Sample records for double edge technique

  1. Lidar Measurements of Tropospheric Wind Profiles with the Double Edge Technique

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gentry, Bruce M.; Li, Steven X.; Korb, C. Laurence; Mathur, Savyasachee; Chen, Huailin

    1998-01-01

    Research has established the importance of global tropospheric wind measurements for large scale improvements in numerical weather prediction. In addition, global wind measurements provide data that are fundamental to the understanding and prediction of global climate change. These tasks are closely linked with the goals of the NASA Earth Science Enterprise and Global Climate Change programs. NASA Goddard has been actively involved in the development of direct detection Doppler lidar methods and technologies to meet the wind observing needs of the atmospheric science community. A variety of direct detection Doppler wind lidar measurements have recently been reported indicating the growing interest in this area. Our program at Goddard has concentrated on the development of the edge technique for lidar wind measurements. Implementations of the edge technique using either the aerosol or molecular backscatter for the Doppler wind measurement have been described. The basic principles have been verified in lab and atmospheric lidar wind experiments. The lidar measurements were obtained with an aerosol edge technique lidar operating at 1064 nm. These measurements demonstrated high spatial resolution (22 m) and high velocity sensitivity (rms variances of 0.1 m/s) in the planetary boundary layer (PBL). The aerosol backscatter is typically high in the PBL and the effects of the molecular backscatter can often be neglected. However, as was discussed in the original edge technique paper, the molecular contribution to the signal is significant above the boundary layer and a correction for the effects of molecular backscatter is required to make wind measurements. In addition, the molecular signal is a dominant source of noise in regions where the molecular to aerosol ratio is large since the energy monitor channel used in the single edge technique measures the sum of the aerosol and molecular signals. To extend the operation of the edge technique into the free troposphere we have developed a variation of the edge technique called the double edge technique. In this paper a ground based aerosol double edge lidar is described and the first measurements of wind profiles in the free troposphere obtained with this lidar will be presented.

  2. Direct Detection Doppler Lidar for Spaceborne Wind Measurement

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Korb, C. Laurence; Flesia, Cristina

    1999-01-01

    Aerosol and molecular based versions of the double-edge technique can be used for direct detection Doppler lidar spaceborne wind measurement. The edge technique utilizes the edge of a high spectral resolution filter for high accuracy wind measurement using direct detection lidar. The signal is split between an edge filter channel and a broadband energy monitor channel. The energy monitor channel is used for signal normalization. The edge measurement is made as a differential frequency measurement between the outgoing laser signal and the atmospheric backscattered return for each pulse. As a result the measurement is insensitive to laser and edge filter frequency jitter and drift at a level less than a few parts in 10(exp 10). We have developed double edge versions of the edge technique for aerosol and molecular-based lidar measurement of the wind. Aerosol-based wind measurements have been made at Goddard Space Flight Center and molecular-based wind measurements at the University of Geneva. We have demonstrated atmospheric measurements using these techniques for altitudes from 1 to more than 10 km. Measurement accuracies of better than 1.25 m/s have been obtained with integration times from 5 to 30 seconds. The measurements can be scaled to space and agree, within a factor of two, with satellite-based simulations of performance based on Poisson statistics. The theory of the double edge aerosol technique is described by a generalized formulation which substantially extends the capabilities of the edge technique. It uses two edges with opposite slopes located about the laser frequency at approximately the half-width of each edge filter. This doubles the signal change for a given Doppler shift and yields a factor of 1.6 improvement in the measurement accuracy compared to the single edge technique. The use of two high resolution edge filters substantially reduces the effects of Rayleigh scattering on the measurement, as much as order of magnitude, and allows the signal to noise ratio to be substantially improved in areas of low aerosol backscatter. We describe a method that allows the Rayleigh and aerosol components of the signal to be independently determined using the two edge channels and an energy monitor channel. The effects of Rayleigh scattering may then subtracted from the measurement and we show that the correction process does not significantly increase the measurement noise for Rayleigh to aerosol ratios up to 10. We show that for small Doppler shifts a measurement accuracy of 0.4 m/s can be obtained for 5000 detected photon, 1.2 m/s for 1000 detected photons, and 3.7 m/s for 50 detected photons for a Rayleigh to aerosol ratio of 5. Methods for increasing the dynamic range of the aerosol-based system to more than +/- 100 m/s are given.

  3. Assessment of transmitral flow after mitral valve edge-to-edge repair using High-speed particle image velocimetry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jeyhani, Morteza; Shahriari, Shahrokh; Labrosse, Michel; Kadem, Lyes

    2013-11-01

    Approximately 500,000 people in North America suffer from mitral valve regurgitation (MR). MR is a disorder of the heart in which the mitral valve (MV) leaflets do not close securely during systole. Edge-to-edge repair (EtER) technique can be used to surgically treat MR. This technique produces a double-orifice configuration for the MV. Under these un-physiological conditions, flow downstream of the MV forms a double jet structure that may disturb the intraventricular hemodynamics. Abnormal flow patterns following EtER are mainly characterized by high-shear stress and stagnation zones in the left ventricle (LV), which increase the potential of blood component damage. In this study, a custom-made prosthetic bicuspid MV was used to analyze the LV flow patterns after EtER by means of digital particle image velocimetry (PIV). Although the repair of a MV using EtER technique is an effective approach, this study confirms that EtER leads to changes in the LV flow field, including the generation of a double mitral jet flow and high shear stress regions.

  4. Doppler Lidar Measurements of Tropospheric Wind Profiles Using the Aerosol Double Edge Technique

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gentry, Bruce M.; Li, Steven X.; Mathur, Savyasachee; Korb, C. Laurence; Chen, Huailin

    2000-01-01

    The development of a ground based direct detection Doppler lidar based on the recently described aerosol double edge technique is reported. A pulsed, injection seeded Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm is used to make range resolved measurements of atmospheric winds in the free troposphere. The wind measurements are determined by measuring the Doppler shift of the laser signal backscattered from atmospheric aerosols. The lidar instrument and double edge method are described and initial tropospheric wind profile measurements are presented. Wind profiles are reported for both day and night operation. The measurements extend to altitudes as high as 14 km and are compared to rawinsonde wind profile data from Dulles airport in Virginia. Vertical resolution of the lidar measurements is 330 m and the rms precision of the measurements is a low as 0.6 m/s.

  5. The Double Edge Technique for Doppler lidar wind measurement

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Korb, C. Laurence; Gentry, Bruce M.; Li, S. Xingfu; Flesia, Cristina; Chen, Huailin; Mathur, S.

    1998-01-01

    The edge technique utilizes the edge of a high spectral resolution filter for high accuracy wind measurement using direct detection lidar. The signal is split between an edge filter channel and a broadband energy monitor channel. The energy monitor channel is used for signal normalization. The edge measurement is made as a differential frequency measurement between the outgoing laser signal and the atmospheric backscattered return for each pulse. As a result, the measurement is insensitive to laser and edge filter frequency jitter and drift at a level less than a few parts in 10(exp 10). We will discuss the methodology of the technique in detail, present a broad range of simulation results, and provide preprints of a journal article currently in press.

  6. Investigation of leading-edge flap performance on delta and double-delta wings at supersonic speeds

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Covell, Peter F.; Wood, Richard M.; Miller, David S.

    1987-01-01

    An investigation of the aerodynamic performance of leading-edge flaps on three clipped delta and three clipped double-delta wing planforms with aspect ratios of 1.75, 2.11, and 2.50 was conducted in the Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel at Mach numbers of 1.60, 1.90, and 2.16. A primary set of fullspan leading-edge flaps with similar root and tip chords were investigated on each wing, and several alternate flap planforms were investigated on the aspect-ratio-1.75 wings. All leading-edge flap geometries were effective in reducing the drag at lifting conditions over the range of wing aspect ratios and Mach numbers tested. Application of a primary flap resulted in better flap performance with the double-delta planform than with the delta planform. The primary flap geometry generally yielded better performance than the alternate flap geometries tested. Trim drag due to flap-induced pitching moments was found to reduce the leading-edge flap performance more for the delta planform than for the double-delta planform. Flow-visualization techniques showed that leading-edge flap deflection reduces crossflow shock-induced separation effects. Finally, it was found that modified linear theory consistently predicts only the effects of leading-edge flap deflection as related to pitching moment and lift trends.

  7. Arthroscopic labral repair of the hip, using a through-labral double-stranded single-pass suture technique.

    PubMed

    Ye, Ken; Singh, Parminder J

    2014-10-01

    The normal labrum is crucial to the biomechanical function of the hip joint, not only increasing the surface area and depth of the acetabulum but also maintaining a suction seal to assist in normal synovial fluid flow from the peripheral to the central compartment. Simple loop suture repairs of the labrum may evert the labrum, thus losing the optimal seal, as well as causing abrasion of the articular cartilage. Vertical mattress suture and labral base fixation techniques aim to leave the free edge of the labrum intact and undisturbed, therefore improving the contact of the labrum to the femoral head and neck to improve the seal of the acetabulum. We aim to describe a double-stranded single-pass vertical mattress suture technique that may allow greater versatility to the surgeon in repairing thinner labrums while still achieving a free and continuous free edge.

  8. Application of holography to flow visualization within rotating compressor blade row. [to determine three dimensional shock patterns

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wuerker, R. F.; Kobayashi, R. J.; Heflinger, L. O.; Ware, T. C.

    1974-01-01

    Two holographic interblade row flow visualization systems were designed to determine the three-dimensional shock patterns and velocity distributions within the rotating blade row of a transonic fan rotor, utilizing the techniques of pulsed laser transmission holography. Both single- and double-exposure bright field holograms and dark field scattered-light holograms were successfully recorded. Two plastic windows were installed in the rotor tip casing and outer casing forward of the rotor to view the rotor blade passage. The viewing angle allowed detailed investigation of the leading edge shocks and shocks in the midspan damper area; limited details of the trailing edge shocks also were visible. A technique was devised for interpreting the reconstructed holograms by constructing three dimensional models that allowed identification of the major shock systems. The models compared favorably with theoretical predictions and results of the overall and blade element data. Most of the holograms were made using the rapid double-pulse technique.

  9. Double-Edge Molecular Measurement of Lidar Wind Profiles at 355 nm

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Flesia, Cristina; Korb, C. Laurence; Hirt, Christian; Einaudi, Franco (Technical Monitor)

    2000-01-01

    We built a direct detection Doppler lidar based on the double-edge molecular technique and made the first molecular based wind measurements using the eyesafe 355 nm wavelength. Three etalon bandpasses are obtained with Step etalons on a single pair of etalon plates. Long-term frequency drift of the laser and the capacitively stabilized etalon is removed by locking the etalon to the laser frequency. We use a low angle design to avoid polarization effects. Wind measurements of 1 to 2 m/s accuracy are obtained to 10 km altitude with 5 mJ of laser energy, a 750s integration, and a 25 cm telescope. Good agreement is obtained between the lidar and rawinsonde measurements.

  10. "Meniscus Sign" to Identify the Lenticule Edge in Small-Incision Lenticule Extraction.

    PubMed

    Titiyal, Jeewan S; Kaur, Manpreet; Brar, Anand S; Falera, Ruchita

    2018-06-01

    To describe our technique of lenticule edge identification in small-incision lenticule extraction using the "meniscus sign" to prevent lenticule misdissection. Femtosecond laser application for small-incision lenticule extraction was performed. A "double ring" was visible, signifying the edge of the cap cut (outer ring) and lenticule cut (inner ring). The anterior and posterior lamellar planes were delineated in 2 different directions. During creation of the posterior lamellar channel, the lenticule edge was slightly pushed away from the surgeon to create a gap between the inner ring (diameter of the lenticule cut) and the lenticule edge. The lenticule edge assumed a frilled wavy appearance, and the meniscus sign was observed as a gap between the lenticule edge and the inner ring. The meniscus-shaped gap served as a landmark to identify the lenticule edge, and the relationship between the frilled lenticule edge and surgical instruments further acted as a guide to identify the correct plane of dissection. This technique was successfully undertaken in 50 eyes of 25 patients. The meniscus sign was observed in all cases, and no case had cap lenticular adhesions. The meniscus sign helps to identify the lenticule edge and correct dissection planes and provides a visual landmark during the entire surgical procedure.

  11. Part II: Biomechanical assessment for a footprint-restoring transosseous-equivalent rotator cuff repair technique compared with a double-row repair technique.

    PubMed

    Park, Maxwell C; Tibone, James E; ElAttrache, Neal S; Ahmad, Christopher S; Jun, Bong-Jae; Lee, Thay Q

    2007-01-01

    We hypothesized that a transosseous-equivalent repair would demonstrate improved tensile strength and gap formation between the tendon and tuberosity when compared with a double-row technique. In 6 fresh-frozen human shoulders, a transosseous-equivalent rotator cuff repair was performed: a suture limb from each of two medial anchors was bridged over the tendon and fixed laterally with an interference screw. In 6 contralateral matched-pair specimens, a double-row repair was performed. For all repairs, a materials testing machine was used to load each repair cyclically from 10 N to 180 N for 30 cycles; each repair underwent tensile testing to measure failure loads at a deformation rate of 1 mm/sec. Gap formation between the tendon edge and insertion was measured with a video digitizing system. The mean ultimate load to failure was significantly greater for the transosseous-equivalent technique (443.0 +/- 87.8 N) compared with the double-row technique (299.2 +/- 52.5 N) (P = .043). Gap formation during cyclic loading was not significantly different between the transosseous-equivalent and double-row techniques, with mean values of 3.74 +/- 1.51 mm and 3.79 +/- 0.68 mm, respectively (P = .95). Stiffness for all cycles was not statistically different between the two constructs (P > .40). The transosseous-equivalent rotator cuff repair technique improves ultimate failure loads when compared with a double-row technique. Gap formation is similar for both techniques. A transosseous-equivalent repair helps restore footprint dimensions and provides a stronger repair than the double-row technique, which may help optimize healing biology.

  12. Neutron Bragg-edge-imaging for strain mapping under in situ tensile loading

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Woracek, R.; Penumadu, D.; Kardjilov, N.; Hilger, A.; Strobl, M.; Wimpory, R. C.; Manke, I.; Banhart, J.

    2011-05-01

    Wavelength selective neutron radiography at a cold neutron reactor source was used to measure strain and determine (residual) stresses in a steel sample under plane stress conditions. We present a new technique that uses an energy-resolved neutron imaging system based on a double crystal monochromator and is equipped with a specially developed (in situ) biaxial load frame to perform Bragg edge based transmission imaging. The neutron imaging technique provides a viewing area of 7 cm by 7 cm with a spatial resolution on the order of ˜ 100 μm. The stress-induced shifts of the Bragg edge corresponding to the (110) lattice plane were resolved spatially for a ferritic steel alloy A36 (ASTM international) sample. Furthermore it is demonstrated that results agree with comparative data obtained using neutron diffraction and resistance based strain-gauge rosettes.

  13. Synthesis and adsorption properties of flower-like layered double hydroxide by a facile one-pot reaction with an eggshell membrane as assistant

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Songnan; Zhang, Jiawei; Jamil, Saba; Cai, Qinghai; Zang, Shuying

    In this paper, flower-like layered double hydroxides were synthesized with eggshell membrane assistant. The as-prepared samples were characterized by a series of techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Thermal gravity-differential thermal analysis and Nitrogen sorption/desorption. The resulting layered double hydroxides were composed of nanoplates with edge-to-face particle interactions. The specific surface area and total pore volume of the as-prepared flower-like layered double hydroxides were 160m2/g and 0.65m3/g, respectively. The adsorption capacity of flower-like layered double hydroxides to Congo Red was 258mg/g, which was higher than that of layered double hydroxides synthesized by the traditional method.

  14. Gate tunable parallel double quantum dots in InAs double-nanowire devices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Baba, S.; Matsuo, S.; Kamata, H.; Deacon, R. S.; Oiwa, A.; Li, K.; Jeppesen, S.; Samuelson, L.; Xu, H. Q.; Tarucha, S.

    2017-12-01

    We report fabrication and characterization of InAs nanowire devices with two closely placed parallel nanowires. The fabrication process we develop includes selective deposition of the nanowires with micron scale alignment onto predefined finger bottom gates using a polymer transfer technique. By tuning the double nanowire with the finger bottom gates, we observed the formation of parallel double quantum dots with one quantum dot in each nanowire bound by the normal metal contact edges. We report the gate tunability of the charge states in individual dots as well as the inter-dot electrostatic coupling. In addition, we fabricate a device with separate normal metal contacts and a common superconducting contact to the two parallel wires and confirm the dot formation in each wire from comparison of the transport properties and a superconducting proximity gap feature for the respective wires. With the fabrication techniques established in this study, devices can be realized for more advanced experiments on Cooper-pair splitting, generation of Parafermions, and so on.

  15. Double-Edge Molecular Measurement of Lidar Wind Profiles in the VALID Campaign

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Korb, C. Laurence; Flesia, Cristina; Lolli, Simone; Hirt, Christian

    2000-01-01

    We have developed a transportable container based direct detection Doppler lidar based on the double-edge molecular technique. The pulsed solid state system was built at the University of Geneva. It was used to make range resolved measurements of the atmospheric wind field as part of the VALID campaign at the Observatoire de Haute Provence in Provence, France in July 1999. Comparison of our lidar wind measurements, which were analyzed without knowledge of the results of rawinsonde measurements made under the supervision of ESA, show good agreement with these rawinsondes. These are the first Doppler lidar field measurements made with an eyesafe direct detection molecular-based system at 355 nm and serve as a demonstrator for future spaceborne direct detection wind systems such as the Atmospheric Dynamics mission. Winds are an important contributor to sea surface temperature measurements made with the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and also affect the TRMM rainfall estimates.

  16. Optimal Shape of a Gamma-ray Collimator: single vs double knife edge

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Metz, Albert; Hogenbirk, Alfred

    2017-09-01

    Gamma-ray collimators in nuclear waste scanners are used for selecting a narrow vertical segment in activity measurements of waste vessels. The system that is used by NRG uses tapered slit collimators of both the single and double knife edge type. The properties of these collimators were investigated by means of Monte Carlo simulations. We found that single knife edge collimators are highly preferable for a conservative estimate of the activity of the waste vessels. These collimators show much less dependence on the angle of incidence of the radiation than double knife edge collimators. This conclusion also applies to cylindrical collimators of the single knife edge type, that are generally used in medical imaging spectroscopy.

  17. Direct Detection Doppler Lidar for Spaceborne Wind Measurement

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Korb, C. Laurence; Flesia, Cristina

    1999-01-01

    The theory of double edge lidar techniques for measuring the atmospheric wind using aerosol and molecular backscatter is described. Two high spectral resolution filters with opposite slopes are located about the laser frequency for the aerosol based measurement or in the wings of the Rayleigh - Brillouin profile for the molecular measurement. This doubles the signal change per unit Doppler shift and improves the measurement accuracy by nearly a factor of 2 relative to the single edge technique. For the aerosol based measurement, the use of two high resolution edge filters reduces the effects of background, Rayleigh scattering, by as much as an order of magnitude and substantially improves the measurement accuracy. Also, we describe a method that allows the Rayleigh and aerosol components of the signal to be independently determined. A measurement accuracy of 1.2 m/s can be obtained for a signal level of 1000 detected photons which corresponds to signal levels in the boundary layer. For the molecular based measurement, we describe the use of a crossover region where the sensitivity of a molecular and aerosol-based measurement are equal. This desensitizes the molecular measurement to the effects of aerosol scattering and greatly simplifies the measurement. Simulations using a conical scanning spaceborne lidar at 355 nm give an accuracy of 2-3 m/s for altitudes of 2-15 km for a 1 km vertical resolution, a satellite altitude of 400 km, and a 200 km x 200 km spatial.

  18. Evidence of Multiple Sorption Modes in Layered Double Hydroxides Using Mo As Structural Probe.

    PubMed

    Ma, Bin; Fernandez-Martinez, Alejandro; Grangeon, Sylvain; Tournassat, Christophe; Findling, Nathaniel; Claret, Francis; Koishi, Ayumi; Marty, Nicolas C M; Tisserand, Delphine; Bureau, Sarah; Salas-Colera, Eduardo; Elkaïm, Erik; Marini, Carlo; Charlet, Laurent

    2017-05-16

    Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have been considered as effective phases for the remediation of aquatic environments, to remove anionic contaminants mainly through anion exchange mechanisms. Here, a combination of batch isotherm experiments and X-ray techniques was used to examine molybdate (MoO 4 2- ) sorption mechanisms on CaAl LDHs with increasing loadings of molybdate. Advanced modeling of aqueous data shows that the sorption isotherm can be interpreted by three retention mechanisms, including two types of edge sites complexes, interlayer anion exchange, and CaMoO 4 precipitation. Meanwhile, Mo geometry evolves from tetrahedral to octahedral on the edge, and back to tetrahedral coordination at higher Mo loadings, indicated by Mo K-edge X-ray absorption spectra. Moreover, an anion exchange process on both CaAl LDHs was followed by in situ time-resolved synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction, remarkably agreeing with the sorption isotherm. This detailed molecular view shows that different uptake mechanisms-edge sorption, interfacial dissolution-reprecipitation-are at play and control anion uptake under environmentally relevant conditions, which is contrast to the classical view of anion exchange as the primary retention mechanism. This work puts all these mechanisms in perspective, offering a new insight into the complex interplay of anion uptake mechanisms by LDH phases, by using changes in Mo geometry as powerful molecular-scale probe.

  19. Wind-tunnel Investigation of High-lift and Stall-control Devices on a 37 Degree Sweptback Wing of Aspect Ratio 6 at High Reynolds Numbers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Koven, William; Graham, Robert R

    1948-01-01

    Results are presented of an investigation in the Langley 19-foot pressure tunnel of the longitudinal characteristics of a semispan model wing having 37 degrees sweepback of the leading edge, an aspect ratio of 6, and NACA 641-212 airfoil section perpendicular to the 27-percent-chord line. Several types of stall-control devices including extensible round-nose leading-edge flaps, a leading-edge slat, and a drooped leading edge were investigated; partial- and full-span trailing-edge split and double slotted flaps were also tested. In addition, various combinations of the aforementioned leading- and trailing-edge flaps were investigated. The tests covered a range of Reynolds numbers between 2.00 x 10(6) and 9.35 x 10(6). The wing with or without trailing-edge splity of double slotted flap was longitudinally unstable near maximum lift due to tip stalling. The addition of an outboard half-span leading-edge flap or a leading-edge slat to the plain wing or wing with inboard half-span split flaps eliminated tip stalling and resulted in stable moment variations at the stall. The drooped leading edge, on the other hand, was only effective when used in conjunction with an upper-surface fence. The combination of an outboard leading-edge device and inboard half-span double slotted flap resulted in an undesirable loop in the pitching-moment curve near maximum lift in spite of an inboard stall. The loop is attributed to the section characteristics of the double slotted flap. Air-flow surveys behind the wing indicated that a suitably placed horizontal tail would eliminate the loop in the moment curve.

  20. Electrochemical formation and characterization of Au nanostructures on a highly ordered pyrolytic graphite surface

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gómez, José J. Arroyo; Zubieta, Carolina; Ferullo, Ricardo M.; García, Silvana G.

    2016-02-01

    The electrochemical formation of Au nanoparticles on a highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) substrate using conventional electrochemical techniques and ex-situ AFM is reported. From the potentiostatic current transients studies, the Au electrodeposition process on HOPG surfaces was described, within the potential range considered, by a model involving instantaneous nucleation and diffusion controlled 3D growth, which was corroborated by the microscopic analysis. Initially, three-dimensional (3D) hemispherical nanoparticles distributed on surface defects (step edges) of the substrate were observed, with increasing particle size at more negative potentials. The double potential pulse technique allowed the formation of rounded deposits at low deposition potentials, which tend to form lines of nuclei aligned in defined directions leading to 3D ordered structures. By choosing suitable nucleation and growth pulses, one-dimensional (1D) deposits were possible, preferentially located on step edges of the HOPG substrate. Quantum-mechanical calculations confirmed the tendency of Au atoms to join selectively on surface defects, such as the HOPG step edges, at the early stages of Au electrodeposition.

  1. Application of holography to the determination of flow conditions within the rotating blade row of a compressor

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hantman, R. G.; Burr, R. J.; Alwang, W. G.; Williams, M. C.

    1973-01-01

    The double-pulse, double-exposure holography technique was applied to visualize the flow field within a transonic compressor rotor with a tip speed of 1800 ft/sec. The principal objective was to visualize the shock waves created in the flow field which was supersonic relative to the rotating blade row. The upstream rotor blade bow shocks and, at high speed, the outermost portion of the leading edge passage shock were successfully observed in the holograms. Techniques were devised for locating these shocks in three dimensions, and the results were compared with theoretical predictions. Density changes between the two pulses due to motion of the shocks were large and, therefore, it was not possible to resolve the fringe systems in detail for the 100% speed conditions. However, gross features of the shocks were easily observed, and the upstream shocks were well displayed. In all cases the shock angles were somewhat larger than predicted by theory, and a distinct increase in angle near the outer wall was observed, which may be attributed to endwall boundary layer effects. The location and orientation of the observed leading edge passage shocks were in good agreement with static pressure contours obtained from measurements in the outer casing over the rotor tip.

  2. Evaluation of double drop beads pavement edge lines.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2009-08-01

    This report presents an evaluation of Double Drop Bead (DDB) edge lines used on ALDOT-maintained highways. It compares DDB to three other pavement marking types in terms of service lives, life-cycle costs, and both dry-night retroreflectivity and wet...

  3. Functional and Biomechanical Effects of the Edge-to-Edge Repair in the Setting of Mitral Regurgitation: Consolidated Knowledge and Novel Tools to Gain Insight into Its Percutaneous Implementation.

    PubMed

    Sturla, Francesco; Redaelli, Alberto; Puppini, Giovanni; Onorati, Francesco; Faggian, Giuseppe; Votta, Emiliano

    2015-06-01

    Mitral regurgitation is the most prevalent heart valve disease in the western population. When severe, it requires surgical treatment, repair being the preferred option. The edge-to-edge repair technique treats mitral regurgitation by suturing the leaflets together and creating a double-orifice valve. Due to its relative simplicity and versatility, it has become progressively more widespread. Recently, its percutaneous version has become feasible, and has raised interest thanks to the positive results of the Mitraclip(®) device. Edge-to-edge features and evolution have stimulated debate and multidisciplinary research by both clinicians and engineers. After providing an overview of representative studies in the field, here we propose a novel computational approach to the most recent percutaneous evolution of the edge-to-edge technique. Image-based structural finite element models of three mitral valves affected by posterior prolapse were derived from cine-cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. The models accounted for the patient-specific 3D geometry of the valve, including leaflet compound curvature pattern, patient-specific motion of annulus and papillary muscles, and hyperelastic and anisotropic mechanical properties of tissues. The biomechanics of the three valves throughout the entire cardiac cycle was simulated before and after Mitraclip(®) implantation, assessing the biomechanical impact of the procedure. For all three simulated MVs, Mitraclip(®) implantation significantly improved systolic leaflets coaptation, without inducing major alterations in systolic peak stresses. Diastolic orifice area was decreased, by up to 58.9%, and leaflets diastolic stresses became comparable, although lower, to systolic ones. Despite established knowledge on the edge-to-edge surgical repair, latest technological advances make its percutanoues implementation a challenging field of research. The modeling approach herein proposed may be expanded to analyze clinical scenarios that are currently critical for Mitraclip(®) implantation, helping the search for possible solutions.

  4. Controlling sound radiation through an opening with secondary loudspeakers along its boundaries.

    PubMed

    Wang, Shuping; Tao, Jiancheng; Qiu, Xiaojun

    2017-10-17

    We propose a virtual sound barrier system that blocks sound transmission through openings without affecting access, light and air circulation. The proposed system applies active control technique to cancel sound transmission with a double layered loudspeaker array at the edge of the opening. Unlike traditional transparent glass windows, recently invented double-glazed ventilation windows and planar active sound barriers or any other metamaterials designed to reduce sound transmission, secondary loudspeakers are put only along the boundaries of the opening, which provides the possibility to make it invisible. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate its feasibility for broadband sound control, especially for low frequency sound which is usually hard to attenuate with existing methods.

  5. Wind Tunnel Application of a Pressure-Sensitive Paint Technique to a Double Delta Wing Model at Subsonic and Transonic Speeds

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Erickson, Gary E.; Gonzalez, Hugo A.

    2006-01-01

    A pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) technique was applied in a wind tunnel experiment in the NASA Langley Research Center 8-Foot Transonic Pressure Tunnel to study the effect of wing fillets on the global vortex induced surface static pressure field about a sharp leading-edge 76 deg./40 deg. double delta wing, or strake-wing, model at subsonic and transonic speeds. Global calibrations of the PSP were obtained at M(sub infinity) = 0.50, 0.70, 0.85, 0.95, and 1.20, a Reynolds number per unit length of 2.0 million, and angles of attack from 10 degrees to 20 degrees using an insitu method featuring the simultaneous acquisition of electronically scanned pressures (ESP) at discrete locations on the model. The mean error in the PSP measurements relative to the ESP data was approximately 2 percent or less at M(sub infinity) = 0.50 to 0.85 but increased to several percent at M(sub infinity) =0.95 and 1.20. The PSP pressure distributions and pseudo-colored, planform-view pressure maps clearly revealed the vortex-induced pressure signatures at all Mach numbers and angles of attack. Small fillets having parabolic or diamond planforms situated at the strake-wing intersection were respectively designed to manipulate the vortical flows by removing the leading-edge discontinuity or introducing additional discontinuities. The fillets caused global changes in the vortex-dominated surface pressure field that were effectively captured in the PSP measurements. The vortex surface pressure signatures were compared to available off-surface vortex cross-flow structures obtained using a laser vapor screen (LVS) flow visualization technique. The fillet effects on the PSP pressure distributions and the observed leading-edge vortex flow characteristics were consistent with the trends in the measured lift, drag, and pitching moment coefficients.

  6. Pressure-Sensitive Paint Investigation of Double-Delta Wing Vortex Flow Manipulation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Erickson, Gary E.; Gonzalez, Hugo A.

    2004-01-01

    A pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) technique was applied in a wind tunnel experiment in the NASA Langley Research Center 8-Foot Transonic Pressure Tunnel to quantify the effect of wing fillets on the global vortex-induced surface static pressure field about a sharp leading-edge 76o/40o double delta wing, or strake-wing, model at subsonic and transonic speeds. Global calibrations of the PSP were obtained at M = 0.50, 0.70, 0.85, 0.95, and 1.20, a Reynolds number per unit length of 2.0 million, and angles of attack from 10 degrees to 20 degrees using an in-situ method featuring the simultaneous acquisition of electronically-scanned pressures (ESP) at discrete locations on the model. The mean error in the PSP measurements relative to the ESP data was approximately 2 percent or less at M = 0.50 to 0.85 but increased to several percent at M =0.95 and 1.20. The PSP pressure distributions and pseudo-colored planform view pressure maps clearly revealed the vortex-induced pressure signatures at all Mach numbers and angles of attack. Small fillets having a parabolic or diamond planform situated at the strake-wing intersection were designed to manipulate the vortical flows by, respectively, removing the leading-edge discontinuity or introducing additional discontinuities. The fillets caused global changes in the vortex-dominated surface pressure field that were effectively captured in the PSP measurements. The vortex surface pressure signatures were compared to available off-surface vortex cross-flow structures obtained using a laser vapor screen (LVS) flow visualization technique. The fillet effects on the PSP pressure distributions and the observed leading-edge vortex flow characteristics were consistent with the trends in the measured lift, drag, and pitching moment coefficients.

  7. Pressure-Sensitive Paint Investigation of Double-Delta Wing Vortex Flow Manipulation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Erickson, Gary E.; Gonzalez, Hugo A.

    2005-01-01

    A pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) technique was applied in a wind tunnel experiment in the NASA Langley Research Center 8-Foot Transonic Pressure Tunnel to quantify the effect of wing fillets on the global vortex-induced surface static pressure field about a sharp leading-edge 76 deg/40 deg double delta wing, or strake-wing, model at subsonic and transonic speeds. Global calibrations of the PSP were obtained at M = 0.50, 0.70, 0.85, 0.95, and 1.20, a Reynolds number per unit length of 2.0 million, and angles of attack from 10 degrees to 30 degrees using an in-situ method featuring the simultaneous acquisition of electronically-scanned pressures (ESP) at discrete locations on the model. The mean error in the PSP measurements relative to the ESP data was approximately 2 percent or less at M = 0.50 to 0.85 but increased to several percent at M = 0.95 and 1.20. The PSP pressure distributions and pseudo-colored planform view pressure maps clearly revealed the vortex-induced pressure signatures at all Mach numbers and angles of attack. Small fillets having a parabolic or diamond planform situated at the strake-wing intersection were designed to manipulate the vortical flows by, respectively, removing the leading-edge discontinuity or introducing additional discontinuities. The fillets caused global changes in the vortex-dominated surface pressure field that were effectively captured in the PSP measurements. The vortex surface pressure signatures were compared to available off-surface vortex cross-flow structures obtained using a laser vapor screen (LVS) flow visualization technique. The fillet effects on the PSP pressure distributions and the observed leading-edge vortex flow characteristics were consistent with the trends in the measured lift, drag, and pitching moment coefficients.

  8. Computational insight into the capacitive performance of graphene edge planes

    DOE PAGES

    Zhan, Cheng; Zhang, Yu; Cummings, Peter T.; ...

    2017-02-01

    Recent experiments have shown that electric double-layer capacitors utilizing electrodes consisting of graphene edge plane exhibit higher capacitance than graphene basal plane. However, theoretical understanding of this capacitance enhancement is still limited. Here we applied a self-consistent joint density functional theory calculation on the electrode/electrolyte interface and found that the capacitance of graphene edge plane depends on the edge type: zigzag edge has higher capacitance than armchair edge due to the difference in their electronic structures. We further examined the quantum, dielectric, and electric double-layer (EDL) contributions to the total capacitance of the edge-plane electrodes. Classical molecular dynamics simulation foundmore » that the edge planes have higher EDL capacitance than the basal plane due to better adsorption of counter-ions and higher solvent accessible surface area. Finally, our work therefore has elucidated the capacitive energy storage in graphene edge planes that take into account both the electrode's electronic structure and the EDL structure.« less

  9. Systematic oxidation of polystyrene by ultraviolet-ozone, characterized by near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure and contact angle.

    PubMed

    Klein, Robert J; Fischer, Daniel A; Lenhart, Joseph L

    2008-08-05

    The process of implanting oxygen in polystyrene (PS) via exposure to ultraviolet-ozone (UV-O) was systematically investigated using the characterization technique of near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS). Samples of PS exposed to UV-O for 10-300 s and washed with isopropanol were analyzed using the carbon and oxygen K-edge NEXAFS partial electron yields, using various retarding bias voltages to depth-profile the oxygen penetration into the surface. Evaluation of reference polymers provided a scale to quantify the oxygen concentration implanted by UV-O treatment. We find that ozone initially reacts with the double bonds on the phenyl rings, forming carbonyl groups, but within 1 min of exposure, the ratio of double to single oxygen bonds stabilizes at a lower value. Oxygen penetrates the film with relative ease, creating a fairly uniform distribution of oxygen within at least the first 4 nm (the effective depth probed by NEXAFS here). Before oxygen accumulates in large concentrations, however, it preferentially degrades the uppermost layer of the film by removing oxygenated low-molecular-weight oligomers. The failure to accumulate high concentrations of oxygen is seen in the nearly constant carbon edge jump, the low concentration of oxygen even at 5 min exposure (58% of that in poly(4-acetoxystyrene), the polymer with the most similarities to UV-O-treated PS), and the relatively high contact angles. At 5 min exposure the oxygen concentration contains ca. 7 atomic % oxygen. The oxygen species that are implanted consist predominantly of single O-C bonds and double O=C bonds but also include a small fraction of O-H. UV-O treatment leads a plateau after 2 min exposure in the water contact angle hysteresis, at a value of 67 +/- 2 degrees , due primarily to chemical heterogeneity. Annealing above T(g) allows oxygenated species to move short distances away from the surface but not diffuse further than 1-2 nm.

  10. Miniaturization and Optimization of Nanoscale Resonant Oscillators

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-09-07

    carried out over a range of core sizes. Using a double 4-f imaging system in conjunction with a pump filter ( Semrock RazorEdge long wavelength pass...Using a double 4-f imaging system in conjunction with a pump filter ( Semrock RazorEdge long wavelength pass), the samples are imaged onto either an

  11. Fiction, History and Pedagogy: A Double-Edged Sword

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Clark, Penney; Sears, Alan

    2017-01-01

    There are many areas of overlap between history and fiction. Teachers of history have long recognized this connection and used a range of fictional accounts in their teaching. In this article, we argue that fiction is a double-edged sword that must be handled carefully. On the one hand, it presents compelling characters and accounts that provide…

  12. Education Is a Double-Edged Sword: Thoughts on Indian and Non-Indian Education.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Simonelli, Richard

    2001-01-01

    For Native people and others who feel the dangers of the dominant materialistic world view, education is a double-edged sword. Mainstream education and the skills it teaches are necessary to survive in contemporary life, but mainstream values may be destructive to humanity and must be balanced by learning activities that promote heart,…

  13. Single Crystal Membranes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stormont, R. W.; Morrison, A.

    1974-01-01

    Single crystal a- and c-axis tubes and ribbons of sodium beta-alumina and sodium magnesium beta-alumina were grown from sodium oxide rich melts. Additional experiments grew ribbon crystals containing sodium magnesium beta, beta double prime, beta triple prime, and beta quadruple prime. A high pressure crystal growth chamber, sodium oxide rich melts, and iridium for all surfaces in contact with the melt were combined with the edge-defined, film-fed growth technique to grow the single crystal beta-alumina tubes and ribbons. The crystals were characterized using metallographic and X-ray diffraction techniques, and wet chemical analysis was used to determine the sodium, magnesium, and aluminum content of the grown crystals.

  14. Transition metal atomic multiplets in the ligand K-edge x-ray absorption spectra and multiple oxidation states in the L2,3 emission of strongly correlated compounds

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jiménez-Mier, J.; Olalde-Velasco, P.; Yang, W.-L.; Denlinger, J.

    2014-07-01

    We present results that show that atomic multiplet ligand field calculations are in very good agreement with experimental x-ray absorption spectra at the L2,3 edge of transition metal (TM) di-fluorides (MF2, MCrCu). For chromium more than one TM oxidation state is needed to achieve such an agreement. We also show that signature of the TM atomic multiplet can be found at the pre-edge of the fluorine K-edge x-ray absorption spectra. TM atomic multiplet ligand field calculations with a structureless core hole show good agreement with the observed pre-edges in the experimental fluorine absorption spectra. Preliminary results for the comparison between calculated and experimental resonant x-ray emission spectra for nominal CrF2 with more than one oxidation state indicate the presence of three chromium oxidation states in the bulk.

  15. [Autodermal plastics and transposition of musculus rectus abdominus for giant postoperative hernias].

    PubMed

    Ianov, V N

    2000-01-01

    For reduction of postoperative hernia relapses rate the technique of the autodermal plastics and transposition of musculus rectus abdominalis (MRA) was developed. This technique consists of two-sided transection of the lateral abdominal muscles (oblique and transverse) on the pararectal line, transposition of MRA together with their sheaths medially by autodermal continuous lacing to complete adaptation of the edges. Closing of the lateral muscle-aponeurotic defects was carried out with use of the double autodermal grafts which were prepared by Yanov's technique. This technique is indicated for giant postoperative hernias and pronounced diastase of the MRA in people with well developed abdominal muscles. This technique was used in 11 patients without complications after surgery. Long-term results are available for all the patients. The relapses were absent. The technique, developed by us, provides first of all restoration of physiological function of the MRA, and also closing of the abdominal wall muscle-aponeurotic defect.

  16. A study of high-lift airfoils at high Reynolds numbers in the Langley low-turbulence pressure tunnel

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Morgan, Harry L., Jr.; Ferris, James C.; Mcghee, Robert J.

    1987-01-01

    An experimental study was conducted in the Langley Low Turbulence Pressure Tunnel to determine the effects of Reynolds number and Mach number on the two-dimensional aerodynamic performance of two supercritical type airfoils, one equipped with a conventional flap system and the other with an advanced high lift flap system. The conventional flap system consisted of a leading edge slat and a double slotted, trailing edge flap with a small chord vane and a large chord aft flap. The advanced flap system consisted of a leading edge slat and a double slotted, trailing edge flap with a large chord vane and a small chord aft flap. Both models were tested with all elements nested to form the cruise airfoil and with the leading edge slat and with a single or double slotted, trailing edge flap deflected to form the high lift airfoils. The experimental tests were conducted through a Reynolds number range from 2.8 to 20.9 x 1,000,000 and a Mach number range from 0.10 to 0.35. Lift and pitching moment data were obtained. Summaries of the test results obtained are presented and comparisons are made between the observed aerodynamic performance trends for both models. The results showing the effect of leading edge frost and glaze ice formation is given.

  17. Stroke-model-based character extraction from gray-level document images.

    PubMed

    Ye, X; Cheriet, M; Suen, C Y

    2001-01-01

    Global gray-level thresholding techniques such as Otsu's method, and local gray-level thresholding techniques such as edge-based segmentation or the adaptive thresholding method are powerful in extracting character objects from simple or slowly varying backgrounds. However, they are found to be insufficient when the backgrounds include sharply varying contours or fonts in different sizes. A stroke-model is proposed to depict the local features of character objects as double-edges in a predefined size. This model enables us to detect thin connected components selectively, while ignoring relatively large backgrounds that appear complex. Meanwhile, since the stroke width restriction is fully factored in, the proposed technique can be used to extract characters in predefined font sizes. To process large volumes of documents efficiently, a hybrid method is proposed for character extraction from various backgrounds. Using the measurement of class separability to differentiate images with simple backgrounds from those with complex backgrounds, the hybrid method can process documents with different backgrounds by applying the appropriate methods. Experiments on extracting handwriting from a check image, as well as machine-printed characters from scene images demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model.

  18. Breaking the Double-Edged Sword of Effort/Trying Hard: Developmental Equilibrium and Longitudinal Relations among Effort, Achievement, and Academic Self-Concept

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Marsh, Herbert W.; Pekrun, Reinhard; Lichtenfeld, Stephanie; Guo, Jiesi; Arens, A. Katrin; Murayama, Kou

    2016-01-01

    Ever since the classic research of Nicholls (1976) and others, effort has been recognized as a double-edged sword: while it might enhance achievement, it undermines academic self-concept (ASC). However, there has not been a thorough evaluation of the longitudinal reciprocal effects of effort, ASC, and achievement, in the context of modern…

  19. Modeling of direct detection Doppler wind lidar. I. The edge technique.

    PubMed

    McKay, J A

    1998-09-20

    Analytic models, based on a convolution of a Fabry-Perot etalon transfer function with a Gaussian spectral source, are developed for the shot-noise-limited measurement precision of Doppler wind lidars based on the edge filter technique by use of either molecular or aerosol atmospheric backscatter. The Rayleigh backscatter formulation yields a map of theoretical sensitivity versus etalon parameters, permitting design optimization and showing that the optimal system will have a Doppler measurement uncertainty no better than approximately 2.4 times that of a perfect, lossless receiver. An extension of the models to include the effect of limited etalon aperture leads to a condition for the minimum aperture required to match light collection optics. It is shown that, depending on the choice of operating point, the etalon aperture finesse must be 4-15 to avoid degradation of measurement precision. A convenient, closed-form expression for the measurement precision is obtained for spectrally narrow backscatter and is shown to be useful for backscatter that is spectrally broad as well. The models are extended to include extrinsic noise, such as solar background or the Rayleigh background on an aerosol Doppler lidar. A comparison of the model predictions with experiment has not yet been possible, but a comparison with detailed instrument modeling by McGill and Spinhirne shows satisfactory agreement. The models derived here will be more conveniently implemented than McGill and Spinhirne's and more readily permit physical insights to the optimization and limitations of the double-edge technique.

  20. Experimental determination of airplane mass and inertial characteristics

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

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

    1974-01-01

    Current practices are evaluated for experimentally determining airplane center of gravity, moments of inertia, and products of inertia. The techniques discussed are applicable to bodies other than airplanes. In pitching- and rolling-moment-of-inertia investigations with the airplane mounted on and pivoted about knife edges, the nonlinear spring moments that occur at large amplitudes of oscillation can be eliminated by using the proper spring configuration. The single-point suspension double-pendulum technique for obtaining yawing moments of inertia, products of inertia, and the inclination of the principal axis provides accurate results from yaw-mode oscillation data, provided that the sway-mode effects are minimized by proper suspension rig design. Rocking-mode effects in the data can be isolated.

  1. MO-FG-CAMPUS-TeP3-05: Limitations of the Dose Weighted LET Concept for Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy in the Distal Falloff Region and Beyond

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

    Moskvin, V; Pirlepesov, F; Farr, J

    2016-06-15

    Purpose: Dose-weighted linear energy transfer (dLET) has been shown to be useful for the analysis of late effects in proton therapy. This study presents the results of the testing of the dLET concept for intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) with a discrete spot scanning beam system without use of an aperture or compensator (AC). Methods: IMPT (no AC) and broad beams (BB) with (AC) were simulated in the TOPAS and FLUKA code systems. Information from the independently tested Monte Carlo Damage Simulation (MCDS) was integrated into the FLUKA code systems to account for spatial variations in the RBE for protonsmore » and other light ions using an endpoint of DNA double strand break (DSB) induction. Results: The proton spectra for IMPT beams at the depths beyond the distal edge contain a tail of high energy protons up to 100 MeV. The integral from the tail is compatible with the number of 5–8 MeV protons at the tip of the Bragg peak (BP). The dose averaged energy (dEav) decreases to 7 MeV at the tip of (BP) and then increases to about 15 MeV beyond the distal edge. Neutrons produced in the nozzle are two orders of magnitude higher for BB with AC than for IMPT in low energy part of the spectra. The dLET values beyond of the distal edge of the BP are 5 times larger for the IMPT than for BB with the AC. Contrarily, negligible differences are seen in the RBE estimates for IMPT and BB with AC beyond the distal edge of the BP. Conclusion: The analysis of late effects in IMPT with a spot scanning and double scattering or scanning techniques with AC may requires both dLET and RBE as quantitative parameters to characterize effects beyond the distal edge of the BP.« less

  2. Impedance of an intense plasma-cathode electron source for tokamak startup

    DOE PAGES

    Hinson, Edward Thomas; Barr, Jayson L.; Bongard, Michael W.; ...

    2016-05-31

    In this study, an impedance model is formulated and tested for the ~1kV, ~1kA/cm 2, arc-plasma cathode electron source used for local helicity injection tokamak startup. A double layer sheath is established between the high-density arc plasma (n arc ≈ 10 21 m -3) within the electron source, and the less dense external tokamak edge plasma (n edge ≈ 10 18 m -3) into which current is injected at the applied injector voltage, V inj. Experiments on the Pegasus spherical tokamak show the injected current, I inj, increases with V inj according to the standard double layer scaling I injmore » ~ V inj 3/2 at low current and transitions to I inj ~ V inj 1/2 at high currents. In this high current regime, sheath expansion and/or space charge neutralization impose limits on the beam density n b ~ I inj/V inj 1/2. For low tokamak edge density n edge and high I inj, the inferred beam density n b is consistent with the requirement n b ≤ n edge imposed by space-charge neutralization of the beam in the tokamak edge plasma. At sufficient edge density, n b ~ n arc is observed, consistent with a limit to n b imposed by expansion of the double layer sheath. These results suggest that n arc is a viable control actuator for the source impedance.« less

  3. Extended electron energy loss fine structure simulation of the local boron environment in sodium aluminoborosilicate glasses containing gadolinium

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

    Qian, Morris; Li, Hong; Li, Liyu

    Gadolinium can be dissolved in sodium-alumino-borosilicate glasses up to 47 wt% in a baseline borosilicate glass (mol%) 20 B2O3, 5 Al2O3, 60 SiO2,and 20 Na2O. Understanding of Gd dissolution in borosilicate melts is important in glass formulation optimization. Electron energy loss fine structure (ELFS) spectroscopy is chosen, which provides well resolved local atomic structure information for both amorphous and crystalline materials with high sensitivity to low Z elements such as Al, B, Na, O, and Si where the x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) technique faces experimental difficulty. In this study, we report our results of boron K-edge ELFS study. Twomore » borosilicate glass samples with 30 and 47 mass% Gd2O3, B20Gd30 and B20Gd47were chosen for B K-edge ELFS study. EEL spectra were acquired on a Philips 430 TEM equipped with Gatan PEELS system 666 and EL/P 2.1 software with Custom function AcqLong. The ELFS data analysis was performed using UWELFS, UWXAFS and FEFF software. From our Gd solubility study, the local structure of Gd in the borate environment possibly resembles double chain structure found in crystalline Gd(BO2)3 as proposed by Chakraborty et al. The B/Gd ratio's in both glasses are smaller then 3, which means the excess Gd atoms in the Si-sites would be 17 and 60 mol% of the total Gd atoms, respectively according to the model, yet the local environment of borate sites saturated with Gd should be remained. To verity above hypothesis, the double chain structure model was applied to fit boron K-edge. The model was shown to well fit experimental boron K-edge EELS spectra for both glasses with some degree of distance distortion which is understandable in amorphous structure. Therefore, it is very likely that Gd stabilized in borate sites has a local structure resembling the double chain Gd(BO2)3 structure as proposed by our solubility study and literature.« less

  4. The double-edged effects of annealing MgO underlayers on the efficient synthesis of single-wall carbon nanotube forests.

    PubMed

    Tsuji, Takashi; Hata, Kenji; Futaba, Don N; Sakurai, Shunsuke

    2017-11-16

    Recently, the millimetre-scale, highly efficient synthesis of single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) forests from Fe catalysts has been reported through the annealing of the magnesia (MgO) underlayer. Here, we report the double-edged effects of underlayer annealing on the efficiency and structure of the SWCNT forest synthesis through a temperature-dependent examination. Our results showed that the efficiency of the SWCNT forests sharply increased with increased underlayer annealing temperatures from 600 °C up to 900 °C due to a temperature-dependent structural modification, characterized by increased grain size and reduced defects, of the MgO underlayer. Beyond this temperature, the SWCNT fraction also decreased as a result of further structural modification of the MgO underlayer. This exemplifies the double-edged effects of annealing. Specifically, for underlayer annealing below 600 °C, the catalyst subsurface diffusion was found to limit the growth efficiency, and for excessively high underlayer annealing temperatures (>900 °C), catalyst coalescence/ripening led to the formation of double-wall carbon nanotubes. As a result, three distinct regions of synthesis were observed: (i) a "low yield" region below a threshold temperature (∼600 °C); (ii) an "increased yield" region from 600 to 900 °C, and (iii) a "saturation" region above 900 °C. The efficient SWCNT forest synthesis could only occur within a specific annealing temperature window as a result of this double-edged effects of underlayer annealing.

  5. Decay and the double-decay properties of edge bands of phosphorene ribbons

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, M.; Duan, H.-J.; Wang, R.-Q.

    2015-11-01

    Phosphorene (a monolayer of black phosphorus) recently spurred much attention due to its potential for application. We notice there are two types of zigzag edge and two types of armchair edge for phosphorene lattice. We study the winding number of various types of edge of phosphorene ribbons and conclude that, besides on the typical zigzag edge, the flat zero-energy edge band can be found in the ribbon of another nontypical armchair edge. The localization of these edge bands is investigated analytically. We find every single edge state of the atypical armchair edge decays to the bulk at two different decay rates.

  6. Edge effects in vertically-oriented graphene based electric double-layer capacitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Huachao; Yang, Jinyuan; Bo, Zheng; Zhang, Shuo; Yan, Jianhua; Cen, Kefa

    2016-08-01

    Vertically-oriented graphenes (VGs) have been demonstrated as a promising active material for electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs), partially due to their edge-enriched structure. In this work, the 'edge effects', i.e., edges as the promoters of high capacitance, in VG based EDLCs are investigated with experimental research and numerical simulations. VGs with diverse heights (i.e., edge-to-basal ratios) and edge densities are prepared with varying the plasma-enabled growth time and employing different plasma sources. Electrochemical measurements show that the edges play a predominant role on the charge storage behavior of VGs. A simulation is further conducted to unveil the roles of the edges on the separation and adsorption of ions within VG channels. The initial charge distribution of a VG plane is obtained with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, which is subsequently applied to a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation system to gain the insights into the microscope EDLC structures. Compared with the basal planes, the edges present higher initial charge density (by 4.2 times), higher ion packing density (by 2.6 times), closer ion packing location (by 0.8 Å), and larger ion separation degree (by 14%). The as-obtained findings will be instructive in designing the morphology and structure of VGs for enhanced capacitive performances.

  7. Time-resolved measurement of single pulse femtosecond laser-induced periodic surface structure formation induced by a pre-fabricated surface groove.

    PubMed

    Kafka, K R P; Austin, D R; Li, H; Yi, A Y; Cheng, J; Chowdhury, E A

    2015-07-27

    Time-resolved diffraction microscopy technique has been used to observe the formation of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) from the interaction of a single femtosecond laser pulse (pump) with a nano-scale groove mechanically formed on a single-crystal Cu substrate. The interaction dynamics (0-1200 ps) was captured by diffracting a time-delayed, frequency-doubled pulse (probe) from nascent LIPSS formation induced by the pump with an infinity-conjugate microscopy setup. The LIPSS ripples are observed to form asynchronously, with the first one forming after 50 ps and others forming sequentially outward from the groove edge at larger time delays. A 1-D analytical model of electron heating including both the laser pulse and surface plasmon polariton excitation at the groove edge predicts ripple period, melt spot diameter, and qualitatively explains the asynchronous time-evolution of LIPSS formation.

  8. Content modification attacks on consensus seeking multi-agent system with double-integrator dynamics.

    PubMed

    Dong, Yimeng; Gupta, Nirupam; Chopra, Nikhil

    2016-11-01

    In this paper, vulnerability of a distributed consensus seeking multi-agent system (MAS) with double-integrator dynamics against edge-bound content modification cyber attacks is studied. In particular, we define a specific edge-bound content modification cyber attack called malignant content modification attack (MCoMA), which results in unbounded growth of an appropriately defined group disagreement vector. Properties of MCoMA are utilized to design detection and mitigation algorithms so as to impart resilience in the considered MAS against MCoMA. Additionally, the proposed detection mechanism is extended to detect the general edge-bound content modification attacks (not just MCoMA). Finally, the efficacies of the proposed results are illustrated through numerical simulations.

  9. Content modification attacks on consensus seeking multi-agent system with double-integrator dynamics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dong, Yimeng; Gupta, Nirupam; Chopra, Nikhil

    2016-11-01

    In this paper, vulnerability of a distributed consensus seeking multi-agent system (MAS) with double-integrator dynamics against edge-bound content modification cyber attacks is studied. In particular, we define a specific edge-bound content modification cyber attack called malignant content modification attack (MCoMA), which results in unbounded growth of an appropriately defined group disagreement vector. Properties of MCoMA are utilized to design detection and mitigation algorithms so as to impart resilience in the considered MAS against MCoMA. Additionally, the proposed detection mechanism is extended to detect the general edge-bound content modification attacks (not just MCoMA). Finally, the efficacies of the proposed results are illustrated through numerical simulations.

  10. Photoionization of Ne Atoms and Ne + Ions Near the K Edge: PrecisionSpectroscopy and Absolute Cross-sections

    DOE PAGES

    Müller, Alfred; Bernhardt, Dietrich; Borovik, Alexander; ...

    2017-02-17

    Single, double, and triple photoionization of Ne + ions by single photons have been investigated at the synchrotron radiation source PETRA III in Hamburg, Germany. Absolute cross-sections were measured by employing the photon-ion merged-beams technique. Photon energies were between about 840 and 930 eV, covering the range from the lowest-energy resonances associated with the excitation of one single K-shell electron up to double excitations involving one K- and one L-shell electron, well beyond the K-shell ionization threshold. Also, photoionization of neutral Ne was investigated just below the K edge. The chosen photon energy bandwidths were between 32 and 500 meV,more » facilitating the determination of natural line widths. The uncertainty of the energy scale is estimated to be 0.2 eV. For comparison with existing theoretical calculations, astrophysically relevant photoabsorption cross-sections were inferred by summing the measured partial ionization channels. Discussion of the observed resonances in the different final ionization channels reveals the presence of complex Auger-decay mechanisms. The ejection of three electrons from the lowest K-shell-excited Ne + (1s2s 2p 6 2S 1/2) level, for example, requires cooperative interaction of at least four electrons.« less

  11. Ex vivo hydrodynamics after central and paracommissural edge-to-edge technique: A further step toward transcatheter tricuspid repair?

    PubMed

    Stock, Sina; Bohm, Heidemarie; Scharfschwerdt, Michael; Richardt, Doreen; Meyer-Saraei, Roza; Tsvelodub, Stanislav; Sievers, Hans-Hinrich

    2018-03-01

    Transcatheter approaches in heart valve disease became tremendously important and are currently established in the aortic position, but transcatheter tricuspid repair is still in its beginning and remains challenging. Replicating the surgical edge-to-edge technique, for example, with the MitraClip System (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, Calif), represents a promising option and has been reported successfully in small numbers of cases. However, up to now, few data considering the edge-to-edge technique as a transcatheter approach are available. This study aims to determine the ex vivo hydrodynamics after the central and paracommissural edge-to-edge technique in different pathologies. Because of basal or apical dislocation of papillary muscles, leaflet prolapse or tethering was simulated in porcine tricuspid valves mounted on a flexible holding device. Central and paracommissural edge-to-edge techniques were evaluated successively in these pathologies. Regurgitant volume and mean transvalvular gradient were determined in a pulse duplicator. In this ex vivo model, the isolated edge-to-edge technique reduced tricuspid regurgitation. In the prolapse model, regurgitant volume decreased significantly after central edge-to-edge technique (from 49.4 ± 13.6 mL/stroke to 39.3 ± 14.1 mL/stroke). In the tethering model, both the central and the paracommissural edge-to-edge techniques led to a significant decrease (from 48.7 ± 13.9 to 43.6 ± 15.6 and to 41.1 ± 13.8 mL/stroke). In all cases, the reduction of regurgitant volume was achieved at the cost of significantly increased mean transvalvular gradient. This study provides a reduction of tricuspid regurgitation after the edge-to-edge technique in the specific experimental setup. Whether this reduction is sufficient to treat tricuspid regurgitation successfully in clinical practice remains to be established. Transcatheter approaches need to be evaluated further, probably with regard to concomitant annuloplasty for higher reduction of tricuspid regurgitation. Copyright © 2017 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. On cordial labeling of double duplication for some families of graph

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shobana, L.; Remigius Perpetua Mary, F.

    2018-04-01

    Let G (V, E) be a simple undirected graph where V,E are its vertex set and edge set respectively. Consider a labeling where f bea function from the vertices of G to {0, 1} and for each edge xy assign the label|f(x)-f(y)|. Then f is called cordial of G if the number of vertices labeled 0 and the number of vertices labeled 1 differs by at most 1 and the number of edges labeled 0 and the number of edges labeled 1 differs by at most 1. In this paper we proved the existence of cordial labeling for double duplication of path graph Pn: n≥2, cycle graph Cn: n≥3 except for n≡2 (mod 4), wheel graph Wn:n≥5 except for n≥3 (mod 4), flower graph Fn: n≥5 and bistar graph Bm,n: m,n≥2.

  13. Wind Profiles Obtained with a Molecular Direct Detection Doppler Lidar During IHOP-2002

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gentry, Bruce M.; Chen, Huai-Lin; Li, Steven X.; Mathur, Savyasachee; Dobler, Jeremy; Hasselbrack, William; Comer, Joseph

    2004-01-01

    The Goddard Lidar Observatory for Winds (GLOW) is a mobile direct detection Doppler lidar system which uses the double edge technique to measure the Doppler shift of the molecular backscattered laser signal at a wavelength of 355 nm. In the spring of 2002 GLOW was deployed to the western Oklahoma profiling site (36 deg 33.500 min. N, 100 deg. 36.371 min. W) to participate in the International H2O Project (IHOP). During the IHOP campaign over 240 hours of wind profiles were obtained with the GLOW lidar in support of a variety of scientific investigations.

  14. Micro-abrasion package capture cell experiment on the trailing edge of LDEF: Impactor chemistry and whipple bumper shield efficiencies

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fitzgerald, Howard J.; Yano, Hajime

    1995-01-01

    Four of the eight available double layer microparticle capture cells, flown as the experiment A0023 on the trailing (West) face of LDEF, have been extensively studied. An investigation of the chemistry of impactors has been made using SEM/EDX techniques and the effectiveness of the capture cells as bumper shields has also been examined. Studies of these capture cells gave positive EDX results, with 53 percent of impact sites indicating the presence of some chemical residues, the predominant residue identified as being silicon in varying quantities.

  15. Evaluation of double drop beads pavement edge lines : SPR project description.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2009-01-01

    In UTCA projects 01465 and 04405, the retroreflectivities and the life cycle costs were measured and compared for standard Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) thermoplastic edge : stripes that contained only one size of retroreflective beads...

  16. Tropospheric Wind Profile Measurements with a Direct Detection Doppler Lidar

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gentry, Bruce M.; Li, Steven X.; Korb, C. Laurence; Chen, Huailin; Mathur, Savyasachee

    1998-01-01

    Research has established the importance of global tropospheric wind measurements for large scale improvements in numerical weather prediction. In addition, global wind measurements provide data that are fundamental to the understanding and prediction of global climate change. These tasks are closely linked with the goals of the NASA Earth Science Enterprise and Global Climate Change programs. NASA Goddard has been actively involved in the development of direct detection Doppler lidar methods and technologies to meet the wind observing needs of the atmospheric science community. In this paper we describe a recently developed prototype wind lidar system using a direct detection Doppler technique for measuring wind profiles from the surface through the troposphere. This system uses a pulsed ND:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm as the transmitter. The laser pulse is directed to the atmosphere using a 40 cm diameter scan mirror. The portion of the laser energy backscattered from aerosols and molecules is collected by a 40 cm diameter telescope and coupled via fiber optics into the Doppler receiver. Single photon counting APD's are used to detect the atmospheric backscattered signal. The principle element of the receiver is a dual bandpass tunable Fabry Perot etalon which analyzes the Doppler shift of the incoming laser signal using the double edge technique. The double edge technique uses two high resolution optical filters having bandpasses offset relative to one another such that the 'edge' of the first filter's transmission function crosses that of the second at the half power point. The outgoing laser frequency is located approximately at the crossover point. Due to the opposite going slopes of the edges, a Doppler shift in the atmospheric backscattered laser frequency produces a positive change in signal for one filter and a negative change in the second filter. Taking the ratio of the two edge channel signals yields a result which is directly proportional to the component of the wind along the line-of-sight of the laser. Measuring the radial wind in several directions provides sufficient information to determine the true wind speed and direction. The lidar has operated from our laboratory at Goddard since June, 1997. Wind profiles have been obtained to altitudes of 12 km with a vertical resolution of 330 in. Vector wind data are obtained by rotating the scan mirror to measure line-of-sight wind profiles for at least two azimuth angles at an elevation angle of 45 degrees. The precision of the data as determined from the standard deviation of multiple independent lidar profiles is in the range of 1 to 3 m/sec up to 10 km. Good agreement is obtained when the lidar data are compared with the upper air rawinsonde soundings taken at Dulles airport. Examples of the wind lidar data will be presented along with a description of the instrument and future developments.

  17. A Mesh Refinement Study on the Impact Response of a Shuttle Leading-Edge Panel Finite Element Simulation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fasanella, Edwin L.; Jackson, Karen E.; Lyle, Karen H.; Spellman, Regina L.

    2006-01-01

    A study was performed to examine the influence of varying mesh density on an LS-DYNA simulation of a rectangular-shaped foam projectile impacting the space shuttle leading edge Panel 6. The shuttle leading-edge panels are fabricated of reinforced carbon-carbon (RCC) material. During the study, nine cases were executed with all possible combinations of coarse, baseline, and fine meshes of the foam and panel. For each simulation, the same material properties and impact conditions were specified and only the mesh density was varied. In the baseline model, the shell elements representing the RCC panel are approximately 0.2-in. on edge, whereas the foam elements are about 0.5-in. on edge. The element nominal edge-length for the baseline panel was halved to create a fine panel (0.1-in. edge length) mesh and doubled to create a coarse panel (0.4-in. edge length) mesh. In addition, the element nominal edge-length of the baseline foam projectile was halved (0.25-in. edge length) to create a fine foam mesh and doubled (1.0-in. edge length) to create a coarse foam mesh. The initial impact velocity of the foam was 775 ft/s. The simulations were executed in LS-DYNA for 6 ms of simulation time. Contour plots of resultant panel displacement and effective stress in the foam were compared at four discrete time intervals. Also, time-history responses of internal and kinetic energy of the panel, kinetic and hourglass energy of the foam, and resultant contact force were plotted to determine the influence of mesh density.

  18. Defect-induced band-edge reconstruction of a bismuth-halide double perovskite for visible-light absorption

    DOE PAGES

    Slavney, Adam H.; Leppert, Linn; Bartesaghi, Davide; ...

    2017-03-29

    In this study, halide double perovskites have recently been developed as less toxic analogs of the lead perovskite solar-cell absorbers APbX 3 (A = monovalent cation; X = Br or I). However, all known halide double perovskites have large bandgaps that afford weak visible-light absorption. The first halide double perovskite evaluated as an absorber, Cs 2AgBiBr 6 (1), has a bandgap of 1.95 eV. Here, we show that dilute alloying decreases 1’s bandgap by ca. 0.5 eV. Importantly, time-resolved photoconductivity measurements reveal long-lived carriers with microsecond lifetimes in the alloyed material, which is very promising for photovoltaic applications. The alloyedmore » perovskite described herein is the first double perovskite to show comparable bandgap energy and carrier lifetime to those of (CH 3NH 3)PbI 3. By describing how energy- and symmetry-matched impurity orbitals, at low concentrations, dramatically alter 1’s band edges, we open a potential pathway for the large and diverse family of halide double perovskites to compete with APbX 3 absorbers.« less

  19. Finite element validation of stress intensity factor calculation models for thru-thickness and thumb-nail cracks in double edge notch specimens

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

    Beres, W.; Koul, A.K.

    1994-09-01

    Stress intensity factors for thru-thickness and thumb-nail cracks in the double edge notch specimens, containing two different notch radius (R) to specimen width (W) ratios (R/W = 1/8 and 1/16), are calculated through finite element analysis. The finite element results are compared with predictions based on existing empirical models for SIF calculations. The effects of a change in R/W ratio on SIF of thru-thickness and thumb-nail cracks are also discussed. 34 refs.

  20. Impedance of an intense plasma-cathode electron source for tokamak startup

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hinson, E. T.; Barr, J. L.; Bongard, M. W.; Burke, M. G.; Fonck, R. J.; Perry, J. M.

    2016-05-01

    An impedance model is formulated and tested for the ˜1 kV , 1 kA/cm2 , arc-plasma cathode electron source used for local helicity injection tokamak startup. A double layer sheath is established between the high-density arc plasma ( narc≈1021 m-3 ) within the electron source, and the less dense external tokamak edge plasma ( nedge≈1018 m-3 ) into which current is injected at the applied injector voltage, Vinj . Experiments on the Pegasus spherical tokamak show that the injected current, Iinj , increases with Vinj according to the standard double layer scaling Iinj˜Vinj3 /2 at low current and transitions to Iinj˜Vinj1 /2 at high currents. In this high current regime, sheath expansion and/or space charge neutralization impose limits on the beam density nb˜Iinj/Vinj1 /2 . For low tokamak edge density nedge and high Iinj , the inferred beam density nb is consistent with the requirement nb≤nedge imposed by space-charge neutralization of the beam in the tokamak edge plasma. At sufficient edge density, nb˜narc is observed, consistent with a limit to nb imposed by expansion of the double layer sheath. These results suggest that narc is a viable control actuator for the source impedance.

  1. Theoretical Study of α-V2O5 -Based Double-Wall Nanotubes.

    PubMed

    Porsev, Vitaly V; Bandura, Andrei V; Evarestov, Robert A

    2015-10-05

    First-principles calculations of the atomic and electronic structure of double-wall nanotubes (DWNTs) of α-V2 O5 are performed. Relaxation of the DWNT structure leads to the formation of two types of local regions: 1) bulk-type regions and 2) puckering regions. Calculated total density of states (DOS) of DWNTs considerably differ from that of single-wall nanotubes and the single layer, as well as from the DOS of the bulk and double layer. Small shoulders that appear on edges of valence and conduction bands result in a considerable decrease in the band gaps of the DWNTs (up to 1 eV relative to the single-layer gaps). The main reason for this effect is the shift of the inner- and outer-wall DOS in opposite directions on the energetic scale. The electron density corresponding to shoulders at the conduction-band edges is localized on vanadium atoms of the bulk-type regions, whereas the electron density corresponding to shoulders at the valence-band edges belongs to oxygen atoms of both regions. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  2. Self-aligned quadruple patterning using spacer on spacer integration optimization for N5

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Thibaut, Sophie; Raley, Angélique; Mohanty, Nihar; Kal, Subhadeep; Liu, Eric; Ko, Akiteru; O'Meara, David; Tapily, Kandabara; Biolsi, Peter

    2017-04-01

    To meet scaling requirements, the semiconductor industry has extended 193nm immersion lithography beyond its minimum pitch limitation using multiple patterning schemes such as self-aligned double patterning, self-aligned quadruple patterning and litho-etch / litho etch iterations. Those techniques have been declined in numerous options in the last few years. Spacer on spacer pitch splitting integration has been proven to show multiple advantages compared to conventional pitch splitting approach. Reducing the number of pattern transfer steps associated with sacrificial layers resulted in significant decrease of cost and an overall simplification of the double pitch split technique. While demonstrating attractive aspects, SAQP spacer on spacer flow brings challenges of its own. Namely, material set selections and etch chemistry development for adequate selectivities, mandrel shape and spacer shape engineering to improve edge placement error (EPE). In this paper we follow up and extend upon our previous learning and proceed into more details on the robustness of the integration in regards to final pattern transfer and full wafer critical dimension uniformity. Furthermore, since the number of intermediate steps is reduced, one will expect improved uniformity and pitch walking control. This assertion will be verified through a thorough pitch walking analysis.

  3. An elastic strip with multiple cracks and applications to tapered specimens

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Liu, X.-H.; Erdogan, F.

    1985-01-01

    In this paper an infinite elastic strip containing arbitrarily oriented cracks and subjected to uniform tension and a pair of concentrated forces is formulated in terms of a system of singular integral equations. Even though the technique is sufficiently general to solve new multiple crack problem, with the objective of applying the results to tapered specimens, only a certain symmetric crack geometry and loading conditions are considered. The stress intensity factors are calculated for edge cracks in the strip under uniform tension and for a 'compact' and a 'slender' tapered specimen (the latter simulating the double cantilever beam) under concentrated forces or crack surface wedge forces.

  4. Edge printability: techniques used to evaluate and improve extreme wafer edge printability

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Roberts, Bill; Demmert, Cort; Jekauc, Igor; Tiffany, Jason P.

    2004-05-01

    The economics of semiconductor manufacturing have forced process engineers to develop techniques to increase wafer yield. Improvements in process controls and uniformities in all areas of the fab have reduced film thickness variations at the very edge of the wafer surface. This improved uniformity has provided the opportunity to consider decreasing edge exclusions, and now the outermost extents of the wafer must be considered in the yield model and expectations. These changes have increased the requirements on lithography to improve wafer edge printability in areas that previously were not even coated. This has taxed all software and hardware components used in defining the optical focal plane at the wafer edge. We have explored techniques to determine the capabilities of extreme wafer edge printability and the components of the systems that influence this printability. We will present current capabilities and new detection techniques and the influence that the individual hardware and software components have on edge printability. We will show effects of focus sensor designs, wafer layout, utilization of dummy edge fields, the use of non-zero overlay targets and chemical/optical edge bead optimization.

  5. Doppler lidar wind measurement with the edge technique

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Korb, C. Laurence; Gentry, Bruce M.

    1992-01-01

    The edge technique is a new and powerful method for measuring small frequency shifts. Range resolved lidar measurements of winds can be made with high accuracy and high vertical resolution using the edge technique to measure the Doppler shift of an atmospheric backscattered signal from a pulsed laser. The edge technique can be used at near-infrared or visible wavelengths using well developed solid state lasers and detectors with various edge filters. In the edge technique, the laser frequency is located on the steep slope of the spectral response function of a high resolution optical filter. Due to the steep slope of the edge, very small frequency shifts cause large changes in measured signal. The frequency of the outgoing laser pulse is determined by measuring its location on the edge of the filter. This is accomplished by sending a small portion of the beam to the edge detection setup where the incoming light is split into two channels - an edge filter and an energy monitor channel. The energy monitor signal is used to normalize the edge filter signal for magnitude. The laser return backscattered from the atmosphere is collected by a telescope and directed through the edge detection setup to determine its frequency (location on the edge) in a similar manner for each range element. The Doppler shift, and thus the wind, is determined from a differential measurement of the frequency of the outgoing laser pulse and the frequency of the laser return backscattered from the atmosphere. We have conducted simulations of the performance of an edge lidar system using an injection seeded pulsed Nd:YAG laser at 1.06 microns. The central fringe of a Fabry-Perot etalon is used as a high resolution edge filter to measure the shift of the aerosol return.

  6. Quiescent double barrier regime in the DIII-D tokamak.

    PubMed

    Greenfield, C M; Burrell, K H; DeBoo, J C; Doyle, E J; Stallard, B W; Synakowski, E J; Fenzi, C; Gohil, P; Groebner, R J; Lao, L L; Makowski, M A; McKee, G R; Moyer, R A; Rettig, C L; Rhodes, T L; Pinsker, R I; Staebler, G M; West, W P

    2001-05-14

    A new sustained high-performance regime, combining discrete edge and core transport barriers, has been discovered in the DIII-D tokamak. Edge localized modes (ELMs) are replaced by a steady oscillation that increases edge particle transport, thereby allowing particle control with no ELM-induced pulsed divertor heat load. The core barrier resembles those usually seen with a low (L) mode edge, without the degradation often associated with ELMs. The barriers are separated by a narrow region of high transport associated with a zero crossing in the E x B shearing rate.

  7. Single-shot pressure-sensitive paint lifetime measurements on fast rotating blades using an optimized double-shutter technique

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Weiss, Armin; Geisler, Reinhard; Schwermer, Till; Yorita, Daisuke; Henne, Ulrich; Klein, Christian; Raffel, Markus

    2017-09-01

    A pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) system is presented to measure global surface pressures on fast rotating blades. It is dedicated to solve the problem of blurred image data employing the single-shot lifetime method. The efficient blur reduction capability of an optimized double-shutter imaging technique is demonstrated omitting error-prone post-processing or laborious de-rotation setups. The system is applied on Mach-scaled DSA-9A helicopter blades in climb at various collective pitch settings and blade tip Mach and chord Reynolds numbers (M_{ {tip}} = 0.29-0.57; Re_{ {tip}} = 4.63-9.26 × 10^5). Temperature effects in the PSP are corrected by a theoretical approximation validated against measured temperatures using temperature-sensitive paint (TSP) on a separate blade. Ensemble-averaged PSP results are comparable to pressure-tap data on the same blade to within 250 Pa. Resulting pressure maps on the blade suction side reveal spatially high resolved flow features such as the leading edge suction peak, footprints of blade-tip vortices and evidence of laminar-turbulent boundary-layer (BL) transition. The findings are validated by a separately conducted BL transition measurement by means of TSP and numerical simulations using a 2D coupled Euler/boundary-layer code. Moreover, the principal ability of the single-shot technique to capture unsteady flow phenomena is stressed revealing three-dimensional pressure fluctuations at stall.

  8. Far infrared edge photoresponse and persistent edge transport in an inverted InAs/GaSb heterostructure

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

    Dyer, G. C.; Olson, B. V.; Hawkins, S. D.

    2016-01-04

    Direct current (DC) transport and far infrared photoresponse were studied an InAs/GaSb double quantum well with an inverted band structure. The DC transport depends systematically upon the DC bias configuration and operating temperature. Surprisingly, it reveals robust edge conduction despite prevalent bulk transport in our device of macroscopic size. Under 180 GHz far infrared illumination at oblique incidence, we measured a strong photovoltaic response. We conclude that quantum spin Hall edge transport produces the observed transverse photovoltages. Overall, our experimental results support a hypothesis that the photoresponse arises from direct coupling of the incident radiation field to edge states.

  9. Pattern optimizing verification of self-align quadruple patterning

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yamato, Masatoshi; Yamada, Kazuki; Oyama, Kenichi; Hara, Arisa; Natori, Sakurako; Yamauchi, Shouhei; Koike, Kyohei; Yaegashi, Hidetami

    2017-03-01

    Lithographic scaling continues to advance by extending the life of 193nm immersion technology, and spacer-type multi-patterning is undeniably the driving force behind this trend. Multi-patterning techniques such as self-aligned double patterning (SADP) and self-aligned quadruple patterning (SAQP) have come to be used in memory devices, and they have also been adopted in logic devices to create constituent patterns in the formation of 1D layout designs. Multi-patterning has consequently become an indispensible technology in the fabrication of all advanced devices. In general, items that must be managed when using multi-patterning include critical dimension uniformity (CDU), line edge roughness (LER), and line width roughness (LWR). Recently, moreover, there has been increasing focus on judging and managing pattern resolution performance from a more detailed perspective and on making a right/wrong judgment from the perspective of edge placement error (EPE). To begin with, pattern resolution performance in spacer-type multi-patterning is affected by the process accuracy of the core (mandrel) pattern. Improving the controllability of CD and LER of the mandrel is most important, and to reduce LER, an appropriate smoothing technique should be carefully selected. In addition, the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique is generally used to meet the need for high accuracy in forming the spacer film. Advances in scaling are accompanied by stricter requirements in the controllability of fine processing. In this paper, we first describe our efforts in improving controllability by selecting the most appropriate materials for the mandrel pattern and spacer film. Then, based on the materials selected, we present experimental results on a technique for improving etching selectivity.

  10. Edge compression techniques for visualization of dense directed graphs.

    PubMed

    Dwyer, Tim; Henry Riche, Nathalie; Marriott, Kim; Mears, Christopher

    2013-12-01

    We explore the effectiveness of visualizing dense directed graphs by replacing individual edges with edges connected to 'modules'-or groups of nodes-such that the new edges imply aggregate connectivity. We only consider techniques that offer a lossless compression: that is, where the entire graph can still be read from the compressed version. The techniques considered are: a simple grouping of nodes with identical neighbor sets; Modular Decomposition which permits internal structure in modules and allows them to be nested; and Power Graph Analysis which further allows edges to cross module boundaries. These techniques all have the same goal--to compress the set of edges that need to be rendered to fully convey connectivity--but each successive relaxation of the module definition permits fewer edges to be drawn in the rendered graph. Each successive technique also, we hypothesize, requires a higher degree of mental effort to interpret. We test this hypothetical trade-off with two studies involving human participants. For Power Graph Analysis we propose a novel optimal technique based on constraint programming. This enables us to explore the parameter space for the technique more precisely than could be achieved with a heuristic. Although applicable to many domains, we are motivated by--and discuss in particular--the application to software dependency analysis.

  11. Immune mechanism: a 'double-edged sword'.

    PubMed

    Musa, Mustaffa

    2013-05-01

    Immunology has now developed into an independent discipline in medicine which covers not only germ infection which is related to immunity solely but also covers a lot of non-infectious diseases such as autoimmune disease, allergies, and others. Therefore, "The Immune Mechanism: "A Double-Edged Sword" means that the immune mechanism (consisted of antibody mediated mechanism and T cell mediated mechanism), just like one edge playing the role of giving benefit (immunity) as it destroys the agent of infection, and another one can be detrimental as it will cause tissue/cell damages and then give rise to immune diseases (immunopathology). Now, the prevalence of these immune diseases is on the rise and has become a new challenge to our country towards developed country in 2020. Therefore, we have to make ample preparation (laboratory facilities/services, main power, and research) from now on in order to face the problems and challenges.

  12. Ideal MHD stability of double transport barrier plasmas in DIII-D

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, G. Q.; Wang, S. J.; Lao, L. L.; Turnbull, A. D.; Chu, M. S.; Brennan, D. P.; Groebner, R. J.; Zhao, L.

    2008-01-01

    The ideal MHD stability for double transport barrier (DTB or DB) plasmas with varying edge and internal barrier width and height was investigated, using the ideal MHD stability code GATO. A moderate ratio of edge transport barriers (ETB) height to internal transport barriers (ITBs) height is found to be beneficial to MHD stability and the βN is limited by global low n instabilities. For moderate ITB width DB plasmas, if the ETB is weak, the stability is limited by n = 1 (n is the toroidal mode number) global mode; whereas if the ETB is strong it is limited by intermediate-n edge peeling-ballooning modes. Broadening the ITB can improve stability if the ITB half width wi lsim 0.3. For very broad ITB width plasmas the stability is limited by stability to a low n (n > 1) global mode.

  13. Finite element analysis for edge-to-edge technique to treat post-mitral valve repair systolic anterior motion.

    PubMed

    Zhong, Qi; Zeng, Wenhua; Huang, Xiaoyang; Zhao, Xiaojia

    2014-01-01

    Systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve is an uncommon complication of mitral valve repair, which requires immediate supplementary surgical action. Edge-to-edge suture is considered as an effective technique to treat post-mitral valve repair systolic anterior motion by clinical researchers. However, the fundamentals and quantitative analysis are vacant to validate the effectiveness of the additional edge-to-edge surgery to repair systolic anterior motion. In the present work, finite element models were developed to simulate a specific clinical surgery for patients with posterior leaflet prolapse, so as to analyze the edge-to-edge technique quantificationally. The simulated surgery procedure concluded several actions such as quadrangular resection, mitral annuloplasty and edge-to-edge suture. And the simulated results were compared with echocardiography and measurement data of the patients under the mitral valve surgery, which shows good agreement. The leaflets model with additional edge-to-edge suture has a shorter mismatch length than that of the model merely under quadrangular resection and mitral annuloplasty actions at systole, which assures a better coaptation status. The stress on the leaflets after edge-to-edge suture is lessened as well.

  14. Characterizing substrate–surface interactions on alumina-supported metal catalysts by dynamic nuclear polarization-enhanced double-resonance NMR spectroscopy [Characterizing substrate-surface interactions on alumina supported metal catalysts by DNP-enhanced double-resonance NMR spectroscopy

    DOE PAGES

    Perras, Frederic A.; Padmos, J. Daniel; Johnson, Robert L.; ...

    2017-01-23

    The characterization of nanometer-scale interactions between carbon-containing substrates and alumina surfaces is of paramount importance to industrial and academic catalysis applications, but it is also very challenging. Here, we demonstrate that dynamic nuclear polarization surface-enhanced NMR spectroscopy (DNP SENS) allows the unambiguous description of the coordination geometries and conformations of the substrates at the alumina surface through high-resolution measurements of 13C– 27Al distances. We apply this new technique to elucidate the molecular-level geometry of 13C-enriched methionine and natural abundance poly(vinyl alcohol) adsorbed on γ-Al 2O 3-supported Pd catalysts, and we support these results with element-specific X-ray absorption near-edge measurements. Furthermore,more » this work clearly demonstrates a surprising bimodal coordination of methionine at the Pd–Al 2O 3 interface.« less

  15. Characterizing substrate–surface interactions on alumina-supported metal catalysts by dynamic nuclear polarization-enhanced double-resonance NMR spectroscopy [Characterizing substrate-surface interactions on alumina supported metal catalysts by DNP-enhanced double-resonance NMR spectroscopy

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

    Perras, Frederic A.; Padmos, J. Daniel; Johnson, Robert L.

    The characterization of nanometer-scale interactions between carbon-containing substrates and alumina surfaces is of paramount importance to industrial and academic catalysis applications, but it is also very challenging. Here, we demonstrate that dynamic nuclear polarization surface-enhanced NMR spectroscopy (DNP SENS) allows the unambiguous description of the coordination geometries and conformations of the substrates at the alumina surface through high-resolution measurements of 13C– 27Al distances. We apply this new technique to elucidate the molecular-level geometry of 13C-enriched methionine and natural abundance poly(vinyl alcohol) adsorbed on γ-Al 2O 3-supported Pd catalysts, and we support these results with element-specific X-ray absorption near-edge measurements. Furthermore,more » this work clearly demonstrates a surprising bimodal coordination of methionine at the Pd–Al 2O 3 interface.« less

  16. Image compression technique

    DOEpatents

    Fu, Chi-Yung; Petrich, Loren I.

    1997-01-01

    An image is compressed by identifying edge pixels of the image; creating a filled edge array of pixels each of the pixels in the filled edge array which corresponds to an edge pixel having a value equal to the value of a pixel of the image array selected in response to the edge pixel, and each of the pixels in the filled edge array which does not correspond to an edge pixel having a value which is a weighted average of the values of surrounding pixels in the filled edge array which do correspond to edge pixels; and subtracting the filled edge array from the image array to create a difference array. The edge file and the difference array are then separately compressed and transmitted or stored. The original image is later reconstructed by creating a preliminary array in response to the received edge file, and adding the preliminary array to the received difference array. Filling is accomplished by solving Laplace's equation using a multi-grid technique. Contour and difference file coding techniques also are described. The techniques can be used in a method for processing a plurality of images by selecting a respective compression approach for each image, compressing each of the images according to the compression approach selected, and transmitting each of the images as compressed, in correspondence with an indication of the approach selected for the image.

  17. Image compression technique

    DOEpatents

    Fu, C.Y.; Petrich, L.I.

    1997-03-25

    An image is compressed by identifying edge pixels of the image; creating a filled edge array of pixels each of the pixels in the filled edge array which corresponds to an edge pixel having a value equal to the value of a pixel of the image array selected in response to the edge pixel, and each of the pixels in the filled edge array which does not correspond to an edge pixel having a value which is a weighted average of the values of surrounding pixels in the filled edge array which do correspond to edge pixels; and subtracting the filled edge array from the image array to create a difference array. The edge file and the difference array are then separately compressed and transmitted or stored. The original image is later reconstructed by creating a preliminary array in response to the received edge file, and adding the preliminary array to the received difference array. Filling is accomplished by solving Laplace`s equation using a multi-grid technique. Contour and difference file coding techniques also are described. The techniques can be used in a method for processing a plurality of images by selecting a respective compression approach for each image, compressing each of the images according to the compression approach selected, and transmitting each of the images as compressed, in correspondence with an indication of the approach selected for the image. 16 figs.

  18. The Influence of Mesh Density on the Impact Response of a Shuttle Leading-Edge Panel Finite Element Simulation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jackson, Karen E.; Fasanella, Edwin L.; Lyle, Karen H.; Spellman, Regina L.

    2004-01-01

    A study was performed to examine the influence of varying mesh density on an LS-DYNA simulation of a rectangular-shaped foam projectile impacting the space shuttle leading edge Panel 6. The shuttle leading-edge panels are fabricated of reinforced carbon-carbon (RCC) material. During the study, nine cases were executed with all possible combinations of coarse, baseline, and fine meshes of the foam and panel. For each simulation, the same material properties and impact conditions were specified and only the mesh density was varied. In the baseline model, the shell elements representing the RCC panel are approximately 0.2-in. on edge, whereas the foam elements are about 0.5-in. on edge. The element nominal edge-length for the baseline panel was halved to create a fine panel (0.1-in. edge length) mesh and doubled to create a coarse panel (0.4-in. edge length) mesh. In addition, the element nominal edge-length of the baseline foam projectile was halved (0.25-in. edge length) to create a fine foam mesh and doubled (1.0- in. edge length) to create a coarse foam mesh. The initial impact velocity of the foam was 775 ft/s. The simulations were executed in LS-DYNA version 960 for 6 ms of simulation time. Contour plots of resultant panel displacement and effective stress in the foam were compared at five discrete time intervals. Also, time-history responses of internal and kinetic energy of the panel, kinetic and hourglass energy of the foam, and resultant contact force were plotted to determine the influence of mesh density. As a final comparison, the model with a fine panel and fine foam mesh was executed with slightly different material properties for the RCC. For this model, the average degraded properties of the RCC were replaced with the maximum degraded properties. Similar comparisons of panel and foam responses were made for the average and maximum degraded models.

  19. Swarm Intelligence for Optimizing Hybridized Smoothing Filter in Image Edge Enhancement

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rao, B. Tirumala; Dehuri, S.; Dileep, M.; Vindhya, A.

    In this modern era, image transmission and processing plays a major role. It would be impossible to retrieve information from satellite and medical images without the help of image processing techniques. Edge enhancement is an image processing step that enhances the edge contrast of an image or video in an attempt to improve its acutance. Edges are the representations of the discontinuities of image intensity functions. For processing these discontinuities in an image, a good edge enhancement technique is essential. The proposed work uses a new idea for edge enhancement using hybridized smoothening filters and we introduce a promising technique of obtaining best hybrid filter using swarm algorithms (Artificial Bee Colony (ABC), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Ant Colony Optimization (ACO)) to search for an optimal sequence of filters from among a set of rather simple, representative image processing filters. This paper deals with the analysis of the swarm intelligence techniques through the combination of hybrid filters generated by these algorithms for image edge enhancement.

  20. Modeling the Performance of Direct-Detection Doppler Lidar Systems in Real Atmospheres

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    McGill, Matthew J.; Hart, William D.; McKay, Jack A.; Spinhirne, James D.

    1999-01-01

    Previous modeling of the performance of spaceborne direct-detection Doppler lidar systems has assumed extremely idealized atmospheric models. Here we develop a technique for modeling the performance of these systems in a more realistic atmosphere, based on actual airborne lidar observations. The resulting atmospheric model contains cloud and aerosol variability that is absent in other simulations of spaceborne Doppler lidar instruments. To produce a realistic simulation of daytime performance, we include solar radiance values that are based on actual measurements and are allowed to vary as the viewing scene changes. Simulations are performed for two types of direct-detection Doppler lidar systems: the double-edge and the multi-channel techniques. Both systems were optimized to measure winds from Rayleigh backscatter at 355 nm. Simulations show that the measurement uncertainty during daytime is degraded by only about 10-20% compared to nighttime performance, provided a proper solar filter is included in the instrument design.

  1. Modeling the performance of direct-detection Doppler lidar systems including cloud and solar background variability.

    PubMed

    McGill, M J; Hart, W D; McKay, J A; Spinhirne, J D

    1999-10-20

    Previous modeling of the performance of spaceborne direct-detection Doppler lidar systems assumed extremely idealized atmospheric models. Here we develop a technique for modeling the performance of these systems in a more realistic atmosphere, based on actual airborne lidar observations. The resulting atmospheric model contains cloud and aerosol variability that is absent in other simulations of spaceborne Doppler lidar instruments. To produce a realistic simulation of daytime performance, we include solar radiance values that are based on actual measurements and are allowed to vary as the viewing scene changes. Simulations are performed for two types of direct-detection Doppler lidar system: the double-edge and the multichannel techniques. Both systems were optimized to measure winds from Rayleigh backscatter at 355 nm. Simulations show that the measurement uncertainty during daytime is degraded by only approximately 10-20% compared with nighttime performance, provided that a proper solar filter is included in the instrument design.

  2. Raster Scan Computer Image Generation (CIG) System Based On Refresh Memory

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dichter, W.; Doris, K.; Conkling, C.

    1982-06-01

    A full color, Computer Image Generation (CIG) raster visual system has been developed which provides a high level of training sophistication by utilizing advanced semiconductor technology and innovative hardware and firmware techniques. Double buffered refresh memory and efficient algorithms eliminate the problem of conventional raster line ordering by allowing the generated image to be stored in a random fashion. Modular design techniques and simplified architecture provide significant advantages in reduced system cost, standardization of parts, and high reliability. The major system components are a general purpose computer to perform interfacing and data base functions; a geometric processor to define the instantaneous scene image; a display generator to convert the image to a video signal; an illumination control unit which provides final image processing; and a CRT monitor for display of the completed image. Additional optional enhancements include texture generators, increased edge and occultation capability, curved surface shading, and data base extensions.

  3. Ultrasonic transducer with laminated coupling wedge

    DOEpatents

    Karplus, Henry H. B.

    1976-08-03

    An ultrasonic transducer capable of use in a high-temperature environment incorporates a laminated metal coupling wedge including a reflecting edge shaped as a double sloping roof and a transducer crystal backed by a laminated metal sound absorber disposed so as to direct sound waves through the coupling wedge and into a work piece, reflections from the interface between the coupling wedge and the work piece passing to the reflecting edge. Preferably the angle of inclination of the two halves of the reflecting edge are different.

  4. Practical performance and enabling technologies in immersion scanners for the double patterning generation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ishikawa, Jun; Kohno, Hirotaka; Sato, Shinji; Kosugi, Junichi; Shibazaki, Yuichi

    2011-04-01

    At SPIE2010, excellent performance of the cutting edge immersion lithography scanner, the NSR-S620D, which is based on the new "Streamlign" platform was demonstrated. Last year's work focused mainly on machine evaluation data[1]. Now, many S620Ds are employed at customers' sites and being used in device manufacturing. In this paper, the authors will introduce the latest factory data, as well as various techniques that enable superior yield and enhance productivity in IC manufacturing. It is well understood, that in order to achieve further device shrinks without using traditional techniques such as NA expansion or wavelength reduction, several practical issues must be overcome. Extremely tight overlay performance will be required for pitch splitting double patterning, for example. In addition, it is also necessary to control the image plane and the aberration of the optics much more carefully. Of course these improvements must also be achieved with sufficient productivity (throughput). In order to satisfy all of the requirements for mass production at customer factories, many variable factors must be dealt with. One of these variable factors is the characteristics of the processed wafers that include on-flatness, grid distortion, steep topology around the edge, or topography of the previous layers' patterns. These factors typically impact overlay and/or auto focus accuracy. Another variable is the difference in exposure conditions between layers, which include illumination conditions, dose, reticle transmittance, and the alignment marks. Exposure induced heating in particular is the key issue for today's enhanced throughput capabilities, with regards to achieving both optimal accuracy and productivity. In some IC production facilities, and often foundries, many different kinds of products are manufactured in parallel. However, in order to enhance performance and accuracy, it is sometimes necessary to optimize machine parameters for each product. Cleary this requires quick tuning capabilities to minimize overhead affects for each product. As discussed earlier, various techniques must be utilized to minimize the gap between machine inspection data and manufacturing performance at customer sites. This paper discusses such technologies and provides the supporting data.

  5. Evaluation of potential substrates for restenosis and thrombosis in overlapped versus edge-to-edge juxtaposed bioabsorbable scaffolds: Insights from a computed fluid dynamic study.

    PubMed

    Rigatelli, Gianluca; Zuin, Marco; Dell'Avvocata, Fabio; Cardaioli, Paolo; Vassiliev, Dobrin; Ferenc, Miroslaw; Nghia, Nguyen Tuan; Nguyen, Thach; Foin, Nicholas

    2018-04-01

    Multiple BRSs and specifically the Absorb scaffold (BVS) (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA USA) have been often used to treat long diffuse coronary artery lesions. We evaluate by a computational fluid dynamic(CFD) study the impact on the intravascular fluid rheology on multiple bioabsorbable scaffolds (BRS) by standard overlapping versus edge-to-edge technique. We simulated the treatment of a real long significant coronary lesion (>70% luminal narrowing) involving the left anterior descending artery (LAD) treated with a standard or edge-to-edge technique, respectively. Simulations were performed after BVS implantations in two different conditions: 1) Edge-to-edge technique, where the scaffolds are kissed but not overlapped resulting in a luminal encroachment of 0.015cm (150μm); 2) Standard overlapping, where the scaffolds are overlapped resulting in a luminal encroachment of 0.030cm (300μm). After positioning the BVS across the long lesion, the implantation procedure was performed in-silico following all the usual procedural steps. Analysis of the wall shear stress (WSS) suggested that at the vessel wall level the WSS were lower in the overlapping zones overlapping compared to the edge-to-edge zone (∆=0.061Pa, p=0.01). At the struts level the difference between the two WSS was more striking (∆=1.065e-004 p=0.01) favouring the edge-to-edge zone. Our study suggested that at both vessel wall and scaffold struts levels, there was lowering WSS when multiple BVS were implanted with the standard overlapping technique compared to the "edge-to-edge" technique. This lower WSS might represent a substrate for restenosis, early and late BVS thrombosis, potentially explaining at least in part the recent evidences of devices poor performance. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. Local structural and chemical ordering of nanosized Pt3±δCo probed by multiple-scattering x-ray absorption spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Greco, Giorgia; Witkowska, Agnieszka; Principi, Emiliano; Minicucci, Marco; di Cicco, Andrea

    2011-04-01

    This work reports a detailed investigation of the local structure and chemical disorder of a Pt3±δCo thin film and Pt3±δCo nanoparticles. We have used a combination of techniques including x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM). High-quality XAS spectra at the Co K edge and Pt L3 edge have been analyzed using double-edge multiple-scattering data analysis. Structural extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) refinements have been performed accounting for the reduction of the coordination numbers and degeneracy of three-atom configurations, resulting from the measured size distribution and stoichiometry. The important effect of chemical ordering on pair and three-atom configurations has been studied using computer simulations based on a simple model accounting for substitutional disorder, defined by an order parameter s. It has been found that individual EXAFS signals related to the minority species (Co) are extremely sensitive to substitutional disorder so their intensities, especially those of the collinear three-atom configurations, can be used as a measure of the ordering level. The thin film has been found to be chemically disordered (s⩽0.4), in agreement with previous estimates. The Pt3±δCo nanoalloy has been found to be partially ordered (s=0.6±0.1) while the local structure around Co atoms is characterized by a higher level of structural disorder as compared to the bulk-like thin film. The robust approach for nanomaterial characterization used in this work combining different techniques can, in principle, be applied for structural refinements of any binary nanocrystalline functional system.

  7. Edge Stability and Performance of the ELM-Free Quiescent H-Mode and the Quiescent Double Barrier Mode on DIII-D

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

    West, W P; Burrell, K H; Casper, T A

    2004-12-03

    The quiescent H (QH) mode, an edge localized mode (ELM)-free, high-confinement mode, combines well with an internal transport barrier to form quiescent double barrier (QDB) stationary state, high performance plasmas. The QH-mode edge pedestal pressure is similar to that seen in ELMing phases of the same discharge, with similar global energy confinement. The pedestal density in early ELMing phases of strongly pumped counter injection discharges drops and a transition to QH-mode occurs, leading to lower calculated edge bootstrap current. Plasmas current ramp experiment and ELITE code modeling of edge stability suggest that QH-modes lie near an edge current stability boundary.more » At high triangularity, QH-mode discharges operate at higher pedestal density and pressure, and have achieved ITER level values of {beta}{sub PED} and {nu}*. The QDB achieves performance of {alpha}{sub N}H{sub 89} {approx} 7 in quasi-stationary conditions for a duration of 10 tE, limited by hardware. Recently we demonstrated stationary state QDB discharges with little change in kinetic and q profiles (q{sub 0} > 1) for 2 s, comparable to ELMing ''hybrid scenarios'', yet without the debilitating effects of ELMs. Plasma profile control tools, including electron cyclotron heating and current drive and neutral beam heating, have been demonstrated to control simultaneously the q profile development, the density peaking, impurity accumulation and plasma beta.« less

  8. Relaxation dynamics of maximally clustered networks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Klaise, Janis; Johnson, Samuel

    2018-01-01

    We study the relaxation dynamics of fully clustered networks (maximal number of triangles) to an unclustered state under two different edge dynamics—the double-edge swap, corresponding to degree-preserving randomization of the configuration model, and single edge replacement, corresponding to full randomization of the Erdős-Rényi random graph. We derive expressions for the time evolution of the degree distribution, edge multiplicity distribution and clustering coefficient. We show that under both dynamics networks undergo a continuous phase transition in which a giant connected component is formed. We calculate the position of the phase transition analytically using the Erdős-Rényi phenomenology.

  9. Conditional punishment is a double-edged sword in promoting cooperation.

    PubMed

    Huang, Feng; Chen, Xiaojie; Wang, Long

    2018-01-11

    Punishment is widely recognized as an effective approach for averting from exploitation by free-riders in human society. However, punishment is costly, and thus rational individuals are unwilling to take the punishing action, resulting in the second-order free-rider problem. Recent experimental study evidences that individuals prefer conditional punishment, and their punishing decision depends on other members' punishing decisions. In this work, we thus propose a theoretical model for conditional punishment and investigate how such conditional punishment influences cooperation in the public goods game. Considering conditional punishers only take the punishing action when the number of unconditional punishers exceeds a threshold number, we demonstrate that such conditional punishment induces the effect of a double-edged sword on the evolution of cooperation both in well-mixed and structured populations. Specifically, when it is relatively easy for conditional punishers to engage in the punishment activity corresponding to a low threshold value, cooperation can be promoted in comparison with the case without conditional punishment. Whereas when it is relatively difficult for conditional punishers to engage in the punishment activity corresponding to a high threshold value, cooperation is inhibited in comparison with the case without conditional punishment. Moreover, we verify that such double-edged sword effect exists in a wide range of model parameters and can be still observed in other different punishment regimes.

  10. Biomechanical comparison of the double-push technique and the conventional skate skiing technique in cross-country sprint skiing.

    PubMed

    Stöggl, Thomas; Müller, Erich; Lindinger, Stefan

    2008-09-01

    The aims of the study were to: (1) adapt the "double-push" technique from inline skating to cross-country skiing; (2) compare this new skiing technique with the conventional skate skiing cross-country technique; and (3) test the hypothesis that the double-push technique improves skiing speed in a short sprint. 13 elite skiers performed maximum-speed sprints over 100 m using the double-push skate skiing technique and using the conventional "V2" skate skiing technique. Pole and plantar forces, knee angle, cycle characteristics, and electromyography of nine lower body muscles were analysed. We found that the double-push technique could be successfully transferred to cross-country skiing, and that this new technique is faster than the conventional skate skiing technique. The double-push technique was 2.9 +/- 2.2% faster (P < 0.001), which corresponds to a time advantage of 0.41 +/- 0.31 s over 100 m. The double-push technique had a longer cycle length and a lower cycle rate, and it was characterized by higher muscle activity, higher knee extension amplitudes and velocities, and higher peak foot forces, especially in the first phase of the push-off. Also, the foot was more loaded laterally in the double-push technique than in the conventional skate skiing technique.

  11. Anatomic Double Bundle single tunnel Foreign Material Free ACL-Reconstruction – a technical note

    PubMed Central

    Felmet, Gernot

    2011-01-01

    Summary The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) consists of two bundles, the anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral bundle (PM). Double bundle reconstructions appear to give better rotational stability. The usual technique is to make two tunnels in the femur and two in the tibia. This is difficult and in small knees may not even be possible. We have developed a foreign material free press fit fixation for double bundle ACL reconstruction using a single femoral tunnel (R). This is based on the ALL PRESS FIT ACL reconstruction. It is suitable for the most common medium and, otherwise difficult, small sizes of knees. Method: Using diamond edged wet grinding hollow reamers, bone cylinders in different diameters are harvested from the implantation tunnels of the tibia and femur and used for the press fit fixation. Using the press fit technique the graft is first fixed in tibia. It is then similarly fixed under tension in the femoral side with the knee in 120 degree flexion. This is called Bottom To Top Fixation (BTT). On extending the knee the graft tension is self adapting. Depending on the size of the individual knee, the diameter of the femoral bone plug is varied from 8 to 13 mm to achieve an anatomic spread with a double bundle-like insertion. The tibia tunnel can be applied with two 7 or 8 mm diameter tunnels overlapping to a semi oval tunnel between 10 to 13 mm. Results: Since May 2003 we have carried out ACL-reconstructions with Hamstring grafts without foreign material using the ALL PRESS FIT technique. Initially, an 8 mm press fit fixation was used proximally with good results. Since April 2008, the range of diameters was increased up to 13 mm. The results of the Lachman tests have been good to excellent. Results of the Pivot shift test suggested more stability with femoral broader diameters of 9,5 to 13 mm. Conclusions: The foreign material free fixation of ham-string in the ALL PRESS FIT Bottom To Top Fixation is a successful method for ACL Reconstruction. The Diamond Instruments and tubed guiding devices are precise, reliable and easy to manage. On this basis a double bundle reconstruction is achieved using a single tunnel. A broad anatomic femoral insertion with autogenous bone plugs inserted near the cortex seems to improve rotational stability. PMID:23738263

  12. Plasma-edge studies using carbon resistance probes

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

    Wampler, W.R.

    1984-01-01

    Characterization of erosion and hydrogen-recycling processes occurring at the edge of magnetically confined plasmas requires knowledge of the energy and flux of hydrogen isotopes incident on the materials. A new plasma-edge probe technique, the carbon resistance probe, has been developed to obtain this information. This technique uti

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

    Nguyen, Khoi T.; Lilly, Michael P.; Nielsen, Erik

    We report Pauli blockade in a multielectron silicon metal–oxide–semiconductor double quantum dot with an integrated charge sensor. The current is rectified up to a blockade energy of 0.18 ± 0.03 meV. The blockade energy is analogous to singlet–triplet splitting in a two electron double quantum dot. Built-in imbalances of tunnel rates in the MOS DQD obfuscate some edges of the bias triangles. A method to extract the bias triangles is described, and a numeric rate-equation simulation is used to understand the effect of tunneling imbalances and finite temperature on charge stability (honeycomb) diagram, in particular the identification of missing andmore » shifting edges. A bound on relaxation time of the triplet-like state is also obtained from this measurement.« less

  14. Double-push skating versus V2 and V1 skating on uphill terrain in cross-country skiing.

    PubMed

    Stöggl, Thomas; Kampel, Wolfgang; Müller, Erich; Lindinger, Stefan

    2010-01-01

    The aims of the study were a) to compare the double-push skating technique with the V2 and the V1 skating techniques on an uphill terrain by a kinematic and kinetic analysis, b) to provide kinetic and kinematic data of the V1 technique at maximal skiing speeds, and c) to test the hypotheses that the double-push skating technique is faster compared with the V2 and the V1 skating techniques. Six elite skiers performed maximum speed sprints over a 60-m uphill section (7 degrees -10 degrees) using the double-push, the V2, and the V1 techniques. Pole and plantar forces and cycle characteristics were analyzed. The double-push skating technique was approximately 4.3% faster (P < 0.05) compared with the V2 skating technique and equally fast compared with the V1 skating technique. The double-push and the V2 techniques demonstrated longer cycle lengths, lower cycle rates (both P < 0.05), and equal poling frequencies and pole forces compared with the V1 technique. Cycle length, peak foot force, and knee extension ranges of motion and velocities were higher in the double-push technique compared with the V2 technique (all P values <0.05). Center of pressure was located more laterally in the double-push technique compared with the other two techniques (P < 0.05). All measured skiing speeds were drastically higher compared with former studies. The higher skiing speeds of the V1 and the double-push techniques compared with the V2 technique stress the mechanical advantage of those techniques on uphill terrain. Because of larger cycle lengths, lower cycle rate, longer recovery times, and equal poling frequency, the double-push technique might be seen as more economic on steep uphills compared with the V1 technique. From a tactical point of view compared with the V1 technique, the double-push technique needs less space due to less lateral displacement, and no technique transitions are necessary when entering and leaving an uphill section.

  15. Quantitative evaluation of manufacturability and performance for ILT produced mask shapes using a single-objective function

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Choi, Heon; Wang, Wei-long; Kallingal, Chidam

    2015-03-01

    The continuous scaling of semiconductor devices is quickly outpacing the resolution improvements of lithographic exposure tools and processes. This one-sided progression has pushed optical lithography to its limits, resulting in the use of well-known techniques such as Sub-Resolution Assist Features (SRAF's), Source-Mask Optimization (SMO), and double-patterning, to name a few. These techniques, belonging to a larger category of Resolution Enhancement Techniques (RET), have extended the resolution capabilities of optical lithography at the cost of increasing mask complexity, and therefore cost. One such technique, called Inverse Lithography Technique (ILT), has attracted much attention for its ability to produce the best possible theoretical mask design. ILT treats the mask design process as an inverse problem, where the known transformation from mask to wafer is carried out backwards using a rigorous mathematical approach. One practical problem in the application of ILT is the resulting contour-like mask shapes that must be "Manhattanized" (composed of straight edges and 90-deg corners) in order to produce a manufacturable mask. This conversion process inherently degrades the mask quality as it is a departure from the "optimal mask" represented by the continuously curved shapes produced by ILT. However, simpler masks composed of longer straight edges reduce the mask cost as it lowers the shot count and saves mask writing time during mask fabrication, resulting in a conflict between manufacturability and performance for ILT produced masks1,2. In this study, various commonly used metrics will be combined into an objective function to produce a single number to quantitatively measure a particular ILT solution's ability to balance mask manufacturability and RET performance. Several metrics that relate to mask manufacturing costs (i.e. mask vertex count, ILT computation runtime) are appropriately weighted against metrics that represent RET capability (i.e. process-variation band, edge-placement-error) in order to reflect the desired practical balance. This well-defined scoring system allows direct comparison of several masks with varying degrees of complexities. Using this method, ILT masks produced with increasing mask constraints will be compared, and it will be demonstrated that using the smallest minimum width for mask shapes does not always produce the optimal solution.

  16. Electronic and chemical state of aluminum from the single- (K) and double-electron excitation (KL II&III, KL I) x-ray absorption near-edge spectra of α-alumina, sodium aluminate, aqueous Al³⁺•(H₂O)₆, and aqueous Al(OH)₄⁻

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

    Fulton, John L.; Govind, Niranjan; Huthwelker, Thomas

    2015-07-02

    We probe, at high energy resolution, the double electron excitation (KL II&II) x-ray absorption region that lies approximately 115 eV above the main Al K-edge (1566 eV) of α-alumina and sodium aluminate. The two solid standards, α-alumina (octahedral) and sodium aluminate (tetrahedral) are compared to aqueous species that have the same Al coordination symmetries, Al³⁺•6H₂O (octahedral) and Al(OH)₄⁻ (tetrahedral). For the octahedral species, the edge height of the KL II&III-edge is approximately 10% of the main K-edge however the edge height is much weaker (3% of K-edge height) for Al species with tetrahedral symmetry. For the α-alumina and aqueous Al³⁺•6H₂Omore » the KL II&III spectra contain white line features and extended absorption fine structure (EXAFS) that mimics the K-edge spectra. The KL II&III-edge feature interferes with an important region of the extended-XAFS region of the spectra for the K-edge of the crystalline and aqueous standards. The K-edge spectra and K-edge positions are predicted using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). The TDDFT calculations for the K-edge XANES spectra reproduce the observed transitions in the experimental spectra of the four Al species. The KL II&III and KL I onsets and their corresponding chemical shifts for the four standards are estimated using the delta self-consistent field (ΔSCF) method. Research by JLF, NG, EJB, AV, TDS was supported by U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE), Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, and Biosciences. NG thanks Amity Andersen for help with the α-Al₂O₃ and tetrahedral sodium aluminate (NaAlO₂) clusters. All the calculations were performed using the Molecular Science Computing Capability at EMSL, a national scientific user facility sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Biological and Environmental Research and located at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). PNNL is a multi-program national laboratory operated for DOE by Battelle under Contract # AC05-76RL01830.« less

  17. Family Presence During Resuscitation: A Double-Edged Sword.

    PubMed

    Hassankhani, Hadi; Zamanzadeh, Vahid; Rahmani, Azad; Haririan, Hamidreza; Porter, Joanne E

    2017-03-01

    To illuminate the meaning of the lived experiences of resuscitation team members with the presence of the patient's family during resuscitation in the cultural context of Iran. An interpretative phenomenology was used to discover the lived experiences of the nurses and physicians of Tabriz hospitals, Iran, with family presence during resuscitation (FPDR). A total of 12 nurses and 9 physicians were interviewed over a 6-month period. The interviews were audio recorded and semistructured, and were transcribed verbatim. Van Manen's technique was used for data analysis. Two major themes and 10 subthemes emerged, including destructive presence (cessation of resuscitation, interference in resuscitation, disruption to the resuscitation team's focus, argument with the resuscitation team, and adverse mental image in the family) and supportive presence (trust in the resuscitation team, collaboration with the resuscitation team, alleviating the family's concern and settling their nerves, increasing the family's satisfaction, and reducing conflict with resuscitation team members). Participants stated that FPDR may work as a double-edged sword for the family and resuscitation team, hurting or preserving quality. It is thus recommended that guidelines be created to protect patients' and families' rights, while considering the positive aspects of the phenomenon for hospitals. A liaison support person would act to decrease family anxiety levels and would be able to de-escalate any potentially aggressive or confrontational events during resuscitation. Well-trained and expert cardiopulmonary resuscitation team members do not have any stress in the presence of family during resuscitation. Resuscitation events tend to be prolonged when family members are allowed to be present. © 2017 Sigma Theta Tau International.

  18. Double diameter boring tool

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

    Ashbaugh, F.N.; Murry, K.R.

    A method of boring two concentric holes of different depths is described utilizing an elongated boring tool having a tool axis of rotation, a longitudinally disposed tool centerline axis, and first and second transverse cutting edges at one end thereof extending across the boring tool, the second cutting edge being longitudinally rearwardly recessed with respect to the first cutting edge. The method consists of inserting the boring tool into an adjustable boring head, adjusting a distance B between the tool centerline axis and the tool axis of rotation such that the tool axis of rotation intersects a first boring areamore » of the first cutting edge; and boring the concentric holes having respectively larger and smaller diameters.« less

  19. Edge detection techniques for iris recognition system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tania, U. T.; Motakabber, S. M. A.; Ibrahimy, M. I.

    2013-12-01

    Nowadays security and authentication are the major parts of our daily life. Iris is one of the most reliable organ or part of human body which can be used for identification and authentication purpose. To develop an iris authentication algorithm for personal identification, this paper examines two edge detection techniques for iris recognition system. Between the Sobel and the Canny edge detection techniques, the experimental result shows that the Canny's technique has better ability to detect points in a digital image where image gray level changes even at slow rate.

  20. Strain and deformations engineered germanene bilayer double gate-field effect transistor by first principles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Meher Abhinav, E.; Chandrasekaran, Gopalakrishnan; Kasmir Raja, S. V.

    2017-10-01

    Germanene, silicene, stanene, phosphorene and graphene are some of single atomic materials with novel properties. In this paper, we explored bilayer germanene-based Double Gate-Field Effect Transistor (DG-FET) with various strains and deformations using Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Green's approach by first-principle calculations. The DG-FET of 1.6 nm width, 6 nm channel length (Lch) and HfO2 as gate dielectric has been modeled. For intrinsic deformation of germanene bilayer, we have enforced minute mechanical deformation of wrap and twist (5°) and ripple (0.5 Å) on germanene bilayer channel material. By using NEGF formalism, I-V Characteristics of various strains and deformation tailored DG-FET was calculated. Our results show that rough edge and single vacancy (5-9) in bilayer germanene diminishes the current around 47% and 58% respectively as compared with pristine bilayer germanene. In case of strain tailored bilayer DG-FET, multiple NDR regions were observed which can be utilized in building stable multiple logic states in digital circuits and high frequency oscillators using negative resistive techniques.

  1. Optimization of edge state velocity in the integer quantum Hall regime

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sahasrabudhe, H.; Novakovic, B.; Nakamura, J.; Fallahi, S.; Povolotskyi, M.; Klimeck, G.; Rahman, R.; Manfra, M. J.

    2018-02-01

    Observation of interference in the quantum Hall regime may be hampered by a small edge state velocity due to finite phase coherence time. Therefore designing two quantum point contact (QPCs) interferometers having a high edge state velocity is desirable. Here we present a new simulation method for designing heterostructures with high edge state velocity by realistically modeling edge states near QPCs in the integer quantum Hall effect (IQHE) regime. Using this simulation method, we also predict the filling factor at the center of QPCs and their conductance at different gate voltages. The 3D Schrödinger equation is split into 1D and 2D parts. Quasi-1D Schrödinger and Poisson equations are solved self-consistently in the IQHE regime to obtain the potential profile, and quantum transport is used to solve for the edge state wave functions. The velocity of edge states is found to be /B , where is the expectation value of the electric field for the edge state. Anisotropically etched trench gated heterostructures with double-sided delta doping have the highest edge state velocity among the structures considered.

  2. Double-Edged Innovations: Preventing the Misuse of Emerging Biological/Chemical Technologies

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-07-01

    1953 paper describing the double-helical structure of the DNA molecule and suggesting a mechanism for its replication. In 1973, Stanley Cohen of...Virology in early 2001. The security implications of the paper , however, triggered a storm of...unexpected findings of the mousepox experiment could have been predicted because a paper describing the role of interleukin-4 in poxvirus virulence

  3. Transmitted light microscopy for visualizing the turbulent primary breakup of a microscale liquid jet

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reddemann, Manuel A.; Mathieu, Florian; Kneer, Reinhold

    2013-11-01

    Aiming at a maximum spatial resolution and a minimum motion blur, a new simple double-imaging transmitted light microscopy technique is developed in this work enabling a fundamental investigation of primary breakup of a microscale liquid jet. Contrary to conventional far-field visualization techniques, the working distance is minimized to increase the numerical aperture. The resulting images provide information about shapes, length scales and velocities of primary liquid structures. The method is applied to an optically dense spray leaving a 109-μm diesel nozzle at various injection pressures under atmospheric conditions. A phenomenological study on the temporal spray evolution is done with focus on droplet and ligament formation. Different breakup processes are identified and described. It is found that the jet is characterized by long ligaments parallel or angular to the inner jet region. These ligaments result from collapsing films developing at the spray edge. A significant influence of outlet velocity variation on shape and velocity of these ligaments is observed. The experimental results prove that a transmitted light microscopy technique with reduced working distance is an appropriate tool for a better understanding of primary breakup for small-scaled diesel nozzles and a valuable complement to highly complex measurement techniques.

  4. High Velocity Linear Induction Launcher with Exit-Edge Compensation for Testing of Aerospace Components

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kuznetsov, Stephen; Marriott, Darin

    2008-01-01

    Advances in ultra high speed linear induction electromagnetic launchers over the past decade have focused on magnetic compensation of the exit and entry-edge transient flux wave to produce efficient and compact linear electric machinery. The paper discusses two approaches to edge compensation in long-stator induction catapults with typical end speeds of 150 to 1,500 m/s. In classical linear induction machines, the exit-edge effect is manifest as two auxiliary traveling waves that produce a magnetic drag on the projectile and a loss of magnetic flux over the main surface of the machine. In the new design for the Stator Compensated Induction Machine (SCIM) high velocity launcher, the exit-edge effect is nulled by a dual wavelength machine or alternately the airgap flux is peaked at a location prior to the exit edge. A four (4) stage LIM catapult is presently being constructed for 180 m/s end speed operation using double-sided longitudinal flux machines. Advanced exit and entry edge compensation is being used to maximize system efficiency, and minimize stray heating of the reaction armature. Each stage will output approximately 60 kN of force and produce over 500 G s of acceleration on the armature. The advantage of this design is there is no ablation to the projectile and no sliding contacts, allowing repeated firing of the launcher without maintenance of any sort. The paper shows results of a parametric study for 500 m/s and 1,500 m/s linear induction launchers incorporating two of the latest compensation techniques for an air-core stator primary and an iron-core primary winding. Typical thrust densities for these machines are in the range of 150 kN/sq.m. to 225 kN/sq.m. and these compete favorably with permanent magnet linear synchronous machines. The operational advantages of the high speed SCIM launcher are shown by eliminating the need for pole-angle position sensors as would be required by synchronous systems. The stator power factor is also improved.

  5. Thermohydraulic behavior of the liquid metal target of a spallation neutron source

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

    Takeda, Y.

    1996-06-01

    The author presents work done on three main problems. (1) Natural circulation in double coaxial cylindircal container: The thermohydraulic behaviour of the liquid metal target of the spallation neutron source at PSI has been investigated. The configuration is a natural-circulation loop in a concentric double-tube-type container. The results show that the natural-circulation loop concept is valid for the design phase of the target construction, and the current specified design criteria will be fulfilled with the proposed parameter values. (2) Flow around the window: Water experiments were performed for geometry optimisation of the window shape of the SINQ container for avoidingmore » generating recirculation zones at peripheral area and the optimal cooling of the central part of the beam entrance window. Flow visualisation technique was mainly used for various window shapes, gap distance between the window and the guide tube edge. (3) Flow in window cooling channels: Flows in narrow gaps of cooling channels of two different types of windows were studied by flow visualisation techniques. One type is a slightly curved round cooling channel and the other is hemispherical shape, both of which have only 2 mm gap distance and the water inlet is located on one side and flows out from the opposite side. In both cases, the central part of the flow area has lower velocity than peripheral area.« less

  6. Double bowl piston

    DOEpatents

    Meffert, Darrel Henry; Urven, Jr., Roger Leroy; Brown, Cory Andrew; Runge, Mark Harold

    2007-03-06

    A piston for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The piston has a piston crown with a face having an interior annular edge. The piston also has first piston bowl recessed within the face of the piston crown. The first piston bowl has a bottom surface and an outer wall. A line extending from the interior annular edge of the face and tangent with the outer wall forms an interior angle greater than 90 degrees with the face of the piston. The piston also has a second piston bowl that is centrally located and has an upper edge located below a face of the piston crown.

  7. An automatic optimum kernel-size selection technique for edge enhancement

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Chavez, Pat S.; Bauer, Brian P.

    1982-01-01

    Edge enhancement is a technique that can be considered, to a first order, a correction for the modulation transfer function of an imaging system. Digital imaging systems sample a continuous function at discrete intervals so that high-frequency information cannot be recorded at the same precision as lower frequency data. Because of this, fine detail or edge information in digital images is lost. Spatial filtering techniques can be used to enhance the fine detail information that does exist in the digital image, but the filter size is dependent on the type of area being processed. A technique has been developed by the authors that uses the horizontal first difference to automatically select the optimum kernel-size that should be used to enhance the edges that are contained in the image. 

  8. Modified edge-to-edge technique for correction of congenital mitral regurgitation in infants and children.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Gang; Zhang, Fusheng; Zhu, Mei; Zhang, Wenlong; Fan, Quanxin; Zou, Chengwei; Wang, Anbiao

    2011-10-01

    Since 2008, 28 patients with congenital mitral regurgitation have undergone mitral valve repair with a modified edge-to-edge technique at our institution. The regurgitant mitral leaflet was sutured with a pledget-reinforced, horizontal mattress suture with No. 4-0 polypropylene on the ventricle side and a pledget-reinforced mattress suture with Gore-Tex sutures (W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ) and Dacron pledgets (Chest, Shanghai) placed on the anterior and posterior annulus corresponding to the edge-to-edge suturing site. Early results are encouraging, but a longer follow-up is needed. Copyright © 2011 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Access to a New Plasma Edge State with High Density and Pressures using Quiescent H-mode

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

    Solomon, Wayne M.; Snyder, P. B.; Burrell, K. H.

    2014-07-01

    A path to a new high performance regime has been discovered in tokamaks that could improve the attractiveness of a fusion reactor. Experiments on DIII-D using a quiescent H-mode edge have navigated a valley of improved edge peeling-ballooning stability that opens up with strong plasma shaping at high density, leading to a doubling of the edge pressure over standard edge localized mode (ELM)ing H-mode at these parameters. The thermal energy confinement time increases both as a result of the increased pedestal height and improvements in the core transport and reduced low-k turbulence. Calculations of the pedestal height and width asmore » a function of density using constraints imposed by peeling-ballooning and kinetic-ballooning theory are in quantitative agreement with the measurements.« less

  10. Origin of spin polarization in an edge boron doped zigzag graphene nanoribbon: a potential spin filter.

    PubMed

    Chakrabarty, Soubhik; Wasey, A H M Abdul; Thapa, Ranjit; Das, G P

    2018-08-24

    To realize a graphene based spintronic device, the prime challenge is to control the electronic structure of edges. In this work we find the origin of the spin filtering property in edge boron doped zigzag graphene nanoribbons (ZGNRs) and provide a guide to preparing a graphene based next-generation spin filter based device. Here, we unveil the role of orbitals (p-electron) to tune the electronic, magnetic and transport properties of edge B doped ZGNRs. When all the edge carbon atoms at one of the edges of ZGNRs are replaced by B (100% edge B doping), the system undergoes a semiconductor to metal transition. The role of passivation of the edge with single/double atomic hydrogen on the electronic properties and its relation with the p-electron is correlated in-depth. 50% edge B doped ZGNRs (50% of the edge C atoms at one of the edges are replaced by B) also show half-metallicity when the doped edge is left unpassivated. The half-metallic systems show 100% spin filtering efficiency for a wide range of bias voltages. Zero-bias transmission function of the other configurations shows asymmetric behavior for the up and down spin channels, thereby indicating their possible application potential in nano-spintronics.

  11. Design of a double-anode magnetron-injection gun for the W-band gyrotron

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jang, Kwang Ho; Choi, Jin Joo; So, Joon Ho

    2015-07-01

    A double-anode magnetron-injection gun (MIG) was designed. The MIG is for a W-band 10-kW gyrotron. Analytic equations based on adiabatic theory and angular momentum conservation were used to examine the initial design parameters such as the cathode angle, and the radius of the beam emitting surface. The MIG's performances were predicted by using an electron trajectory code, the EGUN code. The beam spread of the axial velocity, Δvz/vz, obtained from the EGUN code was observed to be 1.34% at α = 1.3. The cathode edge emission and the thermal effect were modeled. The cathode edge emission was found to have a major effect on the velocity spread. The electron beam's quality was significantly improved by affixing non-emissive cylinders to the cathode.

  12. Effects of interlayer Sn-Sn lone pair interaction on the band gap of bulk and nanosheet SnO

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Umezawa, Naoto; Zhou, Wei

    2015-03-01

    Effects of interlayer lone-pair interactions on the electronic structure of SnO are firstly explored by the density-functional theory. Our comprehensive study reveals that the band gap of SnO opens as increase in the interlayer Sn-Sn distance. The effect is rationalized by the character of band edges which consists of bonding and anti-bonding states from interlayer lone pair interactions. The band edges for several nanosheets and strained double-layer SnO are estimated. We conclude that the double-layer SnO is a promising material for visible-light driven photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution. This work is supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO) program.

  13. Two-dimensional model of the interaction of a plane acoustic wave with nozzle edge and wing trailing edge.

    PubMed

    Faranosov, Georgy A; Bychkov, Oleg P

    2017-01-01

    The interaction of a plane acoustic wave with two-dimensional model of nozzle edge and trailing edge is investigated theoretically by means of the Wiener-Hopf technique. The nozzle edge and the trailing edge are simulated by two half-planes with offset edges. Shear layer behind the nozzle edge is represented by a vortex sheet supporting Kelvin-Helmholtz instability waves. The considered configuration combines two well-known models (nozzle edge and trailing edge), and reveals additional interesting physical aspects. To obtain the solution, the matrix Wiener-Hopf equation is solved in conjunction with a requirement that the full Kutta condition is imposed at the edges. Factorization of the kernel matrix is performed by the combination of Padé approximation and the pole removal technique. This procedure is used to obtain numerical results. The results indicate that the diffracted acoustic field may be significantly intensified due to scattering of hydrodynamic instability waves into sound waves provided that the trailing edge is close enough to the vortex sheet. Similar mechanism may be responsible for the intensification of jet noise near a wing.

  14. The Edge Detectors Suitable for Retinal OCT Image Segmentation

    PubMed Central

    Yang, Jing; Gao, Qian; Zhou, Sheng

    2017-01-01

    Retinal layer thickness measurement offers important information for reliable diagnosis of retinal diseases and for the evaluation of disease development and medical treatment responses. This task critically depends on the accurate edge detection of the retinal layers in OCT images. Here, we intended to search for the most suitable edge detectors for the retinal OCT image segmentation task. The three most promising edge detection algorithms were identified in the related literature: Canny edge detector, the two-pass method, and the EdgeFlow technique. The quantitative evaluation results show that the two-pass method outperforms consistently the Canny detector and the EdgeFlow technique in delineating the retinal layer boundaries in the OCT images. In addition, the mean localization deviation metrics show that the two-pass method caused the smallest edge shifting problem. These findings suggest that the two-pass method is the best among the three algorithms for detecting retinal layer boundaries. The overall better performance of Canny and two-pass methods over EdgeFlow technique implies that the OCT images contain more intensity gradient information than texture changes along the retinal layer boundaries. The results will guide our future efforts in the quantitative analysis of retinal OCT images for the effective use of OCT technologies in the field of ophthalmology. PMID:29065594

  15. Dynamic Stall Characteristics of Drooped Leading Edge Airfoils

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sankar, Lakshmi N.; Sahin, Mehmet; Gopal, Naveen

    2000-01-01

    Helicopters in high-speed forward flight usually experience large regions of dynamic stall over the retreating side of the rotor disk. The rapid variations in the lift and pitching moments associated with the stall process can result in vibratory loads, and can cause fatigue and failure of pitch links. In some instances, the large time lag between the aerodynamic forces and the blade motion can trigger stall flutter. A number of techniques for the alleviation of dynamic stall have been proposed and studied by researchers. Passive and active control techniques have both been explored. Passive techniques include the use of high solidity rotors that reduce the lift coefficients of individual blades, leading edge slots and leading edge slats. Active control techniques include steady and unsteady blowing, and dynamically deformable leading edge (DDLE) airfoils. Considerable amount of experimental and numerical data has been collected on the effectiveness of these concepts. One concept that has not received as much attention is the drooped-leading edge airfoil idea. It has been observed in wind tunnel studies and flight tests that drooped leading edge airfoils can have a milder dynamic stall, with a significantly milder load hysteresis. Drooped leading edge airfoils may not, however, be suitable at other conditions, e.g. in hover, or in transonic flow. Work needs to be done on the analysis and design of drooped leading edge airfoils for efficient operation in a variety of flight regimes (hover, dynamic stall, and transonic flow). One concept that is worthy of investigation is the dynamically drooping airfoil, where the leading edge shape is changed roughly once-per-rev to mitigate the dynamic stall.

  16. Two-layer critical dimensions and overlay process window characterization and improvement in full-chip computational lithography

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sturtevant, John L.; Liubich, Vlad; Gupta, Rachit

    2016-04-01

    Edge placement error (EPE) was a term initially introduced to describe the difference between predicted pattern contour edge and the design target for a single design layer. Strictly speaking, this quantity is not directly measurable in the fab. What is of vital importance is the relative edge placement errors between different design layers, and in the era of multipatterning, the different constituent mask sublayers for a single design layer. The critical dimensions (CD) and overlay between two layers can be measured in the fab, and there has always been a strong emphasis on control of overlay between design layers. The progress in this realm has been remarkable, accelerated in part at least by the proliferation of multipatterning, which reduces the available overlay budget by introducing a coupling of overlay and CD errors for the target layer. Computational lithography makes possible the full-chip assessment of two-layer edge to edge distances and two-layer contact overlap area. We will investigate examples of via-metal model-based analysis of CD and overlay errors. We will investigate both single patterning and double patterning. For single patterning, we show the advantage of contour-to-contour simulation over contour to target simulation, and how the addition of aberrations in the optical models can provide a more realistic CD-overlay process window (PW) for edge placement errors. For double patterning, the interaction of 4-layer CD and overlay errors is very complex, but we illustrate that not only can full-chip verification identify potential two-layer hotspots, the optical proximity correction engine can act to mitigate such hotspots and enlarge the joint CD-overlay PW.

  17. Rapid fabrication of miniature lens arrays by four-axis single point diamond machining

    PubMed Central

    McCall, Brian; Tkaczyk, Tomasz S.

    2013-01-01

    A novel method for fabricating lens arrays and other non-rotationally symmetric free-form optics is presented. This is a diamond machining technique using 4 controlled axes of motion – X, Y, Z, and C. As in 3-axis diamond micro-milling, a diamond ball endmill is mounted to the work spindle of a 4-axis ultra-precision computer numerical control (CNC) machine. Unlike 3-axis micro-milling, the C-axis is used to hold the cutting edge of the tool in contact with the lens surface for the entire cut. This allows the feed rates to be doubled compared to the current state of the art of micro-milling while producing an optically smooth surface with very low surface form error and exceptionally low radius error. PMID:23481813

  18. Element Selectivity in Second-Harmonic Generation of GaFeO3 by a Soft-X-Ray Free-Electron Laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yamamoto, Sh.; Omi, T.; Akai, H.; Kubota, Y.; Takahashi, Y.; Suzuki, Y.; Hirata, Y.; Yamamoto, K.; Yukawa, R.; Horiba, K.; Yumoto, H.; Koyama, T.; Ohashi, H.; Owada, S.; Tono, K.; Yabashi, M.; Shigemasa, E.; Yamamoto, S.; Kotsugi, M.; Wadati, H.; Kumigashira, H.; Arima, T.; Shin, S.; Matsuda, I.

    2018-06-01

    Nonlinear optical frequency conversion has been challenged to move down to the extreme ultraviolet and x-ray region. However, the extremely low signals have allowed researchers to only perform transmission experiments of the gas phase or ultrathin films. Here, we report second harmonic generation (SHG) of the reflected beam of a soft x-ray free-electron laser from a solid, which is enhanced by the resonant effect. The observation revealed that the double resonance condition can be met by absorption edges for transition metal oxides in the soft x-ray range, and this suggests that the resonant SHG technique can be applicable to a wide range of materials. We discuss the possibility of element-selective SHG spectroscopy measurements in the soft x-ray range.

  19. Magnetic and electronic properties of SrMnO3 thin films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mandal, Arup Kumar; Panchal, Gyanendra; Choudhary, R. J.; Phase, D. M.

    2018-05-01

    Single phase hexagonal bulk SrMnO3 (SMO) was prepared by solid state route and it was used for depositing thin films by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique on single crystalline (100) oriented SrTiO3 (STO) substrate. X-ray diffraction shows that the thin film is deposited in cubic SrMnO3 phase. From X-ray absorption at the Mn L edge we observed the mixed valency of Mn (Mn3+& Mn4+) due to strain induced by the lattice mismatching between SMO and STO. Due to this mixed valency of Mn ion in SMO film, the ferromagnetic nature is observed at lower temperature because of double exchange. After post annealing with very low oxygen partial pressure, magnetic and electronic property of SMO films are effectively modified.

  20. Edge-to-edge repair for prevention and treatment of mitral valve systolic anterior motion.

    PubMed

    Myers, Patrick O; Khalpey, Zain; Maloney, Ann M; Brinster, Derek R; D'Ambra, Michael N; Cohn, Lawrence H

    2013-10-01

    The edge-to-edge technique has been proposed to prevent systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve. There is limited clinical data available on outcomes of this technique for this indication. We reviewed the midterm results of this technique for SAM prevention and treatment. A total of 2226 patients had mitral valve repair between 2000 and 2011, 1148 of which were for myxomatous mitral regurgitation. Beginning in 2000, predictability of postrepair SAM based on the prebypass, intraoperative transesophageal echocardiogram arose in our program. The edge-to-edge technique was used in 65 patients (5.7%) for SAM management, in 53 patients preemptively for transesophageal echocardiogram-based SAM prediction, and in 12 patients for postrepair SAM treatment. There was no operative mortality. Postoperative mitral regurgitation was significantly improved in all patients compared with the preoperative grade (P < .001). SAM was completely eliminated, the mean mitral regurgitation grade in the postoperative period was 0.7 ± 0.9, and the mean transmitral gradient was 1.3 ± 2.2 mm Hg. During a mean follow-up of 26 months, 1 patient in the SAM treatment group presented late recurrence of SAM and no patients developed mitral stenosis (mean transmitral gradient, 2.0 ± 2.6 mm Hg; P = .12). Without SAM prediction and preemptive edge-to-edge technique, the expected rate of SAM would have been 5.7%; however, the observed rate was 1% (12 of 1148 patients). Initiating an expectation for prebypass SAM prediction, combined with a surgical SAM prevention strategy, resulted in a reduced prevalence of SAM compared with our model of observed to-expected-ratios and to published norms. Copyright © 2013 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. X-ray scattering and spectroscopy studies on diesel soot from oxygenated fuel under various engine load conditions

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Braun, Andreas; Shah, N.; Huggins, Frank E.; Kelly, K.E.; Sarofim, A.; Jacobsen, C.; Wirick, S.; Francis, H.; Ilavsky, J.; Thomas, G.E.; Huffman, G.P.

    2005-01-01

    Diesel soot from reference diesel fuel and oxygenated fuel under idle and load engine conditions was investigated with X-ray scattering and X-ray carbon K-edge absorption spectroscopy. Up to five characteristic size ranges were found. Idle soot was generally found to have larger primary particles and aggregates but smaller crystallites, than load soot. Load soot has a higher degree of crystallinity than idle soot. Adding oxygenates to diesel fuel enhanced differences in the characteristics of diesel soot, or even reversed them. Aromaticity of idle soot from oxygenated diesel fuel was significantly larger than from the corresponding load soot. Carbon near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy was applied to gather information about the presence of relative amounts of carbon double bonds (CC, CO) and carbon single bonds (C-H, C-OH, COOH). Using scanning X-ray transmission microspectroscopy (STXM), the relative amounts of these carbon bond states were shown to vary spatially over distances approximately 50 to 100 nm. The results from the X-ray techniques are supported by thermo-gravimetry analysis and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. ?? 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  2. Combinatorial Statistics on Trees and Networks

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-09-29

    interaction graph is drawn from the Erdos- Renyi , G(n,p), where each edge is present independently with probability p. For this model we establish a double...special interest is the behavior of Gibbs sampling on the Erdos- Renyi random graph G{n, d/n), where each edge is chosen independently with...which have no counterparts in the coloring setting. Our proof presented here exploits in novel ways the local treelike structure of Erdos- Renyi

  3. A comparative study of new and current methods for dental micro-CT image denoising

    PubMed Central

    Lashgari, Mojtaba; Qin, Jie; Swain, Michael

    2016-01-01

    Objectives: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the application of two advanced noise-reduction algorithms for dental micro-CT images and to implement a comparative analysis of the performance of new and current denoising algorithms. Methods: Denoising was performed using gaussian and median filters as the current filtering approaches and the block-matching and three-dimensional (BM3D) method and total variation method as the proposed new filtering techniques. The performance of the denoising methods was evaluated quantitatively using contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), edge preserving index (EPI) and blurring indexes, as well as qualitatively using the double-stimulus continuous quality scale procedure. Results: The BM3D method had the best performance with regard to preservation of fine textural features (CNREdge), non-blurring of the whole image (blurring index), the clinical visual score in images with very fine features and the overall visual score for all types of images. On the other hand, the total variation method provided the best results with regard to smoothing of images in texture-free areas (CNRTex-free) and in preserving the edges and borders of image features (EPI). Conclusions: The BM3D method is the most reliable technique for denoising dental micro-CT images with very fine textural details, such as shallow enamel lesions, in which the preservation of the texture and fine features is of the greatest importance. On the other hand, the total variation method is the technique of choice for denoising images without very fine textural details in which the clinician or researcher is interested mainly in anatomical features and structural measurements. PMID:26764583

  4. Active edge control in the precessions polishing process for manufacturing large mirror segments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Hongyu; Zhang, Wei; Walker, David; Yu, Gouyo

    2014-09-01

    The segmentation of the primary mirror is the only promising solution for building the next generation of ground telescopes. However, manufacturing segmented mirrors presents its own challenges. The edge mis-figure impacts directly on the telescope's scientific output. The `Edge effect' significantly dominates the polishing precision. Therefore, the edge control is regarded as one of the most difficult technical issues in the segment production that needs to be addressed urgently. This paper reports an active edge control technique for the mirror segments fabrication using the Precession's polishing technique. The strategy in this technique requires that the large spot be selected on the bulk area for fast polishing, and the small spot is used for edge figuring. This can be performed by tool lift and optimizing the dell time to compensate for non-uniform material removal at the edge zone. This requires accurate and stable edge tool influence functions. To obtain the full tool influence function at the edge, we have demonstrated in previous work a novel hybrid-measurement method which uses both simultaneous phase interferometry and profilometry. In this paper, the edge effect under `Bonnet tool' polishing is investigated. The pressure distribution is analyzed by means of finite element analysis (FEA). According to the `Preston' equation, the shape of the edge tool influence functions is predicted. With this help, the multiple process parameters at the edge zone are optimized. This is demonstrated on a 200mm crosscorners hexagonal part with a result of PV less than 200nm for entire surface.

  5. Gait alterations can reduce the risk of edge loading.

    PubMed

    Wesseling, Mariska; Meyer, Christophe; De Groote, Friedl; Corten, Kristoff; Simon, Jean-Pierre; Desloovere, Kaat; Jonkers, Ilse

    2016-06-01

    Following metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty, edge loading (i.e., loading near the edge of a prosthesis cup) can increase wear and lead to early revision. The position and coverage angle of the prosthesis cup influence the risk of edge loading. This study investigates the effect of altered gait patterns, more specific hip, and pelvis kinematics, on the orientation of hip contact force and the consequent risk of antero-superior edge loading using muscle driven simulations of gait. With a cup orientation of 25° anteversion and 50° inclination and a coverage angle of 168°, many gait patterns presented risk of edge loading. Specifically at terminal double support, 189 out of 405 gait patterns indicated a risk of edge loading. At this time instant, the high hip contact forces and the proximity of the hip contact force to the edge of the cup indicated the likelihood of the occurrence of edge loading. Although the cup position contributed most to edge loading, altering kinematics considerably influenced the risk of edge loading. Increased hip abduction, resulting in decreasing hip contact force magnitude, and decreased hip extension, resulting in decreased risk on edge loading, are gait strategies that could prevent edge loading. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1069-1076, 2016. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  6. Resistively Loaded Microstrip-Patch Antenna

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bailey, Marion C.

    1993-01-01

    Strips of thin resistive material added near two edges of conventional micro-strip-patch antenna. Bandwidth doubled by simple modification. Optimum bandwidth performance obtained by adjustment of shapes, resistances, and locations of resistive strips.

  7. Enzyme cofactors: Double-edged sword for catalysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ivanov, Ivaylo

    2013-01-01

    The metal cofactors responsible for the activity of CDK2 -- a representative member of the kinase superfamily of enzymes -- have now been shown to also have inhibitory effects during the catalytic cycle.

  8. Single versus double-row repair of the rotator cuff: does double-row repair with improved anatomical and biomechanical characteristics lead to better clinical outcome?

    PubMed

    Pauly, Stephan; Gerhardt, Christian; Chen, Jianhai; Scheibel, Markus

    2010-12-01

    Several techniques for arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff defects have been introduced over the past years. Besides established techniques such as single-row repairs, new techniques such as double-row reconstructions have gained increasing interest. The present article therefore provides an overview of the currently available literature on both repair techniques with respect to several anatomical, biomechanical, clinical and structural endpoints. Systematic literature review of biomechanical, clinical and radiographic studies investigating or comparing single- and double-row techniques. These results were evaluated and compared to provide an overview on benefits and drawbacks of the respective repair type. Reconstructions of the tendon-to-bone unit for full-thickness tears in either single- or double-row technique differ with respect to several endpoints. Double-row repair techniques provide more anatomical reconstructions of the footprint and superior initial biomechanical characteristics when compared to single-row repair. With regard to clinical results, no significant differences were found while radiological data suggest a better structural tendon integrity following double-row fixation. Presently published clinical studies cannot emphasize a clearly superior technique at this time. Available biomechanical studies are in favour of double-row repair. Radiographic studies suggest a beneficial effect of double-row reconstruction on structural integrity of the reattached tendon or reduced recurrent defect rates, respectively.

  9. Access to a new plasma edge state with high density and pressures using the quiescent H mode

    DOE PAGES

    Solomon, Wayne M.; Snyder, Philip B.; Burrell, Keith H.; ...

    2014-09-24

    A path to a new high performance regime has been discovered in tokamaks that could improve the attractiveness of a fusion reactor. Experiments on DIII-D using a quiescent H-mode edge have navigated a valley of improved edge peeling-ballooning stability that opens up with strong plasma shaping at high density, leading to a doubling of the edge pressure over the standard H mode with edge localized modes at these parameters. The thermal energy confinement time increases as a result of both the increased pedestal height and improvements in the core transport and reduced low-k turbulence. As a result, calculations of themore » pedestal height and width as a function of density using constraints imposed by peeling-ballooning and kinetic-ballooning theory are in quantitative agreement with the measurements.« less

  10. Airframe Noise Reduction Studies and Clean-Airframe Noise Investigation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fink, M. R.; Bailey, D. A.

    1980-01-01

    Acoustic wind tunnel tests were conducted of a wing model with modified leading edge slat and trailing edge flap. The modifications were intended to reduce the surface pressure response to convected turbulence and thereby reduce the airframe noise without changing the lift at constant incidence. Tests were conducted at 70.7 and 100 m/sec airspeeds, with Reynolds numbers 1.5 x 10 to the 6th power and 2.1 x 10 to the 6th power. Considerable reduction of noise radiation from the side edges of a 40 deflection single slotted flap was achieved by modification to the side edge regions or the leading edge region of the flap panel. Total far field noise was reduced 2 to 3 dB over several octaves of frequency. When these panels were installed as the aft panel of a 40 deg deflection double slotted flap, 2 dB noise reduction was achieved.

  11. 50 CFR 216.254 - Mitigation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... safety for marine mammals with a radius of no less than 5 nm (9.3 km) for single bombs and 10 nm (18.5 km) for double bombs and a buffer zone from the outer edge of the safety zone with a radius of at least 2.5 nm (4.6 km) for single bombs and 5 nm (18.5 km) for double bombs. (b) Prior to a JASSM or SDB...

  12. An edge preserving differential image coding scheme

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rost, Martin C.; Sayood, Khalid

    1992-01-01

    Differential encoding techniques are fast and easy to implement. However, a major problem with the use of differential encoding for images is the rapid edge degradation encountered when using such systems. This makes differential encoding techniques of limited utility, especially when coding medical or scientific images, where edge preservation is of utmost importance. A simple, easy to implement differential image coding system with excellent edge preservation properties is presented. The coding system can be used over variable rate channels, which makes it especially attractive for use in the packet network environment.

  13. Properties of the edge plasma in the rebuilt Extrap-T2R reversed field pinch experiment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vianello, N.; Spolaore, M.; Serianni, G.; Bergsåker, H.; Antoni, V.; Drake, J. R.

    2002-12-01

    The edge region of the rebuilt Extrap-T2R reversed field pinch experiment has been investigated using Langmuir probes. Radial profiles of main plasma parameters are obtained and compared with those of the previous device Extrap-T2. The spontaneous setting up of a double shear layer of E×B toroidal velocity is confirmed. The particle flux induced by electrostatic fluctuations is calculated and the resulting effective diffusion coefficient is consistent with the Bohm estimate. A close relationship between electrostatic fluctuations at the edge and non-linear coupling of MHD modes in the core is found.

  14. Wear Detection of Drill Bit by Image-based Technique

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sukeri, Maziyah; Zulhilmi Paiz Ismadi, Mohd; Rahim Othman, Abdul; Kamaruddin, Shahrul

    2018-03-01

    Image processing for computer vision function plays an essential aspect in the manufacturing industries for the tool condition monitoring. This study proposes a dependable direct measurement method to measure the tool wear using image-based analysis. Segmentation and thresholding technique were used as the means to filter and convert the colour image to binary datasets. Then, the edge detection method was applied to characterize the edge of the drill bit. By using cross-correlation method, the edges of original and worn drill bits were correlated to each other. Cross-correlation graphs were able to detect the difference of the worn edge despite small difference between the graphs. Future development will focus on quantifying the worn profile as well as enhancing the sensitivity of the technique.

  15. Chromosome doubling method

    DOEpatents

    Kato, Akio

    2006-11-14

    The invention provides methods for chromosome doubling in plants. The technique overcomes the low yields of doubled progeny associated with the use of prior techniques for doubling chromosomes in plants such as grasses. The technique can be used in large scale applications and has been demonstrated to be highly effective in maize. Following treatment in accordance with the invention, plants remain amenable to self fertilization, thereby allowing the efficient isolation of doubled progeny plants.

  16. Delocalization and occupancy effects of 5f orbitals in plutonium intermetallics using L3-edge resonant X-ray emission spectroscopy

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

    Booth, C. H.; Medling, S. A.; Jiang, Yu

    2014-06-24

    Although actinide (An) L3 -edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy has been very effective in determining An oxidation states in insulating, ionically bonded materials, such as in certain coordination compounds and mineral systems, the technique fails in systems featuring more delocalized 5f orbitals, especially in metals. Recently, actinide L3-edge resonant X-ray emission spec- troscopy (RXES) has been shown to be an effective alternative. This technique is further demonstrated here using a parameterized partial unoccupied density of states method to quantify both occupancy and delocalization of the 5f orbital in ?-Pu, ?-Pu, PuCoGa5 , PuCoIn5 , and PuSb2. These newmore » results, supported by FEFF calculations, highlight the effects of strong correlations on RXES spectra and the technique?s ability to differentiate between f-orbital occupation and delocalization.« less

  17. Propagation of Bessel-Gaussian beams through a double-apertured fractional Fourier transform optical system.

    PubMed

    Tang, Bin; Jiang, Chun; Zhu, Haibin

    2012-08-01

    Based on the scalar diffraction theory and the fact that a hard-edged aperture function can be expanded into a finite sum of complex Gaussian functions, an approximate analytical solution for Bessel-Gaussian (BG) beams propagating through a double-apertured fractional Fourier transform (FrFT) system is derived in the cylindrical coordinate. By using the approximate analytical formulas, the propagation properties of BG beams passing through a double-apertured FrFT optical system have been studied in detail by some typical numerical examples. The results indicate that the double-apertured FrFT optical system provides a convenient way for controlling the properties of the BG beams by properly choosing the optical parameters.

  18. Edge detection and localization with edge pattern analysis and inflection characterization

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jiang, Bo

    2012-05-01

    In general edges are considered to be abrupt changes or discontinuities in two dimensional image signal intensity distributions. The accuracy of front-end edge detection methods in image processing impacts the eventual success of higher level pattern analysis downstream. To generalize edge detectors designed from a simple ideal step function model to real distortions in natural images, research on one dimensional edge pattern analysis to improve the accuracy of edge detection and localization proposes an edge detection algorithm, which is composed by three basic edge patterns, such as ramp, impulse, and step. After mathematical analysis, general rules for edge representation based upon the classification of edge types into three categories-ramp, impulse, and step (RIS) are developed to reduce detection and localization errors, especially reducing "double edge" effect that is one important drawback to the derivative method. But, when applying one dimensional edge pattern in two dimensional image processing, a new issue is naturally raised that the edge detector should correct marking inflections or junctions of edges. Research on human visual perception of objects and information theory pointed out that a pattern lexicon of "inflection micro-patterns" has larger information than a straight line. Also, research on scene perception gave an idea that contours have larger information are more important factor to determine the success of scene categorization. Therefore, inflections or junctions are extremely useful features, whose accurate description and reconstruction are significant in solving correspondence problems in computer vision. Therefore, aside from adoption of edge pattern analysis, inflection or junction characterization is also utilized to extend traditional derivative edge detection algorithm. Experiments were conducted to test my propositions about edge detection and localization accuracy improvements. The results support the idea that these edge detection method improvements are effective in enhancing the accuracy of edge detection and localization.

  19. Hypersonic aerospace vehicle leading edge cooling using heat pipe, transpiration and film cooling techniques

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Modlin, James Michael

    An investigation was conducted to study the feasibility of cooling hypersonic vehicle leading edge structures exposed to severe aerodynamic surface heat fluxes using a combination of liquid metal heat pipes and surface mass transfer cooling techniques. A generalized, transient, finite difference based hypersonic leading edge cooling model was developed that incorporated these effects and was demonstrated on an assumed aerospace plane-type wing leading edge section and a SCRAMJET engine inlet leading edge section. The hypersonic leading edge cooling model was developed using an existing, experimentally verified heat pipe model. Two applications of the hypersonic leading edge cooling model were examined. An assumed aerospace plane-type wing leading edge section exposed to a severe laminar, hypersonic aerodynamic surface heat flux was studied. A second application of the hypersonic leading edge cooling model was conducted on an assumed one-quarter inch nose diameter SCRAMJET engine inlet leading edge section exposed to both a transient laminar, hypersonic aerodynamic surface heat flux and a type 4 shock interference surface heat flux. The investigation led to the conclusion that cooling leading edge structures exposed to severe hypersonic flight environments using a combination of liquid metal heat pipe, surface transpiration, and film cooling methods appeared feasible.

  20. Soft X-ray characterization technique for Li batteries under operating conditions.

    PubMed

    Petersburg, Cole F; Daniel, Robert C; Jaye, Cherno; Fischer, Daniel A; Alamgir, Faisal M

    2009-09-01

    O K-edge and Co L-edge near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure has been used to examine the cathode of an intact solid-state lithium ion battery. The novel technique allowed for the simultaneous acquisition of partial electron yield and fluorescence yield data during the first charge cycle of a LiCoO(2)-based battery below the intercalation voltage. The chemical environments of oxygen and cobalt at the surface are shown to differ chemically from those in the bulk. The present design enables a wide variety of in situ spectroscopies, microscopies and scattering techniques.

  1. Edge technique lidar for high accuracy, high spatial resolution wind measurement in the Planetary Boundary Layer

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Korb, C. L.; Gentry, Bruce M.

    1995-01-01

    The goal of the Army Research Office (ARO) Geosciences Program is to measure the three dimensional wind field in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) over a measurement volume with a 50 meter spatial resolution and with measurement accuracies of the order of 20 cm/sec. The objective of this work is to develop and evaluate a high vertical resolution lidar experiment using the edge technique for high accuracy measurement of the atmospheric wind field to meet the ARO requirements. This experiment allows the powerful capabilities of the edge technique to be quantitatively evaluated. In the edge technique, a laser is located on the steep slope of a high resolution spectral filter. This produces large changes in measured signal for small Doppler shifts. A differential frequency technique renders the Doppler shift measurement insensitive to both laser and filter frequency jitter and drift. The measurement is also relatively insensitive to the laser spectral width for widths less than the width of the edge filter. Thus, the goal is to develop a system which will yield a substantial improvement in the state of the art of wind profile measurement in terms of both vertical resolution and accuracy and which will provide a unique capability for atmospheric wind studies.

  2. Multispectral image sharpening using a shift-invariant wavelet transform and adaptive processing of multiresolution edges

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Lemeshewsky, G.P.; Rahman, Z.-U.; Schowengerdt, R.A.; Reichenbach, S.E.

    2002-01-01

    Enhanced false color images from mid-IR, near-IR (NIR), and visible bands of the Landsat thematic mapper (TM) are commonly used for visually interpreting land cover type. Described here is a technique for sharpening or fusion of NIR with higher resolution panchromatic (Pan) that uses a shift-invariant implementation of the discrete wavelet transform (SIDWT) and a reported pixel-based selection rule to combine coefficients. There can be contrast reversals (e.g., at soil-vegetation boundaries between NIR and visible band images) and consequently degraded sharpening and edge artifacts. To improve performance for these conditions, I used a local area-based correlation technique originally reported for comparing image-pyramid-derived edges for the adaptive processing of wavelet-derived edge data. Also, using the redundant data of the SIDWT improves edge data generation. There is additional improvement because sharpened subband imagery is used with the edge-correlation process. A reported technique for sharpening three-band spectral imagery used forward and inverse intensity, hue, and saturation transforms and wavelet-based sharpening of intensity. This technique had limitations with opposite contrast data, and in this study sharpening was applied to single-band multispectral-Pan image pairs. Sharpening used simulated 30-m NIR imagery produced by degrading the spatial resolution of a higher resolution reference. Performance, evaluated by comparison between sharpened and reference image, was improved when sharpened subband data were used with the edge correlation.

  3. Edge control in CNC polishing, paper 2: simulation and validation of tool influence functions on edges.

    PubMed

    Li, Hongyu; Walker, David; Yu, Guoyu; Sayle, Andrew; Messelink, Wilhelmus; Evans, Rob; Beaucamp, Anthony

    2013-01-14

    Edge mis-figure is regarded as one of the most difficult technical issues for manufacturing the segments of extremely large telescopes, which can dominate key aspects of performance. A novel edge-control technique has been developed, based on 'Precessions' polishing technique and for which accurate and stable edge tool influence functions (TIFs) are crucial. In the first paper in this series [D. Walker Opt. Express 20, 19787-19798 (2012)], multiple parameters were experimentally optimized using an extended set of experiments. The first purpose of this new work is to 'short circuit' this procedure through modeling. This also gives the prospect of optimizing local (as distinct from global) polishing for edge mis-figure, now under separate development. This paper presents a model that can predict edge TIFs based on surface-speed profiles and pressure distributions over the polishing spot at the edge of the part, the latter calculated by finite element analysis and verified by direct force measurement. This paper also presents a hybrid-measurement method for edge TIFs to verify the simulation results. Experimental and simulation results show good agreement.

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

    Müller, Alfred; Bernhardt, Dietrich; Borovik, Alexander

    Single, double, and triple photoionization of Ne + ions by single photons have been investigated at the synchrotron radiation source PETRA III in Hamburg, Germany. Absolute cross-sections were measured by employing the photon-ion merged-beams technique. Photon energies were between about 840 and 930 eV, covering the range from the lowest-energy resonances associated with the excitation of one single K-shell electron up to double excitations involving one K- and one L-shell electron, well beyond the K-shell ionization threshold. Also, photoionization of neutral Ne was investigated just below the K edge. The chosen photon energy bandwidths were between 32 and 500 meV,more » facilitating the determination of natural line widths. The uncertainty of the energy scale is estimated to be 0.2 eV. For comparison with existing theoretical calculations, astrophysically relevant photoabsorption cross-sections were inferred by summing the measured partial ionization channels. Discussion of the observed resonances in the different final ionization channels reveals the presence of complex Auger-decay mechanisms. The ejection of three electrons from the lowest K-shell-excited Ne + (1s2s 2p 6 2S 1/2) level, for example, requires cooperative interaction of at least four electrons.« less

  5. Double row equivalent for rotator cuff repair: A biomechanical analysis of a new technique.

    PubMed

    Robinson, Sean; Krigbaum, Henry; Kramer, Jon; Purviance, Connor; Parrish, Robin; Donahue, Joseph

    2018-06-01

    There are numerous configurations of double row fixation for rotator cuff tears however, there remains to be a consensus on the best method. In this study, we evaluated three different double-row configurations, including a new method. Our primary question is whether the new anchor and technique compares in biomechanical strength to standard double row techniques. Eighteen prepared fresh frozen bovine infraspinatus tendons were randomized to one of three groups including the New Double Row Equivalent, Arthrex Speedbridge and a transosseous equivalent using standard Stabilynx anchors. Biomechanical testing was performed on humeri sawbones and ultimate load, strain, yield strength, contact area, contact pressure, and a survival plots were evaluated. The new double row equivalent method demonstrated increased survival as well as ultimate strength at 415N compared to the remainder testing groups as well as equivalent contact area and pressure to standard double row techniques. This new anchor system and technique demonstrated higher survival rates and loads to failure than standard double row techniques. This data provides us with a new method of rotator cuff fixation which should be further evaluated in the clinical setting. Basic science biomechanical study.

  6. Double Photobomb

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2015-09-14

    NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of Earth and the moon transiting the sun together on Sept. 13, 2015. The edge of Earth, visible near the top of the frame, appears fuzzy because Earth’s atmosphere blocks different amounts of light at different altitudes. On the left, the moon’s edge is perfectly crisp, because it has no atmosphere. This image was taken in extreme ultraviolet wavelengths of 171 angstroms. Though this light is invisible to our eyes, it is typically colorized in gold. Credits: NASA/SDO

  7. Stress intensity factor in a tapered specimen

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Xue-Hui, L.; Erdogan, F.

    1985-01-01

    The general problem of a tapered specimen containing an edge crack is formulated in terms of a system of singular integral equations. The equations are solved and the stress intensity factor is calculated for a compact and for a slender tapered specimen, the latter simulating the double cantilever beam. The results are obtained primarily for a pair of concentrated forces and for crack surface wedge forces. The stress intensity factors are also obtained for a long strip under uniform tension which contains inclined edge cracks.

  8. RKKY interaction in a chirally coupled double quantum dot system

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

    Heine, A. W.; Tutuc, D.; Haug, R. J.

    2013-12-04

    The competition between the Kondo effect and the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yoshida (RKKY) interaction is investigated in a double quantum dots system, coupled via a central open conducting region. A perpendicular magnetic field induces the formation of Landau Levels which in turn give rise to the so-called Kondo chessboard pattern in the transport through the quantum dots. The two quantum dots become therefore chirally coupled via the edge channels formed in the open conducting area. In regions where both quantum dots exhibit Kondo transport the presence of the RKKY exchange interaction is probed by an analysis of the temperature dependence. The thus obtainedmore » Kondo temperature of one dot shows an abrupt increase at the onset of Kondo transport in the other, independent of the magnetic field polarity, i.e. edge state chirality in the central region.« less

  9. Purging of multilayer insulation by gas diffusion

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sumner, I. E.; Spuckler, C. M.

    1976-01-01

    An experimental investigation was conducted to determine the time required to purge a multilayer insulation (MLI) panel with gaseous helium by means of gas diffusion to obtain a condensable (nitrogen) gas concentration of less than 1 percent within the panel. Two flat, rectangular MLI panel configurations, one incorporating a butt joint, were tested. The insulation panels consisted of 15 double-aluminized Mylar radiation shields separated by double silk net spacers. The test results indicated that the rate which the condensable gas concentration at the edge or at the butt joint of an MLI panel was reduced was a significant factor in the total time required to reduce the condensable gas concentration within the panel to less than 1 percent. The experimental data agreed well with analytical predictions made by using a simple, one-dimensional gas diffusion model in which the boundary conditions at the edge of the MLI panel were time dependent.

  10. Elastic-plastic finite-element analyses of thermally cycled double-edge wedge specimens

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kaufman, A.; Hunt, L. E.

    1982-01-01

    Elastic-plastic stress-strain analyses were performed for double-edge wedge specimens subjected to thermal cycling in fluidized beds at 316 and 1088 C. Four cases involving different nickel-base alloys (IN 100, Mar M-200, NASA TAZ-8A, and Rene 80) were analyzed by using the MARC nonlinear, finite element computer program. Elastic solutions from MARC showed good agreement with previously reported solutions obtained by using the NASTRAN and ISO3DQ computer programs. Equivalent total strain ranges at the critical locations calculated by elastic analyses agreed within 3 percent with those calculated from elastic-plastic analyses. The elastic analyses always resulted in compressive mean stresses at the critical locations. However, elastic-plastic analyses showed tensile mean stresses for two of the four alloys and an increase in the compressive mean stress for the highest plastic strain case.

  11. Edge-to-Edge Technique to Minimize Ovelapping of Multiple Bioresorbable Scaffolds Plus Drug Eluting Stents in Revascularization of Long Diffuse Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery Disease.

    PubMed

    Rigatelli, Gianluca; Avvocata, Fabio Dell'; Ronco, Federico; Giordan, Massimo; Roncon, Loris; Caprioglio, Francesco; Grassi, Giuseppe; Faggian, Giuseppe; Cardaioli, Paolo

    2016-06-01

    Implantation of Drug Eluting Stents (DES) plus bioresorbable scaffolds (BVS) in very long diffuse left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) disease may be problematic because of multiple devices overlapping. We sought to assess the short and mid-tern outcomes of combined implantation of DES and BVS using a novel "edge-to-edge" technique in patients with diffuse LAD disease. Patients with long diffuse LAD disease were enrolled in a prospective registry from 1st August 2014 to 1st August 2015 and treated with IVUS-aided percutaneous coronary intervention using a DES plus a single or multiple BVS using a novel "edge-to-edge" technique. Clinical follow up and invasive follow up driven by clinical justification was performed. Twenty-three patients (5 females, mean age 59.1± 9.1 years) were enrolled. Mean length of LAD disease was 73.1 ± 20.6 mm. Mean number of DES and BVS implanted was 1.2 ± 0.4 and 1.7 ± 1.3, respectively. At a mean follow-up of 11.3 ± 3.8 months, no stent thrombosis or MACE were observed. Angiographic and IVUS follow-up at a mean of 6.6 ± 0.7 months showed no significant angiographic restenosis and no appreciable stent gaps. In revascularization of long diffuse disease of the LAD, the edge-to-edge implantation technique appears to be feasible resulting in no restenosis or thrombosis on the short-term follow-up. (J Interven Cardiol 2016;29:275-284). © 2016, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  12. Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris Threat Mitigation Techniques for the Space Shuttle Orbiter

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hyde, James L.; Christiansen, Eric L.; Lear, Dana M.; Kerr, Justin H.

    2009-01-01

    An overview of significant Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris (MMOD) impacts on the Payload Bay Door radiators, wing leading edge reinforced carbon-carbon panels and crew module windows will be presented, along with a discussion of the techniques NASA has implemented to reduce the risk from MMOD impacts. The concept of "Late Inspection" of the Nose Cap and Wing leading Edge (WLE) Reinforced Carbon Carbon (RCC) regions will be introduced. An alternative mated attitude with the International Space Station (ISS) on shuttle MMOD risk will also be presented. The significant threat mitigation effect of these two techniques will be demonstrated. The wing leading edge impact detection system, on-orbit repair techniques and disabled vehicle contingency plans will also be discussed.

  13. A possibility of avoiding surface roughness due to insects

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wortmann, F. X.

    1984-01-01

    Discussion of a method for eliminating turbulence caused by the formation of insect roughness upon the leading edges and fuselage, particularly in aircraft using BLC. The proposed technique foresees the use of elastic surfaces on which insect roughness cannot form. The operational characteristics of highly elastic rubber surface fastened to the wing leading edges and fuselage edges are examined. Some preliminary test results are presented. The technique is seen to be advantageous primarily for short-haul operations.

  14. Lamb-Wave-Based Tomographic Imaging Techniques for Hole-Edge Corrosion Monitoring in Plate Structures

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Dengjiang; Zhang, Weifang; Wang, Xiangyu; Sun, Bo

    2016-01-01

    This study presents a novel monitoring method for hole-edge corrosion damage in plate structures based on Lamb wave tomographic imaging techniques. An experimental procedure with a cross-hole layout using 16 piezoelectric transducers (PZTs) was designed. The A0 mode of the Lamb wave was selected, which is sensitive to thickness-loss damage. The iterative algebraic reconstruction technique (ART) method was used to locate and quantify the corrosion damage at the edge of the hole. Hydrofluoric acid with a concentration of 20% was used to corrode the specimen artificially. To estimate the effectiveness of the proposed method, the real corrosion damage was compared with the predicted corrosion damage based on the tomographic method. The results show that the Lamb-wave-based tomographic method can be used to monitor the hole-edge corrosion damage accurately. PMID:28774041

  15. Hydrodynamic characteristics of the double-winged otter board in the deep waters of the Mauritanian Sea

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Su, Xin; Lu, Huosheng; Feng, Bo; Chen, Qiujie; Yan, Yunrong

    2017-09-01

    In this paper, we tested the hydrodynamic characteristics of a new, double-winged otter board that consists of a forewing, a leading edge slat and a trailing edge flap. Flume experiments were conducted in a circulating flume tank by using a model with an aspect ratio (AR) of 0.85 and a horizontal planform area (S) of 0.09 m2. The results indicated that the critical angle (αcr) of the model was 44°, whereas the maximum lift coefficient (C Lmax) was up to 1.715, and the door efficiency (K) was 1.122. The attack angle (α) ranged from 30° to 48° and from 10° to 46° when the lift coefficient (C L) and door efficiency (K) were greater than 1.2 and 1.0, respectively. To compare the difference between double-winged otter board and traditional Morgere Polyvalent Ovale, same model of Morgere Polyvalent Ovale was also tested under the same experimental conditions. The critical angle (αcr) and maximum of lift coefficient (C Lmax) of the doublewinged otter board were 37.5% and 14.6% larger than those of the Morgere Polyvalent Ovale. Therefore, we concluded that the novel, double-winged otter board was more suitable for bottom trawling fisheries in the deep water of the Mauretania Sea due to its better hydrodynamic characteristics and stability.

  16. Percutaneous Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation Repair With the MitraClip Device Using an Edge-to-Edge Bicuspidization Technique.

    PubMed

    Gafoor, Sameer; Petrescu, O Madalina; Lehr, Eric J; Puls, Charles; Zhang, Ming; Petersen, John L; Olsen, John V; Penev, Irina; Agrawal, Mayank; Sharma, Rahul; Barnhart, Glenn

    2017-03-01

    Patients who present with both severe mitral and tricuspid regurgitation who are symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy and at prohibitive risk for surgery pose a significant therapeutic challenge. The MitraClip device (Abbott Vascular) is approved for percutaneous mitral valve repair in high-risk and non-operative patients, and has also been used for tricuspid valve repair. Imaging support for percutaneous edge-to-edge tricuspid valve repair has not been reported and is a vital part of the procedure. Here, we present a periprocedural imaging strategy for percutaneous tricuspid valve repair with the MitraClip device using a bicuspidization technique.

  17. Single- and double-row repair for rotator cuff tears - biology and mechanics.

    PubMed

    Papalia, Rocco; Franceschi, Francesco; Vasta, Sebastiano; Zampogna, Biagio; Maffulli, Nicola; Denaro, Vincenzo

    2012-01-01

    We critically review the existing studies comparing the features of single- and double-row repair, and discuss suggestions about the surgical indications for the two repair techniques. All currently available studies comparing the biomechanical, clinical and the biological features of single and double row. Biomechanically, the double-row repair has greater performances in terms of higher initial fixation strength, greater footprint coverage, improved contact area and pressure, decreased gap formation, and higher load to failure. Results of clinical studies demonstrate no significantly better outcomes for double-row compared to single-row repair. Better results are achieved by double-row repair for larger lesions (tear size 2.5-3.5 cm). Considering the lack of statistically significant differences between the two techniques and that the double row is a high cost and a high surgical skill-dependent technique, we suggest using the double-row technique only in strictly selected patients. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  18. Mitigating cutting-induced plasticity in the contour method, Part 2: Numerical analysis

    DOE PAGES

    Muránsky, O.; Hamelin, C. J.; Hosseinzadeh, F.; ...

    2016-02-10

    Cutting-induced plasticity can have a significant effect on the measurement accuracy of the contour method. The present study examines the benefit of a double-embedded cutting configuration that relies on self-restraint of the specimen, relative to conventional edge-crack cutting configurations. A series of finite element analyses are used to simulate the planar sectioning performed during double-embedded and conventional edge-crack contour cutting configurations. The results of numerical analyses are first compared to measured results to validate the cutting simulations. The simulations are then used to compare the efficacy of different cutting configurations by predicting the deviation of the residual stress profile frommore » an original (pre-cutting) reference stress field, and the extent of cutting-induced plasticity. Comparisons reveal that while the double-embedded cutting configuration produces the most accurate residual stress measurements, the highest levels of plastic flow are generated in this process. As a result, this cutting-induced plastic deformation is, however, largely confined to small ligaments formed as a consequence of the sample sectioning process, and as such it does not significantly affect the back-calculated residual stress field.« less

  19. Mitigating cutting-induced plasticity in the contour method, Part 2: Numerical analysis

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

    Muránsky, O.; Hamelin, C. J.; Hosseinzadeh, F.

    Cutting-induced plasticity can have a significant effect on the measurement accuracy of the contour method. The present study examines the benefit of a double-embedded cutting configuration that relies on self-restraint of the specimen, relative to conventional edge-crack cutting configurations. A series of finite element analyses are used to simulate the planar sectioning performed during double-embedded and conventional edge-crack contour cutting configurations. The results of numerical analyses are first compared to measured results to validate the cutting simulations. The simulations are then used to compare the efficacy of different cutting configurations by predicting the deviation of the residual stress profile frommore » an original (pre-cutting) reference stress field, and the extent of cutting-induced plasticity. Comparisons reveal that while the double-embedded cutting configuration produces the most accurate residual stress measurements, the highest levels of plastic flow are generated in this process. As a result, this cutting-induced plastic deformation is, however, largely confined to small ligaments formed as a consequence of the sample sectioning process, and as such it does not significantly affect the back-calculated residual stress field.« less

  20. Overlapping double etch technique for evaluation of metallic alloys to stress corrosion cracking

    DOEpatents

    Steeves, Arthur F.; Stewart, James C.

    1981-01-01

    A double overlapping etch zone technique for evaluation of the resistance of metallic alloys to stress corrosion cracking. The technique involves evaluating the metallic alloy along the line of demarcation between an overlapping double etch zone and single etch zone formed on the metallic alloy surface.

  1. Effect of shoulder abduction angle on biomechanical properties of the repaired rotator cuff tendons with 3 types of double-row technique.

    PubMed

    Mihata, Teruhisa; Fukuhara, Tetsutaro; Jun, Bong Jae; Watanabe, Chisato; Kinoshita, Mitsuo

    2011-03-01

    After rotator cuff repair, the shoulder is immobilized in various abduction positions. However, there is no consensus on the proper abduction angle. To assess the effect of shoulder abduction angle on the biomechanical properties of the repaired rotator cuff tendons among 3 types of double-row techniques. Controlled laboratory study. Thirty-two fresh-frozen porcine shoulders were used. A simulated rotator cuff tear was repaired by 1 of 3 double-row techniques: conventional double-row repair, transosseous-equivalent repair, and a combination of conventional double-row and bridging sutures (compression double-row repair). Each specimen underwent cyclic testing followed by tensile testing to failure at a simulated shoulder abduction angle of 0° or 40° on a material testing machine. Gap formation and failure loads were measured. Gap formation in conventional double-row repair at 0° (1.2 ± 0.5 mm) was significantly greater than that at 40° (0.5 ± 0.3mm, P = .01). The yield and ultimate failure loads for conventional double-row repair at 40° were significantly larger than those at 0° (P < .01), whereas those for transosseous-equivalent repair (P < .01) and compression double-row repair (P < .0001) at 0° were significantly larger than those at 40°. The failure load for compression double-row repair was the greatest among the 3 double-row techniques at both 0° and 40° of abduction. Bridging sutures have a greater effect on the biomechanical properties of the repaired rotator cuff tendon at a low abduction angle, and the conventional double-row technique has a greater effect at a high abduction angle. Proper abduction position after rotator cuff repair differs between conventional double-row repair and transosseous-equivalent repair. The authors recommend the use of the combined technique of conventional double-row and bridging sutures to obtain better biomechanical properties at both low and high abduction angles.

  2. Exponential Increase in Relative Biological Effectiveness Along Distal Edge of a Proton Bragg Peak as Measured by Deoxyribonucleic Acid Double-Strand Breaks

    PubMed Central

    Cuaron, John J.; Chang, Chang; Lovelock, Michael; Higginson, Daniel S.; Mah, Dennis; Cahlon, Oren; Powell, Simon

    2016-01-01

    Purpose To quantify the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of the distal edge of the proton Bragg peak, using an in vitro assay of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Methods and Materials U2OS cells were irradiated within the plateau of a spread-out Bragg peak and at each millimeter position along the distal edge using a custom slide holder, allowing for simultaneous measurement of physical dose. A reference radiation signal was generated using photons. The DNA DSBs at 3 hours (to assess for early damage) and at 24 hours (to assess for residual damage and repair) after irradiation were measured using the γH2AX assay and quantified via flow cytometry. Results were confirmed with clonogenic survival assays. A detailed map of the RBE as a function of depth along the Bragg peak was generated using γH2AX measurements as a biological endpoint. Results At 3 hours after irradiation, DNA DSBs were higher with protons at every point along the distal edge compared with samples irradiated with photons to similar doses. This effect was even more pronounced after 24 hours, indicating that the impact of DNA repair is less after proton irradiation relative to photons. The RBE demonstrated an exponential increase as a function of depth and was measured to be as high as 4.0 after 3 hours and as high as 6.0 after 24 hours. When the RBE-corrected dose was plotted as a function of depth, the peak effective dose was extended 2-3 mm beyond what would be expected with physical measurement. Conclusions We generated a highly comprehensive map of the RBE of the distal edge of the Bragg peak, using a direct assay of DNA DSBs in vitro. Our data show that the RBE of the distal edge increases with depth and is significantly higher than previously reported estimates. PMID:27084629

  3. Exponential Increase in Relative Biological Effectiveness Along Distal Edge of a Proton Bragg Peak as Measured by Deoxyribonucleic Acid Double-Strand Breaks.

    PubMed

    Cuaron, John J; Chang, Chang; Lovelock, Michael; Higginson, Daniel S; Mah, Dennis; Cahlon, Oren; Powell, Simon

    2016-05-01

    To quantify the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of the distal edge of the proton Bragg peak, using an in vitro assay of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). U2OS cells were irradiated within the plateau of a spread-out Bragg peak and at each millimeter position along the distal edge using a custom slide holder, allowing for simultaneous measurement of physical dose. A reference radiation signal was generated using photons. The DNA DSBs at 3 hours (to assess for early damage) and at 24 hours (to assess for residual damage and repair) after irradiation were measured using the γH2AX assay and quantified via flow cytometry. Results were confirmed with clonogenic survival assays. A detailed map of the RBE as a function of depth along the Bragg peak was generated using γH2AX measurements as a biological endpoint. At 3 hours after irradiation, DNA DSBs were higher with protons at every point along the distal edge compared with samples irradiated with photons to similar doses. This effect was even more pronounced after 24 hours, indicating that the impact of DNA repair is less after proton irradiation relative to photons. The RBE demonstrated an exponential increase as a function of depth and was measured to be as high as 4.0 after 3 hours and as high as 6.0 after 24 hours. When the RBE-corrected dose was plotted as a function of depth, the peak effective dose was extended 2-3 mm beyond what would be expected with physical measurement. We generated a highly comprehensive map of the RBE of the distal edge of the Bragg peak, using a direct assay of DNA DSBs in vitro. Our data show that the RBE of the distal edge increases with depth and is significantly higher than previously reported estimates. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. Creating unconventional geometric beams with large depth of field using double freeform-surface optics.

    PubMed

    Feng, Zexin; Froese, Brittany D; Huang, Chih-Yu; Ma, Donglin; Liang, Rongguang

    2015-07-10

    We consider here creation of an unconventional flattop beam with a large depth of field by employing double freeform optical surfaces. The output beam is designed with continuous variations from the flattop to almost zero near the edges to resist the influence of diffraction on its propagation. We solve this challenging problem by naturally incorporating an optimal transport map computation scheme for unconventional boundary conditions with a simultaneous point-by-point double surface construction procedure. We demonstrate experimentally the generation of a long-range propagated triangular beam through a plano-freeform lens pair fabricated by a diamond-tuning machine.

  5. A Field-Based Technique for Teaching about Habitat Fragmentation and Edge Effects

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Resler, Lynn M.; Kolivras, Korine N.

    2009-01-01

    This article presents a field technique that exposes students to the indirect effects of habitat fragmentation on plant distributions through studying edge effects. This assignment, suited for students in an introductory biogeography or resource geography class, increases students' knowledge of basic biogeographic concepts such as environmental…

  6. Comparison of gravimetric and a double-indicator dilution technique for assessment of extra-vascular lung water in endotoxaemia.

    PubMed

    Rossi, P; Oldner, A; Wanecek, M; Leksell, L G; Rudehill, A; Konrad, D; Weitzberg, E

    2003-03-01

    To compare a molecular double-indicator dilution technique with the gravimetrical reference method for measurement of extra-vascular lung water in porcine endotoxin shock. Open comparative experimental study. Animal research laboratory. In fourteen anaesthetised, mechanically ventilated landrace pigs, central and pulmonary haemodynamics as well as pulmonary gas exchange were measured. Extra-vascular lung water was quantitated gravimetrically as well as with a molecular double indicator dilution technique. Eight of these animals were subjected to endotoxaemia, the rest serving as sham controls. No difference in extra-vascular lung water was observed between the two methods in sham animals. Furthermore, extra-vascular lung water assessed with the molecular double-indicator dilution technique at the initiation of endotoxin infusion did not differ significantly from the corresponding values for sham animals. Endotoxaemia induced a hypodynamic shock with concurrent pulmonary hypertension and a pronounced deterioration in gas exchange. No increase in extra-vascular lung water was detected with the molecular double-indicator dilution technique in response to endotoxin, whereas this parameter was significantly higher when assessed with the gravimetric method. The molecular double-indicator dilution technique showed similar results as the gravimetrical method for assessment of extra-vascular lung water in non-endotoxaemic conditions. However, during endotoxin-induced lung injury the molecular double indicator dilution technique failed to detect the significant increase in extra-vascular lung water as measured by the gravimetric method. These data suggest that the molecular double indicator dilution technique may be of limited value during sepsis-induced lung injury.

  7. Curvature of blended rolled edge reflectors at the shadow boundary contour

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ellingson, S. W.

    1988-01-01

    A technique is advanced for computing the radius of curvature of blended rolled edge reflector surfaces at the shadow boundary, in the plane perpendicular to the shadow boundary contour. This curvature must be known in order to compute the spurious endpoint contributions in the physical optics (PO) solution for the scattering from reflectors with rolled edges. The technique is applicable to reflectors with radially-defined rim-shapes and rolled edge terminations. The radius of curvature for several basic reflector systems is computed, and it is shown that this curvature can vary greatly along the shadow boundary contour. Finally, the total PO field in the target zone of a sample compact range system is computed and corrected using the shadow boundary radius of curvature, obtained using the technique. It is shown that the fields obtained are a better approximation to the true scattered fields.

  8. High-resolution studies of the HF ionospheric modification interaction region

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Duncan, L. M.; Sheerin, J. P.

    1985-01-01

    The use of the pulse edge analysis technique to explain ionospheric modifications caused by high-power HF radio waves is discussed. The technique, implemented at the Arecibo Observatory, uses long radar pulses and very rapid data sampling. A comparison of the pulse leading and trailing edge characteristics is obtained and the comparison is used to estimate the relative changes in the interaction region height and layer width; an example utilizing this technique is provided. Main plasma line overshoot and miniovershoot were studied from the pulse edge observations; the observations at various HF pulsings and radar resolutions are graphically presented. From the pulse edge data the development and the occurrence of main plasma line overshoot and miniovershoot are explained. The theories of soliton formation and collapse, wave ducting, profile modification, and parametric instabilities are examined as a means of explaining main plasma line overshoots and miniovershoots.

  9. Solution XAS Analysis for Exploring the Active Species in Homogeneous Vanadium Complex Catalysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nomura, Kotohiro; Mitsudome, Takato; Tsutsumi, Ken; Yamazoe, Seiji

    2018-06-01

    Selected examples in V K-edge X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) analysis of a series of vanadium complexes containing imido ligands (possessing metal-nitrogen double bond) in toluene solution have been introduced, and their pre-edge and the edge were affected by their structures and nature of ligands. Selected results in exploring the oxidation states of the active species in ethylene dimerization/polymerization using homogeneous vanadium catalysts [consisting of (imido)vanadium(V) complexes and Al cocatalysts] by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) analyses have been introduced. It has been demonstrated that the method should provide more clear information concerning the active species in situ, especially by combination with the other methods (NMR and ESR spectra, X-ray crystallographic analysis, and reaction chemistry), and should be powerful tool for study of catalysis mechanism as well as for the structural analysis in solution.

  10. Overlapping double etch technique for evaluation of metallic alloys to stress corrosion cracking

    DOEpatents

    Not Available

    1980-05-28

    A double overlapping etch zone technique for evaluation of the resistance of metallic alloys to stress corrosion cracking is described. The technique involves evaluating the metallic alloy along the line of demarcation between an overlapping double etch zone and single etch zone formed on the metallic alloy surface.

  11. Image processing techniques for noise removal, enhancement and segmentation of cartilage OCT images

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rogowska, Jadwiga; Brezinski, Mark E.

    2002-02-01

    Osteoarthritis, whose hallmark is the progressive loss of joint cartilage, is a major cause of morbidity worldwide. Recently, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has demonstrated considerable promise for the assessment of articular cartilage. Among the most important parameters to be assessed is cartilage width. However, detection of the bone cartilage interface is critical for the assessment of cartilage width. At present, the quantitative evaluations of cartilage thickness are being done using manual tracing of cartilage-bone borders. Since data is being obtained near video rate with OCT, automated identification of the bone-cartilage interface is critical. In order to automate the process of boundary detection on OCT images, there is a need for developing new image processing techniques. In this paper we describe the image processing techniques for speckle removal, image enhancement and segmentation of cartilage OCT images. In particular, this paper focuses on rabbit cartilage since this is an important animal model for testing both chondroprotective agents and cartilage repair techniques. In this study, a variety of techniques were examined. Ultimately, by combining an adaptive filtering technique with edge detection (vertical gradient, Sobel edge detection), cartilage edges can be detected. The procedure requires several steps and can be automated. Once the cartilage edges are outlined, the cartilage thickness can be measured.

  12. Biomechanical evaluation of knotless anatomical double-layer double-row rotator cuff repair: a comparative ex vivo study.

    PubMed

    Hepp, Pierre; Osterhoff, Georg; Engel, Thomas; Marquass, Bastian; Klink, Thomas; Josten, Christoph

    2009-07-01

    The layered configuration of the rotator cuff tendon is not taken into account in classic rotator cuff tendon repair techniques. The mechanical properties of (1) the classic double-row technique, (2) a double-layer double-row (DLDR) technique in simple suture configuration, and (3) a DLDR technique in mattress suture configuration are significantly different. Controlled laboratory study. Twenty-four sheep shoulders were assigned to 3 repair groups of full-thickness infraspinatus tears: group 1, traditional double-row repair; group 2, DLDR anchor repair with simple suture configuration; and group 3, DLDR knotless repair with mattress suture configuration. After ultrasound evaluation of the repair, each specimen was cyclically loaded with 10 to 100 N for 50 cycles. Each specimen was then loaded to failure at a rate of 1 mm/s. There were no statistically significant differences among the 3 testing groups for the mean footprint area. The cyclic loading test revealed no significant difference among the 3 groups with regard to elongation. For the load-to-failure test, groups 2 and 3 showed no differences in ultimate tensile load when compared with group 1. However, when compared to group 2, group 3 was found to have significantly higher values regarding ultimate load, ultimate elongation, and energy absorbed. The DLDR fixation techniques may provide strength of initial repair comparable with that of commonly used double-row techniques. When compared with the knotless technique with mattress sutures, simple suture configuration of DLDR repair may be too weak. Knotless DLDR rotator cuff repair may (1) restore the footprint by the use of double-row principles and (2) enable restoration of the shape and profile. Double-layer double-row fixation in mattress suture configuration has initial fixation strength comparable with that of the classic double-row fixation and so may potentially improve functional results of rotator cuff repair.

  13. Establishing the connection between peanut-shaped bulges and galactic bars

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kuijken, Konrad; Merrifield, Michael R.

    1995-01-01

    It has been suggested that the peanut-shaped bulges seen in some edge-on disk galaxies are due to the presence of a central bar. Although bars cannot be detected photometrically in edge-on galaxies, we show that barred potentials produce a strong kinematic signature in the form of double-peaked line-of-sight velocity distributions with a characteristic 'figure-of-eight' variation with radius. We have obtained spectroscopic observations of two edge-on galaxies with peanut-shaped bulges (NGC 5746 and NGC 5965), and they reveal exactly such line-of-sight velocity distributions in both their gaseous (emission line) and their stellar (absorption line) components. These observations provide strong observational evidence that peanut-shaped bulges are a by-product of bar formation.

  14. Contact lens-induced circumlimbal staining in silicone hydrogel contact lenses worn on a daily wear basis.

    PubMed

    Maïssa, Cécile; Guillon, Michel; Garofalo, Renee J

    2012-01-01

    The principal objective of the study was to measure the conjunctival staining produced in the circumlimbal region by silicone hydrogel contact lenses with different edge designs. The secondary objective was to investigate the association between circumlimbal staining and comfort. Four silicone hydrogel contact lenses: ACUVUE OASYS (knife edge design), AIR OPTIX, Biofinity (chisel edge rounded edge combination), and PureVision (rounded edge design), and 1 hydrogel contact lens, ACUVUE 2 (knife edge design), were tested. The study was conducted on a cohort population of 27 established soft contact lens wearers, who wore each contact lens type, in a random order, for a period of 10 (±2) days. Circumlimbal staining was measured in a double-masked fashion through image analysis of digital photographs of lissamine green taken under controlled experimental conditions. The results obtained showed that contact lens edge design was the primary factor controlling circumlimbal staining for silicone hydrogel lenses: a rounded edge away from the ocular surface produced the lowest staining (average, 0.19%) and a knife edge in close apposition to the ocular surface produced the highest staining (average, 1.34%). Contact lens material rigidity was also identified to affect circumlimbal staining and an inverse association between circumlimbal staining and contact lens comfort was demonstrated: the rounded edge design produced the lowest comfort (72 of 100) and the knife edge design produced the highest (87 out of 100). Soft contact lens wear induces circumlimbal staining, the level of staining being influenced by the contact lens edge design. However, high level of circumlimbal staining is not associated with decreased comfort.

  15. [Postoperative complications of labia minora reduction. Comparative study between wedge and edge resection].

    PubMed

    Ouar, N; Guillier, D; Moris, V; Revol, M; Francois, C; Cristofari, S

    2017-06-01

    Labia minora reduction interventions rise in Europe and in North America. Several techniques are described. The objective of this study was to compare postoperative complications of the two most practiced interventions: wedge resection and edge resection. Primary labia minora reductions realized in our unit between October 2009 and July 2016 have been retrospectively identified. Two techniques were used by two surgeons: edge resection technique and wedge resection technique. The main evaluation criterion was the occurrence and the quantity of wound dehiscence: superior to 50% (total or subtotal) and inferior to 50% (partial). Patients were systematically examined at 1 week, 1 month and 6 months postoperatively. Data analysis between both groups was made with an exact Fisher test. Mean follow-up was 5.3 months after intervention. Sixty-four patients have been included, 42 wedge resections (group C) and 22 edge resections (group L). Global complication rate at 1 month was 13% (n=8). Among wedge resections 14% (n=6) developed complication and 2% (n=9) among edge resection. Seven surgical revisions were necessary: 5 for wound dehiscence (4 in the group C and 1 in the group L) and 2 for hematoma, one in each group. Three (5%) partial wound dehiscence (inferior to 50%) have been identified and let in secondary intention healing: 2 (19%) in the group C and 1 (27%) in the group L. Complication rates between both techniques were not significantly different. Postoperative wound dehiscence is the main labia minora reduction complication. Our global complication rate, 13%, matches with the current literature. A tendency can be shown where wedge resection is more likely to develop wound dehiscence than edge resection. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  16. J-tube technique for double-j stent insertion during laparoscopic upper urinary tract surgical procedures.

    PubMed

    Kim, Hyung Suk; Lee, Byung Ki; Jung, Jin-Woo; Lee, Jung Keun; Byun, Seok-Soo; Lee, Sang Eun; Jeong, Chang Wook

    2014-11-01

    Double-J stent insertion has been generally performed during laparoscopic upper urinary tract (UUT) surgical procedures to prevent transient urinary tract obstruction and postoperative flank pain from ureteral edema and blood clots. Several restrictive conditions that make this procedure difficult and time consuming, however, include the coiled distal ends of the flexible Double-J stent and the limited bending angle of the laparoscopic instruments. To overcome these limitations, we devised a Double-J stent insertion method using the new J-tube technique. Between July 2011 and May 2013, Double-J stents were inserted using the J-tube technique in 33 patients who underwent a laparoscopic UUT surgical procedure by a single surgeon. The mean stent placement time was 4.8±2.7 minutes, and there were no intraoperative complications. In conclusion, the J-tube technique is a safe and time-saving method for Double-J stent insertion during laparoscopic surgical procedures.

  17. On the aeroacoustic and flow structures developed on a flat plate with a serrated sawtooth trailing edge

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chong, Tze Pei; Vathylakis, Alexandros

    2015-10-01

    Results of an experimental study on turbulent flow over a flat plate with a serrated sawtooth trailing edge are presented in this paper. After tripping the boundary layer to become turbulent, the broadband noise sources at the sawtooth serrated trailing edge is studied by several experimental techniques. Broadband noise reduction by the serrated sawtooth trailing edge can be realistically achieved in the flat plate configuration. The variations of wall pressure power spectral density and the spanwise coherence (which relates to the spanwise correlation length) in a sawtooth trailing edge play a minor role in the mechanisms underpinning the reduction of self noise radiation. Conditional-averaging technique was applied in the boundary layer data where a pair of pressure-driven oblique vortical structures near the sawtooth side edges is identified. In the current flat plate configuration, the interaction between the vortical structures and the local turbulent boundary layer results in a redistribution of the momentum transport and turbulent shear stress near the sawtooth side edges as well as the sawtooth tip, thus affecting the efficiency of self noise radiation.

  18. Nodulation outer proteins: double-edged swords of symbiotic rhizobia

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Rhizobia are nitrogen-fixing bacteria that establish a nodule symbiosis with legumes. Nodule formation is the result of a complex bacterial infection process, which depends on signals and surface determinants produced by both symbiotic partners. Among them, rhizobial nodulation outer proteins (Nops)...

  19. Development of XAFS Into a Structure Determination Technique

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stern, E. A.

    After the detection of diffraction of x-rays by M. Laue in 1912, the technique was soon applied to structure determination by Bragg within a year. On the other hand, although the edge steps in X-Ray absorption were discovered even earlier by Barkla and both the near edge (XANES) and extended X-Ray fine structure (EXAFS) past the edge were detected by 1929, it still took over 40 years to realize the structure information contained in this X-Ray absorption fine structure (XAFS). To understand this delay a brief historical review of the development of the scientific ideas that transformed XAFS into the premiere technique for local structure determination is given. The development includes both advances in theoretical understanding and calculational capabilities, and in experimental facilities, especially synchrotron radiation sources. The present state of the XAFS technique and its capabilities are summarized.

  20. Multispectral image sharpening using wavelet transform techniques and spatial correlation of edges

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Lemeshewsky, George P.; Schowengerdt, Robert A.

    2000-01-01

    Several reported image fusion or sharpening techniques are based on the discrete wavelet transform (DWT). The technique described here uses a pixel-based maximum selection rule to combine respective transform coefficients of lower spatial resolution near-infrared (NIR) and higher spatial resolution panchromatic (pan) imagery to produce a sharpened NIR image. Sharpening assumes a radiometric correlation between the spectral band images. However, there can be poor correlation, including edge contrast reversals (e.g., at soil-vegetation boundaries), between the fused images and, consequently, degraded performance. To improve sharpening, a local area-based correlation technique originally reported for edge comparison with image pyramid fusion is modified for application with the DWT process. Further improvements are obtained by using redundant, shift-invariant implementation of the DWT. Example images demonstrate the improvements in NIR image sharpening with higher resolution pan imagery.

  1. Absorption edge parameters of the LIII edge for compounds of Hg, Tl, Pb and Bi using EDXRF technique

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Singh, Gurinderjeet; Singh, Amrit; Gupta, Manoj Kumar; Dhaliwal, A. S.; Kahlon, K. S.

    2018-03-01

    The measurement of Absorption edge parameters of the LIII edge of pure elements Hg, Tl, Pb and Bi along with their compounds HgCl2, HgO, HgF2, TlCl, Tl2O3, PbCl2, PbF2, Pb3O4, BiF3, BiCl3 and Bi2O3 has been done using EDXRF technique. In the present measurements 241Am (59.54 keV) radioactive source of activity 100 mCi along with CANBERRA make cryo-cooled Si (Li) detector is used. The measured results are compared with theoretically calculated values from FFAST version 2.1 (Chantler et al., 2005) and shows good agreement with each other within experimental uncertainties within 3.5%. It is observed that the values of absorption edge parameters of the LIII edge depends slightly on the chemical environment and shows almost constant behaviour with effective atomic number (Zeff)

  2. Sci—Fri PM: Dosimetry—04: Radiation out-of-field dose in the treatment of pediatric central nervous system malignancies

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

    Taddei, P J; Tannous, J; Nabha, R

    Children diagnosed with central nervous system (CNS) malignancies often receive radiotherapy, which can cause radiogenic late effects. In order to identify and reduce the risk of these late effects, we must understand the radiation doses that these children receive. Modern treatment planning systems accurately estimate the absorbed dose within the treatment fields but poorly estimate the dose outside them. The purpose of our study was to measure the out-of-field dose for children receiving localized radiotherapy for CNS cancer and apply an analytical model for estimating dose as a function of distance from the field edge. Radiation fields designed for amore » 12-year-old boy treated in our clinic were applied to an anthropomorphic phantom containing more than 200 thermoluminescent dosimeters. A double-Gaussian function of absorbed dose versus distance from the field edge (i.e., 50% isodose line) was applied, and parameters were allowed to vary and were fit to the model by minimizing the root mean square deviation, RMSD. The fitted model accurately predicted the dose from distances of 4 cm to 50 cm (RMSD = 0.54 cGy/Gy), but the model was not useful in estimating dose for distances less than 4 cm because of wide variation in measured dose, and the double-Gaussian model failed by systematically underestimating the dose beyond 50 cm. In conclusion, the double-Gaussian model may be applicable for points at distances from the field edge between 4 cm and 50 cm, where most children's radiosensitive tissues are located, but for points beyond 50 cm, an improvement should be investigated.« less

  3. Planar Lattice Instability in LA2CUO4.1 across the Superconducting Transition

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Acosta-Alejandro, Manuel; Mustre-de Leon, Jose; Conradson, Steven

    2001-03-01

    The local atomic structure of La2CuO4.1 around Cu K-edge is analyzed for 10

  4. Nb K-edge x-ray absorption investigation of the pressure induced amorphization in A-site deficient double perovskite La1/3NbO3.

    PubMed

    Marini, C; Noked, O; Kantor, I; Joseph, B; Mathon, O; Shuker, R; Kennedy, B J; Pascarelli, S; Sterer, E

    2016-02-03

    Nb K-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy is utilized to investigate the changes in the local structure of the A-site deficient double perovskite La1/3NbO3 which undergoes a pressure induced irreversible amorphization. EXAFS results show that with increasing pressure up to 7.5 GPa, the average Nb-O bond distance decreases in agreement with the expected compression and tilting of the NbO6 octahedra. On the contrary, above 7.5 GPa, the average Nb-O bond distance show a tendency to increase. Significant changes in the Nb K-edge XANES spectrum with evident low energy shift of the pre-peak and the absorption edge is found to happen in La1/3NbO3 above 6.3 GPa. These changes evidence a gradual reduction of the Nb cations from Nb(5+) towards Nb(4+) above 6.3 GPa. Such a valence change accompanied by the elongation of the average Nb-O bond distances in the octahedra, introduces repulsion forces between non-bonding adjacent oxygen anions in the unoccupied A-sites. Above a critical pressure, the Nb reduction mechanism can no longer be sustained by the changing local structure and amorphization occurs, apparently due to the build-up of local strain. EXAFS and XANES results indicate two distinct pressure regimes having different local and electronic response in the La1/3NbO3 system before the occurence of the pressure induced amorphization at  ∼14.5 GPa.

  5. Edge enhancement and noise suppression for infrared image based on feature analysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jiang, Meng

    2018-06-01

    Infrared images are often suffering from background noise, blurred edges, few details and low signal-to-noise ratios. To improve infrared image quality, it is essential to suppress noise and enhance edges simultaneously. To realize it in this paper, we propose a novel algorithm based on feature analysis in shearlet domain. Firstly, as one of multi-scale geometric analysis (MGA), we introduce the theory and superiority of shearlet transform. Secondly, after analyzing the defects of traditional thresholding technique to suppress noise, we propose a novel feature extraction distinguishing image structures from noise well and use it to improve the traditional thresholding technique. Thirdly, with computing the correlations between neighboring shearlet coefficients, the feature attribute maps identifying the weak detail and strong edges are completed to improve the generalized unsharped masking (GUM). At last, experiment results with infrared images captured in different scenes demonstrate that the proposed algorithm suppresses noise efficiently and enhances image edges adaptively.

  6. An ultrasonic technique for predicting tensile strength of southern pine lumber

    Treesearch

    D. Rajeshwar; D.A. Bender; D.E. Bray; K.A. McDonald

    1997-01-01

    The goal of this research was to develop nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technology to enhance mechanical stress rating of lumber. An ultrasonic NDE technique was developed that is sensitive to grain angle and edge knots in lumber - two primary determinants of lumber strength. The presence of edge knots increased the acoustic wave travel time and selectively...

  7. Non-destructive Analysis Reveals Effect of Installation Details on Plywood Siding Performance

    Treesearch

    Christopher G. Hunt; Gregory T. Schueneman; Steven Lacher; Xiping Wang; R. Sam Williams

    2015-01-01

    This study evaluated the influence of a variety of construction techniques on the performance of plywood siding and the applied paint, using both ultrasound and conventional visual inspection techniques. The impact of bottom edge contact, flashing vs. caulking board ends, priming the bottom edge, location (Wisconsin vs. Mississippi) and a gap behind the siding to...

  8. New double molybdate Na9Fe(MoO4)6: Synthesis, structure, properties

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Savina, Aleksandra A.; Solodovnikov, Sergey F.; Basovich, Olga M.; Solodovnikova, Zoya A.; Belov, Dmitry A.; Pokholok, Konstantin V.; Gudkova, Irina A.; Stefanovich, Sergey Yu.; Lazoryak, Bogdan I.; Khaikina, Elena G.

    2013-09-01

    A new double molybdate Na9Fe(MoO4)6 was synthesized using solid state reactions and studied with X-ray powder diffraction, second harmonic generation (SHG) technique, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray fluorescence analysis, Mössbauer and dielectric impedance spectroscopy. Single crystals of Na9Fe(MoO4)6 were obtained and its structure was solved (the space group R3¯, a=14.8264(2), c=19.2402(3) Å, V=3662.79(9) Å3, Z=6, R=0.0132). The structure is related to that of sodium ion conductor II-Na3Fe2(AsO4)3. The basic structure units are polyhedral clusters composed of central FeО6 octahedron sharing edges with three Na(1)О6 octahedra. The clusters share common vertices with bridging МоО4 tetrahedra to form an open 3D framework where the cavities are occupied by Na(2) and Na(3) atoms. The compound melts incongruently at 904.7±0.2 K. Arrhenius type temperature dependence of electric conductivity σ has been registered in solid state (σ=6.8×10-2 S сm-1 at 800 K), thus allowing considering Na9Fe(MoO4)6 as a new sodium ion conductor.

  9. A Comparative Evaluation of the Effect of Double Casting Technique Using Functionally Generated Path and Conventional Single Casting with Respect to Functional Articulation, Patient Satisfaction and Chair Side Time, in Single Unit Molar Teeth: An In Vivo Study.

    PubMed

    Memon, Sarfaraz

    2014-12-01

    A stable centric occlusal position that shows no evidence of occlusal disease should not be altered. Confirmative restorative dentistry deals with making restorations that are in harmony with existing jaw relations. Conventional techniques for construction have been unsuccessful in producing a prosthesis that can be inserted without minor intraoral occlusal adjustment. This study was conducted to evaluate the benefits of the double casting technique with FGP over the conventional casting technique. Ten patients with root canal treated maxillary molar were selected for the fabrication of metal crown. Two techniques, one involving the conventional fabrication and other using functionally generated path with double casting were used to fabricate the prosthesis. A comparison based on various parameters which was done between the two techniques. The change in the height of castings for the double casting group was less compared to the conventional group and was highly statistically significant (P < 0.001). The time taken for occlusal correction was significantly lower in double casting group than the conventional group (P < 0.001). The patient satisfaction (before occlusal correction) indicated better satisfaction for double casting group compared to conventional (P < 0.01). The functionally generated path with double casting technique resulted in castings which had better dimensional accuracy, less occlusal correction and better patient satisfaction compared to the conventional castings.

  10. Human Flesh Search Engine and Online Privacy.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Yang; Gao, Hong

    2016-04-01

    Human flesh search engine can be a double-edged sword, bringing convenience on the one hand and leading to infringement of personal privacy on the other hand. This paper discusses the ethical problems brought about by the human flesh search engine, as well as possible solutions.

  11. Analyzing the Cognitive Skills and Inquiry

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Stafford, Tish

    2011-01-01

    The Common Core Standards (CCS) movement represents a double-edged sword for school librarians. On the one hand, it gives prominence to inquiry skills and interdisciplinary collaboration, reinforcing the profession's efforts to infuse inquiry into the curriculum through collaborative planning and co-instruction between classroom teachers and…

  12. Five Points of Connectivity

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Smith, Sarah E.; Potoczniak, Anthony

    2005-01-01

    New advances in technology, particularly in the area of higher education, provide instructors with more opportunities to engage students in the learning process. However, utilizing technology to promote learning in the classroom can be a double-edged sword. If properly implemented, technology can enhance students' learning experiences, thus…

  13. Planning ahead for livable communities along the Powell–Division Bus Rapid Transit : neighborhood conditions and change.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2017-07-04

    New transit investments can be a double-edged sword for disadvantaged communities (e.g., those included in environmental justice and Title VI protected classes). Transit investments improve communities mobility and access, and may improve health w...

  14. Nano-targeted induction of dual ferroptotic mechanisms eradicates high-risk neuroblastoma.

    PubMed

    Hassannia, Behrouz; Wiernicki, Bartosz; Ingold, Irina; Qu, Feng; Van Herck, Simon; Tyurina, Yulia Y; Bayır, Hülya; Abhari, Behnaz A; Angeli, Jose Pedro Friedmann; Choi, Sze Men; Meul, Eline; Heyninck, Karen; Declerck, Ken; Chirumamilla, Chandra Sekhar; Lahtela-Kakkonen, Maija; Van Camp, Guy; Krysko, Dmitri V; Ekert, Paul G; Fulda, Simone; De Geest, Bruno G; Conrad, Marcus; Kagan, Valerian E; Berghe, Wim Vanden; Vandenabeele, Peter; Berghe, Tom Vanden

    2018-06-25

    High-risk neuroblastoma is a devastating malignancy with very limited therapeutic options. Here, we identify withaferin A (WA) as a natural ferroptosis-inducing agent in neuroblastoma, which acts through a novel double-edged mechanism. WA dose-dependently either activates the nuclear factor-like 2 pathway through targeting of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (noncanonical ferroptosis induction) or inactivates glutathione peroxidase 4 (canonical ferroptosis induction). Noncanonical ferroptosis induction is characterized by an increase in intracellular labile Fe(II) upon excessive activation of heme oxygenase-1, which is sufficient to induce ferroptosis. This double-edged mechanism might explain the superior efficacy of WA as compared with etoposide or cisplatin in killing a heterogeneous panel of high-risk neuroblastoma cells, and in suppressing the growth and relapse rate of neuroblastoma xenografts. Nano-targeting of WA allows systemic application and suppressed tumor growth due to an enhanced accumulation at the tumor site. Collectively, our data propose a novel therapeutic strategy to efficiently kill cancer cells by ferroptosis.

  15. The double-edged sword of grandiose narcissism: implications for successful and unsuccessful leadership among U.S. Presidents.

    PubMed

    Watts, Ashley L; Lilienfeld, Scott O; Smith, Sarah Francis; Miller, Joshua D; Campbell, W Keith; Waldman, Irwin D; Rubenzer, Steven J; Faschingbauer, Thomas J

    2013-12-01

    Recent research and theorizing suggest that narcissism may predict both positive and negative leadership behaviors. We tested this hypothesis with data on the 42 U.S. presidents up to and including George W. Bush, using (a) expert-derived narcissism estimates, (b) independent historical surveys of presidential performance, and (c) largely or entirely objective indicators of presidential performance. Grandiose, but not vulnerable, narcissism was associated with superior overall greatness in an aggregate poll; it was also positively associated with public persuasiveness, crisis management, agenda setting, and allied behaviors, and with several objective indicators of performance, such as winning the popular vote and initiating legislation. Nevertheless, grandiose narcissism was also associated with several negative outcomes, including congressional impeachment resolutions and unethical behaviors. We found that presidents exhibit elevated levels of grandiose narcissism compared with the general population, and that presidents' grandiose narcissism has been rising over time. Our findings suggest that grandiose narcissism may be a double-edged sword in the leadership domain.

  16. The double-edged sword of genetic accounts of criminality: causal attributions from genetic ascriptions affect legal decision making.

    PubMed

    Cheung, Benjamin Y; Heine, Steven J

    2015-12-01

    Much debate exists surrounding the applicability of genetic information in the courtroom, making the psychological processes underlying how people consider this information important to explore. This article addresses how people think about different kinds of causal explanations in legal decision-making contexts. Three studies involving a total of 600 Mechanical Turk and university participants found that genetic, versus environmental, explanations of criminal behavior lead people to view the applicability of various defense claims differently, perceive the perpetrator's mental state differently, and draw different causal attributions. Moreover, mediation and path analyses highlight the double-edged nature of genetic attributions-they simultaneously reduce people's perception of the perpetrator's sense of control while increasing people's tendencies to attribute the cause to internal factors and to expect the perpetrator to reoffend. These countervailing relations, in turn, predict sentencing in opposite directions, although no overall differences in sentencing or ultimate verdicts were found. © 2015 by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc.

  17. A Double-Edged Sword: A Review of Benefits and Risks of Online Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Activities.

    PubMed

    Lewis, Stephen P; Seko, Yukari

    2016-03-01

    This review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the perceived benefits and risks of online activity pertinent to nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). A systematic literature search was conducted to identify peer-reviewed articles, which yielded a total of 27 articles published between 2005 and 2015. Following this, a thematic analysis was employed to identify perceived benefits and risks of online NSSI activity. Our thematic analysis identified 4 potential benefits (mitigation of social isolation, recovery encouragement, emotional self-disclosure, curbing NSSI urges) and 3 potential risks (NSSI reinforcement, triggering NSSI urges, stigmatization of NSSI) associated with online NSSI activities. Given the double-edged effect of online NSSI activities, clinicians may benefit from incorporating clients' online NSSI activity in the context of NSSI assessment and treatment. Future research ought to directly examine the link between online NSSI activity and NSSI behavior to better understand the nature of these benefits and risks. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  18. Band edge tailoring of InGaAs/AlAsSb coupled double quantum wells for a monolithically integrated all-optical switch.

    PubMed

    Feng, Jijun; Akimoto, Ryoichi; Gozu, Shin-ichiro; Mozume, Teruo; Hasama, Toshifumi; Ishikawa, Hiroshi

    2013-07-01

    We demonstrate a compact all-optical Michelson interferometer (MI) gating switch with monolithic integration of two different bandgap energies. Based on the ion-induced intermixing in InGaAs/AlAsSb coupled double quantum wells, the blueshift of the band edge can be tailored. Through phosphorus ion implantation with a dose of 5 × 10(14) cm(-2) and subsequent annealing at 720 °C for 60 s, an implanted sample can acquire a high transmittance compared with the as-grown one. Meanwhile, the cross-phase modulation (XPM) efficiency of a non-implanted sample undergoing the same annealing process decreases little. An implanted part for signal propagation and a non-implanted section for XPM are thus monolithically integrated for an MI switch by an area-selective manner. Full switching of a π-rad nonlinear phase shift is achieved with pump pulse energy of 5.6 pJ at a 10-GHz repetition rate.

  19. Punched belt hole position deviation analysis of float type water level gauge

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mao, Chunlei; Wang, Tao; Fu, Weijie; Li, Lianhui

    2018-03-01

    The key parts of the float type water level gauge instrument is perforated belt, The size and tolerance requirements of its aperture is: (1) alternation of 100+0.2 and 100-0.2, (2) 200±0.1, (3) 1000±0.15, (4) 10000±0.2. The single hole position: alternation of 100+0.2 and 100-0.2; double: 200±0.1, and ensure the best hole position error avoidance tends to be one-way, that is to say: when the punched belt combined with a water wheel rotating line moving, The hole position error to single direction increase or decrease, caused the water level nail gradually and close to the edge of the hole, and then edge and final punched belt was lifted. This paper uses the laser drilling process of steel strip for data collection and analysis. It is found that this method cannot meet the tolerance requirements and the double stamping processing method with adjustable cylindrical pin is feasible.

  20. Paraesthesia during the needle-through-needle and the double segment technique for combined spinal epidural anaesthesia.

    PubMed

    Ahn, H J; Choi, D H; Kim, C S

    2006-07-01

    Paraesthesia during regional anaesthesia is an unpleasant sensation for patients and, more importantly, in some cases it is related to neurological injury. Relatively few studies have been conducted on the frequency of paraesthesia during combined spinal epidural anaesthesia. We compared two combined spinal epidural anaesthesia techniques: the needle-through-needle technique and the double segment technique in this respect. We randomly allocated 116 parturients undergoing elective Caesarean section to receive anaesthesia using one of these techniques. Both techniques were performed using a 27G pencil point needle, an 18G Tuohy needle, and a 20G multiport epidural catheter from the same manufacturer. The overall frequency of paraesthesia was higher in the needle-through-needle technique group (56.9% vs. 31.6%, p = 0.011). The frequency of paraesthesia at spinal needle insertion was 20.7% in the needle-through-needle technique group and 8.8% in the double segment technique group; whereas the frequency of paraesthesia at epidural catheter insertion was 46.6% in the needle-through-needle technique group and 24.6% in the double segment technique group.

  1. Delamination onset in polymeric composite laminates under thermal and mechanical loads

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Martin, Roderick H.

    1991-01-01

    A fracture mechanics damage methodology to predict edge delamination is described. The methodology accounts for residual thermal stresses, cyclic thermal stresses, and cyclic mechanical stresses. The modeling is based on the classical lamination theory and a sublaminate theory. The prediction methodology determines the strain energy release rate, G, at the edge of a laminate and compares it with the fatigue and fracture toughness of the composite. To verify the methodology, isothermal static tests at 23, 125, and 175 C and tension-tension fatigue tests at 23 and 175 C were conducted on laminates. The material system used was a carbon/bismaleimide, IM7/5260. Two quasi-isotropic layups were used. Also, 24 ply unidirectional double cantilever beam specimens were tested to determine the fatigue and fracture toughness of the composite at different temperatures. Raising the temperature had the effect of increasing the value of G at the edge for these layups and also to lower the fatigue and fracture toughness of the composite. The static stress to edge delamination was not affected by temperature but the number of cycles to edge delamination decreased.

  2. Double diameter boring tool

    DOEpatents

    Ashbaugh, Fred N.; Murry, Kenneth R.

    1988-12-27

    A boring tool and a method of operation are provided for boring two concentric holes of precision diameters and depths in a single operation. The boring tool includes an elongated tool body, a shank for attachment to a standard adjustable boring head which is used on a manual or numerical control milling machine and first and second diametrically opposed cutting edges formed for cutting in opposite directions. The diameter of the elongated tool body is substantially equal to the distance from the first cutting edge tip to the axis of rotation plus the distance from the second cutting edge tip to the axis of rotation. The axis of rotation of the tool is spaced from the tool centerline a distance substantially equal to one-half the distance from the second cutting edge tip to the axis of rotation minus one-half the distance from the first cutting edge tip to the axis of rotation. The method includes the step of inserting the boring tool into the boring head, adjusting the distance between the tool centerline and the tool axis of rotation as described above and boring the two concentric holes.

  3. Range image segmentation using Zernike moment-based generalized edge detector

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ghosal, S.; Mehrotra, R.

    1992-01-01

    The authors proposed a novel Zernike moment-based generalized step edge detection method which can be used for segmenting range and intensity images. A generalized step edge detector is developed to identify different kinds of edges in range images. These edge maps are thinned and linked to provide final segmentation. A generalized edge is modeled in terms of five parameters: orientation, two slopes, one step jump at the location of the edge, and the background gray level. Two complex and two real Zernike moment-based masks are required to determine all these parameters of the edge model. Theoretical noise analysis is performed to show that these operators are quite noise tolerant. Experimental results are included to demonstrate edge-based segmentation technique.

  4. A novel capsulorhexis technique using shearing forces with cystotome.

    PubMed

    Karim, Shah M R; Ong, Chin T; Sleep, Tamsin J

    2010-05-15

    To demonstrate a capsulorhexis technique using predominantly shearing forces with a cystotome on a virtual reality simulator and on a human eye. Our technique involves creating the initial anterior capsular tear with a cystotome to raise a flap. The flap left unfolded on the lens surface. The cystotome tip is tilted horizontally and is engaged on the flap near the leading edge of the tear. The cystotome is moved in a circular fashion to direct the vector forces. The loose flap is constantly swept towards the centre so that it does not obscure the view on the tearing edge. Our technique has the advantage of reducing corneal wound distortion and subsequent anterior chamber collapse. The capsulorhexis flap is moved away from the tear leading edge allowing better visualisation of the direction of tear. This technique offers superior control of the capsulorhexis by allowing the surgeon to change the direction of the tear to achieve the desired capsulorhexis size. The EYESI Surgical Simulator is a realistic training platform for surgeons to practice complex capsulorhexis techniques. The shearing forces technique is a suitable alternative and in some cases a far better technique in achieving the desired capsulorhexis.

  5. A Numerical Analysis of Electromagnetic Scattering from Two-Dimensional Edge Terminations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gray, B. E.; Dominek, A. K.; Wang, N.

    1995-01-01

    Several techniques that influence the low frequency scattering from penetrable edge terminations are evaluated using a hybrid finite element and boundary element method code. The edge terminations consist of a dielectric skin forming an exterior shape with an internal conducting bulkhead. Some of the techniques considered are bulkhead shaping, internal material loading, placement of resistive cards, and the placement of lossy dielectric material rods. The intent of the various treatments is to find a combination or combinations that influence(s) the backscattered field to acceptable levels over a range of frequencies for both transverse magnetic and transverse electric polarizations.

  6. An Anatomic and Biomechanical Comparison of Bankart Repair Configurations.

    PubMed

    Judson, Christopher H; Voss, Andreas; Obopilwe, Elifho; Dyrna, Felix; Arciero, Robert A; Shea, Kevin P

    2017-11-01

    Suture anchor repair for anterior shoulder instability can be performed using a number of different repair techniques, but none has been proven superior in terms of anatomic and biomechanical properties. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to compare the anatomic footprint coverage and biomechanical characteristics of 4 different Bankart repair techniques: (1) single row with simple sutures, (2) single row with horizontal mattress sutures, (3) double row with sutures, and (4) double row with labral tape. The hypotheses were as follows: (1) double-row techniques would improve the footprint coverage and biomechanical properties compared with single-row techniques, (2) horizontal mattress sutures would increase the footprint coverage compared with simple sutures, and (3) repair techniques with labral tape and sutures would not show different biomechanical properties. Controlled laboratory study. Twenty-four fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens were dissected. The native labrum was removed and the footprint marked and measured. Repair for each of the 4 groups was performed, and the uncovered footprint was measured using a 3-dimensional digitizer. The strength of the repair sites was assessed using a servohydraulic testing machine and a digital video system to record load to failure, cyclic displacement, and stiffness. The double-row repair techniques with sutures and labral tape covered 73.4% and 77.0% of the footprint, respectively. These percentages were significantly higher than the footprint coverage achieved by single-row repair techniques using simple sutures (38.1%) and horizontal mattress sutures (32.8%) ( P < .001). The footprint coverage of the simple suture and horizontal mattress suture groups was not significantly different ( P = .44). There were no significant differences in load to failure, cyclic displacement, or stiffness between the single-row and double-row groups or between the simple suture and horizontal mattress suture techniques. Likewise, there was no difference in the biomechanical properties of the double-row repair techniques with sutures versus labral tape. Double-row repair techniques provided better coverage of the native footprint of the labrum but did not provide superior biomechanical properties compared with single-row repair techniques. There was no difference in footprint coverage or biomechanical strength between the simple suture and horizontal mattress suture repair techniques. Although the double-row repair techniques had no difference in initial strength, they may improve healing in high-risk patients by improving the footprint coverage.

  7. Rethinking Diversity.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    1996

    These three papers were presented at a symposium on rethinking diversity in human resource development (HRD) moderated by Neal Chalofsky at the 1996 conference of the Academy of Human Resource Development. "Diversity: A Double-Edged Sword" (Sally F. Angus) presents the notion of work force diversity through two differing perspectives in order to…

  8. Cyberbullying: Predicting Victimisation and Perpetration

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Walrave, Michel; Heirman, Wannes

    2011-01-01

    The double-edged nature of modern technology, continuously balancing between risks and opportunities, manifests itself clearly in an emerging societal problem known as cyberbullying. To analyse the extent and nature of the issue in Belgium, 1318 adolescents were questioned explicitly about their involvement in cyberbullying, as well as implicitly…

  9. A biomechanical comparison of 2 transosseous-equivalent double-row rotator cuff repair techniques using bioabsorbable anchors: cyclic loading and failure behavior.

    PubMed

    Spang, Jeffrey T; Buchmann, Stefan; Brucker, Peter U; Kouloumentas, Panos; Obst, Tobias; Schröder, Manuel; Burgkart, Rainer; Imhoff, Andreas B

    2009-08-01

    A novel double-row configuration was compared with a traditional double-row configuration for rotator cuff repair. In 10 matched-pair sheep shoulders in vitro repair was performed with either a double-row technique with corkscrew suture anchors for the medial row and insertion anchors for the lateral row (group A) or a double-row technique with a new tape-like suture material with insertion anchors for both the medial and lateral rows (group B). Each specimen underwent cyclic loading from 10 to 150 N for 100 cycles, followed by unidirectional failure testing. Gap formation and strain within the repair area for the first and last cycles were analyzed with a video digitizing system, and stiffness and failure load were determined from the load-elongation curve. The results were similar for the 2 repair types. There was no significant difference between the ultimate failure loads of the 2 techniques (421 +/- 150 N in group A and 408 +/- 66 N in group B, P = .31) or the stiffness of the 2 techniques (84 +/- 26 N/mm in group A and 99 +/- 20 N/mm in group B, P = .07). In addition, gap formation was not different between the repair types. Strain over the repair area was also not different between the repair types. Both tested rotator cuff repair techniques had high failure loads, limited gap formation, and acceptable strain patterns. No significant difference was found between the novel and conventional double-row repair types. Two double-row techniques-one with corkscrew suture anchors for the medial row and insertion anchors for the lateral row and one with insertion anchors for both the medial and lateral rows-provided excellent biomechanical profiles at time 0 for double-row repairs in a sheep model. Although the sheep model may not directly correspond to in vivo conditions, all-insertion anchor double-row constructs are worthy of further investigation.

  10. Notch sensitivity and stress redistribution in three ceramic-matrix composites

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

    Mackin, T.J.; He, M.Y.; Evans, A.G.

    Fiber-reinforced ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) depend upon inelastic mechanisms to diffuse stress concentrations associated with holes, notches, and cracks. These mechanisms consist of fiber debonding and pullout, multiple matrix cracking, and shear band formation. In order to understand these effects, experiments have bee conducted on several double-edge-notched CMCs that exhibit different stress redistribution mechanisms. Stresses have been measured an d mechanisms identified by using a combination of methods including X0-ray imaging, edge replication, and thermoelastic analysis. Multiple matrix cracking was found to be the most effective stress redistribution mechanism.

  11. Theoretical characteristics of two-dimensional supersonic control surfaces

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Morrissette, Robert R; Oborny, Lester F

    1951-01-01

    The "Busemann second-order-approximation theory" for the pressure distribution over a two-dimensional airfoil in supersonic flow was used to determine some of the aerodynamic characteristics of uncambered symmetrical parabolic and double-wedge airfoils with leading-edge and trailing-edge flaps. The characteristics presented and discussed in this paper are: flap effectiveness factor, rate of change of hinge-moment coefficient with flap deflection, rate of change of the pitching-moment coefficient with flap deflection, rate of change of the pitching-moment coefficient about the mid chord with flap deflection, and the location of the center of pressure of the airfoil-flap combination.

  12. Discovery of stationary operation of quiescent H-mode plasmas with net-zero neutral beam injection torque and high energy confinement on DIII-D [Discovery of stationary operation of quiescent H-mode plasmas with Net-Zero NBI torque and high energy confinement on DIII-D

    DOE PAGES

    Burrell, Keith H.; Barada, Kshitish; Chen, Xi; ...

    2016-03-11

    Here, recent experiments in DIII-D have led to the discovery of a means of modifying edge turbulence to achieve stationary, high confinement operation without Edge Localized Mode (ELM) instabilities and with no net external torque input. Eliminating the ELM-induced heat bursts and controlling plasma stability at low rotation represent two of the great challenges for fusion energy. By exploiting edge turbulence in a novel manner, we achieved excellent tokamak performance, well above the H 98y2 international tokamak energy confinement scaling (H 98y2=1.25), thus meeting an additional confinement challenge that is usually difficult at low torque. The new regime is triggeredmore » in double null plasmas by ramping the injected torque to zero and then maintaining it there. This lowers ExB rotation shear in the plasma edge, allowing low-k, broadband, electromagnetic turbulence to increase. In the H-mode edge, a narrow transport barrier usually grows until MHD instability (a peeling ballooning mode) leads to the ELM heat burst. However, the increased turbulence reduces the pressure gradient, allowing the development of a broader and thus higher transport barrier. A 60% increase in pedestal pressure and 40% increase in energy confinement result. An increase in the ExB shearing rate inside of the edge pedestal is a key factor in the confinement increase. Strong double-null plasma shaping raises the threshold for the ELM instability, allowing the plasma to reach a transport-limited state near but below the explosive ELM stability boundary. The resulting plasmas have burning-plasma-relevant β N=1.6-1.8 and run without the need for extra torque from 3D magnetic fields. To date, stationary conditions have been produced for 2 s or 12 energy confinement times, limited only by external hardware constraints. Stationary operation with improved pedestal conditions is highly significant for future burning plasma devices, since operation without ELMs at low rotation and good confinement is key for fusion energy production.« less

  13. Exponential Increase in Relative Biological Effectiveness Along Distal Edge of a Proton Bragg Peak as Measured by Deoxyribonucleic Acid Double-Strand Breaks

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

    Cuaron, John J., E-mail: cuaronj@mskcc.org; Chang, Chang; Lovelock, Michael

    2016-05-01

    Purpose: To quantify the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of the distal edge of the proton Bragg peak, using an in vitro assay of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Methods and Materials: U2OS cells were irradiated within the plateau of a spread-out Bragg peak and at each millimeter position along the distal edge using a custom slide holder, allowing for simultaneous measurement of physical dose. A reference radiation signal was generated using photons. The DNA DSBs at 3 hours (to assess for early damage) and at 24 hours (to assess for residual damage and repair) after irradiation were measured using the γH2AX assay and quantifiedmore » via flow cytometry. Results were confirmed with clonogenic survival assays. A detailed map of the RBE as a function of depth along the Bragg peak was generated using γH2AX measurements as a biological endpoint. Results: At 3 hours after irradiation, DNA DSBs were higher with protons at every point along the distal edge compared with samples irradiated with photons to similar doses. This effect was even more pronounced after 24 hours, indicating that the impact of DNA repair is less after proton irradiation relative to photons. The RBE demonstrated an exponential increase as a function of depth and was measured to be as high as 4.0 after 3 hours and as high as 6.0 after 24 hours. When the RBE-corrected dose was plotted as a function of depth, the peak effective dose was extended 2-3 mm beyond what would be expected with physical measurement. Conclusions: We generated a highly comprehensive map of the RBE of the distal edge of the Bragg peak, using a direct assay of DNA DSBs in vitro. Our data show that the RBE of the distal edge increases with depth and is significantly higher than previously reported estimates.« less

  14. Discovery of stationary operation of quiescent H-mode plasmas with net-zero neutral beam injection torque and high energy confinement on DIII-D [Discovery of stationary operation of quiescent H-mode plasmas with Net-Zero NBI torque and high energy confinement on DIII-D

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

    Burrell, Keith H.; Barada, Kshitish; Chen, Xi

    Here, recent experiments in DIII-D have led to the discovery of a means of modifying edge turbulence to achieve stationary, high confinement operation without Edge Localized Mode (ELM) instabilities and with no net external torque input. Eliminating the ELM-induced heat bursts and controlling plasma stability at low rotation represent two of the great challenges for fusion energy. By exploiting edge turbulence in a novel manner, we achieved excellent tokamak performance, well above the H 98y2 international tokamak energy confinement scaling (H 98y2=1.25), thus meeting an additional confinement challenge that is usually difficult at low torque. The new regime is triggeredmore » in double null plasmas by ramping the injected torque to zero and then maintaining it there. This lowers ExB rotation shear in the plasma edge, allowing low-k, broadband, electromagnetic turbulence to increase. In the H-mode edge, a narrow transport barrier usually grows until MHD instability (a peeling ballooning mode) leads to the ELM heat burst. However, the increased turbulence reduces the pressure gradient, allowing the development of a broader and thus higher transport barrier. A 60% increase in pedestal pressure and 40% increase in energy confinement result. An increase in the ExB shearing rate inside of the edge pedestal is a key factor in the confinement increase. Strong double-null plasma shaping raises the threshold for the ELM instability, allowing the plasma to reach a transport-limited state near but below the explosive ELM stability boundary. The resulting plasmas have burning-plasma-relevant β N=1.6-1.8 and run without the need for extra torque from 3D magnetic fields. To date, stationary conditions have been produced for 2 s or 12 energy confinement times, limited only by external hardware constraints. Stationary operation with improved pedestal conditions is highly significant for future burning plasma devices, since operation without ELMs at low rotation and good confinement is key for fusion energy production.« less

  15. Intercomparison of methods for image quality characterization. I. Modulation transfer function

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

    Samei, Ehsan; Ranger, Nicole T.; Dobbins, James T. III

    The modulation transfer function (MTF) and the noise power spectrum (NPS) are widely recognized as the most relevant metrics of resolution and noise performance in radiographic imaging. These quantities have commonly been measured using various techniques, the specifics of which can have a bearing on the accuracy of the results. As a part of a study aimed at comparing the relative performance of different techniques, in this paper we report on a comparison of two established MTF measurement techniques: one using a slit test device [Dobbins et al., Med. Phys. 22, 1581-1593 (1995)] and another using a translucent edge testmore » device [Samei et al., Med. Phys. 25, 102-113 (1998)], with one another and with a third technique using an opaque edge test device recommended by a new international standard (IEC 62220-1, 2003). The study further aimed to substantiate the influence of various acquisition and processing parameters on the estimated MTF. The slit test device was made of 2 mm thick Pb slabs with a 12.5 {mu}m opening. The translucent edge test device was made of a laminated and polished Pt{sub 0.9}Ir{sub 0.1} alloy foil of 0.1 mm thickness. The opaque edge test device was made of a 2 mm thick W slab. All test devices were imaged on a representative indirect flat-panel digital radiographic system using three published beam qualities: 70 kV with 0.5 mm Cu filtration, 70 kV with 19 mm Al filtration, and 74 kV with 21 mm Al filtration (IEC-RQA5). The latter technique was also evaluated in conjunction with two external beam-limiting apertures (per IEC 62220-1), and with the tube collimator limiting the beam to the same area achieved with the apertures. The presampled MTFs were deduced from the acquired images by Fourier analysis techniques, and the results analyzed for relative values and the influence of impacting parameters. The findings indicated that the measurement technique has a notable impact on the resulting MTF estimate, with estimates from the overall IEC method 4.0%{+-}0.2% lower than that of Dobbins et al. and 0.7%{+-}0.4% higher than that of Samei et al. averaged over the zero to cutoff frequency range. Over the same frequency range, keeping beam quality and limitation constant, the average MTF estimate obtained with the edge techniques differed by up to 5.2%{+-}0.2% from that of the slit, with the opaque edge providing lower MTF estimates at lower frequencies than those obtained with the translucent edge or slit. The beam quality impacted the average estimated MTF by as much as 3.7%{+-}0.9% while the use of beam limiting devices alone increased the average estimated MTF by as much as 7.0%{+-}0.9%. While the slit method is inherently very sensitive to misalignment, both edge techniques were found to tolerate misalignments by as much as 6 cm. The results suggest the use of the opaque edge test device and the tube internal collimator for beam limitation in order to achieve an MTF result most reflective of the overall performance of the imaging system and least susceptible to misalignment and scattered radiation. Careful attention to influencing factors is warranted to achieve accurate results.« less

  16. Intercomparison of methods for image quality characterization. I. Modulation transfer function.

    PubMed

    Samei, Ehsan; Ranger, Nicole T; Dobbins, James T; Chen, Ying

    2006-05-01

    The modulation transfer function (MTF) and the noise power spectrum (NPS) are widely recognized as the most relevant metrics of resolution and noise performance in radiographic imaging. These quantities have commonly been measured using various techniques, the specifics of which can have a bearing on the accuracy of the results. As a part of a study aimed at comparing the relative performance of different techniques, in this paper we report on a comparison of two established MTF measurement techniques: one using a slit test device [Dobbins et al., Med. Phys. 22, 1581-1593 (1995)] and another using a translucent edge test device [Samei et al., Med. Phys. 25, 102-113 (1998)], with one another and with a third technique using an opaque edge test device recommended by a new international standard (IEC 62220-1, 2003). The study further aimed to substantiate the influence of various acquisition and processing parameters on the estimated MTF. The slit test device was made of 2 mm thick Pb slabs with a 12.5 microm opening. The translucent edge test device was made of a laminated and polished Pt(0.9)Ir(0.1). alloy foil of 0.1 mm thickness. The opaque edge test device was made of a 2 mm thick W slab. All test devices were imaged on a representative indirect flat-panel digital radiographic system using three published beam qualities: 70 kV with 0.5 mm Cu filtration, 70 kV with 19 mm Al filtration, and 74 kV with 21 mm Al filtration (IEC-RQA5). The latter technique was also evaluated in conjunction with two external beam-limiting apertures (per IEC 62220-1), and with the tube collimator limiting the beam to the same area achieved with the apertures. The presampled MTFs were deduced from the acquired images by Fourier analysis techniques, and the results analyzed for relative values and the influence of impacting parameters. The findings indicated that the measurement technique has a notable impact on the resulting MTF estimate, with estimates from the overall IEC method 4.0% +/- 0.2% lower than that of Dobbins et al. and 0.7% +/- 0.4% higher than that of Samei et al. averaged over the zero to cutoff frequency range. Over the same frequency range, keeping beam quality and limitation constant, the average MTF estimate obtained with the edge techniques differed by up to 5.2% +/- 0.2% from that of the slit, with the opaque edge providing lower MTF estimates at lower frequencies than those obtained with the translucent edge or slit. The beam quality impacted the average estimated MTF by as much as 3.7% +/- 0.9% while the use of beam limiting devices alone increased the average estimated MTF by as much as 7.0% +/- 0.9%. While the slit method is inherently very sensitive to misalignment, both edge techniques were found to tolerate misalignments by as much as 6 cm. The results suggest the use of the opaque edge test device and the tube internal collimator for beam limitation in order to achieve an MTF result most reflective of the overall performance of the imaging system and least susceptible to misalignment and scattered radiation. Careful attention to influencing factors is warranted to achieve accurate results.

  17. A Comparative Biomechanical Analysis of 2 Double-Row, Distal Triceps Tendon Repairs

    PubMed Central

    Dorweiler, Matthew A.; Van Dyke, Rufus O.; Siska, Robert C.; Boin, Michael A.; DiPaola, Mathew J.

    2017-01-01

    Background: Triceps tendon ruptures are rare orthopaedic injuries that almost always require surgical repair. This study tests the biomechanical properties of an original anchorless double-row triceps repair against a previously reported knotless double-row repair. Hypothesis: The anchorless double-row triceps repair technique will yield similar biomechanical properties when compared with the knotless double-row repair technique. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Eighteen cadaver arms were randomized into 2 groups. One group received the anchorless repair and the other received the knotless anchor repair. A materials testing system (MTS) machine was used to cycle the repaired arms from 0° to 90° with a 2.5-pound weight for 1500 cycles at 0.25 Hz. Real-time displacement of the tendon was measured during cycling using a probe. Load to failure was performed after completion of cyclic loading. Results: The mean displacement with the anchorless technique was 0.77 mm (SD, 0.25 mm) at 0° (full elbow extension) and 0.76 mm (SD, 0.38 mm) at 90° (elbow flexion). The mean displacement with the anchored technique was 0.83 mm (SD, 0.57 mm) at 0° and 1.01 mm (SD, 0.62 mm) at 90°. There was no statistically significant difference for tendon displacement at 0º (P = .75) or 90º (P = .31). The mean load to failure with the anchorless technique was 618.9 N (SD, 185.6 N), while it was 560.5 N (SD, 154.1 N) with the anchored technique, again with no statistically significant difference (P = .28). Conclusion: Our anchorless double-row triceps repair technique yields comparable biomechanical properties to previously described double-row triceps tendon repair techniques, with the added benefit of avoiding the cost of suture anchors. Clinical Relevance: This anchorless double-row triceps tendon repair can be considered as an acceptable alternative to a knotless anchor repair for triceps tendon ruptures. PMID:28607942

  18. A Comparative Biomechanical Analysis of 2 Double-Row, Distal Triceps Tendon Repairs.

    PubMed

    Dorweiler, Matthew A; Van Dyke, Rufus O; Siska, Robert C; Boin, Michael A; DiPaola, Mathew J

    2017-05-01

    Triceps tendon ruptures are rare orthopaedic injuries that almost always require surgical repair. This study tests the biomechanical properties of an original anchorless double-row triceps repair against a previously reported knotless double-row repair. The anchorless double-row triceps repair technique will yield similar biomechanical properties when compared with the knotless double-row repair technique. Controlled laboratory study. Eighteen cadaver arms were randomized into 2 groups. One group received the anchorless repair and the other received the knotless anchor repair. A materials testing system (MTS) machine was used to cycle the repaired arms from 0° to 90° with a 2.5-pound weight for 1500 cycles at 0.25 Hz. Real-time displacement of the tendon was measured during cycling using a probe. Load to failure was performed after completion of cyclic loading. The mean displacement with the anchorless technique was 0.77 mm (SD, 0.25 mm) at 0° (full elbow extension) and 0.76 mm (SD, 0.38 mm) at 90° (elbow flexion). The mean displacement with the anchored technique was 0.83 mm (SD, 0.57 mm) at 0° and 1.01 mm (SD, 0.62 mm) at 90°. There was no statistically significant difference for tendon displacement at 0º ( P = .75) or 90º ( P = .31). The mean load to failure with the anchorless technique was 618.9 N (SD, 185.6 N), while it was 560.5 N (SD, 154.1 N) with the anchored technique, again with no statistically significant difference ( P = .28). Our anchorless double-row triceps repair technique yields comparable biomechanical properties to previously described double-row triceps tendon repair techniques, with the added benefit of avoiding the cost of suture anchors. This anchorless double-row triceps tendon repair can be considered as an acceptable alternative to a knotless anchor repair for triceps tendon ruptures.

  19. Thermal cycling reliability of Cu/SnAg double-bump flip chip assemblies for 100 μm pitch applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Son, Ho-Young; Kim, Ilho; Lee, Soon-Bok; Jung, Gi-Jo; Park, Byung-Jin; Paik, Kyung-Wook

    2009-01-01

    A thick Cu column based double-bump flip chip structure is one of the promising alternatives for fine pitch flip chip applications. In this study, the thermal cycling (T/C) reliability of Cu/SnAg double-bump flip chip assemblies was investigated, and the failure mechanism was analyzed through the correlation of T/C test and the finite element analysis (FEA) results. After 1000 thermal cycles, T/C failures occurred at some Cu/SnAg bumps located at the edge and corner of chips. Scanning acoustic microscope analysis and scanning electron microscope observations indicated that the failure site was the Cu column/Si chip interface. It was identified by a FEA where the maximum stress concentration was located during T/C. During T/C, the Al pad between the Si chip and a Cu column bump was displaced due to thermomechanical stress. Based on the low cycle fatigue model, the accumulation of equivalent plastic strain resulted in thermal fatigue deformation of the Cu column bumps and ultimately reduced the thermal cycling lifetime. The maximum equivalent plastic strains of some bumps at the chip edge increased with an increased number of thermal cycles. However, equivalent plastic strains of the inner bumps did not increase regardless of the number of thermal cycles. In addition, the z-directional normal plastic strain ɛ22 was determined to be compressive and was a dominant component causing the plastic deformation of Cu/SnAg double bumps. As the number of thermal cycles increased, normal plastic strains in the perpendicular direction to the Si chip and shear strains were accumulated on the Cu column bumps at the chip edge at low temperature region. Thus it was found that the Al pad at the Si chip/Cu column interface underwent thermal fatigue deformation by compressive normal strain and the contact loss by displacement failure of the Al pad, the main T/C failure mode of the Cu/SnAg flip chip assembly, then occurred at the Si chip/Cu column interface shear strain deformation during T/C.

  20. Arthroscopic Double-Row Transosseous Equivalent Rotator Cuff Repair with a Knotless Self-Reinforcing Technique.

    PubMed

    Mook, William R; Greenspoon, Joshua A; Millett, Peter J

    2016-01-01

    Rotator cuff tears are a significant cause of shoulder morbidity. Surgical techniques for repair have evolved to optimize the biologic and mechanical variables critical to tendon healing. Double-row repairs have demonstrated superior biomechanical advantages to a single-row. The preferred technique for rotator cuff repair of the senior author was reviewed and described in a step by step fashion. The final construct is a knotless double row transosseous equivalent construct. The described technique includes the advantages of a double-row construct while also offering self reinforcement, decreased risk of suture cut through, decreased risk of medial row overtensioning and tissue strangulation, improved vascularity, the efficiency of a knotless system, and no increased risk for subacromial impingement from the burden of suture knots. Arthroscopic knotless double row rotator cuff repair is a safe and effective method to repair rotator cuff tears.

  1. Arthroscopic Double-Row Transosseous Equivalent Rotator Cuff Repair with a Knotless Self-Reinforcing Technique

    PubMed Central

    Mook, William R.; Greenspoon, Joshua A.; Millett, Peter J.

    2016-01-01

    Background: Rotator cuff tears are a significant cause of shoulder morbidity. Surgical techniques for repair have evolved to optimize the biologic and mechanical variables critical to tendon healing. Double-row repairs have demonstrated superior biomechanical advantages to a single-row. Methods: The preferred technique for rotator cuff repair of the senior author was reviewed and described in a step by step fashion. The final construct is a knotless double row transosseous equivalent construct. Results: The described technique includes the advantages of a double-row construct while also offering self reinforcement, decreased risk of suture cut through, decreased risk of medial row overtensioning and tissue strangulation, improved vascularity, the efficiency of a knotless system, and no increased risk for subacromial impingement from the burden of suture knots. Conclusion: Arthroscopic knotless double row rotator cuff repair is a safe and effective method to repair rotator cuff tears. PMID:27733881

  2. A double sealing technique for increasing the precision of headspace-gas chromatographic analysis.

    PubMed

    Xie, Wei-Qi; Yu, Kong-Xian; Gong, Yi-Xian

    2018-01-19

    This paper investigates a new double sealing technique for increasing the precision of the headspace gas chromatographic method. The air leakage problem caused by the high pressure in the headspace vial during the headspace sampling process has a great impact to the measurement precision in the conventional headspace analysis (i.e., single sealing technique). The results (using ethanol solution as the model sample) show that the present technique is effective to minimize such a problem. The double sealing technique has an excellent measurement precision (RSD < 0.15%) and accuracy (recovery = 99.1%-100.6%) for the ethanol quantification. The detection precision of the present method was 10-20 times higher than that in earlier HS-GC work that use conventional single sealing technique. The present double sealing technique may open up a new avenue, and also serve as a general strategy for improving the performance (i.e., accuracy and precision) of headspace analysis of various volatile compounds. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. A bilayer Double Semion model with symmetry-enriched topological order

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

    Ortiz, L., E-mail: lauraort@ucm.es; Martin-Delgado, M.A.

    2016-12-15

    We construct a new model of two-dimensional quantum spin systems that combines intrinsic topological orders and a global symmetry called flavour symmetry. It is referred as the bilayer Doubled Semion model (bDS) and is an instance of symmetry-enriched topological order. A honeycomb bilayer lattice is introduced to combine a Double Semion Topological Order with a global spin–flavour symmetry to get the fractionalization of its quasiparticles. The bDS model exhibits non-trivial braiding self-statistics of excitations and its dual model constitutes a Symmetry-Protected Topological Order with novel edge states. This dual model gives rise to a bilayer Non-Trivial Paramagnet that is invariantmore » under the flavour symmetry and the well-known spin flip symmetry.« less

  4. Language Teacher Immunity: A Double-Edged Sword

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hiver, Phil; Dörnyei, Zoltán

    2017-01-01

    In this paper we introduce a new concept termed "teacher immunity". We propose that this immunity emerges from the accrued experiences of coping with disturbances and problems in stressful teaching environments, and that it functions as an indispensable protective armor allowing language teachers to survive the unavoidable hassles of…

  5. Building Internal Motivation for Worker Competency Certifications: A Critique and Proposal

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Fertig, Jason; Zeitz, Gerald; Blau, Gary

    2009-01-01

    Though not extensively researched, third-party employee competency certifications are increasingly important to organizations. Certifications are double-edged: they may serve to reduce transaction costs, enhance performance, and foster employee development; but they can also be used as "credentials" to gain prestige, rewards, or influence. The…

  6. MONARCH: A Morphable Networked micro-ARCHitecture

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2002-09-01

    USC INFORMATION INSTITUTE Principal Investigator John Granacki RESEARCH STAFF Jeff Draper Pedro Diniz Jeff LaCoss Co-Principal Investigator Michael...representative applications MONARCH Processing Card - 6Ux160 double euro card form factor - B ac kp la n e In te rc o n n ec t MONARCH chip EDGE MEMORY

  7. A Double-Edged Sword: Assessing the Impact of Tuition Discounting.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hubbell, Loren W. Loomis; Rush, Sean C.

    1991-01-01

    A discussion of the interrelationships between college tuition pricing, family resources, externally funded financial aid, and institutionally funded financial aid suggests that, as the range of tuition levels broadens, institutions must focus more closely on net tuition income in their forecasting or face erosion of revenues. (MSE)

  8. Quality Coaching Counts

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gould, Daniel

    2016-01-01

    Scholastic sport is a double-edged sword that can have positive or negative effects. Whether those effects are positive or negative depends on those who wield that sword--chiefly, the school's sports coach. While it is clear that coaches make a difference in ensuring that educational athletics lead to beneficial outcomes for student-athletes, a…

  9. Concrete Instantiations of Mathematics: A Double-Edged Sword

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kaminski, Jennifer A.; Sloutsky, Vladimir M.; Heckler, Andrew F.

    2009-01-01

    What factors affect transfer of knowledge is a complex question. In recent research, the authors demonstrated that concreteness of the learning domain is one such factor (Kaminski, Sloutsky, & Heckler, 2008). Even when prompted and given no time delay, participants who learned a concrete instantiation of a mathematical concept failed to…

  10. The "Double-Edged Sword" of the Adult Learning Environment

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Murray, Sara; Mitchell, Jane

    2013-01-01

    The vocational education and training sector plays a critical role in the provision of educational opportunities for young adults who have left school prior to completing a qualification. Some research has found that a major factor that supports student re-engagement in formal education is the "adult learning environment" that…

  11. Bulgaria: The Double Edge of Economy and Demography

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Georgieva, Patricia

    2004-01-01

    The higher education and research sector in Bulgaria is undergoing a gradual change. Whether this transformation will bring success or failure depends on how prepared stakeholders are to meet associated challenges and opportunities. The mobility of academics and the related phenomenon of brain drain need careful investigation. Academic teachers…

  12. Academic Career Making and the Double-Edged Role of Academic Housework

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Heijstra, Thamar Melanie; Steinthorsdóttir, Finnborg Salome; Einarsdóttir, Thorgerdur

    2017-01-01

    Internationalisation, competition and performance orientation are nowadays essential in the managing and financing of universities. This pattern has intensified with the austerity measures and fiscal consolidation that followed the financial crisis in 2008. This article examines the academic labour process and career making of academics from a…

  13. Nurses negotiating professional-familial care boundaries: striving for balance within double duty caregiving.

    PubMed

    Ward-Griffin, Catherine; Brown, Judith Belle; St-Amant, Oona; Sutherland, Nisha; Martin-Matthews, Anne; Keefe, Janice; Kerr, Mickey

    2015-02-01

    The purpose of this sequential, two-phase mixed-methods study was to examine the health of male and female nurses who provided care to older relatives (i.e., double duty caregivers). We explored the experiences of 32 double duty caregivers, which led to the development of an emergent grounded theory, Negotiating Professional-Familial Care Boundaries with two broad dialectical processes: professionalizing familial care and striving for balance. This article examines striving for balance, which is the process that responds to familial care expectations in the midst of available resources and reflects the health experiences of double duty caregivers. Two subprocesses of striving for balance, reaping the benefits and taking a toll, are presented in three composite vignettes, each representing specific double duty caregiving (DDC) prototypes (making it work, working to manage, living on the edge). This emergent theory extends current thinking of family caregiving that will inform the development and refinement of practices and policies relevant to DDC. © The Author(s) 2014.

  14. Elongated unique DNA strand deposition on microstructured substrate by receding meniscus assembly and capillary force

    PubMed Central

    Charlot, B.; Bardin, F.; Sanchez, N.; Roux, P.; Teixeira, S.; Schwob, E.

    2014-01-01

    Ordered deposition of elongated DNA molecules was achieved by the forced dewetting of a DNA solution droplet over a microstructured substrate. This technique allows trapping, uncoiling, and deposition of DNA fragments without the need of a physicochemical anchoring of the molecule and results in the combing of double stranded DNA from the edge of microwells on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate. The technique involves scanning a droplet of DNA solution caught between a movable blade and a PDMS substrate containing an array of microwells. The deposition and elongation appears when the receding meniscus dewets microwells, the latter acting here as a perturbation in the dewetting line forcing the water film to break locally. Thus, DNA molecules can be deposited in an ordered manner and elongated conformation based solely on a physical phenomenon, allowing uncoiled DNA molecules to be observed in all their length. However, the exact mechanism that governs the deposition of DNA strands is not well understood. This paper is an analysis of the physical phenomenon occurring in the deposition process and is based on observations made with the use of high frame/second rate video microscopy. PMID:24753724

  15. Establishing nonlinearity thresholds with ultraintense X-ray pulses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Szlachetko, Jakub; Hoszowska, Joanna; Dousse, Jean-Claude; Nachtegaal, Maarten; Błachucki, Wojciech; Kayser, Yves; Sà, Jacinto; Messerschmidt, Marc; Boutet, Sebastien; Williams, Garth J.; David, Christian; Smolentsev, Grigory; van Bokhoven, Jeroen A.; Patterson, Bruce D.; Penfold, Thomas J.; Knopp, Gregor; Pajek, Marek; Abela, Rafael; Milne, Christopher J.

    2016-09-01

    X-ray techniques have evolved over decades to become highly refined tools for a broad range of investigations. Importantly, these approaches rely on X-ray measurements that depend linearly on the number of incident X-ray photons. The advent of X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) is opening the ability to reach extremely high photon numbers within ultrashort X-ray pulse durations and is leading to a paradigm shift in our ability to explore nonlinear X-ray signals. However, the enormous increase in X-ray peak power is a double-edged sword with new and exciting methods being developed but at the same time well-established techniques proving unreliable. Consequently, accurate knowledge about the threshold for nonlinear X-ray signals is essential. Herein we report an X-ray spectroscopic study that reveals important details on the thresholds for nonlinear X-ray interactions. By varying both the incident X-ray intensity and photon energy, we establish the regimes at which the simplest nonlinear process, two-photon X-ray absorption (TPA), can be observed. From these measurements we can extract the probability of this process as a function of photon energy and confirm both the nature and sub-femtosecond lifetime of the virtual intermediate electronic state.

  16. Calcium phosphate coatings on magnesium alloys for biomedical applications: a review.

    PubMed

    Shadanbaz, Shaylin; Dias, George J

    2012-01-01

    Magnesium has been suggested as a revolutionary biodegradable metal for use as an orthopaedic material. As a biocompatible and degradable metal, it has several advantages over the permanent metallic materials currently in use, including eliminating the effects of stress shielding, improving biocompatibility concerns in vivo and improving degradation properties, removing the requirement of a second surgery for implant removal. The rapid degradation of magnesium, however, is a double-edged sword as it is necessary to control the corrosion rates of the materials to match the rates of bone healing. In response, calcium phosphate coatings have been suggested as a means to control these corrosion rates. The potential calcium phosphate phases and their coating techniques on substrates are numerous and can provide several different properties for different applications. The reactivity and low melting point of magnesium, however, require specific parameters for calcium phosphate coatings to be successful. Within this review, an overview of the different calcium phosphate phases, their properties and their behaviour in vitro and in vivo has been provided, followed by the current coating techniques used for calcium phosphates that may be or may have been adapted for magnesium substrates. Copyright © 2011 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. Double-row vs single-row rotator cuff repair: a review of the biomechanical evidence.

    PubMed

    Wall, Lindley B; Keener, Jay D; Brophy, Robert H

    2009-01-01

    A review of the current literature will show a difference between the biomechanical properties of double-row and single-row rotator cuff repairs. Rotator cuff tears commonly necessitate surgical repair; however, the optimal technique for repair continues to be investigated. Recently, double-row repairs have been considered an alternative to single-row repair, allowing a greater coverage area for healing and a possibly stronger repair. We reviewed the literature of all biomechanical studies comparing double-row vs single-row repair techniques. Inclusion criteria included studies using cadaveric, animal, or human models that directly compared double-row vs single-row repair techniques, written in the English language, and published in peer reviewed journals. Identified articles were reviewed to provide a comprehensive conclusion of the biomechanical strength and integrity of the repair techniques. Fifteen studies were identified and reviewed. Nine studies showed a statistically significant advantage to a double-row repair with regards to biomechanical strength, failure, and gap formation. Three studies produced results that did not show any statistical advantage. Five studies that directly compared footprint reconstruction all demonstrated that the double-row repair was superior to a single-row repair in restoring anatomy. The current literature reveals that the biomechanical properties of a double-row rotator cuff repair are superior to a single-row repair. Basic Science Study, SRH = Single vs. Double Row RCR.

  18. Analysis of double stub tuner control stability in a many element phased array antenna with strong cross-coupling

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

    Wallace, G. M.; Fitzgerald, E.; Johnson, D. K.

    2014-02-12

    Active stub tuning with a fast ferrite tuner (FFT) allows for the system to respond dynamically to changes in the plasma impedance such as during the L-H transition or edge localized modes (ELMs), and has greatly increased the effectiveness of fusion ion cyclotron range of frequency systems. A high power waveguide double-stub tuner is under development for use with the Alcator C-Mod lower hybrid current drive (LHCD) system. Exact impedance matching with a double-stub is possible for a single radiating element under most load conditions, with the reflection coefficient reduced from Γ to Γ{sup 2} in the “forbidden region.” Themore » relative phase shift between adjacent columns of a LHCD antenna is critical for control of the launched n{sub ∥} spectrum. Adding a double-stub tuning network will perturb the phase of the forward wave particularly if the unmatched reflection coefficient is high. This effect can be compensated by adjusting the phase of the low power microwave drive for each klystron amplifier. Cross-coupling of the reflected power between columns of the launcher must also be considered. The problem is simulated by cascading a scattering matrix for the plasma provided by a linear coupling model with the measured launcher scattering matrix and that of the FFTs. The solution is advanced in an iterative manner similar to the time-dependent behavior of the real system. System performance is presented under a range of edge density conditions from under-dense to over-dense and a range of launched n{sub ∥}.« less

  19. Effect of subband mixing on the energy levels of a hydrogenic impurity in a GaAs/Ga1-xAlxAs double quantum well in a magnetic field

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nguyen, N.; Ranganathan, R.; McCombe, B. D.; Rustgi, M. L.

    1992-05-01

    In view of the recent evidence found in favor of subband mixing in coupling of confined impurity states in doped double-quantum-well structures, a variational approach employing Gaussian trial wave functions has been used to calculate the binding energies of the ground, (1s, m=0) and first excited, (2p-, m=-1) states of a hydrogenic donor associated with the mixture of subbands of a double-GaAs quantum well coupled by a layer of Ga1-xA1xAs in the presence of a magnetic field. Two different well sizes and three different locations of the impurity, (A) at the outer edge, (B) at the center, and (C) at the inner edge of the well, are considered, and the barrier width is allowed to vary. It is found that for the structures considered here the results from the calculations using the mixture of only first (symmetric) and second (asymmetric) subbands are significantly different from those using only the lowest (symmetric) subband, especially for the intermediate barrier widths, and depend strongly on the location of the impurity in the well. These results demonstrate that subband mixing should be included in double-quantum-well structure calculations. The effect of varying the magnetic field on the binding energies is also studied. A comparison with the measurements of Ranganathan et al. [Phys. Rev. B 44, 1423 (1991)] demonstrates that the agreement is not improved when mixing of subbands higher than the lowest two is included in the calculation.

  20. A preliminary mechanical property and stress corrosion evaluation of VIM-VAR work strengthened and direct aged Inconel 718 bar material

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Montano, J. W.

    1987-01-01

    This report presents a preliminary mechanical property and stress corrosion evaluation of double melted (vacuum induction melted (VIM), and vacuum arc remelted (VAR)), solution treated, work strengthened and direct aged Inconel 718 alloy bar (5.50 in. (13.97 cm) diameter). Two sets of tensile specimens, one direct single aged and the other direct double aged, were tested at ambient temperature in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. Longitudinal tensile and yield strengths in excess of 200 ksi (1378.96 MPa) and 168 ksi (1158.33 MPa), respectively, were realized at ambient temperature, for the direct double aged specimen. No failures occurred in the single or double edged longitudinal and transverse tensile specimens stressed to 75 and 100 percent of their respective yield strengths and exposed to a salt fog environment for 180 days. Tensile tests performed after the stress corrosion test showed no mechanical property degradation.

  1. Overlay metrology for double patterning processes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Leray, Philippe; Cheng, Shaunee; Laidler, David; Kandel, Daniel; Adel, Mike; Dinu, Berta; Polli, Marco; Vasconi, Mauro; Salski, Bartlomiej

    2009-03-01

    The double patterning (DPT) process is foreseen by the industry to be the main solution for the 32 nm technology node and even beyond. Meanwhile process compatibility has to be maintained and the performance of overlay metrology has to improve. To achieve this for Image Based Overlay (IBO), usually the optics of overlay tools are improved. It was also demonstrated that these requirements are achievable with a Diffraction Based Overlay (DBO) technique named SCOLTM [1]. In addition, we believe that overlay measurements with respect to a reference grid are required to achieve the required overlay control [2]. This induces at least a three-fold increase in the number of measurements (2 for double patterned layers to the reference grid and 1 between the double patterned layers). The requirements of process compatibility, enhanced performance and large number of measurements make the choice of overlay metrology for DPT very challenging. In this work we use different flavors of the standard overlay metrology technique (IBO) as well as the new technique (SCOL) to address these three requirements. The compatibility of the corresponding overlay targets with double patterning processes (Litho-Etch-Litho-Etch (LELE); Litho-Freeze-Litho-Etch (LFLE), Spacer defined) is tested. The process impact on different target types is discussed (CD bias LELE, Contrast for LFLE). We compare the standard imaging overlay metrology with non-standard imaging techniques dedicated to double patterning processes (multilayer imaging targets allowing one overlay target instead of three, very small imaging targets). In addition to standard designs already discussed [1], we investigate SCOL target designs specific to double patterning processes. The feedback to the scanner is determined using the different techniques. The final overlay results obtained are compared accordingly. We conclude with the pros and cons of each technique and suggest the optimal metrology strategy for overlay control in double patterning processes.

  2. A comprehensive statistical investigation of schlieren image velocimetry (SIV) using high-velocity helium jet

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Biswas, Sayan; Qiao, Li

    2017-03-01

    A detailed statistical assessment of seedless velocity measurement using Schlieren Image Velocimetry (SIV) was explored using open source Robust Phase Correlation (RPC) algorithm. A well-known flow field, an axisymmetric turbulent helium jet, was analyzed near and intermediate region (0≤ x/d≤ 20) for two different Reynolds numbers, Re d = 11,000 and Re d = 22,000 using schlieren with horizontal knife-edge, schlieren with vertical knife-edge and shadowgraph technique, and the resulted velocity fields from SIV techniques were compared to traditional Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements. A novel, inexpensive, easy to setup two-camera SIV technique had been demonstrated to measure high-velocity turbulent jet, with jet exit velocities 304 m/s (Mach = 0.3) and 611 m/s (Mach = 0.6), respectively. Several image restoration and enhancement techniques were tested to improve signal to noise ratio (SNR) in schlieren and shadowgraph images. Processing and post-processing parameters for SIV techniques were examined in detail. A quantitative comparison between self-seeded SIV techniques and traditional PIV had been made using correlation statistics. While the resulted flow field from schlieren with horizontal knife-edge and shadowgraph showed excellent agreement with PIV measurements, schlieren with vertical knife-edge performed poorly. The performance of spatial cross-correlations at different jet locations using SIV techniques and PIV was evaluated. Turbulence quantities like turbulence intensity, mean velocity fields, Reynolds shear stress influenced spatial correlations and correlation plane SNR heavily. Several performance metrics such as primary peak ratio (PPR), peak to correlation energy (PCE), the probability distribution of signal and noise were used to compare capability and potential of different SIV techniques.

  3. Comparison of edge detection techniques for M7 subtype Leukemic cell in terms of noise filters and threshold value

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Salam, Afifah Salmi Abdul; Isa, Mohd. Nazrin Md.; Ahmad, Muhammad Imran; Che Ismail, Rizalafande

    2017-11-01

    This paper will focus on the study and identifying various threshold values for two commonly used edge detection techniques, which are Sobel and Canny Edge detection. The idea is to determine which values are apt in giving accurate results in identifying a particular leukemic cell. In addition, evaluating suitability of edge detectors are also essential as feature extraction of the cell depends greatly on image segmentation (edge detection). Firstly, an image of M7 subtype of Acute Myelocytic Leukemia (AML) is chosen due to its diagnosing which were found lacking. Next, for an enhancement in image quality, noise filters are applied. Hence, by comparing images with no filter, median and average filter, useful information can be acquired. Each threshold value is fixed with value 0, 0.25 and 0.5. From the investigation found, without any filter, Canny with a threshold value of 0.5 yields the best result.

  4. [Research progress of needles with knife-edge for carotid cardiac syndrome].

    PubMed

    Tan, Lingqiong; Zhao, Yanling

    2015-04-01

    According to topographic anatomy, pathogenesis and by retrieving, summarizing and analyzing literature regarding needle-knife and needles with knife-edge for carotid cardiac syndrome, it is found out that clinical misdiagnosis rate of carotid cardiac syndrome is considerably high. Needle-knife and needles with knife-edge could significantly improve the clinical symptoms of carotid cardiac syndrome, showing characteristic and advantage in treatment, but it is deficient in technique standard and efficacy criteria that should be united and authoritative. Researches regarding pathogenesis of carotid cardiac syndrome are not systematic. Clinical observation regarding long-term efficacy and relapse of needle-knife and needles with knife-edge treatment is rare. It is believed that the awareness on carotid cardiac syndrome should be increased to reduce misdiagnosis; scientific and standardized technique standard and efficacy criteria should be established; systematic and comprehensive researches regarding mechanism of needle-knife and needles with knife-edge for carotid cardiac syndrome should be launched; besides, clinical discussion regarding its long-term efficacy should start to provide a better clinical guideline.

  5. K-edge subtraction synchrotron X-ray imaging in bio-medical research.

    PubMed

    Thomlinson, W; Elleaume, H; Porra, L; Suortti, P

    2018-05-01

    High contrast in X-ray medical imaging, while maintaining acceptable radiation dose levels to the patient, has long been a goal. One of the most promising methods is that of K-edge subtraction imaging. This technique, first advanced as long ago as 1953 by B. Jacobson, uses the large difference in the absorption coefficient of elements at energies above and below the K-edge. Two images, one taken above the edge and one below the edge, are subtracted leaving, ideally, only the image of the distribution of the target element. This paper reviews the development of the KES techniques and technology as applied to bio-medical imaging from the early low-power tube sources of X-rays to the latest high-power synchrotron sources. Applications to coronary angiography, functional lung imaging and bone growth are highlighted. A vision of possible imaging with new compact sources is presented. Copyright © 2018 Associazione Italiana di Fisica Medica. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. Stationary QH-mode plasmas with high and wide pedestal at low rotation on DIII-D

    DOE PAGES

    Chen, Xi; Burrell, K. H.; Osborne, T. H.; ...

    2016-09-30

    A stationary, quiescent H-mode (QH-mode) regime with a wide pedestal and improved confinement at low rotation has been discovered on DIII-D with reactor relevant edge parameters and no ELMs. As the injected neutral beam torque is ramped down and the edge ExB rotation shear reduces, the transition from standard QH to the wide pedestal QH-mode occurs. And at the transition, the coherent edge harmonic oscillations (EHO) that usually regulate the standard QH edge cease and broadband edge MHD modes appear along with a rapid increase in the pedestal pressure height (by ≤60%) and width (by ≤50%). We posit that themore » enhanced edge turbulence-driven transport, enabled by the lower edge ExB flow shear due to lower torque reduces the pedestal gradient and, combined with the high edge instability limit provided by the balanced double-null plasma shape, permits the development of a broader and thus higher pedestal that is turbulence-transport-limited. Even with the significantly enhanced pedestal pressure, the edge operating point is below the peeling ballooning mode stability boundary and thus without ELMs. Improved transport in the outer core region (0.8≤ρ≤0.9) owing to increased ExB flow shear in that region and the enhanced pedestal boost the overall confinement by up to 45%. Our findings advance the physics basis for developing stationary ELM-free high-confinement operation at low rotation for future burning plasma where similar collisionality and rotation levels are expected.« less

  7. Thin edge-defined film-fed growth (EFG) octagons

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kalejs, J. P.

    1992-03-01

    Mobil Solar Energy Corp. investigated manufacturing crystalline silicon wafers using the edge-defined film-fed growth (EFG) technique. This report identifies the following: (1) current capabilities for manufacturing 200-micron-thick crystalline silicon wafers (10 cm x 10 cm) produced by growing octagons using the EFG technique and laser cutting them into wafers; (2) potential manufacturing improvements from decreasing the thickness of the wafers, improving the quality of the laser cut edge, and increasing cutting speed, all of which lead to reduce manufacturing costs, improved performance, and increased production capacities; (3) problems that impede achieving these potentials; and (4) costs and other requirements involved in overcoming the problems.

  8. Single-row versus double-row rotator cuff repair: techniques and outcomes.

    PubMed

    Dines, Joshua S; Bedi, Asheesh; ElAttrache, Neal S; Dines, David M

    2010-02-01

    Double-row rotator cuff repair techniques incorporate a medial and lateral row of suture anchors in the repair configuration. Biomechanical studies of double-row repair have shown increased load to failure, improved contact areas and pressures, and decreased gap formation at the healing enthesis, findings that have provided impetus for clinical studies comparing single-row with double-row repair. Clinical studies, however, have not yet demonstrated a substantial improvement over single-row repair with regard to either the degree of structural healing or functional outcomes. Although double-row repair may provide an improved mechanical environment for the healing enthesis, several confounding variables have complicated attempts to establish a definitive relationship with improved rates of healing. Appropriately powered rigorous level I studies that directly compare single-row with double-row techniques in matched tear patterns are necessary to further address these questions. These studies are needed to justify the potentially increased implant costs and surgical times associated with double-row rotator cuff repair.

  9. Effect of double-layer application on dentin bond durability of one-step self-etch adhesives.

    PubMed

    Taschner, M; Kümmerling, M; Lohbauer, U; Breschi, L; Petschelt, A; Frankenberger, R

    2014-01-01

    The aim of this in vitro study was 1) to analyze the influence of a double-layer application technique of four one-step self-etch adhesive systems on dentin and 2) to determine its effect on the stability of the adhesive interfaces stored under different conditions. Four different one-step self-etch adhesives were selected for the study (iBondSE, Clearfil S(3) Bond, XenoV(+), and Scotchbond Universal). Adhesives were applied according to manufacturers' instructions or with a double-layer application technique (without light curing of the first layer). After bonding, resin-dentin specimens were sectioned for microtensile bond strength testing in accordance with the nontrimming technique and divided into 3 subgroups of storage: a) 24 hours (immediate bond strength, T0), b) six months (T6) in artificial saliva at 37°C, or c) five hours in 10 % NaOCl at room temperature. After storage, specimens were stressed to failure. Fracture mode was assessed under a light microscope. At T0, iBond SE showed a significant increase in microtensile bond strength when the double-application technique was applied. All adhesive systems showed reduced bond strengths after six months of storage in artificial saliva and after storage in 10% NaOCl for five hours; however at T6, iBond SE, Clearfil S(3) Bond, and XenoV(+) showed significantly higher microtensile bond strength results for the double-application technique compared with the single-application technique. Scotchbond Universal showed no difference between single- or double-application, irrespective of the storage conditions. The results of this study show that improvements in bond strength of one-step self-etch adhesives by using the double-application technique are adhesive dependent.

  10. A mechanical comparison of linear and double-looped hung supplemental heavy chain resistance to the back squat: a case study.

    PubMed

    Neelly, Kurt R; Terry, Joseph G; Morris, Martin J

    2010-01-01

    A relatively new and scarcely researched technique to increase strength is the use of supplemental heavy chain resistance (SHCR) in conjunction with plate weights to provide variable resistance to free weight exercises. The purpose of this case study was to determine the actual resistance being provided by a double-looped versus a linear hung SHCR to the back squat exercise. The linear technique simply hangs the chain directly from the bar, whereas the double-looped technique uses a smaller chain to adjust the height of the looped chain. In both techniques, as the squat descends, chain weight is unloaded onto the floor, and as the squat ascends, chain weight is progressively loaded back as resistance. One experienced and trained male weight lifter (age = 33 yr; height = 1.83 m; weight = 111.4 kg) served as the subject. Plate weight was set at 84.1 kg, approximately 50% of the subject's 1 repetition maximum. The SHCR was affixed to load cells, sampling at a frequency of 500 Hz, which were affixed to the Olympic bar. Data were collected as the subject completed the back squat under the following conditions: double-looped 1 chain (9.6 kg), double-looped 2 chains (19.2 kg), linear 1 chain, and linear 2 chains. The double-looped SHCR resulted in a 78-89% unloading of the chain weight at the bottom of the squat, whereas the linear hanging SHCR resulted in only a 36-42% unloading. The double-looped technique provided nearly 2 times the variable resistance at the top of the squat compared with the linear hanging technique, showing that attention must be given to the technique used to hang SHCR.

  11. Interferometric Methods of Measuring Refractive Indices and Double-Refraction of Fibres.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hamza, A. A.; El-Kader, H. I. Abd

    1986-01-01

    Presents two methods used to measure the refractive indices and double-refraction of fibers. Experiments are described, with one involving the use of Pluta microscope in the double-beam interference technique, the other employing the multiple-beam technique. Immersion liquids are discussed that can be used in the experiments. (TW)

  12. Functional and structural outcomes of single-row versus double-row versus combined double-row and suture-bridge repair for rotator cuff tears.

    PubMed

    Mihata, Teruhisa; Watanabe, Chisato; Fukunishi, Kunimoto; Ohue, Mutsumi; Tsujimura, Tomoyuki; Fujiwara, Kenta; Kinoshita, Mitsuo

    2011-10-01

    Although previous biomechanical research has demonstrated the superiority of the suture-bridge rotator cuff repair over double-row repair from a mechanical point of view, no articles have described the structural and functional outcomes of this type of procedure. The structural and functional outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair may be different between the single-row, double-row, and combined double-row and suture-bridge (compression double-row) techniques. Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. There were 206 shoulders in 201 patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears that underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Eleven patients were lost to follow-up. Sixty-five shoulders were repaired using the single-row, 23 shoulders using the double-row, and 107 shoulders using the compression double-row techniques. Clinical outcomes were evaluated at an average of 38.5 months (range, 24-74 months) after rotator cuff repair. Postoperative cuff integrity was determined using Sugaya's classification of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The retear rates after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were 10.8%, 26.1%, and 4.7%, respectively, for the single-row, double-row, and compression double-row techniques. In the subcategory of large and massive rotator cuff tears, the retear rate in the compression double-row group (3 of 40 shoulders, 7.5%) was significantly less than those in the single-row group (5 of 8 shoulders, 62.5%, P < .001) and the double-row group (5 of 12 shoulders, 41.7%, P < .01). Postoperative clinical outcomes in patients with a retear were significantly lower than those in patients without a retear for all 3 techniques. The additional suture bridges decreased the retear rate for large and massive tears. The combination of the double-row and suture-bridge techniques, which had the lowest rate of postoperative retear, is an effective option for arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff tendons because the postoperative functional outcome in patients with a retear is inferior to that without retear.

  13. In vitro biomechanical comparison of three different types of single- and double-row arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs: analysis of continuous bone-tendon contact pressure and surface during different simulated joint positions.

    PubMed

    Grimberg, Jean; Diop, Amadou; Kalra, Kunal; Charousset, Christophe; Duranthon, Louis-Denis; Maurel, Nathalie

    2010-03-01

    We assessed bone-tendon contact surface and pressure with a continuous and reversible measurement system comparing 3 different double- and single-row techniques of cuff repair with simulation of different joint positions. We reproduced a medium supraspinatus tear in 24 human cadaveric shoulders. For the 12 right shoulders, single-row suture (SRS) and then double-row bridge suture (DRBS) were used. For the 12 left shoulders, DRBS and then double-row cross suture (DRCS) were used. Measurements were performed before, during, and after knot tying and then with different joint positions. There was a significant increase in contact surface with the DRBS technique compared with the SRS technique and with the DRCS technique compared with the SRS or DRBS technique. There was a significant increase in contact pressure with the DRBS technique and DRCS technique compared with the SRS technique but no difference between the DRBS technique and DRCS technique. The DRCS technique seems to be superior to the DRBS and SRS techniques in terms of bone-tendon contact surface and pressure. Copyright 2010 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. Percutaneous Mitral Valve Dilatation: Single Balloon versus Double Balloon - A Finite Element Study

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

    Schievano, Silvia; Kunzelman, Karyn; Nicosia, Mark

    2009-01-01

    Background: Percutaneous mitral valve (MV) dilatation is performed with either a single balloon (SB) or double balloon (DB) technique. The aim of this study was to compare the two balloon system results using the finite element (FE) method. Methods and Results: An established FE model of the MV was modified by fusing the MV leaflet edges at commissure level to simulate a stenotic valve (orifice area=180mm2). A FE model of a 30mm SB (low-pressure, elastomeric balloon) and an 18mm DB system (high-pressure, non-elastic balloon) was created. Both SB and DB simulations resulted in splitting of the commissures and subsequent stenosismore » dilatation (final MV area=610mm2 and 560mm2 respectively). Stresses induced by the two balloon systems varied across the valve. At the end of inflation, SB showed higher stresses in the central part of the leaflets and at the commissures compared to DB simulation, which demonstrated a more uniform stress distribution. The higher stresses in the SB analysis were due to the mismatch of the round balloon shape with the oval mitral orifice. The commissural split was not easily accomplished with the SB due to its high compliance. The high pressure applied to the DB guaranteed the commissural split even when high forces were required to break the commissure welds. Conclusions: The FE model demonstrated that MV dilatation can be accomplished by both SB and DB techniques. However, the DB method resulted in higher probability of splitting of the fused commissures and less damage caused to the MV leaflets by overstretching.« less

  15. Simulation of pattern and defect detection in periodic amplitude and phase structures using photorefractive four-wave mixing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nehmetallah, Georges; Banerjee, Partha; Khoury, Jed

    2015-03-01

    The nonlinearity inherent in four-wave mixing in photorefractive (PR) materials is used for adaptive filtering. Examples include script enhancement on a periodic pattern, scratch and defect cluster enhancement, periodic pattern dislocation enhancement, etc. through intensity filtering image manipulation. Organic PR materials have large space-bandwidth product, which makes them useful in adaptive filtering techniques in quality control systems. For instance, in the case of edge enhancement, phase conjugation via four-wave mixing suppresses the low spatial frequencies of the Fourier spectrum of an aperiodic image and consequently leads to image edge enhancement. In this work, we model, numerically verify, and simulate the performance of a four wave mixing setup used for edge, defect and pattern detection in periodic amplitude and phase structures. The results show that this technique successfully detects the slightest defects clearly even with no enhancement. This technique should facilitate improvements in applications such as image display sharpness utilizing edge enhancement, production line defect inspection of fabrics, textiles, e-beam lithography masks, surface inspection, and materials characterization.

  16. Constraint-based stereo matching

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kuan, D. T.

    1987-01-01

    The major difficulty in stereo vision is the correspondence problem that requires matching features in two stereo images. Researchers describe a constraint-based stereo matching technique using local geometric constraints among edge segments to limit the search space and to resolve matching ambiguity. Edge segments are used as image features for stereo matching. Epipolar constraint and individual edge properties are used to determine possible initial matches between edge segments in a stereo image pair. Local edge geometric attributes such as continuity, junction structure, and edge neighborhood relations are used as constraints to guide the stereo matching process. The result is a locally consistent set of edge segment correspondences between stereo images. These locally consistent matches are used to generate higher-level hypotheses on extended edge segments and junctions to form more global contexts to achieve global consistency.

  17. Reliable four-point flexion test and model for die-to-wafer direct bonding

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

    Tabata, T., E-mail: toshiyuki.tabata@cea.fr; Sanchez, L.; Fournel, F.

    2015-07-07

    For many years, wafer-to-wafer (W2W) direct bonding has been very developed particularly in terms of bonding energy measurement and bonding mechanism comprehension. Nowadays, die-to-wafer (D2W) direct bonding has gained significant attention, for instance, in photonics and microelectro-mechanics, which supposes controlled and reliable fabrication processes. So, whatever the stuck materials may be, it is not obvious whether bonded D2W structures have the same bonding strength as bonded W2W ones, because of possible edge effects of dies. For that reason, it has been strongly required to develop a bonding energy measurement technique which is suitable for D2W structures. In this paper, bothmore » D2W- and W2W-type standard SiO{sub 2}-to-SiO{sub 2} direct bonding samples are fabricated from the same full-wafer bonding. Modifications of the four-point flexion test (4PT) technique and applications for measuring D2W direct bonding energies are reported. Thus, the comparison between the modified 4PT and the double-cantilever beam techniques is drawn, also considering possible impacts of the conditions of measures such as the water stress corrosion at the debonding interface and the friction error at the loading contact points. Finally, reliability of a modified technique and a new model established for measuring D2W direct bonding energies is demonstrated.« less

  18. Electron-beam lithography with character projection technique for high-throughput exposure with line-edge quality control

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ikeno, Rimon; Maruyama, Satoshi; Mita, Yoshio; Ikeda, Makoto; Asada, Kunihiro

    2016-07-01

    The high throughput of character projection (CP) electron-beam (EB) lithography makes it a promising technique for low-to-medium volume device fabrication with regularly arranged layouts, such as for standard-cell logics and memory arrays. However, non-VLSI applications such as MEMS and MOEMS may not be able to fully utilize the benefits of the CP method due to the wide variety of layout figures including curved and oblique edges. In addition, the stepwise shapes that appear because of the EB exposure process often result in intolerable edge roughness, which degrades device performances. In this study, we propose a general EB lithography methodology for such applications utilizing a combination of the CP and variable-shaped beam methods. In the process of layout data conversion with CP character instantiation, several control parameters were optimized to minimize the shot count, improve the edge quality, and enhance the overall device performance. We have demonstrated EB shot reduction and edge-quality improvement with our methodology by using a leading-edge EB exposure tool, ADVANTEST F7000S-VD02, and a high-resolution hydrogen silsesquioxane resist. Atomic force microscope observations were used to analyze the resist edge profiles' quality to determine the influence of the control parameters used in the data conversion process.

  19. Design and Analysis of Bionic Cutting Blades Using Finite Element Method.

    PubMed

    Li, Mo; Yang, Yuwang; Guo, Li; Chen, Donghui; Sun, Hongliang; Tong, Jin

    2015-01-01

    Praying mantis is one of the most efficient predators in insect world, which has a pair of powerful tools, two sharp and strong forelegs. Its femur and tibia are both armed with a double row of strong spines along their posterior edges which can firmly grasp the prey, when the femur and tibia fold on each other in capturing. These spines are so sharp that they can easily and quickly cut into the prey. The geometrical characteristic of the praying mantis's foreleg, especially its tibia, has important reference value for the design of agricultural soil-cutting tools. Learning from the profile and arrangement of these spines, cutting blades with tooth profile were designed in this work. Two different sizes of tooth structure and arrangement were utilized in the design on the cutting edge. A conventional smooth-edge blade was used to compare with the bionic serrate-edge blades. To compare the working efficiency of conventional blade and bionic blades, 3D finite element simulation analysis and experimental measurement were operated in present work. Both the simulation and experimental results indicated that the bionic serrate-edge blades showed better performance in cutting efficiency.

  20. Design and Analysis of Bionic Cutting Blades Using Finite Element Method

    PubMed Central

    Li, Mo; Yang, Yuwang; Guo, Li; Chen, Donghui; Sun, Hongliang; Tong, Jin

    2015-01-01

    Praying mantis is one of the most efficient predators in insect world, which has a pair of powerful tools, two sharp and strong forelegs. Its femur and tibia are both armed with a double row of strong spines along their posterior edges which can firmly grasp the prey, when the femur and tibia fold on each other in capturing. These spines are so sharp that they can easily and quickly cut into the prey. The geometrical characteristic of the praying mantis's foreleg, especially its tibia, has important reference value for the design of agricultural soil-cutting tools. Learning from the profile and arrangement of these spines, cutting blades with tooth profile were designed in this work. Two different sizes of tooth structure and arrangement were utilized in the design on the cutting edge. A conventional smooth-edge blade was used to compare with the bionic serrate-edge blades. To compare the working efficiency of conventional blade and bionic blades, 3D finite element simulation analysis and experimental measurement were operated in present work. Both the simulation and experimental results indicated that the bionic serrate-edge blades showed better performance in cutting efficiency. PMID:27019583

  1. Phase-space dynamics of opposition control in wall-bounded turbulent flows

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hwang, Yongyun; Ibrahim, Joseph; Yang, Qiang; Doohan, Patrick

    2017-11-01

    The phase-space dynamics of wall-bounded shear flow in the presence of opposition control is explored by examining the behaviours of a pair of nonlinear equilibrium solutions (exact coherent structures), edge state and life time of turbulence at low Reynolds numbers. While the control modifies statistics and phase-space location of the edge state and the lower-branch equilibrium solution very little, it is also found to regularise the periodic orbit on the edge state by reverting a period-doubling bifurcation. Only the upper-branch equilibrium solution and mean turbulent state are significantly modified by the control, and, in phase space, they gradually approach the edge state on increasing the control gain. It is found that this behaviour results in a significant reduction of the life time of turbulence, indicating that the opposition control significantly increases the probability that the turbulent solution trajectory passes through the edge state. Finally, it is shown that the opposition control increases the critical Reynolds number of the onset of the equilibrium solutions, indicating its capability of transition delay. This work is sponsored by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in the UK (EP/N019342/1).

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

    Fester, Jakob; Bajdich, Michal; Walton, Alex S.

    Here, metal oxide nanostructures and thin films grown on metallic substrates have attracted strong attention as model catalysts and as interesting inverse catalyst systems in their own right. In this study, we investigate the role of metal support in the growth and stabilization of cobalt oxide nanostructures on the three related (111) surfaces of Au, Pt and Ag, as investigated by means of high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy and DFT calculations. All three substrates promote the growth of crystalline CoO x (x = 1–2) islands under oxidative conditions, but we find several noteworthy differences in the occurrence and stabilization of fourmore » distinct cobalt oxide island phases: Co–O bilayers, O–Co–O trilayers, Co–O–Co–O double bilayers and O–Co–O–Co–O multilayers. Using atom-resolved images combined with analysis of defect lines in bilayer islands on Au and Pt, we furthermore unambiguously determine the edge structure. Interestingly, the island shape and abundances of edge types in bilayers change radically from mixed Co/O edge terminations on Au(111) to a predominance of Co terminated edges (~91 %) on Pt(111) which is especially interesting since the Co metal edges are expected to host the most active sites for water dissociation.« less

  3. A new improved technique for placement of a pursestring suture on the edge of the distal part of the rectal stump using a skin stapler for low anterior resection.

    PubMed

    Kumashiro, R; Sano, C; Ugaeri, H; Madokoro, S; Maekawa, T; Kumamoto, M; Hideshima, T; Inutsuka, S

    1994-04-01

    Instead of a linear stapler or manual pursestring suture onto the lower part of the rectum, we placed a No. 2-0 Prolene suture on the edge of the rectal stump, using 12 to 16 clips and a disposable skin stapler. This technique is satisfactory for very low anterior resection.

  4. The edge of chaos: A nonlinear view of psychoanalytic technique.

    PubMed

    Galatzer-Levy, Robert M

    2016-04-01

    The field of nonlinear dynamics (or chaos theory) provides ways to expand concepts of psychoanalytic process that have implications for the technique of psychoanalysis. This paper describes how concepts of "the edge of chaos," emergence, attractors, and coupled oscillators can help shape analytic technique resulting in an approach to doing analysis which is at the same time freer and more firmly based in an enlarged understanding of the ways in which psychoanalysis works than some current recommendation about technique. Illustrations from a lengthy analysis of an analysand with obsessive-compulsive disorder show this approach in action. Copyright © 2016 Institute of Psychoanalysis.

  5. Gap junction turnover is achieved by the internalization of small endocytic double-membrane vesicles.

    PubMed

    Falk, Matthias M; Baker, Susan M; Gumpert, Anna M; Segretain, Dominique; Buckheit, Robert W

    2009-07-01

    Double-membrane-spanning gap junction (GJ) channels cluster into two-dimensional arrays, termed plaques, to provide direct cell-to-cell communication. GJ plaques often contain circular, channel-free domains ( approximately 0.05-0.5 mum in diameter) identified >30 y ago and termed nonjunctional membrane (NM) domains. We show, by expressing the GJ protein connexin43 (Cx43) tagged with green fluorescent protein, or the novel photoconvertible fluorescent protein Dendra2, that NM domains appear to be remnants generated by the internalization of small GJ channel clusters that bud over time from central plaque areas. Channel clusters internalized within seconds forming endocytic double-membrane GJ vesicles ( approximately 0.18-0.27 mum in diameter) that were degraded by lysosomal pathways. Surprisingly, NM domains were not repopulated by surrounding channels and instead remained mobile, fused with each other, and were expelled at plaque edges. Quantification of internalized, photoconverted Cx43-Dendra2 vesicles indicated a GJ half-life of 2.6 h that falls within the estimated half-life of 1-5 h reported for GJs. Together with previous publications that revealed continuous accrual of newly synthesized channels along plaque edges and simultaneous removal of channels from plaque centers, our data suggest how the known dynamic channel replenishment of functional GJ plaques can be achieved. Our observations may have implications for the process of endocytic vesicle budding in general.

  6. Exploring EUV and SAQP pattering schemes at 5nm technology node

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hamed Fatehy, Ahmed; Kotb, Rehab; Lafferty, Neal; Jiang, Fan; Word, James

    2018-03-01

    For years, Moore's law keeps driving the semiconductors industry towards smaller dimensions and higher density chips with more devices. Earlier, the correlation between exposure source's wave length and the smallest resolvable dimension, mandated the usage of Deep Ultra-Violent (DUV) optical lithography system which has been used for decades to sustain Moore's law, especially when immersion lithography was introduced with 193nm ArF laser sources. As dimensions of devices get smaller beyond Deep Ultra-Violent (DUV) optical resolution limits, the need for Extremely Ultra-Violent (EUV) optical lithography systems was a must. However, EUV systems were still under development at that time for the mass-production in semiconductors industry. Theretofore, Multi-Patterning (MP) technologies was introduced to swirl about DUV optical lithography limitations in advanced nodes beyond minimum dimension (CD) of 20nm. MP can be classified into two main categories; the first one is to split the target itself across multiple masks that give the original target patterns when they are printed. This category includes Double, Triple and Quadruple patterning (DP, TP, and QP). The second category is the Self-Aligned Patterning (SAP) where the target is divided into Mandrel patterns and non-Mandrel patterns. The Mandrel patterns get printed first, then a self-aligned sidewalls are grown around these printed patterns drawing the other non-Mandrel targets, afterword, a cut mask(s) is used to define target's line-ends. This approach contains Self-Aligned-Double Pattering (SADP) and Self-Aligned- Quadruple-Pattering (SAQP). DUV and MP along together paved the way for the industry down to 7nm. However, with the start of development at the 5nm node and the readiness of EUV, the differentiation question is aroused again, which pattering approach should be selected, direct printing using EUV or DUV with MP, or a hybrid flow that contains both DUV-MP and EUV. In this work we are comparing two potential pattering techniques for Back End Of Line (BEOL) metal layers in the 5nm technology node, the first technique is Single Exposure EUV (SE-EUV) with a Direct Patterning EUV lithography process, and the second one is Self-Aligned Quadruple Patterning (SAQP) with a hybrid lithography processes, where the drawn metal target layer is decomposed into a Mandrel mask and Blocks/Cut mask, Mandrel mask is printed using DUV 193i lithography process, while Block/Cut Mask is printed using SE-EUV lithography process. The pros and cons of each technique are quantified based on Edge-Placement-Error (EPE) and Process Variation Band (PVBand) measured at 1D and 2D edges. The layout used in this comparison is a candidate layout for Foundries 5nm process node.

  7. Cognitive Load and Classroom Teaching: The Double-Edged Sword of Automaticity

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Feldon, David F.

    2007-01-01

    Research in the development of teacher cognition and teaching performance in K-12 classrooms has identified consistent challenges and patterns of behavior that are congruent with the predictions of dual-process models of cognition. However, cognitive models of information processing are not often used to synthesize these results. This article…

  8. "Retarded?" Who Still Says that? An Adapted Physical Education Perspective

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Tarr, Susan J.

    2011-01-01

    By assigning students a label from one of the 11 disability categories, schools receive money from the government to provide appropriate educational assistance to facilitate student learning (e.g., special equipment, paraprofessional support). But educators often think of this labeling as a double-edged sword: children must have the label to…

  9. Teaching Mathematics by Comparison: Analog Visibility as a Double-Edged Sword

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Begolli, Kreshnik Nasi; Richland, Lindsey Engle

    2016-01-01

    Comparing multiple solutions to a single problem is an important mode for developing flexible mathematical thinking, yet instructionally leading this activity is challenging (Stein, Engle, Smith, & Hughes, 2008). We test 1 decision teachers must make after having students solve a problem: whether to only verbally discuss students' solutions or…

  10. Chinese Sex-Role Conceptions: A Double Edged Sword for Women.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Korabik, Karen

    Although Chinese government policies officially support the equality of the sexes, stereotyped views about the nature of men and women often serve to perpetuate discrimination and to keep women in inferior positions. Women are often segregated into lower paying jobs because of stereotypical views about what is natural for women to do. Despite…

  11. The edges of understanding.

    PubMed

    Lander, Arthur D

    2010-04-12

    A culture's icons are a window onto its soul. Few would disagree that, in the culture of molecular biology that dominated much of the life sciences for the last third of the 20th century, the dominant icon was the double helix. In the present, post-modern, 'systems biology' era, however, it is, arguably, the hairball.

  12. 3 CFR 8730 - Proclamation 8730 of October 6, 2011. National Energy Action Month, 2011

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... cutting-edge technologies, creating new American jobs and industries, and putting us on track to doubling..., and entrepreneurs are working together to move new ideas and technologies from the lab to the... economy, and a healthier environment for our children. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand...

  13. Adolescent Controversial Status Brokers: A Double-Edged Sword

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Borowski, Sarah; Zeman, Janice; Carboni, Inga; Gilman, Rich; Thrash, Todd

    2017-01-01

    Using a 3-wave longitudinal, multidimensional approach, this study investigated the influence of social network position and social status on the psychosocial outcomes of 440 youth (45.1% girls; M[subscript age] = 16.1 years; 90.9% Caucasian) over 26 months, focusing on the controversial status classification (i.e., youth who are highly liked and…

  14. Fear and Attraction in Statecraft: Western Multilateralism’s Double-Edged Swords

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-06-01

    Zara Steiner, The Lights that Failed: European International History 1919–1933 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005) 1–5. 111 Gray, War, Peace and...Steven E. Miller, 104– 140. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 2001. Steiner, Zara . The Lights that Failed: European International History 1919–1933. Oxford

  15. Extending Antecedents of Achievement Goals: The Double-Edged Sword Effect of Social-Oriented Achievement Motive and Gender Differences

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Nie, Youyan; Liem, Gregory Arief D.

    2013-01-01

    Underpinned by the hierarchical model of approach and avoidance motivation, the study examined the differential relations of individual-oriented and social-oriented achievement motives to approach and avoidance achievement goals (mastery-approach, performance-approach, mastery-avoidance, performance-avoidance). A total of 570 Chinese high school…

  16. The Double-Edged Sword of Pedagogy: Instruction Limits Spontaneous Exploration and Discovery

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bonawitz, Elizabeth; Shafto, Patrick; Gweon, Hyowon; Goodman, Noah D.; Spelke, Elizabeth; Schulz, Laura

    2011-01-01

    Motivated by computational analyses, we look at how teaching affects exploration and discovery. In Experiment 1, we investigated children's exploratory play after an adult pedagogically demonstrated a function of a toy, after an interrupted pedagogical demonstration, after a naive adult demonstrated the function, and at baseline. Preschoolers in…

  17. "A Double-Edged Sword": College Student Perceptions of Required High School Service-Learning

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Jones, Susan R.; Segar, Thomas C.; Gasiorski, Anna L.

    2008-01-01

    This article presents the findings from a narrative inquiry exploring the perceived outcomes associated with a high school service-learning graduation requirement from a diverse group of college students. In particular, we were interested in participants' stories related to their experiences meeting the requirement, the meaning they made of the…

  18. Internal friction peaks observed in explosively deformed polycrystalline Mo, Nb, and Cu

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rieu, G. E.; Grimes, H. H.; Romain, J. P.; Defouquet, J.

    1974-01-01

    Explosive deformation (50 kbar range) induced, in Cu, Mo and Nb, internal friction peaks identical to those observed after large normal deformation. The variation of the peaks with pressure for Mo and Nb lead to an explanation of these processes in terms of double kink generation in screw and edge dislocations.

  19. Language at a Distance: Sharpening a Communication Tool in the Online Classroom

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hannan, Annika

    2009-01-01

    Both immensely powerful and entirely fickle, language in online instruction is a double-edged sword. A potent intermediary between instructor and students, and among students themselves, language is a key tool in online learning. It carries and cultivates information. It builds knowledge and self-awareness. It brings learners together in a…

  20. Postdoctoral Fellow | Center for Cancer Research

    Cancer.gov

    In Dr. Andre Nussenzweig's laboratory in the Laboratory of Genome Integrity, the postdoctoral fellow will study the mechanisms involved in DNA double-strand break repair, focusing on understanding the influence of chromatin structure on the maintenance of genome integrity and their roles in a variety of cancers using cutting edge cellular, molecular, and genomic tools.

  1. Co-Ethnic Network, Social Class, and Heritage Language Maintenance among Chinese Immigrant Families

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Zhang, Donghui

    2012-01-01

    This ethnographic study investigated heritage language maintenance among two distinct groups of Chinese immigrant families (Mandarin and Fujianese) from the social network perspective. The results indicated that a co-ethnic network could be a double-edged sword, which works differently on children from different social classes. While the Mandarin…

  2. Role of Cytokines as a Double-edged Sword in Sepsis

    PubMed Central

    CHAUDHRY, HINA; ZHOU, JUHUA; ZHONG, YIN; ALI, MIR MUSTAFA; MCGUIRE, FRANKLIN; NAGARKATTI, PRAKASH S.; NAGARKATTI, MITZI

    2014-01-01

    Background Sepsis is a deadly immunological disorder and its pathophysiology is still poorly understood. We aimed to determine if specific pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines can be used as diagnostic and therapeutic targets for sepsis. Materials and Methods Recent publications in the MEDLINE database were searched for articles regarding the clinical significance of inflammatory cytokines in sepsis. Results In response to pathogen infection, pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-18 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) increased in patients with sepsis. Importantly, a decrease in IL-6 was associated with a better prognosis and overproduction of IL-10 was found to be the main predictor of severity and fatal outcome. Conclusion Both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines constitute a double-edged sword in sepsis; on one hand they are critical to eliminate the infection while on the other, excessive production can cause tissue and organ damage. Increase in cytokines such as IL-6, Il-8, IL-10, IL-18 and TNF-α may have implications in diagnosis and treatment of sepsis. PMID:24292568

  3. WASP family proteins and formins compete in pseudopod- and bleb-based migration

    PubMed Central

    2018-01-01

    Actin pseudopods induced by SCAR/WAVE drive normal migration and chemotaxis in eukaryotic cells. Cells can also migrate using blebs, in which the edge is driven forward by hydrostatic pressure instead of actin. In Dictyostelium discoideum, loss of SCAR is compensated by WASP moving to the leading edge to generate morphologically normal pseudopods. Here we use an inducible double knockout to show that cells lacking both SCAR and WASP are unable to grow, make pseudopods or, unexpectedly, migrate using blebs. Remarkably, amounts and dynamics of actin polymerization are normal. Pseudopods are replaced in double SCAR/WASP mutants by aberrant filopods, induced by the formin dDia2. Further disruption of the gene for dDia2 restores cells’ ability to initiate blebs and thus migrate, though pseudopods are still lost. Triple knockout cells still contain near-normal F-actin levels. This work shows that SCAR, WASP, and dDia2 compete for actin. Loss of SCAR and WASP causes excessive dDia2 activity, maintaining F-actin levels but blocking pseudopod and bleb formation and migration. PMID:29191847

  4. Investigation of a driven fermionic system and detecting chiral edge modes in an optical lattice

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Görg, Frederik; Messer, Michael; Jotzu, Gregor; Sandholzer, Kilian; Desbuquois, Rémi; Goldman, Nathan; Esslinger, Tilman

    2017-04-01

    Periodically driven systems of ultracold fermions in optical lattices allow to implement a large variety of effective Hamiltonians through Floquet engineering. An important question is whether this method can be extended to interacting systems. We investigate driven two-body systems in an array of double wells and measure the double occupancy and the spin-spin correlator in the large frequency limit and when driving resonantly to an energy scale of the underlying static Hamiltonian. We analyze whether the emerging states of the driven system can be adiabatically connected to states in the unshaken lattice. In addition, we measure the amplitude of the micromotion which describes the short time dynamics of the system and compare it directly to theory. In another context we propose a method to create topological interfaces and detect chiral edge modes in a two dimensional optical lattice. We illustrate this through an optical lattice realization of the Haldane model for cold atoms, where an additional spatially-varying lattice potential induces distinct topological phases in separated regions of space.

  5. microRNA-mediated R gene regulation: molecular scabbards for double-edged swords.

    PubMed

    Deng, Yingtian; Liu, Minglei; Li, Xiaofei; Li, Feng

    2018-02-01

    Plant resistance (R) proteins are immune receptors that recognize pathogen effectors and trigger rapid defense responses, namely effector-triggered immunity. R protein-mediated pathogen resistance is usually race specific. During plant-pathogen coevolution, plant genomes accumulated large numbers of R genes. Even though plant R genes provide important natural resources for breeding disease-resistant crops, their presence in the plant genome comes at a cost. Misregulation of R genes leads to developmental defects, such as stunted growth and reduced fertility. In the past decade, many microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified to target various R genes in plant genomes. miRNAs reduce R gene levels under normal conditions and allow induction of R gene expression under various stresses. For these reasons, we consider R genes to be double-edged "swords" and miRNAs as molecular "scabbards". In the present review, we summarize the contributions and potential problems of these "swords" and discuss the features and production of the "scabbards", as well as the mechanisms used to pull the "sword" from the "scabbard" when needed.

  6. Peer pressure is a double-edged sword in vaccination dynamics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, Zhi-Xi; Zhang, Hai-Feng

    2013-10-01

    Whether or not to change behavior depends not only on the personal success of each individual, but also on the success and/or behavior of others. Using this as motivation, we incorporate the impact of peer pressure into a susceptible-vaccinated-infected-recovered (SVIR) epidemiological model, where the propensity to adopt a particular vaccination strategy depends both on individual success as well as on the strategies of neighbors. We show that plugging into the peer pressure is a double-edged sword, which, on the one hand, strongly promotes vaccination when its cost is below a critical value, but, on the other hand, it can also strongly impede it if the critical value is exceeded. We explain this by revealing a facilitated cluster formation process that is induced by the peer pressure. Due to this, the vaccinated individuals are inclined to cluster together and therefore become unable to efficiently inhibit the spread of the infectious disease if the vaccination is costly. If vaccination is cheap, however, they reinforce each other in using it. Our results are robust to variations of the SVIR dynamics on different population structures.

  7. Evolution and complexity: the double-edged sword.

    PubMed

    Miconi, Thomas

    2008-01-01

    We attempt to provide a comprehensive answer to the question of whether, and when, an arrow of complexity emerges in Darwinian evolution. We note that this expression can be interpreted in different ways, including a passive, incidental growth, or a pervasive bias towards complexification. We argue at length that an arrow of complexity does indeed occur in evolution, which can be most reasonably interpreted as the result of a passive trend rather than a driven one. What, then, is the role of evolution in the creation of this trend, and under which conditions will it emerge? In the later sections of this article we point out that when certain proper conditions (which we attempt to formulate in a concise form) are met, Darwinian evolution predictably creates a sustained trend of increase in maximum complexity (that is, an arrow of complexity) that would not be possible without it; but if they are not, evolution will not only fail to produce an arrow of complexity, but may actually prevent any increase in complexity altogether. We conclude that, with regard to the growth of complexity, evolution is very much a double-edged sword.

  8. Hybridized orbital states in spin-orbit coupled 3 d -5 d double perovskites studied by x-ray absorption spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Min-Cheol; Lee, Sanghyun; Won, C. J.; Lee, K. D.; Hur, N.; Chen, Jeng-Lung; Cho, Deok-Yong; Noh, T. W.

    2018-03-01

    We investigated the orbital hybridization mechanism in 3 d -5 d double perovskites (DPs) of La2CoIrO6 and La2CoPtO6 using x-ray absorption spectroscopy. It is clearly evidenced by O K -edge and Co K -edge x-ray absorption spectra that the Co 3 d orbitals hybridize not only with the half-filled Ir/Pt jeff states but also with the fully empty (unpolarized) Ir/Pt eg states in both DPs. The Co 3 d eg-Ir 5 d eg hybridization cannot contribute to the ferrimagnetic long-range order in La2CoIrO6 established by spin-selective Co 3 d t2 g-Ir 5 d jeff hybridization through the intermediate oxygen p state but could serve as an origin of paramagnetism. The strengths of such orbital hybridizations were found to be almost invariant to temperature, even far above the Curie temperature, implying persistent paramagnetism against the antiferromagnetic ordering in the spin-orbit entangled 3 d -5 d DPs.

  9. Atom-Dependent Edge-Enhanced Second-Harmonic Generation on MoS2 Monolayers.

    PubMed

    Lin, Kuang-I; Ho, Yen-Hung; Liu, Shu-Bai; Ciou, Jian-Jhih; Huang, Bo-Ting; Chen, Christopher; Chang, Han-Ching; Tu, Chien-Liang; Chen, Chang-Hsiao

    2018-02-14

    Edge morphology and lattice orientation of single-crystal molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) monolayers, a transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD), possessing a triangular shape with different edges grown by chemical vapor deposition are characterized by atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Multiphoton laser scanning microscopy is utilized to study one-dimensional atomic edges of MoS 2 monolayers with localized midgap electronic states, which result in greatly enhanced optical second-harmonic generation (SHG). Microscopic S-zigzag edge and S-Mo Klein edge (bare Mo atoms protruding from a S-zigzag edge) terminations and the edge-atom dependent resonance energies can therefore be deduced based on SHG images. Theoretical calculations based on density functional theory clearly explain the lower energy of the S-zigzag edge states compared to the corresponding S-Mo Klein edge states. Characterization of the atomic-scale variation of edge-enhanced SHG is a step forward in this full-optical and high-yield technique of atomic-layer TMDs.

  10. New Methods of Spectral-Density Based Graph Construction and Their Application to Hyperspectral Image Analysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stevens, Jeffrey

    The past decade has seen the emergence of many hyperspectral image (HSI) analysis algorithms based on graph theory and derived manifold-coordinates. Yet, despite the growing number of algorithms, there has been limited study of the graphs constructed from spectral data themselves. Which graphs are appropriate for various HSI analyses--and why? This research aims to begin addressing these questions as the performance of graph-based techniques is inextricably tied to the graphical model constructed from the spectral data. We begin with a literature review providing a survey of spectral graph construction techniques currently used by the hyperspectral community, starting with simple constructs demonstrating basic concepts and then incrementally adding components to derive more complex approaches. Throughout this development, we discuss algorithm advantages and disadvantages for different types of hyperspectral analysis. A focus is provided on techniques influenced by spectral density through which the concept of community structure arises. Through the use of simulated and real HSI data, we demonstrate density-based edge allocation produces more uniform nearest neighbor lists than non-density based techniques through increasing the number of intracluster edges, facilitating higher k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) classification performance. Imposing the common mutuality constraint to symmetrify adjacency matrices is demonstrated to be beneficial in most circumstances, especially in rural (less cluttered) scenes. Many complex adaptive edge-reweighting techniques are shown to slightly degrade nearest-neighbor list characteristics. Analysis suggests this condition is possibly attributable to the validity of characterizing spectral density by a single variable representing data scale for each pixel. Additionally, it is shown that imposing mutuality hurts the performance of adaptive edge-allocation techniques or any technique that aims to assign a low number of edges (<10) to any pixel. A simple k bias addresses this problem. Many of the adaptive edge-reweighting techniques are based on the concept of codensity, so we explore codensity properties as they relate to density-based edge reweighting. We find that codensity may not be the best estimator of local scale due to variations in cluster density, so we introduce and compare two inherently density-weighted graph construction techniques from the data mining literature: shared nearest neighbors (SNN) and mutual proximity (MP). MP and SNN are not reliant upon a codensity measure, hence are not susceptible to its shortcomings. Neither has been used for hyperspectral analyses, so this presents the first study of these techniques on HSI data. We demonstrate MP and SNN can offer better performance, but in general none of the reweighting techniques improve the quality of these spectral graphs in our neighborhood structure tests. As such, these complex adaptive edge-reweighting techniques may need to be modified to increase their effectiveness. During this investigation, we probe deeper into properties of high-dimensional data and introduce the concept of concentration of measure (CoM)--the degradation in the efficacy of many common distance measures with increasing dimensionality--as it relates to spectral graph construction. CoM exists in pairwise distances between HSI pixels, but not to the degree experienced in random data of the same extrinsic dimension; a characteristic we demonstrate is due to the rich correlation and cluster structure present in HSI data. CoM can lead to hubness--a condition wherein some nodes have short distances (high similarities) to an exceptionally large number of nodes. We study hub presence in 49 HSI datasets of varying resolutions, altitudes, and spectral bands to demonstrate hubness effects are negligible in a k-NN classification example (generalized counting scenarios), but we note its impact on methods that use edge weights to derive manifold coordinates or splitting clusters based on spectral graph theory requires more investigation. Many of these new graph-related quantities can be exploited to demonstrate new techniques for HSI classification and anomaly detection. We present an initial exploration into this relatively new and exciting field based on an enhanced Schroedinger Eigenmap classification example and compare results to the current state-of-the-art approach. We produce equivalent results, but demonstrate different types of misclassifications, opening the door to combine the best of both approaches to achieve truly superior performance. A separate less mature hubness-assisted anomaly detector (HAAD) is also presented.

  11. Double Wigner distribution function of a first-order optical system with a hard-edge aperture.

    PubMed

    Pan, Weiqing

    2008-01-01

    The effect of an apertured optical system on Wigner distribution can be expressed as a superposition integral of the input Wigner distribution function and the double Wigner distribution function of the apertured optical system. By introducing a hard aperture function into a finite sum of complex Gaussian functions, the double Wigner distribution functions of a first-order optical system with a hard aperture outside and inside it are derived. As an example of application, the analytical expressions of the Wigner distribution for a Gaussian beam passing through a spatial filtering optical system with an internal hard aperture are obtained. The analytical results are also compared with the numerical integral results, and they show that the analytical results are proper and ascendant.

  12. Local gray level S-curve transformation - A generalized contrast enhancement technique for medical images.

    PubMed

    Gandhamal, Akash; Talbar, Sanjay; Gajre, Suhas; Hani, Ahmad Fadzil M; Kumar, Dileep

    2017-04-01

    Most medical images suffer from inadequate contrast and brightness, which leads to blurred or weak edges (low contrast) between adjacent tissues resulting in poor segmentation and errors in classification of tissues. Thus, contrast enhancement to improve visual information is extremely important in the development of computational approaches for obtaining quantitative measurements from medical images. In this research, a contrast enhancement algorithm that applies gray-level S-curve transformation technique locally in medical images obtained from various modalities is investigated. The S-curve transformation is an extended gray level transformation technique that results into a curve similar to a sigmoid function through a pixel to pixel transformation. This curve essentially increases the difference between minimum and maximum gray values and the image gradient, locally thereby, strengthening edges between adjacent tissues. The performance of the proposed technique is determined by measuring several parameters namely, edge content (improvement in image gradient), enhancement measure (degree of contrast enhancement), absolute mean brightness error (luminance distortion caused by the enhancement), and feature similarity index measure (preservation of the original image features). Based on medical image datasets comprising 1937 images from various modalities such as ultrasound, mammograms, fluorescent images, fundus, X-ray radiographs and MR images, it is found that the local gray-level S-curve transformation outperforms existing techniques in terms of improved contrast and brightness, resulting in clear and strong edges between adjacent tissues. The proposed technique can be used as a preprocessing tool for effective segmentation and classification of tissue structures in medical images. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Does double-row rotator cuff repair improve functional outcome of patients compared with single-row technique? A systematic review.

    PubMed

    DeHaan, Alexander M; Axelrad, Thomas W; Kaye, Elizabeth; Silvestri, Lorenzo; Puskas, Brian; Foster, Timothy E

    2012-05-01

    The advantage of single-row versus double-row arthroscopic rotator cuff repair techniques has been a controversial issue in sports medicine and shoulder surgery. There is biomechanical evidence that double-row techniques are superior to single-row techniques; however, there is no clinical evidence that the double-row technique provides an improved functional outcome. When compared with single-row rotator cuff repair, double-row fixation, although biomechanically superior, has no clinical benefit with respect to retear rate or improved functional outcome. Systematic review. The authors reviewed prospective studies of level I or II clinical evidence that compared the efficacy of single- and double-row rotator cuff repairs. Functional outcome scores included the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder scale, the Constant shoulder score, and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder rating scale. Radiographic failures and complications were also analyzed. A test of heterogeneity for patient demographics was also performed to determine if there were differences in the patient profiles across the included studies. Seven studies fulfilled our inclusion criteria. The test of heterogeneity across these studies showed no differences. The functional ASES, Constant, and UCLA outcome scores revealed no difference between single- and double-row rotator cuff repairs. The total retear rate, which included both complete and partial retears, was 43.1% for the single-row repair and 27.2% for the double-row repair (P = .057), representing a trend toward higher failures in the single-row group. Through a comprehensive literature search and meta-analysis of current arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs, we found that the single-row repairs did not differ from the double-row repairs in functional outcome scores. The double-row repairs revealed a trend toward a lower radiographic proven retear rate, although the data did not reach statistical significance. There may be a concerning trend toward higher retear rates in patients undergoing a single-row repair, but further studies are required.

  14. Double Coaxial Microcatheter Technique for Glue Embolization of Renal Arteriovenous Malformations

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

    Uchikawa, Yoko, E-mail: jauchikawa@gmail.com; Mori, Kensaku, E-mail: moriken@md.tsukuba.ac.jp; Shiigai, Masanari, E-mail: m-41gai@yahoo.co.jp

    PurposeTo demonstrate the technical benefit of the double coaxial microcatheter technique for embolization of renal arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) with n-butyl cyanoacrylate and iodized oil (glue).Materials and MethodsSix consecutive patients (1 man and 5 women; mean age 61 years; range 44–77 years) with renal AVMs were included. Five patients had hematuria, and one had a risk of heart failure due to a large intrarenal arteriovenous shunt. All patients underwent transarterial embolization using glue and the double coaxial microcatheter technique with outer 2.6F and inner 1.9F microcatheters. After glue injection, the inner microcatheter was retracted, while the outer microcatheter was retained. We assessed themore » complications and clinical outcomes of this technique.ResultsTechnical success was achieved in all patients. In 9 sessions, 34 feeding arteries were embolized with glue using the double coaxial microcatheter technique, 1 was embolized with glue using a single microcatheter, and 2 were embolized with coils. The double coaxial microcatheter technique was useful for selecting small tortuous feeding arteries, preventing glue reflux to the proximal arteries, and approaching multiple feeding arteries without complete retraction of the microcatheters. As a minor complication, glue migrated into the venous system in four patients without any sequelae. In all patients, favorable clinical outcomes, including hematuria cessation in five patients and improvement of the large intrarenal arteriovenous shunt in one patient, were obtained without deterioration of renal function.ConclusionGlue embolization with the double coaxial microcatheter technique was useful for treating renal AVMs with multiple tortuous feeding arteries.« less

  15. Biomechanical evaluation of a single-row versus double-row repair for complete subscapularis tears.

    PubMed

    Wellmann, Mathias; Wiebringhaus, Philipp; Lodde, Ina; Waizy, Hazibullah; Becher, Christoph; Raschke, Michael J; Petersen, Wolf

    2009-12-01

    The purpose of the study was to compare a single-row repair and a double-row repair technique for the specific characteristics of a complete subscapularis lesion. Ten pairs of human cadaveric shoulder human shoulder specimens were tested for stiffness and ultimate tensile strength of the intact tendons in a load to failure protocol. After a complete subscapularis tear was provoked, the specimens were assigned to two treatment groups: single-row repair (1) and a double-row repair using a "suture bridge" technique (2). After repair cyclic loading a subsequent load to failure protocol was performed to determine the ultimate tensile load, the stiffness and the elongation behaviour of the reconstructions. The intact subscapularis tendons had a mean stiffness of 115 N/mm and a mean ultimate load of 720 N. The predominant failure mode of the intact tendons was a tear at the humeral insertion site (65%). The double-row technique restored 48% of the ultimate load of the intact tendons (332 N), while the single-row technique revealed a significantly lower ultimate load of 244 N (P = 0.001). In terms of the stiffness, the double-row technique showed a mean stiffness of 81 N/mm which is significantly higher compared to the stiffness of the single-row repairs of 55 N/mm (P = 0.001). The double-row technique has been shown to be stronger and stiffer when compared to a conventional single-row repair. Therefore, this technique is recommended from a biomechanical point of view irrespectively if performed by an open or arthroscopic approach.

  16. A Computer-Aided Approach for Designing Edge-Slot Waveguide Arrays

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gosselin, Renee Brian

    2003-01-01

    Traditional techniques for designing resonant edge-slot waveguide arrays have required an iterative trial-and-error process of measuring slot data from several prototypes. Since very little meaningful data has been published, this technology remains relatively immature and prohibitive for many smaller programs that could benefit from some advantages this antenna has to offer. A new Computer-Aided Design technique for designing resonant edge-slot waveguide arrays was used to successfuliy design such an X-band radiometer antenna for the NASA Light Rainfall Radiometer (LRR) instrument. Having the ability to rapidly create such an extremely accurate and efficient antenna design without the need to manufacture prototypes has also enabled inexpensive research that promises to improve the system-level performance of microwave radiometers for upcoming space-flight missions. This paper will present details of the LRR antenna design and describe some other current edge-slot array accomplishments at Goddard Space Flight Center.

  17. Synthesis, characterization and thermal decomposition of tetramethylammonium rare earth double selenates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Divekar, Sandesh K.; Achary, S. Nagabhusan; Ajgaonkar, Vishnu R.

    2018-06-01

    A series of double selenates, as (CH3)4NLn(SeO4)2rad 4H2O (Ln = Rare earth ion like La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy) was crystallized from mixed solution and characterized in detail for their structure, vibrational and optical properties as well as thermal stabilities. The crystal structure of the praseodymium compound was obtained by single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) and revealed a monoclinic (C2/c) lattice with chains formed by PrO8 and SeO4 units. The chains with compositions [Pr(SeO4)4(H2O)4]- are stacked in three dimensions and the (CH3)4N+ ions located in between them provide charge neutrality to the structure. The characterization of other compounds were carried out from powder XRD data and revealed that they all are isostructural to Pr-compound. All the functional groups were identified by Raman and IR spectroscopic studies. Solid state 77Se NMR revealed noticeable changes in selenium environment in these compounds. The optical absorption studies on the compounds show strong band edge absorptions in UV region. Thermal stabilities of the compounds, as investigated by simultaneous TG-DTA techniques indicate their sequential decompositions due to loss of H2O, (CH3)4N+ group, SeO2 and finally leaving their corresponding rare earth oxides.

  18. Investigation of the graphene-electrolyte interface in Li-air batteries: A molecular dynamics study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pavlov, S. V.; Kislenko, S. A.

    2018-01-01

    In this work the behavior of the main reactants (Li+, O2) of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acetonitrile solvent near the multi-layer graphene edge has been studied. It was observed by molecular dynamics simulations that the concentration distributions of the Li+ and O2 represent a “chessboard” structure. It was ascertained that the concentrations of the lithium ions and oxygen molecules reach their maximum values near the graphene edges pushed out from the surface, which may act as nucleation centers for the formation of crystalline products of the ORR. The maps of the free energy were estimated for the Li+ and O2. Energy optimal trajectories for the adsorption of oxygen molecules and lithium ions were found. Moreover, the distributions of the electric potential were obtained near the following carbon surfaces: single- and multi-layer graphene edge, graphene plane, which shows the qualitative differences in the double-layer structure.

  19. A 45 ps time digitizer with a two-phase clock and dual-edge two-stage interpolation in a field programmable gate array device

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Szplet, R.; Kalisz, J.; Jachna, Z.

    2009-02-01

    We present a time digitizer having 45 ps resolution, integrated in a field programmable gate array (FPGA) device. The time interval measurement is based on the two-stage interpolation method. A dual-edge two-phase interpolator is driven by the on-chip synthesized 250 MHz clock with precise phase adjustment. An improved dual-edge double synchronizer was developed to control the main counter. The nonlinearity of the digitizer's transfer characteristic is identified and utilized by the dedicated hardware code processor for the on-the-fly correction of the output data. Application of presented ideas has resulted in the measurement uncertainty of the digitizer below 70 ps RMS over the time interval ranging from 0 to 1 s. The use of the two-stage interpolation and a fast FIFO memory has allowed us to obtain the maximum measurement rate of five million measurements per second.

  20. Modeling uranium(VI) adsorption onto montmorillonite under varying carbonate concentrations: A surface complexation model accounting for the spillover effect on surface potential

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

    Tournassat, C.; Tinnacher, R. M.; Grangeon, S.

    The prediction of U(VI) adsorption onto montmorillonite clay is confounded by the complexities of: (1) the montmorillonite structure in terms of adsorption sites on basal and edge surfaces, and the complex interactions between the electrical double layers at these surfaces, and (2) U(VI) solution speciation, which can include cationic, anionic and neutral species. Previous U(VI)-montmorillonite adsorption and modeling studies have typically expanded classical surface complexation modeling approaches, initially developed for simple oxides, to include both cation exchange and surface complexation reactions. However, previous models have not taken into account the unique characteristics of electrostatic surface potentials that occur at montmorillonitemore » edge sites, where the electrostatic surface potential of basal plane cation exchange sites influences the surface potential of neighboring edge sites (‘spillover’ effect).« less

  1. Modeling uranium(VI) adsorption onto montmorillonite under varying carbonate concentrations: A surface complexation model accounting for the spillover effect on surface potential

    DOE PAGES

    Tournassat, C.; Tinnacher, R. M.; Grangeon, S.; ...

    2017-10-06

    The prediction of U(VI) adsorption onto montmorillonite clay is confounded by the complexities of: (1) the montmorillonite structure in terms of adsorption sites on basal and edge surfaces, and the complex interactions between the electrical double layers at these surfaces, and (2) U(VI) solution speciation, which can include cationic, anionic and neutral species. Previous U(VI)-montmorillonite adsorption and modeling studies have typically expanded classical surface complexation modeling approaches, initially developed for simple oxides, to include both cation exchange and surface complexation reactions. However, previous models have not taken into account the unique characteristics of electrostatic surface potentials that occur at montmorillonitemore » edge sites, where the electrostatic surface potential of basal plane cation exchange sites influences the surface potential of neighboring edge sites (‘spillover’ effect).« less

  2. Stationary QH-mode plasmas with high and wide pedestal at low rotation on DIII-D

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Xi; Burrell, K. H.; Osborne, T. H.; Solomon, W. M.; Barada, K.; Garofalo, A. M.; Groebner, R. J.; Luhmann, N. C.; McKee, G. R.; Muscatello, C. M.; Ono, M.; Petty, C. C.; Porkolab, M.; Rhodes, T. L.; Rost, J. C.; Snyder, P. B.; Staebler, G. M.; Tobias, B. J.; Yan, Z.; the DIII-D Team

    2017-02-01

    A stationary, quiescent H-mode (QH-mode) regime with a wide pedestal and improved confinement at low rotation has been discovered on DIII-D with reactor relevant edge parameters and no ELMs. As the injected neutral beam torque is ramped down and the edge E  ×  B rotation shear reduces, the transition from standard QH to the wide pedestal QH-mode occurs. At the transition, the coherent edge harmonic oscillations (EHO) that usually regulate the standard QH edge cease and broadband edge MHD modes appear along with a rapid increase in the pedestal pressure height (by  ⩽60%) and width (by  ⩽50%). We posit that the enhanced edge turbulence-driven transport, enabled by the lower edge E  ×  B flow shear due to lower torque reduces the pedestal gradient and, combined with the high edge instability limit provided by the balanced double-null plasma shape, permits the development of a broader and thus higher pedestal that is turbulence-transport-limited. Even with the significantly enhanced pedestal pressure, the edge operating point is below the peeling ballooning mode stability boundary and thus without ELMs. Improved transport in the outer core region (0.8  ⩽  ρ  ⩽0.9) owing to increased E  ×  B flow shear in that region and the enhanced pedestal boost the overall confinement by up to 45%. These findings advance the physics basis for developing stationary ELM-free high-confinement operation at low rotation for future burning plasma where similar collisionality and rotation levels are expected.

  3. Comparison of Single-Stick and Double-Stick Techniques for Percutaneous Nephrostomy

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

    Funaki, Brian, E-mail: bfunaki@midway.uchicago.edu; Vatakencherry, Geogi

    2004-01-15

    We compared single- and double-stick techniques of percutaneous nephrostomy insertion by retrospectively reviewing 140 percutaneous nephrostomy procedures in 101 patients. All procedures were performed by residents or fellows with direct attending supervision. Either the single-stick or double-stick technique was used based solely on personal attending preference. There were no significant differences in groups in terms of age, sex, or degree of hydronephrosis. In the single-stick technique, the kidney was punctured with sonographic guidance and the tract was serially dilated to accept an 8.5 Fr. nephrostomy catheter. In the double-stick technique, the kidney was punctured with sonographic guidance and a mixturemore » of air and contrast were injected into the collecting system. The affected side was then elevated and a posterior calyx was punctured using fluoroscopic guidance. Both groups were compared in terms of complications and early tube dysfunction using the chi-squared test. All procedures were successful without immediate complications. Bleeding requiring transfusion occurred in 4.7% (4/86) procedures in the single stick group and 3.7% (2/54) in the double stick group (p-value not significant). None of these patients required further interventions for bleeding. Tube dysfunction leading to premature tube exchange occurred in 3.5% (3/86) of catheters in the single stick group and 3.7% (2/54) of catheters in the double- stick group (p-value not significant). We found no significant difference between the single and double- stick methods of percutaneous nephrostomy in terms of success rates, complications, or tube function. We believe that the single-stick method should be adopted as the insertion technique of choice.« less

  4. Double emulsion solvent evaporation techniques used for drug encapsulation.

    PubMed

    Iqbal, Muhammad; Zafar, Nadiah; Fessi, Hatem; Elaissari, Abdelhamid

    2015-12-30

    Double emulsions are complex systems, also called "emulsions of emulsions", in which the droplets of the dispersed phase contain one or more types of smaller dispersed droplets themselves. Double emulsions have the potential for encapsulation of both hydrophobic as well as hydrophilic drugs, cosmetics, foods and other high value products. Techniques based on double emulsions are commonly used for the encapsulation of hydrophilic molecules, which suffer from low encapsulation efficiency because of rapid drug partitioning into the external aqueous phase when using single emulsions. The main issue when using double emulsions is their production in a well-controlled manner, with homogeneous droplet size by optimizing different process variables. In this review special attention has been paid to the application of double emulsion techniques for the encapsulation of various hydrophilic and hydrophobic anticancer drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotic drugs, proteins and amino acids and their applications in theranostics. Moreover, the optimized ratio of the different phases and other process parameters of double emulsions are discussed. Finally, the results published regarding various types of solvents, stabilizers and polymers used for the encapsulation of several active substances via double emulsion processes are reported. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. Solving the puzzle: What is behind our forefathers’ anti-inflammatory remedies?

    PubMed Central

    Rodríguez Villanueva, Javier; Martín Esteban, Jorge; Rodríguez Villanueva, Laura

    2017-01-01

    Inflammation is a ubiquitous host response in charge of restoring normal tissue structure and function but is a double-edged sword, as the uncontrolled or excessive process can lead to the injury of host cells, chronic inflammation, chronic diseases, and also neoplastic transformation. Throughout history, a wide range of species has been claimed to have anti-inflammatory effects worldwide. Among them, Angelica sinensis, Tropaeolum majus, Castilleja tenuiflora, Biophytum umbraculum, to name just a few, have attracted the scientific and general public attention in the last years. Efforts have been made to assess their relevance through a scientific method. However, inflammation is a complex interdependent process, and phytomedicines are complex mixtures of compounds with multiple mechanisms of biological actions, which restricts systematic explanation. For this purpose, the omics techniques could prove extremely useful. They provide tools for interpreting and integrating results from both the classical medical tradition and modern science. As a result, the concept of network pharmacology applied to phytomedicines emerged. All of this is a step toward personalized therapy. PMID:28163971

  6. Exploring the evolution of London's street network in the information space: A dual approach

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Masucci, A. Paolo; Stanilov, Kiril; Batty, Michael

    2014-01-01

    We study the growth of London's street network in its dual representation, as the city has evolved over the past 224 years. The dual representation of a planar graph is a content-based network, where each node is a set of edges of the planar graph and represents a transportation unit in the so-called information space, i.e., the space where information is handled in order to navigate through the city. First, we discuss a novel hybrid technique to extract dual graphs from planar graphs, called the hierarchical intersection continuity negotiation principle. Then we show that the growth of the network can be analytically described by logistic laws and that the topological properties of the network are governed by robust log-normal distributions characterizing the network's connectivity and small-world properties that are consistent over time. Moreover, we find that the double-Pareto-like distributions for the connectivity emerge for major roads and can be modeled via a stochastic content-based network model using simple space-filling principles.

  7. Computer enhancement of radiographs

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dekaney, A.; Keane, J.; Desautels, J.

    1973-01-01

    Examination of three relevant noise processes and the image degradation associated with Marshall Space Flight Center's (MSFC) X-ray/scanning system was conducted for application to computer enhancement of radiographs using MSFC's digital filtering techniques. Graininess of type M, R single coat and R double coat X-ray films was quantified as a function of density level using root-mean-square (RMS) granularity. Quantum mottle (including film grain) was quantified as a function of the above film types, exposure level, specimen material and thickness, and film density using RMS granularity and power spectral density (PSD). For various neutral-density levels the scanning device used in digital conversion of radiographs was examined for noise characteristics which were quantified by RMS granularity and PSD. Image degradation of the entire pre-enhancement system (MG-150 X-ray device; film; and optronics scanner) was measured using edge targets to generate modulation transfer functions (MTF). The four parameters were examined as a function of scanning aperture sizes of approximately 12.5 25 and 50 microns.

  8. A CMOS image sensor with programmable pixel-level analog processing.

    PubMed

    Massari, Nicola; Gottardi, Massimo; Gonzo, Lorenzo; Stoppa, David; Simoni, Andrea

    2005-11-01

    A prototype of a 34 x 34 pixel image sensor, implementing real-time analog image processing, is presented. Edge detection, motion detection, image amplification, and dynamic-range boosting are executed at pixel level by means of a highly interconnected pixel architecture based on the absolute value of the difference among neighbor pixels. The analog operations are performed over a kernel of 3 x 3 pixels. The square pixel, consisting of 30 transistors, has a pitch of 35 microm with a fill-factor of 20%. The chip was fabricated in a 0.35 microm CMOS technology, and its power consumption is 6 mW with 3.3 V power supply. The device was fully characterized and achieves a dynamic range of 50 dB with a light power density of 150 nW/mm2 and a frame rate of 30 frame/s. The measured fixed pattern noise corresponds to 1.1% of the saturation level. The sensor's dynamic range can be extended up to 96 dB using the double-sampling technique.

  9. Survey of techniques for reduction of wind turbine blade trailing edge noise.

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

    Barone, Matthew Franklin

    2011-08-01

    Aerodynamic noise from wind turbine rotors leads to constraints in both rotor design and turbine siting. The primary source of aerodynamic noise on wind turbine rotors is the interaction of turbulent boundary layers on the blades with the blade trailing edges. This report surveys concepts that have been proposed for trailing edge noise reduction, with emphasis on concepts that have been tested at either sub-scale or full-scale. These concepts include trailing edge serrations, low-noise airfoil designs, trailing edge brushes, and porous trailing edges. The demonstrated noise reductions of these concepts are cited, along with their impacts on aerodynamic performance. Anmore » assessment is made of future research opportunities in trailing edge noise reduction for wind turbine rotors.« less

  10. Patient selection, echocardiographic screening and treatment strategies for interventional tricuspid repair using the edge-to-edge repair technique.

    PubMed

    Hausleiter, Jörg; Braun, Daniel; Orban, Mathias; Latib, Azeem; Lurz, Philipp; Boekstegers, Peter; von Bardeleben, Ralph Stephan; Kowalski, Marek; Hahn, Rebecca T; Maisano, Francesco; Hagl, Christian; Massberg, Steffen; Nabauer, Michael

    2018-04-24

    Severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has long been neglected despite its well known association with mortality. While surgical mortality rates remain high in isolated tricuspid valve surgery, interventional TR repair is rapidly evolving as an alternative to cardiac surgery in selected patients at high surgical risk. Currently, interventional edge-to-edge repair is the most frequently applied technique for TR repair even though the device has not been developed for this particular indication. Due to the inherent differences in tricuspid and mitral valve anatomy and pathology, percutaneous repair of the tricuspid valve is challenging due to a variety of factors including the complexity and variability of tricuspid valve anatomy, echocardiographic visibility of the valve leaflets, and device steering to the tricuspid valve. Furthermore, it remains to be clarified which patients are suitable for a percutaneous tricuspid repair and which features predict a successful procedure. On the basis of the available experience, we describe criteria for patient selection including morphological valve features, a standardized process for echocardiographic screening, and a strategy for clip placement. These criteria will help to achieve standardization of valve assessment and the procedural approach, and to further develop interventional tricuspid valve repair using either currently available devices or dedicated tricuspid edge-to-edge repair devices in the future. In summary, this manuscript will provide guidance for patient selection and echocardiographic screening when considering edge-to-edge repair for severe TR.

  11. Synthesis, crystal structure and optical properties of two new layered cadmium iodates: Cd(IO{sub 3})X (X=Cl, OH)

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

    Yang, Bing-Ping, E-mail: ybp@fjirsm.ac.cn; Mao, Jiang-Gao

    Systematic explorations of new compounds in the cadmium iodate system by hydrothermal reactions led to two layered iodates, namely, Cd(IO{sub 3})X (X=Cl, OH). Cd(IO{sub 3})Cl crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Cmca (No. 64) whereas Cd(IO{sub 3})(OH) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (No. 62). Cd(IO{sub 3})Cl displays a unique double layered structure composed of {sup 1}{sub ∞}[Cd−O{sub 3}Cl]{sub n} chains. Cadmium octahedrons form a 1D chain along the a-axis through edge sharing, and such chains are further interconnected via IO{sub 3} groups to form a special double layer on (020) plane. Cd(IO{sub 3})(OH) also exhibits a layered structuremore » that is composed of cadmium cations, IO{sub 3} groups and hydroxyl ions. Within a layer, chains of CdO{sub 6} edge-shared octahedra are observed along the b-axis. And these chains are connected by IO{sub 3} groups into a layer parallel to the bc plane. Spectroscopic characterizations, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis for the reported two compounds are also presented. - Graphical abstract: Two new layered cadmium iodates Cd(IO{sub 3})X (X=Cl, OH) are reported. Cd(IO{sub 3})Cl features a unique double layered structure whereas Cd(IO{sub 3})(OH) displays an ordinary layered structure. - Highlights: • Two new layered cadmium iodates Cd(IO{sub 3})X (X=Cl, OH) are reported. • Cd(IO{sub 3})Cl features a unique double layered structure. • Cd(IO{sub 3})(OH) displays an ordinary layered structure. • The spectroscopic and thermal properties have been studied in detail.« less

  12. An analytical study of the free and forced vibration response of a ribbed plate with free boundary conditions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lin, Tian Ran; Zhang, Kai

    2018-05-01

    An analytical study to predict the vibration response of a ribbed plate with free boundary conditions is presented. The analytical solution was derived using a double cosine integral transform technique and then utilized to study the free and forced vibration of the ribbed plate, as well as the effect of the rib on the modal response of the uniform plate. It is shown that in addition to the three zero-frequency rigid body modes of the plate, the vibration modes of the uniform plate can be classified into four mode groups according to the symmetric properties of the plate with respect to the two orthogonal middle lines parallel to the plate edges. The four mode groups correspond to a double symmetric group, a double anti-symmetric group and two symmetric/anti-symmetric groups. Whilst the inclusion of the rib to the plate is shown to cause distortion to the distribution of vibration modes, most modes can still be traced back to the original modes of the uniform plate. Both the mass and stiffness of the rib are shown to affect the modal vibration of the uniform plate, whereby a dominant effect from the rib mass leads to a decrease in the modal frequency of the plate, whereas a dominant effect from the rib stiffness leads to an increase in plate modal frequency. When the stiffened rib behaves as an effective boundary to the plate vibration, an original plate mode becomes a pair of degenerate modes, whereby one mode has a higher frequency and the other mode has a lower frequency than that of the original mode.

  13. Incidence of retear with double-row versus single-row rotator cuff repair.

    PubMed

    Shen, Chong; Tang, Zhi-Hong; Hu, Jun-Zu; Zou, Guo-Yao; Xiao, Rong-Chi

    2014-11-01

    Rotator cuff tears have a high recurrence rate, even after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Although some biomechanical evidence suggests the superiority of the double-row vs the single-row technique, clinical findings regarding these methods have been controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the double-row repair method results in a lower incidence of recurrent tearing compared with the single-row method. Electronic databases were systematically searched to identify reports of randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) comparing single-row with double-row rotator cuff repair. The primary outcome assessed was retear of the repaired cuff. Secondary outcome measures were the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder score, the Constant shoulder score, and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score. Heterogeneity between the included studies was assessed. Six studies involving 428 patients were included in the review. Compared with single-row repair, double-row repair demonstrated a lower retear incidence (risk ratio [RR]=1.71 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.18-2.49]; P=.005; I(2)=0%) and a reduced incidence of partial-thickness retears (RR=2.16 [95% CI, 1.26-3.71]; P=.005; I(2)=26%). Functional ASES, Constant, and UCLA scores showed no difference between single- and double-row cuff repairs. Use of the double-row technique decreased the incidence of retears, especially partial-thickness retears, compared with the single-row technique. The functional outcome was not significantly different between the 2 techniques. To improve the structural outcome of the repaired rotator cuff, surgeons should use the double-row technique. However, further long-term RCTs on this topic are needed. Copyright 2014, SLACK Incorporated.

  14. Single-row versus double-row capsulolabral repair: a comparative evaluation of contact pressure and surface area in the capsulolabral complex-glenoid bone interface.

    PubMed

    Kim, Doo-Sup; Yoon, Yeo-Seung; Chung, Hoi-Jeong

    2011-07-01

    Despite the attention that has been paid to restoration of the capsulolabral complex anatomic insertion onto the glenoid, studies comparing the pressurized contact area and mean interface pressure at the anatomic insertion site between a single-row repair and a double-row labral repair have been uncommon. The purpose of our study was to compare the mean interface pressure and pressurized contact area at the anatomic insertion site of the capsulolabral complex between a single-row repair and a double-row repair technique. Controlled laboratory study. Thirty fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders (mean age, 61 ± 8 years; range, 48-71 years) were used for this study. Two types of repair were performed on each specimen: (1) a single-row repair and (2) a double-row repair. Using pressure-sensitive films, we examined the interface contact area and contact pressure. The mean interface pressure was greater for the double-row repair technique (0.29 ± 0.04 MPa) when compared with the single-row repair technique (0.21 ± 0.03 MPa) (P = .003). The mean pressurized contact area was also significantly greater for the double-row repair technique (211.8 ± 18.6 mm(2), 78.4% footprint) compared with the single-row repair technique (106.4 ± 16.8 mm(2), 39.4% footprint) (P = .001). The double-row repair has significantly greater mean interface pressure and pressurized contact area at the insertion site of the capsulolabral complex than the single-row repair. The double-row repair may be advantageous compared with the single-row repair in restoring the native footprint area of the capsulolabral complex.

  15. Color edges extraction using statistical features and automatic threshold technique: application to the breast cancer cells.

    PubMed

    Ben Chaabane, Salim; Fnaiech, Farhat

    2014-01-23

    Color image segmentation has been so far applied in many areas; hence, recently many different techniques have been developed and proposed. In the medical imaging area, the image segmentation may be helpful to provide assistance to doctor in order to follow-up the disease of a certain patient from the breast cancer processed images. The main objective of this work is to rebuild and also to enhance each cell from the three component images provided by an input image. Indeed, from an initial segmentation obtained using the statistical features and histogram threshold techniques, the resulting segmentation may represent accurately the non complete and pasted cells and enhance them. This allows real help to doctors, and consequently, these cells become clear and easy to be counted. A novel method for color edges extraction based on statistical features and automatic threshold is presented. The traditional edge detector, based on the first and the second order neighborhood, describing the relationship between the current pixel and its neighbors, is extended to the statistical domain. Hence, color edges in an image are obtained by combining the statistical features and the automatic threshold techniques. Finally, on the obtained color edges with specific primitive color, a combination rule is used to integrate the edge results over the three color components. Breast cancer cell images were used to evaluate the performance of the proposed method both quantitatively and qualitatively. Hence, a visual and a numerical assessment based on the probability of correct classification (PC), the false classification (Pf), and the classification accuracy (Sens(%)) are presented and compared with existing techniques. The proposed method shows its superiority in the detection of points which really belong to the cells, and also the facility of counting the number of the processed cells. Computer simulations highlight that the proposed method substantially enhances the segmented image with smaller error rates better than other existing algorithms under the same settings (patterns and parameters). Moreover, it provides high classification accuracy, reaching the rate of 97.94%. Additionally, the segmentation method may be extended to other medical imaging types having similar properties.

  16. Large area silicon sheet by EFG. [Edge-defined Film-fed Growth

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rao, C. V. H.; Surek, T.; Mackintosh, B.; Ravi, K. V.; Wald, F. V.

    1978-01-01

    The edge-defined, film-fed growth (EFG) technique has been employed to grow silicon ribbons for photovoltaic applications. Considerable progress has been made in recent years in developing the technique to the point that long lengths of silicon ribbon can be routinely grown. In order to attain the full low-cost potential of the EFG technique, several further developments such as the growth of thinner and wider ribbons, increase in ribbon growth rate, and improvements in material quality are needed. The technological problems to be solved and the approaches employed to achieve these goals are discussed.

  17. Effective removal of equine arteritis virus from stallion semen.

    PubMed

    Morrell, J M; Geraghty, R M

    2006-05-01

    A method of removing equine arteritis virus (EAV) from equine semen used for artificial insemination is urgently needed. Recent medical studies suggest that a double semen processing technique of density gradient centrifugation followed by a 'swim-up' can provide virus-free sperm preparations for assisted reproduction. To investigate the use of the double semen processing technique to obtain virus-free sperm preparations from stallion semen containing EAV. Aliquots of an ejaculate from an uninfected stallion were spiked with virus and processed by the double processing technique. The sperm preparations were tested by PCR for the presence of EAV. The procedure was repeated using an ejaculate from a known shedding stallion, testing processed and unprocessed aliquots by PCR and virus isolation. Virus-free sperm preparations were obtained using the double sperm processing technique. The 'swim-up' step is apparently required to ensure complete virus removal. The double semen processing technique is potentially a useful and simple tool for the removal of EAV from the semen of shedding stallions. The inclusion of density gradient centrifugation and 'swim-up' in protocols for the processing of semen for artificial insemination could help prevent the transmission of viral diseases carried in semen, such as EAV.

  18. Design and cold test of period-tapered double-ridge-loaded folded waveguide slow wave structure for Ka band TWTs

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lu, Zhigang; Su, Zhicheng; Wei, Yanyu

    2018-05-01

    A double-ridge-loaded folded waveguide (DRL-FW) travelling wave tube (TWT) based on period-tapered structure is proposed. Through analysing the dispersion characteristics of the DRL-FW slow wave structure (SWS), the physical mechanism of the band-edge oscillation is obtained. Period-tapered SWS is proposed and analysed for verifying the feasibility in suppressing upper-band-edge oscillation and increasing the output power. Then the electromagnetic characteristics and the beam-wave interaction of TWT based on the period-tapered DRL-FW SWS are investigated. The calculation results predict that it potentially could provide continuous wave power over 600W from 29 GHz to 32 GHz without upper-band-edge oscillation. The bandwidth expands from 29-31GHz to 29-32GHz and electron efficiency is increased from more than 8.3% to more than 11%, while the range of operating voltage expands from 22kV-22.5kV to 22kV-24kV. The corresponding saturated gain can reach over 36.8 dB. In addition, we have carried out experimental tests on the transmission characteristics of period-tapered DRL-FW SWS. The cold test results show that the voltage stand-wave ratio (VSWR) is below 1.8 in the range of 29-32GHz. Good transmission characteristics greatly reduce the risk of reflection wave oscillation, thus improving the stability of DRL-FW TWT.

  19. Edge-preserving image compression for magnetic-resonance images using dynamic associative neural networks (DANN)-based neural networks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wan, Tat C.; Kabuka, Mansur R.

    1994-05-01

    With the tremendous growth in imaging applications and the development of filmless radiology, the need for compression techniques that can achieve high compression ratios with user specified distortion rates becomes necessary. Boundaries and edges in the tissue structures are vital for detection of lesions and tumors, which in turn requires the preservation of edges in the image. The proposed edge preserving image compressor (EPIC) combines lossless compression of edges with neural network compression techniques based on dynamic associative neural networks (DANN), to provide high compression ratios with user specified distortion rates in an adaptive compression system well-suited to parallel implementations. Improvements to DANN-based training through the use of a variance classifier for controlling a bank of neural networks speed convergence and allow the use of higher compression ratios for `simple' patterns. The adaptation and generalization capabilities inherent in EPIC also facilitate progressive transmission of images through varying the number of quantization levels used to represent compressed patterns. Average compression ratios of 7.51:1 with an averaged average mean squared error of 0.0147 were achieved.

  20. Accurately estimating PSF with straight lines detected by Hough transform

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Ruichen; Xu, Liangpeng; Fan, Chunxiao; Li, Yong

    2018-04-01

    This paper presents an approach to estimating point spread function (PSF) from low resolution (LR) images. Existing techniques usually rely on accurate detection of ending points of the profile normal to edges. In practice however, it is often a great challenge to accurately localize profiles of edges from a LR image, which hence leads to a poor PSF estimation of the lens taking the LR image. For precisely estimating the PSF, this paper proposes firstly estimating a 1-D PSF kernel with straight lines, and then robustly obtaining the 2-D PSF from the 1-D kernel by least squares techniques and random sample consensus. Canny operator is applied to the LR image for obtaining edges and then Hough transform is utilized to extract straight lines of all orientations. Estimating 1-D PSF kernel with straight lines effectively alleviates the influence of the inaccurate edge detection on PSF estimation. The proposed method is investigated on both natural and synthetic images for estimating PSF. Experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms the state-ofthe- art and does not rely on accurate edge detection.

  1. Advances in understanding quiescent H-mode plasmas in DIII-Da)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Burrell, K. H.; West, W. P.; Doyle, E. J.; Austin, M. E.; Casper, T. A.; Gohil, P.; Greenfield, C. M.; Groebner, R. J.; Hyatt, A. W.; Jayakumar, R. J.; Kaplan, D. H.; Lao, L. L.; Leonard, A. W.; Makowski, M. A.; McKee, G. R.; Osborne, T. H.; Snyder, P. B.; Solomon, W. M.; Thomas, D. M.; Rhodes, T. L.; Strait, E. J.; Wade, M. R.; Wang, G.; Zeng, L.

    2005-05-01

    Recent QH-mode research on DIII-D [J. L. Luxon et al., Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion Research 1996 (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 1987), Vol. I, p. 159] has used the peeling-ballooning modes model of edge magnetohydrodynamic stability as a working hypothesis to organize the data; several predictions of this theory are consistent with the experimental results. Current ramping results indicate that QH modes operate near the edge current limit set by peeling modes. This operating point explains why QH mode is easier to get at lower plasma currents. Power scans have shown a saturation of edge pressure with increasing power input. This allows QH-mode plasmas to remain stable to edge localized modes (ELMs) to the highest powers used in DIII-D. At present, the mechanism for this saturation is unknown; if the edge harmonic oscillation (EHO) is playing a role here, the physics is not a simple amplitude dependence. The increase in edge stability with plasma triangularity predicted by the peeling-ballooning theory is consistent with the substantial improvement in pedestal pressure achieved by changing the plasma shape from a single null divertor to a high triangularity double null. Detailed ELITE calculations for the high triangularity plasmas have demonstrated that the plasma operating point is marginally stable to peeling-ballooning modes. Comparison of ELMing, coinjected and quiescent, counterinjected discharges with the same shape, current, toroidal field, electron density, and electron temperature indicates that the edge radial electric field or the edge toroidal rotation are also playing a role in edge stability. The EHO produces electron, main ion, and impurity particle transport at the plasma edge which is more rapid than that produced by ELMs under similar conditions. The EHO also decreases the edge rotation while producing little change in the edge electron and ion temperatures. Other edge electromagnetic modes also produce particle transport; this includes the incoherent, broadband activity seen at high triangularity. Pedestal values of ν* and βT bracketing, those required for International Experimental Thermonuclear Reactor [Nucl. Fusion 39, 2137 (1999)] have been achieved in DIII-D, demonstrating the QH-mode edge densities are sufficient for future devices.

  2. Advances in understanding quiescent H-mode plasmas in DIII-D

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

    Burrell, K.H.; West, W.P.; Gohil, P.

    2005-05-15

    Recent QH-mode research on DIII-D [J. L. Luxon et al., Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion Research 1996 (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 1987), Vol. I, p. 159] has used the peeling-ballooning modes model of edge magnetohydrodynamic stability as a working hypothesis to organize the data; several predictions of this theory are consistent with the experimental results. Current ramping results indicate that QH modes operate near the edge current limit set by peeling modes. This operating point explains why QH mode is easier to get at lower plasma currents. Power scans have shown a saturation of edge pressure with increasingmore » power input. This allows QH-mode plasmas to remain stable to edge localized modes (ELMs) to the highest powers used in DIII-D. At present, the mechanism for this saturation is unknown; if the edge harmonic oscillation (EHO) is playing a role here, the physics is not a simple amplitude dependence. The increase in edge stability with plasma triangularity predicted by the peeling-ballooning theory is consistent with the substantial improvement in pedestal pressure achieved by changing the plasma shape from a single null divertor to a high triangularity double null. Detailed ELITE calculations for the high triangularity plasmas have demonstrated that the plasma operating point is marginally stable to peeling-ballooning modes. Comparison of ELMing, coinjected and quiescent, counterinjected discharges with the same shape, current, toroidal field, electron density, and electron temperature indicates that the edge radial electric field or the edge toroidal rotation are also playing a role in edge stability. The EHO produces electron, main ion, and impurity particle transport at the plasma edge which is more rapid than that produced by ELMs under similar conditions. The EHO also decreases the edge rotation while producing little change in the edge electron and ion temperatures. Other edge electromagnetic modes also produce particle transport; this includes the incoherent, broadband activity seen at high triangularity. Pedestal values of {nu}{sub *} and {beta}{sub T} bracketing, those required for International Experimental Thermonuclear Reactor [Nucl. Fusion 39, 2137 (1999)] have been achieved in DIII-D, demonstrating the QH-mode edge densities are sufficient for future devices.« less

  3. Comparative analysis of cobalt oxide nanoisland stability and edge structures on three related noble metal surfaces: Au(111), Pt(111) and Ag(111)

    DOE PAGES

    Fester, Jakob; Bajdich, Michal; Walton, Alex S.; ...

    2016-09-12

    Here, metal oxide nanostructures and thin films grown on metallic substrates have attracted strong attention as model catalysts and as interesting inverse catalyst systems in their own right. In this study, we investigate the role of metal support in the growth and stabilization of cobalt oxide nanostructures on the three related (111) surfaces of Au, Pt and Ag, as investigated by means of high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy and DFT calculations. All three substrates promote the growth of crystalline CoO x (x = 1–2) islands under oxidative conditions, but we find several noteworthy differences in the occurrence and stabilization of fourmore » distinct cobalt oxide island phases: Co–O bilayers, O–Co–O trilayers, Co–O–Co–O double bilayers and O–Co–O–Co–O multilayers. Using atom-resolved images combined with analysis of defect lines in bilayer islands on Au and Pt, we furthermore unambiguously determine the edge structure. Interestingly, the island shape and abundances of edge types in bilayers change radically from mixed Co/O edge terminations on Au(111) to a predominance of Co terminated edges (~91 %) on Pt(111) which is especially interesting since the Co metal edges are expected to host the most active sites for water dissociation.« less

  4. Biomechanical Comparison of Arthroscopic Single- and Double-Row Repair Techniques for Acute Bony Bankart Lesions.

    PubMed

    Spiegl, Ulrich J; Smith, Sean D; Todd, Jocelyn N; Coatney, Garrett A; Wijdicks, Coen A; Millett, Peter J

    2014-08-01

    Single- and double-row arthroscopic reconstruction techniques for acute bony Bankart lesions have been described in the literature. The double-row fixation technique would provide superior reduction and stability of a simulated bony Bankart lesion at time zero in a cadaveric model compared with the single-row technique. Controlled laboratory study. Testing was performed on 14 matched pairs of glenoids with simulated bony Bankart fractures with a defect width of 25% of the glenoid diameter. Half of the fractures were repaired with a double-row technique, while the contralateral glenoids were repaired with a single-row technique. The quality of fracture reduction was measured with a coordinate measuring machine. To determine the biomechanical stability of the repairs, specimens were preconditioned with 10 sinusoidal cycles between 5 and 25 N at 0.1 Hz and then pulled to failure in the anteromedial direction at a rate of 5 mm/min. Loads at 1 mm and 2 mm of fracture displacement were determined. The double-row technique required significantly higher forces to achieve fracture displacements of 1 mm (mean, 60.6 N; range, 39.0-93.3 N; P = .001) and 2 mm (mean, 94.4 N; range, 43.4-151.2 N; P = .004) than the single-row technique (1 mm: mean, 30.2 N; range, 14.0-54.1 N and 2 mm: mean, 63.7 N; range, 26.6-118.8 N). Significantly reduced fracture displacement was seen after double-row repair for both the unloaded condition (mean, 1.1 mm; range, 0.3-2.4 mm; P = .005) and in response to a 10-N anterior force applied to the defect (mean, 1.6 mm; range, 0.5-2.7 mm; P = .001) compared with single-row repair (unloaded: mean, 2.1 mm; range, 1.3-3.4 mm and loaded: mean, 3.4 mm; range, 1.9-4.7 mm). The double-row fixation technique resulted in improved fracture reduction and superior stability at time zero in this cadaveric model. This information may influence the surgical technique used to treat large osseous Bankart fractures and the postoperative rehabilitation protocols implemented when such repair techniques are used. © 2014 The Author(s).

  5. Double Density Dual Tree Discrete Wavelet Transform implementation for Degraded Image Enhancement

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vimala, C.; Aruna Priya, P.

    2018-04-01

    Wavelet transform is a main tool for image processing applications in modern existence. A Double Density Dual Tree Discrete Wavelet Transform is used and investigated for image denoising. Images are considered for the analysis and the performance is compared with discrete wavelet transform and the Double Density DWT. Peak Signal to Noise Ratio values and Root Means Square error are calculated in all the three wavelet techniques for denoised images and the performance has evaluated. The proposed techniques give the better performance when comparing other two wavelet techniques.

  6. Parity-Forbidden Transitions and Their Impact on the Optical Absorption Properties of Lead-Free Metal Halide Perovskites and Double Perovskites.

    PubMed

    Meng, Weiwei; Wang, Xiaoming; Xiao, Zewen; Wang, Jianbo; Mitzi, David B; Yan, Yanfa

    2017-07-06

    Using density functional theory calculations, we analyze the optical absorption properties of lead (Pb)-free metal halide perovskites (AB 2+ X 3 ) and double perovskites (A 2 B + B 3+ X 6 ) (A = Cs or monovalent organic ion, B 2+ = non-Pb divalent metal, B + = monovalent metal, B 3+ = trivalent metal, X = halogen). We show that if B 2+ is not Sn or Ge, Pb-free metal halide perovskites exhibit poor optical absorptions because of their indirect band gap nature. Among the nine possible types of Pb-free metal halide double perovskites, six have direct band gaps. Of these six types, four show inversion symmetry-induced parity-forbidden or weak transitions between band edges, making them not ideal for thin-film solar cell applications. Only one type of Pb-free double perovskite shows optical absorption and electronic properties suitable for solar cell applications, namely, those with B + = In, Tl and B 3+ = Sb, Bi. Our results provide important insights for designing new metal halide perovskites and double perovskites for optoelectronic applications.

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

    Slavney, Adam H.; Leppert, Linn; Bartesaghi, Davide

    In this study, halide double perovskites have recently been developed as less toxic analogs of the lead perovskite solar-cell absorbers APbX 3 (A = monovalent cation; X = Br or I). However, all known halide double perovskites have large bandgaps that afford weak visible-light absorption. The first halide double perovskite evaluated as an absorber, Cs 2AgBiBr 6 (1), has a bandgap of 1.95 eV. Here, we show that dilute alloying decreases 1’s bandgap by ca. 0.5 eV. Importantly, time-resolved photoconductivity measurements reveal long-lived carriers with microsecond lifetimes in the alloyed material, which is very promising for photovoltaic applications. The alloyedmore » perovskite described herein is the first double perovskite to show comparable bandgap energy and carrier lifetime to those of (CH 3NH 3)PbI 3. By describing how energy- and symmetry-matched impurity orbitals, at low concentrations, dramatically alter 1’s band edges, we open a potential pathway for the large and diverse family of halide double perovskites to compete with APbX 3 absorbers.« less

  8. On the possibility to detect multipolar order in URu 2 Si 2 by the electric quadrupolar transition of resonant elastic x-ray scattering

    DOE PAGES

    Wang, Y. L.; Fabbris, G.; Meyers, D.; ...

    2017-08-30

    Resonant elastic x-ray scattering is a powerful technique for measuring multipolar order parameters. In this paper, we theoretically and experimentally study the possibility of using this technique to detect the proposed multipolar order parameters in URu 2 Si 2 at the U- L 3 edge with the electric quadrupolar transition. Based on an atomic model, we calculate the azimuthal dependence of the quadrupolar transition at the U- L 3 edge. Our results illustrate the potential of this technique for distinguishing different multipolar order parameters. We then perform experiments on ultraclean single crystals of URu 2 Si 2 at the U-more » L 3 edge to search for the predicted signal, but do not detect any indications of multipolar moments within the experimental uncertainty. We also theoretically estimate the orders of magnitude of the cross section and the expected count rate of the quadrupolar transition and compare them to the dipolar transitions at the U- M 4 and U- L 3 edges, clarifying the difficulty in detecting higher order multipolar order parameters in URu 2 Si 2 in the current experimental setup.« less

  9. Flow visualization over a thick blunt trailing-edge airfoil with base cavity at low Reynolds numbers using PIV technique.

    PubMed

    Taherian, Gholamhossein; Nili-Ahmadabadi, Mahdi; Karimi, Mohammad Hassan; Tavakoli, Mohammad Reza

    2017-01-01

    In this study, the effect of cutting the end of a thick airfoil and adding a cavity on its flow pattern is studied experimentally using PIV technique. First, by cutting 30% chord length of the Riso airfoil, a thick blunt trialing-edge airfoil is generated. The velocity field around the original airfoil and the new airfoil is measured by PIV technique and compared with each other. Then, adding two parallel plates to the end of the new airfoil forms the desired cavity. Continuous measurement of unsteady flow velocity over the Riso airfoil with thick blunt trailing edge and base cavity is the most important innovation of this research. The results show that cutting off the end of the airfoil decreases the wake region behind the airfoil, when separation occurs. Moreover, adding a cavity to the end of the thickened airfoil causes an increase in momentum and a further decrease in the wake behind the trailing edge that leads to a drag reduction in comparison with the thickened airfoil without cavity. Furthermore, using cavity decreases the Strouhal number and vortex shedding frequency.

  10. Discovery of stationary operation of quiescent H-mode plasmas with net-zero neutral beam injection torque and high energy confinement on DIII-D

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

    Burrell, K. H.; Chen, X.; Garofalo, A. M.

    Recent experiments in DIII-D [J. L. Luxon et al., in Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion Research 1996 (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 1987), Vol. I, p. 159] have led to the discovery of a means of modifying edge turbulence to achieve stationary, high confinement operation without Edge Localized Mode (ELM) instabilities and with no net external torque input. Eliminating the ELM-induced heat bursts and controlling plasma stability at low rotation represent two of the great challenges for fusion energy. By exploiting edge turbulence in a novel manner, we achieved excellent tokamak performance, well above the H{sub 98y2} international tokamakmore » energy confinement scaling (H{sub 98y2} = 1.25), thus meeting an additional confinement challenge that is usually difficult at low torque. The new regime is triggered in double null plasmas by ramping the injected torque to zero and then maintaining it there. This lowers E × B rotation shear in the plasma edge, allowing low-k, broadband, electromagnetic turbulence to increase. In the H-mode edge, a narrow transport barrier usually grows until MHD instability (a peeling ballooning mode) leads to the ELM heat burst. However, the increased turbulence reduces the pressure gradient, allowing the development of a broader and thus higher transport barrier. A 60% increase in pedestal pressure and 40% increase in energy confinement result. An increase in the E × B shearing rate inside of the edge pedestal is a key factor in the confinement increase. Strong double-null plasma shaping raises the threshold for the ELM instability, allowing the plasma to reach a transport-limited state near but below the explosive ELM stability boundary. The resulting plasmas have burning-plasma-relevant β{sub N} = 1.6–1.8 and run without the need for extra torque from 3D magnetic fields. To date, stationary conditions have been produced for 2 s or 12 energy confinement times, limited only by external hardware constraints. Stationary operation with improved pedestal conditions is highly significant for future burning plasma devices, since operation without ELMs at low rotation and good confinement is key for fusion energy production.« less

  11. Biomechanical Comparison of Single- Versus Double-Row Capsulolabral Repair for Shoulder Instability: A Review.

    PubMed

    Yousif, Matthew John; Bicos, James

    2017-12-01

    The glenohumeral joint is the most commonly dislocated joint in the body. Failure rates of capsulolabral repair have been reported to be approximately 8%. Recent focus has been on restoration of the capsulolabral complex by a double-row capsulolabral repair technique in an effort to decrease redislocation rates after arthroscopic capsulolabral repair. To present a review of the biomechanical literature comparing single- versus double-row capsulolabral repairs and discuss the previous case series of double-row fixation. Narrative review. A simple review of the literature was performed by PubMed search. Only biomechanical studies comparing single- versus double-row capsulolabral repair were included for review. Only those case series and descriptive techniques with clinical results for double-row repair were included in the discussion. Biomechanical comparisons evaluating the native footprint of the labrum demonstrated significantly superior restoration of the footprint through double-row capsulolabral repair compared with single-row repair. Biomechanical comparisons of contact pressure at the repair interface, fracture displacement in bony Bankart lesion, load to failure, and decreased external rotation (suggestive of increased load to failure) were also significantly in favor of double- versus single-row repair. Recent descriptive techniques and case series of double-row fixation have demonstrated good clinical outcomes; however, no comparative clinical studies between single- and double-row repair have assessed functional outcomes. The superiority of double-row capsulolabral repair versus single-row repair remains uncertain because comparative studies assessing clinical outcomes have yet to be performed.

  12. DOUBLE ENDOR with a linearly and a circularly polarized radiofrequency field

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schweiger, A.; Rudin, M.; Forrer, J.; Günthard, Hs. H.

    The combination of the two spectroscopical techniques, DOUBLE ENDOR and ENDOR with a circularly polarized radiofrequency field (CP-ENDOR), is described. with this new method, termed by the acronym CP-DOUBLE ENDOR, the selective induction of transitions of different types of nuclei and of different paramagnetic species allows a drastic reduction of the number of observed ENDOR lines. With this technique, analysis of hitherto not interpretable ENDOR spectra is often made possible. The experimental setup of the CP-DOUBLE ENDOR spectrometer is described. The advantage of using circularly polarized rf fields in DOUBLE ENDOR spectroscopy is illustrated by two applications on transition metal complexes in single crystals.

  13. Tendoscopic Double-Row Suture Bridge Peroneal Retinaculum Repair for Recurrent Dislocation of Peroneal Tendons in the Ankle.

    PubMed

    Nishimura, Akinobu; Nakazora, Shigeto; Ito, Naoya; Fukuda, Aki; Kato, Ko; Sudo, Akihiro

    2016-06-01

    Traumatic dislocation of peroneal tendons in the ankle is an uncommon lesion that mainly affects young adults. Unfortunately, most cases lead to recurrent dislocation of the peroneal tendons of the ankle (RPTD). Therefore, most cases need operative treatment. One of the most common operative procedures is superior peroneal retinaculum (SPR) repair. Recently, surgery for RPTD has been achieved with less invasive arthroscopic procedures. In this article, tendoscopic surgery for RPTD using a double-row suture bridge technique is introduced. This technique consists of debridement of the lateral aspect of the fibula under an intrasheath pseudo-cavity, suture anchor insertion into the fibular ridge, and reattachment of the SPR to the fibula using a knotless anchor screwed into the lateral aspect of the fibula. This technique mimics the double-row suture bridge technique for rotator cuff tear repair. The double-row suture bridge technique requires more surgical steps than the single-row technique, but it provides a wider bone-SPR contact surface and tighter fixation than the single-row technique. This procedure is an attractive option because it is less invasive and has achieved results similar to open procedures.

  14. ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION USING THE DOUBLE-BUNDLE TECHNIQUE - EVALUATION IN THE BIOMECHANICS LABORATORY.

    PubMed

    D'Elia, Caio Oliveira; Bitar, Alexandre Carneiro; Castropil, Wagner; Garofo, Antônio Guilherme Padovani; Cantuária, Anita Lopes; Orselli, Maria Isabel Veras; Luques, Isabela Ugo; Duarte, Marcos

    2011-01-01

    The objective of this study was to describe the methodology of knee rotation analysis using biomechanics laboratory instruments and to present the preliminary results from a comparative study on patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using the double-bundle technique. The protocol currently used in our laboratory was described. Three-dimensional kinematic analysis was performed and knee rotation amplitude was measured on eight normal patients (control group) and 12 patients who were operated using the double-bundle technique, by means of three tasks in the biomechanics laboratory. No significant differences between operated and non-operated sides were shown in relation to the mean amplitudes of gait, gait with change in direction or gait with change in direction when going down stairs (p > 0.13). The preliminary results did not show any difference in the double-bundle ACL reconstruction technique in relation to the contralateral side and the control group.

  15. The Effect of Computerized System Feedback Availability during Executive Function Training

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Yuviler-Gavish, Nirit; Krisher, Hagit

    2016-01-01

    Computerized training systems offer a promising new direction in the training of executive functions, in part because they can easily be designed to offer feedback to learners. Yet, feedback is a double-edged sword, serving a positive motivational role while at the same time carrying the risk that learners may become dependent on the feedback they…

  16. Double-Edged Sword: Social Media Use in the Classroom

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Chromey, Kelli J.; Duchsherer, Amy; Pruett, Jennifer; Vareberg, Kyle

    2016-01-01

    The purpose of this research is to identify the students' perceptions of social media use in a classroom setting. Knowing students' perceptions of social media can help the instructor build a course that both student and teacher can find effective. Using focus groups this study found a model to determine if social media is an appropriate or…

  17. "My Past Is a Double Edge Sword": Temporality and Reflexivity in Mature Learners

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Stevenson, Jacqueline; Clegg, Sue

    2013-01-01

    This paper discusses the ways in which mature students orientate themselves towards the future in making decisions to access higher education (HE). Their narratives connect their past, often difficult, educational and personal lives to their future aspirations and to their current experiences in further education (FE) and HE. The research was part…

  18. Autophagy: a double-edged sword for neuronal survival after cerebral ischemia

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Wenqi; Sun, Yinyi; Liu, Kangyong; Sun, Xiaojiang

    2014-01-01

    Evidence suggests that autophagy may be a new therapeutic target for stroke, but whether activation of autophagy increases or decreases the rate of neuronal death is still under debate. This review summarizes the potential role and possible signaling pathway of autophagy in neuronal survival after cerebral ischemia and proposes that autophagy has dual effects. PMID:25206784

  19. The Sensitivity of Precocious Child Writers: More Evidence of the Double-Edged Sword

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Edmunds, Alan L.; Edmunds, Gail

    2014-01-01

    This article provides further evidence of the often observed sensitive nature displayed by children who are gifted. It also addresses the positive and negative effects that this sensitivity can have on these individuals. Earlier, the authors explored this concept through an analysis of the works and life experiences of Geoffrey, aged 9, a prolific…

  20. Are Plush Dorms and Fancy Food Plans Important Drivers of College Cost?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Archibald, Robert B.; Feldman, David H.

    2011-01-01

    Like most schools, College of William and Mary is not shy about touting its amenities. The Webpage that advertises the college's housing and dining options begins with, "Wireless and Starbucks? Thomas Jefferson never had it this good." Advertising of this sort is a double-edged public-relations sword. Colleges and universities clearly want to…

  1. Towards an Understanding of Evidence-Based Practice

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Digennaro Reed, Florence D.; Reed, Derek D.

    2008-01-01

    The past two decades have seen a rise in the use of the term "evidence-based practice" and a simultaneous increase in the variations in its definition and evaluation. Subsequently, this rise in interest for evidence-based practices has become a double-edged sword for practitioners--that is, while there are a number of interpretations on the…

  2. Whose Lingua Franca? The Politics of Language in Transnational Medical Education

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kane, Tanya

    2014-01-01

    The lingua franca promoted at Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar belongs to few as a first language. The implementation of an English-medium curriculum at Qatar's only medical school has proved a double-edged sword. Despite English being deployed out of necessity as part of a strategy geared to improve health care provision and medical…

  3. Sound attenuation apparatus

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shepherd, Kevin P. (Inventor); Grosveld, Ferdinand M. W. A. (Inventor)

    1991-01-01

    An apparatus is disclosed for reducing acoustic transmission from mechanical or acoustic sources by means of a double wall partition, within which an acoustic pressure field is generated by at least one secondary acoustic source. The secondary acoustic source is advantageously placed within the partition, around its edges, or it may be an integral part of a wall of the partition.

  4. The Double-Edged Sword of "Disaster Volunteerism": A Study of New Orleans Rebirth Movement Participants

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Heldman, Caroline; Israel-Trummel, Mackenzie

    2012-01-01

    We examine the political and personal effects of disaster volunteerism with participants of the New Orleans Rebirth Movement (NORM) using four waves of pre- and postsurveys and qualitative analysis of participant journals. Significant increases are found in internal political efficacy, desire to be active in politics, and value placed on social…

  5. 49 CFR 179.201-3 - Lined tanks.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ...-Pressure Tank Car Tanks (Classes DOT-111AW and 115AW) § 179.201-3 Lined tanks. (a) Rubber-lined tanks. (1) Each tank or each compartment thereof must be lined with acid-resistant rubber or other approved rubber... double thickness. The rubber lining must overlap at least 11/2 inches at all edges which must be straight...

  6. 49 CFR 179.201-3 - Lined tanks.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ...-Pressure Tank Car Tanks (Classes DOT-111AW and 115AW) § 179.201-3 Lined tanks. (a) Rubber-lined tanks. (1) Each tank or each compartment thereof must be lined with acid-resistant rubber or other approved rubber... double thickness. The rubber lining must overlap at least 11/2 inches at all edges which must be straight...

  7. 49 CFR 179.201-3 - Lined tanks.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ...-Pressure Tank Car Tanks (Classes DOT-111AW and 115AW) § 179.201-3 Lined tanks. (a) Rubber-lined tanks. (1) Each tank or each compartment thereof must be lined with acid-resistant rubber or other approved rubber... double thickness. The rubber lining must overlap at least 11/2 inches at all edges which must be straight...

  8. 49 CFR 179.201-3 - Lined tanks.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ...-Pressure Tank Car Tanks (Classes DOT-111AW and 115AW) § 179.201-3 Lined tanks. (a) Rubber-lined tanks. (1) Each tank or each compartment thereof must be lined with acid-resistant rubber or other approved rubber... double thickness. The rubber lining must overlap at least 11/2 inches at all edges which must be straight...

  9. The Regulatory Environment in Long Day Care: A "Double-Edged Sword" for Early Childhood Professional Practice

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Fenech, Marianne; Sumsion, Jennifer; Goodfellow, Joy

    2006-01-01

    While early childhood professionals in NSW are accountable to a substantial collection of regulatory requirements, little research has explored the outcomes of this regulatory environment, both intended and otherwise. This paper presents findings from a NSW study and shows how early childhood professionals working in long day care centres perceive…

  10. A Double-Edged Sword? On the Benefit, Detriment, and Net Effect of Dimensional Comparison on Self-Concept

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Müller-Kalthoff, Hanno; Jansen, Malte; Schiefer, Irene M.; Helm, Friederike; Nagy, Nicole; Möller, Jens

    2017-01-01

    Dimensional comparison theory (DCT; Möller & Marsh, 2013) assumes that students compare their academic achievement intraindividually across domains to form domain-specific self-concepts. Upward dimensional comparisons are believed to lead to lower self-concepts in the worse-off domain, while downward dimensional comparisons should lead to…

  11. Education Policy Reform in Sri Lanka: The Double-Edged Sword of Political Will

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Little, Angela W.

    2011-01-01

    In 1997, the Government of Sri Lanka launched a comprehensive set of education reforms designed to promote equitable access to basic education and improvements in learning outcomes. The package of reforms arose as a political response to widespread youth unrest in the late 1980s and attracted considerable "political will", a vague but…

  12. Narrative Configuration: Some Notes on the Workings of Hindsight

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kvernbekk, Tone

    2013-01-01

    In this paper I analyze the role of hindsight in narrative configuration. Configuration means the grasping together of disparate elements into a coherent whole. I argue that hindsight, importantly, brings the temporal constraints on what we can know to the fore, but is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, hindsight is an indispensable tool both…

  13. A Double-Edged Sword: The Merits and the Policy Implications of Google Translate in Higher Education

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Mundt, Klaus; Groves, Michael

    2016-01-01

    Machine translation, specifically Google Translate, is freely available, and is improving in its ability to provide grammatically accurate translations. This development has the potential to provoke a major transformation in the internationalization process at universities, since students may be, in the future, able to use technology to circumvent…

  14. Digital Technology: A Double-Edged Sword for a School Principal in Rural Pennsylvania

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kotok, Stephen; Kryst, Erica L.

    2017-01-01

    This case study was inspired by visits to several different rural high schools in Pennsylvania. The case illuminates the challenges faced by rural principals and superintendents who want to integrate digital technology into their curriculum, but who lack certain financial and human capital resources. Although this case occurred in a remote, rural…

  15. Morphological-transformation-based technique of edge detection and skeletonization of an image using a single spatial light modulator

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Munshi, Soumika; Datta, A. K.

    2003-03-01

    A technique of optically detecting the edge and skeleton of an image by defining shift operations for morphological transformation is described. A (2 × 2) source array, which acts as the structuring element of morphological operations, casts four angularly shifted optical projections of the input image. The resulting dilated image, when superimposed with the complementary input image, produces the edge image. For skeletonization, the source array casts four partially overlapped output images of the inverted input image, which is negated, and the resultant image is recorded in a CCD camera. This overlapped eroded image is again eroded and then dilated, producing an opened image. The difference between the eroded and opened image is then computed, resulting in a thinner image. This procedure of obtaining a thinned image is iterated until the difference image becomes zero, maintaining the connectivity conditions. The technique has been optically implemented using a single spatial modulator and has the advantage of single-instruction parallel processing of the image. The techniques have been tested both for binary and grey images.

  16. Gallium(III) adsorption on carbonates and oxides: X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy study and surface complexation modeling.

    PubMed

    Pokrovsky, O S; Pokrovski, G S; Schott, J

    2004-11-15

    Adsorption of Ga on calcite, magnesite, amorphous silica, and manganese oxide as a function of pH and gallium concentration in solution was studied using a batch adsorption technique. Adsorbed complexes of Ga on calcite, magnesite, and delta-MnO2 were further characterized using XAFS spectroscopy. At high surface loadings from supersaturated solutions, Ga is likely to form a polymeric network at the surface (edge- and corner-sharing octahedra). At low surface loadings, Ga presents as isolated octahedra, probably attached to the Me-O sites on the surface, and coordinated by water molecules and hydroxide groups at 1.90-1.94 A. At pH>6, Ga therefore changes its coordination from 4 to 6 when adsorbing from solution (Ga(OH)(-)4(aq)) onto metal surface sites (MeOGa(OH)n(H2O)2-n(5-n), Me = Ca, Mg, or Mn, and n=1 and 2 for carbonate minerals and MnO2, respectively). Because the EXAFS is not capable of seeing hydrogen atoms, the protonation of surface complexes was determined by fitting the experimental pH-dependent Ga adsorption edge. A surface complexation model which assumes the constant capacitance of the electric double layer (CCM) and postulates the formation of positively charged, neutral and negatively charged surface complexes for carbonates, manganese oxide and silica, respectively, was used to describe the dependence of adsorption equilibria on aqueous solution composition in a wide range of pH and Ga concentration.

  17. WREP: A wavelet-based technique for extracting the red edge position from reflectance spectra for estimating leaf and canopy chlorophyll contents of cereal crops

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Dong; Cheng, Tao; Zhou, Kai; Zheng, Hengbiao; Yao, Xia; Tian, Yongchao; Zhu, Yan; Cao, Weixing

    2017-07-01

    Red edge position (REP), defined as the wavelength of the inflexion point in the red edge region (680-760 nm) of the reflectance spectrum, has been widely used to estimate foliar chlorophyll content from reflectance spectra. A number of techniques have been developed for REP extraction in the past three decades, but most of them require data-specific parameterization and the consistence of their performance from leaf to canopy levels remains poorly understood. In this study, we propose a new technique (WREP) to extract REPs based on the application of continuous wavelet transform to reflectance spectra. The REP is determined by the zero-crossing wavelength in the red edge region of a wavelet transformed spectrum for a number of scales of wavelet decomposition. The new technique is simple to implement and requires no parameterization from the user as long as continuous wavelet transforms are applied to reflectance spectra. Its performance was evaluated for estimating leaf chlorophyll content (LCC) and canopy chlorophyll content (CCC) of cereal crops (i.e. rice and wheat) and compared with traditional techniques including linear interpolation, linear extrapolation, polynomial fitting and inverted Gaussian. Our results demonstrated that WREP obtained the best estimation accuracy for both LCC and CCC as compared to traditional techniques. High scales of wavelet decomposition were favorable for the estimation of CCC and low scales for the estimation of LCC. The difference in optimal scale reveals the underlying mechanism of signature transfer from leaf to canopy levels. In addition, crop-specific models were required for the estimation of CCC over the full range. However, a common model could be built with the REPs extracted with Scale 5 of the WREP technique for wheat and rice crops when CCC was less than 2 g/m2 (R2 = 0.73, RMSE = 0.26 g/m2). This insensitivity of WREP to crop type indicates the potential for aerial mapping of chlorophyll content between growth seasons of cereal crops. The new REP extraction technique provides us a new insight for understanding the spectral changes in the red edge region in response to chlorophyll variation from leaf to canopy levels.

  18. An Iris Segmentation Algorithm based on Edge Orientation for Off-angle Iris Recognition

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

    Karakaya, Mahmut; Barstow, Del R; Santos-Villalobos, Hector J

    Iris recognition is known as one of the most accurate and reliable biometrics. However, the accuracy of iris recognition systems depends on the quality of data capture and is negatively affected by several factors such as angle, occlusion, and dilation. In this paper, we present a segmentation algorithm for off-angle iris images that uses edge detection, edge elimination, edge classification, and ellipse fitting techniques. In our approach, we first detect all candidate edges in the iris image by using the canny edge detector; this collection contains edges from the iris and pupil boundaries as well as eyelash, eyelids, iris texturemore » etc. Edge orientation is used to eliminate the edges that cannot be part of the iris or pupil. Then, we classify the remaining edge points into two sets as pupil edges and iris edges. Finally, we randomly generate subsets of iris and pupil edge points, fit ellipses for each subset, select ellipses with similar parameters, and average to form the resultant ellipses. Based on the results from real experiments, the proposed method shows effectiveness in segmentation for off-angle iris images.« less

  19. Integration of adaptive guided filtering, deep feature learning, and edge-detection techniques for hyperspectral image classification

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wan, Xiaoqing; Zhao, Chunhui; Gao, Bing

    2017-11-01

    The integration of an edge-preserving filtering technique in the classification of a hyperspectral image (HSI) has been proven effective in enhancing classification performance. This paper proposes an ensemble strategy for HSI classification using an edge-preserving filter along with a deep learning model and edge detection. First, an adaptive guided filter is applied to the original HSI to reduce the noise in degraded images and to extract powerful spectral-spatial features. Second, the extracted features are fed as input to a stacked sparse autoencoder to adaptively exploit more invariant and deep feature representations; then, a random forest classifier is applied to fine-tune the entire pretrained network and determine the classification output. Third, a Prewitt compass operator is further performed on the HSI to extract the edges of the first principal component after dimension reduction. Moreover, the regional growth rule is applied to the resulting edge logical image to determine the local region for each unlabeled pixel. Finally, the categories of the corresponding neighborhood samples are determined in the original classification map; then, the major voting mechanism is implemented to generate the final output. Extensive experiments proved that the proposed method achieves competitive performance compared with several traditional approaches.

  20. [A method of measuring presampled modulation transfer function using a rationalized approximation of geometrical edge slope].

    PubMed

    Honda, Michitaka

    2014-04-01

    Several improvements were implemented in the edge method of presampled modulation transfer function measurements (MTFs). The estimation technique for edge angle was newly developed by applying an algorithm for principal components analysis. The error in the estimation was statistically confirmed to be less than 0.01 even in the presence of quantum noise. Secondly, the geometrical edge slope was approximated using a rationalized number, making it possible to obtain an oversampled edge response function (ESF) with equal intervals. Thirdly, the final MTFs were estimated using the average of multiple MTFs calculated for local areas. This averaging operation eliminates the errors caused by the rationalized approximation. Computer-simulated images were used to evaluate the accuracy of our method. The relative error between the estimated MTF and the theoretical MTF at the Nyquist frequency was less than 0.5% when the MTF was expressed as a sinc function. For MTFs representing an indirect detector and phase-contrast detector, good agreement was also observed for the estimated MTFs for each. The high accuracy of the MTF estimation was also confirmed, even for edge angles of around 10 degrees, which suggests the potential for simplification of the measurement conditions. The proposed method could be incorporated into an automated measurement technique using a software application.

  1. Edge Response and NIIRS Estimates for Commercial Remote Sensing Satellites

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Blonski, Slawomir; Ryan, Robert E.; Pagnutti, mary; Stanley, Thomas

    2006-01-01

    Spatial resolution of panchromatic imagery from commercial remote sensing satellites was characterized based on edge response measurements using edge targets and the tilted-edge technique. Relative Edge Response (RER) was estimated as a geometric mean of normalized edge response differences measured in two directions of image pixels at points distanced from the edge by -0.5 and 0.5 of ground sample distance. RER is one of the engineering parameters used in the General Image Quality Equation to provide predictions of imaging system performance expressed in terms of the National Imagery Interpretability Rating Scale (NIIRS). By assuming a plausible range of signal-to-noise ratio and assessing the effects of Modulation Transfer Function compensation, the NIIRS estimates were made and then compared with vendor-provided values and evaluations conducted by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

  2. Do Clinical Results and Return-to-Sport Rates After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Differ Based on Graft Choice and Surgical Technique?

    PubMed

    Erickson, Brandon J; Cvetanovich, Gregory L; Frank, Rachel M; Bach, Bernard R; Cohen, Mark S; Bush-Joseph, Charles A; Cole, Brian J; Romeo, Anthony A

    2016-11-01

    Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) has become a common procedure performed in overhead-throwing athletes of many athletic levels. The purpose of this study was to determine whether clinical outcomes and return-to-sport (RTS) rates differ among patients undergoing UCLR based on graft choice, surgical technique, athletic competition level, handedness, and treatment of the ulnar nerve. We hypothesized that no differences would exist in clinical outcomes or RTS rates between technique, graft choice, or other variables. Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. All patients who underwent UCLR from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2014 at a single institution were identified. Charts were reviewed to determine patient age, sex, date of surgery, sport played, handedness, athletic level, surgical technique, graft type, and complications. Patients were contacted via telephone to obtain the RTS rate, Conway-Jobe score, Timmerman-Andrews score, and Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (KJOC) Shoulder and Elbow score. Eighty-five patients (mean age at surgery, 19.3 ± 4.7 years; 92% male; 78% right hand-dominant) underwent UCLR between 2004 and 2014 and were available for follow-up. Overall, 87% were baseball pitchers, 49.4% were college athletes, and 41.2% were high school athletes. No significant difference existed between the docking and double-docking techniques, graft choice, handedness, sex, activity level, and treatment of the ulnar nerve with regard to clinical outcomes, RTS, or subsequent surgeries (all P > .05). More complications were seen in the docking technique compared with the double-docking technique ( P = .036). Hamstring autograft was used more commonly with the docking technique ( P = .023) while allograft was used more commonly with the double-docking technique ( P = .0006). Both the docking and double-docking techniques produce excellent clinical outcomes in patients undergoing UCLR. No difference in outcome scores was seen between surgical technique or graft type. The double-docking technique had fewer complications than the docking technique.

  3. The Electronic and Optical Properties of Au Doped Single-Layer Phosphorene

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhu, Ziqing; Chen, Changpeng; Liu, Jiayi; Han, Lu

    2018-01-01

    The electronic properties and optical properties of single and double Au-doped phosphorene have been comparatively investigated using the first-principles plane-wave pseudopotential method based on density functional theory. The decrease from direct band gap 0.78 eV to indirect band gap 0.22 and 0.11 eV are observed in the single and double Au-doped phosphorene, respectively. The red shifts of absorbing edge occur in both doped systems, which consequently enhance the absorbing of infrared light in phosphorene. Band gap engineering can, therefore, be used to directly tune the optical absorption of phosphorene system by substitutional Au doping.

  4. On face antimagic labeling of double duplication of graphs

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shobana, L.; Kuppan, R.

    2018-04-01

    A Labeling of a plane graph G is called d-antimagic if every numbers, the set of s-sided face weights is Ws={as,as+d,as+2d,...,as+(fs-1)d} for some integers as and d (as>0,d≥0),where fs is the number of s-sided faces. We allow differentsets ws of different s.In this paper, we proved the existence of face antimagic labeling of types (1,0,0),(1,0,1),(1,1,0),(0,1,1) and (1,1,1) of double duplication of all vertices by edges of a cycle graph Cn: n≥3 and a tree of order n.

  5. Double-tailored nonimaging reflector optics for maximum-performance solar concentration.

    PubMed

    Goldstein, Alex; Gordon, Jeffrey M

    2010-09-01

    A nonimaging strategy that tailors two mirror contours for concentration near the étendue limit is explored, prompted by solar applications where a sizable gap between the optic and absorber is required. Subtle limitations of this simultaneous multiple surface method approach are derived, rooted in the manner in which phase space boundaries can be tailored according to the edge-ray principle. The fundamental categories of double-tailored reflective optics are identified, only a minority of which can pragmatically offer maximum concentration at high collection efficiency. Illustrative examples confirm that acceptance half-angles as large as 30 mrad can be realized at a flux concentration of approximately 1000.

  6. The luminosity of the double-mode Cepheid Y Carinae

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Evans, Nancy R.

    1992-01-01

    IUE spectra of the double-mode Cepheid Y Carinae have been used to determine the spectral type of the binary companion. From the companion spectral type (B9.O V), the absolute magnitude of the Cepheid is found to be -2.94 mag, with an estimated uncertainty of +/-0.3. This luminosity is in good agreement with that from the period-luminosity-color relation of Feast and Walker for the fundamental mode. This agreement, together with the large magnitude difference between the B9.0 V star and the Cepheid, confirm that the Cepheid is a normal classical Cepheid with a mass much larger than that inferred from the ratio of the two periods (beat mass). The two double-mode Cepheids with independently determined luminosities (Y Car and V 367 Sct) both fall on the blue edge of the instability strip.

  7. New alternative Mitrofanoff channel based on spiral intestinal lengthening and tailoring.

    PubMed

    Cervellione, Raimondo M; Hajnal, Daniel; Varga, Gabriella; Rakoczy, George; Kubiak, Rainer; Kaszaki, Jozsef; Boros, Mihaly; Harwood, Rachel; Dickson, Alan P; Cserni, Tamas

    2015-06-01

    The occasional lack of appendix and the increasing use of the Malone anterograde continence enema (MACE) procedure have expanded the need for alternative Mitrofanoff channels. The Monti procedure does not always provide adequate length, the anastomosis of the double Monti, and the potential kink of the Casale channel is not ideal for smooth catheterisation. We tested the concept of spiral intestinal lengthening and tailoring (SILT), we developed originally for short bowel syndrome, to create a long and straight alternative Mitrofanoff channel (Figure). After ethical approval five mini-pigs underwent spiral intestinal lengthening and tailoring (SILT) without any previous bowel dilatation procedure. (Mean bowel width was 20.5 ± 0.57 mm). The spiral line was marked on a 6-8-cm-long ileum approximately 15 mm apart with a 60° angle to the longitudinal axis of the bowel. When the incision was completed, the mesentery was incised perpendicularly where the spiral incision line met the mesentery. The maximum length segment hanging on a single 1.5-cm-wide well-vascularised mesentery was detached. The capillary red blood cell velocity (RBCV) and perfusion rate (PR) was measured at the edges of the opened bowel strip by in vivo microscopy using orthogonal polarising spectral imaging (Cytoscan A/R, Cytometrics, Philadelphia, PA, USA). The bowel strips have been reconstructed in spiral fashion over a 12F catheter and were implanted into the bladder. Viability, patency, and microcirculation were assessed 4 weeks later. Conventional microscopy with HE staining was performed. The mean length of the spiral channel (100 ± 26.4 mm) was longer than could have been achieved with the double Monti or Casale procedure (4 times the bowel width). A 17% and 8.3% reduction was measured in the median values of the RBCV and the PR at the edges of the bowel strip at the primary surgery. All implanted channels remained viable, straight, patent, and easily catheterisable after 4 weeks, with full recovery of the RBCV and PR. The histology showed no necrosis or fibrosis. The SILT concept is suitable for creating a long and straight alternative Mitrofanoff channel. However, the SILT technique has been reported to be successful in the clinical practice to tailor and lengthen dilated short bowel; in this study we first applied this technique on normal calibre intestine to create long alternative Mitrofanoff channel. The use of an animal model and the relative short-term observation are the limitations of this study. Copyright © 2015 Journal of Pediatric Urology Company. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  8. Edge-diffraction effects in RCS predictions and their importance in systems analysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Friess, W. F.; Klement, D.; Ruppel, M.; Stein, Volker

    1996-06-01

    In developing RCS prediction codes a variety of physical effects such as the edge diffraction effect have to be considered with the consequence that the computer effort increases considerably. This fact limits the field of application of such codes, especially if the RCS data serve as input parameters for system simulators which very often need these data for a high number of observation angles and/or frequencies. Vice versa the issues of a system analysis can be used to estimate the relevance of physical effects under system viewpoints and to rank them according to their magnitude. This paper tries to evaluate the importance of RCS predictions containing an edge diffracted field for systems analysis. A double dihedral with a strong depolarizing behavior and a generic airplane design containing many arbitrarily oriented edges are used as test structures. Data of the scattered field are generated by the RCS computer code SIGMA with and without including edge diffraction effects. These data are submitted to the code DORA to determine radar range and radar detectibility and to a SAR simulator code to generate SAR imagery. In both cases special scenarios are assumed. The essential features of the computer codes in their current state are described, the results are presented and discussed under systems viewpoints.

  9. Electrostatic Fluxes and Plasma Rotation in the Edge Region of EXTRAP-T2R

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Serianni, G.; Antoni, V.; Bergsåker, H.; Brunsell, P.; Drake, J. R.; Spolaore, M.; Sätherblom, H. E.; Vianello, N.

    2001-10-01

    The EXTRAP-T2 reversed field pinch has undergone a significant reconstruction into the new T2R device. This paper reports the first measurements performed with Langmuir probes in the edge region of EXTRAP-T2R. The radial profiles of plasma parameters like electron density and temperature, plasma potential, electrical fields and electrostatic turbulence-driven particle flux are presented. These profiles are interpreted in a momentum balance model where finite Larmor radius losses occur over a distance of about two Larmor radii from the limiter position. The double shear layer of the E×B drift velocity is discussed in terms of the Biglari-Diamond-Terry theory of turbulence decorrelation.

  10. An Analysis of Wave Interactions in Swept-Wing Flows

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Reed, H. L.

    1984-01-01

    Crossflow instabilities dominate disturbance growth in the leading-edge region of swept wings. Streamwise vortices in a boundary layer strongly influence the behavior of other disturbances. Amplification of crossflow vortices near the leading edge produces a residual spanwise nonuniformity in the mid-chord regions where Tollmien-Schlichting (T-S) waves are strongly amplified. Should the T-S wave undergo double-exponential growth because of this effect, the usual transition prediction methods would fail. The crossflow/Tollmien-Schlichting wave interaction was modeled as a secondary instability. The effects of suction are included, and different stability criteria are examined. The results are applied to laminar flow control wings characteristic of energy-efficient aircraft designs.

  11. Permanganate with a double-edge role in photodegradation of sulfamethoxazole: Kinetic, reaction mechanism and toxicity.

    PubMed

    Gong, Han; Chu, Wei

    2018-01-01

    In this study, the double-edge role of permanganate in sulfamethoxazole (SMX) photodegradation with a recyclable catalyst was revealed for the first time. The role of the catalyst under different UV wavelength, the role of permanganate in the treatment process, the effects of permanganate dosage and solution pH on the removal efficiency were investigated. Moreover, the transformation products, TOC reduction and the toxicity of the treated final product to Chlorella vulgaris and Artemia salina were determined. Sole permanganate showed no effect in SMX degradation, while its introduction to the photocatalytic process doubled the reaction rate at the optimal dosage. It is interesting to find that the reaction rate showed a fluctuation trend in terms of permanganate dosage due to the summation of positive effect of permanganate oxidation and the negative effect of the formed MnO 2 at the surface of the catalyst, as well as the light attenuation due to overdosed permanganate. The determined intermediates, the higher inorganic ions release and TOC reduction provided a clue on a higher mineralization compared to SMX degradation in the same process without permanganate. Permanganate above 1 μM may pose a threat to the algae growth, therefore a good monitoring and control of residual permanganate dosage should be incorporated into the process design. A good toxicity reduction to A. salina was observed in the treated effluent; a longer detention is suggested for the complete removal of toxicity. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  12. Establishing nonlinearity thresholds with ultraintense X-ray pulses

    DOE PAGES

    Szlachetko, Jakub; Hoszowska, Joanna; Dousse, Jean-Claude; ...

    2016-09-13

    X-ray techniques have evolved over decades to become highly refined tools for a broad range of investigations. Importantly, these approaches rely on X-ray measurements that depend linearly on the number of incident X-ray photons. The advent of X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) is opening the ability to reach extremely high photon numbers within ultrashort X-ray pulse durations and is leading to a paradigm shift in our ability to explore nonlinear X-ray signals. However, the enormous increase in X-ray peak power is a double-edged sword with new and exciting methods being developed but at the same time well-established techniques proving unreliable.more » Consequently, accurate knowledge about the threshold for nonlinear X-ray signals is essential. Here in this paper we report an X-ray spectroscopic study that reveals important details on the thresholds for nonlinear X-ray interactions. By varying both the incident X-ray intensity and photon energy, we establish the regimes at which the simplest nonlinear process, two-photon X-ray absorption (TPA), can be observed. From these measurements we can extract the probability of this process as a function of photon energy and confirm both the nature and sub-femtosecond lifetime of the virtual intermediate electronic state.« less

  13. Load to Failure and Stiffness

    PubMed Central

    Esquivel, Amanda O.; Duncan, Douglas D.; Dobrasevic, Nikola; Marsh, Stephanie M.; Lemos, Stephen E.

    2015-01-01

    Background: Rotator cuff tendinopathy is a frequent cause of shoulder pain that can lead to decreased strength and range of motion. Failures after using the single-row technique of rotator cuff repair have led to the development of the double-row technique, which is said to allow for more anatomical restoration of the footprint. Purpose: To compare 5 different types of suture patterns while maintaining equality in number of anchors. The hypothesis was that the Mason-Allen–crossed cruciform transosseous-equivalent technique is superior to other suture configurations while maintaining equality in suture limbs and anchors. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A total of 25 fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders were randomized into 5 suture configuration groups: single-row repair with simple stitch technique; single-row repair with modified Mason-Allen technique; double-row Mason-Allen technique; double-row cross-bridge technique; and double-row suture bridge technique. Load and displacement were recorded at 100 Hz until failure. Stiffness and bone mineral density were also measured. Results: There was no significant difference in peak load at failure, stiffness, maximum displacement at failure, or mean bone mineral density among the 5 suture configuration groups (P < .05). Conclusion: According to study results, when choosing a repair technique, other factors such as number of sutures in the repair should be considered to judge the strength of the repair. Clinical Relevance: Previous in vitro studies have shown the double-row rotator cuff repair to be superior to the single-row repair; however, clinical research does not necessarily support this. This study found no difference when comparing 5 different repair methods, supporting research that suggests the number of sutures and not the pattern can affect biomechanical properties. PMID:26665053

  14. Biomechanical comparison of four double-row speed-bridging rotator cuff repair techniques with or without medial or lateral row enhancement.

    PubMed

    Pauly, Stephan; Fiebig, David; Kieser, Bettina; Albrecht, Bjoern; Schill, Alexander; Scheibel, Markus

    2011-12-01

    Biomechanical comparison of four different Speed-Bridge configurations with or without medial or lateral row reinforcement. Reinforcement of the knotless Speed-Bridge double-row repair technique with additional medial mattress- or lateral single-stitches was hypothesized to improve biomechanical repair stability at time zero. Controlled laboratory study: In 36 porcine fresh-frozen shoulders, the infraspinatus tendons were dissected and shoulders were randomized to four groups: (1) Speed-Bridge technique with single tendon perforation per anchor (STP); (2) Speed-Bridge technique with double tendon perforation per anchor (DTP); (3) Speed-Bridge technique with medial mattress-stitch reinforcement (MMS); (4) Speed-Bridge technique with lateral single-stitch reinforcement (LSS). All repairs were cyclically loaded from 10-60 N up to 10-200 N (20 N stepwise increase) using a material testing device. Forces at 3 and 5 mm gap formation, mode of failure and maximum load to failure were recorded. The MMS-technique with double tendon perforation showed significantly higher ultimate tensile strength (338.9 ± 90.0 N) than DTP (228.3 ± 99.9 N), LSS (188.9 ± 62.5 N) and STP-technique (122.2 ± 33.8 N). Furthermore, the MMS-technique provided increased maximal force resistance until 3 and 5 mm gap formation (3 mm: 77.8 ± 18.6 N; 5 mm: 113.3 ± 36.1 N) compared with LSS, DTP and STP (P < 0.05 for each 3 and 5 mm gap formation). Failure mode was medial row defect by tendon sawing first, then laterally. No anchor pullout occurred. Double tendon perforation per anchor and additional medial mattress stitches significantly enhance biomechanical construct stability at time zero in this ex vivo model when compared with the all-knotless Speed-Bridge rotator cuff repair.

  15. Feasibility of line-ratio spectroscopy on helium and neon as edge diagnostic tool for Wendelstein 7-X

    DOE PAGES

    Barbui, T.; Krychowiak, M.; König, R.; ...

    2016-09-27

    A beam emission spectroscopy system on thermal helium (He) and neon (Ne) has been set up at Wendelstein 7-X to measure edge electron temperature and density profiles utilizing the line-ratio technique or its extension by the analysis of absolutely calibrated line emissions. The setup for a first systematic test of these techniques of quantitative atomic spectroscopy in the limiter startup phase (OP1.1) is reported together with first measured profiles. Lastly, this setup and the first results are an important test for developing the technique for the upcoming high density, low temperature island divertor regime.

  16. Enabling devices, empowering people: the design and evaluation of Trackball EdgeWrite.

    PubMed

    Wobbrock, Jacob O; Myers, Brad A

    2008-01-01

    To describe the research and development that led to Trackball EdgeWrite, a gestural text entry method that improves desktop input for some people with motor impairments. To compare the character-level version of this technique with a new word-level version. Further, to compare the technique with competitor techniques that use on-screen keyboards. A rapid and iterative design-and-test approach was used to generate working prototypes and elicit quantitative and qualitative feedback from a veteran trackball user. In addition, theoretical modelling based on the Steering law was used to compare competing designs. One result is a refined software artifact, Trackball EdgeWrite, which represents the outcome of this investigation. A theoretical result shows the speed benefit of word-level stroking compared to character-level stroking, which resulted in a 45.0% improvement. Empirical results of a trackball user with a spinal cord injury indicate a peak performance of 8.25 wpm with the character-level version of Trackball EdgeWrite and 12.09 wpm with the word-level version, a 46.5% improvement. Log file analysis of extended real-world text entry shows stroke savings of 43.9% with the word-level version. Both versions of Trackball EdgeWrite were better than on-screen keyboards, particularly regarding user preferences. Follow-up correspondence shows that the veteran trackball user with a spinal cord injury still uses Trackball EdgeWrite on a daily basis 2 years after his initial exposure to the software. Trackball EdgeWrite is a successful new method for desktop text entry and may have further implications for able-bodied users of mobile technologies. Theoretical modelling is useful in combination with empirical testing to explore design alternatives. Single-user lab and field studies can be useful for driving a rapid iterative cycle of innovation and development.

  17. Comparison of edge analysis techniques for the determination of the MTF of digital radiographic systems.

    PubMed

    Samei, Ehsan; Buhr, Egbert; Granfors, Paul; Vandenbroucke, Dirk; Wang, Xiaohui

    2005-08-07

    The modulation transfer function (MTF) is well established as a metric to characterize the resolution performance of a digital radiographic system. Implemented by various laboratories, the edge technique is currently the most widespread approach to measure the MTF. However, there can be differences in the results attributed to differences in the analysis technique employed. The objective of this study was to determine whether comparable results can be obtained from different algorithms processing identical images representative of those of current digital radiographic systems. Five laboratories participated in a round-robin evaluation of six different algorithms including one prescribed in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 62220-1 standard. The algorithms were applied to two synthetic and 12 real edge images from different digital radiographic systems including CR, and direct- and indirect-conversion detector systems. The results were analysed in terms of variability as well as accuracy of the resulting presampled MTFs. The results indicated that differences between the individual MTFs and the mean MTF were largely below 0.02. In the case of the two simulated edge images, all algorithms yielded similar results within 0.01 of the expected true MTF. The findings indicated that all algorithms tested in this round-robin evaluation, including the IEC-prescribed algorithm, were suitable for accurate MTF determination from edge images, provided the images are not excessively noisy. The agreement of the MTF results was judged sufficient for the measurement of the MTF necessary for the determination of the DQE.

  18. An Adaptive Immune Genetic Algorithm for Edge Detection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Ying; Bai, Bendu; Zhang, Yanning

    An adaptive immune genetic algorithm (AIGA) based on cost minimization technique method for edge detection is proposed. The proposed AIGA recommends the use of adaptive probabilities of crossover, mutation and immune operation, and a geometric annealing schedule in immune operator to realize the twin goals of maintaining diversity in the population and sustaining the fast convergence rate in solving the complex problems such as edge detection. Furthermore, AIGA can effectively exploit some prior knowledge and information of the local edge structure in the edge image to make vaccines, which results in much better local search ability of AIGA than that of the canonical genetic algorithm. Experimental results on gray-scale images show the proposed algorithm perform well in terms of quality of the final edge image, rate of convergence and robustness to noise.

  19. Mortality after percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair: a contemporary review.

    PubMed

    Kortlandt, Friso A; de Beenhouwer, Thomas; Swaans, Martin J; Post, Marco C; van der Heyden, Jan A S; Eefting, Frank D; Rensing, Benno J W M

    2016-04-01

    Percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve (MV) repair is a relatively new treatment option for mitral regurgitation (MR). After the feasibility and safety having been proved in low-surgical-risk patients, the use of this procedure has shifted more to the treatment of high-risk patients. With the absence of randomized controlled trials (RCT) for this particular subgroup, observational studies try to add evidence to the safety aspect of this procedure. These also provide short- and mid-term mortality figures. Several mortality predictors have been identified, which may help the optimal selection of patients who will benefit most from this technique. In this article we provide an overview of the literature about mortality and its predictors in patients treated with the percutaneous edge-to-edge device.

  20. Analysis of current-driven oscillatory dynamics of single-layer homoepitaxial islands on crystalline conducting substrates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dasgupta, Dwaipayan; Kumar, Ashish; Maroudas, Dimitrios

    2018-03-01

    We report results of a systematic study on the complex oscillatory current-driven dynamics of single-layer homoepitaxial islands on crystalline substrate surfaces and the dependence of this driven dynamical behavior on important physical parameters, including island size, substrate surface orientation, and direction of externally applied electric field. The analysis is based on a nonlinear model of driven island edge morphological evolution that accounts for curvature-driven edge diffusion, edge electromigration, and edge diffusional anisotropy. Using a linear theory of island edge morphological stability, we calculate a critical island size at which the island's equilibrium edge shape becomes unstable, which sets a lower bound for the onset of time-periodic oscillatory dynamical response. Using direct dynamical simulations, we study the edge morphological dynamics of current-driven single-layer islands at larger-than-critical size, and determine the actual island size at which the migrating islands undergo a transition from steady to time-periodic asymptotic states through a subcritical Hopf bifurcation. At the highest symmetry of diffusional anisotropy examined, on {111} surfaces of face-centered cubic crystalline substrates, we find that more complex stable oscillatory states can be reached through period-doubling bifurcation at island sizes larger than those at the Hopf points. We characterize in detail the island morphology and dynamical response at the stable time-periodic asymptotic states, determine the range of stability of these oscillatory states terminated by island breakup, and explain the morphological features of the stable oscillating islands on the basis of linear stability theory.

  1. Biomechanical Comparison of Single- Versus Double-Row Capsulolabral Repair for Shoulder Instability: A Review

    PubMed Central

    Yousif, Matthew John; Bicos, James

    2017-01-01

    Background: The glenohumeral joint is the most commonly dislocated joint in the body. Failure rates of capsulolabral repair have been reported to be approximately 8%. Recent focus has been on restoration of the capsulolabral complex by a double-row capsulolabral repair technique in an effort to decrease redislocation rates after arthroscopic capsulolabral repair. Purpose: To present a review of the biomechanical literature comparing single- versus double-row capsulolabral repairs and discuss the previous case series of double-row fixation. Study Design: Narrative review. Methods: A simple review of the literature was performed by PubMed search. Only biomechanical studies comparing single- versus double-row capsulolabral repair were included for review. Only those case series and descriptive techniques with clinical results for double-row repair were included in the discussion. Results: Biomechanical comparisons evaluating the native footprint of the labrum demonstrated significantly superior restoration of the footprint through double-row capsulolabral repair compared with single-row repair. Biomechanical comparisons of contact pressure at the repair interface, fracture displacement in bony Bankart lesion, load to failure, and decreased external rotation (suggestive of increased load to failure) were also significantly in favor of double- versus single-row repair. Recent descriptive techniques and case series of double-row fixation have demonstrated good clinical outcomes; however, no comparative clinical studies between single- and double-row repair have assessed functional outcomes. Conclusion: The superiority of double-row capsulolabral repair versus single-row repair remains uncertain because comparative studies assessing clinical outcomes have yet to be performed. PMID:29230427

  2. Evaluation of footprint contact area and pressure using a triple-row modification of the suture-bridge technique for rotator cuff repair.

    PubMed

    Ostrander, Roger V; McKinney, Bart I

    2012-10-01

    Studies suggest that arthroscopic repair techniques may have high recurrence rates for larger rotator cuff tears. A more anatomic repair may improve the success rate when performing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. We hypothesized that a triple-row modification of the suture-bridge technique for rotator cuff repair would result in significantly more footprint contact area and pressure between the rotator cuff and the humeral tuberosity. Eighteen ovine infraspinatus tendons were repaired using 1 of 3 simulated arthroscopic techniques: a double-row repair, the suture-bridge technique, and a triple-row repair. The triple-row repair technique is a modification of the suture-bridge technique that uses an additional reducing anchor between the medial and lateral rows. Six samples were tested per group. Pressure-indicating film was used to measure the footprint contact area and pressure after each repair. The triple-row repair resulted in significantly more rotator cuff footprint contact area and contact pressure compared with the double-row technique and the standard suture-bridge technique. No statistical difference in contact area or contact pressure was found between the double-row technique and the suture-bridge technique. The triple-row technique for rotator cuff repair results in significantly more footprint contact area and contact pressure compared with the double-row and standard suture-bridge techniques. This more anatomic repair may improve the healing rate when performing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Copyright © 2012 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Faster Double-Size Bipartite Multiplication out of Montgomery Multipliers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yoshino, Masayuki; Okeya, Katsuyuki; Vuillaume, Camille

    This paper proposes novel algorithms for computing double-size modular multiplications with few modulus-dependent precomputations. Low-end devices such as smartcards are usually equipped with hardware Montgomery multipliers. However, due to progresses of mathematical attacks, security institutions such as NIST have steadily demanded longer bit-lengths for public-key cryptography, making the multipliers quickly obsolete. In an attempt to extend the lifespan of such multipliers, double-size techniques compute modular multiplications with twice the bit-length of the multipliers. Techniques are known for extending the bit-length of classical Euclidean multipliers, of Montgomery multipliers and the combination thereof, namely bipartite multipliers. However, unlike classical and bipartite multiplications, Montgomery multiplications involve modulus-dependent precomputations, which amount to a large part of an RSA encryption or signature verification. The proposed double-size technique simulates double-size multiplications based on single-size Montgomery multipliers, and yet precomputations are essentially free: in an 2048-bit RSA encryption or signature verification with public exponent e=216+1, the proposal with a 1024-bit Montgomery multiplier is at least 1.5 times faster than previous double-size Montgomery multiplications.

  4. Novel Laser-Based Technique for Measurements of Primary Atomization Characteristics of Liquid Jets

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-08-22

    worth noting that round supercavitating nozzles were used that had sharp edged inlets and exits, with length-to-diameter ratios smaller than 3. This...noting that round supercavitating nozzles were used that had sharp edged inlets and exits, with length-to-diameter ratios smaller than 3. This...breakup. It is worth noting that round supercavitating nozzles were used that had sharp edged inlets and exits, with length-to-diameter ratios

  5. Minority carrier diffusion length and edge surface-recombination velocity in InP

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hakimzadeh, Roshanak; Bailey, Sheila G.

    1993-01-01

    A scanning electron microscope was used to obtain the electron-beam-induced current (EBIC) profiles in InP specimens containing a Schottky barrier perpendicular to the scanned (edge) surface. An independent technique was used to measure the edge surface-recombination velocity. These values were used in a fit of the experimental EBIC data with a theoretical expression for normalized EBIC (Donolato, 1982) to obtain the electron (minority carrier) diffusion length.

  6. Visualizing Ecosystem Energy Flow in Complex Food Web Networks: A Comparison of Three Alaskan Large Marine Ecosystems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kearney, K.; Aydin, K.

    2016-02-01

    Oceanic food webs are often depicted as network graphs, with the major organisms or functional groups displayed as nodes and the fluxes of between them as the edges. However, the large number of nodes and edges and high connectance of many management-oriented food webs coupled with graph layout algorithms poorly-suited to certain desired characteristics of food web visualizations often lead to hopelessly tangled diagrams that convey little information other than, "It's complex." Here, I combine several new graph visualization techniques- including a new node layout alorithm based on a trophic similarity (quantification of shared predator and prey) and trophic level, divided edge bundling for edge routing, and intelligent automated placement of labels- to create a much clearer visualization of the important fluxes through a food web. The technique will be used to highlight the differences in energy flow within three Alaskan Large Marine Ecosystems (the Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and Aleutian Islands) that include very similar functional groups but unique energy pathways.

  7. Generation of phase edge singularities by coplanar three-beam interference and their detection.

    PubMed

    Patorski, Krzysztof; Sluzewski, Lukasz; Trusiak, Maciej; Pokorski, Krzysztof

    2017-02-06

    In recent years singular optics has gained considerable attention in science and technology. Up to now optical vortices (phase point dislocations) have been of main interest. This paper presents the first general analysis of formation of phase edge singularities by coplanar three-beam interference. They can be generated, for example, by three-slit interference or self-imaging in the Fresnel diffraction field of a sinusoidal grating. We derive a general condition for the ratio of amplitudes of interfering beams resulting in phase edge dislocations, lateral separation of dislocations depends on this ratio as well. Analytically derived properties are corroborated by numerical and experimental studies. We develop a simple, robust, common path optical self-imaging configuration aided by a coherent tilted reference wave and spatial filtering. Finally, we propose an automatic fringe pattern analysis technique for detecting phase edge dislocations, based on the continuous wavelet transform. Presented studies open new possibilities for developing grating based sensing techniques for precision metrology of very small phase differences.

  8. Evidence for edge state photoluminescence in graphene quantum dots

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lingam, Kiran; Podila, Ramakrishna; Qian, Haijun; Serkiz, Steve; Rao, Apparao M.

    2013-03-01

    For a practical realization of graphene-based logic devices, opening of a band gap in graphene is crucial and has proved challenging. To this end, several synthesis techniques including unzipping of carbon nanotubes, chemical vapor deposition and other bottom-up fabrication techniques have been pursued for the bulk production of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs). However, only a limited progress has been made towards a fundamental understanding of the electronic and optical properties of GQDs. In particular, the origin of strong photoluminescence (PL) in GQDs, which has been attributed to the presence of emissive surface traps and/or the edge states in GQD, remains inconclusive to date. Here, we experimentally show that the PL is independent of the functional groups attached to the GQDs. Following a series of annealing experiments, we further show that the PL in GQDs originates from the edge states, and an edge-passivation subsequent to synthesis quenches PL. These results are consistent with comparative studies on other carbon nanostructures such as GNRs and carbon nano-onions.

  9. High-Speed Photographic Study of Wave Propagation and Impact Damage in Fused Silica and AlON Using the Edge-On Impact (EOI) Method

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

    Strassburger, E.; Patel, P.; McCauley, J. W.

    An Edge-on Impact (EOI) technique, developed at the Ernst-Mach-Institute (EMI), coupled with a Cranz-Schardin high-speed camera, has been successfully utilized to visualize dynamic fracture in many brittle materials. In a typical test, the projectile strikes one edge of a specimen and damage formation and fracture propagation is recorded during the first 20 {mu}s after impact. In the present study, stress waves and damage propagation in fused silica and AlON were examined by means of two modified Edge-on Impact arrangements. In one arrangement, fracture propagation was observed simultaneously in side and top views of the specimens by means of two Cranz-Schardinmore » cameras. In another arrangement, the photographic technique was modified by placing the specimen between crossed polarizers and using the photo-elastic effect to visualize the stress waves. Pairs of impact tests at approximately equivalent velocities were carried out in transmitted plane (shadowgraphs) and crossed polarized light.« less

  10. The research of edge extraction and target recognition based on inherent feature of objects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xie, Yu-chan; Lin, Yu-chi; Huang, Yin-guo

    2008-03-01

    Current research on computer vision often needs specific techniques for particular problems. Little use has been made of high-level aspects of computer vision, such as three-dimensional (3D) object recognition, that are appropriate for large classes of problems and situations. In particular, high-level vision often focuses mainly on the extraction of symbolic descriptions, and pays little attention to the speed of processing. In order to extract and recognize target intelligently and rapidly, in this paper we developed a new 3D target recognition method based on inherent feature of objects in which cuboid was taken as model. On the basis of analysis cuboid nature contour and greyhound distributing characteristics, overall fuzzy evaluating technique was utilized to recognize and segment the target. Then Hough transform was used to extract and match model's main edges, we reconstruct aim edges by stereo technology in the end. There are three major contributions in this paper. Firstly, the corresponding relations between the parameters of cuboid model's straight edges lines in an image field and in the transform field were summed up. By those, the aimless computations and searches in Hough transform processing can be reduced greatly and the efficiency is improved. Secondly, as the priori knowledge about cuboids contour's geometry character known already, the intersections of the component extracted edges are taken, and assess the geometry of candidate edges matches based on the intersections, rather than the extracted edges. Therefore the outlines are enhanced and the noise is depressed. Finally, a 3-D target recognition method is proposed. Compared with other recognition methods, this new method has a quick response time and can be achieved with high-level computer vision. The method present here can be used widely in vision-guide techniques to strengthen its intelligence and generalization, which can also play an important role in object tracking, port AGV, robots fields. The results of simulation experiments and theory analyzing demonstrate that the proposed method could suppress noise effectively, extracted target edges robustly, and achieve the real time need. Theory analysis and experiment shows the method is reasonable and efficient.

  11. Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique and Fractal Dimension for Identifying Multiple Sclerosis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Yu-Dong; Zhang, Yin; Phillips, Preetha; Dong, Zhengchao; Wang, Shuihua

    Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a severe brain disease. Early detection can provide timely treatment. Fractal dimension can provide statistical index of pattern changes with scale at a given brain image. In this study, our team used susceptibility weighted imaging technique to obtain 676 MS slices and 880 healthy slices. We used synthetic minority oversampling technique to process the unbalanced dataset. Then, we used Canny edge detector to extract distinguishing edges. The Minkowski-Bouligand dimension was a fractal dimension estimation method and used to extract features from edges. Single hidden layer neural network was used as the classifier. Finally, we proposed a three-segment representation biogeography-based optimization to train the classifier. Our method achieved a sensitivity of 97.78±1.29%, a specificity of 97.82±1.60% and an accuracy of 97.80±1.40%. The proposed method is superior to seven state-of-the-art methods in terms of sensitivity and accuracy.

  12. Ultrasound image edge detection based on a novel multiplicative gradient and Canny operator.

    PubMed

    Zheng, Yinfei; Zhou, Yali; Zhou, Hao; Gong, Xiaohong

    2015-07-01

    To achieve the fast and accurate segmentation of ultrasound image, a novel edge detection method for speckle noised ultrasound images was proposed, which was based on the traditional Canny and a novel multiplicative gradient operator. The proposed technique combines a new multiplicative gradient operator of non-Newtonian type with the traditional Canny operator to generate the initial edge map, which is subsequently optimized by the following edge tracing step. To verify the proposed method, we compared it with several other edge detection methods that had good robustness to noise, with experiments on the simulated and in vivo medical ultrasound image. Experimental results showed that the proposed algorithm has higher speed for real-time processing, and the edge detection accuracy could be 75% or more. Thus, the proposed method is very suitable for fast and accurate edge detection of medical ultrasound images. © The Author(s) 2014.

  13. A method to measure the presampling MTF in digital radiography using Wiener deconvolution

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhou, Zhongxing; Zhu, Qingzhen; Gao, Feng; Zhao, Huijuan; Zhang, Lixin; Li, Guohui

    2013-03-01

    We developed a novel method for determining the presampling modulation transfer function (MTF) of digital radiography systems from slanted edge images based on Wiener deconvolution. The degraded supersampled edge spread function (ESF) was obtained from simulated slanted edge images with known MTF in the presence of poisson noise, and its corresponding ideal ESF without degration was constructed according to its central edge position. To meet the requirements of the absolute integrable condition of Fourier transformation, the origianl ESFs were mirrored to construct the symmetric pattern of ESFs. Then based on Wiener deconvolution technique, the supersampled line spread function (LSF) could be acquired from the symmetric pattern of degraded supersampled ESFs in the presence of ideal symmetric ESFs and system noise. The MTF is then the normalized magnitude of the Fourier transform of the LSF. The determined MTF showed a strong agreement with the theoritical true MTF when appropriated Wiener parameter was chosen. The effects of Wiener parameter value and the width of square-like wave peak in symmetric ESFs were illustrated and discussed. In conclusion, an accurate and simple method to measure the presampling MTF was established using Wiener deconvolution technique according to slanted edge images.

  14. Robust approach to ocular fundus image analysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tascini, Guido; Passerini, Giorgio; Puliti, Paolo; Zingaretti, Primo

    1993-07-01

    The analysis of morphological and structural modifications of retinal blood vessels plays an important role both to establish the presence of some systemic diseases as hypertension and diabetes and to study their course. The paper describes a robust set of techniques developed to quantitatively evaluate morphometric aspects of the ocular fundus vascular and micro vascular network. They are defined: (1) the concept of 'Local Direction of a vessel' (LD); (2) a special form of edge detection, named Signed Edge Detection (SED), which uses LD to choose the convolution kernel in the edge detection process and is able to distinguish between the left or the right vessel edge; (3) an iterative tracking (IT) method. The developed techniques use intensively both LD and SED in: (a) the automatic detection of number, position and size of blood vessels departing from the optical papilla; (b) the tracking of body and edges of the vessels; (c) the recognition of vessel branches and crossings; (d) the extraction of a set of features as blood vessel length and average diameter, arteries and arterioles tortuosity, crossing position and angle between two vessels. The algorithms, implemented in C language, have an execution time depending on the complexity of the currently processed vascular network.

  15. Vertical-Control Subsystem for Automatic Coal Mining

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Griffiths, W. R.; Smirlock, M.; Aplin, J.; Fish, R. B.; Fish, D.

    1984-01-01

    Guidance and control system automatically positions cutting drums of double-ended longwall shearer so they follow coal seam. System determines location of upper interface between coal and shale and continuously adjusts cutting-drum positions, upward or downward, to track undulating interface. Objective to keep cutting edges as close as practicable to interface and thus extract as much coal as possible from seam.

  16. Gendered Uncertainty and Variation in Physicians' Decisions for Coronary Heart Disease: The Double-Edged Sword of "Atypical Symptoms"

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Welch, Lisa C.; Lutfey, Karen E.; Gerstenberger, Eric; Grace, Matthew

    2012-01-01

    Nonmedical factors and diagnostic certainty contribute to variation in clinical decision making, but the process by which this occurs remains unclear. We examine how physicians' interpretations of patient sex-gender affect diagnostic certainty and, in turn, decision making for coronary heart disease. Data are from a factorial experiment of 256…

  17. 29 CFR 1915.74 - Access to vessels.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... rigged at the foot of the gangway in such a manner as to prevent employees from falling from the end of the gangway. (7) If the foot of the gangway is more than one foot away from the edge of the apron, the... this section. (d) Jacob's ladders. (1) Jacob's ladders shall be of the double rung or flat tread type...

  18. The Social Validation of Institutional Indicators to Promote System-Wide Web Accessibility in Postsecondary Institutions

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Mariger, Heather Ann

    2011-01-01

    The Internet is an integral part of higher education today. Students, faculty, and staff must have access to the institutional web for essential activities. For persons with disabilities, the web is a double-edged sword. While an accessibly designed website can mitigate or remove barriers, an inaccessible one can make access impossible. If…

  19. Technology as a Double-Edged Sword: From Behavior Prediction with UTAUT to Students' Outcomes Considering Personal Characteristics

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Khechine, Hager; Lakhal, Sawsen

    2018-01-01

    Aim/Purpose: We aim to bring a better understanding of technology use in the educational context. More specifically, we investigate the determinants of webinar acceptance by university students and the effects of this acceptance on students' outcomes in the presence of personal characteristics such as anxiety, attitude, computer self-efficacy, and…

  20. Debugging classification and anti-debugging strategies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gao, Shang; Lin, Qian; Xia, Mingyuan; Yu, Miao; Qi, Zhengwei; Guan, Haibing

    2011-12-01

    Debugging, albeit useful for software development, is also a double-edge sword since it could also be exploited by malicious attackers. This paper analyzes the prevailing debuggers and classifies them into 4 categories based on the debugging mechanism. Furthermore, as an opposite, we list 13 typical anti-debugging strategies adopted in Windows. These methods intercept specific execution points which expose the diagnostic behavior of debuggers.

  1. Paying Dearly for Privilege: Conceptions, Experiences and Temporalities of Vocation in Academic Life

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Barcan, Ruth

    2018-01-01

    This paper explores the forms of lived time that characterise a vocational relationship to academic work. Drawing on interviews and surveys with over 30 academics who have left the profession early or have given up looking for ongoing academic work, it paints a portrait of vocationalism as a double-edged sword. The research found that despite…

  2. Can We Afford These Affordances? GarageBand and the Double-Edged Sword of the Digital Audio Workstation

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bell, Adam Patrick

    2015-01-01

    The proliferation of computers, tablets, and smartphones has resulted in digital audio workstations (DAWs) such as GarageBand in being some of the most widely distributed musical instruments. Positing that software designers are dictating the music education of DAW-dependent music-makers, I examine the fallacy that music-making applications such…

  3. Single, double or multiple-injection techniques for non-ultrasound guided axillary brachial plexus block in adults undergoing surgery of the lower arm.

    PubMed

    Chin, Ki Jinn; Alakkad, Husni; Cubillos, Javier E

    2013-08-08

    Regional anaesthesia comprising axillary block of the brachial plexus is a common anaesthetic technique for distal upper limb surgery. This is an update of a review first published in 2006 and updated in 2011. To compare the relative effects (benefits and harms) of three injection techniques (single, double and multiple) of axillary block of the brachial plexus for distal upper extremity surgery. We considered these effects primarily in terms of anaesthetic effectiveness; the complication rate (neurological and vascular); and pain and discomfort caused by performance of the block. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library), MEDLINE, EMBASE and reference lists of trials. We contacted trial authors. The date of the last search was March 2013 (updated from March 2011). We included randomized controlled trials that compared double with single-injection techniques, multiple with single-injection techniques, or multiple with double-injection techniques for axillary block in adults undergoing surgery of the distal upper limb. We excluded trials using ultrasound-guided techniques. Independent study selection, risk of bias assessment and data extraction were performed by at least two investigators. We undertook meta-analysis. The 21 included trials involved a total of 2148 participants who received regional anaesthesia for hand, wrist, forearm or elbow surgery. Risk of bias assessment indicated that trial design and conduct were generally adequate; the most common areas of weakness were in blinding and allocation concealment.Eight trials comparing double versus single injections showed a statistically significant decrease in primary anaesthesia failure (risk ratio (RR 0.51), 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.30 to 0.85). Subgroup analysis by method of nerve location showed that the effect size was greater when neurostimulation was used rather than the transarterial technique.Eight trials comparing multiple with single injections showed a statistically significant decrease in primary anaesthesia failure (RR 0.25, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.44) and of incomplete motor block (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.96) in the multiple injection group.Eleven trials comparing multiple with double injections showed a statistically significant decrease in primary anaesthesia failure (RR 0.28, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.40) and of incomplete motor block (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.85) in the multiple injection group.Tourniquet pain was significantly reduced with multiple injections compared with double injections (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.84). Otherwise there were no statistically significant differences between groups in any of the three comparisons on secondary analgesia failure, complications and patient discomfort. The time for block performance was significantly shorter for single and double injections compared with multiple injections. This review provides evidence that multiple-injection techniques using nerve stimulation for axillary plexus block produce more effective anaesthesia than either double or single-injection techniques. However, there was insufficient evidence for a significant difference in other outcomes, including safety.

  4. Androgens as double-edged swords: Induction and suppression of follicular development.

    PubMed

    Pan, Jie-Xue; Zhang, Jun-Yu; Ke, Zhang-Hong; Wang, Fang-Fang; Barry, John A; Hardiman, Paul J; Qu, Fan

    2015-01-01

    Androgens, which are mediated via the androgen receptor (AR), play important roles in normal follicular development and female fertility. However, just like a double-edged sword, besides the positive effects of androgen on follicular development, abnormal androgen levels, especially as in hyperandrogenism, seriously suppress normal follicular development. A crucial balance exists between the importance of androgens in follicular development and their negative effects when in excess. As the first meiotic division and epigenetic reprogramming are two critical events in oogenesis, abnormal androgen levels or deficiency in androgen/AR signaling in the ovary may affect these vital events. Oocytes have a tendency to develop genomic instability, thus resulting in an increasing incidence of unpredictable adult diseases. Although many studies have explored the effects of androgens and AR on follicular development, the conclusions are controversial and there has been no thorough review of this topic. This review focuses on the roles of androgens in the physiological process of follicular development, summarizes new insights into the roles of androgens in the arrested development of follicles, and discusses the potential risk of adult diseases originating from abnormal follicular androgen levels or androgen receptor signals, which may determine areas for future studies.

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

    Reynolds, Emily; Kennedy, Brendan J.; Avdeev, Maxim

    A combination of S-XRD and NPD demonstrate the structure of Ba{sub 2}Y{sub 0.879}UO{sub 6+x} to be monoclinic in space group I2/m. That the U is hexavalent is evident from the U L{sub 2}-edge XANES measurements. This appears to be a rare example of a double perovskite containing vacancies at the octahedral B-sites and interstitial oxygen defects, which combine to stabilise hexavalent U and appears to be a consequence of the preparation of the sample in air. The Y vacancies, coupled with anion disorder, results in a distortion of the BO{sub 6} octahedra. - Graphical abstract: The structure of Ba{sub 2}Y{submore » 0.879}UO{sub 6+x} is shown to be a rare example of a double perovskite containing vacancies at the octahedral B-sites and interstitial oxygen defects. - Highlights: • Structure of Ba{sub 2}Y{sub 0.879}UO{sub 6+x} refined. • U L-edge XANES demonstrates the U is hexavalent. • Rare example of a perovskite containing vacancies at the octahedral B-site. • Y vacancies result in a distortion of the BO{sub 6} octahedra.« less

  6. Image Edge Extraction via Fuzzy Reasoning

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dominquez, Jesus A. (Inventor); Klinko, Steve (Inventor)

    2008-01-01

    A computer-based technique for detecting edges in gray level digital images employs fuzzy reasoning to analyze whether each pixel in an image is likely on an edge. The image is analyzed on a pixel-by-pixel basis by analyzing gradient levels of pixels in a square window surrounding the pixel being analyzed. An edge path passing through the pixel having the greatest intensity gradient is used as input to a fuzzy membership function, which employs fuzzy singletons and inference rules to assigns a new gray level value to the pixel that is related to the pixel's edginess degree.

  7. Cubes, squares, and books: a simple transition metal/bridging ligand combination can lead to a surprising range of structural types with the same metal/ligand proportions.

    PubMed

    Najar, Adel M; Tidmarsh, Ian S; Adams, Harry; Ward, Michael D

    2009-12-21

    Reaction of two structurally related bridging ligands L(26Py) and L(13Ph), in which two bidentate chelating pyrazolyl-pyridine units are connected to either a 2,6-pyridine-diyl or 1,3-benzene-diyl central group via methylene spacers, with first-row transition metal dications, results in a surprising variety of structures. The commonest is that of an octanuclear coordination cage [M(8)L(12)]X(16) [M = Co(II) or Zn(II); X = perchlorate or tetrafluoroborate] in which a metal ion is located at each of the eight vertices of an approximate cube, and one bis-bidentate bridging ligand spans each edge. The arrangement of fac and mer tris-chelate metal centers around the inversion center results in approximate (non-crystallographic) S(6) symmetry. Another structural type observed in the solid state is a hexanuclear complex [Co(6)(L(13Ph))(9)](ClO(4))(12) in which the six metal ions are in a rectangular array (two rows of three), folded about the central Co-Co vector like a partially open book, with each metal-metal edge containing one bridging ligand apart from the two outermost metal-metal edges which are spanned by a pair of bridging ligands in a double helical array. The final structural type we observed is a tetranuclear square [Ni(4)(L(26Py))(6)](BF(4))(8), with the four Ni-Ni edges spanned alternately by one and two bridging ligand such that it effectively consists of two dinuclear double helicates cross-linked by additional bridging ligands. A balance between the "cube" and "book" forms, which varied from compound to compound, was observed in solution in many cases by (1)H NMR and ES mass spectrometry studies.

  8. Geometric pre-patterning based tuning of the period doubling onset strain during thin film wrinkling

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

    Saha, Sourabh K.

    Wrinkling of supported thin films is an easy-to-implement and low-cost fabrication technique for generation of stretch-tunable periodic micro and nano-scale structures. However, the tunability of such structures is often limited by the emergence of an undesirable period doubled mode at high strains. Predictively tuning the onset strain for period doubling via existing techniques requires one to have extensive knowledge about the nonlinear pattern formation behavior. Herein, a geometric pre-patterning based technique is introduced to delay the onset of period doubling that can be implemented to predictively tune the onset strain even with limited system knowledge. The technique comprises pre-patterning themore » film/base bilayer with a sinusoidal pattern that has the same period as the natural wrinkle period of the system. The effectiveness of this technique has been verified via physical and computational experiments on the polydimethylsiloxane/glass bilayer system. It is observed that the period doubling onset strain can be increased from the typical value of 20% for flat films to greater than 30% with a modest pre-pattern aspect ratio (2∙amplitude/period) of 0.15. In addition, finite element simulations reveal that (i) the onset strain can be increased up to a limit by increasing the amplitude of the pre-patterns and (ii) the delaying effect can be captured entirely by the pre-pattern geometry. As a result, one can implement this technique even with limited system knowledge, such as material properties or film thickness, by simply replicating pre-existing wrinkled patterns to generate prepatterned bilayers. Thus, geometric pre-patterning is a practical scheme to suppress period doubling that can increase the operating range of stretch-tunable wrinkle-based devices by at least 50%.« less

  9. Double hashing technique in closed hashing search process

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rahim, Robbi; Zulkarnain, Iskandar; Jaya, Hendra

    2017-09-01

    The search process is used in various activities performed both online and offline, many algorithms that can be used to perform the search process one of which is a hash search algorithm, search process with hash search algorithm used in this study using double hashing technique where the data will be formed into the table with same length and then search, the results of this study indicate that the search process with double hashing technique allows faster searching than the usual search techniques, this research allows to search the solution by dividing the value into the main table and overflow table so that the search process is expected faster than the data stacked in the form of one table and collision data could avoided.

  10. A biomechanical comparison of single and double-row fixation in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

    PubMed

    Smith, Christopher D; Alexander, Susan; Hill, Adam M; Huijsmans, Pol E; Bull, Anthony M J; Amis, Andrew A; De Beer, Joe F; Wallace, Andrew L

    2006-11-01

    The optimal method for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is not yet known. The hypothesis of the present study was that a double-row repair would demonstrate superior static and cyclic mechanical behavior when compared with a single-row repair. The specific aims were to measure gap formation at the bone-tendon interface under static creep loading and the ultimate strength and mode of failure of both methods of repair under cyclic loading. A standardized tear of the supraspinatus tendon was created in sixteen fresh cadaveric shoulders. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs were performed with use of either a double-row technique (eight specimens) or a single-row technique (eight specimens) with nonabsorbable sutures that were double-loaded on a titanium suture anchor. The repairs were loaded statically for one hour, and the gap formation was measured. Cyclic loading to failure was then performed. Gap formation during static loading was significantly greater in the single-row group than in the double-row group (mean and standard deviation, 5.0 +/- 1.2 mm compared with 3.8 +/- 1.4 mm; p < 0.05). Under cyclic loading, the double-row repairs failed at a mean of 320 +/- 96.9 N whereas the single-row repairs failed at a mean of 224 +/- 147.9 N (p = 0.058). Three single-row repairs and three double-row repairs failed as a result of suture cut-through. Four single-row repairs and one double-row repair failed as a result of anchor or suture failure. The remaining five repairs did not fail, and a midsubstance tear of the tendon occurred. Although more technically demanding, the double-row technique demonstrates superior resistance to gap formation under static loading as compared with the single-row technique. A double-row reconstruction of the supraspinatus tendon insertion may provide a more reliable construct than a single-row repair and could be used as an alternative to open reconstruction for the treatment of isolated tears.

  11. DIII-D research to address key challenges for ITER and fusion energy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Buttery, R. J.; the DIII-D Team

    2015-10-01

    DIII-D has made significant advances in the scientific basis for fusion energy. The physics mechanism of resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) edge localized mode (ELM) suppression is revealed as field penetration at the pedestal top, and reduced coil set operation was demonstrated. Disruption runaway electrons were effectively quenched by shattered pellets; runaway dissipation is explained by pitch angle scattering. Modest thermal quench radiation asymmetries are well described NIMROD modelling. With good pedestal regulation and error field correction, low torque ITER baselines have been demonstrated and shown to be compatible with an ITER test blanket module simulator. However performance and long wavelength turbulence degrade as low rotation and electron heating are approached. The alternative QH mode scenario is shown to be compatible with high Greenwald density fraction, with an edge harmonic oscillation demonstrating good impurity flushing. Discharge optimization guided by the EPED model has discovered a new super H-mode with doubled pedestal height. Lithium injection also led to wider, higher pedestals. On the path to steady state, 1 MA has been sustained fully noninductively with βN = 4 and RMP ELM suppression, while a peaked current profile scenario provides attractive options for ITER and a βN = 5 future reactor. Energetic particle transport is found to exhibit a critical gradient behaviour. Scenarios are shown to be compatible with radiative and snowflake divertor techniques. Physics studies reveal that the transition to H mode is locked in by a rise in ion diamagnetic flows. Intrinsic rotation in the plasma edge is demonstrated to arise from kinetic losses. New 3D magnetic sensors validate linear ideal MHD, but identify issues in nonlinear simulations. Detachment, characterized in 2D with sub-eV resolution, reveals a radiation shortfall in simulations. Future facility development targets burning plasma physics with torque free electron heating, the path to steady state with increased off axis currents, and a new divertor solution for fusion reactors.

  12. Shape and size dependent nonlinear refraction and absorption in citrate-stabilized, near-IR plasmonic silver nanopyramids.

    PubMed

    Dadhich, Bhavesh Kumar; Kumar, Indrajit; Choubey, Ravi Kant; Bhushan, Bhavya; Priyam, Amiya

    2017-10-11

    Using a combination of a mild stabilizer and a mild reductant, sodium citrate and hydrazine hydrate, anisotropic silver nanocrystals (NCs) were synthesized with tunable plasmon peaks at 550 nm, 700 nm, 800 nm, 900 nm and 1010 nm (the samples are named Ag-550, Ag-700, Ag-800, Ag-900 and Ag-1010, respectively). TEM investigations revealed that Ag-550 NCs were pentagonal nanoplates while the other four samples were nanopyramids with a pentagonal base with the edge length varying between 15 and 30 nm. The non-linear optical (NLO) properties of these NCs were studied by the Z-scan technique using the CW He-Ne laser (632.8 nm, 15 mW). The shape change from 2D nanoplates (Ag-550) to 3D nanopyramids (Ag-700) resulted in sign reversal of the non-linear refractive index, n 2 , from a negative (-3.164 × 10 -8 cm 2 W -1 ) to a positive one (1.195 × 10 -8 cm 2 W -1 ). This corresponds to a change from a self-defocussing effect to a self-focussing one. Besides shape, the size effect is also prominently observed. Amongst nanopyramids, as the edge length increases, n 2 increases linearly and reaches a maximum of 3.124 × 10 -8 cm 2 W -1 . Doubling the edge length from 15 nm to 30 nm resulted in 162% increase in n 2 . On moving from Ag-550 to Ag-900 NCs, with the increasing plasmon wavelength, the non-linear absorption (NLA) coefficient increased exponentially to a high value of 8.52 × 10 -4 cm W -1 . However, Ag-1010 showed 29% decrease in NLA which is attributed to twinning present in the crystal structure as seen in the HR-TEM images. Due to the tunable NLO properties, these anisotropic Ag NCs hold great potential for applications in optical limiting, switching and data storage.

  13. Confinement & Stability in MAST

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Akers, Rob

    2001-10-01

    Transition to H-mode has been achieved in the MAST spherical tokamak (ST) for both ohmically and neutral beam heated plasmas (P_NBI ~ 0.5-1.5MW), resulting in double-null diverted discharges containing both regular and irregular edge localised modes (ELMs). The observed L-H power threshold is ~10 times higher than predicted by established empirical scalings. L-H transition in MAST is accompanied by a sharp increase in edge density gradient, the efficient conversion of internal electron Bernstein waves into free space waves, the onset and saturation of edge poloidal rotation and a marked decrease in turbulence. During ELM free periods, a reduction in outboard power deposition width is observed using a Langmuir probe array. A novel divertor structure has been installed to counter the resulting increase in target heat-flux by applying a toroidally varying potential to the divertor plasma, theory suggesting that convective broadening of the scrape off layer will take place. Global confinement in H-mode is found to routinely exceed the international IPB(y,2) scaling, even for discharges approaching the Greenwald density. In an attempt to further extend the density range (densities in excess of Greenwald having been achieved for plasma currents up to 0.8MA) a multi-pellet injector has been installed at the low-field-side. In addition, high field side fuelling can be supplied via a gas-feed located at the centre-column mid-plane, this technique having been found to significantly enhance H-mode accessibility and quality. A range of stability issues will be discussed, including vertical displacement events, the rich variety of high frequency MHD seen in MAST and the physics of the Neoclassical Tearing Mode. This work was funded by the UK Department of Trade and Industry and by EURATOM. The NBI equipment is on loan from ORNL and the pellet injector was provided by FOM.

  14. DIII-D research to address key challenges for ITER and fusion energy

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

    Buttery, Richard J.

    DIII-D has made significant advances in the scientific basis for fusion energy. The physics mechanism of resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) edge localized mode (ELM) suppression is revealed as field penetration at the pedestal top, and reduced coil set operation was demonstrated. Disruption runaway electrons were effectively quenched by shattered pellets; runaway dissipation is explained by pitch angle scattering. Modest thermal quench radiation asymmetries are well described NIMROD modeling. With good pedestal regulation and error field correction, low torque ITER baselines have been demonstrated and shown to be compatible with an ITER test blanket module simulator. However performance and long wavelengthmore » turbulence degrade as low rotation and electron heating are approached. The alternative QH mode scenario is shown to be compatible with high Greenwald density fraction, with an edge harmonic oscillation demonstrating good impurity flushing. Discharge optimization guided by the EPED model has discovered a new super H-mode with doubled pedestal height. Lithium injection also led to wider, higher pedestals. On the path to steady state, 1 MA has been sustained fully non inductively with β N = 4 and RMP ELM suppression, while a peaked current profile scenario provides attractive options for ITER and a β N = 5 future reactor. Energetic particle transport is found to exhibit a critical gradient behavior. Scenarios are shown to be compatible with radiative and snowflake diverter techniques. Physics studies reveal that the transition to H mode is locked in by a rise in ion diamagnetic flows. Intrinsic rotation in the plasma edge is demonstrated to arise from kinetic losses. New 3D magnetic sensors validate linear ideal MHD, but identify issues in nonlinear simulations. Detachment, characterized in 2D with sub-eV resolution, reveals a radiation shortfall in simulations. As a result, future facility development targets burning plasma physics with torque free electron heating, the path to steady state with increased off axis currents, and a new divertor solution for fusion reactors.« less

  15. DIII-D research to address key challenges for ITER and fusion energy

    DOE PAGES

    Buttery, Richard J.

    2015-07-29

    DIII-D has made significant advances in the scientific basis for fusion energy. The physics mechanism of resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) edge localized mode (ELM) suppression is revealed as field penetration at the pedestal top, and reduced coil set operation was demonstrated. Disruption runaway electrons were effectively quenched by shattered pellets; runaway dissipation is explained by pitch angle scattering. Modest thermal quench radiation asymmetries are well described NIMROD modeling. With good pedestal regulation and error field correction, low torque ITER baselines have been demonstrated and shown to be compatible with an ITER test blanket module simulator. However performance and long wavelengthmore » turbulence degrade as low rotation and electron heating are approached. The alternative QH mode scenario is shown to be compatible with high Greenwald density fraction, with an edge harmonic oscillation demonstrating good impurity flushing. Discharge optimization guided by the EPED model has discovered a new super H-mode with doubled pedestal height. Lithium injection also led to wider, higher pedestals. On the path to steady state, 1 MA has been sustained fully non inductively with β N = 4 and RMP ELM suppression, while a peaked current profile scenario provides attractive options for ITER and a β N = 5 future reactor. Energetic particle transport is found to exhibit a critical gradient behavior. Scenarios are shown to be compatible with radiative and snowflake diverter techniques. Physics studies reveal that the transition to H mode is locked in by a rise in ion diamagnetic flows. Intrinsic rotation in the plasma edge is demonstrated to arise from kinetic losses. New 3D magnetic sensors validate linear ideal MHD, but identify issues in nonlinear simulations. Detachment, characterized in 2D with sub-eV resolution, reveals a radiation shortfall in simulations. As a result, future facility development targets burning plasma physics with torque free electron heating, the path to steady state with increased off axis currents, and a new divertor solution for fusion reactors.« less

  16. Topologically protected edge states for out-of-plane and in-plane bulk elastic waves.

    PubMed

    Huo, Shao-Yong; Chen, Jiu-Jiu; Huang, Hong-Bo

    2018-04-11

    Topological phononic insulators (TPnIs) show promise for application in the manipulation of acoustic waves for the design of low-loss transmission and perfectly integrated communication devices. Since solid phononic crystals exist as a transverse polarization mode and a mixed longitudinal-transverse polarization mode, the realization of topological edge states for both out-of-plane and in-plane bulk elastic waves is desirable to enhance the controllability of the edge waves in solid systems. In this paper, a two-dimensional (2D) solid/solid hexagonal-latticed phononic system that simultaneously supports the topologically protected edge states for out-of-plane and in-plane bulk elastic waves is investigated. Firstly, two pairs of two-fold Dirac cones, respectively corresponding to the out-of-plane and in-plane waves, are obtained at the same frequency by tuning the crystal parameters. Then, a strategy of zone folding is invoked to form double Dirac cones. By shrinking and expanding the steel scatterer, the lattice symmetry is broken, and band inversions induced, giving rise to an intriguing topological phase transition. Finally, the topologically protected edge states for both out-of-plane and in-plane bulk elastic waves, which can be simultaneously located at the frequency range from 1.223 to 1.251 MHz, are numerically observed. Robust pseudospin-dependent elastic edge wave propagation along arbitrary paths is further demonstrated. Our results will significantly broaden its practical application in the engineering field.

  17. Topologically protected edge states for out-of-plane and in-plane bulk elastic waves

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huo, Shao-Yong; Chen, Jiu-Jiu; Huang, Hong-Bo

    2018-04-01

    Topological phononic insulators (TPnIs) show promise for application in the manipulation of acoustic waves for the design of low-loss transmission and perfectly integrated communication devices. Since solid phononic crystals exist as a transverse polarization mode and a mixed longitudinal-transverse polarization mode, the realization of topological edge states for both out-of-plane and in-plane bulk elastic waves is desirable to enhance the controllability of the edge waves in solid systems. In this paper, a two-dimensional (2D) solid/solid hexagonal-latticed phononic system that simultaneously supports the topologically protected edge states for out-of-plane and in-plane bulk elastic waves is investigated. Firstly, two pairs of two-fold Dirac cones, respectively corresponding to the out-of-plane and in-plane waves, are obtained at the same frequency by tuning the crystal parameters. Then, a strategy of zone folding is invoked to form double Dirac cones. By shrinking and expanding the steel scatterer, the lattice symmetry is broken, and band inversions induced, giving rise to an intriguing topological phase transition. Finally, the topologically protected edge states for both out-of-plane and in-plane bulk elastic waves, which can be simultaneously located at the frequency range from 1.223 to 1.251 MHz, are numerically observed. Robust pseudospin-dependent elastic edge wave propagation along arbitrary paths is further demonstrated. Our results will significantly broaden its practical application in the engineering field.

  18. Microanalysis of iron oxidation states in earth and planetary materials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bajt, S.; Sutton, S. R.; Delaney, J. S.

    1995-02-01

    Initial studies have been made on quantifying Fe oxidation states in different iron-bearing minerals using K-edge XANES. The energy of a weak pre-edge peak in the XANES spectrum due to 1s-3d electron transition was used to quantify ferric/ferrous ratios with microprobe spatial resolution. The estimated accuracy of the technique was +/- 10% in terms of Fe3+/((Fe2+ + Fe3+)). The detection limit was ~ 100 ppm with a synchrotron beam of ~ 100 μm in diameter. The pre-edge peak energy in well-characterized samples with known Fe oxidation states was found to be a linear function of the ferric/(ferrous) ratio. The technique was applied to altered magnetics (ideally Fe3O4), and various silicates and oxides from meteorites.

  19. Interferogram conditioning for improved Fourier analysis and application to X-ray phase imaging by grating interferometry.

    PubMed

    Montaux-Lambert, Antoine; Mercère, Pascal; Primot, Jérôme

    2015-11-02

    An interferogram conditioning procedure, for subsequent phase retrieval by Fourier demodulation, is presented here as a fast iterative approach aiming at fulfilling the classical boundary conditions imposed by Fourier transform techniques. Interference fringe patterns with typical edge discontinuities were simulated in order to reveal the edge artifacts that classically appear in traditional Fourier analysis, and were consecutively used to demonstrate the correction efficiency of the proposed conditioning technique. Optimization of the algorithm parameters is also presented and discussed. Finally, the procedure was applied to grating-based interferometric measurements performed in the hard X-ray regime. The proposed algorithm enables nearly edge-artifact-free retrieval of the phase derivatives. A similar enhancement of the retrieved absorption and fringe visibility images is also achieved.

  20. Wavelet-based de-noising algorithm for images acquired with parallel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

    PubMed

    Delakis, Ioannis; Hammad, Omer; Kitney, Richard I

    2007-07-07

    Wavelet-based de-noising has been shown to improve image signal-to-noise ratio in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) while maintaining spatial resolution. Wavelet-based de-noising techniques typically implemented in MRI require that noise displays uniform spatial distribution. However, images acquired with parallel MRI have spatially varying noise levels. In this work, a new algorithm for filtering images with parallel MRI is presented. The proposed algorithm extracts the edges from the original image and then generates a noise map from the wavelet coefficients at finer scales. The noise map is zeroed at locations where edges have been detected and directional analysis is also used to calculate noise in regions of low-contrast edges that may not have been detected. The new methodology was applied on phantom and brain images and compared with other applicable de-noising techniques. The performance of the proposed algorithm was shown to be comparable with other techniques in central areas of the images, where noise levels are high. In addition, finer details and edges were maintained in peripheral areas, where noise levels are low. The proposed methodology is fully automated and can be applied on final reconstructed images without requiring sensitivity profiles or noise matrices of the receiver coils, therefore making it suitable for implementation in a clinical MRI setting.

  1. Novel method for edge detection of retinal vessels based on the model of the retinal vascular network and mathematical morphology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xu, Lei; Zheng, Xiaoxiang; Zhang, Hengyi; Yu, Yajun

    1998-09-01

    Accurate edge detection of retinal vessels is a prerequisite for quantitative analysis of subtle morphological changes of retinal vessels under different pathological conditions. A novel method for edge detection of retinal vessels is presented in this paper. Methods: (1) Wavelet-based image preprocessing. (2) The signed edge detection algorithm and mathematical morphological operation are applied to get the approximate regions that contain retinal vessels. (3) By convolving the preprocessed image with a LoG operator only on the detected approximate regions of retinal vessels, followed by edges refining, clear edge maps of the retinal vessels are fast obtained. Results: A detailed performance evaluation together with the existing techniques is given to demonstrate the strong features of our method. Conclusions: True edge locations of retinal vessels can be fast detected with continuous structures of retinal vessels, less non- vessel segments left and insensitivity to noise. The method is also suitable for other application fields such as road edge detection.

  2. Modified slanted-edge method for camera modulation transfer function measurement using nonuniform fast Fourier transform technique

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Duan, Yaxuan; Xu, Songbo; Yuan, Suochao; Chen, Yongquan; Li, Hongguang; Da, Zhengshang; Gao, Limin

    2018-01-01

    ISO 12233 slanted-edge method experiences errors using fast Fourier transform (FFT) in the camera modulation transfer function (MTF) measurement due to tilt angle errors in the knife-edge resulting in nonuniform sampling of the edge spread function (ESF). In order to resolve this problem, a modified slanted-edge method using nonuniform fast Fourier transform (NUFFT) for camera MTF measurement is proposed. Theoretical simulations for images with noise at a different nonuniform sampling rate of ESF are performed using the proposed modified slanted-edge method. It is shown that the proposed method successfully eliminates the error due to the nonuniform sampling of the ESF. An experimental setup for camera MTF measurement is established to verify the accuracy of the proposed method. The experiment results show that under different nonuniform sampling rates of ESF, the proposed modified slanted-edge method has improved accuracy for the camera MTF measurement compared to the ISO 12233 slanted-edge method.

  3. ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION USING THE DOUBLE-BUNDLE TECHNIQUE – EVALUATION IN THE BIOMECHANICS LABORATORY

    PubMed Central

    D'Elia, Caio Oliveira; Bitar, Alexandre Carneiro; Castropil, Wagner; Garofo, Antônio Guilherme Padovani; Cantuária, Anita Lopes; Orselli, Maria Isabel Veras; Luques, Isabela Ugo; Duarte, Marcos

    2015-01-01

    Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the methodology of knee rotation analysis using biomechanics laboratory instruments and to present the preliminary results from a comparative study on patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using the double-bundle technique. Methods: The protocol currently used in our laboratory was described. Three-dimensional kinematic analysis was performed and knee rotation amplitude was measured on eight normal patients (control group) and 12 patients who were operated using the double-bundle technique, by means of three tasks in the biomechanics laboratory. Results: No significant differences between operated and non-operated sides were shown in relation to the mean amplitudes of gait, gait with change in direction or gait with change in direction when going down stairs (p > 0.13). Conclusion: The preliminary results did not show any difference in the double-bundle ACL reconstruction technique in relation to the contralateral side and the control group. PMID:27027003

  4. New technique of skin embedded wire double-sided laser beam welding

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Han, Bing; Tao, Wang; Chen, Yanbin

    2017-06-01

    In the aircraft industry, double-sided laser beam welding is an approved method for producing skin-stringer T-joints on aircraft fuselage panels. As for the welding of new generation aluminum-lithium alloys, however, this technique is limited because of high hot cracking susceptibility and strengthening elements' uneven distributions within weld. In the present study, a new technique of skin embedded wire double-sided laser beam welding (LBW) has been developed to fabricate T-joints consisting of 2.0 mm thick 2060-T8/2099-T83 aluminum-lithium alloys using eutectic alloy AA4047 filler wire. Necessary dimension parameters of the novel groove were reasonably designed for achieving crack-free welds. Comparisons were made between the new technique welded T-joint and conventional T-joint mainly on microstructure, hot crack, elements distribution features and mechanical properties within weld. Excellent crack-free microstructure, uniform distribution of silicon and superior tensile properties within weld were found in the new skin embedded wire double-sided LBW T-joints.

  5. Clinical Results of Flexor Tendon Repair in Zone II Using a six Strand Double Loop Technique.

    PubMed

    Savvidou, Christiana; Tsai, Tsu-Min

    2015-06-01

    The purpose of this study is to report the clinical results after repair of flexor tendon zone II injuries utilizing a 6-strand double-loop technique and early post-operative active rehabilitation. We retrospectively reviewed 22 patients involving 51 cases with zone II flexor tendon repair using a six strand double loop technique from September 1996 to December 2012. Most common mechanism of injuries was sharp lacerations (86.5 %). Tendon injuries occurred equally in manual and non-manual workers and were work-related in 33 % of the cases. The Strickland score for active range of motion (ROM) postoperatively was excellent and good in the majority of the cases (81 %). The rupture rate was 1.9 %. The six strand double loop technique for Zone II flexor tendon repair leads to good and excellent motion in the majority of patients and low re- rupture rate. It is clinically effective and allows for early postoperative active rehabilitation.

  6. Hand and nickel-titanium root canal instrumentation performed by dental students: a micro-computed tomographic study.

    PubMed

    Peru, M; Peru, C; Mannocci, F; Sherriff, M; Buchanan, L S; Pitt Ford, T R

    2006-02-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate root canals instrumented by dental students using the modified double-flared technique, nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary System GT files and NiTi rotary ProTaper files by micro-computed tomography (MCT). A total of 36 root canals from 18 mesial roots of mandibular molar teeth were prepared; 12 canals were prepared with the modified double-flared technique, using K-flexofiles and Gates-Glidden burs; 12 canals were prepared using System GT and 12 using ProTaper rotary files. Each root was scanned using MCT preoperatively and postoperatively. At the coronal and mid-root sections, System GT and ProTaper files produced significantly less enlarged canal cross-sectional area, volume and perimeter than the modified double-flared technique (P < 0.05). In the mid-root sections there was significantly less thinning of the root structure towards the furcation with System GT and ProTaper (P < 0.05). The rotary techniques were both three times faster than the modified double-flared technique (P < 0.05). Qualitative evaluation of the preparations showed that both ProTaper and System GT were able to prepare root canals with little or no procedural error compared with the modified double-flared technique. Under the conditions of this study, inexperienced dental students were able to prepare curved root canals with rotary files with greater preservation of tooth structure, low risk of procedural errors and much quicker than with hand instruments.

  7. Topological defects in electric double layers of ionic liquids at carbon interfaces

    DOE PAGES

    Black, Jennifer M.; Okatan, Mahmut Baris; Feng, Guang; ...

    2015-06-07

    The structure and properties of the electrical double layer in ionic liquids is of interest in a wide range of areas including energy storage, catalysis, lubrication, and many more. Theories describing the electrical double layer for ionic liquids have been proposed, however a full molecular level description of the double layer is lacking. To date, studies have been predominantly focused on ion distributions normal to the surface, however the 3D nature of the electrical double layer in ionic liquids requires a full picture of the double layer structure not only normal to the surface, but also in plane. Here wemore » utilize 3D force mapping to probe the in plane structure of an ionic liquid at a graphite interface and report the direct observation of the structure and properties of topological defects. The observation of ion layering at structural defects such as step-edges, reinforced by molecular dynamics simulations, defines the spatial resolution of the method. Observation of defects allows for the establishment of the universality of ionic liquid behavior vs. separation from the carbon surface and to map internal defect structure. In conclusion, these studies offer a universal pathway for probing the internal structure of topological defects in soft condensed matter on the nanometer level in three dimensions.« less

  8. Operando Soft X-ray Absorption Spectroscopic Study on a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Cathode during Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction.

    PubMed

    Nakamura, Takashi; Oike, Ryo; Kimura, Yuta; Tamenori, Yusuke; Kawada, Tatsuya; Amezawa, Koji

    2017-05-09

    An operando soft X-ray absorption spectroscopic technique, which enabled the analysis of the electronic structures of the electrode materials at elevated temperature in a controlled atmosphere and electrochemical polarization, was established and its availability was demonstrated by investigating the electronic structural changes of an La 2 NiO 4+δ dense-film electrode during an electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction. Clear O K-edge and Ni L-edge X-ray absorption spectra could be obtained below 773 K under an atmospheric pressure of 100 ppm O 2 /He, 0.1 % O 2 /He, and 1 % O 2 /He gas mixtures. Considerable spectral changes were observed in the O K-edge X-ray absorption spectra upon changing the PO2 and application of electrical potential, whereas only small spectral changes were observed in Ni L-edge X-ray absorption spectra. A pre-edge peak of the O K-edge X-ray absorption spectra, which reflects the unoccupied partial density of states of Ni 3d-O 2p hybridization, increased or decreased with cathodic or anodic polarization, respectively. The electronic structural changes of the outermost orbital of the electrode material due to electrochemical polarization were successfully confirmed by the operando X-ray absorption spectroscopic technique developed in this study. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  9. Interface projection techniques for fluid-structure interaction modeling with moving-mesh methods

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tezduyar, Tayfun E.; Sathe, Sunil; Pausewang, Jason; Schwaab, Matthew; Christopher, Jason; Crabtree, Jason

    2008-12-01

    The stabilized space-time fluid-structure interaction (SSTFSI) technique developed by the Team for Advanced Flow Simulation and Modeling (T★AFSM) was applied to a number of 3D examples, including arterial fluid mechanics and parachute aerodynamics. Here we focus on the interface projection techniques that were developed as supplementary methods targeting the computational challenges associated with the geometric complexities of the fluid-structure interface. Although these supplementary techniques were developed in conjunction with the SSTFSI method and in the context of air-fabric interactions, they can also be used in conjunction with other moving-mesh methods, such as the Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) method, and in the context of other classes of FSI applications. The supplementary techniques currently consist of using split nodal values for pressure at the edges of the fabric and incompatible meshes at the air-fabric interfaces, the FSI Geometric Smoothing Technique (FSI-GST), and the Homogenized Modeling of Geometric Porosity (HMGP). Using split nodal values for pressure at the edges and incompatible meshes at the interfaces stabilizes the structural response at the edges of the membrane used in modeling the fabric. With the FSI-GST, the fluid mechanics mesh is sheltered from the consequences of the geometric complexity of the structure. With the HMGP, we bypass the intractable complexities of the geometric porosity by approximating it with an “equivalent”, locally-varying fabric porosity. As test cases demonstrating how the interface projection techniques work, we compute the air-fabric interactions of windsocks, sails and ringsail parachutes.

  10. A hypersonic aeroheating calculation method based on inviscid outer edge of boundary layer parameters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Meng, ZhuXuan; Fan, Hu; Peng, Ke; Zhang, WeiHua; Yang, HuiXin

    2016-12-01

    This article presents a rapid and accurate aeroheating calculation method for hypersonic vehicles. The main innovation is combining accurate of numerical method with efficient of engineering method, which makes aeroheating simulation more precise and faster. Based on the Prandtl boundary layer theory, the entire flow field is divided into inviscid and viscid flow at the outer edge of the boundary layer. The parameters at the outer edge of the boundary layer are numerically calculated from assuming inviscid flow. The thermodynamic parameters of constant-volume specific heat, constant-pressure specific heat and the specific heat ratio are calculated, the streamlines on the vehicle surface are derived and the heat flux is then obtained. The results of the double cone show that at the 0° and 10° angle of attack, the method of aeroheating calculation based on inviscid outer edge of boundary layer parameters reproduces the experimental data better than the engineering method. Also the proposed simulation results of the flight vehicle reproduce the viscid numerical results well. Hence, this method provides a promising way to overcome the high cost of numerical calculation and improves the precision.

  11. Experimental Test Results of Energy Efficient Transport (EET) High-Lift Airfoil in Langley Low-Turbulence Pressure Tunnel

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Morgan, Harry L., Jr.

    2002-01-01

    This report describes the results of an experimental study conducted in the Langley Low-Turbulence Pressure Tunnel to determine the effects of Reynolds number and Mach number on the two-dimensional aerodynamic performance of the Langley Energy Efficient Transport (EET) High-Lift Airfoil. The high-lift airfoil was a supercritical-type airfoil with a thickness-to- chord ratio of 0.12 and was equipped with a leading-edge slat and a double-slotted trailing-edge flap. The leading-edge slat could be deflected -30 deg, -40 deg, -50 deg, and -60 deg, and the trailing-edge flaps could be deflected to 15 deg, 30 deg, 45 deg, and 60 deg. The gaps and overlaps for the slat and flaps were fixed at each deflection resulting in 16 different configurations. All 16 configurations were tested through a Reynolds number range of 2.5 to 18 million at a Mach number of 0.20. Selected configurations were also tested through a Mach number range of 0.10 to 0.35. The plotted and tabulated force, moment, and pressure data are available on the CD-ROM supplement L-18221.

  12. Robust integer and fractional helical modes in the quantum Hall effect

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ronen, Yuval; Cohen, Yonatan; Banitt, Daniel; Heiblum, Moty; Umansky, Vladimir

    2018-04-01

    Electronic systems harboring one-dimensional helical modes, where spin and momentum are locked, have lately become an important field of their own. When coupled to a conventional superconductor, such systems are expected to manifest topological superconductivity; a unique phase hosting exotic Majorana zero modes. Even more interesting are fractional helical modes, yet to be observed, which open the route for realizing generalized parafermions. Possessing non-Abelian exchange statistics, these quasiparticles may serve as building blocks in topological quantum computing. Here, we present a new approach to form protected one-dimensional helical edge modes in the quantum Hall regime. The novel platform is based on a carefully designed double-quantum-well structure in a GaAs-based system hosting two electronic sub-bands; each tuned to the quantum Hall effect regime. By electrostatic gating of different areas of the structure, counter-propagating integer, as well as fractional, edge modes with opposite spins are formed. We demonstrate that, due to spin protection, these helical modes remain ballistic over large distances. In addition to the formation of helical modes, this platform can serve as a rich playground for artificial induction of compounded fractional edge modes, and for construction of edge-mode-based interferometers.

  13. Real time optical edge enhancement using a Hughes liquid crystal light valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chao, Tien-Hsin

    1989-01-01

    The discovery of an edge enhancement effect in using a Hughes CdS liquid crystal light valve (LCLV) is reported. An edge-enhanced version of the input writing image can be directly obtained by operating the LCLV at a lower bias frequency and bias voltage. Experimental conditions in which this edge enhancement effect can be optimized are described. Experimental results show that the SNR of the readout image using this technique is superior to that obtained using high-pass filtering. The repeatability of this effect is confirmed by obtaining an edge enhancement result using two different Hughes LCLVs. The applicability of this effect to improve discrimination capability in optical pattern recognition is addressed. The results show that the Hughes LCLV can be used in both continuous tone and edge-enhancing modes by simply adjusting its bias conditions.

  14. Double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is superior to single-bundle reconstruction in terms of revision frequency: a study of 22,460 patients from the Swedish National Knee Ligament Register.

    PubMed

    Svantesson, Eleonor; Sundemo, David; Hamrin Senorski, Eric; Alentorn-Geli, Eduard; Musahl, Volker; Fu, Freddie H; Desai, Neel; Stålman, Anders; Samuelsson, Kristian

    2017-12-01

    Studies comparing single- and double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions often include a combined analysis of anatomic and non-anatomic techniques. The purpose of this study was to compare the revision rates between single- and double-bundle ACL reconstructions in the Swedish National Knee Ligament Register with regard to surgical variables as determined by the anatomic ACL reconstruction scoring checklist (AARSC). Patients from the Swedish National Knee Ligament Register who underwent either single- or double-bundle ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon autograft during the period 2007-2014 were included. The follow-up period started with primary ACL reconstruction, and the outcome measure was set as revision surgery. An online questionnaire based on the items of the AARSC was used to determine the surgical technique implemented in the single-bundle procedures. These were organized into subgroups based on surgical variables, and the revision rates were compared with the double-bundle ACL reconstruction. Hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated and adjusted for confounders by Cox regression. A total of 22,460 patients were included in the study, of which 21,846 were single-bundle and 614 were double-bundle ACL reconstruction. Double-bundle ACL reconstruction had a revision frequency of 2.0% (n = 12) and single-bundle 3.2% (n = 689). Single-bundle reconstruction had an increased risk of revision surgery compared with double-bundle [adjusted HR 1.98 (95% CI 1.12-3.51), p = 0.019]. The subgroup analysis showed a significantly increased risk of revision surgery in patients undergoing single-bundle with anatomic technique using transportal drilling [adjusted HR 2.51 (95% CI 1.39-4.54), p = 0.002] compared with double-bundle ACL reconstruction. Utilizing a more complete anatomic technique according to the AARSC lowered the hazard rate considerably when transportal drilling was performed but still resulted in significantly increased risk of revision surgery compared with double-bundle ACL reconstruction [adjusted HR 1.87 (95% CI 1.04-3.38), p = 0.037]. Double-bundle ACL reconstruction is associated with a lower risk of revision surgery than single-bundle ACL reconstruction. Single-bundle procedures performed using transportal femoral drilling technique had significantly higher risk of revision surgery compared with double-bundle. However, a reference reconstruction with transportal drilling defined as a more complete anatomic reconstruction reduces the risk of revision surgery considerably. III.

  15. Ab initio study of edge effect on relative motion of walls in carbon nanotubes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Popov, Andrey M.; Lebedeva, Irina V.; Knizhnik, Andrey A.; Lozovik, Yurii E.; Potapkin, Boris V.

    2013-01-01

    Interwall interaction energies of double-walled nanotubes with long inner and short outer walls are calculated as functions of coordinates describing relative rotation and displacement of the walls using van der Waals corrected density functional theory. The magnitude of corrugation and the shape of the potential energy relief are found to be very sensitive to changes of the shorter wall length at subnanometer scale and atomic structure of the edges if at least one of the walls is chiral. Threshold forces required to start relative motion of the short walls and temperatures at which the transition between diffusive and free motion of the short walls takes place are estimated. The edges are also shown to provide a considerable contribution to the barrier to relative rotation of commensurate nonchiral walls. For such walls, temperatures of orientational melting, i.e., the crossover from rotational diffusion to free relative rotation, are estimated. The possibility to produce nanotube-based bolt/nut pairs and nanobearings is discussed.

  16. Low doping concentration studies of doped PVA-Coumarin nanocomposite films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tripathi, J.; Tripathi, S.; Bisen, R.; Sharma, A.; Choudhary, A.; Shripathi, T.

    2016-05-01

    The observations of combination of Poly (vinyl) alcohol and Coumarin properties in nanocmposite films are reported. The X-ray diffraction measurements reveal nanocrystalline nature of PVA film, which remains nanocrystalline after doping Coumarin but along with PVA peaks, additional peak due to dopant crystallinity is seen. The absorption edge shows a double edge feature, where distinct bandgaps for PVA host and dopant Coumarin are obtained. However at a higher doping wt % of 1 and 2, the absorption is mainly dominated by Coumarin and single absorption edge is observed giving a bandgap equal to that of bulk Coumarin (3.3 eV). The composite formation affects the bonding of host drastically and is seen through the bond modification in FTIR spectra. The results suggest that doping below 2 wt% is advantageous as combination of PVA and Coumarin properties are obtained but at 2 wt %, the properties are dominated by mainly Coumarin and the signature of PVA from optical properties is completely lost.

  17. Low doping concentration studies of doped PVA-Coumarin nanocomposite films

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

    Tripathi, J., E-mail: jtripathi00@rediffmail.com; Bisen, R.; Choudhary, A.

    2016-05-23

    The observations of combination of Poly (vinyl) alcohol and Coumarin properties in nanocmposite films are reported. The X-ray diffraction measurements reveal nanocrystalline nature of PVA film, which remains nanocrystalline after doping Coumarin but along with PVA peaks, additional peak due to dopant crystallinity is seen. The absorption edge shows a double edge feature, where distinct bandgaps for PVA host and dopant Coumarin are obtained. However at a higher doping wt % of 1 and 2, the absorption is mainly dominated by Coumarin and single absorption edge is observed giving a bandgap equal to that of bulk Coumarin (3.3 eV). Themore » composite formation affects the bonding of host drastically and is seen through the bond modification in FTIR spectra. The results suggest that doping below 2 wt% is advantageous as combination of PVA and Coumarin properties are obtained but at 2 wt %, the properties are dominated by mainly Coumarin and the signature of PVA from optical properties is completely lost.« less

  18. Four-Dimensional Continuum Gyrokinetic Code: Neoclassical Simulation of Fusion Edge Plasmas

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xu, X. Q.

    2005-10-01

    We are developing a continuum gyrokinetic code, TEMPEST, to simulate edge plasmas. Our code represents velocity space via a grid in equilibrium energy and magnetic moment variables, and configuration space via poloidal magnetic flux and poloidal angle. The geometry is that of a fully diverted tokamak (single or double null) and so includes boundary conditions for both closed magnetic flux surfaces and open field lines. The 4-dimensional code includes kinetic electrons and ions, and electrostatic field-solver options, and simulates neoclassical transport. The present implementation is a Method of Lines approach where spatial finite-differences (higher order upwinding) and implicit time advancement are used. We present results of initial verification and validation studies: transition from collisional to collisionless limits of parallel end-loss in the scrape-off layer, self-consistent electric field, and the effect of the real X-point geometry and edge plasma conditions on the standard neoclassical theory, including a comparison of our 4D code with other kinetic neoclassical codes and experiments.

  19. Simulation of Near-Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure with Time-Dependent Equation-of-Motion Coupled-Cluster Theory.

    PubMed

    Nascimento, Daniel R; DePrince, A Eugene

    2017-07-06

    An explicitly time-dependent (TD) approach to equation-of-motion (EOM) coupled-cluster theory with single and double excitations (CCSD) is implemented for simulating near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure in molecular systems. The TD-EOM-CCSD absorption line shape function is given by the Fourier transform of the CCSD dipole autocorrelation function. We represent this transform by its Padé approximant, which provides converged spectra in much shorter simulation times than are required by the Fourier form. The result is a powerful framework for the blackbox simulation of broadband absorption spectra. K-edge X-ray absorption spectra for carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen in several small molecules are obtained from the real part of the absorption line shape function and are compared with experiment. The computed and experimentally obtained spectra are in good agreement; the mean unsigned error in the predicted peak positions is only 1.2 eV. We also explore the spectral signatures of protonation in these molecules.

  20. Measurement of electron temperature and density of the edge plasma of JET by ECE and microwave reflectometry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bartlett, D. V.; Costley, A. E.; Porte, L.; Prentice, R.; Salmon, N. A.; Sips, G.

    1990-12-01

    The potential of electron cyclotron emission and microwave reflectometry as techniques for measuring the electron temperature and density in the edge region of tokamak plasmas is investigated. Experiments to realize this potential on JET are described and some illustrative results presented.

  1. Edge-following algorithm for tracking geological features

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tietz, J. C.

    1977-01-01

    Sequential edge-tracking algorithm employs circular scanning to point permit effective real-time tracking of coastlines and rivers from earth resources satellites. Technique eliminates expensive high-resolution cameras. System might also be adaptable for application in monitoring automated assembly lines, inspecting conveyor belts, or analyzing thermographs, or x ray images.

  2. Reading Edge. What Works Clearinghouse Intervention Report

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    What Works Clearinghouse, 2012

    2012-01-01

    "Reading Edge" is a middle school literacy program that emphasizes cooperative learning, goal setting, feedback, classroom management techniques, and the use of metacognitive strategy, whereby students assess their own skills and learn to apply new ones. The program is a component of the "Success for All"[superscript 2]…

  3. Astrometric Measurements and Proper Motion Analysis for WDS 11582 +0335 HJ 1204

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Edwards, Erica; Garcia, Jose; Terronez, Cheyenne; Stuart, Melanie; Calanog, Jae; Boyce, Pat; Boyce, Grady

    2018-04-01

    We obtained and analyzed CCD images of the double star system WDS 11582 +0335 (HJ 1204) using the iTelescope network and a variety of specialized software. WCS coordinates were attached to each image, and the separation distance (ρ) and mean position angle (θ) were measured at ρ = 7.9" ± 0.03" and θ = 59.3° ± 0.2°. These results were compared to historical data, dating back 200 years and we find that HJ 1204 is currently exhibiting a linearly decreasing ρ and a constant θ. This suggests that HJ 1204 could be a visual double or an edge-on binary. Follow-up spectroscopic observations should resolve the two possibilities.

  4. Wavelength-dependence of double optical gating for attosecond pulse generation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tian, Jia; Li, Min; Yu, Ji-Zhou; Deng, Yong-Kai; Liu, Yun-Quan

    2014-10-01

    Both polarization gating (PG) and double optical gating (DOG) are productive methods to generate single attosecond (as) pulses. In this paper, considering the ground-state depletion effect, we investigate the wavelength-dependence of the DOG method in order to optimize the generation of single attosecond pulses for the future application. By calculating the ionization probabilities of the leading edge of the pulse at different driving laser wavelengths, we obtain the upper limit of duration for the driving laser pulse for the DOG setup. We find that the upper limit duration increases with the increase of laser wavelength. We further describe the technical method of choosing and calculating the thickness values of optical components for the DOG setup.

  5. Do Clinical Results and Return-to-Sport Rates After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Differ Based on Graft Choice and Surgical Technique?

    PubMed Central

    Erickson, Brandon J.; Cvetanovich, Gregory L.; Frank, Rachel M.; Bach, Bernard R.; Cohen, Mark S.; Bush-Joseph, Charles A.; Cole, Brian J.; Romeo, Anthony A.

    2016-01-01

    Background: Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) has become a common procedure performed in overhead-throwing athletes of many athletic levels. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to determine whether clinical outcomes and return-to-sport (RTS) rates differ among patients undergoing UCLR based on graft choice, surgical technique, athletic competition level, handedness, and treatment of the ulnar nerve. We hypothesized that no differences would exist in clinical outcomes or RTS rates between technique, graft choice, or other variables. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: All patients who underwent UCLR from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2014 at a single institution were identified. Charts were reviewed to determine patient age, sex, date of surgery, sport played, handedness, athletic level, surgical technique, graft type, and complications. Patients were contacted via telephone to obtain the RTS rate, Conway-Jobe score, Timmerman-Andrews score, and Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (KJOC) Shoulder and Elbow score. Results: Eighty-five patients (mean age at surgery, 19.3 ± 4.7 years; 92% male; 78% right hand–dominant) underwent UCLR between 2004 and 2014 and were available for follow-up. Overall, 87% were baseball pitchers, 49.4% were college athletes, and 41.2% were high school athletes. No significant difference existed between the docking and double-docking techniques, graft choice, handedness, sex, activity level, and treatment of the ulnar nerve with regard to clinical outcomes, RTS, or subsequent surgeries (all P > .05). More complications were seen in the docking technique compared with the double-docking technique (P = .036). Hamstring autograft was used more commonly with the docking technique (P = .023) while allograft was used more commonly with the double-docking technique (P = .0006). Conclusion: Both the docking and double-docking techniques produce excellent clinical outcomes in patients undergoing UCLR. No difference in outcome scores was seen between surgical technique or graft type. The double-docking technique had fewer complications than the docking technique. PMID:27896290

  6. Objectification of perceptual image quality for mobile video

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Seon-Oh; Sim, Dong-Gyu

    2011-06-01

    This paper presents an objective video quality evaluation method for quantifying the subjective quality of digital mobile video. The proposed method aims to objectify the subjective quality by extracting edgeness and blockiness parameters. To evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms, we carried out subjective video quality tests with the double-stimulus continuous quality scale method and obtained differential mean opinion score values for 120 mobile video clips. We then compared the performance of the proposed methods with that of existing methods in terms of the differential mean opinion score with 120 mobile video clips. Experimental results showed that the proposed methods were approximately 10% better than the edge peak signal-to-noise ratio of the J.247 method in terms of the Pearson correlation.

  7. Microfabricated high-bandpass foucault aperture for electron microscopy

    DOEpatents

    Glaeser, Robert; Cambie, Rossana; Jin, Jian

    2014-08-26

    A variant of the Foucault (knife-edge) aperture is disclosed that is designed to provide single-sideband (SSB) contrast at low spatial frequencies but retain conventional double-sideband (DSB) contrast at high spatial frequencies in transmission electron microscopy. The aperture includes a plate with an inner open area, a support extending from the plate at an edge of the open area, a half-circle feature mounted on the support and located at the center of the aperture open area. The radius of the half-circle portion of reciprocal space that is blocked by the aperture can be varied to suit the needs of electron microscopy investigation. The aperture is fabricated from conductive material which is preferably non-oxidizing, such as gold, for example.

  8. LIDAR Point Cloud Data Extraction and Establishment of 3D Modeling of Buildings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Yujuan; Li, Xiuhai; Wang, Qiang; Liu, Jiang; Liang, Xin; Li, Dan; Ni, Chundi; Liu, Yan

    2018-01-01

    This paper takes the method of Shepard’s to deal with the original LIDAR point clouds data, and generate regular grid data DSM, filters the ground point cloud and non ground point cloud through double least square method, and obtains the rules of DSM. By using region growing method for the segmentation of DSM rules, the removal of non building point cloud, obtaining the building point cloud information. Uses the Canny operator to extract the image segmentation is needed after the edges of the building, uses Hough transform line detection to extract the edges of buildings rules of operation based on the smooth and uniform. At last, uses E3De3 software to establish the 3D model of buildings.

  9. Double-Row Capsulolabral Repair Increases Load to Failure and Decreases Excessive Motion.

    PubMed

    McDonald, Lucas S; Thompson, Matthew; Altchek, David W; McGarry, Michelle H; Lee, Thay Q; Rocchi, Vanna J; Dines, Joshua S

    2016-11-01

    Using a cadaver shoulder instability model and load-testing device, we compared biomechanical characteristics of double-row and single-row capsulolabral repairs. We hypothesized a greater reduction in glenohumeral motion and translation and a higher load to failure in a mattress double-row capsulolabral repair than in a single-row repair. In 6 matched pairs of cadaveric shoulders, a capsulolabral injury was created. One shoulder was repaired with a single-row technique, and the other with a double-row mattress technique. Rotational range of motion, anterior-inferior translation, and humeral head kinematics were measured. Load-to-failure testing measured stiffness, yield load, deformation at yield load, energy absorbed at yield load, load to failure, deformation at ultimate load, and energy absorbed at ultimate load. Double-row repair significantly decreased external rotation and total range of motion compared with single-row repair. Both repairs decreased anterior-inferior translation compared with the capsulolabral-injured condition, however, no differences existed between repair types. Yield load in the single-row group was 171.3 ± 110.1 N, and in the double-row group it was 216.1 ± 83.1 N (P = .02). Ultimate load to failure in the single-row group was 224.5 ± 121.0 N, and in the double-row group it was 373.9 ± 172.0 N (P = .05). Energy absorbed at ultimate load in the single-row group was 1,745.4 ± 1,462.9 N-mm, and in the double-row group it was 4,649.8 ± 1,930.8 N-mm (P = .02). In cases of capsulolabral disruption, double-row repair techniques may result in decreased shoulder rotational range of motion and improved load-to-failure characteristics. In cases of capsulolabral disruption, repair techniques with double-row mattress repair may provide more secure fixation. Double-row capsulolabral repair decreases shoulder motion and increases load to failure, yield load, and energy absorbed at yield load more than single-row repair. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  10. Speciation and distribution of copper in a mining soil using multiple synchrotron-based bulk and microscopic techniques.

    PubMed

    Yang, Jianjun; Liu, Jin; Dynes, James J; Peak, Derek; Regier, Tom; Wang, Jian; Zhu, Shenhai; Shi, Jiyan; Tse, John S

    2014-02-01

    Molecular-level understanding of soil Cu speciation and distribution assists in management of Cu contamination in mining sites. In this study, one soil sample, collected from a mining site contaminated since 1950s, was characterized complementarily by multiple synchrotron-based bulk and spatially resolved techniques for the speciation and distribution of Cu as well as other related elements (Fe, Ca, Mn, K, Al, and Si). Bulk X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy revealed that soil Cu was predominantly associated with Fe oxides instead of soil organic matter. This agreed with the closest association of Cu to Fe by microscopic X-ray fluorescence (U-XRF) and scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) nanoanalysis, along with the non-occurrence of photoreduction of soil Cu(II) by quick Cu L3,2-edge XANES spectroscopy (Q-XANES) which often occurs when Cu organic complexes are present. Furthermore, bulk-EXAFS and STXM-coupled Fe L3,2-edge nano-XANES analysis revealed soil Cu adsorbed primarily to Fe(III) oxides by inner-sphere complexation. Additionally, Cu K-edge μ-XANES, L3,2-edge bulk-XANES, and successive Q-XANES results identified the presence of Cu2S rather than radiation-damage artifacts dominant in certain microsites of the mining soil. This study demonstrates the great benefits in use of multiple combined synchrotron-based techniques for comprehensive understanding of Cu speciation in heterogeneous soil matrix, which facilitates our prediction of Cu reactivity and environmental fate in the mining site.

  11. Biomechanical characteristics and speed adaptation during kick double poling on roller skis in elite cross-country skiers.

    PubMed

    Göpfert, Caroline; Holmberg, Hans-Christer; Stöggl, Thomas; Müller, Erich; Lindinger, Stefan Josef

    2013-06-01

    Recent developments in cross-country ski racing should promote the use of kick double poling. This technique, however, has not been the focus in athletes' training and has barely been investigated. The aims of the present study were to develop a function-based phase definition and to analyse speed adaptation mechanisms for kick double poling in elite cross-country skiers. Joint kinematics and pole/plantar forces were recorded in 10 athletes while performing kick double poling at three submaximal roller skiing speeds. A speed increase was associated with increases in cycle length and rate, while absolute poling and leg push-off durations shortened. Despite maintained impulses of force, the peak and average pole/leg forces increased. During double poling and leg push-off, ranges of motion of elbow flexion and extension increased (p < 0.05) and were maintained for hip/knee flexion and extension. Cycle length increase was correlated to increases in average poling force (r = 0.71) and arm swing time (r = 0.88; both p < 0.05). The main speed adaptation was achieved by changes in double poling technique; however, leg push-off showed high variability among elite skiers, thus illustrating important aspects for technique training.

  12. Bridging suture makes consistent and secure fixation in double-row rotator cuff repair.

    PubMed

    Fukuhara, Tetsutaro; Mihata, Teruhisa; Jun, Bong Jae; Neo, Masashi

    2017-09-01

    Inconsistent tension distribution may decrease the biomechanical properties of the rotator cuff tendon after double-row repair, resulting in repair failure. The purpose of this study was to compare the tension distribution along the repaired rotator cuff tendon among three double-row repair techniques. In each of 42 fresh-frozen porcine shoulders, a simulated infraspinatus tendon tear was repaired by using 1 of 3 double-row techniques: (1) conventional double-row repair (no bridging suture); (2) transosseous-equivalent repair (bridging suture alone); and (3) compression double-row repair (which combined conventional double-row and bridging sutures). Each specimen underwent cyclic testing at a simulated shoulder abduction angle of 0° or 40° on a material-testing machine. Gap formation and tendon strain were measured during the 1st and 30th cycles. To evaluate tension distribution after cuff repair, difference in gap and tendon strain between the superior and inferior fixations was compared among three double-row techniques. At an abduction angle of 0°, gap formation after either transosseous-equivalent or compression double-row repair was significantly less than that after conventional double-row repair (p < 0.01). During the 30th cycle, both transosseous-equivalent repair (p = 0.02) and compression double-row repair (p = 0.01) at 0° abduction had significantly less difference in gap formation between the superior and inferior fixations than did conventional double-row repair. After the 30th cycle, the difference in longitudinal strain between the superior and inferior fixations at 0° abduction was significantly less with compression double-row repair (2.7% ± 2.4%) than with conventional double-row repair (8.6% ± 5.5%, p = 0.03). Bridging sutures facilitate consistent and secure fixation in double-row rotator cuff repairs, suggesting that bridging sutures may be beneficial for distributing tension equally among all sutures during double-row repair of rotator cuff tears. Copyright © 2017 The Japanese Orthopaedic Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. Prospects of pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals loaded microparticles prepared by double emulsion technique for controlled delivery

    PubMed Central

    Giri, Tapan Kumar; Choudhary, Chhatrapal; Ajazuddin; Alexander, Amit; Badwaik, Hemant; Tripathi, Dulal Krishna

    2012-01-01

    Several methods and techniques are potentially useful for the preparation of microparticles in the field of controlled drug delivery. The type and the size of the microparticles, the entrapment, release characteristics and stability of drug in microparticles in the formulations are dependent on the method used. One of the most common methods of preparing microparticles is the single emulsion technique. Poorly soluble, lipophilic drugs are successfully retained within the microparticles prepared by this method. However, the encapsulation of highly water soluble compounds including protein and peptides presents formidable challenges to the researchers. The successful encapsulation of such compounds requires high drug loading in the microparticles, prevention of protein and peptide degradation by the encapsulation method involved and predictable release, both rate and extent, of the drug compound from the microparticles. The above mentioned problems can be overcome by using the double emulsion technique, alternatively called as multiple emulsion technique. Aiming to achieve this various techniques have been examined to prepare stable formulations utilizing w/o/w, s/o/w, w/o/o, and s/o/o type double emulsion methods. This article reviews the current state of the art in double emulsion based technologies for the preparation of microparticles including the investigation of various classes of substances that are pharmaceutically and biopharmaceutically active. PMID:23960828

  14. A Monte Carlo simulation study of an improved K-edge log-subtraction X-ray imaging using a photon counting CdTe detector

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Youngjin; Lee, Amy Candy; Kim, Hee-Joung

    2016-09-01

    Recently, significant effort has been spent on the development of photons counting detector (PCD) based on a CdTe for applications in X-ray imaging system. The motivation of developing PCDs is higher image quality. Especially, the K-edge subtraction (KES) imaging technique using a PCD is able to improve image quality and useful for increasing the contrast resolution of a target material by utilizing contrast agent. Based on above-mentioned technique, we presented an idea for an improved K-edge log-subtraction (KELS) imaging technique. The KELS imaging technique based on the PCDs can be realized by using different subtraction energy width of the energy window. In this study, the effects of the KELS imaging technique and subtraction energy width of the energy window was investigated with respect to the contrast, standard deviation, and CNR with a Monte Carlo simulation. We simulated the PCD X-ray imaging system based on a CdTe and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) phantom which consists of the various iodine contrast agents. To acquired KELS images, images of the phantom using above and below the iodine contrast agent K-edge absorption energy (33.2 keV) have been acquired at different energy range. According to the results, the contrast and standard deviation were decreased, when subtraction energy width of the energy window is increased. Also, the CNR using a KELS imaging technique is higher than that of the images acquired by using whole energy range. Especially, the maximum differences of CNR between whole energy range and KELS images using a 1, 2, and 3 mm diameter iodine contrast agent were acquired 11.33, 8.73, and 8.29 times, respectively. Additionally, the optimum subtraction energy width of the energy window can be acquired at 5, 4, and 3 keV for the 1, 2, and 3 mm diameter iodine contrast agent, respectively. In conclusion, we successfully established an improved KELS imaging technique and optimized subtraction energy width of the energy window, and based on our results, we recommend using this technique for high image quality.

  15. Edge enhancement of color images using a digital micromirror device.

    PubMed

    Di Martino, J Matías; Flores, Jorge L; Ayubi, Gastón A; Alonso, Julia R; Fernández, Ariel; Ferrari, José A

    2012-06-01

    A method for orientation-selective enhancement of edges in color images is proposed. The method utilizes the capacity of digital micromirror devices to generate a positive and a negative color replica of the image used as input. When both images are slightly displaced and imagined together, one obtains an image with enhanced edges. The proposed technique does not require a coherent light source or precise alignment. The proposed method could be potentially useful for processing large image sequences in real time. Validation experiments are presented.

  16. Automatic Target Cueing (ATC) Task 1 Report - Literature Survey on ATC

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-10-30

    xa s In st ru m en t D aV in ci c hi p C ++ O ut da te d in fo rm at io n as w eb pa ge w as la st u pd at ed in...techniques such as contrast/ edge enhancement to increase the detectability of targets in the urban terrain. [P-4] restores long-distance thermal...Range? Sensor Experimental Setup Results [P-3] Contrast enhancement Edge enhancement Multi-scale edge domain Still images Yes IR

  17. Learner Dashboards a Double-Edged Sword? Students' Sense-Making of a Collaborative Critical Reading and Learning Analytics Environment for Fostering 21st-Century Literacies

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Pei-Ling Tan, Jennifer; Koh, Elizabeth; Jonathan, Christin; Yang, Simon

    2017-01-01

    The affordances of learning analytics (LA) tools and solutions are being increasingly harnessed for enhancing 21st century pedagogical and learning strategies and outcomes. However, use cases and empirical understandings of students' experiences with LA tools and environments aimed at fostering 21st century literacies, especially in the K-12…

  18. Rising Sea Levels: Truth or Scare?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Peacock, Alan

    2007-01-01

    When "ITV News" ran an item that shocked the author, about rising sea levels that will have caused the entire evacuation of the islands by the end of this year, he began to wonder whether the Pacific Ocean is really rising as fast as this. The media reporting of such things can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it brought to the author's…

  19. Are Academic Discounting and Devaluing Double-Edged Swords? Their Relations to Global Self-Esteem, Achievement Goals, and Performance among Stigmatized Students

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Loose, Florence; Regner, Isabelle; Morin, Alexandre J. S.; Dumas, Florence

    2012-01-01

    Often taken for granted, the coexistence of benefits and costs of discounting and devaluing has never been tested. Yet, not only are there inconsistent findings about the relations between these processes and global self-esteem, but little is known about their relations to motivation and performance. Here we simultaneously examined how academic…

  20. Factors Contributed by Community Organizations to the Motivation of Teachers in Rural Punjab, Pakistan, and Implications for the Quality of Teaching

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Barrs, J.

    2005-01-01

    The double-edged sword of Jomtien (1990), which emphasized access to education, and of Dakar (2000), which placed additional emphasis on the quality of education, the Holy Grail, provides the context for the expansion of education in developing countries. One of the most frequently espoused ingredients for success is good governance. The…

  1. Edge-entanglement spectrum correspondence in a nonchiral topological phase and Kramers-Wannier duality

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ho, Wen Wei; Cincio, Lukasz; Moradi, Heidar; Gaiotto, Davide; Vidal, Guifre

    2015-03-01

    In a system with chiral topological order, there is a remarkable correspondence between the edge and entanglement spectra: the low-energy spectrum of the system in the presence of a physical edge coincides with the lowest part of the entanglement spectrum (ES) across a virtual cut of the system into two parts, up to rescaling and shifting. This correspondence is believed to be due to the existence of protected gapless edge modes. In this paper, we explore whether the edge-entanglement spectrum correspondence extends to nonchiral topological phases, where there are no protected gapless edge modes. Specifically, we consider the Wen-plaquette model, which is equivalent to the Kitaev toric code model and has Z2 topological order (quantum double of Z2) . The unperturbed Wen-plaquette model displays an exact correspondence: both the edge and entanglement spectra within each topological sector a (a =1 ,⋯,4 ) are flat and equally degenerate. Here, we show, through a detailed microscopic calculation, that in the presence of generic local perturbations: (i) the effective degrees of freedom for both the physical edge and the entanglement cut consist of a (spin-1 /2 ) spin chain, with effective Hamiltonians Hedgea and Henta, respectively, both of which have a Z2 symmetry enforced by the bulk topological order; (ii) there is in general no match between the low-energy spectra of Hedgea and Henta, that is, there is no edge-ES correspondence. However, if supplement the Z2 topological order with a global symmetry (translational invariance along the edge/entanglement cut), i.e., by considering the Wen-plaquette model as a symmetry-enriched topological phase (SET), then there is a finite domain in Hamiltonian space in which both Hedgea and Henta realize the critical Ising model, whose low-energy effective theory is the c =1 /2 Ising CFT. This is achieved because the presence of the global symmetry implies that the effective degrees of freedom of both the edge and entanglement cut are governed by Kramers-Wannier self-dual Hamiltonians, in addition to them being Z2 symmetric, which is imposed by the topological order. Thus, by considering the Wen-plaquette model as a SET, the topological order in the bulk together with the translation invariance of the perturbations along the edge/cut imply an edge-ES correspondence at least in some finite domain in Hamiltonian space.

  2. Edge-Functionalization of Pyrene as a Miniature Graphene via Friedel–Crafts Acylation Reaction in Poly(Phosphoric Acid)

    PubMed Central

    2010-01-01

    The feasibility of edge-functionalization of graphite was tested via the model reaction between pyrene and 4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyloxy)benzamide (TMPBA) in poly(phosphoric acid) (PPA)/phosphorous pentoxide (P2O5) medium. The functionalization was confirmed by various characterization techniques. On the basis of the model study, the reaction condition could be extended to the edge-functionalization of graphite with TMPBA. Preliminary results showed that the resultant TMPBA-grafted graphite (graphite-g-TMPBA) was found to be readily dispersible in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and can be used as a precursor for edge-functionalized graphene (EFG). PMID:21076664

  3. Electrically tunable spin filtering for electron tunneling between spin-resolved quantum Hall edge states and a quantum dot

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

    Kiyama, H., E-mail: kiyama@meso.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp; Fujita, T.; Teraoka, S.

    2014-06-30

    Spin filtering with electrically tunable efficiency is achieved for electron tunneling between a quantum dot and spin-resolved quantum Hall edge states by locally gating the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) leads near the tunnel junction to the dot. The local gating can change the potential gradient in the 2DEG and consequently the edge state separation. We use this technique to electrically control the ratio of the dot–edge state tunnel coupling between opposite spins and finally increase spin filtering efficiency up to 91%, the highest ever reported, by optimizing the local gating.

  4. Pulse shape discrimination for Gerda Phase I data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Agostini, M.; Allardt, M.; Andreotti, E.; Bakalyarov, A. M.; Balata, M.; Barabanov, I.; Barnabé Heider, M.; Barros, N.; Baudis, L.; Bauer, C.; Becerici-Schmidt, N.; Bellotti, E.; Belogurov, S.; Belyaev, S. T.; Benato, G.; Bettini, A.; Bezrukov, L.; Bode, T.; Brudanin, V.; Brugnera, R.; Budjáš, D.; Caldwell, A.; Cattadori, C.; Chernogorov, A.; Cossavella, F.; Demidova, E. V.; Domula, A.; Egorov, V.; Falkenstein, R.; Ferella, A.; Freund, K.; Frodyma, N.; Gangapshev, A.; Garfagnini, A.; Gotti, C.; Grabmayr, P.; Gurentsov, V.; Gusev, K.; Guthikonda, K. K.; Hampel, W.; Hegai, A.; Heisel, M.; Hemmer, S.; Heusser, G.; Hofmann, W.; Hult, M.; Inzhechik, L. V.; Ioannucci, L.; Janicskó Csáthy, J.; Jochum, J.; Junker, M.; Kihm, T.; Kirpichnikov, I. V.; Kirsch, A.; Klimenko, A.; Knöpfle, K. T.; Kochetov, O.; Kornoukhov, V. N.; Kuzminov, V. V.; Laubenstein, M.; Lazzaro, A.; Lebedev, V. I.; Lehnert, B.; Liao, H. Y.; Lindner, M.; Lippi, I.; Liu, X.; Lubashevskiy, A.; Lubsandorzhiev, B.; Lutter, G.; Macolino, C.; Machado, A. A.; Majorovits, B.; Maneschg, W.; Misiaszek, M.; Nemchenok, I.; Nisi, S.; O'Shaughnessy, C.; Pandola, L.; Pelczar, K.; Pessina, G.; Pullia, A.; Riboldi, S.; Rumyantseva, N.; Sada, C.; Salathe, M.; Schmitt, C.; Schreiner, J.; Schulz, O.; Schwingenheuer, B.; Schönert, S.; Shevchik, E.; Shirchenko, M.; Simgen, H.; Smolnikov, A.; Stanco, L.; Strecker, H.; Tarka, M.; Ur, C. A.; Vasenko, A. A.; Volynets, O.; von Sturm, K.; Wagner, V.; Walter, M.; Wegmann, A.; Wester, T.; Wojcik, M.; Yanovich, E.; Zavarise, P.; Zhitnikov, I.; Zhukov, S. V.; Zinatulina, D.; Zuber, K.; Zuzel, G.

    2013-10-01

    The Gerda experiment located at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso of INFN searches for neutrinoless double beta (0 νββ) decay of 76Ge using germanium diodes as source and detector. In Phase I of the experiment eight semi-coaxial and five BEGe type detectors have been deployed. The latter type is used in this field of research for the first time. All detectors are made from material with enriched 76Ge fraction. The experimental sensitivity can be improved by analyzing the pulse shape of the detector signals with the aim to reject background events. This paper documents the algorithms developed before the data of Phase I were unblinded. The double escape peak (DEP) and Compton edge events of 2.615 MeV γ rays from 208Tl decays as well as two-neutrino double beta (2 νββ) decays of 76Ge are used as proxies for 0 νββ decay. For BEGe detectors the chosen selection is based on a single pulse shape parameter. It accepts 0.92±0.02 of signal-like events while about 80 % of the background events at Q ββ =2039 keV are rejected. For semi-coaxial detectors three analyses are developed. The one based on an artificial neural network is used for the search of 0 νββ decay. It retains 90 % of DEP events and rejects about half of the events around Q ββ . The 2 νββ events have an efficiency of 0.85±0.02 and the one for 0 νββ decays is estimated to be . A second analysis uses a likelihood approach trained on Compton edge events. The third approach uses two pulse shape parameters. The latter two methods confirm the classification of the neural network since about 90 % of the data events rejected by the neural network are also removed by both of them. In general, the selection efficiency extracted from DEP events agrees well with those determined from Compton edge events or from 2 νββ decays.

  5. Pulse shape discrimination for Gerda Phase I data

    DOE PAGES

    Agostini, M.; Allardt, M.; Andreotti, E.; ...

    2013-10-09

    The GERDA experiment located at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso of INFN searches for neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay of 76Ge using germanium diodes as source and detector. In Phase I of the experiment eight semi-coaxial and five BEGe type detectors have been deployed. The latter type is used in this field of research for the first time. All detectors are made from material with enriched 76Ge fraction. The experimental sensitivity can be improved by analyzing the pulse shape of the detector signals with the aim to reject background events. This paper documents the algorithms developed before the datamore » of Phase I were unblinded. The double escape peak (DEP) and Compton edge events of 2.615 MeV γ rays from 208Tl decays as well as two-neutrino double beta (2νββ) decays of 76Ge are used as proxies for 0νββ decay. For BEGe detectors the chosen selection is based on a single pulse shape parameter. It accepts 0.92 ± 0.02 of signal-like events while about 80 % of the background events at Qββ = 2039 keV are rejected. For semi-coaxial detectors three analyses are developed. The one based on an artificial neural network is used for the search of 0νββ decay. It retains 90 % of DEP events and rejects about half of the events around Qββ . The 2νββ events have an efficiency of 0.85±0.02 and the one for 0νββ decays is estimated to be 0.90 +0.05 -0.09 . A second analysis uses a likelihood approach trained on Compton edge events. The third approach uses two pulse shape parameters. The latter two methods confirm the classification of the neural network since about 90 % of the data events rejected by the neural network are also removed by both of them. In general, the selection efficiency extracted from DEP events agrees well with those determined from Compton edge events or from 2νββ decays.« less

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

    Agostini, M.; Allardt, M.; Andreotti, E.

    The GERDA experiment located at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso of INFN searches for neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay of 76Ge using germanium diodes as source and detector. In Phase I of the experiment eight semi-coaxial and five BEGe type detectors have been deployed. The latter type is used in this field of research for the first time. All detectors are made from material with enriched 76Ge fraction. The experimental sensitivity can be improved by analyzing the pulse shape of the detector signals with the aim to reject background events. This paper documents the algorithms developed before the datamore » of Phase I were unblinded. The double escape peak (DEP) and Compton edge events of 2.615 MeV γ rays from 208Tl decays as well as two-neutrino double beta (2νββ) decays of 76Ge are used as proxies for 0νββ decay. For BEGe detectors the chosen selection is based on a single pulse shape parameter. It accepts 0.92 ± 0.02 of signal-like events while about 80 % of the background events at Qββ = 2039 keV are rejected. For semi-coaxial detectors three analyses are developed. The one based on an artificial neural network is used for the search of 0νββ decay. It retains 90 % of DEP events and rejects about half of the events around Qββ . The 2νββ events have an efficiency of 0.85±0.02 and the one for 0νββ decays is estimated to be 0.90 +0.05 -0.09 . A second analysis uses a likelihood approach trained on Compton edge events. The third approach uses two pulse shape parameters. The latter two methods confirm the classification of the neural network since about 90 % of the data events rejected by the neural network are also removed by both of them. In general, the selection efficiency extracted from DEP events agrees well with those determined from Compton edge events or from 2νββ decays.« less

  7. Bifurcation of quiescent H-mode to a wide pedestal regime in DIII-D and advances in the understanding of edge harmonic oscillations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Xi; Burrell, K. H.; Osborne, T. H.; Barada, K.; Ferraro, N. M.; Garofalo, A. M.; Groebner, R. J.; McKee, G. R.; Petty, C. C.; Porkolab, M.; Rhodes, T. L.; Rost, J. C.; Snyder, P. B.; Solomon, W. M.; Yan, Z.; The DIII-D Team

    2017-08-01

    New experimental studies and modelling of the coherent edge harmonic oscillation (EHO), which regulates the conventional Quiescent H-mode (QH-mode) edge, validate the proposed hypothesis of edge rotational shear in destabilizing the low-n kink-peeling mode as the additional drive mechanism for the EHO. The observed minimum edge E  ×  B shear required for the EHO decreases linearly with pedestal collisionality ν \\text{e}\\ast , which is favorable for operating QH-mode in machines with low collisionality and low rotation such as ITER. In addition, the QH-mode regime in DIII-D has recently been found to bifurcate into a new ‘wide-pedestal’ state at low torque in double-null shaped plasmas, characterized by increased pedestal height, width and thermal energy confinement (Burrell 2016 Phys. Plasmas 23 056103, Chen 2017 Nucl. Fusion 57 022007). This potentially provides an alternate path for achieving high performance ELM-stable operation at low torque, in addition to the low-torque QH-mode sustained with applied 3D fields. Multi-branch low-k and intermediate-k turbulences are observed in the ‘wide-pedestal’. New experiments support the hypothesis that the decreased edge E  ×  B shear enables destabilization of broadband turbulence, which relaxes edge pressure gradients, improves peeling-ballooning stability and allows a wider and thus higher pedestal. The ability to accurately predict the critical E  ×  B shear for EHO and maintain high performance QH-mode at low torque is an essential requirement for projecting QH-mode operation to ITER and future machines.

  8. The efficacy of a “double-D-shaped” wire marker for radiographic measurement of acetabular cup orientation and wear

    PubMed Central

    Derbyshire, Brian; Raut, Videshnandan V.

    2013-01-01

    Historically, wire markers were attached to cemented all-plastic acetabular cups to demarcate the periphery and to measure socket wear. The wire shape was either a semi-circle passing over the pole of the cup, or a circle around the cup equator. More recently, “double-D” shaped markers were introduced with a part-circular aspect passing over the pole and a semi-circular aspect parallel to the equatorial plane. This configuration enabled cup retroversion to be distinguished from anteversion. In this study, the accuracy of radiographic measurement of cup orientation and wear was assessed for cups with “double-D” and circular markers. Each cup was attached to a measurement jig which could vary the anteversion/retroversion and internal/external rotation of the cup. A metal femoral head was fixed within the socket and radiographic images were created for all combinations of cup orientation settings. The images were measured using software with automatic edge detection, and cup orientation and zero-wear accuracies were determined for each setting. The median error for cup version measurements was similar for both types of wire marker (0.2° double-D marker, −0.24° circular marker), but measurements of the circular marker were more repeatable. The median inclination errors were 2.05° (double-D marker) and 0.23° (circular marker). The median overall “zero wear” errors were 0.19 mm (double-D marker) and 0.03 mm (circular marker). Measurements of the circular wire marker were much more repeatable. PMID:23813165

  9. Double transosseous pull out suture technique for transection of posterior horn of medial meniscus.

    PubMed

    Ahn, Jin Hwan; Wang, Joon Ho; Lim, Hong Chul; Bae, Ji Hoon; Park, Joon Soo; Yoo, Jae Chul; Shyam, Ashok Kumar

    2009-03-01

    Transection injury (complete radial tear, root tear) in the posterior horn of medial meniscus will lead to loss of hoop strain, extrusion of the meniscus and early degenerative changes. The posterior horn of medial meniscus is amenable to repair due to its good blood supply and repair is the procedure of choice for these injuries. In cases of transection of the medial meniscus posterior horn, the meniscus can be repaired by a pull out suture technique using trans-septal portal. The single transosseous pull out suturing technique is a point fixation technique with limited contact area having low and inhomogeneous contact pressure. This article describes a double transosseous pull out suture technique using trans-septal portal for the repair of transection of posterior horn of medial meniscus. Use of double transosseous technique provides more secure fixation, more homogeneous and wider contact pressure area between meniscus and the bone, improving the healing potential of the repair.

  10. Accuracy assessment of airborne LIDAR data and automated extraction of features

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cetin, Ali Fuat

    Airborne LIDAR technology is becoming more widely used since it provides fast and dense irregularly spaced 3D point clouds. The coordinates produced as a result of calibration of the system are used for surface modeling and information extraction. In this research a new idea of LIDAR detectable targets is introduced. In the second part of this research, a new technique to delineate the edge of road pavements automatically using only LIDAR is presented. The accuracy of LIDAR data should be determined before exploitation for any information extraction to support a Geographic Information System (GIS) database. Until recently there was no definitive research to provide a methodology for common and practical assessment of both horizontal and vertical accuracy of LIDAR data for end users. The idea used in this research was to use targets of such a size and design so that the position of each target can be determined using the Least Squares Image Matching Technique. The technique used in this research can provide end users and data providers an easy way to evaluate the quality of the product, especially when there are accessible hard surfaces to install the targets. The results of the technique are determined to be in a reasonable range when the point spacing of the data is sufficient. To delineate the edge of pavements, trees and buildings are removed from the point cloud, and the road surfaces are segmented from the remaining terrain data. This is accomplished using the homogeneous nature of road surfaces in intensity and height. There are not many studies to delineate the edge of road pavement after the road surfaces are extracted. In this research, template matching techniques are used with criteria computed by Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) properties, in order to locate seed pixels in the image. The seed pixels are then used for placement of the matched templates along the road. The accuracy of the delineated edge of pavement is determined by comparing the coordinates of reference points collected via photogrammetry with the coordinates of the nearest points along the delineated edge.

  11. Simultaneous double-rod rotation technique in posterior instrumentation surgery for correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

    PubMed

    Ito, Manabu; Abumi, Kuniyoshi; Kotani, Yoshihisa; Takahata, Masahiko; Sudo, Hideki; Hojo, Yoshihiro; Minami, Akio

    2010-03-01

    The authors present a new posterior correction technique consisting of simultaneous double-rod rotation using 2 contoured rods and polyaxial pedicle screws with or without Nesplon tapes. The purpose of this study is to introduce the basic principles and surgical procedures of this new posterior surgery for correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Through gradual rotation of the concave-side rod by 2 rod holders, the convex-side rod simultaneously rotates with the the concave-side rod. This procedure does not involve any force pushing down the spinal column around the apex. Since this procedure consists of upward pushing and lateral translation of the spinal column with simultaneous double-rod rotation maneuvers, it is simple and can obtain thoracic kyphosis as well as favorable scoliosis correction. This technique is applicable not only to a thoracic single curve but also to double major curves in cases of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

  12. Anatomic Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With a Free Quadriceps Tendon Autograft.

    PubMed

    Caterev, Sergiu; Nistor, Dan Viorel; Todor, Adrian

    2016-10-01

    Anatomic double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction aims to restore the 2 functional bundles of the ACL in an attempt to better reproduce the native biomechanics of the injured knee and promote long-term knee health. However, this concept is not fully accepted and is not performed on a standard basis. In addition, the superiority of this technique over the conventional single-bundle technique has been questioned, especially the long-term clinical results. One of the down sides of the double-bundle reconstruction is the complexity of the procedure, with increased risks, operative time, and costs compared with the single-bundle procedure. Also, the revision procedure, if necessary, is more challenging. We propose a technique that has some advantages over the traditional double-bundle procedure, using a single femoral tunnel, 2 tibial tunnels, and a free quadriceps tendon autograft.

  13. Ultrasound-Guided Bar Edge Labeling in the Perioperative Assessment of Nuss Bar Removal.

    PubMed

    Incerti, Filippo; Bertocchini, Alessia; Ghionzoli, Marco; Messineo, Antonio

    2017-12-01

    Nuss bar removal after minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum in patients where bar ends are not palpable, can be a challenging procedure for the surgeon; a blind dissection toward the bar edges may lead to intercostal vessels or deep intercostal muscle injuries. In this article, we describe a fast, repeatable, low-cost technique to detect bar edge and stabilizers. A perioperative scan is performed by means of a portable ultrasonograph a few minutes before the operation. The bar edge stabilizer is detected as a hyperechogenic image with a concentric crescent while the bar edge is detected as a hyperechogenic dashed line with net edges. The scan is performed, and the actual projection on the skin of the metal plaque bulk is then labeled on the patient's chest by an ink marker. We believe that this method may improve morbidity, operative time, and consequently, hospitalization length and costs.

  14. Hyper thin 3D edge measurement of honeycomb core structures based on the triangular camera-projector layout & phase-based stereo matching.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Hongzhi; Zhao, Huijie; Li, Xudong; Quan, Chenggen

    2016-03-07

    We propose a novel hyper thin 3D edge measurement technique to measure the profile of 3D outer envelope of honeycomb core structures. The width of the edges of the honeycomb core is less than 0.1 mm. We introduce a triangular layout design consisting of two cameras and one projector to measure hyper thin 3D edges and eliminate data interference from the walls. A phase-shifting algorithm and the multi-frequency heterodyne phase-unwrapping principle are applied for phase retrievals on edges. A new stereo matching method based on phase mapping and epipolar constraint is presented to solve correspondence searching on the edges and remove false matches resulting in 3D outliers. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method for measuring the 3D profile of honeycomb core structures.

  15. Experimental Study of Airfoil Trailing Edge Noise: Instrumentation, Methodology and Initial Results. M.S. Thesis

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Manley, M. B.

    1980-01-01

    The mechanisms of aerodynamic noise generation at the trailing edge of an airfoil is investigated. Instrumentation was designed, a miniature semiconductor strain-gauge pressure transducer and associated electronic amplifier circuitry were designed and tested and digital signal analysis techniques applied to gain insight into the relationship between the dynamic pressure close to the trailing edge and the sound in the acoustic far-field. Attempts are made to verify some trailing-edge noise generation characteristics as theoretically predicted by several contemporary acousticians. It is found that the noise detected in the far-field is comprised of the sum of many uncorrelated emissions radiating from the vicinity of the trailing edge. These emissions appear to be the result of acoustic energy radiation which has been converted by the trailing-edge noise mechanism from the dynamic fluid energy of independent streamwise 'strips' of the turbulent boundary layer flow.

  16. Effect of single- and double-row rotator cuff repair at the tendon-to-bone interface: preliminary results using an in vivo sheep model.

    PubMed

    Baums, M H; Schminke, B; Posmyk, A; Miosge, N; Klinger, H-M; Lakemeier, S

    2015-01-01

    The clinical superiority of the double-row technique is still a subject of controversial debate in rotator cuff repair. We hypothesised that the expression of different collagen types will differ between double-row and single-row rotator cuff repair indicating a faster healing response by the double-row technique. Twenty-four mature female sheep were randomly assembled to two different groups in which a surgically created acute infraspinatus tendon tear was fixed using either a modified single- or double-row repair technique. Shoulder joints from female sheep cadavers of identical age, bone maturity, and weight served as untreated control cluster. Expression of type I, II, and III collagen was observed in the tendon-to-bone junction along with recovering changes in the fibrocartilage zone after immunohistological tissue staining at 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, and 26 weeks postoperatively. Expression of type III collagen remained positive until 6 weeks after surgery in the double-row group, whereas it was detectable for 12 weeks in the single-row group. In both groups, type I collagen expression increased after 12 weeks. Type II collagen expression was increased after 12 weeks in the double-row versus single-row group. Clusters of chondrocytes were only visible between week 6 and 12 in the double-row group. The study demonstrates differences regarding the expression of type I and type III collagen in the tendon-to-bone junction following double-row rotator cuff repair compared to single-row repair. The healing response in this acute repair model is faster in the double-row group during the investigated healing period.

  17. Directional filtering for block recovery using wavelet features

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hyun, Seung H.; Eom, Il K.; Kim, Yoo S.

    2005-07-01

    When images compressed with block-based compression techniques are transmitted over a noisy channel, unexpected block losses occur. Conventional methods that do not consider edge directions can cause blocked blurring artifacts. In this paper, we present a post-processing-based block recovery scheme using Haar wavelet features. The adaptive selection of neighboring blocks is performed based on the energy of wavelet subbands (EWS) and difference between DC values (DDC). The lost blocks are recovered by linear interpolation in the spatial domain using selected blocks. The method using only EWS performs well for horizontal and vertical edges, but not as well for diagonal edges. Conversely, only using DDC performs well for diagonal edges with the exception of line- or roof-type edge profiles. Therefore, we combine EWS and DDC for better results. The proposed directional recovery method is effective for the strong edge because exploit the varying neighboring blocks adaptively according to the edges and the directional information in the image. The proposed method outperforms the previous methods that used only fixed blocks.

  18. Folding Automaton for Trees

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Subashini, N.; Thiagarajan, K.

    2018-04-01

    In this paper we observed the definition of folding technique in graph theory and we derived the corresponding automaton for trees. Also derived some propositions on symmetrical structure tree, non-symmetrical structure tree, point symmetrical structure tree, edge symmetrical structure tree along with finite number of points. This approach provides to derive one edge after n’ number of foldings.

  19. Fracture Mechanical Analysis of Open Cell Ceramic Foams Under Thermal Shock Loading

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Settgast, C.; Abendroth, M.; Kuna, M.

    2016-11-01

    Ceramic foams made by replica techniques containing sharp-edged cavities, which are potential crack initiators and therefore have to be analyzed using fracture mechanical methods. The ceramic foams made of novel carbon bonded alumina are used as filters in metal melt filtration applications, where the filters are exposed to a thermal shock. During the casting process the filters experience a complex thermo-mechanical loading, which is difficult to measure. Modern numerical methods allow the simulation of such complex processes. As a simplified foam structure an open Kelvin cell is used as a representative volume element. A three-dimensional finite element model containing realistic sharp-edged cavities and three-dimensional sub-models along these sharp edges are used to compute the transient temperature, stress and strain fields at the Kelvin foam. The sharp edges are evaluated using fracture mechanical methods like the J-integral technique. The results of this study describe the influence of the pore size, relative density of the ceramic foam, the heat transfer and selected material parameters on the fracture mechanical behaviour.

  20. Spatial characterization of the edge barrier in wide superconducting films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sivakov, A. G.; Turutanov, O. G.; Kolinko, A. E.; Pokhila, A. S.

    2018-03-01

    The current-induced destruction of superconductivity is discussed in wide superconducting thin films, whose width is greater than the magnetic field penetration depth, in weak magnetic fields. Particular attention is paid to the role of the boundary potential barrier (the Bin-Livingston barrier) in critical state formation and detection of the edge responsible for this critical state with different mutual orientations of external perpendicular magnetic field and transport current. Critical and resistive states of the film were visualized using the space-resolving low-temperature laser scanning microscopy (LTLSM) method, which enables detection of critical current-determining areas on the film edges. Based on these observations, a simple technique was developed for investigation of the critical state separately at each film edge, and for the estimation of residual magnetic fields in cryostats. The proposed method only requires recording of the current-voltage characteristics of the film in a weak magnetic field, thus circumventing the need for complex LTLSM techniques. Information thus obtained is particularly important for interpretation of studies of superconducting film single-photon light emission detectors.

  1. Focusing optical waves with a rotationally symmetric sharp-edge aperture

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hu, Yanwen; Fu, Shenhe; Li, Zhen; Yin, Hao; Zhou, Jianying; Chen, Zhenqiang

    2018-04-01

    While there has been various kinds of patterned structures proposed for wave focusing, these patterned structures usually involve complicated lithographic techniques since the element size of the patterned structures should be precisely controlled in microscale or even nanoscale. Here we propose a new and straightforward method for focusing an optical plane wave in free space with a rotationally symmetric sharp-edge aperture. The focusing phenomenon of wave is realized by superposition of a portion of the higher-order symmetric plane waves generated from the sharp edges of the apertures, in contrast to previously focusing techniques which usually depend on a curved phase. We demonstrate both experimentally and theoretically the focusing effect with a series of apertures having different rotational symmetry, and find that the intensity of the hotspots could be controlled by the symmetric strength of the sharp-edge apertures. The presented results would advance the conventional wisdom that light would diffract in all directions and become expanding when it propagates through an aperture. The proposed method is easy to be processed, and might open potential applications in interferometry, image, and superresolution.

  2. Comparison of 2 surgical techniques for reconstructing posterolateral corner of the knee: a cadaveric study evaluated by navigation system.

    PubMed

    Ho, Eric Po-Yan; Lam, Mak-Ham; Chung, Mandy Man-Ling; Fong, Daniel Tik-Pui; Law, Billy Kan-Yip; Yung, Patrick Shu-Hang; Chan, Wood-Yee; Chan, Kai-Ming

    2011-01-01

    This study aimed to evaluate the immediate effect on knee kinematics by 2 different techniques of posterolateral corner (PLC) reconstruction. Five intact formalin-preserved cadaveric knees were used in this study. A navigation system was used to measure knee kinematics (posterior translation, varus angulation, and external rotation) after application of a constant force and torque to the tibia. Four different conditions of the knee were evaluated during the biomechanical test: intact knee and PLC-sectioned knee and PLC-reconstructed knee by the double-femoral tunnel technique and single-femoral tunnel technique. Sectioning of the PLC structures resulted in significant increases in external rotation at 30° of flexion from 11.2° (SD, 2.6) to 24.6° (SD, 6.2), posterior translation at 30° of flexion from 3.4 mm (SD, 1.5) to 7.4 mm (SD, 3.8), and varus angulation at 0° of flexion from 2.3° (SD, 2.1) to 7.9° (SD, 5.1). Both reconstruction techniques significantly restored the varus stability. The external rotation and posterior translation at 30° of flexion after reconstruction with the double-femoral tunnel technique were 10.2° (SD, 1.3) and 3.4° (SD, 2.7), respectively, which were significantly better than those of the single-femoral tunnel technique. Both techniques of reconstruction showed improved stability compared with PLC-sectioned knees. The double-femoral tunnel technique in PLC reconstruction showed better rotational stability and resistance to posterior translation than the single-femoral tunnel technique without compromising varus stability. PLC reconstruction by a double-femoral tunnel technique achieves better rotational control and resistance to posterior translation. Copyright © 2011 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Measurement of damping of graphite epoxy composite materials and structural joints

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Crocker, Malcolm J.; Rao, Mohan D.; Raju, P. K.; Yan, Xinche

    1989-01-01

    The damping capacity of graphite epoxy materials and structural joints was evaluated. The damping ratio of different composite specimens and bonded joints were systematically evaluated under normal atmospheric conditions and in a vacuum environment. Free and forced vibration test methods were employed for measuring the damping ratios. The effect of edge support conditions on the damping value of a composite tube specimen was studied by using a series of experiments performed on the specimen with different edge supports. It was found that simulating a free-free boundary conditions by having no constraints at the ends gives the lowest value of the material damping of the composite. The accuracy of the estimation of the damping ratio value was improved by using a curve-fitting technique on the response data obtained through measurement. The effect of outgassing (moisture desorption) on the damping capacity was determined by measuring the damping ratio of the tube specimen in a vacuum environment before and after outgassing had occurred. The effects of high and low temperatures on the damping was also investigated by using a series of experiments on tube and beam specimens. An analytical model to study the vibrations of a bonded lap joint system was formulated. Numerical results were generated for different overlap ratios of the system. These were compared with experimental results. In order to determine the influence of bonded joints on the material damping capacity, experiments were conducted on bonded lap-jointed and double-butt-jointed specimens. These experimental results were compared with simple beam specimens with no joints.

  4. Physics of Intense Electron Current Sources for Helicity Injection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hinson, E. T.; Barr, J. L.; Bongard, M. W.; Burke, M. G.; Fonck, R. J.; Lewicki, B. T.; Perry, J. M.; Redd, A. J.; Winz, G. R.

    2014-10-01

    DC helicity injection (HI) for non-solenoidal ST startup requires sources of current at the tokamak edge. Since the rate of HI scales with injection voltage, understanding of the physics setting injector impedance is necessary for a predictive model of the HI rate and subsequent growth of Ip. In Pegasus, arc plasma sources are used for current injection. They operate immersed in tokamak edge plasma, and are biased at ~1-2 kV with respect to the vessel to draw current densities J ~ 1 kA/cm2 from an arc plasma cathode. Prior to tokamak formation, impedance data manifests two regimes, one at low current (< 1 kA) with I ~V 3 / 2 , and a higher current mode where I ~V 1 / 2 holds. The impedance in the I ~V 3 / 2 regime is consistent with an electrostatic double layer. Current in the I ~V 1 / 2 regime is linear in arc gas fueling rate, suggesting a space-charge limit set by nedge. In the presence of tokamak plasmas, voltage oscillations of the order 100s of volts are measured during MHD relaxation activity. These fluctuations occur at the characteristic frequencies of the n = 1 and n = 0 MHD activity observed on magnetic probes, and are suggestive of dynamic activity found in LHI simulations in NIMROD. Advanced injector design techniques have allowed higher voltage operation. These include staged shielding to prevent external arcing, and shaped cathodes, which minimize the onset and material damage due to cathode spot formation. Work supported by US DOE Grant DE-FG02-96ER54375.

  5. Screech Tones from Rectangular Jets with Spanwise Oblique Shock-Cell Structures

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Raman, Ganesh

    1996-01-01

    Understanding screech is especially important for the design of advanced aircraft because screech can cause sonic fatigue failure of aircraft structures. Although the connection between shock-cell spacing and screech frequency is well understood, the relation between non-uniformities in the shock-cell structures and the resulting amplitude, mode, and steadiness of screech have remained unexplored. This paper addresses the above issues by intentionally producing spanwise (larger nozzle dimension) variations in the shock-cell structures and studying the resulting spanwise screech mode. The spanwise oblique shock-cell structures were produced using imperfectly expanded convergent-divergent rectangular nozzles (aspect ratio = 5) with nonuniform exit geometries. Three geometries were studied: (a) a nozzle with a spanwise uniform edge, (b) a nozzle with a spanwise oblique (single bevelled) edge, and (c) a nozzle that had two spanwise oblique (double bevelled) cuts to form an arrowhead-shaped nozzle. For all nozzles considered, the screech mode was antisymmetric in the transverse (smaller nozzle dimension) direction allowing focus on changes in the spanwise direction. Three types of spanwise modes were observed: symmetric (1), antisymmetric (2), and oblique (3). The following significant results emerged: (1) for all cases the screech mode corresponds with the spanwise shock-cell structure, (2) when multiple screech modes are present, the technique presented here makes it possible to distinguish between coexisting and mutually exclusive modes, (3) the strength of shocks 3 and 4 influences the screech source amplitude and determines whether screech is unsteady. The results presented here offer hope for a better understanding of screech and for tailoring shock-containing jets to minimize fatigue failure of aircraft components.

  6. Efficient On-chip Optical Microresonator for Optical Comb Generation: Design and Fabrication

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Han, Kyunghun

    An optical frequency comb is a series of equally spaced frequency components. It has gained much attention since Nobel physics prize was awarded John L. Hall and Theodor W. Hansch for their contribution to the optical frequency comb technique in 2005. The optical frequency comb has been extensively studied because of its precision as a tool for spectroscopy, and is now widely used in bio- and chemical sensors, optical clocks, mode-locked dark pulse generation, soliton generation, and optical communication. Recently, thanks to the developments in nanotechnology, the optical frequency comb generation is made possible at a chip-scale level with microresonators. However, because the threshold power of the optical frequency comb generation is beyond the capability of the on-chip laser source, efficient microresonator is required. Here, we demonstrate an ultra-compact and highly efficient strip-slot direct mode coupler, aiming to achieve slotted silicon microresonator cladded with nonlinear polymer Poly-DDMEBT in SOI platform. As an application of the strip-slot direct mode coupling, a double slot fiber-to-chip edge coupler is demonstrated showing 2 dB insertion loss reduction compared to the conventional single tip edge coupler. For silicon nitride platform, we investigated evanescent wave coupling of microresonator, focusing on bus waveguide geometry optimization. The optimized waveguide width offers an efficient excitation of a fundamental mode in the resonator waveguide. This investigation can benefit low threshold comb generation by enhancing the extinction ratio. We experimentally demonstrated the high Q-factor micro-ring resonator with intrinsic Q of 12.6 million as well as the single FSR comb generation with 63 mW.

  7. Edge Detection Method Based on Neural Networks for COMS MI Images

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Jin-Ho; Park, Eun-Bin; Woo, Sun-Hee

    2016-12-01

    Communication, Ocean And Meteorological Satellite (COMS) Meteorological Imager (MI) images are processed for radiometric and geometric correction from raw image data. When intermediate image data are matched and compared with reference landmark images in the geometrical correction process, various techniques for edge detection can be applied. It is essential to have a precise and correct edged image in this process, since its matching with the reference is directly related to the accuracy of the ground station output images. An edge detection method based on neural networks is applied for the ground processing of MI images for obtaining sharp edges in the correct positions. The simulation results are analyzed and characterized by comparing them with the results of conventional methods, such as Sobel and Canny filters.

  8. Language study on Spliced Semigraph using Folding techniques

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Thiagarajan, K.; Padmashree, J.

    2018-04-01

    In this paper, we proposed algorithm to identify cut vertices and cut edges for n-Cut Spliced Semigraph and splicing the n-Cut Spliced Semigraph using cut vertices else cut edges or combination of cut vertex and cut edge and applying sequence of folding to the spliced semigraph to obtain the semigraph quadruple η(S)=(2, 1, 1, 1). We observed that the splicing and folding using both cut vertices and cut edges is applicable only for n-Cut Spliced Semigraph where n > 2. Also, we transformed the spliced semigraph into tree structure and studied the language for the semigraph with n+2 vertices and n+1 semivertices using Depth First Edge Sequence algorithm and obtain the language structure with sequence of alphabet ‘a’ and ‘b’.

  9. Edge technique for measurement of laser frequency shifts including the Doppler shift

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Korb, Larry (Inventor)

    1991-01-01

    A method is disclosed for determining the frequency shift in a laser system by transmitting an outgoing laser beam. An incoming laser beam having a frequency shift is received. A first signal is acquired by transmitting a portion of the incoming laser beam to an energy monitor detector. A second signal is acquired by transmitting a portion of the incoming laser beam through an edge filter to an edge detector, which derives a first normalized signal which is proportional to the transmission of the edge filter at the frequency of the incoming laser beam. A second normalized signal is acquired which is proportional to the transmission of the edge filter at the frequency of the outgoing laser beam. The frequency shift is determined by processing the first and second normalized signals.

  10. Pulsed dye laser double-pass treatment of patients with resistant capillary malformations.

    PubMed

    Rajaratnam, Ratna; Laughlin, Sharyn A; Dudley, Denis

    2011-07-01

    The pulsed dye laser is an effective and established treatment for port-wine stains and has become the generally accepted standard of care. However, in many cases, complete clearance cannot be achieved as a significant proportion of lesions become resistant to treatment. Multiple passes or pulse-stacking techniques have been used to improve the extent and rate of fading, but concerns over increased adverse effects have limited this clinical approach. In this work, a double-pass technique with the pulsed dye laser has been described, which may allow for increased depth of vascular injury, greater efficacy, and an acceptable risk profile. Our aim was to determine the efficacy and the rate of side-effects for a double-pass protocol with a pulsed dye laser (PDL) to treat patients previously treated with PDL and/or other laser modalities. A retrospective chart review was conducted of 26 patients treated with a minimum of three double-pass treatments alone, or in combination, with single pass conventional PDL. Almost half of the patients (n = 12) showed either a moderate or significant improvement in fading compared to pre-treatment photographs with the double-pass technique. In a further 12 patients, there was a mild improvement. In two patients, there was no change. Sixteen patients developed mild side-effects: blisters (n = 5), dry scabs (n = 11) and transient hyperpigmentation (n = 4). This preliminary experience suggests that a double-pass technique at defined intervals between the first and second treatment with PDL can further lighten some port-wine stains, which are resistant to conventional single-pass treatments. This technique may be a useful addition to the laser treatment of PWS and deserves further scrutiny with randomized prospective studies and histological analysis to confirm the increased depth of vascular injury.

  11. Clinical outcomes and repair integrity after arthroscopic full-thickness rotator cuff repair: suture-bridge versus double-row modified Mason-Allen technique.

    PubMed

    Lee, Kwang Won; Yang, Dae Suk; Lee, Gyu Sang; Ma, Chang Hyun; Choy, Won Sik

    2018-05-23

    This retrospective study compared the clinical and radiologic outcomes of patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs by the suture-bridge and double-row modified Mason-Allen techniques. From January 2012 to May 2013, 76 consecutive cases of full-thickness rotator cuff tear, 1 to 4 cm in the sagittal plane, for which arthroscopic rotator cuff repair was performed, were included. The suture-bridge technique was used in 37 consecutive shoulders; and the double-row modified Mason-Allen technique, in 39 consecutive shoulders. Clinical outcomes at a minimum of 2 years (mean, 35.7 months) were evaluated postoperatively using the visual analog scale; University of California, Los Angeles Shoulder Scale; American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Subjective Shoulder Scale; and Constant score. Postoperative cuff integrity was evaluated at a mean of 17.7 months by magnetic resonance imaging. At the final follow-up, the clinical outcomes improved in both groups (all P < .001) but with no significant differences between the 2 groups (all P > .05). The retear rate was 18.9% in the shoulders subjected to suture-bridge repair and 12.8% in the double-row modified Mason-Allen group; the difference was not significant (P = .361). Despite the presence of fewer suture anchors, the patients who underwent double-row modified Mason-Allen repair had comparable shoulder functional outcomes and a comparable retear rate with those who underwent suture-bridge repair. Therefore, the double-row modified Mason-Allen repair technique can be considered an effective treatment for patients with medium- to large-sized full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Copyright © 2018 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. Comparison of segmentation algorithms for fluorescence microscopy images of cells.

    PubMed

    Dima, Alden A; Elliott, John T; Filliben, James J; Halter, Michael; Peskin, Adele; Bernal, Javier; Kociolek, Marcin; Brady, Mary C; Tang, Hai C; Plant, Anne L

    2011-07-01

    The analysis of fluorescence microscopy of cells often requires the determination of cell edges. This is typically done using segmentation techniques that separate the cell objects in an image from the surrounding background. This study compares segmentation results from nine different segmentation techniques applied to two different cell lines and five different sets of imaging conditions. Significant variability in the results of segmentation was observed that was due solely to differences in imaging conditions or applications of different algorithms. We quantified and compared the results with a novel bivariate similarity index metric that evaluates the degree of underestimating or overestimating a cell object. The results show that commonly used threshold-based segmentation techniques are less accurate than k-means clustering with multiple clusters. Segmentation accuracy varies with imaging conditions that determine the sharpness of cell edges and with geometric features of a cell. Based on this observation, we propose a method that quantifies cell edge character to provide an estimate of how accurately an algorithm will perform. The results of this study will assist the development of criteria for evaluating interlaboratory comparability. Published 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  13. Text, photo, and line extraction in scanned documents

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Erkilinc, M. Sezer; Jaber, Mustafa; Saber, Eli; Bauer, Peter; Depalov, Dejan

    2012-07-01

    We propose a page layout analysis algorithm to classify a scanned document into different regions such as text, photo, or strong lines. The proposed scheme consists of five modules. The first module performs several image preprocessing techniques such as image scaling, filtering, color space conversion, and gamma correction to enhance the scanned image quality and reduce the computation time in later stages. Text detection is applied in the second module wherein wavelet transform and run-length encoding are employed to generate and validate text regions, respectively. The third module uses a Markov random field based block-wise segmentation that employs a basis vector projection technique with maximum a posteriori probability optimization to detect photo regions. In the fourth module, methods for edge detection, edge linking, line-segment fitting, and Hough transform are utilized to detect strong edges and lines. In the last module, the resultant text, photo, and edge maps are combined to generate a page layout map using K-Means clustering. The proposed algorithm has been tested on several hundred documents that contain simple and complex page layout structures and contents such as articles, magazines, business cards, dictionaries, and newsletters, and compared against state-of-the-art page-segmentation techniques with benchmark performance. The results indicate that our methodology achieves an average of ˜89% classification accuracy in text, photo, and background regions.

  14. Using neutral beams as a light ion beam probe (invited)

    DOE PAGES

    Chen, Xi; Heidbrink, William W.; Van Zeeland, Michael A.; ...

    2014-08-05

    By arranging the particle first banana orbits to pass near a distant detector, the light ion beam probe (LIBP) utilizes orbital deflection to probe internal fields and field fluctuations. The LIBP technique takes advantage of 1) the in situ, known source of fast ions created by beam-injected neutral particles that naturally ionize near the plasma edge, and 2) various commonly available diagnostics as its detector. These born trapped particles can traverse the plasma core on their inner banana leg before returning to the plasma edge. Orbital displacements (the forces on fast ions) caused by internal instabilities or edge perturbing fieldsmore » appear as modulated signal at an edge detector. Adjustments in the q-profile and plasma shape that determine the first orbit, as well as the relative position of the source and detector, enable studies under a wide variety of plasma conditions. This diagnostic technique can be used to probe the impact on fast ions of various instabilities, e.g. Alfvén eigenmodes (AEs) and neoclassical tearing modes, and of externally-imposed 3D fields, e.g. magnetic perturbations. To date, displacements by AEs and by externally applied resonant magnetic perturbation fields have been measured using a fast ion loss detector. Comparisons with simulations are shown. Additionally, nonlinear interactions between fast ions and independent AE waves are revealed by this technique.« less

  15. Using neutral beams as a light ion beam probe (invited)

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

    Chen, Xi, E-mail: chenxi@fusion.gat.com; Heidbrink, W. W.; Van Zeeland, M. A.

    By arranging the particle first banana orbits to pass near a distant detector, the light ion beam probe (LIBP) utilizes orbital deflection to probe internal fields and field fluctuations. The LIBP technique takes advantage of (1) the in situ, known source of fast ions created by beam-injected neutral particles that naturally ionize near the plasma edge and (2) various commonly available diagnostics as its detector. These born trapped particles can traverse the plasma core on their inner banana leg before returning to the plasma edge. Orbital displacements (the forces on fast ions) caused by internal instabilities or edge perturbing fieldsmore » appear as modulated signal at an edge detector. Adjustments in the q-profile and plasma shape that determine the first orbit, as well as the relative position of the source and detector, enable studies under a wide variety of plasma conditions. This diagnostic technique can be used to probe the impact on fast ions of various instabilities, e.g., Alfvén eigenmodes (AEs) and neoclassical tearing modes, and of externally imposed 3D fields, e.g., magnetic perturbations. To date, displacements by AEs and by externally applied resonant magnetic perturbation fields have been measured using a fast ion loss detector. Comparisons with simulations are shown. In addition, nonlinear interactions between fast ions and independent AE waves are revealed by this technique.« less

  16. Using neutral beams as a light ion beam probe (invited)

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

    Chen, Xi; Heidbrink, William W.; Van Zeeland, Michael A.

    By arranging the particle first banana orbits to pass near a distant detector, the light ion beam probe (LIBP) utilizes orbital deflection to probe internal fields and field fluctuations. The LIBP technique takes advantage of 1) the in situ, known source of fast ions created by beam-injected neutral particles that naturally ionize near the plasma edge, and 2) various commonly available diagnostics as its detector. These born trapped particles can traverse the plasma core on their inner banana leg before returning to the plasma edge. Orbital displacements (the forces on fast ions) caused by internal instabilities or edge perturbing fieldsmore » appear as modulated signal at an edge detector. Adjustments in the q-profile and plasma shape that determine the first orbit, as well as the relative position of the source and detector, enable studies under a wide variety of plasma conditions. This diagnostic technique can be used to probe the impact on fast ions of various instabilities, e.g. Alfvén eigenmodes (AEs) and neoclassical tearing modes, and of externally-imposed 3D fields, e.g. magnetic perturbations. To date, displacements by AEs and by externally applied resonant magnetic perturbation fields have been measured using a fast ion loss detector. Comparisons with simulations are shown. Additionally, nonlinear interactions between fast ions and independent AE waves are revealed by this technique.« less

  17. Edge smoothing for real-time simulation of a polygon face object system as viewed by a moving observer

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lotz, Robert W. (Inventor); Westerman, David J. (Inventor)

    1980-01-01

    The visual system within an aircraft flight simulation system receives flight data and terrain data which is formated into a buffer memory. The image data is forwarded to an image processor which translates the image data into face vertex vectors Vf, defining the position relationship between the vertices of each terrain object and the aircraft. The image processor then rotates, clips, and projects the image data into two-dimensional display vectors (Vd). A display generator receives the Vd faces, and other image data to provide analog inputs to CRT devices which provide the window displays for the simulated aircraft. The video signal to the CRT devices passes through an edge smoothing device which prolongs the rise time (and fall time) of the video data inversely as the slope of the edge being smoothed. An operational amplifier within the edge smoothing device has a plurality of independently selectable feedback capacitors each having a different value. The values of the capacitors form a series which doubles as a power of two. Each feedback capacitor has a fast switch responsive to the corresponding bit of a digital binary control word for selecting (1) or not selecting (0) that capacitor. The control word is determined by the slope of each edge. The resulting actual feedback capacitance for each edge is the sum of all the selected capacitors and is directly proportional to the value of the binary control word. The output rise time (or fall time) is a function of the feedback capacitance, and is controlled by the slope through the binary control word.

  18. Plant biodiversity in French Mediterranean vineyards

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cohen, Marianne; Bilodeau, Clelia; Alexandre, Frédéric; Godron, Michel; Gresillon, Etienne

    2017-04-01

    In a context of agricultural intensification and increasing urbanization, the biodiversity of farmed plots is a key to improve the sustainability of farmed landscapes. The medium life-duration of the vineyards as well as their location in Mediterranean region are favorable to plant biodiversity. We studied 35 vineyards and if present, their edges, located in three French Mediterranean terroirs: Bandol, Pic Saint Loup and Terrasses du Larzac. We collected botanical information (floral richness et diversity, biological traits), and analyzed their relationships with different factors: social (management, heritage or professional concern), environmental (slope, exposition, geology), spatial (edges, surrounding landscape in a 500 meters radius, distance to the nearest large city). Vineyards are generally heavily disturbed by intensive practices like tilling and application of herbicides, and for this reason their floral diversity is low. This is particularly true in Bandol terroir, in accordance with the standards of the Bandol PDO wine sector. Farmed landscapes and proximity to a large town impact on functional groups, generalist species being overrepresented. If vineyards are surrounded with natural edges, it doubles the floral richness at the plot and edges scale. Species present in vineyards edges are perennial herbaceous species with Euro- Asian and Mediterranean distribution ranges characteristic of prairie and wasteland stages, increasing the functional diversity of vineyards (generalist species). Environmental factors have a lower influence: vineyards are generally located on flat lands. These results suggest that some practices should be encouraged to avoid the biological degradation of vineyards: conservation of tree-lined edges and their extensive management, reduction of chemical weeding, grass-growing using non-cosmopolitan species. These recommendations should also contribute to soil conservation.

  19. High brightness fully coherent x-ray amplifier seeded by a free-electron laser oscillator

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Kai; Yan, Jiawei; Feng, Chao; Zhang, Meng; Deng, Haixiao

    2018-04-01

    X-ray free-electron laser oscillator (XFELO) is expected to be a cutting-edge tool for fully coherent x-ray laser generation, and undulator taper technique is well-known for considerably increasing the efficiency of free-electron lasers (FELs). In order to combine the advantages of these two schemes, FEL amplifier seeded by XFELO is proposed by simply using a chirped electron beam. With the right choice of the beam parameters, the bunch tail is within the gain bandwidth of XFELO, and lase to saturation, which will be served as a seeding for further amplification. Meanwhile, the bunch head which is outside the gain bandwidth of XFELO, is preserved and used in the following FEL amplifier. It is found that the natural "double-horn" beam current, as well as residual energy chirp from chicane compressor, are quite suitable for the new scheme. Inheriting the advantages from XFELO seeding and undulator tapering, it is feasible to generate nearly terawatt level, fully coherent x-ray pulses with unprecedented shot-to-shot stability, which might open up new scientific opportunities in various research fields.

  20. Work hours and work-family conflict: the double-edged sword of involvement in work and family.

    PubMed

    Matthews, Russell A; Swody, Cathleen A; Barnes-Farrell, Janet L

    2012-08-01

    In this study, we examine the role of work hours in a model that incorporates involvement in both work and family with experiences of work-family conflict and subjective well-being. Self-report data were collected from 383 full-time employees and analysed using structural equation modelling techniques. Results demonstrate that role salience was positively related to behavioural involvement with work and with family. In turn, behavioural family involvement was negatively related to work hours and family-to-work conflict, while behavioural work involvement was positively related to work hours. Behavioural family involvement was also positively related to life satisfaction. Finally, both family-to-work conflict and end-of-workday strain were negatively related to life satisfaction. Our results provide insight into unexpected problems that might arise when employees place overly high importance on work and work long hours. This study serves as a foundation for researchers to examine the interplay of time spent with work and family with other aspects of the work-family interface. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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