Operating Modes and Power Considerations of Microhollow Cathode Discharge Devices with Elongated Trenches

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-01-24

used during the data collection. The computer recorded the VI data using Signal Express Software . 3. Circuit model for the MHCD device during normal...summarized in Table 1. The electric circuit model was implemented and simulated using MATLAB’s Simscape software . 4. Results and discussion 4.1...2908e2913. [14] J.A. Pérez-Martínez, R. Peña-Eguiluz, R. López-Callejas, A. Mercado -Cabrera, R.A. Valencia, S.R. Barocio, J.S. Benítez-Read, J.O. Pacheco

Neural measures of the role of affective prosody in empathy for pain.

PubMed

Meconi, Federica; Doro, Mattia; Lomoriello, Arianna Schiano; Mastrella, Giulia; Sessa, Paola

2018-01-10

Emotional communication often needs the integration of affective prosodic and semantic components from speech and the speaker's facial expression. Affective prosody may have a special role by virtue of its dual-nature; pre-verbal on one side and accompanying semantic content on the other. This consideration led us to hypothesize that it could act transversely, encompassing a wide temporal window involving the processing of facial expressions and semantic content expressed by the speaker. This would allow powerful communication in contexts of potential urgency such as witnessing the speaker's physical pain. Seventeen participants were shown with faces preceded by verbal reports of pain. Facial expressions, intelligibility of the semantic content of the report (i.e., participants' mother tongue vs. fictional language) and the affective prosody of the report (neutral vs. painful) were manipulated. We monitored event-related potentials (ERPs) time-locked to the onset of the faces as a function of semantic content intelligibility and affective prosody of the verbal reports. We found that affective prosody may interact with facial expressions and semantic content in two successive temporal windows, supporting its role as a transverse communication cue.

A wirelessly controlled implantable LED system for deep brain optogenetic stimulation

PubMed Central

Rossi, Mark A.; Go, Vinson; Murphy, Tracy; Fu, Quanhai; Morizio, James; Yin, Henry H.

2015-01-01

In recent years optogenetics has rapidly become an essential technique in neuroscience. Its temporal and spatial specificity, combined with efficacy in manipulating neuronal activity, are especially useful in studying the behavior of awake behaving animals. Conventional optogenetics, however, requires the use of lasers and optic fibers, which can place considerable restrictions on behavior. Here we combined a wirelessly controlled interface and small implantable light-emitting diode (LED) that allows flexible and precise placement of light source to illuminate any brain area. We tested this wireless LED system in vivo, in transgenic mice expressing channelrhodopsin-2 in striatonigral neurons expressing D1-like dopamine receptors. In all mice tested, we were able to elicit movements reliably. The frequency of twitches induced by high power stimulation is proportional to the frequency of stimulation. At lower power, contraversive turning was observed. Moreover, the implanted LED remains effective over 50 days after surgery, demonstrating the long-term stability of the light source. Our results show that the wireless LED system can be used to manipulate neural activity chronically in behaving mice without impeding natural movements. PMID:25713516

Design Considerations for High Temperature Power Inductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Niedra, Janis M.

2005-01-01

A uniform B-field approximation model is used to develop design formulas for single-layer wound, toroidal core, ac power inductors that must handle a specified current. Such a geometry is well suited for high temperature, high frequency inductors, where removal of heat from the core becomes critical. Explicit expressions are derived for core radii, core and winding volumes, winding turns and core permeability as functions of a dimensional scaling ratio (S). A limit on the maximum allowed core B-field leads to the result that the minimum core volume is proportional to the permeability, which has a lower bound. Plots versus S are provided for a specific case, to show that good designs can be picked in the overlap regions around the minima in mass and overall size, where the mass and size are relatively flat. Data to 250 C are presented for an MPP core based inductor to show that a quasi-linear, high temperature inductor can be constructed with available materials. A similar development is applied to a toroidal air-core geometry, showing that for the same ratings, such an inductor is considerably bigger and more massive, at least in the single-layer version.

Logistical concepts associated with international shipments using the USA/9904/B(U)F RTG Transportation System (RTGTS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barklay, Chadwick D.; Miller, Roger G.; Pugh, Barry K.; Howell, Edwin I.

1997-01-01

Over the last 30 years, radioisotopes have provided heat from which electrical power is generated. For space missions, the isotope of choice has generally been 238PuO2, its long half-life making it ideal for supplying power to remote satellites and spacecraft like the Voyager, Pioneer, and Viking missions, as well as the recently launched Galileo and Ulysses missions, and the presently planned Cassini mission. Electric power for future space missions will be provided by either radioisotopic thermoelectric generators (RTG), radioisotope thermophotovoltaic systems (RTPV), alkali metal thermal to electrical conversion (AMTEC) systems, radioisotope Stirling systems, or a combination of these. The type of electrical power system has yet to be specified for the ``Pluto Express'' mission. However, the current plan does incorporate the use of Russian launch platforms for the spacecraft. The implied tasks associated with this plan require obtaining international certification for the transport of the radioisotopic power system, and resolving any logistical issues associated with the actual shipment of the selected radioisotopic power system. This paper presents a conceptual summary of the logistical considerations associated with shipping the selected radioisotopic power system using the USA/9904/B(U)F-85, Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator Transportation System (RTGTS).

Lunar Module Electrical Power System Design Considerations and Failure Modes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Interbartolo, Michael

2009-01-01

This slide presentation reviews the design and redesign considerations of the Apollo lunar module electrical power system. Included in the work are graphics showing the lunar module power system. It describes the in-flight failures, and the lessons learned from these failures.

A Gaussian Processes Technique for Short-term Load Forecasting with Considerations of Uncertainty

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohmi, Masataro; Mori, Hiroyuki

In this paper, an efficient method is proposed to deal with short-term load forecasting with the Gaussian Processes. Short-term load forecasting plays a key role to smooth power system operation such as economic load dispatching, unit commitment, etc. Recently, the deregulated and competitive power market increases the degree of uncertainty. As a result, it is more important to obtain better prediction results to save the cost. One of the most important aspects is that power system operator needs the upper and lower bounds of the predicted load to deal with the uncertainty while they require more accurate predicted values. The proposed method is based on the Bayes model in which output is expressed in a distribution rather than a point. To realize the model efficiently, this paper proposes the Gaussian Processes that consists of the Bayes linear model and kernel machine to obtain the distribution of the predicted value. The proposed method is successively applied to real data of daily maximum load forecasting.

Multi-Channel, Constant-Current Power Source for Aircraft Applications

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-03-01

Special considerations impacting this design were minimizing volume, maintaining system power quality, and providing electrical fault protection...applications. Electrical loads, such as lighting, de-icing heaters, and actuators may be operated from this compact power conversion unit. Because of the...nature of aircraft systems, two of the most important design considerations are the maintenance of electrical power quality and minimization of weight

Adapting CRISPR/Cas9 for functional genomics screens.

PubMed

Malina, Abba; Katigbak, Alexandra; Cencic, Regina; Maïga, Rayelle Itoua; Robert, Francis; Miura, Hisashi; Pelletier, Jerry

2014-01-01

The use of CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein) for targeted genome editing has been widely adopted and is considered a "game changing" technology. The ease and rapidity by which this approach can be used to modify endogenous loci in a wide spectrum of cell types and organisms makes it a powerful tool for customizable genetic modifications as well as for large-scale functional genomics. The development of retrovirus-based expression platforms to simultaneously deliver the Cas9 nuclease and single guide (sg) RNAs provides unique opportunities by which to ensure stable and reproducible expression of the editing tools and a broad cell targeting spectrum, while remaining compatible with in vivo genetic screens. Here, we describe methods and highlight considerations for designing and generating sgRNA libraries in all-in-one retroviral vectors for such applications.

Power allocation and range performance considerations for a dual-frequency EBPSK/MPPSK system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, Yu; Wu, Lenan; Zhao, Junhui

2017-12-01

Extended binary phase shift keying/M-ary position phase shift keying (EBPSK/MPPSK)-MODEM provides radar and communication functions on a single hardware platform with a single waveform. However, its range estimation accuracy is worse than continuous-wave (CW) radar because of the imbalance of power in two carrier frequencies. In this article, the power allocation method for dual-frequency EBPSK/MPPSK modulated systems is presented. The power of two signal transmitters is adequately allocated to ensure that the power in two carrier frequencies is equal. The power allocation ratios for two types of modulation systems are obtained. Moreover, considerations regarding the range of operation of the dual-frequency system are analysed. In addition to theoretical considerations, computer simulations are provided to illustrate the performance.

77 FR 24560 - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Electric Vehicle Safety Technical Symposium

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-24

... discuss safety considerations for electric vehicles powered by lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. The... technical symposium to discuss regulatory and safety considerations for lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery-powered... Li-ion batteries and Li-ion battery-powered vehicles, as well as presentations by the Department of...

Green Power Procurement Considerations

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Green power products are available from a variety of different vendors, including utilities, renewable energy certificate (REC) marketers, on-site system integrators, and non-profit organizations. This page lists considerations to evaluate during selection

Analysis of the power flow in nonlinear oscillators driven by random excitation using the first Wiener kernel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hawes, D. H.; Langley, R. S.

2018-01-01

Random excitation of mechanical systems occurs in a wide variety of structures and, in some applications, calculation of the power dissipated by such a system will be of interest. In this paper, using the Wiener series, a general methodology is developed for calculating the power dissipated by a general nonlinear multi-degree-of freedom oscillatory system excited by random Gaussian base motion of any spectrum. The Wiener series method is most commonly applied to systems with white noise inputs, but can be extended to encompass a general non-white input. From the extended series a simple expression for the power dissipated can be derived in terms of the first term, or kernel, of the series and the spectrum of the input. Calculation of the first kernel can be performed either via numerical simulations or from experimental data and a useful property of the kernel, namely that the integral over its frequency domain representation is proportional to the oscillating mass, is derived. The resulting equations offer a simple conceptual analysis of the power flow in nonlinear randomly excited systems and hence assist the design of any system where power dissipation is a consideration. The results are validated both numerically and experimentally using a base-excited cantilever beam with a nonlinear restoring force produced by magnets.

Wireless Power Transfer for Space Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ramos, Gabriel Vazquez; Yuan, Jiann-Shiun

2011-01-01

This paper introduces an implementation for magnetic resonance wireless power transfer for space applications. The analysis includes an equivalent impedance study, loop material characterization, source/load resonance coupling technique, and system response behavior due to loads variability. System characterization is accomplished by executing circuit design from analytical equations and simulations using Matlab and SPICE. The theory was validated by a combination of different experiments that includes loop material consideration, resonance coupling circuits considerations, electric loads considerations and a small scale proof-of-concept prototype. Experiment results shows successful wireless power transfer for all the cases studied. The prototype provided about 4.5 W of power to the load at a separation of -5 cm from the source using a power amplifier rated for 7 W.

Low energy CMOS for space applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Panwar, Ramesh; Alkalaj, Leon

1992-01-01

The current focus of NASA's space flight programs reflects a new thrust towards smaller, less costly, and more frequent space missions, when compared to missions such as Galileo, Magellan, or Cassini. Recently, the concept of a microspacecraft was proposed. In this concept, a small, compact spacecraft that weighs tens of kilograms performs focused scientific objectives such as imaging. Similarly, a Mars Lander micro-rover project is under study that will allow miniature robots weighing less than seven kilograms to explore the Martian surface. To bring the microspacecraft and microrover ideas to fruition, one will have to leverage compact 3D multi-chip module-based multiprocessors (MCM) technologies. Low energy CMOS will become increasingly important because of the thermodynamic considerations in cooling compact 3D MCM implementations and also from considerations of the power budget for space applications. In this paper, we show how the operating voltage is related to the threshold voltage of the CMOS transistors for accomplishing a task in VLSI with minimal energy. We also derive expressions for the noise margins at the optimal operating point. We then look at a low voltage CMOS (LVCMOS) technology developed at Stanford University which improves the power consumption over conventional CMOS by a couple of orders of magnitude and consider the suitability of the technology for space applications by characterizing its SEU immunity.

78 FR 11904 - Zion Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2; ZionSolutions, LLC; Consideration of Indirect Transfer

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-20

... NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. 50-295 and 50-304; NRC-2013-0034] Zion Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2; ZionSolutions, LLC; Consideration of Indirect Transfer AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory... the indirect transfer of Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-39 and DPR-48 for Zion Nuclear Power...

Homeostatic and Circadian Contribution to EEG and Molecular State Variables of Sleep Regulation

PubMed Central

Curie, Thomas; Mongrain, Valérie; Dorsaz, Stéphane; Mang, Géraldine M.; Emmenegger, Yann; Franken, Paul

2013-01-01

Study Objectives: Besides their well-established role in circadian rhythms, our findings that the forebrain expression of the clock-genes Per2 and Dbp increases and decreases, respectively, in relation to time spent awake suggest they also play a role in the homeostatic aspect of sleep regulation. Here, we determined whether time of day modulates the effects of elevated sleep pressure on clock-gene expression. Time of day effects were assessed also for recognized electrophysiological (EEG delta power) and molecular (Homer1a) markers of sleep homeostasis. Design: EEG and qPCR data were obtained for baseline and recovery from 6-h sleep deprivation starting at ZT0, -6, -12, or -18. Setting: Mouse sleep laboratory. Participants: Male mice. Interventions: Sleep deprivation. Results: The sleep-deprivation induced changes in Per2 and Dbp expression importantly varied with time of day, such that Per2 could even decrease during sleep deprivations occurring at the decreasing phase in baseline. Dbp showed similar, albeit opposite dynamics. These unexpected results could be reliably predicted assuming that these transcripts behave according to a driven damped harmonic oscillator. As expected, the sleep-wake distribution accounted for a large degree of the changes in EEG delta power and Homer1a. Nevertheless, the sleep deprivation-induced increase in delta power varied also with time of day with higher than expected levels when recovery sleep started at dark onset. Conclusions: Per2 and delta power are widely used as exclusive state variables of the circadian and homeostatic process, respectively. Our findings demonstrate a considerable cross-talk between these two processes. As Per2 in the brain responds to both sleep loss and time of day, this molecule is well positioned to keep track of and to anticipate homeostatic sleep need. Citation: Curie T; Mongrain V; Dorsaz S; Mang GM; Emmenegger Y; Franken P. Homeostatic and circadian contribution to EEG and molecular state variables of sleep regulation. SLEEP 2013;36(3):311-323. PMID:23450268

Homeostatic and circadian contribution to EEG and molecular state variables of sleep regulation.

PubMed

Curie, Thomas; Mongrain, Valérie; Dorsaz, Stéphane; Mang, Géraldine M; Emmenegger, Yann; Franken, Paul

2013-03-01

Besides their well-established role in circadian rhythms, our findings that the forebrain expression of the clock-genes Per2 and Dbp increases and decreases, respectively, in relation to time spent awake suggest they also play a role in the homeostatic aspect of sleep regulation. Here, we determined whether time of day modulates the effects of elevated sleep pressure on clock-gene expression. Time of day effects were assessed also for recognized electrophysiological (EEG delta power) and molecular (Homer1a) markers of sleep homeostasis. EEG and qPCR data were obtained for baseline and recovery from 6-h sleep deprivation starting at ZT0, -6, -12, or -18. Mouse sleep laboratory. Male mice. Sleep deprivation. The sleep-deprivation induced changes in Per2 and Dbp expression importantly varied with time of day, such that Per2 could even decrease during sleep deprivations occurring at the decreasing phase in baseline. Dbp showed similar, albeit opposite dynamics. These unexpected results could be reliably predicted assuming that these transcripts behave according to a driven damped harmonic oscillator. As expected, the sleep-wake distribution accounted for a large degree of the changes in EEG delta power and Homer1a. Nevertheless, the sleep deprivation-induced increase in delta power varied also with time of day with higher than expected levels when recovery sleep started at dark onset. Per2 and delta power are widely used as exclusive state variables of the circadian and homeostatic process, respectively. Our findings demonstrate a considerable cross-talk between these two processes. As Per2 in the brain responds to both sleep loss and time of day, this molecule is well positioned to keep track of and to anticipate homeostatic sleep need. Curie T; Mongrain V; Dorsaz S; Mang GM; Emmenegger Y; Franken P. Homeostatic and circadian contribution to EEG and molecular state variables of sleep regulation. SLEEP 2013;36(3):311-323.

A general model for the absorption of ultrasound by biological tissues and experimental verification.

PubMed

Jongen, H A; Thijssen, J M; van den Aarssen, M; Verhoef, W A

1986-02-01

In this paper, a closed-form expression is derived for the absorption of ultrasound by biological tissues. In this expression, the viscothermal and viscoelastic theories of relaxation processes are combined. Three relaxation time distribution functions are introduced, and it is assumed that each of these distributions can be described by an identical and simple hyperbolic function. Several simplifying assumptions had to be made to enable the experimental verification of the derived closed-form expression of the absorption coefficient. The simplified expression leaves two degrees of freedom and it was fitted to the experimental data obtained from homogenized beef liver. The model produced a considerably better fit to the data than other, more pragmatic models for the absorption coefficient as a function of frequency that could be found in the literature. Scattering in beef liver was estimated indirectly from the difference between attenuation in in vitro liver tissue as compared to absorption in a homogenate. The frequency dependence of the scattering coefficient could be described by a power law with a power of the order of 2. A comparable figure was found in direct backscattering measurements, performed at our laboratory with the same liver samples [Van den Aarssen et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. (to be published)]. A model for scattering recently proposed by Sehgal and Greenleaf [Ultrason. Imag. 6, 60-80 (1984)] was fitted to the scattering data as well. This latter model enabled the estimation of a maximum scatterer distance, which appeared to be of the order of 25 micron.

On the Measurement of the Electrical Power Produced by Melt Spun Piezoelectric Textile Fibres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsouka, Dimitroula; Vassiliadis, Savvas; Prekas, Kleanthis; Bayramol, Derman Vatansever; Soin, Navneet; Siores, Elias

2016-10-01

Piezoelectric, melt spun, textile fibres as multifunctional materials appeared recently, and they are under thorough investigation and testing in order to define their performance and behaviour. Although piezoelectricity was first reported in 1880 and the piezoelectric behaviour of organic polymers materials has been known since 1969, the fibrous form of the piezoelectric materials under consideration opens new technological horizons; however, it introduces novel restrictions and further complex parameters are involved in their study. The major issue of the current research work is the study of the actual capacity of the piezoelectric fibres, i.e. the electric power produced following mechanical stimulation of the individual fibre. The measurements were made possible after the development of the necessary specific equipment. The test results enabled the ranking of the various types of the piezoelectric fibres according to the respective power generation. The main difference in this research approach is the measurement of the power generated by the fibres. Measurement of the power generated by an electrical power source (in the case of energy harvesting applications which is the prime interest of this research project) is an important characteristic as the requirements of various applications are expressed in units of power. Stating the voltage produced during mechanical deformation of the fibres is not enough (cf. voltage produced due to electrostatic phenomena on textiles where the voltage is in the range is the several kV, but the power is not enough to power a light-emitting diode).

Statistical fluctuations in cooperative cyclotron radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anishchenko, S. V.; Baryshevsky, V. G.

2018-01-01

Shot noise is the cause of statistical fluctuations in cooperative cyclotron radiation generated by an ensemble of electrons oscillating in magnetic field. Autophasing time - the time required for the cooperative cyclotron radiation power to peak - is the critical parameter characterizing the dynamics of electron-oscillators interacting via the radiation field. It is shown that premodulation of charged particles leads to a considerable narrowing of the autophasing time distribution function for which the analytic expression is obtained. When the number of particles Ne exceeds a certain value that depends on the degree to which the particles have been premodulated, the relative root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) of the autophasing time δT changes from a logarithmic dependence on Ne (δT ∼ 1 / lnNe) to square-root (δT ∼ 1 /√{Ne }). A slight energy spread (∼4%) results in a twofold drop of the maximum attainable power of cooperative cyclotron radiation.

Capacity Improvement of a Free Space Optical Satellite Uplink using Transmitter Power and Rate Adaptation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gopal, Pooja; Jain, V. K.; Kar, Subrat

2017-12-01

Degradation due to atmospheric turbulence leads to significant outage in a free space optical satellite uplink with fixed transmitter parameters. If the channel state is known at the transmitter, then its parameters can be suitably changed, and there could be a considerable improvement in channel capacity. However, the extremely long link length of an Earth-to-Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite link would render feedback of channel state from the receiver infeasible, before the channel changes. In this paper, a channel pre-estimation method at the transmitter is proposed, and the expression for capacity with transmitter power and rate adaptation is derived. The results are compared with that of the capacity with outage. It is observed that there can be an improvement by a factor of 1.66 in achievable average capacity per Hertz with the adaptive transmitter. Also, the outage probability is reduced from 18.02 % to almost 0.

Small space station electrical power system design concepts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, G. M.; Mercer, L. N.

1976-01-01

A small manned facility, i.e., a small space station, placed in earth orbit by the Shuttle transportation system would be a viable, cost effective addition to the basic Shuttle system to provide many opportunities for R&D programs, particularly in the area of earth applications. The small space station would have many similarities with Skylab. This paper presents design concepts for an electrical power system (EPS) for the small space station based on Skylab experience, in-house work at Marshall Space Flight Center, SEPS (Solar Electric Propulsion Stage) solar array development studies, and other studies sponsored by MSFC. The proposed EPS would be a solar array/secondary battery system. Design concepts expressed are based on maximizing system efficiency and five year operational reliability. Cost, weight, volume, and complexity considerations are inherent in the concepts presented. A small space station EPS based on these concepts would be highly efficient, reliable, and relatively inexpensive.

Analysis of the fluctuations of the tumour/host interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milotti, Edoardo; Vyshemirsky, Vladislav; Stella, Sabrina; Dogo, Federico; Chignola, Roberto

2017-11-01

In a recent analysis of metabolic scaling in solid tumours we found a scaling law that interpolates between the power laws μ ∝ V and μ ∝V 2 / 3, where μ is the metabolic rate expressed as the glucose absorption rate and V is the tumour volume. The scaling law fits quite well both in vitro and in vivo data, however we also observed marked fluctuations that are associated with the specific biological properties of individual tumours. Here we analyse these fluctuations, in an attempt to find the population-wide distribution of an important parameter (A) which expresses the total extent of the interface between the solid tumour and the non-cancerous environment. Heuristic considerations suggest that the values of the A parameter follow a lognormal distribution, and, allowing for the large uncertainties of the experimental data, our statistical analysis confirms this.

Applications of film thickness equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hamrock, B. J.; Dowson, D.

1983-01-01

A number of applications of elastohydrodynamic film thickness expressions were considered. The motion of a steel ball over steel surfaces presenting varying degrees of conformity was examined. The equation for minimum film thickness in elliptical conjunctions under elastohydrodynamic conditions was applied to roller and ball bearings. An involute gear was also introduced, it was again found that the elliptical conjunction expression yielded a conservative estimate of the minimum film thickness. Continuously variable-speed drives like the Perbury gear, which present truly elliptical elastohydrodynamic conjunctions, are favored increasingly in mobile and static machinery. A representative elastohydrodynamic condition for this class of machinery is considered for power transmission equipment. The possibility of elastohydrodynamic films of water or oil forming between locomotive wheels and rails is examined. The important subject of traction on the railways is attracting considerable attention in various countries at the present time. The final example of a synovial joint introduced the equation developed for isoviscous-elastic regimes of lubrication.

An assessment of future computer system needs for large-scale computation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lykos, P.; White, J.

1980-01-01

Data ranging from specific computer capability requirements to opinions about the desirability of a national computer facility are summarized. It is concluded that considerable attention should be given to improving the user-machine interface. Otherwise, increased computer power may not improve the overall effectiveness of the machine user. Significant improvement in throughput requires highly concurrent systems plus the willingness of the user community to develop problem solutions for that kind of architecture. An unanticipated result was the expression of need for an on-going cross-disciplinary users group/forum in order to share experiences and to more effectively communicate needs to the manufacturers.

Fuel cell power plant economic and operational considerations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lance, J. R.

1984-01-01

Fuel cell power plants intended for electric utility and cogeneration applications are now in the design and construction stage. This paper describes economic and operational considerations being used in the development and design of plants utilizing air cooled phosphoric acid fuel cells. Fuel cell power plants have some unique characteristics relative to other types of power plants. As a result it was necessary to develop specific definitions of the fuel cell power plant characteristics in order to perform cost of electricity calculations. This paper describes these characteristics and describes the economic analyses used in the Westinghouse fuel cell power plant program.

76 FR 26771 - Florida Power & Light Company; Turkey Point, Units 3 and 4; Notice of Consideration of Issuance...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-09

... Company; Turkey Point, Units 3 and 4; Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendment to Facility... issued to Florida Power & Light Co. (the licensee) for operation of the Turkey Point Nuclear Generating... licensed core power level for Turkey Point, Units 3 and 4, from 2300 megawatts thermal (MWt) to 2644 MWt...

Solid state sandwich concept: Designs, considerations and issues. [solar power satellite transmission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maynard, O. E.

1980-01-01

Progress in analysis and design of solid state approaches to the solar power satellite microwave power transmission system is reviewed with special emphasis on the Sandwich concept and the issues of maintenance of low junction temperatures for amplifiers to assure acceptable lifetime. Ten specific issues or considerations are discussed and their resolution or status is presented.

Interpretation of body-mounted accelerometry in flying animals and estimation of biomechanical power

PubMed Central

Spivey, R. J.; Bishop, C. M.

2013-01-01

An idealized energy fluctuation model of a bird's body undergoing horizontal flapping flight is developed, focusing on the biomechanical power discernible to a body-mounted accelerometer. Expressions for flight body power constructed from root mean square dynamic body accelerations and wingstroke frequency are derived from first principles and presented in dimensionally appropriate units. As wingstroke frequency increases, the model generally predicts a gradual transition in power from a linear to an asymptotically cubic relationship. However, the onset of this transition and the degree to which this occurs depends upon whether and how forward vibrations are exploited for temporary energy storage and retrieval. While this may vary considerably between species and individual birds, it is found that a quadrature phase arrangement is generally advantageous during level flight. Gravity-aligned vertical acceleration always enters into the calculation of body power, but, whenever forward acceleration becomes relevant, its contribution is subtractive. Several novel kinematic measures descriptive of flapping flight are postulated, offering fresh insights into the processes involved in airborne locomotion. The limitations of the model are briefly discussed, and departures from its predictions during ascending and descending flight evaluated. These findings highlight how body-mounted accelerometers can offer a valuable, insightful and non-invasive technique for investigating the flight of free-ranging birds and bats. PMID:23883951

Interpretation of body-mounted accelerometry in flying animals and estimation of biomechanical power.

PubMed

Spivey, R J; Bishop, C M

2013-10-06

An idealized energy fluctuation model of a bird's body undergoing horizontal flapping flight is developed, focusing on the biomechanical power discernible to a body-mounted accelerometer. Expressions for flight body power constructed from root mean square dynamic body accelerations and wingstroke frequency are derived from first principles and presented in dimensionally appropriate units. As wingstroke frequency increases, the model generally predicts a gradual transition in power from a linear to an asymptotically cubic relationship. However, the onset of this transition and the degree to which this occurs depends upon whether and how forward vibrations are exploited for temporary energy storage and retrieval. While this may vary considerably between species and individual birds, it is found that a quadrature phase arrangement is generally advantageous during level flight. Gravity-aligned vertical acceleration always enters into the calculation of body power, but, whenever forward acceleration becomes relevant, its contribution is subtractive. Several novel kinematic measures descriptive of flapping flight are postulated, offering fresh insights into the processes involved in airborne locomotion. The limitations of the model are briefly discussed, and departures from its predictions during ascending and descending flight evaluated. These findings highlight how body-mounted accelerometers can offer a valuable, insightful and non-invasive technique for investigating the flight of free-ranging birds and bats.

E-Peptides Control Bioavailability of IGF-1

PubMed Central

Piszczek, Agnieszka; Perlas, Emarald; Winn, Nadine; Nastasi, Tommaso; Rosenthal, Nadia

2012-01-01

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a potent cytoprotective growth factor that has attracted considerable attention as a promising therapeutic agent. Transgenic over-expression of IGF-1 propeptides facilitates protection and repair in a broad range of tissues, although transgenic mice over-expressing IGF-1 propeptides display little or no increase in IGF-1 serum levels, even with high levels of transgene expression. IGF-1 propeptides are encoded by multiple alternatively spliced transcripts including C-terminal extension (E) peptides, which are highly positively charged. In the present study, we use decellularized mouse tissue to show that the E-peptides facilitate in vitro binding of murine IGF-1 to the extracellular matrix (ECM) with varying affinities. This property is independent of IGF-1, since proteins consisting of the E-peptides fused to relaxin, a related member of the insulin superfamily, bound equally avidly to decellularized ECM. Thus, the E-peptides control IGF-1 bioavailability by preventing systemic circulation, offering a potentially powerful way to tether IGF-1 and other therapeutic proteins to the site of synthesis and/or administration. PMID:23251442

An Adaptive Genetic Association Test Using Double Kernel Machines.

PubMed

Zhan, Xiang; Epstein, Michael P; Ghosh, Debashis

2015-10-01

Recently, gene set-based approaches have become very popular in gene expression profiling studies for assessing how genetic variants are related to disease outcomes. Since most genes are not differentially expressed, existing pathway tests considering all genes within a pathway suffer from considerable noise and power loss. Moreover, for a differentially expressed pathway, it is of interest to select important genes that drive the effect of the pathway. In this article, we propose an adaptive association test using double kernel machines (DKM), which can both select important genes within the pathway as well as test for the overall genetic pathway effect. This DKM procedure first uses the garrote kernel machines (GKM) test for the purposes of subset selection and then the least squares kernel machine (LSKM) test for testing the effect of the subset of genes. An appealing feature of the kernel machine framework is that it can provide a flexible and unified method for multi-dimensional modeling of the genetic pathway effect allowing for both parametric and nonparametric components. This DKM approach is illustrated with application to simulated data as well as to data from a neuroimaging genetics study.

Design Development Analyses in Support of a Heatpipe-Brayton Cycle Heat Exchanger

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steeve, Brian E.; Kapernick, Richard J.

2004-01-01

One of the power systems under consideration for nuclear electric propulsion or as a planetary surface power source is a heatpipe-cooled reactor coupled to a Brayton cycle. In this system, power is transferred from the heatpipes to the Brayton gas via a heat exchanger attached to the heatpipes. This paper discusses the fluid, thermal and structural analyses that were performed in support of the design of the heat exchanger to be tested in the SAFE-100 experimental program at the Marshall Space Flight Center: An important consideration throughout the design development of the heat exchanger w its capability to be utilized for higher power and temperature applications. This paper also discusses this aspect of the design and presents designs for specific applications that are under consideration.

Some design considerations for solar-powered aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Phillips, W. H.

1980-01-01

Performance and operating characteristics are presented for a solar powered aircraft intended to remain aloft for long periods. The critical technologies which limit the performance are identified. By using the techniques presented, the effects of variation in the system parameters are studied. Practical design consideration are discussed.

75 FR 10229 - Application for Presidential Permit; Champlain Hudson Power Express, Inc.

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-05

.... electric power supply system under normal and contingency conditions, and any other factors that DOE may... Power Express, Inc. AGENCY: Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, DOE. ACTION: Notice of application. SUMMARY: Champlain Hudson Power Express, Inc. (CHPEI) has applied for a Presidential...

75 FR 63209 - Indiana Michigan Power Company; Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendment to Facility...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-14

... emergency operating procedures (EOP), and site survey monitoring that support modification of emergency plan... Power Company; Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendment to Facility Operating License, Proposed... Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is considering issuance of an amendment to Facility Operating License...

Theoretical Borderlands: Using Multiple Theoretical Perspectives to Challenge Inequitable Power Structures in Student Development Theory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abes, Elisa S.

2009-01-01

This article is an exploration of possibilities and methodological considerations for using multiple theoretical perspectives in research that challenges inequitable power structures in student development theory. Specifically, I explore methodological considerations when partnering queer theory and constructivism in research on lesbian identity…

Auto-driven Photo Elicitation Interviews in Research with Children: Ethical and Practical Considerations.

PubMed

Ford, Karen; Bray, Lucy; Water, Tineke; Dickinson, Annette; Arnott, Janine; Carter, Bernie

2017-06-01

Children can sometimes find it difficult to articulate their experiences if they have to rely solely on words. Giving children the opportunity to use arts-based research approaches can support their participation in research and create a bridge that enables them to express their perspectives and feelings. This paper focuses on the ethical and practical considerations when using photo elicitation interviews (PEI) in research with children. The discussion and examples provided are drawn from an international study that used auto-driven PEI, where photographs are taken by children themselves, to explore children's experiences of living with a chronic condition and the impact condition management may have on their everyday lives. In this paper we critically explore the issues arising from our use of PEI including children's participation and engagement, balancing power and control, and keeping children safe. The main areas of focus for the paper are how PEI provided a means of shifting control; how setting photographic boundaries influenced our PEI study with children; and how we addressed risks associated with the method. Our experience shows that PEI is an engaging and valuable research method, providing a powerful medium for obtaining rich data with children. However, PEI is challenging and it requires researchers to conscientiously address ethical and practical aspects that extend beyond those inherent to standard (words-alone) interviews.

Design considerations for FET-gated power transistors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, D. Y.; Chin, S. A.

1983-01-01

An FET-bipolar combinational power transistor configuration (tested up to 300 V, 20 A at 100 kHz) is described. The critical parameters for integrating the chips in hybrid form are examined, and an effort to optimize the overall characteristics of the configuration is discussed. Chip considerations are examined with respect to the voltage and current rating of individual chips, the FET surge capability, the choice of triple diffused transistor or epitaxial transistor for the bipolar element, the current tailing effect, and the implementation of the bipolar transistor and an FET as single chip or separate chips. Package considerations are discussed with respect to package material and geometry, surge current capability of bipolar base terminal bonding, and power losses distribution.

Practical state of health estimation of power batteries based on Delphi method and grey relational grade analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Bingxiang; Jiang, Jiuchun; Zheng, Fangdan; Zhao, Wei; Liaw, Bor Yann; Ruan, Haijun; Han, Zhiqiang; Zhang, Weige

2015-05-01

The state of health (SOH) estimation is very critical to battery management system to ensure the safety and reliability of EV battery operation. Here, we used a unique hybrid approach to enable complex SOH estimations. The approach hybridizes the Delphi method known for its simplicity and effectiveness in applying weighting factors for complicated decision-making and the grey relational grade analysis (GRGA) for multi-factor optimization. Six critical factors were used in the consideration for SOH estimation: peak power at 30% state-of-charge (SOC), capacity, the voltage drop at 30% SOC with a C/3 pulse, the temperature rises at the end of discharge and charge at 1C; respectively, and the open circuit voltage at the end of charge after 1-h rest. The weighting of these factors for SOH estimation was scored by the 'experts' in the Delphi method, indicating the influencing power of each factor on SOH. The parameters for these factors expressing the battery state variations are optimized by GRGA. Eight battery cells were used to illustrate the principle and methodology to estimate the SOH by this hybrid approach, and the results were compared with those based on capacity and power capability. The contrast among different SOH estimations is discussed.

Oxygen exposure promotes fuel diversity for Shewanella oneidensis microbial fuel cells.

PubMed

Biffinger, Justin C; Byrd, Jacqueline N; Dudley, Breanna L; Ringeisen, Bradley R

2008-01-18

Miniature microbial fuel cells (mini-MFCs) were used to monitor the current generated by Shewanella oneidensis DSP10 under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions when exposed to glucose as a potential electron donor. In addition to glucose, other carbon fuels including fructose, sucrose, acetate, and ascorbic acid were also tested. When the anolyte containing S. oneidensis was grown in the presence of oxygen, power densities of 270+/-10, 350+/-20, and 120+/-10 W/m(3) were recorded from the mini-MFC for glucose, fructose, and ascorbic acid electron donors, respectively, while sucrose and acetate produced no response. The power produced from glucose decreased considerably (

Study on a Simple Method for Controlling the Engine Output Power of Hybrid Powered Railway Vehicles with Electric Double Layer Capacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okano, Shota; Shibuya, Hiroyuki; Kondo, Keiichiro

This paper presents a simple and energy-saving method for controlling hybrid powered railway vehicles that run on rural non-electrified railway lines and have diesel engine and electrical double layer capacitors (EDLCs). The aim this study is to reduce both the fuel consumption and the capacitance of EDLCs. A basic idea proposed in this paper is that EDLCs supply and absorb the kinetic energy of the vehicle and the engine output compensates supply the energy loss with the vehicle running. Thus, the energy loss is not taken into consideration while expressing the EDLC voltage reference (equation 1); energy loss is considered when the engine is in operating mode. The proposed method is examined by performing numerical simulations for various values of engine operation time, load, and grade section. The results of this study reveal the relationship between the capacitance of the EDLCs and the fuel consumption. Using this proposed control methods, excessive charging of EDLCs can be avoided. The results of this study are expected to expedite the development of energy-saving railway vehicles for the non-electrified lines. Finally, the results of this study increase the possibility of developing hybrid powered railway vehicles.

Parrallel power for undersea application: The basic considerations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kirkham, H.; Howe, B.

2001-01-01

Power systems for undersea observatories are required to deliver high power with good reliability. For the proposed NEPTUNE observatory, the authors have developed a power scheme that combines ideas from terrestial power systems and switching power supplies with experience from undersea cable systems.

Siting Issues for Solar Thermal Power Plants with Small Community Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holbeck, J. J.; Ireland, S. J.

1978-01-01

Technologies for solar thermal plants are being developed to provide energy alternatives for the future. Implementation of these plants requires consideration of siting issues as well as power system technology. While many conventional siting considerations are applicable, there is also a set of unique siting issues for solar thermal plants. Early experimental plants will have special siting considerations. The siting issues associated with small, dispersed solar thermal power plants in the 1 to 10 MWe power range for utility/small community applications are considered. Some specific requirements refer to the first 1 MWe engineering experiment for the Small Power Systems Applications (SPSA) Project. The siting issues themselves are discussed in three categories: (1) system resource requirements, (2) environmental effects on the system, and (3) potential impact of the plant on the environment. Within these categories, specific issues are discussed in a qualitative manner. Examples of limiting factors for some issues are taken from studies of other solar systems.

In vitro manipulation of gene expression in larval Schistosoma: a model for postgenomic approaches in Trematoda

PubMed Central

YOSHINO, TIMOTHY P.; DINGUIRARD, NATHALIE; DE MORAES MOURÃO, MARINA

2013-01-01

SUMMARY With rapid developments in DNA and protein sequencing technologies, combined with powerful bioinformatics tools, a continued acceleration of gene identification in parasitic helminths is predicted, potentially leading to discovery of new drug and vaccine targets, enhanced diagnostics and insights into the complex biology underlying host-parasite interactions. For the schistosome blood flukes, with the recent completion of genome sequencing and comprehensive transcriptomic datasets, there has accumulated massive amounts of gene sequence data, for which, in the vast majority of cases, little is known about actual functions within the intact organism. In this review we attempt to bring together traditional in vitro cultivation approaches and recent emergent technologies of molecular genomics, transcriptomics and genetic manipulation to illustrate the considerable progress made in our understanding of trematode gene expression and function during development of the intramolluscan larval stages. Using several prominent trematode families (Schistosomatidae, Fasciolidae, Echinostomatidae), we have focused on the current status of in vitro larval isolation/cultivation as a source of valuable raw material supporting gene discovery efforts in model digeneans that include whole genome sequencing, transcript and protein expression profiling during larval development, and progress made in the in vitro manipulation of genes and their expression in larval trematodes using transgenic and RNA interference (RNAi) approaches. PMID:19961646

Design considerations for Mars photovoltaic power systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Landis, Geoffrey A.; Appelbaum, Joseph

1990-01-01

Considerations for operation of a photovoltaic power system on Mars are discussed with reference to Viking Lander data. The average solar insolation at Mars is 590 W/sq m, which is reduced yet further by atmospheric dust. Of major concern are dust storms, which have been observed to occur on local as well as on global scales, and their effect on solar array output. While atmospheric opacity may rise to values ranging from 3 to 9, depending on storm severity, there is still an appreciable large diffuse illumination, even at high opacities, so that photovoltaic operation is still possible. If the power system is to continue to generate power even on high-optical-opacity (i.e., dusty atmosphere) days, it is important that the photovoltaic system be designed to collect diffuse irradiance as well as direct. Energy storage will be required for operation during the night. Temperature and wind provide additional considerations for array design.

Expression Templates for Truncated Power Series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cary, John R.; Shasharina, Svetlana G.

1997-05-01

Truncated power series are used extensively in accelerator transport modeling for rapid tracking and analysis of nonlinearity. Such mathematical objects are naturally represented computationally as objects in C++. This is more intuitive and produces more transparent code through operator overloading. However, C++ object use often comes with a computational speed loss due, e.g., to the creation of temporaries. We have developed a subset of truncated power series expression templates(http://monet.uwaterloo.ca/blitz/). Such expression templates use the powerful template processing facility of C++ to combine complicated expressions into series operations that exectute more rapidly. We compare computational speeds with existing truncated power series libraries.

Ablation dynamics - from absorption to heat accumulation/ultra-fast laser matter interaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kramer, Thorsten; Remund, Stefan; Jäggi, Beat; Schmid, Marc; Neuenschwander, Beat

2018-05-01

Ultra-short laser radiation is used in manifold industrial applications today. Although state-of-the-art laser sources are providing an average power of 10-100 W with repetition rates of up to several megahertz, most applications do not benefit from it. On the one hand, the processing speed is limited to some hundred millimeters per second by the dynamics of mechanical axes or galvanometric scanners. On the other hand, high repetition rates require consideration of new physical effects such as heat accumulation and shielding that might reduce the process efficiency. For ablation processes, process efficiency can be expressed by the specific removal rate, ablated volume per time, and average power. The analysis of the specific removal rate for different laser parameters, like average power, repetition rate or pulse duration, and process parameters, like scanning speed or material, can be used to find the best operation point for microprocessing applications. Analytical models and molecular dynamics simulations based on the so-called two-temperature model reveal the causes for the appearance of limiting physical effects. The findings of models and simulations can be used to take advantage and optimize processing strategies.

The Assessment of Expressive and Instrumental Power Value Orientations in Sport and in Everyday Life.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bredemeier, B. J.

A typical assumption has been that women and men possess distinct power orientations: women have expressive characteristics, such as interdependence and cooperativeness, while men have instrumental characteristics, such as self reliance and competitiveness. An inventory assessing expressive and instrumental power orientations (PVO's) was developed…

An Adaptive Genetic Association Test Using Double Kernel Machines

PubMed Central

Zhan, Xiang; Epstein, Michael P.; Ghosh, Debashis

2014-01-01

Recently, gene set-based approaches have become very popular in gene expression profiling studies for assessing how genetic variants are related to disease outcomes. Since most genes are not differentially expressed, existing pathway tests considering all genes within a pathway suffer from considerable noise and power loss. Moreover, for a differentially expressed pathway, it is of interest to select important genes that drive the effect of the pathway. In this article, we propose an adaptive association test using double kernel machines (DKM), which can both select important genes within the pathway as well as test for the overall genetic pathway effect. This DKM procedure first uses the garrote kernel machines (GKM) test for the purposes of subset selection and then the least squares kernel machine (LSKM) test for testing the effect of the subset of genes. An appealing feature of the kernel machine framework is that it can provide a flexible and unified method for multi-dimensional modeling of the genetic pathway effect allowing for both parametric and nonparametric components. This DKM approach is illustrated with application to simulated data as well as to data from a neuroimaging genetics study. PMID:26640602

Effects of bis(guanylhydrazones) on the activity and expression of ornithine decarboxylase.

PubMed Central

Nikula, P; Alhonen-Hongisto, L; Jänne, J

1985-01-01

Derivatives of glyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) (GBG), such as methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) and ethylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone), are potent inhibitors of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.50), the key enzyme required for the synthesis of spermidine and spermine. These compounds, but not the parent compound, induce a massive accumulation of putrescine, partly by blocking the conversion of putrescine into spermidine, but also by strikingly stimulating ornithine decarboxylase (ODC; EC 4.1.1.17) activity. The mechanism of the stimulation of ODC activity and enhanced accumulation of the enzyme protein apparently involved a distinct stabilization of the enzyme against intracellular degradation. However, although the parent compound GBG also stabilized ODC, it powerfully inhibited the enzyme activity and the accumulation of immunoreactive protein in cultured L1210 leukaemia cells. Kinetic considerations indicated that, in addition to the stabilization, all three compounds, GBG in particular, inhibited the expression of ODC. It is unlikely that the decreased rate of synthesis of ODC was attributable to almost unaltered amounts of mRNA in drug-treated cells, thus supporting the view that especially GBG apparently depressed the expression of ODC at some post-transcriptional level. Images PMID:4062886

New Technologies for the Identification of Novel Genetic Markers of Disorders of Sex Development (DSD)

PubMed Central

Bashamboo, A.; Ledig, S.; Wieacker, P.; Achermann, J.; McElreavey, K.

2010-01-01

Although the genetic basis of human sexual determination and differentiation has advanced considerably in recent years, the fact remains that in most subjects with disorders of sex development (DSD) the underlying genetic cause is unknown. Where pathogenic mutations have been identified, the phenotype can be highly variable, even within families, suggesting that other genetic variants are influencing the expression of the phenotype. This situation is likely to change, as more powerful and affordable tools become widely available for detailed genetic analyses. Here, we describe recent advances in comparative genomic hybridisation, sequencing by hybridisation and next generation sequencing, and we describe how these technologies will have an impact on our understanding of the genetic causes of DSD. PMID:20820110

Land-Use Intensity of Electricity Production: Comparison Across Multiple Sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swain, M.; Lovering, J.; Blomqvist, L.; Nordhaus, T.; Hernandez, R. R.

2015-12-01

Land is an increasingly scarce global resource that is subject to competing pressures from agriculture, human settlement, and energy development. As countries concerned about climate change seek to decarbonize their power sectors, renewable energy sources like wind and solar offer obvious advantages. However, the land needed for new energy infrastructure is also an important environmental consideration. The land requirement of different electricity sources varies considerably, but there are very few studies that offer a normalized comparison. In this paper, we use meta-analysis to calculate the land-use intensity (LUI) of the following electricity generation sources: wind, solar photovoltaic (PV), concentrated solar power (CSP), hydropower, geothermal, nuclear, biomass, natural gas, and coal. We used data from existing studies as well as original data gathered from public records and geospatial analysis. Our land-use metric includes land needed for the generation facility (e.g., power plant or wind farm) as well as the area needed to mine fuel for natural gas, coal, and nuclear power plants. Our results found the lowest total LUI for nuclear power (115 ha/TWh/y) and the highest LUI for biomass (114,817 ha/TWh/y). Solar PV and CSP had a considerably lower LUI than wind power, but both were an order of magnitude higher than fossil fuels (which ranged from 435 ha/TWh/y for natural gas to 579 ha/TWh/y for coal). Our results suggest that a large build-out of renewable electricity, though it would offer many environmental advantages over fossil fuel power sources, would require considerable land area. Among low-carbon energy sources, relatively compact sources like nuclear and solar have the potential to reduce land requirements.

Design Development Analyses in Support of a Heatpipe-Brayton Cycle Heat Exchanger

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steeve, Brian; VanDyke, Melissa; Majumdar, Alok; Nguyen, Dalton; Corley, Melissa; Guffee, Ray M.; Kapernick, Richard J.

2003-01-01

One of the power systems under consideration for nuclear electric propulsion or as a planetary surface power source is a heatpipe-cooled reactor coupled to a Brayton cycle. In this system, power is transferred from the heatpipes to the Brayton gas via a heat exchanger attached to the heatpipes. This paper discusses the fluid, thermal and structural analyses that were performed in support of the design of the heat exchanger to be tested in the SAFE-100 experimental program at Marshall Space Flight Center. A companion paper, "Mechanical Design and Fabrication of a SAFE-100 Heat Exchanger for use in NASA s Advanced Propulsion Thermal-hydraulic Simulator", presents the fabrication issues and prototyping studies that, together with these analyses, led to the development of this heat exchanger. An important consideration throughout the design development of the heat exchanger was its capability to be utilized for higher power and temperature applications. This paper also discusses this aspect of the design and presents designs for specific applications that are under consideration.

Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative: Legal Authorities and Policy Considerations

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-03-10

Separation of Powers in National Security Matters....................................................................... 10 Congressional Constraints on Executive Action ........................................................................... 15 Policy Considerations and Congressional Options........................................................................ 17 Conclusion..................................................................................................................................... 18 Author Contact

Power feasibility of implantable digital spike-sorting circuits for neural prosthetic systems.

PubMed

Zumsteg, Zachary S; Ahmed, Rizwan E; Santhanam, Gopal; Shenoy, Krishna V; Meng, Teresa H

2004-01-01

A new class of neural prosthetic systems aims to assist disabled patients by translating cortical neural activity into control signals for prosthetic devices. Based on the success of proof-of-concept systems in the laboratory, there is now considerable interest in increasing system performance and creating implantable electronics for use in clinical systems. A critical question that impacts system performance and the overall architecture of these systems is whether it is possible to identify the neural source of each action potential (spike sorting) in real-time and with low power. Low power is essential both for power supply considerations and heat dissipation in the brain. In this paper we report that several state-of-the-art spike sorting algorithms implemented in modern CMOS VLSI processes are expected to be power realistic.

High power density yeast catalyzed microbial fuel cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ganguli, Rahul

Microbial fuel cells leverage whole cell biocatalysis to convert the energy stored in energy-rich renewable biomolecules such as sugar, directly to electrical energy at high efficiencies. Advantages of the process include ambient temperature operation, operation in natural streams such as wastewater without the need to clean electrodes, minimal balance-of-plant requirements compared to conventional fuel cells, and environmentally friendly operation. These make the technology very attractive as portable power sources and waste-to-energy converters. The principal problem facing the technology is the low power densities compared to other conventional portable power sources such as batteries and traditional fuel cells. In this work we examined the yeast catalyzed microbial fuel cell and developed methods to increase the power density from such fuel cells. A combination of cyclic voltammetry and optical absorption measurements were used to establish significant adsorption of electron mediators by the microbes. Mediator adsorption was demonstrated to be an important limitation in achieving high power densities in yeast-catalyzed microbial fuel cells. Specifically, the power densities are low for the length of time mediator adsorption continues to occur. Once the mediator adsorption stops, the power densities increase. Rotating disk chronoamperometry was used to extract reaction rate information, and a simple kinetic expression was developed for the current observed in the anodic half-cell. Since the rate expression showed that the current was directly related to microbe concentration close to the electrode, methods to increase cell mass attached to the anode was investigated. Electrically biased electrodes were demonstrated to develop biofilm-like layers of the Baker's yeast with a high concentration of cells directly connected to the electrode. The increased cell mass did increase the power density 2 times compared to a non biofilm fuel cell, but the power density increase was shown to quickly saturate with cell mass attached on the electrode. Based on recent modelling data that suggested that the electrode currents might be limited by the poor electrical conductivity of the anode, the power density versus electrical conductivity of a yeast-immobilized anode was investigated. Introduction of high aspect ratio carbon fiber filaments to the immobilization matrix increased the electrical conductivity of the anode. Although a higher electrical conductivity clearly led to an increase in power densities, it was shown that the principal limitation to power density increase was coming from proton transfer limitations in the immobilized anode. Partial overcoming of the gradients lead a power density of ca. 250 microW cm-2, which is the highest reported for yeast powered MFCs. A yeast-catalyzed microbial fuel cell was investigated as a power source for low power sensors using raw tree sap. It was shown that yeast can efficiently utilize the sucrose present in the raw tree sap to produce electricity when excess salt is added to the medium. Therefore the salinity of a potential energy source is an important consideration when MFCs are being considered for energy harvesting from natural sources.

A Guide for Designing and Analyzing RNA-Seq Data.

PubMed

Chatterjee, Aniruddha; Ahn, Antonio; Rodger, Euan J; Stockwell, Peter A; Eccles, Michael R

2018-01-01

The identity of a cell or an organism is at least in part defined by its gene expression and therefore analyzing gene expression remains one of the most frequently performed experimental techniques in molecular biology. The development of the RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) method allows an unprecedented opportunity to analyze expression of protein-coding, noncoding RNA and also de novo transcript assembly of a new species or organism. However, the planning and design of RNA-Seq experiments has important implications for addressing the desired biological question and maximizing the value of the data obtained. In addition, RNA-Seq generates a huge volume of data and accurate analysis of this data involves several different steps and choices of tools. This can be challenging and overwhelming, especially for bench scientists. In this chapter, we describe an entire workflow for performing RNA-Seq experiments. We describe critical aspects of wet lab experiments such as RNA isolation, library preparation and the initial design of an experiment. Further, we provide a step-by-step description of the bioinformatics workflow for different steps involved in RNA-Seq data analysis. This includes power calculations, setting up a computational environment, acquisition and processing of publicly available data if desired, quality control measures, preprocessing steps for the raw data, differential expression analysis, and data visualization. We particularly mention important considerations for each step to provide a guide for designing and analyzing RNA-Seq data.

CARSVM: a class association rule-based classification framework and its application to gene expression data.

PubMed

Kianmehr, Keivan; Alhajj, Reda

2008-09-01

In this study, we aim at building a classification framework, namely the CARSVM model, which integrates association rule mining and support vector machine (SVM). The goal is to benefit from advantages of both, the discriminative knowledge represented by class association rules and the classification power of the SVM algorithm, to construct an efficient and accurate classifier model that improves the interpretability problem of SVM as a traditional machine learning technique and overcomes the efficiency issues of associative classification algorithms. In our proposed framework: instead of using the original training set, a set of rule-based feature vectors, which are generated based on the discriminative ability of class association rules over the training samples, are presented to the learning component of the SVM algorithm. We show that rule-based feature vectors present a high-qualified source of discrimination knowledge that can impact substantially the prediction power of SVM and associative classification techniques. They provide users with more conveniences in terms of understandability and interpretability as well. We have used four datasets from UCI ML repository to evaluate the performance of the developed system in comparison with five well-known existing classification methods. Because of the importance and popularity of gene expression analysis as real world application of the classification model, we present an extension of CARSVM combined with feature selection to be applied to gene expression data. Then, we describe how this combination will provide biologists with an efficient and understandable classifier model. The reported test results and their biological interpretation demonstrate the applicability, efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed model. From the results, it can be concluded that a considerable increase in classification accuracy can be obtained when the rule-based feature vectors are integrated in the learning process of the SVM algorithm. In the context of applicability, according to the results obtained from gene expression analysis, we can conclude that the CARSVM system can be utilized in a variety of real world applications with some adjustments.

The expression of long-term potentiation: reconciling the preists and the postivists

PubMed Central

MacDougall, Matthew J.; Fine, Alan

2014-01-01

Long-term potentiation (LTP) of excitatory synaptic transmission in the hippocampus has been investigated in great detail over the past 40 years. Where and how LTP is actually expressed, however, remain controversial issues. Considerable evidence has been offered to support both pre- and postsynaptic contributions to LTP expression. Though it is widely held that postsynaptic expression mechanisms are the primary contributors to LTP expression, evidence for that conclusion is amenable to alternative explanations. Here, we briefly review some key contributions to the ‘locus’ debate and describe data that support a dominant role for presynaptic mechanisms. Recognition of the state-dependency of expression mechanisms, and consideration of the consequences of the spatial relationship between postsynaptic glutamate receptors and presynaptic vesicular release sites, lead to a model that may reconcile views from both sides of the synapse. PMID:24298138

Practical design considerations for photovoltaic power station

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swanson, T. D.

Aspects of photovoltaic (PV) technology are discussed along with generic PV design considerations, taking into account the resource sunlight, PV modules and their reliability, questions of PV system design, the support structure subsystem, and a power conditioning unit subsystem. A description is presented of two recent projects which demonstrate the translation of an idea into actual working PV systems. A privately financed project in Denton, Maryland, went on line in early December, 1982, and began providing power to the local utility grid. It represents the first intermediate size, grid-connected, privately financed power station in the U.S. Based on firm quotes, the actual cost of this system is about $13/W peak. The other project, called the PV Breeder, is an energy independent facility which utilizes solar power to make new solar cells. It is also the first large industrial structure completely powered by the sun.

Considerations in the design of a communication network for an autonomously managed power system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mckee, J. W.; Whitehead, Norma; Lollar, Louis

1989-01-01

The considerations involved in designing a communication network for an autonomously managed power system intended for use in space vehicles are examined. An overview of the design and implementation of a communication network implemented in a breadboard power system is presented. An assumption that the monitoring and control devices are distributed but physically close leads to the selection of a multidrop cable communication system. The assumption of a high-quality communication cable in which few messages are lost resulted in a simple recovery procedure consisting of a time out and retransmit process.

Modulation of α power and functional connectivity during facial affect recognition.

PubMed

Popov, Tzvetan; Miller, Gregory A; Rockstroh, Brigitte; Weisz, Nathan

2013-04-03

Research has linked oscillatory activity in the α frequency range, particularly in sensorimotor cortex, to processing of social actions. Results further suggest involvement of sensorimotor α in the processing of facial expressions, including affect. The sensorimotor face area may be critical for perception of emotional face expression, but the role it plays is unclear. The present study sought to clarify how oscillatory brain activity contributes to or reflects processing of facial affect during changes in facial expression. Neuromagnetic oscillatory brain activity was monitored while 30 volunteers viewed videos of human faces that changed their expression from neutral to fearful, neutral, or happy expressions. Induced changes in α power during the different morphs, source analysis, and graph-theoretic metrics served to identify the role of α power modulation and cross-regional coupling by means of phase synchrony during facial affect recognition. Changes from neutral to emotional faces were associated with a 10-15 Hz power increase localized in bilateral sensorimotor areas, together with occipital power decrease, preceding reported emotional expression recognition. Graph-theoretic analysis revealed that, in the course of a trial, the balance between sensorimotor power increase and decrease was associated with decreased and increased transregional connectedness as measured by node degree. Results suggest that modulations in α power facilitate early registration, with sensorimotor cortex including the sensorimotor face area largely functionally decoupled and thereby protected from additional, disruptive input and that subsequent α power decrease together with increased connectedness of sensorimotor areas facilitates successful facial affect recognition.

75 FR 6731 - Carolina Power & Light Company; Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendment to Facility...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-10

...; Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendment to Facility Operating License, Proposed No Significant Hazards Consideration Determination and Opportunity for a Hearing, and Order Imposing Procedures for... Commission) is considering issuance of an amendment to Facility Operating License No. DPR-23 issued to...

(Implicitly) judging a book by its cover: the power of pride and shame expressions in shaping judgments of social status.

PubMed

Shariff, Azim F; Tracy, Jessica L; Markusoff, Jeffrey L

2012-09-01

How do we decide who merits social status? According to functionalist theories of emotion, the nonverbal expressions of pride and shame play a key role, functioning as automatically perceived status signals. In this view, observers automatically make status inferences about expressers on the basis of these expressions, even when contradictory contextual information about the expressers' status is available. In four studies, the authors tested whether implicit and explicit status perceptions are influenced by pride and shame expressions even when these expressions' status-related messages are contradicted by contextual information. Results indicate that emotion expressions powerfully influence implicit and explicit status inferences, at times neutralizing or even overriding situational knowledge. These findings demonstrate the irrepressible communicative power of emotion displays and indicate that status judgments can be informed as much (and often more) by automatic responses to nonverbal expressions of emotion as by rational, contextually bound knowledge.

A note on the electrochemical nature of the thermoelectric power

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Apertet, Y.; Ouerdane, H.; Goupil, C.; Lecoeur, Ph.

2016-04-01

While thermoelectric transport theory is well established and widely applied, it is not always clear in the literature whether the Seebeck coefficient, which is a measure of the strength of the mutual interaction between electric charge transport and heat transport, is to be related to the gradient of the system's chemical potential or to the gradient of its electrochemical potential. The present article aims to clarify the thermodynamic definition of the thermoelectric coupling. First, we recall how the Seebeck coefficient is experimentally determined. We then turn to the analysis of the relationship between the thermoelectric power and the relevant potentials in the thermoelectric system: As the definitions of the chemical and electrochemical potentials are clarified, we show that, with a proper consideration of each potential, one may derive the Seebeck coefficient of a non-degenerate semiconductor without the need to introduce a contact potential as seen sometimes in the literature. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the phenomenological expression of the electrical current resulting from thermoelectric effects may be directly obtained from the drift-diffusion equation.

Modeling and experimental characterization of a new piezoelectric sensor for low-amplitude vibration measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hou, X. Y.; Koh, C. G.; Kuang, K. S. C.; Lee, W. H.

2017-07-01

This paper investigates the capability of a novel piezoelectric sensor for low-frequency and low-amplitude vibration measurement. The proposed design effectively amplifies the input acceleration via two amplifying mechanisms and thus eliminates the use of the external charge amplifier or conditioning amplifier typically employed for measurement system. The sensor is also self-powered, i.e. no external power unit is required. Consequently, wiring and electrical insulation for on-site measurement are considerably simpler. In addition, the design also greatly reduces the interference from rotational motion which often accompanies the translational acceleration to be measured. An analytical model is developed based on a set of piezoelectric constitutive equations and beam theory. Closed-form expression is derived to correlate sensor geometry and material properties with its dynamic performance. Experimental calibration is then carried out to validate the analytical model. After calibration, experiments are carried out to check the feasibility of the new sensor in structural vibration detection. From experimental results, it is concluded that the proposed sensor is suitable for measuring low-frequency and low-amplitude vibrations.

You never think about my feelings: interpersonal dominance as a predictor of emotion decoding accuracy.

PubMed

Moeller, Sara K; Lee, Elizabeth A Ewing; Robinson, Michael D

2011-08-01

Dominance and submission constitute fundamentally different social interaction strategies that may be enacted most effectively to the extent that the emotions of others are relatively ignored (dominance) versus noticed (submission). On the basis of such considerations, we hypothesized a systematic relationship between chronic tendencies toward high versus low levels of interpersonal dominance and emotion decoding accuracy in objective tasks. In two studies (total N = 232), interpersonally dominant individuals exhibited poorer levels of emotion recognition in response to audio and video clips (Study 1) and facial expressions of emotion (Study 2). The results provide a novel perspective on interpersonal dominance, suggest its strategic nature (Study 2), and are discussed in relation to Fiske's (1993) social-cognitive theory of power. 2011 APA, all rights reserved

78 FR 45984 - Yankee Atomic Electric Company, Yankee Nuclear Power Station

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-30

... Electric Company, Yankee Nuclear Power Station AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Environmental... (YAEC) is the holder of Possession-Only License DPR-3 for the Yankee Nuclear Power Station (YNPS... on the site of any nuclear power reactor. In its Statement of Considerations (SOC) for the Final Rule...

Survey of Sliding Contact/Solid Rail Power Collection Systems for Application to the Tracked Air Cushion Vehicle

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1971-01-01

The objective of a power collection system is to deliver uninterrupted power from the wayside to a vehicle. In order to apply the third rail concept, used for subway power collection, to the tracked air cushion vehicle, considerable improvement must ...

AMTEC radioisotope power system design and analysis for Pluto Express Fly-By

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

Hendricks, T.J.; Huang, C.; Sievers, R.K.

1997-12-31

The Pluto Express Fly-By program requires a Radioisotope Power System (RPS) to supply spacecraft power for various internal functions and mission instruments and experiments. AMTEC (Alkali-Metal Thermal-Electric Conversion) power conversion is the DOE-selected technology for an advanced, high-efficiency RPS to power the Pluto Express Fly-By spacecraft. An AMTEC-based RPS using the General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) has been conceptually designed to satisfy the Pluto Express power requirements. Integrated AMTEC cell and system thermal/electrical design analyses, structural design analyses, and mass analyses were performed to define an optimum system design. Using fresh radioisotope fuel at beginning of mission, the RPS producesmore » 102 watts of power, has a mass of 8.35 kg (specific power density = 12.2 watts/kg), with a system conversion efficiency of 20.3%. Mass/power scale-up estimates have also been generated, indicating that a 150-watt version of this RPS would weigh approximately 11.3 kg. This paper presents and discusses the key features of this RPS design, the design and analysis methodology, and the numerous system and AMTEC cell tradeoff studies establishing the optimum AMTEC-based RPS.« less

Thermal coupling potential of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells with metal hydride tanks: Thermodynamic and design considerations towards integrated systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yiotis, Andreas G.; Kainourgiakis, Michael E.; Kosmidis, Lefteris I.; Charalambopoulou, Georgia C.; Stubos, Athanassios K.

2014-12-01

We study the thermal coupling potential between a high temperature metal hydride (MH) tank and a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) aiming towards the design of an efficient integrated system, where the thermal power produced during normal SOFC operation is redirected towards the MH tank in order to maintain H2 desorption without the use of external heating sources. Based on principles of thermodynamics, we calculate the energy balance in the SOFC/MH system and derive analytical expressions for both the thermal power produced during SOFC operation and the corresponding thermal power required for H2 desorption, as a function of the operating temperature, efficiency and fuel utilization ratio in the SOFC, and the MH enthalpy of desorption in the tank. Based on these calculations, we propose an integrated SOFC/MH design where heat is transferred primarily by radiation to the tank in order to maintain steady-state desorption conditions. We develop a mathematical model for this particular design that accounts for heat/mass transfer and desorption kinetics in the tank, and solve for the dynamics of the system assuming MgH2 as a storage material. Our results focus primarily on tank operating conditions, such as pressure, temperature and H2 saturation profiles vs operation time.

Aberrations associated with rigid contact lenses.

PubMed

Atchison, D A

1995-10-01

A rigid contact lens on an eye can produce levels of spherical aberration very different from those produced by a spectacle lens in front of the eye. These levels are considerably affected by contact lens surface asphericity. Change in longitudinal spherical aberration associated with aspherizing a contact lens surface is well predicted by a simple equation for change in sagittal power of the surface. Displacing an aspheric contact lens on the eye can produce considerable defocus, which is well predicted by simple equations for change in sagittal and tangential surface powers. The best refractive correction with contact lenses can be determined only by overrefraction with a patient wearing a contact lens of power and characteristics similar to that which will be prescribed. An aspheric contact lens that moves to a considerable extent on the eye will cause more unstable vision than will a spherical lens that moves to the same extent.

Integrative set enrichment testing for multiple omics platforms

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Enrichment testing assesses the overall evidence of differential expression behavior of the elements within a defined set. When we have measured many molecular aspects, e.g. gene expression, metabolites, proteins, it is desirable to assess their differential tendencies jointly across platforms using an integrated set enrichment test. In this work we explore the properties of several methods for performing a combined enrichment test using gene expression and metabolomics as the motivating platforms. Results Using two simulation models we explored the properties of several enrichment methods including two novel methods: the logistic regression 2-degree of freedom Wald test and the 2-dimensional permutation p-value for the sum-of-squared statistics test. In relation to their univariate counterparts we find that the joint tests can improve our ability to detect results that are marginal univariately. We also find that joint tests improve the ranking of associated pathways compared to their univariate counterparts. However, there is a risk of Type I error inflation with some methods and self-contained methods lose specificity when the sets are not representative of underlying association. Conclusions In this work we show that consideration of data from multiple platforms, in conjunction with summarization via a priori pathway information, leads to increased power in detection of genomic associations with phenotypes. PMID:22118224

Southwestern Power Administration Combined Financial Statements, 2006-2009

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

None

2009-09-01

We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of the Southwestern Federal Power System (SWFPS), as of September 30, 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2006, and the related combined statements of revenues and expenses, changes in capitalization, and cash flows for the years then ended. As described in note 1(a), the combined financial statement presentation includes the hydroelectric generation functions of another Federal agency (hereinafter referred to as the generating agency), for which Southwestern Power Administration (Southwestern) markets and transmits power. These combined financial statements are the responsibility of the management of Southwestern and the generating agency. Our responsibility is tomore » express an opinion on these combined financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the combined financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of Southwestern and the generating agency’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the combined financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall combined financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the combined financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the Southwestern Federal Power System, as of September 30, 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2006, and the results of its operations and its cash flow for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2006 SWFPS’s combined financial statements taken as a whole. The supplementary information in the combining financial statements is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic combined financial statements. The supplementary information has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic combined financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic combined financial statements taken as a whole.« less

Autonomous Adaptive Low-Power Instrument Platform (AAL-PIP) for remote high latitude geospace data collection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clauer, C. R.; Kim, H.; Deshpande, K.; Xu, Z.; Weimer, D.; Musko, S.; Crowley, G.; Fish, C.; Nealy, R.; Humphreys, T. E.; Bhatti, J. A.; Ridley, A. J.

2014-06-01

We present the development considerations and design for ground based instrumentation that is being deployed on the East Antarctic Plateau along a 40° magnetic meridian chain to investigate interhemispheric magnetically conjugate geomagnetic coupling and other space weather related phenomena. The stations are magnetically conjugate to geomagnetic stations along the west coast of Greenland. The autonomous adaptive low-power instrument platforms being deployed in the Antarctic are designed to operate unattended in remote locations for at least 5 years. They utilize solar power and AGM storage batteries for power, two-way Iridium satellite communication for data acquisition and program/operation modification, support fluxgate and induction magnetometers as well as dual-frequency gps receiver and an HF radio experiment. Size and weight considerations are considered to enable deployment by a small team using small aircraft. Considerable experience has been gained in the development and deployment of remote polar instrumentation that is reflected in the present generation of instrumentation discussed here. We conclude with the lessons learned from our experience in the design, deployment and operation of remote polar instrumentation.

An autonomous adaptive low-power instrument platform (AAL-PIP) for remote high-latitude geospace data collection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clauer, C. R.; Kim, H.; Deshpande, K.; Xu, Z.; Weimer, D.; Musko, S.; Crowley, G.; Fish, C.; Nealy, R.; Humphreys, T. E.; Bhatti, J. A.; Ridley, A. J.

2014-10-01

We present the development considerations and design for ground-based instrumentation that is being deployed on the East Antarctic Plateau along a 40° magnetic meridian chain to investigate interhemispheric magnetically conjugate geomagnetic coupling and other space-weather-related phenomena. The stations are magnetically conjugate to geomagnetic stations along the west coast of Greenland. The autonomous adaptive low-power instrument platforms being deployed in the Antarctic are designed to operate unattended in remote locations for at least 5 years. They utilize solar power and AGM storage batteries for power, two-way Iridium satellite communication for data acquisition and program/operation modification, support fluxgate and induction magnetometers as well as a dual-frequency GPS receiver and a high-frequency (HF) radio experiment. Size and weight considerations are considered to enable deployment by a small team using small aircraft. Considerable experience has been gained in the development and deployment of remote polar instrumentation that is reflected in the present generation of instrumentation discussed here. We conclude with the lessons learned from our experience in the design, deployment and operation of remote polar instrumentation.

Power considerations for long duration balloon flights

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frye, G. M.; Owens, A.; Koga, R.; Denehy, B. V.; Mace, O.; Thomas, J.

A solar panel, silicad battery power supply system is described which provided 100 W of power for a balloon borne solar neutron experiment. The system operated successfully on a 22 day circum-global RACOON flight launched from Australia in January 1983.

A Balance of Power?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mosey, Edward

1991-01-01

The booming economy of the Pacific Northwest region promotes the dilemma of balancing the need for increased electrical power with the desire to maintain that region's unspoiled natural environment. Pertinent factors discussed within the balance equation are population trends, economic considerations, industrial power requirements, and…

High-Speed Rotor Analytical Dynamics on Flexible Foundation Subjected to Internal and External Excitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jivkov, Venelin S.; Zahariev, Evtim V.

2016-12-01

The paper presents a geometrical approach to dynamics simulation of a rigid and flexible system, compiled of high speed rotating machine with eccentricity and considerable inertia and mass. The machine is mounted on a vertical flexible pillar with considerable height. The stiffness and damping of the column, as well as, of the rotor bearings and the shaft are taken into account. Non-stationary vibrations and transitional processes are analyzed. The major frequency and modal mode of the flexible column are used for analytical reduction of its mass, stiffness and damping properties. The rotor and the foundation are modelled as rigid bodies, while the flexibility of the bearings is estimated by experiments and the requirements of the manufacturer. The transition effects as a result of limited power are analyzed by asymptotic methods of averaging. Analytical expressions for the amplitudes and unstable vibrations throughout resonance are derived by quasi-static approach increasing and decreasing of the exciting frequency. Analytical functions give the possibility to analyze the influence of the design parameter of many structure applications as wind power generators, gas turbines, turbo-generators, and etc. A numerical procedure is applied to verify the effectiveness and precision of the simulation process. Nonlinear and transitional effects are analyzed and compared to the analytical results. External excitations, as wave propagation and earthquakes, are discussed. Finite elements in relative and absolute coordinates are applied to model the flexible column and the high speed rotating machine. Generalized Newton - Euler dynamics equations are used to derive the precise dynamics equations. Examples of simulation of the system vibrations and nonstationary behaviour are presented.

Automatic Layout Design for Power Module

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

Ning, Puqi; Wang, Fei; Ngo, Khai

The layout of power modules is one of the key points in power module design, especially for high power densities, where couplings are increased. In this paper, along with the design example, an automatic design processes by using a genetic algorithm are presented. Some practical considerations and implementations are introduced in the optimization of module layout design.

Nuclear Reactors for Space Power, Understanding the Atom Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Corliss, William R.

The historical development of rocketry and nuclear technology includes a specific description of Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power (SNAP) programs. Solar cells and fuel cells are considered as alternative power supplies for space use. Construction and operation of space power plants must include considerations of the transfer of heat energy to…

Evaluation on the Efficiency of Biomass Power Generation Industry in China

PubMed Central

Sun, Dong; Guo, Sen

2014-01-01

As a developing country with large population, China is facing the problems of energy resource shortage and growing environmental pollution arising from the coal-dominated energy structure. Biomass energy, as a kind of renewable energy with the characteristics of being easy to store and friendly to environment, has become the focus of China's energy development in the future. Affected by the advanced power generation technology and diversified geography environment, the biomass power generation projects show new features in recent years. Hence, it is necessary to evaluate the efficiency of biomass power generation industry by employing proper method with the consideration of new features. In this paper, the regional difference as a new feature of biomass power generation industry is taken into consideration, and the AR model is employed to modify the zero-weight issue when using data envelopment analysis (DEA) method to evaluate the efficiency of biomass power generation industry. 30 biomass power generation enterprises in China are selected as the sample, and the efficiency evaluation is performed. The result can provide some insights into the sustainable development of biomass power generation industry in China. PMID:25093209

Design considerations for lunar base photovoltaic power systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hickman, J. Mark; Curtis, Henry B.; Landis, Geoffrey A.

1990-01-01

A survey was made of factors that may affect the design of photovoltaic arrays for a lunar base. These factors, which include the lunar environment and system design criteria, are examined. A photovoltaic power system design with a triangular array geometry is discussed and compared to a nuclear reactor power systems and a power system utilizing both nuclear and solar power sources.

Power processing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwarz, F. C.

1971-01-01

Processing of electric power has been presented as a discipline that draws on almost every field of electrical engineering, including system and control theory, communications theory, electronic network design, and power component technology. The cost of power processing equipment, which often equals that of expensive, sophisticated, and unconventional sources of electrical energy, such as solar batteries, is a significant consideration in the choice of electric power systems.

[Causal relationship between assertiveness and adjustment in children: A short-term longitudinal study].

PubMed

Eguchi, Megumi; Hamaguchi, Yoshikazu

2015-08-01

This study examined the causal relationships between assertiveness and both internal and external adjustment in children. Elementary school children in grades four through six (N = 284) participated in the study, which used a short-term longitudinal design. The children completed questionnaires twice during a 6-months period. They responded to assertiveness questionnaires that included two components: "self-expression" and "consideration of others". They also completed a self-esteem scale as an index of internal adjustment, and the Class Life Satisfaction scale as an index of external adjustment. There was a positive causative relationship between "self-expression" and internal adjustment and between "consideration for others" and external adjustment. In addition, the effects on adjustment varied according to the type of assertiveness. Cluster analysis and MANOVA indicated that the group with high "self-expression" and "consideration for others" had high internal and external adjustment, while the children with poor assertiveness showed the lowest degree of adaptivity.

Solar array study for solar electric propulsion spacecraft for the Encke rendezvous mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sequeira, E. A.; Patterson, R. E.

1974-01-01

The work is described which was performed on the design, analysis and performance of a 20 kW rollup solar array capable of meeting the design requirements of a solar electric spacecraft for the 1980 Encke rendezvous mission. To meet the high power requirements of the proposed electric propulsion mission, solar arrays on the order of 186.6 sq m were defined. Because of the large weights involved with arrays of this size, consideration of array configurations is limited to lightweight, large area concepts with maximum power-to-weight ratios. Items covered include solar array requirements and constraints, array concept selection and rationale, structural and electrical design considerations, and reliability considerations.

An active target for the accelerator-based transmutation system

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

Grebyonkin, K.F.

1995-10-01

Consideration is given to the possibility of radical reduction in power requirements to the proton accelerator of the electronuclear reactor due to neutron multiplication both in the blanket and the target of an active material. The target is supposed to have the fast-neutron spectrum, and the blanket-the thermal one. The blanket and the target are separated by the thermal neutrons absorber, which is responsible for the neutron decoupling of the active target and blanket. Also made are preliminary estimations which illustrate that the realization of the idea under consideration can lead to significant reduction in power requirements to the protonmore » beam and, hence considerably improve economic characteristics of the electronuclear reactor.« less

Power harvesting using PZT ceramics embedded in orthopedic implants.

PubMed

Chen, Hong; Liu, Ming; Jia, Chen; Wang, Zihua

2009-09-01

Battery lifetime has been the stumbling block for many power-critical or maintenance-free real-time embedded applications, such as wireless sensors and orthopedic implants. Thus a piezoelectric material that could convert human motion into electrical energy provides a very attractive solution for clinical implants. In this work, we analyze the power generation characteristics of stiff lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramics and the equivalent circuit through extensive experiments. Our experimental framework allows us to explore many important design considerations of such a PZT-based power generator. Overall we can achieve a PZT element volume of 0.5 x 0.5 x 1.8 cm, which is considerably smaller than the results reported so far. Finally, we outline the application of our PZT elements in a total knee replacement (TKR) implant.

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

Behnke, M. R.; Bellei, T.A.; Bloethe, W.G.

This paper presents a summary of the most impor- tant considerations for wind power plant collection system un- derground and overhead cable designs. Various considerations, including conductor selection, soil thermal properties, installa- tion methods, splicing, concentric grounding, and NESC/NEC requirements are discussed.

Formal Specifications for an Electrical Power Grid System Stability and Reliability

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-01

expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government. IRB...analyze the power grid system requirements and express the critical runtime behavior using first-order logic. First, we identify observable...Verification System, and Type systems to name a few [5]. Theorem proving’s specification dimension is dependent on the expressive power of the formal

Lipid accumulation and biosynthesis genes response of the oleaginous Chlorella pyrenoidosa under three nutrition stressors

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Microalgae can accumulate considerable amounts of lipids under different nutrient-deficient conditions, making them as one of the most promising sustainable sources for biofuel production. These inducible processes provide a powerful experimental basis for fully understanding the mechanisms of physiological acclimation, lipid hyperaccumulation and gene expression in algae. In this study, three nutrient-deficiency strategies, viz nitrogen-, phosphorus- and iron-deficiency were applied to trigger the lipid hyperaccumulation in an oleaginous Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Regular patterns of growth characteristics, lipid accumulation, physiological parameters, as well as the expression patterns of lipid biosynthesis-related genes were fully analyzed and compared. Results Our results showed that all the nutrient stress conditions could enhance the lipid content considerably compared with the control. The total lipid and neutral lipid contents exhibit the most marked increment under nitrogen deficiency, achieving 50.32% and 34.29% of dry cell weight at the end of cultivation, respectively. Both photosynthesis indicators and reactive oxygen species parameters reveal that physiological stress turned up when exposed to nutrient depletions. Time-course transcript patterns of lipid biosynthesis-related genes showed that diverse expression dynamics probably contributes to the different lipidic phenotypes under stress conditions. By analyzing the correlation between lipid content and gene expression level, we pinpoint several genes viz. rbsL, me g6562, accA, accD, dgat g2354, dgat g3280 and dgat g7063, which encode corresponding enzymes or subunits of malic enzyme, ACCase and diacylglycerol acyltransferase in the de novo TAG biosynthesis pathway, are highly related to lipid accumulation and might be exploited as target genes for genetic modification. Conclusion This study provided us not only a comprehensive picture of adaptive mechanisms from physiological perspective, but also a number of targeted genes that can be used for a systematic metabolic engineering. Besides, our results also represented the feasibility of lipid production through trophic transition cultivation modes, throwing light on a two-stage microalgal lipid production strategy with which heterotrophy stage provides sufficient robust seed and nitrogen-starvation photoautotrophy stage enhances the overall lipid productivity. PMID:24479413

In silico gene expression analysis – an overview

PubMed Central

Murray, David; Doran, Peter; MacMathuna, Padraic; Moss, Alan C

2007-01-01

Efforts aimed at deciphering the molecular basis of complex disease are underpinned by the availability of high throughput strategies for the identification of biomolecules that drive the disease process. The completion of the human genome-sequencing project, coupled to major technological developments, has afforded investigators myriad opportunities for multidimensional analysis of biological systems. Nowhere has this research explosion been more evident than in the field of transcriptomics. Affordable access and availability to the technology that supports such investigations has led to a significant increase in the amount of data generated. As most biological distinctions are now observed at a genomic level, a large amount of expression information is now openly available via public databases. Furthermore, numerous computational based methods have been developed to harness the power of these data. In this review we provide a brief overview of in silico methodologies for the analysis of differential gene expression such as Serial Analysis of Gene Expression and Digital Differential Display. The performance of these strategies, at both an operational and result/output level is assessed and compared. The key considerations that must be made when completing an in silico expression analysis are also presented as a roadmap to facilitate biologists. Furthermore, to highlight the importance of these in silico methodologies in contemporary biomedical research, examples of current studies using these approaches are discussed. The overriding goal of this review is to present the scientific community with a critical overview of these strategies, so that they can be effectively added to the tool box of biomedical researchers focused on identifying the molecular mechanisms of disease. PMID:17683638

78 FR 30299 - Combined Notice of Filings #1

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-22

... Securities Under Section 204 of the Federal Power Act of Upper Peninsula Power Company. Filed Date: 5/15/13... Federal Power Act and Requests for Expedited Consideration and Confidential Treatment of Wapsipinicon Wind...-1017-000. Applicants: Consumers Energy Company, CMS Energy Resource Management Company. Description...

Analytical expressions for maximum wind turbine average power in a Rayleigh wind regime

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

Carlin, P.W.

Average or expectation values for annual power of a wind turbine in a Rayleigh wind regime are calculated and plotted as a function of cut-out wind speed. This wind speed is expressed in multiples of the annual average wind speed at the turbine installation site. To provide a common basis for comparison of all real and imagined turbines, the Rayleigh-Betz wind machine is postulated. This machine is an ideal wind machine operating with the ideal Betz power coefficient of 0.593 in a Rayleigh probability wind regime. All other average annual powers are expressed in fractions of that power. Cases consideredmore » include: (1) an ideal machine with finite power and finite cutout speed, (2) real machines operating in variable speed mode at their maximum power coefficient, and (3) real machines operating at constant speed.« less

Thermionic reactor power conditioner design for nuclear electric propulsion.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jacobsen, A. S.; Tasca, D. M.

1971-01-01

Consideration of the effects of various thermionic reactor parameters and requirements upon spacecraft power conditioning design. A basic spacecraft is defined using nuclear electric propulsion, requiring approximately 120 kWe. The interrelationships of reactor operating characteristics and power conditioning requirements are discussed and evaluated, and the effects on power conditioner design and performance are presented.

76 FR 22128 - Notice of Intent To Accept Proposals, Select One Lessee, and Contract for Hydroelectric Power...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-20

... opportunity to purchase and/or market the power that would be generated by such development under a lease of... develop hydroelectric power at Granby Dam Outlet, and power purchasing and/or marketing considerations... Office (GP-2200), P.O. Box 36900, Billings, MT 59107-6900. Information related to Western's purchasing...

76 FR 22143 - Notice of Intent To Accept Proposals, Select One Lessee, and Contract for Hydroelectric Power...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-20

... (Western) would have the first opportunity to purchase and/or market the power that would be generated by... purchasing and/or marketing considerations. Interested entities are invited to submit a proposal on this.... Information related to Western's purchasing and/or marketing the power may be obtained at Western Area Power...

Bulk electric system reliability evaluation incorporating wind power and demand side management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Dange

Electric power systems are experiencing dramatic changes with respect to structure, operation and regulation and are facing increasing pressure due to environmental and societal constraints. Bulk electric system reliability is an important consideration in power system planning, design and operation particularly in the new competitive environment. A wide range of methods have been developed to perform bulk electric system reliability evaluation. Theoretically, sequential Monte Carlo simulation can include all aspects and contingencies in a power system and can be used to produce an informative set of reliability indices. It has become a practical and viable tool for large system reliability assessment technique due to the development of computing power and is used in the studies described in this thesis. The well-being approach used in this research provides the opportunity to integrate an accepted deterministic criterion into a probabilistic framework. This research work includes the investigation of important factors that impact bulk electric system adequacy evaluation and security constrained adequacy assessment using the well-being analysis framework. Load forecast uncertainty is an important consideration in an electrical power system. This research includes load forecast uncertainty considerations in bulk electric system reliability assessment and the effects on system, load point and well-being indices and reliability index probability distributions are examined. There has been increasing worldwide interest in the utilization of wind power as a renewable energy source over the last two decades due to enhanced public awareness of the environment. Increasing penetration of wind power has significant impacts on power system reliability, and security analyses become more uncertain due to the unpredictable nature of wind power. The effects of wind power additions in generating and bulk electric system reliability assessment considering site wind speed correlations and the interactive effects of wind power and load forecast uncertainty on system reliability are examined. The concept of the security cost associated with operating in the marginal state in the well-being framework is incorporated in the economic analyses associated with system expansion planning including wind power and load forecast uncertainty. Overall reliability cost/worth analyses including security cost concepts are applied to select an optimal wind power injection strategy in a bulk electric system. The effects of the various demand side management measures on system reliability are illustrated using the system, load point, and well-being indices, and the reliability index probability distributions. The reliability effects of demand side management procedures in a bulk electric system including wind power and load forecast uncertainty considerations are also investigated. The system reliability effects due to specific demand side management programs are quantified and examined in terms of their reliability benefits.

Making Environmental Claims

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The U.S. EPA's Green Power Partnership, in conjunction with the Federal Trade Commission, has put together this list of considerations organizations should consider when making environmental claims in regards to their green power usage.

The power of listening: Lending an ear to the partner during dyadic coping conversations.

PubMed

Kuhn, Rebekka; Bradbury, Thomas N; Nussbeck, Fridtjof W; Bodenmann, Guy

2018-06-04

Although active, responsive listening is widely assumed to be essential for well-functioning intimate relationships, the manner in which this important behavior might promote closeness remains unknown. To test the prediction that listening may be especially influential when partners disclose experiences of stress, we instructed 365 heterosexual couples to hold two 8-min conversations in which each partner discussed a stressful personal experience while the other partner was asked to respond as he or she ordinarily would. We coded expressions of stress and listening behavior at 10-s intervals during these conversations, applied actor-partner multilevel models to compute a variable capturing the covariation between one partner's stress expression and the other partner's listening behavior, and then used that variable in regression analyses to predict observed dyadic coping behaviors, self-reports of the quality of dyadic coping in general, and self-reports of relationship satisfaction. Attentive listening while the other partner expressed stress was significantly linked with better dyadic coping behaviors and higher relationship satisfaction. Partners displaying less attentive listening during the partner's stress expression also engaged in more problem-oriented coping and more negative dyadic coping. Because attentive listening during disclosure of stress covaries in expected ways with support provision and judgments of relationship quality, appreciating the context-specific effects of active listening merits careful consideration as an intervention target in couple therapy and in relationship education programs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Factorization of differential expansion for non-rectangular representations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morozov, A.

2018-04-01

Factorization of the differential expansion (DE) coefficients for colored HOMFLY-PT polynomials of antiparallel double braids, originally discovered for rectangular representations R, in the case of rectangular representations R, is extended to the first non-rectangular representations R = [2, 1] and R = [3, 1]. This increases chances that such factorization will take place for generic R, thus fixing the shape of the DE. We illustrate the power of the method by conjecturing the DE-induced expression for double-braid polynomials for all R = [r, 1]. In variance with the rectangular case, the knowledge for double braids is not fully sufficient to deduce the exclusive Racah matrix S¯ — the entries in the sectors with nontrivial multiplicities sum up and remain unseparated. Still, a considerable piece of the matrix is extracted directly and its other elements can be found by solving the unitarity constraints.

Basic design considerations for free-electron lasers driven by electron beams from RF accelerators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gover, A.; Freund, H.; Granatstein, V. L.; McAdoo, J. H.; Tang, C.-M.

A design procedure and design criteria are derived for free-electron lasers driven by electron beams from RF accelerators. The procedure and criteria permit an estimate of the oscillation-buildup time and the laser output power of various FEL schemes: with waveguide resonator or open resonator, with initial seed-radiation injection or with spontaneous-emission radiation source, with a linear wiggler or with a helical wiggler. Expressions are derived for computing the various FEL parameters, allowing for the design and optimization of the FEL operational characteristics under ideal conditions or with nonideal design parameters that may be limited by technological or practical constraints. The design procedure enables one to derive engineering curves and scaling laws for the FEL operating parameters. This can be done most conveniently with a computer program based on flowcharts given in the appendices.

Space solar power systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Toliver, C.

1977-01-01

Studies were done on the feasibility of placing a solar power station called POwersat, in space. A general description of the engineering features are given as well as a brief discussion of the economic considerations.

Consideration of the use of origami-style solar panels for use on a terrestrial/orbital wireless power generation and transmission spacecraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holland, Alexander F.; Pearson, Jens; Lysford, Wilson; Straub, Jeremy

2016-05-01

This paper presents work on the development of Origami-style solar panels and their adaption and efficacy for use in Earth orbit. It focuses on the enabling capability of this technology for the generation and transmission of power. The proposed approach provides increased collection (solar panel) and transmission (microwave radiation) surface area, as compared to other systems with similar mass and volume. An overview of the system is presented, including its pre-deployment configuration, the deployment process and its final configuration. Its utility for wireless power transmission mission is then considered. An economic discussion is then presented to consider how the mass and volume efficiencies provided enable the system to approach target willingness-to-pay values that were presented and considered in prior work. A key consideration regarding the use of wireless power transfer in Earth orbit is the reliability of the technology. This has several different areas of consideration. It must reliably supply power to its customers (or they would have to have local generation capabilities sufficient for their needs, defeating the benefit of this system). It must also be shown to reliably supply power only to designated locations (and not inadvertently or otherwise beam power at other locations). The effect of the system design (including the Origami structure and deployment / rigidity mechanisms) is considered to assess whether the use of this technology may impair either of these key mission/safety-critical goals. This analysis is presented and a discussion of mitigation techniques to several prospective problems is presented, before concluding with a discussion of future work.

The space station power system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

The requirements for electrical power by the proposed Space Station Freedom are discussed. The options currently under consideration are examined. The three power options are photovoltaic, solar dynamic, and a hybrid system. Advantages and disadvantages of each system are tabulated. Drawings and artist concepts of the Space Station configuration are provided.

77 FR 21553 - Combined Notice of Filings #1

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-10

.... Description: Revisions to the PJM Tariff & OA re Lost Opportunity Cost for Wind to be effective 6/1/2012... Applicants: Twin Cities Power, LLC. Description: Twin Cities Power, LLC requests authorization under Section 203 of the Federal Power Act and Request for Expedited Consideration. Filed Date: 3/30/12. Accession...

Behavior, Experience and Expression: Some Research Considerations.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Romanyshyn, Robert D.

Utilizing research conducted on nostalgia, this paper shows how a phenomenological approach assists in understanding behavior, experience and expression. Moreover, a clearer understanding of them aids one's research with and comprehension of nostalgia. Human action can be studied from the experiential, behavioral and expressive perspectives. These…

A Maximum Power Point Tracking Control Method of a Photovoltaic Power Generator with Consideration of Dynamic Characteristics of Solar Cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watanabe, Takashi; Yoshida, Toshiya; Ohniwa, Katsumi

This paper discusses a new control strategy for photovoltaic power generation systems with consideration of dynamic characteristics of the photovoltaic cells. The controller estimates internal currents of an equivalent circuit for the cells. This estimated, or the virtual current and the actual voltage of the cells are fed to a conventional Maximum-Power-Point-Tracking (MPPT) controller. Consequently, this MPPT controller still tracks the optimum point even though it is so designed that the seeking speed of the operating point is extremely high. This system may suit for applications, which are installed in rapidly changeable insolation and temperature-conditions e.g. automobiles, trains, and airplanes. The proposed method is verified by experiment with a combination of this estimating function and the modified Boehringer's MPPT algorithm.

Communication Simulations for Power System Applications

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

Fuller, Jason C.; Ciraci, Selim; Daily, Jeffrey A.

2013-05-29

New smart grid technologies and concepts, such as dynamic pricing, demand response, dynamic state estimation, and wide area monitoring, protection, and control, are expected to require considerable communication resources. As the cost of retrofit can be high, future power grids will require the integration of high-speed, secure connections with legacy communication systems, while still providing adequate system control and security. While considerable work has been performed to create co-simulators for the power domain with load models and market operations, limited work has been performed in integrating communications directly into a power domain solver. The simulation of communication and power systemsmore » will become more important as the two systems become more inter-related. This paper will discuss ongoing work at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to create a flexible, high-speed power and communication system co-simulator for smart grid applications. The framework for the software will be described, including architecture considerations for modular, high performance computing and large-scale scalability (serialization, load balancing, partitioning, cross-platform support, etc.). The current simulator supports the ns-3 (telecommunications) and GridLAB-D (distribution systems) simulators. Ongoing and future work will be described, including planned future expansions for a traditional transmission solver. A test case using the co-simulator, utilizing a transactive demand response system created for the Olympic Peninsula and AEP gridSMART demonstrations, requiring two-way communication between distributed and centralized market devices, will be used to demonstrate the value and intended purpose of the co-simulation environment.« less

Utilization of space technology for terrestrial solar power applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yasui, R. K.; Patterson, R. E.

1974-01-01

A description is given of the evolution of photovoltaic power systems designed and built for terrestrial applications, giving attention to problem areas which are currently impeding the further development of such systems. The rooftop testing of surplus solar panels is considered along with solar powered seismic observatories, solar powered portable radio sets, and design considerations identified from past experience. Present activities discussed are related to a solar powered on-shore beacon flasher system, a solar powered buoy, and a solar powered beacon flasher buoy.

When dispositional and role power fit: implications for self-expression and self-other congruence.

PubMed

Chen, Serena; Langner, Carrie A; Mendoza-Denton, Rodolfo

2009-03-01

Integrating and extending the literatures on social power and person-environment fit, 4 studies tested the hypothesis that when people's dispositional beliefs about their capacity to influence others fit their assigned role power, they are more likely to engage in self-expression-that is, behave in line with their states and traits-thereby increasing their likelihood of being perceived by others in a manner congruent with their own self-judgments (i.e., self-other congruence). In Studies 1-3, dispositionally high- and low-power participants were randomly assigned to play a high- or low-power role in an interaction with a confederate. When participants' dispositional and role power fit (vs. conflicted), they reported greater self-expression (Study 1). Furthermore, under dispositional-role power fit conditions, the confederate's ratings of participants' emotional experiences (Study 2) and personality traits (Study 3) were more congruent with participants' self-reported emotions and traits. Study 4's results replicated Study 3's results using an implicit manipulation of power and outside observers' (rather than a confederate's) ratings of participants. Implications for research on power and person perception are discussed.

Degenerate Power in Multilevel Mediation: The Non-Monotonic Relationship between Power & Effect Size

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kelcey, Ben

2015-01-01

Like studies focused on the detection of a main or total effect, a principal consideration in the design of studies examining mediation is the power with which mediation effects can be detected if they exist (e.g., Raudenbush, 1997). However, unlike studies concerning the detection of main effects, literature has not established power formulas for…

Optimizing Microgrid Architecture on Department of Defense Installations

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-01

PPA power purchase agreement PV photovoltaic QDR Quadrennial Defense Review SNL Sandia National Laboratory SPIDERS Smart Power Infrastructure...a MILP that dispatches fuel-based generators with consideration to an ensemble of forecasted inputs from renewable power sources, subject to physical...wind power project costs by region: 2012 projects, from [30]. 6. Weather Forecasts Weather forecasts are often presented as a single prediction

Forgiveness and Consideration of Future Consequences in Aggressive Driving

PubMed Central

Moore, Michael; Dahlen, Eric R.

2008-01-01

Most research on aggressive driving has focused on identifying aspects of driver personality which will exacerbate it (e.g., sensation seeking, impulsiveness, driving anger, etc.). The present study was designed to examine two theoretically relevant but previously unexplored personality factors predicted to reduce the risk of aggressive driving: trait forgiveness and consideration of future consequences. The utility of these variables in predicting aggressive driving and driving anger expression was evaluated among 316 college student volunteers. Hierarchical multiple regressions permitted an analysis of the incremental validity of these constructs beyond respondent gender, age, miles driven per week, and driving anger. Both forgiveness and consideration of future consequences contributed to the prediction of aggressive driving and driving anger expression, independent of driving anger. Research on aggressive driving may be enhanced by greater attention to adaptive, potentially risk-reducing traits. Moreover, forgiveness and consideration of future consequences may have implications for accident prevention. PMID:18760093

Design Considerations for Gun Propellant Climatic Storage Chambers.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-11-01

Schematic diagram of thermal element 5 4. Prototype Lhermal element 6 5. Power control circuit diagram 7 6. Power control module 7 7. Temperature...plates. Each plate is powered through a triac and temperature control circuit as shown in figure 5. Figure 6 is a photograph of an assembled power control...SHEATER PLATES Figure 5. Power control circuit diagram 4 f Figure 6. Power control module WSR.L-0295-TR -8- Figure 7. Temperature control module 9 -WSRL

The effect of reactive emotions expressed in response to another's anger on inferences of social power.

PubMed

Hareli, Shlomo; David, Shlomo

2017-06-01

Social perception of emotions is influenced by the context in which it occurs. One such context is a social interaction involving an exchange of emotions. The way parties to the interaction are perceived is shaped by the combination of emotions exchanged. This idea was examined by assessing the extent to which expressions of anger toward a target-which, in isolation, are perceived as signals of high social power-are influenced by the target's emotional reaction to it (i.e., reactive emotions). Three studies show that the angry person was perceived as having a higher level of social power when this anger was responded by fear or sadness than when it was responded by neutrality or anger. Study 1 indicated that reactive emotions have a stronger effect on perceived social power when emotions were incongruent with gender stereotypes. Study 2 indicated that these effects are a result of these emotions serving as reactive emotions rather than a benchmark against which the angry person's power is assessed. Study 3 showed that reactive emotions affect perceived social power by serving as signals of the level to which the high social power suggested by the first person's expression is confirmed by its target. Comparing effects of reactive emotions to anger with reactive emotions to sadness, showed that perceived social power of the expresser is determined by the nature of the expression, with some adjustment caused by the reactive emotions. This underscores the importance of social interaction as a context for the social perception of emotions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Design and Management of an IMC Micro Center.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bunson, Stanley N.

1988-01-01

Outlines design and management factors to be considered when developing a microcomputer lab for an instructional media center (IMC). Highlights include environmental considerations, including spatial arrangements, furniture, power requirements, temperature control, and lighting; software and hardware acquisition; and administrative considerations,…

Feminist Family Therapy: Ethical Considerations for the Clinician.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Costa, Luann; Sorenson, Jody

1993-01-01

Notes the traditional minimization of gender and power issues in the cultural context by systemic family therapists. Presents five questions that can serve as guidelines in examining ethical and personal issues and provides ethical considerations for the clinician. (Author/NB)

How powerful are summary-based methods for identifying expression-trait associations under different genetic architectures?

PubMed

Veturi, Yogasudha; Ritchie, Marylyn D

2018-01-01

Transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) have recently been employed as an approach that can draw upon the advantages of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and gene expression studies to identify genes associated with complex traits. Unlike standard GWAS, summary level data suffices for TWAS and offers improved statistical power. Two popular TWAS methods include either (a) imputing the cis genetic component of gene expression from smaller sized studies (using multi-SNP prediction or MP) into much larger effective sample sizes afforded by GWAS - TWAS-MP or (b) using summary-based Mendelian randomization - TWAS-SMR. Although these methods have been effective at detecting functional variants, it remains unclear how extensive variability in the genetic architecture of complex traits and diseases impacts TWAS results. Our goal was to investigate the different scenarios under which these methods yielded enough power to detect significant expression-trait associations. In this study, we conducted extensive simulations based on 6000 randomly chosen, unrelated Caucasian males from Geisinger's MyCode population to compare the power to detect cis expression-trait associations (within 500 kb of a gene) using the above-described approaches. To test TWAS across varying genetic backgrounds we simulated gene expression and phenotype using different quantitative trait loci per gene and cis-expression /trait heritability under genetic models that differentiate the effect of causality from that of pleiotropy. For each gene, on a training set ranging from 100 to 1000 individuals, we either (a) estimated regression coefficients with gene expression as the response using five different methods: LASSO, elastic net, Bayesian LASSO, Bayesian spike-slab, and Bayesian ridge regression or (b) performed eQTL analysis. We then sampled with replacement 50,000, 150,000, and 300,000 individuals respectively from the testing set of the remaining 5000 individuals and conducted GWAS on each set. Subsequently, we integrated the GWAS summary statistics derived from the testing set with the weights (or eQTLs) derived from the training set to identify expression-trait associations using (a) TWAS-MP (b) TWAS-SMR (c) eQTL-based GWAS, or (d) standalone GWAS. Finally, we examined the power to detect functionally relevant genes using the different approaches under the considered simulation scenarios. In general, we observed great similarities among TWAS-MP methods although the Bayesian methods resulted in improved power in comparison to LASSO and elastic net as the trait architecture grew more complex while training sample sizes and expression heritability remained small. Finally, we observed high power under causality but very low to moderate power under pleiotropy.

Harnessing electrical forces for separation. Capillary zone electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, field-flow fractionation, split-flow thin-cell continuous-separation and other techniques.

PubMed

Giddings, J C

1989-10-20

A simple analysis, first presented twenty years ago, showed that the effectiveness of a field-driven separation like electrophoresis, as expressed by the maximum number of theoretical plates (N), is given by the dimensionless ratio of two energies N = -delta mu ext/2RT in which -delta mu ext is the electrical potential energy drop of a charged species and RT is the thermal energy (R is the gas constant and T is the absolute temperature). Quantity -delta mu ext is the product of the force F acting on the species and the path length X of separation. The exceptional power of electrophoresis, for which often N approximately 10(6), can be traced directly to the enormous magnitude of the electrical force F. This paper explores the fundamentals underlying several different means for utilizing these powerful electrical forces for separation, including capillary zone electrophoresis, gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, electrical field-flow fractionation and split-flow thin continuous separation cells. Remarkably, the above equation and its relatives are found to describe the approximate performance of all these diverse electrically driven systems. Factors affecting both the resolving power and separation speed of the systems are addressed; from these considerations some broad optimization criteria emerge. The capabilities of the different methods are compared using numerical examples.

Investigating dye-sensitised solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tobin, Laura L.; O'Reilly, Thomas; Zerulla, Dominic; Sheridan, John T.

2010-05-01

At present there is considerable global concern in relation to environmental issues and future energy supplies, for instance climate change (global warming) and the rapid depletion of fossil fuel resources. This trepidation has initiated a more critical investigation into alternative and renewable sources of power such as geothermal, biomass, hydropower, wind and solar energy. The immense dependence on electrical power in today's society has prompted the manufacturing of devices such as photovoltaic (PV) cells to help alleviate and replace current electrical demands of the power grid. The most popular and commercially available PV cells are silicon solar cells which have to date the greatest efficiencies for PV cells. The drawback however is that the manufacturing of these cells is complex and costly due to the expense and difficulty of producing and processing pure silicon. One relatively inexpensive alternative to silicon PV cells that we are currently studying are dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSC or Grätzel Cells). DSSC are biomimetic solar cells which are based on the process of photosynthesis. The SFI Strategic Research Centre for Solar Energy Conversion is a research cluster based in Ireland formed with the express intention of bringing together industry and academia to produce renewable energy solutions. Our specific research area is in DSSC and their electrical properties. We are currently developing testing equipment for arrays of DSSC and developing optoelectronic models which todescribe the performance and behaviour of DSSCs.

Fast online simultaneous monitoring of PMD and chromatic dispersion with reduced polarization dependent gain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ning, G.; Shum, P.; Aditya, S.; Gong, Yandong

2006-09-01

We use the expression relating the output state of polarization and PMD vector. Based on this expression we get the power fading including first-order PMD and chromatic dispersion, which is dependent on the angle of precession of output state of polarization around the PMD vector. From the expression for power fading, we get the average power penalty for chromatic dispersion and PMD. We propose a novel and fast PMD and chromatic dispersion monitoring technology. Measured results agree well with theoretical analysis.

Energy storage considerations for a robotic Mars surface sampler

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Odonnell, Patricia M.; Cataldo, Robert L.; Gonzalez-Sanabria, Olga D.

1988-01-01

A Mars Rover capable of obtaining surface samples will need a power system for motive power and to power scientific instrumentation. Several different power systems are considered along with a discussion of the location options. The weight and volume advantages of the different systems are described for a particular power profile. The conclusions are that a Mars Rover Sample Return Mission and Extended Mission can be accomplished utilizing photovoltaics and electrochemical storage.

Oilwell Power Controller (OPC)

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

Not Available

1993-08-01

The Oil Well Power Controller (OPC) prototype units is nearing completion. This device is an oilwell beam pump controller and data logger. Applications for this device have been for an electrical power saving device, pump off control, parafffin detection, demand power load control, chemical treatment data, dynamometer and pump efficiency data. Preliminary results appear vary promising. A total of ten OPC rod pump controllers were assembled and installed on oilwells in several areas of Central and Western United States. Data was analyzed on these wells and forwarded to the participating oil companies. Cost savings on each individual oil well participatingmore » in the OPC testing vary considerably, savings on some situations have been outstanding. In situations where the pump efficiency was determined to be low, the cost savings have been considerable. Cost savings due to preventive maintenance are also present, but are difficult to pin point an exact dollar amount at the present time. A break out of actual cost data obtained on some of the oilwells controlled and monitored with the oilwell power controller.« less

Deciphering death: a commentary on Gompertz (1825) ‘On the nature of the function expressive of the law of human mortality, and on a new mode of determining the value of life contingencies’

PubMed Central

Kirkwood, Thomas B. L.

2015-01-01

In 1825, the actuary Benjamin Gompertz read a paper, ‘On the nature of the function expressive of the law of human mortality, and on a new mode of determining the value of life contingencies’, to the Royal Society in which he showed that over much of the adult human lifespan, age-specific mortality rates increased in an exponential manner. Gompertz's work played an important role in shaping the emerging statistical science that underpins the pricing of life insurance and annuities. Latterly, as the subject of ageing itself became the focus of scientific study, the Gompertz model provided a powerful stimulus to examine the patterns of death across the life course not only in humans but also in a wide range of other organisms. The idea that the Gompertz model might constitute a fundamental ‘law of mortality’ has given way to the recognition that other patterns exist, not only across the species range but also in advanced old age. Nevertheless, Gompertz's way of representing the function expressive of the pattern of much of adult mortality retains considerable relevance for studying the factors that influence the intrinsic biology of ageing. This commentary was written to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. PMID:25750242

Global optogenetic activation of inhibitory interneurons during epileptiform activity.

PubMed

Ledri, Marco; Madsen, Marita Grønning; Nikitidou, Litsa; Kirik, Deniz; Kokaia, Merab

2014-02-26

Optogenetic techniques provide powerful tools for bidirectional control of neuronal activity and investigating alterations occurring in excitability disorders, such as epilepsy. In particular, the possibility to specifically activate by light-determined interneuron populations expressing channelrhodopsin-2 provides an unprecedented opportunity of exploring their contribution to physiological and pathological network activity. There are several subclasses of interneurons in cortical areas with different functional connectivity to the principal neurons (e.g., targeting their perisomatic or dendritic compartments). Therefore, one could optogenetically activate specific or a mixed population of interneurons and dissect their selective or concerted inhibitory action on principal cells. We chose to explore a conceptually novel strategy involving simultaneous activation of mixed populations of interneurons by optogenetics and study their impact on ongoing epileptiform activity in mouse acute hippocampal slices. Here we demonstrate that such approach results in a brief initial action potential discharge in CA3 pyramidal neurons, followed by prolonged suppression of ongoing epileptiform activity during light exposure. Such sequence of events was caused by massive light-induced release of GABA from ChR2-expressing interneurons. The inhibition of epileptiform activity was less pronounced if only parvalbumin- or somatostatin-expressing interneurons were activated by light. Our data suggest that global optogenetic activation of mixed interneuron populations is a more effective approach for development of novel therapeutic strategies for epilepsy, but the initial action potential generation in principal neurons needs to be taken in consideration.

Deciphering death: a commentary on Gompertz (1825) 'On the nature of the function expressive of the law of human mortality, and on a new mode of determining the value of life contingencies'.

PubMed

Kirkwood, Thomas B L

2015-04-19

In 1825, the actuary Benjamin Gompertz read a paper, 'On the nature of the function expressive of the law of human mortality, and on a new mode of determining the value of life contingencies', to the Royal Society in which he showed that over much of the adult human lifespan, age-specific mortality rates increased in an exponential manner. Gompertz's work played an important role in shaping the emerging statistical science that underpins the pricing of life insurance and annuities. Latterly, as the subject of ageing itself became the focus of scientific study, the Gompertz model provided a powerful stimulus to examine the patterns of death across the life course not only in humans but also in a wide range of other organisms. The idea that the Gompertz model might constitute a fundamental 'law of mortality' has given way to the recognition that other patterns exist, not only across the species range but also in advanced old age. Nevertheless, Gompertz's way of representing the function expressive of the pattern of much of adult mortality retains considerable relevance for studying the factors that influence the intrinsic biology of ageing. This commentary was written to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.

High Power LaB6 Plasma Source Performance for the Lockheed Martin Compact Fusion Reactor Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heinrich, Jonathon

2016-10-01

Lockheed Martin's Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) concept is a linear encapsulated ring cusp. Due to the complex field geometry, plasma injection into the device requires careful consideration. A high power thermionic plasma source (>0.25MW; >10A/cm2) has been developed with consideration to phase space for optimal coupling. We present the performance of the plasma source, comparison with alternative plasma sources, and plasma coupling with the CFR field configuration. ©2016 Lockheed Martin Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Low-Radiation Cellular Inductive Powering of Rodent Wireless Brain Interfaces: Methodology and Design Guide.

PubMed

Soltani, Nima; Aliroteh, Miaad S; Salam, M Tariqus; Perez Velazquez, Jose Luis; Genov, Roman

2016-08-01

This paper presents a general methodology of inductive power delivery in wireless chronic rodent electrophysiology applications. The focus is on such systems design considerations under the following key constraints: maximum power delivery under the allowable specific absorption rate (SAR), low cost and spatial scalability. The methodology includes inductive coil design considerations within a low-frequency ferrite-core-free power transfer link which includes a scalable coil-array power transmitter floor and a single-coil implanted or worn power receiver. A specific design example is presented that includes the concept of low-SAR cellular single-transmitter-coil powering through dynamic tracking of a magnet-less receiver spatial location. The transmitter coil instantaneous supply current is monitored using a small number of low-cost electronic components. A drop in its value indicates the proximity of the receiver due to the reflected impedance of the latter. Only the transmitter coil nearest to the receiver is activated. Operating at the low frequency of 1.5 MHz, the inductive powering floor delivers a maximum of 15.9 W below the IEEE C95 SAR limit, which is over three times greater than that in other recently reported designs. The power transfer efficiency of 39% and 13% at the nominal and maximum distances of 8 cm and 11 cm, respectively, is maintained.

Downlink Cooperative Broadcast Transmission Based on Superposition Coding in a Relaying System for Future Wireless Sensor Networks.

PubMed

Liu, Yang; Han, Guangjie; Shi, Sulong; Li, Zhengquan

2018-06-20

This study investigates the superiority of cooperative broadcast transmission over traditional orthogonal schemes when applied in a downlink relaying broadcast channel (RBC). Two proposed cooperative broadcast transmission protocols, one with an amplify-and-forward (AF) relay, and the other with a repetition-based decode-and-forward (DF) relay, are investigated. By utilizing superposition coding (SupC), the source and the relay transmit the private user messages simultaneously instead of sequentially as in traditional orthogonal schemes, which means the channel resources are reused and an increased channel degree of freedom is available to each user, hence the half-duplex penalty of relaying is alleviated. To facilitate a performance evaluation, theoretical outage probability expressions of the two broadcast transmission schemes are developed, based on which, we investigate the minimum total power consumption of each scheme for a given traffic requirement by numerical simulation. The results provide details on the overall system performance and fruitful insights on the essential characteristics of cooperative broadcast transmission in RBCs. It is observed that better overall outage performances and considerable power gains can be obtained by utilizing cooperative broadcast transmissions compared to traditional orthogonal schemes.

Discrete False-Discovery Rate Improves Identification of Differentially Abundant Microbes.

PubMed

Jiang, Lingjing; Amir, Amnon; Morton, James T; Heller, Ruth; Arias-Castro, Ery; Knight, Rob

2017-01-01

Differential abundance testing is a critical task in microbiome studies that is complicated by the sparsity of data matrices. Here we adapt for microbiome studies a solution from the field of gene expression analysis to produce a new method, discrete false-discovery rate (DS-FDR), that greatly improves the power to detect differential taxa by exploiting the discreteness of the data. Additionally, DS-FDR is relatively robust to the number of noninformative features, and thus removes the problem of filtering taxonomy tables by an arbitrary abundance threshold. We show by using a combination of simulations and reanalysis of nine real-world microbiome data sets that this new method outperforms existing methods at the differential abundance testing task, producing a false-discovery rate that is up to threefold more accurate, and halves the number of samples required to find a given difference (thus increasing the efficiency of microbiome experiments considerably). We therefore expect DS-FDR to be widely applied in microbiome studies. IMPORTANCE DS-FDR can achieve higher statistical power to detect significant findings in sparse and noisy microbiome data compared to the commonly used Benjamini-Hochberg procedure and other FDR-controlling procedures.

Novel jet observables from machine learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Datta, Kaustuv; Larkoski, Andrew J.

2018-03-01

Previous studies have demonstrated the utility and applicability of machine learning techniques to jet physics. In this paper, we construct new observables for the discrimination of jets from different originating particles exclusively from information identified by the machine. The approach we propose is to first organize information in the jet by resolved phase space and determine the effective N -body phase space at which discrimination power saturates. This then allows for the construction of a discrimination observable from the N -body phase space coordinates. A general form of this observable can be expressed with numerous parameters that are chosen so that the observable maximizes the signal vs. background likelihood. Here, we illustrate this technique applied to discrimination of H\\to b\\overline{b} decays from massive g\\to b\\overline{b} splittings. We show that for a simple parametrization, we can construct an observable that has discrimination power comparable to, or better than, widely-used observables motivated from theory considerations. For the case of jets on which modified mass-drop tagger grooming is applied, the observable that the machine learns is essentially the angle of the dominant gluon emission off of the b\\overline{b} pair.

A Figure of Merit: Quantifying the Probability of a Nuclear Reactor Accident.

PubMed

Wellock, Thomas R

In recent decades, probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) has become an essential tool in risk analysis and management in many industries and government agencies. The origins of PRA date to the 1975 publication of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) Reactor Safety Study led by MIT professor Norman Rasmussen. The "Rasmussen Report" inspired considerable political and scholarly disputes over the motives behind it and the value of its methods and numerical estimates of risk. The Report's controversies have overshadowed the deeper technical origins of risk assessment. Nuclear experts had long sought to express risk in a "figure of merit" to verify the safety of weapons and, later, civilian reactors. By the 1970s, technical advances in PRA gave the methodology the potential to serve political ends, too. The Report, it was hoped, would prove nuclear power's safety to a growing chorus of critics. Subsequent attacks on the Report's methods and numerical estimates damaged the NRC's credibility. PRA's fortunes revived when the 1979 Three Mile Island accident demonstrated PRA's potential for improving the safety of nuclear power and other technical systems. Nevertheless, the Report's controversies endure in mistrust of PRA and its experts.

An ultra low-power and traffic-adaptive medium access control protocol for wireless body area network.

PubMed

Ullah, Sana; Kwak, Kyung Sup

2012-06-01

Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) consists of low-power, miniaturized, and autonomous wireless sensor nodes that enable physicians to remotely monitor vital signs of patients and provide real-time feedback with medical diagnosis and consultations. It is the most reliable and cheaper way to take care of patients suffering from chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Some of the most important attributes of WBAN is low-power consumption and delay. This can be achieved by introducing flexible duty cycling techniques on the energy constraint sensor nodes. Stated otherwise, low duty cycle nodes should not receive frequent synchronization and control packets if they have no data to send/receive. In this paper, we introduce a Traffic-adaptive MAC protocol (TaMAC) by taking into account the traffic information of the sensor nodes. The protocol dynamically adjusts the duty cycle of the sensor nodes according to their traffic-patterns, thus solving the idle listening and overhearing problems. The traffic-patterns of all sensor nodes are organized and maintained by the coordinator. The TaMAC protocol is supported by a wakeup radio that is used to accommodate emergency and on-demand events in a reliable manner. The wakeup radio uses a separate control channel along with the data channel and therefore it has considerably low power consumption requirements. Analytical expressions are derived to analyze and compare the performance of the TaMAC protocol with the well-known beacon-enabled IEEE 802.15.4 MAC, WiseMAC, and SMAC protocols. The analytical derivations are further validated by simulation results. It is shown that the TaMAC protocol outperforms all other protocols in terms of power consumption and delay.

The Importance of Teaching Power in Statistical Hypothesis Testing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olinsky, Alan; Schumacher, Phyllis; Quinn, John

2012-01-01

In this paper, we discuss the importance of teaching power considerations in statistical hypothesis testing. Statistical power analysis determines the ability of a study to detect a meaningful effect size, where the effect size is the difference between the hypothesized value of the population parameter under the null hypothesis and the true value…

Critical areas: Satellite power systems concepts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

Critical Areas are defined and discussed in the various areas pertinent to satellite power systems. The presentation is grouped into five areas (General, Space Systems, Solar Energy Conversion, Microwave Systems, and Environment/Ecology) with a sixth area (Power Relay) considered separately in an appendix. Areas for Future Consideration as critical areas are discussed in a second appendix.

Design considerations on ultra-low-power wireless transmitters for wearable medical devices.

PubMed

Manstretta, Danilo

2010-01-01

A wireless transmitter for wearable bio-sensing applications must fulfill very specialized requirements. It has been estimated that for truly wearable systems it must operate with an average power consumption of less than 140 microW. The alternatives, pitfalls, and realistic performance of robust, low power signal transmission will be addressed.

18 CFR 5.29 - Other provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... will consider the factors enumerated in sections 15(a)(2) and (a)(3) of the Federal Power Act. (2) If... competing Applicant after consideration of the factors enumerated in section 15(a)(2) of the Federal Power... 18 Conservation of Power and Water Resources 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Other provisions. 5.29...

26 CFR 20.2038-1 - Revocable transfers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... subject at the date of the decedent's death to any change through the exercise of a power by the decedent to alter, amend, revoke, or terminate, or if the decedent relinquished such a power in contemplation... adequate and full consideration in money or money's worth (see § 20.2043-1); (2) If the decedent's power...

Supporting Empathy in Online Learning with Artificial Expressions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lyons, Michael J.; Kluender, Daniel; Tetsutani, Nobuji

2005-01-01

Motivated by a consideration of the machine-mediated nature of human interaction in web-based tutoring, we propose the construction of artificial expressions, displays which reflect users' felt bodily experience, to support the development of greater empathy in remote interaction. To demonstrate the concept of artificial expressions we have…

EXPOSURE METHOD CONSIDERATIONS FOR MEASURING VITELLOGENIN EXPRESSION IN LARVAL AND MALE FATHEAD MINNOWS (PIMEPHALES PROMELAS)

EPA Science Inventory

Our laboratory has developed methods for measuring the expression of the vitellogenin (Vg) gene in larval and adult male fathead minnows. During this development we found several conditions that affect background Vg levels and we observed preconditions for the expression of this...

Design considerations for remotely piloted, high-altitude airplanes powered by microwave energy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morris, C. E. K., Jr.

1984-01-01

Several types of systems have been considered in a design study of unmanned, microwave-powered, long-endurance, high-altitude airplanes. The study includes vehicles that use power from a continuously transmitted beam and other aircraft that receive intermittent power during cycles of boost-glide flight. Simple design algorithms are presented. Examples of sizing and performance analyses are used to suggest design-procedure guidelines.

Power distribution in complex environmental negotiations: Does balance matter?

USGS Publications Warehouse

Burkardt, N.; Lamb, B.L.; Taylor, J.G.

1997-01-01

We studied six interagency negotiations covering Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) hydroelectric power licenses. Negotiations occurred between state and federal resource agencies and developers over project operations and natural resource mitigation. We postulated that a balance of power among parties was necessary for successful negotiations. We found a complex relationship between balanced power and success and conclude that a balance of power was associated with success in these negotiations. Power played a dynamic role in the bargaining and illuminates important considerations for regulatory design.

Cytochrome P450-Mediated Phytoremediation using Transgenic Plants: A Need for Engineered Cytochrome P450 Enzymes

PubMed Central

Kumar, Santosh; Jin, Mengyao; Weemhoff, James L

2013-01-01

There is an increasing demand for versatile and ubiquitous Cytochrome P450 (CYP) biocatalysts for biotechnology, medicine, and bioremediation. In the last decade there has been an increase in realization of the power of CYP biocatalysts for detoxification of soil and water contaminants using transgenic plants. However, the major limitations of mammalian CYP enzymes are that they require CYP reductase (CPR) for their activity, and they show relatively low activity, stability, and expression. On the other hand, bacterial CYP enzymes show limited substrate diversity and usually do not metabolize herbicides and industrial contaminants. Therefore, there has been a considerable interest for biotechnological industries and the scientific community to design CYP enzymes to improve their catalytic efficiency, stability, expression, substrate diversity, and the suitability of P450-CPR fusion enzymes. Engineered CYP enzymes have potential for transgenic plants-mediated phytoremediation of herbicides and environmental contaminants. In this review we discuss: 1) the role of CYP enzymes in phytoremediation using transgenic plants, 2) problems associated with wild-type CYP enzymes in phytoremediation, and 3) examples of engineered CYP enzymes and their potential role in transgenic plant-mediated phytoremediation. PMID:25298920

Solidarity and conflict: aligned and misaligned prosody as a transactional resource in intra- and intercultural communication involving power differences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roth, Wolff-Michael; Tobin, Kenneth

2010-12-01

This ethnographic study of teaching and learning in urban high school science classes investigates the ways in which teachers and students talk, gesture, and use space and time in interaction rituals. In situations where teachers coteach as a means of learning to teach in inner-city schools, successful teacher-teacher collaborations are characterized by prosodic expressions that converge over time and adapt to match the prosodic parameters of students' talk. In these situations our ethnographic data provide evidence of solidarity and positive emotions among the teachers and also between students and teachers. Unsuccessful collaborations are associated with considerable differences in pitch between consecutive speakers participating in turns-at-talk, these being related to the production of negative emotions and conflicts at longer time scales. Situational conflicts are co-expressed by increases in pitch levels, speech intensities, and speech rates; and conflict resolution is accelerated by the coordination of pitch levels. Our study therefore suggests that prosodic alignment and misalignment are resources that are pragmatically deployed to manage face-to-face interactions that have solidarity and conflict as their longer-term outcomes.

Annual Research Review: Understudied populations within the autism spectrum – current trends and future directions in neuroimaging research

PubMed Central

Jack, Allison; Pelphrey, Kevin

2017-01-01

Background Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental conditions that vary in both etiology and phenotypic expression. Expressions of ASD characterized by a more severe phenotype, including autism with intellectual disability (ASD+ID), autism with a history of developmental regression (ASD+R), and minimally verbal autism (ASD+MV) are understudied generally, and especially in the domain of neuroimaging. However, neuroimaging methods are a potentially powerful tool for understanding the etiology of these ASD subtypes. Scope and Methodology This review evaluates existing neuroimaging research on ASD+MV, ASD+ID, and ASD+R, identified by a search of the literature using the PubMed database, and discusses methodological, theoretical, and practical considerations for future research involving neuroimaging assessment of these populations. Findings There is a paucity of neuroimaging research on ASD+ID, ASD+MV, and ASD+R, and what findings do exist are often contradictory, or so sparse as to be ungeneralizable. We suggest that while greater sample sizes and more studies are necessary, more important would be a paradigm shift toward multimodal (e.g., imaging genetics) approaches that allow for the characterization of heterogeneity within etiologically diverse samples. PMID:28102566

High resolution time course analysis of gene expression from the liver and pituitary

PubMed Central

Hughes, Michael E.; DiTacchio, Luciano; Hayes, Kevin; Pullivarthy, Sandhya R.; Panda, Satchidananda; Hogenesch, John

2009-01-01

In both the suprachiasmatic nucleus and peripheral tissues, the circadian oscillator drives rhythmic transcription of downstream target genes. Recently, a number of studies have used DNA microarrays to systematically identify oscillating transcripts in plants, fruit flies, rats and mice. These studies have identified several dozen to many hundred rhythmically expressed genes by sampling tissues every four hours for one, two, or more days. To extend this work, we have performed DNA microarray analysis on RNA derived from the mouse pituitary sampled every hour for two days. COSOPT and Fisher's G-test were employed at a false-discovery rate less than 5% to identify more than 250 genes in the pituitary that oscillate with a 24-hour period length. We found that increasing the frequency of sampling across the circadian day dramatically increased the statistical power of both COSOPT and Fisher's G-test, resulting in considerably more high-confidence identifications of rhythmic transcripts than previously described. Finally, to extend the utility of these data sets, a web-based resource has been constructed at http://wasabi.itmat.upenn.edu/circa/mouse that is freely available to the research community. PMID:18419295

Rotary Power Transformer and Inverter Circuit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mclyman, C. W. T.; Bridgeforth, A. O.

1985-01-01

Noise lower than with sliprings. Rotary transformer transfers electric power across rotary joint. No wearing contacts, no contact noise, and no contamination from lubricants or wear debris. Because additional inductor not required, size and complexity of circuit reduced considerably.

Structural considerations for underground nuclear power plants

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

Sarne, Y.

The advantages and disadvantages of underground nuclear power plants are briefly reviewed. The impact of underground contruction on plant layout and structural design are discussed. Schedules and costs for construction are compared with those for conventional plants.

Power feasibility of implantable digital spike sorting circuits for neural prosthetic systems.

PubMed

Zumsteg, Zachary S; Kemere, Caleb; O'Driscoll, Stephen; Santhanam, Gopal; Ahmed, Rizwan E; Shenoy, Krishna V; Meng, Teresa H

2005-09-01

A new class of neural prosthetic systems aims to assist disabled patients by translating cortical neural activity into control signals for prosthetic devices. Based on the success of proof-of-concept systems in the laboratory, there is now considerable interest in increasing system performance and creating implantable electronics for use in clinical systems. A critical question that impacts system performance and the overall architecture of these systems is whether it is possible to identify the neural source of each action potential (spike sorting) in real-time and with low power. Low power is essential both for power supply considerations and heat dissipation in the brain. In this paper we report that state-of-the-art spike sorting algorithms are not only feasible using modern complementary metal oxide semiconductor very large scale integration processes, but may represent the best option for extracting large amounts of data in implantable neural prosthetic interfaces.

The Effects of Eccentric Contraction Duration on Muscle Strength, Power Production, Vertical Jump, and Soreness.

PubMed

Mike, Jonathan N; Cole, Nathan; Herrera, Chris; VanDusseldorp, Trisha; Kravitz, Len; Kerksick, Chad M

2017-03-01

Mike, JN, Cole, N, Herrera, C, VanDusseldorp, T, Kravitz, L, and Kerksick, CM. The effects of eccentric contraction duration on muscle strength, power production, vertical jump, and soreness. J Strength Cond Res 31(3): 773-786, 2017-Previous research has investigated the effects of either eccentric-only training or comparing eccentric and concentric exercise on changes related to strength and power expression, but no research to date has investigated the impact of altering the duration of either the concentric or the eccentric component on these parameters. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the duration of eccentric (i.e., 2-second, 4-second vs. 6-second) muscle contractions and their effect on muscle strength, power production, vertical jump, and soreness using a plate-loaded barbell Smith squat exercise. Thirty college-aged men (23 ± 3.5 years, 178 ± 6.8 cm, 82 ± 12 kg, and 11.6 ± 5.1% fat) with 3.0 ± 1.0 years of resistance training experience and training frequency of 4.3 ± 0.9 days per week were randomized and assigned to 1 of 3 eccentric training groups that incorporated different patterns of contraction. For every repetition, all 3 groups used 2-second concentric contractions and paused for 1 second between the concentric and eccentric phases. The control group (2S) used 2-second eccentric contractions, whereas the 4S group performed 4-second eccentric contractions and the 6S group performed 6-second eccentric contractions. All repetitions were completed using the barbell Smith squat exercise. All participants completed a 4-week training protocol that required them to complete 2 workouts per week using their prescribed contraction routine for 4 sets of 6 repetitions at an intensity of 80-85% one repetition maximum (1RM). For all performance data, significant group × time (G × T) interaction effects were found for average power production across all 3 sets of a squat jump protocol (p = 0.04) while vertical jump did not reach significance but there was a trend toward a difference (G × T, p = 0.07). No other significant (p > 0.05) G × T interaction effects were found for the performance variables. All groups showed significant main effects for time in 1RM (p < 0.001), vertical jump (p = 0.004), peak power (p < 0.001), and average power (p < 0.001). Peak velocity data indicated that the 6S group experienced a significant reduction in peak velocity during the squat jump protocol as a result of the 4-week training program (p = 0.03). Soreness data revealed significant increases across time in all groups at both week 0 and week 4. Paired sample t-tests revealed greater differences in soreness values across time in the 2S group. The results provide further evidence that resistance training with eccentrically dominated movement patterns can be an effective method to acutely increase maximal strength and power expression in trained college age men. Furthermore, longer eccentric contractions may negatively impact explosive movements such as the vertical jump, whereas shorter eccentric contractions may instigate greater amounts of soreness. These are important considerations for the strength and conditioning professional to more fully understand that expressions of strength and power through eccentric training and varying durations of eccentric activity can have a significant impact for populations ranging from athletes desiring peak performance.

Efficient experimental design and analysis strategies for the detection of differential expression using RNA-Sequencing

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) has emerged as a powerful approach for the detection of differential gene expression with both high-throughput and high resolution capabilities possible depending upon the experimental design chosen. Multiplex experimental designs are now readily available, these can be utilised to increase the numbers of samples or replicates profiled at the cost of decreased sequencing depth generated per sample. These strategies impact on the power of the approach to accurately identify differential expression. This study presents a detailed analysis of the power to detect differential expression in a range of scenarios including simulated null and differential expression distributions with varying numbers of biological or technical replicates, sequencing depths and analysis methods. Results Differential and non-differential expression datasets were simulated using a combination of negative binomial and exponential distributions derived from real RNA-Seq data. These datasets were used to evaluate the performance of three commonly used differential expression analysis algorithms and to quantify the changes in power with respect to true and false positive rates when simulating variations in sequencing depth, biological replication and multiplex experimental design choices. Conclusions This work quantitatively explores comparisons between contemporary analysis tools and experimental design choices for the detection of differential expression using RNA-Seq. We found that the DESeq algorithm performs more conservatively than edgeR and NBPSeq. With regard to testing of various experimental designs, this work strongly suggests that greater power is gained through the use of biological replicates relative to library (technical) replicates and sequencing depth. Strikingly, sequencing depth could be reduced as low as 15% without substantial impacts on false positive or true positive rates. PMID:22985019

Efficient experimental design and analysis strategies for the detection of differential expression using RNA-Sequencing.

PubMed

Robles, José A; Qureshi, Sumaira E; Stephen, Stuart J; Wilson, Susan R; Burden, Conrad J; Taylor, Jennifer M

2012-09-17

RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) has emerged as a powerful approach for the detection of differential gene expression with both high-throughput and high resolution capabilities possible depending upon the experimental design chosen. Multiplex experimental designs are now readily available, these can be utilised to increase the numbers of samples or replicates profiled at the cost of decreased sequencing depth generated per sample. These strategies impact on the power of the approach to accurately identify differential expression. This study presents a detailed analysis of the power to detect differential expression in a range of scenarios including simulated null and differential expression distributions with varying numbers of biological or technical replicates, sequencing depths and analysis methods. Differential and non-differential expression datasets were simulated using a combination of negative binomial and exponential distributions derived from real RNA-Seq data. These datasets were used to evaluate the performance of three commonly used differential expression analysis algorithms and to quantify the changes in power with respect to true and false positive rates when simulating variations in sequencing depth, biological replication and multiplex experimental design choices. This work quantitatively explores comparisons between contemporary analysis tools and experimental design choices for the detection of differential expression using RNA-Seq. We found that the DESeq algorithm performs more conservatively than edgeR and NBPSeq. With regard to testing of various experimental designs, this work strongly suggests that greater power is gained through the use of biological replicates relative to library (technical) replicates and sequencing depth. Strikingly, sequencing depth could be reduced as low as 15% without substantial impacts on false positive or true positive rates.

Power Considerations for Micro-Autonomous Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-07-30

PV cell APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE 15 Micro-Thermo- Photovoltaics POC: Ivan Celanovic low- power MPPT micro channel Silicon MEMs reactor Ill...max power density 150 W/kg (3000 mW, 500 sec) APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE 29 Micro-Thermo- Photovoltaics low- power MPPT micro channel Silicon MEMs...Secondary used as a Primary *Contour  4g (220Whr/kg, 750W/kg), 15g (400 Whr/kg, 1000W/kg) *Sion Power ??? •Lithium-Sulfur: promising rechargeable

Emotional display rules in Palestine: Ingroup/outgroup membership, status of interaction partner and gender.

PubMed

Flicker, Sharon M; Ayoub, Haneen J S; Guynn, Melissa J

2017-05-05

This study investigates emotional display rules within the Palestinian context, focusing on the seven basic emotions in a sample of 150 college students from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Overall, participants felt that it was more appropriate to express positive emotions (happiness and surprise) than negative powerful (anger, contempt and disgust) or negative powerless (fear and sadness) emotions. They also perceived it to be more appropriate to express positive and negative powerless emotions to ingroup than outgroup members and to express negative powerful emotions to lower status compared to higher status individuals. Gender differences were also found: men endorsed greater expression of both powerful and, surprisingly, powerless emotions than women, but only when interacting with outgroup members. Results are interpreted in terms of the cultural values of individualism-collectivism and power distance as well as cultural differences in emotional expressiveness between collectivistic societies. This study is one of the first to examine emotional display rules in an Arab population, thus expanding our current knowledge base. © 2017 International Union of Psychological Science.

Energy and Environment Guide to Action - Chapter 6: Policy Considerations for Combined Heat and Power

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

CHP, also known as cogeneration, is the simultaneous production of electricity and heat from a single fuel source. Read more about recommendations for designing, implementing, and evaluating combined heat and power.

WOMEN’S RELIGIOUS AUTHORITY IN A SUB-SAHARAN SETTING

PubMed Central

AGADJANIAN, VICTOR

2015-01-01

Western scholarship on religion and gender has devoted considerable attention to women’s entry into leadership roles across various religious traditions and denominations. However, very little is known about the dynamics of women’s religious authority and leadership in developing settings, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, a region of powerful and diverse religious expressions. This study employs a combination of uniquely rich and diverse data to examine women’s formal religious authority in a predominantly Christian setting in Mozambique. I first use survey data to test hypotheses regarding the prevalence and patterns of women’s formal leadership across different denominational groups. I then support and extend the quantitative results with insights on pathways and consequences of women’s ascent to formal congregation authority drawn from qualitative data. The analysis illustrates how women’s religious authority both defies and reasserts the gendered constraints of the religious marketplace and the broader gender ideology in this developing context. PMID:27011432

Caveats and considerations for performing pancreas-specific gene manipulations in the mouse.

PubMed

Magnuson, M A; Burlison, J S

2007-11-01

Conditional gene targeting using the Cre/loxP strategy has proven to be very useful for studies of glucose homeostasis, tissue function and dysfunction in diabetes, and pancreas development. However, use of this strategy over the past decade has revealed a variety of experimental caveats, many of which are a direct consequence of the procedures used to generate Cre-driver lines. We discuss frequently encountered experimental artefacts, the advantages of using bacterial artificial chromosome-derived transgenes or performing a Cre knockin for improving the specificity of expression, and systems for regulating Cre activity. In addition, recent studies indicate that high amounts of Cre in the pancreatic beta-cell may cause glucose intolerance and impaired insulin secretion. However, these findings, while serving as a reminder for simple experimental controls, are unlikely to diminish utilization of this very powerful and useful technology.

SAT Encoding of Unification in EL

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baader, Franz; Morawska, Barbara

Unification in Description Logics has been proposed as a novel inference service that can, for example, be used to detect redundancies in ontologies. In a recent paper, we have shown that unification in EL is NP-complete, and thus of a complexity that is considerably lower than in other Description Logics of comparably restricted expressive power. In this paper, we introduce a new NP-algorithm for solving unification problems in EL, which is based on a reduction to satisfiability in propositional logic (SAT). The advantage of this new algorithm is, on the one hand, that it allows us to employ highly optimized state-of-the-art SAT solvers when implementing an EL-unification algorithm. On the other hand, this reduction provides us with a proof of the fact that EL-unification is in NP that is much simpler than the one given in our previous paper on EL-unification.

Cell separation: Terminology and practical considerations

PubMed Central

Tomlinson, Sophie; Yang, Xuebin B; Kirkham, Jennifer

2013-01-01

Cell separation is a powerful tool in biological research. Increasing usage, particularly within the tissue engineering and regenerative medicine communities, means that researchers from a diverse range of backgrounds are utilising cell separation technologies. This review aims to offer potential solutions to cell sorting problems and to clarify common ambiguities in terminology and experimental design. The frequently used cell separation terms of ‘purity’, ‘recovery’ and ‘viability’ are discussed, and attempts are made to reach a consensus view of their sometimes ambiguous meanings. The importance of appropriate experimental design is considered, with aspects such as marker expression, tissue isolation and original cell population analysis discussed. Finally, specific technical issues such as cell clustering, dead cell removal and non-specific antibody binding are considered and potential solutions offered. The solutions offered may provide a starting point to improve the quality of cell separations achieved by both the novice and experienced researcher alike. PMID:23440031

WOMEN'S RELIGIOUS AUTHORITY IN A SUB-SAHARAN SETTING: Dialectics of Empowerment and Dependency.

PubMed

Agadjanian, Victor

2015-12-01

Western scholarship on religion and gender has devoted considerable attention to women's entry into leadership roles across various religious traditions and denominations. However, very little is known about the dynamics of women's religious authority and leadership in developing settings, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, a region of powerful and diverse religious expressions. This study employs a combination of uniquely rich and diverse data to examine women's formal religious authority in a predominantly Christian setting in Mozambique. I first use survey data to test hypotheses regarding the prevalence and patterns of women's formal leadership across different denominational groups. I then support and extend the quantitative results with insights on pathways and consequences of women's ascent to formal congregation authority drawn from qualitative data. The analysis illustrates how women's religious authority both defies and reasserts the gendered constraints of the religious marketplace and the broader gender ideology in this developing context.

Study of design and control of remote manipulators. Part 2: Vibration considerations in manipulator design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Book, W. J.

1973-01-01

An investigation is reported involving a mathematical procedure using 4 x 4 transformation matrices for analyzing the vibrations of flexible manipulators. Previous studies with the procedure are summarized and the method is extended to include flexible joints as well as links, and to account for the effects of various power transmission schemes. A systematic study of the allocation of structural material and the placement of components such as motors and gearboxes was undertaken using the analytical tools developed. As one step in this direction the variables which relate the vibration parameters of the arm to the task and environment of the arm were isolated and nondimensionalized. The 4 x 4 transformation matrices were also used to develop analytical expressions for the terms of the complete 6 x 6 compliance matrix for the case of two flexible links joined by a rotating joint, flexible about its axis of rotation.

Uninterruptible Power Systems: Operational and Cost Considerations.

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-03-01

functions are degraded by power line disturbances to an extent that some type of power conditioning equipment is warranted. Possibly, the management policy...disasters, or attack; i.e., at exactly the times when commercial power utility service is most likely to be disrupted or degraded . In the past... degradation of readiness in emergencies are more pertinent criteria, but unfortunately are not readily comparable to the cost of equipment required

Wood and coal cofiring in Alaska—operational considerations and combustion gas effects for a grate-fired power plant

Treesearch

David Nicholls; Zackery Wright; Daisy Huang

2018-01-01

Coal is the primary fuel source for electrical power generation in interior Alaska, with more than 600,000 tons burned annually at five different power plants. Woody biomass could be used as part of this fuel mix, offering potential environmental and economic benefits. In this research, debarked chips were cofired with locally mined coal at the Aurora Power Plant...

Using Structural Equation Modeling to Assess Functional Connectivity in the Brain: Power and Sample Size Considerations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sideridis, Georgios; Simos, Panagiotis; Papanicolaou, Andrew; Fletcher, Jack

2014-01-01

The present study assessed the impact of sample size on the power and fit of structural equation modeling applied to functional brain connectivity hypotheses. The data consisted of time-constrained minimum norm estimates of regional brain activity during performance of a reading task obtained with magnetoencephalography. Power analysis was first…

Economical space power systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burkholder, J. H.

1980-01-01

A commercial approach to design and fabrication of an economical space power system is investigated. Cost projections are based on a 2 kW space power system conceptual design taking into consideration the capability for serviceability, constraints of operation in space, and commercial production engineering approaches. A breakdown of the system design, documentation, fabrication, and reliability and quality assurance estimated costs are detailed.

Policies to Support Wind Power Deployment: Key Considerations and Good Practices

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

Cox, Sadie; Tegen, Suzanne; Baring-Gould, Ian

2015-05-19

Policies have played an important role in scaling up wind deployment and increasing its economic viability while also supporting country-specific economic, social, and environmental development goals. Although wind power has become cost-competitive in several contexts, challenges to wind power deployment remain. Within the context of country-specific goals and challenges, policymakers are seeking

76 FR 21889 - Nebraska Public Power District; Southwest Power Pool Regional Entity; Notice of Extension of Time

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-19

... Time On April 8, 2011, the Midwest Reliability Organization (MRO) filed a motion for an extension of time to file comments in connection with the March 18, 2011 Petition of Nebraska Public Power District... may oppose both petitions. Upon consideration, notice is hereby given that an extension of time for...

An Exercise to Estimate Differential Gene Expression in Human Cells

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chaudhry, M. Ahmad

2006-01-01

The expression of genes in cells of various tissue types varies considerably and is correlated with the function of a particular organ. The pattern of gene expression changes in diseased tissues, in response to therapy or infection and exposure to environmental mutagens, chemicals, ultraviolet light, and ionizing radiation. To better understand…

QuASAR: quantitative allele-specific analysis of reads

PubMed Central

Harvey, Chris T.; Moyerbrailean, Gregory A.; Davis, Gordon O.; Wen, Xiaoquan; Luca, Francesca; Pique-Regi, Roger

2015-01-01

Motivation: Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) studies have discovered thousands of genetic variants that regulate gene expression, enabling a better understanding of the functional role of non-coding sequences. However, eQTL studies are costly, requiring large sample sizes and genome-wide genotyping of each sample. In contrast, analysis of allele-specific expression (ASE) is becoming a popular approach to detect the effect of genetic variation on gene expression, even within a single individual. This is typically achieved by counting the number of RNA-seq reads matching each allele at heterozygous sites and testing the null hypothesis of a 1:1 allelic ratio. In principle, when genotype information is not readily available, it could be inferred from the RNA-seq reads directly. However, there are currently no existing methods that jointly infer genotypes and conduct ASE inference, while considering uncertainty in the genotype calls. Results: We present QuASAR, quantitative allele-specific analysis of reads, a novel statistical learning method for jointly detecting heterozygous genotypes and inferring ASE. The proposed ASE inference step takes into consideration the uncertainty in the genotype calls, while including parameters that model base-call errors in sequencing and allelic over-dispersion. We validated our method with experimental data for which high-quality genotypes are available. Results for an additional dataset with multiple replicates at different sequencing depths demonstrate that QuASAR is a powerful tool for ASE analysis when genotypes are not available. Availability and implementation: http://github.com/piquelab/QuASAR. Contact: fluca@wayne.edu or rpique@wayne.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary Material is available at Bioinformatics online. PMID:25480375

Individual Variation in Incentive Salience Attribution and Accumbens Dopamine Transporter Expression and Function

PubMed Central

Singer, Bryan F.; Guptaroy, Bipasha; Austin, Curtis J.; Wohl, Isabella; Lovic, Vedran; Seiler, Jillian L; Vaughan, Roxanne A.; Gnegy, Margaret E.; Robinson, Terry E.; Aragona, Brandon J.

2015-01-01

Cues (conditioned stimuli; CSs) associated with rewards can come to motivate behavior, but there is considerable individual variation in their ability to do so. For example, a lever-CS that predicts food reward becomes attractive, wanted, and elicits reward-seeking behavior to a greater extent in some rats (“sign-trackers”; STs), than others (“goal-trackers”; GTs). Variation in dopamine (DA) neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core is thought to contribute to such individual variation. Given that the DA transporter (DAT) exerts powerful regulation over DA signaling, we characterized the expression and function of the DAT in the accumbens of STs and GTs. STs showed greater DAT surface expression in ventral striatal synaptosomes than GTs, and ex vivo fast-scan cyclic voltammetry recordings of electrically-evoked DA release confirmed enhanced DAT function in STs, as indicated by faster DA uptake, specifically in the NAc core. Consistent with this, systemic amphetamine (AMPH) produced greater inhibition of DA uptake in STs than in GTs. Furthermore, injection of AMPH directly into the NAc core enhanced lever-directed approach in STs, presumably by amplifying the incentive value of the CS, but had no effect on goal tracking behavior. On the other hand, there were no differences between STs and GTs in electrically-evoked DA release in slices, or in total ventral striatal DA content. We conclude that greater DAT surface expression may facilitate the attribution of incentive salience to discrete reward cues. Investigating this variability in animal sub-populations may help explain why some people abuse drugs, while others do not. PMID:26613374

Direct Drive Hall Thruster System Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoskins, W. Andrew; Homiak, Daniel; Cassady, R. Joseph; Kerslake, Tom; Peterson, Todd; Ferguson, Dale; Snyder, Dave; Mikellides, Ioannis; Jongeward, Gary; Schneider, Todd

2003-01-01

The sta:us of development of a Direct Drive Ha!! Thruster System is presented. 13 the first part. a s:udy of the impacts to spacecraft systems and mass benefits of a direct-drive architecture is reviewed. The study initially examines four cases of SPT-100 and BPT-4000 Hall thrusters used for north-south station keeping on an EXPRESS-like geosynchronous spacecraft and for primary propulsion for a Deep Space- 1 based science spacecraft. The study is also extended the impact of direct drive on orbit raising for higher power geosynchronous spacecraft and on other deep space missions as a function of power and delta velocity. The major system considerations for accommodating a direct drive Hall thruster are discussed, including array regulation, system grounding, distribution of power to the spacecraft bus, and interactions between current-voltage characteristics for the arrays and thrusters. The mass benefit analysis shows that, for the initial cases, up to 42 kg of dry mass savings is attributable directly to changes in the propulsion hardware. When projected mass impacts of operating the arrays and the electric power system at 300V are included, up to 63 kg is saved for the four initial cases. Adoption of high voltage lithium ion battery technology is projected to further improve these savings. Orbit raising of higher powered geosynchronous spacecraft, is the mission for which direct drive provides the most benefit, allowing higher efficiency electric orbit raising to be accomplished in a limited period of time, as well as nearly eliminating significant power processing heat rejection mass. The total increase in useful payload to orbit ranges up to 278 kg for a 25 kW spacecraft, launched from an Atlas IIA. For deep space missions, direct drive is found to be most applicable to higher power missions with delta velocities up to several km/s , typical of several Discovery-class missions. In the second part, the status of development of direct drive propulsion power electronics is presented. The core of this hardware is the heater-keeper-magnet supply being qualified for the BPT-4000 by Aerojet. A breadboard propulsion power unit is in fabrication and is scheduled for delivery late in 2003.

Effects of Lightning Injection on Power-MOSFETs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Celaya, Jose; Saha, Sankalita; Wysocki, Phil; Ely, Jay; Nguyen, Truong; Szatkowski, George; Koppen, Sandra; Mielnik, John; Vaughan, Roger; Goebel, Kai

2009-01-01

Lightning induced damage is one of the major concerns in aircraft health monitoring. Such short-duration high voltages can cause significant damage to electronic devices. This paper presents a study on the effects of lightning injection on power metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs). This approach consisted of pin-injecting lightning waveforms into the gate, drain and/or source of MOSFET devices while they were in the OFF-state. Analysis of the characteristic curves of the devices showed that for certain injection modes the devices can accumulate considerable damage rendering them inoperable. Early results demonstrate that a power MOSFET, even in its off-state, can incur considerable damage due to lightning pin injection, leading to significant deviation in its behavior and performance, and to possibly early device failures.

[Relationship between assertiveness including consideration for others and adjustment in children].

PubMed

Eguchi, Megumi; Hamaguchi, Yoshikazu

2012-06-01

The relationship between assertiveness and internal and external adjustment was investigated. Elementary school children in grades four to six (n=207) and their classroom teachers (n=8) participated in the study. Internal and external adjustments were measured by using self-ratings, and self- and other- ratings respectively. The children responded to a questionnaires inquiring about assertiveness that included two components of assessment: "self expression" and "consideration for others". Then, the children were divided into 4 groups according to their scores on these two components of assertiveness. The results indicated that children scoring high on both components of assertiveness had higher self-rating scores than those scoring low on both components. Moreover, children that scored high on "consideration for others" tended to have high external adjustment. Also, boys that scored low on "self expression" had lower external adjustment as indicated by the negative ratings of teachers. Furthermore, girls that scored high on "consideration for others" had high external adjustment as indicated by positive ratings of teachers and same-sexed classmates.

Photovoltaic power system reliability considerations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lalli, V. R.

1980-01-01

An example of how modern engineering and safety techniques can be used to assure the reliable and safe operation of photovoltaic power systems is presented. This particular application is for a solar cell power system demonstration project designed to provide electric power requirements for remote villages. The techniques utilized involve a definition of the power system natural and operating environment, use of design criteria and analysis techniques, an awareness of potential problems via the inherent reliability and FMEA methods, and use of fail-safe and planned spare parts engineering philosophy.

International Symposium on Wave and Tidal Energy, 2nd, St. John's College, Cambridge, England, September 23-25, 1981, Proceedings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stephens, H. S.; Stapleton, C. A.

Topics discussed include wave power device interactions, the mathematical modeling of tidal power, and wave power with air turbines. Particular attention is given to the hydrodynamic characteristics of the Bristol Cylinder, the Strangford Lough tidal energy project, and the Foilpropeller for wave power propulsion. Consideration is also given to a submerged oscillating water column device, models of wave energy transformation near a coast, and the environmental implications of tidal power.

Performance mapping of a 30 cm engineering model thruster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Poeschel, R. L.; Vahrenkamp, R. P.

1975-01-01

A 30 cm thruster representative of the engineering model design has been tested over a wide range of operating parameters to document performance characteristics such as electrical and propellant efficiencies, double ion and beam divergence thrust loss, component equilibrium temperatures, operational stability, etc. Data obtained show that optimum power throttling, in terms of maximum thruster efficiency, is not highly sensitive to parameter selection. Consequently, considerations of stability, discharge chamber erosion, thrust losses, etc. can be made the determining factors for parameter selection in power throttling operations. Options in parameter selection based on these considerations are discussed.

Rotor dynamic considerations for large wind power generator systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ormiston, R. A.

1973-01-01

Successful large, reliable, low maintenance wind turbines must be designed with full consideration for minimizing dynamic response to aerodynamic, inertial, and gravitational forces. Much of existing helicopter rotor technology is applicable to this problem. Compared with helicopter rotors, large wind turbines are likely to be relatively less flexible with higher dimensionless natural frequencies. For very large wind turbines, low power output per unit weight and stresses due to gravitational forces are limiting factors. The need to reduce rotor complexity to a minimum favors the use of cantilevered (hingeless) rotor configurations where stresses are relieved by elastic deformations.

Mesoamerica Writing at the Crossroads: The Late Formative.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stross, Brian

1990-01-01

Offers an overview of Later Formative period writing in Mesoamerica, and discusses recent findings. Asserts that analysis of the iconographic context of the script reveals considerable interdependence between text and context and provides a glimpse of the importance of cosmological considerations in the display of power. Discusses the importance…

Alternative Fuels Data Center: Electricity

Science.gov Websites

efficiency. Using electricity to power vehicles can have significant energy security and emissions benefits . Icon of an information sign. Basics Find information about using electricity as a vehicle fuel Considerations Explore the benefits and considerations of using electricity as a vehicle fuel. Icon of a fueling

A comparison of per sample global scaling and per gene normalization methods for differential expression analysis of RNA-seq data.

PubMed

Li, Xiaohong; Brock, Guy N; Rouchka, Eric C; Cooper, Nigel G F; Wu, Dongfeng; O'Toole, Timothy E; Gill, Ryan S; Eteleeb, Abdallah M; O'Brien, Liz; Rai, Shesh N

2017-01-01

Normalization is an essential step with considerable impact on high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data analysis. Although there are numerous methods for read count normalization, it remains a challenge to choose an optimal method due to multiple factors contributing to read count variability that affects the overall sensitivity and specificity. In order to properly determine the most appropriate normalization methods, it is critical to compare the performance and shortcomings of a representative set of normalization routines based on different dataset characteristics. Therefore, we set out to evaluate the performance of the commonly used methods (DESeq, TMM-edgeR, FPKM-CuffDiff, TC, Med UQ and FQ) and two new methods we propose: Med-pgQ2 and UQ-pgQ2 (per-gene normalization after per-sample median or upper-quartile global scaling). Our per-gene normalization approach allows for comparisons between conditions based on similar count levels. Using the benchmark Microarray Quality Control Project (MAQC) and simulated datasets, we performed differential gene expression analysis to evaluate these methods. When evaluating MAQC2 with two replicates, we observed that Med-pgQ2 and UQ-pgQ2 achieved a slightly higher area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUC), a specificity rate > 85%, the detection power > 92% and an actual false discovery rate (FDR) under 0.06 given the nominal FDR (≤0.05). Although the top commonly used methods (DESeq and TMM-edgeR) yield a higher power (>93%) for MAQC2 data, they trade off with a reduced specificity (<70%) and a slightly higher actual FDR than our proposed methods. In addition, the results from an analysis based on the qualitative characteristics of sample distribution for MAQC2 and human breast cancer datasets show that only our gene-wise normalization methods corrected data skewed towards lower read counts. However, when we evaluated MAQC3 with less variation in five replicates, all methods performed similarly. Thus, our proposed Med-pgQ2 and UQ-pgQ2 methods perform slightly better for differential gene analysis of RNA-seq data skewed towards lowly expressed read counts with high variation by improving specificity while maintaining a good detection power with a control of the nominal FDR level.

A comparison of per sample global scaling and per gene normalization methods for differential expression analysis of RNA-seq data

PubMed Central

Li, Xiaohong; Brock, Guy N.; Rouchka, Eric C.; Cooper, Nigel G. F.; Wu, Dongfeng; O’Toole, Timothy E.; Gill, Ryan S.; Eteleeb, Abdallah M.; O’Brien, Liz

2017-01-01

Normalization is an essential step with considerable impact on high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data analysis. Although there are numerous methods for read count normalization, it remains a challenge to choose an optimal method due to multiple factors contributing to read count variability that affects the overall sensitivity and specificity. In order to properly determine the most appropriate normalization methods, it is critical to compare the performance and shortcomings of a representative set of normalization routines based on different dataset characteristics. Therefore, we set out to evaluate the performance of the commonly used methods (DESeq, TMM-edgeR, FPKM-CuffDiff, TC, Med UQ and FQ) and two new methods we propose: Med-pgQ2 and UQ-pgQ2 (per-gene normalization after per-sample median or upper-quartile global scaling). Our per-gene normalization approach allows for comparisons between conditions based on similar count levels. Using the benchmark Microarray Quality Control Project (MAQC) and simulated datasets, we performed differential gene expression analysis to evaluate these methods. When evaluating MAQC2 with two replicates, we observed that Med-pgQ2 and UQ-pgQ2 achieved a slightly higher area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUC), a specificity rate > 85%, the detection power > 92% and an actual false discovery rate (FDR) under 0.06 given the nominal FDR (≤0.05). Although the top commonly used methods (DESeq and TMM-edgeR) yield a higher power (>93%) for MAQC2 data, they trade off with a reduced specificity (<70%) and a slightly higher actual FDR than our proposed methods. In addition, the results from an analysis based on the qualitative characteristics of sample distribution for MAQC2 and human breast cancer datasets show that only our gene-wise normalization methods corrected data skewed towards lower read counts. However, when we evaluated MAQC3 with less variation in five replicates, all methods performed similarly. Thus, our proposed Med-pgQ2 and UQ-pgQ2 methods perform slightly better for differential gene analysis of RNA-seq data skewed towards lowly expressed read counts with high variation by improving specificity while maintaining a good detection power with a control of the nominal FDR level. PMID:28459823

Improving U.S. Army Civil Affairs Assessment: A Consideration of Social Power

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-12-01

Civil Affairs doctrine fails to take into account the workings of social power , and thus it limits the Army’s complete understanding of an... fail to take into account the workings of social power and thus limit under- standing of the operational environment. Social theorists agree that a...transform the structure of power in society , which in turn influences the nature of political, economic, social, and cultural systems. This view takes

Leaders’ Expressed Humility and Followers’ Feedback Seeking: The Mediating Effects of Perceived Image Cost and Moderating Effects of Power Distance Orientation

PubMed Central

Qian, Jing; Li, Xiaoyan; Song, Baihe; Wang, Bin; Wang, Menghan; Chang, Shumeng; Xiong, Yujiao

2018-01-01

We developed and tested a model to identify the role of leaders’ expressed humility on employees’ feedback-seeking processes. The data used in our study was from a sample of 248 employees and 57 of their immediate supervisors. The results revealed that: (1) leader’s expressed humility positively related to employees’ feedback seeking mediated by employees’ perceived image cost; and (2) power distance orientation moderated the relationship between leader’s expressed humility and employees’ perceived image costs, such that the relationship was stronger when the power distance orientation was lower rather than higher. The results offer new insight into potential managerial practices that aim at stimulating feedback seeking. We conclude with a discussion for future research. PMID:29720956

Conceptual design considerations and neutronics of lithium fall laser fusion target chambers

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

Meier, W.R.; Thomson, W.B.

1978-05-31

Atomics International and Lawrence Livermore Laboratory are involved in the conceptual design of a laser fusion power plant incorporating the lithium fall target chamber. In this paper we discuss some of the more important design considerations for the target chamber and evaluate its nuclear performance. Sizing and configuration of the fall, hydraulic effects, and mechanical design considerations are addressed. The nuclear aspects examined include tritium breeding, energy deposition, and radiation damage.

Expression for time travel based on diffusive wave theory: applicability and considerations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aguilera, J. C.; Escauriaza, C. R.; Passalacqua, P.; Gironas, J. A.

2017-12-01

Prediction of hydrological response is of utmost importance when dealing with urban planning, risk assessment, or water resources management issues. With the advent of climate change, special care must be taken with respect to variations in rainfall and runoff due to rising temperature averages. Nowadays, while typical workstations have adequate power to run distributed routing hydrological models, it is still not enough for modeling on-the-fly, a crucial ability in a natural disaster context, where rapid decisions must be made. Semi-distributed time travel models, which compute a watershed's hydrograph without explicitly solving the full shallow water equations, appear as an attractive approach to rainfall-runoff modeling since, like fully distributed models, also superimpose a grid on the watershed, and compute runoff based on cell parameter values. These models are heavily dependent on the travel time expression for an individual cell. Many models make use of expressions based on kinematic wave theory, which is not applicable in cases where watershed storage is important, such as mild slopes. This work presents a new expression for concentration times in overland flow, based on diffusive wave theory, which considers not only the effects of storage but also the effects on upstream contribution. Setting upstream contribution equal to zero gives an expression consistent with previous work on diffusive wave theory; on the other hand, neglecting storage effects (i.e.: diffusion,) is shown to be equivalent to kinematic wave theory, currently used in many spatially distributed time travel models. The newly found expression is shown to be dependent on plane discretization, particularly when dealing with very non-kinematic cases. This is shown to be the result of upstream contribution, which gets larger downstream, versus plane length. This result also provides some light on the limits on applicability of the expression: when a certain kinematic threshold is reached, the expression is no longer valid, and one must fall back to kinematic wave theory, for lack of a better option. This expression could be used for improving currently published spatially distributed time travel models, since they would become applicable in many new cases.

Ground-based and in-flight simulator studies of low-speed handling characteristics of two supersonic cruise transport concepts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grantham, W. D.; Nguyen, L. T.; Deal, P. L.; Neubauer, M. J.; Smith, P. M.; Gregory, F. D.

1978-01-01

Conventional and powered lift concepts for supersonic approach and landing tasks are considered. Results indicated that the transport concepts had unacceptable low-speed handling qualities with no augmentation, and that in order to achieve satisfactory handling qualities, considerable augmentation was required. The available roll-control power was acceptable for the powered-lift concept.

Overview of NASA Power Technologies for Space and Aero Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beach, Raymond F.

2014-01-01

To achieve the ambitious goals that NASA has outlined for the next decades considerable development of power technology will be necessary. This presentation outlines the development objectives for both the space and aero applications. It further looks at the various power technologies that support these objectives and examines drivers that will be a driving force for future development.

Power considerations for λ inflation factor in meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies.

PubMed

Georgiopoulos, Georgios; Evangelou, Evangelos

2016-05-19

The genomic control (GC) approach is extensively used to effectively control false positive signals due to population stratification in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). However, GC affects the statistical power of GWAS. The loss of power depends on the magnitude of the inflation factor (λ) that is used for GC. We simulated meta-analyses of different GWAS. Minor allele frequency (MAF) ranged from 0·001 to 0·5 and λ was sampled from two scenarios: (i) random scenario (empirically-derived distribution of real λ values) and (ii) selected scenario from simulation parameter modification. Adjustment for λ was considered under single correction (within study corrected standard errors) and double correction (additional λ corrected summary estimate). MAF was a pivotal determinant of observed power. In random λ scenario, double correction induced a symmetric power reduction in comparison to single correction. For MAF 1·2 and MAF >5%. Our results provide a quick but detailed index for power considerations of future meta-analyses of GWAS that enables a more flexible design from early steps based on the number of studies accumulated in different groups and the λ values observed in the single studies.

Scavenger receptor B1, the HDL receptor, is expressed abundantly in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells

PubMed Central

Ganesan, Latha P.; Mates, Jessica M.; Cheplowitz, Alana M.; Avila, Christina L.; Zimmerer, Jason M.; Yao, Zhili; Maiseyeu, Andrei; Rajaram, Murugesan V. S.; Robinson, John M.; Anderson, Clark L.

2016-01-01

Cholesterol from peripheral tissue, carried by HDL, is metabolized in the liver after uptake by the HDL receptor, SR-B1. Hepatocytes have long been considered the only liver cells expressing SR-B1; however, in this study we describe two disparate immunofluorescence (IF) experiments that suggest otherwise. Using high-resolution confocal microscopy employing ultrathin (120 nm) sections of mouse liver, improving z-axis resolution, we identified the liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC), marked by FcγRIIb, as the cell within the liver expressing abundant SR-B1. In contrast, the hepatocyte, identified with β-catenin, expressed considerably weaker levels, although optical resolution of SR-B1 was inadequate. Thus, we moved to a different IF strategy, first separating dissociated liver cells by gradient centrifugation into two portions, hepatocytes (parenchymal cells) and LSEC (non-parenchymal cells). Characterizing both portions for the cellular expression of SR-B1 by flow cytometry, we found that LSEC expressed considerable amounts of SR-B1 while in hepatocytes SR-B1 expression was barely perceptible. Assessing mRNA of SR-B1 by real time PCR we found messenger expression in LSEC to be about 5 times higher than in hepatocytes. PMID:26865459

Advising Consultations: Spectral Images of Faculty Power.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kramer, Howard C.

A perception of "faculty power" frequently expressed during consultant/consultee interactions is analyzed, and approaches to dealing with the perception and also meeting the consultation objectives are suggested. This commonly expressed perception is that faculty hold untested strength that should not be bothered, challenged, or antagonized. In a…

Microwave power transmission system studies. Volume 2: Introduction, organization, environmental and spaceborne systems analyses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maynard, O. E.; Brown, W. C.; Edwards, A.; Haley, J. T.; Meltz, G.; Howell, J. M.; Nathan, A.

1975-01-01

Introduction, organization, analyses, conclusions, and recommendations for each of the spaceborne subsystems are presented. Environmental effects - propagation analyses are presented with appendices covering radio wave diffraction by random ionospheric irregularities, self-focusing plasma instabilities and ohmic heating of the D-region. Analyses of dc to rf conversion subsystems and system considerations for both the amplitron and the klystron are included with appendices for the klystron covering cavity circuit calculations, output power of the solenoid-focused klystron, thermal control system, and confined flow focusing of a relativistic beam. The photovoltaic power source characteristics are discussed as they apply to interfacing with the power distribution flow paths, magnetic field interaction, dc to rf converter protection, power distribution including estimates for the power budget, weights, and costs. Analyses for the transmitting antenna consider the aperture illumination and size, with associated efficiencies and ground power distributions. Analyses of subarray types and dimensions, attitude error, flatness, phase error, subarray layout, frequency tolerance, attenuation, waveguide dimensional tolerances, mechanical including thermal considerations are included. Implications associated with transportation, assembly and packaging, attitude control and alignment are discussed. The phase front control subsystem, including both ground based pilot signal driven adaptive and ground command approaches with their associated phase errors, are analyzed.

Development of a Novel Wireless Electric Power Transfer System for Space Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

VazquezRamos, Gabriel; Yuan, Jiann-Shiun

2011-01-01

This paper will introduce a new implementation for wireless electric power transfer systems: space applications. Due to the risks that constitute the use of electrical connector for some space missions/applications, a simple wireless power system design approach will be evaluated as an alternative for the use of electrical connectors. This approach takes into consideration the overall system performance by designing the magnetic resonance elements and by verifying the overall system electrical behavior. System characterization is accomplished by executing circuit and analytical simulations using Matlab(TradeMark) and LTSpiceIV(TradeMark) software packages. The design methodology was validated by two different experiments: frequency consideration (design of three magnetic elements) and a small scale proof-ofconcept prototype. Experiment results shows successful wireless power transfer for all the cases studied. The proof-of-concept prototype provided approx.4 W of wireless power to the load (light bulb) at a separation of 3 cm from the source. In addition. a resonant circuit was designed and installed to the battery terminals of a handheld radio without batteries, making it tum on at a separation of approx.5 cm or less from the source. It was also demonstrated by prototype experimentation that multiple loads can be powered wirelessly at the same time with a single electric power source.

Optimal power, power limit, and damping of vibration piezoelectric power harvesters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liao, Yabin; Sodano, Henry

2018-03-01

Power harvesting describes the process of acquiring the ambient energy surrounding a system and converting it into usable electrical energy. Much of the work over the past two decades has focused on the conversion of ambient vibration energy sources using piezoelectric, electromagnetic and electrostatic transduction. Attempts were made to obtain a general model that could be applied to any transduction mechanism. Of the most interest is an electromagnetic generator model that was used by many researchers to model piezoelectric power harvesters. Two major results from the model are the power limit expression and the equal relationship between the electrically induced damping and the mechanical damping to reach the power limit. However, piezoelectric power harvesters cannot be accurately modeled by this electromagnetic model due to the essential difference in physics. There have also been attempts to obtain the power limit expression based on piezoelectric relationships, but they either neglect the piezoelectric backward coupling to the structure, or assume the power limit occurs at the resonance of the system. This paper obtains the power limit expression based on the piezoelectric coupled equations without those assumptions. In addition, the relationship between the electrically induced damping and mechanical damping at the power limit is studied. Furthermore, a closed-form criterion is derived and proposed to define strongly and weakly coupling power harvesters, whose differences in power characteristics are explained through analytical and numerical analysis. While most of the discussion is focused on linear power harvesters connected to a resistive circuit, the aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive and deep understanding of this simple configuration, answers to important questions, and a starting point to develop a more general theory on power harvesters because similar system characteristics are observed in power harvesters with more complexities.

A global estimate of the Earth's magnetic crustal thickness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vervelidou, Foteini; Thébault, Erwan

2014-05-01

The Earth's lithosphere is considered to be magnetic only down to the Curie isotherm. Therefore the Curie isotherm can, in principle, be estimated by analysis of magnetic data. Here, we propose such an analysis in the spectral domain by means of a newly introduced regional spatial power spectrum. This spectrum is based on the Revised Spherical Cap Harmonic Analysis (R-SCHA) formalism (Thébault et al., 2006). We briefly discuss its properties and its relationship with the Spherical Harmonic spatial power spectrum. This relationship allows us to adapt any theoretical expression of the lithospheric field power spectrum expressed in Spherical Harmonic degrees to the regional formulation. We compared previously published statistical expressions (Jackson, 1994 ; Voorhies et al., 2002) to the recent lithospheric field models derived from the CHAMP and airborne measurements and we finally developed a new statistical form for the power spectrum of the Earth's magnetic lithosphere that we think provides more consistent results. This expression depends on the mean magnetization, the mean crustal thickness and a power law value that describes the amount of spatial correlation of the sources. In this study, we make a combine use of the R-SCHA surface power spectrum and this statistical form. We conduct a series of regional spectral analyses for the entire Earth. For each region, we estimate the R-SCHA surface power spectrum of the NGDC-720 Spherical Harmonic model (Maus, 2010). We then fit each of these observational spectra to the statistical expression of the power spectrum of the Earth's lithosphere. By doing so, we estimate the large wavelengths of the magnetic crustal thickness on a global scale that are not accessible directly from the magnetic measurements due to the masking core field. We then discuss these results and compare them to the results we obtained by conducting a similar spectral analysis, but this time in the cartesian coordinates, by means of a published statistical expression (Maus et al., 1997). We also compare our results to crustal thickness global maps derived by means of additional geophysical data (Purucker et al., 2002).

How large customer direct power transaction mode give consideration to power generation cleaning and power saving

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yu; Zeng, Ming; Liu, Wei; Li, Ran

2017-05-01

The so-called Large Customers' Direct Power Transaction, refers to the mode that the users on high voltage level, or being seized of hold the large power or independent power distribution, have the qualification of purchasing electricity directly from the generation companies and pay reasonable electricity transmission and distribution fee to the power network enterprises because the transaction is through its transmission channel. The Direct Purchase promotes the marketization level of electricity trading, but there are some problems in its developing process, especially whether promotes the green optimal allocation of power resources, this paper aims to explore the solution.

An alternative expression to the Sackur-Tetrode entropy formula for an ideal gas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagata, Shoichi

2018-03-01

An expression for the entropy of a monoatomic classical ideal gas is known as the Sackur-Tetrode equation. This pioneering investigation about 100 years ago incorporates quantum considerations. The purpose of this paper is to provide an alternative expression for the entropy in terms of the Heisenberg uncertainty relation. The analysis is made on the basis of fluctuation theory, for a canonical system in thermal equilibrium at temperature T. This new formula indicates manifestly that the entropy of macroscopic world is recognized as a measure of uncertainty in microscopic quantum world. The entropy in the Sackur-Tetrode equation can be re-interpreted from a different perspective viewpoint. The emphasis is on the connection between the entropy and the uncertainty relation in quantum consideration.

Highly Multiplexed, Single Cell Transcriptomic Analysis of T-Cells by Microfluidic PCR.

PubMed

Dominguez, Maria; Roederer, Mario; Chattopadhyay, Pratip K

2017-01-01

Recently, technologies have been developed to measure expression of 96 (or more) mRNA transcripts at once from a single cell. Here we describe methods and important considerations for use of Fluidigm's BioMark platform for multiplexed single cell gene expression. We describe how to qualify primer/probes, select genes to examine in 96-parameter panels, perform the reverse transcription/cDNA synthesis step, and operate the instrument. In addition, we describe data analysis considerations. This technology has enormous value for characterizing the heterogeneity of T-cells, thereby providing a useful tool for immune monitoring.

From “Animal Machines” to “Happy Meat”? Foucault's Ideas of Disciplinary and Pastoral Power Applied to ‘Animal-Centred’ Welfare Discourse

PubMed Central

Cole, Matthew

2011-01-01

Simple Summary This paper considers some recent developments in ‘animal-centred’ welfare science, which acknowledges the sentience of ‘farmed’ animals, alongside the emergence of a market for ‘happy meat’, which offers assurances of care and consideration for ‘farmed’ animals to concerned consumers. Both appear to challenge the instrumental ‘machine’ model characteristic of ‘factory farming’. However, in both cases, this paper argues that these discourses of consideration for the well-being of ‘farmed’ animals work to appease and deflect ethical concerns while facilitating the continued exploitation of ‘farmed’ animals. Abstract Michel Foucault's work traces shifting techniques in the governance of humans, from the production of ‘docile bodies’ subjected to the knowledge formations of the human sciences (disciplinary power), to the facilitation of self-governing agents directed towards specified forms of self-knowledge by quasi-therapeutic authorities (pastoral power). While mindful of the important differences between the governance of human subjects and the oppression of nonhuman animals, exemplified in nonhuman animals' legal status as property, this paper explores parallel shifts from disciplinary to pastoral regimes of human-‘farmed’ animal relations. Recent innovations in ‘animal-centred’ welfare science represent a trend away from the ‘disciplinary’ techniques of confinement and torture associated with ‘factory farms’ and towards quasi-therapeutic ways of claiming to know ‘farmed’ animals, in which the animals themselves are co-opted into the processes by which knowledge about them is generated. The new pastoral turn in ‘animal-centred’ welfare finds popular expression in ‘happy meat’ discourses that invite ‘consumers’ to adopt a position of vicarious carer for the ‘farmed’ animals who they eat. The paper concludes that while ‘animal-centred’ welfare reform and ‘happy meat’ discourses promise a possibility of a somewhat less degraded life for some ‘farmed’ animals, they do so by perpetuating exploitation and oppression and entrenching speciesist privilege by making it less vulnerable to critical scrutiny. PMID:26486216

The Combination of Internal-Combustion Engine and Gas Turbine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zinner, K.

1947-01-01

While the gas turbine by itself has been applied in particular cases for power generation and is in a state of promising development in this field, it has already met with considerable success in two cases when used as an exhaust turbine in connection with a centrifugal compressor, namely, in the supercharging of combustion engines and in the Velox process, which is of particular application for furnaces. In the present paper the most important possibilities of combining a combustion engine with a gas turbine are considered. These "combination engines " are compared with the simple gas turbine on whose state of development a brief review will first be given. The critical evaluation of the possibilities of development and fields of application of the various combustion engine systems, wherever it is not clearly expressed in the publications referred to, represents the opinion of the author. The state of development of the internal-combustion engine is in its main features generally known. It is used predominantly at the present time for the propulsion of aircraft and road vehicles and, except for certain restrictions due to war conditions, has been used to an increasing extent in ships and rail cars and in some fields applied as stationary power generators. In the Diesel engine a most economical heat engine with a useful efficiency of about 40 percent exists and in the Otto aircraft engine a heat engine of greatest power per unit weight of about 0.5 kilogram per horsepower.

Performance Issues for a Changing Electric Power Industry

EIA Publications

1995-01-01

Provides an overview of some of the factors affecting reliability within the electric bulk power system. Historical and projected data related to reliability issues are discussed on a national and regional basis. Current research on economic considerations associated with reliability levels is also reviewed.

Emerging US Space Launch, Trends and Space Solar Power

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zapata, Edgar

2015-01-01

Reviews the state of the art of emerging US space launch and spacecraft. Reviews the NASA budget ascontext, while providing example scenarios. Connects what has been learned in space systems commercial partnershipsto a potential path for consideration by the space solar power community.

No control genes required: Bayesian analysis of qRT-PCR data.

PubMed

Matz, Mikhail V; Wright, Rachel M; Scott, James G

2013-01-01

Model-based analysis of data from quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) is potentially more powerful and versatile than traditional methods. Yet existing model-based approaches cannot properly deal with the higher sampling variances associated with low-abundant targets, nor do they provide a natural way to incorporate assumptions about the stability of control genes directly into the model-fitting process. In our method, raw qPCR data are represented as molecule counts, and described using generalized linear mixed models under Poisson-lognormal error. A Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm is used to sample from the joint posterior distribution over all model parameters, thereby estimating the effects of all experimental factors on the expression of every gene. The Poisson-based model allows for the correct specification of the mean-variance relationship of the PCR amplification process, and can also glean information from instances of no amplification (zero counts). Our method is very flexible with respect to control genes: any prior knowledge about the expected degree of their stability can be directly incorporated into the model. Yet the method provides sensible answers without such assumptions, or even in the complete absence of control genes. We also present a natural Bayesian analogue of the "classic" analysis, which uses standard data pre-processing steps (logarithmic transformation and multi-gene normalization) but estimates all gene expression changes jointly within a single model. The new methods are considerably more flexible and powerful than the standard delta-delta Ct analysis based on pairwise t-tests. Our methodology expands the applicability of the relative-quantification analysis protocol all the way to the lowest-abundance targets, and provides a novel opportunity to analyze qRT-PCR data without making any assumptions concerning target stability. These procedures have been implemented as the MCMC.qpcr package in R.

78 FR 76140 - Extension of Public Comment Period for the Champlain Hudson Power Express Transmission Line...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-16

... Transmission Line Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: Department of Energy. ACTION: Extension... comment period for the Champlain Hudson Power Express Transmission Line Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/EIS-0447). The Draft EIS evaluates the environmental impacts of DOE's proposed Federal action...

Module discovery by exhaustive search for densely connected, co-expressed regions in biomolecular interaction networks.

PubMed

Colak, Recep; Moser, Flavia; Chu, Jeffrey Shih-Chieh; Schönhuth, Alexander; Chen, Nansheng; Ester, Martin

2010-10-25

Computational prediction of functionally related groups of genes (functional modules) from large-scale data is an important issue in computational biology. Gene expression experiments and interaction networks are well studied large-scale data sources, available for many not yet exhaustively annotated organisms. It has been well established, when analyzing these two data sources jointly, modules are often reflected by highly interconnected (dense) regions in the interaction networks whose participating genes are co-expressed. However, the tractability of the problem had remained unclear and methods by which to exhaustively search for such constellations had not been presented. We provide an algorithmic framework, referred to as Densely Connected Biclustering (DECOB), by which the aforementioned search problem becomes tractable. To benchmark the predictive power inherent to the approach, we computed all co-expressed, dense regions in physical protein and genetic interaction networks from human and yeast. An automatized filtering procedure reduces our output which results in smaller collections of modules, comparable to state-of-the-art approaches. Our results performed favorably in a fair benchmarking competition which adheres to standard criteria. We demonstrate the usefulness of an exhaustive module search, by using the unreduced output to more quickly perform GO term related function prediction tasks. We point out the advantages of our exhaustive output by predicting functional relationships using two examples. We demonstrate that the computation of all densely connected and co-expressed regions in interaction networks is an approach to module discovery of considerable value. Beyond confirming the well settled hypothesis that such co-expressed, densely connected interaction network regions reflect functional modules, we open up novel computational ways to comprehensively analyze the modular organization of an organism based on prevalent and largely available large-scale datasets. Software and data sets are available at http://www.sfu.ca/~ester/software/DECOB.zip.

Ras GTPases Modulate Morphogenesis, Sporulation and Cellulase Gene Expression in the Cellulolytic Fungus Trichoderma reesei

PubMed Central

Zhang, Jiwei; Zhang, Yanmei; Zhong, Yaohua; Qu, Yinbo; Wang, Tianhong

2012-01-01

Background The model cellulolytic fungus Trichoderma reesei (teleomorph Hypocrea jecorina) is capable of responding to environmental cues to compete for nutrients in its natural saprophytic habitat despite its genome encodes fewer degradative enzymes. Efficient signalling pathways in perception and interpretation of environmental signals are indispensable in this process. Ras GTPases represent a kind of critical signal proteins involved in signal transduction and regulation of gene expression. In T. reesei the genome contains two Ras subfamily small GTPases TrRas1 and TrRas2 homologous to Ras1 and Ras2 from S. cerevisiae, but their functions remain unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings Here, we have investigated the roles of GTPases TrRas1 and TrRas2 during fungal morphogenesis and cellulase gene expression. We show that both TrRas1 and TrRas2 play important roles in some cellular processes such as polarized apical growth, hyphal branch formation, sporulation and cAMP level adjustment, while TrRas1 is more dominant in these processes. Strikingly, we find that TrRas2 is involved in modulation of cellulase gene expression. Deletion of TrRas2 results in considerably decreased transcription of cellulolytic genes upon growth on cellulose. Although the strain carrying a constitutively activated TrRas2G16V allele exhibits increased cellulase gene transcription, the cbh1 and cbh2 expression in this mutant still strictly depends on cellulose, indicating TrRas2 does not directly mediate the transmission of the cellulose signal. In addition, our data suggest that the effect of TrRas2 on cellulase gene is exerted through regulation of transcript abundance of cellulase transcription factors such as Xyr1, but the influence is independent of cAMP signalling pathway. Conclusions/Significance Together, these findings elucidate the functions for Ras signalling of T. reesei in cellular morphogenesis, especially in cellulase gene expression, which contribute to deciphering the powerful competitive ability of plant cell wall degrading fungi in nature. PMID:23152805

Electric Power Generation Systems for Use in Space

DTIC Science & Technology

1960-07-20

source of power . It is available from two sources, namely, nuclear fission and radioisotope decay. In both cases, the energy is available in...limitations on inventory size as well as spe- cific weight considerations will restrict radioisotope systems to power levels below about 1 kilowatt. It is... POWER GENERATION SYSTEMS FOR USE IN SPA TIC By Henry 0. Slone and Seymour Lieblein -y 6, "IN 13 pLewis Research Center G 0 3 1994 Nation Aeronautics

Turbomachinery design considerations for the nuclear HTGR-GT power plant

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

McDonald, C.F.; Smith, M.J.

1979-11-01

For several years, design studies have been under way in the USA on a nuclear closed-cycle gas turbine plant (HTGR-GT). Design aspects of the helium turbomachine portion of these studies are presented. Gas dynamic and mechanical design considerations are presented for helium turbomachines in the 400-MW(e) (non-intercooled) and 600-MW(e) (intercooled) power range. Design of the turbomachine is a key element in the overall power plant program effort, which is currently directed toward the selection of a reference HTGR-GT commercial plant configuration for the US utility market. A conservative design approach has been emphasized to provide maximum safety and durability. Themore » studies presented for the integrated plant concept outline the necessary close working relationship between the reactor primary system and turbomachine designers.« less

Indicator of reliability of power grids and networks for environmental monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shaptsev, V. A.

2017-10-01

The energy supply of the mining enterprises includes power networks in particular. Environmental monitoring relies on the data network between the observers and the facilitators. Weather and conditions of their work change over time randomly. Temperature, humidity, wind strength and other stochastic processes are interconnecting in different segments of the power grid. The article presents analytical expressions for the probability of failure of the power grid as a whole or its particular segment. These expressions can contain one or more parameters of the operating conditions, simulated by Monte Carlo. In some cases, one can get the ultimate mathematical formula for calculation on the computer. In conclusion, the expression, including the probability characteristic function of one random parameter, for example, wind, temperature or humidity, is given. The parameters of this characteristic function can be given by retrospective or special observations (measurements).

Decoding facial expressions based on face-selective and motion-sensitive areas.

PubMed

Liang, Yin; Liu, Baolin; Xu, Junhai; Zhang, Gaoyan; Li, Xianglin; Wang, Peiyuan; Wang, Bin

2017-06-01

Humans can easily recognize others' facial expressions. Among the brain substrates that enable this ability, considerable attention has been paid to face-selective areas; in contrast, whether motion-sensitive areas, which clearly exhibit sensitivity to facial movements, are involved in facial expression recognition remained unclear. The present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study used multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) to explore facial expression decoding in both face-selective and motion-sensitive areas. In a block design experiment, participants viewed facial expressions of six basic emotions (anger, disgust, fear, joy, sadness, and surprise) in images, videos, and eyes-obscured videos. Due to the use of multiple stimulus types, the impacts of facial motion and eye-related information on facial expression decoding were also examined. It was found that motion-sensitive areas showed significant responses to emotional expressions and that dynamic expressions could be successfully decoded in both face-selective and motion-sensitive areas. Compared with static stimuli, dynamic expressions elicited consistently higher neural responses and decoding performance in all regions. A significant decrease in both activation and decoding accuracy due to the absence of eye-related information was also observed. Overall, the findings showed that emotional expressions are represented in motion-sensitive areas in addition to conventional face-selective areas, suggesting that motion-sensitive regions may also effectively contribute to facial expression recognition. The results also suggested that facial motion and eye-related information played important roles by carrying considerable expression information that could facilitate facial expression recognition. Hum Brain Mapp 38:3113-3125, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Considerations for throughfall chemistry sample-size determination

Treesearch

Pamela J. Edwards; Paul Mohai; Howard G. Halverson; David R. DeWalle

1989-01-01

Both the number of trees sampled per species and the number of sampling points under each tree are important throughfall sampling considerations. Chemical loadings obtained from an urban throughfall study were used to evaluate the relative importance of both of these sampling factors in tests for determining species' differences. Power curves for detecting...

75 FR 33653 - Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company; Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendment to...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-14

... Company; Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendment to Facility Operating License, Proposed No... Commission (the Commission) is considering issuance of an amendment to Facility Operating License No. DPR-61... Security Plan in the Haddam Neck Facility Operating License from the ``Haddam Neck Plant Defueled Physical...

Prospective Teachers' Opinions Concerning Children's Rights

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Faiz, Melike; Kamer, Selman Tunay

2017-01-01

Consideration of the child as a social being and his/her not having the power of self-protection have propounded the significance of children's rights. Teachers are important to educate the individual. Prospective teachers who will be teachers of the future will have a considerable amount of presidency. Thus, the main objective of this research is…

What Makes a Fiat Run? A Consideration of the Nature of Fiat Power in Academic Policy Deliberation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fadely, Dean

In the game-like world of competitive tournament debating, fiat power is simply another rule of the game, a way of saying "hypothetically" or "for the sake of argument let us assume this affirmative plan to be implemented." While fiat power is just a way of saying "let's pretend," there are limits to the pretense. For…

On Using a Pilot Sample Variance for Sample Size Determination in the Detection of Differences between Two Means: Power Consideration

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shieh, Gwowen

2013-01-01

The a priori determination of a proper sample size necessary to achieve some specified power is an important problem encountered frequently in practical studies. To establish the needed sample size for a two-sample "t" test, researchers may conduct the power analysis by specifying scientifically important values as the underlying population means…

High power density dc/dc converter: Component selection and design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Divan, Deepakraj M.

1989-01-01

Further work pertaining to design considerations for the new high power, high frequency dc/dc converters is discussed. The goal of the project is the development of high power, high power density dc/dc converters at power levels in the multi-kilowatt to megawatt range for aerospace applications. The prototype converter is rated for 50 kW at a switching frequency of 50 kHz, with an input voltage of 200 Vdc and an output of 2000 Vdc. The overall power density must be in the vicinity of 0.2 to 0.3 kg/kW.

Aspects on HTS applications in confined power grids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arndt, T.; Grundmann, J.; Kuhnert, A.; Kummeth, P.; Nick, W.; Oomen, M.; Schacherer, C.; Schmidt, W.

2014-12-01

In an increasing number of electric power grids the share of distributed energy generation is also increasing. The grids have to cope with a considerable change of power flow, which has an impact on the optimum topology of the grids and sub-grids (high-voltage, medium-voltage and low-voltage sub-grids) and the size of quasi-autonomous grid sections. Furthermore the stability of grids is influenced by its size. Thus special benefits of HTS applications in the power grid might become most visible in confined power grids.

The Economics of America's Energy Future.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Simmons, Henry

This is an Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA) pamphlet which reviews economic and technical considerations for the future development of energy sources. Included are sections on petroleum, synthetic fuels, oil shale, nuclear power, geothermal power, and solar energy. Also presented are data pertaining to U.S. energy production…

Maximizing ecological and evolutionary insight in bisulfite sequencing data sets

PubMed Central

Lea, Amanda J.; Vilgalys, Tauras P.; Durst, Paul A.P.; Tung, Jenny

2017-01-01

Preface Genome-scale bisulfite sequencing approaches have opened the door to ecological and evolutionary studies of DNA methylation in many organisms. These approaches can be powerful. However, they introduce new methodological and statistical considerations, some of which are particularly relevant to non-model systems. Here, we highlight how these considerations influence a study’s power to link methylation variation with a predictor variable of interest. Relative to current practice, we argue that sample sizes will need to increase to provide robust insights. We also provide recommendations for overcoming common challenges and an R Shiny app to aid in study design. PMID:29046582

LASER APPLICATIONS AND OTHER TOPICS IN QUANTUM ELECTRONICS: Considerable reduction of thermooptical distortions in Faraday isolators cooled to 77 K

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheleznov, D. S.; Voitovich, A. V.; Mukhin, I. B.; Palashov, O. V.; Khazanov, E. A.

2006-04-01

It is shown experimentally that cooling of a Faraday isolator to liquid nitrogen temperature considerably suppresses the thermally induced depolarisation and reduces the thermal lens. This leads to an increase in the maximum average laser radiation power passing through the isolator by a factor of more than thirty for the same degree of isolation. It is shown that for the same level of cooling, conventional Faraday isolators can operate for powers up to 10 kW, while isolators with compensation of depolarisation and thermal lens can operate up to 100 kW.

Electrodynamic tethers for energy conversion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nobles, W.

1986-01-01

Conductive tethers have been proposed as a new method for converting orbital mechanical energy into electrical power for use on-board a satellite (generator mode) or conversely (motor mode) as a method of providing electric propulsion using electrical energy from the satellite. The operating characteristics of such systems are functionally dependent on orbit altitude and inclination. Effects of these relationships are examined to determine acceptable regions of application. To identify system design considerations, a specific set of system performance goals and requirements are selected. The case selected is for a 25 kW auxiliary power system for use on Space Station. Appropriate system design considerations are developed, and the resulting system is described.

Mind-controlled transgene expression by a wireless-powered optogenetic designer cell implant.

PubMed

Folcher, Marc; Oesterle, Sabine; Zwicky, Katharina; Thekkottil, Thushara; Heymoz, Julie; Hohmann, Muriel; Christen, Matthias; Daoud El-Baba, Marie; Buchmann, Peter; Fussenegger, Martin

2014-11-11

Synthetic devices for traceless remote control of gene expression may provide new treatment opportunities in future gene- and cell-based therapies. Here we report the design of a synthetic mind-controlled gene switch that enables human brain activities and mental states to wirelessly programme the transgene expression in human cells. An electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain-computer interface (BCI) processing mental state-specific brain waves programs an inductively linked wireless-powered optogenetic implant containing designer cells engineered for near-infrared (NIR) light-adjustable expression of the human glycoprotein SEAP (secreted alkaline phosphatase). The synthetic optogenetic signalling pathway interfacing the BCI with target gene expression consists of an engineered NIR light-activated bacterial diguanylate cyclase (DGCL) producing the orthogonal second messenger cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP), which triggers the stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-dependent induction of synthetic interferon-β promoters. Humans generating different mental states (biofeedback control, concentration, meditation) can differentially control SEAP production of the designer cells in culture and of subcutaneous wireless-powered optogenetic implants in mice.

dictyExpress: a Dictyostelium discoideum gene expression database with an explorative data analysis web-based interface.

PubMed

Rot, Gregor; Parikh, Anup; Curk, Tomaz; Kuspa, Adam; Shaulsky, Gad; Zupan, Blaz

2009-08-25

Bioinformatics often leverages on recent advancements in computer science to support biologists in their scientific discovery process. Such efforts include the development of easy-to-use web interfaces to biomedical databases. Recent advancements in interactive web technologies require us to rethink the standard submit-and-wait paradigm, and craft bioinformatics web applications that share analytical and interactive power with their desktop relatives, while retaining simplicity and availability. We have developed dictyExpress, a web application that features a graphical, highly interactive explorative interface to our database that consists of more than 1000 Dictyostelium discoideum gene expression experiments. In dictyExpress, the user can select experiments and genes, perform gene clustering, view gene expression profiles across time, view gene co-expression networks, perform analyses of Gene Ontology term enrichment, and simultaneously display expression profiles for a selected gene in various experiments. Most importantly, these tasks are achieved through web applications whose components are seamlessly interlinked and immediately respond to events triggered by the user, thus providing a powerful explorative data analysis environment. dictyExpress is a precursor for a new generation of web-based bioinformatics applications with simple but powerful interactive interfaces that resemble that of the modern desktop. While dictyExpress serves mainly the Dictyostelium research community, it is relatively easy to adapt it to other datasets. We propose that the design ideas behind dictyExpress will influence the development of similar applications for other model organisms.

dictyExpress: a Dictyostelium discoideum gene expression database with an explorative data analysis web-based interface

PubMed Central

Rot, Gregor; Parikh, Anup; Curk, Tomaz; Kuspa, Adam; Shaulsky, Gad; Zupan, Blaz

2009-01-01

Background Bioinformatics often leverages on recent advancements in computer science to support biologists in their scientific discovery process. Such efforts include the development of easy-to-use web interfaces to biomedical databases. Recent advancements in interactive web technologies require us to rethink the standard submit-and-wait paradigm, and craft bioinformatics web applications that share analytical and interactive power with their desktop relatives, while retaining simplicity and availability. Results We have developed dictyExpress, a web application that features a graphical, highly interactive explorative interface to our database that consists of more than 1000 Dictyostelium discoideum gene expression experiments. In dictyExpress, the user can select experiments and genes, perform gene clustering, view gene expression profiles across time, view gene co-expression networks, perform analyses of Gene Ontology term enrichment, and simultaneously display expression profiles for a selected gene in various experiments. Most importantly, these tasks are achieved through web applications whose components are seamlessly interlinked and immediately respond to events triggered by the user, thus providing a powerful explorative data analysis environment. Conclusion dictyExpress is a precursor for a new generation of web-based bioinformatics applications with simple but powerful interactive interfaces that resemble that of the modern desktop. While dictyExpress serves mainly the Dictyostelium research community, it is relatively easy to adapt it to other datasets. We propose that the design ideas behind dictyExpress will influence the development of similar applications for other model organisms. PMID:19706156

Universal Expression of Efficiency at Maximum Power: A Quantum-Mechanical Brayton Engine Working with a Single Particle Confined in a Power-Law Trap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, Zhuo-Lin; Li, Wei-Sheng; Lai, Yi-Ming; He, Ji-Zhou; Wang, Jian-Hui

2015-12-01

We propose a quantum-mechanical Brayton engine model that works between two superposed states, employing a single particle confined in an arbitrary power-law trap as the working substance. Applying the superposition principle, we obtain the explicit expressions of the power and efficiency, and find that the efficiency at maximum power is bounded from above by the function: η+ = θ/(θ + 1), with θ being a potential-dependent exponent. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos. 11505091, 11265010, and 11365015, and the Jiangxi Provincial Natural Science Foundation under Grant No. 20132BAB212009

Future resources and world development

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

Rogers, P.

1976-01-01

The aim of this book is to examine some of the longer-term implications of the use of global resources on prospects for world development and on relations between the developed and less-developed countries of the world. Part I consists of papers prepared especially for this volume. It begins with a contribution from Anthony Vam on ''The Global Ecosystem and Human Activity'' which gives an ecological perspective to trends in energy and mineral resource utilization. This is followed by a detailed case study of the one dominating example of producer power, oil; this is entitled ''Oil Prices, OPEC and the Poormore » Oil Consuming Countries'' and is by Dr. Biplab Dasgupta. Following this, Paul Rogers contributes a paper on ''The Role of Less-Developed Countries in World Resource Use'' which includes a consideration of the potential development of producer power for a number of primary commodities. This is followed by a paper by Dr. E. E. Banks entitled ''Problems of Mineral Supply'' which concentrates attention on two important minerals, copper and aluminum. Robert Dickson and Paul Rogers then contribute a discussion on the possible effects of producer power on relations between developed and less-developed countries. The editors then conclude with a summary of the views expressed in the preceding papers placed in the context of recent developments on the international scene. Part II of this book consists of a number of important documents, statements, and speeches that appeared over the period September 1973 to May 1975. This was the crucial period for the development of producer power and the contributions help to show exactly how the process has developed.« less

Semiotics of Power and Dictatorship in Ngugi Wa Thiong'o's Later Novels

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Amoussou, Yemalo C.

2016-01-01

This paper explores the different uses of symbols to express power and interpersonal relationship in Ngugi's bulkiest novel "Wizard of the Crow" (2006), with a few illustrations from "Matigari" (1987). It draws on the semiotic approach and identifies about a hundred discourse strings in which signs are used to express tenor…

A Comparison between Bench Press Throw and Ballistic Push-Up tests to assess upper-body power in trained individuals.

PubMed

Bartolomei, Sandro; Nigro, Federico; Ruggeri, Sandro; Lanzoni, Ivan Malagoli; Ciacci, Simone; Merni, Franco; Sadres, Eliahu; Hoffman, Jay R; Semprini, Gabriele

2018-03-06

The purpose of the present study was to validate the ballistic push-up test performed with hands on a force plate (BPU) as a method to measure upper-body power. Twenty-eight experienced resistance trained men (age = 25.4 ± 5.2 y; body mass = 78.5 ± 9.0 kg; body height = 179.6 ± 7.8 cm) performed, two days apart, a bench press 1RM test and upper-body power tests. Mean power and peak power were assessed using the bench press throw test (BT) and the BPU test performed in randomized order. The area under the force/power curve (AUC) obtained at BT was also calculated. Power expressed at BPU was estimated using a time-based prediction equation. Mean force and the participant's body weight were used to predict the bench press 1RM. Pearson product moment correlations were used to examine relationships between the power assessment methods and between the predicted 1RM bench and the actual value. Large correlations (0.79; p < 0.001) were found between AUC and mean power expressed at BPU. Large correlations were also detected between mean power and peak power expressed at BT and BPU (0.75; p < 0.001 and 0.74; p < 0.001, respectively). Very large correlations (0.87; p < 0.001) were found between the 1RM bench and the 1RM predicted by the BPU. Results of the present study indicate that BPU represents a valid and reliable method to estimate the upper-body power in resistance-trained individuals.

Megawatt Class Nuclear Space Power Systems (MCNSPS) conceptual design and evaluation report. Volume 3, technologies 2: Power conversion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wetch, J. R.

1988-01-01

The major power conversion concepts considered for the Megawatt Class Nuclear Space Power System (MCNSPS) are discussed. These concepts include: (1) Rankine alkali-metal-vapor turbine alternators; (2) in-core thermionic conversion; (3) Brayton gas turbine alternators; and (4) free piston Stirling engine linear alternators. Considerations important to the coupling of these four conversion alternatives to an appropriate nuclear reactor heat source are examined along with the comparative performance characteristics of the combined systems meeting MCNSPS requirements.

Feasibility of an Electromagnetic Diaphragm Compressor for Cryocoolers.

DTIC Science & Technology

1995-05-01

carried out with considerable precision by Dave Slezak and Leo Hoogenboom . The review of the report has been conducted with characteristic thoroughness by...COIL S NI(t) CORE F (t) DIAPHRAGM x(t) WORKING P(t)GEN RAT R DRVRB(t•) CH e’AMBER POWER POWER PRESSURIZED SUPPLY SUPPLY GAS Figure 6. Block Diagram...efficiency r1 , defined as the ratio of the output PV power and the input electrical power Pi, (3) the operating frequency f (4) the mean fill pressure

Photovoltaic power system reliability considerations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lalli, V. R.

1980-01-01

This paper describes an example of how modern engineering and safety techniques can be used to assure the reliable and safe operation of photovoltaic power systems. This particular application was for a solar cell power system demonstration project in Tangaye, Upper Volta, Africa. The techniques involve a definition of the power system natural and operating environment, use of design criteria and analysis techniques, an awareness of potential problems via the inherent reliability and FMEA methods, and use of a fail-safe and planned spare parts engineering philosophy.

Comparison of UTCI to selected thermal indices.

PubMed

Blazejczyk, Krzysztof; Epstein, Yoram; Jendritzky, Gerd; Staiger, Henning; Tinz, Birger

2012-05-01

Over the past century more than 100 indices have been developed and used to assess bioclimatic conditions for human beings. The majority of these indices are used sporadically or for specific purposes. Some are based on generalized results of measurements (wind chill, cooling power, wet bulb temperature) and some on the empirically observed reactions of the human body to thermal stress (physiological strain, effective temperature). Those indices that are based on human heat balance considerations are referred to as "rational indices". Several simple human heat balance models are known and are used in research and practice. This paper presents a comparative analysis of the newly developed Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), and some of the more prevalent thermal indices. The analysis is based on three groups of data: global data-set, synoptic datasets from Europe, and local scale data from special measurement campaigns of COST Action 730. We found the present indices to express bioclimatic conditions reasonably only under specific meteorological situations, while the UTCI represents specific climates, weather, and locations much better. Furthermore, similar to the human body, the UTCI is very sensitive to changes in ambient stimuli: temperature, solar radiation, wind and humidity. UTCI depicts temporal variability of thermal conditions better than other indices. The UTCI scale is able to express even slight differences in the intensity of meteorological stimuli.

Myocardin Regulates Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Inflammatory Activation and Disease

PubMed Central

Ackers-Johnson, Matthew; Talasila, Amarnath; Sage, Andrew P; Long, Xiaochun; Bot, Ilze; Morrell, Nicholas W; Bennett, Martin R; Miano, Joseph M.; Sinha, Sanjay

2015-01-01

Objective Atherosclerosis, the cause of 50% of deaths in westernised societies, is widely regarded as a chronic vascular inflammatory disease. Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) inflammatory activation in response to local pro-inflammatory stimuli contributes to disease progression and is a pervasive feature in developing atherosclerotic plaques. Therefore, it is of considerable therapeutic importance to identify mechanisms that regulate the VSMC inflammatory response. Approach and Results We report that myocardin, a powerful myogenic transcriptional coactivator, negatively regulates VSMC inflammatory activation and vascular disease. Myocardin levels are reduced during atherosclerosis, in association with phenotypic switching of smooth muscle cells. Myocardin deficiency accelerates atherogenesis in hypercholesterolemic ApoE−/− mice. Conversely, increased myocardin expression potently abrogates the induction of an array of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules in VSMCs. Expression of myocardin in VSMCs reduces lipid uptake, macrophage interaction, chemotaxis and macrophage-endothelial tethering in vitro, and attenuates monocyte accumulation within developing lesions in vivo. These results demonstrate that endogenous levels of myocardin are a critical regulator of vessel inflammation. Conclusions We propose myocardin as a guardian of the contractile, non-inflammatory VSMC phenotype, with loss of myocardin representing a critical permissive step in the process of phenotypic transition and inflammatory activation, at the onset of vascular disease. PMID:25614278

Functionals of Gegenbauer polynomials and D-dimensional hydrogenic momentum expectation values

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Van Assche, W.; Yáñez, R. J.; González-Férez, R.; Dehesa, Jesús S.

2000-09-01

The system of Gegenbauer or ultraspherical polynomials {Cnλ(x);n=0,1,…} is a classical family of polynomials orthogonal with respect to the weight function ωλ(x)=(1-x2)λ-1/2 on the support interval [-1,+1]. Integral functionals of Gegenbauer polynomials with integrand f(x)[Cnλ(x)]2ωλ(x), where f(x) is an arbitrary function which does not depend on n or λ, are considered in this paper. First, a general recursion formula for these functionals is obtained. Then, the explicit expression for some specific functionals of this type is found in a closed and compact form; namely, for the functionals with f(x) equal to (1-x)α(1+x)β, log(1-x2), and (1+x)log(1+x), which appear in numerous physico-mathematical problems. Finally, these functionals are used in the explicit evaluation of the momentum expectation values and of the D-dimensional hydrogenic atom with nuclear charge Z⩾1. The power expectation values are given by means of a terminating 5F4 hypergeometric function with unit argument, which is a considerable improvement with respect to Hey's expression (the only one existing up to now) which requires a double sum.

Linkage disequilibrium interval mapping of quantitative trait loci.

PubMed

Boitard, Simon; Abdallah, Jihad; de Rochambeau, Hubert; Cierco-Ayrolles, Christine; Mangin, Brigitte

2006-03-16

For many years gene mapping studies have been performed through linkage analyses based on pedigree data. Recently, linkage disequilibrium methods based on unrelated individuals have been advocated as powerful tools to refine estimates of gene location. Many strategies have been proposed to deal with simply inherited disease traits. However, locating quantitative trait loci is statistically more challenging and considerable research is needed to provide robust and computationally efficient methods. Under a three-locus Wright-Fisher model, we derived approximate expressions for the expected haplotype frequencies in a population. We considered haplotypes comprising one trait locus and two flanking markers. Using these theoretical expressions, we built a likelihood-maximization method, called HAPim, for estimating the location of a quantitative trait locus. For each postulated position, the method only requires information from the two flanking markers. Over a wide range of simulation scenarios it was found to be more accurate than a two-marker composite likelihood method. It also performed as well as identity by descent methods, whilst being valuable in a wider range of populations. Our method makes efficient use of marker information, and can be valuable for fine mapping purposes. Its performance is increased if multiallelic markers are available. Several improvements can be developed to account for more complex evolution scenarios or provide robust confidence intervals for the location estimates.

Powerful Knowledge: Insights from Music's Case

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McPhail, Graham J.

2017-01-01

This paper examines Young and Muller's elaboration of Michael Young's concept of powerful knowledge and considers music's alignment with the characteristics theorised as distinguishing this type of knowledge. Consideration of the concept in relation to music may be timely as music teachers continue to grapple with the problem of knowing what…

Cyber Power Potential of the Army’s Reserve Component

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-01-01

and could extend logically to include electric power, water, food, railway, gas pipelines , and so forth. One consideration to note is that in cases...29 CHAPTER FOUR Army Reserve Component Cyber Inventory Analysis .......................... 31...Background and Analytical Framework ........................................................... 31 Army Reserve Component Cyber Inventory Analysis , 2015

77 FR 72341 - Combined Notice of Filings #1

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-05

.... Applicants: Capital Research and Management Company. Description: Request for Amended Order Under Section 203 of the Federal Power Act of Capital Research and Management Company, et. al. Filed Date: 11/28/12... Authorization Under Section 203 of the Federal Power Act and Request for Expedited Consideration. Filed Date: 11...

10 CFR 2.500 - Scope of subpart.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... Procedures Applicable to Proceedings for the Issuance of Licenses To Manufacture Nuclear Power Reactors To Be... consideration in separate hearings of an application for a license to manufacture nuclear power reactors under... 10 Energy 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Scope of subpart. 2.500 Section 2.500 Energy NUCLEAR...

A Course Case Study: Nuclear Power Generation and the Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schlesinger, Allen B.

1975-01-01

Describes a course that uses the Ft. Calhoun nuclear power plant as a case study. The course involves three component parts: physics of fission events, engineering requirements, and economic considerations; environmental impact from radiation and thermal effluents; and the impact of social, political and legal factors. (GS)

7 CFR 1710.254 - Alternative sources of power.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... facilities constitute an effective and economical means of meeting the power requirements of the consumers. A... proposals on an economic, present-value basis, giving consideration to cost-effectiveness, reliability of service, the short-term and long-term financial viability of the supplier, and the financial risk to the...

7 CFR 1710.254 - Alternative sources of power.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... facilities constitute an effective and economical means of meeting the power requirements of the consumers. A... proposals on an economic, present-value basis, giving consideration to cost-effectiveness, reliability of service, the short-term and long-term financial viability of the supplier, and the financial risk to the...

7 CFR 1710.254 - Alternative sources of power.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... facilities constitute an effective and economical means of meeting the power requirements of the consumers. A... proposals on an economic, present-value basis, giving consideration to cost-effectiveness, reliability of service, the short-term and long-term financial viability of the supplier, and the financial risk to the...

7 CFR 1710.254 - Alternative sources of power.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... facilities constitute an effective and economical means of meeting the power requirements of the consumers. A... proposals on an economic, present-value basis, giving consideration to cost-effectiveness, reliability of service, the short-term and long-term financial viability of the supplier, and the financial risk to the...

7 CFR 1710.254 - Alternative sources of power.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... facilities constitute an effective and economical means of meeting the power requirements of the consumers. A... proposals on an economic, present-value basis, giving consideration to cost-effectiveness, reliability of service, the short-term and long-term financial viability of the supplier, and the financial risk to the...

18 CFR 375.311 - Delegations to the Director of the Office of Enforcement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... Federal Power Act for the purpose of directing the Electric Reliability Organization or the applicable... the Commission for consideration. (u) Direct the Electric Reliability Organization or the applicable... 18 Conservation of Power and Water Resources 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Delegations to the...

Mutilating lawn mower injuries in children.

PubMed

Ross, P M; Schwentker, E P; Bryan, H

1976-08-02

Serious injuries from riding power mowers were sustained by 18 children. Eleven children were passangers on the mower and fell into its path. The injuries required an extensive number of hospitalizations and reconstructive procedures. Fifteen patients suffered considerable residual deformities. Operating riding power mowers in the vicinity of children must be actively discouraged.

CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor Expression in the Striatum: Association with Corticostriatal Circuits and Developmental Regulation

PubMed Central

Van Waes, Vincent; Beverley, Joel A.; Siman, Homayoun; Tseng, Kuei Y.; Steiner, Heinz

2012-01-01

Corticostriatal circuits mediate various aspects of goal-directed behavior and are critically important for basal ganglia-related disorders. Activity in these circuits is regulated by the endocannabinoid system via stimulation of CB1 cannabinoid receptors. CB1 receptors are highly expressed in projection neurons and select interneurons of the striatum, but expression levels vary considerably between different striatal regions (functional domains). We investigated CB1 receptor expression within specific corticostriatal circuits by mapping CB1 mRNA levels in striatal sectors defined by their cortical inputs in rats. We also assessed changes in CB1 expression in the striatum during development. Our results show that CB1 expression is highest in juveniles (P25) and then progressively decreases toward adolescent (P40) and adult (P70) levels. At every age, CB1 receptors are predominantly expressed in sensorimotor striatal sectors, with considerably lower expression in associative and limbic sectors. Moreover, for most corticostriatal circuits there is an inverse relationship between cortical and striatal expression levels. Thus, striatal sectors with high CB1 expression (sensorimotor sectors) tend to receive inputs from cortical areas with low expression, while striatal sectors with low expression (associative/limbic sectors) receive inputs from cortical regions with higher expression (medial prefrontal cortex). In so far as CB1 mRNA levels reflect receptor function, our findings suggest differential CB1 signaling between different developmental stages and between sensorimotor and associative/limbic circuits. The regional distribution of CB1 receptor expression in the striatum further suggests that, in sensorimotor sectors, CB1 receptors mostly regulate GABA inputs from local axon collaterals of projection neurons, whereas in associative/limbic sectors, CB1 regulation of GABA inputs from interneurons and glutamate inputs may be more important. PMID:22416230

Conditional induction of Math1 specifies embryonic stem cells to cerebellar granule neuron lineage and promotes differentiation into mature granule neurons.

PubMed

Srivastava, Rupali; Kumar, Manoj; Peineau, Stéphane; Csaba, Zsolt; Mani, Shyamala; Gressens, Pierre; El Ghouzzi, Vincent

2013-04-01

Directing differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) to specific neuronal subtype is critical for modeling disease pathology in vitro. An attractive means of action would be to combine regulatory differentiation factors and extrinsic inductive signals added to the culture medium. In this study, we have generated mature cerebellar granule neurons by combining a temporally controlled transient expression of Math1, a master gene in granule neuron differentiation, with inductive extrinsic factors involved in cerebellar development. Using a Tetracyclin-On transactivation system, we overexpressed Math1 at various stages of ESCs differentiation and found that the yield of progenitors was considerably increased when Math1 was induced during embryonic body stage. Math1 triggered expression of Mbh1 and Mbh2, two target genes directly involved in granule neuron precursor formation and strong expression of early cerebellar territory markers En1 and NeuroD1. Three weeks after induction, we observed a decrease in the number of glial cells and an increase in that of neurons albeit still immature. Combining Math1 induction with extrinsic factors specifically increased the number of neurons that expressed Pde1c, Zic1, and GABAα6R characteristic of mature granule neurons, formed "T-shaped" axons typical of granule neurons, and generated synaptic contacts and action potentials in vitro. Finally, in vivo implantation of Math1-induced progenitors into young adult mice resulted in cell migration and settling of newly generated neurons in the cerebellum. These results show that conditional induction of Math1 drives ESCs toward the cerebellar fate and indicate that acting on both intrinsic and extrinsic factors is a powerful means to modulate ESCs differentiation and maturation into a specific neuronal lineage. Copyright © 2012 AlphaMed Press.

Individual variation in incentive salience attribution and accumbens dopamine transporter expression and function.

PubMed

Singer, Bryan F; Guptaroy, Bipasha; Austin, Curtis J; Wohl, Isabella; Lovic, Vedran; Seiler, Jillian L; Vaughan, Roxanne A; Gnegy, Margaret E; Robinson, Terry E; Aragona, Brandon J

2016-03-01

Cues (conditioned stimuli; CSs) associated with rewards can come to motivate behavior, but there is considerable individual variation in their ability to do so. For example, a lever-CS that predicts food reward becomes attractive and wanted, and elicits reward-seeking behavior, to a greater extent in some rats ('sign-trackers'; STs) than others ('goal-trackers'; GTs). Variation in dopamine (DA) neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core is thought to contribute to such individual variation. Given that the DA transporter (DAT) exerts powerful regulation over DA signaling, we characterized the expression and function of the DAT in the accumbens of STs and GTs. STs showed greater DAT surface expression in ventral striatal synaptosomes than GTs, and ex vivo fast-scan cyclic voltammetry recordings of electrically evoked DA release confirmed enhanced DAT function in STs, as indicated by faster DA uptake, specifically in the NAc core. Consistent with this, systemic amphetamine (AMPH) produced greater inhibition of DA uptake in STs than in GTs. Furthermore, injection of AMPH directly into the NAc core enhanced lever-directed approach in STs, presumably by amplifying the incentive value of the CS, but had no effect on goal-tracking behavior. On the other hand, there were no differences between STs and GTs in electrically-evoked DA release in slices, or in total ventral striatal DA content. We conclude that greater DAT surface expression may facilitate the attribution of incentive salience to discrete reward cues. Investigating this variability in animal sub-populations may help explain why some people abuse drugs while others do not. © 2015 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

QuASAR: quantitative allele-specific analysis of reads.

PubMed

Harvey, Chris T; Moyerbrailean, Gregory A; Davis, Gordon O; Wen, Xiaoquan; Luca, Francesca; Pique-Regi, Roger

2015-04-15

Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) studies have discovered thousands of genetic variants that regulate gene expression, enabling a better understanding of the functional role of non-coding sequences. However, eQTL studies are costly, requiring large sample sizes and genome-wide genotyping of each sample. In contrast, analysis of allele-specific expression (ASE) is becoming a popular approach to detect the effect of genetic variation on gene expression, even within a single individual. This is typically achieved by counting the number of RNA-seq reads matching each allele at heterozygous sites and testing the null hypothesis of a 1:1 allelic ratio. In principle, when genotype information is not readily available, it could be inferred from the RNA-seq reads directly. However, there are currently no existing methods that jointly infer genotypes and conduct ASE inference, while considering uncertainty in the genotype calls. We present QuASAR, quantitative allele-specific analysis of reads, a novel statistical learning method for jointly detecting heterozygous genotypes and inferring ASE. The proposed ASE inference step takes into consideration the uncertainty in the genotype calls, while including parameters that model base-call errors in sequencing and allelic over-dispersion. We validated our method with experimental data for which high-quality genotypes are available. Results for an additional dataset with multiple replicates at different sequencing depths demonstrate that QuASAR is a powerful tool for ASE analysis when genotypes are not available. http://github.com/piquelab/QuASAR. fluca@wayne.edu or rpique@wayne.edu Supplementary Material is available at Bioinformatics online. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Method for Expressing Public Opinions Concerning the Introduction of an Emerging Technology to Society

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamamoto, Satoshi; Ito, Kyoko; Ohnishi, Satoshi; Nishida, Shogo

Emerging technology may have considerable social impact. Because emerging technology has not yet been introduced in society, it is needed general public express its opinions on emerging technology. It is important that expressing opinion must have social spirit. A method to limit facility of the Internet and activate social spirit is proposed. Evaluation experiment were conducted to test the effectiveness of the proposed method, and the participant could express opinion with social spirit.

Modulating secretory pathway pH by proton channel co-expression can increase recombinant protein stability in plants.

PubMed

Jutras, Philippe V; D'Aoust, Marc-André; Couture, Manon M-J; Vézina, Louis-Philippe; Goulet, Marie-Claire; Michaud, Dominique; Sainsbury, Frank

2015-09-01

Eukaryotic expression systems are used for the production of complex secreted proteins. However, recombinant proteins face considerable biochemical challenges along the secretory pathway, including proteolysis and pH variation between organelles. As the use of synthetic biology matures into solutions for protein production, various host-cell engineering approaches are being developed to ameliorate host-cell factors that can limit recombinant protein quality and yield. We report the potential of the influenza M2 ion channel as a novel tool to neutralize the pH in acidic subcellular compartments. Using transient expression in the plant host, Nicotiana benthamiana, we show that ion channel expression can significantly raise pH in the Golgi apparatus and that this can have a strong stabilizing effect on a fusion protein separated by an acid-susceptible linker peptide. We exemplify the utility of this effect in recombinant protein production using influenza hemagglutinin subtypes differentially stable at low pH; the expression of hemagglutinins prone to conformational change in mildly acidic conditions is considerably enhanced by M2 co-expression. The co-expression of a heterologous ion channel to stabilize acid-labile proteins and peptides represents a novel approach to increasing the yield and quality of secreted recombinant proteins in plants and, possibly, in other eukaryotic expression hosts. Copyright © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Fundamental formulae for wave-energy conversion.

PubMed

Falnes, Johannes; Kurniawan, Adi

2015-03-01

The time-average wave power that is absorbed from an incident wave by means of a wave-energy conversion (WEC) unit, or by an array of WEC units-i.e. oscillating immersed bodies and/or oscillating water columns (OWCs)-may be mathematically expressed in terms of the WEC units' complex oscillation amplitudes, or in terms of the generated outgoing (diffracted plus radiated) waves, or alternatively, in terms of the radiated waves alone. Following recent controversy, the corresponding three optional expressions are derived, compared and discussed in this paper. They all provide the correct time-average absorbed power. However, only the first-mentioned expression is applicable to quantify the instantaneous absorbed wave power and the associated reactive power. In this connection, new formulae are derived that relate the 'added-mass' matrix, as well as a couple of additional reactive radiation-parameter matrices, to the difference between kinetic energy and potential energy in the water surrounding the immersed oscillating WEC array. Further, a complex collective oscillation amplitude is introduced, which makes it possible to derive, by a very simple algebraic method, various simple expressions for the maximum time-average wave power that may be absorbed by the WEC array. The real-valued time-average absorbed power is illustrated as an axisymmetric paraboloid defined on the complex collective-amplitude plane. This is a simple illustration of the so-called 'fundamental theorem for wave power'. Finally, the paper also presents a new derivation that extends a recently published result on the direction-average maximum absorbed wave power to cases where the WEC array's radiation damping matrix may be singular and where the WEC array may contain OWCs in addition to oscillating bodies.

Somewhere Between Great and Small: Disentangling the Conceptual Jumble of Middle, Regional, and Niche Powers

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-01-01

and levels of corruption, as well as more ephemeral soft power considerations like national reputation, moral clout, and cultural influence.7 For...of carefully calibrated issues that balance underlying national interests and plausible opportunities for exerting influence. Middle power diplomacy...World (University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1997); Björn Hettne, András Inotai and Osvaldo Sunkel, eds., Gobalism and the New

Remarks on building of low-powered airplanes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Langsdorff, Werner V

1924-01-01

If the low-powered airplane is to be used advantageously by private individuals, the most important consideration is a smaller fuel consumption and, hence, a lower engine power. From experiments with gliders, it appears entirely possible, by utilizing ascending winds (on the weather side of mountains and those generated by the heat of the sun) and by employing engine flight intermittently, as required to fly long distances over land.

Solar-Driven Liquid-Metal MHD Generator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hohl, F.; Lee, J. H.

1982-01-01

Liquid-metal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power generator with solar oven as its heat source has potential to produce electric power in space and on Earth at high efficiency. Generator focuses radiation from Sun to heat driving gas that pushes liquid metal past magnetic coil. Power is extracted directly from electric currents set up in conducting liquid. Using solar energy as fuel can save considerable costs and payload weight, compared to previous systems.

Remote Possibilities: Explaining Innovations in Airpower

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-06-01

ground on a warm day. A technological breakthrough, the development of the turbine engine in the latter half of the 1950s, vastly improved rotary-wing...performance. Turbine -powered helicopters provided considerably more lifting power than piston-powered choppers, which greatly expanded the range...1945 to 1955. … In aircraft gas turbines the number of parts has increased from 9,000 in 1946 to 20,000 in 1957. Of precious engineering hours

Optically powered and interrogated rotary position sensor for aircraft engine control applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spillman, W. B.; Crowne, D. H.; Woodward, D. W.

A throttle level angle (TLA) sensing system is described that utilizes a capacitance based rotary position transducer that is powered and interrogated via light from a single multimode optical fiber. The system incorporates a unique GaAs device that serves as both a power converter and optical data transmitter. Design considerations are discussed, and the fabrication and performance of the sensor system are detailed.

Switching transients in high-frequency high-power converters using power MOSFET's

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sloane, T. H.; Owen, H. A., Jr.; Wilson, T. G.

1979-01-01

The use of MOSFETs in a high-frequency high-power dc-to-dc converter is investigated. Consideration is given to the phenomena associated with the paralleling of MOSFETs and to the effect of stray circuit inductances on the converter circuit performance. Analytical relationships between various time constants during the turning-on and turning-off intervals are derived which provide estimates of plateau and peak levels during these intervals.

Electronic stopping powers for heavy ions in SiC and SiO{sub 2}

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

Jin, K.; Xue, H.; Zhang, Y., E-mail: Zhangy1@ornl.gov

2014-01-28

Accurate information on electronic stopping power is fundamental for broad advances in materials science, electronic industry, space exploration, and sustainable energy technologies. In the case of slow heavy ions in light targets, current codes and models provide significantly inconsistent predictions, among which the Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) code is the most commonly used one. Experimental evidence, however, has demonstrated considerable errors in the predicted ion and damage profiles based on SRIM stopping powers. In this work, electronic stopping powers for Cl, Br, I, and Au ions are experimentally determined in two important functional materials, SiC andmore » SiO{sub 2}, based on a single ion technique, and new electronic stopping power values are derived over the energy regime from 0 to 15 MeV, where large deviations from the SRIM predictions are observed. As an experimental validation, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) are utilized to measure the depth profiles of implanted Au ions in SiC for energies from 700 keV to 15 MeV. The measured ion distributions by both RBS and SIMS are considerably deeper than the SRIM predictions, but agree well with predictions based on our derived stopping powers.« less

Electronic Stopping Powers For Heavy Ions In SiC And SiO2

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

Jin, Ke; Zhang, Y.; Zhu, Zihua

2014-01-24

Accurate information on electronic stopping power is fundamental for broad advances in materials science, electronic industry, space exploration, and sustainable energy technologies. In the case of slow heavy ions in light targets, current codes and models provide significantly inconsistent predictions, among which the Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) code is the most commonly used one. Experimental evidence, however, has demonstrated considerable errors in the predicted ion and damage profiles based on SRIM stopping powers. In this work, electronic stopping powers for Cl, Br, I, and Au ions are experimentally determined in two important functional materials, SiC andmore » SiO2, based on a single ion technique, and new electronic stopping power values are derived over the energy regime from 0 to 15 MeV, where large deviations from the SRIM predictions are observed. As an experimental validation, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) are utilized to measure the depth profiles of implanted Au ions in SiC for energies from 700 keV to 15MeV. The measured ion distributions by both RBS and SIMS are considerably deeper than the SRIM predictions, but agree well with predictions based on our derived stopping powers.« less

Tokamak experimental power reactor conceptual design. Volume II

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

Not Available

1976-08-01

Volume II contains the following appendices: (1) summary of EPR design parameters, (2) impurity control, (3) plasma computational models, (4) structural support system, (5) materials considerations for the primary energy conversion system, (6) magnetics, (7) neutronics penetration analysis, (8) first wall stress analysis, (9) enrichment of isotopes of hydrogen by cryogenic distillation, and (10) noncircular plasma considerations. (MOW)

26 CFR 20.2043-1 - Transfers for insufficient consideration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

..., rights or powers enumerated and described in sections 2035 through 2038 and section 2041 are not subject... been made in good faith, and the price must have been an adequate and full equivalent reducible to a money value. If the price was less than such a consideration, only the excess of the fair market value...

Reliability Considerations for Ultra- Low Power Space Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

White, Mark; Johnston, Allan

2012-01-01

NASA, the aerospace community, and other high reliability (hi-rel) users of advanced microelectronic products face many challenges as technology continues to scale into the deep sub- micron region and ULP devices are sought after. Technology trends, ULP microelectronics, scaling and performance tradeoffs, reliability considerations, and spacecraft environments will be presented from a ULP perspective for space applications.

Chaperone-Assisted Soluble Expression of a Humanized Anti-EGFR ScFv Antibody in E. Coli

PubMed Central

Veisi, Kamal; Farajnia, Safar; Zarghami, Nosratollah; Khoram Khorshid, Hamid Reza; Samadi, Nasser; Ahdi Khosroshahi, Shiva; Zarei Jaliani, Hossein

2015-01-01

Purpose: Formation of inclusion bodies is a considerable obstacle threatening the advantages of E. coli expression system to serve as the most common and easiest system in recombinant protein production. To solve this problem, several strategies have been proposed among which application of molecular chaperones is of remarkable consideration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of molecular chaperones on soluble expression of aggregation-prone humanized single chain antibody. Methods: To increase the solubility of a humanized single chain antibody (hscFv), different chaperone plasmids including PG-tf2 (GroES- GroEL- tig), ptf16 (tig) and pGro7 (GroES- GroEL) were co-expressed in BL21 cells containing pET-22b- hscFv construct. The solubility of recombinant hscFv was analyzed by SDS-PAGE. After purification of soluble hscFv by Ni-NTA column, the biological activity and cytotoxicity of the recombinant protein were tested by ELISA and MTT assay, respectively. Results: SDS-PAGE analysis of the hscFv revealed that chaperone utility remarkably increased (up to 50%) the solubility of the protein. ELISA test and MTT assay analyses also confirmed the biological activity of the gained hscFv in reaction with A431 cells (OD value: 2.6) and inhibition of their proliferation, respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that co-expression of chaperones with hscFv leads to remarkable increase in the solubility of the recombinant hscFv, which could be of great consideration for large scale production of recombinant single chain antibodies. PMID:26793607

[Fragmentary osteotomy of maxilla back parts for dentoalveolar lengthening as preparation stage before dental prosthetics making on implants].

PubMed

Seniuk, A N; Mokhirev, M A

2010-01-01

Conditions for dental implantation are not always ideal that decrease the method possibilities and makes surgeons-implantologists to resort to additional interventions in order to increase the hard and soft tissues volume in the region of the planned implantation. Considerably rare an implantologist comes across with abutment tissues surplus when considerable dentoalveolar lengthening happens with expressed diminution of interalveolar distance. Orthognatic surgery as the method of surgical correction of expressed dentoalveolar lengthening of some teeth group is the most effective when there is no possibility to such deformation elimination by other methods - orthodontic or prosthetic.

Comparative study of electrical and switch-skipping mechanical switch for self-powered SSHI in medium coupled piezoelectric vibration energy harvesters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asanuma, H.; Sakamoto, K.; Komatsuzaki, T.; Iwata, Y.

2018-07-01

To increase output power for piezoelectric vibration energy harvesters, considerable attention has recently been focused on a self-powered synchronized switch harvesting on inductor (SSHI) technique employing an electrical and mechanical switch. However, there are two technical issues: in a medium or highly coupled harvester, the piezoelectric coupling force, which increases as the SSHI’s voltage increases, will reduce the harvester’s displacement and the resulting output power, and there are few reports comparing the performance of electrical switch SSHI (ESS) and mechanical switch SSHI (MSS) that include consideration of the piezoelectric coupling force. We developed a simulation technique that allows us to evaluate the output power considering the piezoelectric coupling force, and investigated the performance of stopper-based MSS and ESS, both numerically and experimentally. The numerical investigation predicted the following: (1) the output power for the ESS is lower than that for the MSS at acceleration lower than 3.5 m s‑2 and (2) intriguingly, the output power for the MSS continues to increase, whereas the peak–peak displacement remains constant. The experimental results showed behaviour similar to that of the numerical predictions. The results are attributed to the different switching strategies: the MSS turns on only when the harvester’s displacement exceeds the gap distance, while the ESS turns on at every maximum/minimum displacement.

Thermal energy storage heat exchanger: Molten salt heat exchanger design for utility power plants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ferarra, A.; Yenetchi, G.; Haslett, R.; Kosson, R.

1977-01-01

The use of thermal energy storage (TES) in the latent heat of molten salts as a means of conserving fossil fuels and lowering the cost of electric power was evaluated. Public utility systems provided electric power on demand. This demand is generally maximum during late weekday afternoons, with considerably lower overnight and weekend loads. Typically, the average demand is only 60% to 80% of peak load. As peak load increases, the present practice is to purchase power from other grid facilities or to bring older less efficient fossil-fuel plants on line which increase the cost of electric power. The widespread use of oil-fired boilers, gas turbine and diesel equipment to meet peaking loads depletes our oil-based energy resources. Heat exchangers utilizing molten salts can be used to level the energy consumption curve. The study begins with a demand analysis and the consideration of several existing modern fossil-fuel and nuclear power plants for use as models. Salts are evaluated for thermodynamic, economic, corrosive, and safety characteristics. Heat exchanger concepts are explored and heat exchanger designs are conceived. Finally, the economics of TES conversions in existing plants and new construction is analyzed. The study concluded that TES is feasible in electric power generation. Substantial data are presented for TES design, and reference material for further investigation of techniques is included.

The plastid genome as a platform for the expression of microbial resistance genes

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

In recent years, our fundamental understanding of host-microbe interaction has developed considerably. We have begun to tease out the genetic components that influence host resistance to microbial colonization. The use of advancing molecular technologies such as microarray expression profiling and...

Photovoltaic power generation; Proceedings of the EC Contractors' Meeting, Hamburg, West Germany, July 12, 13, 1983

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palz, W.

Several operational examples of photovoltaic (PV) power generation systems in Europe are described. The systems include: a 300 kW power plant in Pellworm, West Germany; the Tremiti desalination plant in Tremiti, Italy; and the Kythnos PV power plant in Kythnos, Greece. Consideration is also given to a PV-powered swimming pool heating system in Chevretogne, Belgium; a rural electrification program using PV power plants in French Guyana; a solar-wind project on Terschelling Island, the Netherlands; and a PV power plant for hydrogen production and water pumping in Hoboken, Belgium. A 30-kW power station in Marchwood, England and the Nice airport survey and control system are also cited as examples of successful PV power generation systems.

A programmable power processor for a 25-kW power module

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lanier, R., Jr.; Kapustka, R. E.; Bush, J. R., Jr.

1979-01-01

A discussion of the power processor for an electrical power system for a 25-kW Power Module that could support the Space Shuttle program during the 1980's and 1990's and which could be a stepping stone to future large space power systems is presented. Trades that led to the selection of a microprocessor-controlled power processor are briefly discussed. Emphasis is given to the power processing equipment that uses a microprocessor to provide versatility that allows multiple use and to provide for future growth by reprogramming output voltage to a higher level (to 120 V from 30 V). Efficiency data from a breadboard programmable power processor are presented, and component selection and design considerations are also discussed.

21 CFR 884.5160 - Powered breast pump.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... § 884.5160 Powered breast pump. (a) Identification. A powered breast pump in an electrically powered suction device used to express milk from the breast. (b) Classification. Class II (performance standards). ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Powered breast pump. 884.5160 Section 884.5160...

21 CFR 884.5160 - Powered breast pump.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... § 884.5160 Powered breast pump. (a) Identification. A powered breast pump in an electrically powered suction device used to express milk from the breast. (b) Classification. Class II (performance standards). ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Powered breast pump. 884.5160 Section 884.5160...

21 CFR 884.5160 - Powered breast pump.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... § 884.5160 Powered breast pump. (a) Identification. A powered breast pump in an electrically powered suction device used to express milk from the breast. (b) Classification. Class II (performance standards). ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Powered breast pump. 884.5160 Section 884.5160...

21 CFR 884.5160 - Powered breast pump.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... § 884.5160 Powered breast pump. (a) Identification. A powered breast pump in an electrically powered suction device used to express milk from the breast. (b) Classification. Class II (performance standards). ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Powered breast pump. 884.5160 Section 884.5160...

21 CFR 884.5160 - Powered breast pump.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... § 884.5160 Powered breast pump. (a) Identification. A powered breast pump in an electrically powered suction device used to express milk from the breast. (b) Classification. Class II (performance standards). ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Powered breast pump. 884.5160 Section 884.5160...

Large Scale Integration of Renewable Power Sources into the Vietnamese Power System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kies, Alexander; Schyska, Bruno; Thanh Viet, Dinh; von Bremen, Lueder; Heinemann, Detlev; Schramm, Stefan

2017-04-01

The Vietnamese Power system is expected to expand considerably in upcoming decades. Power capacities installed are projected to grow from 39 GW in 2015 to 129.5 GW by 2030. Installed wind power capacities are expected to grow to 6 GW (0.8 GW 2015) and solar power capacities to 12 GW (0.85 GW 2015). This goes hand in hand with an increase of the renewable penetration in the power mix from 1.3% from wind and photovoltaics (PV) in 2015 to 5.4% by 2030. The overall potential for wind power in Vietnam is estimated to be around 24 GW. Moreover, the up-scaling of renewable energy sources was formulated as one of the priorized targets of the Vietnamese government in the National Power Development Plan VII. In this work, we investigate the transition of the Vietnamese power system towards high shares of renewables. For this purpose, we jointly optimise the expansion of renewable generation facilities for wind and PV, and the transmission grid within renewable build-up pathways until 2030 and beyond. To simulate the Vietnamese power system and its generation from renewable sources, we use highly spatially and temporally resolved historical weather and load data and the open source modelling toolbox Python for Power System Analysis (PyPSA). We show that the highest potential of renewable generation for wind and PV is observed in southern Vietnam and discuss the resulting need for transmission grid extensions in dependency of the optimal pathway. Furthermore, we show that the smoothing effect of wind power has several considerable beneficial effects and that the Vietnamese hydro power potential can be efficiently used to provide balancing opportunities. This work is part of the R&D Project "Analysis of the Large Scale Integration of Renewable Power into the Future Vietnamese Power System" (GIZ, 2016-2018).

Optimization of the operating conditions of gas-turbine power stations considering the effect of equipment deterioration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aminov, R. Z.; Kozhevnikov, A. I.

2017-10-01

In recent years in most power systems all over the world, a trend towards the growing nonuniformity of energy consumption and generation schedules has been observed. The increase in the portion of renewable energy sources is one of the important challenges for many countries. The ill-predictable character of such energy sources necessitates a search for practical solutions. Presently, the most efficient method for compensating for nonuniform generation of the electric power by the renewable energy sources—predominantly by the wind and solar energy—is generation of power at conventional fossil-fuel-fired power stations. In Russia, this problem is caused by the increasing portion in the generating capacity structure of the nuclear power stations, which are most efficient when operating under basic conditions. Introduction of hydropower and pumped storage hydroelectric power plants and other energy-storage technologies does not cover the demand for load-following power capacities. Owing to a simple design, low construction costs, and a sufficiently high economic efficiency, gas turbine plants (GTPs) prove to be the most suitable for covering the nonuniform electric-demand schedules. However, when the gas turbines are operated under varying duty conditions, the lifetime of the primary thermostressed components is considerably reduced and, consequently, the repair costs increase. A method is proposed for determination of the total operating costs considering the deterioration of the gas turbine equipment under varying duty and start-stop conditions. A methodology for optimization of the loading modes for the gas turbine equipment is developed. The consideration of the lifetime component allows varying the optimal operating conditions and, in some cases, rejecting short-time stops of the gas turbine plants. The calculations performed in a wide range of varying fuel prices and capital investments per gas turbine equipment unit show that the economic effectiveness can be increased by 5-15% by varying the operating conditions and switching to the optimal operating modes. Consequently, irrespective of the fuel price, the application of the proposed method results in selection of the most beneficial operating conditions. Consideration of the lifetime expenditure included in the optimization criterion enables enhancement of the operating efficiency.

Parental Expression of Disappointment: Should It Be a Factor in Hoffman's Model of Parental Discipline?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Patrick, Renee B.; Gibbs, John C.

2007-01-01

The authors addressed whether parental expression of disappointment should be included as a distinct factor in M. L. Hoffman's (2000) well-established typology of parenting styles (induction, love withdrawal, power assertion). Hoffman's 3-factor model, along with a more inclusive 4-factor model (induction, love withdrawal, power assertion, and…

Magnetic fields and chiral asymmetry in the early hot universe

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

Sydorenko, Maksym; Shtanov, Yuri; Tomalak, Oleksandr, E-mail: maxsydorenko@gmail.com, E-mail: tomalak@uni-mainz.de, E-mail: shtanov@bitp.kiev.ua

In this paper, we study analytically the process of external generation and subsequent free evolution of the lepton chiral asymmetry and helical magnetic fields in the early hot universe. This process is known to be affected by the Abelian anomaly of the electroweak gauge interactions. As a consequence, chiral asymmetry in the fermion distribution generates magnetic fields of non-zero helicity, and vice versa. We take into account the presence of thermal bath, which serves as a seed for the development of instability in magnetic field in the presence of externally generated lepton chiral asymmetry. The developed helical magnetic field andmore » lepton chiral asymmetry support each other, considerably prolonging their mutual existence, in the process of 'inverse cascade' transferring magnetic-field power from small to large spatial scales. For cosmologically interesting initial conditions, the chiral asymmetry and the energy density of helical magnetic field are shown to evolve by scaling laws, effectively depending on a single combined variable. In this case, the late-time asymptotics of the conformal chiral chemical potential reproduces the universal scaling law previously found in the literature for the system under consideration. This regime is terminated at lower temperatures because of scattering of electrons with chirality change, which exponentially washes out chiral asymmetry. We derive an expression for the termination temperature as a function of the chiral asymmetry and energy density of helical magnetic field.« less

Magnetic fields and chiral asymmetry in the early hot universe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sydorenko, Maksym; Tomalak, Oleksandr; Shtanov, Yuri

2016-10-01

In this paper, we study analytically the process of external generation and subsequent free evolution of the lepton chiral asymmetry and helical magnetic fields in the early hot universe. This process is known to be affected by the Abelian anomaly of the electroweak gauge interactions. As a consequence, chiral asymmetry in the fermion distribution generates magnetic fields of non-zero helicity, and vice versa. We take into account the presence of thermal bath, which serves as a seed for the development of instability in magnetic field in the presence of externally generated lepton chiral asymmetry. The developed helical magnetic field and lepton chiral asymmetry support each other, considerably prolonging their mutual existence, in the process of `inverse cascade' transferring magnetic-field power from small to large spatial scales. For cosmologically interesting initial conditions, the chiral asymmetry and the energy density of helical magnetic field are shown to evolve by scaling laws, effectively depending on a single combined variable. In this case, the late-time asymptotics of the conformal chiral chemical potential reproduces the universal scaling law previously found in the literature for the system under consideration. This regime is terminated at lower temperatures because of scattering of electrons with chirality change, which exponentially washes out chiral asymmetry. We derive an expression for the termination temperature as a function of the chiral asymmetry and energy density of helical magnetic field.

On Boundaries of the Language of Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kvasz, Ladislav

The aim of the present paper is to outline a method of reconstruction of the historical development of the language of physical theories. We will apply the theory presented in Patterns of Change, Linguistic Innovations in the Development of Classical Mathematics to the analysis of linguistic innovations in physics. Our method is based on a reconstruction of the following potentialities of language: analytical power, expressive power, integrative power, and explanatory power, as well as analytical boundaries and expressive boundaries. One of the results of our reconstruction is a new interpretation of Kant's antinomies of pure reason. If we relate Kant's antinomies to the language, they retain validity.

Establishment of the International Power Institute. Final technical report

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

Julius E. Coles

The International Power Institute, in collaboration with American industries, seeks to address technical, political, economic and cultural issues of developing countries in the interest of facilitating profitable transactions in power related infrastructure projects. IPI works with universities, governments and commercial organizations to render project-specific recommendations for private-sector investment considerations. IPI also established the following goals: Facilitate electric power infrastructure transactions between developing countries and the US power industry; Collaborate with developing countries to identify development strategies to achieve energy stability; and Encourage market driven solutions and work collaboratively with other international trade energy, technology and banking organizations.

A powerful nonparametric method for detecting differentially co-expressed genes: distance correlation screening and edge-count test.

PubMed

Zhang, Qingyang

2018-05-16

Differential co-expression analysis, as a complement of differential expression analysis, offers significant insights into the changes in molecular mechanism of different phenotypes. A prevailing approach to detecting differentially co-expressed genes is to compare Pearson's correlation coefficients in two phenotypes. However, due to the limitations of Pearson's correlation measure, this approach lacks the power to detect nonlinear changes in gene co-expression which is common in gene regulatory networks. In this work, a new nonparametric procedure is proposed to search differentially co-expressed gene pairs in different phenotypes from large-scale data. Our computational pipeline consisted of two main steps, a screening step and a testing step. The screening step is to reduce the search space by filtering out all the independent gene pairs using distance correlation measure. In the testing step, we compare the gene co-expression patterns in different phenotypes by a recently developed edge-count test. Both steps are distribution-free and targeting nonlinear relations. We illustrate the promise of the new approach by analyzing the Cancer Genome Atlas data and the METABRIC data for breast cancer subtypes. Compared with some existing methods, the new method is more powerful in detecting nonlinear type of differential co-expressions. The distance correlation screening can greatly improve computational efficiency, facilitating its application to large data sets.

Explorations of Affection and Aggression.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shuntich, Richard J.; Shapiro, Richard

Considerable effort has been devoted to investigating various aspects of love and affection, but there have been few studies about direct expressions of affection. Relationships between gender composition of a dyad and the affection/aggression expressed by the dyad were examined as was the possibility of increasing the amount of affectionate…

Effect of fossil fuels on the parameters of CO2 capture.

PubMed

Nagy, Tibor; Mizsey, Peter

2013-08-06

The carbon dioxide capture is a more and more important issue in the design and operation of boilers and/or power stations because of increasing environmental considerations. Such processes, absorber desorber should be able to cope with flue gases from the use of different fossil primary energy sources, in order to guarantee a flexible, stable, and secure energy supply operation. The changing flue gases have significant influence on the optimal operation of the capture process, that is, where the required heating of the desorber is the minimal. Therefore special considerations are devoted to the proper design and control of such boiler and/or power stations equipped with CO2 capture process.

The mesmerists inquire about "Oriental mind powers": West meets East in the search for the universal trance.

PubMed

Schmit, David T

2010-01-01

Contemporary interest in Asian meditation raises questions about when Westerners began investigating these practices. A synopsis of Western-originating scientific meditation research is followed by a brief introduction to mesmerism. Next, the unappreciated ways the mesmerists explored Oriental mind powers is recounted. How the mesmerists' cultural positioning, philosophy, and interest in mind-body practices facilitated their inquiries of Oriental medicine and Hindu contemplative practices is explored, followed by a consideration of why these investigations were unique for the era. The way this work subverted Western cultural imperialism is examined. A consideration of the historical continuities and discontinuities between the mesmerists' inquiries and twentieth-century meditation research concludes the article.

Lateral-directional aerodynamic characteristics of light, twin-engine, propeller driven airplanes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wolowicz, C. H.; Yancey, R. B.

1972-01-01

Analytical procedures and design data for predicting the lateral-directional static and dynamic stability and control characteristics of light, twin engine, propeller driven airplanes for propeller-off and power-on conditions are reported. Although the consideration of power effects is limited to twin engine airplanes, the propeller-off considerations are applicable to single engine airplanes as well. The procedures are applied to a twin engine, propeller driven, semi-low-wing airplane in the clean configuration through the linear lift range. The calculated derivative characteristics are compared with wind tunnel and flight data. Included in the calculated characteristics are the spiral mode, roll mode, and Dutch roll mode over the speed range of the airplane.

Initial MPTS study results: Design considerations and issues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maynard, O. E.

1980-12-01

One of the key issues identified during investigations of microwave power transmission systems from 1965 to 1976 was the need to assure that the billions of diodes on ground-based rectennas are sufficiently reliable to support long life times of approximately 30 years. Major systems studies conducted focused on waveguides; radio frequency interference and biological considerations; the relationship between performance, weight, and cost; risk assessment; crossed field directional amplifier noise; a 48 kW klystron; effects of the environment on propagation and phase control; rectenna technology; a rationale for the ground power density region; alternate technologies for orbital assembly; ionospheric effects and phase control; and reception conversion (rf to dc collector/converter).

Classical Mathematical Models for Description and Prediction of Experimental Tumor Growth

PubMed Central

Benzekry, Sébastien; Lamont, Clare; Beheshti, Afshin; Tracz, Amanda; Ebos, John M. L.; Hlatky, Lynn; Hahnfeldt, Philip

2014-01-01

Despite internal complexity, tumor growth kinetics follow relatively simple laws that can be expressed as mathematical models. To explore this further, quantitative analysis of the most classical of these were performed. The models were assessed against data from two in vivo experimental systems: an ectopic syngeneic tumor (Lewis lung carcinoma) and an orthotopically xenografted human breast carcinoma. The goals were threefold: 1) to determine a statistical model for description of the measurement error, 2) to establish the descriptive power of each model, using several goodness-of-fit metrics and a study of parametric identifiability, and 3) to assess the models' ability to forecast future tumor growth. The models included in the study comprised the exponential, exponential-linear, power law, Gompertz, logistic, generalized logistic, von Bertalanffy and a model with dynamic carrying capacity. For the breast data, the dynamics were best captured by the Gompertz and exponential-linear models. The latter also exhibited the highest predictive power, with excellent prediction scores (≥80%) extending out as far as 12 days in the future. For the lung data, the Gompertz and power law models provided the most parsimonious and parametrically identifiable description. However, not one of the models was able to achieve a substantial prediction rate (≥70%) beyond the next day data point. In this context, adjunction of a priori information on the parameter distribution led to considerable improvement. For instance, forecast success rates went from 14.9% to 62.7% when using the power law model to predict the full future tumor growth curves, using just three data points. These results not only have important implications for biological theories of tumor growth and the use of mathematical modeling in preclinical anti-cancer drug investigations, but also may assist in defining how mathematical models could serve as potential prognostic tools in the clinic. PMID:25167199

Classical mathematical models for description and prediction of experimental tumor growth.

PubMed

Benzekry, Sébastien; Lamont, Clare; Beheshti, Afshin; Tracz, Amanda; Ebos, John M L; Hlatky, Lynn; Hahnfeldt, Philip

2014-08-01

Despite internal complexity, tumor growth kinetics follow relatively simple laws that can be expressed as mathematical models. To explore this further, quantitative analysis of the most classical of these were performed. The models were assessed against data from two in vivo experimental systems: an ectopic syngeneic tumor (Lewis lung carcinoma) and an orthotopically xenografted human breast carcinoma. The goals were threefold: 1) to determine a statistical model for description of the measurement error, 2) to establish the descriptive power of each model, using several goodness-of-fit metrics and a study of parametric identifiability, and 3) to assess the models' ability to forecast future tumor growth. The models included in the study comprised the exponential, exponential-linear, power law, Gompertz, logistic, generalized logistic, von Bertalanffy and a model with dynamic carrying capacity. For the breast data, the dynamics were best captured by the Gompertz and exponential-linear models. The latter also exhibited the highest predictive power, with excellent prediction scores (≥80%) extending out as far as 12 days in the future. For the lung data, the Gompertz and power law models provided the most parsimonious and parametrically identifiable description. However, not one of the models was able to achieve a substantial prediction rate (≥70%) beyond the next day data point. In this context, adjunction of a priori information on the parameter distribution led to considerable improvement. For instance, forecast success rates went from 14.9% to 62.7% when using the power law model to predict the full future tumor growth curves, using just three data points. These results not only have important implications for biological theories of tumor growth and the use of mathematical modeling in preclinical anti-cancer drug investigations, but also may assist in defining how mathematical models could serve as potential prognostic tools in the clinic.

A Multilevel Model of Minority Opinion Expression and Team Decision-Making Effectiveness

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Park, Guihyun; DeShon, Richard P.

2010-01-01

The consideration of minority opinions when making team decisions is an important factor that contributes to team effectiveness. A multilevel model of minority opinion influence in decision-making teams is developed to address the conditions that relate to adequate consideration of minority opinions. Using a sample of 57 teams working on a…

Mate Choice and Domestic Life in the Nineteenth Century Marriage Manual

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gordon, Michael; Berstein, M. Charles

1970-01-01

A considerable amount of diversity was discovered in the views expressed in the 63 books reviewed. Religious, physical, and social considerations were the factors most heavily stressed with regard to mate choce; romantic love was not an important factor. Sex is discussed almost solely in terms of its procreative function, although some change is…

Fall Velocities of Hydrometeors in the Atmosphere: Refinements to a Continuous Analytical Power Law.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khvorostyanov, Vitaly I.; Curry, Judith A.

2005-12-01

This paper extends the previous research of the authors on the unified representation of fall velocities for both liquid and crystalline particles as a power law over the entire size range of hydrometeors observed in the atmosphere. The power-law coefficients are determined as continuous analytical functions of the Best or Reynolds number or of the particle size. Here, analytical expressions are formulated for the turbulent corrections to the Reynolds number and to the power-law coefficients that describe the continuous transition from the laminar to the turbulent flow around a falling particle. A simple analytical expression is found for the correction of fall velocities for temperature and pressure. These expressions and the resulting fall velocities are compared with observations and other calculations for a range of ice crystal habits and sizes. This approach provides a continuous analytical power-law description of the terminal velocities of liquid and crystalline hydrometeors with sufficiently high accuracy and can be directly used in bin-resolving models or incorporated into parameterizations for cloud- and large-scale models and remote sensing techniques.

Issues in the Convergence of Control with Communication and Computation

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-10-04

Library/Upload/116/Cal1.doc. [42] M. H. Shwehdi and A. Z. Khan, “A power line data communication interface using spread spectrum technology in home ... automation ,” IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol. 11, pp. 1232–1237, July 1996. ISSN: 0885-8977. [43] R. G. Olsen, “Technical considerations for

Studying "The Political" in International Aid to Education: Methodological Considerations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Knutsson, Beniamin; Lindberg, Jonas

2017-01-01

The point of departure of this article is an apparent antinomy. On the one hand, there is the powerful argument in political theory on the emergence and consolidation of a post-political condition. On the other hand, research in international and comparative education demonstrates how conflicts and power asymmetries continue to characterize…

Empowerment through Narrative: Considerations for Teaching, Learning and Life.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alter, Gloria

1993-01-01

Power based on self-assertion, openness, and human connection is the hallmark of empowered classrooms and schools. The process of more fully exercising power can be greatly enhanced by using narrative. Empowered individuals and groups reveal their strength in the nurturing of many voices and in the subsequent transformation of their lives. Sample…

Rising Economy of India: How Can Nepal Draw Economic Benefit

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-10

of Wind Energy, which take into consideration only land deemed suitable for wind turbine installations9, put total onshore wind power potential with...68 Wind Power...coal and oil in the period to 2040 and becomes a significant player in a series of other markets, from wind and solar to nuclear, hydropower and

76 FR 71015 - Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program-Eastern Division-2021 Power Marketing Initiative

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-16

... (45 FR 71860, October 30, 1980) and provided the marketing plan principles used to market P-SMBP--ED... opportunity to review current Marketing Plan principles and provide informal input to Western for consideration in the 2021 PMI proposal. Key Marketing Plan principles discussed with firm power customers...

The Quest for Autonomy: A Foucauldian Perspective on Work-Based Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Siebert, Sabina; Mills, Vince

2007-01-01

The relationship between the workplace, the researcher and the university is of a complex nature and all three stakeholders have their own influences on work-based learning. Defining the relationship between the stakeholders provokes a consideration of the issue of power, since power relations within a workplace can affect the reliability of…

Knowledge, Experts and Accountability in School Governing Bodies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Young, Helen

2017-01-01

School governing bodies in England have considerable powers and responsibilities with regard to the education of pupils. This article explores how power relations operate, within governing bodies, through struggles over which types of knowledge are claimed and valued. The article draws on the analysis of policy and on ethnographic research in the…

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

Bradt, M.; Behnke, M. R.; Bloethe, W.G.

This paper presents a summary of the most important protection and coordination considerations for wind power plants. Short-circuit characteristics of both aggregate wind plant and individual wind turbine genera- tors, as well as general interconnection protection requirements are discussed. Many factors such as security, reliability, and safety are considered for proper conservative protection of the wind power plant and individual turbines.

Bureau of Reclamation Hydropower Lease of Power Privilege: Case Studies and Considerations

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

Curtis, Taylor L.; Levine, Aaron L.; McLaughlin, Kathleen

This report analyzes the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's (Reclamation) lease of power privilege (LOPP) regulatory process for a nonfederal entity to use a Reclamation jurisdictional dam or conduit for power generation. Recent federal initiatives encouraging hydropower development at federally-owned facilities coupled with Reclamation's hydroelectric potential has led to an increased interest in powering Reclamation dams and conduits through the LOPP process. During the last five years, 23 of the 36 total LOPP projects (76 MW) have been initiated and are at some phase of the development process. Resource assessments analyzed in this report identify over 360 MW of hydroelectric potentialmore » at Reclamation-owned dams and conduits. This report provides considerations from Reclamation staff involved in the LOPP regulatory process and developers that have received an LOPP and are currently generating hydropower at a Reclamation dam or conduit. The authors also analyze LOPP regulatory processing timelines before and after the implementation of federal initiatives to streamline the LOPP process and provide case studies of hydropower projects that have obtained an LOPP.« less

The fuel cell in space: Yesterday, today and tomorrow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Warshay, Marvin; Prokopius, Paul R.

1989-01-01

The past, present, and future of space fuel cell power systems is reviewed, starting with the first practical fuel cell by F.T. Bacon which led to the 1.5 kW Apollo alkaline fuel cell. However, the first fuel cell to be used for space power was the Gemini 1.0 kW Acid IEM fuel cell. The successor to the Apollo fuel cell is today's 12 kW Orbiter alkaline fuel cell whose technology is considerably different and considerably better than that of its ancestor, the Bacon cell. And in terms of specific weight there has been a steady improvement from the past to the present, from the close to 200 lb/kW of Apollo to the 20 lb/kW of the orbiter. For NASA future Lunar and Martian surface power requirements the regenerative fuel cell (RFC) energy storage system is enabling technology, with the alkaline and the PEM the leading RFC candidate systems. The U.S. Air Force continues to support fuel cell high power density technology development for its future short duration applications.

The Iran Hostages: Efforts to Obtain Compensation

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-11-01

manner that raised constitutional separation of powers concerns.51 It also chastised the plaintiffs’ attorneys for what it said were serious...argument contains,” the court said, “it is absolutely without basis in law.” Id. at 168. 51 The court did not base its decision on any separation of powers considerations...of jurisdiction [would raise] serious separation of powers concerns” and might be “an impermissible encroachment by Congress into the sphere of the

Achieving High Performance in Parallel Applications via Kernel-Application Interaction

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-04-01

time systems include airplane autopilot or nuclear power plant control. New complex, parallel soft real-time applica- tions have been generating...to keep as many sheep on the table as possible, and the more powerful the sheep behavior-models and look-ahead, the better the results. General...fact that it provides considerable flexibility when considering the amount of processing power to allocate to a planner. In this experiment we again

A digital computer simulation and study of a direct-energy-transfer power-conditioning system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burns, W. W., III; Owen, H. A., Jr.; Wilson, T. G.; Rodriguez, G. E.; Paulkovich, J.

1974-01-01

A digital computer simulation technique, which can be used to study such composite power-conditioning systems, was applied to a spacecraft direct-energy-transfer power-processing system. The results obtained duplicate actual system performance with considerable accuracy. The validity of the approach and its usefulness in studying various aspects of system performance such as steady-state characteristics and transient responses to severely varying operating conditions are demonstrated experimentally.

Translations from the Soviet Journal of Atomic Energy

DTIC Science & Technology

1962-02-15

constructing a new communist society. Atomic energy, i4n its role of a new and powerful source of highly con •entrated energy, can effect a con- siderable...problem have provided sufficient evidence of the perni- cious effects of radioactive contamination on humanbeings and require the development of special...be necessary to effect a considerable decrease in the cost of electrical power pro- duced at atomic electric power, stations. One of the most

An efficient method to identify differentially expressed genes in microarray experiments

PubMed Central

Qin, Huaizhen; Feng, Tao; Harding, Scott A.; Tsai, Chung-Jui; Zhang, Shuanglin

2013-01-01

Motivation Microarray experiments typically analyze thousands to tens of thousands of genes from small numbers of biological replicates. The fact that genes are normally expressed in functionally relevant patterns suggests that gene-expression data can be stratified and clustered into relatively homogenous groups. Cluster-wise dimensionality reduction should make it feasible to improve screening power while minimizing information loss. Results We propose a powerful and computationally simple method for finding differentially expressed genes in small microarray experiments. The method incorporates a novel stratification-based tight clustering algorithm, principal component analysis and information pooling. Comprehensive simulations show that our method is substantially more powerful than the popular SAM and eBayes approaches. We applied the method to three real microarray datasets: one from a Populus nitrogen stress experiment with 3 biological replicates; and two from public microarray datasets of human cancers with 10 to 40 biological replicates. In all three analyses, our method proved more robust than the popular alternatives for identification of differentially expressed genes. Availability The C++ code to implement the proposed method is available upon request for academic use. PMID:18453554

PIM-1 kinase expression in adipocytic neoplasms: diagnostic and biological implications

PubMed Central

Nga, Min En; Swe, Nu Nu Ma; Chen, Kang Ting; Shen, Liang; Lilly, Michael B; Chan, Siew Pang; Salto-Tellez, Manuel; Das, Kakoli

2010-01-01

The differential diagnosis of soft tissue tumours poses a considerable challenge for pathologists, especially adipocytic tumours, as these may show considerable overlap in clinical presentation and morphological features with many other mesenchymal neoplasms. Hence, a specific and reliable marker that identifies adipocytic differentiation is much sought. We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of PIM-1 kinase in 35 samples of soft tissue tumours using tissue microarray technology and 49 full sections of adipocytic (n = 26) and non-adipocytic tumours (n = 23). Benign and malignant adipocytic tumours showed strong expression of PIM-1 while the non-adipocytic tumours were either negative or showed only weak staining for the protein. In myxoid liposarcomas, PIM-1 showed a distinct, unique vacuolar staining pattern, clearly outlining fine cytoplasmic lipid vacuoles. By contrast, non-adipocytic myxoid tumours (myxoma, chordoma and myxoid chondrosarcoma) did not show this vacuolar pattern of PIM-1 staining, although vacuolated cells were present on H&E. This differential expression was confirmed at a gene expression level in selected cases. Our results indicate that the expression of PIM-1 in adipose tissue may be a useful marker of adipocytic differentiation, in particular if the staining is both of high intensity and present in a unique, vacuolar pattern. PMID:19878356

Power from the People? Critical Reflection on a Conceptualization of Power

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fryer, David

2008-01-01

Isaac Prilleltensky's "The Role of Power in Wellness, Oppression, and Liberation: The Promise of Psychopolitical Validity" (2008) is commended as an interesting reading of the literature on power, which interestingly includes some and excludes other relevant writing. However, doubts are expressed as to whether the term "power," as used in this…

Geronimo: Planning Considerations for Employing Airborne Forces

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-05-25

Information Operations and Reports (0704-0188), 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that... operation , a planner must adhere to joint planning considerations and understand the Air Force and Army requirements. Today the Army maintains only...one brigade and two battalions of deployable conventional airborne combat power. The special operations community also is airborne capable, and the

Alcohol advertising and adolescents.

PubMed

Strasburger, Victor C

2002-04-01

Considerable research now exists that the media may exert a powerful influence on adolescents' drug-taking behavior. Teens view an average of 2,000 beer and wine ads per year in the US. In addition, television shows, movies, and music videos contain considerable amounts of alcohol use. This article will discuss the available research and offers suggestions to make the media healthier for teenagers.

Ribo-attenuators: novel elements for reliable and modular riboswitch engineering.

PubMed

Folliard, Thomas; Mertins, Barbara; Steel, Harrison; Prescott, Thomas P; Newport, Thomas; Jones, Christopher W; Wadhams, George; Bayer, Travis; Armitage, Judith P; Papachristodoulou, Antonis; Rothschild, Lynn J

2017-07-04

Riboswitches are structural genetic regulatory elements that directly couple the sensing of small molecules to gene expression. They have considerable potential for applications throughout synthetic biology and bio-manufacturing as they are able to sense a wide range of small molecules and regulate gene expression in response. Despite over a decade of research they have yet to reach this considerable potential as they cannot yet be treated as modular components. This is due to several limitations including sensitivity to changes in genetic context, low tunability, and variability in performance. To overcome the associated difficulties with riboswitches, we have designed and introduced a novel genetic element called a ribo-attenuator in Bacteria. This genetic element allows for predictable tuning, insulation from contextual changes, and a reduction in expression variation. Ribo-attenuators allow riboswitches to be treated as truly modular and tunable components, thus increasing their reliability for a wide range of applications.

Sexuality and the limits of agency among South African teenage women: theorising femininities and their connections to HIV risk practices

PubMed Central

Jewkes, R; Morrell, R

2011-01-01

In South Africa, both HIV and gender-based violence are highly prevalent. Gender inequalities give men considerable relational power over young women, particularly in circumstances of poverty and where sex is materially rewarded. Young women are often described as victims of men, but this inadequately explains women’s observed sexual agency. This paper takes a different approach. We use qualitative interviews and ethnographic observation among 16 young women from the rural Eastern Cape to explore ways young women construct their femininities and exercise agency. The data were collected as part of an evaluation of Stepping Stones, which is a participatory behavioural intervention for HIV prevention that seeks to be gender transformative. Agency was most notable in particular stages of the dating ‘game’, especially relationship initiation. Constructions of desirable men differed but generally reflected a wish to avoid violence, and a search for mutual respect, sexual pleasure, romance, modernity, status and money. Agency was constrained once relationships were consented to, as men expected to control their partners, using violent and non-violent methods. Women knew this and many accepted this treatment, although often expressing ambivalence. Many of the women expressed highly acquiescent femininities, with power surrendered to men, as a ‘choice’ that made their lives in cultural terms more meaningful. In marked contrast to this was a ‘modern’ femininity, centred around a desire to be ‘free’. A visible third position, notably emerging after the Stepping Stones intervention, rested not on a feminist challenge to patriarchy, but on an accommodation with men’s power whilst seeking to negotiate greater respect and non-violence within relations with men. These multiple and dynamic femininities open up possibilities for change. They demonstrate the need to engage with women, both as victims of patriarchy and active supporters of the gender order. The multiplicity of women’s hopes and desires and circumstances of emotional and relational fulfilment provides potential for interventions with women that acknowledge existing gender inequalities, validate women’s agency, reduce violence and prevent HIV. PMID:21696874

[The relationship between four components of assertiveness and interpersonal behaviors, interpersonal adjustment in high school students' friendship].

PubMed

Watanabe, Asami

2010-04-01

This study examines the relationship between four components of assertiveness ("open expression", "control of emotion", "consideration for others" and "self-direction") and interpersonal behaviors on friends, interpersonal stress events, social anxiety. A questionnaire which included scales to measure the four components of assertiveness, activities with friend, considerate behavior for friends, interpersonal stress events and social anxiety was completed by 177 high school students. The results showed that "self-direction" had curvilinear relations with considerate behavior for friends, interpersonal stress events. An excessively high score for "self-direction" was associated with fewer considerate behavior and interpersonal stress events. An optimum score for "self-direction" was associated with more considerate behavior and interpersonal stress events.

A Review of Tribomaterial Technology for Space Nuclear Power Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stanford, Malcolm K.

2007-01-01

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has recently proposed a nuclear closed-cycle electric power conversion system for generation of 100-kW of electrical power for space exploration missions. A critical issue is the tribological performance of sliding components within the power conversion unit that will be exposed to neutron radiation. This paper presents a review of the main considerations that have been made in the selection of solid lubricants for similar applications in the past as well as a recommendations for continuing development of the technology.

SPS microwave subsystem potential impacts and benefits. [environmental and societal effects of Solar Power System construction and operation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dickinson, R. M.

1978-01-01

The paper examines the possible environmental and societal effects of the construction, installation, and operation of the space end and earth end of the microwave power transmission subsystem that delivers satellite power system (SPS) energy (at about 5 GW per beam) to the power grid on earth. The intervening propagation medium near the earth is also considered. Separate consideration is given to the spacecraft transmitting array, propagation in the ionosphere, and the ground-based rectenna. Radio frequency interference aspects are also discussed.

The role of encoding and attention in facial emotion memory: an EEG investigation.

PubMed

Brenner, Colleen A; Rumak, Samuel P; Burns, Amy M N; Kieffaber, Paul D

2014-09-01

Facial expressions are encoded via sensory mechanisms, but meaning extraction and salience of these expressions involve cognitive functions. We investigated the time course of sensory encoding and subsequent maintenance in memory via EEG. Twenty-nine healthy participants completed a facial emotion delayed match-to-sample task. P100, N170 and N250 ERPs were measured in response to the first stimulus, and evoked theta power (4-7Hz) was measured during the delay interval. Negative facial expressions produced larger N170 amplitudes and greater theta power early in the delay. N170 amplitude correlated with theta power, however larger N170 amplitude coupled with greater theta power only predicted behavioural performance for one emotion condition (very happy) out of six tested (see Supplemental Data). These findings indicate that the N170 ERP may be sensitive to emotional facial expressions when task demands require encoding and retention of this information. Furthermore, sustained theta activity may represent continued attentional processing that supports short-term memory, especially of negative facial stimuli. Further study is needed to investigate the potential influence of these measures, and their interaction, on behavioural performance. Crown Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

SELF-POWERED WIRELESS SENSOR NODE POWER MODELING BASED ON IEEE 802.11 COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL

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

Vivek Agarwal; Raymond A. DeCarlo; Lefteri H. Tsoukalas

Design and technical advancements in sensing, processing, and wireless communication capabilities of small, portable devices known as wireless sensor nodes (WSNs) have drawn extensive research attention and are vastly applied in science and engineering applications. The WSNs are typically powered by a chemical battery source that has a load dependent finite lifetime. Most applications, including the nuclear industry applications, require WSNs to operate for an extended period of time beginning with their deployment. To ensure longevity, it is important to develop self-powered WSNs. The benefit of self-powered WSNs goes far beyond the cost savings of removing the need for cablemore » installation and maintenance. Self-powered WSNs will potentially offer significant expansion in remote monitoring of nuclear facilities, and provide important data on plant equipment and component status during normal operation, as well as in case of abnormal operation, station blackouts or post-accident evaluation. Advancements in power harvesting technologies enable electric energy generation from many sources, including kinetic, thermal, and radiated energy. For the ongoing research at Idaho National Laboratory, a solid-state thermoelectric-based technology, the thermoelectric generator (TEG), is used to convert thermal energy to power a WSN. The design and development of TEGs to power WSNs that would remain active for a long period of time requires comprehensive understanding of WSN operational. This motivates the research in modeling the lifetime, i.e., power consumption, of a WSN by taking into consideration various node and network level activities. A WSN must perform three essential tasks: sense events, perform quick local information processing of sensed events, and wirelessly exchange locally processed data with the base station or with other WSNs in the network. Each task has a power cost per unit tine and an additional cost when switching between tasks. There are number of other considerations that must also be taken into account when computing the power consumption associated with each task. The considerations includes: number of events occurring in a fixed active time period and the duration of each event, event-information processing time, total communication time, number of retransmission, etc. Additionally, at the network level the communication of information data packets between WSNs involves collisions, latency, andretransmission, which result in unanticipated power losses. This paper presents stochastic modeling of power demand for a schedule-driven WSN utilizing Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, IEEE, 802.11 communication protocols. The model captures the generic operation of a schedule-driven WSN when an external event occurs, i.e., sensing, following by processing, and followed by communication. The results are verified via simulation.« less

Biomolecularmodeling and simulation: a field coming of age

PubMed Central

Schlick, Tamar; Collepardo-Guevara, Rosana; Halvorsen, Leif Arthur; Jung, Segun; Xiao, Xia

2013-01-01

We assess the progress in biomolecular modeling and simulation, focusing on structure prediction and dynamics, by presenting the field’s history, metrics for its rise in popularity, early expressed expectations, and current significant applications. The increases in computational power combined with improvements in algorithms and force fields have led to considerable success, especially in protein folding, specificity of ligand/biomolecule interactions, and interpretation of complex experimental phenomena (e.g. NMR relaxation, protein-folding kinetics and multiple conformational states) through the generation of structural hypotheses and pathway mechanisms. Although far from a general automated tool, structure prediction is notable for proteins and RNA that preceded the experiment, especially by knowledge-based approaches. Thus, despite early unrealistic expectations and the realization that computer technology alone will not quickly bridge the gap between experimental and theoretical time frames, ongoing improvements to enhance the accuracy and scope of modeling and simulation are propelling the field onto a productive trajectory to become full partner with experiment and a field on its own right. PMID:21226976

Statistical mechanical foundation of the peridynamic nonlocal continuum theory: energy and momentum conservation laws.

PubMed

Lehoucq, R B; Sears, Mark P

2011-09-01

The purpose of this paper is to derive the energy and momentum conservation laws of the peridynamic nonlocal continuum theory using the principles of classical statistical mechanics. The peridynamic laws allow the consideration of discontinuous motion, or deformation, by relying on integral operators. These operators sum forces and power expenditures separated by a finite distance and so represent nonlocal interaction. The integral operators replace the differential divergence operators conventionally used, thereby obviating special treatment at points of discontinuity. The derivation presented employs a general multibody interatomic potential, avoiding the standard assumption of a pairwise decomposition. The integral operators are also expressed in terms of a stress tensor and heat flux vector under the assumption that these fields are differentiable, demonstrating that the classical continuum energy and momentum conservation laws are consequences of the more general peridynamic laws. An important conclusion is that nonlocal interaction is intrinsic to continuum conservation laws when derived using the principles of statistical mechanics.

Variation in promiscuity and sexual selection drives avian rate of Faster-Z evolution.

PubMed

Wright, Alison E; Harrison, Peter W; Zimmer, Fabian; Montgomery, Stephen H; Pointer, Marie A; Mank, Judith E

2015-03-01

Higher rates of coding sequence evolution have been observed on the Z chromosome relative to the autosomes across a wide range of species. However, despite a considerable body of theory, we lack empirical evidence explaining variation in the strength of the Faster-Z Effect. To assess the magnitude and drivers of Faster-Z Evolution, we assembled six de novo transcriptomes, spanning 90 million years of avian evolution. Our analysis combines expression, sequence and polymorphism data with measures of sperm competition and promiscuity. In doing so, we present the first empirical evidence demonstrating the positive relationship between Faster-Z Effect and measures of promiscuity, and therefore variance in male mating success. Our results from multiple lines of evidence indicate that selection is less effective on the Z chromosome, particularly in promiscuous species, and that Faster-Z Evolution in birds is due primarily to genetic drift. Our results reveal the power of mating system and sexual selection in shaping broad patterns in genome evolution. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Altered Cytochrome c Display Precedes Apoptotic Cell Death in Drosophila

PubMed Central

Varkey, Johnson; Chen, Po; Jemmerson, Ronald; Abrams, John M.

1999-01-01

Drosophila affords a genetically well-defined system to study apoptosis in vivo. It offers a powerful extension to in vitro models that have implicated a requirement for cytochrome c in caspase activation and apoptosis. We found that an overt alteration in cytochrome c anticipates programmed cell death (PCD) in Drosophila tissues, occurring at a time that considerably precedes other known indicators of apoptosis. The altered configuration is manifested by display of an otherwise hidden epitope and occurs without release of the protein into the cytosol. Conditional expression of the Drosophila death activators, reaper or grim, provoked apoptogenic cytochrome c display and, surprisingly, caspase activity was necessary and sufficient to induce this alteration. In cell-free studies, cytosolic caspase activation was triggered by mitochondria from apoptotic cells but identical preparations from healthy cells were inactive. Our observations provide compelling validation of an early role for altered cytochrome c in PCD and suggest propagation of apoptotic physiology through reciprocal, feed-forward amplification involving cytochrome c and caspases. PMID:10037791

Interaction Analysis through Proteomic Phage Display

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Phage display is a powerful technique for profiling specificities of peptide binding domains. The method is suited for the identification of high-affinity ligands with inhibitor potential when using highly diverse combinatorial peptide phage libraries. Such experiments further provide consensus motifs for genome-wide scanning of ligands of potential biological relevance. A complementary but considerably less explored approach is to display expression products of genomic DNA, cDNA, open reading frames (ORFs), or oligonucleotide libraries designed to encode defined regions of a target proteome on phage particles. One of the main applications of such proteomic libraries has been the elucidation of antibody epitopes. This review is focused on the use of proteomic phage display to uncover protein-protein interactions of potential relevance for cellular function. The method is particularly suited for the discovery of interactions between peptide binding domains and their targets. We discuss the largely unexplored potential of this method in the discovery of domain-motif interactions of potential biological relevance. PMID:25295249

Effects of the flavonoid drug quercetin on the response of human prostate tumours to hyperthermia in vitro and in vivo.

PubMed

Asea, A; Ara, G; Teicher, B A; Stevenson, M A; Calderwood, S K

2001-01-01

Tumour hyperthermia, although potentially a powerful therapeutic agent and radiation sensitizer, is hindered by a number of considerations including inhomogeneous heating of deep seated tumours due to energy deposition and perfusion issues. One solution is to design hyperthermia sensitizers to amplify the effects of hyperthermia, particularly at cold spots within the tumour undergoing treatment. This study examined the use of Quercetin, a flavonoid drug shown previously to antagonize the expression of HSP72 and induce apoptosis as a sensitizer of prostate cancer growth in vivo. Quercetin dose-dependently suppressed PC-3 tumour growth in vitro and in vivo. When combined in a treatment protocol with hyperthermia, quercetin drastically inhibited tumour growth and potently amplified the effects of hyperthermia on two prostate tumour types, PC-3 and DU-145 in vivo. These experiments, thus, suggest the use of Quercetin as a hyperthermia sensitizer in the treatment of prostate carcinoma.

EVA Roadmap: New Space Suit for the 21st Century

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yowell, Robert

1998-01-01

New spacesuit design considerations for the extra vehicular activity (EVA) of a manned Martian exploration mission are discussed. Considerations of the design includes:(1) regenerable CO2 removal, (2) a portable life support system (PLSS) which would include cryogenic oxygen produced from in-situ manufacture, (3) a power supply for the EVA, (4) the thermal control systems, (5) systems engineering, (5) space suit systems (materials, and mobility), (6) human considerations, such as improved biomedical sensors and astronaut comfort, (7) displays and controls, and robotic interfaces, such as rovers, and telerobotic commands.

Maximum performance of solar heat engines: Discussion of thermodynamic availability and other second law considerations and their implications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boehm, R. F.

1985-09-01

A review of thermodynamic principles is given in an effort to see if these concepts may indicate possibilities for improvements in solar central receiver power plants. Aspects related to rate limitations in cycles, thermodynamic availability of solar radiation, and sink temperature considerations are noted. It appears that considerably higher instantaneous plant efficiencies are possible by raising the maximum temperature and lowering the minimum temperature of the cycles. Of course, many practical engineering problems will have to be solved to realize the promised benefits.

Integrative approaches for large-scale transcriptome-wide association studies

PubMed Central

Gusev, Alexander; Ko, Arthur; Shi, Huwenbo; Bhatia, Gaurav; Chung, Wonil; Penninx, Brenda W J H; Jansen, Rick; de Geus, Eco JC; Boomsma, Dorret I; Wright, Fred A; Sullivan, Patrick F; Nikkola, Elina; Alvarez, Marcus; Civelek, Mete; Lusis, Aldons J.; Lehtimäki, Terho; Raitoharju, Emma; Kähönen, Mika; Seppälä, Ilkka; Raitakari, Olli T.; Kuusisto, Johanna; Laakso, Markku; Price, Alkes L.; Pajukanta, Päivi; Pasaniuc, Bogdan

2016-01-01

Many genetic variants influence complex traits by modulating gene expression, thus altering the abundance levels of one or multiple proteins. Here, we introduce a powerful strategy that integrates gene expression measurements with summary association statistics from large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify genes whose cis-regulated expression is associated to complex traits. We leverage expression imputation to perform a transcriptome wide association scan (TWAS) to identify significant expression-trait associations. We applied our approaches to expression data from blood and adipose tissue measured in ~3,000 individuals overall. We imputed gene expression into GWAS data from over 900,000 phenotype measurements to identify 69 novel genes significantly associated to obesity-related traits (BMI, lipids, and height). Many of the novel genes are associated with relevant phenotypes in the Hybrid Mouse Diversity Panel. Our results showcase the power of integrating genotype, gene expression and phenotype to gain insights into the genetic basis of complex traits. PMID:26854917

Fundamental formulae for wave-energy conversion

PubMed Central

Falnes, Johannes; Kurniawan, Adi

2015-01-01

The time-average wave power that is absorbed from an incident wave by means of a wave-energy conversion (WEC) unit, or by an array of WEC units—i.e. oscillating immersed bodies and/or oscillating water columns (OWCs)—may be mathematically expressed in terms of the WEC units' complex oscillation amplitudes, or in terms of the generated outgoing (diffracted plus radiated) waves, or alternatively, in terms of the radiated waves alone. Following recent controversy, the corresponding three optional expressions are derived, compared and discussed in this paper. They all provide the correct time-average absorbed power. However, only the first-mentioned expression is applicable to quantify the instantaneous absorbed wave power and the associated reactive power. In this connection, new formulae are derived that relate the ‘added-mass’ matrix, as well as a couple of additional reactive radiation-parameter matrices, to the difference between kinetic energy and potential energy in the water surrounding the immersed oscillating WEC array. Further, a complex collective oscillation amplitude is introduced, which makes it possible to derive, by a very simple algebraic method, various simple expressions for the maximum time-average wave power that may be absorbed by the WEC array. The real-valued time-average absorbed power is illustrated as an axisymmetric paraboloid defined on the complex collective-amplitude plane. This is a simple illustration of the so-called ‘fundamental theorem for wave power’. Finally, the paper also presents a new derivation that extends a recently published result on the direction-average maximum absorbed wave power to cases where the WEC array's radiation damping matrix may be singular and where the WEC array may contain OWCs in addition to oscillating bodies. PMID:26064612

Critical considerations for the application of environmental DNA methods to detect aquatic species

USGS Publications Warehouse

Goldberg, Caren S.; Turner, Cameron R.; Deiner, Kristy; Klymus, Katy E.; Thomsen, Philip Francis; Murphy, Melanie A.; Spear, Stephen F.; McKee, Anna; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Cornman, Robert S.; Laramie, Matthew B.; Mahon, Andrew R.; Lance, Richard F.; Pilliod, David S.; Strickler, Katherine M.; Waits, Lisette P.; Fremier, Alexander K.; Takahara, Teruhiko; Herder, Jelger E.; Taberlet, Pierre

2016-01-01

Species detection using environmental DNA (eDNA) has tremendous potential for contributing to the understanding of the ecology and conservation of aquatic species. Detecting species using eDNA methods, rather than directly sampling the organisms, can reduce impacts on sensitive species and increase the power of field surveys for rare and elusive species. The sensitivity of eDNA methods, however, requires a heightened awareness and attention to quality assurance and quality control protocols. Additionally, the interpretation of eDNA data demands careful consideration of multiple factors. As eDNA methods have grown in application, diverse approaches have been implemented to address these issues. With interest in eDNA continuing to expand, supportive guidelines for undertaking eDNA studies are greatly needed.Environmental DNA researchers from around the world have collaborated to produce this set of guidelines and considerations for implementing eDNA methods to detect aquatic macroorganisms.Critical considerations for study design include preventing contamination in the field and the laboratory, choosing appropriate sample analysis methods, validating assays, testing for sample inhibition and following minimum reporting guidelines. Critical considerations for inference include temporal and spatial processes, limits of correlation of eDNA with abundance, uncertainty of positive and negative results, and potential sources of allochthonous DNA.We present a synthesis of knowledge at this stage for application of this new and powerful detection method.

High temperature thermal energy storage, including a discussion of TES integrated into power plants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turner, R. H.

1978-01-01

Storage temperatures of 260 C and above are considered. Basic considerations concerning energy thermal storage are discussed, taking into account general aspects of thermal energy storage, thermal energy storage integrated into power plants, thermal storage techniques and technical considerations, and economic considerations. A description of system concepts is provided, giving attention to a survey of proposed concepts, storage in unpressurized fluids, water storage in pressurized containers, the use of an underground lined cavern for water storage, a submerged thin insulated steel shell under the ocean containing pressurized water, gas passage through solid blocks, a rock bed with liquid heat transport fluid, hollow steel ingots, heat storage in concrete or sand, sand in a fluidized bed, sand poured over pipes, a thermal energy storage heat exchanger, pipes or spheres filled with phase change materials (PCM), macroencapsulated PCM with heat pipe concept for transport fluid, solid PCM removed from heat transfer pipes by moving scrapers, and the direct contact between PCM and transport fluid.

1400164

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-03-10

ELEASA WILSON, KRAIG TERSIGNI, JUSTIN CARTLEDGE MISSION OPERATIONS LABORATORY - LABORATORY TRAINING COMPLEX (LTC), BUILDING 4663, EXPRESS RACK TRAINING, EMERALD BRICK (POWER DISTRIBUTION FOR EXPRESS RACK LAPTOP).

Dispersion induced power fading for radio frequency signals and its application for fast online PMD and CD monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ning, G.; Shum, P.

2007-06-01

We derive the expressions for the power fading including first-order polarization mode dispersion (PMD), chromatic dispersion, chirp parameter as well as polarization-dependent chromatic dispersion (PCD), which is dependent on the angle of precession of output state of polarization around the PMD vector. From the expression for radio frequency (RF) signals power fading, we get the average power fading for chromatic dispersion, chirp parameter, first-order PMD and PCD for both double sideband (DSB) modulation and single sideband (SSB) modulation. We also demonstrate a fast PMD and chromatic dispersion monitoring technology with reduced polarization-dependent gain. The measured results agree well with theoretical analysis.

Effects of nonverbal behavior on perceptions of a female employee's power bases.

PubMed

Aguinis, H; Henle, C A

2001-08-01

The authors extended a previous examination of the effects of nonverbal behavior on perceptions of a male employee's power bases (H. Aguinis, M. M. Simonsen, & C. A. Pierce, 1998) by examining the effects of nonverbal behavior on perceptions of a female employee's power bases. U.S. undergraduates read vignettes describing a female employee engaging in 3 types of nonverbal behavior (i.e., eye contact, facial expression, body posture) and rated their perceptions of the woman's power bases (i.e., reward, coercive, legitimate, referent, expert, credibility). As predicted, (a) direct eye contact increased perceptions of coercive power, and (b) a relaxed facial expression decreased perceptions of all 6 power bases. Also as predicted, the present results differed markedly from those of Aguinis et al. (1998) regarding a male employee. The authors discuss implications for theory, future research, and the advancement of female employees.

More than a feeling: Pervasive influences of memory without awareness of retrieval

PubMed Central

Voss, Joel L.; Lucas, Heather D.; Paller, Ken A.

2015-01-01

The subjective experiences of recollection and familiarity have featured prominently in the search for neurocognitive mechanisms of memory. However, these two explicit expressions of memory, which involve conscious awareness of memory retrieval, are distinct from an entire category of implicit expressions of memory that do not entail such awareness. This review summarizes recent evidence showing that neurocognitive processing related to implicit memory can powerfully influence the behavioral and neural measures typically associated with explicit memory. Although there are striking distinctions between the neurocognitive processing responsible for implicit versus explicit memory, tests designed to measure only explicit memory nonetheless often capture implicit memory processing as well. In particular, the evidence described here suggests that investigations of familiarity memory are prone to the accidental capture of implicit memory processing. These findings have considerable implications for neurocognitive accounts of memory, as they suggest that many neural and behavioral measures often accepted as signals of explicit memory instead reflect the distinct operation of implicit memory mechanisms that are only sometimes related to explicit memory expressions. Proper identification of the explicit and implicit mechanisms for memory is vital to understanding the normal operation of memory, in addition to the disrupted memory capabilities associated with many neurological disorders and mental illnesses. We suggest that future progress requires utilizing neural, behavioral, and subjective evidence to dissociate implicit and explicit memory processing so as to better understand their distinct mechanisms as well as their potential relationships. When searching for the neurocognitive mechanisms of memory, it is important to keep in mind that memory involves more than a feeling. PMID:24171735

Energy Efficiency of Low-Temperature Deaeration of Makeup Water for a District Heating System

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

Sharapov, V. I., E-mail: vlad-sharapov2008@yandex.ru; Kudryavtseva, E. V.

2016-07-15

It is shown that the temperature of makeup water in district heating systems has a strong effect on the energy efficiency of turbines of thermal power plants. A low-temperature deaeration process that considerably improves the energy efficiency of thermal power plants is developed. The desorbing agent is the gas supplied to the burners of the boiler. The energy efficiency of the process for a typical unit of thermal power plant is assessed.

Energy from space; Proceedings of the Symposium on Solar Energy from Space, Vienna, Austria, August 9-21, 1982

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freeman, J. W.

Aspects of solar power generation in space are considered. The subjects discussed include: a vision of future energy from space; solar power satellite concept for utilization of energy from space; the institutional challenge of solar power satellites; system study of the solar power satellite concept; market potential and possible limitations for satellite solar power stations; financing a solar power satellite project; and European questions related to satellite power systems. Also addressed are: options and high payoff choices for transportation; an electric propulsion transportation system from low-earth orbit to geostationary orbit utilizing beamed microwave power; the Canadarm robot arm of the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System; an early experimental solar power satellite; power economical considerations for the integration of terrestrial and extraterrestrial solar generators into existing power generation stations; and space solar power in perspective. For individual items see A84-21477 to A84-21489

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

Jin, Ke; Zhang, Yanwen; Zhu, Zihua

Accurate information of electronic stopping power is fundamental for broad advances in electronic industry, space exploration, national security, and sustainable energy technologies. The Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) code has been widely applied to predict stopping powers and ion distributions for decades. Recent experimental results have, however, shown considerable errors in the SRIM predictions for stopping of heavy ions in compounds containing light elements, indicating an urgent need to improve current stopping power models. The electronic stopping powers of 35Cl, 80Br, 127I, and 197Au ions are experimentally determined in two important functional materials, SiC and SiO2, frommore » tens to hundreds keV/u based on a single ion technique. By combining with the reciprocity theory, new electronic stopping powers are suggested in a region from 0 to 15 MeV, where large deviations from SRIM predictions are observed. For independent experimental validation of the electronic stopping powers we determined, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) are utilized to measure the depth profiles of implanted Au ions in SiC with energies from 700 keV to 15 MeV. The measured ion distributions from both RBS and SIMS are considerably deeper (up to ~30%) than the predictions from the commercial SRIM code. In comparison, the new electronic stopping power values are utilized in a modified TRIM-85 (the original version of the SRIM) code, M-TRIM, to predict ion distributions, and the results are in good agreement with the experimentally measured ion distributions.« less

Space Vehicle Powerdown Philosophies Derived from the Space Shuttle Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Willsey, Mark; Bailey, Brad

2011-01-01

In spaceflight, electrical power is a vital but limited resource. Almost every spacecraft system, from avionics to life support systems, relies on electrical power. Since power can be limited by the generation system s performance, available consumables, solar array shading, or heat rejection capability, vehicle power management is a critical consideration in spacecraft design, mission planning, and real-time operations. The purpose of this paper is to capture the powerdown philosophies used during the Space Shuttle Program. This paper will discuss how electrical equipment is managed real-time to adjust the overall vehicle power level to ensure that systems and consumables will support changing mission objectives, as well as how electrical equipment is managed following system anomalies. We will focus on the power related impacts of anomalies in the generation systems, air and liquid cooling systems, and significant environmental events such as a fire, decrease in cabin pressure, or micrometeoroid debris strike. Additionally, considerations for executing powerdowns by crew action or by ground commands from Mission Control will be presented. General lessons learned from nearly 30 years of Space Shuttle powerdowns will be discussed, including an in depth case-study of STS-117. During this International Space Station (ISS) assembly mission, a failure of computers controlling the ISS guidance, navigation, and control system required that the Space Shuttle s maneuvering system be used to maintain attitude control. A powerdown was performed to save power generation consumables, thus extending the docked mission duration and allowing more time to resolve the issue.

Purchasing power of civil servant health workers in Mozambique.

PubMed

Ferrinho, Fátima; Amaral, Marta; Russo, Giuliano; Ferrinho, Paulo

2012-01-01

Health workers' purchasing power is an important consideration in the development of strategies for health workforce development. This work explores the purchasing power variation of Mozambican public sector health workers, between 1999 and 2007. In general, the calculated purchasing power increased for most careers under study, and the highest percentage increase was observed for the lowest remuneration careers, contributing in this way for a relative reduction in the difference between the higher and the lower salaries. This was done through a simple and easy-to-apply methodology to estimate salaries' capitalization rate, by means of the accumulated inflation rate, after taking wage revisions into account. All the career categories in the Ministry of Health and affiliated public sector institutions were considered. Health workers' purchasing power is an important consideration in the development of strategies for health workforce development. This work explores the purchasing power variation of Mozambican public sector health workers, between 1999 and 2007. In general, the calculated purchasing power increased for most careers under study, and the highest percentage increase was observed for the lowest remuneration careers, contributing in this way for a relative reduction in the difference between the higher and the lower salaries. These results seem to contradict a commonly held assumption that health sector pay has deteriorated over the years, and with substantial damage for the poorest. Further studies appear to be needed to design a more accurate methodology to better understand the evolution and impact of public sector health workers' remunerations across the years.

The Ethic of Care: Recapturing Social Work's First Voice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dybicz, Phillip

2012-01-01

This article examines the dynamic between expressions of care--that is, simple acts of kindness and consideration that make up friendly relations--and professional expertise. During the 20th century, social work based its expertise on a solid scientific foundation. Within the embrace of scientific expertise, expressions of care are assigned the…

A More General "U = mgh"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keeports, David

2009-01-01

In problems dealing with the Earth's gravity, students are frequently bewildered by the fact that the two common expressions for potential energy, "mgh" and "-Gm[subscript e]m/r", differ in sign and differ considerably in form. Some textbooks demonstrate that the more familiar first expression is a special case of the more general second equation…

Expressed Emotion in Families of Children and Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hastlings, Richard P.; Lloyd, Tracey

2007-01-01

Expressed emotion (EE) is a measure of the affective relationship between two people characterized by criticism, hostility, and emotionally over-involved attitudes. Outside of the field of intellectual disabilities, there has been considerable interest in EE as an environmental marker that explains variance in the severity and/or course of a…

Analytical time-domain Green’s functions for power-law media

PubMed Central

Kelly, James F.; McGough, Robert J.; Meerschaert, Mark M.

2008-01-01

Frequency-dependent loss and dispersion are typically modeled with a power-law attenuation coefficient, where the power-law exponent ranges from 0 to 2. To facilitate analytical solution, a fractional partial differential equation is derived that exactly describes power-law attenuation and the Szabo wave equation [“Time domain wave-equations for lossy media obeying a frequency power-law,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 96, 491–500 (1994)] is an approximation to this equation. This paper derives analytical time-domain Green’s functions in power-law media for exponents in this range. To construct solutions, stable law probability distributions are utilized. For exponents equal to 0, 1∕3, 1∕2, 2∕3, 3∕2, and 2, the Green’s function is expressed in terms of Dirac delta, exponential, Airy, hypergeometric, and Gaussian functions. For exponents strictly less than 1, the Green’s functions are expressed as Fox functions and are causal. For exponents greater than or equal than 1, the Green’s functions are expressed as Fox and Wright functions and are noncausal. However, numerical computations demonstrate that for observation points only one wavelength from the radiating source, the Green’s function is effectively causal for power-law exponents greater than or equal to 1. The analytical time-domain Green’s function is numerically verified against the material impulse response function, and the results demonstrate excellent agreement. PMID:19045774

Market power, private information and the optimal scale of pollution permit markets with application to North Carolina’s Neuse River

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

We extend the analysis of optimal scale in pollution permit markets by allowing for both market power and private information. The effect of these considerations on optimal scale is determined by analyzing pollution of nitrogen from Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP) into North Carolina’s Neuse Riv...

Power Gas and Combined Cycles: Clean Power From Fossil Fuels

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Metz, William D.

1973-01-01

The combined-cycle system is currently regarded as a useful procedure for producing electricity. This system can burn natural gas and oil distillates in addition to coal. In the future when natural gas stocks will be low, coal may become an important fuel for such systems. Considerable effort must be made for research on coal gasification and…

Transformer Impedance Reflection Demonstration

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Layton, William

2014-01-01

Questions often arise as to how a device attached to a transformer can draw power from the electrical power grid since it seems that the primary and secondary are not connected to one another. However, a closer look at how the primary and secondary are linked together magnetically and a consideration of the role of Lenz's law in this linkage…

U.S. Foreign Policy: Illusions of Powerlessness and Realities of Power.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cleveland, Harlan

The foreign policy of the United States has not taken into consideration the dynamics of world politics and the kinds of power required to participate in it. Foreign policy makers need a post-Kissinger, post-Brzezinski doctrine that corrects the distorted focus on U.S.-Soviet relations as on our central problem, accepts the inherent linkage…

(Re)Considering Foucault for Science Education Research: Considerations of Truth, Power and Governance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bazzul, Jesse; Carter, Lyn

2017-01-01

This article is a response to Anna Danielsonn, Maria Berge, and Malena Lidar's paper, "Knowledge and power in the technology classroom: a framework for studying teachers and students in action," and an appeal to science educators of all epistemological orientations to (re)consider the work of Michel Foucault for research in science…

Military Power in a Democratic Society. Teacher and Student Manuals.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zarlengo, F. John

This unit focuses on the classic problem of the place of military power in a democratic society. Early sections examine the relationship between civil and military authority as developed in colonial America and written into the Constitution. The second half of the unit invites consideration of the relevance and workability of the earlier tradition…

Power Consideration for Three-Level Growth Models

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Wei; Konstantopoulos, Spyros

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study is extend previous methods by Raudenbush and Liu (2001) and Spybrook et al. (2011), and provide methods for power analysis of tests of treatment effects in studies of polynomial change with two levels of nesting (e.g., students and schools) where the treatment is either at the third level (e.g., school intervention) or at…

METRO-APEX Volume 11.1: Industrialists' Manual No. 1, Shear Power Company. Revised.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

University of Southern California, Los Angeles. COMEX Research Project.

The Industrialist's Manual No. 1 (Shear Power Company) is one of a set of twenty-one manuals used in METRO-APEX 1974, a computerized college and professional level, computer-supported, role-play, simulation exercise of a community with "normal" problems. Stress is placed on environmental quality considerations. APEX 1974 is an expansion…

Plan of Study for the Tidal Power Study, Cobscook Bay, Maine, USA

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-09-01

Considerations and Acceptability * Implementation Feasibility s Financial -Institutional Aspects * Public Health In preparing data for the System of Accounts ...Goals and Objectives a. National Objectives b. National Accounts c. Related National Policies d. The Study Objectives e. New England Federal Regional...Alternatives Development of Intermediate Plans 1. System of Accounts 2. Range of Alternatives to be considered 3. Other Evaluation Considerations 4

Communications and control for electric power systems: Power system stability applications of artificial neural networks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Toomarian, N.; Kirkham, Harold

1994-01-01

This report investigates the application of artificial neural networks to the problem of power system stability. The field of artificial intelligence, expert systems, and neural networks is reviewed. Power system operation is discussed with emphasis on stability considerations. Real-time system control has only recently been considered as applicable to stability, using conventional control methods. The report considers the use of artificial neural networks to improve the stability of the power system. The networks are considered as adjuncts and as replacements for existing controllers. The optimal kind of network to use as an adjunct to a generator exciter is discussed.

Development of the Second-Generation Oscillating Surge Wave Energy Converter with Variable Geometry

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

Tom, Nathan M; Yu, Yi-Hsiang; Thresher, Robert W

This study investigates the effect of design changes on the hydrodynamics of a novel oscillating surge wave energy converter being developed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The design utilizes controllable geometry features to shed structural loads while maintaining a rated power over a greater number of sea states. The second-generation design will seek to provide a more refined control of performance because the first-generation design demonstrated performance reductions considered too large for smooth power output. Performance is evaluated using frequency domain analysis with consideration of a nonideal power-take-off system, with respect to power absorption, foundation loads, and power-take-off torque.

Development of high frequency low weight power magnetics for aerospace power systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwarze, G. E.

1984-01-01

A dominant design consideration in the development of space type power mangetic devices is the application of reliable thermal control methods to prevent device failure which is due to excessive temperature rises and hot temperatures in critical areas. The resultant design must also yield low weight, high efficiency, high reliability and maintainability, and long life. The weight savings and high efficiency that results by going to high frequency and unique thermal control techniques is demonstrated by the development of a 25 kVA, 20 kHz space type transformer under the power magnetics technology program. Work in the area of power rotary transformer is also discussed.

Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) Tug Power System Considerations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kerslake, Thomas W.; Bury, Kristen M.; Hojinicki, Jeffrey S.; Sajdak, Adam M.; Scheiddegger, Robert J.

2011-01-01

Solar electric propulsion (SEP) technology is truly at the "intersection of commercial and military space" as well as the intersection of NASA robotic and human space missions. Building on the use of SEP for geosynchronous spacecraft station keeping, there are numerous potential commercial and military mission applications for SEP stages operating in Earth orbit. At NASA, there is a resurgence of interest in robotic SEP missions for Earth orbit raising applications, 1-AU class heliocentric missions to near Earth objects (NEOs) and SEP spacecraft technology demonstrations. Beyond these nearer term robotic missions, potential future human space flight missions to NEOs with high-power SEP stages are being considered. To enhance or enable this broad class of commercial, military and NASA missions, advancements in the power level and performance of SEP technologies are needed. This presentation will focus on design considerations for the solar photovoltaic array (PVA) and electric power system (EPS) vital to the design and operation of an SEP stage. The engineering and programmatic pros and cons of various PVA and EPS technologies and architectures will be discussed in the context of operating voltage and power levels. The impacts of PVA and EPS design options on the remaining SEP stage subsystem designs, as well as spacecraft operations, will also be discussed.

Flow Accelerated Erosion-Corrosion (FAC) considerations for secondary side piping in the AP1000{sup R} nuclear power plant design

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

Vanderhoff, J. F.; Rao, G. V.; Stein, A.

2012-07-01

The issue of Flow Accelerated Erosion-Corrosion (FAC) in power plant piping is a known phenomenon that has resulted in material replacements and plant accidents in operating power plants. Therefore, it is important for FAC resistance to be considered in the design of new nuclear power plants. This paper describes the design considerations related to FAC that were used to develop a safe and robust AP1000{sup R} plant secondary side piping design. The primary FAC influencing factors include: - Fluid Temperature - Pipe Geometry/layout - Fluid Chemistry - Fluid Velocity - Pipe Material Composition - Moisture Content (in steam lines) Duemore » to the unknowns related to the relative impact of the influencing factors and the complexities of the interactions between these factors, it is difficult to accurately predict the expected wear rate in a given piping segment in a new plant. This paper provides: - a description of FAC and the factors that influence the FAC degradation rate, - an assessment of the level of FAC resistance of AP1000{sup R} secondary side system piping, - an explanation of options to increase FAC resistance and associated benefits/cost, - discussion of development of a tool for predicting FAC degradation rate in new nuclear power plants. (authors)« less

Tissue Variability and Antennas for Power Transfer to Wireless Implantable Medical Devices.

PubMed

Bocan, Kara N; Mickle, Marlin H; Sejdic, Ervin

2017-01-01

The design of effective transcutaneous systems demands the consideration of inevitable variations in tissue characteristics, which vary across body areas, among individuals, and over time. The purpose of this paper was to design and evaluate several printed antenna topologies for ultrahigh frequency (UHF) transcutaneous power transfer to implantable medical devices, and to investigate the effects of variations in tissue properties on dipole and loop topologies. Here, we show that a loop antenna topology provides the greatest achievable gain with the smallest implanted antenna, while a dipole system provides higher impedance for conjugate matching and the ability to increase gain with a larger external antenna. In comparison to the dipole system, the loop system exhibits greater sensitivity to changes in tissue structure and properties in terms of power gain, but provides higher gain when the separation is on the order of the smaller antenna dimension. The dipole system was shown to provide higher gain than the loop system at greater implant depths for the same implanted antenna area, and was less sensitive to variations in tissue properties and structure in terms of power gain at all investigated implant depths. The results show the potential of easily-fabricated, low-cost printed antenna topologies for UHF transcutaneous power, and the importance of environmental considerations in choosing the antenna topology.

Tissue Variability and Antennas for Power Transfer to Wireless Implantable Medical Devices

PubMed Central

Bocan, Kara N.; Mickle, Marlin H.

2017-01-01

The design of effective transcutaneous systems demands the consideration of inevitable variations in tissue characteristics, which vary across body areas, among individuals, and over time. The purpose of this paper was to design and evaluate several printed antenna topologies for ultrahigh frequency (UHF) transcutaneous power transfer to implantable medical devices, and to investigate the effects of variations in tissue properties on dipole and loop topologies. Here, we show that a loop antenna topology provides the greatest achievable gain with the smallest implanted antenna, while a dipole system provides higher impedance for conjugate matching and the ability to increase gain with a larger external antenna. In comparison to the dipole system, the loop system exhibits greater sensitivity to changes in tissue structure and properties in terms of power gain, but provides higher gain when the separation is on the order of the smaller antenna dimension. The dipole system was shown to provide higher gain than the loop system at greater implant depths for the same implanted antenna area, and was less sensitive to variations in tissue properties and structure in terms of power gain at all investigated implant depths. The results show the potential of easily-fabricated, low-cost printed antenna topologies for UHF transcutaneous power, and the importance of environmental considerations in choosing the antenna topology. PMID:29018637

Broad distribution spectrum from Gaussian to power law appears in stochastic variations in RNA-seq data.

PubMed

Awazu, Akinori; Tanabe, Takahiro; Kamitani, Mari; Tezuka, Ayumi; Nagano, Atsushi J

2018-05-29

Gene expression levels exhibit stochastic variations among genetically identical organisms under the same environmental conditions. In many recent transcriptome analyses based on RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), variations in gene expression levels among replicates were assumed to follow a negative binomial distribution, although the physiological basis of this assumption remains unclear. In this study, RNA-seq data were obtained from Arabidopsis thaliana under eight conditions (21-27 replicates), and the characteristics of gene-dependent empirical probability density function (ePDF) profiles of gene expression levels were analyzed. For A. thaliana and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, various types of ePDF of gene expression levels were obtained that were classified as Gaussian, power law-like containing a long tail, or intermediate. These ePDF profiles were well fitted with a Gauss-power mixing distribution function derived from a simple model of a stochastic transcriptional network containing a feedback loop. The fitting function suggested that gene expression levels with long-tailed ePDFs would be strongly influenced by feedback regulation. Furthermore, the features of gene expression levels are correlated with their functions, with the levels of essential genes tending to follow a Gaussian-like ePDF while those of genes encoding nucleic acid-binding proteins and transcription factors exhibit long-tailed ePDF.

Radiant energy absorption studies for laser propulsion. [gas dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Caledonia, G. E.; Wu, P. K. S.; Pirri, A. N.

1975-01-01

A study of the energy absorption mechanisms and fluid dynamic considerations for efficient conversion of high power laser radiation into a high velocity flow is presented. The objectives of the study are: (1) to determine the most effective absorption mechanisms for converting laser radiation into translational energy, and (2) to examine the requirements for transfer of the absorbed energy into a steady flow which is stable to disturbances in the absorption zone. A review of inverse Bremsstrahlung, molecular and particulate absorption mechanisms is considered and the steady flow and stability considerations for conversion of the laser power to a high velocity flow in a nozzle configuration is calculated. A quasi-one-dimensional flow through a nozzle was formulated under the assumptions of perfect gas.

Organic Materials Ionizing Radiation Susceptibility for the Outer Planet/Solar Probe Radioisotope Power Source

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Golliher, Eric L.; Pepper, Stephen V.

2001-01-01

The Department of Energy is considering the current Stirling Technology Corporation 55 We Stirling Technology Demonstration Convertor as a baseline option for an advanced radioisotope power source for the Outer Planets/Solar Probe project of Jet Propulsion Laboratory and other missions. However, since the Technology Demonstration Convertor contains organic materials chosen without any special consideration of flight readiness, and without any consideration of the extremely high radiation environment of Europa, a preliminary investigation was performed to address the radiation susceptibility of the current organic materials used in the Technology Demonstration Convertor. This report documents the results of the investigation. The results of the investigation show that candidate replacement materials have been identified to be acceptable in the harsh Europa radiation environment.

Modeling the Control Systems of Gas-Turbines to Ensure Their Reliable Parallel Operation in the UPS of Russia

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

Vinogradov, A. Yu., E-mail: vinogradov-a@ntcees.ru; Gerasimov, A. S.; Kozlov, A. V.

Consideration is given to different approaches to modeling the control systems of gas turbines as a component of CCPP and GTPP to ensure their reliable parallel operation in the UPS of Russia. The disadvantages of the approaches to the modeling of combined-cycle units in studying long-term electromechanical transients accompanied by power imbalance are pointed out. Examples are presented to support the use of more detailed models of gas turbines in electromechanical transient calculations. It is shown that the modern speed control systems of gas turbines in combination with relatively low equivalent inertia have a considerable effect on electromechanical transients, includingmore » those caused by disturbances not related to power imbalance.« less

Proposal for a possible use of fusion power for hydrogen production within this century

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seifritz, W.

Consideration is given to the possibility of building a commercial fusion power reactor before the turn of the century. The main element incorporated by the proposed system is the PACER project powerplant, which employs the explosive deuterium-deuterium (D-D) fusion process. Because all required technology already exists, PACER is believed to represent the quickest way to harness fusion on a large scale. It is argued that such reactors, scattered throughout the world on a series of 'energy parks', will meet a 30 TW global energy demand after the depletion of fossil fuel resources. Consideration is also given to both the breeding of fissile materials and the electrolytic production of hydrogen; a by-product of which would be deuterium fuel.

Strength, power, fiber types, and mRNA expression in trained men and women with different ACTN3 R577X genotypes.

PubMed

Norman, Barbara; Esbjörnsson, Mona; Rundqvist, Håkan; Osterlund, Ted; von Walden, Ferdinand; Tesch, Per A

2009-03-01

Alpha-actinins are structural proteins of the Z-line. Human skeletal muscle expresses two alpha-actinin isoforms, alpha-actinin-2 and alpha-actinin-3, encoded by their respective genes ACTN2 and ACTN3. ACTN2 is expressed in all muscle fiber types, while only type II fibers, and particularly the type IIb fibers, express ACTN3. ACTN3 (R577X) polymorphism results in loss of alpha-actinin-3 and has been suggested to influence skeletal muscle function. The X allele is less common in elite sprint and power athletes than in the general population and has been suggested to be detrimental for performance requiring high power. The present study investigated the association of ACTN3 genotype with muscle power during 30-s Wingate cycling in 120 moderately to well-trained men and women and with knee extensor strength and fatigability in a subset of 21 men performing isokinetic exercise. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis muscle to determine fiber-type composition and ACTN2 and ACTN3 mRNA levels. Peak and mean power and the torque-velocity relationship and fatigability output showed no difference across ACTN3 genotypes. Thus this study suggests that R577X polymorphism in ACTN3 is not associated with differences in power output, fatigability, or force-velocity characteristics in moderately trained individuals. However, repeated exercise bouts prompted an increase in peak torque in RR but not in XX genotypes, suggesting that ACTN3 genotype may modulate responsiveness to training. Our data further suggest that alpha-actinins do not play a significant role in determining muscle fiber-type composition. Finally, we show that ACTN2 expression is affected by the content of alpha-actinin-3, which implies that alpha-actinin-2 may compensate for the lack of alpha-actinin-3 and hence counteract the phenotypic consequences of the deficiency.

Microwave power - An energy transmission alternative for the year 2000

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nalos, E.; Sperber, R.

1980-01-01

Recent technological advances related to the feasibility of efficient RF-dc rectification make it likely that by the year 2000 the transmission of power through space will have become a practical reality. Proposals have been made to power helicopters, aircraft, balloons, and rockets remotely. Other proposals consider the transfer of power from point to point on earth via relay through space or a transmission of power from large power sources in space. Attention has also been given to possibilities regarding the transmission of power between various points in the solar system. An outline is provided of the microwave power transmission system envisaged for the solar power satellite, taking into account the transmitting antenna, the receiver on earth, aspects of beam formation and control, transmitter options, the receiving antenna design, and cost and efficiency considerations.

Acoustic power of a moving point source in a moving medium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cole, J. E., III; Sarris, I. I.

1976-01-01

The acoustic power output of a moving point-mass source in an acoustic medium which is in uniform motion and infinite in extent is examined. The acoustic medium is considered to be a homogeneous fluid having both zero viscosity and zero thermal conductivity. Two expressions for the acoustic power output are obtained based on a different definition cited in the literature for the average energy-flux vector in an acoustic medium in uniform motion. The acoustic power output of the source is found by integrating the component of acoustic intensity vector in the radial direction over the surface of an infinitely long cylinder which is within the medium and encloses the line of motion of the source. One of the power expressions is found to give unreasonable results even though the flow is uniform.

Consideration of neutral beam prompt loss in the design of a tokamak helicon antenna

DOE PAGES

Pace, D. C.; Van Zeeland, M. A.; Fishler, B.; ...

2016-08-02

Neutral beam prompt losses (injected neutrals that ionize such that their first poloidal transit intersects with the wall) can put appreciable power on the outer wall of tokamaks, and this power may damage the wall or other internal components. These prompt losses are simulated including a protruding helicon antenna installation in the DIII-D tokamak and it is determined that 160 kW of power will impact the antenna during the injection of a particular neutral beam. Protective graphite tiles are designed in response to this modeling and the wall shape of the installed antenna is precisely measured to improve the accuracymore » of these calculations. Initial experiments con rm that the antenna component temperature increases according to the amount of neutral beam energy injected into the plasma. Incorporating neutral beam prompt loss considerations into the design of this in-vessel component serves to ensure that adequate protection or cooling is provided.« less

Consideration of neutral beam prompt loss in the design of a tokamak helicon antenna

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

Pace, D. C.; Van Zeeland, M. A.; Fishler, B.

Neutral beam prompt losses (injected neutrals that ionize such that their first poloidal transit intersects with the wall) can put appreciable power on the outer wall of tokamaks, and this power may damage the wall or other internal components. These prompt losses are simulated including a protruding helicon antenna installation in the DIII-D tokamak and it is determined that 160 kW of power will impact the antenna during the injection of a particular neutral beam. Protective graphite tiles are designed in response to this modeling and the wall shape of the installed antenna is precisely measured to improve the accuracymore » of these calculations. Initial experiments con rm that the antenna component temperature increases according to the amount of neutral beam energy injected into the plasma. Incorporating neutral beam prompt loss considerations into the design of this in-vessel component serves to ensure that adequate protection or cooling is provided.« less

Biomechanical considerations for abdominal loading by seat belt pretensioners.

PubMed

Rouhana, Stephen W; El-Jawahri, Raed E; Laituri, Tony R

2010-11-01

While seat belts are the most effective safety technology in vehicles today, there are continual efforts in the industry to improve their ability to reduce the risk of injury. In this paper, seat belt pretensioners and current trends towards more powerful systems were reviewed and analyzed. These more powerful systems may be, among other things, systems that develop higher belt forces, systems that remove slack from belt webbing at higher retraction speeds, or both. The analysis started with validation of the Ford Human Body Finite Element Model for use in evaluation of abdominal belt loading by pretensioners. The model was then used to show that those studies, done with lap-only belts, can be used to establish injury metrics for tests done with lap-shoulder belts. Then, previously-performed PMHS studies were used to develop AIS 2+ and AIS 3+ injury risk curves for abdominal interaction with seat belts via logistic regression and reliability analysis with interval censoring. Finally, some considerations were developed for a possible laboratory test to evaluate higher-powered pretensioners.

Explicit analytical expression for the condition number of polynomials in power form

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rack, Heinz-Joachim

2017-07-01

In his influential papers [1-3] W. Gautschi has defined and reshaped the condition number κ∞ of polynomials Pn of degree ≤ n which are represented in power form on a zero-symmetric interval [-ω, ω]. Basically, κ∞ is expressed as the product of two operator norms: an explicit factor times an implicit one (the l∞-norm of the coefficient vector of the n-th Chebyshev polynomial of the first kind relative to [-ω, ω]). We provide a new proof, economize the second factor and express it by an explicit analytical formula.

Cyber-security Considerations for Real-Time Physiological Status Monitoring: Threats, Goals, and Use Cases

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-11-01

low- power RF transmissions used by the OBAN system. B. Threat Analysis Methodology To analyze the risk presented by a particular threat we use a... power efficiency5 and in the absolute worst case a compromise of the wireless channel could result in death. Fitness trackers on the other hand are...analysis is intended to inform the development of secure RT-PSM architectures. I. INTRODUCTION The development of very low- power computing devices and

Comparison of advanced rechargeable batteries for autonomous underwater vehicles

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

Descroix, J.P.; Chagnon, G.

1994-12-31

For AUV to be promising in the field of military oceanic and scientific missions, it is of great importance that power sources must meet the system needs. In view of this, this article will address the present and near term options for electric power sources. Evaluation is based on a hypothetical AUV. It is expected that considerable results will be achieved with respect to the possible options and cost needed in the manufacture of such power sources. 5 refs.

Methods and benefits of experimental seismic evaluation of nuclear power plants. Final report

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

Not Available

1979-07-01

This study reviews experimental techniques, instrumentation requirements, safety considerations, and benefits of performing vibration tests on nuclear power plant containments and internal components. The emphasis is on testing to improve seismic structural models. Techniques for identification of resonant frequencies, damping, and mode shapes, are discussed. The benefits of testing with regard to increased damping and more accurate computer models are oulined. A test plan, schedule and budget are presented for a typical PWR nuclear power plant.

Grumman evaluates Space Station thermal control and power systems

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

Kandebo, S.W.

1985-09-01

Attention is given to the definition of requirements for the NASA Space Station's electrical power and thermal control systems, which must be highly dependable to minimize the need for external support and will embody a highly flexible modular design concept. Module maintenance will be performed by in-orbit replacement of failed modules, and energy storage system growth will be accomplished by the incorporation of additional modules. Both photovoltaic and solar heat-driven electrical generator concepts are under consideration as the basis of the power system.

NASA Non-Flow-Through PEM Fuel Cell System for Aerospace Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Araghi, Koorosh R.

2011-01-01

NASA is researching passive NFT Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell technologies for primary fuel cell power plants in air-independent applications. NFT fuel cell power systems have a higher power density than flow through systems due to both reduced parasitic loads and lower system mass and volume. Reactant storage still dominates system mass/volume considerations. NFT fuel cell stack testing has demonstrated equivalent short term performance to flow through stacks. More testing is required to evaluate long-term performance.

Sex allocation conflict in insect societies: who wins?

PubMed Central

Helanterä, Heikki; Ratnieks, Francis L. W.

2009-01-01

Sex allocation in colonies of eusocial Hymenoptera is one of the best studied social conflicts. We outline a framework for analysing conflict outcome through power and the costs of manipulation and suggest that the conflict will often be unresolved because both major parties of interest, the queen and the workers, should manipulate allocation even at considerable costs to the colony. We suggest future work for analysing power in the conflict between queen and workers over sex allocation and discuss the extent of male power. PMID:19656859

A family of nonlinear Schrödinger equations admitting q-plane wave solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nobre, F. D.; Plastino, A. R.

2017-08-01

Nonlinear Schrödinger equations with power-law nonlinearities have attracted considerable attention recently. Two previous proposals for these types of equations, corresponding respectively to the Gross-Pitaievsky equation and to the one associated with nonextensive statistical mechanics, are here unified into a single, parameterized family of nonlinear Schrödinger equations. Power-law nonlinear terms characterized by exponents depending on a real index q, typical of nonextensive statistical mechanics, are considered in such a way that the Gross-Pitaievsky equation is recovered in the limit q → 1. A classical field theory shows that, due to these nonlinearities, an extra field Φ (x → , t) (besides the usual one Ψ (x → , t)) must be introduced for consistency. The new field can be identified with Ψ* (x → , t) only when q → 1. For q ≠ 1 one has a pair of coupled nonlinear wave equations governing the joint evolution of the complex valued fields Ψ (x → , t) and Φ (x → , t). These equations reduce to the usual pair of complex-conjugate ones only in the q → 1 limit. Interestingly, the nonlinear equations obeyed by Ψ (x → , t) and Φ (x → , t) exhibit a common, soliton-like, traveling solution, which is expressible in terms of the q-exponential function that naturally emerges within nonextensive statistical mechanics.

Add-drop double bus microresonator array local oscillators for sharp multiple Fano resonance engineering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jiahua; Qu, Ye; Wu, Ying

2018-03-01

Asymmetric resonances are currently the subject of considerable research efforts in photonic nanostructures. Here we propose a feasible method to achieve multiple Fano resonances and their control in an optical compound system consisting of an array of on-chip microresonators without mutual coupling and two parallel fiber waveguides side-coupled to the microresonator array by means of a local oscillator. We derive analytical and transparent expressions for the power transmission function summing over the two light transporting paths within the framework of quantum optics. It is clearly shown that introducing the local oscillator as an additional light propagating path plays an important role in the formation of narrow and multiple Fano resonance lineshapes. The power transmission spectrum through the combination of both the microresonator array and the local oscillator is very sensitive to the system parameters, for example, the intrinsic decay rate of the resonator, the phase shift factor of the local oscillator, the transmission coefficient of the fiber beam splitter, and the total number of the microresonators. Through detailed analysis, we identify the optimums for generating Fano resonance lineshapes. Also, we assess the experimental feasibility of the scheme using currently available technology. The proposed method is relatively straightforward as it requires only one local oscillator as one interferometer arm and it is mostly fiber-based. We believe that our work will help to understand and improve multiple Fano resonance engineering.

The super-Turing computational power of plastic recurrent neural networks.

PubMed

Cabessa, Jérémie; Siegelmann, Hava T

2014-12-01

We study the computational capabilities of a biologically inspired neural model where the synaptic weights, the connectivity pattern, and the number of neurons can evolve over time rather than stay static. Our study focuses on the mere concept of plasticity of the model so that the nature of the updates is assumed to be not constrained. In this context, we show that the so-called plastic recurrent neural networks (RNNs) are capable of the precise super-Turing computational power--as the static analog neural networks--irrespective of whether their synaptic weights are modeled by rational or real numbers, and moreover, irrespective of whether their patterns of plasticity are restricted to bi-valued updates or expressed by any other more general form of updating. Consequently, the incorporation of only bi-valued plastic capabilities in a basic model of RNNs suffices to break the Turing barrier and achieve the super-Turing level of computation. The consideration of more general mechanisms of architectural plasticity or of real synaptic weights does not further increase the capabilities of the networks. These results support the claim that the general mechanism of plasticity is crucially involved in the computational and dynamical capabilities of biological neural networks. They further show that the super-Turing level of computation reflects in a suitable way the capabilities of brain-like models of computation.

The effect of stimulus strength on the speed and accuracy of a perceptual decision.

PubMed

Palmer, John; Huk, Alexander C; Shadlen, Michael N

2005-05-02

Both the speed and the accuracy of a perceptual judgment depend on the strength of the sensory stimulation. When stimulus strength is high, accuracy is high and response time is fast; when stimulus strength is low, accuracy is low and response time is slow. Although the psychometric function is well established as a tool for analyzing the relationship between accuracy and stimulus strength, the corresponding chronometric function for the relationship between response time and stimulus strength has not received as much consideration. In this article, we describe a theory of perceptual decision making based on a diffusion model. In it, a decision is based on the additive accumulation of sensory evidence over time to a bound. Combined with simple scaling assumptions, the proportional-rate and power-rate diffusion models predict simple analytic expressions for both the chronometric and psychometric functions. In a series of psychophysical experiments, we show that this theory accounts for response time and accuracy as a function of both stimulus strength and speed-accuracy instructions. In particular, the results demonstrate a close coupling between response time and accuracy. The theory is also shown to subsume the predictions of Piéron's Law, a power function dependence of response time on stimulus strength. The theory's analytic chronometric function allows one to extend theories of accuracy to response time.

Parametric study of power absorption from electromagnetic waves by small ferrite spheres

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Englert, Gerald W.

1989-01-01

Algebraic expressions in terms of elementary mathematical functions are derived for power absorption and dissipation by eddy currents and magnetic hysteresis in ferrite spheres. Skin depth is determined by using a variable inner radius in descriptive integral equations. Numerical results are presented for sphere diameters less than one wavelength. A generalized power absorption parameter for both eddy currents and hysteresis is expressed in terms of the independent parameters involving wave frequency, sphere radius, resistivity, and complex permeability. In general, the hysteresis phenomenon has a greater sensitivity to these independent parameters than do eddy currents over the ranges of independent parameters studied herein. Working curves are presented for obtaining power losses from input to the independent parameters.

Quantitative habitability.

PubMed

Shock, Everett L; Holland, Melanie E

2007-12-01

A framework is proposed for a quantitative approach to studying habitability. Considerations of environmental supply and organismal demand of energy lead to the conclusions that power units are most appropriate and that the units for habitability become watts per organism. Extreme and plush environments are revealed to be on a habitability continuum, and extreme environments can be quantified as those where power supply only barely exceeds demand. Strategies for laboratory and field experiments are outlined that would quantify power supplies, power demands, and habitability. An example involving a comparison of various metabolisms pursued by halophiles is shown to be well on the way to a quantitative habitability analysis.

Powered lower limb orthoses for gait rehabilitation

PubMed Central

Ferris, Daniel P.; Sawicki, Gregory S.; Domingo, Antoinette

2006-01-01

Bodyweight supported treadmill training has become a prominent gait rehabilitation method in leading rehabilitation centers. This type of locomotor training has many functional benefits but the labor costs are considerable. To reduce therapist effort, several groups have developed large robotic devices for assisting treadmill stepping. A complementary approach that has not been adequately explored is to use powered lower limb orthoses for locomotor training. Recent advances in robotic technology have made lightweight powered orthoses feasible and practical. An advantage to using powered orthoses as rehabilitation aids is they allow practice starting, turning, stopping, and avoiding obstacles during overground walking. PMID:16568153

Nanosatellite Power System Considerations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Robyn, M.; Thaller, L.; Scott, D.

1995-01-01

The capability to build complex electronic functions into compact packages is opening the path to miniature satellites on the order of 1 kg mass, 10 cm across, packed with the computing processors, motion controllers, measurement sensors, and communications hardware necessary for operation. Power generation will be from short strings of silicon or gallium arsenide-based solar photovoltaic cells with the array power maximized by a peak power tracker (PPT). Energy storage will utilize a low voltage battery with nickel cadmium or lithium ion cells as the most likely selections for rechargeables and lithium (MnO2-Li) primary batteries for one shot short missions.

Power optimization of wireless media systems with space-time block codes.

PubMed

Yousefi'zadeh, Homayoun; Jafarkhani, Hamid; Moshfeghi, Mehran

2004-07-01

We present analytical and numerical solutions to the problem of power control in wireless media systems with multiple antennas. We formulate a set of optimization problems aimed at minimizing total power consumption of wireless media systems subject to a given level of QoS and an available bit rate. Our formulation takes into consideration the power consumption related to source coding, channel coding, and transmission of multiple-transmit antennas. In our study, we consider Gauss-Markov and video source models, Rayleigh fading channels along with the Bernoulli/Gilbert-Elliott loss models, and space-time block codes.

Procedural considerations for CPV outdoor power ratings per IEC 62670

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muller, Matthew; Kurtz, Sarah; Rodriguez, Jose

2013-09-01

The IEC Working Group 7 (WG7) is in the process of developing a draft procedure for an outdoor concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) module power rating at Concentrator Standard Operating Conditions (CSOC). WG7 recently achieved some consensus that using component reference cells to monitor/limit spectral variation is the preferred path for the outdoor power rating. To build on this consensus, the community must quantify these spectral limits and select a procedure for calculating and reporting a power rating. This work focuses on statistically comparing several procedures the community is considering in context with monitoring/limiting spectral variation.

Developmental Considerations of Sperm Protein 17 Gene Expression in Rheumatoid Arthritis Synoviocytes

PubMed Central

Takeoka, Yuichi; Kenny, Thomas P.; Yago, Hisashi; Naiki, Mitsuru; Gershwin, M. Eric; Robbins, Dick L.

2002-01-01

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by proliferative synovial tissue. We used mRNA differential display and library subtraction to compare mRNA expression in RA and osteoarthritis (OA) synoviocytes. We initially compared the mRNA expression patterns in 1 female RA and 1 OA synovia and found a differentially expressed 350 bp transcript in the RA synoviocytes which was, by sequence analysis, 100% homologous to sperm protein 17 (Sp17). Moreover, the Sp17 transcript was found differentially expressed in a RA synovial library that was subtracted with an OA synovial library. Using specific primers for full length Sp17, a 1.1 kb transcript was amplified from the synoviocytes of 7 additional female RA patients, sequenced and found to 100% homologous to Sp17. Thus, we found the unexpected expression of Sp17, a thought to be gamete-specific protein, in the synoviocytes of 8/8 female RA patients in contrast to control OA synoviocytes. Interestingly, Sp17's structural relationship with cell-binding and recognition proteins, suggests that Sp17 may function in cell-cell recognition and signaling in the RA synoviocyte. Further, Sp17 could have a significant regulatory role in RA synoviocyte gene transcription and/or signal transduction. Thus, Sp17 could have an important role in RA synoviocyte proliferation or defective apoptosis. Finally, the presence of Sp17 in synoviocytes has interesting developmental considerations. PMID:12739786

Feasibility study of self-powered magnetorheological damper systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Chao; Liao, Wei-Hsin

2012-04-01

This paper is aimed to provide a feasibility study of self-powered magnetorheological (MR) damper systems, which could convert vibration and shock energy into electrical energy to power itself under control. The self-powered feature could bring merits such as higher reliability, energy saving, and less maintenance for the MR damper systems. A self-powered MR damper system is proposed and modeled. The criterion whether the MR damper system is self-powered or not is proposed. A prototype of MR damper with power generation is designed, fabricated, and tested. The modeling of this damper is experimentally validated. Then the damper is applied to a 2 DOF suspension system under on-off skyhook controller, to obtain the self-powered working range and vibration control performance. Effects of key factors on the self-powered MR damper systems are studied. Design considerations are given in order to increase the self-powered working range.

Idiomatic Expressions of the Sewing Frame in English and Their Persian Counterparts: Nida's Dynamic Equivalence Theory in Focus

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ghafel, Banafsheh; Rasekh, Abbass Eslami; Pazhakh, Abdolreza

2011-01-01

Translation is an act of communication across dissimilar cultures. In as such, cultural expressions or idioms are a particularly salient translation challenge, especially when translating between two distinct languages spoken by two different nations. Idioms convey rich cultural connotations, and so require consideration of both cultural and…

78 FR 119 - Consideration of Approval of Application Containing Sensitive Unclassified Non-Safeguards...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-02

... receipt of the document. The E-Filing system also distributes an email notice that provides access to the...: Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff; or (2) courier, express mail, or expedited delivery service to the Office... mail as of the time of deposit in the mail, or by courier, express mail, or expedited delivery service...

Homophobic Expression in K-12 Public Schools: Legal and Policy Considerations Involving Speech that Denigrates Others

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eckes, Suzanne E.

2017-01-01

This article examines an education policy matter that involves homophobic speech in public schools. Using legal research methods, two federal circuit court opinions that have examined the tension surrounding anti-LGBTQ student expression are analyzed. This legal analysis provides non-lawyers some insight into the current realities of student…

Innovations, Reviews and Proposals on the DSM-5: the Case of Sexual Dysfunctions, Gender Dysphoria and Paraphilic Disorders.

PubMed

Campo-Arias, Adalberto; Herazo, Edwin

Human behaviours have different meanings according to the historical moment and context. In this article sexual behaviours are taken as a category in order to analyse how psychiatric nosology is structured, as manifested in texts such as the DSM-5. The development of these diagnostic manuals are tools that are far from being free of subjectivities and interference of elements of power, expressed in the way health, illness, mental health, and mental disorders, are assumed; in short, the normal and pathological. Each new diagnosis, or even its elimination, and the recomposing of the different diagnostic criteria, especially in the field of sexual behaviour, present visions of how individual and collective human life is conceived, as well as an expression of accurate attempts to control human sexualities through the medicalisation of behaviour, coupled with moral, religious, and even legal considerations. Categories such as gender dysphoria, paraphilia or paraphilic disorders are examples of how the limits intended to establish a biomedical perspective are also incomplete and imprecise. These violate individual and social construction of sexualities and the conception of mental health, showing persistent difficulties and controversies that are evident in the way psychiatric classifications are made. Copyright © 2016 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Publicado por Elsevier España. All rights reserved.

Masked Chimeric Antigen Receptor for Tumor-Specific Activation.

PubMed

Han, Xiaolu; Bryson, Paul D; Zhao, Yifan; Cinay, Gunce E; Li, Si; Guo, Yunfei; Siriwon, Natnaree; Wang, Pin

2017-01-04

Adoptive cellular therapy based on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T (CAR-T) cells is a powerful form of cancer immunotherapy. CAR-T cells can be redirected to specifically recognize tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and induce high levels of antitumor activity. However, they may also display "on-target off-tumor" toxicities, resulting from low-level expression of TAAs in healthy tissues. These adverse effects have raised considerable safety concerns and limited the clinical application of this otherwise promising therapeutic modality. To minimize such side effects, we have designed an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-specific masked CAR (mCAR), which consists of a masking peptide that blocks the antigen-binding site and a protease-sensitive linker. Proteases commonly active in the tumor microenvironment can cleave the linker and disengage the masking peptide, thereby enabling CAR-T cells to recognize target antigens only at the tumor site. In vitro mCAR showed dramatically reduced antigen binding and antigen-specific activation in the absence of proteases, but normal levels of binding and activity upon treatment with certain proteases. Masked CAR-T cells also showed antitumor efficacy in vivo comparable to that of unmasked CAR. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of improving the safety profile of conventional CARs and may also inspire future design of CAR molecules targeting broadly expressed TAAs. Copyright © 2017 The American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Recognizing Facial Expressions Automatically from Video

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shan, Caifeng; Braspenning, Ralph

Facial expressions, resulting from movements of the facial muscles, are the face changes in response to a person's internal emotional states, intentions, or social communications. There is a considerable history associated with the study on facial expressions. Darwin [22] was the first to describe in details the specific facial expressions associated with emotions in animals and humans, who argued that all mammals show emotions reliably in their faces. Since that, facial expression analysis has been a area of great research interest for behavioral scientists [27]. Psychological studies [48, 3] suggest that facial expressions, as the main mode for nonverbal communication, play a vital role in human face-to-face communication. For illustration, we show some examples of facial expressions in Fig. 1.

High voltage power transistor development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hower, P. L.

1981-01-01

Design considerations, fabrication procedures, and methods of evaluation for high-voltage power-transistor development are discussed. Technique improvements such as controlling the electric field at the surface and perserving lifetimes in the collector region which have advanced the state of the art in high-voltage transistors are discussed. These improvements can be applied directly to the development of 1200 volt, 200 ampere transistors.

76 FR 13349 - Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Repowering Assistance Payments to Eligible Biorefineries

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-11

... renewable biomass as a replacement fuel source for fossil fuels used to provide process heat or power in the... Farm Bill) (Pub. L. 110-246), to replace the use of fossil fuels used to produce heat or power at their... to a biorefinery taking into consideration the percentage reduction in fossil fuel used by the...

Trauma-Informed Response in the Age of Title IX: Considerations for College Counselors Working with Survivors of Power-Based Personal Violence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Conley, Abigail H.; Griffith, Catherine

2016-01-01

Intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and stalking are pervasive in the United States, and college women are disproportionately affected by this power-based personal violence (PBPV). Title IX mandates that colleges and universities offer support services to trauma survivors, and college counselors should be prepared to meet this need.…

Adaptive Driving Equipment: Selection and Major Considerations [and] Battery Powered Scooters and 3-Wheelers. Information Support Packets #1 and #2.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stevens, John H.

Two brief guides offer suggestions for persons with physical disabilities who are considering the purchase of adaptive driving equipment, battery-powered scooters, or three wheelers. The first guide offers guidelines for individuals considering purchase of special hand controls or other modifications or a van lift to enhance their independence in…

1986 Nuclear Science Symposium, 33rd, and 1986 Symposium on Nuclear Power Systems, 18th, Washington, DC, Oct. 29-31, 1986, Proceedings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stubblefield, F. W. (Editor)

1987-01-01

Papers are presented on space, low-energy physics, and general nuclear science instrumentations. Topics discussed include data acquisition systems and circuits, nuclear medicine imaging and tomography, and nuclear radiation detectors. Consideration is given to high-energy physics instrumentation, reactor systems and safeguards, health physics instrumentation, and nuclear power systems.

Engines and propellers for powered gliders and light airplanes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gropp, H

1938-01-01

The object of the present paper is to consider the interaction of engine, propeller, and airplane for the low-power range. The discussion is presented in a form so as to provide the engine builder with a basis in his selection in the type of engine required, a suitable selection being possible only in connection with considerations on the best possible propeller.

Transformer Impedance Reflection Demonstration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Layton, William

2014-10-01

Questions often arise as to how a device attached to a transformer can draw power from the electrical power grid since it seems that the primary and secondary are not connected to one another. However, a closer look at how the primary and secondary are linked together magnetically and a consideration of the role of Lenz's law in this linkage may help to clear up this confusion.

Induction launcher design considerations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Driga, M. D.; Weldon, W. F.

1989-01-01

New concepts in the design of induction accelerators and their power supplies for space and military applications are discussed. Particular attention is given to a piecewise-rising-frequency power supply in which each elementary generator (normal compulsator or rising frequency generator) has a different base frequency. A preliminary design of a coaxial induction accelerator for a hypersonic real gas facility is discussed to illustrate the concepts described.

76 FR 53967 - Carolina Power & Light, Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 1; Notice of Consideration of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-30

... hearing and intervention via electronic submission through the NRC E-Filing system. Requests for a hearing... accordance with the NRC E-Filing rule (72 FR 49139, August 28, 2007). The E-Filing process requires... requirements of E-Filing, at least 10 days prior to the filing deadline, the participant should contact the...

Climate Considerations Of The Electricity Supply Systems In Industries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asset, Khabdullin; Zauresh, Khabdullina

2014-12-01

The study is focused on analysis of climate considerations of electricity supply systems in a pellet industry. The developed analysis model consists of two modules: statistical data of active power losses evaluation module and climate aspects evaluation module. The statistical data module is presented as a universal mathematical model of electrical systems and components of industrial load. It forms a basis for detailed accounting of power loss from the voltage levels. On the basis of the universal model, a set of programs is designed to perform the calculation and experimental research. It helps to obtain the statistical characteristics of the power losses and loads of the electricity supply systems and to define the nature of changes in these characteristics. Within the module, several methods and algorithms for calculating parameters of equivalent circuits of low- and high-voltage ADC and SD with a massive smooth rotor with laminated poles are developed. The climate aspects module includes an analysis of the experimental data of power supply system in pellet production. It allows identification of GHG emission reduction parameters: operation hours, type of electrical motors, values of load factor and deviation of standard value of voltage.

EXPRESS Rack Overview

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sledd, Annette M.; Mueller, Charles W.

1999-01-01

The EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments to Space Station or EXPRESS Rack System, was developed to provide Space Station accommodations for small, subrack payloads. The EXPRESS Rack accepts Space Shuttle middeck locker type payloads and International Subrack Interface Standard (ISIS) Drawer payloads, allowing previously flown payloads an opportunity to transition to the International Space Station. The EXPRESS Rack provides power, data, command and control, video, water cooling, air cooling, vacuum exhaust, and Nitrogen supply to payloads. The EXPRESS Rack system also includes transportation racks to transport payloads to and from the Space Station, Suitcase Simulators to allow a payload developer to verify power and data interfaces at the development site, Functional Checkout Units to allow Payload checkout at KSC prior to launch, and trainer racks for the astronauts to learn how to operate the EXPRESS Racks prior to flight. Standard hardware and software interfaces provided by the EXPRESS Rack simplify the analytical and physical integration processes, and facilitates simpler ISS payload development. The EXPRESS Rack has also formed the basis for the U.S. Life Sciences payload racks on Space Station.

The ISS EXPRESS Rack: An Innovative Approach of Rapid Integration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sledd, Annette M.

2000-01-01

The EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments to Space Station or EXPRESS Rack System, was developed to provide Space Station accommodations for small, subrack payloads. The EXPRESS Rack accepts Space Shuttle middeck locker type payloads and International Subrack Interface Standard (ISIS) Drawer payloads, allowing previously flown payloads an opportunity to transition to the International Space Station. The EXPRESS Rack provides power, data, command and control, video, water cooling, air cooling, vacuum exhaust, and Nitrogen supply to payloads. The EXPRESS Rack system also includes transportation racks to transport payloads to and from the Space Station, Suitcase Simulators to allow a payload developer to verify power and data interfaces at the development site, Functional Checkout Units to allow Payload checkout at KSC prior to launch, and trainer racks for the astronauts to learn how to operate the EXPRESS Racks prior to flight. Standard hardware and software interfaces provided by the EXPRESS Rack simplify the analytical and physical integration processes, and facilitates simpler ISS payload development. The EXPRESS Rack has also formed the basis for the U.S. Life Sciences payload racks and the Window Observational Research Facility on Space Station.

Advanced development of a programmable power processor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lukens, F. E.; Lanier, J. R., Jr.; Kapustka, R. E.; Graves, J.

1980-01-01

The need for the development of a multipurpose flexible programmable power processor (PPP) has increased significantly in recent years to reduce ever rising development costs. One of the program requirements the PPP specification will cover is the 25 kW power module power conversion needs. The 25 kW power module could support the Space Shuttle program during the 1980s and 1990s and could be the stepping stone to future large space programs. Trades that led to selection of a microprocessor controlled power processor are briefly discussed. Emphasis is given to the power processing equipment that uses a microprocessor to provide versatility that allows multiple use and to provide for future growth by reprogramming output voltage to a higher level (to 120 V from 30 V). Component selection and design considerations are also discussed.

Space Station Freedom power - A reliability, availability, and maintainability assessment of the proposed Space Station Freedom electric power system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turnquist, S. R.; Twombly, M.; Hoffman, D.

1989-01-01

A preliminary reliability, availability, and maintainability (RAM) analysis of the proposed Space Station Freedom electric power system (EPS) was performed using the unit reliability, availability, and maintainability (UNIRAM) analysis methodology. Orbital replacement units (ORUs) having the most significant impact on EPS availability measures were identified. Also, the sensitivity of the EPS to variations in ORU RAM data was evaluated for each ORU. Estimates were made of average EPS power output levels and availability of power to the core area of the space station. The results of assessments of the availability of EPS power and power to load distribution points in the space stations are given. Some highlights of continuing studies being performed to understand EPS availability considerations are presented.

New transmission scheme to enhance throughput of DF relay network using rate and power adaptation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taki, Mehrdad; Heshmati, Milad

2017-09-01

This paper presents a new transmission scheme for a decode and forward (DF) relay network using continuous power adaptation while independent average power constraints are provisioned for each node. To have analytical insight, the achievable throughputs are analysed using continuous adaptation of the rates and the powers. As shown by numerical evaluations, a considerable outperformance is seen by continuous power adaptation compared to the case where constant powers are utilised. Also for practical systems, a new throughput maximised transmission scheme is developed using discrete rate adaptation (adaptive modulation and coding) and continuous transmission power adaptation. First a 2-hop relay network is considered and then the scheme is extended for an N-hop network. Numerical evaluations show the efficiency of the designed schemes.

A Method of Dynamic Extended Reactive Power Optimization in Distribution Network Containing Photovoltaic-Storage System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Wu; Huang, Wei; Zhang, Yongjun

2018-03-01

The grid-integration of Photovoltaic-Storage System brings some undefined factors to the network. In order to make full use of the adjusting ability of Photovoltaic-Storage System (PSS), this paper puts forward a reactive power optimization model, which are used to construct the objective function based on power loss and the device adjusting cost, including energy storage adjusting cost. By using Cataclysmic Genetic Algorithm to solve this optimization problem, and comparing with other optimization method, the result proved that: the method of dynamic extended reactive power optimization this article puts forward, can enhance the effect of reactive power optimization, including reducing power loss and device adjusting cost, meanwhile, it gives consideration to the safety of voltage.

Operational Results From a High Power Alternator Test Bed

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Birchenough, Arthur; Hervol, David

2007-01-01

The Alternator Test Unit (ATU) in the Lunar Power System Facility (LPSF) located at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland, Ohio was used to simulate the operating conditions and evaluate the performance of the ATU and its interaction with various LPSF components in accordance with the current Fission Surface Power System (FSPS) requirements. The testing was carried out at the breadboard development level. These results successfully demonstrated excellent ATU power bus characteristics and rectified user load power quality during steady state and transient conditions. Information gained from this work could be used to assist the design and primary power quality considerations for a possible future FSPS. This paper describes the LPSF components and some preliminary test results.

High-power helium-neon laser irradiation inhibits the growth of traumatic scars in vitro and in vivo.

PubMed

Shu, Bin; Ni, Guo-Xin; Zhang, Lian-Yang; Li, Xiang-Ping; Jiang, Wan-Ling; Zhang, Li-Qun

2013-05-01

This study explored the inhibitory effect of the high-power helium-neon (He-Ne) laser on the growth of scars post trauma. For the in vitro study, human wound fibroblasts were exposed to the high-power He-Ne laser for 30 min, once per day with different power densities (10, 50, 100, and 150 mW/cm(2)). After 3 days of repeated irradiation with the He-Ne laser, fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis were evaluated. For in vivo evaluation, a wounded animal model of hypertrophic scar formation was established. At postoperative day 21, the high-power He-Ne laser irradiation (output power 120 mW, 6 mm in diameter, 30 min each session, every other day) was performed on 20 scars. At postoperative day 35, the hydroxyproline content, apoptosis rate, PCNA protein expression and FADD mRNA level were assessed. The in vitro study showed that the irradiation group that received the power densities of 100 and 150 mW/cm(2) showed decreases in the cell proliferation index, increases in the percentage of cells in the G0/G1 phase, and decreases in collagen synthesis and type I procollagen gene expression. In the in vivo animal studies, regions exposed to He-Ne irradiation showed a significant decrease in scar thickness as well as decreases in hydroxyproline levels and PCNA protein expression. Results from the in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that repeated irradiation with a He-Ne laser at certain power densities inhibits fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis, thereby inhibits the growth of hypertrophic scars.

Optical design and performance of F-Theta lenses for high-power and high-precision applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yurevich, V. I.; Grimm, V. A.; Afonyushkin, A. A.; Yudin, K. V.; Gorny, S. G.

2015-09-01

F-Theta lenses are widely used in remote laser processing. Nowadays, a large variety of scanning systems utilizing these devices are commercially available. In this paper, we demonstrate that all practical issues lose their triviality in designing high-performance F-Theta scanning systems. Laser power scaling requires attention to thermally-induced phenomena and ghost reflections. This requirement considerably complicates optimization of the optical configuration of the system and primary aberration correction, even during preliminary design. Obtaining high positioning accuracy requires taking into consideration all probable reasons for processing field distortion. We briefly describe the key engineering relationships and invariants as well as the typical design of a scanner lens and the main field-flattening techniques. Specific emphasis is directed to consideration of the fundamental nonlinearity of two-mirror scanners. To the best of our knowledge, this issue has not been yet studied. We also demonstrate the benefits of our F-Theta lens optimization technique, which uses a plurality of entrance pupils. The problems of eliminating focused ghost reflections and the effects of thermally-induced processes in high-power F-Theta lenses are considered. A set of multi-path 3D processing and laser cutting experiments were conducted and are presented herein to demonstrate the impact of laser beam degradation on the process performance. A selection of our non-standard optical designs is presented.

Towards systems genetic analyses in barley: Integration of phenotypic, expression and genotype data into GeneNetwork.

PubMed

Druka, Arnis; Druka, Ilze; Centeno, Arthur G; Li, Hongqiang; Sun, Zhaohui; Thomas, William T B; Bonar, Nicola; Steffenson, Brian J; Ullrich, Steven E; Kleinhofs, Andris; Wise, Roger P; Close, Timothy J; Potokina, Elena; Luo, Zewei; Wagner, Carola; Schweizer, Günther F; Marshall, David F; Kearsey, Michael J; Williams, Robert W; Waugh, Robbie

2008-11-18

A typical genetical genomics experiment results in four separate data sets; genotype, gene expression, higher-order phenotypic data and metadata that describe the protocols, processing and the array platform. Used in concert, these data sets provide the opportunity to perform genetic analysis at a systems level. Their predictive power is largely determined by the gene expression dataset where tens of millions of data points can be generated using currently available mRNA profiling technologies. Such large, multidimensional data sets often have value beyond that extracted during their initial analysis and interpretation, particularly if conducted on widely distributed reference genetic materials. Besides quality and scale, access to the data is of primary importance as accessibility potentially allows the extraction of considerable added value from the same primary dataset by the wider research community. Although the number of genetical genomics experiments in different plant species is rapidly increasing, none to date has been presented in a form that allows quick and efficient on-line testing for possible associations between genes, loci and traits of interest by an entire research community. Using a reference population of 150 recombinant doubled haploid barley lines we generated novel phenotypic, mRNA abundance and SNP-based genotyping data sets, added them to a considerable volume of legacy trait data and entered them into the GeneNetwork http://www.genenetwork.org. GeneNetwork is a unified on-line analytical environment that enables the user to test genetic hypotheses about how component traits, such as mRNA abundance, may interact to condition more complex biological phenotypes (higher-order traits). Here we describe these barley data sets and demonstrate some of the functionalities GeneNetwork provides as an easily accessible and integrated analytical environment for exploring them. By integrating barley genotypic, phenotypic and mRNA abundance data sets directly within GeneNetwork's analytical environment we provide simple web access to the data for the research community. In this environment, a combination of correlation analysis and linkage mapping provides the potential to identify and substantiate gene targets for saturation mapping and positional cloning. By integrating datasets from an unsequenced crop plant (barley) in a database that has been designed for an animal model species (mouse) with a well established genome sequence, we prove the importance of the concept and practice of modular development and interoperability of software engineering for biological data sets.

Structural considerations for solar installers : an approach for small, simplified solar installations or retrofits.

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

Richards, Elizabeth H.; Schindel, Kay; Bosiljevac, Tom

2011-12-01

Structural Considerations for Solar Installers provides a comprehensive outline of structural considerations associated with simplified solar installations and recommends a set of best practices installers can follow when assessing such considerations. Information in the manual comes from engineering and solar experts as well as case studies. The objectives of the manual are to ensure safety and structural durability for rooftop solar installations and to potentially accelerate the permitting process by identifying and remedying structural issues prior to installation. The purpose of this document is to provide tools and guidelines for installers to help ensure that residential photovoltaic (PV) power systemsmore » are properly specified and installed with respect to the continuing structural integrity of the building.« less

Power Subsystem In-Flight Behaviour

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loche, Didier; Cosculluela, Valerie

2005-05-01

A synthesis of the In-flight monitoring of the Electrical Power Subsystem (EPS) behaviour of SPOT family and Mars Express is presented.It covers the solar array and battery performance, their degradation with life compared to the expected one in order to have lessons learned for future designs but also for in-orbit satellites software improvement.The SPOT family (from SPOT1 launched in 1986 up to ENVISAT/SPOT5 launched in 2002) EPS is based on an unregulated bus hard connected to the batteries. The solar array is split in sections, some digital and others PWM controlled in order to provide an accurate battery voltage and current regulation whatever is satellite power need. This regulation is performed by hardware. Mars Express EPS provides a regulated 28V bus. The battery power is managed by Battery Charge & Discharge Regulator (BCDR). The SA power is controlled by a Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) logic. A bad connection between the SA and the Power Conditioning Unit (PCU) has led to a reduction of the power by about 30% and requested a large amount of test and simulations to estimate which power could be made available to the spacecraft and to monitor the actual EPS performance.

Expression of phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6) in human breast cancer cells.

PubMed

Dong, Hongli; Claffey, Kevin P; Brocke, Stefan; Epstein, Paul M

2013-01-01

Considerable epidemiological evidence demonstrates a positive association between artificial light at night (LAN) levels and incidence rates of breast cancer, suggesting that exposure to LAN is a risk factor for breast cancer. There is a 30-50% higher risk of breast cancer in the highest LAN exposed countries compared to the lowest LAN countries, and studies showing higher incidence of breast cancer among shift workers exposed to more LAN have led the International Agency for Research on Cancer to classify shift work as a probable human carcinogen. Nevertheless, the means by which light can affect breast cancer is still unknown. In this study we examined established human breast cancer cell lines and patients' primary breast cancer tissues for expression of genetic components of phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6), a cGMP-specific PDE involved in transduction of the light signal, and previously thought to be selectively expressed in photoreceptors. By microarray analysis we find highly significant expression of mRNA for the PDE6B, PDE6C, and PDE6D genes in both the cell lines and patients' tissues, minimal expression of PDE6A and PDE6G and no expression of PDE6H. Using antibody specific for PDE6β, we find expression of PDE6B protein in a wide range of patients' tissues by immunohistochemistry, and in MCF-7 breast cancer cells by immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis. Considerable expression of key circadian genes, PERIOD 2, CLOCK, TIMELESS, CRYPTOCHROME 1, and CRYPTOCHROME 2 was also seen in all breast cancer cell lines and all patients' breast cancer tissues. These studies indicate that genes for PDE6 and control of circadian rhythm are expressed in human breast cancer cells and tissues and may play a role in transducing the effects of light on breast cancer.

Purchasing power of civil servant health workers in Mozambique

PubMed Central

Ferrinho, Fátima; Amaral, Marta; Russo, Giuliano; Ferrinho, Paulo

2012-01-01

Background Health workers’ purchasing power is an important consideration in the development of strategies for health workforce development. This work explores the purchasing power variation of Mozambican public sector health workers, between 1999 and 2007. In general, the calculated purchasing power increased for most careers under study, and the highest percentage increase was observed for the lowest remuneration careers, contributing in this way for a relative reduction in the difference between the higher and the lower salaries. Methods This was done through a simple and easy-to-apply methodology to estimate salaries’ capitalization rate, by means of the accumulated inflation rate, after taking wage revisions into account. All the career categories in the Ministry of Health and affiliated public sector institutions were considered. Results Health workers’ purchasing power is an important consideration in the development of strategies for health workforce development. This work explores the purchasing power variation of Mozambican public sector health workers, between 1999 and 2007. In general, the calculated purchasing power increased for most careers under study, and the highest percentage increase was observed for the lowest remuneration careers, contributing in this way for a relative reduction in the difference between the higher and the lower salaries. Conclusion These results seem to contradict a commonly held assumption that health sector pay has deteriorated over the years, and with substantial damage for the poorest. Further studies appear to be needed to design a more accurate methodology to better understand the evolution and impact of public sector health workers’ remunerations across the years. PMID:22368757

Cryomagmatism in the outer solar system

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

Kargel, J.S.

1990-01-01

Assemblages of cryovolcanic, tectonic, and impact structures form varied landscapes quite alien in their collective expression. Many variables can affect the cryovolcanic style of a satellite but none more so than cryolava composition. The compositional variable is examined in considerable detail. Existing knowledge of phase equilibria and physical properties of cosmochemically relevant unary, binary, and multi-component chemical systems are summarized. Where published knowledge was found lacking, measurements of the physical chemistry of volatile mixtures are presented. Cryovolcanic landscapes are briefly toured, and knowledge of the physical chemistry of volatile mixtures is applied to problems of cryovolcanological interest. Aqueous cryolavas maymore » range in composition from salt-water brines to cryogenic ammonia-water-rich multi-components solutions possibly involving methanol, ammonium sulfide, alkali chlorides, and many other potential components. Cryomagmatic distillation can greatly accentuate the importance of trace and minor constituents of icy satellites. The viscosities, densities, and other physical properties of these liquids vary considerably and depend sensitively on their exact compositions. These properties affect everything from cryovolcanic eruptive styles and landforms, to the way cryovolcanic crusts respond to tectonic stress. It is believed that the compositional variable is directly or indirectly implicated in a wide varity of geomorphic aspects of contrast among the icy satellites. Thus, even though as yet any specific morphology can be attributed to a specific composition, there appears to be a powerful link between composition of the ices originally accreted by a satellite and its subsequent interior evolution and exterior geomorphic appearance.« less

Robotic insects: Manufacturing, actuation, and power considerations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wood, Robert

2015-12-01

As the characteristic size of a flying robot decreases, the challenges for successful flight revert to basic questions of fabrication, actuation, fluid mechanics, stabilization, and power - whereas such questions have in general been answered for larger aircraft. When developing a robot on the scale of a housefly, all hardware must be developed from scratch as there is nothing "off-the-shelf" which can be used for mechanisms, sensors, or computation that would satisfy the extreme mass and power limitations. With these challenges in mind, this talk will present progress in the essential technologies for insect-like robots with an emphasis on multi-scale manufacturing methods, high power density actuation, and energy-efficient power distribution.

Zirconium Hydride Space Power Reactor design.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Asquith, J. G.; Mason, D. G.; Stamp, S.

1972-01-01

The Zirconium Hydride Space Power Reactor being designed and fabricated at Atomics International is intended for a wide range of potential applications. Throughout the program a series of reactor designs have been evaluated to establish the unique requirements imposed by coupling with various power conversion systems and for specific applications. Current design and development emphasis is upon a 100 kilowatt thermal reactor for application in a 5 kwe thermoelectric space power generating system, which is scheduled to be fabricated and ground tested in the mid 70s. The reactor design considerations reviewed in this paper will be discussed in the context of this 100 kwt reactor and a 300 kwt reactor previously designed for larger power demand applications.

Survey of power tower technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hildebrandt, A. F.; Dasgupta, S.

1980-05-01

The history of the power tower programs is reviewed, and attention is given to the current state of heliostat, receiver, and storage design. Economic considerations are discussed, as are simulation studies and implications. Also dealt with are alternate applications for the power tower and some financing and energy aspects of solar electric conversion. It is noted that with a national commitment to solar energy, the power tower concept could generate 40 GW of electricity and double this amount in process heat by the year 2000. Calculations show an energy amplification factor of 20 for solar energy plants; that is, the ratio of the electric energy produced over the lifetime of a power plant to the thermal energy required to produce the plant.

Development of the Second-Generation Oscillating Surge Wave Energy Converter with Variable Geometry: Preprint

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

Tom, Nathan M; Yu, Yi-Hsiang; Thresher, Robert W

This study investigates the effect of design changes on the hydrodynamics of a novel oscillating surge wave energy converter being developed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The design utilizes controllable geometry features to shed structural loads while maintaining a rated power over a greater number of sea states. The second-generation design will seek to provide a more refined control of performance because the first-generation design demonstrated performance reductions considered too large for smooth power output. Performance is evaluated using frequency domain analysis with consideration of a nonideal power-take-off system, with respect to power absorption, foundation loads, and power-take-off torque.

Power requirement of rotating rods in airflow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barna, P. S.; Crossman, G. R.

1974-01-01

Experiments were performed to determine the power required for rotating a rotor disc fitted with a number of radially arranged rods placed into a ducted airflow. An array of stationary rods, also radially arranged, were placed upstream close to the rotor with a small gap between the rods to cause wake interference. The results show that power increased with increasing airflow and the rate of increase varied considerably. At lower values of airflow the rate of increase was larger than at higher airflow and definite power peaks occurred at certain airflow rates, where the power attained a maximum within the test airflow range. During the test a maximum blade passage frequency of 2037 Hz was attained.

The multiple roles of TDP-43 in pre-mRNA processing and gene expression regulation.

PubMed

Buratti, Emanuele; Baralle, Francisco Ernesto

2010-01-01

Heterogeneous ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) are multifunctional RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) involved in many cellular processes. They participate in most gene expression pathways, from DNA replication and repair to mRNA translation. Among this class of proteins, TDP-43 (and more recently FUS/TLS) have received considerable attention due to their involvement in several neurodegenerative diseases. This finding has prompted many research groups to focus on the gene expression pathways that are regulated by these proteins. The results have uncovered a considerable complexity of TDP-43 and FUS/TLS functions due to the many independent mechanisms by which they may act to influence various cellular processes (such as DNA transcription, pre-mRNA splicing, mRNA export/import). The aim of this chapter will be to review especially some of the novel functions that have been uncovered, such as role in miRNA synthesis, regulation of transcript levels, and potential autoregulatory mechanisms in order to provide the basis for further investigations.

Developing and bounding ice particle mass- and area-dimension expressions for use in atmospheric models and remote sensing

DOE PAGES

Erfani, Ehsan; Mitchell, David L.

2016-04-07

Here, ice particle mass- and projected area-dimension ( m- D and A- D) power laws are commonly used in the treatment of ice cloud microphysical and optical properties and the remote sensing of ice cloud properties. Although there has long been evidence that a single m- D or A- D power law is often not valid over all ice particle sizes, few studies have addressed this fact. This study develops self-consistent m- D and A- D expressions that are not power laws but can easily be reduced to power laws for the ice particle size (maximum dimension or D) rangemore » of interest, and they are valid over a much larger D range than power laws. This was done by combining ground measurements of individual ice particle m and D formed at temperature T < –20 °C during a cloud seeding field campaign with 2-D stereo (2D-S) and cloud particle imager (CPI) probe measurements of D and A, and estimates of m, in synoptic and anvil ice clouds at similar temperatures. The resulting m- D and A- D expressions are functions of temperature and cloud type (synoptic vs. anvil), and are in good agreement with m- D power laws developed from recent field studies considering the same temperature range (–60 °C < T < –20 °C).« less

Mobility power flow analysis of coupled plate structure subjected to mechanical and acoustic excitation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cuschieri, J. M.

1992-01-01

The mobility power flow approach that was previously applied in the derivation of expressions for the vibrational power flow between coupled plate substructures forming an L configuration and subjected to mechanical loading is generalized. Using the generalized expressions, both point and distributed mechanical loads on one or both of the plates can be considered. The generalized approach is extended to deal with acoustic excitation of one of the plate substructures. In this case, the forces (acoustic pressures) acting on the structure are dependent on the response of the structure because of the scattered pressure component. The interaction between the plate structure and the acoustic fluid leads to the derivation of a corrected mode shape for the plates' normal surface velocity and also for the structure mobility functions. The determination of the scattered pressure components in the expressions for the power flow represents an additional component in the power flow balance for the source plate and the receiver plate. This component represents the radiated acoustical power from the plate structure. For a number of coupled plate substrates, the acoustic pressure generated by one substructure will interact with the motion of another substructure. That is, in the case of the L-shaped plate, acoustic interaction exists between the two plate substructures due to the generation of the acoustic waves by each of the substructures. An approach to deal with this phenomena is described.

Critical power for self-focusing of optical beam in absorbing media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qi, Pengfei; Zhang, Lin; Lin, Lie; Zhang, Nan; Wang, Yan; Liu, Weiwei

2018-04-01

Self-focusing effects are of central importance for most nonlinear optical effects. The critical power for self-focusing is commonly investigated theoretically without considering a material’s absorption. Although this is practicable for various materials, investigating the critical power for self-focusing in media with non-negligible absorption is also necessary, because this is the situation usually met in practice. In this paper, the simple analytical expressions describing the relationships among incident power, absorption coefficient and focal position are provided by a simple physical model based on the Fermat principle. Expressions for the absorption dependent critical power are also derived; these can play important roles in experimental and applied research on self-focusing-related nonlinear optical phenomena in absorbing media. Numerical results, based on the nonlinear wave equation—and which can predict experimental results perfectly—are also presented, and agree quantitatively with the analytical results proposed in this paper.

Use of Mass- and Area-Dimensional Power Laws for Determining Precipitation Particle Terminal Velocities.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitchell, David L.

1996-06-01

Based on boundary layer theory and a comparison of empirical power laws relating the Reynolds and Best numbers, it was apparent that the primary variables governing a hydrometeor's terminal velocity were its mass, its area projected to the flow, and its maximum dimension. The dependence of terminal velocities on surface roughness appeared secondary, with surface roughness apparently changing significantly only during phase changes (i.e., ice to liquid). In the theoretical analysis, a new, comprehensive expression for the drag force, which is valid for both inertial and viscous-dominated flow, was derived.A hydrometeor's mass and projected area were simply and accurately represented in terms of its maximum dimension by using dimensional power laws. Hydrometeor terminal velocities were calculated by using mass- and area-dimensional power laws to parameterize the Best number, X. Using a theoretical relationship general for all particle types, the Reynolds number, Re, was then calculated from the Best number. Terminal velocities were calculated from Re.Alternatively, four Re-X power-law expressions were extracted from the theoretical Re-X relationship. These expressions collectively describe the terminal velocities of all ice particle types. These were parameterized using mass- and area-dimensional power laws, yielding four theoretically based power-law expressions predicting fall speeds in terms of ice particle maximum dimension. When parameterized for a given ice particle type, the theoretical fall speed power law can be compared directly with empirical fall speed-dimensional power laws in the literature for the appropriate Re range. This provides a means of comparing theory with observations.Terminal velocities predicted by this method were compared with fall speeds given by empirical fall speed expressions for the same ice particle type, which were curve fits to measured fall speeds. Such comparisons were done for nine types of ice particles. Fall speeds predicted by this method differed from those based on measurements by no more than 20%.The features that distinguish this method of determining fall speeds from others are that it does not represent particles as spheroids, it is general for any ice particle shape and size, it is conceptually and mathematically simple, it appears accurate, and it provides for physical insight. This method also allows fall speeds to be determined from aircraft measurements of ice particle mass and projected area, rather than directly measuring fall speeds. This approach may be useful for ice crystals characterizing cirrus clouds, for which direct fall speed measurements are difficult.

Extended operating range of the 30-cm ion thruster with simplified power processor requirements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rawlin, V. K.

1981-01-01

A two grid 30 cm diameter mercury ion thruster was operated with only six power supplies over the baseline J series thruster power throttle range with negligible impact on thruster performance. An analysis of the functional model power processor showed that the component mass and parts count could be reduced considerably and the electrical efficiency increased slightly by only replacing power supplies with relays. The input power, output thrust, and specific impulse of the thruster were then extended, still using six supplies, from 2660 watts, 0.13 newtons, and 2980 seconds to 9130 watts, 0.37 newtons, and 3820 seconds, respectively. Increases in thrust and power density enable reductions in the number of thrusters and power processors required for most missions. Preliminary assessments of the impact of thruster operation at increased thrust and power density on the discharge characteristics, performance, and lifetime of the thruster were also made.

Prepubescent Strength Training. Some Considerations.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Priest, Joe W.; Holshouser, Richard S.

1987-01-01

Under the careful supervision of a trained fitness professional, the benefits of prepubescent strength training (improved strength, power, muscular endurance, bone density) outweigh the risks (acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries). (CB)

Correlation of nonorthogonality of best hybrid bond orbitals with bond strength of orthogonal orbitals

PubMed Central

Pauling, Linus

1976-01-01

An expression is derived for the bond length of two spd orbitals with maximum values in two directions forming a given bond angle by consideration of the nonorthogonality integral of two best orbitals in these directions. This equation is equivalent to the expression derived by formulating the pair of orthogonal orbitals. Similar expressions are derived for spdf orbitals. Applications are made to icosahedral and cuboctahedral bonds and to the packing of nucleons in atomic nuclei. PMID:16578736

Correlation of nonorthogonality of best hybrid bond orbitals with bond strength of orthogonal orbitals.

PubMed

Pauling, L

1976-02-01

An expression is derived for the bond length of two spd orbitals with maximum values in two directions forming a given bond angle by consideration of the nonorthogonality integral of two best orbitals in these directions. This equation is equivalent to the expression derived by formulating the pair of orthogonal orbitals. Similar expressions are derived for spdf orbitals. Applications are made to icosahedral and cuboctahedral bonds and to the packing of nucleons in atomic nuclei.

Industrial 2-kW TEA CO2 laser for paint stripping of aircraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schweizer, Gerhard; Werner, L.

1995-03-01

Paint stripping of aircraft with pulsed laser radiation has several advantages compared to traditional methods of depainting: selective removal of individual layers possible, suitable for sensitive surfaces, workpiece ready for immediate repainting, and considerable reduction of contaminated waste. For paint stripping of large aircraft pulsed lasers with average power of at least 2 kW are required. Amongst the various types of pulsed lasers technical and economical considerations clearly favor TEA CO2 lasers for this application. The first commercially available TEA CO2 laser with an average power in excess of 2 kW, especially designed for depainting, has been developed by Urenco. The key data of this laser are: pulse energy up to 9 J, repetition rate up to 330 Hz, and beam quality: `flat top'.

Structural materials issues for the next generation fission reactors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chant, I.; Murty, K. L.

2010-09-01

Generation-IV reactor design concepts envisioned thus far cater to a common goal of providing safer, longer lasting, proliferation-resistant, and economically viable nuclear power plants. The foremost consideration in the successful development and deployment of Gen-W reactor systems is the performance and reliability issues involving structural materials for both in-core and out-of-core applications. The structural materials need to endure much higher temperatures, higher neutron doses, and extremely corrosive environments, which are beyond the experience of the current nuclear power plants. Materials under active consideration for use in different reactor components include various ferritic/martensitic steels, austenitic stainless steels, nickel-base superalloys, ceramics, composites, etc. This article addresses the material requirements for these advanced fission reactor types, specifically addressing structural materials issues depending on the specific application areas.

76 FR 55804 - Dicamba; Pesticide Tolerances

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-09

... Considerations A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology Adequate enforcement methodologies, Methods I and II--gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC/ECD), are available to enforce the tolerance expression. The...

Gene expression systems in corynebacteria.

PubMed

Srivastava, Preeti; Deb, J K

2005-04-01

Corynebacterium belongs to a group of gram-positive bacteria having moderate to high G+C content, the other members being Mycobacterium, Nocardia, and Rhodococcus. Considerable information is now available on the plasmids, gene regulatory elements, and gene expression in corynebacteria, especially in soil corynebacteria such as Corynebacterium glutamicum. These bacteria are non-pathogenic and, unlike Bacillus and Streptomyces, are low in proteolytic activity and thus have the potential of becoming attractive systems for expression of heterologous proteins. This review discusses recent advances in our understanding of the organization of various regulatory elements, such as promoters, transcription terminators, and development of vectors for cloning and gene expression.

Calculated stopping powers of low-energy electrons in some materials of interest in radiation protection.

PubMed

Akande, W

1993-03-01

Stopping powers of low-energy (< 10 keV) electrons in aluminum, copper, cesium, barium, lead, lithium, and uranium were calculated using an analytic method. The interaction of the electrons with the materials were characterized in terms of three cross sections for total ionization and total scattering. Experimental cross section data were collated, where available, for the materials. The expressions were then fitted to the data to obtain the values of the relevant constants in the expressions. This enabled the basic equation of stopping powers of electrons to be evaluated for the materials. Comparison of the results obtained with those of other workers was affected.

No Control Genes Required: Bayesian Analysis of qRT-PCR Data

PubMed Central

Matz, Mikhail V.; Wright, Rachel M.; Scott, James G.

2013-01-01

Background Model-based analysis of data from quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) is potentially more powerful and versatile than traditional methods. Yet existing model-based approaches cannot properly deal with the higher sampling variances associated with low-abundant targets, nor do they provide a natural way to incorporate assumptions about the stability of control genes directly into the model-fitting process. Results In our method, raw qPCR data are represented as molecule counts, and described using generalized linear mixed models under Poisson-lognormal error. A Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm is used to sample from the joint posterior distribution over all model parameters, thereby estimating the effects of all experimental factors on the expression of every gene. The Poisson-based model allows for the correct specification of the mean-variance relationship of the PCR amplification process, and can also glean information from instances of no amplification (zero counts). Our method is very flexible with respect to control genes: any prior knowledge about the expected degree of their stability can be directly incorporated into the model. Yet the method provides sensible answers without such assumptions, or even in the complete absence of control genes. We also present a natural Bayesian analogue of the “classic” analysis, which uses standard data pre-processing steps (logarithmic transformation and multi-gene normalization) but estimates all gene expression changes jointly within a single model. The new methods are considerably more flexible and powerful than the standard delta-delta Ct analysis based on pairwise t-tests. Conclusions Our methodology expands the applicability of the relative-quantification analysis protocol all the way to the lowest-abundance targets, and provides a novel opportunity to analyze qRT-PCR data without making any assumptions concerning target stability. These procedures have been implemented as the MCMC.qpcr package in R. PMID:23977043

Slavery and jouissance: analysing complaints of suffering in UK and Australian nurses' talk about their work.

PubMed

Traynor, Michael; Evans, Alicia

2014-07-01

Nursing has a gendered and religious history where ideas of duty and servitude are present and shape its professional identity. The profession also promotes idealized notions of relationships with patients and of professional autonomy both of which are, in practice, highly constrained or even impossible. This paper draws on psychoanalytic concepts in order to reconsider nursing's professional identity. It does this by presenting an analysis of data from two focus group studies involving nurses in England and Australia held between 2010 and 2012. The studies gave rise to data where extremely negative talk about nursing work seemed to produce, or to be expressed with, a high degree of energy, and a particular kind of enjoyment. In our analysis, we focus on the nurses' apparent enjoyment derived from their expression of a position of powerlessness in which they describe themselves as 'slaves' or 'martyrs' in the health care system. We interpret this as jouissance and suggest that the positions of slave or martyr provide a possible response to what we argue is the impossibility of the nurse's role. We argue that a remnant of a quasi-religious ethic within the profession makes it acceptable for nurses to talk about self-sacrifice and powerlessness as part of their working subjectivity. We further argue that this analysis offers a new consideration of the issue of power and professional identity in nursing that goes beyond seeing nurses as simply overpowered by, or engaged in, a gendered power struggle with other professional groups. We suggest that powerlessness and victimhood hold particular attractions and advantages for nurses and are positions that are more available to nurses than to other occupational groups. This research shows how psychoanalytic theory can help produce new insights into the problems and complexity of nursing and extend existing study of the professions. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Is hypoxia training good for muscles and exercise performance?

PubMed

Vogt, Michael; Hoppeler, Hans

2010-01-01

Altitude training has become very popular among athletes as a means to further increase exercise performance at sea level or to acclimatize to competition at altitude. Several approaches have evolved during the last few decades, with "live high-train low" and "live low-train high" being the most popular. This review focuses on functional, muscular, and practical aspects derived from extensive research on the "live low-train high" approach. According to this, subjects train in hypoxia but remain under normoxia for the rest of the time. It has been reasoned that exercising in hypoxia could increase the training stimulus. Hypoxia training studies published in the past have varied considerably in altitude (2300-5700 m) and training duration (10 days to 8 weeks) and the fitness of the subjects. The evidence from muscle structural, biochemical, and molecular findings point to a specific role of hypoxia in endurance training. However, based on the available performance capacity data such as maximal oxygen uptake (Vo(2)max) and (maximal) power output, hypoxia as a supplement to training is not consistently found to be advantageous for performance at sea level. Stronger evidence exists for benefits of hypoxic training on performance at altitude. "Live low-train high" may thus be considered when altitude acclimatization is not an option. In addition, the complex pattern of gene expression adaptations induced by supplemental training in hypoxia, but not normoxia, suggest that muscle tissue specifically responds to hypoxia. Whether and to what degree these gene expression changes translate into significant changes in protein concentrations that are ultimately responsible for observable structural or functional phenotypes remains open. It is conceivable that the global functional markers such as Vo(2)max and (maximal) power output are too coarse to detect more subtle changes that might still be functionally relevant, at least to high-level athletes.

A Simplified GCS-DCSK Modulation and Its Performance Optimization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Weikai; Wang, Lin; Chi, Chong-Yung

2016-12-01

In this paper, a simplified Generalized Code-Shifted Differential Chaos Shift Keying (GCS-DCSK) whose transmitter never needs any delay circuits, is proposed. However, its performance is deteriorated because the orthogonality between substreams cannot be guaranteed. In order to optimize its performance, the system model of the proposed GCS-DCSK with power allocations on substreams is presented. An approximate bit error rate (BER) expression of the proposed model, which is a function of substreams’ power, is derived using Gaussian Approximation. Based on the BER expression, an optimal power allocation strategy between information substreams and reference substream is obtained. Simulation results show that the BER performance of the proposed GCS-DCSK with the optimal power allocation can be significantly improved when the number of substreams M is large.

Type Specialization in Aldor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dragan, Laurentiu; Watt, Stephen M.

Computer algebra in scientific computation squarely faces the dilemma of natural mathematical expression versus efficiency. While higher-order programming constructs and parametric polymorphism provide a natural and expressive language for mathematical abstractions, they can come at a considerable cost. We investigate how deeply nested type constructions may be optimized to achieve performance similar to that of hand-tuned code written in lower-level languages.

76 FR 11291 - NextEra Energy Seabrook, LLC; Seabrook Station Unit No. 1; Notice of Consideration of Issuance of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-01

... Adjudications Staff; or (2) courier, express mail, or expedited delivery service to the Office of the Secretary... time of deposit in the mail, or by courier, express mail, or expedited delivery service upon depositing... expedited delivery or courier mail address for both offices is: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 11555...

Marine Hydrokinetic (MHK) Systems: A Systems Engineering Approach to Select Locations for the Practical Harvest of Electricity from Shallow Water Tidal Currents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Domenech, John

Due to increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration and its effect on global climates, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes a Clean Power Plan (CPP) mandating CO2 reductions which will likely force the early retirement of inefficient, aging power plants. Consequentially, removing these plants equates to a shortfall of approximately 66 GW of electricity. These factors add to the looming resource problems of choosing whether to build large replacement power plants or consider alternative energy sources as a means to help close the gap between electricity supply and demand in a given region. One energy source, shallow water tidal currents, represents opportunities to convert kinetic energy to mechanical forms and provide electricity to homes and businesses. Nearly 2,000 National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tidal current data points from Maine to Texas are considered. This paper, based on systems engineering thinking, provides key attributes (e.g. turbine efficiency, array size, transmission losses) for consideration as decision makers seek to identify where to site Marine Hydrokinetic (MHK) systems and the number of homes powered by the practical harvest of electricity from tidal currents at those locations with given attributes. A systems engineering process model is proposed for consideration as is a regression based equation to estimate MHK machine parameters needed for power a given number of homes.

Multipath study for a low altitude satellite utilizing a data relay satellite system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eggert, D.

1970-01-01

Technical considerations associated with a low altitude satellite operating in conjuction with a data relay satellite system are reported. Emphasis was placed on the quantitative characterization of multipath phenomenon and determination of power received via both the direct and earth reflection paths. Attempts were made to develop a means for estimating the magnitude and nature of the reflected power.

33 CFR 221.1 - Investigation and supervision of hydropower projects under the Federal Power Act (ER 1140-2-4).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... instructions issued by the President in a letter dated 18 May 1931 to the Secretary of War. These functions are... effect of the project on navigation and flood control, including adequacies of the plans of the.... The consideration for our approval under section 4(e) will be limited to effects of project power...

33 CFR 221.1 - Investigation and supervision of hydropower projects under the Federal Power Act (ER 1140-2-4).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... instructions issued by the President in a letter dated 18 May 1931 to the Secretary of War. These functions are... effect of the project on navigation and flood control, including adequacies of the plans of the.... The consideration for our approval under section 4(e) will be limited to effects of project power...

33 CFR 221.1 - Investigation and supervision of hydropower projects under the Federal Power Act (ER 1140-2-4).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... instructions issued by the President in a letter dated 18 May 1931 to the Secretary of War. These functions are... effect of the project on navigation and flood control, including adequacies of the plans of the.... The consideration for our approval under section 4(e) will be limited to effects of project power...

Power and Energy Considerations at Forward Operating Bases (FOBs)

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-06-16

systems • Anticipated additional plug loads by users – Personal Computers and Gaming Devices – Coffee Pots – Refrigerators – Lights – Personal Heaters...effort was made to account for the significant amount of equipment that consumes power not on the unit’s MTOE (printers, plotters, coffee pots, etc...50 Warfighters including billeting, kitchen, laundry, shower, latrines, and new wastewater treatment system Capability/impact: Compact, lightweight

Wind power. [electricity generation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Savino, J. M.

1975-01-01

A historical background on windmill use, the nature of wind, wind conversion system technology and requirements, the economics of wind power and comparisons with alternative systems, data needs, technology development needs, and an implementation plan for wind energy are presented. Considerable progress took place during the 1950's. Most of the modern windmills feature a wind turbine electricity generator located directly at the top of their rotor towers.

Commentary 1: The Challenging Task of Addressing Power, Control, and Influence in Sibling Relationships after the First Two Decades of Life

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bedford, Victoria Hilkevitch

2017-01-01

Extending the topic of power, control, and influence in the sibling relationship past the years covered in this issue is not an easy task because most adult siblings neither interact frequently nor live in geographic proximity, although there are considerable ethnic and social class variations. Thus, there are limited opportunities to observe how…

Power sources for autonomous underwater vehicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hasvold, Øistein; Størkersen, Nils J.; Forseth, Sissel; Lian, Torleif

The paper addresses the general requirements for power sources for AUVs, including battery and semi-fuel cell design and safety considerations. The focus is on the last AUV in the HUGIN family: the HUGIN 1000 mine reconnaissance system. For this AUV, FFI recently developed a pressure tolerant lithium ion battery based on commercially available polymer cells. The Royal Norwegian Navy has been operating HUGIN 1000 since February 2004.

Power conditioning for space nuclear reactor systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Berman, Baruch

1987-01-01

This paper addresses the power conditioning subsystem for both Stirling and Brayton conversion of space nuclear reactor systems. Included are the requirements summary, trade results related to subsystem implementation, subsystem description, voltage level versus weight, efficiency and operational integrity, components selection, and shielding considerations. The discussion is supported by pertinent circuit and block diagrams. Summary conclusions and recommendations derived from the above studies are included.

Noise power spectra of images from digital mammography detectors.

PubMed

Williams, M B; Mangiafico, P A; Simoni, P U

1999-07-01

Noise characterization through estimation of the noise power spectrum (NPS) is a central component of the evaluation of digital x-ray systems. We begin with a brief review of the fundamentals of NPS theory and measurement, derive explicit expressions for calculation of the one- and two-dimensional (1D and 2D) NPS, and discuss some of the considerations and tradeoffs when these concepts are applied to digital systems. Measurements of the NPS of two detectors for digital mammography are presented to illustrate some of the implications of the choices available. For both systems, two-dimensional noise power spectra obtained over a range of input fluence exhibit pronounced asymmetry between the orthogonal frequency dimensions. The 2D spectra of both systems also demonstrate dominant structures both on and off the primary frequency axes indicative of periodic noise components. Although the two systems share many common noise characteristics, there are significant differences, including markedly different dark-noise magnitudes, differences in NPS shape as a function of both spatial frequency and exposure, and differences in the natures of the residual fixed pattern noise following flat fielding corrections. For low x-ray exposures, quantum noise-limited operation may be possible only at low spatial frequency. Depending on the method of obtaining the 1D NPS (i.e., synthetic slit scanning or slice extraction from the 2D NPS), on-axis periodic structures can be misleadingly smoothed or missed entirely. Our measurements indicate that for these systems, 1D spectra useful for the purpose of detective quantum efficiency calculation may be obtained from thin cuts through the central portion of the calculated 2D NPS. On the other hand, low-frequency spectral values do not converge to an asymptotic value with increasing slit length when 1D spectra are generated using the scanned synthetic slit method. Aliasing can contribute significantly to the digital NPS, especially near the Nyquist frequency. Calculation of the theoretical presampling NPS and explicit inclusion of aliased noise power shows good agreement with measured values.

Coupled thermal, electrical, and fluid flow analyses of AMTEC converters, with illustrative application to OSC`s cell design

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

Schock, A.; Noravian, H.; Or, C.

1997-12-31

This paper presents the background and introduction to the OSC AMTEC (Alkali Metal Thermal-to-Electrical Conversion) studies, which were conducted for the Department of energy (DOE) and NASA`s jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). After describing the basic principle of AMTEC, the paper describes and explains the operation of multi-tube vapor/vapor cells, which have been under development by AMPS (Advance Modular Power Systems, Inc.) for the Air Force Phillips Laboratory (AFPL) and JPL for possible application to the Europa Orbiter, Pluto Express, and other space missions. It then describes a novel OSC-generated methodology for analyzing the performance of such cells. This methodology consistsmore » of an iterative procedure for the coupled solution of the interdependent thermal, electrical, and fluid flow differential and integral equations governing the performance of AMTEC cells and generators, taking proper account of the non-linear axial variations of temperature, pressure, open-circuit voltage, inter-electrode voltages, current density, axial current, sodium mass flow rate, and power density. The paper illustrates that analytical procedure by applying it to OSC`s latest cell design and by presenting detailed analytical results for that design. The OSC-developed analytic methodology constitutes a unique and powerful tool for accurate parametric analyses and design optimizations of the multi-tube AMTEC cells and of radioisotope power systems. This is illustrated in two companion papers in these proceedings. The first of those papers applies the OSC-derived program to determine the effect of various design parameters on the performance of single AMTEC cells with adiabatic side walls, culminating in an OSC-recommended revised cell design. And the second describes a number of OSC-generated AMTEC generator designs consisting of 2 and 3 GPHS heat source modules, 16 multi-tube converter cells, and a hybrid insulation design, and presents the results of applying the above analysis program to determine the applicability of those generators to possible future missions under consideration by NASA.« less

Low-power millimeter wave radiations do not alter stress-sensitive gene expression of chaperone proteins.

PubMed

Zhadobov, M; Sauleau, R; Le Coq, L; Debure, L; Thouroude, D; Michel, D; Le Dréan, Y

2007-04-01

This article reports experimental results on the influence of low-power millimeter wave (MMW) radiation at 60 GHz on a set of stress-sensitive gene expression of molecular chaperones, namely clusterin (CLU) and HSP70, in a human brain cell line. Selection of the exposure frequency is determined by its near-future applications for the new broadband civil wireless communication systems including wireless local area networks (WLAN) for domestic and professional uses. Frequencies around 60 GHz are strongly attenuated in the earth's atmosphere and such radiations represent a new environmental factor. An exposure system operating in V-band (50-75 GHz) was developed for cell exposure. U-251 MG glial cell line was sham-exposed or exposed to MMW radiation for different durations (1-33 h) and two different power densities (5.4 microW/cm(2) or 0.54 mW/cm(2)). As gene expression is a multiple-step process, we analyzed chaperone proteins induction at different levels. First, using luciferase reporter gene, we investigated potential effect of MMWs on the activation of transcription factors (TFs) and gene promoter activity. Next, using RT-PCR and Western blot assays, we verified whether MMW exposure could alter RNA accumulation, translation, or protein stability. Experimental data demonstrated the absence of significant modifications in gene transcription, mRNA, and protein amount for the considered stress-sensitive genes for the exposure durations and power densities investigated. The main results of this study suggest that low-power 60 GHz radiation does not modify stress-sensitive gene expression of chaperone proteins. (c) 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Description of a 2.3 kW power transformer for space applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hansen, I.

1979-01-01

The principle features and special testing of a high voltage high power transformer designed and developed for space application are described. The transformer is operated in a series resonant inverter supplying beam power to a 30 cm mercury ion thruster. Electrical requirements include operation of 2.3 kW continuous power output, primary currents to 35 amps rms, and frequencies up to 20 kHz. High efficiency was obtained through detailed considerations of the tradeoffs available in core materials, wire selection, coil configurations and thermal control. A number of novel heat removal techniques are discussed which control the winding temperature using only the available conductive cooling.

Proposed Guidance for Preparing and Reviewing Molten Salt Nonpower Reactor Licence Applications (NUREG-1537)

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

Belles, Randy; Flanagan, George F.; Voth, Marcus

Development of non-power molten salt reactor (MSR) test facilities is under consideration to support the analyses needed for development of a full-scale MSR. These non-power MSR test facilities will require review by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff. This report proposes chapter adaptations for NUREG-1537 in the form of interim staff guidance to address preparation and review of molten salt non-power reactor license applications. The proposed adaptations are based on a previous regulatory gap analysis of select chapters from NUREG-1537 for their applicability to non-power MSRs operating with a homogeneous fuel salt mixture.

Power and weight considerations in small, agile quadrotors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mulgaonkar, Yash; Whitzer, Michael; Morgan, Brian; Kroninger, Christopher M.; Harrington, Aaron M.; Kumar, Vijay

2014-06-01

The development of autonomous Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs) is significantly constrained by their size, weight and power consumption. In this paper, we explore the energetics of quadrotor platforms and study the scaling of mass, inertia, lift and drag with their characteristic length. The effects of length scale on masses and inertias associated with various components are also investigated. Additionally, a study of Lithium Polymer battery performance is presented in terms of specific power and specific energy. Finally, we describe the power and energy consumption for different quadrotors and explore the dependence on size and mass for static hover tests as well as representative maneuvers.

Demand of the power industry of Russia for gas turbines: the current state and prospects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Filippov, S. P.; Dil'man, M. D.; Ionov, M. S.

2017-11-01

The use of gas-turbine plants (GTPs) in the power industry of Russia is analyzed. Attention is paid to microturbines and low-, medium-, high-, and superhigh-power GTPs. The efficiency of the gas-turbine plants of domestic and foreign manufacture is compared. The actual values of the installed capacity utilization factor and the corresponding efficiency values are calculated for most GTPs operating in the country. The long-term demand of the country's electric power industry for GTPs for the period until 2040 is determined. The estimates have been obtained for three basic applications of the gas turbines, viz., for replacement of the GTPs that have exhausted their lifetime, replacement of outdated gas-turbine plants at gas-and-oilburning power plants, and construction of new thermal power plants to cover the anticipated growing demand for electric power. According to the findings of the research, the main item in the structure of the demand for GTPs will be their use to replace the decommissioned steam-turbine plants, predominantly those integrated into combined-cycle plants. The priority of the reconstruction of the thermal power plants in operation over the construction of new ones is determined by the large excess of accumulated installed capacities in the country and considerable savings on capital costs using production sites with completed infrastructure. It is established that medium- and high-power GTPs will be the most in-demand plants in the electric power industry. The demand for low-power GTPs will increase at high rates. The demand for microturbines is expected to be rather great. The demand for superhigh-power plants will become quantitatively significant after 2025 and grow rapidly afterwards. The necessity of accelerated development of competitive domestic GTPs with a wide range of capacities and mastering of their series manufacture as well as production of licensed gas turbines at a high production localization level on the territory of the country is shown. Considerable home demand for the power-generating GTPs and vast external markets will make the development of efficient domestic GTPs economically viable.

Future NASA Power Technologies for Space and Aero Propulsion Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Soeder, James F.

2015-01-01

To achieve the ambitious goals that NASA has outlined for the next decades considerable development of power technology will be necessary. This presentation outlines the development objectives for both space and aero applications. It further looks at the various power technologies that support these objectives and examines drivers that will be a driving force for future development. Finally, the presentation examines what type of non-traditional learning areas should be emphasized in student curriculum so that the engineering needs of the third decade of the 21st Century are met.

The Analysis of a Vortex Type Magnetohydrodynamic Induction Generator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lengyel, L. L.

1962-01-01

Consideration it is given to the performance to the characteristics of an AC magnetohydrodynamic power generator, A rotating magnetic field is imposed on the vortex flow of an electrically conducting fluid, which is injected tangentially into an annulus formed by two nonconducting concentric cylinders and two nonconducting end plates. A perturbation technique is used to determine the two dimensional velocity and three dimensional electromagnetic field and current distributions. Finally, the generated power, the ohmic losses, the effective power and the electrical efficiency of the converter system are calculated.

The high intensity solar cell: Key to low cost photovoltaic power

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sater, B. L.; Goradia, C.

1975-01-01

The design considerations and performance characteristics of the 'high intensity' (HI) solar cell are presented. A high intensity solar system was analyzed to determine its cost effectiveness and to assess the benefits of further improving HI cell efficiency. It is shown that residential sized systems can be produced at less than $1000/kW peak electric power. Due to their superior high intensity performance characteristics compared to the conventional and VMJ cells, HI cells and light concentrators may be the key to low cost photovoltaic power.

Steam plant startup and control in system restoration

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

Mello, F.P. de; Westcott, J.C.

1994-02-01

The IEEE Working Group on Power System Restoration developed a panel session for the Summer Power Meeting on July 14, 1992 on Special Considerations in Power System Restoration. One of the contributions to this session is presented in this paper dealing with aspects of steam plant startup and control in scenarios of system restoration. The topics addressed include the complexity of a steam plant, the contrast between normal plant startups and shutdowns and those following major system blackouts including the effects of plant design, automatic controls, bypass valving and operator training.

Weight and power savings shaft encoder interfacing techniques for aerospace applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Breslow, Donald H.

1986-01-01

Many aerospace applications for shaft angle digitizers such as optical shaft encoders require special features that are not usually required on commercial products. Among the most important user considerations are the lowest possible weight and power consumption. A variety of mechanical and electrical interface techniques that have large potential weight and power savings are described. The principles to be presented apply to a wide variety of encoders, ranging from 16 to 22 bit resolution and with diameters from 152 to 380 mm (6 to 15 in.).

Fission Surface Power Technology Development Status

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Palac, Donald T.; Mason, Lee S.; Houts, Michael G.; Harlow, Scott

2010-01-01

Power is a critical consideration in planning exploration of the surfaces of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Nuclear power is an important option, especially for locations in the solar system where sunlight is limited in availability or intensity. NASA is maintaining the option for fission surface power for the Moon and Mars by developing and demonstrating technology for an affordable fission surface power system. Because affordability drove the determination of the system concept that this technology will make possible, low development and recurring costs result, while required safety standards are maintained. However, an affordable approach to fission surface power also provides the benefits of simplicity, robustness, and conservatism in design. This paper will illuminate the multiplicity of benefits to an affordable approach to fission surface power, and will describe how the foundation for these benefits is being developed and demonstrated in the Exploration Technology Development Program s Fission Surface Power Project.

Solar power for the lunar night

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Landis, Geoffrey A.

1989-01-01

Providing power over the 354 hour lunar night provides a considerable challenge to solar power concepts for a moonbase. Concepts are reviewed for providing night power for a solar powered moonbase. The categories of solutions considered are electrical storage, physical storage, transmitted power, and innovative concepts. Electrical storage is the most well-developed option. Less developed electrical storage options are capacitors and superconducting inductors. Physical storage options include storage of potential energy and storage of energy in flywheels. Thermal storage has potentially high energy/weight, but problems of conduction and radiation losses during the night need to be addressed. Transmitted power considers use of microwave or laser beams to transmit power either from orbit or directly from the Earth. Finally, innovative concepts proposed include reflecting light from orbital mirrors, locating the moonbase at a lunar pole, converting reflected Earthlight, or moving the moonbase to follow the sun.

Performance analysis of radiation cooled dc transmission lines for high power space systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwarze, G. E.

1985-01-01

As space power levels increase to meet mission objectives and also as the transmission distance between power source and load increases, the mass, volume, power loss, and operating voltage and temperature become important system design considerations. This analysis develops the dependence of the specific mass and percent power loss on hte power and voltage levels, transmission distance, operating temperature and conductor material properties. Only radiation cooling is considered since the transmission line is assumed to operate in a space environment. The results show that the limiting conditions for achieving low specific mass, percent power loss, and volume for a space-type dc transmission line are the permissible transmission voltage and operating temperature. Other means to achieve low specific mass include the judicious choice of conductor materials. The results of this analysis should be immediately applicable to power system trade-off studies including comparisons with ac transmission systems.

Optical arc sensor using energy harvesting power source

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

Choi, Kyoo Nam, E-mail: knchoi@inu.ac.kr; Rho, Hee Hyuk, E-mail: rdoubleh0902@inu.ac.kr

Wireless sensors without external power supply gained considerable attention due to convenience both in installation and operation. Optical arc detecting sensor equipping with self sustaining power supply using energy harvesting method was investigated. Continuous energy harvesting method was attempted using thermoelectric generator to supply standby power in micro ampere scale and operating power in mA scale. Peltier module with heat-sink was used for high efficiency electricity generator. Optical arc detecting sensor with hybrid filter showed insensitivity to fluorescent and incandescent lamps under simulated distribution panel condition. Signal processing using integrating function showed selective arc discharge detection capability to different arcmore » energy levels, with a resolution below 17 J energy difference, unaffected by bursting arc waveform. The sensor showed possibility for application to arc discharge detecting sensor in power distribution panel. Also experiment with proposed continuous energy harvesting method using thermoelectric power showed possibility as a self sustainable power source of remote sensor.« less

Optical arc sensor using energy harvesting power source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Kyoo Nam; Rho, Hee Hyuk

2016-06-01

Wireless sensors without external power supply gained considerable attention due to convenience both in installation and operation. Optical arc detecting sensor equipping with self sustaining power supply using energy harvesting method was investigated. Continuous energy harvesting method was attempted using thermoelectric generator to supply standby power in micro ampere scale and operating power in mA scale. Peltier module with heat-sink was used for high efficiency electricity generator. Optical arc detecting sensor with hybrid filter showed insensitivity to fluorescent and incandescent lamps under simulated distribution panel condition. Signal processing using integrating function showed selective arc discharge detection capability to different arc energy levels, with a resolution below 17J energy difference, unaffected by bursting arc waveform. The sensor showed possibility for application to arc discharge detecting sensor in power distribution panel. Also experiment with proposed continuous energy harvesting method using thermoelectric power showed possibility as a self sustainable power source of remote sensor.

Inhibitory effect of genistein on the invasive potential of human cervical cancer cells via modulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression.

PubMed

Hussain, Arif; Harish, Geetganga; Prabhu, Sathyen Alwin; Mohsin, Javeria; Khan, Munawwar Ali; Rizvi, Tahir A; Sharma, Chhavi

2012-12-01

One of the most challenging stumbling blocks for the treatment of cancer is the ability of cancer cells to break the natural barriers and spread from its site of origin to non-adjacent regional and distant sites, accounting for high cancer mortality rates. Gamut experimental and epidemiological data advocate the use of pharmacological or nutritional interventions to inhibit or delay various stage(s) of cancer such as invasion and metastasis. Genistein, a promising chemopreventive agent, has gained considerable attention for its powerful anti-carcinogenic, anti-angiogenic and chemosensitizing activities. In this study, the cytotoxic potential of genistein on HeLa cells by cell viability assay and the mode of cell death induced by genistein were determined by nuclear morphological examination, DNA laddering assay and cell cycle analysis. Moreover, to establish its inhibitory effect on migration of HeLa cells, scratch wound assay was performed and these results were correlated with the expression of genes involved in invasion and migration (MMP-9 and TIMP-1) by RT-PCR. The exposure of HeLa cells to genistein resulted in significant dose- and time-dependent growth inhibition, which was found to be mediated by apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G(2)/M phase. In addition, it induced migration-inhibition in a time-dependent manner by modulating the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1. Our results signify that genistein may be an effective anti-neoplastic agent to prevent cancer cell growth and invasion and metastasis. Therefore therapeutic strategies utilizing genistein could be developed to substantially reduce cancer morbidity and mortality. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Some properties of human neuronal alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors fused to the green fluorescent protein.

PubMed

Palma, Eleonora; Mileo, Anna M; Martinez-Torres, Ataulfo; Eusebi, Fabrizio; Miledi, Ricardo

2002-03-19

The functional properties and cellular localization of the human neuronal alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine (AcCho) receptor (alpha7 AcChoR) and its L248T mutated (mut) form were investigated by expressing them alone or as gene fusions with the enhanced version of the green fluorescent protein (GFP). Xenopus oocytes injected with wild-type (wt), mutalpha7, or the chimeric subunit cDNAs expressed receptors that gated membrane currents when exposed to AcCho. As already known, AcCho currents generated by wtalpha7 receptors decay much faster than those elicited by the mutalpha7 receptors. Unexpectedly, the fusion of GFP to the wt and mutated alpha7 receptors led to opposite results: the AcCho-current decay of the wt receptors became slower, whereas that of the mutated receptors was accelerated. Furthermore, repetitive applications of AcCho led to a considerable "run-down" of the AcCho currents generated by mutalpha7-GFP receptors, whereas those of the wtalpha7-GFP receptors remained stable or increased in amplitude. The AcCho-current run-down of mutalpha7-GFP oocytes was accompanied by a marked decrease of alpha-bungarotoxin binding activity. Fluorescence, caused by the chimeric receptors expressed, was seen over the whole oocyte surface but was more intense and abundant in the animal hemisphere, whereas it was much weaker in the vegetal hemisphere. We conclude that fusion of GFP to wtalpha7 and mutalpha7 receptors provides powerful tools to study the distribution and function of alpha7 receptors. We also conclude that fused genes do not necessarily recapitulate all of the properties of the original receptors. This fact must be borne close in mind whenever reporter genes are attached to proteins.

12 CFR 544.2 - Charter amendments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... requirements of its charter in adopting such amendments: (1) Purpose and powers. Add a second paragraph to section 4, as follows: Section 4. Purpose and powers. * * * The association shall have the express power... regulations of the Office; (xi) To wind up and dissolve, merge, consolidate, convert, or reorganize; (xii) To...