Dynamic Graphics in Excel for Teaching Statistics: Understanding the Probability Density Function

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coll-Serrano, Vicente; Blasco-Blasco, Olga; Alvarez-Jareno, Jose A.

2011-01-01

In this article, we show a dynamic graphic in Excel that is used to introduce an important concept in our subject, Statistics I: the probability density function. This interactive graphic seeks to facilitate conceptual understanding of the main aspects analysed by the learners.

Dynamic Sensing Performance of a Point-Wise Fiber Bragg Grating Displacement Measurement System Integrated in an Active Structural Control System

PubMed Central

Chuang, Kuo-Chih; Liao, Heng-Tseng; Ma, Chien-Ching

2011-01-01

In this work, a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensing system which can measure the transient response of out-of-plane point-wise displacement responses is set up on a smart cantilever beam and the feasibility of its use as a feedback sensor in an active structural control system is studied experimentally. An FBG filter is employed in the proposed fiber sensing system to dynamically demodulate the responses obtained by the FBG displacement sensor with high sensitivity. For comparison, a laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) is utilized simultaneously to verify displacement detection ability of the FBG sensing system. An optical full-field measurement technique called amplitude-fluctuation electronic speckle pattern interferometry (AF-ESPI) is used to provide full-field vibration mode shapes and resonant frequencies. To verify the dynamic demodulation performance of the FBG filter, a traditional FBG strain sensor calibrated with a strain gauge is first employed to measure the dynamic strain of impact-induced vibrations. Then, system identification of the smart cantilever beam is performed by FBG strain and displacement sensors. Finally, by employing a velocity feedback control algorithm, the feasibility of integrating the proposed FBG displacement sensing system in a collocated feedback system is investigated and excellent dynamic feedback performance is demonstrated. In conclusion, our experiments show that the FBG sensor is capable of performing dynamic displacement feedback and/or strain measurements with high sensitivity and resolution. PMID:22247683

A visual water vapor photonic crystal sensor with PVA/SiO2 opal structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Haowei; Pan, Lei; Han, Yingping; Ma, Lihua; Li, Yao; Xu, Hongbo; Zhao, Jiupeng

2017-11-01

In study, we proposed a simple yet fast optical sensing motif based on thimbleful of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) infiltrated photonic crystal (PC), which allows for high efficiency in vapor sensing through changes in their inter-layer space. Linear response to a broad dynamic range of vapor concentration was realized. Ultrafast response time (<1 s) and excellent recyclability were also demonstrated. Selective response to a vapor was exhibited, reflecting well the characteristic sorption properties of PVA, with which colorimetric reporting was readily achieved. These substantial improvements in performance are attributed to the efficacy of signal transduction and the enhanced signal transduction because of thimbleful PVA infiltrated space between adjacent SiO2 nanospheres.

Measurement and Prediction of the Thermomechanical Response of Shape Memory Alloy Hybrid Composite Beams

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, Brian; Turner, Travis L.; Seelecke, Stefan

2008-01-01

An experimental and numerical investigation into the static and dynamic responses of shape memory alloy hybrid composite (SMAHC) beams is performed to provide quantitative validation of a recently commercialized numerical analysis/design tool for SMAHC structures. The SMAHC beam specimens consist of a composite matrix with embedded pre-strained SMA actuators, which act against the mechanical boundaries of the structure when thermally activated to adaptively stiffen the structure. Numerical results are produced from the numerical model as implemented into the commercial finite element code ABAQUS. A rigorous experimental investigation is undertaken to acquire high fidelity measurements including infrared thermography and projection moire interferometry for full-field temperature and displacement measurements, respectively. High fidelity numerical results are also obtained from the numerical model and include measured parameters, such as geometric imperfection and thermal load. Excellent agreement is achieved between the predicted and measured results of the static and dynamic thermomechanical response, thereby providing quantitative validation of the numerical tool.

Reversible and Dynamic Fluorescence Imaging of Cellular Redox Self-Regulation Using Fast-Responsive Near-Infrared Ge-Pyronines.

PubMed

Nie, Hailiang; Jing, Jing; Tian, Yong; Yang, Wen; Zhang, Rubo; Zhang, Xiaoling

2016-04-13

Cellular self-regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) stress via glutathione (GSH) antioxidant repair plays a crucial role in maintaining redox balance, which affects various physiological and pathological pathways. In this work, we developed a simple yet effective strategy for reversible, dynamic, and real-time fluorescence imaging of ROS stress and GSH repair, based on novel Ge-pyronine dyes (GePs). Unlike the current O-pyronine (OP) dye, the fluorescence of GePs can be quenched in GSH reduction and then greatly restored by ROS (e.g., ClO(-), ONOO(-), and HO(•)) oxidation because of their unique affinity toward thiols. The "on-off" and "off-on" fluorescence switch can complete in 10 and 20 s, respectively, and exhibit excellent reversibility in vitro and in cells. GePs also show excitation in the long wavelength from the deep-red to near-infrared (NIR) (621-662 nm) region, high fluorescence quantum yield (Φ(fl) = 0.32-0.44) in aqueous media, and excellent cell permeability. Our results demonstrated that GePs can be used for real-time monitoring of the reversible and dynamic interconversion between ROS oxidation and GSH reduction in living cells. GePs might be a useful tool for investigating various redox-related physiological and pathological pathways.

Role of excited state solvent fluctuations on time-dependent fluorescence Stokes shift

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

Li, Tanping, E-mail: tanping@lsu.edu, E-mail: revatik@lsu.edu; Kumar, Revati, E-mail: tanping@lsu.edu, E-mail: revatik@lsu.edu

2015-11-07

We explore the connection between the solvation dynamics of a chromophore upon photon excitation and equilibrium fluctuations of the solvent. Using molecular dynamics simulations, fluorescence Stokes shift for the tryptophan in Staphylococcus nuclease was examined using both nonequilibrium calculations and linear response theory. When the perturbed and unperturbed surfaces exhibit different solvent equilibrium fluctuations, the linear response approach on the former surface shows agreement with the nonequilibrium process. This agreement is excellent when the perturbed surface exhibits Gaussian statistics and qualitative in the case of an isomerization induced non-Gaussian statistics. However, the linear response theory on the unperturbed surface breaksmore » down even in the presence of Gaussian fluctuations. Experiments also provide evidence of the connection between the excited state solvent fluctuations and the total fluorescence shift. These observations indicate that the equilibrium statistics on the excited state surface characterize the relaxation dynamics of the fluorescence Stokes shift. Our studies specifically analyze the Gaussian fluctuations of the solvent in the complex protein environment and further confirm the role of solvent fluctuations on the excited state surface. The results are consistent with previous investigations, found in the literature, of solutes dissolved in liquids.« less

Dynamic studies of small animals with a four-color diffuse optical tomography imager

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmitz, Christoph H.; Graber, Harry L.; Pei, Yaling; Farber, Mark; Stewart, Mark; Levina, Rita D.; Levin, Mikhail B.; Xu, Yong; Barbour, Randall L.

2005-09-01

We present newly developed instrumentation for full-tomographic four-wavelength, continuous wave, diffuse optical tomography (DOT) imaging on small animals. A small-animal imaging stage was constructed, from materials compatible with in-magnet studies, which offers stereotaxic fixation of the animal and precise, stable probe positioning. Instrument performance, based on calibration and phantom studies, demonstrates excellent long-term signal stability. DOT measurements of the functional rat brain response to electric paw stimulation are presented, and these demonstrate high data quality and excellent sensitivity to hemodynamic changes. A general linear model analysis on individual trials is used to localize and quantify the occurrence of functional behavior associated with the different hemoglobin state responses. Statistical evaluation of outcomes of individual trials is employed to identify significant regional response variations for different stimulation sites. Image results reveal a diffuse cortical response and a strong reaction of the thalamus, both indicative of activation of pain pathways by the stimulation. In addition, a weaker lateralized functional component is observed in the brain response, suggesting presence of motor activation. An important outcome of the experiment is that it shows that reactions to individual provocations can be monitored, without having to resort to signal averaging. Thus the described technology may be useful for studies of long-term trends in hemodynamic response, as would occur, for example, in behavioral studies involving freely moving animals.

A DMFT+CTQMC Investigation of Strange Metallicity in Local Quantum Critical Scenario

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Acharya, Swagata; Laad, M. S.; Taraphder, A.

2016-10-01

“Strange” metallicity is now a pseudonym for a novel metallic state exhibiting anomalous infra-red (branch-cut) continuum features in one- and two-particle responses. Here, we employ dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT) using low-temperature continuous-time- quantum Monte-Carlo (CTQMC) solver for an extended periodic Anderson model (EPAM) model to investigate unusual magnetic fluctuations in the strange metal. We show how extinction of Landau quasiparticles in the orbital selective Mott phase (OSMP) leads to (i) qualitative explication of strange transport features and (ii) anomalous quantum critical magnetic fluctuations due to critical liquid-like features in dynamical spin fluctuations, in excellent accord with data in some f-electron systems.

A Benchmark Problem for Development of Autonomous Structural Modal Identification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pappa, Richard S.; Woodard, Stanley E.; Juang, Jer-Nan

1996-01-01

This paper summarizes modal identification results obtained using an autonomous version of the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm on a dynamically complex, laboratory structure. The benchmark problem uses 48 of 768 free-decay responses measured in a complete modal survey test. The true modal parameters of the structure are well known from two previous, independent investigations. Without user involvement, the autonomous data analysis identified 24 to 33 structural modes with good to excellent accuracy in 62 seconds of CPU time (on a DEC Alpha 4000 computer). The modal identification technique described in the paper is the baseline algorithm for NASA's Autonomous Dynamics Determination (ADD) experiment scheduled to fly on International Space Station assembly flights in 1997-1999.

Methods to speed up the gain recovery of an SOA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhi; Wang, Yongjun; Meng, Qingwen; Zhao, Rui

2008-01-01

The semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) are employed in all optical networking and all optical signal processing due to the excellent nonlinearity and high speed. The gain recovery time is the key parameter to describe the response speed of the SOA. The relationship between the gain dynamics and a few operation parameters is obtained in this article. A few simple formula and some simulations are demonstrated, from which, a few methods to improve the response speed of the SOA can be concluded as following, lengthening the active area, or lessening the cross area, increasing the injection current, increasing the probe power, operating with a CW holding beam.

Improving Pedagogy through the Use of Dynamic Excel Presentations in Financial Management Courses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mangiero, George A.; Manley, John; Mollica, J. T.

2010-01-01

This paper discusses and illustrates the use of dynamic Excel presentations to improve learning in Financial Management courses. Through the use of such presentations, multiple and varied examples of important principles in Financial Management, which would ordinarily take an excessive amount of time to cover, can be considered within the time…

Dynamic Modeling for Development and Education: From Concepts to Numbers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Van Geert, Paul

2014-01-01

The general aim of the article is to teach the reader how to transform conceptual models of change, development, and learning into mathematical expressions and how to use these equations to build dynamic models by means of the widely used spreadsheet program Excel. The explanation is supported by a number of Excel files, which the reader can…

On the frequency response of a Wenglor particle-counting system for aeolian transport measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bauer, Bernard O.; Davidson-Arnott, Robin G. D.; Hilton, Michael J.; Fraser, Douglas

2018-06-01

A commonly deployed particle-counting system for aeolian saltation flux, consisting of a Wenglor fork sensor and an Onset Hobo Pulse Input Adapter linked to an Onset Hobo Energy Logger Pro data logger, was tested for frequency response. The Wenglor fork sensor is an optical gate device that has very fast switching capacity that can accommodate the time of flight of saltating sand particles through the sensing volume with the exception of very fine sand or silt and very quickly moving particles. The Pulse Input Adapter, in contrast, imposes limitations on the frequency response of the system. The manufacturer of the pulse adapter specifies an upper limit of 120 Hz, although bench tests with an electronic pulse generator indicate that the frequency response of the Pulse Input Adapter, in isolation, is excellent up to 3000 Hz, with only small error (less than 1.6%) due to under-counting during data transfer intervals. A mechanical test of the integrated system (fork sensor, pulse input adapter, and data logger) demonstrates excellent performance up to about 700 Hz (less than 2% error), but significant under-counting above 1000 Hz for unknown reasons. This specific particle-counting system therefore has a frequency response that is well suited for investigation of the dynamics of aeolian saltation as typically encountered in most field conditions on coastal beaches with the exception of extreme wind events and very small particle sizes.

Application of N-doped graphene modified carbon ionic liquid electrode for direct electrochemistry of hemoglobin.

PubMed

Sun, Wei; Dong, Lifeng; Deng, Ying; Yu, Jianhua; Wang, Wencheng; Zhu, Qianqian

2014-06-01

Nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) was synthesized and used for the investigation on direct electrochemistry of hemoglobin (Hb) with a carbon ionic liquid electrode as the substrate electrode. Due to specific characteristics of NG such as excellent electrocatalytic property and large surface area, direct electron transfer of Hb was realized with enhanced electrochemical responses appearing. Electrochemical behaviors of Hb on the NG modified electrode were carefully investigated with the electrochemical parameters calculated. The Hb modified electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic reduction activity toward different substrates, such as trichloroacetic acid and H2O2, with wider dynamic range and lower detection limit. These findings show that NG can be used for the preparation of chemically modified electrodes with improved performance and has potential applications in electrochemical sensing. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Development of a Continuum Damage Mechanics Material Model of a Graphite-Kevlar(Registered Trademark) Hybrid Fabric for Simulating the Impact Response of Energy Absorbing Kevlar(Registered Trademark) Hybrid Fabric for Simulating the Impact Response of Energy Absorbing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jackson, Karen E.; Fasanella, Edwin L.; Littell, Justin D.

2017-01-01

This paper describes the development of input properties for a continuum damage mechanics based material model, Mat 58, within LS-DYNA(Registered Trademark) to simulate the response of a graphite-Kevlar(Registered Trademark) hybrid plain weave fabric. A limited set of material characterization tests were performed on the hybrid graphite-Kevlar(Registered Trademark) fabric. Simple finite element models were executed in LS-DYNA(Registered Trademark) to simulate the material characterization tests and to verify the Mat 58 material model. Once verified, the Mat 58 model was used in finite element models of two composite energy absorbers: a conical-shaped design, designated the "conusoid," fabricated of four layers of hybrid graphite-Kevlar(Registered Trademark) fabric; and, a sinusoidal-shaped foam sandwich design, designated the "sinusoid," fabricated of the same hybrid fabric face sheets with a foam core. Dynamic crush tests were performed on components of the two energy absorbers, which were designed to limit average vertical accelerations to 25- to 40-g, to minimize peak crush loads, and to generate relatively long crush stroke values under dynamic loading conditions. Finite element models of the two energy absorbers utilized the Mat 58 model that had been verified through material characterization testing. Excellent predictions of the dynamic crushing response were obtained.

A dynamic response model for pressure sensors in continuum and high Knudsen number flows with large temperature gradients

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitmore, Stephen A.; Petersen, Brian J.; Scott, David D.

1996-01-01

This paper develops a dynamic model for pressure sensors in continuum and rarefied flows with longitudinal temperature gradients. The model was developed from the unsteady Navier-Stokes momentum, energy, and continuity equations and was linearized using small perturbations. The energy equation was decoupled from momentum and continuity assuming a polytropic flow process. Rarefied flow conditions were accounted for using a slip flow boundary condition at the tubing wall. The equations were radially averaged and solved assuming gas properties remain constant along a small tubing element. This fundamental solution was used as a building block for arbitrary geometries where fluid properties may also vary longitudinally in the tube. The problem was solved recursively starting at the transducer and working upstream in the tube. Dynamic frequency response tests were performed for continuum flow conditions in the presence of temperature gradients. These tests validated the recursive formulation of the model. Model steady-state behavior was analyzed using the final value theorem. Tests were performed for rarefied flow conditions and compared to the model steady-state response to evaluate the regime of applicability. Model comparisons were excellent for Knudsen numbers up to 0.6. Beyond this point, molecular affects caused model analyses to become inaccurate.

WASP (Write a Scientific Paper) using Excel - 13: Correlation and Regression.

PubMed

Grech, Victor

2018-07-01

Correlation and regression measure the closeness of association between two continuous variables. This paper explains how to perform these tests in Microsoft Excel and their interpretation, as well as how to apply these tests dynamically using Excel's functions. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

High temperature phonon dispersion in graphene using classical molecular dynamics

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

Anees, P., E-mail: anees@igcar.gov.in; Panigrahi, B. K.; Valsakumar, M. C., E-mail: anees@igcar.gov.in

2014-04-24

Phonon dispersion and phonon density of states of graphene are calculated using classical molecular dynamics simulations. In this method, the dynamical matrix is constructed based on linear response theory by computing the displacement of atoms during the simulations. The computed phonon dispersions show excellent agreement with experiments. The simulations are done in both NVT and NPT ensembles at 300 K and found that the LO/TO modes are getting hardened at the Γ point. The NPT ensemble simulations capture the anharmonicity of the crystal accurately and the hardening of LO/TO modes is more pronounced. We also found that at 300 Kmore » the C-C bond length reduces below the equilibrium value and the ZA bending mode frequency becomes imaginary close to Γ along K-Γ direction, which indicates instability of the flat 2D graphene sheets.« less

Adaptive servo control for umbilical mating

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zia, Omar

1988-01-01

Robotic applications at Kennedy Space Center are unique and in many cases require the fime positioning of heavy loads in dynamic environments. Performing such operations is beyond the capabilities of an off-the-shelf industrial robot. Therefore Robotics Applications Development Laboratory at Kennedy Space Center has put together an integrated system that coordinates state of the art robotic system providing an excellent easy to use testbed for NASA sensor integration experiments. This paper reviews the ways of improving the dynamic response of the robot operating under force feedback with varying dynamic internal perturbations in order to provide continuous stable operations under variable load conditions. The goal is to improve the stability of the system with force feedback using the adaptive control feature of existing system over a wide range of random motions. The effect of load variations on the dynamics and the transfer function (order or values of the parameters) of the system has been investigated, more accurate models of the system have been determined and analyzed.

Motion performance and mooring system of a floating offshore wind turbine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Jing; Zhang, Liang; Wu, Haitao

2012-09-01

The development of offshore wind farms was originally carried out in shallow water areas with fixed (seabed mounted) structures. However, countries with limited shallow water areas require innovative floating platforms to deploy wind turbines offshore in order to harness wind energy to generate electricity in deep seas. The performances of motion and mooring system dynamics are vital to designing a cost effective and durable floating platform. This paper describes a numerical model to simulate dynamic behavior of a new semi-submersible type floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) system. The wind turbine was modeled as a wind block with a certain thrust coefficient, and the hydrodynamics and mooring system dynamics of the platform were calculated by SESAM software. The effect of change in environmental conditions on the dynamic response of the system under wave and wind loading was examined. The results indicate that the semi-submersible concept has excellent performance and SESAM could be an effective tool for floating wind turbine design and analysis.

High-resolution dynamic pressure sensor array based on piezo-phototronic effect tuned photoluminescence imaging.

PubMed

Peng, Mingzeng; Li, Zhou; Liu, Caihong; Zheng, Qiang; Shi, Xieqing; Song, Ming; Zhang, Yang; Du, Shiyu; Zhai, Junyi; Wang, Zhong Lin

2015-03-24

A high-resolution dynamic tactile/pressure display is indispensable to the comprehensive perception of force/mechanical stimulations such as electronic skin, biomechanical imaging/analysis, or personalized signatures. Here, we present a dynamic pressure sensor array based on pressure/strain tuned photoluminescence imaging without the need for electricity. Each sensor is a nanopillar that consists of InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells. Its photoluminescence intensity can be modulated dramatically and linearly by small strain (0-0.15%) owing to the piezo-phototronic effect. The sensor array has a high pixel density of 6350 dpi and exceptional small standard deviation of photoluminescence. High-quality tactile/pressure sensing distribution can be real-time recorded by parallel photoluminescence imaging without any cross-talk. The sensor array can be inexpensively fabricated over large areas by semiconductor product lines. The proposed dynamic all-optical pressure imaging with excellent resolution, high sensitivity, good uniformity, and ultrafast response time offers a suitable way for smart sensing, micro/nano-opto-electromechanical systems.

A coatable, light-weight, fast-response nanocomposite sensor for the in situ acquisition of dynamic elastic disturbance: from structural vibration to ultrasonic waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Zhihui; Liu, Menglong; Xu, Hao; Liu, Weijian; Liao, Yaozhong; Jin, Hao; Zhou, Limin; Zhang, Zhong; Su, Zhongqing

2016-06-01

Inspired by an innovative sensing philosophy, a light-weight nanocomposite sensor made of a hybrid of carbon black (CB)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) has been developed. The nanoscalar architecture and percolation characteristics of the hybrid were optimized in order to fulfil the in situ acquisition of dynamic elastic disturbance from low-frequency vibration to high-frequency ultrasonic waves. Dynamic particulate motion induced by elastic disturbance modulates the infrastructure of the CB conductive network in the sensor, with the introduction of the tunneling effect, leading to dynamic alteration in the piezoresistivity measured by the sensor. Electrical analysis, morphological characterization, and static/dynamic electromechanical response interrogation were implemented to advance our insight into the sensing mechanism of the sensor, and meanwhile facilitate understanding of the optimal percolation threshold. At the optimal threshold (˜6.5 wt%), the sensor exhibits high fidelity, a fast response, and high sensitivity to ultrafast elastic disturbance (in an ultrasonic regime up to 400 kHz), yet with an ultralow magnitude (on the order of micrometers). The performance of the sensor was evaluated against a conventional strain gauge and piezoelectric transducer, showing excellent coincidence, yet a much greater gauge factor and frequency-independent piezoresistive behavior. Coatable on a structure and deployable in a large quantity to form a dense sensor network, this nanocomposite sensor has blazed a trail for implementing in situ sensing for vibration- or ultrasonic-wave-based structural health monitoring, by striking a compromise between ‘sensing cost’ and ‘sensing effectiveness’.

On the relationship between the dynamic behavior and nanoscale staggered structure of the bone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qwamizadeh, Mahan; Zhang, Zuoqi; Zhou, Kun; Zhang, Yong Wei

2015-05-01

Bone, a typical load-bearing biological material, composed of ordinary base materials such as organic protein and inorganic mineral arranged in a hierarchical architecture, exhibits extraordinary mechanical properties. Up to now, most of previous studies focused on its mechanical properties under static loading. However, failure of the bone occurs often under dynamic loading. An interesting question is: Are the structural sizes and layouts of the bone related or even adapted to the functionalities demanded by its dynamic performance? In the present work, systematic finite element analysis was performed on the dynamic response of nanoscale bone structures under dynamic loading. It was found that for a fixed mineral volume fraction and unit cell area, there exists a nanoscale staggered structure at some specific feature size and layout which exhibits the fastest attenuation of stress waves. Remarkably, these specific feature sizes and layouts are in excellent agreement with those experimentally observed in the bone at the same scale, indicating that the structural size and layout of the bone at the nanoscale are evolutionarily adapted to its dynamic behavior. The present work points out the importance of dynamic effect on the biological evolution of load-bearing biological materials.

Optically responsive supramolecular polymer glasses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balkenende, Diederik W. R.; Monnier, Christophe A.; Fiore, Gina L.; Weder, Christoph

2016-03-01

The reversible and dynamic nature of non-covalent interactions between the constituting building blocks renders many supramolecular polymers stimuli-responsive. This was previously exploited to create thermally and optically healable polymers, but it proved challenging to achieve high stiffness and good healability. Here we present a glass-forming supramolecular material that is based on a trifunctional low-molecular-weight monomer ((UPyU)3TMP). Carrying three ureido-4-pyrimidinone (UPy) groups, (UPyU)3TMP forms a dynamic supramolecular polymer network, whose properties are governed by its cross-linked architecture and the large content of the binding motif. This design promotes the formation of a disordered glass, which, in spite of the low molecular weight of the building block, displays typical polymeric behaviour. The material exhibits a high stiffness and offers excellent coating and adhesive properties. On account of reversible dissociation and the formation of a low-viscosity liquid upon irradiation with ultraviolet light, rapid optical healing as well as (de)bonding on demand is possible.

Transcriptomic and proteomic dynamics in the metabolism of a diazotrophic cyanobacterium, Cyanothece sp. PCC 7822 during a diurnal light–dark cycle

DOE PAGES

Welkie, David; Zhang, Xiaohui; Markillie, Meng; ...

2014-12-29

Cyanothece sp. PCC 7822 is an excellent cyanobacterial model organism with great potential to be applied as a biocatalyst for the production of high value compounds. Like other unicellular diazotrophic cyanobacterial species, it has a tightly regulated metabolism synchronized to the light-dark cycle. Utilizing transcriptomic and proteomic methods, we were able to quantify the relationships between transcription and translation underlying central and secondary metabolism in response to nitrogen free, 12 hour light and 12 hour dark conditions.

Universal many-body response of heavy impurities coupled to a Fermi sea: a review of recent progress

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmidt, Richard; Knap, Michael; Ivanov, Dmitri A.; You, Jhih-Shih; Cetina, Marko; Demler, Eugene

2018-02-01

In this report we discuss the dynamical response of heavy quantum impurities immersed in a Fermi gas at zero and at finite temperature. Studying both the frequency and the time domain allows one to identify interaction regimes that are characterized by distinct many-body dynamics. From this theoretical study a picture emerges in which impurity dynamics is universal on essentially all time scales, and where the high-frequency few-body response is related to the long-time dynamics of the Anderson orthogonality catastrophe by Tan relations. Our theoretical description relies on different and complementary approaches: functional determinants give an exact numerical solution for time- and frequency-resolved responses, bosonization provides accurate analytical expressions at low temperatures, and the theory of Toeplitz determinants allows one to analytically predict response up to high temperatures. Using these approaches we predict the thermal decoherence rate of the fermionic system and prove that within the considered model the fastest rate of long-time decoherence is given by γ=π k_BT/4 . We show that Feshbach resonances in cold atomic systems give access to new interaction regimes where quantum effects can prevail even in the thermal regime of many-body dynamics. The key signature of this phenomenon is a crossover between different exponential decay rates of the real-time Ramsey signal. It is shown that the physics of the orthogonality catastrophe is experimentally observable up to temperatures T/T_F≲ 0.2 where it leaves its fingerprint in a power-law temperature dependence of thermal spectral weight and we review how this phenomenon is related to the physics of heavy ions in liquid {\\hspace{0pt}}3 He and the formation of Fermi polarons. The presented results are in excellent agreement with recent experiments on LiK mixtures, and we predict several new phenomena that can be tested using currently available experimental technology.

Dynamical Response of Networks Under External Perturbations: Exact Results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chinellato, David D.; Epstein, Irving R.; Braha, Dan; Bar-Yam, Yaneer; de Aguiar, Marcus A. M.

2015-04-01

We give exact statistical distributions for the dynamic response of influence networks subjected to external perturbations. We consider networks whose nodes have two internal states labeled 0 and 1. We let nodes be frozen in state 0, in state 1, and the remaining nodes change by adopting the state of a connected node with a fixed probability per time step. The frozen nodes can be interpreted as external perturbations to the subnetwork of free nodes. Analytically extending and to be smaller than 1 enables modeling the case of weak coupling. We solve the dynamical equations exactly for fully connected networks, obtaining the equilibrium distribution, transition probabilities between any two states and the characteristic time to equilibration. Our exact results are excellent approximations for other topologies, including random, regular lattice, scale-free and small world networks, when the numbers of fixed nodes are adjusted to take account of the effect of topology on coupling to the environment. This model can describe a variety of complex systems, from magnetic spins to social networks to population genetics, and was recently applied as a framework for early warning signals for real-world self-organized economic market crises.

Proton-Fueled, Reversible DNA Hybridization Chain Assembly for pH Sensing and Imaging.

PubMed

Liu, Lan; Liu, Jin-Wen; Huang, Zhi-Mei; Wu, Han; Li, Na; Tang, Li-Juan; Jiang, Jian-Hui

2017-07-05

Design of DNA self-assembly with reversible responsiveness to external stimuli is of great interest for diverse applications. We for the first time develop a pH-responsive, fully reversible hybridization chain reaction (HCR) assembly that allows sensitive sensing and imaging of pH in living cells. Our design relies on the triplex forming sequences that form DNA triplex with toehold regions under acidic conditions and then induce a cascade of strand displacement and DNA assembly. The HCR assembly has shown dynamic responses in physiological pH ranges with excellent reversibility and demonstrated the potential for in vitro detection and live-cell imaging of pH. Moreover, this method affords HCR assemblies with highly localized fluorescence responses, offering advantages of improving sensitivity and better selectivity. The proton-fueled, reversible HCR assembly may provide a useful approach for pH-related cell biology study and disease diagnostics.

High-Performance All 2D-Layered Tin Disulfide: Graphene Photodetecting Transistors with Thickness-Controlled Interface Dynamics.

PubMed

Chang, Ren-Jie; Tan, Haijie; Wang, Xiaochen; Porter, Benjamin; Chen, Tongxin; Sheng, Yuewen; Zhou, Yingqiu; Huang, Hefu; Bhaskaran, Harish; Warner, Jamie H

2018-04-18

Tin disulfide crystals with layered two-dimensional (2D) sheets are grown by chemical vapor deposition using a novel precursor approach and integrated into all 2D transistors with graphene (Gr) electrodes. The Gr:SnS 2 :Gr transistors exhibit excellent photodetector response with high detectivity and photoresponsivity. We show that the response of the all 2D photodetectors depends upon charge trapping at the interface and the Schottky barrier modulation. The thickness-dependent SnS 2 measurements in devices reveal a transition from the interface-dominated response for thin crystals to bulklike response for the thicker SnS 2 crystals, showing the sensitivity of devices fabricated using layered materials on the number of layers. These results show that SnS 2 has photosensing performance when combined with Gr electrodes that is comparable to other 2D transition metal dichalcogenides of MoS 2 and WS 2 .

Ultrafast photocurrents in monolayer MoS2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parzinger, Eric; Wurstbauer, Ursula; Holleitner, Alexander W.

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides such as MoS2 have emerged as interesting materials for optoelectronic devices. In particular, the ultrafast dynamics and lifetimes of photoexcited charge carriers have attracted great interest during the last years. We investigate the photocurrent response of monolayer MoS2 on a picosecond time scale utilizing a recently developed pump-probe spectroscopy technique based on coplanar striplines. We discuss the ultrafast dynamics within MoS2 including photo-thermoelectric currents and the impact of built-in fields due to Schottky barriers as well as the Fermi level pinning at the contact region. We acknowledge support by the ERC via Project 'NanoREAL', the DFG via excellence cluster 'Nanosystems Initiative Munich' (NIM), and through the TUM International Graduate School of Science and Engineering (IGSSE) and BaCaTeC.

Efficient colorimetric pH sensor based on responsive polymer-quantum dot integrated graphene oxide.

PubMed

Paek, Kwanyeol; Yang, Hyunseung; Lee, Junhyuk; Park, Junwoo; Kim, Bumjoon J

2014-03-25

In this paper, we report the development of a versatile platform for a highly efficient and stable graphene oxide (GO)-based optical sensor that exhibits distinctive ratiometric color responses. To demonstrate the applicability of the platform, we fabricated a colorimetric, GO-based pH sensor that responds to a wide range of pH changes. Our sensing system is based on responsive polymer and quantum dot (QD) hybrids integrated on a single GO sheet (MQD-GO), with the GO providing an excellent signal-to-noise ratio and high dispersion stability in water. The photoluminescence emissions of the blue and orange color-emitting QDs (BQDs and OQDs) in MQD-GO can be controlled independently by different pH-responsive linkers of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) (pKa=4.5) and poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP) (pKa=3.0) that can tune the efficiencies of Förster resonance energy transfer from the BQDs to the GO and from the OQDs to the GO, respectively. As a result, the color of MQD-GO changes from orange to near-white to blue over a wide range of pH values. The detailed mechanism of the pH-dependent response of the MQD-GO sensor was elucidated by measurements of time-resolved fluorescence and dynamic light scattering. Furthermore, the MQD-GO sensor showed excellent reversibility and high dispersion stability in pure water, indicating that our system is an ideal platform for biological and environmental applications. Our colorimetric GO-based optical sensor can be expanded easily to various other multifunctional, GO-based sensors by using alternate stimuli-responsive polymers.

Evolution of continental-scale drainage in response to mantle dynamics and surface processes: An example from the Ethiopian Highlands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sembroni, Andrea; Molin, Paola; Pazzaglia, Frank J.; Faccenna, Claudio; Abebe, Bekele

2016-05-01

Ethiopia offers an excellent opportunity to study the effects and linkage between mantle dynamics and surface processes on landscape evolution. The Ethiopian Highlands (NW Ethiopia), characterized by a huge basaltic plateau, is part of the African Superswell, a wide region of dynamically-supported anomalously high topography related to the rising of the Afar plume. The initiation and steadiness of dynamic support beneath Ethiopia has been explored in several studies. However the presence, role, and timing of dynamic support beneath Ethiopia and its relationship with continental flood basalts volcanism and surface processes are poorly defined. Here, we present a geomorphological analysis of the Ethiopian Highlands supplying new constraints on the evolution of river network. We investigated the general topographic features (filtered topography, swath profiles, local relief) and the river network (river longitudinal profiles) of the study area. We also apply a knickpoint celerity model in order to provide a chronological framework to the evolution of the river network. The results trace the long-term progressive capture of the Ethiopian Highlands drainage system and confirm the long-term dynamic support of the area, documenting its impact on the contrasting development of the Blue Nile and Tekeze basins.

Evolution of continental-scale drainage in response to mantle dynamics and surface processes: an example from the Ethiopian Highlands.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sembroni, Andrea; Molin, Paola; Pazzaglia, Frank J.; Faccenna, Claudio; Abebe, Bekele

2016-04-01

Ethiopia offers an excellent opportunity to study the effects and linkage between mantle dynamics and surface processes on landscape evolution. The Ethiopian Highlands (NW Ethiopia), characterized by a huge basaltic plateau, is part of the African Superswell, a wide region of dynamically-supported anomalously high topography related to the rising of the Afar plume. The initiation and steadiness of dynamic support beneath Ethiopia has been explored in several studies. However the presence, role, and timing of dynamic support beneath Ethiopia and its relationship with continental flood basalts volcanism and surface processes are poorly defined. Here, we present a geomorphological analysis of the Ethiopian Highlands supplying new constrains on the evolution of river network. We investigated the general topographic features (filtered topography, swath profiles, local relief) and the river network (river longitudinal profiles) of the study area. We also apply a knickpoint celerity model in order to provide a chronological framework to the evolution of the river network. The results trace the long-term progressive capture of the Ethiopian Highlands drainage system and confirm the long-term dynamic support of the area, documenting its impact on the contrasting development of the Blue Nile and Tekeze basins.

Rapid Structural Design Change Evaluation with AN Experiment Based FEM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chu, C.-H.; Trethewey, M. W.

1998-04-01

The work in this paper proposes a dynamic structural design model that can be developed in a rapid fashion. The approach endeavours to produce a simplified FEM developed in conjunction with an experimental modal database. The FEM is formulated directly from the geometry and connectivity used in an experimental modal test using beam/frame elements. The model sacrifices fine detail for a rapid development time. The FEM is updated at the element level so the dynamic response replicates the experimental results closely. The physical attributes of the model are retained, making it well suited to evaluate the effect of potential design changes. The capabilities are evaluated in a series of computational and laboratory tests. First, a study is performed with a simulated cantilever beam with a variable mass and stiffness distribution. The modal characteristics serve as the updating target with random noise added to simulate experimental uncertainty. A uniformly distributed FEM is developed and updated. The results show excellent results, all natural frequencies are within 0·001% with MAC values above 0·99. Next, the method is applied to predict the dynamic changes of a hardware portal frame structure for a radical design change. Natural frequency predictions from the original FEM differ by as much as almost 18% with reasonable MAC values. The results predicted from the updated model produce excellent results when compared to the actual hardware changes, the first five modal natural frequency difference is around 5% and the corresponding mode shapes producing MAC values above 0·98.

The incongruity of workplace bullying victimization and inclusive excellence.

PubMed

Dzurec, Laura Cox; Kennison, Monica; Gillen, Patricia

Bullying occurs frequently-and with significant negative outcomes-in workplace settings. Once established, bullying endures in the workplace, requiring the interaction of a bully perpetrator and an intended target who takes on the role of victim. Not every target becomes a victim, however. The purpose of this study is to investigate the processes by which targets, intended objects of bullies' affronts, become victims, those individuals who experience ongoing emotional injury in response to bullies' affronts, and to clarify how bullying victimization impedes inclusive excellence in the workplace. The design for this study was pragmatic utility, an inductive research approach grounded in assumptions of hermeneutics. The pragmatic utility process involved the investigators' synthesis of descriptions from a broad, interdisciplinary published literature. Integrating knowledge from their previous research and practice experiences with the pragmatic utility process, they derived qualitative features of victims' experiences, differentiating target from victim in bullying encounters. For those targets who ultimately are victimized, response to bullies' affronts extends far beyond the immediate present. Redolence of personal, lived experience revives bygone vulnerabilities, and naïve communication and relationship expectations reinforce a long-standing, impoverished sense. That sense couples with workplace dynamics to augment a context of exclusion. Findings suggest that, as Heidegger contended, we are our histories. Personal history demonstrates a significance influence on the manifestation of bullying victimization, acting to distance them from their workplace peers and to impede inclusive excellence. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Dynamical behavior of a rumor transmission model with Holling-type II functional response in emergency event

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huo, Liang'an; Jiang, Jiehui; Gong, Sixing; He, Bing

2016-05-01

Rumor transmission has become an important issue in emergency event. In this paper, a rumor transmission model with Holling-type II functional response was proposed, which provides excellent explanations of the scientific knowledge effect with rumor spreading. By a global analysis of the model and studying the stability of the rumor-free equilibrium and the rumor-endemic equilibrium, we found that the number of infective individuals equal to zero or positive integer as time went on. A numerical simulation is carried out to illustrate the feasibility of our main results. The results will provide the theoretical support to rumor control in emergency event and also provide decision makers references for the public opinions management.

Optimization of a pressure control valve for high power automatic transmission considering stability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jian, Hongchao; Wei, Wei; Li, Hongcai; Yan, Qingdong

2018-02-01

The pilot-operated electrohydraulic clutch-actuator system is widely utilized by high power automatic transmission because of the demand of large flowrate and the excellent pressure regulating capability. However, a self-excited vibration induced by the inherent non-linear characteristics of valve spool motion coupled with the fluid dynamics can be generated during the working state of hydraulic systems due to inappropriate system parameters, which causes sustaining instability in the system and leads to unexpected performance deterioration and hardware damage. To ensure a stable and fast response performance of the clutch actuator system, an optimal design method for the pressure control valve considering stability is proposed in this paper. A non-linear dynamic model of the clutch actuator system is established based on the motion of the valve spool and coupling fluid dynamics in the system. The stability boundary in the parameter space is obtained by numerical stability analysis. Sensitivity of the stability boundary and output pressure response time corresponding to the valve parameters are identified using design of experiment (DOE) approach. The pressure control valve is optimized using particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm with the stability boundary as constraint. The simulation and experimental results reveal that the optimization method proposed in this paper helps in improving the response characteristics while ensuring the stability of the clutch actuator system during the entire gear shift process.

Dynamic Response of AA2519 Aluminum Alloy under High Strain Rates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Olasumboye, Adewale Taiwo

Like others in the AA2000 series, AA2519 is a heat-treatable Al-Cu alloy. Its excellent ballistic properties and stress corrosion cracking resistance, combined with other properties, qualify it as a prime candidate for armored vehicle and aircraft applications. However, available data on its high strain-rate response remains limited. In this study, AA2519 aluminum alloy was investigated in three different temper conditions: T4, T6, and T8, to determine the effects of heat treatment on the microstructure and dynamic deformation behavior of the material at high strain rates ranging within 1000 ≤ epsilon ≤ 4000 s-1. Split Hopkinson pressure bar integrated with digital image correlation system was used for mechanical response characterization. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to assess the microstructure of the material after following standard metallographic specimen preparation techniques. Results showed heterogeneous deformation in the three temper conditions. It was observed that dynamic behavior in each condition was dependent on strength properties due to the aging type controlling the strengthening precipitates produced and initial microstructure. At 1500 s -1, AA2519-T6 exhibited peak dynamic yield strength and flow stress of 509 and 667 MPa respectively, which are comparable with what were observed in T8 condition at higher rate of 3500 s-1 but AA2519-T4 showed the least strength and flow stress properties. Early stress collapse, dynamic strain aging, and higher susceptibility to shear band formation and fracture were observed in the T6 condition within the selected range of high strain rates. The alloy's general mode of damage evolution was by dispersoid particle nucleation, shearing and cracking.

A High Sensitivity IDC-Electronic Tongue Using Dielectric/Sensing Membranes with Solvatochromic Dyes

PubMed Central

Khan, Md. Rajibur Rahaman; Khalilian, Alireza; Kang, Shin-Won

2016-01-01

In this paper, an electronic tongue/taste sensor array containing different interdigitated capacitor (IDC) sensing elements to detect different types of tastes, such as sweetness (glucose), saltiness (NaCl), sourness (HCl), bitterness (quinine-HCl), and umami (monosodium glutamate) is proposed. We present for the first time an IDC electronic tongue using sensing membranes containing solvatochromic dyes. The proposed highly sensitive (30.64 mV/decade sensitivity) IDC electronic tongue has fast response and recovery times of about 6 s and 5 s, respectively, with extremely stable responses, and is capable of linear sensing performance (R2 ≈ 0.985 correlation coefficient) over the wide dynamic range of 1 µM to 1 M. The designed IDC electronic tongue offers excellent reproducibility, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of about 0.029. The proposed device was found to have better sensing performance than potentiometric-, cascoded compatible lateral bipolar transistor (C-CLBT)-, Electronic Tongue (SA402)-, and fiber-optic-based taste sensing systems in what concerns dynamic range width, response time, sensitivity, and linearity. Finally, we applied principal component analysis (PCA) to distinguish between various kinds of taste in mixed taste compounds. PMID:27171095

A High Sensitivity IDC-Electronic Tongue Using Dielectric/Sensing Membranes with Solvatochromic Dyes.

PubMed

Khan, Md Rajibur Rahaman; Khalilian, Alireza; Kang, Shin-Won

2016-05-10

In this paper, an electronic tongue/taste sensor array containing different interdigitated capacitor (IDC) sensing elements to detect different types of tastes, such as sweetness (glucose), saltiness (NaCl), sourness (HCl), bitterness (quinine-HCl), and umami (monosodium glutamate) is proposed. We present for the first time an IDC electronic tongue using sensing membranes containing solvatochromic dyes. The proposed highly sensitive (30.64 mV/decade sensitivity) IDC electronic tongue has fast response and recovery times of about 6 s and 5 s, respectively, with extremely stable responses, and is capable of linear sensing performance (R² ≈ 0.985 correlation coefficient) over the wide dynamic range of 1 µM to 1 M. The designed IDC electronic tongue offers excellent reproducibility, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of about 0.029. The proposed device was found to have better sensing performance than potentiometric-, cascoded compatible lateral bipolar transistor (C-CLBT)-, Electronic Tongue (SA402)-, and fiber-optic-based taste sensing systems in what concerns dynamic range width, response time, sensitivity, and linearity. Finally, we applied principal component analysis (PCA) to distinguish between various kinds of taste in mixed taste compounds.

A Proposed Dynamic Pressure and Temperature Primary Standard

PubMed Central

Rosasco, Gregory J.; Bean, Vern E.; Hurst, Wilbur S.

1990-01-01

Diatomic gas molecules have a fundamental vibrational motion whose frequency is affected by pressure in a simple way. In addition, these molecules have well defined rotational energy levels whose populations provide a reliable measure of the thermodynamic temperature. Since information concerning the frequency of vibration and the relative populations can be determined by laser spectroscopy, the gas molecules themselves can serve as sensors of pressure and temperature. Through measurements under static conditions, the pressure and temperature dependence of the spectra of selected molecules is now understood. As the time required for the spectroscopic measurement can be reduced to nanoseconds, the diatomic gas molecule is an excellent candidate for a dynamic pressure/temperature primary standard. The temporal response in this case will be limited by the equilibration time for the molecules to respond to changes in local thermodynamic variables. Preliminary feasibility studies suggest that by using coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy we will be able to measure dynamic pressure up to 108 Pa and dynamic temperature up to 1500 K with an uncertainty of 5%. PMID:28179756

Vacuolar and cytoskeletal dynamics during elicitor-induced programmed cell death in tobacco BY-2 cells.

PubMed

Higaki, Takumi; Kadota, Yasuhiro; Goh, Tatsuaki; Hayashi, Teruyuki; Kutsuna, Natsumaro; Sano, Toshio; Hasezawa, Seiichiro; Kuchitsu, Kazuyuki

2008-09-01

Responses of plant cells to environmental stresses often involve morphological changes, differentiation and redistribution of various organelles and cytoskeletal network. Tobacco BY-2 cells provide excellent model system for in vivo imaging of these intracellular events. Treatment of the cell cycle-synchronized BY-2 cells with a proteinaceous oomycete elicitor, cryptogein, induces highly synchronous programmed cell death (PCD) and provide a model system to characterize vacuolar and cytoskeletal dynamics during the PCD. Sequential observation revealed dynamic reorganization of the vacuole and actin microfilaments during the execution of the PCD. We further characterized the effects cryptogein on mitotic microtubule organization in cell cycle-synchronized cells. Cryptogein treatment at S phase inhibited formation of the preprophase band, a cortical microtubule band that predicts the cell division site. Cortical microtubules kept their random orientation till their disruption that gradually occurred during the execution of the PCD twelve hours after the cryptogein treatment. Possible molecular mechanisms and physiological roles of the dynamic behavior of the organelles and cytoskeletal network in the pathogenic signal-induced PCD are discussed.

Impact of Cross-Axis Structural Dynamics on Validation of Linear Models for Space Launch System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pei, Jing; Derry, Stephen D.; Zhou Zhiqiang; Newsom, Jerry R.

2014-01-01

A feasibility study was performed to examine the advisability of incorporating a set of Programmed Test Inputs (PTIs) during the Space Launch System (SLS) vehicle flight. The intent of these inputs is to provide validation to the preflight models for control system stability margins, aerodynamics, and structural dynamics. During October 2009, Ares I-X program was successful in carrying out a series of PTI maneuvers which provided a significant amount of valuable data for post-flight analysis. The resulting data comparisons showed excellent agreement with the preflight linear models across the frequency spectrum of interest. However unlike Ares I-X, the structural dynamics associated with the SLS boost phase configuration are far more complex and highly coupled in all three axes. This presents a challenge when implementing this similar system identification technique to SLS. Preliminary simulation results show noticeable mismatches between PTI validation and analytical linear models in the frequency range of the structural dynamics. An alternate approach was examined which demonstrates the potential for better overall characterization of the system frequency response as well as robustness of the control design.

Design of the flame detector based on pyroelectric infrared sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yang; Yu, Benhua; Dong, Lei; Li, Kai

2017-10-01

As a fire detection device, flame detector has the advantages of short reaction time and long distance. Based on pyroelectric infrared sensor working principle, the passive pyroelectric infrared alarm system is designed, which is mainly used for safety of tunnel to detect whether fire occurred or not. Modelling and Simulation of the pyroelectric Detector Using Labview. An attempt was made to obtain a simple test platform of a pyroelectric detector which would make an excellent basis for the analysis of its dynamic behaviour. After many experiments, This system has sensitive response, high anti-interference ability and safe and reliable performance.

Atomistic modeling of shock-induced void collapse in copper

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

Davila, L P; Erhart, P; Bringa, E M

2005-03-09

Nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) simulations show that shock-induced void collapse in copper occurs by emission of shear loops. These loops carry away the vacancies which comprise the void. The growth of the loops continues even after they collide and form sessile junctions, creating a hardened region around the collapsing void. The scenario seen in our simulations differs from current models that assume that prismatic loop emission is responsible for void collapse. We propose a new dislocation-based model that gives excellent agreement with the stress threshold found in the MD simulations for void collapse as a function of void radius.

Direct observation of forward-scattering oscillations in the H+HD→H2+D reaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Daofu; Yu, Shengrui; Chen, Wentao; Sang, Jiwei; Luo, Chang; Wang, Tao; Xu, Xin; Casavecchia, Piergiorgio; Wang, Xingan; Sun, Zhigang; Zhang, Dong H.; Yang, Xueming

2018-06-01

Accurate measurements of product state-resolved angular distributions are central to fundamental studies of chemical reaction dynamics. Yet, fine quantum-mechanical structures in product angular distributions of a reactive scattering process, such as the fast oscillations in the forward-scattering direction, have never been observed experimentally and the nature of these oscillations has not been fully explored. Here we report the crossed-molecular-beam experimental observation of these fast forward-scattering oscillations in the product angular distribution of the benchmark chemical reaction, H + HD → H2 + D. Clear oscillatory structures are observed for the H2(v' = 0, j' = 1, 3) product states at a collision energy of 1.35 eV, in excellent agreement with the quantum-mechanical dynamics calculations. Our analysis reveals that the oscillatory forward-scattering components are mainly contributed by the total angular momentum J around 28. The partial waves and impact parameters responsible for the forward scatterings are also determined from these observed oscillations, providing crucial dynamics information on the transient reaction process.

Characterization of the behavior under impact loading of a maraging steel strengthened by nano-precipitates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lach, E.; Redjaïmia, A.; Leitner, H.; Clemens, H.

2006-08-01

Nanometer-sized precipitates are responsible for the high strength of steel alloys well known as maraging steels. The term maraging relates to aging reactions in very low-carbon martensitic steels. Due to precipitation hardening 0.2% yield stress values of up to 2.4 GPa can be achieved. The class of stainless maraging steels exhibits an excellent combination of very high strength and hardness, ductility and toughness, combined with good corrosion resistance. In many applications like crash worthiness or ballistic protection the materials are loaded at high strain-rates. The most important characteristic of material behavior under dynamic load is the dynamic yield stress. In this work compression tests had been conducted at strain-rates in the order of 5 x 10 - 3 s - 1 up to 3 x 103 s - 1 to study the materials behaviour. Additionally high dynamic compression tests had been performed in the temperature range from -40circC up to 300circC.

Liquid crystalline phases in suspensions of pigments in non-polar solvents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klein, Susanne; Richardson, Robert M.; Eremin, Alexey

We will discuss colloid suspensions of pigments and compare their electro-optic properties with those of traditional dyed low molecular weight liquid crystal systems. There are several potential advantages of colloidal suspensions over low molecular weight liquid crystal systems: a very high contrast because of the high orientational order parameter of suspensions of rod shaped nano-particles, the excellent light fastness of pigments as compared to dyes and high colour saturations resulting from the high loading of the colour stuff. Although a weak `single-particle' electro-optic response can be observed in dilute suspensions, the response is very much enhanced when the concentration of the particles is sufficient to lead to a nematic phase. Excellent stability of suspensions is beneficial for experimental observation and reproducibility, but it is a fundamental necessity for display applications. We therefore discuss a method to achieve long term stability of dispersed pigments and the reasons for its success. Small angle X-ray scattering was used to determine the orientational order parameter of the suspensions as a function of concentration and the dynamic response to an applied electric field. Optical properties were investigated for a wide range of pigment concentrations. Electro-optical phenomena, such as field-induced birefringence and switching, were characterised. In addition, mixtures of pigment suspensions with small amounts of ferrofluids show promise as future magneto-optical materials.

[Application of three compartment model and response surface model to clinical anesthesia using Microsoft Excel].

PubMed

Abe, Eiji; Abe, Mari

2011-08-01

With the spread of total intravenous anesthesia, clinical pharmacology has become more important. We report Microsoft Excel file applying three compartment model and response surface model to clinical anesthesia. On the Microsoft Excel sheet, propofol, remifentanil and fentanyl effect-site concentrations are predicted (three compartment model), and probabilities of no response to prodding, shaking, surrogates of painful stimuli and laryngoscopy are calculated using predicted effect-site drug concentration. Time-dependent changes in these calculated values are shown graphically. Recent development in anesthetic drug interaction studies are remarkable, and its application to clinical anesthesia with this Excel file is simple and helpful for clinical anesthesia.

Closed loop performance of a brushless dc motor powered electromechanical actuator for flight control applications. [computerized simulation for Shuttle Orbiter applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Demerdash, N. A.; Nehl, T. W.

1980-01-01

A comprehensive digital model for the analysis and possible optimization of the closed loop dynamic (instantaneous) performance of a power conditioner fed, brushless dc motor powered, electromechanical actuator system (EMA) is presented. This model was developed for the simulation of the dynamic performance of an actual prototype EMA built for NASA-JSC as a possible alternative to hydraulic actuators for consideration in Space Shuttle Orbiter applications. Excellent correlation was achieved between numerical model simulation and experimental test results obtained from the actual hardware. These results include: various current and voltage waveforms in the machine-power conditioner (MPC) unit, flap position as well as other control loop variables in response to step commands of change of flap position. These results with consequent conclusions are detailed in the paper.

Augmenting static and dynamic mechanical strength of carbon nanotube/epoxy soft nanocomposites via modulation of purification and functionalization routes.

PubMed

Billing, Beant Kaur; Dhar, Purbarun; Singh, Narinder; Agnihotri, Prabhat K

2018-01-03

A detailed experimental investigation was carried out to establish the relationship between CNT purification and functionalization routes and the average response of CNT/epoxy nanocomposites under static and dynamic loading. It was shown that the relative improvement in the mechanical properties of the epoxy matrix due to the addition of CNTs depends on the choice of purification and functionalization steps. A better dispersion of CNTs was recorded for the functionalized CNTs as compared to the oxidized and CVD grown CNTs. Moreover, tensile, 3-point bending and nanoDMA testing performed on nanocomposites processed with CVD-grown, oxidized and functionalized CNTs revealed that COOH functionalization after the oxidation of CNTs at 350 °C is the optimized processing route to harness the excellent properties of CNTs in CNT/epoxy nanocomposites.

Resource Economics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Conrad, Jon M.

2000-01-01

Resource Economics is a text for students with a background in calculus, intermediate microeconomics, and a familiarity with the spreadsheet software Excel. The book covers basic concepts, shows how to set up spreadsheets to solve dynamic allocation problems, and presents economic models for fisheries, forestry, nonrenewable resources, stock pollutants, option value, and sustainable development. Within the text, numerical examples are posed and solved using Excel's Solver. These problems help make concepts operational, develop economic intuition, and serve as a bridge to the study of real-world problems of resource management. Through these examples and additional exercises at the end of Chapters 1 to 8, students can make dynamic models operational, develop their economic intuition, and learn how to set up spreadsheets for the simulation of optimization of resource and environmental systems. Book is unique in its use of spreadsheet software (Excel) to solve dynamic allocation problems Conrad is co-author of a previous book for the Press on the subject for graduate students Approach is extremely student-friendly; gives students the tools to apply research results to actual environmental issues

Sunlight Responsive Thermochromic Window System

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

Millett, F,A; Byker,H, J

2006-10-27

Pleotint has embarked on a novel approach with our Sunlight Responsive Thermochromic, SRT™, windows. We are integrating dynamic sunlight control, high insulation values and low solar heat gain together in a high performance window. The Pleotint SRT window is dynamic because it reversibly changes light transmission based on thermochromics activated directly by the heating effect of sunlight. We can achieve a window package with low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), a low U value and high insulation. At the same time our windows provide good daylighting. Our innovative window design offers architects and building designers the opportunity to choose theirmore » desired energy performance, excellent sound reduction, external pane can be self-cleaning, or a resistance to wind load, blasts, bullets or hurricanes. SRT windows would provide energy savings that are estimated at up to 30% over traditional window systems. Glass fabricators will be able to use existing equipment to make the SRT window while adding value and flexibility to the basic design. Glazing installers will have the ability to fit the windows with traditional methods without wires, power supplies and controllers. SRT windows can be retrofit into existing buildings,« less

Gaussian step-pressure loading of rigid viscoplastic plates. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hayduk, R. J.; Durling, B. J.

1978-01-01

The response of a thin, rigid viscoplastic plate subjected to a spatially axisymmetric Gaussian step pressure impulse loading was studied analytically. A Gaussian pressure distribution in excess of the collapse load was applied to the plate, held constant for a length of time, and then suddenly removed. The plate deforms with monotonically increasing deflections until the dynamic energy is completely dissipated in plastic work. The simply supported plate of uniform thickness obeys the von Mises yield criterion and a generalized constitutive equation for rigid viscoplastic materials. For the small deflection bending response of the plate, the governing system of equations is essentially nonlinear. Transverse shear stress is neglected in the yield condition and rotary inertia in the equations of dynamic equilibrium. A proportional loading technique, known to give excellent approximations of the exact solution for the uniform load case, was used to linearize the problem and to obtain the analytical solutions in the form of eigenvalue expansions. The effects of load concentration, of an order of magnitude change in the viscosity of the plate material, and of load duration were examined while holding the total impulse constant.

First full dynamic range calibration of the JUNGFRAU photon detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Redford, S.; Andrä, M.; Barten, R.; Bergamaschi, A.; Brückner, M.; Dinapoli, R.; Fröjdh, E.; Greiffenberg, D.; Lopez-Cuenca, C.; Mezza, D.; Mozzanica, A.; Ramilli, M.; Ruat, M.; Ruder, C.; Schmitt, B.; Shi, X.; Thattil, D.; Tinti, G.; Vetter, S.; Zhang, J.

2018-01-01

The JUNGFRAU detector is a charge integrating hybrid silicon pixel detector developed at the Paul Scherrer Institut for photon science applications, in particular for the upcoming free electron laser SwissFEL. With a high dynamic range, analogue readout, low noise and three automatically switching gains, JUNGFRAU promises excellent performance not only at XFELs but also at synchrotrons in areas such as protein crystallography, ptychography, pump-probe and time resolved measurements. To achieve its full potential, the detector must be calibrated on a pixel-by-pixel basis. This contribution presents the current status of the JUNGFRAU calibration project, in which a variety of input charge sources are used to parametrise the energy response of the detector across four orders of magnitude of dynamic range. Building on preliminary studies, the first full calibration procedure of a JUNGFRAU 0.5 Mpixel module is described. The calibration is validated using alternative sources of charge deposition, including laboratory experiments and measurements at ESRF and LCLS. The findings from these measurements are presented. Calibrated modules have already been used in proof-of-principle style protein crystallography experiments at the SLS. A first look at selected results is shown. Aspects such as the conversion of charge to number of photons, treatment of multi-size pixels and the origin of non-linear response are also discussed.

Gaussian polarizable-ion tight binding.

PubMed

Boleininger, Max; Guilbert, Anne Ay; Horsfield, Andrew P

2016-10-14

To interpret ultrafast dynamics experiments on large molecules, computer simulation is required due to the complex response to the laser field. We present a method capable of efficiently computing the static electronic response of large systems to external electric fields. This is achieved by extending the density-functional tight binding method to include larger basis sets and by multipole expansion of the charge density into electrostatically interacting Gaussian distributions. Polarizabilities for a range of hydrocarbon molecules are computed for a multipole expansion up to quadrupole order, giving excellent agreement with experimental values, with average errors similar to those from density functional theory, but at a small fraction of the cost. We apply the model in conjunction with the polarizable-point-dipoles model to estimate the internal fields in amorphous poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl).

Gaussian polarizable-ion tight binding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boleininger, Max; Guilbert, Anne AY; Horsfield, Andrew P.

2016-10-01

To interpret ultrafast dynamics experiments on large molecules, computer simulation is required due to the complex response to the laser field. We present a method capable of efficiently computing the static electronic response of large systems to external electric fields. This is achieved by extending the density-functional tight binding method to include larger basis sets and by multipole expansion of the charge density into electrostatically interacting Gaussian distributions. Polarizabilities for a range of hydrocarbon molecules are computed for a multipole expansion up to quadrupole order, giving excellent agreement with experimental values, with average errors similar to those from density functional theory, but at a small fraction of the cost. We apply the model in conjunction with the polarizable-point-dipoles model to estimate the internal fields in amorphous poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl).

Some Possible Responses to Social Needs from Academia.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Congdon, Paul U.

The University has a 3 part responsibility: academic excellence, research, and community service. This last responsibility tends to get short shrift in most institutions of higher learning, because an institution's excellence is generally not measured by its responsiveness to social needs. Yet, the time has come when higher education must face its…

An analytic modeling and system identification study of rotor/fuselage dynamics at hover

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hong, Steven W.; Curtiss, H. C., Jr.

1993-01-01

A combination of analytic modeling and system identification methods have been used to develop an improved dynamic model describing the response of articulated rotor helicopters to control inputs. A high-order linearized model of coupled rotor/body dynamics including flap and lag degrees of freedom and inflow dynamics with literal coefficients is compared to flight test data from single rotor helicopters in the near hover trim condition. The identification problem was formulated using the maximum likelihood function in the time domain. The dynamic model with literal coefficients was used to generate the model states, and the model was parametrized in terms of physical constants of the aircraft rather than the stability derivatives resulting in a significant reduction in the number of quantities to be identified. The likelihood function was optimized using the genetic algorithm approach. This method proved highly effective in producing an estimated model from flight test data which included coupled fuselage/rotor dynamics. Using this approach it has been shown that blade flexibility is a significant contributing factor to the discrepancies between theory and experiment shown in previous studies. Addition of flexible modes, properly incorporating the constraint due to the lag dampers, results in excellent agreement between flight test and theory, especially in the high frequency range.

An analytic modeling and system identification study of rotor/fuselage dynamics at hover

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hong, Steven W.; Curtiss, H. C., Jr.

1993-01-01

A combination of analytic modeling and system identification methods have been used to develop an improved dynamic model describing the response of articulated rotor helicopters to control inputs. A high-order linearized model of coupled rotor/body dynamics including flap and lag degrees of freedom and inflow dynamics with literal coefficients is compared to flight test data from single rotor helicopters in the near hover trim condition. The identification problem was formulated using the maximum likelihood function in the time domain. The dynamic model with literal coefficients was used to generate the model states, and the model was parametrized in terms of physical constants of the aircraft rather than the stability derivatives, resulting in a significant reduction in the number of quantities to be identified. The likelihood function was optimized using the genetic algorithm approach. This method proved highly effective in producing an estimated model from flight test data which included coupled fuselage/rotor dynamics. Using this approach it has been shown that blade flexibility is a significant contributing factor to the discrepancies between theory and experiment shown in previous studies. Addition of flexible modes, properly incorporating the constraint due to the lag dampers, results in excellent agreement between flight test and theory, especially in the high frequency range.

Optimal satellite sampling to resolve global-scale dynamics in the I-T system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rowland, D. E.; Zesta, E.; Connor, H. K.; Pfaff, R. F., Jr.

2016-12-01

The recent Decadal Survey highlighted the need for multipoint measurements of ion-neutral coupling processes to study the pathways by which solar wind energy drives dynamics in the I-T system. The emphasis in the Decadal Survey is on global-scale dynamics and processes, and in particular, mission concepts making use of multiple identical spacecraft in low earth orbit were considered for the GDC and DYNAMIC missions. This presentation will provide quantitative assessments of the optimal spacecraft sampling needed to significantly advance our knowledge of I-T dynamics on the global scale.We will examine storm time and quiet time conditions as simulated by global circulation models, and determine how well various candidate satellite constellations and satellite schemes can quantify the plasma and neutral convection patterns and global-scale distributions of plasma density, neutral density, and composition, and their response to changes in the IMF. While the global circulation models are data-starved, and do not contain all the physics that we might expect to observe with a global-scale constellation mission, they are nonetheless an excellent "starting point" for discussions of the implementation of such a mission. The result will be of great utility for the design of future missions, such as GDC, to study the global-scale dynamics of the I-T system.

Scaling effects in the static and dynamic response of graphite-epoxy beam-columns. Ph.D. Thesis - Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jackson, Karen E.

1990-01-01

Scale model technology represents one method of investigating the behavior of advanced, weight-efficient composite structures under a variety of loading conditions. It is necessary, however, to understand the limitations involved in testing scale model structures before the technique can be fully utilized. These limitations, or scaling effects, are characterized. in the large deflection response and failure of composite beams. Scale model beams were loaded with an eccentric axial compressive load designed to produce large bending deflections and global failure. A dimensional analysis was performed on the composite beam-column loading configuration to determine a model law governing the system response. An experimental program was developed to validate the model law under both static and dynamic loading conditions. Laminate stacking sequences including unidirectional, angle ply, cross ply, and quasi-isotropic were tested to examine a diversity of composite response and failure modes. The model beams were loaded under scaled test conditions until catastrophic failure. A large deflection beam solution was developed to compare with the static experimental results and to analyze beam failure. Also, the finite element code DYCAST (DYnamic Crash Analysis of STructure) was used to model both the static and impulsive beam response. Static test results indicate that the unidirectional and cross ply beam responses scale as predicted by the model law, even under severe deformations. In general, failure modes were consistent between scale models within a laminate family; however, a significant scale effect was observed in strength. The scale effect in strength which was evident in the static tests was also observed in the dynamic tests. Scaling of load and strain time histories between the scale model beams and the prototypes was excellent for the unidirectional beams, but inconsistent results were obtained for the angle ply, cross ply, and quasi-isotropic beams. Results show that valuable information can be obtained from testing on scale model composite structures, especially in the linear elastic response region. However, due to scaling effects in the strength behavior of composite laminates, caution must be used in extrapolating data taken from a scale model test when that test involves failure of the structure.

Graphene-based ultrathin microporous carbon with smaller sulfur molecules for excellent rate performance of lithium-sulfur cathode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Zhenhuan; Fang, Wenying; Zhao, Hongbin; Fang, Jianhui; Cheng, Hongwei; Doan, The Nam Long; Xu, Jiaqiang; Chen, Pu

2015-05-01

Ultrathin microporous carbon (UMPC) for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) cathode with uniform pore width of approximately 0.6 nm and dozens nm in thickness is synthesized with graphene oxide as template by glucose hydrothermal carbonization and surfactant-assisted assembling method. The UMPC supplies desirable S pregnancy space and the intimate contact between UMPC and S, therefore improving the conductivity of S@UMPC composite and dynamic performance. Smaller sulfur molecules limited in UMPC thoroughly prevent the formation of electrolyte-soluble polysulfides, hence excellent cycling performance with 900 mAh g-1 after 150 cycles is kept. Ultrathin three-dimensional carbon nanosheets are significant to fast electron transfer and Li+ diffusion contributing to excellent dynamic performance (710 mAh g-1 at 3 C).

Tunable mechanical stability and deformation response of a resilin-based elastomer.

PubMed

Li, Linqing; Teller, Sean; Clifton, Rodney J; Jia, Xinqiao; Kiick, Kristi L

2011-06-13

Resilin, the highly elastomeric protein found in specialized compartments of most arthropods, possesses superior resilience and excellent high-frequency responsiveness. Enabled by biosynthetic strategies, we have designed and produced a modular, recombinant resilin-like polypeptide bearing both mechanically active and biologically active domains to create novel biomaterial microenvironments for engineering mechanically active tissues such as blood vessels, cardiovascular tissues, and vocal folds. Preliminary studies revealed that these recombinant materials exhibit promising mechanical properties and support the adhesion of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. In this Article, we detail the characterization of the dynamic mechanical properties of these materials, as assessed via dynamic oscillatory shear rheology at various protein concentrations and cross-linking ratios. Simply by varying the polypeptide concentration and cross-linker ratios, the storage modulus G' can be easily tuned within the range of 500 Pa to 10 kPa. Strain-stress cycles and resilience measurements were probed via standard tensile testing methods and indicated the excellent resilience (>90%) of these materials, even when the mechanically active domains are intercepted by nonmechanically active biological cassettes. Further evaluation, at high frequencies, of the mechanical properties of these materials were assessed by a custom-designed torsional wave apparatus (TWA) at frequencies close to human phonation, indicating elastic modulus values from 200 to 2500 Pa, which is within the range of experimental data collected on excised porcine and human vocal fold tissues. The results validate the outstanding mechanical properties of the engineered materials, which are highly comparable to the mechanical properties of targeted vocal fold tissues. The ease of production of these biologically active materials, coupled to their outstanding mechanical properties over a range of compositions, suggests their potential in tissue regeneration applications.

WASP (Write a Scientific Paper) using Excel - 8: t-Tests.

PubMed

Grech, Victor

2018-06-01

t-Testing is a common component of inferential statistics when comparing two means. This paper explains the central limit theorem and the concept of the null hypothesis as well as types of errors. On the practical side, this paper outlines how different t-tests may be performed in Microsoft Excel, for different purposes, both statically as well as dynamically, with Excel's functions. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evidence for deterministic chaos in aperiodic oscillations of acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells in long-term culture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lambrou, George I.; Chatziioannou, Aristotelis; Vlahopoulos, Spiros; Moschovi, Maria; Chrousos, George P.

Biological systems are dynamic and possess properties that depend on two key elements: initial conditions and the response of the system over time. Conceptualizing this on tumor models will influence conclusions drawn with regard to disease initiation and progression. Alterations in initial conditions dynamically reshape the properties of proliferating tumor cells. The present work aims to test the hypothesis of Wolfrom et al., that proliferation shows evidence for deterministic chaos in a manner such that subtle differences in the initial conditions give rise to non-linear response behavior of the system. Their hypothesis, tested on adherent Fao rat hepatoma cells, provides evidence that these cells manifest aperiodic oscillations in their proliferation rate. We have tested this hypothesis with some modifications to the proposed experimental setup. We have used the acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line CCRF-CEM, as it provides an excellent substrate for modeling proliferation dynamics. Measurements were taken at time points varying from 24h to 48h, extending the assayed populations beyond that of previous published reports that dealt with the complex dynamic behavior of animal cell populations. We conducted flow cytometry studies to examine the apoptotic and necrotic rate of the system, as well as DNA content changes of the cells over time. The cells exhibited a proliferation rate of nonlinear nature, as this rate presented oscillatory behavior. The obtained data have been fit in known models of growth, such as logistic and Gompertzian growth.

A novel vibration structure for dynamic balancing measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qin, Peng; Cai, Ping; Hu, Qinghan; Li, Yingxia

2006-11-01

Based on the conception of instantaneous motion center in theoretical mechanics, the paper presents a novel virtual vibration structure for dynamic balancing measurement with high precision. The structural features and the unbalancing response characteristics of this vibration structure are analyzed in depth. The relation between the real measuring system and the virtual one is emphatically expounded. Theoretical analysis indicates that the flexibly hinged integrative plate spring sets holds fixed vibration center, with the result that this vibration system has the most excellent effect of plane separation. In addition, the sensors are mounted on the same longitudinal section. Thus the influence of phase error on the primary unbalance reduction ratio is eliminated. Furthermore, the performance changes in sensors caused by environmental factor have less influence on the accuracy of the measurement. The result for this system is more accurate measurement with lower requirement for a second correction run.

Unveiling the Interplay Between Diffusing CO2 and Ethanol Molecules in Champagne Wines by Classical Molecular Dynamics and (13)C NMR Spectroscopy.

PubMed

Bonhommeau, David A; Perret, Alexandre; Nuzillard, Jean-Marc; Cilindre, Clara; Cours, Thibaud; Alijah, Alexander; Liger-Belair, Gérard

2014-12-18

The diffusion coefficients of carbon dioxide (CO2) and ethanol (EtOH) in carbonated hydroalcoholic solutions and Champagne wines are evaluated as a function of temperature by classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and (13)C NMR spectroscopy measurements. The excellent agreement between theoretical and experimental diffusion coefficients suggest that ethanol is the main molecule, apart from water, responsible for the value of the CO2 diffusion coefficients in typical Champagne wines, a result that could likely be extended to most sparkling wines with alike ethanol concentrations. CO2 and EtOH hydrodynamical radii deduced from viscometry measurements by applying the Stokes-Einstein relationship are found to be mostly constant and in close agreement with MD predictions. The reliability of our approach should be of interest to physical chemists aiming to model transport phenomena in supersaturated aqueous solutions or water/alcohol mixtures.

Ephemeral penalty functions for contact-impact dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

De La Fuente, Horacio M.; Felippa, Carlos A.

1991-01-01

The use of penalty functions to treat a class of structural contact-impact problems is investigated, with emphasis on ones in which the impact phenomena are primarily nondestructive in nature and in which only the gross characterization of the response is required. The dynamic equations of motion are integrated by the difference method. The penalty is represented as an ephemeral fictitious nonlinear spring that is inserted on anticipation of contact. The magnitude and variation of the penalty force is determined through energy balancing considerations. The 'bell shape' of the penalty force function for positive gap was found to be satisfactory, as it depends on only two parameters that can be directly assigned the physical meaning of force and distance. The determination of force law parameters by energy balance worked well. The incorporation of restitution coefficients by the area balancing method yielded excellent results, and no substantial modifications are anticipated. Extensional penalty springs are obviously sufficient for the simple examples treated.

Hydrogen bubble dynamic template fabrication of nanoporous Cu film supported by graphene nanaosheets: A highly sensitive sensor for detection of nitrite.

PubMed

Majidi, Mir Reza; Ghaderi, Seyran

2017-12-01

High surface area nanoporous Cu film (NPCF) has been successfully synthesized using a hydrogen bubble dynamic template on the graphene nanosheets (GNs) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The effect of different synthesis conditions such as applied potential and deposition time on the NPCF morphology was investigated. The structure and constituent of the NPCF-GNs/GCE were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and electrochemical methods. The study on electrocatalytic performance of the NPCF-GNs/GCE demonstrated that this electrode has excellent catalytic activity toward nitrite oxidation. The quantitative measurement of nitrite by amperometric method showed a wide concentration range (0.1-100µmolL -1 ) with a detection limit and a sensitivity of 8.87 × 10 -8 molL -1 and 3.1 AL/molcm 2 , respectively. The excellent electrochemical response and high sensitivity of the proposed electrode were attributed to the 3D structure of NPCF and the synergic effect of NPCF and GNs. Furthermore, this electrode showed some other advantages including good repeatability, high reproducibility, long-term stability and anti-interference performance toward nitrite sensing. The applicability of the proposed electrode was proved by successful determination of nitrite in real samples (tap water, river water and sausage samples). Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Inertial Head-Tracker Sensor Fusion by a Complementary Separate-Bias Kalman Filter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Foxlin, Eric

1996-01-01

Current virtual environment and teleoperator applications are hampered by the need for an accurate, quick-responding head-tracking system with a large working volume. Gyroscopic orientation sensors can overcome problems with jitter, latency, interference, line-of-sight obscurations, and limited range, but suffer from slow drift. Gravimetric inclinometers can detect attitude without drifting, but are slow and sensitive to transverse accelerations. This paper describes the design of a Kalman filter to integrate the data from these two types of sensors in order to achieve the excellent dynamic response of an inertial system without drift, and without the acceleration sensitivity of inclinometers.

Electrorheological fluid with an extraordinarily high yield stress

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yuling; Lu, Kunquan; Rao, Guanghui; Tian, Yu; Zhang, Shaohua; Liang, Jingkui

2002-02-01

Surface modified complex strontium titanate microparticles are synthesized by means of a modified sol-gel technique. A suspension composed of these particles immersed in a silicone oil exhibits excellent electrorheological properties attractive to industry and technology applications: a yield stress as high as 27 kPa in an applied electric field of 3 kV/mm, a low leakage current, wide dynamic ranges in temperature and shear rate, and a long-term stability against sedimentation. In addition to the high dielectric constant of strontium titanate, surfactant and water-free character of the particles may be responsible for the dramatic improvement of the electrorheological properties of the suspension.

Inertial head-tracker sensor fusion by a complementary separate-bias Kalman filter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Foxlin, Eric

1996-01-01

Current virtual environment and teleoperator applications are hampered by the need for an accurate, quick responding head-tracking system with a large working volume. Gyroscopic orientation sensors can overcome problems with jitter, latency, interference, line-of-sight obscurations, and limited range, but suffer from slow drift. Gravimetric inclinometers can detect attitude without drifting, but are slow and sensitive to transverse accelerations. This paper describes the design of a Kalman filter to integrate the data from these two types of sensors in order to achieve the excellent dynamic response of an inertial system without drift, and without the acceleration sensitivity of inclinometers.

Bias and undermatching in delinquent boys' verbal behavior as a function of their level of deviance.

PubMed

McDowell, J J; Caron, Marcia L

2010-05-01

Eighty-one 13- to 14-year-old boys at risk for delinquency (target boys) engaged in brief dyadic conversations with their peer friends. The target boys' verbal behavior was coded into two mutually exclusive content categories, rule-break talk and normative talk. Positive social responses from peer boys for each category of talk were also recorded, and were presumed to reinforce the target boys' verbal behavior. A measure of child deviance was available for each target boy. The generalized matching law was fitted to the target boys' response and time allocation data and provided an excellent description of their verbal behavior, with an expected degree of undermatching and strong bias in favor of normative talk. When the boys' data were separated into groups of increasing child deviance, the matching law continued to provide an excellent description of the boys' verbal behavior regardless of their level of deviance, but undermatching became more severe and bias favoring normative talk became less strong as child deviance increased. Based on a selectionist theory of adaptive behavior dynamics from the basic science, it was suggested that the increasing degree of undermatching might be due to a decline in the reinforcing value of positive social responses with increasing child deviance. It was also suggested that the trend in the bias parameters might be due to different histories of reinforcement and punishment of rule-break and normative behavior for boys characterized by different levels of child deviance.

Bias and Undermatching in Delinquent Boys' Verbal Behavior As a Function of Their Level of Deviance

PubMed Central

McDowell, J.J; Caron, Marcia L

2010-01-01

Eighty-one 13- to 14-year-old boys at risk for delinquency (target boys) engaged in brief dyadic conversations with their peer friends. The target boys' verbal behavior was coded into two mutually exclusive content categories, rule-break talk and normative talk. Positive social responses from peer boys for each category of talk were also recorded, and were presumed to reinforce the target boys' verbal behavior. A measure of child deviance was available for each target boy. The generalized matching law was fitted to the target boys' response and time allocation data and provided an excellent description of their verbal behavior, with an expected degree of undermatching and strong bias in favor of normative talk. When the boys' data were separated into groups of increasing child deviance, the matching law continued to provide an excellent description of the boys' verbal behavior regardless of their level of deviance, but undermatching became more severe and bias favoring normative talk became less strong as child deviance increased. Based on a selectionist theory of adaptive behavior dynamics from the basic science, it was suggested that the increasing degree of undermatching might be due to a decline in the reinforcing value of positive social responses with increasing child deviance. It was also suggested that the trend in the bias parameters might be due to different histories of reinforcement and punishment of rule-break and normative behavior for boys characterized by different levels of child deviance. PMID:21119857

Graphite Screen-Printed Electrodes Applied for the Accurate and Reagentless Sensing of pH.

PubMed

Galdino, Flávia E; Smith, Jamie P; Kwamou, Sophie I; Kampouris, Dimitrios K; Iniesta, Jesus; Smith, Graham C; Bonacin, Juliano A; Banks, Craig E

2015-12-01

A reagentless pH sensor based upon disposable and economical graphite screen-printed electrodes (GSPEs) is demonstrated for the first time. The voltammetric pH sensor utilizes GSPEs which are chemically pretreated to form surface immobilized oxygenated species that, when their redox behavior is monitored, give a Nernstian response over a large pH range (1-13). An excellent experimental correlation is observed between the voltammetric potential and pH over the entire pH range of 1-13 providing a simple approach with which to monitor solution pH. Such a linear response over this dynamic pH range is not usually expected but rather deviation from linearity is encountered at alkaline pH values; absence of this has previously been attributed to a change in the pKa value of surface immobilized groups from that of solution phase species. This non-deviation, which is observed here in the case of our facile produced reagentless pH sensor and also reported in the literature for pH sensitive compounds immobilized upon carbon electrodes/surfaces, where a linear response is observed over the entire pH range, is explained alternatively for the first time. The performance of the GSPE pH sensor is also directly compared with a glass pH probe and applied to the measurement of pH in "real" unbuffered samples where an excellent correlation between the two protocols is observed validating the proposed GSPE pH sensor.

Resource Economics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Conrad, Jon M.

1999-10-01

Resource Economics is a text for students with a background in calculus, intermediate microeconomics, and a familiarity with the spreadsheet software Excel. The book covers basic concepts, shows how to set up spreadsheets to solve dynamic allocation problems, and presents economic models for fisheries, forestry, nonrenewable resources, stock pollutants, option value, and sustainable development. Within the text, numerical examples are posed and solved using Excel's Solver. Through these examples and additional exercises at the end of each chapter, students can make dynamic models operational, develop their economic intuition, and learn how to set up spreadsheets for the simulation of optimization of resource and environmental systems.

Identification of Computational and Experimental Reduced-Order Models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Silva, Walter A.; Hong, Moeljo S.; Bartels, Robert E.; Piatak, David J.; Scott, Robert C.

2003-01-01

The identification of computational and experimental reduced-order models (ROMs) for the analysis of unsteady aerodynamic responses and for efficient aeroelastic analyses is presented. For the identification of a computational aeroelastic ROM, the CFL3Dv6.0 computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code is used. Flutter results for the AGARD 445.6 Wing and for a Rigid Semispan Model (RSM) computed using CFL3Dv6.0 are presented, including discussion of associated computational costs. Modal impulse responses of the unsteady aerodynamic system are computed using the CFL3Dv6.0 code and transformed into state-space form. The unsteady aerodynamic state-space ROM is then combined with a state-space model of the structure to create an aeroelastic simulation using the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment. The MATLAB/SIMULINK ROM is then used to rapidly compute aeroelastic transients, including flutter. The ROM shows excellent agreement with the aeroelastic analyses computed using the CFL3Dv6.0 code directly. For the identification of experimental unsteady pressure ROMs, results are presented for two configurations: the RSM and a Benchmark Supercritical Wing (BSCW). Both models were used to acquire unsteady pressure data due to pitching oscillations on the Oscillating Turntable (OTT) system at the Transonic Dynamics Tunnel (TDT). A deconvolution scheme involving a step input in pitch and the resultant step response in pressure, for several pressure transducers, is used to identify the unsteady pressure impulse responses. The identified impulse responses are then used to predict the pressure responses due to pitching oscillations at several frequencies. Comparisons with the experimental data are then presented.

Nonlinear viscoelastic characterization of polymer materials using a dynamic-mechanical methodology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strganac, Thomas W.; Payne, Debbie Flowers; Biskup, Bruce A.; Letton, Alan

1995-01-01

Polymer materials retrieved from LDEF exhibit nonlinear constitutive behavior; thus the authors present a method to characterize nonlinear viscoelastic behavior using measurements from dynamic (oscillatory) mechanical tests. Frequency-derived measurements are transformed into time-domain properties providing the capability to predict long term material performance without a lengthy experimentation program. Results are presented for thin-film high-performance polymer materials used in the fabrication of high-altitude scientific balloons. Predictions based upon a linear test and analysis approach are shown to deteriorate for moderate to high stress levels expected for extended applications. Tests verify that nonlinear viscoelastic response is induced by large stresses. Hence, an approach is developed in which the stress-dependent behavior is examined in a manner analogous to modeling temperature-dependent behavior with time-temperature correspondence and superposition principles. The development leads to time-stress correspondence and superposition of measurements obtained through dynamic mechanical tests. Predictions of material behavior using measurements based upon linear and nonlinear approaches are compared with experimental results obtained from traditional creep tests. Excellent agreement is shown for the nonlinear model.

Direct observation of forward-scattering oscillations in the H+HD→H2+D reaction.

PubMed

Yuan, Daofu; Yu, Shengrui; Chen, Wentao; Sang, Jiwei; Luo, Chang; Wang, Tao; Xu, Xin; Casavecchia, Piergiorgio; Wang, Xingan; Sun, Zhigang; Zhang, Dong H; Yang, Xueming

2018-06-01

Accurate measurements of product state-resolved angular distributions are central to fundamental studies of chemical reaction dynamics. Yet, fine quantum-mechanical structures in product angular distributions of a reactive scattering process, such as the fast oscillations in the forward-scattering direction, have never been observed experimentally and the nature of these oscillations has not been fully explored. Here we report the crossed-molecular-beam experimental observation of these fast forward-scattering oscillations in the product angular distribution of the benchmark chemical reaction, H + HD → H 2  + D. Clear oscillatory structures are observed for the H 2 (v' = 0, j' = 1, 3) product states at a collision energy of 1.35 eV, in excellent agreement with the quantum-mechanical dynamics calculations. Our analysis reveals that the oscillatory forward-scattering components are mainly contributed by the total angular momentum J around 28. The partial waves and impact parameters responsible for the forward scatterings are also determined from these observed oscillations, providing crucial dynamics information on the transient reaction process.

Interest of HYPR flow dynamic MRA for characterization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations: comparison with TRICKS MRA and catheter DSA.

PubMed

Dautry, Raphaël; Edjlali, Myriam; Roca, Pauline; Rabrait, Cécile; Wu, Yijing; Johnson, Kevin; Wieben, Olivier; Trystram, Denis; Rodriguez-Régent, Christine; Alshareef, Fawaz; Turski, Patrick; Meder, Jean-François; Naggara, Olivier; Oppenheim, Catherine

2015-11-01

HYPR flow is a 3D dynamic contrast-enhanced MRA technique providing isotropic sub-millimetre resolution with half-second temporal resolution. We compared HYPR flow and time-resolved imaging of contrast kinetics (TRICKS) MRA for the characterization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (cAVMs), using catheter DSA as reference. Twenty-two patients underwent HYPR flow and TRICKS MRA within 15 days of DSA. HYPR flow and TRICKS datasets were reviewed separately by two readers for image quality, Spetzler-Martin grade, venous ectasia, and deep venous drainage. Image quality was better for HYPR flow than for TRICKS (narrower full width at half maximum; larger arterial diagnostic window; greater number of arterial frames, P ≤ 0.05). Using HYPR flow, inter-reader agreement was excellent for all cAVM characteristics. The agreement with DSA for the overall Spetzler-Martin grade was excellent for HYPR flow (ICC = 0.96 and 0.98, depending on the reader) and TRICKS (ICC = 0.82 and 0.95). In comparison to TRICKS, HYPR flow showed higher concordance with DSA for the identification of venous ectasia and deep venous drainage. Owing to an excellent agreement with DSA with respect to depiction of the vascular architecture of cAVMs, HYPR flow could be useful for the non-invasive characterization of cAVMs. • Dynamic MRA is used for cerebral AVM depiction and follow-up • HYPR flow is a new, highly-resolved dynamic MRA sequence • HYPR flow provides whole brain coverage • HYPR flow provides excellent agreement with the Spetzler-Martin grade • Compared to TRICKS MRA, HYPR flow improves cerebral AVM characterization.

Dynamic load mitigation using dissipative elastic metamaterials with multiple Maxwell-type oscillators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alamri, Sagr; Li, Bing; Tan, K. T.

2018-03-01

Dissipative elastic metamaterials have attracted increased attention in recent times. This paper presents the development of a dissipative elastic metamaterial with multiple Maxwell-type resonators for stress wave attenuation. The mechanism of the dissipation effect on the vibration characteristics is systematically investigated by mass-spring-damper models with single and dual resonators. Based on the parameter optimization, it is revealed that a broadband wave attenuation region (stopping band) can be obtained by properly utilizing interactions from resonant motions and viscoelastic effects of the Maxwell-type oscillators. The relevant numerical verifications are conducted for various cases, and excellent agreement between the numerical and theoretical frequency response functions is shown. The design of this dissipative metamaterial system is further applied for dynamic load mitigation and blast wave attenuation. Moreover, the transient response in the continuum model is designed and analyzed for more robust design. By virtue of the bandgap merging effect induced by the Maxwell-type damper, the transient blast wave can be almost completely suppressed in the low frequency range. A significantly improved performance of the proposed dissipative metamaterials for stress wave mitigation is verified in both time and frequency domains.

Framework for Evaluating Loop Invariant Detection Games in Relation to Automated Dynamic Invariant Detectors

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-01

Detectability ...............................................................................................37 Figure 20. Excel VBA Codes for Checker...National Vulnerability Database OS Operating System SQL Structured Query Language VC Verification Condition VBA Visual Basic for Applications...checks each of these assertions for detectability by Daikon. The checker is an Excel Visual Basic for Applications ( VBA ) script that checks the

A DYNAMIC MODEL OF AN ESTUARINE INVASION BY A NON-NATIVE SEAGRASS

EPA Science Inventory

Mathematical and simulation models provide an excellent tool for examining and predicting biological invasions in time and space; however, traditional models do not incorporate dynamic rates of population growth, which limits their realism. We developed a spatially explicit simul...

A Highly Sensitive Fluorogenic Probe for Imaging Glycoproteins and Mucine Activity in Live Cells in the Near-Infrared Region.

PubMed

Samaniego Lopez, Cecilia; Hebe Martínez, Jimena; Uhrig, María Laura; Coluccio Leskow, Federico; Spagnuolo, Carla Cecilia

2018-04-25

A novel fluorescent molecular probe is reported, which is able to detect glycoproteins, especially mucins, with high sensitivity and with a turn-on response along with a large Stokes shift (>130 nm), within the biologically active window. The probe contains an aminotricarbocyanine as the fluorescent reporter with a linked benzoboroxole as the recognition unit, which operates through a dynamic covalent reaction between the boronic hemiester residue of the receptor and cis-diols of the analyte. The superior selectivity of the probe is displayed by the labeling of mucins present in Calu-3 cells. The new benzoboroxole fluorescent derivative gathers together key properties to make it a highly rated molecular probe: specificity, excellent solubility in water, and off-on near infrared emission. This probe is expected to be an excellent tool for imaging intracellular mucin to evaluate mucus-related diseases as well as a sensing strategy towards glycosylated structures with a high potential for theranostics approaches in biological samples. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Breathable and Stretchable Temperature Sensors Inspired by Skin.

PubMed

Chen, Ying; Lu, Bingwei; Chen, Yihao; Feng, Xue

2015-06-22

Flexible electronics attached to skin for healthcare, such as epidermal electronics, has to struggle with biocompatibility and adapt to specified environment of skin with respect to breath and perspiration. Here, we report a strategy for biocompatible flexible temperature sensors, inspired by skin, possessing the excellent permeability of air and high quality of water-proof by using semipermeable film with porous structures as substrate. We attach such temperature sensors to underarm and forearm to measure the axillary temperature and body surface temperature respectively. The volunteer wears such sensors for 24 hours with two times of shower and the in vitro test shows no sign of maceration or stimulation to the skin. Especially, precise temperature changes on skin surface caused by flowing air and water dropping are also measured to validate the accuracy and dynamical response. The results show that the biocompatible temperature sensor is soft and breathable on the human skin and has the excellent accuracy compared to mercury thermometer. This demonstrates the possibility and feasibility of fully using the sensors in long term body temperature sensing for medical use as well as sensing function of artificial skin for robots or prosthesis.

Measurement and prediction of the thermomechanical response of shape memory alloy hybrid composite beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, Brian; Turner, Travis L.; Seelecke, Stefan

2005-05-01

Previous work at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) involved fabrication and testing of composite beams with embedded, pre-strained shape memory alloy (SMA) ribbons within the beam structures. That study also provided comparison of experimental results with numerical predictions from a research code making use of a new thermoelastic model for shape memory alloy hybrid composite (SMAHC) structures. The previous work showed qualitative validation of the numerical model. However, deficiencies in the experimental-numerical correlation were noted and hypotheses for the discrepancies were given for further investigation. The goal of this work is to refine the experimental measurement and numerical modeling approaches in order to better understand the discrepancies, improve the correlation between prediction and measurement, and provide rigorous quantitative validation of the numerical analysis/design tool. The experimental investigation is refined by a more thorough test procedure and incorporation of higher fidelity measurements such as infrared thermography and projection moire interferometry. The numerical results are produced by a recently commercialized version of the constitutive model as implemented in ABAQUS and are refined by incorporation of additional measured parameters such as geometric imperfection. Thermal buckling, post-buckling, and random responses to thermal and inertial (base acceleration) loads are studied. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of SMAHC structures in controlling static and dynamic responses by adaptive stiffening. Excellent agreement is achieved between the predicted and measured results of the static and dynamic thermomechanical response, thereby providing quantitative validation of the numerical tool.

Measurement and Prediction of the Thermomechanical Response of Shape Memory Alloy Hybrid Composite Beams

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, Brian; Turner, Travis L.; Seelecke, Stefan

2005-01-01

Previous work at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) involved fabrication and testing of composite beams with embedded, pre-strained shape memory alloy (SMA) ribbons within the beam structures. That study also provided comparison of experimental results with numerical predictions from a research code making use of a new thermoelastic model for shape memory alloy hybrid composite (SMAHC) structures. The previous work showed qualitative validation of the numerical model. However, deficiencies in the experimental-numerical correlation were noted and hypotheses for the discrepancies were given for further investigation. The goal of this work is to refine the experimental measurement and numerical modeling approaches in order to better understand the discrepancies, improve the correlation between prediction and measurement, and provide rigorous quantitative validation of the numerical analysis/design tool. The experimental investigation is refined by a more thorough test procedure and incorporation of higher fidelity measurements such as infrared thermography and projection moire interferometry. The numerical results are produced by a recently commercialized version of the constitutive model as implemented in ABAQUS and are refined by incorporation of additional measured parameters such as geometric imperfection. Thermal buckling, post-buckling, and random responses to thermal and inertial (base acceleration) loads are studied. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of SMAHC structures in controlling static and dynamic responses by adaptive stiffening. Excellent agreement is achieved between the predicted and measured results of the static and dynamic thermomechanical response, thereby providing quantitative validation of the numerical tool.

pH-Responsive carriers for oral drug delivery: challenges and opportunities of current platforms.

PubMed

Liu, Lin; Yao, WenDong; Rao, YueFeng; Lu, XiaoYang; Gao, JianQing

2017-11-01

Oral administration is a desirable alternative of parenteral administration due to the convenience and increased compliance to patients, especially for chronic diseases that require frequent administration. The oral drug delivery is a dynamic research field despite the numerous challenges limiting their effective delivery, such as enzyme degradation, hydrolysis and low permeability of intestinal epithelium in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. pH-Responsive carriers offer excellent potential as oral therapeutic systems due to enhancing the stability of drug delivery in stomach and achieving controlled release in intestines. This review provides a wide perspective on current status of pH-responsive oral drug delivery systems prepared mainly with organic polymers or inorganic materials, including the strategies used to overcome GI barriers, the challenges in their development and future prospects, with focus on technology trends to improve the bioavailability of orally delivered drugs, the mechanisms of drug release from pH-responsive oral formulations, and their application for drug delivery, such as protein and peptide therapeutics, vaccination, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and bacterial infections.

Optical Peaking Enhancement in High-Speed Ring Modulators

PubMed Central

Müller, J.; Merget, F.; Azadeh, S. Sharif; Hauck, J.; García, S. Romero; Shen, B.; Witzens, J.

2014-01-01

Ring resonator modulators (RRM) combine extreme compactness, low power consumption and wavelength division multiplexing functionality, making them a frontrunner for addressing the scalability requirements of short distance optical links. To extend data rates beyond the classically assumed bandwidth capability, we derive and experimentally verify closed form equations of the electro-optic response and asymmetric side band generation resulting from inherent transient time dynamics and leverage these to significantly improve device performance. An equivalent circuit description with a commonly used peaking amplifier model allows straightforward assessment of the effect on existing communication system architectures. A small signal analytical expression of peaking in the electro-optic response of RRMs is derived and used to extend the electro-optic bandwidth of the device above 40 GHz as well as to open eye diagrams penalized by intersymbol interference at 32, 40 and 44 Gbps. Predicted peaking and asymmetric side band generation are in excellent agreement with experiments. PMID:25209255

Dynamic characterization of frequency response of shock mitigation of a polymethylene diisocyanate (PMDI) based rigid polyurethane foam

DOE PAGES

Song, Bo; Nelson, Kevin

2015-09-01

Kolsky compression bar experiments were conducted to characterize the shock mitigation response of a polymethylene diisocyanate (PMDI) based rigid polyurethane foam, abbreviated as PMDI foam in this study. The Kolsky bar experimental data was analyzed in the frequency domain with respect to impact energy dissipation and acceleration attenuation to perform a shock mitigation assessment on the foam material. The PMDI foam material exhibits excellent performance in both energy dissipation and acceleration attenuation, particularly for the impact frequency content over 1.5 kHz. This frequency (1.5 kHz) was observed to be independent of specimen thickness and impact speed, which may represent themore » characteristic shock mitigation frequency of the PMDI foam material under investigation. The shock mitigation characteristics of the PMDI foam material were insignificantly influenced by the specimen thickness. As a result, impact speed did have some effect.« less

Supramolecular Drug Delivery Systems Based on Water-Soluble Pillar[n]arenes.

PubMed

Wu, Xuan; Gao, Lei; Hu, Xiao-Yu; Wang, Leyong

2016-06-01

Supramolecular drug delivery systems (SDDSs), including various kinds of nanostructures that are assembled by reversible noncovalent interactions, have attracted considerable attention as ideal drug carriers owing to their fascinating ability to undergo dynamic switching of structure, morphology, and function in response to various external stimuli, which provides a flexible and robust platform for designing and developing functional and smart supramolecular nano-drug carriers. Pillar[n]arenes represent a new generation of macrocyclic hosts, which have unique structures and excellent properties in host-guest chemistry. This account describes recent progress in our group to develop pillararene-based stimuli-responsive supramolecular nanostructures constructed by reversible host-guest interactions for controllable anticancer drug delivery. The potential applications of these supramolecular drug carriers in cancer treatment and the fundamental questions facing SDDSs are also discussed. © 2016 The Chemical Society of Japan & Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Dynamic characterization of frequency response of shock mitigation of a polymethylene diisocyanate (PMDI) based rigid polyurethane foam

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

Song, Bo; Nelson, Kevin

Kolsky compression bar experiments were conducted to characterize the shock mitigation response of a polymethylene diisocyanate (PMDI) based rigid polyurethane foam, abbreviated as PMDI foam in this study. The Kolsky bar experimental data was analyzed in the frequency domain with respect to impact energy dissipation and acceleration attenuation to perform a shock mitigation assessment on the foam material. The PMDI foam material exhibits excellent performance in both energy dissipation and acceleration attenuation, particularly for the impact frequency content over 1.5 kHz. This frequency (1.5 kHz) was observed to be independent of specimen thickness and impact speed, which may represent themore » characteristic shock mitigation frequency of the PMDI foam material under investigation. The shock mitigation characteristics of the PMDI foam material were insignificantly influenced by the specimen thickness. As a result, impact speed did have some effect.« less

Electrostatically operated optical microshutter array for a miniature integrated optical spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ilias, Samir; Picard, Francis; Larouche, Carl; Kruzelecky, Roman; Jamroz, Wes

2017-11-01

16x1 programmable microshutter arrays allowing control of the light transmitted through a transparent substrate supporting the array were successfully fabricated using surface micromachining technology. Each microshutter is basically an electrostatic zipping actuator having a curved shape induced by a stress gradient through the actuator thickness. When a sufficient voltage is applied between the microshutter and the actuation electrode surrounding the associated microslit area, the generated electrostatic force pulls the actuator down to the substrate which closes the microslit. Opening the slit relies on the restoring force. High light transmission through the slit area is obtained with the actuator in the open position and excellent light blocking is observed when the shutter is closed. Static and dynamic responses of the device were determined. The pull-in voltage to close the microslit was about 110 V and the response times to close and open the microslit were about 2 ms and 7 ms, respectively.

Coherent Two-Dimensional Terahertz Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Collective Spin Waves.

PubMed

Lu, Jian; Li, Xian; Hwang, Harold Y; Ofori-Okai, Benjamin K; Kurihara, Takayuki; Suemoto, Tohru; Nelson, Keith A

2017-05-19

We report a demonstration of two-dimensional (2D) terahertz (THz) magnetic resonance spectroscopy using the magnetic fields of two time-delayed THz pulses. We apply the methodology to directly reveal the nonlinear responses of collective spin waves (magnons) in a canted antiferromagnetic crystal. The 2D THz spectra show all of the third-order nonlinear magnon signals including magnon spin echoes, and 2-quantum signals that reveal pairwise correlations between magnons at the Brillouin zone center. We also observe second-order nonlinear magnon signals showing resonance-enhanced second-harmonic and difference-frequency generation. Numerical simulations of the spin dynamics reproduce all of the spectral features in excellent agreement with the experimental 2D THz spectra.

The Politics of Access to Expensive Drugs: INESSS and the Innovative Pharmaceutical Industry

PubMed Central

Hughes, David

2012-01-01

The innovative pharmaceutical industry employs thousands of people in Quebec and so has the ability to exert strong political pressure; the public statements of Sanofi-Aventis concerning the provincial reimbursement of certain expensive drugs are an example. “Maintaining a dynamic biopharmaceutical industry” is one of four main axes of the drug policy of Quebec's ministry of health. However, this role of government should not take precedence over the efficient and equitable management of health resources. We defend the legitimate and responsible choice of the Institut national d'excellence en santé et en services sociaux du Québec (INESSS) to require an acceptable cost-effectiveness ratio from expensive new drugs. PMID:23634161

Application of the concept of dynamic trim control and nonlinear system inverses to automatic control of a vertical attitude takeoff and landing aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, G. A.; Meyer, G.

1981-01-01

A full envelope automatic flight control system based on nonlinear inverse systems concepts has been applied to a vertical attitude takeoff and landing (VATOL) fighter aircraft. A new method for using an airborne digital aircraft model to perform the inversion of a nonlinear aircraft model is presented together with the results of a simulation study of the nonlinear inverse system concept for the vertical-attitude hover mode. The system response to maneuver commands in the vertical attitude was found to be excellent; and recovery from large initial offsets and large disturbances was found to be very satisfactory.

WASP (Write a Scientific Paper) using Excel - 7: The t-distribution.

PubMed

Grech, Victor

2018-03-01

The calculation of descriptive statistics after data collection provides researchers with an overview of the shape and nature of their datasets, along with basic descriptors, and may help identify true or incorrect outlier values. This exercise should always precede inferential statistics, when possible. This paper provides some pointers for doing so in Microsoft Excel, both statically and dynamically, with Excel's functions, including the calculation of standard deviation and variance and the relevance of the t-distribution. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The 3D pore structure and fluid dynamics simulation of macroporous monoliths: High permeability due to alternating channel width.

PubMed

Jungreuthmayer, Christian; Steppert, Petra; Sekot, Gerhard; Zankel, Armin; Reingruber, Herbert; Zanghellini, Jürgen; Jungbauer, Alois

2015-12-18

Polymethacrylate-based monoliths have excellent flow properties. Flow in the wide channel interconnected with narrow channels is theoretically assumed to account for favorable permeability. Monoliths were cut into 898 slices in 50nm distances and visualized by serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBEM). A 3D structure was reconstructed and used for the calculation of flow profiles within the monolith and for calculation of pressure drop and permeability by computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The calculated and measured permeabilities showed good agreement. Small channels clearly flowed into wide and wide into small channels in a repetitive manner which supported the hypothesis describing the favorable flow properties of these materials. This alternating property is also reflected in the streamline velocity which fluctuated. These findings were corroborated by artificial monoliths which were composed of regular (interconnected) cells where narrow cells followed wide cells. In the real monolith and the artificial monoliths with interconnected flow channels similar velocity fluctuations could be observed. A two phase flow simulation showed a lateral velocity component, which may contribute to the transport of molecules to the monolith wall. Our study showed that the interconnection of small and wide pores is responsible for the excellent pressure flow properties. This study is also a guide for further design of continuous porous materials to achieve good flow properties. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A novel multi-responsive polyampholyte composite hydrogel with excellent mechanical strength and rapid shrinking rate.

PubMed

Xu, Kun; Tan, Ying; Chen, Qiang; An, Huiyong; Li, Wenbo; Dong, Lisong; Wang, Pixin

2010-05-15

Series of hydrophilic core-shell microgels with cross-linked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) as core and poly(vinyl amine) (PVAm) as shell are synthesized via surfactant-free emulsion polymerization. Then, the microgels are treated with a small amount of potassium persulfate (KPS) to generate free radicals on the amine nitrogens of PVAm, which subsequently initiate the graft copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA), acryloyloxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (DAC), and acrylamide (AAm) onto microgels to prepare multi-responsive composite hydrogels. The composite hydrogels consist of cross-linked ungrafted polyampholyte chains as the first network and microgels with grafted polyampholyte chains as graft point and second network and show surprising mechanical strength and rapid response rate. The investigation shows the compress strength of composite hydrogels is up to 17-30 MPa, which is 60-100 times higher than that of the hydrogel matrix. The composite hydrogel shows reversible switch of transmittance when traveling the lowest critical temperature (LCST) of microgels. When the composite hydrogel swollen in pH 2.86 solution at ambient condition is immersed into the pH 7.00 solution at 45 °C, a rapid dynamic shrinking can be observed. And the character time (τ) of shrinking dynamic of composite hydrogel is 251.9 min, which is less than that of hydrogel matrix (τ=2273.7 min). Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Textbooks for Responsible Data Analysis in Excel

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Garrett, Nathan

2015-01-01

With 27 million users, Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Seattle, WA) is the most common business data analysis software. However, audits show that almost all complex spreadsheets have errors. The author examined textbooks to understand why responsible data analysis is taught. A purposeful sample of 10 textbooks was coded, and then compared against…

High dynamic range CMOS-based mammography detector for FFDM and DBT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peters, Inge M.; Smit, Chiel; Miller, James J.; Lomako, Andrey

2016-03-01

Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) requires excellent image quality in a dynamic mode at very low dose levels while Full Field Digital Mammography (FFDM) is a static imaging modality that requires high saturation dose levels. These opposing requirements can only be met by a dynamic detector with a high dynamic range. This paper will discuss a wafer-scale CMOS-based mammography detector with 49.5 μm pixels and a CsI scintillator. Excellent image quality is obtained for FFDM as well as DBT applications, comparing favorably with a-Se detectors that dominate the X-ray mammography market today. The typical dynamic range of a mammography detector is not high enough to accommodate both the low noise and the high saturation dose requirements for DBT and FFDM applications, respectively. An approach based on gain switching does not provide the signal-to-noise benefits in the low-dose DBT conditions. The solution to this is to add frame summing functionality to the detector. In one X-ray pulse several image frames will be acquired and summed. The requirements to implement this into a detector are low noise levels, high frame rates and low lag performance, all of which are unique characteristics of CMOS detectors. Results are presented to prove that excellent image quality is achieved, using a single detector for both DBT as well as FFDM dose conditions. This method of frame summing gave the opportunity to optimize the detector noise and saturation level for DBT applications, to achieve high DQE level at low dose, without compromising the FFDM performance.

Attributes of School Leaders Towards Achieving Sustainable Leadership: A Factor Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goolamally, Norlia; Ahmad, Jamil

2014-01-01

A principal plays a very important role in deciding the direction and success of a school. Whether a school is dynamic is dependent upon the skills and abilities of the principal. In order to be excellent, the principal must be in possession of an excellent character. Therefore, the selection and promotion of school principals should be conducted…

Understanding the Degrees of Freedom of Sample Variance by Using Microsoft Excel

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ding, Jian-Hua; Jin, Xian-Wen; Shuai, Ling-Ying

2017-01-01

In this article, the degrees of freedom of the sample variance are simulated by using the Visual Basic for Applications of Microsoft Excel 2010. The simulation file dynamically displays why the sample variance should be calculated by dividing the sum of squared deviations by n-1 rather than n, which is helpful for students to grasp the meaning of…

Excellence, Accessibility, Responsibility. Report of the Advisory Panel on Future Directions for Postsecondary Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ontario Ministry of Education and Training, Toronto.

This advisory report presents 18 recommendations for cost sharing, cooperation among institutions, and meeting future demands for higher education in Ontario. A framework for public policy is offered which stresses the themes of excellence, accessibility, and responsibility and urges differentiation in strengths among colleges and universities, a…

Dynamic Behavior of Engineered Lattice Materials

PubMed Central

Hawreliak, J. A.; Lind, J.; Maddox, B.; Barham, M.; Messner, M.; Barton, N.; Jensen, B. J.; Kumar, M.

2016-01-01

Additive manufacturing (AM) is enabling the fabrication of materials with engineered lattice structures at the micron scale. These mesoscopic structures fall between the length scale associated with the organization of atoms and the scale at which macroscopic structures are constructed. Dynamic compression experiments were performed to study the emergence of behavior owing to the lattice periodicity in AM materials on length scales that approach a single unit cell. For the lattice structures, both bend and stretch dominated, elastic deflection of the structure was observed ahead of the compaction of the lattice, while no elastic deformation was observed to precede the compaction in a stochastic, random structure. The material showed lattice characteristics in the elastic response of the material, while the compaction was consistent with a model for compression of porous media. The experimental observations made on arrays of 4 × 4 × 6 lattice unit cells show excellent agreement with elastic wave velocity calculations for an infinite periodic lattice, as determined by Bloch wave analysis, and finite element simulations. PMID:27321697

Vibration of initially stressed carbon nanotubes under magneto-thermal environment for nanoparticle delivery via higher-order nonlocal strain gradient theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farajpour, M. R.; Shahidi, A. R.; Tabataba'i-Nasab, F.; Farajpour, A.

2018-06-01

In this paper, the forced vibration of a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) under a moving nanoparticle is investigated based on the higher-order nonlocal strain gradient theory. The SWCNT is subjected to thermo-mechanical stresses and an external longitudinal magnetic field. The influences of higher-order stress gradients in conjunction with the strain gradient nonlocality are taken into account. Using Hamilton's principle and Maxwell's equations, the higher-order differential equations of motion are derived. An analytical solution is obtained for the dynamic deflection of SWCNTs using the Galerkin method. Furthermore, the governing differential equation is solved numerically using the precise integration method. The results of the two solution procedures are compared and an excellent agreement is found between them. Finally, the influences of various scale parameters, the velocity of the moving nanoparticle, the initial axial stress, the temperature change and longitudinal magnetic field on the dynamic response of SWCNTs are investigated.

Evaluation of Patient Satisfaction Surveys in Pediatric Orthopaedics.

PubMed

Segal, Lee S; Plantikow, Carla; Hall, Randon; Wilson, Kristina; Shrader, M Wade

2015-01-01

Patient satisfaction survey scores are increasingly being tied to incentive compensation, impact how we practice medicine, influence decisions on where patients seek care, and in the future may be required for accreditation. The goal of this study is to compare the results of an internal distribution of patient satisfaction surveys at the point of care to responses received by mail in a hospital-based, high-volume pediatric orthopaedic practice. A pediatric outpatient survey is used at our institution to evaluate patient satisfaction. Surveys are randomly mailed out to families seen in our clinic by the survey vendor, and the results are determined on a quarterly basis. We distributed the same survey in a similar manner in our clinic. The results of the surveys, external/mailed (EXM) versus internal/point of care (INP) over the same 3-month time period (second quarter 2013) were compared. The survey questions are dichotomized from an ordinal scale into either excellent (9 to 10) or not excellent (0 to 8) commonly used in patient satisfaction methodology. We evaluated the raw data from the INP surveys for the question on provider rating by evaluating the mean score, the standard excellent response (9 to 10), and an expanded excellent response (8 to 10). Response rate was 72/469 (15.4%) for EXM, and 231/333 (69.4%) for INP. An excellent response for the "rating your provider" question was 72.2% (EXM) versus 84.8% (INP) (P=0.015). Our analysis of the raw data (INP) has a mean rating of 9.42. The expanded scale (8 to 10) for an excellent response increased the provider rating to 94.4% (P=0.001). Waiting time response within 15 minutes was the only item that correlated with rating of provider (P=0.02). For the majority of the items, the INP responses were consistently higher than the EXM responses, including 6/7 responses that were statistically significant (P<0.05). As mandated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, patient satisfaction surveys will be important in determining health care outcomes. Properly designed and administered surveys provide robust measures of quality. Our study reinforces methodological concerns about patient satisfaction surveys distributed in a high-volume pediatric subspecialty practice. Further research is needed to evaluate the patients' health care experience and true quality of care in pediatric subspecialty ambulatory settings.

Microscopic insights into the NMR relaxation based protein conformational entropy meter

PubMed Central

Kasinath, Vignesh; Sharp, Kim A.; Wand, A. Joshua

2013-01-01

Conformational entropy is a potentially important thermodynamic parameter contributing to protein function. Quantitative measures of conformational entropy are necessary for an understanding of its role but have been difficult to obtain. An empirical method that utilizes changes in conformational dynamics as a proxy for changes in conformational entropy has recently been introduced. Here we probe the microscopic origins of the link between conformational dynamics and conformational entropy using molecular dynamics simulations. Simulation of seven pro! teins gave an excellent correlation with measures of side-chain motion derived from NMR relaxation. The simulations show that the motion of methyl-bearing side-chains are sufficiently coupled to that of other side chains to serve as excellent reporters of the overall side-chain conformational entropy. These results tend to validate the use of experimentally accessible measures of methyl motion - the NMR-derived generalized order parameters - as a proxy from which to derive changes in protein conformational entropy. PMID:24007504

Persistent Factors Facilitating Excellence in Research Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kalpazidou Schmidt, Evanthia; Graversen, Ebbe Krogh

2018-01-01

The study presented here identifies robust and time-invariant features that characterise dynamic and innovative research environments. It takes as its point of departure the results of an empirical study conducted in 2002 which identified the common characteristics of 15 dynamic and innovative public research environments, and focusses on their…

A Novel Real-Time Data Acquisition Using an Excel Spreadsheet in Pendulum Experiment Tool with Light-Based Timer

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Adhitama, Egy; Fauzi, Ahmad

2018-01-01

In this study, a pendulum experimental tool with a light-based timer has been developed to measure the period of a simple pendulum. The obtained data was automatically recorded in an Excel spreadsheet. The intensity of monochromatic light, sensed by a 3DU5C phototransistor, dynamically changes as the pendulum swings. The changed intensity varies…

IBMISPS (International Brain Mapping & Intraoperative Surgical Planning Symposium)

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-12-01

they received the 2005 Excellence in R, D & E award for their contribution in the feild of prosthetics and brain imaging. Excellence in Educational...specific bipolar magnetic gradient pulses which measure the velocity vector components of motion. Presented here are the development of dynamic MR...movies of quantitative velocity vector components, 30 frames per second. The 3 velocity vector maps with tensor analysis produced maps of the

The assessment of cervical sensory motor control: a systematic review focusing on measuring methods and their clinimetric characteristics.

PubMed

Michiels, Sarah; De Hertogh, Willem; Truijen, Steven; November, Danny; Wuyts, Floris; Van de Heyning, Paul

2013-05-01

Cervical sensorimotor control (CSMC) becomes increasingly important in the assessment and treatment of patients with neck pain. This review aims to compare commonly used CSMC measuring methods in terms of required tasks, measuring device and clinimetric properties. A systematic review of two databases, followed by methodological quality assessment (CBO guidelines). The methodological quality of 34 included articles was generally good (five to seven out of eight), the inter-rater agreement was excellent (κw=0.966, p<0.01). Following tasks were found: head repositioning accuracy to the neutral head position (HRA-to-NHP) and to a target position (HRA-to-target), a virtual reality test, a continuous linear movement technique (CLMT) and an object following non-linear movement technique (NLMT) (The Fly™). Test-retest reliability was fair to excellent (ICC 0.35-0.87) for the HRA-to-NHP, very bad to excellent (ICC 0.01-0.90) for the HRA-to-target, fair to good (ICC 0.25-0.77) for the virtual reality test and moderate to excellent (ICC: 0.60-0.86) for The Fly™. The reliability of the CLMT was not documented. The HRA-to-NHP, The Fly™ and the CLMT can discriminate between patients with neck complaints and controls (discriminant validity). Currently, only The Fly™ can discriminate between different patient populations (post-traumatic and non-traumatic neck pain). The sensitivity, specificity and responsiveness of the methods have to be assessed in future research. The dynamic method The Fly™ appears to be more reliable than the HRA-to-NHP and is able to discriminate between different patient populations. The diagnostic potential is to be confirmed in future research. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Excel Spreadsheets for Algebra: Improving Mental Modeling for Problem Solving

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Engerman, Jason; Rusek, Matthew; Clariana, Roy

2014-01-01

This experiment investigates the effectiveness of Excel spreadsheets in a high school algebra class. Students in the experiment group convincingly outperformed the control group on a post lesson assessment. The student responses, teacher observations involving Excel spreadsheet revealed that it operated as a mindtool, which formed the users'…

Dynamics of Oxidation of Aluminum Nanoclusters using Variable Charge Molecular-Dynamics Simulations on Parallel Computers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campbell, Timothy; Kalia, Rajiv K.; Nakano, Aiichiro; Vashishta, Priya; Ogata, Shuji; Rodgers, Stephen

1999-06-01

Oxidation of aluminum nanoclusters is investigated with a parallel molecular-dynamics approach based on dynamic charge transfer among atoms. Structural and dynamic correlations reveal that significant charge transfer gives rise to large negative pressure in the oxide which dominates the positive pressure due to steric forces. As a result, aluminum moves outward and oxygen moves towards the interior of the cluster with the aluminum diffusivity 60% higher than that of oxygen. A stable 40 Å thick amorphous oxide is formed; this is in excellent agreement with experiments.

Kinetic analysis of IMP split dose method for two consecutive measurement of cerebral blood flow

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

Nishizawa, S.; Yonekura, Y.; Tanaka, F.

1994-05-01

The split dose method for two consecutive measurements of cerebral blood flow (CBF) with I-123 IMP seems to offer a great merit to the SPECT study of the brain. However, because of complexity of the dynamics of IMP, it is not clear if microsphere (MS) model permits a estimation of CBF for the 2nd dose. We applied kinetic (KN) analysis based on 2 compartment model to the dynamic SPECT scan data, and compared the results with those obtained by MS model. Dynamic SPECT (1-min scans for 50 min) was performed using 3-head SPECT camera in 5 patients to test themore » reproducibility of measured CBF and in 9 patients to test the vascular response to acetazolamide (ACZ). Two doses of IMP (111 MBq each) were injected at the time of, and 25 min after, the scan initiation. ACZ (1g) was administered at 13 min. Arterial blood samples were drawn manually during the scan and an octanol extracted input function was obtained. Dynamic scan data for 22 min was used for CBF by KN analysis (K1), and 4-min scan data at 5 min for CBF by MS model (Km), for each dose. For 2nd CBF by MS model, simple subtraction of brain activity due to the I st dose was done using 4-min scan data just prior to the 2nd dose. Reproducibility of measured CBF by KN analysis was excellent (r=0.949, 1st K1=39.2{plus_minus}5.6 and 2nd K1=38.5{plus_minus}6.6 ml/l00g/min: mean{plus_minus}SD). Vascular response to ACZ was good (1st K1=42.4{plus_minus}7.8 to 2nd K1=67.9{plus_minus}10.0) in areas without ischemia, but poor (1st K1=41.1{plus_minus}8.5 to 2nd K1=46.1{plus_minus}11.1) in ischemic areas. Compared to KN analysis, MS model underestimated 3.5% for the 1st CBF measurement and 12.8% for the 2nd. However, excellent correlation was observed not only between 1st K1 and Km (r=0.993, slope=0.920) but between 2nd K1 and Km (r=0.994, slope=0.814), and the results permitted a reasonable correction for Km.« less

Electronic polarization effect on low-frequency infrared and Raman spectra of aprotic solvent: Molecular dynamics simulation study with charge response kernel by second order Møller-Plesset perturbation method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isegawa, Miho; Kato, Shigeki

2007-12-01

Low-frequency infrared (IR) and depolarized Raman scattering (DRS) spectra of acetonitrile, methylene chloride, and acetone liquids are simulated via molecular dynamics calculations with the charge response kernel (CRK) model obtained at the second order Møller-Plesset perturbation (MP2) level. For this purpose, the analytical second derivative technique for the MP2 energy is employed to evaluate the CRK matrices. The calculated IR spectra reasonably agree with the experiments. In particular, the agreement is excellent for acetone because the present CRK model well reproduces the experimental polarizability in the gas phase. The importance of interaction induced dipole moments in characterizing the spectral shapes is stressed. The DRS spectrum of acetone is mainly discussed because the experimental spectrum is available only for this molecule. The calculated spectrum is close to the experiment. The comparison of the present results with those by the multiple random telegraph model is also made. By decomposing the polarizability anisotropy time correlation function to the contributions from the permanent, induced polarizability and their cross term, a discrepancy from the previous calculations is observed in the sign of permanent-induce cross term contribution. The origin of this discrepancy is discussed by analyzing the correlation functions for acetonitrile.

Plane shock loading on mono- and nano-crystalline silicon carbide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Branicio, Paulo S.; Zhang, Jingyun; Rino, José P.; Nakano, Aiichiro; Kalia, Rajiv K.; Vashishta, Priya

2018-03-01

The understanding of the nanoscale mechanisms of shock damage and failure in SiC is essential for its application in effective and damage tolerant coatings. We use molecular-dynamics simulations to investigate the shock properties of 3C-SiC along low-index crystallographic directions and in nanocrystalline samples with 5 nm and 10 nm grain sizes. The predicted Hugoniot in the particle velocity range of 0.1 km/s-6.0 km/s agrees well with experimental data. The shock response transitions from elastic to plastic, predominantly deformation twinning, to structural transformation to the rock-salt phase. The predicted strengths from 12.3 to 30.9 GPa, at the Hugoniot elastic limit, are in excellent agreement with experimental data.

Universities and the Mobilization of Claims of Excellence for Competitive Advantage

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wangenge-Ouma, Gerald; Langa, Patricio V.

2010-01-01

This study discusses the phenomenon of making claims of excellence by universities, which we interpret as a response, inter alia, to the hitherto unfamiliar context of scarce and diminishing resources. The main objective is to understand how claims of excellence are mobilised by higher education institutions to achieve "competitive advantage". The…

Exploring Middle School Students' and Parents' Conceptions of Excellent Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Junjun

2016-01-01

While there have been many western studies about what excellent teaching means, there are far fewer eastern studies. This study explored how students and parents perceived conceptions of excellent teaching in Chinese middle schools. The 77 students' and 67 parents' responses relating to a personal narrative of a time they had experienced excellent…

Inter-Observer Agreement of Whole-Body Computed Tomography in Staging and Response Assessment in Lymphoma: The Lugano Classification.

PubMed

Razek, Ahmed Abdel Khalek Abdel; Shamaa, Sameh; Lattif, Mahmoud Abdel; Yousef, Hanan Hamid

2017-01-01

To assess inter-observer agreement of whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) in staging and response assessment in lymphoma according to the Lugano classification. Retrospective analysis was conducted of 115 consecutive patients with lymphomas (45 females, 70 males; mean age of 46 years). Patients underwent WBCT with a 64 multi-detector CT device for staging and response assessment after a complete course of chemotherapy. Image analysis was performed by 2 reviewers according to the Lugano classification for staging and response assessment. The overall inter-observer agreement of WBCT in staging of lymphoma was excellent ( k =0.90, percent agreement=94.9%). There was an excellent inter-observer agreement for stage I ( k =0.93, percent agreement=96.4%), stage II ( k =0.90, percent agreement=94.8%), stage III ( k =0.89, percent agreement=94.6%) and stage IV ( k =0.88, percent agreement=94%). The overall inter-observer agreement in response assessment after a completer course of treatment was excellent ( k =0.91, percent agreement=95.8%). There was an excellent inter-observer agreement in progressive disease ( k =0.94, percent agreement=97.1%), stable disease ( k =0.90, percent agreement=95%), partial response ( k =0.96, percent agreement=98.1%) and complete response ( k =0.87, Percent agreement=93.3%). We concluded that WBCT is a reliable and reproducible imaging modality for staging and treatment assessment in lymphoma according to the Lugano classification.

NPV Sensitivity Analysis: A Dynamic Excel Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mangiero, George A.; Kraten, Michael

2017-01-01

Financial analysts generally create static formulas for the computation of NPV. When they do so, however, it is not readily apparent how sensitive the value of NPV is to changes in multiple interdependent and interrelated variables. It is the aim of this paper to analyze this variability by employing a dynamic, visually graphic presentation using…

Diversity dynamics: The experience of male Robert Wood Johnson Foundation nurse faculty scholars.

PubMed

Brody, Abraham A; Farley, Jason E; Gillespie, Gordon L; Hickman, Ronald; Hodges, Eric A; Lyder, Courtney; Palazzo, Steven J; Ruppar, Todd; Schiavenato, Martin; Pesut, Daniel J

Managing diversity dynamics in academic or clinical settings for men in nursing has unique challenges resulting from their minority status within the profession. The purpose of this study was to share challenges and lessons learned identified by male scholars in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Nurse Faculty Scholars program and suggest strategies for creating positive organizations promoting inclusive excellence. Multiple strategies including informal mentored discussions and peer-to-peer dialogue throughout the program, formal online surveys of scholars and National Advisory Committee members, and review of scholar progress reports were analyzed as part of the comprehensive evaluation plan of the program. Diversity dynamic issues include concerns with negative stereotyping, microaggression, gender intelligence, and differences in communication and leadership styles. Male nurse faculty scholars report experiencing both opportunities and challenges residing in a predominately female profession. This article attempts to raise awareness and suggest strategies to manage diversity dynamics in service of promoting the development of a culture of health that values diversity and inclusive excellence for both men and women in academic, research, and practice contexts. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Tracking serum antibody response to viral antigens with arrayed imaging reflectometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mace, Charles R.; Rose, Robert C.; Miller, Benjamin L.

2009-02-01

Arrayed Imaging Reflectometry, or "AIR", is a new label-free technique for detecting proteins that relies on bindinginduced changes in the response of an antireflective coating on the surface of a silicon ship. Because the technique provides high sensitivity, excellent dynamic range, and readily integrates with standard silicon wafer processing technology, it is an exceptionally attractive platform on which to build systems for detecting proteins in complex solutions. In our early research, we used AIR chips bearing secreted receptor proteins from enteropathogenic E. coli to develop sensors for this pathogen. Recently, we have been exploring an alternative strategy: Rather than detecting the pathogen directly, can one immobilize antigens from a pathogen, and employ AIR to detect antibody responses to those antigens? Such a strategy would provide enhanced sensitivity for pathogen detection (as the immune system essentially amplifies the "signal" caused by the presence of an organism to which it responds), and would also potentially prove useful in the process of vaccine development. We describe herein preliminary results in the application of such a strategy to the detection of antibodies to human papillomavirus (HPV).

Capacitive Pressure Sensor with High Sensitivity and Fast Response to Dynamic Interaction Based on Graphene and Porous Nylon Networks.

PubMed

He, Zhongfu; Chen, Wenjun; Liang, Binghao; Liu, Changyong; Yang, Leilei; Lu, Dongwei; Mo, Zichao; Zhu, Hai; Tang, Zikang; Gui, Xuchun

2018-04-18

Flexible pressure sensors are of great importance to be applied in artificial intelligence and wearable electronics. However, assembling a simple structure, high-performance capacitive pressure sensor, especially for monitoring the flow of liquids, is still a big challenge. Here, on the basis of a sandwich-like structure, we propose a facile capacitive pressure sensor optimized by a flexible, low-cost nylon netting, showing many merits including a high response sensitivity (0.33 kPa -1 ) in a low-pressure regime (<1 kPa), an ultralow detection limit as 3.3 Pa, excellent working stability after more than 1000 cycles, and synchronous monitoring for human pulses and clicks. More important, this sensor exhibits an ultrafast response speed (<20 ms), which enables its detection for the fast variations of a small applied pressure from the morphological changing processes of a droplet falling onto the sensor. Furthermore, a capacitive pressure sensor array is fabricated for demonstrating the ability to spatial pressure distribution. Our developed pressure sensors show great prospects in practical applications such as health monitoring, flexible tactile devices, and motion detection.

Information processing using a single dynamical node as complex system

PubMed Central

Appeltant, L.; Soriano, M.C.; Van der Sande, G.; Danckaert, J.; Massar, S.; Dambre, J.; Schrauwen, B.; Mirasso, C.R.; Fischer, I.

2011-01-01

Novel methods for information processing are highly desired in our information-driven society. Inspired by the brain's ability to process information, the recently introduced paradigm known as 'reservoir computing' shows that complex networks can efficiently perform computation. Here we introduce a novel architecture that reduces the usually required large number of elements to a single nonlinear node with delayed feedback. Through an electronic implementation, we experimentally and numerically demonstrate excellent performance in a speech recognition benchmark. Complementary numerical studies also show excellent performance for a time series prediction benchmark. These results prove that delay-dynamical systems, even in their simplest manifestation, can perform efficient information processing. This finding paves the way to feasible and resource-efficient technological implementations of reservoir computing. PMID:21915110

Breathable and Stretchable Temperature Sensors Inspired by Skin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Ying; Lu, Bingwei; Chen, Yihao; Feng, Xue

2015-06-01

Flexible electronics attached to skin for healthcare, such as epidermal electronics, has to struggle with biocompatibility and adapt to specified environment of skin with respect to breath and perspiration. Here, we report a strategy for biocompatible flexible temperature sensors, inspired by skin, possessing the excellent permeability of air and high quality of water-proof by using semipermeable film with porous structures as substrate. We attach such temperature sensors to underarm and forearm to measure the axillary temperature and body surface temperature respectively. The volunteer wears such sensors for 24 hours with two times of shower and the in vitro test shows no sign of maceration or stimulation to the skin. Especially, precise temperature changes on skin surface caused by flowing air and water dropping are also measured to validate the accuracy and dynamical response. The results show that the biocompatible temperature sensor is soft and breathable on the human skin and has the excellent accuracy compared to mercury thermometer. This demonstrates the possibility and feasibility of fully using the sensors in long term body temperature sensing for medical use as well as sensing function of artificial skin for robots or prosthesis.

Breathable and Stretchable Temperature Sensors Inspired by Skin

PubMed Central

Chen, Ying; Lu, Bingwei; Chen, Yihao; Feng, Xue

2015-01-01

Flexible electronics attached to skin for healthcare, such as epidermal electronics, has to struggle with biocompatibility and adapt to specified environment of skin with respect to breath and perspiration. Here, we report a strategy for biocompatible flexible temperature sensors, inspired by skin, possessing the excellent permeability of air and high quality of water-proof by using semipermeable film with porous structures as substrate. We attach such temperature sensors to underarm and forearm to measure the axillary temperature and body surface temperature respectively. The volunteer wears such sensors for 24 hours with two times of shower and the in vitro test shows no sign of maceration or stimulation to the skin. Especially, precise temperature changes on skin surface caused by flowing air and water dropping are also measured to validate the accuracy and dynamical response. The results show that the biocompatible temperature sensor is soft and breathable on the human skin and has the excellent accuracy compared to mercury thermometer. This demonstrates the possibility and feasibility of fully using the sensors in long term body temperature sensing for medical use as well as sensing function of artificial skin for robots or prosthesis. PMID:26095941

Early auditory processing in musicians and dancers during a contemporary dance piece

PubMed Central

Poikonen, Hanna; Toiviainen, Petri; Tervaniemi, Mari

2016-01-01

The neural responses to simple tones and short sound sequences have been studied extensively. However, in reality the sounds surrounding us are spectrally and temporally complex, dynamic and overlapping. Thus, research using natural sounds is crucial in understanding the operation of the brain in its natural environment. Music is an excellent example of natural stimulation which, in addition to sensory responses, elicits vast cognitive and emotional processes in the brain. Here we show that the preattentive P50 response evoked by rapid increases in timbral brightness during continuous music is enhanced in dancers when compared to musicians and laymen. In dance, fast changes in brightness are often emphasized with a significant change in movement. In addition, the auditory N100 and P200 responses are suppressed and sped up in dancers, musicians and laymen when music is accompanied with a dance choreography. These results were obtained with a novel event-related potential (ERP) method for natural music. They suggest that we can begin studying the brain with long pieces of natural music using the ERP method of electroencephalography (EEG) as has already been done with functional magnetic resonance (fMRI), these two brain imaging methods complementing each other. PMID:27611929

Dynamic Restarting Schemes for Eigenvalue Problems

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

Wu, Kesheng; Simon, Horst D.

1999-03-10

In studies of restarted Davidson method, a dynamic thick-restart scheme was found to be excellent in improving the overall effectiveness of the eigen value method. This paper extends the study of the dynamic thick-restart scheme to the Lanczos method for symmetric eigen value problems and systematically explore a range of heuristics and strategies. We conduct a series of numerical tests to determine their relative strength and weakness on a class of electronic structure calculation problems.

A centroid molecular dynamics study of liquid para-hydrogen and ortho-deuterium.

PubMed

Hone, Tyler D; Voth, Gregory A

2004-10-01

Centroid molecular dynamics (CMD) is applied to the study of collective and single-particle dynamics in liquid para-hydrogen at two state points and liquid ortho-deuterium at one state point. The CMD results are compared with the results of classical molecular dynamics, quantum mode coupling theory, a maximum entropy analytic continuation approach, pair-product forward- backward semiclassical dynamics, and available experimental results. The self-diffusion constants are in excellent agreement with the experimental measurements for all systems studied. Furthermore, it is shown that the method is able to adequately describe both the single-particle and collective dynamics of quantum liquids. (c) 2004 American Institute of Physics

Genetically Encoded Calcium Indicators For Studying Long-Term Calcium Dynamics During Apoptosis

PubMed Central

Garcia, M. Iveth; Chen, Jessica J.; Boehning, Darren

2017-01-01

Intracellular calcium release is essential for regulating almost all cellular functions. Specific spatio-temporal patterns of cytosolic calcium elevations are critical determinants of cell fate in response to pro-apoptotic cellular stressors. As the apoptotic program can take hours or days, measurement of long-term calcium dynamics are essential for understanding the mechanistic role of calcium in apoptotic cell death. Due to the technical limitations of using calcium-sensitive dyes to measure cytosolic calcium little is known about long-term calcium dynamics in living cells after treatment with apoptosis-inducing drugs. Genetically encoded calcium indicators could potentially overcome some of the limitations of calcium-sensitive dyes. Here, we compared the performance of the genetically encoded calcium indicators GCaMP6s and GCaMP6f with the ratiometric dye Fura-2. GCaMP6s performed as well or better than Fura-2 in detecting agonist-induced calcium transients. We then examined the utility of GCaMP6s for continuously measuring apoptotic calcium release over the course of ten hours after treatment with staurosporine. We found that GCaMP6s was suitable for measuring apoptotic calcium release over long time courses and revealed significant heterogeneity in calcium release dynamics in individual cells challenged with staurosporine. Our results suggest GCaMP6s is an excellent indicator for monitoring long-term changes cytosolic calcium during apoptosis. PMID:28073595

Simulation of Thin-Film Damping and Thermal Mechanical Noise Spectra for Advanced Micromachined Microphone Structures.

PubMed

Hall, Neal A; Okandan, Murat; Littrell, Robert; Bicen, Baris; Degertekin, F Levent

2008-06-01

In many micromachined sensors the thin (2-10 μm thick) air film between a compliant diaphragm and backplate electrode plays a dominant role in shaping both the dynamic and thermal noise characteristics of the device. Silicon microphone structures used in grating-based optical-interference microphones have recently been introduced that employ backplates with minimal area to achieve low damping and low thermal noise levels. Finite-element based modeling procedures based on 2-D discretization of the governing Reynolds equation are ideally suited for studying thin-film dynamics in such structures which utilize relatively complex backplate geometries. In this paper, the dynamic properties of both the diaphragm and thin air film are studied using a modal projection procedure in a commonly used finite element software and the results are used to simulate the dynamic frequency response of the coupled structure to internally generated electrostatic actuation pressure. The model is also extended to simulate thermal mechanical noise spectra of these advanced sensing structures. In all cases simulations are compared with measured data and show excellent agreement-demonstrating 0.8 pN/√Hz and 1.8 μPa/√Hz thermal force and thermal pressure noise levels, respectively, for the 1.5 mm diameter structures under study which have a fundamental diaphragm resonance-limited bandwidth near 20 kHz.

Synthesis of hover autopilots for rotary-wing VTOL aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, W. E.; Bryson, A. E., Jr.

1972-01-01

The practical situation is considered where imperfect information on only a few rotor and fuselage state variables is available. Filters are designed to estimate all the state variables from noisy measurements of fuselage pitch/roll angles and from noisy measurements of both fuselage and rotor pitch/roll angles. The mean square response of the vehicle to a very gusty, random wind is computed using various filter/controllers and is found to be quite satisfactory although, of course, not so good as when one has perfect information (idealized case). The second part of the report considers precision hover over a point on the ground. A vehicle model without rotor dynamics is used and feedback signals in position and integral of position error are added. The mean square response of the vehicle to a very gusty, random wind is computed, assuming perfect information feedback, and is found to be excellent. The integral error feedback gives zero position error for a steady wind, and smaller position error for a random wind.

The work of Glenn F. Webb.

PubMed

Fitzgibbon, William E

2015-08-01

It is my distinct pleasure to introduce this volume honoring the 70th birthday of Professor Glenn F. Webb. The existence of this compiled volume is in itself a testimony of Glenn's dedication to, his pursuit of, and his achievement of scientific excellence. As we honor Glenn, we honor what is excellent in our profession. Aristotle clearly articulated his concept of excellence. ``We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." As we look over the course of his career we observe ample evidence of Glenn Webb's habitual practice of excellence. Beginning with Glenn's first paper [1], one observes a constant stream of productivity and high impact work. Glenn has authored or co-authored over 160 papers, written one research monograph, and co-edited six volumes. He has delivered plenary lectures, colloquia, and seminars across the globe, and he serves on the editorial boards of 11 archival journals. He is a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society. Glenn's scientific career chronicles an evolution of scientific work that began with his interest in nonlinear semigroup theory and leads up to his current activity in biomedical mathematics. At each stage we see seminal contributions in the areas of nonlinear semigroups, functional differential equations, infinite dimensional dynamical systems, mathematical population dynamics, mathematical biology and biomedical mathematics. Glenn's work is distinguished by a clarity and accessibility of exposition, a precise identification and description of the problem or model under consideration, and thorough referencing. He uses elementary methods whenever possible but couples this with an ability to employ power abstract methods when necessitated by the problem.

Linear System of Equations, Matrix Inversion, and Linear Programming Using MS Excel

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

El-Gebeily, M.; Yushau, B.

2008-01-01

In this note, we demonstrate with illustrations two different ways that MS Excel can be used to solve Linear Systems of Equation, Linear Programming Problems, and Matrix Inversion Problems. The advantage of using MS Excel is its availability and transparency (the user is responsible for most of the details of how a problem is solved). Further, we…

Semiclassical Monte Carlo: A first principles approach to non-adiabatic molecular dynamics

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

White, Alexander J.; Center for Nonlinear Studies; Gorshkov, Vyacheslav N.

2014-11-14

Modeling the dynamics of photophysical and (photo)chemical reactions in extended molecular systems is a new frontier for quantum chemistry. Many dynamical phenomena, such as intersystem crossing, non-radiative relaxation, and charge and energy transfer, require a non-adiabatic description which incorporate transitions between electronic states. Additionally, these dynamics are often highly sensitive to quantum coherences and interference effects. Several methods exist to simulate non-adiabatic dynamics; however, they are typically either too expensive to be applied to large molecular systems (10's-100's of atoms), or they are based on ad hoc schemes which may include severe approximations due to inconsistencies in classical and quantummore » mechanics. We present, in detail, an algorithm based on Monte Carlo sampling of the semiclassical time-dependent wavefunction that involves running simple surface hopping dynamics, followed by a post-processing step which adds little cost. The method requires only a few quantities from quantum chemistry calculations, can systematically be improved, and provides excellent agreement with exact quantum mechanical results. Here we show excellent agreement with exact solutions for scattering results of standard test problems. Additionally, we find that convergence of the wavefunction is controlled by complex valued phase factors, the size of the non-adiabatic coupling region, and the choice of sampling function. These results help in determining the range of applicability of the method, and provide a starting point for further improvement.« less

Lean flammability limit of downward propagating hydrogen-air flames

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patnaik, G.; Kailasanath, K.

1992-01-01

Detailed multidimensional numerical simulations that include the effects of wall heat losses have been performed to study the dynamics of downward flame propagation and extinguishment in lean hydrogen-air mixtures. The computational results show that a downward propagating flame in an isothermal channel has a flammability limit of around 9.75 percent. This is in excellent agreement with experimental results. Also in excellent agreement are the detailed observations of the flame behavior at the point of extinguishment. The primary conclusion of this work is that detailed numerical simulations that include wall heat losses and the effect of gravity can adequately simulate the dynamics of the extinguishment process in downward-propagating hydrogen-air flames. These simulations can be examined in detail to gain understanding of the actual extinction process.

Low-dose Photofrin-induced PDT offers excellent clinical response with minimal morbidity in chest wall recurrence of breast cancer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allison, Ron; Mang, Thomas S.

2000-03-01

Limited therapeutic options exist when chest wall recurrence form breast cancer progresses despite standard salvage treatment. As photodynamic therapy offers excellent response for cutaneous lesions this may be a possible indication for PDT. A total of 102 treatment fields were illuminated on 9 women with biopsy proven chest wall recurrence of breast cancer which was progressing despite salvage surgery, radiation, and chemi-hormonal therapy. PDT consisted of outpatient IV infusion of Photofrin at 0.8 mg/kg followed 48 hours laser by illumination at 140-170 J/cm2 via a KTP Yag laser coupled to a dye unit. No patient was lost to follow up. At 6 months post PDT; complete response, defined as total lesion elimination was 89 percent, partial response 8 percent, and no response 3 percent. No photosensitivity was seen and no patient developed scarring, fibrosis, or healing difficulties. Low dose Photofrin induced PDT is very active against chest wall lesions. Despite fragile and heavily pre-treated tissues, excellent clinical and cosmetic outcome was obtained. PDT is an underutilized modality for this indication.

The performance of hafnium and gadolinium self powered neutron detectors in the TREAT reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Imel, G. R.; Hart, P. R.

1996-05-01

The use of gadolinium and hafnium self powered neutron detectors in a transient reactor is described in this paper. The detectors were calibrated to the fission rate of U-235 using calibrated fission chambers; the calibration factors were tested in two reactors in steady state and found to be consistent. Calibration of the detectors in transient reactor conditions was done by using uranium wires that were analyzed by radiochemistry techniques to determine total fissions during the transient. This was correlated to the time-integrated current of the detectors during the transient. A temperature correction factor was derived to account for self-shielding effects in the hafnium and gadolinium detectors. The dynamic response of the detectors under transient conditions was studied, and found to be excellent.

Coaxial CVD diamond detector for neutron diagnostics at ShenGuang III laser facility.

PubMed

Yu, Bo; Liu, Shenye; Chen, Zhongjing; Huang, Tianxuan; Jiang, Wei; Chen, Bolun; Pu, Yudong; Yan, Ji; Zhang, Xing; Song, Zifeng; Tang, Qi; Hou, Lifei; Ding, Yongkun; Zheng, Jian

2017-06-01

A coaxial, high performance diamond detector has been developed for neutron diagnostics of inertial confinement fusion at ShenGuangIII laser facility. A Φ10 mm × 1 mm "optical grade" chemical-vapor deposition diamond wafer is assembled in coaxial-designing housing, and the signal is linked to a SubMiniature A connector by the cathode cone. The coaxial diamond detector performs excellently for neutron measurement with the full width at half maximum of response time to be 444 ps for a 50 Ω measurement system. The average sensitivity is 0.677 μV ns/n for 14 MeV (DT fusion) neutrons at an electric field of 1000 V/mm, and the linear dynamic range is beyond three orders of magnitude. The ion temperature results fluctuate widely from the neutron time-of-flight scintillator detector results because of the short flight length. These characteristics of small size, large linear dynamic range, and insensitive to x-ray make the diamond detector suitable to measure the neutron yield, ion temperature, and neutron emission time.

Development of a multistage compliant mechanism with new boundary constraint

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ling, Mingxiang; Cao, Junyi; Jiang, Zhou; Li, Qisheng

2018-01-01

This paper presents a piezo-actuated compliant mechanism with a new boundary constraint to provide concurrent large workspace and high dynamic frequency for precision positioning or other flexible manipulation applications. A two-stage rhombus-type displacement amplifier with the "sliding-sliding" boundary constraint is presented to maximize the dynamic frequency while retaining a large output displacement. The vibration mode is also improved by the designed boundary constraint. A theoretical kinematic model of the compliant mechanism is established to optimize the geometric parameters, and a prototype is fabricated with a compact dimension of 60 mm × 60 mm × 12 mm. The experimental testing shows that the maximum stroke is approximately 0.6 mm and the output stiffness is 1.1 N/μm with the fundamental frequency of larger than 2.2 kHz. Lastly, the excellent performance of the presented compliant mechanism is compared with several mechanisms in the previous literature. As a conclusion, the presented boundary constraint strategy provides a new way to balance the trade-off between the frequency response and the stroke range widely existed in compliant mechanisms.

Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Flight Dynamics Facility (FDF) calibration of the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hashmall, J.; Garrick, J.

1993-01-01

Flight Dynamics Facility (FDF) responsibilities for calibration of Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) sensors included alignment calibration of the fixed-head star trackers (FHST's) and the fine Sun sensor (FSS), determination of misalignments and scale factors for the inertial reference units (IRU's), determination of biases for the three-axis magnetometers (TAM's) and Earth sensor assemblies (ESA's), determination of gimbal misalignments of the Solar/Stellar Pointing Platform (SSPP), and field-of-view calibration for the FSS's mounted both on the Modular Attitude Control System (MACS) and on the SSPP. The calibrations, which used a combination of new and established algorithms, gave excellent results. Alignment calibration results markedly improved the accuracy of both ground and onboard Computer (OBC) attitude determination. SSPP calibration results allowed UARS to identify stars in the period immediately after yaw maneuvers, removing the delay required for the OBC to reacquire its fine pointing attitude mode. SSPP calibration considerably improved the pointing accuracy of the attached science instrument package. This paper presents a summary of the methods used and the results of all FDF UARS sensor calibration.

Structural dynamics and vibrations of damped, aircraft-type structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Young, Maurice I.

1992-01-01

Engineering preliminary design methods for approximating and predicting the effects of viscous or equivalent viscous-type damping treatments on the free and forced vibration of lightly damped aircraft-type structures are developed. Similar developments are presented for dynamic hysteresis viscoelastic-type damping treatments. It is shown by both engineering analysis and numerical illustrations that the intermodal coupling of the undamped modes arising from the introduction of damping may be neglected in applying these preliminary design methods, except when dissimilar modes of these lightly damped, complex aircraft-type structures have identical or nearly identical natural frequencies. In such cases, it is shown that a relatively simple, additional interaction calculation between pairs of modes exhibiting this 'modal response' phenomenon suffices in the prediction of interacting modal damping fractions. The accuracy of the methods is shown to be very good to excellent, depending on the normal natural frequency separation of the system modes, thereby permitting a relatively simple preliminary design approach. This approach is shown to be a natural precursor to elaborate finite element, digital computer design computations in evaluating the type, quantity, and location of damping treatment.

Modeling the depth-sectioning effect in reflection-mode dynamic speckle-field interferometric microscopy

PubMed Central

Zhou, Renjie; Jin, Di; Hosseini, Poorya; Singh, Vijay Raj; Kim, Yang-hyo; Kuang, Cuifang; Dasari, Ramachandra R.; Yaqoob, Zahid; So, Peter T. C.

2017-01-01

Unlike most optical coherence microscopy (OCM) systems, dynamic speckle-field interferometric microscopy (DSIM) achieves depth sectioning through the spatial-coherence gating effect. Under high numerical aperture (NA) speckle-field illumination, our previous experiments have demonstrated less than 1 μm depth resolution in reflection-mode DSIM, while doubling the diffraction limited resolution as under structured illumination. However, there has not been a physical model to rigorously describe the speckle imaging process, in particular explaining the sectioning effect under high illumination and imaging NA settings in DSIM. In this paper, we develop such a model based on the diffraction tomography theory and the speckle statistics. Using this model, we calculate the system response function, which is used to further obtain the depth resolution limit in reflection-mode DSIM. Theoretically calculated depth resolution limit is in an excellent agreement with experiment results. We envision that our physical model will not only help in understanding the imaging process in DSIM, but also enable better designing such systems for depth-resolved measurements in biological cells and tissues. PMID:28085800

MAVRIC Flutter Model Transonic Limit Cycle Oscillation Test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Edwards, John W.; Schuster, David M.; Spain, Charles V.; Keller, Donald F.; Moses, Robert W.

2001-01-01

The Models for Aeroelastic Validation Research Involving Computation semi-span wind-tunnel model (MAVRIC-I), a business jet wing-fuselage flutter model, was tested in NASA Langley's Transonic Dynamics Tunnel with the goal of obtaining experimental data suitable for Computational Aeroelasticity code validation at transonic separation onset conditions. This research model is notable for its inexpensive construction and instrumentation installation procedures. Unsteady pressures and wing responses were obtained for three wingtip configurations of clean, tipstore, and winglet. Traditional flutter boundaries were measured over the range of M = 0.6 to 0.9 and maps of Limit Cycle Oscillation (LCO) behavior were made in the range of M = 0.85 to 0.95. Effects of dynamic pressure and angle-of-attack were measured. Testing in both R134a heavy gas and air provided unique data on Reynolds number, transition effects, and the effect of speed of sound on LCO behavior. The data set provides excellent code validation test cases for the important class of flow conditions involving shock-induced transonic flow separation onset at low wing angles, including LCO behavior.

MAVRIC Flutter Model Transonic Limit Cycle Oscillation Test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Edwards, John W.; Schuster, David M.; Spain, Charles V.; Keller, Donald F.; Moses, Robert W.

2001-01-01

The Models for Aeroelastic Validation Research Involving Computation semi-span wind-tunnel model (MAVRIC-I), a business jet wing-fuselage flutter model, was tested in NASA Langley's Transonic Dynamics Tunnel with the goal of obtaining experimental data suitable for Computational Aeroelasticity code validation at transonic separation onset conditions. This research model is notable for its inexpensive construction and instrumentation installation procedures. Unsteady pressures and wing responses were obtained for three wingtip configurations clean, tipstore, and winglet. Traditional flutter boundaries were measured over the range of M = 0.6 to 0.9 and maps of Limit Cycle Oscillation (LCO) behavior were made in the range of M = 0.85 to 0.95. Effects of dynamic pressure and angle-of-attack were measured. Testing in both R134a heavy gas and air provided unique data on Reynolds number, transition effects, and the effect of speed of sound on LCO behavior. The data set provides excellent code validation test cases for the important class of flow conditions involving shock-induced transonic flow separation onset at low wing angles, including Limit Cycle Oscillation behavior.

UXO Engineering Design. Technical Specification and ConceptualDesign

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

Beche, J-F.; Doolittle, L.; Greer, J.

2005-04-23

The design and fabrication of the UXO detector has numerous challenges and is an important component to the success of this study. This section describes the overall engineering approach, as well as some of the technical details that brought us to the present design. In general, an array of sensor coils is measuring the signal generated by the UXO object in response to a stimulation provided by the driver coil. The information related to the location, shape and properties of the object is derived from the analysis of the measured data. Each sensor coil is instrumented with a waveform digitizermore » operating at a nominal digitization rate of 100 kSamples per second. The sensor coils record both the large transient pulse of the driver coil and the UXO object response pulse. The latter is smaller in amplitude and must be extracted from the large transient signal. The resolution required is 16 bits over a dynamic range of at least 140 dB. The useful signal bandwidth of the application extends from DC to 40 kHz. The low distortion of each component is crucial in order to maintain an excellent linearity over the full dynamic range and to minimize the calibration procedure. The electronics must be made as compact as possible so that the response of its metallic parts has a minimum signature response. Also because of a field system portability requirement, the power consumption of the instrument must be kept as low as possible. The theory and results of numerical and experimental studies that led to the proof-of-principle multitransmitter-multireceiver Active ElectroMagnetic (AEM) system, that can not only accurately detect but also characterize and discriminate UXO targets, are summarized in LBNL report-53962: ''Detection and Classification of Buried Metallic Objects, UX-1225''.« less

Osmotic Stress Signaling and Osmoadaptation in Yeasts

PubMed Central

Hohmann, Stefan

2002-01-01

The ability to adapt to altered availability of free water is a fundamental property of living cells. The principles underlying osmoadaptation are well conserved. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an excellent model system with which to study the molecular biology and physiology of osmoadaptation. Upon a shift to high osmolarity, yeast cells rapidly stimulate a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade, the high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway, which orchestrates part of the transcriptional response. The dynamic operation of the HOG pathway has been well studied, and similar osmosensing pathways exist in other eukaryotes. Protein kinase A, which seems to mediate a response to diverse stress conditions, is also involved in the transcriptional response program. Expression changes after a shift to high osmolarity aim at adjusting metabolism and the production of cellular protectants. Accumulation of the osmolyte glycerol, which is also controlled by altering transmembrane glycerol transport, is of central importance. Upon a shift from high to low osmolarity, yeast cells stimulate a different MAP kinase cascade, the cell integrity pathway. The transcriptional program upon hypo-osmotic shock seems to aim at adjusting cell surface properties. Rapid export of glycerol is an important event in adaptation to low osmolarity. Osmoadaptation, adjustment of cell surface properties, and the control of cell morphogenesis, growth, and proliferation are highly coordinated processes. The Skn7p response regulator may be involved in coordinating these events. An integrated understanding of osmoadaptation requires not only knowledge of the function of many uncharacterized genes but also further insight into the time line of events, their interdependence, their dynamics, and their spatial organization as well as the importance of subtle effects. PMID:12040128

On the Unsteady Shock Wave Interaction with a Backward-Facing Step: Viscous Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mendoza, N.; Bowersox, R. D. W.

Unsteady shock propagation through ducts with varying cross-sectional area occurs in many engineering applications, such as explosions in underground tunnels, blast shelter design, engine exhaust systems, and high-speed propulsion systems. These complex, transient flows are rich in fundamental fluid-dynamic phenomena and are excellent testbeds for improving our understanding of unsteady fluid dynamics

Dynamic load balancing algorithm for molecular dynamics based on Voronoi cells domain decompositions

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

Fattebert, J.-L.; Richards, D.F.; Glosli, J.N.

2012-12-01

We present a new algorithm for automatic parallel load balancing in classical molecular dynamics. It assumes a spatial domain decomposition of particles into Voronoi cells. It is a gradient method which attempts to minimize a cost function by displacing Voronoi sites associated with each processor/sub-domain along steepest descent directions. Excellent load balance has been obtained for quasi-2D and 3D practical applications, with up to 440·10 6 particles on 65,536 MPI tasks.

The forced vibration of one-dimensional multi-coupled periodic structures: An application to finite element analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mead, Denys J.

2009-01-01

A general theory for the forced vibration of multi-coupled one-dimensional periodic structures is presented as a sequel to a much earlier general theory for free vibration. Starting from the dynamic stiffness matrix of a single multi-coupled periodic element, it derives matrix equations for the magnitudes of the characteristic free waves excited in the whole structure by prescribed harmonic forces and/or displacements acting at a single periodic junction. The semi-infinite periodic system excited at its end is first analysed to provide the basis for analysing doubly infinite and finite periodic systems. In each case, total responses are found by considering just one periodic element. An already-known method of reducing the size of the computational problem is reexamined, expanded and extended in detail, involving reduction of the dynamic stiffness matrix of the periodic element through a wave-coordinate transformation. Use of the theory is illustrated in a combined periodic structure+finite element analysis of the forced harmonic in-plane motion of a uniform flat plate. Excellent agreement between the computed low-frequency responses and those predicted by simple engineering theories validates the detailed formulations of the paper. The primary purpose of the paper is not towards a specific application but to present a systematic and coherent forced vibration theory, carefully linked with the existing free-wave theory.

Piezoresistive cantilever force-clamp system

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

Park, Sung-Jin; Petzold, Bryan C.; Pruitt, Beth L.

2011-04-15

We present a microelectromechanical device-based tool, namely, a force-clamp system that sets or ''clamps'' the scaled force and can apply designed loading profiles (e.g., constant, sinusoidal) of a desired magnitude. The system implements a piezoresistive cantilever as a force sensor and the built-in capacitive sensor of a piezoelectric actuator as a displacement sensor, such that sample indentation depth can be directly calculated from the force and displacement signals. A programmable real-time controller operating at 100 kHz feedback calculates the driving voltage of the actuator. The system has two distinct modes: a force-clamp mode that controls the force applied to amore » sample and a displacement-clamp mode that controls the moving distance of the actuator. We demonstrate that the system has a large dynamic range (sub-nN up to tens of {mu}N force and nm up to tens of {mu}m displacement) in both air and water, and excellent dynamic response (fast response time, <2 ms and large bandwidth, 1 Hz up to 1 kHz). In addition, the system has been specifically designed to be integrated with other instruments such as a microscope with patch-clamp electronics. We demonstrate the capabilities of the system by using it to calibrate the stiffness and sensitivity of an electrostatic actuator and to measure the mechanics of a living, freely moving Caenorhabditis elegans nematode.« less

Piezoresistive cantilever force-clamp system

PubMed Central

Park, Sung-Jin; Petzold, Bryan C.; Goodman, Miriam B.; Pruitt, Beth L.

2011-01-01

We present a microelectromechanical device-based tool, namely, a force-clamp system that sets or “clamps” the scaled force and can apply designed loading profiles (e.g., constant, sinusoidal) of a desired magnitude. The system implements a piezoresistive cantilever as a force sensor and the built-in capacitive sensor of a piezoelectric actuator as a displacement sensor, such that sample indentation depth can be directly calculated from the force and displacement signals. A programmable real-time controller operating at 100 kHz feedback calculates the driving voltage of the actuator. The system has two distinct modes: a force-clamp mode that controls the force applied to a sample and a displacement-clamp mode that controls the moving distance of the actuator. We demonstrate that the system has a large dynamic range (sub-nN up to tens of μN force and nm up to tens of μm displacement) in both air and water, and excellent dynamic response (fast response time, <2 ms and large bandwidth, 1 Hz up to 1 kHz). In addition, the system has been specifically designed to be integrated with other instruments such as a microscope with patch-clamp electronics. We demonstrate the capabilities of the system by using it to calibrate the stiffness and sensitivity of an electrostatic actuator and to measure the mechanics of a living, freely moving Caenorhabditis elegans nematode. PMID:21529009

A Descriptive Case Study of the Perceptions and Use of Adventist Edge: An Initiative Developed in Response to the North American Division of Seventh-Day Adventists' Document, "Journey to Excellence"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Forbes, Pamela C.

2011-01-01

Problem. The Southern Union started the Adventist EDGE initiative as an action plan in response to the North American Division's document, "Journey to Excellence." The Adventist EDGE became a comprehensive educational reform initiative. However, there were different ideas on how the innovation should look when in action in the schools, and these…

Bacterially produced Pt-GFP as ratiometric dual-excitation sensor for in planta mapping of leaf apoplastic pH in intact Avena sativa and Vicia faba.

PubMed

Geilfus, Christoph-Martin; Mühling, Karl H; Kaiser, Hartmut; Plieth, Christoph

2014-01-01

Ratiometric analysis with H(+)-sensitive fluorescent sensors is a suitable approach for monitoring apoplastic pH dynamics. For the acidic range, the acidotropic dual-excitation dye Oregon Green 488 is an excellent pH sensor. Long lasting (hours) recordings of apoplastic pH in the near neutral range, however, are more problematic because suitable pH indicators that combine a good pH responsiveness at a near neutral pH with a high photostability are lacking. The fluorescent pH reporter protein from Ptilosarcus gurneyi (Pt-GFP) comprises both properties. But, as a genetically encoded indicator and expressed by the plant itself, it can be used almost exclusively in readily transformed plants. In this study we present a novel approach and use purified recombinant indicators for measuring ion concentrations in the apoplast of crop plants such as Vicia faba L. and Avena sativa L. Pt-GFP was purified using a bacterial expression system and subsequently loaded through stomata into the leaf apoplast of intact plants. Imaging verified the apoplastic localization of Pt-GFP and excluded its presence in the symplast. The pH-dependent emission signal stood out clearly from the background. PtGFP is highly photostable, allowing ratiometric measurements over hours. By using this approach, a chloride-induced alkalinizations of the apoplast was demonstrated for the first in oat. Pt-GFP appears to be an excellent sensor for the quantification of leaf apoplastic pH in the neutral range. The presented approach encourages to also use other genetically encoded biosensors for spatiotemporal mapping of apoplastic ion dynamics.

Use of Excel ion exchange equilibrium solver with WinGEMS to model and predict NPE distribution in the Mead/Westvaco Evandale, TX, hardwood bleach plant

Treesearch

Christopher Litvay; Alan Rudie; Peter Hart

2003-01-01

An Excel spreadsheet developed to solve the ion-exchange equilibrium in wood pulps has been linked by dynamic data exchange to WinGEMS and used to model the non-process elements in the hardwood bleach plant of the Mead/Westvaco Evandale mill. Pulp and filtrate samples were collected from the diffusion washers and final wash press of the bleach plant. A WinGEMS model of...

Shifting Northern Hazes

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-04-28

The complex and dynamic atmosphere of Titan displays multiple haze layers near the north pole in this view, which also provides an excellent look at the detached stratospheric haze layer that surrounds the moon at lower latitudes

High-velocity deformation of Al0.3CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy: Remarkable resistance to shear failure

PubMed Central

Li, Z.; Zhao, S.; Diao, H.; Liaw, P. K.; Meyers, M. A.

2017-01-01

The mechanical behavior of a single phase (fcc) Al0.3CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy (HEA) was studied in the low and high strain-rate regimes. The combination of multiple strengthening mechanisms such as solid solution hardening, forest dislocation hardening, as well as mechanical twinning leads to a high work hardening rate, which is significantly larger than that for Al and is retained in the dynamic regime. The resistance to shear localization was studied by dynamically-loading hat-shaped specimens to induce forced shear localization. However, no adiabatic shear band could be observed. It is therefore proposed that the excellent strain hardening ability gives rise to remarkable resistance to shear localization, which makes this material an excellent candidate for penetration protection applications such as armors. PMID:28210000

Does the continuum theory of dynamic fracture work?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kessler, David A.; Levine, Herbert

2003-09-01

We investigate the validity of the linear elastic fracture mechanics approach to dynamic fracture. We first test the predictions in a lattice simulation, using a formula of Eshelby for the time-dependent stress intensity factor. Excellent agreement with the theory is found. We then use the same method to analyze the experiment of Sharon and Fineberg. The data here are not consistent with the theoretical expectation.

Drawing dynamical and parameters planes of iterative families and methods.

PubMed

Chicharro, Francisco I; Cordero, Alicia; Torregrosa, Juan R

2013-01-01

The complex dynamical analysis of the parametric fourth-order Kim's iterative family is made on quadratic polynomials, showing the MATLAB codes generated to draw the fractal images necessary to complete the study. The parameter spaces associated with the free critical points have been analyzed, showing the stable (and unstable) regions where the selection of the parameter will provide us the excellent schemes (or dreadful ones).

Dynamical role of phosphorylation on serine/threonine-proline Pin1 substrates from constant force molecular dynamics simulations.

PubMed

Velazquez, Hector A; Hamelberg, Donald

2015-02-21

Cis-trans isomerization of peptidyl-prolyl bonds of the protein backbone plays an important role in numerous biological processes. Cis-trans isomerization can be the rate-limiting step due its extremely slow dynamics, compared to the millisecond time scale of many processes, and is catalyzed by a widely studied family of peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase enzymes. Also, mechanical forces along the peptide chain can speed up the rate of isomerization, resulting in "mechanical catalysis," and have been used to study peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerization and other mechanical properties of proteins. Here, we use constant force molecular dynamics simulations to study the dynamical effects of phosphorylation on serine/threonine-proline protein motifs that are involved in the function of many proteins and have been implicated in many aberrant biological processes. We show that the rate of cis-trans isomerization is slowed down by phosphorylation, in excellent agreement with experiments. We use a well-grounded theory to describe the force dependent rate of isomerization. The calculated rates at zero force are also in excellent agreement with experimentally measured rates, providing additional validation of the models and force field parameters. Our results suggest that the slowdown in the rate upon phosphorylation is mainly due to an increase in the friction along the peptidyl-prolyl bond angle during isomerization. Our results provide a microscopic description of the dynamical effects of post-translational phosphorylation on cis-trans isomerization and insights into the properties of proteins under tension.

Dynamical role of phosphorylation on serine/threonine-proline Pin1 substrates from constant force molecular dynamics simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Velazquez, Hector A.; Hamelberg, Donald

2015-02-01

Cis-trans isomerization of peptidyl-prolyl bonds of the protein backbone plays an important role in numerous biological processes. Cis-trans isomerization can be the rate-limiting step due its extremely slow dynamics, compared to the millisecond time scale of many processes, and is catalyzed by a widely studied family of peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase enzymes. Also, mechanical forces along the peptide chain can speed up the rate of isomerization, resulting in "mechanical catalysis," and have been used to study peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerization and other mechanical properties of proteins. Here, we use constant force molecular dynamics simulations to study the dynamical effects of phosphorylation on serine/threonine-proline protein motifs that are involved in the function of many proteins and have been implicated in many aberrant biological processes. We show that the rate of cis-trans isomerization is slowed down by phosphorylation, in excellent agreement with experiments. We use a well-grounded theory to describe the force dependent rate of isomerization. The calculated rates at zero force are also in excellent agreement with experimentally measured rates, providing additional validation of the models and force field parameters. Our results suggest that the slowdown in the rate upon phosphorylation is mainly due to an increase in the friction along the peptidyl-prolyl bond angle during isomerization. Our results provide a microscopic description of the dynamical effects of post-translational phosphorylation on cis-trans isomerization and insights into the properties of proteins under tension.

Dynamic MRI to quantify musculoskeletal motion: A systematic review of concurrent validity and reliability, and perspectives for evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders.

PubMed

Borotikar, Bhushan; Lempereur, Mathieu; Lelievre, Mathieu; Burdin, Valérie; Ben Salem, Douraied; Brochard, Sylvain

2017-01-01

To report evidence for the concurrent validity and reliability of dynamic MRI techniques to evaluate in vivo joint and muscle mechanics, and to propose recommendations for their use in the assessment of normal and impaired musculoskeletal function. The search was conducted on articles published in Web of science, PubMed, Scopus, Academic search Premier, and Cochrane Library between 1990 and August 2017. Studies that reported the concurrent validity and/or reliability of dynamic MRI techniques for in vivo evaluation of joint or muscle mechanics were included after assessment by two independent reviewers. Selected articles were assessed using an adapted quality assessment tool and a data extraction process. Results for concurrent validity and reliability were categorized as poor, moderate, or excellent. Twenty articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria with a mean quality assessment score of 66% (±10.4%). Concurrent validity and/or reliability of eight dynamic MRI techniques were reported, with the knee being the most evaluated joint (seven studies). Moderate to excellent concurrent validity and reliability were reported for seven out of eight dynamic MRI techniques. Cine phase contrast and real-time MRI appeared to be the most valid and reliable techniques to evaluate joint motion, and spin tag for muscle motion. Dynamic MRI techniques are promising for the in vivo evaluation of musculoskeletal mechanics; however results should be evaluated with caution since validity and reliability have not been determined for all joints and muscles, nor for many pathological conditions.

Fabrication of nanoindented electrodes for glucose detection.

PubMed

Slaughter, Gymama

2010-03-01

The objective of this article was to design, fabricate, and evaluate a novel type of glucose biosensors based on the use of atomic force microscopy to create nanoindented electrodes (NIDEs) for the selective detection of glucose. Atomic force microscopy nanoindentation techniques were extended to covalently immobilized glucose oxidase on NIDEs via composite hydrogel membranes composed of interpenetrating networks of inherently conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) tetramethacrylate grown within ultraviolet cross-linked hydroxyethylmethacrylate-based hydrogels to produce an in vitro amperometric NIDE biosensor for the long-term monitoring of glucose. The calibration curve for glucose was linear from 0.25 to 20 mM. Results showed that the NIDE glucose biosensor has a much higher detection sensitivity of 0.32 microA/mM and rapid response times (<5 seconds). There was no interference from the competing interferent (fructose) present; the only interference was from species that react with H(2)O(2) (ascorbic acid). The linear equation was B(response) (microA) = 0.323 [glucose] (mM) + 0.634 (microA); n = 24, r(2) = 0.994. Results showed that the resultant NIDE glucose biosensor increases the dynamic range, device sensitivity, and response time and has excellent detecting performance for glucose. (c) 2010 Diabetes Technology Society.

Conformational Spread in the Flagellar Motor Switch: A Model Study

PubMed Central

Maini, Philip K.; Berry, Richard M.; Bai, Fan

2012-01-01

The reliable response to weak biological signals requires that they be amplified with fidelity. In E. coli, the flagellar motors that control swimming can switch direction in response to very small changes in the concentration of the signaling protein CheY-P, but how this works is not well understood. A recently proposed allosteric model based on cooperative conformational spread in a ring of identical protomers seems promising as it is able to qualitatively reproduce switching, locked state behavior and Hill coefficient values measured for the rotary motor. In this paper we undertook a comprehensive simulation study to analyze the behavior of this model in detail and made predictions on three experimentally observable quantities: switch time distribution, locked state interval distribution, Hill coefficient of the switch response. We parameterized the model using experimental measurements, finding excellent agreement with published data on motor behavior. Analysis of the simulated switching dynamics revealed a mechanism for chemotactic ultrasensitivity, in which cooperativity is indispensable for realizing both coherent switching and effective amplification. These results showed how cells can combine elements of analog and digital control to produce switches that are simultaneously sensitive and reliable. PMID:22654654

ASBO's Certificate of Excellence: A Survey of School Business Leaders.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walters, Donald L.

1990-01-01

A sample of school business leaders was surveyed to document their experiences with and opinions about the Certificate for Excellence in Financial Reporting. Analyzes responses from 90 participating districts and 80 nonparticipating districts from a total of 36 states. (MLF))

Motivating Teachers for Excellence. ERIC Clearinghouse on Educational Management: ERIC Digest, Number Six.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ellis, Thomas I.

Teachers are primarily motivated by intrinsic rewards such as self-respect, responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment. Administrators can therefore boost morale and motivate teachers to excel through participatory governance, inservice education, and systematic, supportive evaluation. (TE)

Biological and mechanical properties of novel composites based on supramolecular polycaprolactone and functionalized hydroxyapatite.

PubMed

Shokrollahi, Parvin; Mirzadeh, Hamid; Scherman, Oren A; Huck, Wilhelm T S

2010-10-01

Supramolecular polymers based on quadruple hydrogen-bonding ureido-pyrimidinone (UPy) moieties hold promise as dynamic/stimuli-responsive materials in applications such as tissue engineering. Here, a new class of materials is introduced: supramolecular polymer composites. We show that despite the highly ordered structure and tacticity-dependent nature of hydrogen-bonded supramolecular polymers, the bioactivity of these polymers can be tuned through composite preparation with bioceramics. These novel supramolecular composites combine the superior processability of supramolecular polymers with the excellent bioactivity and mechanical characteristics of bioceramics. In particular, the bioactive composites prepared from supramolecular polycaprolactone and UPy-grafted hydroxyapatite (HApUPy) are described that can be easily formed into microporous biomaterials. The compression moduli increased about 40 and 90% upon composite preparation with HAp and HApUPy, respectively, as an indication to improved mechanical properties. These new materials show excellent potential as microporous composite scaffolds for the adhesion and proliferation of rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs) as a first step toward bone regeneration studies; rMSCs proliferate about 2 and 2.7 times faster on the conventional composite with HAp and the supramolecular composite with (HApUPy) than on the neat PCL1250(UPy)(2). Copyright 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2010.

Ultrafast water sensing and thermal imaging by a metal-organic framework with switchable luminescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Ling; Ye, Jia-Wen; Wang, Hai-Ping; Pan, Mei; Yin, Shao-Yun; Wei, Zhang-Wen; Zhang, Lu-Yin; Wu, Kai; Fan, Ya-Nan; Su, Cheng-Yong

2017-06-01

A convenient, fast and selective water analysis method is highly desirable in industrial and detection processes. Here a robust microporous Zn-MOF (metal-organic framework, Zn(hpi2cf)(DMF)(H2O)) is assembled from a dual-emissive H2hpi2cf (5-(2-(5-fluoro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-4,5-bis(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl)isophthalic acid) ligand that exhibits characteristic excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT). This Zn-MOF contains amphipathic micropores (<3 Å) and undergoes extremely facile single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation driven by reversible removal/uptake of coordinating water molecules simply stimulated by dry gas blowing or gentle heating at 70 °C, manifesting an excellent example of dynamic reversible coordination behaviour. The interconversion between the hydrated and dehydrated phases can turn the ligand ESIPT process on or off, resulting in sensitive two-colour photoluminescence switching over cycles. Therefore, this Zn-MOF represents an excellent PL water-sensing material, showing a fast (on the order of seconds) and highly selective response to water on a molecular level. Furthermore, paper or in situ grown ZnO-based sensing films have been fabricated and applied in humidity sensing (RH<1%), detection of traces of water (<0.05% v/v) in various organic solvents, thermal imaging and as a thermometer.

Light-induced crosslinkable semiconducting polymer dots† †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Synthesis and characterization of monomers and polymers, preparation and characterization of thin film and Pdots, optical property measurements and flow cytometry is available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4sc03959a Click here for additional data file.

PubMed Central

Zhang, Yue; Ye, Fangmao; Sun, Wei; Yu, Jiangbo; Wu, I-Che; Rong, Yu; Zhang, Yong

2015-01-01

This paper describes a synthetic approach for photocrosslinkable polyfluorene (pc-PFO) semiconducting polymer dots, and demonstrates their superior ability to crosslink and form 3-D intermolecular polymer networks. The crosslinked pc-PFO Pdots are equipped with excellent encapsulating ability of functional small molecules. Optimum conditions of light irradiation on pc-PFO Pdots were investigated and clarified by using polymer thin films as a model. By employing the optimal light irradiation conditions, we successfully crosslinked pc-PFO Pdots and studied their particle sizes, photophysical, and colloidal properties. Single-particle imaging and dynamic-light-scattering measurements were conducted to understand the behaviors of photocrosslinked Pdots. Our results indicate pc-PFO Pdots can be easily photocrosslinked and the crosslinked species have excellent colloidal stability, physical and chemical stability, fluorescence brightness, and specific binding properties for cellular labeling. Considering that optical stimulus can work remotely, cleanly, and non-invasively, this study should pave the way for a promising approach to further develop stimuli-responsive ultrabright and versatile Pdot probes for biomedical imaging. PMID:25709806

Pgas, a Low-pH-Induced Promoter, as a Tool for Dynamic Control of Gene Expression for Metabolic Engineering of Aspergillus niger

PubMed Central

Yin, Xian; Shin, Hyun-Dong; Li, Jianghua; Du, Guocheng; Chen, Jian

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT The dynamic control of gene expression is important for adjusting fluxes in order to obtain desired products and achieve appropriate cell growth, particularly when the synthesis of a desired product drains metabolites required for cell growth. For dynamic gene expression, a promoter responsive to a particular environmental stressor is vital. Here, we report a low-pH-inducible promoter, Pgas, which promotes minimal gene expression at pH values above 5.0 but functions efficiently at low pHs, such as pH 2.0. First, we performed a transcriptional analysis of Aspergillus niger, an excellent platform for the production of organic acids, and we found that the promoter Pgas may act efficiently at low pH. Then, a gene for synthetic green fluorescent protein (sGFP) was successfully expressed by Pgas at pH 2.0, verifying the results of the transcriptional analysis. Next, Pgas was used to express the cis-aconitate decarboxylase (cad) gene of Aspergillus terreus in A. niger, allowing the production of itaconic acid at a titer of 4.92 g/liter. Finally, we found that Pgas strength was independent of acid type and acid ion concentration, showing dependence on pH only. IMPORTANCE The promoter Pgas can be used for the dynamic control of gene expression in A. niger for metabolic engineering to produce organic acids. This promoter may also be a candidate tool for genetic engineering. PMID:28087530

Genetically encoded calcium indicators for studying long-term calcium dynamics during apoptosis.

PubMed

Garcia, M Iveth; Chen, Jessica J; Boehning, Darren

2017-01-01

Intracellular calcium release is essential for regulating almost all cellular functions. Specific spatio-temporal patterns of cytosolic calcium elevations are critical determinants of cell fate in response to pro-apoptotic cellular stressors. As the apoptotic program can take hours or days, measurement of long-term calcium dynamics are essential for understanding the mechanistic role of calcium in apoptotic cell death. Due to the technical limitations of using calcium-sensitive dyes to measure cytosolic calcium little is known about long-term calcium dynamics in living cells after treatment with apoptosis-inducing drugs. Genetically encoded calcium indicators could potentially overcome some of the limitations of calcium-sensitive dyes. Here, we compared the performance of the genetically encoded calcium indicators GCaMP6s and GCaMP6f with the ratiometric dye Fura-2. GCaMP6s performed as well or better than Fura-2 in detecting agonist-induced calcium transients. We then examined the utility of GCaMP6s for continuously measuring apoptotic calcium release over the course of ten hours after treatment with staurosporine. We found that GCaMP6s was suitable for measuring apoptotic calcium release over long time courses and revealed significant heterogeneity in calcium release dynamics in individual cells challenged with staurosporine. Our results suggest GCaMP6s is an excellent indicator for monitoring long-term changes cytosolic calcium during apoptosis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of oxygen transfer rates in stirred-tank bioreactors for clinical manufacturing.

PubMed

Bellucci, Joseph J; Hamaker, Kent H

2011-01-01

Several methods are available for determining the volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient in bioreactors, though their application in industrial bioprocess has been limited. To be practically useful, mass transfer measurements made in nonfermenting systems must be consistent with observed microbial respiration rates. This report details a procedure for quantifying the relationship between agitation frequency and oxygen transfer rate that was applied in stirred-tank bioreactors used for clinical biologics manufacturing. The intrinsic delay in dissolved oxygen (DO) measurement was evaluated by shifting the bioreactor pressure and fitting a first-order mathematical model to the DO response. The dynamic method was coupled with the DO lag results to determine the oxygen transfer rate in Water for Injection (WFI) and a complete culture medium. A range of agitation frequencies was investigated at a fixed air sparge flow rate, replicating operating conditions used in Pichia pastoris fermentation. Oxygen transfer rates determined by this method were in excellent agreement with off-gas calculations from cultivation of the organism (P = 0.1). Fermentation of Escherichia coli at different operating parameters also produced respiration rates that agreed with the corresponding dynamic method results in WFI (P = 0.02). The consistency of the dynamic method results with the off-gas data suggests that compensation for the delay in DO measurement can be combined with dynamic gassing to provide a practical, viable model of bioreactor oxygen transfer under conditions of microbial fermentation. Copyright © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).

Experimental Validation of a Thermoelastic Model for SMA Hybrid Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turner, Travis L.

2001-01-01

This study presents results from experimental validation of a recently developed model for predicting the thermomechanical behavior of shape memory alloy hybrid composite (SMAHC) structures, composite structures with an embedded SMA constituent. The model captures the material nonlinearity of the material system with temperature and is capable of modeling constrained, restrained, or free recovery behavior from experimental measurement of fundamental engineering properties. A brief description of the model and analysis procedures is given, followed by an overview of a parallel effort to fabricate and characterize the material system of SMAHC specimens. Static and dynamic experimental configurations for the SMAHC specimens are described and experimental results for thermal post-buckling and random response are presented. Excellent agreement is achieved between the measured and predicted results, fully validating the theoretical model for constrained recovery behavior of SMAHC structures.

Design, status and test of the Mu2e crystal calorimeter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Atanov, N.; Baranov, V.; Budagov, J.; Carosi, R.; Cervelli, F.; Colao, F.; Cordelli, M.; Corradi, G.; Dané, E.; Davydov, Y. I.; Di Falco, S.; Donati, S.; Donghia, R.; Echenard, B.; Flood, K.; Giovannella, S.; Glagolev, V.; Grancagnolo, F.; Happacher, F.; Hitlin, D. G.; Martini, M.; Miscetti, S.; Miyashita, T.; Morescalchi, L.; Murat, P.; Piacentino, G. M.; Pezzullo, G.; Raffaelli, F.; Saputi, A.; Sarra, I.; Spinella, F.; Tassielli, G.; Tereshchenko, V.; Usubov, Z.; Zhu, R. Y.

2017-11-01

The Mu2e experiment at Fermilab searches for the charged-lepton flavor violating neutrino-less conversion of a negative muon into an electron in the field of an aluminum nucleus. The dynamics of such a process is well modeled by a two-body decay, resulting in a monoenergetic electron with an energy slightly below the muon rest mass (104.967 MeV). The calorimeter of this experiment plays an important role to provide excellent particle identification capabilities and an online trigger filter while aiding the track reconstruction capabilities. The baseline calorimeter configuration consists of two disks each made with ˜ 700 undoped CsI crystals read out by two large area UV-extended Silicon Photomultipliers. These crystals match the requirements for stability of response, high resolution and radiation hardness. In this paper we present the final calorimeter design.

Local Polar Fluctuations in Lead Halide Perovskite Crystals

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

Yaffe, Omer; Guo, Yinsheng; Tan, Liang Z.

2017-03-01

Hybrid lead-halide perovskites have emerged as an excellent class of photovoltaic materials. Recent reports suggest that the organic molecular cation is responsible for local polar fluctuations that inhibit carrier recombination. We combine low-frequency Raman scattering with first-principles molecular dynamics (MD) to study the fundamental nature of these local polar fluctuations. Our observations of a strong central peak in the cubic phase of both hybrid (CH3NH3PbBr3) and all-inorganic (CsPbBr3) leadhalide perovskites show that anharmonic, local polar fluctuations are intrinsic to the general lead-halide perovskite structure, and not unique to the dipolar organic cation. MD simulations indicate that head-tohead Cs motion coupledmore » to Br face expansion, occurring on a few hundred femtosecond time scale, drives the local polar fluctuations in CsPbBr3.« less

A bootstrapped, low-noise, and high-gain photodetector for shot noise measurement

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

Zhou, Haijun; Yang, Wenhai; Li, Zhixiu

2014-01-15

We presented a low-noise, high-gain photodetector based on the bootstrap structure and the L-C (inductance and capacitance) combination. Electronic characteristics of the photodetector, including electronic noise, gain and frequency response, and dynamic range, were verified through a single-frequency Nd:YVO{sub 4} laser at 1064 nm with coherent output. The measured shot noise of 50 μW laser was 13 dB above the electronic noise at the analysis frequency of 2 MHz, and 10 dB at 3 MHz. And a maximum clearance of 28 dB at 2 MHz was achieved when 1.52 mW laser was illuminated. In addition, the photodetector showed excellent linearitiesmore » for both DC and AC amplifications in the laser power range between 12.5 μW and 1.52 mW.« less

Funds of relationality: social bonds and science learners

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smardon, Regina

2011-12-01

In this response to Konstantinos Alexakos, Jayson K. Jones, and Victor H. Rodriguez, I will focus primarily on the importance of relationality for the development of a science learner identity. Along the way I will review (1) The cultural dynamics involved with the formation and sustenance of relationships in social life; (2) The methodological advantages of ethnographic inquiry for exploring funds of relationality; (3) The importance of relationality for science innovation throughout the pipeline of scientific training from K-12 schooling all the way through scientific breakthrough; (4) The absolutely vital role that relationality plays in creating a science learner identity. Finally I highlight how collaborative ethnography, in particular, is an excellent tool for seeking out funds of relationality that can be marshaled in the classroom as well as contributing to conceptual advancement in the theoretical vocabulary of relational sociology.

Self-healing multiphase polymers via dynamic metal-ligand interactions.

PubMed

Mozhdehi, Davoud; Ayala, Sergio; Cromwell, Olivia R; Guan, Zhibin

2014-11-19

A new self-healing multiphase polymer is developed in which a pervasive network of dynamic metal-ligand (zinc-imidazole) interactions are programmed in the soft matrix of a hard/soft two-phase brush copolymer system. The mechanical and dynamic properties of the materials can be tuned by varying a number of molecular parameters (e.g., backbone/brush degree of polymerization and brush density) as well as the ligand/metal ratio. Following mechanical damage, these thermoplastic elastomers show excellent self-healing ability under ambient conditions without any intervention.

Drawing Dynamical and Parameters Planes of Iterative Families and Methods

PubMed Central

Chicharro, Francisco I.

2013-01-01

The complex dynamical analysis of the parametric fourth-order Kim's iterative family is made on quadratic polynomials, showing the MATLAB codes generated to draw the fractal images necessary to complete the study. The parameter spaces associated with the free critical points have been analyzed, showing the stable (and unstable) regions where the selection of the parameter will provide us the excellent schemes (or dreadful ones). PMID:24376386

Constitutive equations for multiphase TRIP steels at high rates of strain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Slycken, J.; Verleysen, P.; Degrieck, J.; Bouquerel, J.

2006-08-01

Multiphase TRansformation Induced Plasticity (TRIP) steels show an excellent combination of high strength and high strain values, making them ideally suited for use in vehicle body structures. A complex synergy of three different phases (ferrite, bainite and austenite) on the one hand, and the meta-stable character of the austenite on the other hand, give the material indeed a high energy absorption potential. The knowledge and understanding of the dynamic behaviour of these sheet steels is essential to investigate the impact-dynamic characteristics of the structures. Therefore split Hopkinson tensile tests are performed in a strain rate range of 500 to 2000 s-1. Three TRIP steel grades with a different Al and Si content were studied. The experimental results show that these steels preserve their excellent shock-absorbing properties in dynamic conditions. The typical high strain rate loading conditions and the complex behaviour of TRIP steels offer a unique investigation opportunity. This behaviour can be described with phenomenological material models that can be used for numerical simulations of car crashes. The Johnson-Cook model, a frequently used model in finite element codes, is well-suited to describe the dynamic behaviour of the investigated TRIP steels. This model is compared to the Rusinek-Klepaczko model.

Eccentricity and misalignment effects on the performance of high-pressure annular seals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, W. C.; Jackson, E. D.

1985-01-01

Annular pressure seals act as powerful hydrostatic bearings and influence the dynamic characteristics of rotating machinery. This work, using the existing concentric seal theories, provides a simple approximate method for calculation of both seal leakage and the dynamic coefficients for short seals with large eccentricity and/or misalignment of the shaft. Rotation and surface roughness effects are included for leakage and dynamic force calculation. The leakage calculations for both laminar and turbulent flow are compared with experimental results. The dynamic coefficients are compared with analytical results. Excellent agreement between the present work and published results have been observed up to the eccentricitiy ratio of 0.8.

High-order hydrodynamic algorithms for exascale computing

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

Morgan, Nathaniel Ray

Hydrodynamic algorithms are at the core of many laboratory missions ranging from simulating ICF implosions to climate modeling. The hydrodynamic algorithms commonly employed at the laboratory and in industry (1) typically lack requisite accuracy for complex multi- material vortical flows and (2) are not well suited for exascale computing due to poor data locality and poor FLOP/memory ratios. Exascale computing requires advances in both computer science and numerical algorithms. We propose to research the second requirement and create a new high-order hydrodynamic algorithm that has superior accuracy, excellent data locality, and excellent FLOP/memory ratios. This proposal will impact a broadmore » range of research areas including numerical theory, discrete mathematics, vorticity evolution, gas dynamics, interface instability evolution, turbulent flows, fluid dynamics and shock driven flows. If successful, the proposed research has the potential to radically transform simulation capabilities and help position the laboratory for computing at the exascale.« less

High-velocity deformation of Al 0.3CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy: Remarkable resistance to shear failure

DOE PAGES

Li, Z.; Zhao, S.; Diao, H.; ...

2017-02-17

Here, the mechanical behavior of a single phase (fcc) Al 0.3CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy (HEA) was studied in the low and high strain-rate regimes. The combination of multiple strengthening mechanisms such as solid solution hardening, forest dislocation hardening, as well as mechanical twinning leads to a high work hardening rate, which is significantly larger than that for Al and is retained in the dynamic regime. The resistance to shear localization was studied by dynamically-loading hat-shaped specimens to induce forced shear localization. However, no adiabatic shear band could be observed. It is therefore proposed that the excellent strain hardening ability gives risemore » to remarkable resistance to shear localization, which makes this material an excellent candidate for penetration protection applications such as armors.« less

Comment on “Symplectic integration of magnetic systems”: A proof that the Boris algorithm is not variational

DOE PAGES

Ellison, C. L.; Burby, J. W.; Qin, H.

2015-11-01

One popular technique for the numerical time advance of charged particles interacting with electric and magnetic fields according to the Lorentz force law [1], [2], [3] and [4] is the Boris algorithm. Its popularity stems from simple implementation, rapid iteration, and excellent long-term numerical fidelity [1] and [5]. Excellent long-term behavior strongly suggests the numerical dynamics exhibit conservation laws analogous to those governing the continuous Lorentz force system [6]. Moreover, without conserved quantities to constrain the numerical dynamics, algorithms typically dissipate or accumulate important observables such as energy and momentum over long periods of simulated time [6]. Identification of themore » conservative properties of an algorithm is important for establishing rigorous expectations on the long-term behavior; energy-preserving, symplectic, and volume-preserving methods each have particular implications for the qualitative numerical behavior [6], [7], [8], [9], [10] and [11].« less

Training Initiatives within the AFHSC-Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System: Support for IHR (2005)

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-03-04

Medical Research Unit-Kenya (USAMRU- K) Malaria Diagnostics Center of Excellence The continued operation of the Malaria Diagnostics Center of Excellence...MDCoE) in Kisumu, Kenya, pro- vided important contributions in professional malaria diagnostic training. The MDCoE was established in 2004 with AFHSC...202009.pdf]. 11. Ohrt C, Obare P, Nanakorn A, et al: Establishing a malaria diagnostics centre of excellence in Kisumu, Kenya. Malar J 2007, 6(79). 12

"Excellence" and Exclusion: The Individual Costs of Institutional Competitiveness

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Watermeyer, Richard; Olssen, Mark

2016-01-01

A performance-based funding system like the United Kingdom's "Research Excellence Framework" (REF) symbolizes the re-rationalization of higher education according to neoliberal ideology and New Public Management technologies. The REF is also significant for disclosing the kinds of behaviour that characterize universities' response to…

Reconstruing Conceptions of Teaching Excellence: A Reply to Rhodes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Duchastel, Philippe; Champagne, Marc

1977-01-01

This response to an earlier paper by Dent Rhodes (Higher Education Bulletin, v4 n2) argues that Rhodes' critique of five assumptions underlying teaching excellence is excessively negative in tone and fails to do justice to recent advances in the improvement of teaching. (Author/LBH)

Handling of computational in vitro/in vivo correlation problems by Microsoft Excel: III. Convolution and deconvolution.

PubMed

Langenbucher, Frieder

2003-11-01

Convolution and deconvolution are the classical in-vitro-in-vivo correlation tools to describe the relationship between input and weighting/response in a linear system, where input represents the drug release in vitro, weighting/response any body response in vivo. While functional treatment, e.g. in terms of polyexponential or Weibull distribution, is more appropriate for general survey or prediction, numerical algorithms are useful for treating actual experimental data. Deconvolution is not considered an algorithm by its own, but the inversion of a corresponding convolution. MS Excel is shown to be a useful tool for all these applications.

Modeling the Benchmark Active Control Technology Wind-Tunnel Model for Application to Flutter Suppression

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Waszak, Martin R.

1996-01-01

This paper describes the formulation of a model of the dynamic behavior of the Benchmark Active Controls Technology (BACT) wind-tunnel model for application to design and analysis of flutter suppression controllers. The model is formed by combining the equations of motion for the BACT wind-tunnel model with actuator models and a model of wind-tunnel turbulence. The primary focus of this paper is the development of the equations of motion from first principles using Lagrange's equations and the principle of virtual work. A numerical form of the model is generated using values for parameters obtained from both experiment and analysis. A unique aspect of the BACT wind-tunnel model is that it has upper- and lower-surface spoilers for active control. Comparisons with experimental frequency responses and other data show excellent agreement and suggest that simple coefficient-based aerodynamics are sufficient to accurately characterize the aeroelastic response of the BACT wind-tunnel model. The equations of motion developed herein have been used to assist the design and analysis of a number of flutter suppression controllers that have been successfully implemented.

Structures and Materials Experimental Facilities and Capabilities Catalog

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Horta, Lucas G. (Compiler); Kurtz-Husch, Jeanette D. (Compiler)

2000-01-01

The NASA Center of Excellent for Structures and Materials at Langley Research Center is responsible for conducting research and developing useable technology in the areas of advanced materials and processing technologies, durability, damage tolerance, structural concepts, advanced sensors, intelligent systems, aircraft ground operations, reliability, prediction tools, performance validation, aeroelastic response, and structural dynamics behavior for aerospace vehicles. Supporting the research activities is a complementary set of facilities and capabilities documented in this report. Because of the volume of information, the information collected was restricted in most cases to one page. Specific questions from potential customers or partners should be directed to the points of contacts provided with the various capabilities. Grouping of the equipment is by location as opposed to function. Geographical information of the various buildings housing the equipment is also provided. Since this is the first time that such an inventory is ever collected at Langley it is by no means complete. It is estimated that over 90 percent of the equipment capabilities at hand are included but equipment is continuously being updated and will be reported in the future.

Fabrication of optical chemical ammonia sensors using anodized alumina supports and sol-gel method.

PubMed

Markovics, Akos; Kovács, Barna

2013-05-15

In this comparative study, the fabrication and the sensing properties of various reflectometric optical ammonia gas sensors are described. In the first set of experiments the role of the support material was investigated on four different sensor membranes. Two of them were prepared by the adsorption of bromocresol green indicator on anodized aluminum plates. The applied anodizing voltages were 12 V and 24 V, which resulted in different dynamic ranges and response times for gaseous ammonia. The sol-gel method was used for the preparation of the other batch of sensors. These layers were coated on anodized aluminum plates (24 V) and on standard microscope cover glasses. In spite of the identical sensing chemistry, slightly different response times were measured merely because of the aluminum surface porosity. Gas molecules can remain entrapped in the pores, which results in delayed recovery time. On the other hand, the porous oxide film provides excellent adhesion, making the anodized aluminum an attractive support for the sol-gel layer. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

High-resolution and fast-response fiber-optic temperature sensor using silicon Fabry-Pérot cavity.

PubMed

Liu, Guigen; Han, Ming; Hou, Weilin

2015-03-23

We report a fiber-optic sensor based on a silicon Fabry-Pérot cavity, fabricated by attaching a silicon pillar on the tip of a single-mode fiber, for high-resolution and high-speed temperature measurement. The large thermo-optic coefficient and thermal expansion coefficient of the silicon material give rise to an experimental sensitivity of 84.6 pm/°C. The excellent transparency and large refractive index of silicon over the infrared wavelength range result in a visibility of 33 dB for the reflection spectrum. A novel average wavelength tracking method has been proposed and demonstrated for sensor demodulation with improved signal-to-noise ratio, which leads to a temperature resolution of 6 × 10⁻⁴ °C. Due to the high thermal diffusivity of silicon, a response time as short as 0.51 ms for a sensor with an 80-µm-diameter and 200-µm-long silicon pillar has been experimentally achieved, suggesting a maximum frequency of ~2 kHz can be reached, to address the needs for highly dynamic environmental variations such as those found in the ocean.

Marine chemical technology and sensors for marine waters: potentials and limits.

PubMed

Moore, Tommy S; Mullaugh, Katherine M; Holyoke, Rebecca R; Madison, Andrew S; Yücel, Mustafa; Luther, George W

2009-01-01

A significant need exists for in situ sensors that can measure chemical species involved in the major processes of primary production (photosynthesis and chemosynthesis) and respiration. Some key chemical species are O2, nutrients (N and P), micronutrients (metals), pCO2, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), pH, and sulfide. Sensors need to have excellent detection limits, precision, selectivity, response time, a large dynamic concentration range, low power consumption, robustness, and less variation of instrument response with temperature and pressure, as well as be free from fouling problems (biological, physical, and chemical). Here we review the principles of operation of most sensors used in marine waters. We also show that some sensors can be used in several different oceanic environments to detect the target chemical species, whereas others are useful in only one environment because of various limitations. Several sensors can be used truly in situ, whereas many others involve water brought into a flow cell via tubing to the analyzer in the environment or aboard ship. Multi-element sensors that measure many chemical species in the same water mass should be targeted for further development.

Teachers' Conceptions of Excellent Teaching and Its Relationships to Self-Reported Teaching Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Junjun; Brown, Gavin T. L.; Hattie, John A. C.; Millward, Pam

2012-01-01

This study surveyed Chinese middle school (n = 951) teachers' conceptions of excellent teaching and examined the relationship of those conceptions to their self-reported teaching practices. Responses were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. These teachers identified one examination-oriented dimension and…

Dynamic MRI to quantify musculoskeletal motion: A systematic review of concurrent validity and reliability, and perspectives for evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders

PubMed Central

Lempereur, Mathieu; Lelievre, Mathieu; Burdin, Valérie; Ben Salem, Douraied; Brochard, Sylvain

2017-01-01

Purpose To report evidence for the concurrent validity and reliability of dynamic MRI techniques to evaluate in vivo joint and muscle mechanics, and to propose recommendations for their use in the assessment of normal and impaired musculoskeletal function. Materials and methods The search was conducted on articles published in Web of science, PubMed, Scopus, Academic search Premier, and Cochrane Library between 1990 and August 2017. Studies that reported the concurrent validity and/or reliability of dynamic MRI techniques for in vivo evaluation of joint or muscle mechanics were included after assessment by two independent reviewers. Selected articles were assessed using an adapted quality assessment tool and a data extraction process. Results for concurrent validity and reliability were categorized as poor, moderate, or excellent. Results Twenty articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria with a mean quality assessment score of 66% (±10.4%). Concurrent validity and/or reliability of eight dynamic MRI techniques were reported, with the knee being the most evaluated joint (seven studies). Moderate to excellent concurrent validity and reliability were reported for seven out of eight dynamic MRI techniques. Cine phase contrast and real-time MRI appeared to be the most valid and reliable techniques to evaluate joint motion, and spin tag for muscle motion. Conclusion Dynamic MRI techniques are promising for the in vivo evaluation of musculoskeletal mechanics; however results should be evaluated with caution since validity and reliability have not been determined for all joints and muscles, nor for many pathological conditions. PMID:29232401

Oligonucleotide-functionalized gold nanoparticles-enhanced QCM-D sensor for mercury(II) ions with high sensitivity and tunable dynamic range.

PubMed

Chen, Qiang; Wu, Xiaojie; Wang, Dingzhong; Tang, Wei; Li, Na; Liu, Feng

2011-06-21

A quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) sensor was developed for highly sensitive and specific detection of mercury(II) ions (Hg(2+)) with a tunable dynamic range, using oligonucleotide-functionalized gold nanoparticles (GNPs) for both frequency and dissipation amplification. The fabrication of the sensor employed a 'sandwich-type' strategy, and formation of T-Hg(2+)-T structures in linker DNA reduced the hybridization of the GNPs-tagged DNA on the gold electrode, which could be used as the molecular switch for Hg(2+) sensing. This QCM-D mercury sensor showed a linear response of 10-200 nM, with detection limits of 4 nM and 7 nM for frequency and dissipation measurements, respectively. Moreover, the dynamic range of the sensor could be tuned by simply altering the concentration of linker DNA without designing new sensors in the cases where detection of Hg(2+) at different levels is required. This sensor afforded excellent selectivity toward Hg(2+) compared with other potential coexisting metal ions. The feasibility of the sensor was demonstrated by analyzing Hg(2+)-spiked tap- and lake-water samples with satisfactory recoveries. The proposed approach extended the application of the QCM-D system in metal ions sensing, and could be adopted for the detection of other analytes when complemented with the use of functional DNA structures.

Virtual-pulse time integral methodology: A new explicit approach for computational dynamics - Theoretical developments for general nonlinear structural dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, Xiaoqin; Tamma, Kumar K.; Sha, Desong

1993-01-01

The present paper describes a new explicit virtual-pulse time integral methodology for nonlinear structural dynamics problems. The purpose of the paper is to provide the theoretical basis of the methodology and to demonstrate applicability of the proposed formulations to nonlinear dynamic structures. Different from the existing numerical methods such as direct time integrations or mode superposition techniques, the proposed methodology offers new perspectives and methodology of development, and possesses several unique and attractive computational characteristics. The methodology is tested and compared with the implicit Newmark method (trapezoidal rule) through a nonlinear softening and hardening spring dynamic models. The numerical results indicate that the proposed explicit virtual-pulse time integral methodology is an excellent alternative for solving general nonlinear dynamic problems.

Genetic Architecture of a Hormonal Response to Gene Knockdown in Honey Bees

PubMed Central

Rueppell, Olav; Huang, Zachary Y.; Wang, Ying; Fondrk, M. Kim; Page, Robert E.; Amdam, Gro V.

2015-01-01

Variation in endocrine signaling is proposed to underlie the evolution and regulation of social life histories, but the genetic architecture of endocrine signaling is still poorly understood. An excellent example of a hormonally influenced set of social traits is found in the honey bee (Apis mellifera): a dynamic and mutually suppressive relationship between juvenile hormone (JH) and the yolk precursor protein vitellogenin (Vg) regulates behavioral maturation and foraging of workers. Several other traits cosegregate with these behavioral phenotypes, comprising the pollen hoarding syndrome (PHS) one of the best-described animal behavioral syndromes. Genotype differences in responsiveness of JH to Vg are a potential mechanistic basis for the PHS. Here, we reduced Vg expression via RNA interference in progeny from a backcross between 2 selected lines of honey bees that differ in JH responsiveness to Vg reduction and measured JH response and ovary size, which represents another key aspect of the PHS. Genetic mapping based on restriction site-associated DNA tag sequencing identified suggestive quantitative trait loci (QTL) for ovary size and JH responsiveness. We confirmed genetic effects on both traits near many QTL that had been identified previously for their effect on various PHS traits. Thus, our results support a role for endocrine control of complex traits at a genetic level. Furthermore, this first example of a genetic map of a hormonal response to gene knockdown in a social insect helps to refine the genetic understanding of complex behaviors and the physiology that may underlie behavioral control in general. PMID:25596612

Biogeochemistry of hypersaline microbial mats illustrates the dynamics of modern microbial ecosystems and the early evolution of the biosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Des Marais, David J.

2003-01-01

Photosynthetic microbial mats are remarkably complete self-sustaining ecosystems at the millimeter scale, yet they have substantially affected environmental processes on a planetary scale. These mats may be direct descendents of the most ancient biological communities in which even oxygenic photosynthesis might have developed. Photosynthetic mats are excellent natural laboratories to help us to learn how microbial populations associate to control dynamic biogeochemical gradients.

Implementation Plan for the NASA Center of Excellence for Structures and Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harris, Charles E. (Editor)

1998-01-01

This report presents the implementation plans of the Center of Excellence (COE) for Structures and Materials. The plan documented herein is the result of an Agencywide planning activity led by the Office of the Center of Excellence for Structures and Materials at Langley Research Center (LaRC). The COE Leadership Team, with a representative from each NASA Field Center, was established to assist LaRC in fulfilling the responsibilities of the COE. The Leadership Team developed the plan presented in this report.

Dynamics of defect-induced dark solitons in an exciton-polariton condensate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Opala, Andrzej; Pieczarka, Maciej; Bobrovska, Nataliya; Matuszewski, Michał

2018-04-01

We study theoretically the emission of dark solitons induced by a moving defect in a nonresonantly pumped exciton-polariton condensate. The number of created dark solitons per unit of time is found to be strongly dependent on the pump power. We relate the observed dynamics of this process to the oscillations of the drag force experienced by the condensate. We investigate the stability of the polariton quantum fluid and present various types of dynamics depending on the condensate and moving obstacle parameters. Furthermore, we provide analytical expressions for dark soliton dynamics using the variational method adapted to the nonequilibrium polariton system. The determined dynamical equations are found to be in excellent agreement with the results of numerical simulations.

A noninvasive multimodal technique to monitor brain tumor vascularization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saxena, Vishal; Gonzalez-Gomez, Ignacio; Laug, Walter E.

2007-09-01

Determination of tumor oxygenation at the microvascular level will provide important insight into tumor growth, angiogenesis, necrosis and therapeutic response and will facilitate to develop protocols for studying tumor behavior. The non-ionizing near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technique has the potential to differentiate lesion and hemoglobin dynamics; however, it has a limited spatial resolution. On the other hand, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has achieved high spatial resolution with excellent tissue discrimination but is more susceptible to limited ability to monitor the hemoglobin dynamics. In the present work, the vascular status and the pathophysiological changes that occur during tumor vascularization are studied in an orthotopic brain tumor model. A noninvasive multimodal approach based on the NIRS technique, namely steady state diffuse optical spectroscopy (SSDOS) along with MRI, is applied for monitoring the concentrations of oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin and water within tumor region. The concentrations of oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin and water within tumor vasculature are extracted at 15 discrete wavelengths in a spectral window of 675-780 nm. We found a direct correlation between tumor size, intratumoral microvessel density and tumor oxygenation. The relative decrease in tumor oxygenation with growth indicates that though blood vessels infiltrate and proliferate the tumor region, a hypoxic trend is clearly present.

A paper-based resonance energy transfer nucleic acid hybridization assay using upconversion nanoparticles as donors and quantum dots as acceptors.

PubMed

Doughan, Samer; Uddayasankar, Uvaraj; Krull, Ulrich J

2015-06-09

Monodisperse aqueous upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) were covalently immobilized on aldehyde modified cellulose paper via reduction amination to develop a luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET)-based nucleic acid hybridization assay. This first account of covalent immobilization of UCNPs on paper for a bioassay reports an optically responsive method that is sensitive, reproducible and robust. The immobilized UCNPs were decorated with oligonucleotide probes to capture HPRT1 housekeeping gene fragments, which in turn brought reporter conjugated quantum dots (QDs) in close proximity to the UCNPs for LRET. This sandwich assay could detect unlabeled oligonucleotide target, and had a limit of detection of 13 fmol and a dynamic range spanning nearly 3 orders of magnitude. The use of QDs, which are excellent LRET acceptors, demonstrated improved sensitivity, limit of detection, dynamic range and selectivity compared to similar assays that have used molecular fluorophores as acceptors. The selectivity of the assay was attributed to the decoration of the QDs with polyethylene glycol to eliminate non-specific adsorption. The kinetics of hybridization were determined to be diffusion limited and full signal development occurred within 3 min. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Two-Point Microrheology of Phase-Separated Domains in Lipid Bilayers

PubMed Central

Hormel, Tristan T.; Reyer, Matthew A.; Parthasarathy, Raghuveer

2015-01-01

Though the importance of membrane fluidity for cellular function has been well established for decades, methods for measuring lipid bilayer viscosity remain challenging to devise and implement. Recently, approaches based on characterizing the Brownian dynamics of individual tracers such as colloidal particles or lipid domains have provided insights into bilayer viscosity. For fluids in general, however, methods based on single-particle trajectories provide a limited view of hydrodynamic response. The technique of two-point microrheology, in which correlations between the Brownian dynamics of pairs of tracers report on the properties of the intervening medium, characterizes viscosity at length-scales that are larger than that of individual tracers and has less sensitivity to tracer-induced distortions, but has never been applied to lipid membranes. We present, to our knowledge, the first two-point microrheological study of lipid bilayers, examining the correlated motion of domains in phase-separated lipid vesicles and comparing one- and two-point results. We measure two-point correlation functions in excellent agreement with the forms predicted by two-dimensional hydrodynamic models, analysis of which reveals a viscosity intermediate between those of the two lipid phases, indicative of global fluid properties rather than the viscosity of the local neighborhood of the tracer. PMID:26287625

New fluorescent perylene bisimide indicators--a platform for broadband pH optodes.

PubMed

Aigner, Daniel; Borisov, Sergey M; Klimant, Ingo

2011-06-01

Asymmetric perylene bisimide (PBI) dyes are prepared and are shown to be suitable for the preparation of fluorescence chemosensors for pH. They carry one amino-functional substituent which introduces pH sensitivity via photoinduced electron transfer (PET) while the other one increases solubility. The luminescence quantum yields for the new indicators exceed 75% in the protonated form. The new indicators are non-covalently entrapped in polyurethane hydrogel D4 and poly(hydroxyalkylmethacrylates). Several PET functions including aliphatic and aromatic amino groups were successfully used to tune the dynamic range of the sensor. Because of their virtually identical spectral properties, various PBIs with selected PET functions can easily be integrated into a single sensor with enlarged dynamic range (over 4 pH units). PBIs with two different substitution patterns in the bay position are investigated and possess variable spectral properties. Compared with their tetrachloro analogues, tetra-tert-butyl-substituted PBIs yield more long-wave excitable sensors which feature excellent photostability. Cross-sensitivity to ionic strength was found to be negligible. The practical applicability of the sensors may be compromised by the long response times (especially in case of tetra-tert-butyl-substituted PBIs).

2015 Occupant Protection Standing Review Panel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinberg, Susan

2015-01-01

The 2015 Occupant Protection (OP) Risk Standing Review Panel (from here on referred to as the SRP) participated in a WebEx/teleconference with members of the Space Human Factors and Habitability (SHFH) Element, representatives from the Human Research Program (HRP), NASA Headquarters, and NASA Research and Education Support Services on November 3, 2015 (list of participants is in Section VII of this report). The SRP reviewed the updated research plans for the Risk of Injury from Dynamic Loads (OP Risk). The SRP agrees that the Gaps are relevant and appropriate to mitigate the injury risk. All the appropriate and relevant Tasks have been identified to fill the Gaps. Depending upon the findings, additional tasks may need to be identified or modified. Excellent progress has been made since the 2014 SRP meeting. Publications in peer-reviewed journals validate the scientific merit of the research findings. As detailed in this report, the SRP has specific comments, guidance, and information in the following areas: human finite element modeling, human vs. surrogate dynamic responses, chest injury risk curves, matched pair testing of Test device for Human Occupant Restraint (THOR) and Hybrid III, and disc herniation risk analysis.

Generating variable and random schedules of reinforcement using Microsoft Excel macros.

PubMed

Bancroft, Stacie L; Bourret, Jason C

2008-01-01

Variable reinforcement schedules are used to arrange the availability of reinforcement following varying response ratios or intervals of time. Random reinforcement schedules are subtypes of variable reinforcement schedules that can be used to arrange the availability of reinforcement at a constant probability across number of responses or time. Generating schedule values for variable and random reinforcement schedules can be difficult. The present article describes the steps necessary to write macros in Microsoft Excel that will generate variable-ratio, variable-interval, variable-time, random-ratio, random-interval, and random-time reinforcement schedule values.

Helium as a Dynamical Tracer in the Thermosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thayer, J. P.; Liu, X.; Wang, W.; Burns, A. G.

2014-12-01

Helium has been a missing constituent in current thermosphere general circulation models. Although typically a minor gas relative to the more abundant major gasses, its unique properties of being chemically inert and light make it an excellent tracer of thermosphere dynamics. Studying helium can help simplify understanding of transport effects. This understanding can then be projected to other gasses whose overall structure and behavior are complex but, by contrasting with helium, can be evaluated for its transport dependencies. The dynamical influences on composition impact estimates of thermosphere mass density, where helium during solar minima can have a direct contribution, as well as ionosphere electron density. Furthermore, helium estimates in the upper thermosphere during solar minima have not been observed since the 1976 minimum. Indirect estimates of helium in the upper thermosphere during the recent extreme solar minimum indicates winter-time helium concentrations exceeded NRL-MSISE00 estimates by 30%-70% during periods of quiet geomagnetic activity. For times of active geomagnetic conditions, helium concentrations near ~450 km altitude are estimated to decrease while oxygen concentrations increase. An investigation of the altitude structure in thermosphere mass density storm-time perturbations reveal the important effects of composition change with maximum perturbation occurring near the He/O transition region and a much weaker maximum occurring near the O/N2 transition region. However, evaluating helium behavior and its role as a dynamical tracer is not straightforward and model development is necessary to adequately establish the connection to specific dynamical processes. Fortunately recent efforts have led to the implementation of helium modules in the NCAR TIEGCM and TIME-GCM. In this invited talk, the simulated helium behavior and structure will be shown to reproduce observations (such as the wintertime helium bulge and storm-time response) and its utility as a dynamical tracer of thermosphere dynamics will be elucidated.

An improved design method based on polyphase components for digital FIR filters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, A.; Kuldeep, B.; Singh, G. K.; Lee, Heung No

2017-11-01

This paper presents an efficient design of digital finite impulse response (FIR) filter, based on polyphase components and swarm optimisation techniques (SOTs). For this purpose, the design problem is formulated as mean square error between the actual response and ideal response in frequency domain using polyphase components of a prototype filter. To achieve more precise frequency response at some specified frequency, fractional derivative constraints (FDCs) have been applied, and optimal FDCs are computed using SOTs such as cuckoo search and modified cuckoo search algorithms. A comparative study of well-proved swarm optimisation, called particle swarm optimisation and artificial bee colony algorithm is made. The excellence of proposed method is evaluated using several important attributes of a filter. Comparative study evidences the excellence of proposed method for effective design of FIR filter.

[Deep brain stimulation in parkinsonian patients with dopa intolerance].

PubMed

García-Ruiz, Pedro J; Feliz-Feliz, Cici; Ayerbe Gracia, Joaquín; Matías Arbelo, José; Salvador, Carlos; Val Fernández, Javier Del; García-Caldentey, Juan

2017-10-28

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is at present, a useful treatment for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease and motor complications. The crucial step toward consistent DBS outcomes remains careful patient selection; several conditions must be fulfilled including excellent levo dopa response. We report two cases of early onset Parkinson's disease with severe intolerance to levo dopa but excellent and sustained response to DBS. DBS can be a useful alternative for parkinsonian patients with severe intolerance to levo dopa, provided a positive acute response to levo dopa or apomorphine is obtained. Copyright © 2017 Sociedad Española de Neurocirugía. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Complex function in the dynamic brain. Comment on “Understanding brain networks and brain organization” by Luiz Pessoa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, Michael L.

2014-09-01

There is much to commend in this excellent overview of the progress we've made toward-and the challenges that remain for-developing an empirical framework for neuroscience that is adequate to the dynamic complexity of the brain [17]. Here I will limit myself first to highlighting the concept of dynamic affiliation, which I take to be the central feature of the functional architecture of the brain, and second to clarifying Pessoa's brief discussion of the ontology of cognition, to be sure readers appreciate this crucial issue.

Carrier-envelope phase dynamics and noise analysis in octave-spanning Ti:sapphire lasers.

PubMed

Matos, Lia; Mücke, Oliver D; Chen, Jian; Kärtner, Franz X

2006-03-20

We investigate the carrier-envelope phase dynamics of octave-spanning Ti:sapphire lasers and perform a complete noise analysis of the carrier-envelope phase stabilization. We model the effect of the laser dynamics on the residual carrier-envelope phase noise by deriving a transfer function representation of the octave-spanning frequency comb. The modelled phase noise and the experimental results show excellent agreement. This greatly enhances our capability of predicting the dependence of the residual carrier-envelope phase noise on the feedback loop filter, the carrier-envelope frequency control mechanism and the pump laser used.

An ultrasonic flowmeter for measuring dynamic liquid flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carpini, T. D.; Monteith, J. H.

1978-01-01

A novel oscillating pipe system was developed to provide dynamic calibration wherein small sinusoidal signals with amplitudes of 0.5 to 10% of the steady-state flow were added to the steady-state flow by oscillating the flowmeter relative to the fixed pipes in the flow system. Excellent agreement was obtained between the dynamic velocities derived from an accelerometer mounted on the oscillating pipe system and those sensed by the flowmeter at frequencies of 7, 19, and 30 Hz. Also described were the signal processing techniques used to retrieve the small sinusoidal signals which were obscured by the fluid turbulence.

A Practical Quantum Mechanics Molecular Mechanics Method for the Dynamical Study of Reactions in Biomolecules.

PubMed

Mendieta-Moreno, Jesús I; Marcos-Alcalde, Iñigo; Trabada, Daniel G; Gómez-Puertas, Paulino; Ortega, José; Mendieta, Jesús

2015-01-01

Quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) methods are excellent tools for the modeling of biomolecular reactions. Recently, we have implemented a new QM/MM method (Fireball/Amber), which combines an efficient density functional theory method (Fireball) and a well-recognized molecular dynamics package (Amber), offering an excellent balance between accuracy and sampling capabilities. Here, we present a detailed explanation of the Fireball method and Fireball/Amber implementation. We also discuss how this tool can be used to analyze reactions in biomolecules using steered molecular dynamics simulations. The potential of this approach is shown by the analysis of a reaction catalyzed by the enzyme triose-phosphate isomerase (TIM). The conformational space and energetic landscape for this reaction are analyzed without a priori assumptions about the protonation states of the different residues during the reaction. The results offer a detailed description of the reaction and reveal some new features of the catalytic mechanism. In particular, we find a new reaction mechanism that is characterized by the intramolecular proton transfer from O1 to O2 and the simultaneous proton transfer from Glu 165 to C2. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Excellence beyond Athletics: Best Practices for Enhancing Black Male Student Athletes' Educational Experiences and Outcomes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cooper, Joseph N.

2016-01-01

Postsecondary institutions in the United States, including member institutions of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), are charged with the responsibility of cultivating positive learning environments where all students have an opportunity to excel regardless of their demographic backgrounds (e.g., race, socioeconomic status,…

Striving for Excellence. Final Report to SPD1 Motorola.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Merex Corp., Tempe, AZ.

In 1988 SPD1, a division of Motorola, began an extensive 4-year endeavor to transform itself into an organization built on excellence and customer satisfaction. SPD1 contracted with Merex Corporation to provide three services that would enable employees to take on their new responsibilities more effectively. Merex conducted Skills Enhancement…

Modern strategy for operational excellence: building agile and adaptive organizations.

PubMed

Gerwitz, Raymond J

2016-10-01

Healthcare security leaders who serve in an industry built on traditional and static protection and response protocols must become more agile and adaptive in planning and responding to evolving threat and risk profiles, the author states. In this article, he tells how to use operational excellence to continuously improve performance.

Non-recursive augmented Lagrangian algorithms for the forward and inverse dynamics of constrained flexible multibodies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bayo, Eduardo; Ledesma, Ragnar

1993-01-01

A technique is presented for solving the inverse dynamics of flexible planar multibody systems. This technique yields the non-causal joint efforts (inverse dynamics) as well as the internal states (inverse kinematics) that produce a prescribed nominal trajectory of the end effector. A non-recursive global Lagrangian approach is used in formulating the equations for motion as well as in solving the inverse dynamics equations. Contrary to the recursive method previously presented, the proposed method solves the inverse problem in a systematic and direct manner for both open-chain as well as closed-chain configurations. Numerical simulation shows that the proposed procedure provides an excellent tracking of the desired end effector trajectory.

Pgas, a Low-pH-Induced Promoter, as a Tool for Dynamic Control of Gene Expression for Metabolic Engineering of Aspergillus niger.

PubMed

Yin, Xian; Shin, Hyun-Dong; Li, Jianghua; Du, Guocheng; Liu, Long; Chen, Jian

2017-03-15

The dynamic control of gene expression is important for adjusting fluxes in order to obtain desired products and achieve appropriate cell growth, particularly when the synthesis of a desired product drains metabolites required for cell growth. For dynamic gene expression, a promoter responsive to a particular environmental stressor is vital. Here, we report a low-pH-inducible promoter, P gas , which promotes minimal gene expression at pH values above 5.0 but functions efficiently at low pHs, such as pH 2.0. First, we performed a transcriptional analysis of Aspergillus niger , an excellent platform for the production of organic acids, and we found that the promoter P gas may act efficiently at low pH. Then, a gene for synthetic green fluorescent protein ( sGFP ) was successfully expressed by P gas at pH 2.0, verifying the results of the transcriptional analysis. Next, P gas was used to express the cis -aconitate decarboxylase ( cad ) gene of Aspergillus terreus in A. niger , allowing the production of itaconic acid at a titer of 4.92 g/liter. Finally, we found that P gas strength was independent of acid type and acid ion concentration, showing dependence on pH only. IMPORTANCE The promoter P gas can be used for the dynamic control of gene expression in A. niger for metabolic engineering to produce organic acids. This promoter may also be a candidate tool for genetic engineering. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.

Management of encopresis in early adolescence in a medical-psychiatric unit.

PubMed

Fennig, S; Fennig, S

1999-01-01

The aim of this work is to present the role of a medical-psychiatric unit in the treatment of chronic resistant encopresis in adolescence as an effective alternative to the standard approach. Four case reports are presented. The integrative program is based on full patient cooperation and involves separating the patient from the family environment and the use of medical intervention combined with modified behavioral therapy and parental education and guidance. The patient is given full responsibility for the cure. The median full hospital stay for our patients was 2 weeks, and outcome in all cases was complete remission. This experience suggests that chronic resistant encopresis in adolescents requires a different approach from the standard because of the patient's developmental stage and the often hostile family dynamics. A medical-psychiatric setting provides an excellent management milieu and can lead to a dramatic improvement in this chronic disabling condition.

Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanofiber based Biosensor Platform for Glucose Sensor

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

Al Mamun, Khandaker A.; Tulip, Fahmida S.; MacArthur, Kimberly

2014-03-01

Vertically aligned carbon nanofibers (VACNFs) have recently become an important tool for biosensor design. Carbon nanofibers (CNF) have excellent conductive and structural properties with many irregularities and defect sites in addition to exposed carboxyl groups throughout their surfaces. These properties allow a better immobilization matrix compared to carbon nanotubes and offer better resolution when compared with the FET-based biosensors. VACNFs can be deterministically grown on silicon substrates allowing optimization of the structures for various biosensor applications. Two VACNF electrode architectures have been employed in this study and a comparison of their performances has been made in terms of sensitivity, sensingmore » limitations, dynamic range, and response time. The usage of VACNF platform as a glucose sensor has been verified in this study by selecting an optimum architecture based on the VACNF forest density. Read More: http://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S0129156414500062« less

Optical measurement of high-temperature melt flow rate.

PubMed

Bizjan, Benjamin; Širok, Brane; Chen, Jinpeng

2018-05-20

This paper presents an optical method and system for contactless measurement of the mass flow rate of melts by digital cameras. The proposed method is based on reconstruction of melt stream geometry and flow velocity calculation by cross correlation, and is very cost-effective due its modest hardware requirements. Using a laboratory test rig with a small inductive melting pot and reference mass flow rate measurement by weighing, the proposed method was demonstrated to have an excellent dynamic response (0.1 s order of magnitude) while producing deviations from the reference of about 5% in the steady-state flow regime. Similar results were obtained in an industrial stone wool production line for two repeated measurements. Our method was tested in a wide range of melt flow rates (0.05-1.2 kg/s) and did not require very fast cameras (120 frames per second would be sufficient for most industrial applications).

Temperature-Dependent Detectivity of Near-Infrared Organic Bulk Heterojunction Photodiodes.

PubMed

Wu, Zhenghui; Yao, Weichuan; London, Alexander E; Azoulay, Jason D; Ng, Tse Nga

2017-01-18

Bulk heterojunction photodiodes are fabricated using a new donor-acceptor polymer with a near-infrared absorption edge at 1.2 μm, achieving a detectivity up to 10 12 Jones at a wavelength of 1 μm and an excellent linear dynamic range of 86 dB. The photodiode detectivity is maximized by operating at zero bias to suppress dark current, while a thin 175 nm active layer is used to facilitate charge collection without reverse bias. Analysis of the temperature dependence of the dark current and spectral response demonstrates a 2.8-fold increase in detectivity as the temperature was lowered from 44 to -12 °C, a relatively small change when compared to that of inorganic-based devices. The near-infrared photodiode shows a switching speed reaching up to 120 μs without an external bias. An application using our NIR photodiode to detect arterial pulses of a fingertip is demonstrated.

3D Holographic Observatory for Long-term Monitoring of Complex Behaviors in Drosophila

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, S. Santosh; Sun, Yaning; Zou, Sige; Hong, Jiarong

2016-09-01

Drosophila is an excellent model organism towards understanding the cognitive function, aging and neurodegeneration in humans. The effects of aging and other long-term dynamics on the behavior serve as important biomarkers in identifying such changes to the brain. In this regard, we are presenting a new imaging technique for lifetime monitoring of Drosophila in 3D at spatial and temporal resolutions capable of resolving the motion of limbs and wings using holographic principles. The developed system is capable of monitoring and extracting various behavioral parameters, such as ethograms and spatial distributions, from a group of flies simultaneously. This technique can image complicated leg and wing motions of flies at a resolution, which allows capturing specific landing responses from the same data set. Overall, this system provides a unique opportunity for high throughput screenings of behavioral changes in 3D over a long term in Drosophila.

Defect kinetics and resistance to amorphization in zirconium carbide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Ming-Jie; Szlufarska, Izabela; Morgan, Dane

2015-02-01

To better understand the radiation response of zirconium carbide (ZrC), and in particular its excellent resistance to amorphization, we have used density functional theory methods to study the kinetics of point defects in ZrC. The migration barriers and recombination barriers of the simple point defects are calculated using the ab initio molecular dynamics simulation and the nudged elastic band method. These barriers are used to estimate C and Zr interstitial and vacancy diffusion and Frenkel pair recombination rates. A significant barrier for C Frenkel pair recombination is found but it is shown that a large concentration of C vacancies reduces this barrier dramatically, allowing facile healing of radiation damage. The mechanisms underlying high resistance to amorphization of ZrC were analyzed from the perspectives of structural, thermodynamic, chemical and kinetic properties. This study provides insights into the amorphization resistance of ZrC as well as a foundation for understanding general radiation damage in this material.

Stochastic Optimal Control via Bellman's Principle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crespo, Luis G.; Sun, Jian Q.

2003-01-01

This paper presents a method for finding optimal controls of nonlinear systems subject to random excitations. The method is capable to generate global control solutions when state and control constraints are present. The solution is global in the sense that controls for all initial conditions in a region of the state space are obtained. The approach is based on Bellman's Principle of optimality, the Gaussian closure and the Short-time Gaussian approximation. Examples include a system with a state-dependent diffusion term, a system in which the infinite hierarchy of moment equations cannot be analytically closed, and an impact system with a elastic boundary. The uncontrolled and controlled dynamics are studied by creating a Markov chain with a control dependent transition probability matrix via the Generalized Cell Mapping method. In this fashion, both the transient and stationary controlled responses are evaluated. The results show excellent control performances.

Local polar fluctuations in lead halide perovskite crystals

DOE PAGES

Yaffe, Omer; Guo, Yinsheng; Tan, Liang Z.; ...

2017-03-28

Hybrid lead-halide perovskites have emerged as an excellent class of photovoltaic materials. Recent reports suggest that the organic molecular cation is responsible for local polar fluctuations that inhibit carrier recombination. We combine low-frequency Raman scattering with first-principles molecular dynamics (MD) to study the fundamental nature of these local polar fluctuations. Our observations of a strong central peak in the cubic phase of both hybrid (CH 3NH 3PbBr 3) and all-inorganic (CsPbBr 3) lead-halide perovskites show that anharmonic, local polar fluctuations are intrinsic to the general lead-halide perovskite structure, and not unique to the dipolar organic cation. Furthermore, MD simulations indicatemore » that head-to-head Cs motion coupled to Br face expansion, occurring on a few hundred femtosecond time scale, drives the local polar fluctuations in CsPbBr 3.« less

Hierarchical photonic structured stimuli-responsive materials as high-performance colorimetric sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Tao; Zhu, Shenmin; Chen, Zhixin; Wang, Wanlin; Zhang, Wang; Zhang, Di

2016-05-01

Hierarchical photonic structures in nature are of special interest because they can be used as templates for fabrication of stimuli-responsive photonic crystals (PCs) with unique structures beyond man-made synthesis. The current stimuli-responsive PCs templated directly from natural PCs showed a very weak external stimuli response and poor durability due to the limitations of natural templates. Herein, we tackle this problem by chemically coating functional polymers, polyacrylamide, on butterfly wing scales which have hierarchical photonic structures. As a result of the combination of the strong water absorption properties of the polyacrylamide and the PC structures of the butterfly wing scales, the designed materials demonstrated excellent humidity responsive properties and a tremendous colour change. The colour change is induced by the refractive index change which is in turn due to the swollen nature of the polymer when the relative humidity changes. The butterfly wing scales also showed an excellent durability which is due to the chemical bonds formed between the polymer and wing scales. The synthesis strategy provides an avenue for the promising applications of stimuli-responsive PCs with hierarchical structures.Hierarchical photonic structures in nature are of special interest because they can be used as templates for fabrication of stimuli-responsive photonic crystals (PCs) with unique structures beyond man-made synthesis. The current stimuli-responsive PCs templated directly from natural PCs showed a very weak external stimuli response and poor durability due to the limitations of natural templates. Herein, we tackle this problem by chemically coating functional polymers, polyacrylamide, on butterfly wing scales which have hierarchical photonic structures. As a result of the combination of the strong water absorption properties of the polyacrylamide and the PC structures of the butterfly wing scales, the designed materials demonstrated excellent humidity responsive properties and a tremendous colour change. The colour change is induced by the refractive index change which is in turn due to the swollen nature of the polymer when the relative humidity changes. The butterfly wing scales also showed an excellent durability which is due to the chemical bonds formed between the polymer and wing scales. The synthesis strategy provides an avenue for the promising applications of stimuli-responsive PCs with hierarchical structures. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c6nr01875k

Visualizing and understanding l'hopital's rule

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gordon, Sheldon P.

2017-11-01

This article uses dynamic software in Excel to demonstrate several ways in which graphical and numerical approaches can be introduced both to enhance student understanding of l'Hopital's Rule and to explain why the Rule actually works to give the 'right' answers. One of the approaches used is to visualize what is happening by examining the limits with both l'Hopital's Rule and the associated Taylor approximation to the function. The dynamic software allows students to experiment with the ideas.

Dynamic long leg casting fixation for treating 12- to 18-month-old infants with developmental dysplasia of the hip.

PubMed

Cai, Zhencun; Li, Lianyong; Zhang, Lijun; Ji, Shijun; Zhao, Qun

2017-02-01

Objective To evaluate the effect of dynamic long leg casting in paediatric patients with developmental dysplasia of hip (DDH) diagnosed at 12-18 months. Methods The adductor tenotomy, closed reduction, and dynamic long leg casting method was adopted to treat paediatric patients with DDH. The hips were divided into four groups according to the Tonnis radiographic dislocation classification. Groups were also classified according to the baseline acetabular index (AI): 30°-35°, 36°-40°, and > 40°. The outcomes of the reductions were evaluated according to McKay's hip function criteria and Severin's radiological criteria. Results A total of 246 patients (339 hips) had complete follow-up data. After 3 months of orthosis fixation, the results were satisfactory in 264 hips (77.88%). Hip function was rated as 'excellent' or 'good' in 43 of 51 (84.31%) Tonnis type 1 hips, 125 of 155 (80.65%) type 2 hips, 70 of 90 (77.78%) type 3 hips, and 34 of 43 (79.07%) type 4 hips. The higher the baseline AI, the lower the rates of 'excellent' and 'good' hip function. Favourable radiological results (Severin types I and II) were found in 266 of 339 (78.47) hips. Conclusions Dynamic long leg casting is an effective method for treating patients with DDH aged 12-18 months at diagnosis.

Seasonality of primary and secondary production in an Arctic river

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kendrick, M.; Huryn, A.; Deegan, L.

2011-12-01

Rivers and streams that freeze solid for 8-9 months each year provide excellent examples of the extreme seasonality of arctic habitats. The communities of organisms inhabiting these rivers must complete growth and development during summer, resulting in a rapid ramp-up and down of production over the short ice-free period. The effects of recent shifts in the timing of the spring thaw and autumn freeze-up on the duration and pattern of the period of active production are poorly understood. We are currently investigating: 1) the response of the biotic community of the Kuparuk River (Arctic Alaska) to shifts in the seasonality of the ice-free period, and 2) the community response to increases in phosphorous (P) supply anticipated as the volume of the permafrost active-layer increases in response to climate warming. Here algal production supports a 2-tier web of consumers. We tracked primary and secondary production from the spring thaw through mid-August in a reference reach and one receiving low-level P fertilization. Gross primary production/community respiration (GPP/R) ratios for both reaches were increasing through mid-July, with higher GPP/R in response to the P addition. Understanding the degree of synchrony between primary and secondary production in this Arctic river system will enhance further understanding of how shifts in seasonality affect trophic dynamics.

Preparation of thermo-responsive graft copolymer by using a novel macro-RAFT agent and its application for drug delivery.

PubMed

Song, Cunfeng; Yu, Shirong; Liu, Cheng; Deng, Yuanming; Xu, Yiting; Chen, Xiaoling; Dai, Lizong

2016-05-01

A methodology to prepare thermo-responsive graft copolymer by using a novel macro-RAFT agent was proposed. The macro-RAFT agent with pendant dithioester (ZC(S)SR) was facilely prepared via the combination of RAFT polymerization and esterification reaction. By means of ZC(S)SR-initiated RAFT polymerization, the thermo-responsive graft copolymer consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate-co-hydroxylethyl methacrylate) (P(MMA-co-HEMA)) backbone and hydrophilic poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) side chains was constructed through the "grafting from" approach. The chemical compositions and molecular weight distributions of the synthesized polymers were respectively characterized by (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Self-assembly behavior of the amphiphilic graft copolymers (P(MMA-co-HEMA)-g-PNIPAAm) was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and spectrofluorimeter. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) value was 0.052 mg mL(-1). These micelles have thermo-responsibility and a low critical solution temperature (LCST) of 33.5°C. Further investigation indicated that the guest molecule release property of these micelles, which can be well described by a first-order kinetic model, was significantly affected by temperature. Besides, the micelles exhibited excellent biocompatibility and cellular uptake property. Hence, these micelles are considered to have potential application in controlled drug delivery. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[Smart drug delivery systems based on nanoscale ZnO].

PubMed

Huang, Xiao; Chen, Chun; Yi, Caixia; Zheng, Xi

2018-04-01

In view of the excellent biocompatibility as well as the low cost, nanoscale ZnO shows great potential for drug delivery application. Moreover, The charming character enable nanoscale ZnO some excellent features (e.g. dissolution in acid, ultrasonic permeability, microwave absorbing, hydrophobic/hydrophilic transition). All of that make nanoscale ZnO reasonable choices for smart drug delivery. In the recent decade, more and more studies have focused on controlling the drug release behavior via smart drug delivery systems based on nanoscale ZnO responsive to some certain stimuli. Herein, we review the recent exciting progress on the pH-responsive, ultrasound-responsive, microwave-responsive and UV-responsive nanoscale ZnO-based drug delivery systems. A brief introduction of the drug controlled release behavior and its effect of the drug delivery systems is presented. The biocompatibility of nanoscale ZnO is also discussed. Moreover, its development prospect is looked forward.

γ-Sultam-cored N,N-ligands in the ruthenium(ii)-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of aryl ketones.

PubMed

Rast, Slavko; Modec, Barbara; Stephan, Michel; Mohar, Barbara

2016-02-14

The synthesis of new enantiopure syn- and anti-3-(α-aminobenzyl)-benzo-γ-sultam ligands 6 and their application in the ruthenium(ii)-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of ketones using formic acid/triethylamine is described. In particular, benzo-fused cyclic ketones afforded excellent enantioselectivities in reasonable time employing a low loading of the syn ligand-containing catalyst. A never-before-seen dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) during reduction of a γ-keto carboxylic ester (S7) derivative of 1-indanone is realized leading as well to excellent induction.

Longitudinal, label-free, quantitative tracking of cell death and viability in a 3D tumor model with OCT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, Yookyung; Klein, Oliver J.; Wang, Hequn; Evans, Conor L.

2016-06-01

Three-dimensional in vitro tumor models are highly useful tools for studying tumor growth and treatment response of malignancies such as ovarian cancer. Existing viability and treatment assessment assays, however, face shortcomings when applied to these large, complex, and heterogeneous culture systems. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive, label-free, optical imaging technique that can visualize live cells and tissues over time with subcellular resolution and millimeters of optical penetration depth. Here, we show that OCT is capable of carrying out high-content, longitudinal assays of 3D culture treatment response. We demonstrate the usage and capability of OCT for the dynamic monitoring of individual and combination therapeutic regimens in vitro, including both chemotherapy drugs and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for ovarian cancer. OCT was validated against the standard LIVE/DEAD Viability/Cytotoxicity Assay in small tumor spheroid cultures, showing excellent correlation with existing standards. Importantly, OCT was shown to be capable of evaluating 3D spheroid treatment response even when traditional viability assays failed. OCT 3D viability imaging revealed synergy between PDT and the standard-of-care chemotherapeutic carboplatin that evolved over time. We believe the efficacy and accuracy of OCT in vitro drug screening will greatly contribute to the field of cancer treatment and therapy evaluation.

Acoustic-Structure Interaction in Rocket Engines: Validation Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, R. Benjamin; Joji, Scott S.; Parks, Russel A.; Brown, Andrew M.

2009-01-01

While analyzing a rocket engine component, it is often necessary to account for any effects that adjacent fluids (e.g., liquid fuels or oxidizers) might have on the structural dynamics of the component. To better characterize the fully coupled fluid-structure system responses, an analytical approach that models the system as a coupled expansion of rigid wall acoustic modes and in vacuo structural modes has been proposed. The present work seeks to experimentally validate this approach. To experimentally observe well-coupled system modes, the test article and fluid cavities are designed such that the uncoupled structural frequencies are comparable to the uncoupled acoustic frequencies. The test measures the natural frequencies, mode shapes, and forced response of cylindrical test articles in contact with fluid-filled cylindrical and/or annular cavities. The test article is excited with a stinger and the fluid-loaded response is acquired using a laser-doppler vibrometer. The experimentally determined fluid-loaded natural frequencies are compared directly to the results of the analytical model. Due to the geometric configuration of the test article, the analytical model is found to be valid for natural modes with circumferential wave numbers greater than four. In the case of these modes, the natural frequencies predicted by the analytical model demonstrate excellent agreement with the experimentally determined natural frequencies.

Saying "Yes!" to Careers in Health Care | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

MedlinePlus

... 40 sessions of biology instruction (covering 12 organ systems of the body) taught by visiting health professionals and mentors over a two-year period. The six schools are characterized by dynamic administrators and faculty recognized for their teaching excellence, ...

Ultrafast water sensing and thermal imaging by a metal-organic framework with switchable luminescence

PubMed Central

Chen, Ling; Ye, Jia-Wen; Wang, Hai-Ping; Pan, Mei; Yin, Shao-Yun; Wei, Zhang-Wen; Zhang, Lu-Yin; Wu, Kai; Fan, Ya-Nan; Su, Cheng-Yong

2017-01-01

A convenient, fast and selective water analysis method is highly desirable in industrial and detection processes. Here a robust microporous Zn-MOF (metal–organic framework, Zn(hpi2cf)(DMF)(H2O)) is assembled from a dual-emissive H2hpi2cf (5-(2-(5-fluoro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-4,5-bis(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl)isophthalic acid) ligand that exhibits characteristic excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT). This Zn-MOF contains amphipathic micropores (<3 Å) and undergoes extremely facile single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation driven by reversible removal/uptake of coordinating water molecules simply stimulated by dry gas blowing or gentle heating at 70 °C, manifesting an excellent example of dynamic reversible coordination behaviour. The interconversion between the hydrated and dehydrated phases can turn the ligand ESIPT process on or off, resulting in sensitive two-colour photoluminescence switching over cycles. Therefore, this Zn-MOF represents an excellent PL water-sensing material, showing a fast (on the order of seconds) and highly selective response to water on a molecular level. Furthermore, paper or in situ grown ZnO-based sensing films have been fabricated and applied in humidity sensing (RH<1%), detection of traces of water (<0.05% v/v) in various organic solvents, thermal imaging and as a thermometer. PMID:28665406

Highly Stretchable Conductors Based on Expanded Graphite Macroconfined in Tubular Rubber.

PubMed

Luo, Wei; Wu, Tongfei; Chen, Biqiong; Liang, Mei; Zou, Huawei

2017-12-13

Highly stretchable and durable conductors are significant to the development of wearable devices, robots, human-machine interfaces, and other artificial intelligence products. Although many respectable methods have been reported, it is still a challenge to fabricate stretchable conductors with a large elastic limit, high conductivity, and excellent reliability in rapid, effective, and economic ways. Herein, a facile method is offered to fabricate high-performance stretchable tubular conductors (TCs) based on a macroconfined structure of expanded graphite (EG) in rubber tubing by simply physical packing. The maximum original electrical conductivity of TCs reached a high value of 160.6 S/cm. Meanwhile, TCs showed more insensitive response of conductivity to increasing tensile strain compared to the TCs encapsulated with liquid metal or ionic liquid. The conductivity and effective stretchability of TCs can be adjusted by varying the packing density of EG. A low gauge factor below 3 was reached even under 400% stretching for TCs with a packing density of 1.233 g/cm 3 . The excellent resilience and good stability of conductivity of TCs during dynamic stretching-releasing cycles are attributed to the stable and rapid reconstruction of the percolation network of EG particles. The combination of high conductivity, tunable stretchability, and good reliability renders potential applications to TCs, such as highly stretchable interconnects or strain sensors, in human motion detection.

Imaging Ca2+ with a Fluorescent Rhodol.

PubMed

Contractor, Alisha A; Miller, Evan W

2018-01-16

Ca 2+ mediates a host of biochemical and biophysical signaling processes in cells. The development of synthetic, Ca 2+ -sensitive fluorophores has played an instrumental role in our understanding of the temporal and spatial dynamics of Ca 2+ . Coupling Ca 2+ -selective ligands to fluorescent reporters has provided a wealth of excellent indicators that span the visible excitation and emission spectrum and possess Ca 2+ affinities suited to a variety of cellular contexts. One underdeveloped area is the use of hybrid rhodamine/fluorescein fluorophores, or rhodols, in the context of Ca 2+ sensing. Rhodols are bright and photostable and have good two-photon absorption cross sections (σ TPA ), making them excellent candidates for incorporation into Ca 2+ -sensing scaffolds. Here, we present the design, synthesis, and application of rhodol Ca 2+ sensor 1 (RCS-1), a chlorinated pyrrolidine-based rhodol. RCS-1 possesses a Ca 2+ binding constant of 240 nM and a 10-fold turn response to Ca 2+ . RCS-1 effectively absorbs infrared light and has a σ TPA of 76 GM at 840 nm, 3-fold greater than that of its fluorescein-based counterpart. The acetoxy-methyl ester of RCS-1 stains the cytosol of live cells, enabling observation of Ca 2+ fluctuations and cultured neurons using both one- and two-photon illumination. Together, these results demonstrate the utility of rhodol-based scaffolds for Ca 2+ sensing using two-photon illumination in neurons.

Dynamic Communicability Predicts Infectiousness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mantzaris, Alexander V.; Higham, Desmond J.

Using real, time-dependent social interaction data, we look at correlations between some recently proposed dynamic centrality measures and summaries from large-scale epidemic simulations. The evolving network arises from email exchanges. The centrality measures, which are relatively inexpensive to compute, assign rankings to individual nodes based on their ability to broadcast information over the dynamic topology. We compare these with node rankings based on infectiousness that arise when a full stochastic SI simulation is performed over the dynamic network. More precisely, we look at the proportion of the network that a node is able to infect over a fixed time period, and the length of time that it takes for a node to infect half the network. We find that the dynamic centrality measures are an excellent, and inexpensive, proxy for the full simulation-based measures.

Kuznetsov-Ma Soliton Dynamics Based on the Mechanical Effect of Light

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiong, Hao; Gan, Jinghui; Wu, Ying

2017-10-01

A Kuznetsov-Ma soliton that exhibits an unusual pulsating dynamics has attracted particular attention in hydrodynamics and plasma physics in the context of understanding nonlinear coherent phenomena. Here, we demonstrate theoretically the formation of a novel form of Kuznetsov-Ma soliton in a microfabricated optomechanical array, where both photonic and phononic evolutionary dynamics exhibit periodic structure and coherent localized behavior enabled by radiation-pressure coupling of optical fields and mechanical oscillations, which is a manifestation of the unique property of optomechanical systems. Numerical calculations of the optomechanical dynamics show an excellent agreement with this theory. In addition to providing insight into optomechanical nonlinearity, optomechanical Kuznetsov-Ma soliton dynamics fundamentally broadens the regime of cavity optomechanics and may find applications in on-chip manipulation of light propagation.

Profile of an excellent nurse manager: identifying and developing health care team leaders.

PubMed

Kallas, Kathryn D

2014-01-01

The purpose of this research was to identify the profile of an excellent nurse manager who can lead effective health care teams. Leadership attributes and competencies that characterize an excellent nurse manager and tools to identify them are lacking in the literature but are required to efficiently and effectively address the growing shortage of registered nurses (RNs) in health care team leadership roles and the critical linkage of these roles to patient outcomes. A profile of an excellent nurse manager was developed on the basis of the responses of nurse managers across the United States who had been identified as excellent or competent by chief nurse executive assessment or/and the Nurse Manager Ability, Leadership, and Support of Nurses staff survey to the Kouzes and Posner Leadership Practices Inventory: Self Instrument. Statistically significant distinctions exist between nurse managers who are excellent and those who are competent as assessed by the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership, which together comprise the profile of an excellent nurse manager. The Kouzes and Posner Leadership Practices Inventory: Self Instrument can be used to identify, recruit, and develop RNs in the nurse manager role as excellent leaders of effective health care teams.

Superiority of delayed risk stratification in differentiated thyroid cancer after total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine ablation.

PubMed

Hong, Chae Moon; Lee, Won Kee; Jeong, Shin Young; Lee, Sang-Woo; Ahn, Byeong-Cheol; Lee, Jaetae

2014-11-01

The aim of this study was to validate the effectiveness of delayed risk stratification (DRS) in predicting structural progression and compare the predictive value of American Thyroid Association (ATA) risk stratification with that of DRS in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). A total of 398 patients with DTC who underwent surgery followed by radioactive iodine ablation were enrolled. Patients were categorized as having excellent response, acceptable response, biochemical incomplete response, or structural incomplete response at 8-15 months' evaluation after radioactive iodine ablation for DRS. Effectiveness of DRS was evaluated according to structural progression-free survival (PFS; median follow-up, 10.7 years). A total of 229 patients (57.5%) were classified as having excellent response, 78 (19.6%) as having acceptable response, 62 (15.6%) as having biochemical incomplete response, and 29 patients (7.3%) as having structural incomplete response. After DRS, 60.2% of intermediate-risk patients and 20.5% of high-risk patients were shifted to the excellent response category. Sixty-nine patients (17.3%) showed structural progression. DRS showed statistical difference in PFS (hazard ratio, 4.268; 95% confidence interval, 3.258-5.477; P<0.001). In multivariate analysis of ATA risk stratification and DRS, DRS was significantly associated with PFS (hazard ratio, 4.383; 95% confidence interval, 3.250-5.912; P<0.001), but ATA risk stratification was not. There was no significant difference in deviances between the use of DRS alone and the use of both DRS and ATA risk stratification (χ=0.103, d.f.=1, P=0.748). DRS is superior to ATA risk stratification in predicting structural disease progression for DTC patients.

State Policy Responses to Ensuring Excellent Educators in Rural Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gagnon, Douglas J.; Mattingly, Marybeth J.

2015-01-01

The Excellent Educators for All initiative is the most recent federal policy effort to address unequal access to teacher quality in the United States. States were required to submit equity plans to the U.S. Department of Education that detailed how to ensure that poor and minority children do not receive instruction from less qualified teachers.…

Rural Math Excel Partnership (RMEP) Project Final Performance Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harmon, Hobart; Tate, Veronica; Stevens, Jennifer; Wilborn, Sandy; Adams, Sue

2018-01-01

The goal of the Rural Math Excel Partnership (RMEP) project, a development project funded by the U.S. Department of Education Investing in Innovation (i3) grant program, was to develop a model of shared responsibility among families, teachers, and communities in rural areas as collective support for student success in and preparation for advanced…

Operational excellence (six sigma) philosophy: Application to software quality assurance

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

Lackner, M.

1997-11-01

This report contains viewgraphs on operational excellence philosophy of six sigma applied to software quality assurance. This report outlines the following: goal of six sigma; six sigma tools; manufacturing vs administrative processes; Software quality assurance document inspections; map software quality assurance requirements document; failure mode effects analysis for requirements document; measuring the right response variables; and questions.

Responsive etalon based on PNIPAM@SiO2 composite spacer with rapid response rate and excellent repeatability for sensing application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Tieqiang; Wang, Shuli; Zhang, Xun; Song, Guoshuai; Yu, Ye; Chen, Xinyang; Fu, Yu; Zhang, Junhu; Yang, Bai

2015-07-01

In this paper, we demonstrate a responsive etalon fabricated through combining colloidal lithography and surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). The responsive etalon is simply constructed with one responsive spacer sandwiched by two reflective layers, and the middle responsive spacer is constructed by grafting thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) brushes on a SiO2 nanosphere array. The etalon possesses one single interference peak in the visible region, and the interference peak changes sensitively against the concentration of the external stimulant (water vapor) or the temperature of the system, owing to the responsiveness of the PNIPAM brush. Importantly, the as-prepared etalon shows a rapid response rate and excellent stability, and it is also handy to realize the miniaturization and integration of the responsive etalon based on a conventional micro-fabrication method. These features all make the as-prepared responsive etalon an attractive candidate for future sensing applications. We believe such responsive etalons are promising for the fabrication of smart photonic materials and optical sensors that may be useful in tissue engineering, medical diagnosis, public security, and biochip areas.

Generating Variable and Random Schedules of Reinforcement Using Microsoft Excel Macros

PubMed Central

Bancroft, Stacie L; Bourret, Jason C

2008-01-01

Variable reinforcement schedules are used to arrange the availability of reinforcement following varying response ratios or intervals of time. Random reinforcement schedules are subtypes of variable reinforcement schedules that can be used to arrange the availability of reinforcement at a constant probability across number of responses or time. Generating schedule values for variable and random reinforcement schedules can be difficult. The present article describes the steps necessary to write macros in Microsoft Excel that will generate variable-ratio, variable-interval, variable-time, random-ratio, random-interval, and random-time reinforcement schedule values. PMID:18595286

Chromatographic peak resolution using Microsoft Excel Solver. The merit of time shifting input arrays.

PubMed

Dasgupta, Purnendu K

2008-12-05

Resolution of overlapped chromatographic peaks is generally accomplished by modeling the peaks as Gaussian or modified Gaussian functions. It is possible, even preferable, to use actual single analyte input responses for this purpose and a nonlinear least squares minimization routine such as that provided by Microsoft Excel Solver can then provide the resolution. In practice, the quality of the results obtained varies greatly due to small shifts in retention time. I show here that such deconvolution can be considerably improved if one or more of the response arrays are iteratively shifted in time.

Long-life electromechanical sine-cosine generator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Flagge, B.

1971-01-01

Sine-cosine generator with no sliding parts is capable of withstanding a 20 Hz oscillation for more than 14 hours. Tests show that generator is electrically equal to potentiometer and that it has excellent dynamic characteristics. Generator shows promise of higher-speed applications than was previously possible.

Pulse!! The Virtual Clinical Learning Lab and Center of Excellence

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-08-01

environments, physiological assets and case-authoring tools using state- of-the art technologies common to the videogame industry but here appropriated...interior processes (e.g., fluid dynamics) are beyond the current reach of the videogame industry. c. Concise Accomplishments (limit 200 words/170

International Multidisciplinary Research and Education: A Mountain Geography Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bishop, Michael P.

2009-01-01

Collaborative international research projects represent excellent opportunities for students to obtain unique and life-altering educational experiences. Dynamic interactions with people from a variety of countries, institutions, and departments, in diverse situations, provides students with new perspectives, encourages them to operate in a…

Validation of a Multimodality Flow Phantom and Its Application for Assessment of Dynamic SPECT and PET Technologies.

PubMed

Gabrani-Juma, Hanif; Clarkin, Owen J; Pourmoghaddas, Amir; Driscoll, Brandon; Wells, R Glenn; deKemp, Robert A; Klein, Ran

2017-01-01

Simple and robust techniques are lacking to assess performance of flow quantification using dynamic imaging. We therefore developed a method to qualify flow quantification technologies using a physical compartment exchange phantom and image analysis tool. We validate and demonstrate utility of this method using dynamic PET and SPECT. Dynamic image sequences were acquired on two PET/CT and a cardiac dedicated SPECT (with and without attenuation and scatter corrections) systems. A two-compartment exchange model was fit to image derived time-activity curves to quantify flow rates. Flowmeter measured flow rates (20-300 mL/min) were set prior to imaging and were used as reference truth to which image derived flow rates were compared. Both PET cameras had excellent agreement with truth ( [Formula: see text]). High-end PET had no significant bias (p > 0.05) while lower-end PET had minimal slope bias (wash-in and wash-out slopes were 1.02 and 1.01) but no significant reduction in precision relative to high-end PET (<15% vs. <14% limits of agreement, p > 0.3). SPECT (without scatter and attenuation corrections) slope biases were noted (0.85 and 1.32) and attributed to camera saturation in early time frames. Analysis of wash-out rates from non-saturated, late time frames resulted in excellent agreement with truth ( [Formula: see text], slope = 0.97). Attenuation and scatter corrections did not significantly impact SPECT performance. The proposed phantom, software and quality assurance paradigm can be used to qualify imaging instrumentation and protocols for quantification of kinetic rate parameters using dynamic imaging.

Au-modified three-dimensional In2O3 inverse opals: synthesis and improved performance for acetone sensing toward diagnosis of diabetes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xing, Ruiqing; Li, Qingling; Xia, Lei; Song, Jian; Xu, Lin; Zhang, Jiahuan; Xie, Yi; Song, Hongwei

2015-07-01

Analyzing the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath effectively is crucial to medical treatment, which can provide a fast and noninvasive way to diagnose disease. Well-designed materials with controlled structures have great influence on the sensing performance. In this work, the ordered three dimensional inverse opal (3DIO) macroporous In2O3 films with additional via-hole architectures were fabricated and different amounts of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were loaded on the In2O3 films aiming at enhancing their electrical responses. The gas sensing to acetone toward diabetes diagnosis in exhaled breath was performed with different Au/In2O3 electrodes. Representatively, the best 3DIO Au/In2O3 sensor can detect acetone effectively at 340 °C with response of 42.4 to 5 ppm, the actual detection limit is as low as 20 ppb, and it holds a dynamic response of 11 s and a good selectivity. Moreover, clinical tests proved that the as-prepared 3DIO Au/In2O3 IO sensor could distinguish acetone biomarkers in human breath clearly. The excellent gas sensing properties of the Au/In2O3 electrodes were attributed to the ``spillover effects'' between Au and In2O3 and the special 3DIO structure. This work indicates that 3DIO Au/In2O3 composite is a promising electrode material for actual application in the monitoring and detection of diabetes through exhaled breath.Analyzing the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath effectively is crucial to medical treatment, which can provide a fast and noninvasive way to diagnose disease. Well-designed materials with controlled structures have great influence on the sensing performance. In this work, the ordered three dimensional inverse opal (3DIO) macroporous In2O3 films with additional via-hole architectures were fabricated and different amounts of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were loaded on the In2O3 films aiming at enhancing their electrical responses. The gas sensing to acetone toward diabetes diagnosis in exhaled breath was performed with different Au/In2O3 electrodes. Representatively, the best 3DIO Au/In2O3 sensor can detect acetone effectively at 340 °C with response of 42.4 to 5 ppm, the actual detection limit is as low as 20 ppb, and it holds a dynamic response of 11 s and a good selectivity. Moreover, clinical tests proved that the as-prepared 3DIO Au/In2O3 IO sensor could distinguish acetone biomarkers in human breath clearly. The excellent gas sensing properties of the Au/In2O3 electrodes were attributed to the ``spillover effects'' between Au and In2O3 and the special 3DIO structure. This work indicates that 3DIO Au/In2O3 composite is a promising electrode material for actual application in the monitoring and detection of diabetes through exhaled breath. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr02709h

Experimental Investigation of Stiffness Characteristics and Damping Properties of a Metallic Rubber Material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Ch. Zh.; Li, Jingyuan; Zhou, Bangyang; Li, Shuang

2017-09-01

The static stiffness and dynamic damping properties of a metallic rubber material (MR) were investigated, which exhibited a nonlinear deformation behavior. Its static stiffness is analyzed and discussed. The effects of structural parameters of MR and experimental conditions on its shock absorption capacity were examined by dynamic tests. Results revealed excellent elastic and damping properties of the material. Its stiffness increased with density, but decreased with thickness. The damping property of MR varied with its density, thickness, loading frequency, and amplitude.

Dynamic Kinetic Asymmetric Transformations of β-Stereogenic-α-Keto Esters via Direct Aldolization

PubMed Central

Corbett, Michael T.; Johnson, Jeffrey S.

2014-01-01

Dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformations (DyKAT) of racemic β-bromo-α-keto esters via direct aldolization of nitromethane and acetone provide access to fully substituted α-glycolic acid derivatives bearing a β-stereocenter. The aldol adducts are obtained in excellent yield with high relative and absolute stereocontrol under mild reaction conditions. Mechanistic studies determined that the reactions proceed through a facile catalyst-mediated racemization of the β-bromo-α-keto esters under a DyKAT Type I manifold. PMID:24222195

Dynamic Rod Worth Measurement

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

Chao, Y.A.; Chapman, D.M.; Hill, D.J.

2000-12-15

The dynamic rod worth measurement (DRWM) technique is a method of quickly validating the predicted bank worth of control rods and shutdown rods. The DRWM analytic method is based on three-dimensional, space-time kinetic simulations of the rapid rod movements. Its measurement data is processed with an advanced digital reactivity computer. DRWM has been used as the method of bank worth validation at numerous plant startups with excellent results. The process and methodology of DRWM are described, and the measurement results of using DRWM are presented.

Dynamic microscale temperature gradient in a gold nanorod solution measured by diffraction-limited nanothermometry

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

Li, Chengmingyue; Gan, Xiaosong; Li, Xiangping

2015-09-21

We quantify the dynamic microscale temperature gradient in a gold nanorod solution using quantum-dot-based microscopic fluorescence nanothermometry. By incorporating CdSe quantum dots into the solution as a nanothermometer, precise temperature mapping with diffraction-limited spatial resolution and sub-degree temperature resolution is achieved. The acquired data on heat generation and dissipation show an excellent agreement with theoretical simulations. This work reveals an effective approach for noninvasive temperature regulation with localized nanoheaters in microfluidic environment.

Population mixture model for nonlinear telomere dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Itzkovitz, Shalev; Shlush, Liran I.; Gluck, Dan; Skorecki, Karl

2008-12-01

Telomeres are DNA repeats protecting chromosomal ends which shorten with each cell division, eventually leading to cessation of cell growth. We present a population mixture model that predicts an exponential decrease in telomere length with time. We analytically solve the dynamics of the telomere length distribution. The model provides an excellent fit to available telomere data and accounts for the previously unexplained observation of telomere elongation following stress and bone marrow transplantation, thereby providing insight into the nature of the telomere clock.

A time domain inverse dynamic method for the end point tracking control of a flexible manipulator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kwon, Dong-Soo; Book, Wayne J.

1991-01-01

The inverse dynamic equation of a flexible manipulator was solved in the time domain. By dividing the inverse system equation into the causal part and the anticausal part, we calculated the torque and the trajectories of all state variables for a given end point trajectory. The interpretation of this method in the frequency domain was explained in detail using the two-sided Laplace transform and the convolution integral. The open loop control of the inverse dynamic method shows an excellent result in simulation. For real applications, a practical control strategy is proposed by adding a feedback tracking control loop to the inverse dynamic feedforward control, and its good experimental performance is presented.

Environmental Implementation Plan

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

Not Available

1994-02-01

The Environmental Implementation Plan (EIP) is a dynamic long-range environmental-protection plan for SRS. The EIP communicates the current and future (five year) environmental plans from individual organizations and divisions as well as site environmental initiatives which are designed to protect the environment and meet or exceed compliance with changing environmental/ regulatory requirements. Communication with all site organizations is essential for making the site environmental planning process work. Demonstrating environmental excellence is a high priority embodied in DOE and WSRC policy. Because of your support and participation in the three EIP initiatives; Reflections, Sectional Revision, and Integrated Planning, improvements are beingmore » made to the EIP and SRS environmental protection programs. I appreciate the ``Partnership in Environmental Excellence`` formed by the environmental coordinators and professionals who work daily toward our goal of compliance and environmental excellence. I look forward to seeing continued success and improvement in our environmental protection programs through combined efforts of all site organizations to protect our employees, the public health, and the environment. Together, we will achieve our site vision for SRS to be the recognized model for Environmental Excellence in the DOE Nuclear Weapons Complex.« less

Wide-spectral/dynamic-range skin-compatible phototransistors enabled by floated heterojunction structures with surface functionalized SWCNTs and amorphous oxide semiconductors.

PubMed

Hwang, Insik; Kim, Jaehyun; Lee, Minkyung; Lee, Min-Wook; Kim, Hee-Joong; Kwon, Hyuck-In; Hwang, Do Kyung; Kim, Myunggil; Yoon, Haeyoung; Kim, Yong-Hoon; Park, Sung Kyu

2017-11-09

Purified semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (sc-SWCNTs) have been researched for optoelectronic applications due to their high absorption coefficient from the visible to even the near-infrared (NIR) region. Nevertheless, the insufficient electrical characteristics and incompatibility with conventional CMOS processing have limited their wide utilization in this emerging field. Here, we demonstrate highly detective and wide spectral/dynamic range phototransistors incorporating floated heterojunction active layers which are composed of low-temperature sol-gel processed n-type amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (a-IGZO) stacked with a purified p-type sc-SWCNT layer. To achieve a high and broad spectral/dynamic range photo-response of the heterogeneous transistors, photochemically functionalized sc-SWCNT layers were carefully implemented onto the a-IGZO channel area with a floating p-n heterojunction active layer, resulting in the suppression of parasitic charge leakage and good bias driven opto-electrical properties. The highest photosensitivity (R) of 9.6 × 10 2 A W -1 and a photodetectivity (D*) of 4 × 10 14 Jones along with a dynamic range of 100-180 dB were achieved for our phototransistor in the spectral range of 400-780 nm including continuous and minimal frequency independent behaviors. More importantly, to demonstrate the diverse application of the ultra-flexible hybrid photosensor platform as skin compatible electronics, the sc-SWCNT/a-IGZO phototransistors were fabricated on an ultra-thin (∼1 μm) polyimide film along with a severe static and dynamic electro-mechanical test. The skin-like phototransistors showed excellent mechanical stability such as sustainable good electrical performance and high photosensitivity in a wide dynamic range without any visible cracks or damage and little noise interference after being rolled-up on the 150 μm-thick optical fiber as well as more than 1000 times cycling.

Continuous monitoring bed-level dynamics on an intertidal flat: introducing novel stand-alone high-resolution SED-sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Zhan; Lenting, Walther; van der Wal, Daphne; Bouma, Tjeerd

2015-04-01

Tidal flat morphology is continuously shaped by hydrodynamic force, resulting in highly dynamic bed elevations. The knowledge of short-term bed-level changes is important both for understanding sediment transport processes as well as for assessing critical ecological processes such as e.g. vegetation recruitment chances on tidal flats. Due to the labour involved, manual discontinuous measurements lack the ability to continuously monitor bed-elevation changes. Existing methods for automated continuous monitoring of bed-level changes lack vertical accuracy (e.g., Photo-Electronic Erosion Pin sensor and resistive rod) or limited in spatial application by using expensive technology (e.g., acoustic bed level sensors). A method provides sufficient accuracy with a reasonable cost is needed. In light of this, a high-accuracy sensor (2 mm) for continuously measuring short-term Surface-Elevation Dynamics (SED-sensor) was developed. This SED-sensor makes use of photovoltaic cells and operates stand-alone using internal power supply and data logging system. The unit cost and the labour in deployments is therefore reduced, which facilitates monitoring with a number of units. In this study, the performance of a group of SED-sensors is tested against data obtained with precise manual measurements using traditional Sediment Erosion Bars (SEB). An excellent agreement between the two methods was obtained, indicating the accuracy and precision of the SED-sensors. Furthermore, to demonstrate how the SED-sensors can be used for measuring short-term bed-level dynamics, two SED-sensors were deployed for 1 month at two sites with contrasting wave exposure conditions. Daily bed-level changes were obtained including a severe storm erosion event. The difference in observed bed-level dynamics at both sites was statistically explained by their different hydrodynamic conditions. Thus, the stand-alone SED-sensor can be applied to monitor sediment surface dynamics with high vertical and temporal resolutions, which provides opportunities to pinpoint morphological responses to various forces in a number of environments (e.g. tidal flats, beaches, rivers and dunes).

Excitation mechanisms in 1 mJ picosecond laser induced low pressure He plasma and the resulting spectral quality enhancement

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

Idris, Nasrullah; Lahna, Kurnia; Abdulmadjid, Syahrun Nur

2015-06-14

We report in this paper the results of an experimental study on the spectral and dynamical characteristics of plasma emission induced by 1 mJ picoseconds (ps) Nd-YAG laser using spatially resolved imaging and time resolved measurement of the emission intensities of copper sample. This study has provided the experimental evidence concerning the dynamical characteristics of the excitation mechanisms in various stages of the plasma formation, which largely consolidate the basic scenarios of excitation processes commonly accepted so far. However, it is also clearly shown that the duration of the shock wave excitation process induced by ps laser pulses is muchmore » shorter than those observed in laser induced breakdown spectroscopy employing nanosecond laser at higher output energy. This allows the detection of atomic emission due exclusively to He assisted excitation in low pressure He plasma by proper gating of the detection time. Furthermore, the triplet excited state associated with He I 587.6 nm is shown to be the one most likely involved in the process responsible for the excellent spectral quality as evidenced by its application to spectrochemical analysis of a number of samples. The use of very low energy laser pulses also leads to minimal destructive effect marked by the resulted craters of merely about 10 μm diameter and only 10 nm deep. It is especially noteworthy that the excellent emission spectrum of deuterium detected from D-doped titanium sample is free of spectral interference from the undesirable ubiquitous water molecules without a precleaning procedure as applied previously and yielding an impressive detection limit of less than 10 μg/g. Finally, the result of this study also shows a promising application to depth profiling of impurity distribution in the sample investigated.« less

Dynamical structure factor of the J1-J2 Heisenberg model in one dimension: The variational Monte Carlo approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferrari, Francesco; Parola, Alberto; Sorella, Sandro; Becca, Federico

2018-06-01

The dynamical spin structure factor is computed within a variational framework to study the one-dimensional J1-J2 Heisenberg model. Starting from Gutzwiller-projected fermionic wave functions, the low-energy spectrum is constructed from two-spinon excitations. The direct comparison with Lanczos calculations on small clusters demonstrates the excellent description of both gapless and gapped (dimerized) phases, including incommensurate structures for J2/J1>0.5 . Calculations on large clusters show how the intensity evolves when increasing the frustrating ratio and give an unprecedented accurate characterization of the dynamical properties of (nonintegrable) frustrated spin models.

Acquisition of Inertia by a Moving Crack

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goldman, Tamar; Livne, Ariel; Fineberg, Jay

2010-03-01

We experimentally investigate the dynamics of “simple” tensile cracks. Within an effectively infinite medium, a crack’s dynamics perfectly correspond to inertialess behavior predicted by linear elastic fracture mechanics. Once a crack interacts with waves that it generated at earlier times, this description breaks down. Cracks then acquire inertia and sluggishly accelerate. Crack inertia increases with crack speed v and diverges as v approaches its limiting value. We show that these dynamics are in excellent accord with an equation of motion derived in the limit of an infinite strip [M. Marder, Phys. Rev. Lett. 66, 2484 (1991)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.66.2484].

Warm Dense Matter Demonstrating Non-Drude Conductivity from Observations of Nonlinear Plasmon Damping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Witte, B. B. L.; Fletcher, L. B.; Galtier, E.; Gamboa, E.; Lee, H. J.; Zastrau, U.; Redmer, R.; Glenzer, S. H.; Sperling, P.

2017-06-01

We present simulations using finite-temperature density-functional-theory molecular dynamics to calculate the dynamic electrical conductivity in warm dense aluminum. The comparison between exchange-correlation functionals in the Perdew-Burke-Enzerhof and Heyd-Scuseria-Enzerhof (HSE) approximation indicates evident differences in the density of states and the dc conductivity. The HSE calculations show excellent agreement with experimental Linac Coherent Light Source x-ray plasmon scattering spectra revealing plasmon damping below the widely used random phase approximation. These findings demonstrate non-Drude-like behavior of the dynamic conductivity that needs to be taken into account to determine the optical properties of warm dense matter.

Rotational Diffusion Depends on Box Size in Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

PubMed

Linke, Max; Köfinger, Jürgen; Hummer, Gerhard

2018-06-07

We show that the rotational dynamics of proteins and nucleic acids determined from molecular dynamics simulations under periodic boundary conditions suffer from significant finite-size effects. We remove the box-size dependence of the rotational diffusion coefficients by adding a hydrodynamic correction k B T/6 ηV with k B Boltzmann's constant, T the absolute temperature, η the solvent shear viscosity, and V the box volume. We show that this correction accounts for the finite-size dependence of the rotational diffusion coefficients of horse-heart myoglobin and a B-DNA dodecamer in aqueous solution. The resulting hydrodynamic radii are in excellent agreement with experiment.

Infusing Personal Responsibility into the Curriculum and Cocurriculum: Campus Examples

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

O'Neill, Nancy

2013-01-01

This chapter highlights good practices and lessons learned for infusing personal responsibility--striving for excellence, cultivating academic integrity, and developing competence in ethical and moral reasoning and action--as outcomes of college.

Genetic architecture of a hormonal response to gene knockdown in honey bees.

PubMed

Ihle, Kate E; Rueppell, Olav; Huang, Zachary Y; Wang, Ying; Fondrk, M Kim; Page, Robert E; Amdam, Gro V

2015-01-01

Variation in endocrine signaling is proposed to underlie the evolution and regulation of social life histories, but the genetic architecture of endocrine signaling is still poorly understood. An excellent example of a hormonally influenced set of social traits is found in the honey bee (Apis mellifera): a dynamic and mutually suppressive relationship between juvenile hormone (JH) and the yolk precursor protein vitellogenin (Vg) regulates behavioral maturation and foraging of workers. Several other traits cosegregate with these behavioral phenotypes, comprising the pollen hoarding syndrome (PHS) one of the best-described animal behavioral syndromes. Genotype differences in responsiveness of JH to Vg are a potential mechanistic basis for the PHS. Here, we reduced Vg expression via RNA interference in progeny from a backcross between 2 selected lines of honey bees that differ in JH responsiveness to Vg reduction and measured JH response and ovary size, which represents another key aspect of the PHS. Genetic mapping based on restriction site-associated DNA tag sequencing identified suggestive quantitative trait loci (QTL) for ovary size and JH responsiveness. We confirmed genetic effects on both traits near many QTL that had been identified previously for their effect on various PHS traits. Thus, our results support a role for endocrine control of complex traits at a genetic level. Furthermore, this first example of a genetic map of a hormonal response to gene knockdown in a social insect helps to refine the genetic understanding of complex behaviors and the physiology that may underlie behavioral control in general. © The American Genetic Association. 2015.

Dynamic cell culture on porous biopolymer microcarriers in a spinner flask for bone tissue engineering: a feasibility study.

PubMed

Jin, Guang-Zhen; Park, Jeong-Hui; Seo, Seog-Jin; Kim, Hae-Won

2014-07-01

Porous microspherical carriers have great promise for cell culture and tissue engineering. Dynamic cultures enable more uniform cell population and effective differentiation than static cultures. Here we applied dynamic spinner flask culture for the loading and multiplication of cells onto porous biopolymer microcarriers. The abilities of the microcarriers to populate cells and to induce osteogenic differentiation were examined and the feasibility of in vivo delivery of the constructs was addressed. Over time, the porous microcarriers enabled cell adhesion and expansion under proper dynamic culture conditions. Osteogenic markers were substantially expressed by the dynamic cell cultures. The cell-cultured microcarriers implanted in the mouse subcutaneous tissue for 4 weeks showed excellent tissue compatibility, with minimal inflammatory signs and significant induction of bone tissues. This first report on dynamic culture of porous biopolymer microcarriers providing an effective tool for bone tissue engineering.

Identification and stochastic control of helicopter dynamic modes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Molusis, J. A.; Bar-Shalom, Y.

1983-01-01

A general treatment of parameter identification and stochastic control for use on helicopter dynamic systems is presented. Rotor dynamic models, including specific applications to rotor blade flapping and the helicopter ground resonance problem are emphasized. Dynamic systems which are governed by periodic coefficients as well as constant coefficient models are addressed. The dynamic systems are modeled by linear state variable equations which are used in the identification and stochastic control formulation. The pure identification problem as well as the stochastic control problem which includes combined identification and control for dynamic systems is addressed. The stochastic control problem includes the effect of parameter uncertainty on the solution and the concept of learning and how this is affected by the control's duel effect. The identification formulation requires algorithms suitable for on line use and thus recursive identification algorithms are considered. The applications presented use the recursive extended kalman filter for parameter identification which has excellent convergence for systems without process noise.

imDEV: a graphical user interface to R multivariate analysis tools in Microsoft Excel.

PubMed

Grapov, Dmitry; Newman, John W

2012-09-01

Interactive modules for Data Exploration and Visualization (imDEV) is a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet embedded application providing an integrated environment for the analysis of omics data through a user-friendly interface. Individual modules enables interactive and dynamic analyses of large data by interfacing R's multivariate statistics and highly customizable visualizations with the spreadsheet environment, aiding robust inferences and generating information-rich data visualizations. This tool provides access to multiple comparisons with false discovery correction, hierarchical clustering, principal and independent component analyses, partial least squares regression and discriminant analysis, through an intuitive interface for creating high-quality two- and a three-dimensional visualizations including scatter plot matrices, distribution plots, dendrograms, heat maps, biplots, trellis biplots and correlation networks. Freely available for download at http://sourceforge.net/projects/imdev/. Implemented in R and VBA and supported by Microsoft Excel (2003, 2007 and 2010).

Solving the inverse scattering problem in reflection-mode dynamic speckle-field phase microscopy (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Renjie; So, Peter T. C.; Yaqoob, Zahid; Jin, Di; Hosseini, Poorya; Kuang, Cuifang; Singh, Vijay Raj; Kim, Yang-Hyo; Dasari, Ramachandra R.

2017-02-01

Most of the quantitative phase microscopy systems are unable to provide depth-resolved information for measuring complex biological structures. Optical diffraction tomography provides a non-trivial solution to it by 3D reconstructing the object with multiple measurements through different ways of realization. Previously, our lab developed a reflection-mode dynamic speckle-field phase microscopy (DSPM) technique, which can be used to perform depth resolved measurements in a single shot. Thus, this system is suitable for measuring dynamics in a layer of interest in the sample. DSPM can be also used for tomographic imaging, which promises to solve the long-existing "missing cone" problem in 3D imaging. However, the 3D imaging theory for this type of system has not been developed in the literature. Recently, we have developed an inverse scattering model to rigorously describe the imaging physics in DSPM. Our model is based on the diffraction tomography theory and the speckle statistics. Using our model, we first precisely calculated the defocus response and the depth resolution in our system. Then, we further calculated the 3D coherence transfer function to link the 3D object structural information with the axially scanned imaging data. From this transfer function, we found that in the reflection mode excellent sectioning effect exists in the low lateral spatial frequency region, thus allowing us to solve the "missing cone" problem. Currently, we are working on using this coherence transfer function to reconstruct layered structures and complex cells.

MORE THAN JUST BAIT: BURROWING SHRIMP AS ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERS IN OREGON ESTUARIES - SEPTEMBER 2006

EPA Science Inventory

Burrowing shrimp may be most widely known as excellent fishing bait, but they also play important roles in estuaries of the Pacific Northwest. These shrimps strongly affect carbon and nutrient cycling, phytoplankton abundance, food web structure and dynamics, sediment stability,...

Developing Excellent School Principals to Advance Teaching and Learning: Considerations for State Policy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Manna, Paul

2015-01-01

Principals who are strong, effective, responsive leaders help to inspire and enhance the abilities of their teachers and other school staff to do excellent work. Such principals also tend to retain great teachers and create opportunities for them to take on new leadership roles. This leads to the following key question: What can state policymakers…

Segmental Dynamics of Forward Fall Arrests: System Identification Approach

PubMed Central

Kim, Kyu-Jung; Ashton-Miller, James A.

2009-01-01

Background Fall-related injuries are multifaceted problems, necessitating thorough biodynamic simulation to identify critical biomechanical factors. Methods A 2-degree-of-freedom discrete impact model was constructed through system identification and validation processes using the experimental data to understand dynamic interactions of various biomechanical parameters in bimanual forward fall arrests. Findings The bimodal reaction force response from the identified models had small identification errors for the first and second force peaks less than 3.5% and high coherence between the measured and identified model responses (R2=0.95). Model validation with separate experimental data also demonstrated excellent validation accuracy and coherence, less than 7% errors and R2=0.87, respectively. The first force peak was usually greater than the second force peak and strongly correlated with the impact velocity of the upper extremity, while the second force peak was associated with the impact velocity of the body. The impact velocity of the upper extremity relative to the body could be a major risk factor to fall-related injuries as observed from model simulations that a 75% faster arm movement relative to the falling speed of the body alone could double the first force peak from soft landing, thereby readily exceeding the fracture strength of the distal radius. Interpretation Considering that the time-critical nature of falling often calls for a fast arm movement, the use of the upper extremity in forward fall arrests is not biomechanically justified unless sufficient reaction time and coordinated protective motion of the upper extremity are available. PMID:19250726

Predicting the response of the deep-ocean microbiome to geochemical perturbations by hydrothermal vents.

PubMed

Reed, Daniel C; Breier, John A; Jiang, Houshuo; Anantharaman, Karthik; Klausmeier, Christopher A; Toner, Brandy M; Hancock, Cathrine; Speer, Kevin; Thurnherr, Andreas M; Dick, Gregory J

2015-08-01

Submarine hydrothermal vents perturb the deep-ocean microbiome by injecting reduced chemical species into the water column that act as an energy source for chemosynthetic organisms. These systems thus provide excellent natural laboratories for studying the response of microbial communities to shifts in marine geochemistry. The present study explores the processes that regulate coupled microbial-geochemical dynamics in hydrothermal plumes by means of a novel mathematical model, which combines thermodynamics, growth and reaction kinetics, and transport processes derived from a fluid dynamics model. Simulations of a plume located in the ABE vent field of the Lau basin were able to reproduce metagenomic observations well and demonstrated that the magnitude of primary production and rate of autotrophic growth are largely regulated by the energetics of metabolisms and the availability of electron donors, as opposed to kinetic parameters. Ambient seawater was the dominant source of microbes to the plume and sulphur oxidisers constituted almost 90% of the modelled community in the neutrally-buoyant plume. Data from drifters deployed in the region allowed the different time scales of metabolisms to be cast in a spatial context, which demonstrated spatial succession in the microbial community. While growth was shown to occur over distances of tens of kilometers, microbes persisted over hundreds of kilometers. Given that high-temperature hydrothermal systems are found less than 100 km apart on average, plumes may act as important vectors between different vent fields and other environments that are hospitable to similar organisms, such as oil spills and oxygen minimum zones.

Predicting the response of the deep-ocean microbiome to geochemical perturbations by hydrothermal vents

PubMed Central

Reed, Daniel C; Breier, John A; Jiang, Houshuo; Anantharaman, Karthik; Klausmeier, Christopher A; Toner, Brandy M; Hancock, Cathrine; Speer, Kevin; Thurnherr, Andreas M; Dick, Gregory J

2015-01-01

Submarine hydrothermal vents perturb the deep-ocean microbiome by injecting reduced chemical species into the water column that act as an energy source for chemosynthetic organisms. These systems thus provide excellent natural laboratories for studying the response of microbial communities to shifts in marine geochemistry. The present study explores the processes that regulate coupled microbial-geochemical dynamics in hydrothermal plumes by means of a novel mathematical model, which combines thermodynamics, growth and reaction kinetics, and transport processes derived from a fluid dynamics model. Simulations of a plume located in the ABE vent field of the Lau basin were able to reproduce metagenomic observations well and demonstrated that the magnitude of primary production and rate of autotrophic growth are largely regulated by the energetics of metabolisms and the availability of electron donors, as opposed to kinetic parameters. Ambient seawater was the dominant source of microbes to the plume and sulphur oxidisers constituted almost 90% of the modelled community in the neutrally-buoyant plume. Data from drifters deployed in the region allowed the different time scales of metabolisms to be cast in a spatial context, which demonstrated spatial succession in the microbial community. While growth was shown to occur over distances of tens of kilometers, microbes persisted over hundreds of kilometers. Given that high-temperature hydrothermal systems are found less than 100 km apart on average, plumes may act as important vectors between different vent fields and other environments that are hospitable to similar organisms, such as oil spills and oxygen minimum zones. PMID:25658053

University Sports Rivalries Provide Insights on Coalitional Psychology : Territorial Context Influences Reactions to Vocal Signals of Allegiance.

PubMed

Kruger, Daniel J; Falbo, Michael; Blanchard, Sophie; Cole, Ethan; Gazoul, Camille; Nader, Noreen; Murphy, Shannon

2018-05-11

Sports are an excellent venue for demonstrating evolutionary principles to audiences not familiar with academic research. Team sports and sports fandom feature dynamics of in-group loyalty and intergroup competition, influenced by our evolved coalitional psychology. We predicted that reactions to expressions signaling mutual team/group allegiance would vary as a function of the territorial context. Reactions should become more prevalent, positive, and enthusiastic as one moves from the home territory to a contested area, and from a contested area to a rival's territory during active rival engagement. We also predicted that men would be more responsive than women based on sex differences in evolved coalitional psychology. The research team visited public places immediately prior to 2016-2017 collegiate football and basketball games. A male research confederate wore a sweatshirt displaying the logo of one of the competing university teams and vocalized the team's most popular slogan when he saw a fan displaying similar logos. Observers followed 5 m behind, recording reactions (N = 597) and response positivity/enthusiasm. Reaction tone was most positive in the rival territory, least positive in the home territory, and intermediate in the periphery and contested territory. Rates of "no reaction" were lowest in the rival territory but were highest in the periphery. Men had higher reaction rates and more positive and enthusiastic reaction tones than women. Reactions generally followed predictions based on expected signal value. This project provides evidence that coalitional psychology influences dynamics related to university sports team rivalries and that context matters for expressions of alliance.

Stability Mechanisms of a Thermophilic Laccase Probed by Molecular Dynamics

PubMed Central

Christensen, Niels J.; Kepp, Kasper P.

2013-01-01

Laccases are highly stable, industrially important enzymes capable of oxidizing a large range of substrates. Causes for their stability are, as for other proteins, poorly understood. In this work, multiple-seed molecular dynamics (MD) was applied to a Trametes versicolor laccase in response to variable ionic strengths, temperatures, and glycosylation status. Near-physiological conditions provided excellent agreement with the crystal structure (average RMSD ∼0.92 Å) and residual agreement with experimental B-factors. The persistence of backbone hydrogen bonds was identified as a key descriptor of structural response to environment, whereas solvent-accessibility, radius of gyration, and fluctuations were only locally relevant. Backbone hydrogen bonds decreased systematically with temperature in all simulations (∼9 per 50 K), probing structural changes associated with enthalpy-entropy compensation. Approaching T opt (∼350 K) from 300 K, this change correlated with a beginning “unzipping” of critical β-sheets. 0 M ionic strength triggered partial denucleation of the C-terminal (known experimentally to be sensitive) at 400 K, suggesting a general salt stabilization effect. In contrast, F− (but not Cl−) specifically impaired secondary structure by formation of strong hydrogen bonds with backbone NH, providing a mechanism for experimentally observed small anion destabilization, potentially remedied by site-directed mutagenesis at critical intrusion sites. N-glycosylation was found to support structural integrity by increasing persistent backbone hydrogen bonds by ∼4 across simulations, mainly via prevention of F− intrusion. Hydrogen-bond loss in distinct loop regions and ends of critical β-sheets suggest potential strategies for laboratory optimization of these industrially important enzymes. PMID:23658618

Dynamics and stability of a 2D ideal vortex under external strain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hurst, N. C.; Danielson, J. R.; Dubin, D. H. E.; Surko, C. M.

2017-11-01

The behavior of an initially axisymmetric 2D ideal vortex under an externally imposed strain flow is studied experimentally. The experiments are carried out using electron plasmas confined in a Penning-Malmberg trap; here, the dynamics of the plasma density transverse to the field are directly analogous to the dynamics of vorticity in a 2D ideal fluid. An external strain flow is applied using boundary conditions in a way that is consistent with 2D fluid dynamics. Data are compared to predictions from a theory assuming a piecewise constant elliptical vorticity distribution. Excellent agreement is found for quasi-flat profiles, whereas the dynamics of smooth profiles feature modified stability limits and inviscid damping of periodic elliptical distortions. This work supported by U.S. DOE Grants DE-SC0002451 and DE-SC0016532, and NSF Grant PHY-1414570.

Modal simulation of gearbox vibration with experimental correlation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choy, Fred K.; Ruan, Yeefeng F.; Zakrajsek, James J.; Oswald, Fred B.

1992-01-01

A newly developed global dynamic model was used to simulate the dynamics of a gear noise rig at NASA Lewis Research Center. Experimental results from the test rig were used to verify the analytical model. In this global dynamic model, the number of degrees of freedom of the system are reduced by transforming the system equations of motion into modal coordinates. The vibration of the individual gear-shaft system are coupled through the gear mesh forces. A three-dimensional, axial-lateral coupled, bearing model was used to couple the casing structural vibration to the gear-rotor dynamics. The coupled system of modal equations is solved to predict the resulting vibration at several locations on the test rig. Experimental vibration data was compared to the predictions of the global dynamic model. There is excellent agreement between the vibration results from analysis and experiment.

Stable scalable control of soliton propagation in broadband nonlinear optical waveguides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peleg, Avner; Nguyen, Quan M.; Huynh, Toan T.

2017-02-01

We develop a method for achieving scalable transmission stabilization and switching of N colliding soliton sequences in optical waveguides with broadband delayed Raman response and narrowband nonlinear gain-loss. We show that dynamics of soliton amplitudes in N-sequence transmission is described by a generalized N-dimensional predator-prey model. Stability and bifurcation analysis for the predator-prey model are used to obtain simple conditions on the physical parameters for robust transmission stabilization as well as on-off and off-on switching of M out of N soliton sequences. Numerical simulations for single-waveguide transmission with a system of N coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations with 2 ≤ N ≤ 4 show excellent agreement with the predator-prey model's predictions and stable propagation over significantly larger distances compared with other broadband nonlinear single-waveguide systems. Moreover, stable on-off and off-on switching of multiple soliton sequences and stable multiple transmission switching events are demonstrated by the simulations. We discuss the reasons for the robustness and scalability of transmission stabilization and switching in waveguides with broadband delayed Raman response and narrowband nonlinear gain-loss, and explain their advantages compared with other broadband nonlinear waveguides.

Putting mechanisms into crop production models.

PubMed

Boote, Kenneth J; Jones, James W; White, Jeffrey W; Asseng, Senthold; Lizaso, Jon I

2013-09-01

Crop growth models dynamically simulate processes of C, N and water balance on daily or hourly time-steps to predict crop growth and development and at season-end, final yield. Their ability to integrate effects of genetics, environment and crop management have led to applications ranging from understanding gene function to predicting potential impacts of climate change. The history of crop models is reviewed briefly, and their level of mechanistic detail for assimilation and respiration, ranging from hourly leaf-to-canopy assimilation to daily radiation-use efficiency is discussed. Crop models have improved steadily over the past 30-40 years, but much work remains. Improvements are needed for the prediction of transpiration response to elevated CO₂ and high temperature effects on phenology and reproductive fertility, and simulation of root growth and nutrient uptake under stressful edaphic conditions. Mechanistic improvements are needed to better connect crop growth to genetics and to soil fertility, soil waterlogging and pest damage. Because crop models integrate multiple processes and consider impacts of environment and management, they have excellent potential for linking research from genomics and allied disciplines to crop responses at the field scale, thus providing a valuable tool for deciphering genotype by environment by management effects. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

MoS2-InGaZnO Heterojunction Phototransistors with Broad Spectral Responsivity.

PubMed

Yang, Jaehyun; Kwak, Hyena; Lee, Youngbin; Kang, Yu-Seon; Cho, Mann-Ho; Cho, Jeong Ho; Kim, Yong-Hoon; Jeong, Seong-Jun; Park, Seongjun; Lee, Hoo-Jeong; Kim, Hyoungsub

2016-04-06

We introduce an amorphous indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (a-IGZO) heterostructure phototransistor consisting of solution-based synthetic molybdenum disulfide (few-layered MoS2, with a band gap of ∼1.7 eV) and sputter-deposited a-IGZO (with a band gap of ∼3.0 eV) films as a novel sensing element with a broad spectral responsivity. The MoS2 and a-IGZO films serve as a visible light-absorbing layer and a high mobility channel layer, respectively. Spectroscopic measurements reveal that appropriate band alignment at the heterojunction provides effective transfer of the visible light-induced electrons generated in the few-layered MoS2 film to the underlying a-IGZO channel layer with a high carrier mobility. The photoresponse characteristics of the a-IGZO transistor are extended to cover most of the visible range by forming a heterojunction phototransistor that harnesses a visible light responding MoS2 film with a small band gap prepared through a large-area synthetic route. The MoS2-IGZO heterojunction phototransistors exhibit a photoresponsivity of approximately 1.7 A/W at a wavelength of 520 nm (an optical power of 1 μW) with excellent time-dependent photoresponse dynamics.

Mode-Locking Behavior of Izhikevich Neuron Under Periodic External Forcing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farokhniaee, Amirali; Large, Edward

2015-03-01

In this study we obtained the regions of existence of various mode-locked states on the periodic-strength plane, which are called Arnold Tongues, for Izhikevich neurons. The study is based on the new model for neurons by Izhikevich (2003) which is the normal form of Hodgkin-Huxley neuron. This model is much simpler in terms of the dimension of the coupled non-linear differential equations compared to other existing models, but excellent for generating the complex spiking patterns observed in real neurons. Many neurons in the auditory system of the brain must encode amplitude variations of a periodic signal. These neurons under periodic stimulation display rich dynamical states including mode-locking and chaotic responses. Periodic stimuli such as sinusoidal waves and amplitude modulated (AM) sounds can lead to various forms of n : m mode-locked states, similar to mode-locking phenomenon in a LASER resonance cavity. Obtaining Arnold tongues provides useful insight into the organization of mode-locking behavior of neurons under periodic forcing. Hence we can describe the construction of harmonic and sub-harmonic responses in the early processing stages of the auditory system, such as the auditory nerve and cochlear nucleus.

Changes in Perceived Supervision Quality After Introduction of Competency-Based Orthopedic Residency Training: A National 6-Year Follow-Up Study.

PubMed

van Vendeloo, Stefan N; Brand, Paul L P; Kollen, Boudewijn J; Verheyen, Cees C P M

2018-04-27

To evaluate the perceived quality of the learning environment, before and after introduction of competency-based postgraduate orthopedic education. From 2009 to 2014, we conducted annual surveys among Dutch orthopedic residents. The validated Dutch Residency Educational Climate Test (D-RECT, 50 items on 11 subscales) was used to assess the quality of the learning environment. Scores range from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent). Dynamic cohort follow-up study. All Dutch orthopedic residents were surveyed during annual compulsory courses. Over the 6-year period, 641 responses were obtained (response rate 92%). Scores for "supervision" (95% CI for difference 0.06-0.28, p = 0.002) and "coaching and assessment" (95% CI 0.11-0.35, p < 0.001) improved significantly after introduction of competency-based training. There was no significant change in score on the other subscales of the D-RECT. After the introduction of some of the core components of competency-based postgraduate orthopedic education the perceived quality of "supervision" and "coaching and assessment" improved significantly. Copyright © 2018 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Current Sensor Based on the Giant Magnetoresistance Effect: Design and Potential Smart Grid Applications

PubMed Central

Ouyang, Yong; He, Jinliang; Hu, Jun; Wang, Shan X.

2012-01-01

Advanced sensing and measurement techniques are key technologies to realize a smart grid. The giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect has revolutionized the fields of data storage and magnetic measurement. In this work, a design of a GMR current sensor based on a commercial analog GMR chip for applications in a smart grid is presented and discussed. Static, dynamic and thermal properties of the sensor were characterized. The characterizations showed that in the operation range from 0 to ±5 A, the sensor had a sensitivity of 28 mV·A−1, linearity of 99.97%, maximum deviation of 2.717%, frequency response of −1.5 dB at 10 kHz current measurement, and maximum change of the amplitude response of 0.0335%·°C−1 with thermal compensation. In the distributed real-time measurement and monitoring of a smart grid system, the GMR current sensor shows excellent performance and is cost effective, making it suitable for applications such as steady-state and transient-state monitoring. With the advantages of having a high sensitivity, high linearity, small volume, low cost, and simple structure, the GMR current sensor is promising for the measurement and monitoring of smart grids. PMID:23202221

A current sensor based on the giant magnetoresistance effect: design and potential smart grid applications.

PubMed

Ouyang, Yong; He, Jinliang; Hu, Jun; Wang, Shan X

2012-11-09

Advanced sensing and measurement techniques are key technologies to realize a smart grid. The giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect has revolutionized the fields of data storage and magnetic measurement. In this work, a design of a GMR current sensor based on a commercial analog GMR chip for applications in a smart grid is presented and discussed. Static, dynamic and thermal properties of the sensor were characterized. The characterizations showed that in the operation range from 0 to ±5 A, the sensor had a sensitivity of 28 mV·A(-1), linearity of 99.97%, maximum deviation of 2.717%, frequency response of −1.5 dB at 10 kHz current measurement, and maximum change of the amplitude response of 0.0335%·°C(-1) with thermal compensation. In the distributed real-time measurement and monitoring of a smart grid system, the GMR current sensor shows excellent performance and is cost effective, making it suitable for applications such as steady-state and transient-state monitoring. With the advantages of having a high sensitivity, high linearity, small volume, low cost, and simple structure, the GMR current sensor is promising for the measurement and monitoring of smart grids.

Programmable optical microshutter arrays for large aspect ratio microslits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ilias, S.; Picard, F.; Larouche, C.; Kruzelecky, R.; Jamroz, W.; Le Noc, L.; Topart, P.

2008-06-01

Design, fabrication and characterization of a 16x1 programmable microshutter array are described. Each shutter controls the light transmitted through a microslit defined on the transparent substrate supporting the array. Two approaches were considered for the shutter array implementation: sweeping blades and zipping actuators. Simulation results and fabrication constraints led to the selection of the zipping actuators. The device was fabricated using a surface micromachining process. Each microshutter is basically an electrostatic zipping actuator having a curved shape induced by a stress gradient throughout the actuator thickness. When a sufficient voltage is applied between the microshutter and an actuation electrode surrounding the microslit area, the generated electrostatic force pulls the actuator down to the substrate which closes the microslit. Opening the slit relies on the restoring force due to the actuator deformation. Microshutter arrays were fabricated successfully. High light transmission through the slit area is obtained with the actuator in the open position and excellent light blocking is observed when the shutter is closed. Static and dynamic responses of the device were determined. A pull-in voltage of about 110 V closes the microslit and the response times to close and open the microslit are about 2 and 7 ms, respectively.

Development of Reduced-Order Models for Aeroelastic and Flutter Prediction Using the CFL3Dv6.0 Code

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Silva, Walter A.; Bartels, Robert E.

2002-01-01

A reduced-order model (ROM) is developed for aeroelastic analysis using the CFL3D version 6.0 computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code, recently developed at the NASA Langley Research Center. This latest version of the flow solver includes a deforming mesh capability, a modal structural definition for nonlinear aeroelastic analyses, and a parallelization capability that provides a significant increase in computational efficiency. Flutter results for the AGARD 445.6 Wing computed using CFL3D v6.0 are presented, including discussion of associated computational costs. Modal impulse responses of the unsteady aerodynamic system are then computed using the CFL3Dv6 code and transformed into state-space form. Important numerical issues associated with the computation of the impulse responses are presented. The unsteady aerodynamic state-space ROM is then combined with a state-space model of the structure to create an aeroelastic simulation using the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment. The MATLAB/SIMULINK ROM is used to rapidly compute aeroelastic transients including flutter. The ROM shows excellent agreement with the aeroelastic analyses computed using the CFL3Dv6.0 code directly.

"Think Differently, Get Creative": Producing Precarity in India's Corporate Theater Culture Industry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Saddler, Sarah

2017-01-01

In India's rapidly developing global cities, large multinational corporations implement theater-based corporate training programs that are designed to inspire employees to be more dynamic, aspirational, and self-motivated at work. Offering a performance ethnography of a week-long "Theatre in Excellence" program hosted in Bangalore…

Visualizing and Understanding Probability and Statistics: Graphical Simulations Using Excel

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gordon, Sheldon P.; Gordon, Florence S.

2009-01-01

The authors describe a collection of dynamic interactive simulations for teaching and learning most of the important ideas and techniques of introductory statistics and probability. The modules cover such topics as randomness, simulations of probability experiments such as coin flipping, dice rolling and general binomial experiments, a simulation…

Restructuring to Sustain Excellence.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Myers, Richard S.

1996-01-01

The process of restructuring a higher education institution does not end with creation of a strategic plan; the plan's objectives and strategies must be monitored for effectiveness. Phases of creative strategy-making and plan formulation should be alternated with periods of assessment. The process is not a direct course, but dynamic progression…

Nanojets: Electrification, Energetics, Dynamics, Stability and Breakup

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-11-01

citations therein. This excellent review contains original material as well as a comprehensive discussion and list of references to earlier work on...Increasing E field, liquid state aspect ratio d =10 nm E > Ecritical + E=0.625 V/nm Decreasing E field after ordering; liquid-solid coexistence E=1.0 V

78 FR 43925 - Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement-Executive Excellence a Training and Development Program...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-22

... leadership skill building, exposure to ethical and value based issues, self-awareness, strategic thinking... development, communication, feedback, Type Theory, emotional intelligence, self awareness and group dynamics... Requirements: Documents or other media that are produced under this award must follow these guidelines: Prior...

Leadership Practices for Interfaith Excellence in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Patel, Eboo; Baxter, Katie Bringman; Silverman, Noah

2015-01-01

The religious dynamics of higher education are changing rapidly. College campuses have become prime sites for conflicts involving religious identity. Few issues touch more broadly or more deeply on complexity, diversity, and change in the twenty-first-century world than those related to how people who orient differently around religion interact…

Conditions for synchronization in Josephson-junction arrays

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

Chernikov, A.A.; Schmidt, G.

An effective perturbation theoretical method has been developed to study the dynamics of Josephson Junction series arrays. It is shown that the inclusion of Junction capacitances, often ignored, has a significant impact on synchronization. Comparison of analytic with computational results over a wide range of parameters shows excellent agreement.

Excellent response to chemotherapy post immunotherapy

PubMed Central

Dwary, Ashish D.; Master, Samip; Patel, Abhishek; Cole, Constance; Mansour, Richard; Mills, Glenn; Koshy, Nebu; Peddi, Prakash; Burton, Gary; Hammoud, Dalia; Beedupalli, Kavitha

2017-01-01

Introduction Immunotherapy in the form of immune checkpoint inhibitors has changed the landscape of cancer treatment. Newer monoclonal antibodies are coming up and are being tested in various cancers during different stages of treatment. With the increasing use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the management of various types of cancers, the question is raised as to what next can be offered to a patient who has progressed on this newer treatment. Does Sequence matter? There have been reports of improved responses to chemotherapy after immunotherapy in the form of vaccines. Here we present a case series of 6 patients who progressed on immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors after initial modality of treatment (chemotherapy/radiation), subsequently received chemotherapy with excellent response. Methods We have a cohort of six patients who had disease progression on second line Immunotherapy for solid or hematological malignancies and had ECOG < 2. All these patients received third line salvage chemotherapy. Three patients had metastatic head and neck cancer, 2 had non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and one had T -cell rich B- cell lymphoma. Prior review and approval were obtained from our institutional review board. Results All patients had an excellent response to chemotherapy in third line setting, after immune checkpoint inhibitors and most of them achieved a complete response. Conclusion Targeting cancer with chemotherapy after failure of immunotherapy is a valid option and can lead to better response rates and PFS which may lead to OS. This effect may be secondary to immunotherapy removing the inhibition exerted by tumor cells or other immune cells initially followed by cytotoxic chemotherapy mediated killing of tumor cells. PMID:29207685

Effects of a salsa dance training on balance and strength performance in older adults.

PubMed

Granacher, Urs; Muehlbauer, Thomas; Bridenbaugh, Stephanie A; Wolf, Madeleine; Roth, Ralf; Gschwind, Yves; Wolf, Irene; Mata, Rui; Kressig, Reto W

2012-01-01

Deficits in static and particularly dynamic postural control and force production have frequently been associated with an increased risk of falling in older adults. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of salsa dancing on measures of static/dynamic postural control and leg extensor power in seniors. Twenty-eight healthy older adults were randomly assigned to an intervention group (INT, n = 14, age 71.6 ± 5.3 years) to conduct an 8-week progressive salsa dancing programme or a control group (CON, n = 14, age 68.9 ± 4.7 years). Static postural control was measured during one-legged stance on a balance platform and dynamic postural control was obtained while walking on an instrumented walkway. Leg extensor power was assessed during a countermovement jump on a force plate. Programme compliance was excellent with participants of the INT group completing 92.5% of the dancing sessions. A tendency towards an improvement in the selected measures of static postural control was observed in the INT group as compared to the CON group. Significant group × test interactions were found for stride velocity, length and time. Post hoc analyses revealed significant increases in stride velocity and length, and concomitant decreases in stride time. However, salsa dancing did not have significant effects on various measures of gait variability and leg extensor power. Salsa proved to be a safe and feasible exercise programme for older adults accompanied with a high adherence rate. Age-related deficits in measures of static and particularly dynamic postural control can be mitigated by salsa dancing in older adults. High physical activity and fitness/mobility levels of our participants could be responsible for the nonsignificant findings in gait variability and leg extensor power. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Computational and Mathematical Modeling of Coupled Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berggren, Susan Anne Elizabeth

This research focuses on conducting an extensive computational investigation and mathematical analysis into the average voltage response of arrays of Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs). These arrays will serve as the basis for the development of a sensitive, low noise, significantly lower Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) antenna integrated with Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) using the SQUID technology. The goal for this antenna is to be capable of meeting all requirements for Guided Missile Destroyers (DDG) 1000 class ships for Information Operations/Signals Intelligence (IO/SIGINT) applications in Very High Frequency/Ultra High Frequency (V/UHF) bands. The device will increase the listening capability of receivers by moving technology into a new regime of energy detection allowing wider band, smaller size, more sensitive, stealthier systems. The smaller size and greater sensitivity will allow for ships to be “de-cluttered” of their current large dishes and devices, replacing everything with fewer and smaller SQUID antenna devices. The fewer devices present on the deck of a ship, the more invisible the ship will be to enemy forces. We invent new arrays of SQUIDs, optimized for signal detection with very high dynamic range and excellent spur-free dynamic range, while maintaining extreme small size (and low radar cross section), wide bandwidth, and environmentally noise limited sensitivity, effectively shifting the bottle neck of receiver systems forever away from the antenna itself deeper into the receiver chain. To accomplish these goals we develop and validate mathematical models for different designs of SQUID arrays and use them to invent a new device and systems design. This design is capable of significantly exceeding, per size weight and power, state-of-the-art receiver system measures of performance, such as bandwidth, sensitivity, dynamic range, and spurious-free dynamic range.

An efficient finite differences method for the computation of compressible, subsonic, unsteady flows past airfoils and panels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colera, Manuel; Pérez-Saborid, Miguel

2017-09-01

A finite differences scheme is proposed in this work to compute in the time domain the compressible, subsonic, unsteady flow past an aerodynamic airfoil using the linearized potential theory. It improves and extends the original method proposed in this journal by Hariharan, Ping and Scott [1] by considering: (i) a non-uniform mesh, (ii) an implicit time integration algorithm, (iii) a vectorized implementation and (iv) the coupled airfoil dynamics and fluid dynamic loads. First, we have formulated the method for cases in which the airfoil motion is given. The scheme has been tested on well known problems in unsteady aerodynamics -such as the response to a sudden change of the angle of attack and to a harmonic motion of the airfoil- and has been proved to be more accurate and efficient than other finite differences and vortex-lattice methods found in the literature. Secondly, we have coupled our method to the equations governing the airfoil dynamics in order to numerically solve problems where the airfoil motion is unknown a priori as happens, for example, in the cases of the flutter and the divergence of a typical section of a wing or of a flexible panel. Apparently, this is the first self-consistent and easy-to-implement numerical analysis in the time domain of the compressible, linearized coupled dynamics of the (generally flexible) airfoil-fluid system carried out in the literature. The results for the particular case of a rigid airfoil show excellent agreement with those reported by other authors, whereas those obtained for the case of a cantilevered flexible airfoil in compressible flow seem to be original or, at least, not well-known.

Root Architecture Diversity and Meristem Dynamics in Different Populations of Arabidopsis thaliana

PubMed Central

Aceves-García, Pamela; Álvarez-Buylla, Elena R.; Garay-Arroyo, Adriana; García-Ponce, Berenice; Muñoz, Rodrigo; Sánchez, María de la Paz

2016-01-01

Arabidopsis thaliana has been an excellent model system for molecular genetic approaches to development and physiology. More recently, the potential of studying various accessions collected from diverse habitats has been started to exploit. Col-0 has been the best-studied accession but we now know that several traits show significant divergences among them. In this work, we focused in the root that has become a key system for development. We studied root architecture and growth dynamics of 12 Arabidopsis accessions. Our data reveal a wide variability in root architecture and root length among accessions. We also found variability in the root apical meristem (RAM), explained mainly by cell size at the RAM transition domain and possibly by peculiar forms of organization at the stem cell niche in some accessions. Contrary to Col-0 reports, in some accessions the RAM size not always explains the variations in the root length; indicating that elongated cell size could be more relevant in the determination of root length than the RAM size itself. This study contributes to investigations dealing with understanding the molecular and cellular basis of phenotypic variation, the role of plasticity on adaptation, and the developmental mechanisms that may restrict phenotypic variation in response to contrasting environmental conditions. PMID:27379140

Root Architecture Diversity and Meristem Dynamics in Different Populations of Arabidopsis thaliana.

PubMed

Aceves-García, Pamela; Álvarez-Buylla, Elena R; Garay-Arroyo, Adriana; García-Ponce, Berenice; Muñoz, Rodrigo; Sánchez, María de la Paz

2016-01-01

Arabidopsis thaliana has been an excellent model system for molecular genetic approaches to development and physiology. More recently, the potential of studying various accessions collected from diverse habitats has been started to exploit. Col-0 has been the best-studied accession but we now know that several traits show significant divergences among them. In this work, we focused in the root that has become a key system for development. We studied root architecture and growth dynamics of 12 Arabidopsis accessions. Our data reveal a wide variability in root architecture and root length among accessions. We also found variability in the root apical meristem (RAM), explained mainly by cell size at the RAM transition domain and possibly by peculiar forms of organization at the stem cell niche in some accessions. Contrary to Col-0 reports, in some accessions the RAM size not always explains the variations in the root length; indicating that elongated cell size could be more relevant in the determination of root length than the RAM size itself. This study contributes to investigations dealing with understanding the molecular and cellular basis of phenotypic variation, the role of plasticity on adaptation, and the developmental mechanisms that may restrict phenotypic variation in response to contrasting environmental conditions.

Laser speckle imaging allows real-time intraoperative blood flow assessment during neurosurgical procedures.

PubMed

Hecht, Nils; Woitzik, Johannes; König, Susanne; Horn, Peter; Vajkoczy, Peter

2013-07-01

Currently, there is no adequate technique for intraoperative monitoring of cerebral blood flow (CBF). To evaluate laser speckle imaging (LSI) for assessment of relative CBF, LSI was performed in 30 patients who underwent direct surgical revascularization for treatment of arteriosclerotic cerebrovascular disease (ACVD), Moyamoya disease (MMD), or giant aneurysms, and in 8 control patients who underwent intracranial surgery for reasons other than hemodynamic compromise. The applicability and sensitivity of LSI was investigated through baseline perfusion and CO2 reactivity testing. The dynamics of LSI were assessed during bypass test occlusion and flow initiation procedures. Laser speckle imaging permitted robust (pseudo-) quantitative assessment of relative microcirculatory flow and standard bypass grafting resulted in significantly higher postoperative baseline perfusion values in ACVD and MMD. The applicability and sensitivity of LSI was shown by a significantly reduced CO2 reactivity in ACVD (9.6±9%) and MMD (8.5±8%) compared with control (31.2±5%; P<0.0001). In high- and intermediate-flow bypass patients, LSI was characterized by a dynamic real-time response to acute perfusion changes and ultimately confirmed a sufficient flow substitution through the bypass graft. Thus, LSI can be used for sensitive and continuous, non-invasive real-time visualization and measurement of relative cortical CBF in excellent spatial-temporal resolution.

Static and Dynamic Characteristics of a Long-Span Cable-Stayed Bridge with CFRP Cables

PubMed Central

Xie, Xu; Li, Xiaozhang; Shen, Yonggang

2014-01-01

In this study, the scope of CFRP cables in cable-stayed bridges is studied by establishing a numerical model of a 1400-m span of the same. The mechanical properties and characteristics of CFRP stay cables and of a cable-stayed bridge with CFRP cables are here subjected to comprehensive analysis. The anomalies in the damping properties of free vibration, nonlinear parametric vibration and wind fluctuating vibration between steel cables and CFRP cables are determined. The structural stiffness, wind resistance and traffic vibration of the cable-stayed bridge with CFRP cables are also analyzed. It was found that the static performances of a cable-stayed bridge with CFRP cables and steel cables are basically the same. The natural frequencies of CFRP cables do not coincide with the major natural frequencies of the cable-stayed bridge, so the likelihood of CFRP cable-bridge coupling vibration is minuscule. For CFRP cables, the response amplitudes of both parametric vibration and wind fluctuating vibration are smaller than those of steel cables. It can be concluded from the research that the use of CFRP cables does not change the dynamic characteristics of the vehicle-bridge coupling vibration. Therefore, they can be used in long-span cable-stayed bridges with an excellent mechanical performance. PMID:28788710

Static and Dynamic Characteristics of a Long-Span Cable-Stayed Bridge with CFRP Cables.

PubMed

Xie, Xu; Li, Xiaozhang; Shen, Yonggang

2014-06-23

In this study, the scope of CFRP cables in cable-stayed bridges is studied by establishing a numerical model of a 1400-m span of the same. The mechanical properties and characteristics of CFRP stay cables and of a cable-stayed bridge with CFRP cables are here subjected to comprehensive analysis. The anomalies in the damping properties of free vibration, nonlinear parametric vibration and wind fluctuating vibration between steel cables and CFRP cables are determined. The structural stiffness, wind resistance and traffic vibration of the cable-stayed bridge with CFRP cables are also analyzed. It was found that the static performances of a cable-stayed bridge with CFRP cables and steel cables are basically the same. The natural frequencies of CFRP cables do not coincide with the major natural frequencies of the cable-stayed bridge, so the likelihood of CFRP cable-bridge coupling vibration is minuscule. For CFRP cables, the response amplitudes of both parametric vibration and wind fluctuating vibration are smaller than those of steel cables. It can be concluded from the research that the use of CFRP cables does not change the dynamic characteristics of the vehicle-bridge coupling vibration. Therefore, they can be used in long-span cable-stayed bridges with an excellent mechanical performance.

Yellow fever vaccination elicits broad functional CD4+ T cell responses that recognize structural and nonstructural proteins.

PubMed

James, Eddie A; LaFond, Rebecca E; Gates, Theresa J; Mai, Duy T; Malhotra, Uma; Kwok, William W

2013-12-01

Yellow fever virus (YFV) can induce acute, life-threatening disease that is a significant health burden in areas where yellow fever is endemic, but it is preventable through vaccination. The live attenuated 17D YFV strain induces responses characterized by neutralizing antibodies and strong T cell responses. This vaccine provides an excellent model for studying human immunity. While several studies have characterized YFV-specific antibody and CD8(+) T cell responses, less is known about YFV-specific CD4(+) T cells. Here we characterize the epitope specificity, functional attributes, and dynamics of YFV-specific T cell responses in vaccinated subjects by investigating peripheral blood mononuclear cells by using HLA-DR tetramers. A total of 112 epitopes restricted by seven common HLA-DRB1 alleles were identified. Epitopes were present within all YFV proteins, but the capsid, envelope, NS2a, and NS3 proteins had the highest epitope density. Antibody blocking demonstrated that the majority of YFV-specific T cells were HLA-DR restricted. Therefore, CD4(+) T cell responses could be effectively characterized with HLA-DR tetramers. Ex vivo tetramer analysis revealed that YFV-specific T cells persisted at frequencies ranging from 0 to 100 cells per million that are detectable years after vaccination. Longitudinal analysis indicated that YFV-specific CD4(+) T cells reached peak frequencies, often exceeding 250 cells per million, approximately 2 weeks after vaccination. As frequencies subsequently declined, YFV-specific cells regained CCR7 expression, indicating a shift from effector to central memory. Cells were typically CXCR3 positive, suggesting Th1 polarization, and produced gamma interferon and other cytokines after reactivation in vitro. Therefore, YFV elicits robust early effector CD4(+) T cell responses that contract, forming a detectable memory population.

Yellow Fever Vaccination Elicits Broad Functional CD4+ T Cell Responses That Recognize Structural and Nonstructural Proteins

PubMed Central

James, Eddie A.; LaFond, Rebecca E.; Gates, Theresa J.; Mai, Duy T.; Malhotra, Uma

2013-01-01

Yellow fever virus (YFV) can induce acute, life-threatening disease that is a significant health burden in areas where yellow fever is endemic, but it is preventable through vaccination. The live attenuated 17D YFV strain induces responses characterized by neutralizing antibodies and strong T cell responses. This vaccine provides an excellent model for studying human immunity. While several studies have characterized YFV-specific antibody and CD8+ T cell responses, less is known about YFV-specific CD4+ T cells. Here we characterize the epitope specificity, functional attributes, and dynamics of YFV-specific T cell responses in vaccinated subjects by investigating peripheral blood mononuclear cells by using HLA-DR tetramers. A total of 112 epitopes restricted by seven common HLA-DRB1 alleles were identified. Epitopes were present within all YFV proteins, but the capsid, envelope, NS2a, and NS3 proteins had the highest epitope density. Antibody blocking demonstrated that the majority of YFV-specific T cells were HLA-DR restricted. Therefore, CD4+ T cell responses could be effectively characterized with HLA-DR tetramers. Ex vivo tetramer analysis revealed that YFV-specific T cells persisted at frequencies ranging from 0 to 100 cells per million that are detectable years after vaccination. Longitudinal analysis indicated that YFV-specific CD4+ T cells reached peak frequencies, often exceeding 250 cells per million, approximately 2 weeks after vaccination. As frequencies subsequently declined, YFV-specific cells regained CCR7 expression, indicating a shift from effector to central memory. Cells were typically CXCR3 positive, suggesting Th1 polarization, and produced gamma interferon and other cytokines after reactivation in vitro. Therefore, YFV elicits robust early effector CD4+ T cell responses that contract, forming a detectable memory population. PMID:24049183

pH-responsive self-healing injectable hydrogel based on N-carboxyethyl chitosan for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy.

PubMed

Qu, Jin; Zhao, Xin; Ma, Peter X; Guo, Baolin

2017-08-01

Injectable hydrogels with pH-responsiveness and self-healing ability have great potential for anti-cancer drug delivery. Herein, we developed a series of polysaccharide-based self-healing hydrogels with pH-sensitivity as drug delivery vehicles for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy. The hydrogels were prepared by using N-carboxyethyl chitosan (CEC) synthesized via Michael reaction in aqueous solution and dibenzaldehyde-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEGDA). Doxorubicin (Dox), as a model of water-soluble small molecule anti-cancer drug was encapsulated into the hydrogel in situ. Self-healing behavior of the hydrogels was investigated at microscopic and macroscopic levels, and the hydrogels showed rapid self-healing performance without any external stimulus owing to the dynamic covalent Schiff-base linkage between amine groups from CEC and benzaldehyde groups from PEGDA. The chemical structures, rheological property, in vitro gel degradation, morphology, gelation time and in vitro Dox release behavior from the hydrogels were characterized. Injectability was verified by in vitro injection and in vivo subcutaneous injection in a rat. pH-responsive behavior was verified by in vitro Dox release from hydrogels in PBS solutions with different pH values. Furthermore, the activity of Dox released from hydrogel matrix was evaluated by employing human hepatocellular liver carcinoma (HepG2). Cytotoxicity test of the hydrogels using L929 cells confirmed their good cytocompatibility. Together, these pH-responsive self-healing injectable hydrogels are excellent candidates as drug delivery vehicles for liver cancer treatment. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: pH-responsive drug delivery system could release drug efficiently in targeted acid environment and minimalize the amount of drug release in normal physiological environment. pH-sensitive injectable hydrogels as smart anti-cancer drug delivery carriers show great potential application for cancer therapy. The hydrogels with self-healing property could prolong their lifetime during implantation and provide the advantage of minimally invasive surgery and high drug-loading ratio. This work reported the design of a series of pH-responsive self-healing injectable hydrogels based on N-carboxyethyl chitosan synthesized in aqueous solution and dibenzaldehyde-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) via a green approach, and demonstrated their potential as intelligent delivery vehicle of doxorubicin for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy via the pH-responsive nature of dynamic Schiff base. Copyright © 2017 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Design Principles for Equity and Excellence at Hispanic-Serving Institutions. PERSPECTIVAS: Issues in Higher Education Policy and Practice. Issue No. 4, Spring 2015

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Malcom-Piqueux, Lindsey E.; Bensimon, Estela Mara

2015-01-01

Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) shoulder unique responsibilities, including the education of post-traditional student populations, while facing distinct resource-related challenges. Any efforts to assess the performance of HSIs must be done with these facts in mind. This brief offers design principles for equity and excellence at HSIs that…

Analytical and flight investigation of the influence of rotor and other high-order dynamics on helicopter flight-control system bandwidth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, R. T. N.; Hindson, W. S.

1985-01-01

The increasing use of highly augmented digital flight-control systems in modern military helicopters prompted an examination of the influence of rotor dynamics and other high-order dynamics on control-system performance. A study was conducted at NASA Ames Research Center to correlate theoretical predictions of feedback gain limits in the roll axis with experimental test data obtained from a variable-stability research helicopter. Feedback gains, the break frequency of the presampling sensor filter, and the computational frame time of the flight computer were systematically varied. The results, which showed excellent theoretical and experimental correlation, indicate that the rotor-dynamics, sensor-filter, and digital-data processing delays can severely limit the usable values of the roll-rate and roll-attitude feedback gains.

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

Dubey, P., E-mail: purushd@barc.gov.in; Sharma, V. K.; Mitra, S.

Synthetic hydroxyapatite (HAp) is an important material in biomedical engineering due to its excellent biocompatibility and bioactivity. Here we report dynamics of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in HAp composite, prepared by co-precipitation method, as studied by quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) technique. It is found that the observed dynamics involved two time scales associated with fast torsional motion and segmental motion of the CTAB monomers. In addition to segmental motion of the hydrogen atoms, few undergo torsional motion as well. Torsional dynamics was described by a 2-fold jump diffusion model. The segmental dynamics of CTAB has been described assumimg the hydrogen atomsmore » undergoing diffusion inside a sphere of confined volume. While the diffusivity is found to increase with temperature, the spherical volumes within which the hydrogen atoms are undergoing diffusion remain almost unchanged.« less

Flexible aircraft dynamic modeling for dynamic analysis and control synthesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schmidt, David K.

1989-01-01

The linearization and simplification of a nonlinear, literal model for flexible aircraft is highlighted. Areas of model fidelity that are critical if the model is to be used for control system synthesis are developed and several simplification techniques that can deliver the necessary model fidelity are discussed. These techniques include both numerical and analytical approaches. An analytical approach, based on first-order sensitivity theory is shown to lead not only to excellent numerical results, but also to closed-form analytical expressions for key system dynamic properties such as the pole/zero factors of the vehicle transfer-function matrix. The analytical results are expressed in terms of vehicle mass properties, vibrational characteristics, and rigid-body and aeroelastic stability derivatives, thus leading to the underlying causes for critical dynamic characteristics.

A domain decomposition approach to implementing fault slip in finite-element models of quasi-static and dynamic crustal deformation

USGS Publications Warehouse

Aagaard, Brad T.; Knepley, M.G.; Williams, C.A.

2013-01-01

We employ a domain decomposition approach with Lagrange multipliers to implement fault slip in a finite-element code, PyLith, for use in both quasi-static and dynamic crustal deformation applications. This integrated approach to solving both quasi-static and dynamic simulations leverages common finite-element data structures and implementations of various boundary conditions, discretization schemes, and bulk and fault rheologies. We have developed a custom preconditioner for the Lagrange multiplier portion of the system of equations that provides excellent scalability with problem size compared to conventional additive Schwarz methods. We demonstrate application of this approach using benchmarks for both quasi-static viscoelastic deformation and dynamic spontaneous rupture propagation that verify the numerical implementation in PyLith.

Condylar buttress plate versus fixed angle condylar blade plate versus dynamic condylar screw for supracondylar intra-articular distal femoral fractures.

PubMed

Petsatodis, George; Chatzisymeon, Apostolos; Antonarakos, Petros; Givissis, Panagiotis; Papadopoulos, Pericles; Christodoulou, Anastasios

2010-04-01

To compare outcomes of 3 fixation techniques for intra-articular distal femoral fractures. Records of 59 men and 49 women aged 16 to 80 (mean, 47) years who underwent internal fixation for 116 type-C (complete intra-articular) distal femoral fractures were retrospectively reviewed. According to the AO classification, 25 fractures were type C1 (23 closed and 2 open), 71 type C2 (69 closed and 2 open), and 20 type C3 (16 closed and 4 open). Based on implant availability at the time, all surgeries were performed by a single surgeon using a condylar buttress plate (n=38), a fixed angle (95 degrees) condylar blade plate (n=24), or a dynamic condylar screw (n=54). The mean follow-up period was 11 (range, 4-19) years. At the latest follow-up, functional outcome was classified according to Schatzker and Lambert criteria. Functional outcomes were excellent in 64 (55%) of the fractures, good in 37 (32%), moderate in 9 (8%), and poor in 6 (5%). Outcomes in patients treated by the dynamic condylar screw were significantly superior to those treated by the condylar buttress plate (p=0.016) or condylar blade plate (p=0.001). Good-to-excellent results were achieved in 96% vs 84% vs 71% of these patients, respectively. Complication rates were lower in the dynamic condylar screw group than the other 2 groups (pseudarthrosis, 5% vs 11% vs 25%; varus deformity, 4% vs 26% vs 25%; knee stiffness, 0% vs 5% vs 8%, respectively). No implant failure was encountered. Dynamic condylar screw fixation for distal femoral fractures achieves better functional outcomes and lower complication rates.

Exploring African Life and Literature: Novel Guides to Promote Socially Responsive Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Glasgow, Jacqueline N., Ed.; Rice, Linda J., Ed.

2007-01-01

In today's interconnected and global society, socially responsive learning is an integral part of educational excellence. This book encourages socially responsive learning by showing the reader how to use traditional African folk tales and quality children's books, young adult novels, classic literature, and film media about Africa as the mode for…

Self-Powered, High-Speed and Visible-Near Infrared Response of MoO(3-x)/n-Si Heterojunction Photodetector with Enhanced Performance by Interfacial Engineering.

PubMed

Zhao, Chuanxi; Liang, Zhimin; Su, Mingze; Liu, Pengyi; Mai, Wenjie; Xie, Weiguang

2015-11-25

Photodetectors with a wide spectrum response are important components for sensing, imaging, and other optoelectronic applications. A molybdenum oxide (MoO(3-x))/Si heterojunction has been applied as solar cells with great success, but its potential in photodetectors has not been explored yet. Herein, a self-powered, high-speed heterojunction photodetector fabricated by coating an n-type Si hierarchical structure with an ultrathin hole-selective layer of molybdenum oxide (MoO(3-x)) is first investigated. Excellent and stable photoresponse performance is obtained by using a methyl group passivated interface. The heterojunction photodetector demonstrated high sensitivity to a wide spectrum from 300 to 1100 nm. The self-powered photodetector shows a high detectivity of (∼6.29 × 10(12) cmHz(1/2) W(-1)) and fast response time (1.0 μs). The excellent photodetecting performance is attributed to the enhanced interfacial barrier height and three-dimensional geometry of Si nanostructures, which is beneficial for efficient photocarrier collection and transportation. Finally, our devices show excellent long-term stability in air for 6 months with negligible performance degradation. The thermal evaporation method for large-scale fabrication of MoO(3-x)/n-Si photodetectors makes it suitable for self-powered, multispectral, and high-speed response photodetecting applications.

A Solar Dynamic Power Option for Space Solar Power

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mason, Lee S.

1999-01-01

A study was performed to determine the potential performance and related technology requirements of Solar Dynamic power systems for a Space Solar Power satellite. Space Solar Power is a concept where solar energy is collected in orbit and beamed to Earth receiving stations to supplement terrestrial electric power service. Solar Dynamic systems offer the benefits of high solar-to-electric efficiency, long life with minimal performance degradation, and high power scalability. System analyses indicate that with moderate component development, SD systems can exhibit excellent mass and deployed area characteristics. Using the analyses as a guide, a technology roadmap was -enerated which identifies the component advances necessary to make SD power generation a competitive option for the SSP mission.

Observations of non-linear plasmon damping in dense plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Witte, B. B. L.; Sperling, P.; French, M.; Recoules, V.; Glenzer, S. H.; Redmer, R.

2018-05-01

We present simulations using finite-temperature density-functional-theory molecular-dynamics to calculate dynamic dielectric properties in warm dense aluminum. The comparison between exchange-correlation functionals in the Perdew, Burke, Ernzerhof approximation, Strongly Constrained and Appropriately Normed Semilocal Density Functional, and Heyd, Scuseria, Ernzerhof (HSE) approximation indicates evident differences in the electron transition energies, dc conductivity, and Lorenz number. The HSE calculations show excellent agreement with x-ray scattering data [Witte et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 225001 (2017)] as well as dc conductivity and absorption measurements. These findings demonstrate non-Drude behavior of the dynamic conductivity above the Cooper minimum that needs to be taken into account to determine optical properties in the warm dense matter regime.

State-to-state quantum dynamics of the F + HCl (vi = 0, ji = 0) → HF(vf, jf) + Cl reaction on the ground state potential energy surface.

PubMed

Li, Anyang; Guo, Hua; Sun, Zhigang; Kłos, Jacek; Alexander, Millard H

2013-10-07

The state-to-state reaction dynamics of the title reaction is investigated on the ground electronic state potential energy surface using two quantum dynamical methods. The results obtained using the Chebyshev real wave packet method are in excellent agreement with those obtained using the time-independent method, except at low translational energies. It is shown that this exothermic hydrogen abstraction reaction is direct, resulting in a strong back-scattered bias in the product angular distribution. The HF product is highly excited internally. Agreement with available experimental data is only qualitative. We discuss several possible causes of disagreement with experiment.

The sudden coalescene model of the boiling crisis

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

Carrica, P.M.; Clausse, A.

1995-09-01

A local two-phase flow integral model of nucleate boiling and crisis is presented. The model is based on average balances on a control volume, yielding to a set of three nonlinear differential equations for the local void fraction, bubble number density and velocity. Boiling crisis as critical heat flux is interpreted as a dynamic transition caused by the coalescence of bubbles near the heater. The theoretical dynamic model is compared with experimental results obtained for linear power ramps in a horizontal plate heater in R-113, showing an excellent qualitative agreement.

Investigation of vertical cavity surface emitting laser dynamics for neuromorphic photonic systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hurtado, A.; Schires, K.; Henning, I. D.; Adams, M. J.

2012-03-01

We report an approach based upon vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) to reproduce optically different behaviors exhibited by biological neurons but on a much faster timescale. The technique proposed is based on the polarization switching and nonlinear dynamics induced in a single VCSEL under polarized optical injection. The particular attributes of VCSELs and the simple experimental configuration used in this work offer prospects of fast, reconfigurable processing elements with excellent fan-out and scaling potentials for use in future computational paradigms and artificial neural networks.

The Dubna-Mainz-Taipei Dynamical Model for πN Scattering and π Electromagnetic Production

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Shin Nan

Some of the featured results of the Dubna-Mainz-Taipei (DMT) dynamical model for πN scattering and π0 electromagnetic production are summarized. These include results for threshold π0 production, deformation of Δ(1232),and the extracted properties of higher resonances below 2 GeV. The excellent agreement of DMT model's predictions with threshold π0 production data, including the recent precision measurements from MAMI establishes results of DMT model as a benchmark for experimentalists and theorists in dealing with threshold pion production.

Hybrid classical/quantum simulation for infrared spectroscopy of water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maekawa, Yuki; Sasaoka, Kenji; Ube, Takuji; Ishiguro, Takashi; Yamamoto, Takahiro

2018-05-01

We have developed a hybrid classical/quantum simulation method to calculate the infrared (IR) spectrum of water. The proposed method achieves much higher accuracy than conventional classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations at a much lower computational cost than ab initio MD simulations. The IR spectrum of water is obtained as an ensemble average of the eigenvalues of the dynamical matrix constructed by ab initio calculations, using the positions of oxygen atoms that constitute water molecules obtained from the classical MD simulation. The calculated IR spectrum is in excellent agreement with the experimental IR spectrum.

Pharmaceutical Market Access: current state of affairs and key challenges - results of the Market Access Launch Excellence Inventory (MALEI).

PubMed

Koch, Marcus A

2015-01-01

To take inventory of the current state of affairs of Market Access Launch Excellence in the life sciences industry. To identify key gaps and challenges for Market Access (MA) and discuss how they can be addressed. To generate a baseline for benchmarking MA launch excellence. An online survey was conducted with pharmaceutical executives primarily working in MA, marketing, or general management. The survey aimed to evaluate MA excellence prerequisites across the product life cycle (rated by importance and level of implementation) and to describe MA activity models in the respective companies. Composite scores were calculated from respondents' ratings and answers. Implementation levels of MA excellence prerequisites generally lagged behind their perceived importance. Item importance and the respective level of implementation correlated well, which can be interpreted as proof of the validity of the questionnaire. The following areas were shown to be particularly underimplemented: 1) early integration of MA and health economic considerations in research and development decision making, 2) developing true partnerships with payers, including the development of services 'beyond the pill', and 3) consideration of human resource and talent management. The concept of importance-adjusted implementation levels as a hybrid parameter was introduced and shown to be a viable tool for benchmarking purposes. More than 70% of respondents indicated that their companies will invest broadly in MA in terms of capital and headcount within the next 3 years. MA (launch) excellence needs to be further developed in order to close implementation gaps across the entire product life cycle. As MA is a comparatively young pharmaceutical discipline in a complex and dynamic environment, this effort will require strategic focus and dedication. The Market Access Launch Excellence Inventory benchmarking tool may help guide decision makers to prioritize their endeavors.

Universality classes of fluctuation dynamics in hierarchical complex systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Macêdo, A. M. S.; González, Iván R. Roa; Salazar, D. S. P.; Vasconcelos, G. L.

2017-03-01

A unified approach is proposed to describe the statistics of the short-time dynamics of multiscale complex systems. The probability density function of the relevant time series (signal) is represented as a statistical superposition of a large time-scale distribution weighted by the distribution of certain internal variables that characterize the slowly changing background. The dynamics of the background is formulated as a hierarchical stochastic model whose form is derived from simple physical constraints, which in turn restrict the dynamics to only two possible classes. The probability distributions of both the signal and the background have simple representations in terms of Meijer G functions. The two universality classes for the background dynamics manifest themselves in the signal distribution as two types of tails: power law and stretched exponential, respectively. A detailed analysis of empirical data from classical turbulence and financial markets shows excellent agreement with the theory.

Graphene/graphite paste electrode incorporated with molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles as a novel sensor for differential pulse voltammetry determination of fluoxetine.

PubMed

Alizadeh, Taher; Azizi, Sorour

2016-07-15

Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) nanoparticles including highly selective recognition sites for fluoxetine were synthesized, utilizing precipitation polymerization. Methacrylic acid and vinyl benzene were used as functional monomers. Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate was used as cross-linker agent. The obtained polymeric nanoparticles were incorporated with carbon paste electrode (CPE) in order to construct a fluoxetine selective sensor. The response of the MIP-CP electrode to fluoxetine was remarkably higher than the electrode, modified with the non-imprinted polymer, indicating the excellent efficiency of the MIP sites for target molecule recognition. It was found that the addition of a little amount of graphene, synthesized via modified hummer's method, to the MIP-CP resulted in considerable enhancement in the sensitivity of the electrode to fluoxetine. Also, the style of electrode components mixing, before carbon paste preparation, was demonstrated to be influential factor in the electrode response. Some parameters, affecting sensor response, were optimized and then a calibration curve was plotted. A dynamic linear range of 6×10(-9)-1.0×10(-7)molL(-1) was obtained. The detection limit of the sensor was calculated equal to 2.8×10(-9)molL(-1) (3Sb/m). This sensor was used successfully for fluoxetine determination in the spiked plasma samples as well as fluoxetine capsules. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Theory of anisotropic hybridization-broadened magnetic response in cerium and actinide systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Gong-Jia; Cooper, Bernard R.

1993-11-01

Inelastic-neutron-scattering measurements on cerium and plutonium monopnictides, thought to have moderately delocalized f electrons, yield magnetic-excitation spectra with anisotropic dispersion; while reasonably sharp excitations have been observed only for USb and UTe among presumably more-delocalized uranium monopnictides and monochalcogenides. For UTe the broadening as well as the dispersion is quite anisotropic. We have now extended our previous theory for the magnetic behavior of hybridizing partially delocalized f-electron systems to include hybridization-induced relaxation effects in the magnetic response, and this work and results are reported in the present paper. Each partially delocalized f-electron ion is coupled by hybridization to the band sea; and this both leads to a hybridization-mediated anisotropic two-ion interaction giving magnetic ordering and also gives a damping mechanism, via the coupling to the band sea, for the excitations of the magnetically ordered lattice. This coupling also provides a strong renormalization of the magnetic-excitation energies obtained for the ionic lattice coupled by the two-ion interaction. To treat these effects on the magnetic response we have developed a formalism for calculating the dynamic susceptibility based on the projection-operator method developed by Mori and others. We have applied our model and theory to the behavior of CeSb, CeBi, PuSb, UP, UAs, and UTe; and excellent overall agreement with the wide range of unusual experimentally observed anisotropic magnetic-excitation behavior is obtained.

Evaluation of rate law approximations in bottom-up kinetic models of metabolism.

PubMed

Du, Bin; Zielinski, Daniel C; Kavvas, Erol S; Dräger, Andreas; Tan, Justin; Zhang, Zhen; Ruggiero, Kayla E; Arzumanyan, Garri A; Palsson, Bernhard O

2016-06-06

The mechanistic description of enzyme kinetics in a dynamic model of metabolism requires specifying the numerical values of a large number of kinetic parameters. The parameterization challenge is often addressed through the use of simplifying approximations to form reaction rate laws with reduced numbers of parameters. Whether such simplified models can reproduce dynamic characteristics of the full system is an important question. In this work, we compared the local transient response properties of dynamic models constructed using rate laws with varying levels of approximation. These approximate rate laws were: 1) a Michaelis-Menten rate law with measured enzyme parameters, 2) a Michaelis-Menten rate law with approximated parameters, using the convenience kinetics convention, 3) a thermodynamic rate law resulting from a metabolite saturation assumption, and 4) a pure chemical reaction mass action rate law that removes the role of the enzyme from the reaction kinetics. We utilized in vivo data for the human red blood cell to compare the effect of rate law choices against the backdrop of physiological flux and concentration differences. We found that the Michaelis-Menten rate law with measured enzyme parameters yields an excellent approximation of the full system dynamics, while other assumptions cause greater discrepancies in system dynamic behavior. However, iteratively replacing mechanistic rate laws with approximations resulted in a model that retains a high correlation with the true model behavior. Investigating this consistency, we determined that the order of magnitude differences among fluxes and concentrations in the network were greatly influential on the network dynamics. We further identified reaction features such as thermodynamic reversibility, high substrate concentration, and lack of allosteric regulation, which make certain reactions more suitable for rate law approximations. Overall, our work generally supports the use of approximate rate laws when building large scale kinetic models, due to the key role that physiologically meaningful flux and concentration ranges play in determining network dynamics. However, we also showed that detailed mechanistic models show a clear benefit in prediction accuracy when data is available. The work here should help to provide guidance to future kinetic modeling efforts on the choice of rate law and parameterization approaches.

Bumps on the road to Magnet designation: achieving organizational excellence.

PubMed

Steinbinder, Amy

2009-01-01

The chief nursing officer is in a unique position to guide his or her organization to excellence by creating a compelling vision; maintaining objectivity regarding the nursing department's accomplishments; holding senior nurse leaders accountable as Magnet champions; demonstrating strategic thinking, business planning development, operational connection, and awareness of clinical aspects of care; and establishing levels of ownership and decision making within the nursing department's operational framework. The clear definition of terms including responsibility, authority, delegation, accountability, and empowerment are necessary and, coupled with specific actions, skills, and measures of success, guide individual and group processes to achieve organizational excellence and ultimately Magnet designation.

Do mental skills make champions? Examining the discriminant function of the psychological characteristics of developing excellence questionnaire.

PubMed

Macnamara, Aine; Collins, Dave

2013-01-01

The ability to successfully develop to the highest levels in sport is dependent on a range of variables, not least an individual's ability to cope with the various challenges of development. Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence (PCDEs) include both the trait characteristics and the state-deployed skills that have been shown to play a crucial role in the realisation of potential. Psychological characteristics of developing excellence equip aspiring elites with the mental skills, attitudes, and emotions to cope with the challenges of the development pathway, as well as underpinning their capacity to make the most of their innate abilities. The Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence Questionnaire (PCDEQ) was designed to assess the possession and deployment of these characteristics. The purpose of this paper was to examine the ability of the Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence Questionnaire to effectively discriminate between good and poor developers based on their current possession and deployment of psychological characteristics of developing excellence. Two hundred and eighty-five athletes (n = 192 team athletes; n = 93 individual athletes) completed the Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence Questionnaire. Results from the discriminant function analysis suggest that the Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence Questionnaire correctly classifies between 67% and 75% of athletes based on their responses. The Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence Questionnaire can be used as a formative assessment tool to direct training programmes by identifying weaknesses in psychological characteristics of developing excellence and incorporating specific training to address these weaknesses in advance of developmental challenges.

Doxycycline Sclerotherapy Is Superior in the Treatment of Pediatric Lymphatic Malformations.

PubMed

Thomas, Debi M; Wieck, Minna M; Grant, Christa N; Dossa, Avafia; Nowicki, Donna; Stanley, Phillip; Zeinati, Chadi; Howell, Lori K; Anselmo, Dean M

2016-12-01

To evaluate efficacy of sclerotherapy with doxycycline versus sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS) for treatment of macrocystic and mixed lymphatic malformations (LMs). This single-center retrospective review identified 41 children (17 boys; 24 girls; age range, 1 month to 15.4 y) who underwent sclerotherapy with doxycycline (n = 32) or STS (n = 9) for macrocystic (n = 31) or mixed (n = 10) LMs. There were 114 treatments performed, averaging 2.8 treatments (range, 1-8 treatments) per patient. Average follow-up time was 10 months (range, 1-59 months). Clinical response was deemed excellent or moderate if > 90% or > 50% of LMs resolved based on visual estimate. With doxycycline, 87% of patients (28 of 32) had excellent or moderate response with an average of 2.8 treatments (range, 1-7 treatments); 13% required subsequent resection. With 3% STS monotherapy, only 55% of patients (5 of 9) had excellent or moderate response with an average of 2.8 treatments (range, 1-8 treatments), and 33% required subsequent resection. Significantly fewer patients treated with STS responded well compared with patients treated with doxycycline (P = .03). Patients treated with STS had significantly longer follow-up than patients treated with doxycycline (27 months vs 6 months, P = .0001). Doxycycline monotherapy resulted in a high rate of excellent clinical outcomes after a few treatments without increased need for subsequent operative resection. These results support use of doxycycline sclerotherapy as primary treatment for macrocystic and mixed LMs in children. Copyright © 2016 SIR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

High density event-related potential data acquisition in cognitive neuroscience.

PubMed

Slotnick, Scott D

2010-04-16

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is currently the standard method of evaluating brain function in the field of Cognitive Neuroscience, in part because fMRI data acquisition and analysis techniques are readily available. Because fMRI has excellent spatial resolution but poor temporal resolution, this method can only be used to identify the spatial location of brain activity associated with a given cognitive process (and reveals virtually nothing about the time course of brain activity). By contrast, event-related potential (ERP) recording, a method that is used much less frequently than fMRI, has excellent temporal resolution and thus can track rapid temporal modulations in neural activity. Unfortunately, ERPs are under utilized in Cognitive Neuroscience because data acquisition techniques are not readily available and low density ERP recording has poor spatial resolution. In an effort to foster the increased use of ERPs in Cognitive Neuroscience, the present article details key techniques involved in high density ERP data acquisition. Critically, high density ERPs offer the promise of excellent temporal resolution and good spatial resolution (or excellent spatial resolution if coupled with fMRI), which is necessary to capture the spatial-temporal dynamics of human brain function.

Alliance for Excellent Education's Focused Comments on Issues Raised in Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Modernizing the E-Rate Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alliance for Excellent Education, 2014

2014-01-01

In comments submitted April 7, 2014, the Alliance for Excellent Education called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to modernize the federal E-rate program in order to lay the foundation for expanding the program through increased funding. These comments are in response to an E-rate Public Notice issued by the FCC on March 6, 2014…

Rankings and the Battle for World-Class Excellence: Institutional Strategies and Policy Choices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hazelkorn, Ellen

2009-01-01

Global rankings are creating a furore wherever or whenever they are published or mentioned. They have become a barometer of global competition measuring the knowledge-producing and talent-catching capacity of higher education institutions. These developments are injecting a new competitive dynamic into higher education, nationally and globally,…

The Butterfly Effect for Physics Laboratories

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Claycomb, James R.; Valentine, John H.

2015-01-01

A low-cost chaos dynamics lab is developed for quantitative demonstration of the butterfly effect using a magnetic pendulum. Chaotic motion is explored by recording magnetic time series. Students analyze the data in Excel® to investigate the butterfly effect as well as the reconstruction of the strange attractor using time delay plots. The lab…

Highly parallel implementation of non-adiabatic Ehrenfest molecular dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kanai, Yosuke; Schleife, Andre; Draeger, Erik; Anisimov, Victor; Correa, Alfredo

2014-03-01

While the adiabatic Born-Oppenheimer approximation tremendously lowers computational effort, many questions in modern physics, chemistry, and materials science require an explicit description of coupled non-adiabatic electron-ion dynamics. Electronic stopping, i.e. the energy transfer of a fast projectile atom to the electronic system of the target material, is a notorious example. We recently implemented real-time time-dependent density functional theory based on the plane-wave pseudopotential formalism in the Qbox/qb@ll codes. We demonstrate that explicit integration using a fourth-order Runge-Kutta scheme is very suitable for modern highly parallelized supercomputers. Applying the new implementation to systems with hundreds of atoms and thousands of electrons, we achieved excellent performance and scalability on a large number of nodes both on the BlueGene based ``Sequoia'' system at LLNL as well as the Cray architecture of ``Blue Waters'' at NCSA. As an example, we discuss our work on computing the electronic stopping power of aluminum and gold for hydrogen projectiles, showing an excellent agreement with experiment. These first-principles calculations allow us to gain important insight into the the fundamental physics of electronic stopping.

Self-Healable and Cold-Resistant Supercapacitor Based on a Multifunctional Hydrogel Electrolyte.

PubMed

Tao, Feng; Qin, Liming; Wang, Zhikui; Pan, Qinmin

2017-05-10

Excellent self-healability and cold resistance are attractive properties for a portable/wearable energy-storage device. However, achieving the features is fundamentally dependent on an intrinsically self-healable electrolyte with high ionic conduction at low temperature. Here we report such a hydrogel electrolyte comprising sodium alginate cross-linked by dynamic catechol-borate ester bonding. Since its dynamically cross-linked alginate network can tolerate high-content inorganic salts, the electrolyte possesses excellent healing efficiency/cyclability but also high ionic conduction at both room temperature and low temperature. A supercapacitor with the multifunctional hydrogel electrolyte completely restores its capacitive properties even after breaking/healing for 10 cycles without external stimulus. At a low temperature of -10 °C, the capacitor is even able to maintain at least 80% of its room-temperature capacitance. Our investigations offer a strategy to assemble self-healable and cold-resistant energy storage devices by using a multifunctional hydrogel electrolyte with rationally designed polymeric networks, which has potential application in portable/wearable electronics, intelligent apparel or flexible robot, and so on.

Dynamic Kinetic Resolution Enabled by Intramolecular Benzoin Reaction: Synthetic Applications and Mechanistic Insights.

PubMed

Zhang, Guoxiang; Yang, Shuang; Zhang, Xiaoyan; Lin, Qiqiao; Das, Deb K; Liu, Jian; Fang, Xinqiang

2016-06-29

The highly enantio-, diastereo-, and regioselective dynamic kinetic resolution of β-ketoesters and 1,3-diketones was achieved via a chiral N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed intramolecular cross-benzoin reaction. A variety of tetralone derivatives bearing two contiguous stereocenters and multiple functionalities were liberated in moderate to excellent yields and with high levels of stereoselectivity (>95% ee and >20:1 dr in most cases). In addition, the excellent regioselectivity control for aryl/alkyl 1,3-diketones, and the superior electronic differentiation of 1,3-diarylketones were highlighted. Moreover, a set of new mechanistic rationale that differs with the currently widely accepted understanding of intramolecular benzoin reactions was established to demonstrate the superior preference of benzoin over aldol transformation: (1) A coexistence of competitive aldol and benzoin reactions was detected, but a retro-aldol-irreversible benzoin process performs a vital role in the generation of predominant benzoin products. (2) The most essential role of an N-electron-withdrawing substituent in triazolium catalysts was revealed to be accelerating the rate of the benzoin transformation, rather than suppressing the aldol process through reducing the inherent basicity of the catalyst.

A novel real-time data acquisition using an Excel spreadsheet in pendulum experiment tool with light-based timer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adhitama, Egy; Fauzi, Ahmad

2018-05-01

In this study, a pendulum experimental tool with a light-based timer has been developed to measure the period of a simple pendulum. The obtained data was automatically recorded in an Excel spreadsheet. The intensity of monochromatic light, sensed by a 3DU5C phototransistor, dynamically changes as the pendulum swings. The changed intensity varies the resistance value and was processed by the microcontroller, ATMega328, to obtain a signal period as a function of time and brightness when the pendulum crosses the light. Through the experiment, using calculated average periods, the gravitational acceleration value has been accurately and precisely determined.

Hidden Markov models and neural networks for fault detection in dynamic systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smyth, Padhraic

1994-01-01

Neural networks plus hidden Markov models (HMM) can provide excellent detection and false alarm rate performance in fault detection applications, as shown in this viewgraph presentation. Modified models allow for novelty detection. Key contributions of neural network models are: (1) excellent nonparametric discrimination capability; (2) a good estimator of posterior state probabilities, even in high dimensions, and thus can be embedded within overall probabilistic model (HMM); and (3) simple to implement compared to other nonparametric models. Neural network/HMM monitoring model is currently being integrated with the new Deep Space Network (DSN) antenna controller software and will be on-line monitoring a new DSN 34-m antenna (DSS-24) by July, 1994.

Local Competition and Metapopulation Processes Drive Long-Term Seagrass-Epiphyte Population Dynamics

PubMed Central

Lobelle, Delphine; Kenyon, Emma J.; Cook, Kevan J.; Bull, James C.

2013-01-01

It is well known that ecological processes such as population regulation and natural enemy interactions potentially occur over a range of spatial scales, and there is a substantial body of literature developing theoretical understanding of the interplay between these processes. However, there are comparatively few studies quantifying the long-term effects of spatial scaling in natural ecosystems. A key challenge is that trophic complexity in real-world biological communities quickly obscures the signal from a focal process. Seagrass meadows provide an excellent opportunity in this respect: in many instances, seagrasses effectively form extensive natural monocultures, in which hypotheses about endogenous dynamics can be formulated and tested. We present amongst the longest unbroken, spatially explict time series of seagrass abundance published to date. Data include annual measures of shoot density, total above-ground abundance, and associated epiphyte cover from five Zostera marina meadows distributed around the Isles of Scilly, UK, from 1996 to 2011. We explore empirical patterns at the local and metapopulation scale using standard time series analysis and develop a simple population dynamic model, testing the hypothesis that both local and metapopulation scale feedback processes are important. We find little evidence of an interaction between scales in seagrass dynamics but that both scales contribute approximately equally to observed local epiphyte abundance. By quantifying the long-term dynamics of seagrass-epiphyte interactions we show how measures of density and extent are both important in establishing baseline information relevant to predicting responses to environmental change and developing management plans. We hope that this study complements existing mechanistic studies of physiology, genetics and productivity in seagrass, whilst highlighting the potential of seagrass as a model ecosystem. More generally, this study provides a rare opportunity to test some of the predictions of ecological theory in a natural ecosystem of global conservation and economic value. PMID:23437313

Local competition and metapopulation processes drive long-term seagrass-epiphyte population dynamics.

PubMed

Lobelle, Delphine; Kenyon, Emma J; Cook, Kevan J; Bull, James C

2013-01-01

It is well known that ecological processes such as population regulation and natural enemy interactions potentially occur over a range of spatial scales, and there is a substantial body of literature developing theoretical understanding of the interplay between these processes. However, there are comparatively few studies quantifying the long-term effects of spatial scaling in natural ecosystems. A key challenge is that trophic complexity in real-world biological communities quickly obscures the signal from a focal process. Seagrass meadows provide an excellent opportunity in this respect: in many instances, seagrasses effectively form extensive natural monocultures, in which hypotheses about endogenous dynamics can be formulated and tested. We present amongst the longest unbroken, spatially explict time series of seagrass abundance published to date. Data include annual measures of shoot density, total above-ground abundance, and associated epiphyte cover from five Zostera marina meadows distributed around the Isles of Scilly, UK, from 1996 to 2011. We explore empirical patterns at the local and metapopulation scale using standard time series analysis and develop a simple population dynamic model, testing the hypothesis that both local and metapopulation scale feedback processes are important. We find little evidence of an interaction between scales in seagrass dynamics but that both scales contribute approximately equally to observed local epiphyte abundance. By quantifying the long-term dynamics of seagrass-epiphyte interactions we show how measures of density and extent are both important in establishing baseline information relevant to predicting responses to environmental change and developing management plans. We hope that this study complements existing mechanistic studies of physiology, genetics and productivity in seagrass, whilst highlighting the potential of seagrass as a model ecosystem. More generally, this study provides a rare opportunity to test some of the predictions of ecological theory in a natural ecosystem of global conservation and economic value.

Noise-induced hearing loss alters the temporal dynamics of auditory-nerve responses

PubMed Central

Scheidt, Ryan E.; Kale, Sushrut; Heinz, Michael G.

2010-01-01

Auditory-nerve fibers demonstrate dynamic response properties in that they adapt to rapid changes in sound level, both at the onset and offset of a sound. These dynamic response properties affect temporal coding of stimulus modulations that are perceptually relevant for many sounds such as speech and music. Temporal dynamics have been well characterized in auditory-nerve fibers from normal-hearing animals, but little is known about the effects of sensorineural hearing loss on these dynamics. This study examined the effects of noise-induced hearing loss on the temporal dynamics in auditory-nerve fiber responses from anesthetized chinchillas. Post-stimulus time histograms were computed from responses to 50-ms tones presented at characteristic frequency and 30 dB above fiber threshold. Several response metrics related to temporal dynamics were computed from post-stimulus-time histograms and were compared between normal-hearing and noise-exposed animals. Results indicate that noise-exposed auditory-nerve fibers show significantly reduced response latency, increased onset response and percent adaptation, faster adaptation after onset, and slower recovery after offset. The decrease in response latency only occurred in noise-exposed fibers with significantly reduced frequency selectivity. These changes in temporal dynamics have important implications for temporal envelope coding in hearing-impaired ears, as well as for the design of dynamic compression algorithms for hearing aids. PMID:20696230

Design and fabrication of highly sensitive and stable biochip for glucose biosensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Shi-Yu; Lu, Yao; Jin, Meng; Bao, Shu-Juan; Li, Wan-Yun; Yu, Ling

2017-11-01

Common producing steps for test strips is complex and fussy. In this work, we proposed a feasible binder-free test strips fabrication method to directly grow enzyme/manganese phosphate nanosheets hybrids on the screen-print electrodes (SPE). Combined with microfluidic packaging technology, the ready-made portable electrochemical biochip shows a wider linear range (1-40 mM, R2 = 0.9998) and excellent stability (maintained 98% response current after 20 days store and retained 75% response current after continuous 30 days determination) for the detection of glucose. Compared with commercial test strips, the biochip exhibits excellent sensitivity, stability and accuracy, which is indicative of its potential application in real samples.

Investigation of transonic region of high dynamic response encountered on an elastic supercritical wing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seidel, David A.; Eckstrom, Clinton V.; Sandford, Maynard C.

1987-01-01

Unsteady aerodynamic data were measured on an aspect ratio 10.3 elastic supercritical wing while undergoing high dynamic response above Mach number of 0.90. These tests were conducted in the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel. A previous test of this wing predicted an unusual instability boundary based upon subcritical response data. During the present test no instability was found, but an angle of attack dependent narrow Mach number region of high dynamic wing response was observed over a wide range of dynamic pressures. The effect on dynamic wing response of wing angle of attack, static outboard control surface deflection and a lower surface spanwise fence located near the 60 percent local chordline was investigated. The driving mechanism of the dynamic wing response appears to be related to chordwise shock movement in conjunction with flow separation and reattachment on both the upper and lower surfaces.

Investigation of transonic region of high dynamic response encountered on an elastic supercritical wing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seidel, David A.; Eckstrom, Clinton V.; Sandford, Maynard C.

1987-01-01

Unsteady aerodynamic data were measured on an aspect ratio 10.3 elastic supercritical wing while undergoing high dynamic response above a Mach number of 0.90. These tests were conducted in the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel. A previous test of this wing predicted an unusual instability boundary based on subcritical response data. During the present test no instability was found, but an angle of attack dependent narrow Mach number region of high dynamic wing response was observed over a wide range of dynamic pressures. The effect on dynamic wing response of wing angle of attack, static outbound control surface deflection and a lower surface spanwise fence located near the 60 percent local chordline was investigated. The driving mechanism of the dynamic wing response appears to be related to chordwise shock movement in conjunction with flow separation and reattachment on both the upper and lower surfaces.

Brownian dynamics and dynamic Monte Carlo simulations of isotropic and liquid crystal phases of anisotropic colloidal particles: a comparative study.

PubMed

Patti, Alessandro; Cuetos, Alejandro

2012-07-01

We report on the diffusion of purely repulsive and freely rotating colloidal rods in the isotropic, nematic, and smectic liquid crystal phases to probe the agreement between Brownian and Monte Carlo dynamics under the most general conditions. By properly rescaling the Monte Carlo time step, being related to any elementary move via the corresponding self-diffusion coefficient, with the acceptance rate of simultaneous trial displacements and rotations, we demonstrate the existence of a unique Monte Carlo time scale that allows for a direct comparison between Monte Carlo and Brownian dynamics simulations. To estimate the validity of our theoretical approach, we compare the mean square displacement of rods, their orientational autocorrelation function, and the self-intermediate scattering function, as obtained from Brownian dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations. The agreement between the results of these two approaches, even under the condition of heterogeneous dynamics generally observed in liquid crystalline phases, is excellent.

Climate variability and human impact in South America during the last 2000 years: synthesis and perspectives from pollen records

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flantua, S. G. A.; Hooghiemstra, H.; Vuille, M.; Behling, H.; Carson, J. F.; Gosling, W. D.; Hoyos, I.; Ledru, M. P.; Montoya, E.; Mayle, F.; Maldonado, A.; Rull, V.; Tonello, M. S.; Whitney, B. S.; González-Arango, C.

2016-02-01

An improved understanding of present-day climate variability and change relies on high-quality data sets from the past 2 millennia. Global efforts to model regional climate modes are in the process of being validated against, and integrated with, records of past vegetation change. For South America, however, the full potential of vegetation records for evaluating and improving climate models has hitherto not been sufficiently acknowledged due to an absence of information on the spatial and temporal coverage of study sites. This paper therefore serves as a guide to high-quality pollen records that capture environmental variability during the last 2 millennia. We identify 60 vegetation (pollen) records from across South America which satisfy geochronological requirements set out for climate modelling, and we discuss their sensitivity to the spatial signature of climate modes throughout the continent. Diverse patterns of vegetation response to climate change are observed, with more similar patterns of change in the lowlands and varying intensity and direction of responses in the highlands. Pollen records display local-scale responses to climate modes; thus, it is necessary to understand how vegetation-climate interactions might diverge under variable settings. We provide a qualitative translation from pollen metrics to climate variables. Additionally, pollen is an excellent indicator of human impact through time. We discuss evidence for human land use in pollen records and provide an overview considered useful for archaeological hypothesis testing and important in distinguishing natural from anthropogenically driven vegetation change. We stress the need for the palynological community to be more familiar with climate variability patterns to correctly attribute the potential causes of observed vegetation dynamics. This manuscript forms part of the wider LOng-Term multi-proxy climate REconstructions and Dynamics in South America - 2k initiative that provides the ideal framework for the integration of the various palaeoclimatic subdisciplines and palaeo-science, thereby jump-starting and fostering multidisciplinary research into environmental change on centennial and millennial timescales.

Nouvelles techniques pratiques pour la modelisation du comportement dynamique des systèmes eau-structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miquel, Benjamin

The dynamic or seismic behavior of hydraulic structures is, as for conventional structures, essential to assure protection of human lives. These types of analyses also aim at limiting structural damage caused by an earthquake to prevent rupture or collapse of the structure. The particularity of these hydraulic structures is that not only the internal displacements are caused by the earthquake, but also by the hydrodynamic loads resulting from fluid-structure interaction. This thesis reviews the existing complex and simplified methods to perform such dynamic analysis for hydraulic structures. For the complex existing methods, attention is placed on the difficulties arising from their use. Particularly, interest is given in this work on the use of transmitting boundary conditions to simulate the semi infinity of reservoirs. A procedure has been developed to estimate the error that these boundary conditions can introduce in finite element dynamic analysis. Depending on their formulation and location, we showed that they can considerably affect the response of such fluid-structure systems. For practical engineering applications, simplified procedures are still needed to evaluate the dynamic behavior of structures in contact with water. A review of the existing simplified procedures showed that these methods are based on numerous simplifications that can affect the prediction of the dynamic behavior of such systems. One of the main objectives of this thesis has been to develop new simplified methods that are more accurate than those existing. First, a new spectral analysis method has been proposed. Expressions for the fundamental frequency of fluid-structure systems, key parameter of spectral analysis, have been developed. We show that this new technique can easily be implemented in a spreadsheet or program, and that its calculation time is near instantaneous. When compared to more complex analytical or numerical method, this new procedure yields excellent prediction of the dynamic behavior of fluid-structure systems. Spectral analyses ignore the transient and oscillatory nature of vibrations. When such dynamic analyses show that some areas of the studied structure undergo excessive stresses, time history analyses allow a better estimate of the extent of these zones as well as a time notion of these excessive stresses. Furthermore, the existing spectral analyses methods for fluid-structure systems account only for the static effect of higher modes. Thought this can generally be sufficient for dams, for flexible structures the dynamic effect of these modes should be accounted for. New methods have been developed for fluid-structure systems to account for these observations as well as the flexibility of foundations. A first method was developed to study structures in contact with one or two finite or infinite water domains. This new technique includes flexibility of structures and foundations as well as the dynamic effect of higher vibration modes and variations of the levels of the water domains. Extension of this method was performed to study beam structures in contact with fluids. These new developments have also allowed extending existing analytical formulations of the dynamic properties of a dry beam to a new formulation that includes effect of fluid-structure interaction. The method yields a very good estimate of the dynamic behavior of beam-fluid systems or beam like structures in contact with fluid. Finally, a Modified Accelerogram Method (MAM) has been developed to modify the design earthquake into a new accelerogram that directly accounts for the effect of fluid-structure interaction. This new accelerogram can therefore be applied directly to the dry structure (i.e. without water) in order to calculate the dynamic response of the fluid-structure system. This original technique can include numerous parameters that influence the dynamic response of such systems and allows to treat analytically the fluid-structure interaction while keeping the advantages of finite element modeling.

Parametric Symmetry Breaking in a Nonlinear Resonator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leuch, Anina; Papariello, Luca; Zilberberg, Oded; Degen, Christian L.; Chitra, R.; Eichler, Alexander

2016-11-01

Much of the physical world around us can be described in terms of harmonic oscillators in thermodynamic equilibrium. At the same time, the far-from-equilibrium behavior of oscillators is important in many aspects of modern physics. Here, we investigate a resonating system subject to a fundamental interplay between intrinsic nonlinearities and a combination of several driving forces. We have constructed a controllable and robust realization of such a system using a macroscopic doubly clamped string. We experimentally observe a hitherto unseen double hysteresis in both the amplitude and the phase of the resonator's response function and present a theoretical model that is in excellent agreement with the experiment. Our work unveils that the double hysteresis is a manifestation of an out-of-equilibrium symmetry breaking between parametric phase states. Such a fundamental phenomenon, in the most ubiquitous building block of nature, paves the way for the investigation of new dynamical phases of matter in parametrically driven many-body systems and motivates applications ranging from ultrasensitive force detection to low-energy computing memory units.

Modeling the Benchmark Active Control Technology Wind-Tunnel Model for Active Control Design Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Waszak, Martin R.

1998-01-01

This report describes the formulation of a model of the dynamic behavior of the Benchmark Active Controls Technology (BACT) wind tunnel model for active control design and analysis applications. The model is formed by combining the equations of motion for the BACT wind tunnel model with actuator models and a model of wind tunnel turbulence. The primary focus of this report is the development of the equations of motion from first principles by using Lagrange's equations and the principle of virtual work. A numerical form of the model is generated by making use of parameters obtained from both experiment and analysis. Comparisons between experimental and analytical data obtained from the numerical model show excellent agreement and suggest that simple coefficient-based aerodynamics are sufficient to accurately characterize the aeroelastic response of the BACT wind tunnel model. The equations of motion developed herein have been used to aid in the design and analysis of a number of flutter suppression controllers that have been successfully implemented.

The ionosphere and the Latin America VLF Network Mexico (LAVNet-Mex) station

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borgazzi, A.; Lara, A.; Paz, G.; Raulin, J. P.

2014-08-01

In order to detect and study the ionospheric response to solar flares (transient high energy solar radiation), we have constructed a radio receiver station at Mexico City, which is part of the “Latin American Very low frequency Network” (LAVNet-Mex). This station extends to the northern hemisphere the so called “South American VLF Network”. LAVNet is able to detect small changes in the amplitude and phase of VLF electromagnetic waves (generated by strong transmitters located all around the world) which are affected by changes of the lowest layer of the ionosphere, where these waves are “reflected”. In this way, LAVNet is an excellent tool to study the dynamics of the lower ionospheric layers. In this work we present a technical description and show the capabilities of the new LAVNet-Mex station. Moreover, as an example of its performance, we present the analysis of the ionospheric effects of two solar flares detected on October 16, 2010 and June 7, 2011.

Design, Fabrication and Testing of a Crushable Energy Absorber for a Passive Earth Entry Vehicle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kellas, Sotiris; Corliss, James M. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

A conceptual study was performed to investigate the impact response of a crushable energy absorber for a passive Earth entry vehicle. The spherical energy-absorbing concept consisted of a foam-filled composite cellular structure capable of omni-directional impact-load attenuation as well as penetration resistance. Five composite cellular samples of hemispherical geometry were fabricated and tested dynamically with impact speeds varying from 30 to 42 meters per second. Theoretical crush load predictions were obtained with the aid of a generalized theory which accounts for the energy dissipated during the folding deformation of the cell-walls. Excellent correlation was obtained between theoretical predictions and experimental tests on characteristic cell-web intersections. Good correlation of theory with experiment was also found to exist for the more complex spherical cellular structures. All preliminary design requirements were met by the cellular structure concept, which exhibited a near-ideal sustained crush-load and approximately 90% crush stroke.

Medical simulation: a tool for recognition of and response to risk.

PubMed

Ruddy, Richard M; Patterson, Mary Deffner

2008-11-01

The use of simulation and team training has become an excellent tool to reduce errors in high-risk industry such as the commercial airlines and in the nuclear energy field. The health care industry has begun to use similar tools to improve the outcome of high-risk areas where events are relatively rare but where practice with a tactical team can significantly reduce the chance of bad outcome. There are two parts to this review: first, we review the rationale of why simulation is a key element in improving our error rate, and second, we describe specific tools that have great use at the clinical bedside for improving the care of patients. These cross different (i.e. medical and surgical) specialties and practices within specialties in the health care setting. Tools described will include the pinch, brief/debriefing, read-backs, call-outs, dynamic skepticism, assertive statements, two-challenge rules, checklists and step back (hold points). Examples will assist the clinician in practical daily use to improve their bedside care of children.

Radiation response and basic dosimetric characterisation of the ‘Magic Plate’

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alrowaili, Z. A.; Lerch, M.; Petasecca, M.; Carolan, M.; Rosenfeld, A.

2017-02-01

Two Dimensional (2D) silicon diode arrays are often implemented in radiation therapy quality assurance (QA) applications due to their advantages such as: real-time operation (compared to the films), large dynamic range and small size (compared to ionization chambers). The Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong has developed a multifunctional 2D silicon diode array known as the Magic Plate (MP) for real-time applications and is suitable as a transmission detector for photon flunce mapping (MPTM) or for in phantom dose mapping (MPDM). The paper focusses on the characterisation of the MPDM in terms of output factor and square field beam profiling in 6 MV, 10 MV and 18 MV clinical photon fields. We have found excellent agreement with three different ion chambers for all measured parameters with output factors agreeing within 1.2% and field profiles agreeing within 3% and/or 3mm. This work has important implications for the development of the MP when operating in transmission mapping mode.

Benefits of full scope simulators during solar thermal power plants design and construction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gallego, José F.; Gil, Elena; Rey, Pablo

2017-06-01

In order to efficiently develop high-precision dynamic simulators for solar thermal power plants, Tecnatom adapted its simulation technology to consider solar thermal models. This effort and the excellent response of the simulation market have allowed Tecnatom to develop simulators with both parabolic trough and solar power tower technologies, including molten salt energy storage. These simulators may pursue different objectives, giving rise to training or engineering simulators. Solar thermal power market combines the need for the training of the operators with the potential benefits associated to the improvement of the design of the plants. This fact along with the simulation capabilities enabled by the current technology and the broad experience of Tecnatom present the development of an engineering+training simulator as a very advantageous option. This paper describes the challenge of the development and integration of a full scope simulator during the design and construction stages of a solar thermal power plant, showing the added value to the different engineering areas.

Direct EUV/X-Ray Modulation of the Ionosphere During the August 2017 Total Solar Eclipse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mrak, Sebastijan; Semeter, Joshua; Drob, Douglas; Huba, J. D.

2018-05-01

The great American total solar eclipse of 21 August 2017 offered a fortuitous opportunity to study the response of the atmosphere and ionosphere using a myriad of ground instruments. We have used the network of U.S. Global Positioning System receivers to examine perturbations in maps of ionospheric total electron content (TEC). Coherent large-scale variations in TEC have been interpreted by others as gravity wave-induced traveling ionospheric disturbances. However, the solar disk had two active regions at that time, one near the center of the disk and one at the edge, which resulted in an irregular illumination pattern in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV)/X-ray bands. Using detailed EUV occultation maps calculated from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Solar Dynamics Observatory Atmospheric Imaging Assembly images, we show excellent agreement between TEC perturbations and computed gradients in EUV illumination. The results strongly suggest that prominent large-scale TEC disturbances were consequences of direct EUV modulation, rather than gravity wave-induced traveling ionospheric disturbances.

Imaging thermal conductivity with nanoscale resolution using a scanning spin probe

DOE PAGES

Laraoui, Abdelghani; Aycock-Rizzo, Halley; Gao, Yang; ...

2015-11-20

The ability to probe nanoscale heat flow in a material is often limited by lack of spatial resolution. Here, we use a diamond-nanocrystal-hosted nitrogen-vacancy centre attached to the apex of a silicon thermal tip as a local temperature sensor. We apply an electrical current to heat up the tip and rely on the nitrogen vacancy to monitor the thermal changes the tip experiences as it is brought into contact with surfaces of varying thermal conductivity. By combining atomic force and confocal microscopy, we image phantom microstructures with nanoscale resolution, and attain excellent agreement between the thermal conductivity and topographic maps.more » The small mass and high thermal conductivity of the diamond host make the time response of our technique short, which we demonstrate by monitoring the tip temperature upon application of a heat pulse. Our approach promises multiple applications, from the investigation of phonon dynamics in nanostructures to the characterization of heterogeneous phase transitions and chemical reactions in various solid-state systems.« less

Kangaroo Mother Care in Colombia: A Subaltern Health Innovation against For-profit Biomedicine.

PubMed

Abadía-Barrero, César Ernesto

2018-01-24

This ethnographic study presents the origins, growth, and collapse of the first Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) program, a well-established practice for neonatal care created in 1978 in Colombia. The WHO and UNICEF praised this zero-cost revolutionary technique for its promotion of skin-to-skin contact between premature and low-birth-weight newborns and family members. KMC facilitates early hospital discharge, brings many clinical and psychological benefits, and constitutes an excellent alternative to placing babies in incubators. However, these benefits and political potential against biomedical interventions were undermined after being relabeled as a "reverse innovation," a business concept that encourages corporate investments in low-income countries to develop technologies that can both solve global health problems and boost multinational corporations profits. In response, I propose "subaltern health innovations" as a label for KMC that accounts for the power dynamics in global health between health care initiatives that originate in the Global South and neoliberal configurations of for-profit biomedicine. © 2018 by the American Anthropological Association.

Advances in quantum cascade lasers for security and crime-fighting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Normand, Erwan L.; Stokes, Robert J.; Hay, Kenneth; Foulger, Brian; Lewis, Colin

2010-10-01

Advances in the application of Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCL) to trace gas detection will be presented. The solution is real time (~1 μsec per scan), is insensitive to turbulence and vibration, and performs multiple measurements in one sweep. The QCL provides a large dynamic range, which is a linear response from ppt to % level. The concentration can be derived with excellent immunity from cross interference. Point sensing sensors developed by Cascade for home made and commercial explosives operate by monitoring key constituents in real time and matching this to a spatial event (i.e. sniffer device placed close to an object or person walking through portal (overt or covert). Programmable signature detection capability allows for detection of multiple chemical compounds along the most likely array of explosive chemical formulation. The advantages of configuration as "point sensing" or "stand off" will be discussed. In addition to explosives this method is highly applicable to the detection of mobile drugs labs through volatile chemical release.

Monolayer optical memory cells based on artificial trap-mediated charge storage and release

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Juwon; Pak, Sangyeon; Lee, Young-Woo; Cho, Yuljae; Hong, John; Giraud, Paul; Shin, Hyeon Suk; Morris, Stephen M.; Sohn, Jung Inn; Cha, Seungnam; Kim, Jong Min

2017-03-01

Monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides are considered to be promising candidates for flexible and transparent optoelectronics applications due to their direct bandgap and strong light-matter interactions. Although several monolayer-based photodetectors have been demonstrated, single-layered optical memory devices suitable for high-quality image sensing have received little attention. Here we report a concept for monolayer MoS2 optoelectronic memory devices using artificially-structured charge trap layers through the functionalization of the monolayer/dielectric interfaces, leading to localized electronic states that serve as a basis for electrically-induced charge trapping and optically-mediated charge release. Our devices exhibit excellent photo-responsive memory characteristics with a large linear dynamic range of ~4,700 (73.4 dB) coupled with a low OFF-state current (<4 pA), and a long storage lifetime of over 104 s. In addition, the multi-level detection of up to 8 optical states is successfully demonstrated. These results represent a significant step toward the development of future monolayer optoelectronic memory devices.

Microwave SQUID Multiplexing of Metallic Magnetic Calorimeters: Status of Multiplexer Performance and Room-Temperature Readout Electronics Development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wegner, M.; Karcher, N.; Krömer, O.; Richter, D.; Ahrens, F.; Sander, O.; Kempf, S.; Weber, M.; Enss, C.

2018-02-01

To our present best knowledge, microwave SQUID multiplexing (μ MUXing) is the most suitable technique for reading out large-scale low-temperature microcalorimeter arrays that consist of hundreds or thousands of individual pixels which require a large readout bandwidth per pixel. For this reason, the present readout strategy for metallic magnetic calorimeter (MMC) arrays combining an intrinsic fast signal rise time, an excellent energy resolution, a large energy dynamic range, a quantum efficiency close to 100% as well as a highly linear detector response is based on μ MUXing. Within this paper, we summarize the state of the art in MMC μ MUXing and discuss the most recent results. This particularly includes the discussion of the performance of a 64-pixel detector array with integrated, on-chip microwave SQUID multiplexer, the progress in flux ramp modulation of MMCs as well as the status of the development of a software-defined radio-based room-temperature electronics which is specifically optimized for MMC readout.

Energetic electrons response to ULF waves induced by interplanetary shocks in the outer radiation belt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zong, Qiugang

Strong interplanetary shocks interaction with the Earth's magnetosphere would have great impacts on the Earth's magnetosphere. Cluster and Double Star constellation provides an ex-cellent opportunity to study the inner magnetospheric response to a powerful interplanetary solar wind forcing. An interplanetary shock on Nov.7 2004 with the solar wind dynamic pres-sure ˜ 70 nPa (Maximum) induced a large bipolar electric field in the plasmasphere boundary layer as observed by Cluster fleet, the peak-to-peak ∆Ey is more than 60 mV/m. Energetic elec-trons in the outer radiation belt are accelerated almost simultaneously when the interplanetary shock impinges upon the Earth's magnetosphere. Energetic electron bursts are coincident with the induced large electric field, energetic electrons (30 to 500 keV) with 900 pitch angles are accelerated first whereas those electrons are decelerated when the shock-induced electric field turns to positive value. Both toroidal and poloidal mode waves are found to be important but interacting with energetic electron at a different L-shell and a different period. At the Cluster's position (L = 4.4,), poloidal is predominant wave mode whereas at the geosynchronous orbits (L = 6.6), the ULF waves observed by the GOES -10 and -12 satellites are mostly toroidal. For comparison, a rather weak interplanetary shock on Aug. 30, 2001 (dynamic pressure ˜ 2.7 nPa) is also investigated in this paper. It is found that interplanetary shocks or solar wind pressure pulses with even small dynamic pressure change would have non-ignorable role in the radiation belt dynamic. Further, in this paper, our results also reveal the excitation of ULF waves re-sponses on the passing interplanetary shock, especially the importance of difference ULF wave modes when interacting with the energetic electrons in the radiation belt. The damping of the shock induced ULF waves could be separated into two terms: one term corresponds to the generalized Landau damping, the damping rate is large and the damping is fast; the other term corresponds to the damping through ionosphere due to its finite electric conductivity, the damping rate of this item is small and the damping is slow. The fast damping rate at (˜ 10-3 ) is significant larger than the slow damping rate (˜ 10-4 ) suggesting a rapid ULF wave energy lost is via drift resonance with energetic electrons in the radiation belt.

Plaque-hyaluronidase-responsive high-density-lipoprotein-mimetic nanoparticles for multistage intimal-macrophage-targeted drug delivery and enhanced anti-atherosclerotic therapy

PubMed Central

Zhang, Mengyuan; He, Jianhua; Jiang, Cuiping; Zhang, Wenli; Yang, Yun; Wang, Zhiyu; Liu, Jianping

2017-01-01

Increasing evidence has highlighted the pivotal role that intimal macrophage (iMΦ) plays in the pathophysiology of atherosclerotic plaques, which represents an attractive target for atherosclerosis treatment. In this work, to address the insufficient specificity of conventional reconstituted high-density lipoprotein (rHDL) for iMΦ and its limited cholesterol efflux ability, we designed a hyaluronan (HA)-anchored core–shell rHDL. This nanoparticle achieved efficient iMΦ-targeted drug delivery via a multistage-targeting approach, and excellent cellular cholesterol removal. It contained a biodegradable poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) core within a lipid bilayer, and apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) absorbing on the lipid bilayer was covalently decorated with HA. The covalent HA coating with superior stability and greater shielding was favorable for not only minimizing the liver uptake but also facilitating the accumulation of nanoparticles at leaky endothelium overexpressing CD44 receptors in atherosclerotic plaques. The ultimate iMΦ homing was achieved via apoA-I after HA coating degraded by hyaluronidase (HAase) (abundant in atherosclerotic plaque). The multistage-targeting mechanism was revealed on the established injured endothelium–macrophage co-culture dynamic system. Upon treatment with HAase in vitro, the nanoparticle HA-(C)-PLGA-rHDL exhibited a greater cholesterol efflux capacity compared with conventional rHDL (2.43-fold). Better targeting efficiency toward iMΦ and attenuated liver accumulation were further proved by results from ex vivo imaging and iMΦ-specific fluorescence localization. Ultimately, HA-(C)-PLGA-rHDL loaded with simvastatin realized the most potent anti-atherogenic efficacies in model animals over other preparations. Thus, the HAase-responsive HDL-mimetic nanoparticle was shown in this study to be a promising nanocarrier for anti-atherogenic therapy, in the light of efficient iMΦ-targeted drug delivery and excellent function of mediating cellular cholesterol efflux. PMID:28144137

Catch and Release: Orbital Symmetry Guided Reaction Dynamics from a Freed “Tension Trapped Transition State”

DOE PAGES

Wang, Junpeng; Ong, Mitchell T.; Kouznetsova, Tatiana B.; ...

2015-08-31

The dynamics of reactions at or in the immediate vicinity of transition states are critical to reaction rates and product distributions, but direct experimental probes of those dynamics are rare. In this paper, s-trans, s-trans 1,3-diradicaloid transition states are trapped by tension along the backbone of purely cis-substituted gem-difluorocyclopropanated polybutadiene using the extensional forces generated by pulsed sonication of dilute polymer solutions. Once released, the branching ratio between symmetry-allowed disrotatory ring closing (of which the trapped diradicaloid structure is the transition state) and symmetry-forbidden conrotatory ring closing (whose transition state is nearby) can be inferred. Finally, net conrotatory ring closingmore » occurred in 5.0 ± 0.5% of the released transition states, in excellent agreement with ab initio molecular dynamics simulations.« less

Arabidopsis Regenerating Protoplast: A Powerful Model System for Combining the Proteomics of Cell Wall Proteins and the Visualization of Cell Wall Dynamics

PubMed Central

Yokoyama, Ryusuke; Kuki, Hiroaki; Kuroha, Takeshi; Nishitani, Kazuhiko

2016-01-01

The development of a range of sub-proteomic approaches to the plant cell wall has identified many of the cell wall proteins. However, it remains difficult to elucidate the precise biological role of each protein and the cell wall dynamics driven by their actions. The plant protoplast provides an excellent means not only for characterizing cell wall proteins, but also for visualizing the dynamics of cell wall regeneration, during which cell wall proteins are secreted. It therefore offers a unique opportunity to investigate the de novo construction process of the cell wall. This review deals with sub-proteomic approaches to the plant cell wall through the use of protoplasts, a methodology that will provide the basis for further exploration of cell wall proteins and cell wall dynamics. PMID:28248244

Designing for Culturally Responsive Science Education through Professional Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Julie C.; Crippen, Kent J.

2016-01-01

Educational stakeholders across the globe are demanding science education reform that attends simultaneously to culturally diverse students' needs and promotes academic excellence. Although professional development programs can foster science teachers' growth as culturally responsive educators, effective supports to this end are not well…

Effective seed-assisted synthesis of gold nanoparticles anchored nitrogen-doped graphene for electrochemical detection of glucose and dopamine.

PubMed

Thanh, Tran Duy; Balamurugan, Jayaraman; Lee, Seung Hee; Kim, Nam Hoon; Lee, Joong Hee

2016-07-15

A novel gold nanoparticle-anchored nitrogen-doped graphene (AuNP/NG) nanohybrid was synthesized through a seed-assisted growth method, as an effective electrocatalyst for glucose and dopamine detection. The AuNP/NG nanohybrids exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity toward glucose and dopamine sensing applications. The as-synthesized nanohybrids exhibited excellent catalytic activity toward glucose, with a linear response throughout the concentration range from 40μM to 16.1mM, a detection limit of 12μM, and a short response time (∼ 10s). It also exhibited an excellent response toward DA, with a wide detection range from 30nM to 48μM, a low detection limit of 10nM, and a short response time (∼ 8s). Furthermore, it also showed long-term stability and high selectivity for the target analytes. These results imply that such nanohybrids show a great potential for electrochemical biosensing application. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A comparison of methods of fitting several models to nutritional response data.

PubMed

Vedenov, D; Pesti, G M

2008-02-01

A variety of models have been proposed to fit nutritional input-output response data. The models are typically nonlinear; therefore, fitting the models usually requires sophisticated statistical software and training to use it. An alternative tool for fitting nutritional response models was developed by using widely available and easier-to-use Microsoft Excel software. The tool, implemented as an Excel workbook (NRM.xls), allows simultaneous fitting and side-by-side comparisons of several popular models. This study compared the results produced by the tool we developed and PROC NLIN of SAS. The models compared were the broken line (ascending linear and quadratic segments), saturation kinetics, 4-parameter logistics, sigmoidal, and exponential models. The NRM.xls workbook provided results nearly identical to those of PROC NLIN. Furthermore, the workbook successfully fit several models that failed to converge in PROC NLIN. Two data sets were used as examples to compare fits by the different models. The results suggest that no particular nonlinear model is necessarily best for all nutritional response data.

Development of Resistive Micromegas for Sampling Calorimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geralis, T.; Fanourakis, G.; Kalamaris, A.; Nikas, D.; Psallidas, A.; Chefdeville, M.; Karyotakis, I.; Koletsou, I.; Titov, M.

2018-02-01

Resistive micromegas is proposed as an active element for sampling calorimetry. Future linear collider experiments or the HL-LHC experiments can profit from those developments for Particle Flow Calorimetry. Micromegas possesses remarkable properties concerning gain stability, reduced ion feedback, response linearity, adaptable sensitive element granularity, fast response and high rate capability. Recent developments on Micromegas with a protective resistive layer present excellent results, resolving the problem of discharges caused by local high charge deposition, thanks to its RC-slowed charge evacuation. Higher resistivity though, may cause loss of the response linearity at high rates. We have scanned a wide range of resistivities and performed laboratory tests with X-rays that demonstrate excellent response linearity up to rates of (a few) times 10MHz/cm2, with simultaneous mitigation of discharges. Beam test studies at SPS/CERN with hadrons have also shown a remarkable stability of the resistive Micromegas and low currents for rates up to 15MHz/cm2. We present results from the aforementioned studies confronted with MC simulation

imDEV: a graphical user interface to R multivariate analysis tools in Microsoft Excel

PubMed Central

Grapov, Dmitry; Newman, John W.

2012-01-01

Summary: Interactive modules for Data Exploration and Visualization (imDEV) is a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet embedded application providing an integrated environment for the analysis of omics data through a user-friendly interface. Individual modules enables interactive and dynamic analyses of large data by interfacing R's multivariate statistics and highly customizable visualizations with the spreadsheet environment, aiding robust inferences and generating information-rich data visualizations. This tool provides access to multiple comparisons with false discovery correction, hierarchical clustering, principal and independent component analyses, partial least squares regression and discriminant analysis, through an intuitive interface for creating high-quality two- and a three-dimensional visualizations including scatter plot matrices, distribution plots, dendrograms, heat maps, biplots, trellis biplots and correlation networks. Availability and implementation: Freely available for download at http://sourceforge.net/projects/imdev/. Implemented in R and VBA and supported by Microsoft Excel (2003, 2007 and 2010). Contact: John.Newman@ars.usda.gov Supplementary Information: Installation instructions, tutorials and users manual are available at http://sourceforge.net/projects/imdev/. PMID:22815358

Hair-based sensors for micro-autonomous systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sadeghi, Mahdi M.; Peterson, Rebecca L.; Najafi, Khalil

2012-06-01

We seek to harness microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technologies to build biomimetic devices for low-power, high-performance, robust sensors and actuators on micro-autonomous robot platforms. Hair is used abundantly in nature for a variety of functions including balance and inertial sensing, flow sensing and aerodynamic (air foil) control, tactile and touch sensing, insulation and temperature control, particle filtering, and gas/chemical sensing. Biological hairs, which are typically characterized by large surface/volume ratios and mechanical amplification of movement, can be distributed in large numbers over large areas providing unprecedented sensitivity, redundancy, and stability (robustness). Local neural transduction allows for space- and power-efficient signal processing. Moreover by varying the hair structure and transduction mechanism, the basic hair form can be used for a wide diversity of functions. In this paper, by exploiting a novel wafer-level, bubble-free liquid encapsulation technology, we make arrays of micro-hydraulic cells capable of electrostatic actuation and hydraulic amplification, which enables high force/high deflection actuation and extremely sensitive detection (sensing) at low power. By attachment of cilia (hair) to the micro-hydraulic cell, air flow sensors with excellent sensitivity (< few cm/s) and dynamic range (> 10 m/s) have been built. A second-generation design has significantly reduced the sensor response time while maintaining sensitivity of about 2 cm/s and dynamic range of more than 15 m/s. These sensors can be used for dynamic flight control of flying robots or for situational awareness in surveillance applications. The core biomimetic technologies developed are applicable to a broad range of sensors and actuators.

Comparison of FRF measurements and mode shapes determined using optically image based, laser, and accelerometer measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Warren, Christopher; Niezrecki, Christopher; Avitabile, Peter; Pingle, Pawan

2011-08-01

Today, accelerometers and laser Doppler vibrometers are widely accepted as valid measurement tools for structural dynamic measurements. However, limitations of these transducers prevent the accurate measurement of some phenomena. For example, accelerometers typically measure motion at a limited number of discrete points and can mass load a structure. Scanning laser vibrometers have a very wide frequency range and can measure many points without mass-loading, but are sensitive to large displacements and can have lengthy acquisition times due to sequential measurements. Image-based stereo-photogrammetry techniques provide additional measurement capabilities that compliment the current array of measurement systems by providing an alternative that favors high-displacement and low-frequency vibrations typically difficult to measure with accelerometers and laser vibrometers. Within this paper, digital image correlation, three-dimensional (3D) point-tracking, 3D laser vibrometry, and accelerometer measurements are all used to measure the dynamics of a structure to compare each of the techniques. Each approach has its benefits and drawbacks, so comparative measurements are made using these approaches to show some of the strengths and weaknesses of each technique. Additionally, the displacements determined using 3D point-tracking are used to calculate frequency response functions, from which mode shapes are extracted. The image-based frequency response functions (FRFs) are compared to those obtained by collocated accelerometers. Extracted mode shapes are then compared to those of a previously validated finite element model (FEM) of the test structure and are shown to have excellent agreement between the FEM and the conventional measurement approaches when compared using the Modal Assurance Criterion (MAC) and Pseudo-Orthogonality Check (POC).

Reduced Graphene Oxide-Containing Smart Hydrogels with Excellent Electro-Response and Mechanical Properties for Soft Actuators.

PubMed

Yang, Chao; Liu, Zhuang; Chen, Chen; Shi, Kun; Zhang, Lei; Ju, Xiao-Jie; Wang, Wei; Xie, Rui; Chu, Liang-Yin

2017-05-10

A novel reduced graphene oxide/poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid-co-acrylamide) (rGO/poly(AMPS-co-AAm)) nanocomposite hydrogel that possesses excellent electro-response and mechanical properties has been successfully developed. The rGO nanosheets that homogeneously dispersed in the hydrogels could provide prominent conductive platforms for promoting the ion transport inside the hydrogels to generate significant osmotic pressure between the outside and inside of such nanocomposite hydrogels. Thus, the electro-responsive rate and degree of the hydrogel for both deswelling and bending performances become rapid and remarkable. Moreover, the enhanced mechanical properties including both the tensile strength and compressive strength of rGO/poly(AMPS-co-AAm) hydrogels are improved by the hydrogen-bond interactions between the rGO nanosheets and polymer chains, which could dissipate the strain energy in the polymeric networks of the hydrogels. The proposed rGO/poly(AMPS-co-AAm) nanocomposite hydrogels with improved mechanical properties exhibit rapid, significant, and reversible electro-response, which show great potential for developing remotely controlled electro-responsive hydrogel systems, such as smart actuators and soft manipulators.

Delineation and segmentation of cerebral tumors by mapping blood-brain barrier disruption with dynamic contrast-enhanced CT and tracer kinetics modeling-a feasibility study.

PubMed

Bisdas, S; Yang, X; Lim, C C T; Vogl, T J; Koh, T S

2008-01-01

Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) imaging is a promising approach for in vivo assessment of tissue microcirculation. Twenty patients with clinical and routine computed tomography (CT) evidence of intracerebral neoplasm were examined with DCE-CT imaging. Using a distributed-parameter model for tracer kinetics modeling of DCE-CT data, voxel-level maps of cerebral blood flow (F), intravascular blood volume (vi) and intravascular mean transit time (t1) were generated. Permeability-surface area product (PS), extravascular extracellular blood volume (ve) and extraction ratio (E) maps were also calculated to reveal pathologic locations of tracer extravasation, which are indicative of disruptions in the blood-brain barrier (BBB). All maps were visually assessed for quality of tumor delineation and measurement of tumor extent by two radiologists. Kappa (kappa) coefficients and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to determine the interobserver agreement for each DCE-CT map. There was a substantial agreement for the tumor delineation quality in the F, ve and t1 maps. The agreement for the quality of the tumor delineation was excellent for the vi, PS and E maps. Concerning the measurement of tumor extent, excellent and nearly excellent agreement was achieved only for E and PS maps, respectively. According to these results, we performed a segmentation of the cerebral tumors on the base of the E maps. The interobserver agreement for the tumor extent quantification based on manual segmentation of tumor in the E maps vs. the computer-assisted segmentation was excellent (kappa = 0.96, CI: 0.93-0.99). The interobserver agreement for the tumor extent quantification based on computer segmentation in the mean images and the E maps was substantial (kappa = 0.52, CI: 0.42-0.59). This study illustrates the diagnostic usefulness of parametric maps associated with BBB disruption on a physiology-based approach and highlights the feasibility for automatic segmentation of cerebral tumors.

How well does a single question about health predict the financial health of Medicare managed care plans?

PubMed

Bierman, A S; Bubolz, T A; Fisher, E S; Wasson, J H

1999-01-01

Responses to simple questions that predict subsequent health care utilization are of interest to both capitated health plans and the payer. To determine how responses to a single question about general health status predict subsequent health care expenditures. Participants in the 1992 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey were asked the following question: "In general, compared to other people your age, would you say your health is: excellent, very good, good, fair or poor?" To obtain each participant's total Medicare expenditures and number of hospitalizations in the ensuing year, we linked the responses to this question with data from the 1993 Medicare Continuous History Survey. Nationally representative sample of 8775 noninstitutionalized Medicare beneficiaries 65 years of age and older. Annual age- and sex-adjusted Medicare expenditures and hospitalization rates. Eighteen percent of the beneficiaries rated their health as excellent, 56% rated it as very good or good, 17% rated it as fair, and 7% rated it as poor. Medicare expenditures had a marked inverse relation to self-assessed health ratings. In the year after assessment, age- and sex-adjusted annual expenditures varied fivefold, from $8743 for beneficiaries rating their health as poor to $1656 for beneficiaries rating their health as excellent. Hospitalization rates followed the same pattern: Respondents who rated their health as poor had 675 hospitalizations per 1000 beneficiaries per year compared with 136 per 1000 for those rating their health as excellent. The response to a single question about general health status strongly predicts subsequent health care utilization. Self-reports of fair or poor health identify a group of high-risk patients who may benefit from targeted interventions. Because the current Medicare capitation formula does not account for health status, health plans can maximize profits by disproportionately enrolling beneficiaries who judge their health to be good. However, they are at a competitive disadvantage if they enroll beneficiaries who view themselves as sick.

Experimental study on synchronization of three coupled mechanical metronomes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Qiang; Liu, Weiqing; Yang, Hujiang; Xiao, Jinghua; Qian, Xiaolan

2013-03-01

In this paper, a CCD acquisition system is set up to explore the dynamics of three coupled mechanical metronomes in order to compensate for the defects of visual observation. The facility is efficient to observe rich dynamics in an experiment, such as phase synchronization, partial phase synchronization and quasi-periodical oscillation, by accurately recording the trajectory of three coupled metronomes. The parameters, e.g., pendulum length and rolling friction are deemed to significantly influence the dynamics of three coupled mechanical metronomes judging from the experimental phenomena. The experimental results are confirmed by the numerical simulation based on the model with different intrinsic frequencies between three metronomes. The metronome and CCD acquisition systems are excellent demonstration apparatuses for a class and an undergraduate physics laboratory.

Dynamic value assessments in oncology supported by the PACE Continuous Innovation Indicators.

PubMed

Paddock, Silvia; Goodman, Clifford; Shortenhaus, Scott; Grainger, David; Zummo, Jacqueline; Thomas, Samuel

2017-10-01

Several recently developed frameworks aim to assess the value of cancer treatments, but the most appropriate metrics remain uncertain. We use data from the Patient Access to Cancer care Excellence Continuous Innovation Indicators to examine the relationship between hazard ratios (HRs) from clinical trials and dynamic therapeutic value accumulating over time. Our analysis shows that HRs from initial clinical trials poorly predict the eventual therapeutic value of cancer treatments. Relying strongly on HRs from registration trials to predict the long-term success of treatments leaves a lot of the variance unexplained. The Continuous Innovation Indicators offer a complementing, dynamic method to track the therapeutic value of cancer treatments and continuously update value assessments as additional evidence accumulates.

Unstructured Finite Volume Computational Thermo-Fluid Dynamic Method for Multi-Disciplinary Analysis and Design Optimization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Majumdar, Alok; Schallhorn, Paul

1998-01-01

This paper describes a finite volume computational thermo-fluid dynamics method to solve for Navier-Stokes equations in conjunction with energy equation and thermodynamic equation of state in an unstructured coordinate system. The system of equations have been solved by a simultaneous Newton-Raphson method and compared with several benchmark solutions. Excellent agreements have been obtained in each case and the method has been found to be significantly faster than conventional Computational Fluid Dynamic(CFD) methods and therefore has the potential for implementation in Multi-Disciplinary analysis and design optimization in fluid and thermal systems. The paper also describes an algorithm of design optimization based on Newton-Raphson method which has been recently tested in a turbomachinery application.

Highly photoresponsive and wavelength-selective circularly-polarized-light detector based on metal-oxides hetero-chiral thin film.

PubMed

Lee, Seung Hee; Singh, Dhruv Pratap; Sung, Ji Ho; Jo, Moon-Ho; Kwon, Ki Chang; Kim, Soo Young; Jang, Ho Won; Kim, Jong Kyu

2016-01-22

A highly efficient circularly-polarized-light detector with excellent wavelength selectivity is demonstrated with an elegant and simple microelectronics-compatible way. The circularly-polarized-light detector based on a proper combination of the geometry-controlled TiO2-SnO2 hetero-chiral thin film as an effective chiroptical filter and the Si active layer shows excellent chiroptical response with external quantum efficiency as high as 30% and high helicity selectivity of ~15.8% in an intended wavelength range. Furthermore, we demonstrated the ability of manipulating both bandwidth and responsivity of the detector simultaneously in whole visible wavelength range by a precise control over the geometry and materials constituting hetero-chiral thin film. The high efficiency, wavelength selectivity and compatibility with conventional microelectronics processes enabled by the proposed device can result in remarkable developments in highly integrated photonic platforms utilizing chiroptical responses.

Highly photoresponsive and wavelength-selective circularly-polarized-light detector based on metal-oxides hetero-chiral thin film

PubMed Central

Lee, Seung Hee; Singh, Dhruv Pratap; Sung, Ji Ho; Jo, Moon-Ho; Kwon, Ki Chang; Kim, Soo Young; Jang, Ho Won; Kim, Jong Kyu

2016-01-01

A highly efficient circularly-polarized-light detector with excellent wavelength selectivity is demonstrated with an elegant and simple microelectronics-compatible way. The circularly-polarized-light detector based on a proper combination of the geometry-controlled TiO2-SnO2 hetero-chiral thin film as an effective chiroptical filter and the Si active layer shows excellent chiroptical response with external quantum efficiency as high as 30% and high helicity selectivity of ~15.8% in an intended wavelength range. Furthermore, we demonstrated the ability of manipulating both bandwidth and responsivity of the detector simultaneously in whole visible wavelength range by a precise control over the geometry and materials constituting hetero-chiral thin film. The high efficiency, wavelength selectivity and compatibility with conventional microelectronics processes enabled by the proposed device can result in remarkable developments in highly integrated photonic platforms utilizing chiroptical responses. PMID:26795601

Highly photoresponsive and wavelength-selective circularly-polarized-light detector based on metal-oxides hetero-chiral thin film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Seung Hee; Singh, Dhruv Pratap; Sung, Ji Ho; Jo, Moon-Ho; Kwon, Ki Chang; Kim, Soo Young; Jang, Ho Won; Kim, Jong Kyu

2016-01-01

A highly efficient circularly-polarized-light detector with excellent wavelength selectivity is demonstrated with an elegant and simple microelectronics-compatible way. The circularly-polarized-light detector based on a proper combination of the geometry-controlled TiO2-SnO2 hetero-chiral thin film as an effective chiroptical filter and the Si active layer shows excellent chiroptical response with external quantum efficiency as high as 30% and high helicity selectivity of ~15.8% in an intended wavelength range. Furthermore, we demonstrated the ability of manipulating both bandwidth and responsivity of the detector simultaneously in whole visible wavelength range by a precise control over the geometry and materials constituting hetero-chiral thin film. The high efficiency, wavelength selectivity and compatibility with conventional microelectronics processes enabled by the proposed device can result in remarkable developments in highly integrated photonic platforms utilizing chiroptical responses.

Development of a business plan for women's health services, using Malcolm Baldrige Performance Excellence Criteria.

PubMed

Caramanica, L; Maxwell, S; Curry, S

2000-06-01

A new process for business planning at Hartford Hospital was needed to achieve critical business results. This article describes the Hospital's use of the Malcolm Baldrige Performance Excellence Criteria as a way to standardize and improve business planning. Women's Health Services is one of Hartford Hospital's "centers for excellence" and one of the first to use these criteria to improve its service. Staff learned how to build their business plan upon a set of core values and concepts such as customer-driven quality, leadership that sets high expectations, continuous improvement and learning, valuing employees, faster response to market demands, management by fact, and a long-range view of the future.

Enzyme Sequestration as a Tuning Point in Controlling Response Dynamics of Signalling Networks

PubMed Central

Ollivier, Julien F.; Soyer, Orkun S.

2016-01-01

Signalling networks result from combinatorial interactions among many enzymes and scaffolding proteins. These complex systems generate response dynamics that are often essential for correct decision-making in cells. Uncovering biochemical design principles that underpin such response dynamics is a prerequisite to understand evolved signalling networks and to design synthetic ones. Here, we use in silico evolution to explore the possible biochemical design space for signalling networks displaying ultrasensitive and adaptive response dynamics. By running evolutionary simulations mimicking different biochemical scenarios, we find that enzyme sequestration emerges as a key mechanism for enabling such dynamics. Inspired by these findings, and to test the role of sequestration, we design a generic, minimalist model of a signalling cycle, featuring two enzymes and a single scaffolding protein. We show that this simple system is capable of displaying both ultrasensitive and adaptive response dynamics. Furthermore, we find that tuning the concentration or kinetics of the sequestering protein can shift system dynamics between these two response types. These empirical results suggest that enzyme sequestration through scaffolding proteins is exploited by evolution to generate diverse response dynamics in signalling networks and could provide an engineering point in synthetic biology applications. PMID:27163612

ExCEL in Social Work: Excellence in Cancer Education & Leadership: An Oncology Social Work Response to the 2008 Institute of Medicine Report.

PubMed

Otis-Green, Shirley; Jones, Barbara; Zebrack, Brad; Kilburn, Lisa; Altilio, Terry A; Ferrell, Betty

2015-09-01

ExCEL in Social Work: Excellence in Cancer Education & Leadership was a multi-year National Cancer Institute (NCI)-funded grant for the development and implementation of an innovative educational program for oncology social workers. The program's curriculum focused upon six core competencies of psychosocial-spiritual support necessary to meet the standard of care recommended by the 2008 Institute of Medicine (IOM) Report: Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs. The curriculum was delivered through a collaborative partnership between the City of Hope National Medical Center and the two leading professional organizations devoted exclusively to representing oncology social workers--the Association of Oncology Social Work and the Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers. Initial findings support the feasibility and acceptability of this tailored leadership skills-building program for participating oncology social workers.

ExCEL in Social Work: Excellence in Cancer Education & Leadership An Oncology Social Work Response to the 2008 Institute of Medicine Report

PubMed Central

Otis-Green, Shirley; Jones, Barbara; Zebrack, Brad; Kilburn, Lisa; Altilio, Terry A.; Ferrell, Betty

2014-01-01

ExCEL in Social Work : Excellence in Cancer Education & Leadership was a multi-year National Cancer Institute (NCI)-funded grant for the development and implementation of an innovative educational program for oncology social workers. The program’s curriculum focused upon six core competencies of psychosocial-spiritual support necessary to meet the standard of care recommended by the 2008 Institute of Medicine (IOM) Report: Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs. The curriculum was delivered through a collaborative partnership between the City of Hope National Medical Center and the two leading professional organizations devoted exclusively to representing oncology social workers - the Association of Oncology Social Work and the Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers. Initial findings support the feasibility and acceptability of this tailored leadership skills-building program for participating oncology social workers. PMID:25146345

Asking the Right Questions: Helping Mainstream Students Understand Other Cultures.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taylor, Jefferey H.

Two common tendencies that lead many mainstream students to misinterpret other cultures are the combative response and the exoticizing response. These misinterpretations, however, can be excellent learning moments for helping students understand the constructed nature of culture and the contextual nature of learning. Transformational multicultural…

An Equitable Balance: Designing Quality Thinking Systems in Art Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ingalls Vanada, Delane

2016-01-01

Dynamic learning environments in the arts that nurture all students' capacities for deep meaning, synthesis and connection-making have the best chance of standing in the gap toward educational justice. New paradigms for teaching and learning are needed that elevate all students' capacities--not just the select few who excel in narrow subsets of…

The University of Santo Tomas Viewed from the Lens of Total Quality Management: Implications to Total Quality Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

de Guzman, Allan B.; Torres, Josefina R.

2004-01-01

Considered as a major management approach for improving organizational performance and competitive advantage, Total Quality Management (TQM) poses a challenge to dynamic institutions to adopt a systemic philosophy that places emphasis on customer needs and a commitment to a culture of excellence. Higher education institutions (HEIs) as learning…

Dynamic Variation in Pleasure in Children Predicts Nonlinear Change in Lateral Frontal Brain Electrical Activity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Light, Sharee N.; Coan, James A.; Frye, Corrina; Goldsmith, H. Hill; Davidson, Richard J.

2009-01-01

Individual variation in the experience and expression of pleasure may relate to differential patterns of lateral frontal activity. Brain electrical measures have been used to study the asymmetric involvement of lateral frontal cortex in positive emotion, but the excellent time resolution of these measures has not been used to capture…

Establishing a Professional Development Network around Dynamic Mathematics Software in England

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lavicza, Zsolt; Hohenwarter, Markus; Jones, Keith; Lu, Allison; Dawes, Mark

2010-01-01

In this paper, we will outline some results of an NCETM (National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics) funded project that aimed to establish a professional development network with an open-source mathematical software--GeoGebra--in England. During the past few years a large international user and developer community has formed…

Visualizing and Understanding l'Hopital's Rule

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gordon, Sheldon P.

2017-01-01

This article uses dynamic software in Excel to demonstrate several ways in which graphical and numerical approaches can be introduced both to enhance student understanding of l'Hopital's Rule and to explain why the Rule actually works to give the "right" answers. One of the approaches used is to visualize what is happening by examining…

Supply Chain Simulator: A Scenario-Based Educational Tool to Enhance Student Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Siddiqui, Atiq; Khan, Mehmood; Akhtar, Sohail

2008-01-01

Simulation-based educational products are excellent set of illustrative tools that proffer features like visualization of the dynamic behavior of a real system, etc. Such products have great efficacy in education and are known to be one of the first-rate student centered learning methodologies. These products allow students to practice skills such…

The Sites Teachers Choose: A Gauge of Classroom Web Use

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Archambault, Leanna; Crippen, Kent

2007-01-01

The pervasive nature of the Internet, both in society and in America's schools, leads teacher educators to wonder how this dynamic tool is being utilized in the classroom and, especially, if it is benefiting students' understanding. This study analyzed 127 Web sites self-reported by in-service teachers as excellent for teaching. From these data, a…

From Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience: Encouraging Innovation in Undergraduate Neuroscience Education by Supporting Student Research and Faculty Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hardwick, Jean C.; Kerchner, Michael; Lom, Barbara; Ramirez, Julio J.; Wiertelak, Eric P.

2006-01-01

This article features the organization Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience. FUN was established by a group of neuroscientists dedicated to innovation and excellence in undergraduate neuroscience education and research. In the years since its inception, FUN has grown into a dynamic organization making a significant impact on the quality of…

Ab-initio study of high temperature lattice dynamics of BCC zirconium (β-Zr) and uranium (γ-U)

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

Ghosh, Partha S., E-mail: parthasarathi13@gmail.com; Arya, A., E-mail: parthasarathi13@gmail.com; Dey, G. K., E-mail: parthasarathi13@gmail.com

2014-04-24

Using self consistent ab-initio lattice dynamics calculations, we show that bcc structures of Zr and U phases become stable at high temperature by phonon-phonon interactions. The calculated temperature dependent phonon dispersion curve (PDC) of β-Zr match excellently with experimental PDC. But the calculated PDC for γ-U shows negative phonon frequencies even at solid to liquid transition temperature. We show that this discrepancy is due to an overestimation of instability depth of bcc U phase which is removed by incorporation of spin-orbit coupling in the electronic structure calculations.

Three-Dimensional Model for Preservation and Restoration of Architectural Heritage

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marchis, Elena

2011-01-01

Thc aim of the research will be to create a model, three-dimensional mathematical. implementation. consultation and assistance to "large" restoration projects that will assist the structural analysis, allowing easier display of dynamic strain. analysis and lighting noise. It could also be a valuable tool for decision support. therefore. may simulate several possible scenarios for intervention, This model appears therefore an excellent support for recovering. ordering and monitoring information about materials and data (stage of restoration. photographs. sampling points. results of diagnostic tests, etc.) collected dynamically during the "life" of the cultural heritage. allowing to document its complete history

Temperature dependence of the fundamental optical absorption edge in crystals and disordered semiconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grein, C. H.; John, Sajeev

1989-04-01

We present a first principles theory of the temperature dependence of the Urbach optical absorption edge in crystals and disordered semiconductors which incorporates the effects of short range correlated static disorder and the non-adiabatic quantum dynamics of the coupled electron-phonon system. At finite temperatures the dominant features of the Urbach tail are accounted for by multiple phonon absorption and emission side bands which accompany the optically induced electronic transition and which provide a dynamic polaronic potential well that localizes the electron. Excellent agreement is found with experimental data on both crystalline and amorphous silicon.

Application of GRASP (General Rotorcraft Aeromechanical Stability Program) to nonlinear analysis of a cantilever beam

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hinnant, Howard E.; Hodges, Dewey H.

1987-01-01

The General Rotorcraft Aeromechanical Stability Program (GRASP) was developed to analyse the steady-state and linearized dynamic behavior of rotorcraft in hovering and axial flight conditions. Because of the nature of problems GRASP was created to solve, the geometrically nonlinear behavior of beams is one area in which the program must perform well in order to be of any value. Numerical results obtained from GRASP are compared to both static and dynamic experimental data obtained for a cantilever beam undergoing large displacements and rotations caused by deformations. The correlation is excellent in all cases.

Accelerated simulations of aromatic polymers: application to polyether ether ketone (PEEK)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Broadbent, Richard J.; Spencer, James S.; Mostofi, Arash A.; Sutton, Adrian P.

2014-10-01

For aromatic polymers, the out-of-plane oscillations of aromatic groups limit the maximum accessible time step in a molecular dynamics simulation. We present a systematic approach to removing such high-frequency oscillations from planar groups along aromatic polymer backbones, while preserving the dynamical properties of the system. We consider, as an example, the industrially important polymer, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and show that this coarse graining technique maintains excellent agreement with the fully flexible all-atom and all-atom rigid bond models whilst allowing the time step to increase fivefold to 5 fs.

Fractional dynamics using an ensemble of classical trajectories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Zhaopeng; Dong, Hao; Zheng, Yujun

2018-01-01

A trajectory-based formulation for fractional dynamics is presented and the trajectories are generated deterministically. In this theoretical framework, we derive a new class of estimators in terms of confluent hypergeometric function (F11) to represent the Riesz fractional derivative. Using this method, the simulation of free and confined Lévy flight are in excellent agreement with the exact numerical and analytical results. In addition, the barrier crossing in a bistable potential driven by Lévy noise of index α is investigated. In phase space, the behavior of trajectories reveal the feature of Lévy flight in a better perspective.

Dynamic Docking Test System (DDTS) active table frequency response test results. [Apollo Soyuz Test Project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gates, R. M.

1974-01-01

Results are presented of the frequency response test performed on the dynamic docking test system (DDTS) active table. Sinusoidal displacement commands were applied to the table and the dynamic response determined from measured actuator responses and accelerometers mounted to the table and one actuator.

Repeatability testing of a new Hybrid III 6-year-old ATD lower extremity.

PubMed

Boucher, Laura C; Ryu, Yeonsu; Kang, Yun-Seok; Bolte, John H

2017-05-29

Vehicle safety is improving, thus decreasing the number of life-threatening injuries and increasing the need for research in other areas of the body. The current child anthropomorphic test device (ATD) does not have the capabilities or instrumentation to measure many of the potential interactions between the lower extremity and the vehicle interior. A prototype Hybrid III 6-year-old ATD lower extremity (ATD-LE) was developed and contains a tibia load cell and a more biofidelic ankle. The repeatability of the device has not yet been assessed; thus, the objective was to evaluate the repeatability of the ATD-LE. Additionally, a dynamic assessment was conducted to quantify injury threshold values. A pneumatic ram impactor was used at 2 velocities to evaluate repeatability. The ATD-LE was fixed to a table and impacted on the plantar aspect of the forefoot. Three repeated trials at 1.3 and 2.3 m/s without shoes and 2.3 m/s with shoes were conducted. The consistency of tibia force (N), bending moment (Nm), ankle range of motion (ROM, °), and stiffness (Nm/°) were quantified. A dynamic assessment using knee bolster airbag (KBA) tests was also conducted. The ATD-LE was positioned to mimic 3 worst-case scenarios: toes touching the mid-dashboard, touching the lower dashboard, and flat on the floor prior to airbag deployment. The impact responses in the femur and tibia were directly collected and compared with published injury threshold values. Ram impact testing indicated primarily excellent repeatability for the variables tested. For all 3 conditions the coefficients of variance (CV) were as follows: tibia force, 1.9-2.7%; tibia moment, 1.0-2.2%; ROM, 1.3-1.4%; ankle stiffness, 4.8-15.6%. The shoe-on condition resulted in a 25% reduction in tibia force and a 56% reduction in tibia bending moment. The KBA tests indicate that the highest injury risk may be when the toes touch the lower dashboard, due to the high bending moments recorded in the tibia at 76.2 Nm, which was above the injury threshold. The above work has demonstrated that the repeatability of the ATD-LE was excellent for tibia force, bending moment, and ankle ROM. The ATD-LE has the ability to provide new information to engineers and researchers due to its ability to directly evaluate the crash response of the ankle and leg. New information on injury mechanism and injury tolerance may lead to injury reduction and thus help advance the safety of children.

Terrorism: a public health threat with a trauma system response.

PubMed

Jacobs, Lenworth M; Burns, Karyl J; Gross, Ronald I

2003-12-01

The threat of mass casualties and widespread infectious disease caused by terrorism is now a challenge for our government and public health system. Funds have been granted to the states by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Health Resources and Services Administration to establish bioterrorism preparedness and response capabilities. Hartford Hospital has been designated as a Center of Excellence for Bioterrorism Preparedness by the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health. The Center of Excellence has implemented strategies to prepare for a possible bioterrorist attack. A unique model that combines epidemiology and traumatology is being used to guide the preparedness activities. Although the focus of the grant from the Connecticut Department of Public Health is bioterrorism, the application of the model can apply to preparation for all terrorist events. Implementation of strategies indicates that bioterrorism preparedness is well underway. Similar initiatives should be achievable by other trauma systems throughout the country. A Center of Excellence for Bioterrorism Preparedness in Connecticut is successfully modifying a trauma system to meet the challenge of a new public health threat, terrorism.

On the accuracy of gamma spectrometric isotope ratio measurements of uranium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramebäck, H.; Lagerkvist, P.; Holmgren, S.; Jonsson, S.; Sandström, B.; Tovedal, A.; Vesterlund, A.; Vidmar, T.; Kastlander, J.

2016-04-01

The isotopic composition of uranium was measured using high resolution gamma spectrometry. Two acid solutions and two samples in the form of UO2 pellets were measured. The measurements were done in close geometries, i.e. directly on the endcap of the high purity germanium detector (HPGe). Applying no corrections for count losses due to true coincidence summing (TCS) resulted in up to about 40% deviation in the abundance of 235U from the results obtained with mass spectrometry. However, after correction for TCS, excellent agreement was achieved between the results obtained using two different measurement methods, or a certified value. Moreover, after corrections, the fitted relative response curves correlated excellently with simulated responses, for the different geometries, of the HPGe detector.

Steady-state visually evoked potential correlates of human body perception.

PubMed

Giabbiconi, Claire-Marie; Jurilj, Verena; Gruber, Thomas; Vocks, Silja

2016-11-01

In cognitive neuroscience, interest in the neuronal basis underlying the processing of human bodies is steadily increasing. Based on functional magnetic resonance imaging studies, it is assumed that the processing of pictures of human bodies is anchored in a network of specialized brain areas comprising the extrastriate and the fusiform body area (EBA, FBA). An alternative to examine the dynamics within these networks is electroencephalography, more specifically so-called steady-state visually evoked potentials (SSVEPs). In SSVEP tasks, a visual stimulus is presented repetitively at a predefined flickering rate and typically elicits a continuous oscillatory brain response at this frequency. This brain response is characterized by an excellent signal-to-noise ratio-a major advantage for source reconstructions. The main goal of present study was to demonstrate the feasibility of this method to study human body perception. To that end, we presented pictures of bodies and contrasted the resulting SSVEPs to two control conditions, i.e., non-objects and pictures of everyday objects (chairs). We found specific SSVEPs amplitude differences between bodies and both control conditions. Source reconstructions localized the SSVEP generators to a network of temporal, occipital and parietal areas. Interestingly, only body perception resulted in activity differences in middle temporal and lateral occipitotemporal areas, most likely reflecting the EBA/FBA.

The Trunk Impairment Scale - modified to ordinal scales in the Norwegian version.

PubMed

Gjelsvik, Bente; Breivik, Kyrre; Verheyden, Geert; Smedal, Tori; Hofstad, Håkon; Strand, Liv Inger

2012-01-01

To translate the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), a measure of trunk control in patients after stroke, into Norwegian (TIS-NV), and to explore its construct validity, internal consistency, intertester and test-retest reliability. TIS was translated according to international guidelines. The validity study was performed on data from 201 patients with acute stroke. Fifty patients with stroke and acquired brain injury were recruited to examine intertester and test-retest reliability. Construct validity was analyzed with exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and item response theory, internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha test, and intertester and test-retest reliability with kappa and intraclass correlation coefficient tests. The back-translated version of TIS-NV was validated by the original developer. The subscale Static sitting balance was removed. By combining items from the subscales Dynamic sitting balance and Coordination, six ordinal superitems (testlets) were constructed. The TIS-NV was renamed the modified TIS-NV (TIS-modNV). After modifications the TIS-modNV fitted well to a locally dependent unidimensional item response theory model. It demonstrated good construct validity, excellent internal consistency, and high intertester and test-retest reliability for the total score. This study supports that the TIS-modNV is a valid and reliable scale for use in clinical practice and research.

Photostable bipolar fluorescent probe for video tracking plasma membranes related cellular processes.

PubMed

Zhang, Xinfu; Wang, Chao; Jin, Liji; Han, Zhuo; Xiao, Yi

2014-08-13

Plasma membranes can sense the stimulations and transmit the signals from extracellular environment and then make further responses through changes in locations, shapes or morphologies. Common fluorescent membrane markers are not well suited for long time tracking due to their shorter retention time inside plasma membranes and/or their lower photostability. To this end, we develop a new bipolar marker, Mem-SQAC, which can stably insert into plasma membranes of different cells and exhibits a long retention time over 30 min. Mem-SQAC also inherits excellent photostability from the BODIPY dye family. Large two-photon absorption cross sections and long wavelength fluorescence emissions further enhance the competitiveness of Mem-SQAC as a membrane marker. By using Mem-SQAC, significant morphological changes of plasma membranes have been monitored during heavy metal poisoning and drug induced apoptosis of MCF-7 cells; the change tendencies are so distinctly different from each other that they can be used as indicators to distinguish different cell injuries. Further on, the complete processes of endocytosis toward Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by RAW 264.7 cells have been dynamically tracked. It is discovered that plasma membranes take quite different actions in response to the two bacteria, information unavailable in previous research reports.

Origins of Moiré Patterns in CVD-grown MoS2 Bilayer Structures at the Atomic Scales.

PubMed

Wang, Jin; Namburu, Raju; Dubey, Madan; Dongare, Avinash M

2018-06-21

The chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-grown two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) structures comprise of flakes of few layers with different dimensions. The top layers are relatively smaller in size than the bottom layers, resulting in the formation of edges/steps across adjacent layers. The strain response of such few-layer terraced structures is therefore likely to be different from exfoliated few-layered structures with similar dimensions without any terraces. In this study, the strain response of CVD-grown few-layered MoS 2 terraced structures is investigated at the atomic scales using classic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. MD simulations suggest that the strain relaxation of CVD-grown triangular terraced structures is observed in the vertical displacement of the atoms across the layers that results in the formation of Moiré patterns. The Moiré islands are observed to nucleate at the corners or edges of the few-layered structure and propagate inwards under both tensile and compressive strains. The nucleation of these islands is observed to happen at tensile strains of ~ 2% and at compressive strains of ~2.5%. The vertical displacements of the atoms and the dimensions of the Moiré islands predicted using the MD simulation are in excellent agreement with that observed experimentally.

Modelling of Damage Evolution in Braided Composites: Recent Developments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Chen; Roy, Anish; Silberschmidt, Vadim V.; Chen, Zhong

2017-12-01

Composites reinforced with woven or braided textiles exhibit high structural stability and excellent damage tolerance thanks to yarn interlacing. With their high stiffness-to-weight and strength-to-weight ratios, braided composites are attractive for aerospace and automotive components as well as sports protective equipment. In these potential applications, components are typically subjected to multi-directional static, impact and fatigue loadings. To enhance material analysis and design for such applications, understanding mechanical behaviour of braided composites and development of predictive capabilities becomes crucial. Significant progress has been made in recent years in development of new modelling techniques allowing elucidation of static and dynamic responses of braided composites. However, because of their unique interlacing geometric structure and complicated failure modes, prediction of damage initiation and its evolution in components is still a challenge. Therefore, a comprehensive literature analysis is presented in this work focused on a review of the state-of-the-art progressive damage analysis of braided composites with finite-element simulations. Recently models employed in the studies on mechanical behaviour, impact response and fatigue analyses of braided composites are presented systematically. This review highlights the importance, advantages and limitations of as-applied failure criteria and damage evolution laws for yarns and composite unit cells. In addition, this work provides a good reference for future research on FE simulations of braided composites.

Micromachined optical microphone structures with low thermal-mechanical noise levels.

PubMed

Hall, Neal A; Okandan, Murat; Littrell, Robert; Bicen, Baris; Degertekin, F Levent

2007-10-01

Micromachined microphones with diffraction-based optical displacement detection have been introduced previously [Hall et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 118, 3000-3009 (2005)]. The approach has the advantage of providing high displacement detection resolution of the microphone diaphragm independent of device size and capacitance-creating an unconstrained design space for the mechanical structure itself. Micromachined microphone structures with 1.5-mm-diam polysilicon diaphragms and monolithically integrated diffraction grating electrodes are presented in this work with backplate architectures that deviate substantially from traditional perforated plate designs. These structures have been designed for broadband frequency response and low thermal mechanical noise levels. Rigorous experimental characterization indicates a diaphragm displacement detection resolution of 20 fm radicalHz and a thermal mechanical induced diaphragm displacement noise density of 60 fm radicalHz, corresponding to an A-weighted sound pressure level detection limit of 24 dB(A) for these structures. Measured thermal mechanical displacement noise spectra are in excellent agreement with simulations based on system parameters derived from dynamic frequency response characterization measurements, which show a diaphragm resonance limited bandwidth of approximately 20 kHz. These designs are substantial improvements over initial prototypes presented previously. The high performance-to-size ratio achievable with this technology is expected to have an impact on a variety of instrumentation and hearing applications.

A Rayleighian approach for modeling kinetics of ionic transport in polymeric media

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

Kumar, Rajeev

2017-02-14

Here, we report a theoretical approach for analyzing impedance of ionic liquids (ILs) and charged polymers such as polymerized ionic liquids (PolyILs) within linear response. The approach is based on the Rayleigh dissipation function formalism, which provides a computational framework for a systematic study of various factors, including polymer dynamics, in affecting the impedance. We present an analytical expression for the impedance within linear response by constructing a one-dimensional model for ionic transport in ILs/PolyILs. This expression is used to extract mutual diffusion constants, the length scale of mutual diffusion, and thicknesses of a low-dielectric layer on the electrodes frommore » the broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) measurements done for an IL and three PolyILs. Also, static dielectric permittivities of the IL and the PolyILs are determined. The extracted mutual diffusion constants are compared with the self diffusion constants of ions measured using pulse field gradient (PFG) fluorine nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). For the first time, excellent agreements between the diffusivities extracted from the Electrode Polarization spectra (EPS) of IL/PolyILs and those measured using the PFG-NMR are found, which allows the use of the EPS and the PFG-NMR techniques in a complimentary manner for a general understanding of the ionic transport.« less

Excellence in Teacher Education through the Liberal Arts. Proceedings of the Conference on Excellence in Teacher Education through the Liberal Arts (Allentown, PA, May 20-21, 1986).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carbone, Michael J., Ed.; Wonsiewicz, Ann, Ed.

This volume presents papers given at a conference on the role of liberal arts in teacher education. Titles and authors are: (1) "The Connections between Teacher Education and School Reform" (Theodore R. Sizer) with a panel response by J. William Moore and Others; (2) "Teaching: A Career of Choice" (Edward J. Meade, Jr.); (3) "Liberal Learning and…

Responses of timber rattlesnakes to fire: Lessons from two prescribed burns

Treesearch

Steven J. Beaupre; Lara E. Douglas

2012-01-01

Timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) are excellent model organisms for understanding the effects of large scale habitat manipulations because of their low-energy lifestyle, rapid response to changes in resource environment, uniform diet (small mammals), and simple behaviors. We present two case studies that illustrate interactions between timber...

Excellent glass forming ability and plasticity in high entropy Zr20Ti20Hf20M20Be20 (M = Cu, Ni, Co) alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zong, Haitao; Geng, Chenchen; Kang, Chaoyang; Cao, Guohua; Bian, Linyan; Li, Lixin; Zhang, Baoqing; Li, Ming

2018-03-01

We reported here the studies of a series of Zr20Ti20Hf20M20Be20 (M = Cu, Ni and Co) quinary high entropy bulk metallic glasses. Glasses with critical diameters (Dc) of 3 mm, 8 mm and 5 mm, respectively has been successfully fabricated by copper mold casting. Strikingly, a plastic strain of 11.6% is achieved in the Zr20Ti20Hf20Cu20Be20 metallic glass. The dynamic fragility the Zr20Ti20Hf20Cu20Be20 alloy is determined from calorimetric measurements. The excellent plasticity is explained to be attributed to relatively higher fragility.

Multinuclear NMR of CaSiO(3) glass: simulation from first-principles.

PubMed

Pedone, Alfonso; Charpentier, Thibault; Menziani, Maria Cristina

2010-06-21

An integrated computational method which couples classical molecular dynamics simulations with density functional theory calculations is used to simulate the solid-state NMR spectra of amorphous CaSiO(3). Two CaSiO(3) glass models are obtained by shell-model molecular dynamics simulations, successively relaxed at the GGA-PBE level of theory. The calculation of the NMR parameters (chemical shielding and quadrupolar parameters), which are then used to simulate solid-state 1D and 2D-NMR spectra of silicon-29, oxygen-17 and calcium-43, is achieved by the gauge including projector augmented-wave (GIPAW) and the projector augmented-wave (PAW) methods. It is shown that the limitations due to the finite size of the MD models can be overcome using a Kernel Estimation Density (KDE) approach to simulate the spectra since it better accounts for the disorder effects on the NMR parameter distribution. KDE allows reconstructing a smoothed NMR parameter distribution from the MD/GIPAW data. Simulated NMR spectra calculated with the present approach are found to be in excellent agreement with the experimental data. This further validates the CaSiO(3) structural model obtained by MD simulations allowing the inference of relationships between structural data and NMR response. The methods used to simulate 1D and 2D-NMR spectra from MD GIPAW data have been integrated in a package (called fpNMR) freely available on request.

Handling Qualities Implications for Crewed Spacecraft Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bailey, Randall E.; Jackson, E. Bruce; Arthur, J. J.

2012-01-01

Abstract Handling qualities embody those qualities or characteristics of an aircraft that govern the ease and precision with which a pilot is able to perform the tasks required in support of an aircraft role. These same qualities are as critical, if not more so, in the operation of spacecraft. A research, development, test, and evaluation process was put into effect to identify, understand, and interpret the engineering and human factors principles which govern the pilot-vehicle dynamic system as they pertain to space exploration missions and tasks. Toward this objective, piloted simulations were conducted at the NASA Langley Research Center and Ames Research Center for earth-orbit proximity operations and docking and lunar landing. These works provide broad guidelines for the design of spacecraft to exhibit excellent handling characteristics. In particular, this work demonstrates how handling qualities include much more than just stability and control characteristics of a spacecraft or aircraft. Handling qualities are affected by all aspects of the pilot-vehicle dynamic system, including the motion, visual and aural cues of the vehicle response as the pilot performs the required operation or task. A holistic approach to spacecraft design, including the use of manual control, automatic control, and pilot intervention/supervision is described. The handling qualities implications of design decisions are demonstrated using these pilot-in-the-loop evaluations of docking operations and lunar landings.

Epidermal tattoo potentiometric sodium sensors with wireless signal transduction for continuous non-invasive sweat monitoring.

PubMed

Bandodkar, Amay J; Molinnus, Denise; Mirza, Omar; Guinovart, Tomás; Windmiller, Joshua R; Valdés-Ramírez, Gabriela; Andrade, Francisco J; Schöning, Michael J; Wang, Joseph

2014-04-15

This article describes the fabrication, characterization and application of an epidermal temporary-transfer tattoo-based potentiometric sensor, coupled with a miniaturized wearable wireless transceiver, for real-time monitoring of sodium in the human perspiration. Sodium excreted during perspiration is an excellent marker for electrolyte imbalance and provides valuable information regarding an individual's physical and mental wellbeing. The realization of the new skin-worn non-invasive tattoo-like sensing device has been realized by amalgamating several state-of-the-art thick film, laser printing, solid-state potentiometry, fluidics and wireless technologies. The resulting tattoo-based potentiometric sodium sensor displays a rapid near-Nernstian response with negligible carryover effects, and good resiliency against various mechanical deformations experienced by the human epidermis. On-body testing of the tattoo sensor coupled to a wireless transceiver during exercise activity demonstrated its ability to continuously monitor sweat sodium dynamics. The real-time sweat sodium concentration was transmitted wirelessly via a body-worn transceiver from the sodium tattoo sensor to a notebook while the subjects perspired on a stationary cycle. The favorable analytical performance along with the wearable nature of the wireless transceiver makes the new epidermal potentiometric sensing system attractive for continuous monitoring the sodium dynamics in human perspiration during diverse activities relevant to the healthcare, fitness, military, healthcare and skin-care domains. © 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Sodium Binding Sites and Permeation Mechanism in the NaChBac Channel: A Molecular Dynamics Study.

PubMed

Guardiani, Carlo; Rodger, P Mark; Fedorenko, Olena A; Roberts, Stephen K; Khovanov, Igor A

2017-03-14

NaChBac was the first discovered bacterial sodium voltage-dependent channel, yet computational studies are still limited due to the lack of a crystal structure. In this work, a pore-only construct built using the NavMs template was investigated using unbiased molecular dynamics and metadynamics. The potential of mean force (PMF) from the unbiased run features four minima, three of which correspond to sites IN, CEN, and HFS discovered in NavAb. During the run, the selectivity filter (SF) is spontaneously occupied by two ions, and frequent access of a third one is often observed. In the innermost sites IN and CEN, Na + is fully hydrated by six water molecules and occupies an on-axis position. In site HFS sodium interacts with a glutamate and a serine from the same subunit and is forced to adopt an off-axis placement. Metadynamics simulations biasing one and two ions show an energy barrier in the SF that prevents single-ion permeation. An analysis of the permeation mechanism was performed both computing minimum energy paths in the axial-axial PMF and through a combination of Markov state modeling and transition path theory. Both approaches reveal a knock-on mechanism involving at least two but possibly three ions. The currents predicted from the unbiased simulation using linear response theory are in excellent agreement with single-channel patch-clamp recordings.

Highly selective direct determination of chlorate ions by using a newly developed potentiometric electrode based on modified smectite.

PubMed

Topcu, Cihan

2016-12-01

A novel polyvinyl chloride membrane chlorate (ClO 3 - ) selective electrode based on modified smectite was developed for the direct determination of chlorate ions and the potentiometric performance characteristics of its were examined. The best selectivity and sensitivity for chlorate ions were obtained for the electrode membrane containing ionophore/polyvinylchloride/o-nitrophenyloctylether in composition of 12/28/60 (w/w%). The proposed electrode showed a Nernstian response toward chlorate ions at pH=7 in the concentration range of 1×10 -7 -1×10 -1 M and the limit of detection was calculated as 9×10 -8 M from the constructed response plot. The linear slope of the electrode was -61±1mVdecade -1 for chlorate activity in the mentioned linear working range. The selectivity coefficients were calculated according to both the matched potential method and the separate solution method. The calculated selectivity coefficients showed that the electrode performed excellent selectivity for chlorate ions. The potentiometric response of electrode toward chlorate ions was found to be highly reproducible. The electrode potential was stable between pH=4-10 and it had a dynamic response time of <5s. The potentiometric behavior of the electrode in partial non-aqueous medium was also investigated and the obtained results (up to 5% (v/v) alcohol) were satisfactory. The proposed electrode was used during 15 weeks without any significant change in its potential response. Additionally, the electrode was very useful in water analysis studies such as dam water, river water, tap water, and swimming pool water where the direct determination of chlorate ions was required. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dynamic Modeling of Yield and Particle Size Distribution in Continuous Bayer Precipitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stephenson, Jerry L.; Kapraun, Chris

Process engineers at Alcoa's Point Comfort refinery are using a dynamic model of the Bayer precipitation area to evaluate options in operating strategies. The dynamic model, a joint development effort between Point Comfort and the Alcoa Technical Center, predicts process yields, particle size distributions and occluded soda levels for various flowsheet configurations of the precipitation and classification circuit. In addition to rigorous heat, material and particle population balances, the model includes mechanistic kinetic expressions for particle growth and agglomeration and semi-empirical kinetics for nucleation and attrition. The kinetic parameters have been tuned to Point Comfort's operating data, with excellent matches between the model results and plant data. The model is written for the ACSL dynamic simulation program with specifically developed input/output graphical user interfaces to provide a user-friendly tool. Features such as a seed charge controller enhance the model's usefulness for evaluating operating conditions and process control approaches.

Leaf water dynamics of Arabidopsis thaliana monitored in-vivo using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castro-Camus, E.; Palomar, M.; Covarrubias, A. A.

2013-10-01

The declining water availability for agriculture is becoming problematic for many countries. Therefore the study of plants under water restriction is acquiring extraordinary importance. Botanists currently follow the dehydration of plants comparing the fresh and dry weight of excised organs, or measuring their osmotic or water potentials; these are destructive methods inappropriate for in-vivo determination of plants' hydration dynamics. Water is opaque in the terahertz band, while dehydrated biological tissues are partially transparent. We used terahertz spectroscopy to study the water dynamics of Arabidopsis thaliana by comparing the dehydration kinetics of leaves from plants under well-irrigated and water deficit conditions. We also present measurements of the effect of dark-light cycles and abscisic acid on its water dynamics. The measurements we present provide a new perspective on the water dynamics of plants under different external stimuli and confirm that terahertz can be an excellent non-contact probe of in-vivo tissue hydration.

A multi-state trajectory method for non-adiabatic dynamics simulations

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

Tao, Guohua, E-mail: taogh@pkusz.edu.cn

2016-03-07

A multi-state trajectory approach is proposed to describe nuclear-electron coupled dynamics in nonadiabatic simulations. In this approach, each electronic state is associated with an individual trajectory, among which electronic transition occurs. The set of these individual trajectories constitutes a multi-state trajectory, and nuclear dynamics is described by one of these individual trajectories as the system is on the corresponding state. The total nuclear-electron coupled dynamics is obtained from the ensemble average of the multi-state trajectories. A variety of benchmark systems such as the spin-boson system have been tested and the results generated using the quasi-classical version of the method showmore » reasonably good agreement with the exact quantum calculations. Featured in a clear multi-state picture, high efficiency, and excellent numerical stability, the proposed method may have advantages in being implemented to realistic complex molecular systems, and it could be straightforwardly applied to general nonadiabatic dynamics involving multiple states.« less

Molecular Dynamics Simulation Of Novel Elastomer Nanocomposites: Structure Design And Property Prediction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Jun; Zhang, Liqun

In this talk, by employing molecular dynamics simulation, we aim to provide the structure design and property prediction of novel elastomer nanocomposites(ENCs), by considering three typical systems such as physical compounding, self-assembly and end-linked systems. We examine the dispersion, interfacial interaction and the resulting static and dynamic mechanical properties of each system. Emphasis is placed on how to tune the visco-elasticity and decrease the dynamic hysteresis loss of ENCs, by considering to introduce the flexible nanoparticles(NPs) with reversible mechanical deformation such as carbon nanosprings and graphene nanoribbon, or by achieving a homogeneous distribution of NPs in the elastomeric polymer matrix together with decreasing the mobility of the end-groups of polymer chains. In particular, the end-linked system exhibits both excellent static and dynamic mechanical properties, independent of the temperature. This novel ENCs could provide some useful guidances for the fabrication of high performance ENCs tailored for tire tread of green tires by cutting the fuel consumption.

Role of Native and Exotic Earthworms in Plant Biopolymer Dynamics in Forest Soil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Filley, Timothy

2010-05-01

Many forests within northern North America are experiencing the introduction of earthworms for the first time, presumably since before the last major glaciation. Forest dynamics are undergoing substantial changes because of the activity of the mainly European lumbricid species. Documented losses in litter layers, expansion of A-horizons, loss of the organic horizon, changes in fine root density, and shifts in microbial populations have all been documented in invaded zones. Two free air CO2 enrichment (FACE) forest experiments (aspen FACE at Rhinelander, Wisconsin and sweet gum FACE at Oak Ridge National Lab, Tennessee) lie within the zones of invasion and exhibit differences in amounts of exotic and native species as well as endogeic (predominantly mineral soil dwelling) and epigeic (litter and organic matter horizon dwelling) types. Considerations of carbon accrual dynamics and relative input of above vs. below ground plant input in these young successional systems do not consider the potential impact of these ecosystem engineers. We investigated the impact of earthworm activity by tracking the relative abundance and stable carbon isotope compositions of lignin and substituted fatty acids extracted from isolated earthworms and their fecal pellets and from host soils. Indications of root vs leaf input to earthworm casts and fecal matter were derived from differences in the chemical composition of cutin, suberin, and lignin. The isotopically depleted CO2 used in FACE and the resulting isotopically depleted plant organic matter afford an excellent opportunity to assess biopolymer-specific turnover dynamics. We find that endogeic species are proportionately more responsible for fine root cycling while some epigeic species are responsible for microaggregation of foliar cutin. CSIA of fecal pellet lignin and SFA indicates how these biopolymer pools can be derived from variable sources, roots, background soil, foliar tissue within one earthworm. Additionally, CSIA indicates the distinct roles that different earthworm types have in "aging" surface soil biopolymer pools through encapsulation and upward transport of deeper soil carbon, and "freshening" deeper soil biopolymer pools through downward transport of surface carbon to deeper layers,. As earthworm species abundance and activity are not is steady state in many forests, the role of these important invertebrates should be more considered when assessing the changing soil state.

Vibrio Ecology in the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina, Characterized by Next-Generation Amplicon Sequencing of the Gene Encoding Heat Shock Protein 60 (hsp60).

PubMed

Jesser, Kelsey J; Noble, Rachel T

2018-07-01

Of marine eubacteria, the genus Vibrio is intriguing because member species are relevant to both marine ecology and human health. Many studies have touted the relationships of Vibrio to environmental factors, especially temperature and salinity, to predict total Vibrio abundance but lacked the taxonomic resolution to identify the relationships among species and the key drivers of Vibrio dynamics. To improve next-generation sequencing (NGS) surveys of Vibrio , we have conducted both 16S small subunit rRNA and heat shock protein 60 ( hsp60 ) amplicon sequencing of water samples collected at two well-studied locations in the Neuse River Estuary, NC. Samples were collected between May and December 2016 with enhanced sampling efforts in response to two named storms. Using hsp60 sequences, 21 Vibrio species were identified, including the potential human pathogens V. cholerae , V. parahaemolyticus , and V. vulnificus Changes in the Vibrio community mirrored seasonal and storm-related changes in the water column, especially in response to an influx of nutrient-rich freshwater to the estuary after Hurricane Matthew, which initiated dramatic changes in the overall Vibrio community. Individual species dynamics were wide ranging, indicating that individual Vibrio taxa have unique ecologies and that total Vibrio abundance predictors are insufficient for risk assessments of potentially pathogenic species. Positive relationships between Vibrio , dinoflagellates, and Cyanobacteria were identified, as were intraspecies associations, which further illuminated the interactions of cooccurring Vibrio taxa along environmental gradients. IMPORTANCE The objectives of this research were to utilize a novel approach to improve sequence-based surveys of Vibrio communities and to demonstrate the usefulness of this approach by presenting an analysis of Vibrio dynamics in the context of environmental conditions, with a particular focus on species that cause disease in humans and on storm effects. The methods presented here enabled the analysis of Vibrio dynamics with excellent taxonomic resolution and could be incorporated into future ecological studies and risk prediction strategies for potentially pathogenic species. Next-generation sequencing of hsp60 and other innovative sequence-based approaches are valuable tools and show great promise for studying Vibrio ecology and associated public health risks. Copyright © 2018 American Society for Microbiology.

Nurse Education, Center of Excellence for Remote and Medically Under-Served Areas (CERMUSA)

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-10-01

humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions throughout the world . To prepare for future military humanitarian missions, nurses turn to...disaster response education modules that include real- world scenarios were designed to inform and create learning opportunities to enhance disaster...preparedness and response. According to the American Public Health Association (2008), “In a rapidly changing world facing natural and man-made

The development of professional identity and the formation of teams in the Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System's Center of Excellence in Primary Care Education Program (CoEPCE).

PubMed

Meyer, Emily M; Zapatka, Susan; Brienza, Rebecca S

2015-06-01

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System (VACHS) is one of five Centers of Excellence in Primary Care Education (CoEPCE) pilot sites. The overall goal of the CoEPCE program, which is funded by the Office of Academic Affiliations, is to develop and implement innovative approaches for training future health care providers in postgraduate education programs to function effectively in teams to provide exceptional patient care. This longitudinal study employs theoretically grounded qualitative methods to understand the effect of a combined nursing and medical training model on professional identity and team development at the VACHS CoEPCE site. The authors used qualitative approaches to understand trainees' experiences, expectations, and impressions of the program. From September 2011 to August 2012, they conducted 28 interviews of 18 trainees (internal medicine [IM] residents and nurse practitioners [NPs]) and subjected data to three stages of open, iterative coding. Major themes illuminate both the evolution of individual professional identity within both types of trainees and the dynamic process of group identity development. Results suggest that initially IM residents struggled to understand NPs' roles and responsibilities, whereas NP trainees doubted their ability to work alongside physicians. At the end of one academic year, these uncertainties disappeared, and what was originally artificial had transformed into an organic interprofessional team of health providers who shared a strong sense of understanding and trust. This study provides early evidence of successful interprofessional collaboration among NPs and IM residents in a primary care training program.

Charge-transport anisotropy in black phosphorus: critical dependence on the number of layers.

PubMed

Banerjee, Swastika; Pati, Swapan K

2016-06-28

Phosphorene is a promising candidate for modern electronics because of the anisotropy associated with high electron-hole mobility. Additionally, superior mechanical flexibility allows the strain-engineering of various properties including the transport of charge carriers in phosphorene. In this work, we have shown the criticality of the number of layers to dictate the transport properties of black phosphorus. Trilayer black phosphorus (TBP) has been proposed as an excellent anisotropic material, based on the transport parameters using Boltzmann transport formalisms coupled with density functional theory. The mobilities of both the electron and the hole are found to be higher along the zigzag direction (∼10(4) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) at 300 K) compared to the armchair direction (∼10(2) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1)), resulting in the intrinsic directional anisotropy. Application of strain leads to additional electron-hole anisotropy with 10(3) fold higher mobility for the electron compared to the hole. Critical strain for maximum anisotropic response has also been determined. Whether the transport anisotropy is due to the spatial or charge-carrier has been determined through analyses of the scattering process of electrons and holes, and their recombination as well as relaxation dynamics. In this context, we have derived two descriptors (S and F(k)), which are general enough for any 2D or quasi-2D systems. Information on the scattering involving purely the carrier states also helps to understand the layer-dependent photoluminescence and electron (hole) relaxation in black phosphorus. Finally, we justify trilayer black phosphorus (TBP) as the material of interest with excellent transport properties.

Pharmaceutical Market Access: current state of affairs and key challenges – results of the Market Access Launch Excellence Inventory (MALEI)

PubMed Central

Koch, Marcus A.

2015-01-01

Objectives To take inventory of the current state of affairs of Market Access Launch Excellence in the life sciences industry. To identify key gaps and challenges for Market Access (MA) and discuss how they can be addressed. To generate a baseline for benchmarking MA launch excellence. Methodology An online survey was conducted with pharmaceutical executives primarily working in MA, marketing, or general management. The survey aimed to evaluate MA excellence prerequisites across the product life cycle (rated by importance and level of implementation) and to describe MA activity models in the respective companies. Composite scores were calculated from respondents’ ratings and answers. Results Implementation levels of MA excellence prerequisites generally lagged behind their perceived importance. Item importance and the respective level of implementation correlated well, which can be interpreted as proof of the validity of the questionnaire. The following areas were shown to be particularly underimplemented: 1) early integration of MA and health economic considerations in research and development decision making, 2) developing true partnerships with payers, including the development of services ‘beyond the pill’, and 3) consideration of human resource and talent management. The concept of importance-adjusted implementation levels as a hybrid parameter was introduced and shown to be a viable tool for benchmarking purposes. More than 70% of respondents indicated that their companies will invest broadly in MA in terms of capital and headcount within the next 3 years. Conclusions MA (launch) excellence needs to be further developed in order to close implementation gaps across the entire product life cycle. As MA is a comparatively young pharmaceutical discipline in a complex and dynamic environment, this effort will require strategic focus and dedication. The Market Access Launch Excellence Inventory benchmarking tool may help guide decision makers to prioritize their endeavors. PMID:29785250

Reproducing the Hemoglobin Saturation Profile, a Marker of the Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) fMRI Effect, at the Microscopic Level.

PubMed

Hadjistassou, Constantinos; Moyle, Keri; Ventikos, Yiannis

2016-01-01

The advent of functional MRI in the mid-1990s has catalyzed progress pertaining to scientific discoveries in neuroscience. With the prospect of elucidating the physiological aspect of the Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) effect we present a computational capillary-tissue system capable of mapping venous hemoglobin saturation- a marker of the BOLD hemodynamic response. Free and facilitated diffusion and convection for hemoglobin and oxygen are considered in the radial and axial directions. Hemoglobin reaction kinetics are governed by the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve. Brain activation, mimicked by dynamic transitions in cerebral blood velocity (CBv) and oxidative metabolism (CMRO2), is simulated by normalized changes in m = (ΔCBv/CBv)/(ΔCMRO2/CMRO2) of values 2, 3 and 4. Venous hemoglobin saturation profiles and peak oxygenation results, for m = 2, based upon a 50% and a 25% increase in CBv and CMRO2, respectively, lie within physiological limits exhibiting excellent correlation with the BOLD signal, for short-duration stimuli. Our analysis suggests basal CBv and CMRO2 values of 0.6 mm/s and 200 μmol/100g/min. Coupled CBv and CMRO2 responses, for m = 3 and m = 4, overestimate peak hemoglobin saturation, confirming the system's responsiveness to changes in hematocrit, CBv and CMRO2. Finally, factoring in neurovascular effects, we show that no initial dip will be observed unless there is a time delay in the onset of increased CBv relative to CMRO2.

Reproducing the Hemoglobin Saturation Profile, a Marker of the Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) fMRI Effect, at the Microscopic Level

PubMed Central

Hadjistassou, Constantinos; Moyle, Keri; Ventikos, Yiannis

2016-01-01

The advent of functional MRI in the mid-1990s has catalyzed progress pertaining to scientific discoveries in neuroscience. With the prospect of elucidating the physiological aspect of the Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) effect we present a computational capillary-tissue system capable of mapping venous hemoglobin saturation— a marker of the BOLD hemodynamic response. Free and facilitated diffusion and convection for hemoglobin and oxygen are considered in the radial and axial directions. Hemoglobin reaction kinetics are governed by the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve. Brain activation, mimicked by dynamic transitions in cerebral blood velocity (CBv) and oxidative metabolism (CMRO2), is simulated by normalized changes in m = (ΔCBv/CBv)/(ΔCMRO2/CMRO2) of values 2, 3 and 4. Venous hemoglobin saturation profiles and peak oxygenation results, for m = 2, based upon a 50% and a 25% increase in CBv and CMRO2, respectively, lie within physiological limits exhibiting excellent correlation with the BOLD signal, for short-duration stimuli. Our analysis suggests basal CBv and CMRO2 values of 0.6 mm/s and 200 μmol/100g/min. Coupled CBv and CMRO2 responses, for m = 3 and m = 4, overestimate peak hemoglobin saturation, confirming the system’s responsiveness to changes in hematocrit, CBv and CMRO2. Finally, factoring in neurovascular effects, we show that no initial dip will be observed unless there is a time delay in the onset of increased CBv relative to CMRO2. PMID:26939128

Dissecting the Phenotypic Components of Crop Plant Growth and Drought Responses Based on High-Throughput Image Analysis[W][OPEN

PubMed Central

Chen, Dijun; Neumann, Kerstin; Friedel, Swetlana; Kilian, Benjamin; Chen, Ming; Altmann, Thomas; Klukas, Christian

2014-01-01

Significantly improved crop varieties are urgently needed to feed the rapidly growing human population under changing climates. While genome sequence information and excellent genomic tools are in place for major crop species, the systematic quantification of phenotypic traits or components thereof in a high-throughput fashion remains an enormous challenge. In order to help bridge the genotype to phenotype gap, we developed a comprehensive framework for high-throughput phenotype data analysis in plants, which enables the extraction of an extensive list of phenotypic traits from nondestructive plant imaging over time. As a proof of concept, we investigated the phenotypic components of the drought responses of 18 different barley (Hordeum vulgare) cultivars during vegetative growth. We analyzed dynamic properties of trait expression over growth time based on 54 representative phenotypic features. The data are highly valuable to understand plant development and to further quantify growth and crop performance features. We tested various growth models to predict plant biomass accumulation and identified several relevant parameters that support biological interpretation of plant growth and stress tolerance. These image-based traits and model-derived parameters are promising for subsequent genetic mapping to uncover the genetic basis of complex agronomic traits. Taken together, we anticipate that the analytical framework and analysis results presented here will be useful to advance our views of phenotypic trait components underlying plant development and their responses to environmental cues. PMID:25501589

Au-modified three-dimensional In₂O₃ inverse opals: synthesis and improved performance for acetone sensing toward diagnosis of diabetes.

PubMed

Xing, Ruiqing; Li, Qingling; Xia, Lei; Song, Jian; Xu, Lin; Zhang, Jiahuan; Xie, Yi; Song, Hongwei

2015-08-14

Analyzing the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath effectively is crucial to medical treatment, which can provide a fast and noninvasive way to diagnose disease. Well-designed materials with controlled structures have great influence on the sensing performance. In this work, the ordered three dimensional inverse opal (3DIO) macroporous In2O3 films with additional via-hole architectures were fabricated and different amounts of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were loaded on the In2O3 films aiming at enhancing their electrical responses. The gas sensing to acetone toward diabetes diagnosis in exhaled breath was performed with different Au/In2O3 electrodes. Representatively, the best 3DIO Au/In2O3 sensor can detect acetone effectively at 340 °C with response of 42.4 to 5 ppm, the actual detection limit is as low as 20 ppb, and it holds a dynamic response of 11 s and a good selectivity. Moreover, clinical tests proved that the as-prepared 3DIO Au/In2O3 IO sensor could distinguish acetone biomarkers in human breath clearly. The excellent gas sensing properties of the Au/In2O3 electrodes were attributed to the "spillover effects" between Au and In2O3 and the special 3DIO structure. This work indicates that 3DIO Au/In2O3 composite is a promising electrode material for actual application in the monitoring and detection of diabetes through exhaled breath.

Probing Shells Against Buckling: A Nondestructive Technique for Laboratory Testing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thompson, J. Michael T.; Hutchinson, John W.; Sieber, Jan

2017-12-01

This paper addresses testing of compressed structures, such as shells, that exhibit catastrophic buckling and notorious imperfection sensitivity. The central concept is the probing of a loaded structural specimen by a controlled lateral displacement to gain quantitative insight into its buckling behavior and to measure the energy barrier against buckling. This can provide design information about a structure’s stiffness and robustness against buckling in terms of energy and force landscapes. Developments in this area are relatively new but have proceeded rapidly with encouraging progress. Recent experimental tests on uniformly compressed spherical shells, and axially loaded cylinders, show excellent agreement with theoretical solutions. The probing technique could be a valuable experimental procedure for testing prototype structures, but before it can be used a range of potential problems must be examined and solved. The probing response is highly nonlinear and a variety of complications can occur. Here, we make a careful assessment of unexpected limit points and bifurcations, that could accompany probing, causing complications and possibly even collapse of a test specimen. First, a limit point in the probe displacement (associated with a cusp instability and fold) can result in dynamic buckling as probing progresses, as demonstrated in the buckling of a spherical shell under volume control. Second, various types of bifurcations which can occur on the probing path which result in the probing response becoming unstable are also discussed. To overcome these problems, we outline the extra controls over the entire structure that may be needed to stabilize the response.

NASA Engineering Excellence: A Case Study on Strengthening an Engineering Organization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shivers, C. Herbert; Wessel, Vernon W.

2006-01-01

NASA implemented a system of technical authority following the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAE) report calling for independent technical authority to be exercised on the Space Shuttle Program activities via a virtual organization of personnel exercising specific technical authority responsibilities. After the current NASA Administrator reported for duty, and following the first of two planned "Shuttle Return to Flight" missions, the NASA Chief Engineer and the Administrator redirected the Independent Technical Authority to a program of Technical Excellence and Technical Authority exercised within the existing engineering organizations. This paper discusses the original implementation of technical authority and the transition to the new implementation of technical excellence, including specific measures aimed at improving safety of future Shuttle and space exploration flights.

Conflict engagement: workplace dynamics.

PubMed

Gerardi, Debra

2015-04-01

This article is one in a series on conflict. It is part of an ongoing series on leadership coordinated by the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), highlighting topics of interest to nurse managers and emerging nurse leaders. The AONE provides leadership, professional development, advocacy, and research to advance nursing practice and patient care, promote nursing leadership excellence, and shape public policy for health care.

Capitalizing on the Dynamic Features of Excel to Consider Growth Rates and Limits

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taylor, Daniel; Moore-Russo, Deborah

2012-01-01

It is common for both algebra and calculus instructors to use power functions of various degrees as well as exponential functions to examine and compare rates of growth. This can be done on a chalkboard, with a graphing calculator, or with a spreadsheet. Instructors often are careful to connect the symbolic and graphical (and occasionally the…

Discrete sequence prediction and its applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Laird, Philip

1992-01-01

Learning from experience to predict sequences of discrete symbols is a fundamental problem in machine learning with many applications. We apply sequence prediction using a simple and practical sequence-prediction algorithm, called TDAG. The TDAG algorithm is first tested by comparing its performance with some common data compression algorithms. Then it is adapted to the detailed requirements of dynamic program optimization, with excellent results.

Drama to Inspire: A London Drama Guide to Excellent Practice in Drama for Young People

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coventon, John, Ed.

2011-01-01

"Drama to Inspire" is a timely selection of practice based accounts produced by fifteen workshop leaders and friends of the long established association for teachers of drama, London Drama. Many of the authors are internationally renowned for their work. Each piece affirms the immense potential for dynamic learning that is at the heart…

NETL- AVESTAR

ScienceCinema

None

2018-02-13

NETL's Advanced Virtual Energy Simulation Training and Research, or AVESTAR, Center is designed to promote operational excellence for the nation's energy systems, from smart power plants to smart grid. The AVESTAR Center brings together advanced dynamic simulation and control technologies, state-of-the-art simulation-based training facilities, and leading industry experts to focus on the optimal operation of clean energy plants in the smart grid era.

Effective diffusion of confined active Brownian swimmers.

PubMed

Sandoval, Mario; Dagdug, Leornardo

2014-12-01

We theoretically find the effect of confinement and thermal fluctuations on the diffusivity of a spherical active swimmer moving inside a two-dimensional narrow cavity of general shape. The explicit formulas for the effective diffusion coefficient of a swimmer moving inside two particular cavities are presented. We also compare our analytical results with Brownian dynamics simulations and we obtain excellent agreement.

Chemoselective organocatalytic aerobic oxidation of primary amines to secondary imines.

PubMed

Wendlandt, Alison E; Stahl, Shannon S

2012-06-01

Biomimetic aerobic oxidation of primary benzylic amines has been achieved by using a quinone catalyst. Excellent selectivity is observed for primary, unbranched benzylic amines relative to secondary/tertiary amines, branched benzylic amines, and aliphatic amines. The exquisite selectivity for benzylic amines enables oxidative self-sorting within dynamic mixtures of amines and imines to afford high yields of cross-coupled imine products.

Indexical Relations and Sound Motion Pictures in L2 Curricula: The Dynamic Role of the Teacher

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Liang; Oller, John W., Jr.

2005-01-01

Well-chosen sound motion pictures (SMPs) can be excellent language teaching tools for presenting facts and providing comprehensible input in the target language. They give access to content and authentic surface forms in the target language as well as to the associations between them. SMPs also allow repeated exposures, but they are rarely…

Latino Families Challenging Exclusion in a Middle School: A Story from the Trenches

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jasis, Pablo

2013-01-01

This study examines a grassroots, school-centered parent and family organizing effort from the actual "trenches" in the struggle for equity and excellence in education. This is an exploration of the intrinsic value and the complex dynamics of the organizing process of a small group of Latino immigrant parents struggling to improve their children's…

A novel methodology for rapid digestion of rare earth element ores and determination by microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry and dynamic reaction cell-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Helmeczi, Erick; Wang, Yong; Brindle, Ian D

2016-11-01

Short-wavelength infrared radiation has been successfully applied to accelerate the acid digestion of refractory rare-earth ore samples. Determinations were achieved with microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES) and dynamic reaction cell - inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (DRC-ICP-MS). The digestion method developed was able to tackle high iron-oxide and silicate matrices using only phosphoric acid in a time frame of only 8min, and did not require perchloric or hydrofluoric acid. Additionally, excellent recoveries and reproducibilities of the rare earth elements, as well as uranium and thorium, were achieved. Digestions of the certified reference materials OREAS-465 and REE-1, with radically different mineralogies, delivered results that mirror those obtained by fusion processes. For the rare-earth CRM OKA-2, whose REE data are provisional, experimental data for the rare-earth elements were generally higher than the provisional values, often exceeding z-values of +2. Determined values for Th and U in this reference material, for which certified values are available, were in excellent agreement. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Handling of computational in vitro/in vivo correlation problems by Microsoft Excel II. Distribution functions and moments.

PubMed

Langenbucher, Frieder

2003-01-01

MS Excel is a useful tool to handle in vitro/in vivo correlation (IVIVC) distribution functions, with emphasis on the Weibull and the biexponential distribution, which are most useful for the presentation of cumulative profiles, e.g. release in vitro or urinary excretion in vivo, and differential profiles such as the plasma response in vivo. The discussion includes moments (AUC and mean) as summarizing statistics, and data-fitting algorithms for parameter estimation.

The Dartmouth Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence: magnetic hyperthermia.

PubMed

Baker, Ian; Fiering, Steve N; Griswold, Karl E; Hoopes, P Jack; Kekalo, Katerina; Ndong, Christian; Paulsen, Keith; Petryk, Alicea A; Pogue, Brian; Shubitidze, Fridon; Weaver, John

2015-01-01

The Dartmouth Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence - one of nine funded by the National Cancer Institute as part of the Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer - focuses on the use of magnetic nanoparticles for cancer diagnostics and hyperthermia therapy. It brings together a diverse team of engineers and biomedical researchers with expertise in nanomaterials, molecular targeting, advanced biomedical imaging and translational in vivo studies. The goal of successfully treating cancer is being approached by developing nanoparticles, conjugating them with Fabs, hyperthermia treatment, immunotherapy and sensing treatment response.

Classification of octet AB-type binary compounds using dynamical charges: A materials informatics perspective

DOE PAGES

Pilania, G.; Gubernatis, J. E.; Lookman, T.

2015-12-03

The role of dynamical (or Born effective) charges in classification of octet AB-type binary compounds between four-fold (zincblende/wurtzite crystal structures) and six-fold (rocksalt crystal structure) coordinated systems is discussed. We show that the difference in the dynamical charges of the fourfold and sixfold coordinated structures, in combination with Harrison’s polarity, serves as an excellent feature to classify the coordination of 82 sp–bonded binary octet compounds. We use a support vector machine classifier to estimate the average classification accuracy and the associated variance in our model where a decision boundary is learned in a supervised manner. Lastly, we compare the out-of-samplemore » classification accuracy achieved by our feature pair with those reported previously.« less

Strain and dynamic measurements using fiber optic sensors embedded into graphite/epoxy tubes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dehart, D. W.; Doederlein, T.; Koury, J.; Rogowski, R. S.; Heyman, J. S.; Holben, M. S., Jr.

1989-01-01

Graphite/epoxy tubes were fabricated with embedded optical fibers to evaluate the feasibility of monitoring strains with a fiber optic technique. Resistance strain gauges were attached to the tubes to measure strain at four locations along the tube for comparison with the fiber optic sensors. Both static and dynamic strain measurements were made with excellent agreement between the embedded fiber optic strain sensor and the strain gauges. Strain measurements of 10(exp -7) can be detected with the optical phase locked loop (OPLL) system using optical fiber. Because of their light weight, compatibility with composites, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and based on the static and dynamic results obtained, fiber optic sensors embedded in composites may be useful as the sensing component of smart structures.

A temperature dependent study on charge dynamics in organic molecular device: Effect of shallow traps on space charge limited behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mukherjee, A. K.; Kavala, A. K.

2014-04-01

Shallow traps play a significant role in influencing charge dynamics through organic molecular thin films, such as pentacene. Sandwich cells of pentacene capped by gold electrodes are an excellent specimen to study the nature of underlying charge dynamics. In this paper, self-consistent numerical simulation of I-V characteristics is performed at various temperatures. The results have revealed negative value of Poole Frenkel coefficient. The location of trap energy level is found to be located at 0.24 eV above the highest occupied molecular orbit (HOMO) level of pentacene. Other physical parameters related to trap levels, such as density of states due to traps and effective carrier density due to traps, have also been estimated in this study.

Development of a Microsoft Excel tool for one-parameter Rasch model of continuous items: an application to a safety attitude survey.

PubMed

Chien, Tsair-Wei; Shao, Yang; Kuo, Shu-Chun

2017-01-10

Many continuous item responses (CIRs) are encountered in healthcare settings, but no one uses item response theory's (IRT) probabilistic modeling to present graphical presentations for interpreting CIR results. A computer module that is programmed to deal with CIRs is required. To present a computer module, validate it, and verify its usefulness in dealing with CIR data, and then to apply the model to real healthcare data in order to show how the CIR that can be applied to healthcare settings with an example regarding a safety attitude survey. Using Microsoft Excel VBA (Visual Basic for Applications), we designed a computer module that minimizes the residuals and calculates model's expected scores according to person responses across items. Rasch models based on a Wright map and on KIDMAP were demonstrated to interpret results of the safety attitude survey. The author-made CIR module yielded OUTFIT mean square (MNSQ) and person measures equivalent to those yielded by professional Rasch Winsteps software. The probabilistic modeling of the CIR module provides messages that are much more valuable to users and show the CIR advantage over classic test theory. Because of advances in computer technology, healthcare users who are familiar to MS Excel can easily apply the study CIR module to deal with continuous variables to benefit comparisons of data with a logistic distribution and model fit statistics.

Study of the dynamics of poly(ethylene oxide) by combining molecular dynamic simulations and neutron scattering experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brodeck, M.; Alvarez, F.; Arbe, A.; Juranyi, F.; Unruh, T.; Holderer, O.; Colmenero, J.; Richter, D.

2009-03-01

We performed quasielastic neutron scattering experiments and atomistic molecular dynamics simulations on a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) homopolymer system above the melting point. The excellent agreement found between both sets of data, together with a successful comparison with literature diffraction results, validates the condensed-phase optimized molecular potentials for atomistic simulation studies (COMPASS) force field used to produce our dynamic runs and gives support to their further analysis. This provided direct information on magnitudes which are not accessible from experiments such as the radial probability distribution functions of specific atoms at different times and their moments. The results of our simulations on the H-motions and different experiments indicate that in the high-temperature range investigated the dynamics is Rouse-like for Q-values below ≈0.6 Å-1. We then addressed the single chain dynamic structure factor with the simulations. A mode analysis, not possible directly experimentally, reveals the limits of applicability of the Rouse model to PEO. We discuss the possible origins for the observed deviations.

Study of the dynamics of poly(ethylene oxide) by combining molecular dynamic simulations and neutron scattering experiments.

PubMed

Brodeck, M; Alvarez, F; Arbe, A; Juranyi, F; Unruh, T; Holderer, O; Colmenero, J; Richter, D

2009-03-07

We performed quasielastic neutron scattering experiments and atomistic molecular dynamics simulations on a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) homopolymer system above the melting point. The excellent agreement found between both sets of data, together with a successful comparison with literature diffraction results, validates the condensed-phase optimized molecular potentials for atomistic simulation studies (COMPASS) force field used to produce our dynamic runs and gives support to their further analysis. This provided direct information on magnitudes which are not accessible from experiments such as the radial probability distribution functions of specific atoms at different times and their moments. The results of our simulations on the H-motions and different experiments indicate that in the high-temperature range investigated the dynamics is Rouse-like for Q-values below approximately 0.6 A(-1). We then addressed the single chain dynamic structure factor with the simulations. A mode analysis, not possible directly experimentally, reveals the limits of applicability of the Rouse model to PEO. We discuss the possible origins for the observed deviations.

Unusual dynamic dewetting behavior of smooth perfluorinated hybrid films: potential advantages over conventional textured and liquid-infused perfluorinated surfaces.

PubMed

Urata, Chihiro; Masheder, Benjamin; Cheng, Dalton F; Hozumi, Atsushi

2013-10-08

From a viewpoint of reducing the burden on the environment and human health, an alternative method for preparing liquid-repellent surfaces without relying on the long perfluorocarbons (C((X-1)/2)F(X), X ≥ 17) has been strongly demanded lately. In this study, we have successfully demonstrated that dynamic dewettability toward various probe liquids (polar and nonpolar liquids with high or low surface tension) can be tuned by not only controlling surface chemistries (surface energies) but also the physical (solid-like or liquid-like) nature of the surface. We prepared smooth and transparent organic-inorganic hybrid films exhibiting unusual dynamic dewetting behavior toward various probe liquids using a simple sol-gel reaction based on the co-hydrolysis and co-condensation of a mixture including a range of perfluoroalkylsilanes (FASX, C((X-1)/2)F(X)CH2CH2Si(OR)3, where X = 3, 9, 13, and 17) and tetramethoxysilane (Si(OCH3)4, TMOS). Dynamic contact angle (CA) and substrate tilt angle (TA) measurements confirmed that our FASX-hybrid films exhibited excellent dynamic dewetting properties and were mostly independent of the length of perfluoroalkyl (Rf) groups. For example, 10 μL droplets of ultralow surface tension liquids (e.g., diethyl ether (γ = 16.26 dyn/cm) and n-pentane (γ = 15.51 dyn/cm)) could move easily on our FAS9-, FAS13-, and FAS17-hybrid film surfaces at low substrate TAs (<4°) without pinning. This is comparable or superior to the best perfluorinated textured and flat surfaces reported so far. This exceptional dynamic dewetting behavior appeared only when TMOS molecules were added to the precursor solutions; we assume this is due to co-condensed TMOS-derived silica species working as spacers between the neighboring Rf chains, enabling them to rotate freely and in doing so provide a surface with liquid-like properties. This led to the distinguished dynamic dewettability of our hybrid films, regardless of the small static CAs. Our FASX-hybrid films also displayed excellent chemical and physical durability against thermal stress (~250 °C), high-temperature (150 °C) oil vapor, and various other media (perfluoro liquid, boiling water, and weak acid) without degrading their dynamic dewettability. Such exceptional durability has been rarely seen on conventional perfluorinated surfaces reported so far.

Nano Approaches to Modulate Host Cell Response

Cancer.gov

The Carolina Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (CCNE) is an NCI-funded multidisciplinary collaboration among a range of disciplines using nano approaches for cancer disease management and treatment.

A parameters optimization method for planar joint clearance model and its application for dynamics simulation of reciprocating compressor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hai-yang, Zhao; Min-qiang, Xu; Jin-dong, Wang; Yong-bo, Li

2015-05-01

In order to improve the accuracy of dynamics response simulation for mechanism with joint clearance, a parameter optimization method for planar joint clearance contact force model was presented in this paper, and the optimized parameters were applied to the dynamics response simulation for mechanism with oversized joint clearance fault. By studying the effect of increased clearance on the parameters of joint clearance contact force model, the relation of model parameters between different clearances was concluded. Then the dynamic equation of a two-stage reciprocating compressor with four joint clearances was developed using Lagrange method, and a multi-body dynamic model built in ADAMS software was used to solve this equation. To obtain a simulated dynamic response much closer to that of experimental tests, the parameters of joint clearance model, instead of using the designed values, were optimized by genetic algorithms approach. Finally, the optimized parameters were applied to simulate the dynamics response of model with oversized joint clearance fault according to the concluded parameter relation. The dynamics response of experimental test verified the effectiveness of this application.

2D SnO2 Nanosheets: Synthesis, Characterization, Structures, and Excellent Sensing Performance to Ethylene Glycol

PubMed Central

Wan, Wenjin; Li, Yuehua; Ren, Xingping; Zhao, Yinping; Gao, Fan; Zhao, Heyun

2018-01-01

Two dimensional (2D)SnO2 nanosheets were synthesized by a substrate-free hydrothermal route using sodium stannate and sodium hydroxide in a mixed solvent of absolute ethanol and deionized water at a lower temperature of 130 °C. The characterization results of the morphology, microstructure, and surface properties of the as-prepared products demonstrated that SnO2 nanosheets with a tetragonal rutile structure, were composed of oriented SnO2 nanoparticles with a diameter of 6–12 nm. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (FETEM) results demonstrated that the dominant exposed surface of the SnO2 nanoparticles was (101), but not (110). The growth and formation was supposed to follow the oriented attachment mechanism. The SnO2 nanosheets exhibited an excellent sensing response toward ethylene glycol at a lower optimal operating voltage of 3.4 V. The response to 400 ppm ethylene glycol reaches 395 at 3.4 V. Even under the low concentration of 5, 10, and 20 ppm, the sensor exhibited a high response of 6.9, 7.8, and 12.0 to ethylene glycol, respectively. The response of the SnO2 nanosheets exhibited a linear dependence on the ethylene glycol concentration from 5 to 1000 ppm. The excellent sensing performance was attributed to the present SnO2 nanoparticles with small size close to the Debye length, the larger specific surface, the high-energy exposed facets of the (101) surface, and the synergistic effects of the SnO2 nanoparticles of the nanosheets. PMID:29462938

The New (Educational) Statistics: Properties of Scales That Matter

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ho, Andrew Dean

2016-01-01

in this article, Andrew Dean Ho presents a response to David Thissen's essay, "Bad Questions: An Essay Involving Item Response Theory (2016)," calling it an excellent contribution to the genre of commentaries on the field which joins the likes of the piece by Thissen's frequent collaborator, Howard Wainer (2010), who published "14…

Informational Leadership...Leading with the End in Mind

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sommers, Denise

2009-01-01

The leadership of any organization is responsible for setting and communicating a mission, an inspiring vision and a set of core values. The leadership is also responsible for establishing a management system to achieve the missions and vision while adhering to core values. Many organizations do an excellent job of creating the mission, vision and…

Information Leadership... Leading with the End in Mind

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sommers, Denise

2009-01-01

The leadership of any organization is responsible for setting and communicating a mission, an inspiring vision and a set of core values. The leadership is also responsible for establishing a management system to achieve the missions and vision while adhering to core values. Many organizations do an excellent job of creating the mission, vision and…

Excellence in Research: Creative Organizational Responses at Berkeley, Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. ASHE 1985 Annual Meeting Paper.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gardiner, John J.

Research environments of four leading universities were studied: University of California at Berkeley (UC-Berkeley), Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Stanford University. Attention was directed to organizational responses for encouraging collaboration in research at these leading universities, as well as to…

Generating Variable and Random Schedules of Reinforcement Using Microsoft Excel Macros

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bancroft, Stacie L.; Bourret, Jason C.

2008-01-01

Variable reinforcement schedules are used to arrange the availability of reinforcement following varying response ratios or intervals of time. Random reinforcement schedules are subtypes of variable reinforcement schedules that can be used to arrange the availability of reinforcement at a constant probability across number of responses or time.…

Keeping the Whole Village Together: Sharing Responsibility for the Learning of All Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pacheco, Arturo; Brady, Tom; Blake, Sally; Della-Piana, Connie Kubo

This paper explains that to educate all students is the shared responsibility of partnerships within higher education and between higher education and the schools. The Partnership for Excellence in Teacher Education (PETE) incorporates this "whole village" approach into the design and implementation of school-based science and…

Stream macroinvertebrate response to clearcut logging

Treesearch

J. Bruce Wallace; Damon Ely

2014-01-01

Why study response of stream invertebrates to watershed disturbances such as clearcut logging? Stream invertebrates can be excellent integrators of changes in such ecosystem phenomena as changes in the food base of ecosystems. For example, a number of invertebrate taxa appear to track changes in food resources. Many taxa also exhibit substrate-specific as well as taxon...

School Provisions for Gifted, Talented and Able Students: A Response to Freeman

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vidergor, Hava

2012-01-01

In this response to Joan Freeman's "A Quality of Giftedness," Have Vidergor states that provisions for gifted, talented, and excellent students should be offered by regular schools, taking into consideration levels of giftedness, offering a variety of interdisciplinary elective courses and subjects to about 20% of the school population,…

Photoresponse in La0.9Hf0.1MnO3/0.05wt%Nb-doped SrTiO3 heteroepitaxial junctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qi, Yaping; Ni, Hao; Zheng, Ming; Zeng, Jiali; Jiang, Yucheng; Gao, Ju

2018-05-01

Excellent photo detectors need to have the rapid response and good repeatability from the requirement of industrial applications. In this paper, transport behavior and opto-response of heterostructures made with La0.9Hf0.1MnO3 and 0.05wt%Nb-doped SrTiO3 were investigated. The heterojunctions exhibited an excellent rectifying feature with very low leakage in a broad temperature region (from 40 to 300 K). These thin films presented persistent and stable photovoltages upon light illumination. Rapid shift between small and large voltages corresponding to "light OFF" and "light ON" states, respectively, was observed, demonstrating reliable photo detection behavior. A semiconductor laser with a wavelength of 650 nm was used as the light source. It is also noted that the observed photovoltages are strongly determined by light intensity. The injection of photoexcited charge carriers (electrons) could be responsible for the appearance of the observed opto-response. Such manipulative features by light irradiation exhibit great potential for light detectors for visible light.

Refining clinical features and therapeutic options of new daily persistent headache: a retrospective study of 63 patients in India.

PubMed

Prakash, Sanjay; Saini, Samir; Rana, Kaushikkumar Ramanlal; Mahato, Pinaki

2012-08-01

The aim of this retrospective study was to provide data on the clinical features and treatment outcomes of patients with NDPH (fulfilling Kung et al.'s criteria). A total of 63 patients were observed during a 5-yr period (2007-2012). More than one-third (35 %) patients had migrainous features; 65 % patients fulfilled the ICHD-II criteria. Both groups were similar in most clinical and epidemiological features. However, migrainous features were more common in patients with a prior history of episodic migraine (though statistically not significant). After a median follow-up of 9 months, 37 % patients showed "excellent" response (no or less than 1 headache per month). Another 30 % patients had "good" response (>50 % reduction in headache frequency or days per month). Excellent response was more in patients with a history of less than 6 months duration (statistically not significant). Patients with a recognized trigger showed better prognosis. Response was better in patients who received intravenous therapy of methyl prednisolone and sodium valproate. We suggest prospective and controlled studies to confirm our observations.

Decreased responsiveness following lithium discontinuation in bipolar disorder: A naturalistic observation study.

PubMed

Cakir, Sibel; Yazıcı, Olcay; Post, Robert M

2017-01-01

Lithium is a cornerstone in treatment of bipolar disorder. Findings are conflicting as to whether acquired unresponsiveness occurs following the discontinuation. Retrospective life chart data were evaluated to investigate the incidence of loss of response. Sixty-five patients chosen from a larger cohort, followed with prospective life charts, who discontinued lithium and had a second lithium treatment. Patients who had at least 2 mood episodes when they were drug naïve to describe the natural frequency of illness and 3 mood episodes before the discontinuation were included. The type of response was defined as excellent, partial, or poor according to mirror design method. Eighteen of 65 patients (27.6%) had a decreased response to lithium following its discontinuation. Nine of these patients (13.8%) were unresponsive and nine patients (13.8%) had attenuated response to second lithium treatment. The mean time of discontinuation was longer in the patients who show decreased response (245.8+268.2 vs. 117.9+149.8 days, p=.01). Those who had episode recurrences during the discontinuation were more likely to show reduced responsiveness upon re-treatment. After discontinuation of lithium treatment, more than a quarter of the patients showed an attenuated response or unresponsiveness, and initial partial responders more likely to show unresponsiveness than excellent responders. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effectiveness of multi tuned liquid dampers with slat screens for reducing dynamic responses of structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, T. P.; Pham, D. T.; Ngo, K. T.

2018-04-01

Reducing vibration in structures under lateral load always attracts many researchers in during pastime, hence the mainly purpose of paper analyzes effectiveness of multiple-tuned liquid dampers for reducing dynamic responses of structures under ground acceleration of earthquakes. In this study, the multi-tuned liquid damper with slat screens (M-TLDWSS) is considered in detail for analyzing dynamic response of multi-degrees of freedom structure due to earthquake, which is more different previous studies. Then, the general equation of motion of the structure and M-TLDWSS under ground acceleration of earthquake is established based on dynamic balance of principle and solved by numerical method in the time domain. The effects of characteristic parameters of M-TLDWSS on dynamic response of the structure are investigated. The results obtained in this study demonstrate that the M-TLDWSS has significantly effectiveness for reducing dynamic response of the structure.

Task-specific motor performance and musculoskeletal response in self-classified right handers.

PubMed

Kumar, Sameer; Mandal, Manas K

2003-11-01

We examined the difference between the left and right hand motor performance (in terms of erg produced) of self-classified right handers (15 men, 15 women) for power (task involving muscle force) and skilled (task involving precision and eye hand coordination) tasks. Musculoskeletal response during task performance was measured by electromyogram to test the hypothesis that performance with the nondominant hand would trigger more generalized muscle tension. The difference between the left and right hand performance of men was nonsignificant for power task; for women, right hand performance was significantly superior than left for such task. Men excelled in power and women excelled in skilled tasks relative to their counterparts. Generalized muscle tension was significantly more during the left than the right hand performance for power but not for skilled tasks.

Addressing fluorogenic real-time qPCR inhibition using the novel custom Excel file system 'FocusField2-6GallupqPCRSet-upTool-001' to attain consistently high fidelity qPCR reactions

PubMed Central

Ackermann, Mark R.

2006-01-01

The purpose of this manuscript is to discuss fluorogenic real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) inhibition and to introduce/define a novel Microsoft Excel-based file system which provides a way to detect and avoid inhibition, and enables investigators to consistently design dynamically-sound, truly LOG-linear qPCR reactions very quickly. The qPCR problems this invention solves are universal to all qPCR reactions, and it performs all necessary qPCR set-up calculations in about 52 seconds (using a pentium 4 processor) for up to seven qPCR targets and seventy-two samples at a time – calculations that commonly take capable investigators days to finish. We have named this custom Excel-based file system "FocusField2-6GallupqPCRSet-upTool-001" (FF2-6-001 qPCR set-up tool), and are in the process of transforming it into professional qPCR set-up software to be made available in 2007. The current prototype is already fully functional. PMID:17033699

A computational cognitive model of self-efficacy and daily adherence in mHealth.

PubMed

Pirolli, Peter

2016-12-01

Mobile health (mHealth) applications provide an excellent opportunity for collecting rich, fine-grained data necessary for understanding and predicting day-to-day health behavior change dynamics. A computational predictive model (ACT-R-DStress) is presented and fit to individual daily adherence in 28-day mHealth exercise programs. The ACT-R-DStress model refines the psychological construct of self-efficacy. To explain and predict the dynamics of self-efficacy and predict individual performance of targeted behaviors, the self-efficacy construct is implemented as a theory-based neurocognitive simulation of the interaction of behavioral goals, memories of past experiences, and behavioral performance.

Molecular dynamics simulations of the structure evolutions of Cu-Zr metallic glasses under irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lang, Lin; Tian, Zean; Xiao, Shifang; Deng, Huiqiu; Ao, Bingyun; Chen, Piheng; Hu, Wangyu

2017-02-01

Molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to investigate the structural evolution of Cu64.5Zr35.5 metallic glasses under irradiation. The largest standard cluster analysis (LSCA) method was used to quantify the microstructure within the collision cascade regions. It is found that the majority of clusters within the collision cascade regions are full and defective icosahedrons. Not only the smaller structures (common neighbor subcluster) but also primary clusters greatly changed during the collision cascades; while most of these radiation damages self-recover quickly in the following quench states. These findings indicate the Cu-Zr metallic glasses have excellent irradiation-resistance properties.