebble, whereas the substrate in the channelized and natural streams was dominated by sand. In the natural streams a relationship was identified between slope and pebble/gravel coverage, indicating a coupling of energy and substrate characteristics. Such a relationship did not occur in the channelized or in the restored streams where placement of large amounts of pebble/gravel distorted the natural relationship. The analyses revealed, a direct link between substrate heterogeneity and macroinvertebrate diversity in the natural streams. A similar relationship was not found in either the channelized or the restored streams, which we attribute to a de-coupling of the natural relationship between benthic community diversity and physical habitat diversity. Our study results suggest that restoration schemes should aim at restoring the natural physical structural complexity in the streams and at the same time enhance the possibility of re-generating the natural geomorphological processes sustaining the habitats in streams and rivers. Documentation of restoration efforts should be intensified with continuous monitoring of geomorphological and ecological changes including surveys of reference river systems.

Re-Meandering of Lowland Streams: Will Disobeying the Laws of Geomorphology Have Ecological Consequences?

PubMed Central

Pedersen, Morten Lauge; Kristensen, Klaus Kevin; Friberg, Nikolai

2014-01-01

We evaluated the restoration of physical habitats and its influence on macroinvertebrate community structure in 18 Danish lowland streams comprising six restored streams, six streams with little physical alteration and six channelized streams. We hypothesized that physical habitats and macroinvertebrate communities of restored streams would resemble those of natural streams, while those of the channelized streams would differ from both restored and near-natural streams. Physical habitats were surveyed for substrate composition, depth, width and current velocity. Macroinvertebrates were sampled along 100 m reaches in each stream, in edge habitats and in riffle/run habitats located in the center of the stream. Restoration significantly altered the physical conditions and affected the interactions between stream habitat heterogeneity and macroinvertebrate diversity. The substrate in the restored streams was dominated by pebble, whereas the substrate in the channelized and natural streams was dominated by sand. In the natural streams a relationship was identified between slope and pebble/gravel coverage, indicating a coupling of energy and substrate characteristics. Such a relationship did not occur in the channelized or in the restored streams where placement of large amounts of pebble/gravel distorted the natural relationship. The analyses revealed, a direct link between substrate heterogeneity and macroinvertebrate diversity in the natural streams. A similar relationship was not found in either the channelized or the restored streams, which we attribute to a de-coupling of the natural relationship between benthic community diversity and physical habitat diversity. Our study results suggest that restoration schemes should aim at restoring the natural physical structural complexity in the streams and at the same time enhance the possibility of re-generating the natural geomorphological processes sustaining the habitats in streams and rivers. Documentation of restoration efforts should be intensified with continuous monitoring of geomorphological and ecological changes including surveys of reference river systems. PMID:25264627

Paleohydraulics and hydrodynamics of Scabland floods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baker, V. R.

1978-01-01

The last major episode of scabland flooding (approx. 18,000-13,000 years B.P.) left considerable high-water mark evidence in the form of: (1) eroded channel margins; (2) depositional features; (3) ice-rafter erratics; and (4) divide crossings. These were used to reconstruct maximum flood stages and water-surface gradients. Engineering hydraulic calculation procedures allowed the analyses of flood discharges and mean velocities from these data. Secondary flow phenomena, including various forms of vortices and flow separations, are considered to have been the principal erosive processes. The intense pressure and velocity gradients of vortices along the irregular channel boundaries produced the plucking-type erosion.

Heat and mass transfer analogy for condensation of humid air in a vertical channel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Desrayaud, G.; Lauriat, G.

This study examines energy transport associated with liquid film condensation in natural convection flows driven by differences in density due to temperature and concentration gradients. The condensation problem is based on the thin-film assumptions. The most common compositional gradient, which is encountered in humid air at ambient temperature is considered. A steady laminar Boussinesq flow of an ideal gas-vapor mixture is studied for the case of a vertical parallel plate channel. New correlations for the latent and sensible Nusselt numbers are established, and the heat and mass transfer analogy between the sensible Nusselt number and Sherwood number is demonstrated.

Orbital Angular Momentum-based Space Division Multiplexing for High-capacity Underwater Optical Communications

DOE PAGES

Ren, Yongxiong; Li, Long; Wang, Zhe; ...

2016-09-12

To increase system capacity of underwater optical communications, we employ the spatial domain to simultaneously transmit multiple orthogonal spatial beams, each carrying an independent data channel. In this paper, we show up to a 40-Gbit/s link by multiplexing and transmitting four green orbital angular momentum (OAM) beams through a single aperture. Moreover, we investigate the degrading effects of scattering/turbidity, water current, and thermal gradient-induced turbulence, and we find that thermal gradients cause the most distortions and turbidity causes the most loss. We show systems results using two different data generation techniques, one at 1064 nm for 10-Gbit/s/beam and one atmore » 520 nm for 1-Gbit/s/beam; we use both techniques since present data-modulation technologies are faster for infrared (IR) than for green. For the 40-Gbit/s link, data is modulated in the IR, and OAM imprinting is performed in the green using a specially-designed metasurface phase mask. For the 4-Gbit/s link, a green laser diode is directly modulated. Lastly, we show that inter-channel crosstalk induced by thermal gradients can be mitigated using multi-channel equalisation processing.« less

Orbital Angular Momentum-based Space Division Multiplexing for High-capacity Underwater Optical Communications

PubMed Central

Ren, Yongxiong; Li, Long; Wang, Zhe; Kamali, Seyedeh Mahsa; Arbabi, Ehsan; Arbabi, Amir; Zhao, Zhe; Xie, Guodong; Cao, Yinwen; Ahmed, Nisar; Yan, Yan; Liu, Cong; Willner, Asher J.; Ashrafi, Solyman; Tur, Moshe; Faraon, Andrei; Willner, Alan E.

2016-01-01

To increase system capacity of underwater optical communications, we employ the spatial domain to simultaneously transmit multiple orthogonal spatial beams, each carrying an independent data channel. In this paper, we show up to a 40-Gbit/s link by multiplexing and transmitting four green orbital angular momentum (OAM) beams through a single aperture. Moreover, we investigate the degrading effects of scattering/turbidity, water current, and thermal gradient-induced turbulence, and we find that thermal gradients cause the most distortions and turbidity causes the most loss. We show systems results using two different data generation techniques, one at 1064 nm for 10-Gbit/s/beam and one at 520 nm for 1-Gbit/s/beam; we use both techniques since present data-modulation technologies are faster for infrared (IR) than for green. For the 40-Gbit/s link, data is modulated in the IR, and OAM imprinting is performed in the green using a specially-designed metasurface phase mask. For the 4-Gbit/s link, a green laser diode is directly modulated. Finally, we show that inter-channel crosstalk induced by thermal gradients can be mitigated using multi-channel equalisation processing. PMID:27615808

Orbital Angular Momentum-based Space Division Multiplexing for High-capacity Underwater Optical Communications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Yongxiong; Li, Long; Wang, Zhe; Kamali, Seyedeh Mahsa; Arbabi, Ehsan; Arbabi, Amir; Zhao, Zhe; Xie, Guodong; Cao, Yinwen; Ahmed, Nisar; Yan, Yan; Liu, Cong; Willner, Asher J.; Ashrafi, Solyman; Tur, Moshe; Faraon, Andrei; Willner, Alan E.

2016-09-01

To increase system capacity of underwater optical communications, we employ the spatial domain to simultaneously transmit multiple orthogonal spatial beams, each carrying an independent data channel. In this paper, we show up to a 40-Gbit/s link by multiplexing and transmitting four green orbital angular momentum (OAM) beams through a single aperture. Moreover, we investigate the degrading effects of scattering/turbidity, water current, and thermal gradient-induced turbulence, and we find that thermal gradients cause the most distortions and turbidity causes the most loss. We show systems results using two different data generation techniques, one at 1064 nm for 10-Gbit/s/beam and one at 520 nm for 1-Gbit/s/beam; we use both techniques since present data-modulation technologies are faster for infrared (IR) than for green. For the 40-Gbit/s link, data is modulated in the IR, and OAM imprinting is performed in the green using a specially-designed metasurface phase mask. For the 4-Gbit/s link, a green laser diode is directly modulated. Finally, we show that inter-channel crosstalk induced by thermal gradients can be mitigated using multi-channel equalisation processing.

Experimental investigation on circumferential and axial temperature gradient over fuel channel under LOCA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yadav, Ashwini Kumar; kumar, Ravi; Gupta, Akhilesh; Chatterjee, Barun; Mukhopadhyay, Deb; Lele, H. G.

2014-06-01

In a nuclear reactor temperature rises drastically in fuel channels under loss of coolant accident due to failure of primary heat transportation system. Present investigation has been carried out to capture circumferential and axial temperature gradients during fully and partially voiding conditions in a fuel channel using 19 pin fuel element simulator. A series of experiments were carried out by supplying power to outer, middle and center rods of 19 pin fuel simulator in ratio of 1.4:1.1:1. The temperature at upper periphery of pressure tube (PT) was slightly higher than at bottom due to increase in local equivalent thermal conductivity from top to bottom of PT. To simulate fully voided conditions PT was pressurized at 2.0 MPa pressure with 17.5 kW power injection. Ballooning initiated from center and then propagates towards the ends and hence axial temperature difference has been observed along the length of PT. For asymmetric heating, upper eight rods of fuel simulator were activated and temperature difference up-to 250 °C has been observed from top to bottom periphery of PT. Such situation creates steep circumferential temperature gradient over PT and could lead to breaching of PT under high pressure.

Orbital Angular Momentum-based Space Division Multiplexing for High-capacity Underwater Optical Communications

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

Ren, Yongxiong; Li, Long; Wang, Zhe

To increase system capacity of underwater optical communications, we employ the spatial domain to simultaneously transmit multiple orthogonal spatial beams, each carrying an independent data channel. In this paper, we show up to a 40-Gbit/s link by multiplexing and transmitting four green orbital angular momentum (OAM) beams through a single aperture. Moreover, we investigate the degrading effects of scattering/turbidity, water current, and thermal gradient-induced turbulence, and we find that thermal gradients cause the most distortions and turbidity causes the most loss. We show systems results using two different data generation techniques, one at 1064 nm for 10-Gbit/s/beam and one atmore » 520 nm for 1-Gbit/s/beam; we use both techniques since present data-modulation technologies are faster for infrared (IR) than for green. For the 40-Gbit/s link, data is modulated in the IR, and OAM imprinting is performed in the green using a specially-designed metasurface phase mask. For the 4-Gbit/s link, a green laser diode is directly modulated. Lastly, we show that inter-channel crosstalk induced by thermal gradients can be mitigated using multi-channel equalisation processing.« less

Orbital Angular Momentum-based Space Division Multiplexing for High-capacity Underwater Optical Communications.

PubMed

Ren, Yongxiong; Li, Long; Wang, Zhe; Kamali, Seyedeh Mahsa; Arbabi, Ehsan; Arbabi, Amir; Zhao, Zhe; Xie, Guodong; Cao, Yinwen; Ahmed, Nisar; Yan, Yan; Liu, Cong; Willner, Asher J; Ashrafi, Solyman; Tur, Moshe; Faraon, Andrei; Willner, Alan E

2016-09-12

To increase system capacity of underwater optical communications, we employ the spatial domain to simultaneously transmit multiple orthogonal spatial beams, each carrying an independent data channel. In this paper, we show up to a 40-Gbit/s link by multiplexing and transmitting four green orbital angular momentum (OAM) beams through a single aperture. Moreover, we investigate the degrading effects of scattering/turbidity, water current, and thermal gradient-induced turbulence, and we find that thermal gradients cause the most distortions and turbidity causes the most loss. We show systems results using two different data generation techniques, one at 1064 nm for 10-Gbit/s/beam and one at 520 nm for 1-Gbit/s/beam; we use both techniques since present data-modulation technologies are faster for infrared (IR) than for green. For the 40-Gbit/s link, data is modulated in the IR, and OAM imprinting is performed in the green using a specially-designed metasurface phase mask. For the 4-Gbit/s link, a green laser diode is directly modulated. Finally, we show that inter-channel crosstalk induced by thermal gradients can be mitigated using multi-channel equalisation processing.

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

H.E. Mynick, N. Pomphrey and P. Xanthopoulos

Recent progress in reducing turbulent transport in stellarators and tokamaks by 3D shaping using a stellarator optimization code in conjunction with a gyrokinetic code is presented. The original applications of the method focussed on ion temperature gradient transport in a quasi-axisymmetric stellarator design. Here, an examination of both other turbulence channels and other starting configurations is initiated. It is found that the designs evolved for transport from ion temperature gradient turbulence also display reduced transport from other transport channels whose modes are also stabilized by improved curvature, such as electron temperature gradient and ballooning modes. The optimizer is also appliedmore » to evolving from a tokamak, finding appreciable turbulence reduction for these devices as well. From these studies, improved understanding is obtained of why the deformations found by the optimizer are beneficial, and these deformations are related to earlier theoretical work in both stellarators and tokamaks.« less

Beam-driven acceleration in ultra-dense plasma media

DOE PAGES

Shin, Young-Min

2014-09-15

Accelerating parameters of beam-driven wakefield acceleration in an extremely dense plasma column has been analyzed with the dynamic framed particle-in-cell plasma simulator, and compared with analytic calculations. In the model, a witness beam undergoes a TeV/m scale alternating potential gradient excited by a micro-bunched drive beam in a 10 25 m -3 and 1.6 x 10 28 m -3 plasma column. The acceleration gradient, energy gain, and transformer ratio have been extensively studied in quasi-linear, linear-, and blowout-regimes. The simulation analysis indicated that in the beam-driven acceleration system a hollow plasma channel offers 20 % higher acceleration gradient by enlargingmore » the channel radius (r) from 0.2 Ap to 0.6 .Ap in a blowout regime. This paper suggests a feasibility of TeV/m scale acceleration with a hollow crystalline structure (e.g. nanotubes) of high electron plasma density.« less

Proline transport in Leishmania donovani amastigotes: dependence on pH gradients and membrane potential.

PubMed

Glaser, T A; Mukkada, A J

1992-03-01

Amastigotes of Leishmania donovani develop and multiply within the acidic phagolysosomes of mammalian macrophages. Isolated amastigotes are acidophilic; they catabolize substrates and synthesize macromolecules optimally at pH 5.5. Substrate transport in amastigotes has not been characterized. Here we show that amastigotes exhibit an uphill transport of proline (active transport) with an acid pH optimum (pH 5.5). It is dependent upon metabolic energy and is driven by proton motive force. Agents which selectively disturb the component forces of proton motive force, such as carbonyl cyanide chlorophenylhydrazone, nigericin and valinomycin, inhibit proline transport. Transport is sensitive to dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and insensitive to ouabain, demonstrating the involvement of a proton ATPase in the maintenance of proton motive force. It is suggested that the plasma membrane pH gradient probably makes the greatest contribution to proton motive force that drives substrate transport in the amastigote stage.

Microchip electrospray: improvements in spray and signal stability during gradient elution by an inverted postcolumn makeup flow.

PubMed

Jung, Stephanie; Effelsberg, Uwe; Tallarek, Ulrich

2011-12-01

Dynamic changes in mobile phase composition during high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) gradient elution coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) sensitively affect electrospray modes. We investigate the impact of the eluent composition on spray stability and MS response by infusion and injection experiments with a small tetrapeptide in water-acetonitrile mixtures. The employed HPLC/electrospray (ESI)-MS configuration uses a microchip equipped with an enrichment column, a separation column, and a makeup flow (MUF) channel. One nano pump is connected to the separation column, while a second one delivers solvent of exactly inverted composition to the MUF channel. Both solvent streams are united behind the separation column, before the ESI tip, such that the resulting electrosprayed solution always has identical composition during a gradient elution. Analyte peak parameters without and with MUF compensation are determined and discussed with respect to the electrospray mode and eluent composition. The postcolumn MUF significantly improves spray and signal stability over the entire solvent gradient, without compromising the performance of the HPLC separation column. It can also be conveniently implemented on microchip platforms.

Control of the ZnO nanowires nucleation site using microfluidic channels.

PubMed

Lee, Sang Hyun; Lee, Hyun Jung; Oh, Dongcheol; Lee, Seog Woo; Goto, Hiroki; Buckmaster, Ryan; Yasukawa, Tomoyuki; Matsue, Tomokazu; Hong, Soon-Ku; Ko, HyunChul; Cho, Meoung-Whan; Yao, Takafumi

2006-03-09

We report on the growth of uniquely shaped ZnO nanowires with high surface area and patterned over large areas by using a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microfluidic channel technique. The synthesis uses first a patterned seed template fabricated by zinc acetate solution flowing though a microfluidic channel and then growth of ZnO nanowire at the seed using thermal chemical vapor deposition on a silicon substrate. Variations the ZnO nanowire by seed pattern formed within the microfluidic channel were also observed for different substrates and concentrations of the zinc acetate solution. The photocurrent properties of the patterned ZnO nanowires with high surface area, due to their unique shape, were also investigated. These specialized shapes and patterning technique increase the possibility of realizing one-dimensional nanostructure devices such as sensors and optoelectric devices.

Rip currents and alongshore flows in single channels dredged in the surf zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moulton, Melissa; Elgar, Steve; Raubenheimer, Britt; Warner, John C.; Kumar, Nirnimesh

2017-05-01

To investigate the dynamics of flows near nonuniform bathymetry, single channels (on average 30 m wide and 1.5 m deep) were dredged across the surf zone at five different times, and the subsequent evolution of currents and morphology was observed for a range of wave and tidal conditions. In addition, circulation was simulated with the numerical modeling system COAWST, initialized with the observed incident waves and channel bathymetry, and with an extended set of wave conditions and channel geometries. The simulated flows are consistent with alongshore flows and rip-current circulation patterns observed in the surf zone. Near the offshore-directed flows that develop in the channel, the dominant terms in modeled momentum balances are wave-breaking accelerations, pressure gradients, advection, and the vortex force. The balances vary spatially, and are sensitive to wave conditions and the channel geometry. The observed and modeled maximum offshore-directed flow speeds are correlated with a parameter based on the alongshore gradient in breaking-wave-driven-setup across the nonuniform bathymetry (a function of wave height and angle, water depths in the channel and on the sandbar, and a breaking threshold) and the breaking-wave-driven alongshore flow speed. The offshore-directed flow speed increases with dissipation on the bar and reaches a maximum (when the surf zone is saturated) set by the vertical scale of the bathymetric variability.

Rip currents and alongshore flows in single channels dredged in the surf zone

USGS Publications Warehouse

Moulton, Melissa; Elgar, Steve; Raubenheimer, Britt; Warner, John C.; Kumar, Nirnimesh

2017-01-01

To investigate the dynamics of flows near nonuniform bathymetry, single channels (on average 30 m wide and 1.5 m deep) were dredged across the surf zone at five different times, and the subsequent evolution of currents and morphology was observed for a range of wave and tidal conditions. In addition, circulation was simulated with the numerical modeling system COAWST, initialized with the observed incident waves and channel bathymetry, and with an extended set of wave conditions and channel geometries. The simulated flows are consistent with alongshore flows and rip-current circulation patterns observed in the surf zone. Near the offshore-directed flows that develop in the channel, the dominant terms in modeled momentum balances are wave-breaking accelerations, pressure gradients, advection, and the vortex force. The balances vary spatially, and are sensitive to wave conditions and the channel geometry. The observed and modeled maximum offshore-directed flow speeds are correlated with a parameter based on the alongshore gradient in breaking-wave-driven-setup across the nonuniform bathymetry (a function of wave height and angle, water depths in the channel and on the sandbar, and a breaking threshold) and the breaking-wave-driven alongshore flow speed. The offshore-directed flow speed increases with dissipation on the bar and reaches a maximum (when the surf zone is saturated) set by the vertical scale of the bathymetric variability.

Influence of Wetland and Channel Sediments on Strontium-90 Transport in the Borschi Stream, near Chernobyl

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freed, R.; Smith, L.; Bugai, D.

2001-12-01

In the Borschi watershed, 3 km south of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, we have found the transfer of 90Sr in wetlands pore waters to surface waters and the subsequent flow of wetland surface waters to the stream, largely effect the concentration of 90Sr in the Borschi channel. In Borschi, we have observed that during most of the year, wetlands are the main source of 90Sr contributing to the Borschi stream and channel bottom sediments are a secondary source. Wetland pore waters have at least an order of magnitude higher concentration of 90Sr than all other surface and subsurface waters. Pore water data obtained using peepers shows the 90Sr diffusion gradient is high in near-surface wetland sediments while the 90Sr diffusion gradient is moderate to insignificant in near-surface channel sediments. Channel and wetland sediments are highly depleted in 90Sr compared with immobile nuclear fission products such as europium-154 and can account for all of the 90Sr removed by the stream since the accident. While channel sediments are largely depleted in exchangeable 90Sr, wetland sediments represent a large source of exchangeable 90Sr. Removal of 90Sr by the stream from the wetland and channel sediments is on the same order as mass loss by decay.

Anion exchange pathways for Cl sup minus transport in rabbit renal microvillus membranes

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

Karniski, L.P.; Aronson, P.S.

1987-09-01

The authors evaluated the mechanisms of chloride transport in microvillus membrane vesicles isolated from the rabbit renal cortex. The presence of Cl-formate exchange was confirmed. Outward gradients of oxaloacetate, HCO{sub 3}, acetate, lactate, succinate, sulfate, and p-aminohippurate (PAH) stimulated the rate of Cl uptake minimally or not at all. However, an outward gradient of oxalate stimulated Cl uptake by 70%, and an outward Cl gradient induced uphill oxalate uptake, indicting Cl-oxalate exchange. Moreover, an outward formate gradient induced uphill oxalate uptake, indicating formate-oxalate exchange. Studies of inhibitor and substrate specificity indicated the probably operation of at least two separate anionmore » exchangers in mediating Cl transport. The Cl-formate exchanger accepted Cl and formate as substrates, had little or no affinity for oxalate, was sensitive to inhibition by furosemide, and was less sensitive to inhibition by 4,4{prime}-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2{prime}-disulfonic acid (DIDS). The Cl (formate)-oxalate exchanger also accepted Cl and formate as substrates but had high affinity for oxalate, was highly sensitive to inhibition by DIDS, and was less sensitive to inhibition by furosemide. The Cl-formate exchanger was electroneutral, whereas the Cl (formate)-oxalate exchanger was electrogenic. They conclude that at least separate anion exchangers mediating Cl transport are present on the luminal membrane of the rabbit proximal tubule cell. These exchangers may play important roles in mediating transtubular Cl and oxalate transport in this nephron segment.« less

High performance n-channel thin-film transistors with an amorphous phase C60 film on plastic substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Na, Jong H.; Kitamura, M.; Arakawa, Y.

2007-11-01

We fabricated high mobility, low voltage n-channel transistors on plastic substrates by combining an amorphous phase C60 film and a high dielectric constant gate insulator titanium silicon oxide (TiSiO2). The transistors exhibited high performance with a threshold voltage of 1.13V, an inverse subthreshold swing of 252mV/decade, and a field-effect mobility up to 1cm2/Vs at an operating voltage as low as 5V. The amorphous phase C60 films can be formed at room temperature, implying that this transistor is suitable for corresponding n-channel transistors in flexible organic logic devices.

Spatiotemporal and geometric optimization of sensor arrays for detecting analytes fluids

DOEpatents

Lewis, Nathan S.; Freund, Michael S.; Briglin, Shawn M.; Tokumaru, Phil; Martin, Charles R.; Mitchell, David T.

2006-10-17

Sensor arrays and sensor array systems for detecting analytes in fluids. Sensors configured to generate a response upon introduction of a fluid containing one or more analytes can be located on one or more surfaces relative to one or more fluid channels in an array. Fluid channels can take the form of pores or holes in a substrate material. Fluid channels can be formed between one or more substrate plates. Sensor can be fabricated with substantially optimized sensor volumes to generate a response having a substantially maximized signal to noise ratio upon introduction of a fluid containing one or more target analytes. Methods of fabricating and using such sensor arrays and systems are also disclosed.

Spatiotemporal and geometric optimization of sensor arrays for detecting analytes in fluids

DOEpatents

Lewis, Nathan S [La Canada, CA; Freund, Michael S [Winnipeg, CA; Briglin, Shawn S [Chittenango, NY; Tokumaru, Phillip [Moorpark, CA; Martin, Charles R [Gainesville, FL; Mitchell, David [Newtown, PA

2009-09-29

Sensor arrays and sensor array systems for detecting analytes in fluids. Sensors configured to generate a response upon introduction of a fluid containing one or more analytes can be located on one or more surfaces relative to one or more fluid channels in an array. Fluid channels can take the form of pores or holes in a substrate material. Fluid channels can be formed between one or more substrate plates. Sensor can be fabricated with substantially optimized sensor volumes to generate a response having a substantially maximized signal to noise ratio upon introduction of a fluid containing one or more target analytes. Methods of fabricating and using such sensor arrays and systems are also disclosed.

Behavior of Caulobacter Crescentus Diagnosed Using a 3-Channel Microfluidic Device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Jay; Morse, Michael; Colin, Remy; Wilson, Laurence

2015-03-01

Many motile microorganisms are able to detect chemical gradients in their surroundings in order to bias their motion towards more favorable conditions. We study the biased motility of Caulobacter crescentus, a singly flagellated bacteria, which alternate between forward and backward swimming, driven by its flagella motor, which switches in rotation direction. We observe the swimming patterns of C. crescents in an oxygen gradient, which is established by flowing atmospheric air and pure nitrogen through a 3 parallel channel microfluidic device. In this setup, oxygen diffuses through the PDMS device and the bacterial medium, creating a linear gradient. Using low magnification, dark field microscopy, individual cells are tracked over a large field of view, with particular interest in the cells' motion relative to the oxygen gradient. Utilizing observable differences between backward and forward swimming motion, motor switching events can be identified. By analyzing these run time intervals between motor switches as a function of a cell's local oxygen level, we demonstrate that C. crescentus displays aerotacitc behavior by extending forward swimming run times while moving up an oxygen gradient, resulting in directed motility towards oxygen sources. Additionally, motor switching response is sensitive to both the steepness of the gradient experienced and background oxygen levels with cells exhibiting a logarithmic response to oxygen levels. Work funded by the United States National Science Foundation and by the Rowland Institute at Harvard University.

Influence of temperature gradients on charge transport in asymmetric nanochannels.

PubMed

Benneker, Anne M; Wendt, Hans David; Lammertink, Rob G H; Wood, Jeffery A

2017-10-25

Charge selective asymmetric nanochannels are used for a variety of applications, such as nanofluidic sensing devices and energy conversion applications. In this paper, we numerically investigate the influence of an applied temperature difference over tapered nanochannels on the resulting charge transport and flow behavior. Using a temperature-dependent formulation of the coupled Poisson-Nernst-Planck and Navier-Stokes equations, various nanochannel geometries are investigated. Temperature has a large influence on the total ion transport, as the diffusivity of ions and viscosity of the solution are strongly affected by temperature. We find that the selectivity of the nanochannels is enhanced with increasing asymmetry ratios, while the total current is reduced at higher asymmetry cases. Most interestingly, we find that applying a temperature gradient along the electric field and along the asymmetry direction of the nanochannel enhances the selectivity of the tapered channels even further, while a temperature gradient countering the electric field reduces the selectivity of the nanochannel. Current rectification is enhanced in asymmetric nanochannels if a temperature gradient is applied, independent of the direction of the temperature difference. However, the degree of rectification is dependent on the direction of the temperature gradient with respect to the channel geometry and the electric field direction. The enhanced selectivity of nanochannels due to applied temperature gradients could result in more efficient operation in energy harvesting or desalination applications, motivating experimental investigations.

Modified acyl-ACP desaturase

DOEpatents

Cahoon, E.B.; Shanklin, J.; Lindgvist, Y.; Schneider, G.

1998-01-06

Disclosed is a method for modifying the chain length and double bond positional specificities of a soluble plant fatty acid desaturase. More specifically, the method involves modifying amino acid contact residues in the substrate binding channel of the soluble fatty acid desaturase which contact the fatty acid. Specifically disclosed is the modification of an acyl-ACP desaturase. Amino acid contact residues which lie within the substrate binding channel are identified, and subsequently replaced with different residues to effect the modification of activity. 1 fig.

Modified Acyl-ACP desaturase

DOEpatents

Cahoon, E.B.; Shanklin, J.; Lindqvist, Y.; Schneider, G.

1999-03-30

Disclosed is a method for modifying the chain length and double bond positional specificities of a soluble plant fatty acid desaturase. More specifically, the method involves modifying amino acid contact residues in the substrate binding channel of the soluble fatty acid desaturase which contact the fatty acid. Specifically disclosed is the modification of an acyl-ACP desaturase. Amino acid contact residues which lie within the substrate binding channel are identified, and subsequently replaced with different residues to effect the modification of activity. 2 figs.

High Efficiency Photovoltaic and Plasmonic Devices

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-07-01

on Si or SOI substrate along with its band alignment. This elongated mesa forms a strip channel aveguide……………………………….…4 Figure 3 Radiative and...lattice matched GeSn relaxed buffer on Si or SOI substrate along with its band alignment. This elongated mesa forms a strip channel waveguide...Appl. Phys. Lett. 90, 251105 (2007). 8. R. A. Soref and C. H. Perry, J. Appl. Phys. 69, 539 (1991). 9. H. P. L. de Guevara, A. G. Rodriguez , H

Fabricating a hybrid imaging device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wadsworth, Mark (Inventor); Atlas, Gene (Inventor)

2003-01-01

A hybrid detector or imager includes two substrates fabricated under incompatible processes. An array of detectors, such as charged-coupled devices, are formed on the first substrate using a CCD fabrication process, such as a buried channel or peristaltic process. One or more charge-converting amplifiers are formed on a second substrate using a CMOS fabrication process. The two substrates are then bonded together to form a hybrid detector.

Dryland anabranching river morphodynamics: Río Capilla, Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jiaguang; Bristow, Charlie S.; Luthi, Stefan M.; Donselaar, Marinus E.

2015-12-01

The dryland anabranching river Río Capilla is characterized by nonvegetated and vegetated reaches with prominent channel morphology. To identify the morphodynamics of such dryland anabranching systems and their controls, we investigated the Río Capilla of the southern Altiplano Plateau using high-resolution satellite imagery and field measurements. Comparison of high-resolution satellite data reveals that erosion exceeds deposition for the main channel, accompanied by changes in channel planform, such as meander and channel morphology. On-site surveys combined with high-precision GPS and high-resolution satellite imagery show that channels are characterized by shallowness and poor development of levees. The study area of the Río Capilla is divided into two zones of different slopes: zone 1 with a high slope and zone 2 with a low slope. Zone 1 has a relatively straight main channel with few anabranches and grass-covered banks that are stable despite the high gradient; whereas zone 2 is typified by more anabranches with nonvegetated banks, and the main channel experiences prominent bank accretion and erosion. Excavations show that point-bar deposits are fine-sand-dominated in two reaches and that river banks primarily consist of silt and clay. The limited vegetation cover and abundance of desiccation cracks and macropores make the river bank more erodible leading to pronounced lateral migration in this low-gradient dryland river system. Shallow channels and poor development of levees in combination with in-channel accretionary benches result in frequent overbank flooding, which results in a high density of crevasse splays over unconsolidated river banks and accretionary benches. Connection of headcuts and crevasse channels together with lateral migration and chute channels and reactivation of partially abandoned meanders produces an anabranching pattern in such dryland river systems.

Modeling lateral circulation and its influence on the along-channel flow in a branched estuary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Lei; He, Qing; Shen, Jian

2018-02-01

A numerical modeling study of the influence of the lateral flow on the estuarine exchange flow was conducted in the north passage of the Changjiang estuary. The lateral flows show substantial variabilities within a flood-ebb tidal cycle. The strong lateral flow occurring during flood tide is caused primarily by the unique cross-shoal flow that induces a strong northward (looking upstream) barotropic force near the surface and advects saltier water toward the northern part of the channel, resulting in a southward baroclinic force caused by the lateral density gradient. Thus, a two-layer structure of lateral flows is produced during the flood tide. The lateral flows are vigorous near the flood slack and the magnitude can exceed that of the along-channel tidal flow during that period. The strong vertical shear of the lateral flows and the salinity gradient in lateral direction generate lateral tidal straining, which are out of phase with the along-channel tidal straining. Consequently, stratification is enhanced at the early stage of the ebb tide. In contrast, strong along-channel straining is apparent during the late ebb tide. The vertical mixing disrupts the vertical density gradient, thus suppressing stratification. The impact of lateral straining on stratification during spring tide is more pronounced than that of along-channel straining during late flood and early ebb tides. The momentum balance along the estuary suggests that lateral flow can augment the residual exchange flow. The advection of lateral flows brings low-energy water from the shoal to the deep channel during the flood tide, whereas the energetic water is moved to the shoal via lateral advection during the ebb tide. The impact of lateral flow on estuarine circulation of this multiple-channel estuary is different from single-channel estuary. A model simulation by blocking the cross-shoal flow shows that the magnitudes of lateral flows and tidal straining are reduced. Moreover, the reduced lateral tidal straining results in a decrease in vertical stratification from the late flood to early ebb tides during the spring tide. By contrast, the along-channel tidal straining becomes dominant. The model results illustrate the important dynamic linkage between lateral flows and estuarine dynamics in the Changjiang estuary.

A continuous flow microfluidic calorimeter: 3-D numerical modeling with aqueous reactants.

PubMed

Sen, Mehmet A; Kowalski, Gregory J; Fiering, Jason; Larson, Dale

2015-03-10

A computational analysis of the reacting flow field, species diffusion and heat transfer processes with thermal boundary layer effects in a microchannel reactor with a coflow configuration was performed. Two parallel adjacent streams of aqueous reactants flow along a wide, shallow, enclosed channel in contact with a substrate, which is affixed to a temperature controlled plate. The Fluent computational fluid dynamics package solved the Navier-Stokes, mass transport and energy equations. The energy model, including the enthalpy of reaction as a nonuniform heat source, was validated by calculating the energy balance at several control volumes in the microchannel. Analysis reveals that the temperature is nearly uniform across the channel thickness, in the direction normal to the substrate surface; hence, measurements made by sensors at or near the surface are representative of the average temperature. Additionally, modeling the channel with a glass substrate and a silicone cover shows that heat transfer is predominantly due to the glass substrate. Finally, using the numerical results, we suggest that a microcalorimeter could be based on this configuration, and that temperature sensors such as optical nanohole array sensors could have sufficient spatial resolution to determine enthalpy of reaction.

A continuous flow microfluidic calorimeter: 3-D numerical modeling with aqueous reactants

PubMed Central

Sen, Mehmet A.; Kowalski, Gregory J.; Fiering, Jason; Larson, Dale

2015-01-01

A computational analysis of the reacting flow field, species diffusion and heat transfer processes with thermal boundary layer effects in a microchannel reactor with a coflow configuration was performed. Two parallel adjacent streams of aqueous reactants flow along a wide, shallow, enclosed channel in contact with a substrate, which is affixed to a temperature controlled plate. The Fluent computational fluid dynamics package solved the Navier–Stokes, mass transport and energy equations. The energy model, including the enthalpy of reaction as a nonuniform heat source, was validated by calculating the energy balance at several control volumes in the microchannel. Analysis reveals that the temperature is nearly uniform across the channel thickness, in the direction normal to the substrate surface; hence, measurements made by sensors at or near the surface are representative of the average temperature. Additionally, modeling the channel with a glass substrate and a silicone cover shows that heat transfer is predominantly due to the glass substrate. Finally, using the numerical results, we suggest that a microcalorimeter could be based on this configuration, and that temperature sensors such as optical nanohole array sensors could have sufficient spatial resolution to determine enthalpy of reaction. PMID:25937678

Kcne2 Deletion Creates a Multisystem Syndrome Predisposing to Sudden Cardiac Death

PubMed Central

Hu, Zhaoyang; Kant, Ritu; Anand, Marie; King, Elizabeth C.; Krogh-Madsen, Trine; Christini, David J.; Abbott, Geoffrey W.

2014-01-01

Background Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading global cause of mortality, exhibiting increased incidence in diabetics. Ion channel gene perturbations provide a well-established ventricular arrhythmogenic substrate for SCD. However, most arrhythmia susceptibility genes - including the KCNE2 K+ channel β subunit - are expressed in multiple tissues, suggesting potential multiplex SCD substrates. Methods and Results Using “whole transcript” transcriptomics, we uncovered cardiac angiotensinogen upregulation and remodeling of cardiac angiotensinogen interaction networks in P21 Kcne2−/− mouse pups, and adrenal remodeling consistent with metabolic syndrome in adult Kcne2−/− mice. This led to the discovery that Kcne2 disruption causes multiple acknowledged SCD substrates of extracardiac origin: diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hyperkalemia, anemia and elevated angiotensin II. Kcne2 deletion was also prerequisite for aging-dependent QT prolongation, ventricular fibrillation and SCD immediately following transient ischemia, and fasting-dependent hypoglycemia, myocardial ischemia and atrioventricular block. Conclusions Disruption of a single, widely expressed arrhythmia susceptibility gene can generate a multisystem syndrome comprising manifold electrical and systemic substrates and triggers of SCD. This paradigm is expected to apply to other arrhythmia susceptibility genes, the majority of which encode ubiquitously expressed ion channel subunits or regulatory proteins. PMID:24403551

Substrate transport and anion permeation proceed through distinct pathways in glutamate transporters

PubMed Central

Cheng, Mary Hongying; Torres-Salazar, Delany; Gonzalez-Suarez, Aneysis D; Amara, Susan G; Bahar, Ivet

2017-01-01

Advances in structure-function analyses and computational biology have enabled a deeper understanding of how excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) mediate chloride permeation and substrate transport. However, the mechanism of structural coupling between these functions remains to be established. Using a combination of molecular modeling, substituted cysteine accessibility, electrophysiology and glutamate uptake assays, we identified a chloride-channeling conformer, iChS, transiently accessible as EAAT1 reconfigures from substrate/ion-loaded into a substrate-releasing conformer. Opening of the anion permeation path in this iChS is controlled by the elevator-like movement of the substrate-binding core, along with its wall that simultaneously lines the anion permeation path (global); and repacking of a cluster of hydrophobic residues near the extracellular vestibule (local). Moreover, our results demonstrate that stabilization of iChS by chemical modifications favors anion channeling at the expense of substrate transport, suggesting a mutually exclusive regulation mediated by the movement of the flexible wall lining the two regions. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.25850.001 PMID:28569666

Effects of substrate voltage on noise characteristics and hole lifetime in SOI metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor photon detector.

PubMed

Putranto, Dedy Septono Catur; Priambodo, Purnomo Sidi; Hartanto, Djoko; Du, Wei; Satoh, Hiroaki; Ono, Atsushi; Inokawa, Hiroshi

2014-09-08

Low-frequency noise and hole lifetime in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) are analyzed, considering their use in photon detection based on single-hole counting. The noise becomes minimum at around the transition point between front- and back-channel operations when the substrate voltage is varied, and increases largely on both negative and positive sides of the substrate voltage showing peculiar Lorentzian (generation-recombination) noise spectra. Hole lifetime is evaluated by the analysis of drain current histogram at different substrate voltages. It is found that the peaks in the histogram corresponding to the larger number of stored holes become higher as the substrate bias becomes larger. This can be attributed to the prolonged lifetime caused by the higher electric field inside the body of SOI MOSFET. It can be concluded that, once the inversion channel is induced for detection of the photo-generated holes, the small absolute substrate bias is favorable for short lifetime and low noise, leading to high-speed operation.

Cryogenic Temperature-Gradient Foam/Substrate Tensile Tester

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vailhe, Christophe

2003-01-01

The figure shows a fixture for measuring the tensile strength of the bond between an aluminum substrate and a thermally insulating polymeric foam. The specimen is meant to be representative of insulating foam on an aluminum tank that holds a cryogenic liquid. Prior to the development of this fixture, tensile tests of this type were performed on foam/substrate specimens immersed in cryogenic fluids. Because the specimens were cooled to cryogenic temperatures throughout their thicknesses, they tended to become brittle and to fracture at loads below true bond tensile strengths. The present fixture is equipped to provide a thermal gradient from cryogenic temperature at the foam/substrate interface to room temperature on the opposite foam surface. The fixture includes an upper aluminum block at room temperature and a lower aluminum block cooled to -423 F (approx. -253 C) by use of liquid helium. In preparation for a test, the metal outer surface (the lower surface) of a foam/substrate specimen is bonded to the lower block and the foam outer surface (the upper surface) of the specimen is bonded to the upper block. In comparison with the through-the-thickness cooling of immersion testing, the cryogenic-to-room-temperature thermal gradient that exists during testing on this fixture is a more realistic approximation of the operational thermal condition of sprayed insulating foam on a tank of cryogenic liquid. Hence, tensile tests performed on this fixture provide more accurate indications of operational bond tensile strengths. In addition, the introduction of the present fixture reduces the cost of testing by reducing the amount of cryogenic liquid consumed and the time needed to cool a specimen.

Neutrophil adhesion and chemotaxis depend on substrate mechanics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jannat, Risat A.; Robbins, Gregory P.; Ricart, Brendon G.; Dembo, Micah; Hammer, Daniel A.

2010-05-01

Neutrophil adhesion to the vasculature and chemotaxis within tissues play critical roles in the inflammatory response to injury and pathogens. Unregulated neutrophil activity has been implicated in the progression of numerous chronic and acute diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and sepsis. Cell migration of anchorage-dependent cells is known to depend on both chemical and mechanical interactions. Although neutrophil responses to chemical cues have been well characterized, little is known about the effect of underlying tissue mechanics on neutrophil adhesion and migration. To address this question, we quantified neutrophil migration and traction stresses on compliant hydrogel substrates with varying elasticity in a micromachined gradient chamber in which we could apply either a uniform concentration or a precise gradient of the bacterial chemoattractant fMLP. Neutrophils spread more extensively on substrates of greater stiffness. In addition, increasing the stiffness of the substrate leads to a significant increase in the chemotactic index for each fMLP gradient tested. As the substrate becomes stiffer, neutrophils generate higher traction forces without significant changes in cell speed. These forces are often displayed in pairs and focused in the uropod. Increases in the mean fMLP concentration beyond the KD of the receptor lead to a decrease in chemotactic index on all surfaces. Blocking with an antibody against β2-integrins leads to a significant reduction, but not an elimination, of directed motility on stiff materials, but no change in motility on soft materials, suggesting neutrophils can display both integrin-dependent and integrin-independent motility. These findings are critical for understanding how neutrophil migration may change in different mechanical environments in vivo and can be used to guide the design of migration inhibitors that more efficiently target inflammation.

Macroinvertebrate colonization dynamics on artificial substrates along an algal resource gradient

Treesearch

A. Braccia; S.L. Eggert; N. King

2014-01-01

Riparian canopy removal and land use may introduce multiple stressors that can alter food and habitat for stream organisms, but the influence of these alterations on macroinvertebrate colonization dynamics is less well known. A field study involving the simultaneous placement and removal of artificial substrates was performed to examine how macroinvertebrate...

Preparation of asymmetric porous materials

DOEpatents

Coker, Eric N [Albuquerque, NM

2012-08-07

A method for preparing an asymmetric porous material by depositing a porous material film on a flexible substrate, and applying an anisotropic stress to the porous media on the flexible substrate, where the anisotropic stress results from a stress such as an applied mechanical force, a thermal gradient, and an applied voltage, to form an asymmetric porous material.

Primary succession on a Hawaiian dryland chronosequence

Treesearch

Kealohanuiopuna M. Kinney; Gregory P. Asner; Susan Cordell; Oliver A. Chadwick; Katherine Heckman; Sara Hotchkiss; Marjeta Jeraj; Ty Kennedy-Bowdoin; David E. Knapp

2015-01-01

We used measurements from airborne imaging spectroscopy and LiDAR to quantify the biophysical structure and composition of vegetation on a dryland substrate age gradient in Hawaii. Both vertical stature and species composition changed during primary succession, and reveal a progressive increase in vertical stature on younger substrates followed by a collapse on...

Full-field measurement of surface topographies and thin film stresses at elevated temperatures by digital gradient sensing method.

PubMed

Zhang, Changxing; Qu, Zhe; Fang, Xufei; Feng, Xue; Hwang, Keh-Chih

2015-02-01

Thin film stresses in thin film/substrate systems at elevated temperatures affect the reliability and safety of such structures in microelectronic devices. The stresses result from the thermal mismatch strain between the film and substrate. The reflection mode digital gradient sensing (DGS) method, a real-time, full-field optical technique, measures deformations of reflective surface topographies. In this paper, we developed this method to measure topographies and thin film stresses of thin film/substrate systems at elevated temperatures. We calibrated and compensated for the air convection at elevated temperatures, which is a serious problem for optical techniques. We covered the principles for surface topography measurements by the reflection mode DGS method at elevated temperatures and the governing equations to remove the air convection effects. The proposed method is applied to successfully measure the full-field topography and deformation of a NiTi thin film on a silicon substrate at elevated temperatures. The evolution of thin film stresses obtained by extending Stoney's formula implies the "nonuniform" effect the experimental results have shown.

Towards an Integrated QR Code Biosensor: Light-Driven Sample Acquisition and Bacterial Cellulose Paper Substrate.

PubMed

Yuan, Mingquan; Jiang, Qisheng; Liu, Keng-Ku; Singamaneni, Srikanth; Chakrabartty, Shantanu

2018-06-01

This paper addresses two key challenges toward an integrated forward error-correcting biosensor based on our previously reported self-assembled quick-response (QR) code. The first challenge involves the choice of the paper substrate for printing and self-assembling the QR code. We have compared four different substrates that includes regular printing paper, Whatman filter paper, nitrocellulose membrane and lab synthesized bacterial cellulose. We report that out of the four substrates bacterial cellulose outperforms the others in terms of probe (gold nanorods) and ink retention capability. The second challenge involves remote activation of the analyte sampling and the QR code self-assembly process. In this paper, we use light as a trigger signal and a graphite layer as a light-absorbing material. The resulting change in temperature due to infrared absorption leads to a temperature gradient that then exerts a diffusive force driving the analyte toward the regions of self-assembly. The working principle has been verified in this paper using assembled biosensor prototypes where we demonstrate higher sample flow rate due to light induced thermal gradients.

Novel silicon microchannels device for use in red blood cell deformability studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Xiao-Lin; Liao, Yan-Jian; Zhang, Wen-Xian

2001-10-01

Currently, a number of techniques are used to access cell deformability. We study a novel silicon microchannels device for use in red blood cell deformability. The channels are produced in silicon substrate using microengineering technology. The microgrooves formed in the surface of a single-crystal silicon substrate. They were converted to channels by tightly covering them with an optical flat glass plate. An array of flow channels (number 950 in parallel) have typical dimensions of 5 micrometers width X 5.5 Xm depth, and 30 micrometers length. There the RBC's are forced to pass through channels. Thus, the microchannels are used to simulate human blood capillaries. It provides a specific measurement of individual cell in terms of both flow velocity profile and an index of cell volume while the cell flow through the channels. It dominates the complex cellular flow behavior, such as, the viscosity of whole blood is a nonlinear function of shear rate, index of filtration, etc.

High-power single spatial mode AlGaAs channeled-substrate-planar semiconductor diode lasers for spaceborne communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Connolly, J. C.; Carlin, D. B.; Ettenberg, M.

1989-01-01

A high power single spatial mode channeled substrate planar AlGaAs semiconductor diode laser was developed. The emission wavelength was optimized at 860 to 880 nm. The operating characteristics (power current, single spatial mode behavior, far field radiation patterns, and spectral behavior) and results of computer modeling studies on the performance of the laser are discussed. Reliability assessment at high output levels is included. Performance results on a new type of channeled substrate planar diode laser incorporating current blocking layers, grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition, to more effectively focus the operational current to the lasing region was demonstrated. The optoelectronic behavior and fabrication procedures for this new diode laser are discussed. The highlights include single spatial mode devices with up to 160 mW output at 8600 A, and quantum efficiencies of 70 percent (1 W/amp) with demonstrated operating lifetimes of 10,000 h at 50 mW.

Wildfire Effects on In-stream Nutrient Processing and Hydrologic Transport

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rhea, A.; Covino, T. P.; Rhoades, C.; Fegel, T.

2017-12-01

In many forests throughout the Western U.S., drought, climate change, and growing fuel loads are contributing to increased fire frequency and severity. Wildfires can influence watershed nutrient retention as they fundamentally alter the biological composition and physical structure in upland landscapes, riparian corridors, and stream channels. While numerous studies have documented substantial short-term increases in stream nutrient concentrations and export (particularly reactive nitrogen, N) following forest fires, the long-term implications for watershed nutrient cycling remain unclear. For example, recent work indicates that nitrate concentrations and export can remain elevated for a decade or more following wildfire, yet the controls on these processes are unknown. In this research, we use empirical observations from nutrient tracer injections, nutrient diffusing substrates, and continuous water quality monitoring to isolate biological and physical controls on nutrient export across a burn-severity gradient. Tracer results demonstrate substantial stream-groundwater exchange, but little biological nutrient uptake in burned streams. This in part explains patterns of elevated nutrient export. Paired nutrient diffusing substrate experiments allow us to further investigate shifts in N, phosphorus, and carbon limitation that may suppress post-fire stream nutrient uptake. By isolating the mechanisms that reduce the capacity of fire-affected streams to retain and transform nutrient inputs, we can better predict dynamics in post-fire water quality and help prioritize upland and riparian restoration.

Valleys and Hillslopes: A Geomorphic Foundation for Landscape Ecology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, Y. E.; Johnson, E. A.

2004-12-01

Moisture-nutrient gradients have been found to be the most important environmental gradients determining the distribution and composition of plant communities. Landscapes on which plant communities exist are composed of valleys and ridgelines, with hillslopes in between them. Since water flow paths are directed down slopes, processes determining hillslope morphology and arrangement play an essential role in plant community organization and dynamics. Hillslope morphology, substrate characteristics and climate determine flow routing and water budgets along slopes. Wetness is a function of transmissivity, contributing area and slope gradient. Movement of nutrients along hillslopes generally follows wetness values, and is affected by soil type. Plant species have different tolerances to wetness and nutrients; hillslope length and slope angle determine the moisture-nutrient gradient, and in turn the shape of plant tolerance curves. Temporal scales required for significant topographic change along hillslopes may often be long compared to those for plant community dynamics. When considered in landscape ecology, hillslope shape and arrangement are thus often considered constants. Although landscape morphology may change over time and among different regions (with tectonic, geomorphic and climatic processes leaving their imprints on landscapes), an attempt has been made in the literature to put forth robust topographic scaling relations. This paper, using a series of examples, explores connections between landscape structure and plant communities. For example, Hack's law states that drainage basins become more elongate as area increases. This implies that basins should have approximately the same proportion of landscape in each hillslope position, suggesting some constancy in contributing area patterns for hillslopes in different-sized basins. Distributions of wetness values and plant population tolerance curves seem to confirm this for smaller basins. Hillslope length and steepness are related to drainage density and relative relief. Various studies have sought relations between drainage density and slope gradient; the latter is a determinant of wetness values. Studies have found both negative and positive correlations between drainage density and slope gradient. The nature of hillslope processes (e.g., overland flow vs. mass wasting dominated, or quickly eroding vs. slowly eroding landscapes) has been used to explain the correlation. It has also been suggested that the degree of channelization may be important in determining slope steepness. Plant species respond to steeper slopes by having narrower tolerance curves and less overlap with other species. This has important implications for biodiversity and plant community organization.

Flight Performance of a Functionally Gradient Material, TUFI, on Shuttle Orbiter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leister, Daniel B.; Stewart, David A.; DiFiore, Robert; Tipton, Bradford; Gordon, Michael P.; Arnold, Jim (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

TUFI (Toughened Uni-Piece Fibrous Insulation), a functionally gradient material has been successfully flying on the Shuttle Orbiters in several locations on two insulation substrates over the past few years. TUFI is composed of insulation and a gradated surface treatment. The locations it has flown include the base heat shield where damage had been observed after every flight before its application. It was also applied to the body flap, the bottom of the body flap and around selected windows and doors where damage had been observed in the past. A description of the types of processing used including substrates will be presented and its overall performance will be reviewed.

Persistence-Driven Durotaxis: Generic, Directed Motility in Rigidity Gradients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Novikova, Elizaveta A.; Raab, Matthew; Discher, Dennis E.; Storm, Cornelis

2017-02-01

Cells move differently on substrates with different rigidities: the persistence time of their motion is higher on stiffer substrates. We show that this behavior—in and of itself—results in a net flux of cells directed up a soft-to-stiff gradient. Using simple random walk models with varying persistence and stochastic simulations, we characterize the propensity to move in terms of the durotactic index also measured in experiments. A one-dimensional model captures the essential features and highlights the competition between diffusive spreading and linear, wavelike propagation. Persistence-driven durokinesis is generic and may be of use in the design of instructive environments for cells and other motile, mechanosensitive objects.

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

Hooper, R. J.; Adams, D. P.; Hirschfeld, D.

The rapid release of energy from reactive multilayer foils can create extreme local temperature gradients near substrate materials. To fully exploit the potential of these materials, a better understanding of the interaction between the substrate or filler material and the foil is needed. In particular, this work investigates how variations in local properties within the substrate (i.e. differences between properties in constituent phases) can affect heat transport into the substrate. Furthermore, this can affect the microstructural evolution observed within the substrate, which may affect the final joint properties. The effect of the initial substrate microstructure on microstructural evolution within themore » heat-affected zone is evaluated experimentally in two Sn-Zn alloys and numerical techniques are utilized to inform the analysis.« less

Fabricating a hybrid imaging device having non-destructive sense nodes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wadsworth, Mark (Inventor); Atlas, Gene (Inventor)

2001-01-01

A hybrid detector or imager includes two substrates fabricated under incompatible processes. An array of detectors, such as charged-coupled devices, are formed on the first substrate using a CCD fabrication process, such as a buried channel or peristaltic process. One or more charge-converting amplifiers are formed on a second substrate using a CMOS fabrication process. The two substrates are then bonded together to form a hybrid detector.

High mobility La-doped BaSnO3 on non-perovskite MgO substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Youjung; Shin, Juyeon; Kim, Young Mo; Char, Kookrin

(Ba,La)SnO3 is a transparent perovskite oxide with high electron mobility and excellent oxygen stability. Field effect device with (Ba,La)SnO3 channel was reported to show good output characteristics on STO substrate. Here, we fabricated (Ba,La)SnO3\\ films and field effect devices with (Ba,La)SnO3 channel on non-perovskite MgO substrates, which are available in large size wafers. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images of (Ba,La)SnO3\\ films on MgO substrates show that the films are epitaxial with many threading dislocations. (Ba,La)SnO3 exhibits the high mobility with 97.2 cm2/Vs at 2 % La doping on top of 150 nm thick BaSnO3 buffer layer. Excellent carrier modulation was observed in field effect devices. FET performances on MgO substrates are slightly better than those on SrTiO3 substrates in spite of the higher dislocation density on MgO than on SrTiO3 substrates. These high mobility BaSnO3 thin films and transistors on MgO substrates will accelerate development for applications in high temperature and high power electronics. Samsung Science and Technology Foundation.

Development of Ca2+ hotspots between Lymnaea neurons during synaptogenesis

PubMed Central

Feng, Zhong-Ping; Grigoriev, Nikita; Munno, David; Lukowiak, Ken; MacVicar, Brian A; Goldberg, Jeffrey I; Syed, Naweed I

2002-01-01

Calcium (Ca2+) channel clustering at specific presynaptic sites is a hallmark of mature synapses. However, the spatial distribution patterns of Ca2+ channels at newly formed synapses have not yet been demonstrated. Similarly, it is unclear whether Ca2+ ‘hotspots’ often observed at the presynaptic sites are indeed target cell contact specific and represent a specialized mechanism by which Ca2+ channels are targeted to select synaptic sites. Utilizing both soma–soma paired (synapsed) and single neurons from the mollusk Lymnaea, we have tested the hypothesis that differential gradients of voltage-dependent Ca2+ signals develop in presynaptic neuron at its contact point with the postsynaptic neuron; and that these Ca2+ hotspots are target cell contact specific. Fura-2 imaging, or two-photon laser scanning microscopy of Calcium Green, was coupled with electrophysiological techniques to demonstrate that voltage-induced Ca2+ gradients (hotspots) develop in the presynaptic cell at its contact point with the postsynaptic neuron, but not in unpaired single cells. The incidence of Ca2+ hotspots coincided with the appearance of synaptic transmission between the paired cells, and these gradients were target cell contact specific. In contrast, the voltage-induced Ca2+ signal in unpaired neurons was uniformly distributed throughout the somata; a similar pattern of Ca2+ gradient was observed in the presynaptic neuron when it was soma–soma paired with a non-synaptic partner cell. Moreover, voltage clamp recording techniques, in conjunction with a fast, optical differential perfusion system, were used to demonstrate that the total whole-cell Ca2+ (or Ba2+) current density in single and paired cells was not significantly different. However, the amplitude of Ba2+ current was significantly higher in the presynaptic cell at its contact side with the postsynaptic neurons, compared with non-contacted regions. In summary, this study demonstrates that voltage-induced Ca2+ hotspots develop in the presynaptic cell, concomitant with the appearance of synaptic transmission between the soma–soma paired cells. The appearance of Ca2+ gradients in presynaptic neurons is target cell contact specific and is probably due to a spatial redistribution of existing channels during synaptogenesis. PMID:11850501

Bathymetric controls on sediment transport in the Hudson River estuary: Lateral asymmetry and frontal trapping

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ralston, David K.; Geyer, W. Rockwell; Warner, John C.

2012-01-01

Analyses of field observations and numerical model results have identified that sediment transport in the Hudson River estuary is laterally segregated between channel and shoals, features frontal trapping at multiple locations along the estuary, and varies significantly over the spring-neap tidal cycle. Lateral gradients in depth, and therefore baroclinic pressure gradient and stratification, control the lateral distribution of sediment transport. Within the saline estuary, sediment fluxes are strongly landward in the channel and seaward on the shoals. At multiple locations, bottom salinity fronts form at bathymetric transitions in width or depth. Sediment convergences near the fronts create local maxima in suspended-sediment concentration and deposition, providing a general mechanism for creation of secondary estuarine turbidity maxima at bathymetric transitions. The lateral bathymetry also affects the spring-neap cycle of sediment suspension and deposition. In regions with broad, shallow shoals, the shoals are erosional and the channel is depositional during neap tides, with the opposite pattern during spring tides. Narrower, deeper shoals are depositional during neaps and erosional during springs. In each case, the lateral transfer is from regions of higher to lower bed stress, and depends on the elevation of the pycnocline relative to the bed. Collectively, the results indicate that lateral and along-channel gradients in bathymetry and thus stratification, bed stress, and sediment flux lead to an unsteady, heterogeneous distribution of sediment transport and trapping along the estuary rather than trapping solely at a turbidity maximum at the limit of the salinity intrusion.

Field estimates of floc dynamics and settling velocities in a tidal creek with significant along-channel gradients in velocity and SPM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwarz, C.; Cox, T.; van Engeland, T.; van Oevelen, D.; van Belzen, J.; van de Koppel, J.; Soetaert, K.; Bouma, T. J.; Meire, P.; Temmerman, S.

2017-10-01

A short-term intensive measurement campaign focused on flow, turbulence, suspended particle concentration, floc dynamics and settling velocities were carried out in a brackish intertidal creek draining into the main channel of the Scheldt estuary. We compare in situ estimates of settling velocities between a laser diffraction (LISST) and an acoustic Doppler technique (ADV) at 20 and 40 cm above bottom (cmab). The temporal variation in settling velocity estimated were compared over one tidal cycle, with a maximum flood velocity of 0.46 m s-1, a maximum horizontal ebb velocity of 0.35 m s-1 and a maximum water depth at high water slack of 2.41 m. Results suggest that flocculation processes play an important role in controlling sediment transport processes in the measured intertidal creek. During high-water slack, particles flocculated to sizes up to 190 μm, whereas at maximum flood and maximum ebb tidal stage floc sizes only reached up to 55 μm and 71 μm respectively. These large differences indicate that flocculation processes are mainly governed by turbulence-induced shear rate. In this study, we specifically recognize the importance of along-channel gradients that places constraints on the application of the acoustic Doppler technique due to conflicts with the underlying assumptions. Along-channel gradients were assessed by additional measurements at a second location and scaling arguments which could be used as an indication whether the Reynolds-flux method is applicable. We further show the potential impact of along-channel advection of flocs out of equilibrium with local hydrodynamics influencing overall floc sizes.

Liquid flow cells having graphene on nitride for microscopy

DOEpatents

Adiga, Vivekananda P.; Dunn, Gabriel; Zettl, Alexander K.; Alivisatos, A. Paul

2016-09-20

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to liquid flow cells for microscopy. In one aspect, a device includes a substrate having a first and a second oxide layer disposed on surfaces of the substrate. A first and a second nitride layer are disposed on the first and second oxide layers, respectively. A cavity is defined in the first oxide layer, the first nitride layer, and the substrate, with the cavity including a third nitride layer disposed on walls of the substrate and the second oxide layer that define the cavity. A channel is defined in the second oxide layer. An inlet port and an outlet port are defined in the second nitride layer and in fluid communication with the channel. A plurality of viewports is defined in the second nitride layer. A first graphene sheet is disposed on the second nitride layer covering the plurality of viewports.

High-quality GaN epitaxially grown on Si substrate with serpentine channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Tiantian; Zong, Hua; Jiang, Shengxiang; Yang, Yue; Liao, Hui; Xie, Yahong; Wang, Wenjie; Li, Junze; Tang, Jun; Hu, Xiaodong

2018-06-01

A novel serpentine-channeled mask was introduced to Si substrate for low-dislocation GaN epitaxial growth and the fully coalesced GaN film on the masked Si substrate was achieved for the first time. Compared with the epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELOG) growth method, this innovative mask only requires one-step epitaxial growth of GaN which has only one high-dislocation region per mask opening. This new growth method can effectively reduce dislocation density, thus improving the quality of GaN significantly. High-quality GaN with low dislocation density ∼2.4 × 107 cm-2 was obtained, which accounted for about eighty percent of the GaN film in area. This innovative technique is promising for the growth of high-quality GaN templates and the subsequent fabrication of high-performance GaN-based devices like transistors, laser diodes (LDs), and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on Si substrate.

Gravikinesis in Stylonychia mytilus is based on membrane potential changes.

PubMed

Krause, Martin; Bräucker, Richard; Hemmersbach, Ruth

2010-01-01

The graviperception of the hypotrichous ciliate Stylonychia mytilus was investigated using electrophysiological methods and behavioural analysis. It is shown that Stylonychia can sense gravity and thereby compensates sedimentation rate by a negative gravikinesis. The graviresponse consists of a velocity-regulating physiological component (negative gravikinesis) and an additional orientational component. The latter is largely based on a physical mechanism but might, in addition, be affected by the frequency of ciliary reversals, which is under physiological control. We show that the external stimulus of gravity is transformed to a physiological signal, activating mechanosensitive calcium and potassium channels. Earlier electrophysiological experiments revealed that these ion channels are distributed in the manner of two opposing gradients over the surface membrane. Here, we show, for the first time, records of gravireceptor potentials in Stylonychia that are presumably based on this two-gradient system of ion channels. The gravireceptor potentials had maximum amplitudes of approximately 4 mV and slow activation characteristics (0.03 mV s(-1)). The presumptive number of involved graviperceptive ion channels was calculated and correlates with the analysis of the locomotive behaviour.

Segregation physics of a macroscale granular ratchet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhateja, Ashish; Sharma, Ishan; Singh, Jayant K.

2017-05-01

New experiments with multigrain mixtures in a laterally shaken, horizontal channel show complete axial segregation of species. The channel consists of multiple concatenated trapeziums, and superficially resembles microratchets wherein asymmetric geometries and potentials transport, and sort, randomly agitated microscopic particles. However, the physics of our macroscale granular ratchet is fundamentally different, as macroscopic segregation is gravity driven. Our observations are not explained by classical granular segregation theories either. Motivated by the experiments, extensive parallelized discrete element simulations reveal that the macroratchet differentiates grains through hierarchical bidirectional segregation over two different time scales: Grains rapidly sort vertically into horizontal bands spanning the channel's length that, subsequently, slowly separate axially, driven by strikingly gentle, average interfacial pressure gradients acting over long distances. At its maximum, the pressure gradient responsible for axial separation was due to a change in height of about two big grain diameters (d =7 mm) over a meter-long channel. The strong directional segregation achieved by the granular macroratchet has practical importance, while identifying the underlying new physics will further our understanding of granular segregation in industrial and geophysical processes.

Anabranching rivers on the Northern Plains of arid central Australia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tooth, Stephen; Nanson, Gerald C.

1999-09-01

Anabranching rivers are a widespread feature of the Northern Plains in the Alice Springs region of central Australia but their unusual characteristics previously have not been described. On the Northern Plains, anabranching occurs on rivers transporting bedloads of coarse sand and gravel and is characterised by channels of variable size and shape which occur within a broader, typically well-defined, channel-train. Channels are separated by channel-train ridges—narrow, flow-aligned, vegetated features—or by wider islands. Ridges and islands are either depositional features (formed in situ by accretionary processes) or erosional features (formed by excision from once-continuous areas of floodplain). Vegetation plays a key role in the initiation, survival and growth of depositional forms through its influence on flow, sediment transport and ridge and island stability. Anabranching is also related to the influence of tributaries, for some large rivers alternate from single-thread to anabranching along their length in response to tributary inputs of water and sediment. Tributary inputs occur during flow events that are either independent from, or in concert with, floods in the trunk channel. Ridges and islands form in association with tributaries as a result of various hydrological, depositional and erosional processes, including irrigation of enhanced numbers of in-channel trees and resulting lee-side sediment accretion, floodplain scour, and the formation and maintenance of deferred-junction tributaries. The change from single-thread to anabranching downstream of tributary junctions occurs in the absence of any significant change in channel gradient or degree of channel confinement. On the Northern Plains, anabranching appears to be a stable river pattern that helps to maintain the throughput of relatively coarse sediment in low-gradient (typically 0.0005-0.002) channels characterised by an abundance of within-channel vegetation and subject to declining downstream discharges.

Controllable Ag nanostructure patterning in a microfluidic channel for real-time SERS systems.

PubMed

Leem, Juyoung; Kang, Hyun Wook; Ko, Seung Hwan; Sung, Hyung Jin

2014-03-07

We present a microfluidic patterning system for fabricating nanostructured Ag thin films via a polyol method. The fabricated Ag thin films can be used immediately in a real-time SERS sensing system. The Ag thin films are formed on the inner surfaces of a microfluidic channel so that a Ag-patterned Si wafer and a Ag-patterned PDMS channel are produced by the fabrication. The optimum sensing region and fabrication duration for effective SERS detection were determined. As SERS active substrates, the patterned Ag thin films exhibit an enhancement factor (EF) of 4.25 × 10(10). The Ag-patterned polymer channel was attached to a glass substrate and used as a microfluidic sensing system for the real-time monitoring of biomolecule concentrations. This microfluidic patterning system provides a low-cost process for the fabrication of materials that are useful in medical and pharmaceutical detection and can be employed in mass production.

Thermoelectric generator and method for the fabrication thereof

DOEpatents

Benson, David K.; Tracy, C. Edwin

1987-01-01

A thermoelectric generator using semiconductor elements for responding to a temperature gradient to produce electrical energy with all of the semiconductor elements being of the same type is disclosed. A continuous process for forming substrates on which the semiconductor elements and superstrates are deposited and a process for forming the semiconductor elements on the substrates are also disclosed. The substrates with the semiconductor elements thereon are combined with superstrates to form modules for use thermoelectric generators.

Thermoelectric generator and method for the fabrication thereof

DOEpatents

Benson, D.K.; Tracy, C.E.

1984-08-01

A thermoelectric generator using semiconductor elements for responding to a temperature gradient to produce electrical energy with all of the semiconductor elements being of the same type is disclosed. A continuous process for forming substrates on which the semiconductor elements and superstrates are deposited and a process for forming the semiconductor elements on the substrates are also disclosed. The substrates with the semiconductor elements thereon are combined with superstrates to form modules for use as thermoelectric generators.

The relative influence of geographic location and reach-scale habitat on benthic invertebrate assemblages in six ecoregions

USGS Publications Warehouse

Munn, M.D.; Waite, I.R.; Larsen, D.P.; Herlihy, A.T.

2009-01-01

The objective of this study was to determine the relative influence of reach-specific habitat variables and geographic location on benthic invertebrate assemblages within six ecoregions across the Western USA. This study included 417 sites from six ecoregions. A total of 301 taxa were collected with the highest richness associated with ecoregions dominated by streams with coarse substrate (19-29 taxa per site). Lowest richness (seven to eight taxa per site) was associated with ecoregions dominated by fine-grain substrate. Principle component analysis (PCA) on reach-scale habitat separated the six ecoregions into those in high-gradient mountainous areas (Coast Range, Cascades, and Southern Rockies) and those in lower-gradient ecoregions (Central Great Plains and Central California Valley). Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMS) models performed best in ecoregions dominated by coarse-grain substrate and high taxa richness, along with coarse-grain substrates sites combined from multiple ecoregions regardless of location. In contrast, ecoregions or site combinations dominated by fine-grain substrate had poor model performance (high stress). Four NMS models showed that geographic location (i.e. latitude and longitude) was important for: (1) all ecoregions combined, (2) all sites dominated by coarse-grain sub strate combined, (3) Cascades Ecoregion, and (4) Columbia Ecoregion. Local factors (i.e. substrate or water temperature) seem to be overriding factors controlling invertebrate composition across the West, regardless of geographic location. ?? The Author(s) 2008.

Na+/substrate Coupling in the Multidrug Antiporter NorM Probed with a Spin-labeled Substrate

PubMed Central

Steed, P. Ryan; Stein, Richard A.; Mishra, Smriti; Goodman, Michael C.; Mchaourab, Hassane S.

2013-01-01

NorM of the multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) family of transporters couples the efflux of a broad range of hydrophobic molecules to an inward Na+ gradient across the cell membrane. Several crystal structures of MATE transporters revealed distinct substrate binding sites leading to differing models of the mechanism of ion-coupled substrate extrusion. In the experiments reported here, we observed that a spin-labeled derivative of daunorubicin, Ruboxyl, is transported by NorM from Vibrio cholerae. It is therefore ideal to characterize mechanistically relevant binding interactions with NorM and to directly address the coupling of ion and drug binding. Fluorescence and EPR experiments revealed that Ruboxyl binds to NorM with micromolar affinity and becomes immobilized upon binding, even in the presence of Na+. Using double electron-electron resonance (DEER) spectroscopy, we determined that Ruboxyl binds to a single site on the periplasmic side of the protein. The presence of Na+ did not translocate the substrate to a second site as previously proposed. These experiments surprisingly show that Na+ does not affect the affinity or location of the substrate binding site on detergent-solubilized NorM, thus suggesting that additional factors beyond simple mutual exclusivity of binding, such as the presence of a Na+ gradient across the native membrane, govern Na+/drug coupling during antiport. PMID:23902581

Compact microchannel system

DOEpatents

Griffiths, Stewart

2003-09-30

The present invention provides compact geometries for the layout of microchannel columns through the use of turns and straight channel segments. These compact geometries permit the use of long separation or reaction columns on a small microchannel substrate or, equivalently, permit columns of a fixed length to occupy a smaller substrate area. The new geometries are based in part on mathematical analyses that provide the minimum turn radius for which column performance in not degraded. In particular, we find that straight channel segments of sufficient length reduce the required minimum turn radius, enabling compact channel layout when turns and straight segments are combined. The compact geometries are obtained by using turns and straight segments in overlapped or nested arrangements to form pleated or coiled columns.

Three-dimensional microfluidic channel with arbitrary length and configuration fabricated inside glass by femtosecond laser direct writing.

PubMed

Liao, Yang; Ju, Yongfeng; Zhang, Long; He, Fei; Zhang, Qiang; Shen, Yinglong; Chen, Danping; Cheng, Ya; Xu, Zhizhan; Sugioka, Koji; Midorikawa, Katsumi

2010-10-01

We demonstrate, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, fabrication of three-dimensional microfluidic channels with arbitrary lengths and configurations inside glass by femtosecond laser direct writing. The main fabrication process includes two steps: (1) direct formation of hollow microchannels in a porous glass substrate immersed in water by femtosecond laser ablation and (2) postannealing of the glass substrate at ∼1150°C by which the porous glass can be consolidated. We show that a square-wavelike channel with a total length of ∼1.4 cm and a diameter of ∼64 μm can be easily produced ∼250 μm beneath the glass surface.

Biological Assessment to Support Ecological Recovery of a Degraded Headwater System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Longing, Scott D.; Haggard, Brian E.

2010-09-01

An assessment of the benthic macroinvertebrate community was conducted to characterize the ecological recovery of a channelized main stem and two small tributaries at the Watershed Research and Education Center (WREC, Arkansas, USA). Three other headwater streams in the same basin were also sampled as controls and for biological reference information. A principal components analysis produced stream groupings along an overall gradient of physical habitat integrity, with degraded reaches showing lower RBP habitat scores, reduced flow velocities, smaller substrate sizes, greater conductivity, and higher percentages of sand and silt substrate. The benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage at WREC was dominated by fast-reproducing dipteran larvae (midge and mosquito larvae) and physid snails, which comprised 71.3% of the total macroinvertebrate abundance over three sampling periods. Several macroinvertebrate assemblage metrics should provide effective targets for monitoring overall improvements in the invertebrate assemblage including recovery towards a more complex food web (e.g., total number of taxa, number of EPT taxa, percent 2 dominant taxa). However, current habitat conditions and the extent of existing degradation, system isolation and surrounding urban or agricultural land-uses might affect the level of positive change to the system. We therefore suggest a preliminary restoration strategy involving the addition of pool habitats in the system. At one pool we collected a total of 29 taxa (dominated by water beetle predators), which was 59% of total number of taxa collected at WREC. Maintaining water-retentive pools to collect flows and maintain water permanence focuses on enhancing known biology and habitat, thus reducing the effects of abiotic filters on macroinvertebrate assemblage recovery. Furthermore, biological assessment prior to restoration supports a strategy primarily focused on improving the existing macroinvertebrate community in the current context of the system, thereby reducing costs associated with active channel restoration. Monitoring future biological recovery and determining the contribution of changing assemblages to specific ecological processes would provide a critical underpinning for adaptive management and ecologically-effective restoration.

Explaining linkages (and lack of) between riparian vegetation biodiversity and geomorphic complexity in restored streams of northern Sweden

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Polvi, Lina; Maher Hasselquist, Eliza; Nilsson, Christer

2014-05-01

Ecological theory suggests that species richness and habitat heterogeneity are positively correlated; therefore stream restoration often relies on increasing geomorphic complexity to promote biodiversity. However, past studies have failed to demonstrate a link between post-restoration biodiversity and geomorphic complexity. These studies have usually relied on only one metric for quantifying complexity, rather than a holistic metric for complexity that represents several aspects of the channel morphology, and have based their observations in catchments with widespread land-use impacts. We use a geomorphic complexity gradient based on five geomorphic aspects (longitudinal, cross-sectional, planform, sediment texture, and instream wood) to determine whether streams with higher levels of complexity also have greater riparian vegetation biodiversity. We also compare biodiversity values with the potential complexity of reaches based on the large-scale controls of valley and channel gradient and the presence of large glacial legacy sediment (boulders). We focus on tributary channels in boreal forests of northern Sweden, where stream modification associated with log-floating from the 1850s to the 1960s created highly simplified channels. Driven by concerns for fish, restoration began in the 1970s by returning large cobbles and boulders into the main channel from the channel edge, and evolved into 'demonstration restoration,' placing very large boulders and trees into the channel, reopening side channels, and constructing fish spawning areas. We evaluate 22 reaches along tributaries of the Vindel River in northern Sweden with four restoration statuses: channelized, restored, demonstration restored, and unimpacted. Detailed morphologic, sediment, and instream wood data allow calculation of 29 metrics of geomorphic complexity, from which a complexity gradient was identified using multivariate statistics. The percent cover of riparian vegetation was identified in 0.5 x 0.5 m plots at three elevations above the low water stage (0, 40, and 80 cm) along five transects; additionally, we determined which species were present within the entire riparian zone (60 m long reach, up to 80 cm elevation). Three metrics of biodiversity were calculated on the plot level (richness, Shannon's diversity index, and evenness); only richness could be examined at the reach scale. There are significant relationships between riparian vegetation biodiversity and the overall complexity gradient at the medium elevation and, based on some metrics, at the low elevation. However, these relationships are not fully explanatory or always linear, explaining up to ~40% of the variability and often being logarithmic. We conclude that reach-scale restoration of increasing complexity in a catchment without significant land-use impacts can have positive effects on biodiversity. However, there are several limiting factors in addition to channel complexity that affect the recovery of riparian zones after restoration: the potential complexity of a reach based on large-scale controls, time since restoration—which is a disturbance in itself, buffer distance to timber harvesting, distance and connectivity to colonist sources, and upland species (e.g., spruce trees) that have managed to colonize when the riparian zone was separated from the channel.

75 FR 30779 - Notice of Jointly Owned Invention Available for Licensing

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-02

... substrate to the product in a reaction medium, introducing a run buffer into a separation channel having an inlet end, selectively introducing at least one of the substrate and the product of the reaction medium...

Slack sodium-activated potassium channel membrane expression requires p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation.

PubMed

Gururaj, Sushmitha; Fleites, John; Bhattacharjee, Arin

2016-04-01

p38 MAPK has long been understood as an inducible kinase under conditions of cellular stress, but there is now increasing evidence to support its role in the regulation of neuronal function. Several phosphorylation targets have been identified, an appreciable number of which are ion channels, implicating the possible involvement of p38 MAPK in neuronal excitability. The KNa channel Slack is an important protein to be studied as it is highly and ubiquitously expressed in DRG neurons and is important in the maintenance of their firing accommodation. We sought to examine if the Slack channel could be a substrate of p38 MAPK activity. First, we found that the Slack C-terminus contains two putative p38 MAPK phosphorylation sites that are highly conserved across species. Second, we show via electrophysiology experiments that KNa currents and further, Slack currents, are subject to tonic modulation by p38 MAPK. Third, biochemical approaches revealed that Slack channel regulation by p38 MAPK occurs through direct phosphorylation at the two putative sites of interaction, and mutating both sites prevented surface expression of Slack channels. Based on these results, we conclude that p38 MAPK is an obligate regulator of Slack channel function via the trafficking of channels into the membrane. The present study identifies Slack KNa channels as p38 MAPK substrates. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Slack Sodium-activated Potassium Channel Membrane Expression Requires p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Phosphorylation

PubMed Central

Gururaj, Sushmitha; Fleites, John; Bhattacharjee, Arin

2016-01-01

p38 MAPK has long been understood as an inducible kinase under conditions of cellular stress, but there is now increasing evidence to support its role in the regulation of neuronal function. Several phosphorylation targets have been identified, an appreciable number of which are ion channels, implicating the possible involvement of p38 MAPK in neuronal excitability. The KNa channel Slack is an important protein to be studied as it is highly and ubiquitously expressed in DRG neurons and is important in the maintenance of their firing accommodation. We sought to examine if the Slack channel could be a substrate of p38 MAPK activity. First, we found that the Slack C-terminus contains two putative p38 MAPK phosphorylation sites that are highly conserved across species. Second, we show via electrophysiology experiments that KNa currents and further, Slack currents, are subject to tonic modulation by p38 MAPK. Third, biochemical approaches revealed that Slack channel regulation by p38 MAPK occurs through direct phosphorylation at the two putative sites of interaction, and mutating both sites prevented surface expression of Slack channels. Based on these results, we conclude that p38 MAPK is an obligate regulator of Slack channel function via the trafficking of channels into the membrane. The present study identifies Slack KNa channels as p38 MAPK substrates. PMID:26721627

Macroscale Transformation Optics Enabled by Photoelectrochemical Etching.

PubMed

Barth, David S; Gladden, Christopher; Salandrino, Alessandro; O'Brien, Kevin; Ye, Ziliang; Mrejen, Michael; Wang, Yuan; Zhang, Xiang

2015-10-28

Photoelectrochemical etching of silicon can be used to form lateral refractive index gradients for transformation optical devices. This technique allows the fabrication of macroscale devices with large refractive index gradients. Patterned porous layers can also be lifted from the substrate and transferred to other materials, creating more possibilities for novel devices. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Online oxygen monitoring using integrated inkjet-printed sensors in a liver-on-a-chip system.

PubMed

Moya, A; Ortega-Ribera, M; Guimerà, X; Sowade, E; Zea, M; Illa, X; Ramon, E; Villa, R; Gracia-Sancho, J; Gabriel, G

2018-06-12

The demand for real-time monitoring of cell functions and cell conditions has dramatically increased with the emergence of organ-on-a-chip (OOC) systems. However, the incorporation of co-cultures and microfluidic channels in OOC systems increases their biological complexity and therefore makes the analysis and monitoring of analytical parameters inside the device more difficult. In this work, we present an approach to integrate multiple sensors in an extremely thin, porous and delicate membrane inside a liver-on-a-chip device. Specifically, three electrochemical dissolved oxygen (DO) sensors were inkjet-printed along the microfluidic channel allowing local online monitoring of oxygen concentrations. This approach demonstrates the existence of an oxygen gradient up to 17.5% for rat hepatocytes and 32.5% for human hepatocytes along the bottom channel. Such gradients are considered crucial for the appearance of zonation of the liver. Inkjet printing (IJP) was the selected technology as it allows drop on demand material deposition compatible with delicate substrates, as used in this study, which cannot withstand temperatures higher than 130 °C. For the deposition of uniform gold and silver conductive inks on the porous membrane, a primer layer using SU-8 dielectric material was used to seal the porosity of the membrane at defined areas, with the aim of building a uniform sensor device. As a proof-of-concept, experiments with cell cultures of primary human and rat hepatocytes were performed, and oxygen consumption rate was stimulated with carbonyl-cyanide-4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP), accelerating the basal respiration of 0.23 ± 0.07 nmol s-1/106 cells up to 5.95 ± 0.67 nmol s-1/106 cells s for rat cells and the basal respiration of 0.17 ± 0.10 nmol s-1/106 cells by up to 10.62 ± 1.15 nmol s-1/106 cells for human cells, with higher oxygen consumption of the cells seeded at the outflow zone. These results demonstrate that the approach of printing sensors inside an OOC has tremendous potential because IJP is a feasible technique for the integration of different sensors for evaluating metabolic activity of cells, and overcomes one of the major challenges still remaining on how to tap the full potential of OOC systems.

Long-range transverse spin Seebeck effect in permalloy stripes using Sagnac interferometer microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Haoliang; McLaughlin, Ryan; Sun, Dali; Valy Vardeny, Z.

2018-04-01

Coupling of spins and phonons in ferromagnets (FM) may persist up to mm length scale, thus generating macroscopic spatially distributed spin accumulation along the direction of an applied thermal gradient to an FM slab. This typical feature of transverse spin Seebeck effect (TSSE) has been demonstrated so far using electrical detection methods in FM films, in particular in a patterned structure, in which FM stripes grown onto a substrate perpendicular to the applied thermal gradient direction are electrically and magnetically isolated. Here we report optically detected TSSE response in isolated FM stripes based on permalloy deposited on SiN substrate, upon the application of a thermal gradient. For these measurements we used the magneto-optic Kerr effect measured by an ultrasensitive Sagnac interferometer microscope that is immune to thermo-electrics artefacts. We found that the optical TSSE coefficient in the NiFe stripes geometry is about one order of magnitude smaller than that in the continuous NiFe film, which is due to the limited phonons path in the FM stripes along the thermal gradient direction. Our results further confirm the existence of TSSE response in conducting FM compounds.

Optically controlled electrophoresis with a photoconductive substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inami, Wataru; Nagashima, Taiki; Kawata, Yoshimasa

2018-05-01

A photoconductive substrate is used to perform electrophoresis. Light-induced micro-particle flow manipulation is demonstrated without using a fabricated flow channel. The path along which the particles were moved was formed by an illuminated light pattern on the substrate. Because the substrate conductivity and electric field distribution can be modified by light illumination, the forces acting on the particles can be controlled. This technique has potential applications as a high functionality analytical device.

Gating connexin 43 channels reconstituted in lipid vesicles by mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation.

PubMed

Kim, D Y; Kam, Y; Koo, S K; Joe, C O

1999-02-26

The regulation of gap junctional permeability by phosphorylation was examined in a model system in which connexin 43 (Cx43) gap junction hemichannels were reconstituted in lipid vesicles. Cx43 was immunoaffinity-purified from rat brain, and Cx43 channels were reconstituted into unilamellar phospholipid liposomes. The activities of the reconstituted channels were measured by monitoring liposome permeability. Liposomes containing the Cx43 protein were fractionated on the basis of permeability to sucrose using sedimentation in an iso-osmolar density gradient. The gradient allowed separation of the sucrose-permeable and -impermeable liposomes. Liposomes that were permeable to sucrose were also permeable to the communicating dye molecule lucifer yellow. Permeability, and therefore activity of the reconstituted Cx43 channels, were directly dependent on the state of Cx43 phosphorylation. The permeability of liposomes containing Cx43 channels was increased by treatment of liposomes with calf intestinal phosphatase. Moreover, liposomes formed with Cx43 that had been dephosphorylated by calf intestinal phosphatase treatment showed increased permeability to sucrose. The role of phosphorylation in the gating mechanism of Cx43 channels was supported further by the observation that phosphorylation of Cx43 by mitogen-activated protein kinase reversibly reduced the permeability of liposomes containing dephosphorylated Cx43. Our results show a direct correlation between gap junctional permeability and the phosphorylation state of Cx43.

Geometric pumping in autophoretic channels.

PubMed

Michelin, Sébastien; Montenegro-Johnson, Thomas D; De Canio, Gabriele; Lobato-Dauzier, Nicolas; Lauga, Eric

2015-08-07

Many microfluidic devices use macroscopic pressure differentials to overcome viscous friction and generate flows in microchannels. In this work, we investigate how the chemical and geometric properties of the channel walls can drive a net flow by exploiting the autophoretic slip flows induced along active walls by local concentration gradients of a solute species. We show that chemical patterning of the wall is not required to generate and control a net flux within the channel, rather channel geometry alone is sufficient. Using numerical simulations, we determine how geometric characteristics of the wall influence channel flow rate, and confirm our results analytically in the asymptotic limit of lubrication theory.

High-throughput growth temperature optimization of ferroelectric SrxBa1-xNb2O6 epitaxial thin films using a temperature gradient method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohkubo, I.; Christen, H. M.; Kalinin, Sergei V.; Jellison, G. E.; Rouleau, C. M.; Lowndes, D. H.

2004-02-01

We have developed a multisample film growth method on a temperature-gradient substrate holder to quickly optimize the film growth temperature in pulsed-laser deposition. A smooth temperature gradient is achieved, covering a range of temperatures from 200 to 830 °C. In a single growth run, the optimal growth temperature for SrxBa1-xNb2O6 thin films on MgO(001) substrates was determined to be 750 °C, based on results from ellipsometry and piezoresponse force microscopy. Variations in optical properties and ferroelectric domains structures were clearly observed as function of growth temperature, and these physical properties can be related to their different crystalline quality. Piezoresponse force microscopy indicated the formation of uniform ferroelectric film for deposition temperatures above 750 °C. At 660 °C, isolated micron-sized ferroelectric islands were observed, while samples deposited below 550 °C did not exhibit clear piezoelectric contrast.

Physical and technological principles of designing layer-gradient multicomponent surfaces by combining the methods of ion-diffusion saturation and magnetron- and vacuum-arc deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Savostikov, V. M.; Potekaev, A. I.; Tabachenko, A. N.

2011-12-01

Using a technological system proposed by the authors, a combined process is developed for formation of stratified-gradient surface layers and multicomponent coatings. It is implemented under the conditions of a combined serial-parallel operation of a hot-cathode gas plasma generator and a duomagnetron with two targets and two electric-arc evaporators. The extended functional potential is ensured by using advanced multi-element and multi-phase cathode targets made of borides, carbides, silicides, and sulfides of metals produced by the SHS-process followed by their immediate compaction. The variations in composition, structure, and physicomechanical properties in the cross-section of the stratified-gradient surface layers and coating is provided by a predetermined alternating replacement of the sputtered cathode targets of the plasma sources, the plasma flow intensity ratios, and variation in the particle energy incident on the substrate, which is determined by the accelerating voltage on the substrate.

Planar Superconducting Millimeter-Wave/Terahertz Channelizing Filter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ehsan, Negar; U-yen, Kongpop; Brown, Ari; Hsieh, Wen-Ting; Wollack, Edward; Moseley, Samuel

2013-01-01

This innovation is a compact, superconducting, channelizing bandpass filter on a single-crystal (0.45 m thick) silicon substrate, which operates from 300 to 600 GHz. This device consists of four channels with center frequencies of 310, 380, 460, and 550 GHz, with approximately 50-GHz bandwidth per channel. The filter concept is inspired by the mammalian cochlea, which is a channelizing filter that covers three decades of bandwidth and 3,000 channels in a very small physical space. By using a simplified physical cochlear model, and its electrical analog of a channelizing filter covering multiple octaves bandwidth, a large number of output channels with high inter-channel isolation and high-order upper stopband response can be designed. A channelizing filter is a critical component used in spectrometer instruments that measure the intensity of light at various frequencies. This embodiment was designed for MicroSpec in order to increase the resolution of the instrument (with four channels, the resolution will be increased by a factor of four). MicroSpec is a revolutionary wafer-scale spectrometer that is intended for the SPICA (Space Infrared Telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics) Mission. In addition to being a vital component of MicroSpec, the channelizing filter itself is a low-resolution spectrometer when integrated with only an antenna at its input, and a detector at each channel s output. During the design process for this filter, the available characteristic impedances, possible lumped element ranges, and fabrication tolerances were identified for design on a very thin silicon substrate. Iterations between full-wave and lumped-element circuit simulations were performed. Each channel s circuit was designed based on the availability of characteristic impedances and lumped element ranges. This design was based on a tabular type bandpass filter with no spurious harmonic response. Extensive electromagnetic modeling for each channel was performed. Four channels, with 50-GHz bandwidth, were designed, each using multiple transmission line media such as microstrip, coplanar waveguide, and quasi-lumped components on 0.45- m thick silicon. In the design process, modeling issues had to be overcome. Due to the extremely high frequencies, very thin Si substrate, and the superconducting metal layers, most commercially available software fails in various ways. These issues were mitigated by using alternative software that was capable of handling them at the expense of greater simulation time. The design of on-chip components for the filter characterization, such as a broadband antenna, Wilkinson power dividers, attenuators, detectors, and transitions has been completed.

Image defog algorithm based on open close filter and gradient domain recursive bilateral filter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Daqian; Liu, Wanjun; Zhao, Qingguo; Fei, Bowen

2017-11-01

To solve the problems of fuzzy details, color distortion, low brightness of the image obtained by the dark channel prior defog algorithm, an image defog algorithm based on open close filter and gradient domain recursive bilateral filter, referred to as OCRBF, was put forward. The algorithm named OCRBF firstly makes use of weighted quad tree to obtain more accurate the global atmospheric value, then exploits multiple-structure element morphological open and close filter towards the minimum channel map to obtain a rough scattering map by dark channel prior, makes use of variogram to correct the transmittance map,and uses gradient domain recursive bilateral filter for the smooth operation, finally gets recovery images by image degradation model, and makes contrast adjustment to get bright, clear and no fog image. A large number of experimental results show that the proposed defog method in this paper can be good to remove the fog , recover color and definition of the fog image containing close range image, image perspective, the image including the bright areas very well, compared with other image defog algorithms,obtain more clear and natural fog free images with details of higher visibility, what's more, the relationship between the time complexity of SIDA algorithm and the number of image pixels is a linear correlation.

Developmental profile of SK2 channel expression and function in CA1 neurons

PubMed Central

Ballesteros-Merino, Carmen; Lin, Mike; Wu, Wendy W.; Ferrandiz-Huertas, Clotilde; Cabañero, María J.; Watanabe, Masahiko; Fukazawa, Yugo; Shigemoto, Ryuichi; Maylie, James; Adelman, John P.; Luján, Rafael

2012-01-01

We investigated the temporal and spatial expression of SK2 in the developing mouse hippocampus using molecular and biochemical techniques, quantitative immunogold electron microscopy and electrophysiology. The mRNA encoding SK2 was expressed in the developing and adult hippocampus. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry showed that SK2 protein increased with age. This was accompanied by a shift in subcellular localization. Early in development (P5), SK2 was predominantly localized to the endoplasmic reticulum in the pyramidal cell layer. But by P30 SK2 was almost exclusively expressed in the dendrites and spines. The level of SK2 at the postsynaptic density (PSD) also increased during development. In the adult, SK2 expression on the spine plasma membrane showed a proximal-to-distal gradient. Consistent with this redistribution and gradient of SK2, the selective SK channel blocker apamin increased evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) only in CA1 pyramidal neurons from mice older than P15. However, the effect of apamin on EPSPs was not different between synapses in proximal or distal stratum radiatum or stratum lacunosum-moleculare in adult. These results show a developmental increase and gradient in SK2-containing channel surface expression that underlie their influence on neurotransmission, and that may contribute to increased memory acquisition during early development. PMID:22072564

A Galilean and tensorial invariant k-epsilon model for near wall turbulence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yang, Z.; Shih, T. H.

1993-01-01

A k-epsilon model is proposed for wall bounded turbulent flows. In this model, the eddy viscosity is characterized by a turbulent velocity scale and a turbulent time scale. The time scale is bounded from below by the Kolmogorov time scale. The dissipation rate equation is reformulated using this time scale and no singularity exists at the wall. A new parameter R = k/S(nu) is introduced to characterize the damping function in the eddy viscosity. This parameter is determined by local properties of both the mean and the turbulent flow fields and is free from any geometry parameter. The proposed model is then Galilean and tensorial invariant. The model constants used are the same as in the high Reynolds number Standard k-epsilon Model. Thus, the proposed model will also be suitable for flows far from the wall. Turbulent channel flows and turbulent boundary layer flows with and without pressure gradients are calculated. Comparisons with the data from direct numerical simulations and experiments show that the model predictions are excellent for turbulent channel flows and turbulent boundary layers with favorable pressure gradients, good for turbulent boundary layers with zero pressure gradients, and fair for turbulent boundary layer with adverse pressure gradients.

Mapping Spatial Distributions of Stream Power and Channel Change along a Gravel-Bed River in Northern Yellowstone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lea, D. M.; Legleiter, C. J.

2014-12-01

Stream power represents the rate of energy expenditure along a river and can be calculated using topographic data acquired via remote sensing. This study used remotely sensed data and field measurements to quantitatively relate temporal changes in the form of Soda Butte Creek, a gravel-bed river in northeastern Yellowstone National Park, to stream power gradients along an 8 km reach. Aerial photographs from 1994-2012 and cross-section surveys were used to assess lateral channel mobility and develop a morphologic sediment budget for quantifying net sediment flux for a series of budget cells. A drainage area-to-discharge relationship and digital elevation model (DEM) developed from LiDAR data were used to obtain the discharge and slope values, respectively, needed to calculate stream power. Local and lagged relationships between mean stream power gradient at median peak discharge and volumes of erosion, deposition, and net sediment flux were quantified via spatial cross-correlation analyses. Similarly, autocorrelations of locational probabilities and sediment fluxes were used to examine spatial patterns of channel mobility and sediment transfer. Energy expended above critical stream power was calculated for each time period to relate the magnitude and duration of peak flows to the total volume of sediment eroded or deposited during each time increment. Our results indicated a lack of strong correlation between stream power gradients and sediment flux, which we attributed to the geomorphic complexity of the Soda Butte Creek watershed and the inability of our relatively simple statistical approach to link sediment dynamics expressed at a sub-budget cell scale to larger-scale driving forces such as stream power gradients. Future studies should compare the moderate spatial resolution techniques used in this study to very-high resolution data acquired from new fluvial remote sensing technologies to better understand the amount of error associated with stream power, sediment transport, and channel change calculated from historical datasets.

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

Kim, Young Jin

The PowerPoint presentation focused on research goals, specific information about the atomic magnetometer, response and resolution factors of the SERF magnetometer, FC+AM systems, tests of field transfer and resolution on FC, gradient cancellation, testing of AM performance, ideas for a multi-channel AM, including preliminary sensitivity testing, and a description of a 6 channel DAQ system. A few ideas for future work ended the presentation.

Low-pressure, high-temperature thermal bonding of polymeric microfluidic devices and their applications for electrophoretic separation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Yi; Chian Kwok, Yien; Nguyen, Nam-Trung

2006-08-01

A new method for thermally bonding poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) substrates has been demonstrated. PMMA substrates are first engraved by CO2-laser micromachining to form microchannels. Both channel width and depth can be adjusted by varying the laser power and scanning speed. Channel depths from 50 µm to 1500 µm and widths from 150 µm to 400 µm are attained. CO2 laser is also used for drilling and dicing of the PMMA parts. Considering the thermal properties of PMMA, a novel thermal bonding process with high temperature and low bonding pressure has been developed for assembling PMMA sheets. A high bonding strength of 2.15 MPa is achieved. Subsequent inspection of the cross sections of several microdevices reveals that the dimensions of the channels are well preserved during the bonding process. Electroosmotic mobility of the ablated channel is measured to be 2.47 × 10-4 cm2 V-1 s-1. The functionality of these thermally bonded microfluidic substrates is demonstrated by performing rapid and high-resolution electrophoretic separations of mixture of fluorescein and carboxyfluorescein as well as double-stranded DNA ladders (ΦX174-Hae III dsDNA digest). The performance of the CO2 laser ablated and thermally bonded PMMA devices compares favorably with those fabricated by other professional means.

Dissimilar viscosity induced sample pre-concentration in elecrokinetic nanofluidic channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wink, Dean; Shelton, Elijah; Pennathur, Sumita; Storey, Brian

2013-11-01

Nanofluidic analysis systems boast many advantages: portability, small sample handling, short processing times, and potential for integration with mobile electronics. However, such systems face the challenge of detecting increasingly small volumes of sample at low concentrations. In this work, we demonstrate a unique pre-concentration technique in electrokinetic nanofluidic systems based on a viscosity mismatch between two fluids. In nanofluidic electrokinetic systems, finite electric double layers (EDL) lead to non-uniform electric potentials and transverse concentration distributions. Therefore, when the EDL is comparable in size to the channel height, negatively charged ions are repelled from negatively charged walls and preferentially populate the channel centerline. Furthermore, an axial piecewise viscosity distribution induces internal pressure gradients within the channel. These force the ions to move at a different average velocities based on the pressure gradient being favorable or adverse, leading to focusing. To experimentally probe this phenomenon, we electrokinetically inject solutions of borate buffer with and without glycerol (to change the viscosity) and use a fluorescent tracer dye to visualize the flow. We perform the injections in cross-geometry channels of 20 micron, 1 micron, and 250 nanometer depths. We measure fluorescence at 5, 10 and 15 mm distances from junction. Enhancement is characterized by comparing intensities to control measurements for systems with uniform viscosity.

Climatic effects on decomposing litter and substrate chemistry along climatological gradients.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berg, B.

2009-04-01

Climatic effects on decomposing litter and substrate chemistry along climatological gradients. B. Berg, Dipartimento Biologia Strutturale e Funzionale, Complesso Universitario, Monte San Angelo, via Cintia, I-80126 Napoli, Italy and Department of Forest Ecology, P.O. Box 27, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014, Helsinki, Finland. Studies of several processes, using climatic gradients do provide new information as compared with studies at e.g. a single site. Decomposition of plant litter in such gradients give response in decomposition rates to natural climate conditions. Thus Scots pine needle litter incubated in a climate gradient with annual average temperature (AVGT) ranging from -0.5 to 6.8oC had a highly significant increase in initial mass-loss rate with R2 = 0.591 (p<0.001) and a 5o increase in temperature doubled the mass-loss rate. As a contrast - needle litter of Norway spruce incubated in the same transect had no significant response to climate and for initial litter a 5o increase increased mass-loss rate c. 6%. For more decomposed Scots pine litter we could see that the effect of temperature on mass-loss rate gradually decreased until it disappeared. Long-term decomposition studies revealed differences in litter decomposition patterns along a gradient, even for the same type of litter. This could be followed by using an asymptotic function that gave, (i) a measure a maximum level of decomposition, (ii) the initial decomposition rate. Over a gradient the calculated maximum level of decomposition decreased with increasing AVGT. Other gradient studies revealed an effect of AVGT on litter chemical composition. Pine needle litter from stands under different climate conditions had nutrient concentrations related to AVGT. Thus N, P, K, and S were positively related to AVGT and Mn negatively, all of them significantly. This information may be used to explain the changing pattern in decomposition over the gradient.

Particle-Based Microfluidic Device for Providing High Magnetic Field Gradients

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wong, Tak S. (Inventor); Lin, Adam Y. (Inventor)

2013-01-01

A microfluidic device for manipulating particles in a fluid has a device body that defines a main channel therein, in which the main channel has an inlet and an outlet. The device body further defines a particulate diverting channel therein, the particulate diverting channel being in fluid connection with the main channel between the inlet and the outlet of the main channel and having a particulate outlet. The microfluidic device also has a plurality of microparticles arranged proximate or in the main channel between the inlet of the main channel and the fluid connection of the particulate diverting channel to the main channel. The plurality of microparticles each comprises a material in a composition thereof having a magnetic susceptibility suitable to cause concentration of magnetic field lines of an applied magnetic field while in operation. A microfluidic particle-manipulation system has a microfluidic particle-manipulation device and a magnet disposed proximate the microfluidic particle-manipulation device.

Characterisation of minimal-span plane Couette turbulence with pressure gradients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sekimoto, Atsushi; Atkinson, Callum; Soria, Julio

2018-04-01

The turbulence statistics and dynamics in the spanwise-minimal plane Couette flow with pressure gradients, so-called, Couette-Poiseuille (C-P) flow, are investigated using direct numerical simulation. The large-scale motion is limited in the spanwise box dimension as in the minimal-span channel turbulence of Flores & Jiménez (Phys. Fluids, vol. 22, 2010, 071704). The effect of the top wall, where normal pressure-driven Poiseuille flow is realised, is distinguished from the events on the bottom wall, where the pressure gradient results in mild or almost-zero wall-shear stress. A proper scaling of turbulence statistics in minimal-span C-P flows is presented. Also the ‘shear-less’ wall-bounded turbulence, where the Corrsin shear parameter is very weak compared to normal wall-bounded turbulence, represents local separation, which is also observed as spanwise streaks of reversed flow in full-size plane C-P turbulence. The local separation is a multi-scale event, which grows up to the order of the channel height even in the minimal-span geometry.

Tessellated permanent magnet circuits for flow-through, open gradient separations of weakly magnetic materials

PubMed Central

Moore, Lee R.; Williams, P. Stephen; Chalmers, Jeffrey J.; Zborowski, Maciej

2017-01-01

Emerging microfluidic-based cell assays favor label-free red blood cell (RBC) depletion. Magnetic separation of RBC is possible because of the paramagnetism of deoxygenated hemoglobin but the process is slow for open-gradient field configurations. In order to increase the throughput, periodic arrangements of the unit magnets were considered, consisting of commercially available Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets and soft steel flux return pieces. The magnet design is uniquely suitable for multiplexing by magnet tessellation, here meaning the tiling of the magnet assembly cross-sectional plane by periodic repetition of the magnet and the flow channel shapes. The periodic pattern of magnet magnetizations allows a reduction of the magnetic material per channel with minimal distortion of the field cylindrical symmetry inside the magnet apertures. A number of such magnet patterns are investigated for separator performance, size and economy with the goal of designing an open-gradient magnetic separator capable of reducing the RBC number concentration a hundred-fold in 1 mL whole blood per hour. PMID:29104346

Tessellated permanent magnet circuits for flow-through, open gradient separations of weakly magnetic materials.

PubMed

Moore, Lee R; Williams, P Stephen; Chalmers, Jeffrey J; Zborowski, Maciej

2017-04-01

Emerging microfluidic-based cell assays favor label-free red blood cell (RBC) depletion. Magnetic separation of RBC is possible because of the paramagnetism of deoxygenated hemoglobin but the process is slow for open-gradient field configurations. In order to increase the throughput, periodic arrangements of the unit magnets were considered, consisting of commercially available Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets and soft steel flux return pieces. The magnet design is uniquely suitable for multiplexing by magnet tessellation, here meaning the tiling of the magnet assembly cross-sectional plane by periodic repetition of the magnet and the flow channel shapes. The periodic pattern of magnet magnetizations allows a reduction of the magnetic material per channel with minimal distortion of the field cylindrical symmetry inside the magnet apertures. A number of such magnet patterns are investigated for separator performance, size and economy with the goal of designing an open-gradient magnetic separator capable of reducing the RBC number concentration a hundred-fold in 1 mL whole blood per hour.

Effects of thermal inhomogeneity on 4m class mirror substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jedamzik, Ralf; Kunisch, Clemens; Westerhoff, Thomas

2016-07-01

The new ground based telescope generation is moving to a next stage of performance and resolution. Mirror substrate material properties tolerance and homogeneity are getting into focus. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) homogeneity is even more important than the absolute CTE. The error in shape of a mirror, even one of ZERODUR, is affected by changes in temperature, and by gradients in temperature. Front to back gradients will change the radius of curvature R that in turn will change the focus. Some systems rely on passive athermalization and do not have means to focus. Similarly changes in soak temperature will result in surface changes to the extent there is a non-zero coefficient of thermal expansion. When there are in-homogeneities in CTE, the mirror will react accordingly. Results of numerical experiments are presented discussing the impact of CTE in-homogeneities on the optical performance of 4 m class mirror substrates. Latest improvements in 4 m class ZERODUR CTE homogeneity and the thermal expansion metrology are presented as well.

Fabrication of high wettability gradient on copper substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Ding-Jun; Leu, Tzong-Shyng

2013-09-01

Copper is one of the most widely used materials in condensation heat transfer. Recently there has been great interest in improving the condensation heat transfer efficiency through copper surface modification. In this study, we describe the fabrication processes of how copper surfaces were modified to be superhydrophilic (CA ≤ 10°) and superhydrophobic (CA > 150°) by means of H2O2 immersion and fluorination with Teflon. The wettability gradient of copper surfaces with contact angles (CA) changing from superhydrophilic to superhydrophobic are also demonstrated. Unlike previous studies on gradient surfaces in which the wettability gradient is controlled either non-precisely or entirely uncontrolled, in this study, the contact angles along wettability gradient copper surfaces vary with a precisely designed gradient. It is demonstrated that a high wettability gradient copper surface can be successfully fabricated using photolithography to define the area ratios between superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic patterns within a short distance. The fabricated wettability gradient of copper surfaces is expected to be able to enhance the condensation heat transfer efficiency.

Simple Microfluidic Device For Studying Chemotaxis In Response To Dual Gradients

PubMed Central

Moussavi-Haramic, S. F.; Pezzi, H. M.; Huttenlocher, A.; Beebe, D. J.

2016-01-01

Chemotaxis is a fundamental biological process where complex chemotactic gradients are integrated and prioritized to guide cell migration toward specific locations. To understand the mechanisms of gradient dependent cell migration, it is important to develop in vitro models that recapitulate key attributes of the chemotactic cues present in vivo. Current in vitro tools for studying cell migration are not amenable to easily study the response of neutrophils to dual gradients. Many of these systems require external pumps and complex setups to establish and maintain the gradients. Here we report a simple yet innovative microfluidic device for studying cell migration in the presence of dual chemotactic gradients through a 3-dimensional substrate. The device is tested and validated by studying the migration of the neutrophil-like cell line PLB-985 to gradients of fMLP. Furthermore, the device is expanded and used with heparinised whole blood, whereupon neutrophils were observed to migrate from whole blood towards gradients of fMLP eliminating the need for any neutrophil purification or capture steps. PMID:25893484

Flexible thin-film transistors on plastic substrate at room temperature.

PubMed

Han, Dedong; Wang, Wei; Cai, Jian; Wang, Liangliang; Ren, Yicheng; Wang, Yi; Zhang, Shengdong

2013-07-01

We have fabricated flexible thin-film transistors (TFTs) on plastic substrates using Aluminum-doped ZnO (AZO) as an active channel layer at room temperature. The AZO-TFTs showed n-channel device characteristics and operated in enhancement mode. The device shows a threshold voltage of 1.3 V, an on/off ratio of 2.7 x 10(7), a field effect mobility of 21.3 cm2/V x s, a subthreshold swing of 0.23 V/decade, and the off current of less than 10(-12) A at room temperature. Recently, the flexible displays have become a very hot topic. Flexible thin film transistors are key devices for realizing flexible displays. We have investigated AZO-TFT on flexible plastic substrate, and high performance flexible TFTs have been obtained.

Evidence of erosional self-channelization of pyroclastic density currents revealed by ground-penetrating radar imaging at Mount St. Helens, Washington (USA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gase, Andrew C.; Brand, Brittany D.; Bradford, John H.

2017-03-01

The causes and effects of erosion are among the least understood aspects of pyroclastic density current (PDC) dynamics. Evidence is especially limited for erosional self-channelization, a process whereby PDCs erode a channel that confines the body of the eroding flow or subsequent flows. We use ground-penetrating radar imaging to trace a large PDC scour and fill from outcrop to its point of inception and discover a second, larger PDC scour and fill. The scours are among the largest PDC erosional features on record, at >200 m wide and at least 500 m long; estimated eroded volumes are on the order of 106 m3. The scours are morphologically similar to incipient channels carved by turbidity currents. Erosion may be promoted by a moderate slope (5-15°), substrate pore pressure retention, and pulses of increased flow energy. These findings are the first direct evidence of erosional self-channelization by PDCs, a phenomenon that may increase flow velocity and runout distance through confinement and substrate erosion.

Functional Na+ Channels in Cell Adhesion probed by Transistor Recording

PubMed Central

Schmidtner, Markus; Fromherz, Peter

2006-01-01

Cell membranes in a tissue are in close contact to each other, embedded in the extracellular matrix. Standard electrophysiological methods are not able to characterize ion channels under these conditions. Here we consider the area of cell adhesion on a solid substrate as a model system. We used HEK 293 cells cultured on fibronectin and studied the activation of NaV1.4 sodium channels in the adherent membrane with field-effect transistors in a silicon substrate. Under voltage clamp, we compared the transistor response with the whole-cell current. We observed that the extracellular voltage in the cell-chip contact was proportional to the total membrane current. The relation was calibrated by alternating-current stimulation. We found that Na+ channels are present in the area of cell adhesion on fibronectin with a functionality and a density that is indistinguishable from the free membrane. The experiment provides a basis for studying selective accumulation and depletion of ion channels in cell adhesion and also for a development of cell-based biosensoric devices and neuroelectronic systems. PMID:16227504

Simultaneous monitoring of glucose and uric acid on a single test strip with dual channels.

PubMed

Guo, Jinhong; Ma, Xing

2017-08-15

The conventional test strip has usually only one electrochemical reaction channel, which requires two times figure punctures for the self-management of patients suffering from both diabetes and gout. Considering the large number of such patients and for the sake of reducing their pains, we report an enzymatic test strip which can simultaneously monitor glucose and uric acid (UA) with only one fingertip blood droplet. The proposed test strip is composed of dual channels. The glucose in blood is detected in the 1st channel above on the substrate and the UA is characterized in the 2nd channel located at the bottom of the substrate. The proposed design intensively matches the requirement of those patients simultaneously suffering from diabetes and gout. We carried out comparative investigations on the proposed test strip and clinical biochemical analyser, which indicates a good agreement and proved the reliability and accuracy of the proposed test strip, as promising solution for the fast growth of family health management market. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

High-Resolution Inkjet-Printed Oxide Thin-Film Transistors with a Self-Aligned Fine Channel Bank Structure.

PubMed

Zhang, Qing; Shao, Shuangshuang; Chen, Zheng; Pecunia, Vincenzo; Xia, Kai; Zhao, Jianwen; Cui, Zheng

2018-05-09

A self-aligned inkjet printing process has been developed to construct small channel metal oxide (a-IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) with independent bottom gates on transparent glass substrates. Poly(methylsilsesquioxane) was used to pattern hydrophobic banks on the transparent substrate instead of commonly used self-assembled octadecyltrichlorosilane. Photolithographic exposure from backside using bottom-gate electrodes as mask formed hydrophilic channel areas for the TFTs. IGZO ink was selectively deposited by an inkjet printer in the hydrophilic channel region and confined by the hydrophobic bank structure, resulting in the precise deposition of semiconductor layers just above the gate electrodes. Inkjet-printed IGZO TFTs with independent gate electrodes of 10 μm width have been demonstrated, avoiding completely printed channel beyond the broad of the gate electrodes. The TFTs showed on/off ratios of 10 8 , maximum mobility of 3.3 cm 2 V -1 s -1 , negligible hysteresis, and good uniformity. This method is conductive to minimizing the area of printed TFTs so as to the development of high-resolution printing displays.

Barrier island breach evolution: Alongshore transport and bay-ocean pressure gradient interactions

USGS Publications Warehouse

Safak, Ilgar; Warner, John C.; List, Jeffrey

2016-01-01

Physical processes controlling repeated openings and closures of a barrier island breach between a bay and the open ocean are studied using aerial photographs and atmospheric and hydrodynamic observations. The breach site is located on Pea Island along the Outer Banks, separating Pamlico Sound from the Atlantic Ocean. Wind direction was a major control on the pressure gradients between the bay and the ocean to drive flows that initiate or maintain the breach opening. Alongshore sediment flux was found to be a major contributor to breach closure. During the analysis period from 2011 to 2016, three hurricanes had major impacts on the breach. First, Hurricane Irene opened the breach with wind-driven flow from bay to ocean in August 2011. Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 quadrupled the channel width from pressure gradient flows due to water levels that were first higher on the ocean side and then higher on the bay side. The breach closed sometime in Spring 2013, most likely due to an event associated with strong alongshore sediment flux but minimal ocean-bay pressure gradients. Then, in July 2014, Hurricane Arthur briefly opened the breach again from the bay side, in a similar fashion to Irene. In summary, opening and closure of breaches are shown to follow a dynamic and episodic balance between along-channel pressure gradient driven flows and alongshore sediment fluxes.

Simultaneous schlieren photography and soot foil in the study of detonation phenomena

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kellenberger, Mark; Ciccarelli, Gaby

2017-10-01

The use of schlieren photography has been essential in unravelling the complex nature of high-speed combustion phenomena, but its line-of-sight integration makes it difficult to decisively determine the nature of multi-dimensional combustion wave propagation. Conventional schlieren alone makes it impossible to determine in what plane across the channel an observed structure may exist. To overcome this, a technique of simultaneous high-speed schlieren photography and soot foils was demonstrated that can be applied to the study of detonation phenomena. Using a kerosene lamp, soot was deposited on a glass substrate resulting in a semi-transparent sheet through which schlieren source light could pass. In order to demonstrate the technique, experiments were carried out in mixtures of stoichiometric hydrogen-oxygen at initial pressures between 10 and 15 kPa. Compared to schlieren imaging obtained without a sooted foil, high-speed video results show schlieren images with a small reduction of contrast with density gradients remaining clear. Areas of high temperature cause soot lofted from the foil to incandescence strongly, resulting in the ability to track hot spots and flame location. Post-processing adjustments were demonstrated to make up for camera sensitivity limitations to enable viewing of schlieren density gradients. High-resolution glass soot foils were produced that enable direct coupling of schlieren video to triple-point trajectories seen on the soot foils, allowing for the study of three-dimensional propagation mechanisms of detonation waves.

Trans-membrane transport of n-octadecane by Pseudomonas sp. DG17.

PubMed

Hua, Fei; Wang, Hong Qi; Li, Yi; Zhao, Yi Cun

2013-12-01

The trans-membrane transport of hydrocarbons is an important and complex aspect of the process of biodegradation of hydrocarbons by microorganisms. The mechanism of transport of (14)C n-octadecane by Pseudomonas sp. DG17, an alkane-degrading bacterium, was studied by the addition of ATP inhibitors and different substrate concentrations. When the concentration of n-octadecane was higher than 4.54 μmol/L, the transport of (14)C n-octadecane was driven by a facilitated passive mechanism following the intra/extra substrate concentration gradient. However, when the cells were grown with a low concentration of the substrate, the cellular accumulation of n-octadecane, an energy-dependent process, was dramatically decreased by the presence of ATP inhibitors, and n-octadecane accumulation continually increased against its concentration gradient. Furthermore, the presence of non-labeled alkanes blocked (14)C n-octadecane transport only in the induced cells, and the trans-membrane transport of n-octadecane was specific with an apparent dissociation constant K t of 11.27 μmol/L and V max of 0.96 μmol/min/mg protein. The results indicated that the trans-membrane transport of n-octadecane by Pseudomonas sp. DG17 was related to the substrate concentration and ATP.

The intracellular proton gradient enables anaerobic ammonia oxidizing (anammox) bacteria to tolerate NO2 - inhibition.

PubMed

Carvajal-Arroyo, José M; Puyol, Daniel; Li, Guangbin; Sierra-Álvarez, Reyes; Field, Jim A

2014-12-20

Anammox bacteria are inhibited by nitrite, which is one of their substrates. By utilizing 2,4 dinitrophenol and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone, two uncouplers of respiration, we demonstrate that nitrite tolerance of anammox cells is strongly dependent on their ability to maintain a proton gradient, which may be the driving force for active nitrite transport system.

The Effect of Silver Chloride Formation on the Kinetics of Silver Dissolution in Chloride Solution

PubMed Central

Ha, Hung; Payer, Joe

2011-01-01

The precipitation and growth of AgCl on silver in physiological NaCl solution were investigated. AgCl was found to form at bottom of scratches on the surface which may be the less effective sites for diffusion or the favorable sites for heterogeneous nucleation. Patches of silver chloride expanded laterally on the substrate until a continuous film formed. The ionic transport path through this newly formed continuous film was via spaces between AgCl patches. As the film grew, the spaces between AgCl patches closed and ion transport was primarily via micro-channels running through AgCl patches. The decrease of AgCl layer conductivity during film growth were attributed to the clogging of micro-channels or decrease in charge carrier concentration inside the micro-channels. Under thin AgCl layer, i.e. on the order of a micrometer, the dissolution of silver substrate was under mixed activation-Ohmic control. Under thick AgCl layer, i.e. on the order of tens of micrometers, the dissolution of silver substrate was mediated by the Ohmic resistance of AgCl layer. PMID:21516171

Dual control active superconductive devices

DOEpatents

Martens, Jon S.; Beyer, James B.; Nordman, James E.; Hohenwarter, Gert K. G.

1993-07-20

A superconducting active device has dual control inputs and is constructed such that the output of the device is effectively a linear mix of the two input signals. The device is formed of a film of superconducting material on a substrate and has two main conduction channels, each of which includes a weak link region. A first control line extends adjacent to the weak link region in the first channel and a second control line extends adjacent to the weak link region in the second channel. The current flowing from the first channel flows through an internal control line which is also adjacent to the weak link region of the second channel. The weak link regions comprise small links of superconductor, separated by voids, through which the current flows in each channel. Current passed through the control lines causes magnetic flux vortices which propagate across the weak link regions and control the resistance of these regions. The output of the device taken across the input to the main channels and the output of the second main channel and the internal control line will constitute essentially a linear mix of the two input signals imposed on the two control lines. The device is especially suited to microwave applications since it has very low input capacitance, and is well suited to being formed of high temperature superconducting materials since all of the structures may be formed coplanar with one another on a substrate.

Relationships of field habitat measurements, visual habitat indices, and land cover to benthic macroinvertebrates in urbanized streams of the Santa Clara Valley, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fend, S.V.; Carter, J.L.; Kearns, F.R.

2005-01-01

We evaluated several approaches for measuring natural and anthropogenic habitat characteristics to predict benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages over a range of urban intensity at 85 stream sites in the Santa Clara Valley, California. Land cover was summarized as percentage urban land cover and impervious area within upstream buffers and the upstream subwatersheds. Field measurements characterized water chemistry, channel slope, sediment, and riparian canopy. In . addition to applying the visual-based habitat assessment in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's rapid bioassessment protocol, we developed a simplified urban habitat assessment index based on turbidity, fine sediment deposition, riparian condition, and channel modification. Natural and anthropogenic habitat variables covaried along longitudinal stream gradients and were highly correlated with elevation. At the scale of the entire watershed, benthic macroinvertebrate measures were equally correlated with variables expressing natural gradients and urbanization effects. When natural gradients were reduced by partitioning sites into ecoregion subsection groupings, habitat variables most highly correlated with macroinvertebrate measures differed between upland and valley floor site groups. Among the valley floor sites, channel slope and physical modification of channel and riparian habitats appeared more important than upstream land cover or water quality in determining macroinvertebrate richness and ordination scores. Among upland sites, effects of upstream reservoir releases on habitat quality appeared important. Rapid habitat evaluation methods appeared to be an effective method for describing habitat features important to benthic macroinvertebrates when adapted for the region and the disturbance of interest. ?? 2005 by the American Fisheries Society.

Stand Structure and Substrate Diversity as Two Major Drivers for Bryophyte Distribution in a Temperate Montane Ecosystem

PubMed Central

Chen, Yun; Niu, Shuai; Li, Peikun; Jia, Hongru; Wang, Hailiang; Ye, Yongzhong; Yuan, Zhiliang

2017-01-01

Elucidating the major drivers of bryophyte distribution is the first step to protecting bryophyte diversity. Topography, forest, substrates (ground, tree trunks, roots, rocks, and rotten wood), and spatial factor, which factors are the major drivers of bryophyte distribution? In this study, 53 plots were set in 400 m2 along the elevation gradient in Xiaoqinling, China. All bryophytes in the plots were collected and identified. Regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between bryophyte and substrate diversity. We compared the patterns of overall bryophyte diversity and diversity of bryophytes found on the ground, tree, and rock along elevational gradients. Canonical correspondence analysis was applied to relate species composition to selected environmental variables. The importance of topography, forest, substrates, and spatial factors was determined by variance partitioning. A total of 1378 bryophyte specimens were collected, and 240 species were identified. Bryophyte diversity was closely related to substrate diversity. The overall bryophyte diversity significantly increased with elevation; however, the response varied among ground, tree, and rock bryophytes. Tree diversity and herb layer were considered important environmental factors in determining bryophyte distribution. Species abundance was best explained by stand structure (17%), and species diversity was best explained by stand structure (35%) and substrate (40%). Results directly indicated that substrate diversity can improve bryophyte species diversity. The effects of micro-habitat formed by stand structure and substrate diversity were higher than those of spatial processes and topography factors on bryophyte distribution. This study proved that the determinant factors influencing bryophyte diversity reflect the trends in recent forest management, providing a real opportunity to improve forest biodiversity conservation. PMID:28603535

Stand Structure and Substrate Diversity as Two Major Drivers for Bryophyte Distribution in a Temperate Montane Ecosystem.

PubMed

Chen, Yun; Niu, Shuai; Li, Peikun; Jia, Hongru; Wang, Hailiang; Ye, Yongzhong; Yuan, Zhiliang

2017-01-01

Elucidating the major drivers of bryophyte distribution is the first step to protecting bryophyte diversity. Topography, forest, substrates (ground, tree trunks, roots, rocks, and rotten wood), and spatial factor, which factors are the major drivers of bryophyte distribution? In this study, 53 plots were set in 400 m 2 along the elevation gradient in Xiaoqinling, China. All bryophytes in the plots were collected and identified. Regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between bryophyte and substrate diversity. We compared the patterns of overall bryophyte diversity and diversity of bryophytes found on the ground, tree, and rock along elevational gradients. Canonical correspondence analysis was applied to relate species composition to selected environmental variables. The importance of topography, forest, substrates, and spatial factors was determined by variance partitioning. A total of 1378 bryophyte specimens were collected, and 240 species were identified. Bryophyte diversity was closely related to substrate diversity. The overall bryophyte diversity significantly increased with elevation; however, the response varied among ground, tree, and rock bryophytes. Tree diversity and herb layer were considered important environmental factors in determining bryophyte distribution. Species abundance was best explained by stand structure (17%), and species diversity was best explained by stand structure (35%) and substrate (40%). Results directly indicated that substrate diversity can improve bryophyte species diversity. The effects of micro-habitat formed by stand structure and substrate diversity were higher than those of spatial processes and topography factors on bryophyte distribution. This study proved that the determinant factors influencing bryophyte diversity reflect the trends in recent forest management, providing a real opportunity to improve forest biodiversity conservation.

Channel Evolution Following Avulsion: an Example from the Yellow River Delta

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, S.

2017-12-01

Long-term field observation of morphological adjustments of rivers following avulsions is lacked when studying the evolution of avulsive channel on deltas. Avulsion at the Yellow River Delta (YRD) is frequent with average lifespan of channels of only about a decade. The Qing-shui-gou channel, the recent lobe on the YRD, provides a rare opportunity for investigating channel evolution following artificial avulsion. The reasons for its longer lifespan also needs investigation of the channel evolution. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the geomorphic adjustment of the channel based on filed survey data during 1976-2014. The evolution of the channel was impacted by anthropogenic activities, including artificial avulsion at the downstream channel reaches in 1996, alteration of runoff and sediment load through Water and Sediment Regulation Scheme (WSRS), construction of levees and dikes. Analysis on channel geometry showed that avulsions in 1976 and in 1996 both caused short-term (1 2 years) erosion at the upstream channel reaches. Following the avulsion in 1976, massive aggradation occurred at the channel reaches at the downstream of the avulsion point. A single-thread channel gradually formed, widened and enlarged as channel bed under-cut on the deposition material. As delta extended seaward and the longitudinal slope decreased with time, aggradation occurred and an alluvial ridge formed. The ratio of lateral slope to the longitudinal slope (i.e. gradient advantage) and the relative super-elevation of the channel were calculated to estimate the possibility of avulsion at the channel in the late 1990. Results showed that the slope ratio was greater than 20 locally and super-elevation near its critical value for avulsion. The fact, that natural avulsion did not occurred despite of high values of gradient advantage and super elevation, may indicate that they are not sufficient conditions for avulsion at highly human-controlled rivers, where channel boundaries are constrained by dikes and bankfull discharge rarely occur. The Qing-shui-gou channel has been eroded and deepened since 2002 when the WSRS was implemented. Although channel erosion rates caused by WSRS decreased with time, the risk of avulsion has been reduced. This may also help explain the relative longer life-span of the Qing-shui-gou channel.

Holocene Evolution of Incised Coastal Channels on the Isle of Wight, UK: Interpretation via Numerical Simulation.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leyland, J.; Darby, S. E.

2006-12-01

Incised coastal channels are found in numerous locations around the world where the shoreline morphology consists of cliffs. The incised coastal channels found on the Isle of Wight, UK, are known locally as `Chines' and debouche (up to 45m) through the soft cliffs of the south west coast, maintaining steep side walls subject to deep-seated mass wasting. These canyons offer sheltered locations and bare substrate, providing habitat for plant (Philonotis marchica, Anthoceros punctatos) and invertebrate (Psen atratinus, Baris analis, Melitaea cinxi) species of international importance. The base level of the Chines is highly dynamic, with episodes of sea cliff erosion causing the rejuvenation of the channel network. Consequently a key factor in Chine evolution is the relative balance between rates of cliff retreat and headwards incision caused by knickpoint migration. Specifically, there is concern that if contemporary coastal retreat rates are higher than the corresponding rates of knickpoint recession, there will be long-term a reduction in the overall extent of the Chines and their associated habitats. In an attempt to provide a long-term context for these issues, in this poster we explore the Holocene erosional history of the Chines using a numerical landscape evolution model. The model includes a stochastic cliff recession function that controls the position of the outlet boundary. Knickpoint recession rates are simulated using a detachment-limited channel erosion law wherein erosion rate is a power function of drainage area and stream gradient with model parameters defined using empirically- derived data. Simulations are undertaken for a range of imposed boundary conditions representing different scenarios of long-term cliff retreat forced by Holocene sea-level rise, plausible scenarios corresponding to cases where simulated and observed Chine and landscape forms match. The study provides an example of how a landscape evolution model could be used to reconstruct Holocene coastal processes, as well as providing the long-term context necessary to manage Chine habitats appropriately. In particular a critical threshold drainage area is defined that provides knickpoint recession rates that are sufficient to generate self- sustaining Chines in relation to cliff recession rates.

Maternal Education Gradients in Infant Health in Four South American Countries.

PubMed

Wehby, George L; López-Camelo, Jorge S

2017-11-01

Objective We investigate gradients (i.e. differences) in infant health outcomes by maternal education in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Venezuela and explore channels related to father's education, household labor outcomes, and maternal health, fertility, and use of prenatal services and technology. Methods We employ secondary interview and birth record data similarly collected across a network of birth hospitals from the early 1980s through 2011 within the Latin American Collaborative Study of Congenital Anomalies (ECLAMC). Focusing on children without birth defects, we estimate gradients in several infant health outcomes including birth weight, gestational age, and hospital discharge status by maternal education using ordinary least squares regression models adjusting for several demographic factors. To explore channels, we add as covariates father's education, parental occupational activity, maternal health and fertility history, and use of prenatal services and technology and evaluate changes in the coefficient of maternal education. We use the same models for each country sample. Results We find important differences in gradients across countries. We find evidence for educational gradients in preterm birth in three countries but weaker evidence for gradients in fetal growth. The extent to which observed household and maternal factors explain these gradients based on changes in the regression coefficient of maternal education when controlling for these factors as covariates also varies between countries. In contrast, we generally find evidence across all countries that higher maternal education is associated with increased use of prenatal care services and technology. Conclusions Our findings suggest that differences in infant health by maternal education and their underlying mechanisms vary and are not necessarily generalizable across countries. However, the positive association between maternal education and use of prenatal services and technology is more consistent across examined countries.

Finite Element Analysis of Surface Residual Stress in Functionally Gradient Cemented Carbide Tool

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Chuangnan; Liu, Deshun; Tang, Siwen; Li, Pengnan; Qiu, Xinyi

2018-03-01

A component distribution model is proposed for three-component functionally gradient cemented carbide (FGCC) based on electron probe microanalysis results obtained for gradient layer thickness, microstructure, and elemental distribution. The residual surface stress of FGCC-T5 tools occurring during the fabrication process is analyzed using an ANSYS-implemented finite element method (FEM) and X-ray diffraction. A comparison of the experimental and calculated values verifies the feasibility of using FEM to analyze the residual surface stress in FGCC-T5 tools. The effects of the distribution index, geometrical shape, substrate thickness, gradient layer thickness, and position of the cobalt-rich layer on residual surface stress are studied in detail.

Multi-flux-transformer MRI detection with an atomic magnetometer.

PubMed

Savukov, Igor; Karaulanov, Todor

2014-12-01

Recently, anatomical ultra-low field (ULF) MRI has been demonstrated with an atomic magnetometer (AM). A flux-transformer (FT) has been used for decoupling MRI fields and gradients to avoid their negative effects on AM performance. The field of view (FOV) was limited because of the need to compromise between the size of the FT input coil and MRI sensitivity per voxel. Multi-channel acquisition is a well-known solution to increase FOV without significantly reducing sensitivity. In this paper, we demonstrate twofold FOV increase with the use of three FT input coils. We also show that it is possible to use a single atomic magnetometer and single acquisition channel to acquire three independent MRI signals by applying a frequency-encoding gradient along the direction of the detection array span. The approach can be generalized to more channels and can be critical for imaging applications of non-cryogenic ULF MRI where FOV needs to be large, including head, hand, spine, and whole-body imaging. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Multi-flux-transformer MRI detection with an atomic magnetometer

PubMed Central

Savukov, Igor; Karaulanov, Todor

2014-01-01

Recently, anatomical ultra-low field (ULF) MRI has been demonstrated with an atomic magnetometer (AM). A flux-transformer (FT) has been used for decoupling MRI fields and gradients to avoid their negative effects on AM performance. The field of view (FOV) was limited because of the need to compromise between the size of the FT input coil and MRI sensitivity per voxel. Multi-channel acquisition is a well-known solution to increase FOV without significantly reducing sensitivity. In this paper, we demonstrate two-fold FOV increase with the use of three FT input coils. We also show that it is possible to use a single atomic magnetometer and single acquisition channel to acquire three independent MRI signals by applying a frequency-encoding gradient along the direction of the detection array span. The approach can be generalized to more channels and can be critical for imaging applications of non-cryogenic ULF MRI where FOV needs to be large, including head, hand, spine, and whole-body imaging. PMID:25462946

The unidirectional motion of two heat-conducting liquids in a flat channel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andreev, V. K.; Cheremnykh, E. N.

2017-10-01

The unidirectional motion of two viscous incompressible liquids in a flat channel is studied. Liquids contact on a flat interface. External boundaries are fixed solid walls, on which the non-stationary temperature gradients are given. The motion is induced by a joint action of thermogravitational and thermocapillary forces and given total non - stationary fluid flow rate in layers. The corresponding initial boundary value problem is conjugate and inverse because the pressure gradients along axes channel have to be determined together with the velocity and temperature field. For this problem the exact stationary solution is found and a priori estimates of non - stationary solutions are obtained. In Laplace images the solution of the non - stationary problem is found in quadratures. It is proved, that the solution converges to a steady regime with time, if the temperature on the walls and the fluid flow rate are stabilized. The numerical calculations for specific liquid media good agree with the theoretical results.

One-dimensional spatial dark soliton-induced channel waveguides in lithium niobate crystal.

PubMed

Zhang, Peng; Ma, Yanghua; Zhao, Jianlin; Yang, Dexing; Xu, Honglai

2006-04-01

The anisotropic dependence of the formation of one-dimensional (1-D) spatial dark solitons on the orientation of intensity gradients in lithium niobate crystal is numerically specified. Based on this, we propose an approach to fabricate channel waveguides by employing 1-D spatial dark solitons. By exposure of two 1-D dark solitons with different orientations, channel waveguides can be created. The structures of the channel waveguides can be tuned by adjustment of the widths of the solitons and/or the angles between the two exposures. A square channel waveguide is experimentally demonstrated in an iron-doped lithium niobate crystal by exposure of two orthogonal 1-D dark solitons in sequence.

The Effect of Substrate Microstructure on the Heat-Affected Zone Size in Sn-Zn Alloys Due to Adjoining Ni-Al Reactive Multilayer Foil Reaction

DOE PAGES

Hooper, R. J.; Adams, D. P.; Hirschfeld, D.; ...

2015-08-05

The rapid release of energy from reactive multilayer foils can create extreme local temperature gradients near substrate materials. To fully exploit the potential of these materials, a better understanding of the interaction between the substrate or filler material and the foil is needed. In particular, this work investigates how variations in local properties within the substrate (i.e. differences between properties in constituent phases) can affect heat transport into the substrate. Furthermore, this can affect the microstructural evolution observed within the substrate, which may affect the final joint properties. The effect of the initial substrate microstructure on microstructural evolution within themore » heat-affected zone is evaluated experimentally in two Sn-Zn alloys and numerical techniques are utilized to inform the analysis.« less

Mapping spatial patterns of stream power and channel change along a gravel-bed river in northern Yellowstone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lea, Devin M.; Legleiter, Carl J.

2016-01-01

Stream power represents the rate of energy expenditure along a river and can be calculated using topographic data acquired via remote sensing or field surveys. This study sought to quantitatively relate temporal changes in the form of Soda Butte Creek, a gravel-bed river in northeastern Yellowstone National Park, to stream power gradients along an 8-km reach. Aerial photographs from 1994 to 2012 and ground-based surveys were used to develop a locational probability map and morphologic sediment budget to assess lateral channel mobility and changes in net sediment flux. A drainage area-to-discharge relationship and DEM developed from LiDAR data were used to obtain the discharge and slope values needed to calculate stream power. Local and lagged relationships between mean stream power gradient at median peak discharge and volumes of erosion, deposition, and net sediment flux were quantified via spatial cross-correlation analyses. Similarly, autocorrelations of locational probabilities and sediment fluxes were used to examine spatial patterns of sediment sources and sinks. Energy expended above critical stream power was calculated for each time period to relate the magnitude and duration of peak flows to the total volumetric change in each time increment. Collectively, we refer to these methods as the stream power gradient (SPG) framework. The results of this study were compromised by methodological limitations of the SPG framework and revealed some complications likely to arise when applying this framework to small, wandering, gravel-bed rivers. Correlations between stream power gradients and sediment flux were generally weak, highlighting the inability of relatively simple statistical approaches to link sub-budget cell-scale sediment dynamics to larger-scale driving forces such as stream power gradients. Improving the moderate spatial resolution techniques used in this study and acquiring very-high resolution data from recently developed methods in fluvial remote sensing could help improve understanding of the spatial organization of stream power, sediment transport, and channel change in dynamic natural rivers.

Wafer scale fabrication of carbon nanotube thin film transistors with high yield

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

Tian, Boyuan; Liang, Xuelei, E-mail: liangxl@pku.edu.cn, E-mail: ssxie@iphy.ac.cn; Yan, Qiuping

Carbon nanotube thin film transistors (CNT-TFTs) are promising candidates for future high performance and low cost macro-electronics. However, most of the reported CNT-TFTs are fabricated in small quantities on a relatively small size substrate. The yield of large scale fabrication and the performance uniformity of devices on large size substrates should be improved before the CNT-TFTs reach real products. In this paper, 25 200 devices, with various geometries (channel width and channel length), were fabricated on 4-in. size ridged and flexible substrates. Almost 100% device yield were obtained on a rigid substrate with high out-put current (>8 μA/μm), high on/off current ratiomore » (>10{sup 5}), and high mobility (>30 cm{sup 2}/V·s). More importantly, uniform performance in 4-in. area was achieved, and the fabrication process can be scaled up. The results give us more confidence for the real application of the CNT-TFT technology in the near future.« less

Directional Bleb Formation in Spherical Cells under Temperature Gradient

PubMed Central

Oyama, Kotaro; Arai, Tomomi; Isaka, Akira; Sekiguchi, Taku; Itoh, Hideki; Seto, Yusuke; Miyazaki, Makito; Itabashi, Takeshi; Ohki, Takashi; Suzuki, Madoka; Ishiwata, Shin'ichi

2015-01-01

Living cells sense absolute temperature and temporal changes in temperature using biological thermosensors such as ion channels. Here, we reveal, to our knowledge, a novel mechanism of sensing spatial temperature gradients within single cells. Spherical mitotic cells form directional membrane extensions (polar blebs) under sharp temperature gradients (≥∼0.065°C μm−1; 1.3°C temperature difference within a cell), which are created by local heating with a focused 1455-nm laser beam under an optical microscope. On the other hand, multiple nondirectional blebs are formed under gradual temperature gradients or uniform heating. During heating, the distribution of actomyosin complexes becomes inhomogeneous due to a break in the symmetry of its contractile force, highlighting the role of the actomyosin complex as a sensor of local temperature gradients. PMID:26200871

River restoration strategies in channelized, low-gradient landscapes of West Tennessee, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Smith, D.P.; Diehl, T.H.; Turrini-Smith, L. A.; Maas-Baldwin, J.; Croyle, Z.

2009-01-01

West Tennessee has a complex history of watershed disturbance, including agricultural erosion, channelization, accelerated valley sedimentation, and the removal and reestablishment of beaver. Watershed management has evolved from fl oodplain drainage via pervasive channelization to include local drainage canal maintenance and local river restoration. Many unmaintained canals are undergoing excessive aggradation and complex channel evolution driven by upland erosion and low valley gradient. The locus of aggradation in fully occluded canals (valley plugs) moves up-valley as sediment continues to accumulate in the backwater behind the plug. Valley plugs that cause canal avulsion can lead to redevelopment of meandering channels in less disturbed areas of the fl oodplain, in a process of passive self-restoration. Some valley plugs have brought restored fl oodplain function, reoccupation of extant historic river channels, and formation of a "sediment shadow" that protects downstream reaches from excess sedimentation. Despite the presence of numerous opportunities, there is presently no mechanism for including valley plugs in mitigation projects. In 1997 a survey of 14 reference reach cross sections documented relations between drainage area and bankfull geometry of relatively unmodified streams in West Tennessee. Reassessment of seven of those sites in 2007 showed that one had been dammed by beaver and that two sites could not be analyzed further because of signifi cant vertical or lateral instability. In contrast to other regions of North America, the results suggest that stream channels in this region fl ood more frequently than once each year, and can remain out of banks for several weeks each year. ?? 2009 Geological Society of America.

Small watershed response to porous rock check dams in a semiarid watershed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nichols, Mary; Polyakov, Viktor; Nearing, Mark

2016-04-01

Rock check dams are used throughout the world as technique for mitigating erosion problems on degraded lands. Increasingly, they are being used in restoration efforts on rangelands in the southwestern US, however, their impact on watershed response and channel morphology is not well quantified. In 2008, 37 porous rock structures were built on two small (4.0 and 3.1 ha) instrumented watersheds on an alluvial fan at the base of the Santa Rita Mountains in southern Arizona, USA. 35 years of historical rainfall and runoff, and sediment data are available to compare with 7 years of data collected after check dam construction. In addition, post construction measurements of channel geometry and longitudinal channel profiles were compared with pre-construction measurements to characterize the impact of check dams on sediment retention and channel morphology. The primary impact of the check dams is was retention of channel sediment and reduction in channel gradient; however response varied between the proximal watersheds with 80% of the check dams on one of the watersheds filled to 100% of their capacity after 7 runoff seasons. In addition, initial impact on precipitation runoff ratios is was not persistent. The contrasting watershed experiences lower sediment yields and only 20% of the check dams on this watershed are were filled to capacity and continue to influence runoff during small events. Within the watersheds the mean gradient of the channel reach immediately upstream of the structures has been reduced by 35% (from 0.061 to 0.039) and 34% on (from 0.071 to 0.047).

Four second-sphere residues of Thermus thermophilus SG0.5JP17-16 laccase tune the catalysis by hydrogen-bonding networks.

PubMed

Liu, Huiping; Zhu, Yanyun; Yang, Xiaorong; Lin, Ying

2018-05-01

The multicopper oxidases catalyze 1-electron oxidation of four substrate molecules and concomitantly 4-electron reduction of dioxygen to water. The substrate loses the electrons at the type 1 copper (T1 Cu) site of the enzyme, while the dioxygen is reduced to water at the trinuclear copper center. A highly conserved Glu residue, which is at the dioxygen-entering channel, shuttles the proton to break the O-O bond of dioxygen. At the water-leaving channel, an Asp residue was found to be important in the protonation mechanism. In this study, laccase from Thermus thermophilus SG0.5JP17-16 (lacTT) was investigated to address how four second-sphere residues E356, E456, D106, and D423 affect the activity of the enzyme. Kinetic data indicate that catalytic activities of the enzyme are altered by site-directed mutagenesis on four second-sphere residues. The structural model of lacTT was generated by homology modeling. Structural and spectral data indicate that the E356 residue is situated at the substrate-binding site, responsible for the binding of the substrate and the geometry of the T1 Cu site by hydrogen-bonding networks; the E456 residue, located at the dioxygen-entering channel, plays a critical role in stabilizing the structure of all active copper centers and shuttling the proton to the trinuclear copper cluster (TNC) for the reductive reaction of dioxygen; the D106 and D423 residues are at the water-leaving channel, and they are important for the essential geometry of the TNC and the release of the water molecules. Altogether, this study contributes to the further understanding of the basic mechanism involving the oxidation of the substrate, electron transfer, and the reduction of dioxygen in lacTT.

Differences in instream wood characteristics between channelized and unchannelized agricultural headwater streams in central Ohio

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Instream wood is an important resource for stream biota because it provides cover for fishes, substrate for macroinvertebrates, and increases habitat diversity. However, current management of instream wood within channelized agricultural headwater streams (drainage ditches) involves removing instrea...

Micron-scale channel formation by the release and bond-back of pre-stressed thin films: A finite element analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Annabattula, R. K.; Huck, W. T. S.; Onck, P. R.

2010-04-01

Buckling of thin films on a rigid substrate during use or fabrication is a well-known but unwanted phenomenon. However, this phenomenon can also be exploited to generate well-controlled patterns at the micro and nano-scale. These patterned surfaces find various technological applications such as optical gratings or micro/nano-fluidic channels. In this article, we present a numerical model that accounts for the buckling-up of pre-strained thin films by a reduction of the interface toughness and the subsequent bond-back. Channels are formed whose dimensions can be controlled by tuning the film dimensions, film thickness and stiffness, the eigenstrain in the film and the cohesive interface energy between the film and the substrate. We will show how the buckling-up and draping back processes can be captured in terms of a limited set of dimensionless parameters, providing quantitative insight on how these parameters should be tuned to generate a specified channel geometry.

Rapidly prototyped three-dimensional nanofluidic channel networks in glass substrates.

PubMed

Ke, Kevin; Hasselbrink, Ernest F; Hunt, Alan J

2005-08-15

Microfluidic and nanofluidic technologies have long sought a fast, reliable method to overcome the creative limitations of planar fabrication methods, the resolution limits of lithography, and the materials limitations for fast prototyping. In the present work, we demonstrate direct 3D machining of submicrometer diameter, subsurface fluidic channels in glass, via optical breakdown near critical intensity, using a femtosecond pulsed laser. No postexposure etching or bonding is required; the channel network (or almost any arbitrary-shaped cavity below the surface) is produced directly from "art-to-part". The key to this approach is to use very low energy, highly focused, pulses in the presence of liquid. Microbubbles that result from laser energy deposition gently expand and extrude machining debris from the channels. These bubbles are in a highly damped, low Reynolds number regime, implying that surface spalling due to bubble collapse is unimportant. We demonstrate rapid prototyping of three-dimensional "jumpers", mixers, and other key components of complex 3D microscale analysis systems in glass substrates.

Two Oxidation Sites for Low Redox Potential Substrates

PubMed Central

Morales, María; Mate, María J.; Romero, Antonio; Martínez, María Jesús; Martínez, Ángel T.; Ruiz-Dueñas, Francisco J.

2012-01-01

Versatile peroxidase shares with manganese peroxidase and lignin peroxidase the ability to oxidize Mn2+ and high redox potential aromatic compounds, respectively. Moreover, it is also able to oxidize phenols (and low redox potential dyes) at two catalytic sites, as shown by biphasic kinetics. A high efficiency site (with 2,6-dimethoxyphenol and p-hydroquinone catalytic efficiencies of ∼70 and ∼700 s−1 mm−1, respectively) was localized at the same exposed Trp-164 responsible for high redox potential substrate oxidation (as shown by activity loss in the W164S variant). The second site, characterized by low catalytic efficiency (∼3 and ∼50 s−1 mm−1 for 2,6-dimethoxyphenol and p-hydroquinone, respectively) was localized at the main heme access channel. Steady-state and transient-state kinetics for oxidation of phenols and dyes at the latter site were improved when side chains of residues forming the heme channel edge were removed in single and multiple variants. Among them, the E140G/K176G, E140G/P141G/K176G, and E140G/W164S/K176G variants attained catalytic efficiencies for oxidation of 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) at the heme channel similar to those of the exposed tryptophan site. The heme channel enlargement shown by x-ray diffraction of the E140G, P141G, K176G, and E140G/K176G variants would allow a better substrate accommodation near the heme, as revealed by the up to 26-fold lower Km values (compared with native VP). The resulting interactions were shown by the x-ray structure of the E140G-guaiacol complex, which includes two H-bonds of the substrate with Arg-43 and Pro-139 in the distal heme pocket (at the end of the heme channel) and several hydrophobic interactions with other residues and the heme cofactor. PMID:23071108

Characterizing the transient geomorphic response to base level fall in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, H.; Zhang, P.; Kirby, E.; Pitlick, J.; Anderson, R. S.

2015-12-01

Analyses of hillslope gradient, landscape relief, and channel steepness in the Daxiahe drainage basin along the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau provides evidence of a transient geomorphic response to base level fall along the main stem Yellow River. The upper portions of the watershed are characterized by low-gradient channels and gentle hillslopes and are separated from a steeper, high relief landscape by a series of convex knickzones along channel profiles. Downstream projection of the upper channel profiles implies ~500-600 m of incision, consistent with terrace records of post ~1.7 Ma incision in the Linxia basin. We characterize erosion rates across this transient landscape using both optically-stimulated dating of fluvial terraces and catchment-averaged 10Be concentrations in modern sediment. Both data sets are consistent and suggest erosion/incision rates of ~300 m/Myr below knickpoints and ~50-100 m/Myr above. Field measurements of channel width (n=48) and bankfull discharge (n=9) allow us to determine local scaling relations among channel hydraulic geometry, discharge, and contributing area that we employ to estimate basal shear stress, unit stream power and bedload transport along the main stem of the Daxiahe River. We find a clear downstream increase of incision potential across this transient landscape, consistent with topographic observations and erosion rates. In contrast to recent studies, we find no evidence for adjustment of channel width across the transition from slowly eroding to rapidly eroding portions of the watershed. We hypothesize that this behavior is consistent with detachment-limited models of fluvial incision, despite the presence of significant sediment in channel bed and banks. Our results imply that the controls on hydraulic geometry along actively incising rivers remain incompletely understood.

Preliminary Analysis of SiC BWR Channel Box Performance under Normal Operation

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

Wirth, Brian; Singh, Gyanender P.; Gorton, Jacob

SiC-SiC composites are being considered for applications in the core components, including BWR channel box and fuel rod cladding, of light water reactors to improve accident tolerance. In the extreme nuclear reactor environment, core components like the BWR channel box will be exposed to neutron damage and a corrosive environment. To ensure reliable and safe operation of a SiC channel box, it is important to assess its deformation behavior under in-reactor conditions including the expected neutron flux and temperature distributions. In particular, this work has evaluated the effect of non-uniform dimensional changes caused by spatially varying neutron flux and temperaturesmore » on the deformation behavior of the channel box over the course of one cycle of irradiation. These analyses have been performed using the fuel performance modeling code BISON and the commercial finite element analysis code Abaqus, based on fast flux and temperature boundary conditions have been calculated using the neutronics and thermal-hydraulics codes Serpent2 and COBRA-TF, respectively. The dependence of dimensions and thermophysical properties on fast flux and temperature has been incorporated into the material models. These initial results indicate significant bowing of the channel box with a lateral displacement greater than 6.5mm. The channel box bowing behavior is time dependent, and driven by the temperature dependence of the SiC irradiation-induced swelling and the neutron flux/fluence gradients. The bowing behavior gradually recovers during the course of the operating cycle as the swelling of the SiC-SiC material saturates. However, the bending relaxation due to temperature gradients does not fully recover and residual bending remains after the swelling saturates in the entire channel box.« less

Using copper substrate to enhance the thermal conductivity of top-emission organic light-emitting diodes for improving the luminance efficiency and lifetime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsai, Yu-Sheng; Wang, Shun-Hsi; Chen, Chuan-Hung; Cheng, Chien-Lung; Liao, Teh-Chao

2009-12-01

The influence of heat dissipation on the performances of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) is investigated by measuring junction temperature and by calculating the rate of heat flow. The calculated rate of heat flow reveals that the key factors include the thermal conductivity, the substrate thickness, and the UV glue. Moreover, the use of copper substrate can effectively dissipate the joule heat, which then reduces the temperature gradient. Finally, it is shown that the use of a high thermal conductivity thinner substrate can enhance the thermal conductivity of OLED and the luminance efficiency as well.

Outdiffusion of recombination centers from the substrate into LPE layers - GaAs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jastrzebski, L.; Lagowski, J.; Gatos, H. C.

1979-01-01

Experimental results are presented showing that outdiffusion of recombination centers from the GaAs substrate into the epitaxial layer takes place during growth. Such outdiffusion decreases the carrier lifetime in the epitaxial layer to much lower values than the radiative recombination limit. Furthermore, it introduces a lifetime gradient across the epitaxial layer which depends critically on the growth velocity and thermal treatment. High rates of growth (such as those attainable in electroepitaxy) and high cooling rates can minimize the adverse effects of normally available substrates on the epitaxial layers; however, good quality substrates are essential for the consistent growth of device quality layers.

Erosional self-channelization of pyroclastic density currents - Evidence from ground-penetrating radar imaging at Mt. St. Helens, Washington (USA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gase, A.; Brand, B. D.; Bradford, J.

2016-12-01

The causes and consequences of substrate erosion are among the least understood attributes of pyroclastic density current (PDC) dynamics. Field evidence of substrate erosion is often limited by the location and quality of exposed PDC deposits. Here we present evidence for one of the most spatially extensive cases of PDC erosion to date, found within the 18 May 1980 deposits of Mt. St. Helens, Washington (USA). An 8 m deep and 300 m wide PDC scour and fill feature, which extends into PDC deposits from earlier in the eruption, is exposed along a distal outcrop of the shallow-dipping (<15º) pumice plain. Near surface geophysical techniques allow us to investigate the nature, extent, and cause of this large scour. We used 50 MHz ground-penetrating radar to track the distal scour from outcrop toward its source. Beginning 700 m up-flow from the large scour and fill exposure, the feature progressively widens from 205 m to 280 m and deepens from 10 m to 13 m, suggesting the PDCs became more erosive along the length of the scour. We extended our transects across the pumice plain to locate additional scours and to establish the topography at the time of erosion. We found a second 420 m wide and 11 m deep scour that extends at least 500 m from its inception point. Apparent dips of the sides of both channels are asymmetrical, due to pronounced erosion on the up-slope side of the flow in cross-section. Our data show no evidence of subsurface topographic irregularities or high slope angles up-flow from either erosional feature. These features imply large PDCs from semi-sustained or fluctuating eruptions can self-channelize by erosional mechanisms. Our findings suggest that (1) concentrated PDCs are capable of producing large scours on shallow slopes with negligible surface roughness, analogous to the erosional channels of submarine turbidity currents, (2) substrate properties, including partial fluidization of fresh PDC deposits, may facilitate substrate erosion during semi-sustained eruptions, and (3) large PDCs can undergo self-channelization, whereby axial zones of high flow energy erode channels that confine subsequent flows. Erosion and self-channelization of this nature is not accounted for in models of concentrated PDCs, which may result in underestimates of run-out distance.

Plasmonic Library Based on Substrate-Supported Gradiential Plasmonic Arrays

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

We present a versatile approach to produce macroscopic, substrate-supported arrays of plasmonic nanoparticles with well-defined interparticle spacing and a continuous particle size gradient. The arrays thus present a “plasmonic library” of locally noncoupling plasmonic particles of different sizes, which can serve as a platform for future combinatorial screening of size effects. The structures were prepared by substrate assembly of gold-core/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-shell particles and subsequent post-modification. Coupling of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) could be avoided since the polymer shell separates the encapsulated gold cores. To produce a particle array with a broad range of well-defined but laterally distinguishable particle sizes, the substrate was dip-coated in a growth solution, which resulted in an overgrowth of the gold cores controlled by the local exposure time. The kinetics was quantitatively analyzed and found to be diffusion rate controlled, allowing for precise tuning of particle size by adjusting the withdrawal speed. We determined the kinetics of the overgrowth process, investigated the LSPRs along the gradient by UV–vis extinction spectroscopy, and compared the spectroscopic results to the predictions from Mie theory, indicating the absence of local interparticle coupling. We finally discuss potential applications of these substrate-supported plasmonic particle libraries and perspectives toward extending the concept from size to composition variation and screening of plasmonic coupling effects. PMID:25137554

Protonation-dependent conformational dynamics of the multidrug transporter EmrE

PubMed Central

Dastvan, Reza; Mishra, Smriti; Meiler, Jens; Mchaourab, Hassane S.

2016-01-01

The small multidrug transporter from Escherichia coli, EmrE, couples the energetically uphill extrusion of hydrophobic cations out of the cell to the transport of two protons down their electrochemical gradient. Although principal mechanistic elements of proton/substrate antiport have been described, the structural record is limited to the conformation of the substrate-bound state, which has been shown to undergo isoenergetic alternating access. A central but missing link in the structure/mechanism relationship is a description of the proton-bound state, which is an obligatory intermediate in the transport cycle. Here we report a systematic spin labeling and double electron electron resonance (DEER) study that uncovers the conformational changes of EmrE subsequent to protonation of critical acidic residues in the context of a global description of ligand-induced structural rearrangements. We find that protonation of E14 leads to extensive rotation and tilt of transmembrane helices 1–3 in conjunction with repacking of loops, conformational changes that alter the coordination of the bound substrate and modulate its access to the binding site from the lipid bilayer. The transport model that emerges from our data posits a proton-bound, but occluded, resting state. Substrate binding from the inner leaflet of the bilayer releases the protons and triggers alternating access between inward- and outward-facing conformations of the substrate-loaded transporter, thus enabling antiport without dissipation of the proton gradient. PMID:26787875

The waterfall paradox: How knickpoints disconnect hillslope and channel processes, isolating salmonid populations in ideal habitats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

May, Christine; Roering, Josh; Snow, Kyle; Griswold, Kitty; Gresswell, Robert

2017-01-01

Waterfalls create barriers to fish migration, yet hundreds of isolated salmonid populations exist above barriers and have persisted for thousands of years in steep mountainous terrain. Ecological theory indicates that small isolated populations in disturbance-prone landscapes are at greatest risk of extirpation because immigration and recolonization are not possible. On the contrary, many above-barrier populations are currently thriving while their downstream counterparts are dwindling. This quandary led us to explore geomorphic knickpoints as a mechanism for disconnecting hillslope and channel processes by limiting channel incision and decreasing the pace of base-level lowering. Using LiDAR from the Oregon Coast Range, we found gentler channel gradients, wider valleys, lower gradient hillslopes, and less shallow landslide potential in an above-barrier catchment compared to a neighboring catchment devoid of persistent knickpoints. Based on this unique geomorphic template, above-barrier channel networks are less prone to debris flows and other episodic sediment fluxes. These above-barrier catchments also have greater resiliency to flooding, owing to wider valleys with greater floodplain connectivity. Habitat preference models further indicate that salmonid habitat is present in greater quantity and quality in these above-barrier networks. Therefore the paradox of the persistence of small isolated fish populations may be facilitated by a geomorphic mechanism that both limits their connectivity to larger fish populations yet dampens the effect of disturbance by decreasing connections between hillslope and channel processes above geomorphic knickpoints.

Structural basis of RND-type multidrug exporters

PubMed Central

Yamaguchi, Akihito; Nakashima, Ryosuke; Sakurai, Keisuke

2015-01-01

Bacterial multidrug exporters are intrinsic membrane transporters that act as cellular self-defense mechanism. The most notable characteristics of multidrug exporters is that they export a wide range of drugs and toxic compounds. The overexpression of these exporters causes multidrug resistance. Multidrug-resistant pathogens have become a serious problem in modern chemotherapy. Over the past decade, investigations into the structure of bacterial multidrug exporters have revealed the multidrug recognition and export mechanisms. In this review, we primarily discuss RND-type multidrug exporters particularly AcrAB-TolC, major drug exporter in Gram-negative bacteria. RND-type drug exporters are tripartite complexes comprising a cell membrane transporter, an outer membrane channel and an adaptor protein. Cell membrane transporters and outer membrane channels are homo-trimers; however, there is no consensus on the number of adaptor proteins in these tripartite complexes. The three monomers of a cell membrane transporter have varying conformations (access, binding, and extrusion) during transport. Drugs are exported following an ordered conformational change in these three monomers, through a functional rotation mechanism coupled with the proton relay cycle in ion pairs, which is driven by proton translocation. Multidrug recognition is based on a multisite drug-binding mechanism, in which two voluminous multidrug-binding pockets in cell membrane exporters recognize a wide range of substrates as a result of permutations at numerous binding sites that are specific for the partial structures of substrate molecules. The voluminous multidrug-binding pocket may have numerous binding sites even for a single substrate, suggesting that substrates may move between binding sites during transport, an idea named as multisite-drug-oscillation hypothesis. This hypothesis is consistent with the apparently broad substrate specificity of cell membrane exporters and their highly efficient ejection of drugs from the cell. Substrates are transported through dual multidrug-binding pockets via the peristaltic motion of the substrate translocation channel. Although there are no clinically available inhibitors of bacterial multidrug exporters, efforts to develop inhibitors based on structural information are underway. PMID:25941524

Structural basis of RND-type multidrug exporters.

PubMed

Yamaguchi, Akihito; Nakashima, Ryosuke; Sakurai, Keisuke

2015-01-01

Bacterial multidrug exporters are intrinsic membrane transporters that act as cellular self-defense mechanism. The most notable characteristics of multidrug exporters is that they export a wide range of drugs and toxic compounds. The overexpression of these exporters causes multidrug resistance. Multidrug-resistant pathogens have become a serious problem in modern chemotherapy. Over the past decade, investigations into the structure of bacterial multidrug exporters have revealed the multidrug recognition and export mechanisms. In this review, we primarily discuss RND-type multidrug exporters particularly AcrAB-TolC, major drug exporter in Gram-negative bacteria. RND-type drug exporters are tripartite complexes comprising a cell membrane transporter, an outer membrane channel and an adaptor protein. Cell membrane transporters and outer membrane channels are homo-trimers; however, there is no consensus on the number of adaptor proteins in these tripartite complexes. The three monomers of a cell membrane transporter have varying conformations (access, binding, and extrusion) during transport. Drugs are exported following an ordered conformational change in these three monomers, through a functional rotation mechanism coupled with the proton relay cycle in ion pairs, which is driven by proton translocation. Multidrug recognition is based on a multisite drug-binding mechanism, in which two voluminous multidrug-binding pockets in cell membrane exporters recognize a wide range of substrates as a result of permutations at numerous binding sites that are specific for the partial structures of substrate molecules. The voluminous multidrug-binding pocket may have numerous binding sites even for a single substrate, suggesting that substrates may move between binding sites during transport, an idea named as multisite-drug-oscillation hypothesis. This hypothesis is consistent with the apparently broad substrate specificity of cell membrane exporters and their highly efficient ejection of drugs from the cell. Substrates are transported through dual multidrug-binding pockets via the peristaltic motion of the substrate translocation channel. Although there are no clinically available inhibitors of bacterial multidrug exporters, efforts to develop inhibitors based on structural information are underway.

Study of adhesion and friction properties on a nanoparticle gradient surface: transition from JKR to DMT contact mechanics.

PubMed

Ramakrishna, Shivaprakash N; Nalam, Prathima C; Clasohm, Lucy Y; Spencer, Nicholas D

2013-01-08

We have previously investigated the dependence of adhesion on nanometer-scale surface roughness by employing a roughness gradient. In this study, we correlate the obtained adhesion forces on nanometer-scale rough surfaces to their frictional properties. A roughness gradient with varying silica particle (diameter ≈ 12 nm) density was prepared, and adhesion and frictional forces were measured across the gradient surface in perfluorodecalin by means of atomic force microscopy with a polyethylene colloidal probe. Similarly to the pull-off measurements, the frictional forces initially showed a reduction with decreasing particle density and later an abrupt increase as the colloidal sphere began to touch the flat substrate beneath, at very low particle densities. The friction-load relation is found to depend on the real contact area (A(real)) between the colloid probe and the underlying particles. At high particle density, the colloidal sphere undergoes large deformations over several nanoparticles, and the contact adhesion (JKR type) dominates the frictional response. However, at low particle density (before the colloidal probe is in contact with the underlying surface), the colloidal sphere is suspended by a few particles only, resulting in local deformations of the colloid sphere, with the frictional response to the applied load being dominated by long-range, noncontact (DMT-type) interactions with the substrate beneath.

Watershed processes, fish habitat, and salmonid distribution in the Tonsina River (Copper River watershed), Alaska

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Booth, D. B.; Ligon, F. K.; Sloat, M. R.; Amerson, B.; Ralph, S. C.

2007-12-01

The Copper River watershed is a critical resource for northeastern Pacific salmon, with annual escapements in the millions. The Tonsina River basin, a diverse 2100-km2 tributary to the Copper River that supports important salmonid populations, offers an opportunity to integrate watershed-scale channel network data with field reconnaissance of physical processes and observed distribution of salmonid species. Our long-term goals are to characterize habitats critical to different salmonid life stages, describe the geologic context and current geologic processes that support those habitats in key channel reaches, and predict their watershed-wide distribution. The overarching motivation for these goals is resource conservation, particularly in the face of increased human activity and long-term climate change. Channel geomorphology within the Tonsina River basin reflects inherited glacial topography. Combinations of drainage areas, slopes, channel confinement, and sediment-delivery processes are unique to this environment, giving rise to channel "types" that are recognizable but that do not occur in the same positions in the channel network as in nonglaciated landscapes. We also recognize certain channel forms providing fish habitat without analog in a nonglacial landscape, notably relict floodplain potholes from once-stranded and long-melted ice blocks. Salmonid species dominated different channel types within the watershed network. Sockeye salmon juveniles were abundant in the low-gradient, turbid mainstem; Chinook juveniles were also captured in the lower mainstem, with abundant evidence of spawning farther downstream. Coho juveniles were abundant in upper, relatively large tributaries, even those channels with cobble-boulder substrates and minimal woody debris that provide habitats more commonly utilized by Chinook in low-latitude systems. More detailed field sampling also revealed that patterns of species composition and abundance appeared related to small-scale differences in physical habitat features. For example, juvenile coho salmon used interstitial spaces between unembedded cobbles and boulders but were absent from adjacent habitat with high embeddedness. Thus high delivery rates of coarse sediment sustain critical rearing habitat that would otherwise be relatively inhospitable to fish. Using Chinook salmon as a focal species, we have integrated field- and map-based analyses to predict basin- scale geomorphic and biological constraints on the distribution of suitable spawning and rearing habitat. These analyses provide rapid guidance for where focused investigations or monitoring of key habitats should occur, a particularly important outcome where watersheds are large and field logistics are challenging. The predicted extent of suitable stream habitat within the study area represents a relatively minor fraction (ca. 10 percent) of the total stream channel network, suggesting that production of salmon from the study area depends on the maintenance of quality habitat in discrete, and relatively rare, reaches.

Characterizing the transient geomorphic response to base-level fall in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Huiping; Kirby, Eric; Pitlick, John; Anderson, Robert S.; Zhang, Peizhen

2017-02-01

Analysis of hillslope gradient, landscape relief, and channel steepness in the Daxia River basin provides evidence of a transient geomorphic response to base-level fall on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Low-gradient channels and gentle hillslopes of the upper watershed are separated from a steeper, high-relief landscape by a series of convex knickzones along channel longitudinal profiles. Downstream projection of the "relict" portions of the profiles implies 800-850 m of incision, consistent with geologic and geomorphic records of post 1.7 Ma incision in the lower watershed. We combine optically stimulated luminescence dating of fluvial terrace deposits to constrain incision rates downstream of knickpoints with catchment-averaged 10Be concentrations in modern sediment to estimate erosion rates in tributary basins both above and below knickpoints. Both sources of data imply landscape lowering rates of 300 m Ma-1 below the knickpoint and 50-100 m Ma-1 above. Field measurements of channel width (n = 48) and calculations of bankfull discharge (n = 9) allow determination of scaling relations among channel hydraulic geometry, discharge, and contributing area that we employ to estimate the patterns of basal shear stress, unit stream power, and bed load transport rate throughout the channel network. Our results imply a clear downstream increase of incision potential; this result would appear to be consistent with a detachment-limited response to imposed base-level fall, in which steepening of channels drives an increase in erosion rates. In contrast, however, we do not observe apparent narrowing of channels across the transition from slowly eroding to rapidly eroding portions of the watershed. Rather, the present-day channel morphology as well as its scaling of hydraulic geometry imply that the river is primarily adjusted to transport its sediment load and suggest that channel morphology may not always reflect the presence of knickpoints and differences in landscape relief.

Millimeter-Wave Chemical Sensor Using Substrate-Integrated-Waveguide Cavity

PubMed Central

Memon, Muhammad Usman; Lim, Sungjoon

2016-01-01

This research proposes a substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) cavity sensor to detect several chemicals using the millimeter-wave frequency range. The frequency response of the presented SIW sensor is switched by filling a very small quantity of chemical inside of the fluidic channel, which also causes a difference in the effective permittivity. The fluidic channel on this structure is either empty or filled with a chemical; when it is empty the structure resonates at 17.08 GHz. There is always a different resonant frequency when any chemical is injected into the fluidic channel. The maximum amount of chemical after injection is held in the center of the SIW structure, which has the maximum magnitude of the electric field distribution. Thus, the objective of sensing chemicals in this research is achieved by perturbing the electric fields of the SIW structure. PMID:27809240

Channelling study of La1-xSrxCoO3 films on different substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szilágyi, E.; Kótai, E.; Rata, D.; Németh, Z.; Vankó, G.

2014-08-01

The cobalt oxide system LaCoO3 and its Sr-doped child compounds have been intensively studied for decades due to their intriguing magnetic and electronic properties. Preparing thin La1-xSrxCoO3 (LSCO) films on different substrates allows for studies with a new type of perturbation, as the films are subject to substrate-dependent epitaxial strain. By choosing a proper substrate for a thin film grow, not only compressing but also tensile strain can be applied. The consequences for the fundamental physical properties are dramatic: while compressed films are metallic, as the bulk material, films under tensile strain become insulating. The goal of this work is to determine the strain tensor in LSCO films prepared on LaAlO3 and SrTiO3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition using RBS/channelling methods. Apart from the composition and defect structure of the samples, the depth dependence of the strain tensor, the cell parameters, and the volume of the unit cell are also determined. Asymmetric behaviour of the strained cell parameters is found on both substrates. This asymmetry is rather weak in the case of LSCO film grown on LaAlO3, while stronger on SrTiO3 substrate. The strain is more effective at the interface, some relaxation can be observed near to the surface.

Deposition and deformation of fluvial-lacustrine sediments of the Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic Whitmore Point Member, Moenave Formation, northern Arizona

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanner, Lawrence H.; Lucas, Spencer G.

2010-01-01

The stratigraphic section of the Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic Whitmore Point Member of the Moenave Formation at Potter Canyon, Arizona, comprises c. 26 m of gray to black shales and red mudstones interbedded with mainly sheet-like siltstones and sandstones. These strata represent deposition from suspension and sheetflow processes in shallow, perennial meromictic to ephemeral lakes, and on dry mudflats of the terminal floodout of the northward-flowing Moenave stream system. The lakes were small, as indicated by the lack of shoreline features and limited evidence for deltas. Changes in base level, likely forced by climate change, drove the variations between mudflat and perennial lacustrine conditions. Lenticular sandstones that occur across the outcrop face in the same stratigraphic interval in the lower part of the sequence represent the bedload fill of channels incised into a coarsening-upward lacustrine sequence following a fall in base level. These sandstones are distinctive for the common presence of over-steepened bedding, dewatering structures, and less commonly, folding. Deformation of these sandstones is interpreted as aseismic due to the lack of features typically associated with seismicity, such as fault-graded bedding, diapirs, brecciated fabrics and clastic dikes. Rapid deposition of the sands on a fluid-rich substrate produced a reverse density gradient that destabilized, and potentially fluidized the underlying, finer-grained sediments. This destabilization allowed synsedimentary subsidence of most of the channel sands, accompanied by longitudinal rotation and/or ductile deformation of the sand bodies.

Flow distribution in parallel microfluidic networks and its effect on concentration gradient

PubMed Central

Guermonprez, Cyprien; Michelin, Sébastien; Baroud, Charles N.

2015-01-01

The architecture of microfluidic networks can significantly impact the flow distribution within its different branches and thereby influence tracer transport within the network. In this paper, we study the flow rate distribution within a network of parallel microfluidic channels with a single input and single output, using a combination of theoretical modeling and microfluidic experiments. Within the ladder network, the flow rate distribution follows a U-shaped profile, with the highest flow rate occurring in the initial and final branches. The contrast with the central branches is controlled by a single dimensionless parameter, namely, the ratio of hydrodynamic resistance between the distribution channel and the side branches. This contrast in flow rates decreases when the resistance of the side branches increases relative to the resistance of the distribution channel. When the inlet flow is composed of two parallel streams, one of which transporting a diffusing species, a concentration variation is produced within the side branches of the network. The shape of this concentration gradient is fully determined by two dimensionless parameters: the ratio of resistances, which determines the flow rate distribution, and the Péclet number, which characterizes the relative speed of diffusion and advection. Depending on the values of these two control parameters, different distribution profiles can be obtained ranging from a flat profile to a step distribution of solute, with well-distributed gradients between these two limits. Our experimental results are in agreement with our numerical model predictions, based on a simplified 2D advection-diffusion problem. Finally, two possible applications of this work are presented: the first one combines the present design with self-digitization principle to encapsulate the controlled concentration in nanoliter chambers, while the second one extends the present design to create a continuous concentration gradient within an open flow chamber. PMID:26487905

Development of novel microfluidic platforms for neural stem cell research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chung, Bonggeun

This dissertation describes the development and characterization of novel microfluidic platforms to study proliferation, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis of neural stem cells (NSCs). NSCs hold tremendous promise for fundamental biological studies and cell-based therapies in human disorders. NSCs are defined as cells that can self-renew yet maintain the ability to generate the three principal cell types of the central nervous system such as neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. NSCs therefore have therapeutic possibilities in multiple neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. Despite their promise, cell-based therapies are limited by the inability to precisely control their behavior in culture. Compared to traditional culture tools, microfluidic platforms can provide much greater control over cell microenvironments and optimize proliferation and differentiation conditions of cells exposed to combinatorial mixtures of growth factors. Human NSCs were cultured for more than 1 week in the microfluidic device while constantly exposed to a continuous gradient of a growth factor mixture. NSCs proliferated and differentiated in a graded and proportional fashion that varied directly with growth factor concentration. In parallel to the study of growth and differentiation of NSCs, we are interested in proliferation and apoptosis of mouse NSCs exposed to morphogen gradients. Morphogen gradients are fundamental to animal brain development. Nonetheless, much controversy remains about the mechanisms by which morphogen gradients act on the developing brain. To overcome limitations of in-vitro models of gradients, we have developed a hybrid microfluidic platform that can mimic morphogen gradient profiles. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) activity in the developing cortex is graded and cortical NSC responses to BMPs are highly dependent on concentration and gradient slope of BMPs. To make novel microfluidic devices integrated with multiple functions, we have also developed a microfluidic multi-injector (MMI) that can generate temporal and spatial concentration gradients. MMI consists of fluidic channels and control channels with pneumatically actuated on-chip barrier valves. Repetitive actuations of on-chip valves control pulsatile release of solution that establishes microscopic chemical gradients. The development of novel gradient-generating microfluidic platforms will help in advancing our understanding of brain development and provide a versatile tool with basic and applied studies in stem cell biology.

Crystal Structure of LAAO from Calloselasma rhodostoma with L-Phenylalanine Substrate: Insights into Structure and Mechanism

PubMed Central

Moustafa, Ibrahim M.; Foster, Scott; Lyubimov, Artem Y.; Vrielink, Alice

2007-01-01

L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO) is a dimeric glycosylated flavoenzyme, a major constituent of the snake-venom from Calloselasma rhodostoma. The enzyme exhibits apoptosis-inducing effects as well as antibacterial and anti-HIV activities. The structure of LAAO with its substrate (L-phenylalanine) has been refined to a resolution of 1.8 Å. The complex structure reveals the substrate bound to the reduced flavin (FADred). Alternate conformations for the key residues: His223 and Arg322 are evident, suggesting a dynamic active site. Furthermore conformational changes are also apparent for the isoalloxazine ring; the three ring system exhibits more bending around the N5—N10 axis compared to the oxidized flavin. The implications of the observed dynamics on the mechanism of catalysis are discussed. Inspection of buried surfaces in the enzyme reveals a Y shaped channel system extending from the external surface of the protein to the active site. One portion of this channel may serve as the entry path for O2 during the oxidative half reaction. The second region, separated from the proposed O2 channel by the N-terminus (residues 8 – 16) of the protein, may play a role in H2O2 release. Interestingly, the later portion of the channel would direct the H2O2 product to the exterior surface of the protein, near to the glycan moiety, thought to anchor the enzyme to the host cell. This channel location may explain the ability of the enzyme to localize H2O2 to the targeted cell inducing the apoptotic effect. PMID:17046020

Effect of pore architecture on oxygen diffusion in 3D scaffolds for tissue engineering.

PubMed

Ahn, Geunseon; Park, Jeong Hun; Kang, Taeyun; Lee, Jin Woo; Kang, Hyun-Wook; Cho, Dong-Woo

2010-10-01

The aim of this study was to maximize oxygen diffusion within a three-dimensional scaffold in order to improve cell viability and proliferation. To evaluate the effect of pore architecture on oxygen diffusion, we designed a regular channel shape with uniform diameter, referred to as cylinder shaped, and a new channel shape with a channel diameter gradient, referred to as cone shaped. A numerical analysis predicted higher oxygen concentration in the cone-shaped channels than in the cylinder-shaped channels, throughout the scaffold. To confirm these numerical results, we examined cell proliferation and viability in 2D constructs and 3D scaffolds. Cell culture experiments revealed that cell proliferation and viability were superior in the constructs and scaffolds with cone-shaped channels.

Computational study of a magnetic design to improve the diagnosis of malaria: 2D model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vyas, Siddharth; Genis, Vladimir; Friedman, Gary

2017-02-01

This paper investigates the feasibility of a cost effective high gradient magnetic separation based device for the detection and identification of malaria parasites in a blood sample. The design utilizes magnetic properties of hemozoin present in malaria-infected red blood cells (mRBCs) in order to separate and concentrate them inside a microfluidic channel slide for easier examination under the microscope. The design consists of a rectangular microfluidic channel with multiple magnetic wires positioned on top of and underneath it along the length of the channel at a small angle with respect to the channel axis. Strong magnetic field gradients, produced by the wires, exert sufficient magnetic forces on the mRBCs in order to separate and concentrate them in a specific region small enough to fit within the microscope field of view at magnifications typically required to identify the malaria parasite type. The feasibility of the device is studied using a model where the trajectories of the mRBCs inside the channel are determined using first-order ordinary differential equations (ODEs) solved numerically using a multistep ODE solver available within MATLAB. The mRBCs trajectories reveal that it is possible to separate and concentrate the mRBCs in less than 5 min, even in cases of very low parasitemia (1-10 parasites/μL of blood) using blood sample volumes of around 3 μL employed today.

Internal transport barriers in the National Spherical Torus Experimenta)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuh, H. Y.; Levinton, F. M.; Bell, R. E.; Hosea, J. C.; Kaye, S. M.; LeBlanc, B. P.; Mazzucato, E.; Peterson, J. L.; Smith, D. R.; Candy, J.; Waltz, R. E.; Domier, C. W.; Luhmann, N. C.; Lee, W.; Park, H. K.

2009-05-01

In the National Spherical Torus Experiment [M. Ono et al., Nucl. Fusion 41, 1435 (2001)], internal transport barriers (ITBs) are observed in reversed (negative) shear discharges where diffusivities for electron and ion thermal channels and momentum are reduced. While neutral beam heating can produce ITBs in both electron and ion channels, high harmonic fast wave heating can also produce electron ITBs (e-ITBs) under reversed magnetic shear conditions without momentum input. Interestingly, the location of the e-ITB does not necessarily match that of the ion ITB (i-ITB). The e-ITB location correlates best with the magnetic shear minima location determined by motional Stark effect constrained equilibria, whereas the i-ITB location better correlates with the location of maximum E ×B shearing rate. Measured electron temperature gradients in the e-ITB can exceed critical gradients for the onset of electron thermal gradient microinstabilities calculated by linear gyrokinetic codes. A high-k microwave scattering diagnostic shows locally reduced density fluctuations at wave numbers characteristic of electron turbulence for discharges with strongly negative magnetic shear versus weakly negative or positive magnetic shear. Reductions in fluctuation amplitude are found to be correlated with the local value of magnetic shear. These results are consistent with nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations predicting a reduction in electron turbulence under negative magnetic shear conditions despite exceeding critical gradients.

Braided fluvial sedimentation in the lower paleozoic cape basin, South Africa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vos, Richard G.; Tankard, Anthony J.

1981-07-01

Lower Paleozoic braided stream deposits from the Piekenier Formation in the Cape Province, South Africa, provide information on lateral and vertical facies variability in an alluvial plain complex influenced by a moderate to high runoff. Four braided stream facies are recognized on the basis of distinct lithologies and assemblages of sedimentary structures. A lower facies, dominated by upward-fining conglomerate to sandstone and mudstone channel fill sequences, is interpreted as a middle to lower alluvial plain deposit with significant suspended load sedimentation in areas of moderate to low gradients. These deposits are succeeded by longitudinal conglomerate bars which are attributed to middle to upper alluvial plain sedimentation with steeper gradients. This facies is in turn overlain by braid bar complexes of large-scale transverse to linguoid dunes consisting of coarse-grained pebbly sandstones with conglomerate lenses. These bar complexes are compared with environments of the Recent Platte River. They represent a middle to lower alluvial plain facies with moderate gradients and no significant suspended load sedimentation or vegetation to stabilize channels. These bar complexes interfinger basinward with plane bedded medium to coarse-grained sandstones interpreted as sheet flood deposits over the distal portions of an alluvial plain with low gradients and lacking fine-grained detritus or vegetation.

Parametric Amplification Protocol for Frequency-Modulated Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy Signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harrell, Lee; Moore, Eric; Lee, Sanggap; Hickman, Steven; Marohn, John

2011-03-01

We present data and theoretical signal and noise calculations for a protocol using parametric amplification to evade the inherent tradeoff between signal and detector frequency noise in force-gradient magnetic resonance force microscopy signals, which are manifested as a modulated frequency shift of a high- Q microcantilever. Substrate-induced frequency noise has a 1 / f frequency dependence, while detector noise exhibits an f2 dependence on modulation frequency f . Modulation of sample spins at a frequency that minimizes these two contributions typically results in a surface frequency noise power an order of magnitude or more above the thermal limit and may prove incompatible with sample spin relaxation times as well. We show that the frequency modulated force-gradient signal can be used to excite the fundamental resonant mode of the cantilever, resulting in an audio frequency amplitude signal that is readily detected with a low-noise fiber optic interferometer. This technique allows us to modulate the force-gradient signal at a sufficiently high frequency so that substrate-induced frequency noise is evaded without subjecting the signal to the normal f2 detector noise of conventional demodulation.

Combinatorial Strategies and High Throughput Screening in Drug Discovery Targeted to the Channel of Botulinum Neurotoxin

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-09-01

block the HC channel. memantine NH2 amantadine H2N quinacrine NH O N lidocaine NH O N QX-222 S N Cl chlorpromazine N NCl O HN N Our objective was to...M2 protein2 and its derivative, memantine , which blocks the NMDA receptor channel3, and is approved by the FDA for the treatment of dementia...intracellular processing of BoNTs by collapsing the pH gradient across endosomes6,7. Chlorpromazine, quinacrine and memantine , in addition, cross the blood

AN INTERREGIONAL COMPARISON OF CHANNEL STRUCTURE, TRANSIENT STORAGE AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE IN STREAMS DRAINING MANAGED AND OLD GROWTH WATERSHEDS

EPA Science Inventory

We compared stream channel structure (width, depth, substrate composition) and riparian canopy with transient storage and nutrient uptake in 32 streams draining old-growth and managed watersheds in the Appalachian Mountains (North Carolina), Ouachita Mountains (Arkansas), Cascade...

Soil Mixing Coupled to Soil Production and Transport on Hillslopes: Responses to Channel Incision, Feather River, California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoo, K.; Weinman, B. A.; Mudd, S. M.; Hurst, M. D.; Gabet, E. J.; Singhvi, A. K.; Maher, K.

2012-12-01

Soil mantled hillslopes arise from the combined processes of soil production from the underlying in-situ saprolite/bedrock and the subsequent lateral transport of the colluvial soil materials toward hillslope toes. Often these toes are bounded by channels and respond to channel aggradation or incision. Biological agents such as trees and burrowing animals are often observed to be responsible for soil production and transport. Thus morphologic evolution of hillslopes is primarily derived by the combined action of channel processes setting the hillslopes' boundary condition and biophysical perturbations mixing soils. However, little is known about how the soil perturbation is coupled to the production and transport of soils. Here we quantify soil-mixing rates using optically stimulated luminescence at two hillslopes with contrasting slope gradients and erosion rates being located above and below a migrating knickpoint. The knickpoint is within a tributary basin to the Middle Fork Feather River that incised into a Sierran granitic batholith over the past five million years creating ~1km relief between the river and the surrounding plateau. Vertical soil-mixing rates range from 5-19 cm/kyr and do not vary with slope gradients and physical erosion rate. The distributions of single grain OSL ages from the two hillslopes' soils are also undistinguishable. Furthermore, LiDAR-based tree heights and densities are not statistically different between the two Hillslopes. Therefore, soil perturbation with indistinguishable intensities results in large difference in sediment flux when subject to different slope gradients. Not only do the soils in the three transects have similar mixing rates, but they also feature similar soil thicknesses. These properties, given the transects' differing erosion rates, can only be explained by varying chemical weathering processes in saprolite.

Variation in the reference Shields stress for bed load transport in gravel‐bed streams and rivers

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mueller, Erich R.; Pitlick, John; Nelson, Jonathan M.

2005-01-01

The present study examines variations in the reference shear stress for bed load transport (τr) using coupled measurements of flow and bed load transport in 45 gravel‐bed streams and rivers. The study streams encompass a wide range in bank‐full discharge (1–2600 m3/s), average channel gradient (0.0003–0.05), and median surface grain size (0.027–0.21 m). A bed load transport relation was formed for each site by plotting individual values of the dimensionless transport rate W* versus the reach‐average dimensionless shear stress τ*. The reference dimensionless shear stress τ*r was then estimated by selecting the value of τ* corresponding to a reference transport rate of W* = 0.002. The results indicate that the discharge corresponding to τ*r averages 67% of the bank‐full discharge, with the variation independent of reach‐scale morphologic and sediment properties. However, values of τ*r increase systematically with average channel gradient, ranging from 0.025–0.035 at sites with slopes of 0.001–0.006 to values greater than 0.10 at sites with slopes greater than 0.02. A corresponding relation for the bank‐full dimensionless shear stress τ*bf, formulated with data from 159 sites in North America and England, mirrors the relation between τ*r and channel gradient, suggesting that the bank‐full channel geometry of gravel‐ and cobble‐bedded streams is adjusted to a relatively constant excess shear stress, τ*bf − τ*r, across a wide range of slopes.

Observations of a tidal intrusion front in a tidal channel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Shasha; Xia, Xiaoming; Thompson, Charlie E. L.; Cao, Zhenyi; Liu, Yifei

2017-11-01

A visible front indicated by a surface colour change, and sometimes associated with foam or debris lines, was observed in a tidal channel during neap tide. This is an example of a tidal intrusion front occurring in the absence of sudden topographical changes or reversing flows, typically reported to be associated with such fronts. Detailed Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler and conductivity/temperature/depth measurements were taken on repeated transects both with fronts apparent and with fronts absent. The results indicated that the front occurred as a result of stratification, which was sustained by the buoyancy flux and the weak tide-induced mixing during neap ebb tide. The stronger tide-induced mixing during spring tide restrained stratification, leading to the absence of a front. The mechanism of the frontogenesis was the density gradient between the stratified water formed during neap ebb tide, and the more mixed seawater during neap flood tide; thus, the water on the landward (southwestern) side of the front was stratified, and that on the seaward side (northeastern) of the front was vertically well mixed. Gradient Richardson number estimates suggest that the flow between the stratified and mixed water was near the threshold 0.25 for shear instability. Meanwhile, the density gradient would provide an initial baroclinic contribution to velocity convergence, which is indicated by the accumulation of buoyant matter such as foam, grass, and debris into a sharply defined line along the surface. The front migrates with the flood current, with a local maximum towards the eastern side of the channel, leading to an asymmetrical shape with the eastern side of the front driven further into the Tiaozhoumen tidal channel.

Transverse ac-driven and geometric ratchet effects for vortices in conformal crystal pinning arrays

DOE PAGES

Reichhardt, Charles; Reichhardt, Cynthia Jane Olsen

2016-02-11

A conformal pinning array is created by taking a conformal transformation of a uniform hexagonal lattice to create a structure in which the sixfold ordering of the original lattice is preserved but which has a spatial gradient in the pinning site density. With a series of conformal arrays it is possible to create asymmetric substrates, and it was previously shown that when an ac drive is applied parallel to the asymmetry direction, a pronounced ratchet effect occurs with a net dc flow of vortices in the same direction as the ac drive. Here, in this article, we show that whenmore » the ac drive is applied perpendicular to the substrate asymmetry direction, it is possible to realize a transverse ratchet effect where a net dc flow of vortices is generated perpendicular to the ac drive. The conformal transverse ratchet effect is distinct from previous versions of transverse ratchets in that it occurs due to the generation of non-Gaussian transverse vortex velocity fluctuations by the plastic motion of vortices, so that the system behaves as a noise correlation ratchet. The transverse ratchet effect is much more pronounced in the conformal arrays than in random gradient arrays and is absent in square gradient arrays due the different nature of the vortex flow in each geometry. We show that a series of reversals can occur in the transverse ratchet effect due to changes in the vortex flow across the pinning gradient as a function of vortex filling, pinning strength, and ac amplitude. We also consider the case where a dc drive applied perpendicular to the substrate asymmetry direction generates a net flow of vortices perpendicular to the dc drive, producing what is known as a geometric or drift ratchet that again arises due to non-Gaussian dynamically generated fluctuations. The drift ratchet is more efficient than the ac driven ratchet and also exhibits a series of reversals for varied parameters. Lastly, our results should be general to a wide class of systems undergoing nonequilibrium dynamics on conformal substrates, such as colloidal particles on optical traps.« less

Crystal Structures of Xanthomonas campestris OleA Reveal Features That Promote Head-to-Head Condensation of Two Long-Chain Fatty Acids

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

Goblirsch, BR; Frias, JA; Wackett, LP

2012-05-22

OleA is a thiolase superfamily enzyme that has been shown to catalyze the condensation of two long-chain fatty acylcoenzyme A (CoA) substrates. The enzyme is part of a larger gene cluster responsible for generating long-chain olefin products, a potential biofuel precursor. In thiolase superfamily enzymes, catalysis is achieved via a ping-pong mechanism. The first substrate forms a covalent intermediate with an active site cysteine that is followed by reaction with the second substrate. For OleA, this conjugation proceeds by a nondecarboxylative Claisen condensation. The OleA from Xanthomonas campestris has been crystallized and its structure determined, along with inhibitor-bound and xenon-derivatizedmore » structures, to improve our understanding of substrate positioning in the context of enzyme turnover. OleA is the first characterized thiolase superfamily member that has two long-chain alkyl substrates that need to be bound simultaneously and therefore uniquely requires an additional alkyl binding channel. The location of the fatty acid biosynthesis inhibitor, cerulenin, that possesses an alkyl chain length in the range of known OleA substrates, in conjunction with a single xenon binding site, leads to the putative assignment of this novel alkyl binding channel. Structural overlays between the OleA homologues, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) synthase and the fatty acid biosynthesis enzyme FabH, allow assignment of the two remaining channels: one for the thioester-containing pantetheinate arm and the second for the alkyl group of one substrate. A short beta-hairpin region is ordered in only one of the crystal forms, and that may suggest open and closed states relevant for substrate binding. Cys143 is the conserved catalytic cysteine within the superfamily, and the site of alkylation by cerulenin. The alkylated structure suggests that a glutamic acid residue (Glu117 beta) likely promotes Claisen condensation by acting as the catalytic base. Unexpectedly, Glu117 beta comes from the other monomer of the physiological dimer.« less

Crystal Structures of Xanthomonas campestris OleA Reveal Features That Promote Head-to-Head Condensation of Two Long-Chain Fatty Acids

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

Goblirsch, Brandon R.; Frias, Janice A.; Wackett, Lawrence P.

2012-10-25

OleA is a thiolase superfamily enzyme that has been shown to catalyze the condensation of two long-chain fatty acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) substrates. The enzyme is part of a larger gene cluster responsible for generating long-chain olefin products, a potential biofuel precursor. In thiolase superfamily enzymes, catalysis is achieved via a ping-pong mechanism. The first substrate forms a covalent intermediate with an active site cysteine that is followed by reaction with the second substrate. For OleA, this conjugation proceeds by a nondecarboxylative Claisen condensation. The OleA from Xanthomonas campestris has been crystallized and its structure determined, along with inhibitor-bound and xenon-derivatizedmore » structures, to improve our understanding of substrate positioning in the context of enzyme turnover. OleA is the first characterized thiolase superfamily member that has two long-chain alkyl substrates that need to be bound simultaneously and therefore uniquely requires an additional alkyl binding channel. The location of the fatty acid biosynthesis inhibitor, cerulenin, that possesses an alkyl chain length in the range of known OleA substrates, in conjunction with a single xenon binding site, leads to the putative assignment of this novel alkyl binding channel. Structural overlays between the OleA homologues, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) synthase and the fatty acid biosynthesis enzyme FabH, allow assignment of the two remaining channels: one for the thioester-containing pantetheinate arm and the second for the alkyl group of one substrate. A short {beta}-hairpin region is ordered in only one of the crystal forms, and that may suggest open and closed states relevant for substrate binding. Cys143 is the conserved catalytic cysteine within the superfamily, and the site of alkylation by cerulenin. The alkylated structure suggests that a glutamic acid residue (Glu117{beta}) likely promotes Claisen condensation by acting as the catalytic base. Unexpectedly, Glu117{beta} comes from the other monomer of the physiological dimer.« less

Using LiDAR to Estimate Surface Erosion Volumes within the Post-storm 2012 Bagley Fire

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mikulovsky, R. P.; De La Fuente, J. A.; Mondry, Z. J.

2014-12-01

The total post-storm 2012 Bagley fire sediment budget of the Squaw Creek watershed in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest was estimated using many methods. A portion of the budget was quantitatively estimated using LiDAR. Simple workflows were designed to estimate the eroded volume's of debris slides, fill failures, gullies, altered channels and streams. LiDAR was also used to estimate depositional volumes. Thorough manual mapping of large erosional features using the ArcGIS 10.1 Geographic Information System was required as these mapped features determined the eroded volume boundaries in 3D space. The 3D pre-erosional surface for each mapped feature was interpolated based on the boundary elevations. A surface difference calculation was run using the estimated pre-erosional surfaces and LiDAR surfaces to determine volume of sediment potentially delivered into the stream system. In addition, cross sections of altered channels and streams were taken using stratified random selection based on channel gradient and stream order respectively. The original pre-storm surfaces of channel features were estimated using the cross sections and erosion depth criteria. Open source software Inkscape was used to estimate cross sectional areas for randomly selected channel features and then averaged for each channel gradient and stream order classes. The average areas were then multiplied by the length of each class to estimate total eroded altered channel and stream volume. Finally, reservoir and in-channel depositional volumes were estimated by mapping channel forms and generating specific reservoir elevation zones associated with depositional events. The in-channel areas and zones within the reservoir were multiplied by estimated and field observed sediment thicknesses to attain a best guess sediment volume. In channel estimates included re-occupying stream channel cross sections established before the fire. Once volumes were calculated, other erosion processes of the Bagley sedimentation study, such as surface soil erosion were combined to estimate the total fire and storm sediment budget for the Squaw Creek watershed. The LiDAR-based measurement workflows can be easily applied to other sediment budget studies using one high resolution LiDAR dataset.

X-ray driven channeling acceleration in crystals and carbon nanotubes

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

Shin, Young-Min; Still, Dean A.; Shiltsev, Vladimir

2013-12-01

Acceleration of particles channeling in a crystal by means of diffracted x-rays via Bormann anomalous transmission was conceived for heavy ions and muons by Tajima and Cavenago [Phys. Rev. Lett. 59, 1440 (1987)], which potentially offers an appreciably high field gradient on the order of GV/cm. The theoretical model of the high gradient acceleration has been studied in two kinds of atomic structure, crystals and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), with analytic calculations and electromagnetic eigenmode simulations. A range of acceleration gradients and cutoffs of the x-ray power (the lowest power limit to overcome the Bremsstrahlung radiation losses) are characterized in termsmore » of the lattice constants, unit cell sizes, and photon energies. The parametric analysis indicates that the required x-ray power can be reduced to an order of megawatt by replacing crystals with CNTs. Eventually, the equivalent dielectric approximation of a multi-wall nanotube shows that 250–810 MeV muons can be synchronously coupled with x-rays of 0.65–1.32 keV in the accelerating structure.« less

Short infrared laser pulses increase cell membrane fluidity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walsh, Alex J.; Cantu, Jody C.; Ibey, Bennett L.; Beier, Hope T.

2017-02-01

Short infrared laser pulses induce a variety of effects in cells and tissues, including neural stimulation and inhibition. However, the mechanism behind these physiological effects is poorly understood. It is known that the fast thermal gradient induced by the infrared light is necessary for these biological effects. Therefore, this study tests the hypothesis that the fast thermal gradient induced in a cell by infrared light exposure causes a change in the membrane fluidity. To test this hypothesis, we used the membrane fluidity dye, di-4-ANEPPDHQ, to investigate membrane fluidity changes following infrared light exposure. Di-4-ANEPPDHQ fluorescence was imaged on a wide-field fluorescence imaging system with dual channel emission detection. The dual channel imaging allowed imaging of emitted fluorescence at wavelengths longer and shorter than 647 nm for ratiometric assessment and computation of a membrane generalized polarization (GP) value. Results in CHO cells show increased membrane fluidity with infrared light pulse exposure and this increased fluidity scales with infrared irradiance. Full recovery of pre-infrared exposure membrane fluidity was observed. Altogether, these results demonstrate that infrared light induces a thermal gradient in cells that changes membrane fluidity.

Stabilization of magnetic skyrmions by RKKY interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bezvershenko, Alla V.; Kolezhuk, Alexei K.; Ivanov, Boris A.

2018-02-01

We study the stabilization of an isolated magnetic skyrmion in a magnetic monolayer on a nonmagnetic conducting substrate via the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) exchange interaction. Two different types of the substrate are considered, usual normal metal and single-layer graphene. While the full stability analysis for skyrmions in the presence of the RKKY coupling requires a separate effort that is outside the scope of this work, we are able to study the radial stability (stability of a skyrmion against collapse) using variational energy estimates obtained within first-order perturbation theory, with the unperturbed Hamiltonian describing the isotropic Heisenberg magnet, and the two perturbations being the RKKY exchange and the easy-axis anisotropy. We show that a proper treatment of the long-range nature of the RKKY interaction leads to a qualitatively different stabilization scenario compared to previous studies, where solitons were stabilized by the frustrated exchange coupling (leading to terms with the fourth power of the magnetization gradients) or by the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (described by terms linear in the magnetization gradients). In the case of a metallic substrate, the skyrmion stabilization is possible under restrictive conditions on the Fermi surface parameters, while in the case of a graphene substrate the stabilization is naturally achieved in several geometries with a lattice-matching of graphene and magnetic layer.

Unraveling the channel–lobe transition zone with high-resolution AUV bathymetry: Navy Fan, offshore Baja California, Mexico

USGS Publications Warehouse

Carvajal, Cristian; Paull, Charles K.; Caress, David W.; Fildani, Andrea; Lundsten, Eve M.; Anderson, Krystle; Maier, Katherine L.; McGann, Mary; Gwiazda, Roberto; Herguera, Juan Carlos

2017-01-01

Ultra-high-resolution (1 m * 1 m * 0.25 m) bathymetry was acquired with an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) over a sector of the Navy Fan offshore Baja California. The survey specifically targeted an area where the former interpretation of the fan showed a channel–lobe transition; however, the lobe and the transition were not recognized. Instead, the newly acquired bathymetry shows that the previously identified channel continues basinward changing its overall morphology and stratigraphic architecture, becoming gradually but significantly wider (650–1000 m) and of lower relief (3–4 m). Cores from the channel thalweg recovered mud-poor (< 5%) well-sorted sands, interpreted as deposited by fully turbulent flows. The cores also show several mud-rich (9–18%) poorly sorted sands, probably indicating deposition from more cohesive flows.The high-resolution bathymetry shows large sectors of the seafloor sculpted by elaborate bedforms and scours. The overbank area north of the channel exhibits the most numerous and prominent scours, interpreted to have been largely generated by flow stripping at a bend in the channel. Along high-gradient sectors (more than approximately 1¯) of this area, the scours are largest and deepest. Some of these scours show an erosional headwall and a distal upflow-dipping depositional bulge, forming repetitive bedforms interpreted as erosional cyclic steps associated with locked-in-place trains of hydraulic jumps. The scours seem to coalesce to form an incipient channel, which would likely drive the avulsion of the main channel. Further basinward, average gradients decrease (< 0.6¯ ) and scours become smaller and less deep suggesting a gradient control on erosion. The southern channel margin and adjacent overbank area exhibit a trend of scours that are elongated transverse to flow, that successively repeat themselves basinwards, and that at times merge with sediment waves. Probably these scours are genetically linked to sediment waves, and they may have been formed by cyclic-step-like processes as well. The acquired bathymetry represents a breakthrough in the imaging of the proximal sectors of deep-sea fans, which provides the basis for an accurate morphometric characterization and the understanding of sedimentary processes and morphodynamics associated with the delivery of sediment into the deep sea.

Modes of development of slope canyons and their relation to channel and levee features on the Ebro sediment apron, off-shore northeastern Spain

USGS Publications Warehouse

O'Connell, S.; Ryan, William B. F.; Normark, W.R.

1987-01-01

Six submarine slope canyons in an area of the northwestern Mediterranean, offshore from the Ebro River and Delta, were surveyed with bathymetric swathmapping (SeaBeam) and mid-range side-looking sonar (SeaMARC I). All of the canyons have slightly winding paths with concave-upwards gradients that are relatively steep shallower than 1,200 m. Two major types of canyons are identified on the basis of their morphologic character at the base of the slope; Type-I canyons lead to an unchannelled base-of-slope deposit and Type-II canyons are continuous with channel-levee systems that cross the rise. Four Type-I canyons were surveyed in the area. Two of these are broad, U-shaped, steep (average gradients of 1:14), do not indent the shelf, and terminate downslope at debris-flow deposits. These two canyons, the most northern in the area, have rounded heads with extensive gullies separated by knife-edge ridges. Relief of the canyon walls is about equal on both sides of the canyons, although the right-hand walls (looking downslope) are generally steeper. The other two Type-I canyons in the area are similar in that they do not indent the shelf, but they are much smaller and shallower and coalesce before terminating in the base-of-slope region. The two Type-II canyons that feed leveed-channels are U-shaped with flatter floors, longer profiles and gentler gradients than Type-I canyons. They are closer to the Valencia Valley and have relatively small cross-sectional areas. We propose a four-stage evolutionary sequence to explain the development of the canyons observed in this section on the prograding Ebro margin. During the initial stage, slumping and erosion on the slope creates a network of small gullies. During the next stage, headward growth of one (or more) gully leads to a major indentation of the shelf. This is the critical factor for developing a channel that will incise the slope and provide a major conduit for moving sediment to the basin. Stage 3 is characterized by the development of a continuous channel accompanied by levee growth across the lobe. In the final stage, the channel-levee system becomes inactive either through destruction by mass wasting, infilling of the channel, or loss of the major sediment source. ?? 1987.

Micromachined microwave signal control device and method for making same

DOEpatents

Forman, Michael A [San Francisco, CA

2008-09-02

A method for fabricating a signal controller, e.g., a filter or a switch, for a coplanar waveguide during the LIGA fabrication process of the waveguide. Both patterns for the waveguide and patterns for the signal controllers are created on a mask. Radiation travels through the mask and reaches a photoresist layer on a substrate. The irradiated portions are removed and channels are formed on the substrate. A metal is filled into the channels to form the conductors of the waveguide and the signal controllers. Micromachined quasi-lumped elements are used alone or together as filters. The switch includes a comb drive, a spring, a metal plunger, and anchors.

Method for making a micromachined microwave signal control device

DOEpatents

Forman, Michael A [Mountain House, CA

2011-02-15

A method for fabricating a signal controller, e.g., a filter or a switch, for a coplanar waveguide during the LIGA fabrication process of the waveguide. Both patterns for the waveguide and patterns for the signal controllers are created on a mask. Radiation travels through the mask and reaches a photoresist layer on a substrate. The irradiated portions are removed and channels are formed on the substrate. A metal is filled into the channels to form the conductors of the waveguide and the signal controllers. Micromachined quasi-lumped elements are used alone or together as filters. The switch includes a comb drive, a spring, a metal plunger, and anchors.

Self-regenerating and hybrid irreversible/reversible PDMS microfluidic devices.

PubMed

Shiroma, Letícia S; Piazzetta, Maria H O; Duarte-Junior, Gerson F; Coltro, Wendell K T; Carrilho, Emanuel; Gobbi, Angelo L; Lima, Renato S

2016-05-16

This paper outlines a straightforward, fast, and low-cost method to fabricate polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chips. Termed sandwich bonding (SWB), this method requires only a laboratory oven. Initially, SWB relies on the reversible bonding of a coverslip over PDMS channels. The coverslip is smaller than the substrate, leaving a border around the substrate exposed. Subsequently, a liquid composed of PDMS monomers and a curing agent is poured onto the structure. Finally, the cover is cured. We focused on PDMS/glass chips because of their key advantages in microfluidics. Despite its simplicity, this method created high-performance microfluidic channels. Such structures featured self-regeneration after leakages and hybrid irreversible/reversible behavior. The reversible nature was achieved by removing the cover of PDMS with acetone. Thus, the PDMS substrate and glass coverslip could be detached for reuse. These abilities are essential in the stages of research and development. Additionally, SWB avoids the use of surface oxidation, half-cured PDMS as an adhesive, and surface chemical modification. As a consequence, SWB allows surface modifications before the bonding, a long time for alignment, the enclosure of sub-micron channels, and the prototyping of hybrid devices. Here, the technique was successfully applied to bond PDMS to Au and Al.

Self-regenerating and hybrid irreversible/reversible PDMS microfluidic devices

PubMed Central

Shiroma, Letícia S.; Piazzetta, Maria H. O.; Duarte-Junior, Gerson F.; Coltro, Wendell K. T.; Carrilho, Emanuel; Gobbi, Angelo L.; Lima, Renato S.

2016-01-01

This paper outlines a straightforward, fast, and low-cost method to fabricate polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chips. Termed sandwich bonding (SWB), this method requires only a laboratory oven. Initially, SWB relies on the reversible bonding of a coverslip over PDMS channels. The coverslip is smaller than the substrate, leaving a border around the substrate exposed. Subsequently, a liquid composed of PDMS monomers and a curing agent is poured onto the structure. Finally, the cover is cured. We focused on PDMS/glass chips because of their key advantages in microfluidics. Despite its simplicity, this method created high-performance microfluidic channels. Such structures featured self-regeneration after leakages and hybrid irreversible/reversible behavior. The reversible nature was achieved by removing the cover of PDMS with acetone. Thus, the PDMS substrate and glass coverslip could be detached for reuse. These abilities are essential in the stages of research and development. Additionally, SWB avoids the use of surface oxidation, half-cured PDMS as an adhesive, and surface chemical modification. As a consequence, SWB allows surface modifications before the bonding, a long time for alignment, the enclosure of sub-micron channels, and the prototyping of hybrid devices. Here, the technique was successfully applied to bond PDMS to Au and Al. PMID:27181918

Nanoscale Electrostructural Characterization of Compositionally Graded Al(x)Ga(1-x)N Heterostructures on GaN/Sapphire (0001) Substrate.

PubMed

Kuchuk, Andrian V; Lytvyn, Petro M; Li, Chen; Stanchu, Hryhorii V; Mazur, Yuriy I; Ware, Morgan E; Benamara, Mourad; Ratajczak, Renata; Dorogan, Vitaliy; Kladko, Vasyl P; Belyaev, Alexander E; Salamo, Gregory G

2015-10-21

We report on AlxGa1-xN heterostructures resulting from the coherent growth of a positive then a negative gradient of the Al concentration on a [0001]-oriented GaN substrate. These polarization-doped p-n junction structures were characterized at the nanoscale by a combination of averaging as well as depth-resolved experimental techniques including: cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution X-ray diffraction, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, and scanning probe microscopy. We observed that a small miscut in the substrate orientation along with the accumulated strain during growth led to a change in the mosaic structure of the AlxGa1-xN film, resulting in the formation of macrosteps on the surface. Moreover, we found a lateral modulation of charge carriers on the surface which were directly correlated with these steps. Finally, using nanoscale probes of the charge density in cross sections of the samples, we have directly measured, semiquantitatively, both n- and p-type polarization doping resulting from the gradient concentration of the AlxGa1-xN layers.

Theoretical study of fabrication of line-and-space patterns with 7 nm quarter-pitch using electron beam lithography with chemically amplified resist process: III. Post exposure baking on quartz substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kozawa, Takahiro

2015-09-01

Electron beam (EB) lithography is a key technology for the fabrication of photomasks for ArF immersion and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography and molds for nanoimprint lithography. In this study, the temporal change in the chemical gradient of line-and-space patterns with a 7 nm quarter-pitch (7 nm space width and 21 nm line width) was calculated until it became constant, independently of postexposure baking (PEB) time, to clarify the feasibility of single nano patterning on quartz substrates using EB lithography with chemically amplified resist processes. When the quencher diffusion constant is the same as the acid diffusion constant, the maximum chemical gradient of the line-and-space pattern with a 7 nm quarter-pitch did not differ much from that with a 14 nm half-pitch under the condition described above. Also, from the viewpoint of process control, a low quencher diffusion constant is considered to be preferable for the fabrication of line-and-space patterns with a 7 nm quarter-pitch on quartz substrates.

Universal Common Communication Substrate (UCCS) Specification; Universal Common Communication Substrate (UCCS) Implementation

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

Universal Common Communication Substrate (UCCS) is a low-level communication substrate that exposes high-performance communication primitives, while providing network interoperability. It is intended to support multiple upper layer protocol (ULPs) or programming models including SHMEM,UPC,Titanium,Co-Array Fortran,Global Arrays,MPI,GASNet, and File I/O. it provides various communication operations including one-sided and two-sided point-to-point, collectives, and remote atomic operations. In addition to operations for ULPs, it provides an out-of-band communication channel required typically required to wire-up communication libraries.

Specifics of heat and mass transfer in spherical dimples under the effect of external factors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shchukin, A. V.; Il'inkov, A. V.; Takmovtsev, V. V.; Khabibullin, I. I.

2017-06-01

The specifics are examined of heat transfer enhancement with spherical dimples under the effect of factors important for practice and characteristic of cooling systems of gas-turbine engines and power units. This experimental investigation deals with the effect of the following factors on the flow in a channel with hemispherical dimples: continuous air swirl in an annulus with dimples on its concave wall, dimples on the convex or concave wall of a curved rectangular channel, imposition of regular velocity fluctuations on the external flow in a straight rectangular channel, and adverse or favorable pressure gradient along the flow direction. The flow is turbulent. Reynolds numbers based on the channel hydraulic diameter are on the order of 104. Results of the investigation of a model of a two-cavity diffuser dimple proposed by the authors are presented. It has been found that results for channels with spherical dimples and for smooth channels differ not only quantitatively but also qualitatively. Thus, if the effect of centrifugal mass forces on convex and concave surfaces with hemispherical dimples and in a smooth channel is almost the same (quantitative and qualitative indicators are identical), the pressure gradient in the flow direction brings about the drastically opposite results. At the same time, the quantitative contribution to a change in heat transfer in hemispherical dimples is different and depends on the impact type. The results are discussed with the use of physical models created on the basis of the results of flow visualization studies and data on the turbulence intensity, pressure coefficient, etc. Results of the investigations suggest that application of spherical dimples under nonstandard conditions requires the calculated heat transfer to be corrected to account for one or another effect.

Comparison of superhydrophobic drag reduction between turbulent pipe and channel flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Im, Hyung Jae; Lee, Jae Hwa

2017-09-01

It has been known over several decades that canonical wall-bounded internal flows of a pipe and channel share flow similarities, in particular, close to the wall due to the negligible curvature effect. In the present study, direct numerical simulations of fully developed turbulent pipe and channel flows are performed to investigate the influence of the superhydrophobic surfaces (SHSs) on the turbulence dynamics and the resultant drag reduction (DR) of the flows under similar conditions. SHSs at the wall are modeled in spanwise-alternating longitudinal regions with a boundary with no-slip and shear-free conditions, and the two parameters of the spanwise periodicity (P/δ) and SHS fraction (GF) within a pitch are considered. It is shown, in agreement with previous investigations in channels, that the turbulent drag for the pipe and channel flows over SHSs is continuously decreased with increases in P/δ and GF. However, the DR rate in the pipe flows is greater than that in the channel flows with an accompanying reduction of the Reynolds stress. The enhanced performance of the DR for the pipe flow is attributed to the increased streamwise slip and weakened Reynolds shear stress contributions. In addition, a mathematical analysis of the spanwise mean vorticity equation suggests that the presence of a strong secondary flow due to the increased spanwise slip of the pipe flows makes a greater negative contribution of advective vorticity transport than the channel flows, resulting in a higher DR value. Finally, an inspection of the origin of the mean secondary flow in turbulent flows over SHSs based on the spatial gradients of the turbulent kinetic energy demonstrates that the secondary flow is both driven and sustained by spatial gradients in the Reynolds stress components, i.e., Prandtl's secondary flow of the second kind.

Liquid crystal devices especially for use in liquid crystal point diffraction interferometer systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marshall, Kenneth L. (Inventor)

2009-01-01

Liquid crystal point diffraction interferometer (LCPDI) systems that can provide real-time, phase-shifting interferograms that are useful in the characterization of static optical properties (wavefront aberrations, lensing, or wedge) in optical elements or dynamic, time-resolved events (temperature fluctuations and gradients, motion) in physical systems use improved LCPDI cells that employ a "structured" substrate or substrates in which the structural features are produced by thin film deposition or photo resist processing to provide a diffractive element that is an integral part of the cell substrate(s). The LC material used in the device may be doped with a "contrast-compensated" mixture of positive and negative dichroic dyes.

Liquid crystal devices especially for use in liquid crystal point diffraction interferometer systems

DOEpatents

Marshall, Kenneth L [Rochester, NY

2009-02-17

Liquid crystal point diffraction interferometer (LCPDI) systems that can provide real-time, phase-shifting interferograms that are useful in the characterization of static optical properties (wavefront aberrations, lensing, or wedge) in optical elements or dynamic, time-resolved events (temperature fluctuations and gradients, motion) in physical systems use improved LCPDI cells that employ a "structured" substrate or substrates in which the structural features are produced by thin film deposition or photo resist processing to provide a diffractive element that is an integral part of the cell substrate(s). The LC material used in the device may be doped with a "contrast-compensated" mixture of positive and negative dichroic dyes.

Fabrication of broadband antireflection coating at terahertz frequency using a hot emboss method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, YunZhou; Cai, Bin; Zhu, YiMing

2014-11-01

We fabricated a terahertz anti-reflective structure on a polystylene by using a hot-embossing method. Polystylene was spin-coated onto a silicon substrate and then transformed by using a metallic mould comprising a bunch of Chinese acupuncture needles. The transformation layer yielded gradient refractive index profiles on the substrate which can reduce the surface reflection effectively. The samples were evaluated by a terahertz time-domain spectroscope. Compared with a bare silicon substrate, we observed an increase of ~30% in the transmittance. We also observed broader bandwidth properties compared with a single-layer antireflective structure. The process imposes no substrate limiting; i.e., it has great potential to be applied onto various THz devices.

Self-Optimized Biological Channels in Facilitating the Transmembrane Movement of Charged Molecules

PubMed Central

Huyen, V. T. N.; Lap, Vu Cong; Nguyen, V. Lien

2016-01-01

We consider an anisotropically two-dimensional diffusion of a charged molecule (particle) through a large biological channel under an external voltage. The channel is modeled as a cylinder of three structure parameters: radius, length, and surface density of negative charges located at the channel interior-lining. These charges induce inside the channel a potential that plays a key role in controlling the particle current through the channel. It was shown that to facilitate the transmembrane particle movement the channel should be reasonably self-optimized so that its potential coincides with the resonant one, resulting in a large particle current across the channel. Observed facilitation appears to be an intrinsic property of biological channels, regardless of the external voltage or the particle concentration gradient. This facilitation is very selective in the sense that a channel of definite structure parameters can facilitate the transmembrane movement of only particles of proper valence at corresponding temperatures. Calculations also show that the modeled channel is nonohmic with the ion conductance which exhibits a resonance at the same channel potential as that identified in the current. PMID:27022394

Electrophysiological and biochemical evidence that DEG/ENaC cation channels are composed of nine subunits.

PubMed

Snyder, P M; Cheng, C; Prince, L S; Rogers, J C; Welsh, M J

1998-01-09

Members of the DEG/ENaC protein family form ion channels with diverse functions. DEG/ENaC subunits associate as hetero- and homomultimers to generate channels; however the stoichiometry of these complexes is unknown. To determine the subunit stoichiometry of the human epithelial Na+ channel (hENaC), we expressed the three wild-type hENaC subunits (alpha, beta, and gamma) with subunits containing mutations that alter channel inhibition by methanethiosulfonates. The data indicate that hENaC contains three alpha, three beta, and three gamma subunits. Sucrose gradient sedimentation of alphahENaC translated in vitro, as well as alpha-, beta-, and gammahENaC coexpressed in cells, was consistent with complexes containing nine subunits. FaNaCh and BNC1, two related DEG/ENaC channels, produced complexes of similar mass. Our results suggest a novel nine-subunit stoichiometry for the DEG/ENaC family of ion channels.

Extended length microchannels for high density high throughput electrophoresis systems

DOEpatents

Davidson, James C.; Balch, Joseph W.

2000-01-01

High throughput electrophoresis systems which provide extended well-to-read distances on smaller substrates, thus compacting the overall systems. The electrophoresis systems utilize a high density array of microchannels for electrophoresis analysis with extended read lengths. The microchannel geometry can be used individually or in conjunction to increase the effective length of a separation channel while minimally impacting the packing density of channels. One embodiment uses sinusoidal microchannels, while another embodiment uses plural microchannels interconnected by a via. The extended channel systems can be applied to virtually any type of channel confined chromatography.

Method for producing a hybridization of detector array and integrated circuit for readout

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fossum, Eric R. (Inventor); Grunthaner, Frank J. (Inventor)

1993-01-01

A process is explained for fabricating a detector array in a layer of semiconductor material on one substrate and an integrated readout circuit in a layer of semiconductor material on a separate substrate in order to select semiconductor material for optimum performance of each structure, such as GaAs for the detector array and Si for the integrated readout circuit. The detector array layer is lifted off its substrate, laminated on the metallized surface on the integrated surface, etched with reticulating channels to the surface of the integrated circuit, and provided with interconnections between the detector array pixels and the integrated readout circuit through the channels. The adhesive material for the lamination is selected to be chemically stable to provide electrical and thermal insulation and to provide stress release between the two structures fabricated in semiconductor materials that may have different coefficients of thermal expansion.

Method of Manufacturing a Light Emitting, Photovoltaic or Other Electronic Apparatus and System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blanchard, Richard A. (Inventor); Lewandowski, Mark Allan (Inventor); Frazier, Donald Odell (Inventor); Ray, William Johnstone (Inventor); Fuller, Kirk A. (Inventor); Lowenthal, Mark David (Inventor); Shotton, Neil O. (Inventor)

2014-01-01

The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an electronic apparatus, such as a lighting device having light emitting diodes (LEDs) or a power generating device having photovoltaic diodes. The exemplary method includes depositing a first conductive medium within a plurality of channels of a base to form a plurality of first conductors; depositing within the plurality of channels a plurality of semiconductor substrate particles suspended in a carrier medium; forming an ohmic contact between each semiconductor substrate particle and a first conductor; converting the semiconductor substrate particles into a plurality of semiconductor diodes; depositing a second conductive medium to form a plurality of second conductors coupled to the plurality of semiconductor diodes; and depositing or attaching a plurality of lenses suspended in a first polymer over the plurality of diodes. In various embodiments, the depositing, forming, coupling and converting steps are performed by or through a printing process.