Optically Induced Nuclear Spin Polarization in the Quantum Hall Regime: The Effect of Electron Spin Polarization through Exciton and Trion Excitations.

PubMed

Akiba, K; Kanasugi, S; Yuge, T; Nagase, K; Hirayama, Y

2015-07-10

We study nuclear spin polarization in the quantum Hall regime through the optically pumped electron spin polarization in the lowest Landau level. The nuclear spin polarization is measured as a nuclear magnetic field B(N) by means of the sensitive resistive detection. We find the dependence of B(N) on the filling factor nonmonotonic. The comprehensive measurements of B(N) with the help of the circularly polarized photoluminescence measurements indicate the participation of the photoexcited complexes, i.e., the exciton and trion (charged exciton), in nuclear spin polarization. On the basis of a novel estimation method of the equilibrium electron spin polarization, we analyze the experimental data and conclude that the filling factor dependence of B(N) is understood by the effect of electron spin polarization through excitons and trions.

Accretion Rates for T Tauri Stars Using Nearly Simultaneous Ultraviolet and Optical Spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ingleby, Laura; Calvet, Nuria; Herczeg, Gregory; Blaty, Alex; Walter, Frederick; Ardila, David; Alexander, Richard; Edwards, Suzan; Espaillat, Catherine; Gregory, Scott G.; Hillenbrand, Lynne; Brown, Alexander

2013-04-01

We analyze the accretion properties of 21 low-mass T Tauri stars using a data set of contemporaneous near-UV (NUV) through optical observations obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph and the ground-based Small and Medium Aperture Research Telescope System, a unique data set because of the nearly simultaneous broad wavelength coverage. Our data set includes accreting T Tauri stars in Taurus, Chamaeleon I, η Chamaeleon, and the TW Hydra Association. For each source we calculate the accretion rate (\\dot{M}) by fitting the NUV and optical excesses above the photosphere, produced in the accretion shock, introducing multiple accretion components characterized by a range in energy flux (or density) for the first time. This treatment is motivated by models of the magnetospheric geometry and accretion footprints, which predict that high-density, low filling factor accretion spots coexist with low-density, high filling factor spots. By fitting the UV and optical spectra with multiple accretion components, we can explain excesses which have been observed in the near-IR. Comparing our estimates of \\dot{M} to previous estimates, we find some discrepancies; however, they may be accounted for when considering assumptions for the amount of extinction and variability in optical spectra. Therefore, we confirm many previous estimates of the accretion rate. Finally, we measure emission line luminosities from the same spectra used for the \\dot{M} estimates, to produce correlations between accretion indicators (Hβ, Ca II K, C II], and Mg II) and accretion properties obtained simultaneously.

INFERRING THE CORONAL DENSITY IRREGULARITY FROM EUV SPECTRA

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

Hahn, M.; Savin, D. W., E-mail: mhahn@astro.columbia.edu

2016-09-20

Understanding the density structure of the solar corona is important for modeling both coronal heating and the solar wind. Direct measurements are difficult because of line-of-sight integration and possible unresolved structures. We present a new method for quantifying such structures using density-sensitive extreme ultraviolet line intensities to derive a density irregularity parameter, a relative measure of the amount of structure along the line of sight. We also present a simple model to relate the inferred irregularities to physical quantities, such as the filling factor and density contrast. For quiet-Sun regions and interplume regions of coronal holes, we find a densitymore » contrast of at least a factor of 3–10 and corresponding filling factors of about 10%–20%. Our results are in rough agreement with other estimates of the density structures in these regions. The irregularity diagnostic provides a useful relative measure of unresolved structure in various regions of the corona.« less

Hydrogeologic framework and estimates of groundwater storage for the Hualapai Valley, Detrital Valley, and Sacramento Valley basins, Mohave County, Arizona

USGS Publications Warehouse

Truini, Margot; Beard, L. Sue; Kennedy, Jeffrey; Anning, Dave W.

2013-01-01

We have investigated the hydrogeology of the Hualapai Valley, Detrital Valley, and Sacramento Valley basins of Mohave County in northwestern Arizona to develop a better understanding of groundwater storage within the basin fill aquifers. In our investigation we used geologic maps, well-log data, and geophysical surveys to delineate the sedimentary textures and lithology of the basin fill. We used gravity data to construct a basin geometry model that defines smaller subbasins within the larger basins, and airborne transient-electromagnetic modeled results along with well-log lithology data to infer the subsurface distribution of basin fill within the subbasins. Hydrogeologic units (HGUs) are delineated within the subbasins on the basis of the inferred lithology of saturated basin fill. We used the extent and size of HGUs to estimate groundwater storage to depths of 400 meters (m) below land surface (bls). The basin geometry model for the Hualapai Valley basin consists of three subbasins: the Kingman, Hualapai, and southern Gregg subbasins. In the Kingman subbasin, which is estimated to be 1,200 m deep, saturated basin fill consists of a mixture of fine- to coarse-grained sedimentary deposits. The Hualapai subbasin, which is the largest of the subbasins, contains a thick halite body from about 400 m to about 4,300 m bls. Saturated basin fill overlying the salt body consists predominately of fine-grained older playa deposits. In the southern Gregg subbasin, which is estimated to be 1,400 m deep, saturated basin fill is interpreted to consist primarily of fine- to coarse-grained sedimentary deposits. Groundwater storage to 400 m bls in the Hualapai Valley basin is estimated to be 14.1 cubic kilometers (km3). The basin geometry model for the Detrital Valley basin consists of three subbasins: northern Detrital, central Detrital, and southern Detrital subbasins. The northern and central Detrital subbasins are characterized by a predominance of playa evaporite and fine-grained clastic deposits; evaporite deposits in the northern Detrital subbasin include halite. The northern Detrital subbasin is estimated to be 600 m deep and the middle Detrital subbasin is estimated to be 700 m deep. The southern Detrital subbasin, which is estimated to be 1,500 m deep, is characterized by a mixture of fine- to coarse-grained basin fill deposits. Groundwater storage to 400 m bls in the Detrital Valley basin is estimated to be 9.8 km3. The basin geometry model for the Sacramento Valley basin consists of three subbasins: the Chloride, Golden Valley, and Dutch Flat subbasins. The Chloride subbasin, which is estimated to be 900 m deep, is characterized by fine- to coarse-grained basin fill deposits. In the Golden Valley subbasin, which is elongated north-south, and is estimated to be 1,300 m deep, basin fill includes fine-grained sedimentary deposits overlain by coarse-grained sedimentary deposits in much of the subbasin. The Dutch Flat subbasin is estimated to be 2,600 m deep, and well-log lithologic data suggest that the basin fill consists of interlayers of gravel, sand, and clay. Groundwater storage to 400 m bls in the Sacramento Valley basin is estimated to be 35.1 km3.

Extension and Density of Root Fillings and Post-operative Apical Radiolucencies in the Veterans Affairs Dental Longitudinal Study

PubMed Central

Zhong, Yan; Chasen, Joel; Yamanaka, Ryan; Garcia, Raul; Kaye, Elizabeth Krall; Kaufman, Jay S; Cai, Jianwen; Wilcosky, Tim; Trope, Martin; Caplan, Daniel J

2008-01-01

We evaluated the association between radiographically-assessed extension and density of root canal fillings and post-operative apical radiolucencies (AR) using data from 288 participants in the Veterans Affairs Dental Longitudinal Study. Study subjects were not VA patients; all received their medical and dental care in the private sector. Generalized Estimating Equations were used to account for multiple teeth within subjects and to control for covariates of interest. Defective root filling density was associated with increased odds of post-operative AR among teeth with no pre-operative AR (Odds Ratio=3.0, 95%CI=1.3–7.1), though pre-operative AR was the strongest risk factor for post-operative AR (Odds Ratio=29.2, 95%CI=13.6–63.0 among teeth with ideal density). Compared to well-extended root fillings, neither over- nor under-extended root fillings separately were related to post-operative AR, but when those two categories were collapsed into one “poorly-extended” category, poor extension was related to post-operative AR (Odds Ratio=1.8, 95%CI=1.1–3.2). PMID:18570982

Acoustic fill factors for a 120 inch diameter fairing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Y. Albert

1992-01-01

Data from the acoustic test of a 120-inch diameter payload fairing were collected and an analysis of acoustic fill factors were performed. Correction factors for obtaining a weighted spatial average of the interior sound pressure level (SPL) were derived based on this database and a normalized 200-inch diameter fairing database. The weighted fill factors were determined and compared with statistical energy analysis (VAPEPS code) derived fill factors. The comparison is found to be reasonable.

Automated assessment of noninvasive filling pressure using color Doppler M-mode echocardiography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Greenberg, N. L.; Firstenberg, M. S.; Cardon, L. A.; Zuckerman, J.; Levine, B. D.; Garcia, M. J.; Thomas, J. D.

2001-01-01

Assessment of left ventricular filling pressure usually requires invasive hemodynamic monitoring to follow the progression of disease or the response to therapy. Previous investigations have shown accurate estimation of wedge pressure using noninvasive Doppler information obtained from the ratio of the wave propagation slope from color M-mode (CMM) images and the peak early diastolic filling velocity from transmitral Doppler images. This study reports an automated algorithm that derives an estimate of wedge pressure based on the spatiotemporal velocity distribution available from digital CMM Doppler images of LV filling.

Deep Impact: Effects of Mountaintop Mining on Surface Topography, Bedrock Structure, and Downstream Waters.

PubMed

Ross, Matthew R V; McGlynn, Brian L; Bernhardt, Emily S

2016-02-16

Land use impacts are commonly quantified and compared using 2D maps, limiting the scale of their reported impacts to surface area estimates. Yet, nearly all land use involves disturbances below the land surface. Incorporating this third dimension into our estimates of land use impact is especially important when examining the impacts of mining. Mountaintop mining is the most common form of coal mining in the Central Appalachian ecoregion. Previous estimates suggest that active, reclaimed, or abandoned mountaintop mines cover ∼7% of Central Appalachia. While this is double the areal extent of development in the ecoregion (estimated to occupy <3% of the land area), the impacts are far more extensive than areal estimates alone can convey as the impacts of mines extend 10s to 100s of meters below the current land surface. Here, we provide the first estimates for the total volumetric and topographic disturbance associated with mining in an 11 500 km(2) region of southern West Virginia. We find that the cutting of ridges and filling of valleys has lowered the median slope of mined landscapes in the region by nearly 10 degrees while increasing their average elevation by 3 m as a result of expansive valley filling. We estimate that in southern West Virginia, more than 6.4km(3) of bedrock has been broken apart and deposited into 1544 headwater valley fills. We used NPDES monitoring datatsets available for 91 of these valley fills to explore whether fill characteristics could explain variation in the pH or selenium concentrations reported for streams draining these fills. We found that the volume of overburden in individual valley fills correlates with stream pH and selenium concentration, and suggest that a three-dimensional assessment of mountaintop mining impacts is necessary to predict both the severity and the longevity of the resulting environmental impacts.

Polyaniline nanofiber sponge filled graphene foam as high gravimetric and volumetric capacitance electrode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pedrós, J.; Boscá, A.; Martínez, J.; Ruiz-Gómez, S.; Pérez, L.; Barranco, V.; Calle, F.

2016-06-01

A 3D hierarchical porous composite structure is developed via the controlled electrodeposition of a polyaniline nanofiber sponge (PANI-NFS) that fills the pores of a chemical vapor deposited graphene foam (GF). The PANI-NFS/GF composite combines the efficient electronic transport in the GF scaffold (with 100-500 μm pore size) with the rapid diffusion of the electrolyte ions into the high-specific-surface-area and densely-packed PANI-NFS (with 100-500 nm pore size). The factor of 1000 in the pore hierarchy and the synergy between the materials, that form a supercapacitor composite electrode with an integrated extended current collector, lead to both very high gravimetric and volumetric capacitances. In particular, values of 1474 F g-1 and 86 F cm-3 for a GF filling factor of 11% (leading to an estimated value of 782 F cm-3 for 100%), respectively, are obtained at a current density of 0.47 A g-1. Moreover, the composite electrode presents a capacitance retention of 83% after 15000 cycles. This excellent behavior makes the PANI-NFS/GF composite electrodes very attractive for high-performance supercapacitors.

[Descriptive epidemiology of the vascular risk factors in Bañeres. Study group 'Bañeres Project'].

PubMed

Mulet, M J; Sánchez-Pérez, R M; Moltó, J M; Adam, A; Blanquer, J; López-Arlandis, J

Epidemiological studies of the risk factors of cerebrovascular disease are of great interest, particularly the identification of factors which may be modified. Previous studies carried out in the Alcoi region of Alicante province, showed a high prevalence of cerebrovascular disease. The town of Bañeres was therefore chosen for confirmation of this data and identification of the frequency of vascular risk factors. To compare the group of patients with cerebrovascular disease with the remainder of the population interviewed. In a door-to-door study in Bañeres 1,832 people were interviewed as part of the Bañeres Project. The population aged over 45 years was interviewed and filled in a questionnaire for diagnosis of transient ischemic accidents. Arterial hypertension: estimated prevalence 500/1,000 inhabitants, relative risk 3.24; diabetes mellitus: estimated prevalence 195/1,000, relative risk 2.18; coronary artery disease: estimated prevalence 58/1,000, relative risk 1.88; peptic ulcer: estimated prevalence 75/1,000, relative risk 1.23; smoking: estimated prevalence 110/1,000, relative risk 0.46; complete arrhythmia: prevalence 73/1,000, relative risk 5.23. Family histories of cerebrovascular accident, arterial hypertension, diabetes and coronary artery disease were not significant. Arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus and arrhythmia were significantly more prevalent amongst patients with vascular disease in our setting. We found no association with the other risk factors analyzed.

Risk factors associated with treatment discontinuation and down-titration in type 2 diabetes patients treated with sulfonylureas.

PubMed

Iglay, Kristy; Qiu, Ying; Steve Fan, Chun-Po; Li, Zhiyi; Tang, Jackson; Laires, Pedro

2016-09-01

Sulfonylurea therapy among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) can be disrupted due to adverse events, including hypoglycemia. A retrospective study using the MarketScan claims database quantified the frequency of sulfonylurea discontinuation or down-titration and identified associated risk factors. Adult patients with an index sulfonylurea prescription between 2008 and 2012 and 1 year continuous enrollment pre- and post-index were included. Therapy changes assessed over 1 year post-index included discontinuation and down-titration. Discontinuation occurred if the date of a fill was >90 days from the end date of the preceding fill. Down-titration occurred when a fill had a lower equivalent dose than the fill on the index date. Kaplan-Meier methods estimated the probability of either discontinuation or down-titration over 12 months, and Cox regression models identified associated risk factors. A total of 104,082 sulfonylurea users were included in the study and the probability of either discontinuation or down-titration at 3, 6 and 12 months was 23.2%, 38.9%, and 52.3%, respectively. Major risk factors associated with therapy changes included post-index hypoglycemia (discontinuation hazard ratio [HR] = 1.78 [1.68, 1.89]; down-titration HR =2.79 [2.40, 3.23]) and concomitant use of insulin (discontinuation HR =1.48 [1.40, 1.57]; down-titration HR =1.82 [1.56, 2.11]). Other risk factors included younger age, female gender, use of second generation sulfonylureas, prior cardiovascular comorbidity and liver disease. The study was not able to assess unreported, potentially mild cases of hypoglycemia, nor was it able to evaluate the association between changes in therapy and HbA1c levels or body weight. More than half of T2DM patients who initiated sulfonylurea therapy discontinued or down-titrated within 1 year. Insulin use and hypoglycemia were associated with sulfonylurea therapy change.

Estimation of alluvial-fill thickness in the Mimbres ground-water basin, New Mexico, from interpretation of isostatic residual gravity anomalies

USGS Publications Warehouse

Heywood, Charles E.

2002-01-01

The geologic structure of the Mimbres ground-water basin in southwest New Mexico is characterized by north- and northwest-trending structural subbasins. Sedimentation of Miocene and Pliocene age has filled and obscured the boundaries of these subbasins and formed poten- tially productive aquifers of varied thickness. The location and depth of the subbasins can be esti- mated from analysis of isostatic residual gravity anomalies. Density contrasts of various basement lithologies generate complex regional gravity trends, which are convolved with the gravity signal from the Miocene and Pliocene alluvial fill. An iterative scheme was used to separate these regional gravity trends from the alluvial-fill grav- ity signal, which was inverted with estimated depth-density relations to compute the thickness of the alluvial fill at 1-kilometer spacing. The thickness estimates were constrained by explor- atory drill-hole information, interpreted seismic- refraction profiles, and location of bedrock lithol- ogy from surficial geologic mapping. The result- ing map of alluvial-fill thickness suggests large areas of thin alluvium that separate deep structural subbasins.

A novel fluorescence microscopy approach to estimate quality loss of stored fruit fillings as a result of browning.

PubMed

Cropotova, Janna; Tylewicz, Urszula; Cocci, Emiliano; Romani, Santina; Dalla Rosa, Marco

2016-03-01

The aim of the present study was to estimate the quality deterioration of apple fillings during storage. Moreover, a potentiality of novel time-saving and non-invasive method based on fluorescence microscopy for prompt ascertainment of non-enzymatic browning initiation in fruit fillings was investigated. Apple filling samples were obtained by mixing different quantities of fruit and stabilizing agents (inulin, pectin and gellan gum), thermally processed and stored for 6-month. The preservation of antioxidant capacity (determined by DPPH method) in apple fillings was indirectly correlated with decrease in total polyphenols content that varied from 34±22 to 56±17% and concomitant accumulation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), ranging from 3.4±0.1 to 8±1mg/kg in comparison to initial apple puree values. The mean intensity of the fluorescence emission spectra of apple filling samples and initial apple puree was highly correlated (R(2)>0.95) with the HMF content, showing a good potentiality of fluorescence microscopy method to estimate non-enzymatic browning. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Angle-resolved reflection spectroscopy of high-quality PMMA opal crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nemtsev, Ivan V.; Tambasov, Igor A.; Ivanenko, Alexander A.; Zyryanov, Victor Ya.

2018-02-01

PMMA opal crystal was prepared by a simple hybrid method, which includes sedimentation, meniscus formation and evaporation. We investigated three surfaces of this crystal by angle-resolved reflective light spectroscopy and SEM study. The angle-resolved reflective measurements were carried out in the 400-1100 nm range. We have determined the high-quality ordered surface of the crystal region. Narrow particle size distribution of the surface has been revealed. The average particle diameter obtained with SEM was nearly 361 nm. The most interesting result was that reflectivity of the surface turned out up to 98% at normal light incidence. Using a fit of dependences of the maximum reflectivity wavelength from an angle based on the Bragg-Snell law, the wavelength of maximum 0° reflectivity, the particle diameter and the fill factor have been determined. For the best surface maximum reflectivity wavelength of a 0° angle was estimated to be 869 nm. The particle diameter and fill factor were calculated as 372 nm and 0.8715, respectively. The diameter obtained by fitting is in excellent agreement with the particle diameter obtained with SEM. The reflectivity maximum is assumed to increase significantly when increasing the fill factor. We believe that using our simple approach to manufacture PMMA opal crystals will significantly increase the fabrication of high-quality photonic crystal templates and thin films.

Recycling of Pleistocene valley fills dominates 125 ka of sediment flux, upper Indus River

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Munack, Henry; Blöthe, Jan Henrik; Fülöp, Réka-Hajnalka; Codilean, Alexandru T.; Fink, David; Korup, Oliver

2016-04-01

Rivers draining the semiarid Transhimalayan Ranges along the western Tibetan Plateau margin underwent alternating phases of massive valley infill and incision in Pleistocene times. The imprints of these cut-and-fill cycles on long-term sediment fluxes have remained largely elusive. We investigate the timing and geomorphic consequences of headward incision of the Zanskar River, which taps the vast More Plains valley fill that currently impedes drainage of the endorheic high-altitude basins of Tso Kar and Tso Moriri. In situ 10Be exposure dating and topographic analyses indicate that a phase of valley infill gave way to net dissection of the >250-m thick sedimentary stacks ˜125 ka ago, i.e. during the last interglacial (MIS 5e). Rivers eroded >14.7 km3 of sediment from the Zanskar headwaters since then, fashioning specific sediment yields that surpass 10Be-derived denudation rates from neighbouring catchments by factors of two to ten. We conclude that recycling of Pleistocene valley fills has provided Transhimalayan headwater rivers with more sediment than bedrock denudation, at least since the beginning of the last glacial cycle. This protracted liberation of sediment stored in thick valley fills could bias rate estimates of current sediment loads and long-term bedrock denudation.

Sample Size for Tablet Compression and Capsule Filling Events During Process Validation.

PubMed

Charoo, Naseem Ahmad; Durivage, Mark; Rahman, Ziyaur; Ayad, Mohamad Haitham

2017-12-01

During solid dosage form manufacturing, the uniformity of dosage units (UDU) is ensured by testing samples at 2 stages, that is, blend stage and tablet compression or capsule/powder filling stage. The aim of this work is to propose a sample size selection approach based on quality risk management principles for process performance qualification (PPQ) and continued process verification (CPV) stages by linking UDU to potential formulation and process risk factors. Bayes success run theorem appeared to be the most appropriate approach among various methods considered in this work for computing sample size for PPQ. The sample sizes for high-risk (reliability level of 99%), medium-risk (reliability level of 95%), and low-risk factors (reliability level of 90%) were estimated to be 299, 59, and 29, respectively. Risk-based assignment of reliability levels was supported by the fact that at low defect rate, the confidence to detect out-of-specification units would decrease which must be supplemented with an increase in sample size to enhance the confidence in estimation. Based on level of knowledge acquired during PPQ and the level of knowledge further required to comprehend process, sample size for CPV was calculated using Bayesian statistics to accomplish reduced sampling design for CPV. Copyright © 2017 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Preparation of AgInS2 nanoparticles by a facile microwave heating technique; study of effective parameters, optical and photovoltaic characteristics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tadjarodi, Azadeh; Cheshmekhavar, Amir Hossein; Imani, Mina

2012-12-01

In this work, AgInS2 (AIS) semiconductor nanoparticles were synthesized by an efficient and facile microwave heating technique using several sulfur sources and solvents in the different reaction times. The SEM images presented the particle morphology for all of the obtained products in the arranged reaction conditions. The particle size of 70 nm was obtained using thioacetamide (TAA), ethylene glycol (EG) as the sulfur source and solvent, respectively at the reaction time of 5 min. It was found that the change of the mentioned parameters lead to alter on the particle size of the resulting products. The average particle size was estimated using a microstructure measurement program and Minitab statistical software. The optical band gap energy of 1.96 eV for the synthesized AIS nanoparticles was determined by the diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). AgInS2/CdS/CuInSe2 heterojunction solar cell was constructed and photovoltaic parameters, i.e., open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current (Jsc) and fill factor (FF) were estimated by photocurrent-voltage (I-V) curve. The calculated fill factor of 30% and energy conversion efficiency of 1.58% revealed the capability of AIS nanoparticles to use in the solar cell devices.

Competition between recombination and extraction of free charges determines the fill factor of organic solar cells

PubMed Central

Bartesaghi, Davide; Pérez, Irene del Carmen; Kniepert, Juliane; Roland, Steffen; Turbiez, Mathieu; Neher, Dieter; Koster, L. Jan Anton

2015-01-01

Among the parameters that characterize a solar cell and define its power-conversion efficiency, the fill factor is the least well understood, making targeted improvements difficult. Here we quantify the competition between charge extraction and recombination by using a single parameter θ, and we demonstrate that this parameter is directly related to the fill factor of many different bulk-heterojunction solar cells. Our finding is supported by experimental measurements on 15 different donor:acceptor combinations, as well as by drift-diffusion simulations of organic solar cells in which charge-carrier mobilities, recombination rate, light intensity, energy levels and active-layer thickness are all varied over wide ranges to reproduce typical experimental conditions. The results unify the fill factors of several very different donor:acceptor combinations and give insight into why fill factors change so much with thickness, light intensity and materials properties. To achieve fill factors larger than 0.8 requires further improvements in charge transport while reducing recombination. PMID:25947637

Failure to unmask pseudonormal diastolic function by a valsalva maneuver: tricuspid insufficiency is a major factor.

PubMed

Hu, Kai; Liu, Dan; Niemann, Markus; Hatle, Liv; Herrmann, Sebastian; Voelker, Wolfram; Ertl, Georg; Bijnens, Bart; Weidemann, Frank

2011-11-01

For the clinical assessment of patients with dyspnea, the inversion of the early (E) and late (A) transmitral flow during Valsalva maneuver (VM) frequently helps to distinguish pseudonormal from normal filling pattern. However, in an important number of patients, VM fails to reveal the change from dominant early mitral flow velocity toward larger late velocity. From December 2009 to October 2010, we selected consecutive patients with abnormal filling with (n=25) and without E/A inversion (n=25) during VM. Transmitral, tricuspid, and pulmonary Doppler traces were recorded and the degree of insufficiency was estimated. After evaluating all standard echocardiographic morphological, functional, and flow-related parameters, it became evident that the failure to unmask the pseudonormal filling pattern by VM was related to the degree of the tricuspid insufficiency (TI). TI was graded as mild in 24 of 25 patients in the group with E/A inversion during VM, whereas TI was graded as moderate to severe in 24 of the 25 patients with pseudonormal diastolic function without E/A inversion during VM. Our data suggest that TI is a major factor to prevent E/A inversion during a VM in patients with pseudonormal diastolic function. This probably is due to a decrease in TI resulting in an increase in forward flow rather than the expected decrease during the VM. Thus, whenever a pseudonormal diastolic filling pattern is suspected, the use of a VM is not an informative discriminator in the presence of moderate or severe TI.

A gap-filling model for eddy covariance latent heat flux: Estimating evapotranspiration of a subtropical seasonal evergreen broad-leaved forest as an example

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yi-Ying; Chu, Chia-Ren; Li, Ming-Hsu

2012-10-01

SummaryIn this paper we present a semi-parametric multivariate gap-filling model for tower-based measurement of latent heat flux (LE). Two statistical techniques, the principal component analysis (PCA) and a nonlinear interpolation approach were integrated into this LE gap-filling model. The PCA was first used to resolve the multicollinearity relationships among various environmental variables, including radiation, soil moisture deficit, leaf area index, wind speed, etc. Two nonlinear interpolation methods, multiple regressions (MRS) and the K-nearest neighbors (KNNs) were examined with random selected flux gaps for both clear sky and nighttime/cloudy data to incorporate into this LE gap-filling model. Experimental results indicated that the KNN interpolation approach is able to provide consistent LE estimations while MRS presents over estimations during nighttime/cloudy. Rather than using empirical regression parameters, the KNN approach resolves the nonlinear relationship between the gap-filled LE flux and principal components with adaptive K values under different atmospheric states. The developed LE gap-filling model (PCA with KNN) works with a RMSE of 2.4 W m-2 (˜0.09 mm day-1) at a weekly time scale by adding 40% artificial flux gaps into original dataset. Annual evapotranspiration at this study site were estimated at 736 mm (1803 MJ) and 728 mm (1785 MJ) for year 2008 and 2009, respectively.

Risk Assessment for Children Exposed to Arsenic on Baseball Fields with Contaminated Fill Material

PubMed Central

Ferguson, Alesia C.; Black, Jennifer C.; Sims, Isaac B.; Welday, Jennifer N.; Elmir, Samir M.; Goff, Kendra F.; Higginbotham, J. Mark

2018-01-01

Children can be exposed to arsenic through play areas which may have contaminated fill material from historic land use. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the risk to children who play and/or spend time at baseball fields with soils shown to have arsenic above background levels. Arsenic in soils at the study sites located in Miami, FL, USA showed distinct distributions between infield, outfield, and areas adjacent to the fields. Using best estimates of exposure factors for children baseball scenarios, results show that non-cancer risks depend most heavily upon the age of the person and the arsenic exposure level. For extreme exposure scenarios evaluated in this study, children from 1 to 2 years were at highest risk for non-cancer effects (Hazard Quotient, HQ > 2.4), and risks were higher for children exhibiting pica (HQ > 9.7) which shows the importance of testing fill for land use where children may play. At the study sites, concentration levels of arsenic resulted in a range of computed cancer risks that differed by a factor of 10. In these sites, the child’s play position also affected risk. Outfield players, with a lifetime exposure to these arsenic levels, could have 10 times more increased chance of experiencing cancers associated with arsenic (i.e., lung, bladder, skin) in comparison to infielders. The distinct concentration distributions observed between these portions of the baseball fields emphasize the need to delineate contaminated areas in public property where citizens may spend more free time. This study also showed a need for more tools to improve the risk estimates for child play activities. For instance, more refined measurements of exposure factors for intake (e.g., inhalation rates under rigorous play activities, hand to mouth rates), exposure frequency (i.e., time spent in various activities) and other exposure factors (e.g., soil particulate emission rates at baseball play fields) can help pinpoint risk on baseball fields where arsenic levels may be a concern. PMID:29300352

Increasing Polymer Solar Cell Fill Factor by Trap-Filling with F4-TCNQ at Parts Per Thousand Concentration.

PubMed

Yan, Han; Manion, Joseph G; Yuan, Mingjian; García de Arquer, F Pelayo; McKeown, George R; Beaupré, Serge; Leclerc, Mario; Sargent, Edward H; Seferos, Dwight S

2016-08-01

Intrinsic traps in organic semiconductors can be eliminated by trap-filling with F4-TCNQ. Photovoltaic tests show that devices with F4-TCNQ at parts per thousand concentration outperform control devices due to an improved fill factor. Further studies confirm the trap-filling pathway and demonstrate the general nature of this finding. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Estimating the volume of glacial ice on Mars: Geographic and geometric constraints on concentric crater fill, lineated valley fill, and lobate debris aprons along the Martian dichotomy boundary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fassett, C.; Levy, J.; Head, J.

2013-09-01

Landforms inferred to have formed from glacial processes are abundant on Mars and include features such as concentric crater fill (CCF), lobate debris aprons (LDA), and lineated valley fill (LVF). Here, we present new mapping of the spatial extent of these landforms derived from CTX and THEMIS VIS image data, and new geometric constraints on the volume of glaciogenic fill material present in concentric crater fill deposits.

Development of High-Fill-Factor Large-Aperture Micromirrors for Agile Optical Phased Arrays

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-02-28

Final Project Report Contract/Grant Title: Development of High-Fill-Factor Large-Aperture Micromirrors for Agile Optical Phased Arrays...factor (HFF) micromirror array (MMA) has been proposed, fabricated and tested. Optical-phased-array (OPA) beam steering based on the HFF MMA has also...electrically tuned to multiple 2. 1. Background High-fill-factor (HFF) micromirror arrays (MMAs) can form optical phased arrays (OPAs) for laser beam

Reliance on social security benefits by Swedish patients with ill-health attributed to dental fillings: a register-based cohort study.

PubMed

Naimi-Akbar, Aron; Svedberg, Pia; Alexanderson, Kristina; Ekstrand, Jan; Sandborgh-Englund, Gunilla

2012-08-30

Some people attribute their ill health to dental filling materials, experiencing a variety of symptoms. Yet, it is not known if they continue to financially support themselves by work or become reliant on different types of social security benefits. The aim of this study was to analyse reliance on different forms of social security benefits by patients who attribute their poor health to dental filling materials. A longitudinal cohort study with a 13-year follow up. The subjects included were 505 patients attributing their ill health to dental restorative materials, who applied for subsidised filling replacement. They were compared to a cohort of matched controls representing the general population (three controls per patient). Annual individual data on disability pension, sick leave, unemployment benefits, and socio-demographic factors was obtained from Statistics Sweden. Generalized estimating equations were used to test for differences between cohorts in number of days on different types of social security benefits. The cohort of dental filling patients had a significantly higher number of days on sick leave and disability pension than the general population. The test of an overall interaction effect between time and cohort showed a significant difference between the two cohorts regarding both sick leave and disability pension. In the replacement cohort, the highest number of sick-leave days was recorded in the year they applied for subsidised replacement of fillings. While sick leave decreased following the year of application, the number of days on disability pension increased and peaked at the end of follow-up. Ill health related to dental materials is likely to be associated with dependence on social security benefits. Dental filling replacement does not seem to improve workforce participation.

An Analytical Solution and Numerical Modeling Study of Gas Hydrate Saturation Effects on Porosity and Permeability of Porous Media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zerpa, L.; Gao, F.; Wang, S.

2017-12-01

There are two major types of natural gas hydrate distributions in porous media: pore filling and contact cementing. The difference between these two distribution types is related to hydrate nucleation and growth processes. In the pore filling distribution, hydrate nucleates from a gas-dissolved aqueous phase at the grain boundary and grows away from grain contacts and surfaces into the pore space. In the contact cementing distribution, hydrate nucleates and grows at the gas-water interface and at intergranular contacts. Previous attempts to correlate changes on porosity and permeability during hydrate formation/dissociation were based on the length difference between the pore body and pore throat, and only considered contact cementing hydrate distribution. This work consists of a study of mathematical models of permeability and porosity as a function of gas hydrate saturation during formation and dissociation of gas hydrates in porous media. In this work, first we derive the permeability equation for the pore filling hydrate deposition as a function of hydrate saturation. Then, a more comprehensive model considering both types of gas hydrate deposition is developed to represent changes in permeability and porosity during hydrate formation and dissociation. This resulted in a model that combines pore filling and contact cementing deposition types in the same reservoir. Finally, the TOUGH+Hydrate numerical reservoir simulator was modified to include these models to analyze the response of production and saturation during a depressurization process, considering different combinations of pore filling and contact cementing hydrate distributions. The empirical exponent used in the permeability adjustment factor model influences both production profile and saturation results. This empirical factor describes the permeability dependence to changes in porosity caused by solid phase formation in the porous medium. The use of the permeability exponent decreases the permeability of the system for a given hydrate saturation, which affects the hydraulic performance of the system. However, from published experimental work, there is only a rough estimation of this permeability exponent. This factor could be represented with an empirical equation if more laboratory and field data becomes available.

Correlation between Salivary Glucose and Blood Glucose and the Implications of Salivary Factors on the Oral Health Status in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

PubMed Central

Puttaswamy, Kavitha A.; Puttabudhi, Jaishankar H.; Raju, Shashidara

2017-01-01

Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to estimate and assess any correlation between random capillary blood glucose (RCBG) and unstimulated whole salivary glucose (UWSG), as well as to estimate various salivary parameters, such as flow rate, pH, buffering capacity, and the influence of these factors on the oral health status in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Materials and Methods: Sixty individuals suffering from type 2 DM and 40 healthy individuals in the age group of 30–60 years were included in the study. RCBG was estimated using glucometer and UWSG was estimated using photocolorimeter. Salivary parameters such as flow rate, pH, and buffering capacity were assessed using GC® Saliva kit. Oral health status was recorded using the Russell's periodontal index (RPI) and the Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Type 2 diabetics had higher mean values for RCBG levels and UWSG. Type 2 diabetics had low mean salivary flow rate, pH, and buffering capacity. Type 2 diabetics had higher mean values for RPI. Conclusion: Among the salivary factors studied, salivary glucose significantly influenced the periodontal status in Type 2 diabetics. PMID:28316946

Correlation between Salivary Glucose and Blood Glucose and the Implications of Salivary Factors on the Oral Health Status in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients.

PubMed

Puttaswamy, Kavitha A; Puttabudhi, Jaishankar H; Raju, Shashidara

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to estimate and assess any correlation between random capillary blood glucose (RCBG) and unstimulated whole salivary glucose (UWSG), as well as to estimate various salivary parameters, such as flow rate, pH, buffering capacity, and the influence of these factors on the oral health status in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Sixty individuals suffering from type 2 DM and 40 healthy individuals in the age group of 30-60 years were included in the study. RCBG was estimated using glucometer and UWSG was estimated using photocolorimeter. Salivary parameters such as flow rate, pH, and buffering capacity were assessed using GC ® Saliva kit. Oral health status was recorded using the Russell's periodontal index (RPI) and the Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16 was used for statistical analysis. Type 2 diabetics had higher mean values for RCBG levels and UWSG. Type 2 diabetics had low mean salivary flow rate, pH, and buffering capacity. Type 2 diabetics had higher mean values for RPI. Among the salivary factors studied, salivary glucose significantly influenced the periodontal status in Type 2 diabetics.

Estimating Fill-Spill Wetland Surface Connections in the Pipestem Creek, ND, Across Wet-Dry Conditions

EPA Science Inventory

Wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region {PPR) can be connected via surface flows through a fill-spill mechanism, with some wetlands eventually spilling into stream/river systems. This wetland-to-wetland and wetland-to-stream connection of wetlands via fill-spill has high temporal ...

Influence of fundamental mode fill factor on disk laser output power and laser beam quality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Zhiyong; Yang, Zhuo; Shao, Xichun; Li, Wei; Zhu, Mengzhen

2017-11-01

An three-dimensional numerical model based on finite element method and Fox-Li method with angular spectrum diffraction theoy is developed to calculate the output power and power density distribution of Yb:YAG disk laser. We invest the influence of fundamental mode fill factor(the ratio of fundamental mode size and pump spot size) on the output power and laser beam quality. Due to aspherical aberration and soft aperture effect in laser disk, high beam quality can be achieve with relative lower efficiency. The highest output power of fundamental laser mode is influenced by the fundamental mode fill factor. Besides we find that optimal mode fill factor increase with pump spot size.

Factors influencing caries status and treatment needs among pregnant women attending a maternity hospital in Udaipur city, India.

PubMed

Kumar, Santhosh; Tadakamadla, Jyothi; Tibdewal, Harish; Duraiswamy, Prabu; Kulkarni, Suhas

2013-04-01

To estimate the prevalence and severity of dental caries along with the treatment needs; to determine the factors that influence dental caries status among pregnant women attending a district maternity hospital in Udaipur, India. Study sample comprised of 206 pregnant women attending a district maternity hospital in Udaipur, India. Clinical data were collected on dental caries by DMFT and treatment needs as described in World Health Organization Dentition status and Treatment needs. The overall caries prevalence was 87%. Mean caries experience differed significantly among women in various trimesters, it was found to be 3.59 and 3.00 in 1st and 2nd trimester subjects respectively while it was greatest (4.13) among those in 3rd trimester. One surface filling was the most predominant treatment need. Age and occupation of husband explained a variance of 6.8% and 4.2% for decayed and filled components respectively while the only predictor for missing teeth and DMFT that explained a variance of 9.6% and 5.7% respectively was trimester of pregnancy. Dental caries experience and the need for one surface restoration increased with age. Trimester of pregnancy was a significant predictor for missing teeth and DMFT, while decayed teeth and filled teeth were influenced by age and socio-economic level respectively. Key words:Dental caries, treatment needs, pregnant, age, trimester.

Factors influencing caries status and treatment needs among pregnant women attending a maternity hospital in Udaipur city, India

PubMed Central

Tadakamadla, Jyothi; Tibdewal, Harish; Duraiswamy, Prabu; Kulkarni, Suhas

2013-01-01

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and severity of dental caries along with the treatment needs; to determine the factors that influence dental caries status among pregnant women attending a district maternity hospital in Udaipur, India. Study design: Study sample comprised of 206 pregnant women attending a district maternity hospital in Udaipur, India. Clinical data were collected on dental caries by DMFT and treatment needs as described in World Health Organization Dentition status and Treatment needs. Results: The overall caries prevalence was 87%. Mean caries experience differed significantly among women in various trimesters, it was found to be 3.59 and 3.00 in 1st and 2nd trimester subjects respectively while it was greatest (4.13) among those in 3rd trimester. One surface filling was the most predominant treatment need. Age and occupation of husband explained a variance of 6.8% and 4.2% for decayed and filled components respectively while the only predictor for missing teeth and DMFT that explained a variance of 9.6% and 5.7% respectively was trimester of pregnancy. Conclusions: Dental caries experience and the need for one surface restoration increased with age. Trimester of pregnancy was a significant predictor for missing teeth and DMFT, while decayed teeth and filled teeth were influenced by age and socio-economic level respectively. Key words:Dental caries, treatment needs, pregnant, age, trimester. PMID:24455060

Extracting Information about the Electronic Quality of Organic Solar-Cell Absorbers from Fill Factor and Thickness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaienburg, Pascal; Rau, Uwe; Kirchartz, Thomas

2016-08-01

Understanding the fill factor in organic solar cells remains challenging due to its complex dependence on a multitude of parameters. By means of drift-diffusion simulations, we thoroughly analyze the fill factor of such low-mobility systems and demonstrate its dependence on a collection coefficient defined in this work. We systematically discuss the effect of different recombination mechanisms, space-charge regions, and contact properties. Based on these findings, we are able to interpret the thickness dependence of the fill factor for different experimental studies from the literature. The presented model provides a facile method to extract the photoactive layer's electronic quality which is of particular importance for the fill factor. We illustrate that over the past 15 years, the electronic quality has not been continuously improved, although organic solar-cell efficiencies increased steadily over the same period of time. Only recent reports show the synthesis of polymers for semiconducting films of high electronic quality that are able to produce new efficiency records.

Estimates of Active Region Area Coverage through Simultaneous Measurements of the He i λλ 5876 and 10830 Lines

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

Andretta, Vincenzo; Covino, Elvira; Giampapa, Mark S.

2017-04-20

Simultaneous, high-quality measurements of the neutral helium triplet features at 5876 Å and 10830 Å in a sample of solar-type stars are presented. The observations were made with ESO telescopes at the La Silla Paranal Observatory under program ID 088.D-0028(A) and MPG Utility Run for Fiber Extended-range Optical Spectrograph 088.A-9029(A). The equivalent widths of these features combined with chromospheric models are utilized to infer the fractional area coverage, or filling factor, of magnetic regions outside of spots. We find that the majority of the sample is characterized by filling factors less than unity. However, discrepancies occur among the coolest K-typemore » and the warmest and most rapidly rotating F-type dwarf stars. We discuss these apparently anomalous results and find that in the case of K-type stars, they are an artifact of the application of chromospheric models best suited to the Sun than to stars with significantly lower T {sub eff}. The case of the F-type rapid rotators can be explained by the measurement uncertainties of the equivalent widths, but they may also be due to a non-magnetic heating component in their atmospheres. With the exceptions noted above, preliminary results suggest that the average heating rates in the active regions are the same from one star to the other, differing in the spatially integrated, observed level of activity due to the area coverage. Hence, differences in activity in this sample are mainly due to the filling factor of active regions.« less

Bifacial solar cell measurements under standard test conditions and the impact on cell-to-module loss analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Jai Prakash; Chai, Jing; Hsian Saw, Min; Khoo, Yong Sheng

2017-08-01

Bifacial cells are conventionally measured using gold-plated chuck, which is conductive and reflective. This measurement setup does not portray the actual operating conditions of the bifacial cells in a module. The reflective chuck causes an overestimation of the current due to the cell transmittance for the infrared light. The conductive chuck creates a shorter current flow path in the rear side of the cell and causes an over inflation of the fill factor measurement. In this study, we characterize and quantitatively analyze the difference between the bifacial cell measurements on different mounting chucks and calculate the cell-to-module (CTM) loss. To characterize the optical behavior of the bifacial cell and module, we perform external quantum efficiency, reflectance and transmittance measurements. The electrical behavior of the bifacial cell is studied using in-house developed software Griddler. Using Griddler, we calculate the difference in the fill factor of the bifacial cell due to the measurement using a conductive and non-conductive chuck, and estimate the corresponding CTM resistive losses.

Physical Properties of Umbral Dots Observed in Sunspots: A Hinode Observation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yadav, Rahul; Mathew, Shibu K.

2018-04-01

Umbral dots (UDs) are small-scale bright features observed in the umbral part of sunspots and pores. It is well established that they are manifestations of magnetoconvection phenomena inside umbrae. We study the physical properties of UDs in different sunspots and their dependence on decay rate and filling factor. We have selected high-resolution, G-band continuum filtergrams of seven sunspots from Hinode to study their physical properties. We have also used Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) continuum images to estimate the decay rate of selected sunspots. An identification and tracking algorithm was developed to identify the UDs in time sequences. The statistical analysis of UDs exhibits an averaged maximum intensity and effective diameter of 0.26 I_{QS} and 270 km. Furthermore, the lifetime, horizontal speed, trajectory length, and displacement length (birth-death distance) of UDs are 8.19 minutes, 0.5 km s-1, 284 km, and 155 km, respectively. We also find a positive correlation between intensity-diameter, intensity-lifetime, and diameter-lifetime of UDs. However, UD properties do not show any significant relation with the decay rate or filling factor.

European multicentre validation study of the accuracy of E/e' ratio in estimating invasive left ventricular filling pressure: EURO-FILLING study.

PubMed

Galderisi, Maurizio; Lancellotti, Patrizio; Donal, Erwan; Cardim, Nuno; Edvardsen, Thor; Habib, Gilbert; Magne, Julien; Maurer, Gerald; Popescu, Bogdan A

2014-07-01

The non-invasive estimation of left ventricular filling pressures (LVFPs) represents a main goal in the clinical setting. Current recommendations encourage the use of pulsed-wave Tissue Doppler for calculating the ratio between the preload-dependent transmitral E velocity and the average of septal and lateral early diastolic velocities (e') of the mitral annulus. Despite its wide use, real utility of the E/e' ratio has been recently challenged in patients with either very advanced heart failure or preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction. However, only few studies performed the invasive and non-invasive estimation of LVFP simultaneously. The EURO-FILLING Study will validate the E/e' ratio (and additional non-invasive estimates) against simultaneously measured LVFP obtained by left heart catheterization in a multicentre study involving reference European echo laboratories collecting a wide population sample size of cardiac patients with and without heart failure. The EURO-FILLING study is a large, prospective observational study in which simultaneous assessment of invasive and non-invasive measurements of LVFP will be acquired in eight reference European centres. Centralized reading of the collected parameters will be performed in a core laboratory. Not only standardized echo Doppler measurements but also novel echo parameters such as LV global longitudinal strain and global atrial strain (obtainable by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography) will be tested for predicting invasive measurements of LVFP. The EURO-FILLING study is expected to provide important information on non-invasive assessment of LVFP and to contribute to the standardization of this assessment in clinical practice. Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2014. For permissions please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Echo-Doppler estimation of left ventricular filling pressure: results of the multicentre EACVI Euro-Filling study.

PubMed

Lancellotti, Patrizio; Galderisi, Maurizio; Edvardsen, Thor; Donal, Erwan; Goliasch, Georg; Cardim, Nuno; Magne, Julien; Laginha, Sara; Hagendorff, Andreas; Haland, Trine F; Aaberge, Lars; Martinez, Christophe; Rapacciuolo, Antonio; Santoro, Ciro; Ilardi, Federica; Postolache, Adriana; Dulgheru, Raluca; Mateescu, Anca D; Beladan, Carmen C; Deleanu, Dan; Marchetta, Stella; Auffret, Vincent; Schwammenthal, Ehud; Habib, Gilbert; Popescu, Bogdan A

2017-09-01

The present Euro-Filling report aimed at comparing the diagnostic accuracy of the 2009 and 2016 echocardiographic grading algorithms for predicting invasively measured left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP). A total of 159 patients who underwent simultaneous evaluation of echo estimates of LVFP and invasive measurements of LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were enrolled at nine EACVI centres. Thirty-nine (25%) patients had a reduced LV ejection fraction (<50%), 77 (64%) were in NYHA ≥ II, and 85 (53%) had coronary artery disease. Sixty-four (40%) patients had elevated LVEDP (≥15 mmHg). Taken individually, all echocardiographic Doppler estimates of LVFP (E/A, E/e', left atrial volume, tricuspid regurgitation jet velocity) were marginally correlated with LVEDP. By using the 2016 recommendations, 65% of patients with normal non-invasive estimate of LVFP had normal LVEDP, while 79% of those with elevated non-invasive LVFP had elevated invasive LVEDP. By using 2009 recommendations, 68% of the patients with normal non-invasive LVFP had normal LVEDP, while 55% of those with elevated non-invasive LVFP had elevated LVEDP. The 2016 recommendations (sensitivity 75%, specificity 74%, positive predictive value 39%, negative predictive value 93%, AUC 0.78) identified slightly better patients with elevated invasive LVEDP (≥ 15 mmHg) as compared with the 2009 recommendations (sensitivity 43%, specificity 75%, positive predictive value 49%, negative predictive value 71%, AUC 0.68). The present Euro-Filling study demonstrates that the new 2016 recommendations for assessing LVFP non-invasively are fairly reliable and clinically useful, as well as superior to the 2009 recommendations in estimating invasive LVEDP. Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2017. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Predicted liquefaction of East Bay fills during a repeat of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake

USGS Publications Warehouse

Holzer, T.L.; Blair, J.L.; Noce, T.E.; Bennett, M.J.

2006-01-01

Predicted conditional probabilities of surface manifestations of liquefaction during a repeat of the 1906 San Francisco (M7.8) earthquake range from 0.54 to 0.79 in the area underlain by the sandy artificial fills along the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay near Oakland, California. Despite widespread liquefaction in 1906 of sandy fills in San Francisco, most of the East Bay fills were emplaced after 1906 without soil improvement to increase their liquefaction resistance. They have yet to be shaken strongly. Probabilities are based on the liquefaction potential index computed from 82 CPT soundings using median (50th percentile) estimates of PGA based on a ground-motion prediction equation. Shaking estimates consider both distance from the San Andreas Fault and local site conditions. The high probabilities indicate extensive and damaging liquefaction will occur in East Bay fills during the next M ??? 7.8 earthquake on the northern San Andreas Fault. ?? 2006, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute.

The plasma filling factor of coronal bright points. II. Combined EIS and TRACE results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dere, K. P.

2009-04-01

Aims: In a previous paper, the volumetric plasma filling factor of coronal bright points was determined from spectra obtained with the Extreme ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer (EIS). The analysis of these data showed that the median plasma filling factor was 0.015. One interpretation of this result was that the small filling factor was consistent with a single coronal loop with a width of 1-2´´, somewhat below the apparent width. In this paper, higher spatial resolution observations with the Transition Region and Corona Explorer (TRACE) are used to test this interpretation. Methods: Rastered spectra of regions of the quiet Sun were recorded by the EIS during operations with the Hinode satellite. Many of these regions were simultaneously observed with TRACE. Calibrated intensities of Fe xii lines were obtained and images of the quiet corona were constructed from the EIS measurements. Emission measures were determined from the EIS spectra and geometrical widths of coronal bright points were obtained from the TRACE images. Electron densities were determined from density-sensitive line ratios measured with EIS. A comparison of the emission measure and bright point widths with the electron densities yielded the plasma filling factor. Results: The median electron density of coronal bright points is 3 × 109 cm-3 at a temperature of 1.6 × 106 K. The volumetric plasma filling factor of coronal bright points was found to vary from 3 × 10-3 to 0.3 with a median value of 0.04. Conclusions: The current set of EIS and TRACE coronal bright-point observations indicate the median value of their plasma filling factor is 0.04. This can be interpreted as evidence of a considerable subresolution structure in coronal bright points or as the result of a single completely filled plasma loop with widths on the order of 0.2-1.5´´ that has not been spatially resolved in these measurements.

Experimental study on energy absorption of foam filled kraft paper honeycomb subjected to quasi-static uniform compression loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abd Kadir, N.; Aminanda, Y.; Ibrahim, M. S.; Mokhtar, H.

2016-10-01

A statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of factor and to obtain the optimum configuration of Kraft paper honeycomb. The factors considered in this study include density of paper, thickness of paper and cell size of honeycomb. Based on three level factorial design, two-factor interaction model (2FI) was developed to correlate the factors with specific energy absorption and specific compression strength. From the analysis of variance (ANOVA), the most influential factor on responses and the optimum configuration was identified. After that, Kraft paper honeycomb with optimum configuration is used to fabricate foam-filled paper honeycomb with five different densities of polyurethane foam as filler (31.8, 32.7, 44.5, 45.7, 52 kg/m3). The foam-filled paper honeycomb is subjected to quasi-static compression loading. Failure mechanism of the foam-filled honeycomb was identified, analyzed and compared with the unfilled paper honeycomb. The peak force and energy absorption capability of foam-filled paper honeycomb are increased up to 32% and 30%, respectively, compared to the summation of individual components.

Estimation of diastolic intraventricular pressure gradients by Doppler M-mode echocardiography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Greenberg, N. L.; Vandervoort, P. M.; Firstenberg, M. S.; Garcia, M. J.; Thomas, J. D.

2001-01-01

Previous studies have shown that small intraventricular pressure gradients (IVPG) are important for efficient filling of the left ventricle (LV) and as a sensitive marker for ischemia. Unfortunately, there has previously been no way of measuring these noninvasively, severely limiting their research and clinical utility. Color Doppler M-mode (CMM) echocardiography provides a spatiotemporal velocity distribution along the inflow tract throughout diastole, which we hypothesized would allow direct estimation of IVPG by using the Euler equation. Digital CMM images, obtained simultaneously with intracardiac pressure waveforms in six dogs, were processed by numerical differentiation for the Euler equation, then integrated to estimate IVPG and the total (left atrial to left ventricular apex) pressure drop. CMM-derived estimates agreed well with invasive measurements (IVPG: y = 0.87x + 0.22, r = 0.96, P < 0.001, standard error of the estimate = 0.35 mmHg). Quantitative processing of CMM data allows accurate estimation of IVPG and tracking of changes induced by beta-adrenergic stimulation. This novel approach provides unique information on LV filling dynamics in an entirely noninvasive way that has previously not been available for assessment of diastolic filling and function.

Effect of instrument settings on liquid-containing lesion images characterized by radiofrequency ultrasound local estimators.

PubMed

Wang, Jian; Kang, Chunsong; Feng, Tinghua; Xue, Jiping; Shi, Kailing; Li, Tingting; Liu, Xiaofang; Wang, Yu

2013-05-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ultrasonic instrument gain, transducer frequency, and depth on the color variety and color filling of radiofrequency ultrasonic local estimators (RULES) images which indicated specific physical representation of liquid-containing lesions in order to find the optimal settings for the clinical application of RULES in liquid-containing lesions. Changing the ultrasonic instrument gain, transducer frequency, and depth affected the color filling and color variety of 21 pathologically-confirmed liquid-containing lesion images analyzed by RULES. Blue colored fill dominated the RULES images to represent the liquid-containing lesions. A frequency of 12.5MHz led to red and green colors along the inner edges of the liquid-containing lesions. Changing the gain resulted in significantly different blue colored filling that was highest when the gain was 90 to 100. Changing the frequency also significantly changed the blue color filling, with the highest filling occurring at 12.5MHz. Changing the depth did not affect the blue color filling. The liquid components of the lesions may be identified by their characteristic manifestations in RULES, where color variety is affected by transducer frequency and blue color filling which represent liquid-containing lesions in RULES images is affected by frequency and gain. Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier GmbH.

Integration of different data gap filling techniques to facilitate ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Data gap filling techniques are commonly used to predict hazard in the absence of empirical data. The most established techniques are read-across, trend analysis and quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs). Toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) are less frequently used data gap filling techniques which are applied to estimate relative potencies for mixtures of chemicals that contribute to an adverse outcome through a common biological target. For example, The TEF approach has been used for dioxin-like effects comparing individual chemical activity to that of the most toxic dioxin: 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. The aim of this case study was to determine whether integration of two data gap filling techniques: QSARs and TEFs improved the predictive outcome for the assessment of a set of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and their mixtures. PCBs are associated with many different adverse effects, including their potential for neurotoxicity, which is the endpoint of interest in this study. The dataset comprised 209 PCB congeners, out of which 87 altered in vitro Ca(2+) homeostasis from which neurotoxic equivalency values (NEQs) were derived. The preliminary objective of this case study was to develop a QSAR model to predict NEQ values for the 122 untested PCB congeners. A decision tree model was developed using the number of position specific chlorine substitutions on the biphenyl scaffold as a fingerprint descriptor. Three different positiona

A multifractal approach to space-filling recovery for PET quantification.

PubMed

Willaime, Julien M Y; Aboagye, Eric O; Tsoumpas, Charalampos; Turkheimer, Federico E

2014-11-01

A new image-based methodology is developed for estimating the apparent space-filling properties of an object of interest in PET imaging without need for a robust segmentation step and used to recover accurate estimates of total lesion activity (TLA). A multifractal approach and the fractal dimension are proposed to recover the apparent space-filling index of a lesion (tumor volume, TV) embedded in nonzero background. A practical implementation is proposed, and the index is subsequently used with mean standardized uptake value (SUV mean) to correct TLA estimates obtained from approximate lesion contours. The methodology is illustrated on fractal and synthetic objects contaminated by partial volume effects (PVEs), validated on realistic (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET simulations and tested for its robustness using a clinical (18)F-fluorothymidine PET test-retest dataset. TLA estimates were stable for a range of resolutions typical in PET oncology (4-6 mm). By contrast, the space-filling index and intensity estimates were resolution dependent. TLA was generally recovered within 15% of ground truth on postfiltered PET images affected by PVEs. Volumes were recovered within 15% variability in the repeatability study. Results indicated that TLA is a more robust index than other traditional metrics such as SUV mean or TV measurements across imaging protocols. The fractal procedure reported here is proposed as a simple and effective computational alternative to existing methodologies which require the incorporation of image preprocessing steps (i.e., partial volume correction and automatic segmentation) prior to quantification.

Application of a dual unscented Kalman filter for simultaneous state and parameter estimation in problems of surface-atmosphere exchange

Treesearch

J.H. Gove; D.Y. Hollinger; D.Y. Hollinger

2006-01-01

A dual unscented Kalman filter (UKF) was used to assimilate net CO2 exchange (NEE) data measured over a spruce-hemlock forest at the Howland AmeriFlux site in Maine, USA, into a simple physiological model for the purpose of filling gaps in an eddy flux time series. In addition to filling gaps in the measurement record, the UKF approach provides continuous estimates of...

Review on the Role of Planetary Factors on Habitability.

PubMed

Kereszturi, A; Noack, L

2016-11-01

In this work various factors on the habitability were considered, focusing on conditions irrespective of the central star's radiation, to see the role of specific planetary body related effects. These so called planetary factors were evaluated to identify those trans-domain issues where important information is missing but good chance exit to be filled by new knowledge that might be gained in the next decade(s). Among these strategic knowledge gaps, specific issues are listed, like occurrence of radioactive nucleides in star forming regions, models to estimate the existence of subsurface liquid water from bulk parameters plus evolutionary context of the given system, estimation on the existence of redox gradient depending on the environment type etc. These issues require substantial improvement of modelling and statistical handling of various cases, as "planetary environment types". Based on our current knowledge it is probable that subsurface habitability is at least as frequent, or more frequent than surface habitability. Unfortunately it is more difficult from observations to infer conditions for subsurface habitability, but specific argumentation might help with indirect ways, which might result in new methods to approach habitability in general.

A multi-source precipitation approach to fill gaps over a radar precipitation field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tesfagiorgis, K. B.; Mahani, S. E.; Khanbilvardi, R.

2012-12-01

Satellite Precipitation Estimates (SPEs) may be the only available source of information for operational hydrologic and flash flood prediction due to spatial limitations of radar and gauge products. The present work develops an approach to seamlessly blend satellite, radar, climatological and gauge precipitation products to fill gaps over ground-based radar precipitation fields. To mix different precipitation products, the bias of any of the products relative to each other should be removed. For bias correction, the study used an ensemble-based method which aims to estimate spatially varying multiplicative biases in SPEs using a radar rainfall product. Bias factors were calculated for a randomly selected sample of rainy pixels in the study area. Spatial fields of estimated bias were generated taking into account spatial variation and random errors in the sampled values. A weighted Successive Correction Method (SCM) is proposed to make the merging between error corrected satellite and radar rainfall estimates. In addition to SCM, we use a Bayesian spatial method for merging the gap free radar with rain gauges, climatological rainfall sources and SPEs. We demonstrate the method using SPE Hydro-Estimator (HE), radar- based Stage-II, a climatological product PRISM and rain gauge dataset for several rain events from 2006 to 2008 over three different geographical locations of the United States. Results show that: the SCM method in combination with the Bayesian spatial model produced a precipitation product in good agreement with independent measurements. The study implies that using the available radar pixels surrounding the gap area, rain gauge, PRISM and satellite products, a radar like product is achievable over radar gap areas that benefits the scientific community.

Fitness in Young Adulthood and Long-Term Cardiac Structure and Function: The CARDIA Study.

PubMed

Pandey, Ambarish; Allen, Norrina B; Ayers, Colby; Reis, Jared P; Moreira, Henrique T; Sidney, Stephen; Rana, Jamal S; Jacobs, David R; Chow, Lisa S; de Lemos, James A; Carnethon, Mercedes; Berry, Jarett D

2017-05-01

This study sought to evaluate the association between early-life cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and measures of left ventricular (LV) structure and function in midlife. Low CRF in midlife is associated with a higher risk of heart failure. However, the unique contributions of early-life CRF toward measures of LV structure and function in middle age are not known. CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) study participants with a baseline maximal treadmill test and an echocardiogram at year 25 were included. Associations among baseline CRF, CRF change, and echocardiographic LV parameters (global longitudinal strain [GLS] and global circumferential strain, E/e') were assessed using multivariable linear regression. The study included 3,433 participants. After adjustment for baseline demographic and clinical characteristics, lower baseline CRF was significantly associated with higher LV strain (standardized parameter estimate [Std β] = -0.06; p = 0.03 for GLS) and ratio of early transmitral flow velocity to early peak diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/e') (Std β = -0.10; p = 0.0001 for lateral E/e'), findings suggesting impaired contractility and elevated diastolic filling pressure in midlife. After additional adjustment for cumulative cardiovascular risk factor burden observed over the follow-up period, the association of CRF with LV strain attenuated substantially (p = 0.36), whereas the association with diastolic filling pressure remained significant (Std β = -0.05; p = 0.02 for lateral E/e'). In a subgroup of participants with repeat CRF tests at year 20, greater decline in CRF was significantly associated with increased abnormalities in GLS (Std β = -0.05; p = 0.02) and higher diastolic filling pressure (Std β = -0.06; p = 0.006 for lateral E/e') in middle age. CRF in young adulthood and CRF change were associated with measures of LV systolic function and diastolic filling pressure in middle age. Low CRF-associated abnormalities in systolic function were related to the associated higher cardiovascular risk factor burden. In contrast, the inverse association between CRF and LV diastolic filling pressure was independent of cardiovascular risk factor burden. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Estimation of duration and mental workload at differing times of day by males and females

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hancock, P. A.; Rodenburg, G. J.; Mathews, W. D.; Vercruyssen, M.

1988-01-01

Two experiments are reported which investigated whether male and female operator duration estimation and subjective workload followed conventional circadian fluctuation. In the first experiment, twenty-four subjects performed a filled time-estimation task in a constant blacked-out, noise-reduced environment at 0800, 1200, 1600, and 2000 h. In the second experiment, twelve subjects performed an unfilled time estimation task in similar conditions at 0900, 1400, and 1900 h. At the termination of all experimental sessions, participants completed the NASA TLX workload assessment questionnaire as a measure of perceived mental workload. Results indicated that while physiological response followed an expected pattern, estimations of duration and subjective perception of workload showed no significant effects for time-of-day. In each of the experiments, however, there were significant differences in durational estimates and mental workload response depending upon the gender of the participant. Results are taken to support the assertion that subjective workload is responsive largely to task-related factors and indicates the important differences that may be expected due to operator gender.

Factors influencing time-location patterns and their impact on estimates of exposure: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and Air Pollution (MESA Air).

PubMed

Spalt, Elizabeth W; Curl, Cynthia L; Allen, Ryan W; Cohen, Martin; Williams, Kayleen; Hirsch, Jana A; Adar, Sara D; Kaufman, Joel D

2016-06-01

We assessed time-location patterns and the role of individual- and residential-level characteristics on these patterns within the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and Air Pollution (MESA Air) cohort and also investigated the impact of individual-level time-location patterns on individual-level estimates of exposure to outdoor air pollution. Reported time-location patterns varied significantly by demographic factors such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, education, and employment status. On average, Chinese participants reported spending significantly more time indoors and less time outdoors and in transit than White, Black, or Hispanic participants. Using a tiered linear regression approach, we predicted time indoors at home and total time indoors. Our model, developed using forward-selection procedures, explained 43% of the variability in time spent indoors at home, and incorporated demographic, health, lifestyle, and built environment factors. Time-weighted air pollution predictions calculated using recommended time indoors from USEPA overestimated exposures as compared with predictions made with MESA Air participant-specific information. These data fill an important gap in the literature by describing the impact of individual and residential characteristics on time-location patterns and by demonstrating the impact of population-specific data on exposure estimates.

ECO fill: automated fill modification to support late-stage design changes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, Greg; Wilson, Jeff; Yu, J. J.; Chiu, Anderson; Chuang, Yao-Jen; Yang, Ricky

2014-03-01

One of the most critical factors in achieving a positive return for a design is ensuring the design not only meets performance specifications, but also produces sufficient yield to meet the market demand. The goal of design for manufacturability (DFM) technology is to enable designers to address manufacturing requirements during the design process. While new cell-based, DP-aware, and net-aware fill technologies have emerged to provide the designer with automated fill engines that support these new fill requirements, design changes that arrive late in the tapeout process (as engineering change orders, or ECOs) can have a disproportionate effect on tapeout schedules, due to the complexity of replacing fill. If not handled effectively, the impacts on file size, run time, and timing closure can significantly extend the tapeout process. In this paper, the authors examine changes to design flow methodology, supported by new fill technology, that enable efficient, fast, and accurate adjustments to metal fill late in the design process. We present an ECO fill methodology coupled with the support of advanced fill tools that can quickly locate the portion of the design affected by the change, remove and replace only the fill in that area, while maintaining the fill hierarchy. This new fill approach effectively reduces run time, contains fill file size, minimizes timing impact, and minimizes mask costs due to ECO-driven fill changes, all of which are critical factors to ensuring time-to-market schedules are maintained.

Antibiotic Prescription Fills for Acute Conjunctivitis among Enrollees in a Large United States Managed Care Network.

PubMed

Shekhawat, Nakul S; Shtein, Roni M; Blachley, Taylor S; Stein, Joshua D

2017-08-01

Antibiotics are seldom necessary to treat acute conjunctivitis. We assessed how frequently patients with newly diagnosed acute conjunctivitis fill prescriptions for topical antibiotics and factors associated with antibiotic prescription fills. Retrospective, observational cohort study. A total of 340 372 enrollees in a large nationwide United States managed care network with newly diagnosed acute conjunctivitis, from 2001 through 2014. We identified all enrollees newly diagnosed with acute conjunctivitis, calculating the proportion filling 1 or more topical antibiotic prescription within 14 days of initial diagnosis. Multivariate logistic regression assessed sociodemographic, medical, and other factors associated with antibiotic prescription fills for acute conjunctivitis. Geographic variation in prescription fills also was studied. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for filling an antibiotic prescription for acute conjunctivitis. Among 340 372 enrollees with acute conjunctivitis, 198 462 (58%) filled ≥1 topical antibiotic prescriptions; 38 774 filled prescriptions for antibiotic-corticosteroid combination products. Compared with whites, blacks (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.86-0.92) and Latinos (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.81-0.86) had lower odds of filling antibiotic prescriptions. More affluent and educated enrollees had higher odds of filling antibiotic prescriptions compared with those with lesser affluence and education (P < 0.01 for all). Compared with persons initially diagnosed with acute conjunctivitis by ophthalmologists, enrollees had considerably higher odds of antibiotic prescription fills if first diagnosed by an optometrist (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.21-1.31), urgent care physician (OR, 3.29; 95% CI, 3.17-3.41), internist (OR, 2.79; 95% CI, 2.69-2.90), pediatrician (OR, 2.27; 95% CI, 2.13-2.43), or family practitioner (OR, 2.46; 95% CI, 2.37-2.55). Antibiotic prescription fills did not differ for persons with versus without risk factors for development of serious infections, such as contact lens wearers (P = 0.21) or patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection or AIDS (P = 0.60). Nearly 60% of enrollees in this managed care network filled antibiotic prescriptions for acute conjunctivitis, and 1 of every 5 antibiotic users filled prescriptions for antibiotic-corticosteroids, which are contraindicated for acute conjunctivitis. These potentially harmful practices may prolong infection duration, may promote antibiotic resistance, and increase costs. Filling antibiotic prescriptions seems to be driven more by sociodemographic factors and type of provider diagnosing the enrollee than by medical indication. Copyright © 2017 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Biological degradation of gas-filled composite materials on the base of polyethylene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grigoreva, E. A.; Kolesnikova, N. N.; Popov, A. A.; Olkhov, A. A.

2017-12-01

Gas-filled composite materials based on polyethylene were obtained. It was assumed that introduction of porosity in polyethylene will improve the biodegradability of synthetic materials. The morphological and structural changes were estimated, physical and mechanical properties, stability in water and soil of these materials were determined. It is stated that filling the polymer matrix with pores increases the ability to degrade in nature.

Likelihood-based gene annotations for gap filling and quality assessment in genome-scale metabolic models

DOE PAGES

Benedict, Matthew N.; Mundy, Michael B.; Henry, Christopher S.; ...

2014-10-16

Genome-scale metabolic models provide a powerful means to harness information from genomes to deepen biological insights. With exponentially increasing sequencing capacity, there is an enormous need for automated reconstruction techniques that can provide more accurate models in a short time frame. Current methods for automated metabolic network reconstruction rely on gene and reaction annotations to build draft metabolic networks and algorithms to fill gaps in these networks. However, automated reconstruction is hampered by database inconsistencies, incorrect annotations, and gap filling largely without considering genomic information. Here we develop an approach for applying genomic information to predict alternative functions for genesmore » and estimate their likelihoods from sequence homology. We show that computed likelihood values were significantly higher for annotations found in manually curated metabolic networks than those that were not. We then apply these alternative functional predictions to estimate reaction likelihoods, which are used in a new gap filling approach called likelihood-based gap filling to predict more genomically consistent solutions. To validate the likelihood-based gap filling approach, we applied it to models where essential pathways were removed, finding that likelihood-based gap filling identified more biologically relevant solutions than parsimony-based gap filling approaches. We also demonstrate that models gap filled using likelihood-based gap filling provide greater coverage and genomic consistency with metabolic gene functions compared to parsimony-based approaches. Interestingly, despite these findings, we found that likelihoods did not significantly affect consistency of gap filled models with Biolog and knockout lethality data. This indicates that the phenotype data alone cannot necessarily be used to discriminate between alternative solutions for gap filling and therefore, that the use of other information is necessary to obtain a more accurate network. All described workflows are implemented as part of the DOE Systems Biology Knowledgebase (KBase) and are publicly available via API or command-line web interface.« less

Likelihood-Based Gene Annotations for Gap Filling and Quality Assessment in Genome-Scale Metabolic Models

PubMed Central

Benedict, Matthew N.; Mundy, Michael B.; Henry, Christopher S.; Chia, Nicholas; Price, Nathan D.

2014-01-01

Genome-scale metabolic models provide a powerful means to harness information from genomes to deepen biological insights. With exponentially increasing sequencing capacity, there is an enormous need for automated reconstruction techniques that can provide more accurate models in a short time frame. Current methods for automated metabolic network reconstruction rely on gene and reaction annotations to build draft metabolic networks and algorithms to fill gaps in these networks. However, automated reconstruction is hampered by database inconsistencies, incorrect annotations, and gap filling largely without considering genomic information. Here we develop an approach for applying genomic information to predict alternative functions for genes and estimate their likelihoods from sequence homology. We show that computed likelihood values were significantly higher for annotations found in manually curated metabolic networks than those that were not. We then apply these alternative functional predictions to estimate reaction likelihoods, which are used in a new gap filling approach called likelihood-based gap filling to predict more genomically consistent solutions. To validate the likelihood-based gap filling approach, we applied it to models where essential pathways were removed, finding that likelihood-based gap filling identified more biologically relevant solutions than parsimony-based gap filling approaches. We also demonstrate that models gap filled using likelihood-based gap filling provide greater coverage and genomic consistency with metabolic gene functions compared to parsimony-based approaches. Interestingly, despite these findings, we found that likelihoods did not significantly affect consistency of gap filled models with Biolog and knockout lethality data. This indicates that the phenotype data alone cannot necessarily be used to discriminate between alternative solutions for gap filling and therefore, that the use of other information is necessary to obtain a more accurate network. All described workflows are implemented as part of the DOE Systems Biology Knowledgebase (KBase) and are publicly available via API or command-line web interface. PMID:25329157

Effect of masking phase-only holograms on the quality of reconstructed images.

PubMed

Deng, Yuanbo; Chu, Daping

2016-04-20

A phase-only hologram modulates the phase of the incident light and diffracts it efficiently with low energy loss because of the minimum absorption. Much research attention has been focused on how to generate phase-only holograms, and little work has been done to understand the effect and limitation of their partial implementation, possibly due to physical defects and constraints, in particular as in the practical situations where a phase-only hologram is confined or needs to be sliced or tiled. The present study simulates the effect of masking phase-only holograms on the quality of reconstructed images in three different scenarios with different filling factors, filling positions, and illumination intensity profiles. Quantitative analysis confirms that the width of the image point spread function becomes wider and the image quality decreases, as expected, when the filling factor decreases, and the image quality remains the same for different filling positions as well. The width of the image point spread function as derived from different filling factors shows a consistent behavior to that as measured directly from the reconstructed image, especially as the filling factor becomes small. Finally, mask profiles of different shapes and intensity distributions are shown to have more complicated effects on the image point spread function, which in turn affects the quality and textures of the reconstructed image.

Assessing PTSD in the military: Validation of a scale distributed to Danish soldiers after deployment since 1998.

PubMed

Karstoft, Karen-Inge; Andersen, Søren B; Nielsen, Anni B S

2017-06-01

Since 1998, soldiers deployed to war zones with the Danish Defense (≈31,000) have been invited to fill out a questionnaire on post-mission reactions. This provides a unique data source for studying the psychological toll of war. Here, we validate a measure of PTSD-symptoms from the questionnaire. Soldiers from two cohorts deployed to Afghanistan with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in 2009 (ISAF7, N = 334) and 2013 (ISAF15, N = 278) filled out a standard questionnaire (Psychological Reactions following International Missions, PRIM) concerning a range of post-deployment reactions including symptoms of PTSD (PRIM-PTSD). They also filled out a validated measure of PTSD-symptoms in DSM-IV, the PTSD-checklist (PCL). We tested reliability of PRIM-PTSD by estimating Cronbach's alpha, and tested validity by correlating items, clusters, and overall scale with corresponding items in the PCL. Furthermore, we conducted two confirmatory factor analytic models to test the factor structure of PRIM-PTSD, and tested measurement invariance of the selected model. Finally, we established a screening and a clinical cutoff score by application of ROC analysis. We found high internal consistency of the PRIM-PTSD (Cronbach's alpha = 0.88; both cohorts), strong item-item (0.48-0.83), item-cluster (0.43-0.72), cluster-cluster (0.71-0.82) and full-scale (0.86-0.88) correlations between PRIM-PTSD and PCL. The factor analyses showed adequate fit of a one-factor model, which was also found to display strong measurement invariance across cohorts. ROC curve analysis established cutoff scores for screening (sensitivity = 1, specificity = 0.93) and clinical use (sensitivity = 0.71, specificity = 0.98). In conclusion, we find that PRIM-PTSD is a valid measure for assessing PTSD-symptoms in Danish soldiers following deployment. © 2017 Scandinavian Psychological Associations and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Fabrication of AgInSe2 heterojunction solar cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khudayer, Iman Hameed

2018-05-01

Silver, Indium Selenium thin film with a thickness (5001±30) nm, deposited by thermal evaporation methods at RT and annealing3temperature (Ta = 400, 500 and 600) K on a substrate of glass to study structural and optical properties of thin films and on p-Si wafer to fabricate the AgInSe2/p-Si heterojunction solar cell. XRD analysis shows that the AgInSe2 (AIS) deposited film at RT and annealing3temperature (Ta = 400, 500 and 600) K have polycrystalline structure. The average grain size has been estimated from AFM images. The energy gap was estimated from the optical transmittance using a spectrometer type (UV.-Visible 1800 spectra photometer). From I-V characterization, the photovoltaic parameters such as, open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current density, fill factor, ideality factor, and efficiencies, were computed. As well as the built-in potential, carrier concentration and depletion width were determined under RT and (Ta = 400, 500 and 600) K from C-V measurement.

Liquid- and air-filled catheters without balloon as an alternative to the air-filled balloon catheter for measurement of esophageal pressure.

PubMed

Beda, Alessandro; Güldner, Andreas; Carvalho, Alysson R; Zin, Walter Araujo; Carvalho, Nadja C; Huhle, Robert; Giannella-Neto, Antonio; Koch, Thea; de Abreu, Marcelo Gama

2014-01-01

Measuring esophageal pressure (Pes) using an air-filled balloon catheter (BC) is the common approach to estimate pleural pressure and related parameters. However, Pes is not routinely measured in mechanically ventilated patients, partly due to technical and practical limitations and difficulties. This study aimed at comparing the conventional BC with two alternative methods for Pes measurement, liquid-filled and air-filled catheters without balloon (LFC and AFC), during mechanical ventilation with and without spontaneous breathing activity. Seven female juvenile pigs (32-42 kg) were anesthetized, orotracheally intubated, and a bundle of an AFC, LFC, and BC was inserted in the esophagus. Controlled and assisted mechanical ventilation were applied with positive end-expiratory pressures of 5 and 15 cmH2O, and driving pressures of 10 and 20 cmH2O, in supine and lateral decubitus. Cardiogenic noise in BC tracings was much larger (up to 25% of total power of Pes signal) than in AFC and LFC (<3%). Lung and chest wall elastance, pressure-time product, inspiratory work of breathing, inspiratory change and end-expiratory value of transpulmonary pressure were estimated. The three catheters allowed detecting similar changes in these parameters between different ventilation settings. However, a non-negligible and significant bias between estimates from BC and those from AFC and LFC was observed in several instances. In anesthetized and mechanically ventilated pigs, the three catheters are equivalent when the aim is to detect changes in Pes and related parameters between different conditions, but possibly not when the absolute value of the estimated parameters is of paramount importance. Due to a better signal-to-noise ratio, and considering its practical advantages in terms of easier calibration and simpler acquisition setup, LFC may prove interesting for clinical use.

Filling the Fighter Gap

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-18

1 Filling the Fighter Gap by Major Justin DeMarco, USAF The purpose of this paper is to suggest how the Air Force can mitigate the...estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services...SUBTITLE Filling the Fighter Gap 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER

Considerations in Managing the Fill Rate of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Reservoir Using a System Dynamics Approach.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keith, Bruce; Ford, David N.; Horton, Radley M.

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study is to evaluate simulated fill rate scenarios for the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam while taking into account plausible climate change outcomes for the Nile River Basin. The region lacks a comprehensive equitable water resource management strategy, which creates regional security concerns and future possible conflicts. We employ climate estimates from 33 general circulation models within a system dynamics model as a step in moving toward a feasible regional water resource management strategy. We find that annual reservoir fill rates of 8-15% are capable of building hydroelectric capacity in Ethiopia while concurrently ensuring a minimum level of stream flow disruption into Egypt before 2039. Insofar as climate change estimates suggest a modest average increase in stream flow into the Aswan, climate changes through 2039 are unlikely to affect the fill rate policies. However, larger fill rates will have a more detrimental effect on stream flow into the Aswan, particularly beyond a policy of 15%. While this study demonstrates that a technical solution for reservoir fill rates is feasible, the corresponding policy challenge is political. Implementation of water resource management strategies in the Nile River Basin specifically and Africa generally will necessitate a national and regional willingness to cooperate.

Analyzing the effect of selected control policy measures and sociodemographic factors on alcoholic beverage consumption in Europe within the AMPHORA project: statistical methods.

PubMed

Baccini, Michela; Carreras, Giulia

2014-10-01

This paper describes the methods used to investigate variations in total alcoholic beverage consumption as related to selected control intervention policies and other socioeconomic factors (unplanned factors) within 12 European countries involved in the AMPHORA project. The analysis presented several critical points: presence of missing values, strong correlation among the unplanned factors, long-term waves or trends in both the time series of alcohol consumption and the time series of the main explanatory variables. These difficulties were addressed by implementing a multiple imputation procedure for filling in missing values, then specifying for each country a multiple regression model which accounted for time trend, policy measures and a limited set of unplanned factors, selected in advance on the basis of sociological and statistical considerations are addressed. This approach allowed estimating the "net" effect of the selected control policies on alcohol consumption, but not the association between each unplanned factor and the outcome.

High-resolution depth profiling using a range-gated CMOS SPAD quanta image sensor.

PubMed

Ren, Ximing; Connolly, Peter W R; Halimi, Abderrahim; Altmann, Yoann; McLaughlin, Stephen; Gyongy, Istvan; Henderson, Robert K; Buller, Gerald S

2018-03-05

A CMOS single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) quanta image sensor is used to reconstruct depth and intensity profiles when operating in a range-gated mode used in conjunction with pulsed laser illumination. By designing the CMOS SPAD array to acquire photons within a pre-determined temporal gate, the need for timing circuitry was avoided and it was therefore possible to have an enhanced fill factor (61% in this case) and a frame rate (100,000 frames per second) that is more difficult to achieve in a SPAD array which uses time-correlated single-photon counting. When coupled with appropriate image reconstruction algorithms, millimeter resolution depth profiles were achieved by iterating through a sequence of temporal delay steps in synchronization with laser illumination pulses. For photon data with high signal-to-noise ratios, depth images with millimeter scale depth uncertainty can be estimated using a standard cross-correlation approach. To enhance the estimation of depth and intensity images in the sparse photon regime, we used a bespoke clustering-based image restoration strategy, taking into account the binomial statistics of the photon data and non-local spatial correlations within the scene. For sparse photon data with total exposure times of 75 ms or less, the bespoke algorithm can reconstruct depth images with millimeter scale depth uncertainty at a stand-off distance of approximately 2 meters. We demonstrate a new approach to single-photon depth and intensity profiling using different target scenes, taking full advantage of the high fill-factor, high frame rate and large array format of this range-gated CMOS SPAD array.

A multifractal approach to space-filling recovery for PET quantification

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

Willaime, Julien M. Y., E-mail: julien.willaime@siemens.com; Aboagye, Eric O.; Tsoumpas, Charalampos

2014-11-01

Purpose: A new image-based methodology is developed for estimating the apparent space-filling properties of an object of interest in PET imaging without need for a robust segmentation step and used to recover accurate estimates of total lesion activity (TLA). Methods: A multifractal approach and the fractal dimension are proposed to recover the apparent space-filling index of a lesion (tumor volume, TV) embedded in nonzero background. A practical implementation is proposed, and the index is subsequently used with mean standardized uptake value (SUV {sub mean}) to correct TLA estimates obtained from approximate lesion contours. The methodology is illustrated on fractal andmore » synthetic objects contaminated by partial volume effects (PVEs), validated on realistic {sup 18}F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET simulations and tested for its robustness using a clinical {sup 18}F-fluorothymidine PET test–retest dataset. Results: TLA estimates were stable for a range of resolutions typical in PET oncology (4–6 mm). By contrast, the space-filling index and intensity estimates were resolution dependent. TLA was generally recovered within 15% of ground truth on postfiltered PET images affected by PVEs. Volumes were recovered within 15% variability in the repeatability study. Results indicated that TLA is a more robust index than other traditional metrics such as SUV {sub mean} or TV measurements across imaging protocols. Conclusions: The fractal procedure reported here is proposed as a simple and effective computational alternative to existing methodologies which require the incorporation of image preprocessing steps (i.e., partial volume correction and automatic segmentation) prior to quantification.« less

Epidemiologic Evaluation of Measurement Data in the Presence of Detection Limits

PubMed Central

Lubin, Jay H.; Colt, Joanne S.; Camann, David; Davis, Scott; Cerhan, James R.; Severson, Richard K.; Bernstein, Leslie; Hartge, Patricia

2004-01-01

Quantitative measurements of environmental factors greatly improve the quality of epidemiologic studies but can pose challenges because of the presence of upper or lower detection limits or interfering compounds, which do not allow for precise measured values. We consider the regression of an environmental measurement (dependent variable) on several covariates (independent variables). Various strategies are commonly employed to impute values for interval-measured data, including assignment of one-half the detection limit to nondetected values or of “fill-in” values randomly selected from an appropriate distribution. On the basis of a limited simulation study, we found that the former approach can be biased unless the percentage of measurements below detection limits is small (5–10%). The fill-in approach generally produces unbiased parameter estimates but may produce biased variance estimates and thereby distort inference when 30% or more of the data are below detection limits. Truncated data methods (e.g., Tobit regression) and multiple imputation offer two unbiased approaches for analyzing measurement data with detection limits. If interest resides solely on regression parameters, then Tobit regression can be used. If individualized values for measurements below detection limits are needed for additional analysis, such as relative risk regression or graphical display, then multiple imputation produces unbiased estimates and nominal confidence intervals unless the proportion of missing data is extreme. We illustrate various approaches using measurements of pesticide residues in carpet dust in control subjects from a case–control study of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. PMID:15579415

The effects of missing data on global ozone estimates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Drewry, J. W.; Robbins, J. L.

1981-01-01

The effects of missing data and model truncation on estimates of the global mean, zonal distribution, and global distribution of ozone are considered. It is shown that missing data can introduce biased estimates with errors that are not accounted for in the accuracy calculations of empirical modeling techniques. Data-fill techniques are introduced and used for evaluating error bounds and constraining the estimate in areas of sparse and missing data. It is found that the accuracy of the global mean estimate is more dependent on data distribution than model size. Zonal features can be accurately described by 7th order models over regions of adequate data distribution. Data variance accounted for by higher order models appears to represent climatological features of columnar ozone rather than pure error. Data-fill techniques can prevent artificial feature generation in regions of sparse or missing data without degrading high order estimates over dense data regions.

The effect of lifetime fluoridation exposure on dental caries experience of younger rural adults.

PubMed

Crocombe, L A; Brennan, D S; Slade, G D; Stewart, J F; Spencer, A J

2015-03-01

The aim of this study was to confirm whether the level of lifetime fluoridation exposure is associated with lower dental caries experience in younger adults (15-46 years). Data of the cohort born between 1960 and 1990 residing outside Australia's capital cities from the 2004-2006 Australian National Survey of Adult Oral Health were analysed. Residential history questionnaires were used to determine the percentage of each person's lifetime exposure to fluoridated water (<50%/50+%). Examiners recorded decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth (DMFT). Socio-demographic variables, periodontal risk factors, and access to dental care were included in multivariable least-squares regression models. In bivariate analysis, the higher level of fluoridation category had significantly lower DMFT (mean 6.01 [SE=0.62]) than the lower level of fluoridation group (9.14 [SE=0.73] p<0.01) and lower numbers of filled teeth (4.08 [SE=0.43], 7.06 [SE=0.62], p<0.01). In multivariate analysis, the higher number of full-time equivalent dentists per 100,000 people was associated with a lower mean number of missing teeth (regression coefficient estimate=-1.75, p=0.03), and the higher level of water fluoridation with a lower mean DMFT (-2.45, p<0.01) and mean number of filled teeth (-2.52, p<0.01). The higher level of lifetime fluoridation exposure was associated with substantially lower caries experience in younger rural adults, largely due to a lower number of filled teeth. © 2015 Australian Dental Association.

Dissolved solids in basin-fill aquifers and streams in the southwestern United States

USGS Publications Warehouse

Anning, David W.; Bauch, Nancy J.; Gerner, Steven J.; Flynn, Marilyn E.; Hamlin, Scott N.; Moore, Stephanie J.; Schaefer, Donald H.; Anderholm, Scott K.; Spangler, Lawrence E.

2007-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment Program performed a regional study in the Southwestern United States (Southwest) to describe the status and trends of dissolved solids in basin-fill aquifers and streams and to determine the natural and human factors that affect dissolved solids. Basin-fill aquifers, which include the Rio Grande aquifer system, Basin and Range basin-fill aquifers, and California Coastal Basin aquifers, are the most extensively used ground-water supplies in the Southwest. Rivers, such as the Colorado, the Rio Grande, and their tributaries, are also important water supplies, as are several smaller river systems that drain internally within the Southwest, or drain externally to the Pacific Ocean in southern California. The study included four components that characterize (1) the spatial distribution of dissolved-solids concentrations in basin-fill aquifers, and dissolved-solids concentrations, loads, and yields in streams; (2) natural and human factors that affect dissolved-solids concentrations; (3) major sources and areas of accumulation of dissolved solids; and (4) trends in dissolved-solids concentrations over time in basin-fill aquifers and streams, and the relation of trends to natural or human factors.

Accurate expressions for solar cell fill factors including series and shunt resistances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Green, Martin A.

2016-02-01

Together with open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current, fill factor is a key solar cell parameter. In their classic paper on limiting efficiency, Shockley and Queisser first investigated this factor's analytical properties showing, for ideal cells, it could be expressed implicitly in terms of the maximum power point voltage. Subsequently, fill factors usually have been calculated iteratively from such implicit expressions or from analytical approximations. In the absence of detrimental series and shunt resistances, analytical fill factor expressions have recently been published in terms of the Lambert W function available in most mathematical computing software. Using a recently identified perturbative relationship, exact expressions in terms of this function are derived in technically interesting cases when both series and shunt resistances are present but have limited impact, allowing a better understanding of their effect individually and in combination. Approximate expressions for arbitrary shunt and series resistances are then deduced, which are significantly more accurate than any previously published. A method based on the insights developed is also reported for deducing one-diode fits to experimental data.

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

Asahina, Yuta; Kawashima, Tomohisa; Furukawa, Naoko

The formation mechanism of CO clouds observed with the NANTEN2 and Mopra telescopes toward the stellar cluster Westerlund 2 is studied by 3D magnetohydrodynamic simulations, taking into account the interstellar cooling. These molecular clouds show a peculiar shape composed of an arc-shaped cloud on one side of the TeV γ -ray source HESS J1023-575 and a linear distribution of clouds (jet clouds) on the other side. We propose that these clouds are formed by the interaction of a jet with clumps of interstellar neutral hydrogen (H i). By studying the dependence of the shape of dense cold clouds formed bymore » shock compression and cooling on the filling factor of H i clumps, we found that the density distribution of H i clumps determines the shape of molecular clouds formed by the jet–cloud interaction: arc clouds are formed when the filling factor is large. On the other hand, when the filling factor is small, molecular clouds align with the jet. The jet propagates faster in models with small filling factors.« less

Liquid core microbubble resonators for highly sensitive temperature sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ward, Jonathan M.; Yang, Yong; Nic Chormaic, Sile

2014-03-01

It is experimentally shown that a large thermal blue shift of up to 100 GHz/K (0.2 nm/K at a wavelength of 775 nm) can be achieved with higher order radial modes in an ethanol-filled microbubble whispering gallery mode resonator (WGR). Q-factors for the most thermally sensitive modes are typically 105, equivalent to a measurement resolution of 8.5 mK. The thermal shift rate is determined for different modes when the core of the microbubble is filled with air, water, and ethanol. The measured shifts are compared against Finite Element Model (FEM) simulations. It is also shown that, if the microbubble is in the quasi-droplet regime, the fundamental TE mode in a bubble with a 500 nm wall is estimated to experience a shift of 35 GHz/K, while the effective index is still high enough to allow efficient coupling to a tapered optical fiber. Nonetheless, at a wall thickness of 1 μm, the most sensitive modes (n = 2) observed were still strongly coupled.

Estimating Sediment Losses Generated from Highway Cut and Fill Slopes in the Lake Tahoe Basin

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-12-01

Lake Tahoes famed water clarity has gradually declined over the last 50 years, partially as a result of fine sediment particle (FSP, < 16 micrometers in diameter) contributions from urban stormwater. Of these urban sources, highway cut and fill sl...

Tying Together Methods to Estimate Wetland Connectivity: Tests within the Pipestem, ND

EPA Science Inventory

Surface connectivity of wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) can occur through fill-spill and fill-merge mechanisms, with some wetlands eventually spilling into stream/river systems. These wetland-to-wetland and wetland-to-stream connections vary both spatially and tempor...

Health Risk Assessment of Lead Ingestion Exposure by Particle Sizes in Crumb Rubber on Artificial Turf Considering Bioavailability

PubMed Central

Kim, Sunduk; Yang, Ji-Yeon; Kim, Ho-Hyun; Yeo, In-Young; Shin, Dong-Chun

2012-01-01

Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of ingestion exposure of lead by particle sizes of crumb rubber in artificial turf filling material with consideration of bioavailability. Methods This study estimated the ingestion exposure by particle sizes (more than 250 um or less than 250 um) focusing on recyclable ethylene propylene diene monomer crumb rubber being used as artificial turf filling. Analysis on crumb rubber was conducted using body ingestion exposure estimate method in which total content test method, acid extraction method and digestion extraction method are reflected. Bioavailability which is a calibrating factor was reflected in ingestion exposure estimate method and applied in exposure assessment and risk assessment. Two methods using acid extraction and digestion extraction concentration were compared and evaluated. Results As a result of the ingestion exposure of crumb rubber material, the average lead exposure amount to the digestion extraction result among crumb rubber was calculated to be 1.56×10-4 mg/kg-day for low grade elementary school students and 4.87×10-5 mg/kg-day for middle and high school students in 250 um or less particle size, and that to the acid extraction result was higher than the digestion extraction result. Results of digestion extraction and acid extraction showed that the hazard quotient was estimated by about over 2 times more in particle size of lower than 250 um than in higher than 250 um. There was a case of an elementary school student in which the hazard quotient exceeded 0.1. Conclusions Results of this study confirm that the exposure of lead ingestion and risk level increases as the particle size of crumb rubber gets smaller. PMID:22355803

Poling-assisted bleaching of soda-lime float glasses containing silver nanoparticles with a decreasing filling factor across the depth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deparis, Olivier; Kazansky, Peter G.; Podlipensky, Alexander; Abdolvand, Amin; Seifert, Gerhard; Graener, Heinrich

2006-08-01

The recently discovered poling-assisted bleaching of glass with embedded silver nanoparticles has renewed the interest in thermal poling as a simple, reliable, and low-cost technique for controlling locally the surface-plasmon-resonant optical properties of metal-doped nanocomposite glasses. In the present study, the emphasis is put on the influence of the volume filling factor of metallic clusters on poling-assisted bleaching. Soda-lime silicate glass samples containing spherical silver nanoparticles with a decreasing filling factor across the depth were subject to thermal poling experiments with various poling temperatures, voltages, and times. Optical extinction spectra were measured from ultraviolet to near-infrared ranges and the surface-plasmon-resonant extinction due to silver nanoparticles (around 410nm) was modeled by the Maxwell Garnett [Philos. Trans. R. Soc. London, Ser. A 203, 385 (1904); 205, 237 (1906)] effective medium theory which was adapted in order to take into account the filling factor depth profile. A method was proposed for the retrieval of the filling factor depth profile from optical extinction spectra recorded in fresh and chemically etched samples. A stretched exponential depth profile turned out to be necessary in order to model samples having a high filling factor near the surface. Based on the fact that the electric-field-assisted dissolution of embedded metallic nanoparticles proceeded progressively from the top surface, a bleaching front was defined that moved forward in depth as time elapsed. The position of the bleaching front was determined after each poling experiment by fitting the measured extinction spectrum to the theoretical one. In samples with higher peak value and steeper gradient of the filling factor, the bleaching front reached more rapidly a steady-state depth as poling time increased. Also it increased less strongly with increasing poling voltage. These results were in agreement with the physics of the dissolution process. Finally, clear evidence of injection of hydrogenated ionic species from the atmosphere into the sample during poling was obtained from the growth of the infrared extinction peak associated with OH radicals.

Improving poor fill factors for solar cells via light-induced plating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Xing; Rui, Jia; Wuchang, Ding; Yanlong, Meng; Zhi, Jin; Xinyu, Liu

2012-09-01

Silicon solar cells are prepared following the conventional fabrication processes, except for the metallization firing process. The cells are divided into two groups with higher and lower fill factors, respectively. After light-induced plating (LIP), the fill factors of the solar cells in both groups with different initial values reach the same level. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images are taken under the bulk silver electrodes, which prove that the improvement for cells with a poor factor after LIP should benefit from sufficient exploitation of the high density silver crystals formed during the firing process. Moreover, the application of LIP to cells with poor electrode contact performance, such as nanowire cells and radial junction solar cells, is proposed.

Internal Clock Processes and the Filled-Duration Illusion

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wearden, John H.; Norton, Roger; Martin, Simon; Montford-Bebb, Oliver

2007-01-01

In 3 experiments, the authors compared duration judgments of filled stimuli (tones) with unfilled ones (intervals defined by clicks or gaps in tones). Temporal generalization procedures (Experiment 1) and verbal estimation procedures (Experiments 2 and 3) all showed that subjective durations of the tones were considerably longer than those of…

Gap-filling methods to impute eddy covariance flux data by preserving variance.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kunwor, S.; Staudhammer, C. L.; Starr, G.; Loescher, H. W.

2015-12-01

To represent carbon dynamics, in terms of exchange of CO2 between the terrestrial ecosystem and the atmosphere, eddy covariance (EC) data has been collected using eddy flux towers from various sites across globe for more than two decades. However, measurements from EC data are missing for various reasons: precipitation, routine maintenance, or lack of vertical turbulence. In order to have estimates of net ecosystem exchange of carbon dioxide (NEE) with high precision and accuracy, robust gap-filling methods to impute missing data are required. While the methods used so far have provided robust estimates of the mean value of NEE, little attention has been paid to preserving the variance structures embodied by the flux data. Preserving the variance of these data will provide unbiased and precise estimates of NEE over time, which mimic natural fluctuations. We used a non-linear regression approach with moving windows of different lengths (15, 30, and 60-days) to estimate non-linear regression parameters for one year of flux data from a long-leaf pine site at the Joseph Jones Ecological Research Center. We used as our base the Michaelis-Menten and Van't Hoff functions. We assessed the potential physiological drivers of these parameters with linear models using micrometeorological predictors. We then used a parameter prediction approach to refine the non-linear gap-filling equations based on micrometeorological conditions. This provides us an opportunity to incorporate additional variables, such as vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and volumetric water content (VWC) into the equations. Our preliminary results indicate that improvements in gap-filling can be gained with a 30-day moving window with additional micrometeorological predictors (as indicated by lower root mean square error (RMSE) of the predicted values of NEE). Our next steps are to use these parameter predictions from moving windows to gap-fill the data with and without incorporation of potential driver variables of the parameters traditionally used. Then, comparisons of the predicted values from these methods and 'traditional' gap-filling methods (using 12 fixed monthly windows) will be assessed to show the scale of preserving variance. Further, this method will be applied to impute artificially created gaps for analyzing if variance is preserved.

Propellant Management and Conditioning within the X-34 Main Propulsion System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, T. M.; McDonald, J. P.; Hedayat, A.; Knight, K. C.; Champion, R. H., Jr.

1998-01-01

The X-34 hypersonic flight vehicle is currently under development by Orbital Sciences Corporation (Orbital). The Main Propulsion ystem as been designed around the liquid propellant Fastrac rocket engine currently under development at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. This paper presents analyses of the MPS subsystems used to manage the liquid propellants. These subsystems include the propellant tanks, the tank vent/relief subsystem, and the dump/fill/drain subsystem. Analyses include LOX tank chill and fill time estimates, LOX boil-off estimates, propellant conditioning simulations, and transient propellant dump simulations.

Maximum projection designs for computer experiments

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

Joseph, V. Roshan; Gul, Evren; Ba, Shan

Space-filling properties are important in designing computer experiments. The traditional maximin and minimax distance designs only consider space-filling in the full dimensional space. This can result in poor projections onto lower dimensional spaces, which is undesirable when only a few factors are active. Restricting maximin distance design to the class of Latin hypercubes can improve one-dimensional projections, but cannot guarantee good space-filling properties in larger subspaces. We propose designs that maximize space-filling properties on projections to all subsets of factors. We call our designs maximum projection designs. As a result, our design criterion can be computed at a cost nomore » more than a design criterion that ignores projection properties.« less

Maximum projection designs for computer experiments

DOE PAGES

Joseph, V. Roshan; Gul, Evren; Ba, Shan

2015-03-18

Space-filling properties are important in designing computer experiments. The traditional maximin and minimax distance designs only consider space-filling in the full dimensional space. This can result in poor projections onto lower dimensional spaces, which is undesirable when only a few factors are active. Restricting maximin distance design to the class of Latin hypercubes can improve one-dimensional projections, but cannot guarantee good space-filling properties in larger subspaces. We propose designs that maximize space-filling properties on projections to all subsets of factors. We call our designs maximum projection designs. As a result, our design criterion can be computed at a cost nomore » more than a design criterion that ignores projection properties.« less

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

Spriggs, G D

In a previous paper, the composite exposure rate conversion factor (ECF) for nuclear fallout was calculated using a simple theoretical photon-transport model. The theoretical model was used to fill in the gaps in the FGR-12 table generated by ORNL. The FGR-12 table contains the individual conversion factors for approximate 1000 radionuclides. However, in order to calculate the exposure rate during the first 30 minutes following a nuclear detonation, the conversion factors for approximately 2000 radionuclides are needed. From a human-effects standpoint, it is also necessary to have the dose rate conversion factors (DCFs) for all 2000 radionuclides. The DCFs aremore » used to predict the whole-body dose rates that would occur if a human were standing in a radiation field of known exposure rate. As calculated by ORNL, the whole-body dose rate (rem/hr) is approximately 70% of the exposure rate (R/hr) at one meter above the surface. Hence, the individual DCFs could be estimated by multiplying the individual ECFs by 0.7. Although this is a handy rule-of-thumb, a more consistent (and perhaps, more accurate) method of estimating the individual DCFs for the missing radionuclides in the FGR-12 table is to use the linear relationship between DCF and total gamma energy released per decay. This relationship is shown in Figure 1. The DCFs for individual organs in the body can also be estimated from the estimated whole-body DCF. Using the DCFs given FGR-12, the ratio of the organ-specific DCFs to the whole-body DCF were plotted as a function of the whole-body DCF. From these plots, the asymptotic ratios were obtained (see Table 1). Using these asymptotic ratios, the organ-specific DCFs can be estimated using the estimated whole-body DCF for each of the missing radionuclides in the FGR-12 table. Although this procedure for estimating the organ-specific DCFs may over-estimate the value for some low gamma-energy emitters, having a finite value for the organ-specific DCFs in the table is probably better than having no value at all. A summary of the complete ECF and DCF values are given in Table 2.« less

Effect of customization of master gutta-percha cone on apical control of root filling using different techniques: an ex vivo study.

PubMed

van Zyl, S P; Gulabivala, K; Ng, Y-L

2005-09-01

(i) To compare the prevalence of extrusion of root filling material when placed using different root filling techniques, with or without customization of the master gutta-percha (GP) cone; and (ii) to investigate the effects of some factors influencing root filling extrusion and presence of voids. A total of 180 roots were selected, prepared and randomly allocated to three groups. Five general dental practitioners performed the root fillings; each filled one group of roots (n = 60) using each of three techniques; 'cold lateral compaction' (n = 20), 'warm vertical compaction' (n = 20) and 'continuous-wave' (n = 20) techniques. For each obturation technique, the master GP cone was customized using chloroform in 10 samples. Two groups of the roots were recycled to allow all five operators to fulfill their remit. Two observers, blind to operator and obturation technique, examined the radiographs (master apical file, post-obturation) to determine the presence of root filling extrusion and voids within the apical 5 mm, independently. Root filling extrusion was also confirmed by direct inspection of the root apex after obturation. The data were analysed using logistic regression models. A total of 300 root fillings were performed; nine were excluded from the analysis. Most of the root fillings (80%, n = 233) were placed within 0.5 mm of the working length; only 20% (n = 58) were placed >0.5 mm beyond the working length. The odds of prevalence of extrusion (>0.5 mm) were significantly reduced by about 50% when cold lateral compaction or customization of GP were used. One operator produced 2.5 times more extruded root fillings than others. Curvature & length of root canal, apical size of prepared canal, as well as operator's preferred obturation technique had no significant influence on the prevalence of extrusion. Customization of GP was the sole factor to significantly reduce the prevalence of voids within the apical 5 mm of working length. Root filling extrusion was significantly influenced by 'operator' and was reduced by cold lateral compaction and customization of the master cone. Customization of master cone was the only factor that reduced voids apically.

Understanding the origins of uncertainty in landscape-scale variations of emissions of nitrous oxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milne, Alice; Haskard, Kathy; Webster, Colin; Truan, Imogen; Goulding, Keith

2014-05-01

Nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas which is over 300 times more radiatively effective than carbon dioxide. In the UK, the agricultural sector is estimated to be responsible for over 80% of nitrous oxide emissions, with these emissions resulting from livestock and farmers adding nitrogen fertilizer to soils. For the purposes of reporting emissions to the IPCC, the estimates are calculated using simple models whereby readily-available national or international statistics are combined with IPCC default emission factors. The IPCC emission factor for direct emissions of nitrous oxide from soils has a very large uncertainty. This is primarily because the variability of nitrous oxide emissions in space is large and this results in uncertainty that may be regarded as sample noise. To both reduce uncertainty through improved modelling, and to communicate an understanding of this uncertainty, we must understand the origins of the variation. We analysed data on nitrous oxide emission rate and some other soil properties collected from a 7.5-km transect across contrasting land uses and parent materials in eastern England. We investigated the scale-dependence and spatial uniformity of the correlations between soil properties and emission rates from farm to landscape scale using wavelet analysis. The analysis revealed a complex pattern of scale-dependence. Emission rates were strongly correlated with a process-specific function of the water-filled pore space at the coarsest scale and nitrate at intermediate and coarsest scales. We also found significant correlations between pH and emission rates at the intermediate scales. The wavelet analysis showed that these correlations were not spatially uniform and that at certain scales changes in parent material coincided with significant changes in correlation. Our results indicate that, at the landscape scale, nitrate content and water-filled pore space are key soil properties for predicting nitrous oxide emissions and should therefore be incorporated into process models and emission factors for inventory calculations.

Morphological transformation of soot: investigation of microphysical processes during the condensation of sulphuric acid and limonene ozonolysis products vapours

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pathak, R. K. P.; Pei, X.; Hallquist, M.; Pagels, J. H.

2017-12-01

Morphological transformation of soot particle by condensation of low volatility materials on it is a dominant atmospheric process with serious implications for its optical and hygroscopic properties, and atmospheric lifetime. In this study, the morphological transformation of soot agglomerate under the influence of condensation of vapours of sulphuric acid, and/or limonene ozonolysis products were investigated systematically using a Differential Mobility Analyser-Aerosol Particle Mass Analyser (DMA-APM) and the Tandem DMA techniques integrated with a laminar flow-tube system. We discovered that the morphology transformation of soot in general was a sequence of two-step process, i.e. (i) filling of void space within soot agglomerate; (ii) growth of particle diameter. These two steps followed and complimented each other. In the very beginning the filling was the dominant process followed by growth until it led to the accumulation of enough material that in turn exerted surface forces that eventually facilitated the further filling. The filling of void space was constrained by the initial morphology of fresh soot and the nature and amount of the material condensed. This process continued in several sequential steps until all void space within the soot agglomerate was filled completely and then growth of a spherical particle continued as long as mass was condensed on it. In this study, we developed a framework to quantify the microphysical transformation of soot upon the condensation of various materials. The framework utilized experimental data and hypothesis of ideal sphere growth and filling of voids to quantify the distribution of condensed materials in these two processes complimenting each other. Using this framework, we have quantified the percentage of material that went into processes of particle growth and void filling at each step. Using the same framework, we further estimated the fraction of internal voids and open voids and used this information to derive the volume equivalent diameter of soot agglomerate containing internal voids and calculated in-situ dynamic shape factor. Our study is the first study that tracks in situ microphysical changes in soot morphology quantitatively, providing the detailed status of both fresh and coated soot particles.

Combination film/splash fill for overcoming film fouling

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

Phelps, P.M.; Minett, T.O.

1995-02-01

In summary, this large cooling tower user has found the Phelps film/splash Stack-Pack fill design to attain a substantial improvement in capability of their existing crossflow cooling towers, without increasing fan power or tower size. The lack of fouling in the film fill component of this fill design is due to the use of film fill with large (1 inch) spacing between sheets, coupled with effective water treatment as provided by Nalco. This combination of factors provides a proven method for significantly increasing crossflow or counterflow cooling tower capability while minimizing chances of serious fill fouling.

Liquid- and Air-Filled Catheters without Balloon as an Alternative to the Air-Filled Balloon Catheter for Measurement of Esophageal Pressure

PubMed Central

Carvalho, Alysson R.; Zin, Walter Araujo; Carvalho, Nadja C.; Huhle, Robert; Giannella-Neto, Antonio; Koch, Thea; de Abreu, Marcelo Gama

2014-01-01

Background Measuring esophageal pressure (Pes) using an air-filled balloon catheter (BC) is the common approach to estimate pleural pressure and related parameters. However, Pes is not routinely measured in mechanically ventilated patients, partly due to technical and practical limitations and difficulties. This study aimed at comparing the conventional BC with two alternative methods for Pes measurement, liquid-filled and air-filled catheters without balloon (LFC and AFC), during mechanical ventilation with and without spontaneous breathing activity. Seven female juvenile pigs (32–42 kg) were anesthetized, orotracheally intubated, and a bundle of an AFC, LFC, and BC was inserted in the esophagus. Controlled and assisted mechanical ventilation were applied with positive end-expiratory pressures of 5 and 15 cmH2O, and driving pressures of 10 and 20 cmH2O, in supine and lateral decubitus. Main Results Cardiogenic noise in BC tracings was much larger (up to 25% of total power of Pes signal) than in AFC and LFC (<3%). Lung and chest wall elastance, pressure-time product, inspiratory work of breathing, inspiratory change and end-expiratory value of transpulmonary pressure were estimated. The three catheters allowed detecting similar changes in these parameters between different ventilation settings. However, a non-negligible and significant bias between estimates from BC and those from AFC and LFC was observed in several instances. Conclusions In anesthetized and mechanically ventilated pigs, the three catheters are equivalent when the aim is to detect changes in Pes and related parameters between different conditions, but possibly not when the absolute value of the estimated parameters is of paramount importance. Due to a better signal-to-noise ratio, and considering its practical advantages in terms of easier calibration and simpler acquisition setup, LFC may prove interesting for clinical use. PMID:25247308

Dense Velocity Field of Turkey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozener, H.; Aktug, B.; Dogru, A.; Tasci, L.

2017-12-01

While the GNSS-based crustal deformation studies in Turkey date back to early 1990s, a homogenous velocity field utilizing all the available data is still missing. Regional studies employing different site distributions, observation plans, processing software and methodology not only create reference frame variations but also heterogeneous stochastic models. While the reference frame effect between different velocity fields could easily be removed by estimating a set of rotations, the homogenization of the stochastic models of the individual velocity fields requires a more detailed analysis. Using a rigorous Variance Component Estimation (VCE) methodology, we estimated the variance factors for each of the contributing velocity fields and combined them into a single homogenous velocity field covering whole Turkey. Results show that variance factors between velocity fields including the survey mode and continuous observations can vary a few orders of magnitude. In this study, we present the most complete velocity field in Turkey rigorously combined from 20 individual velocity fields including the 146 station CORS network and totally 1072 stations. In addition, three GPS campaigns were performed along the North Anatolian Fault and Aegean Region to fill the gap between existing velocity fields. The homogenously combined new velocity field is nearly complete in terms of geographic coverage, and will serve as the basis for further analyses such as the estimation of the deformation rates and the determination of the slip rates across main fault zones.

Using a generalized additive model with autoregressive terms to study the effects of daily temperature on mortality.

PubMed

Yang, Lei; Qin, Guoyou; Zhao, Naiqing; Wang, Chunfang; Song, Guixiang

2012-10-30

Generalized Additive Model (GAM) provides a flexible and effective technique for modelling nonlinear time-series in studies of the health effects of environmental factors. However, GAM assumes that errors are mutually independent, while time series can be correlated in adjacent time points. Here, a GAM with Autoregressive terms (GAMAR) is introduced to fill this gap. Parameters in GAMAR are estimated by maximum partial likelihood using modified Newton's method, and the difference between GAM and GAMAR is demonstrated using two simulation studies and a real data example. GAMM is also compared to GAMAR in simulation study 1. In the simulation studies, the bias of the mean estimates from GAM and GAMAR are similar but GAMAR has better coverage and smaller relative error. While the results from GAMM are similar to GAMAR, the estimation procedure of GAMM is much slower than GAMAR. In the case study, the Pearson residuals from the GAM are correlated, while those from GAMAR are quite close to white noise. In addition, the estimates of the temperature effects are different between GAM and GAMAR. GAMAR incorporates both explanatory variables and AR terms so it can quantify the nonlinear impact of environmental factors on health outcome as well as the serial correlation between the observations. It can be a useful tool in environmental epidemiological studies.

Using a generalized additive model with autoregressive terms to study the effects of daily temperature on mortality

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Generalized Additive Model (GAM) provides a flexible and effective technique for modelling nonlinear time-series in studies of the health effects of environmental factors. However, GAM assumes that errors are mutually independent, while time series can be correlated in adjacent time points. Here, a GAM with Autoregressive terms (GAMAR) is introduced to fill this gap. Methods Parameters in GAMAR are estimated by maximum partial likelihood using modified Newton’s method, and the difference between GAM and GAMAR is demonstrated using two simulation studies and a real data example. GAMM is also compared to GAMAR in simulation study 1. Results In the simulation studies, the bias of the mean estimates from GAM and GAMAR are similar but GAMAR has better coverage and smaller relative error. While the results from GAMM are similar to GAMAR, the estimation procedure of GAMM is much slower than GAMAR. In the case study, the Pearson residuals from the GAM are correlated, while those from GAMAR are quite close to white noise. In addition, the estimates of the temperature effects are different between GAM and GAMAR. Conclusions GAMAR incorporates both explanatory variables and AR terms so it can quantify the nonlinear impact of environmental factors on health outcome as well as the serial correlation between the observations. It can be a useful tool in environmental epidemiological studies. PMID:23110601

Estimation of root zone storage capacity at the catchment scale using improved Mass Curve Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Jie; Xu, Zongxue; Singh, Vijay P.

2016-09-01

The root zone storage capacity (Sr) greatly influences runoff generation, soil water movement, and vegetation growth and is hence an important variable for ecological and hydrological modelling. However, due to the great heterogeneity in soil texture and structure, there seems to be no effective approach to monitor or estimate Sr at the catchment scale presently. To fill the gap, in this study the Mass Curve Technique (MCT) was improved by incorporating a snowmelt module for the estimation of Sr at the catchment scale in different climatic regions. The "range of perturbation" method was also used to generate different scenarios for determining the sensitivity of the improved MCT-derived Sr to its influencing factors after the evaluation of plausibility of Sr derived from the improved MCT. Results can be showed as: (i) Sr estimates of different catchments varied greatly from ∼10 mm to ∼200 mm with the changes of climatic conditions and underlying surface characteristics. (ii) The improved MCT is a simple but powerful tool for the Sr estimation in different climatic regions of China, and incorporation of more catchments into Sr comparisons can further improve our knowledge on the variability of Sr. (iii) Variation of Sr values is an integrated consequence of variations in rainfall, snowmelt water and evapotranspiration. Sr values are most sensitive to variations in evapotranspiration of ecosystems. Besides, Sr values with a longer return period are more stable than those with a shorter return period when affected by fluctuations in its influencing factors.

Evaluation of Gas-filled Ionization Chamber Method for Radon Measurement at Two Reference Facilities

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

Ishikawa, Tetsuo; Tokonami, Shinji; Kobayashi, Yosuke

2008-08-07

For quality assurance, gas-filled ionization chamber method was tested at two reference facilities for radon calibration: EML (USA) and PTB (Germany). Consequently, the radon concentrations estimated by the ionization chamber method were in good agreement with the reference radon concentrations provided by EML as well as PTB.

Dynamic Analysis of Gene Expression in Rice Superior and Inferior Grains by RNA-Seq

PubMed Central

Sun, Hongzheng; Peng, Ting; Zhao, Yafan; Du, Yanxiu; Zhang, Jing; Li, Junzhou; Xin, Zeyu; Zhao, Quanzhi

2015-01-01

Poor grain filling of inferior grains located on lower secondary panicle branch causes great drop in rice yield and quality. Dynamic gene expression patterns between superior and inferior grains were examined from the view of the whole transcriptome by using RNA-Seq method. In total, 19,442 genes were detected during rice grain development. Genes involved in starch synthesis, grain storage and grain development were interrogated in particular in superior and inferior grains. Of the genes involved in sucrose to starch transformation process, most were expressed at lower level in inferior grains at early filling stage compared to that of superior grains. But at late filling stage, the expression of those genes was higher in inferior grains and lower in superior grains. The same trends were observed in the expression of grain storage protein genes. While, evidence that genes involved in cell cycle showed higher expression in inferior grains during whole period of grain filling indicated that cell proliferation was active till the late filling stage. In conclusion, delayed expression of most starch synthesis genes in inferior grains and low capacity of sink organ might be two important factors causing low filling rate of inferior grain at early filling stage, and shortage of carbohydrate supply was a limiting factor at late filling stage. PMID:26355995

The Surface Brightness Contribution of II Peg: A Comparison of TiO Band Analysis and Doppler Imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Senavci, H. V.; O'Neal, D.; Hussain, G. A. J.; Barnes, J. R.

2015-01-01

We investigate the surface brightness contribution of the very well known active SB1 binary II Pegasi , to determine the star spot filling factor and the spot temperature parameters. In this context, we analyze 54 spectra of the system taken over 6 nights in September - October of 1996, using the 2.1m Otto Struve Telescope equipped with SES at the McDonald Observatory. We measure the spot temperatures and spot filling factors by fitting TiO molecular bands in this spectroscopic dataset, with model atmosphere approximation using ATLAS9 and with proxy stars obtained with the same instrument. The same dataset is then used to also produce surface spot maps using the Doppler imaging technique. We compare the spot filling factors obtained with the two independent techniques in order to better characterise the spot properties of the system and to better assess the limitations inherent to both techniques. The results obtained from both techniques show that the variation of spot filling factor as a function of phase agree well with each other, while the amount of TiO and DI spot

Protein aggregation studied by forward light scattering and light transmission analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Penzkofer, A.; Shirdel, J.; Zirak, P.; Breitkreuz, H.; Wolf, E.

2007-12-01

The aggregation of the circadian blue-light photo-receptor cryptochrome from Drosophila melanogaster (dCry) is studied by transmission and forward light scattering measurement in the protein transparent wavelength region. The light scattering in forward direction is caused by Rayleigh scattering which is proportional to the degree of aggregation. The light transmission through the samples in the transparent region is reduced by Mie light scattering in all directions. It depends on the degree of aggregation and the monomer volume fill factor of the aggregates (less total scattering with decreasing monomer volume fill factor of protein globule) allowing a distinction between tightly packed protein aggregation (monomer volume fill factor 1) and loosely packed protein aggregation (monomer volume fill factor less than 1). An increase in aggregation with temperature, concentration, and blue-light exposure is observed. At a temperature of 4 °C and a protein concentration of less than 0.135 mM no dCry aggregation was observed, while at 24 °C and 0.327 mM gelation occurred (loosely packed aggregates occupying the whole solution volume).

Developing a GIS based integrated approach to flood management in Trinidad, West Indies.

PubMed

Ramlal, Bheshem; Baban, Serwan M J

2008-09-01

Trinidad and Tobago is plagued with a perennial flooding problem. The higher levels of rainfall in the wet season often lead to extensive flooding in the low-lying areas of the country. This has lead to significant damage to livestock, agricultural produce, homes and businesses particularly in the Caparo River Basin. Clearly, there is a need for developing flood mitigation and management strategies to manage flooding in the areas most affected. This paper utilizes geographic information systems to map the extent of the flooding, estimate soil loss due to erosion and estimate sediment loading in the rivers in the Caparo River Basin. In addition, the project required the development of a watershed management plan and a flood control plan. The results indicate that flooding was caused by several factors including clear cutting of vegetative cover, especially in areas of steep slopes that lead to sediment filled rivers and narrow waterways. Other factors include poor agricultural practices, and uncontrolled development in floodplains. Recommendations to manage floods in the Caparo River Basin have been provided.

Improvement of 2D ERT measurements conducted along a small earth-filled dyke using 3D topographic data and 3D computation of geometric factors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bièvre, Grégory; Oxarango, Laurent; Günther, Thomas; Goutaland, David; Massardi, Michael

2018-06-01

In the framework of earth-filled dykes characterization and monitoring, Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) turns out to be a commonly used method. 2D sections are generally acquired along the dyke crest thus putting forward the question of 3D artefacts in the inversion process. This paper proposes a methodology based on 3D direct numerical simulations of the ERT acquisition using a realistic topography of the study site. It allows computing ad hoc geometrical factors which can be used for the inversion of experimental ERT data. The method is first evaluated on a set of synthetic dyke configurations. Then, it is applied to experimental static and time-lapse ERT data set acquired before and after repair works carried out on a leaking zone of an earth-filled canal dyke in the centre of France. The computed geometric factors are lower than the analytic geometric factors in a range between -8% and - 18% for measurements conducted on the crest of the dyke. They exhibit a maximum under-estimation for intermediate electrode spacings in the Wenner and Schlumberger configurations. In the same way, for measurements conducted on the mid-slope of the dyke, the computed geometric factors are higher for short electrode spacings (+18%) and lower for lower for large electrode spacings (-8%). The 2D inversion of the synthetic data with these computed geometric factors provides a significant improvement of the agreement with the original resistivity. Two experimental profiles conducted on the same portion of the dyke but at different elevations also reveal a better agreement using this methodology. The comparison with apparent resistivity from EM31 profiling along the stretch of the dyke also supports this evidence. In the same way, some spurious effects which affected the time-lapse data were removed and improved the global readability of the time-lapse resistivity sections. The benefit on the structural interpretation of ERT images remains moderate but allows a better delineation of the repair work location. Therefore, and even if the 2D assumption cannot be considered valid in such a context, the proposed methodology could be applied easily to any dyke or strongly 3D-shaped structure using a realistic topographic model. It appears suitable for practical application.

Water-resources appraisal of the Wet Mountain Valley, in parts of Custer and Fremont counties, Colorado

USGS Publications Warehouse

Londquist, C.J.; Livingston, R.K.

1978-01-01

The Wet Mountain Valley is an intermontane trough filled to a depth of at least 6,700 feet with unconsolidated deposits. Ground water occurs under both artesian and water-table conditions within the basin-fill aquifer and ground-water moverment is toward Grape and Texas Creeks. The depth to the water table is less than 10 feet in an area of about 40 square miles along the central part of the valley and is less than 100 feet in most of the remainder of the valley. Ground water stored in the upper 200 feet of saturated basin-fill sediments is estimated to total 1.5 million acre-feet. Yields greater than 50 gallons per minute generally can be expected from wells in the central part of the basin-fill aquifer, and yields less than 50 gallons per minute are generally reported from wells around the edge of the basin-fill aquifer. Yields of wells in the mountainous areas are generally less than 20 gallons per minute. Most streamflow occurs as a result of snowmelt runoff during June and July. The long-term annual runoff at seven stations ranges from an estimated 0.02 cubic foot per second per square mile to an estimated 1.17 cubic feet per second per square mile, generaly increasing with station altitude. Generalized annyal water budgets for two areas in the Wet Mountain Valley indicate that surface-water outflow is only 7 to 11 percent of the total water supply from precipitation and other sources. The remaining water is lost to the atmosphere by evapotranspiration. The quality of both the surface and ground water is generally within the recommended limits for drinking water set by the U.S. Public Health Service. (Woodard-USGS)

NASA LeRC's Acoustic Fill Effect Test Program and Results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hughes, William O.; Mcnelis, Mark E.; Manning, Jerome E.

1994-01-01

NASA Lewis Research Center, in conjunction with General Dynamics Space Systems Division, has performed a test program to investigate the acoustic fill effect for an unblanketed payload fairing for a variety of payload simulators. This paper will discuss this test program and fill factor test data, and make comparisons with theoretical predictions. This paper will also address the NASA acoustic fill effect standard which was verified from the test data analysis.

Solar magnetic field studies using the 12 micron emission lines. II - Stokes profiles and vector field samples in sunspots

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hewagama, Tilak; Deming, Drake; Jennings, Donald E.; Osherovich, Vladimir; Wiedemann, Gunter; Zipoy, David; Mickey, Donald L.; Garcia, Howard

1993-01-01

Polarimetric observations at 12 microns of two sunpots are reported. The horizontal distribution of parameters such as magnetic field strength, inclination, azimuth, and magnetic field filling factors are presented along with information about the height dependence of the magnetic field strength. Comparisons with contemporary magnetostatic sunspot models are made. The magnetic data are used to estimate the height of 12 micron line formation. From the data, it is concluded that within a stable sunspot there are no regions that are magnetically filamentary, in the sense of containing both strong-field and field-free regions.

A Comparison of Techniques for Determining Mass Outflow Rates in the Type 2 Quasar Markarian 34

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Revalski, Mitchell; Crenshaw, D. Michael; Fischer, Travis C.; Kraemer, Steven B.; Schmitt, Henrique R.; Dashtamirova, Dzhuliya; Pope, Crystal L.

2018-06-01

We present spatially resolved measurements of the mass outflow rates and energetics for the Narrow Line Region (NLR) outflows in the type 2 quasar Markarian 34. Using data from the Hubble Space Telescope and Apache point observatory, together with Cloudy photoionization models, we calculate the radial mass distribution of ionized gas and map its kinematics. We compare the results of this technique to global outflow rates that characterize NLR outflows with a single outflow rate and energetic measurement. We find that NLR mass estimates based on emission line luminosities produce more consistent results than techniques employing filling factors.

Factors Associated With Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children.

PubMed

Chaudhary, Sakshi; Firdaus, Uzma; Ali, Syed Manazir; Mahdi, Abbas Ali

2018-01-15

To determine the prevalence and correlates of elevated blood lead level in children (6-144 months) of Aligarh. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Venous blood was obtained for lead estimation and a structured questionnaire was filled. A total of 260 children were enrolled. The prevalence of elevated blood lead level was 44.2%, seen mostly in children below 5 years of age. Old and deteriorating wall paints at home was found to be significantly associated with elevated levels. Lead-based house paints are potential source of lead exposure. Meticulous renovation and painting of the walls with safe paints is desirable.

Further study of inversion layer MOS solar cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ho, Fat Duen

1987-01-01

A group of inversion layer MOS solar cells has been fabricated. The highest value of open-circuit voltage obtained for the cells is 0.568V. One of the cells has produced a short-circuit current of 79.6 mA and an open-circuit voltage of 0.54V. It is estimated that the actual area AMO efficiency of this cell is 6.6 percent with an assumed value of 0.75 for its fill factor. Efforts made for fabricating an IL/MOS cell with reasonable efficiencies are reported. Future work for 4 sq cm IL cells and 25 sq cm IL cells is discussed.

Effect of filling factor on photonic bandgap of chalcogenide photonic crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Rajpal; Suthar, B.; Bhargava, A.

2018-05-01

In the present work, the photonic band structure of 1-D chalcogenide photonic crystal of As2S3/air multilayered structure is calculated using the plane wave expansion method. The study is extended to investigate the effect of filling factor on the photonic bandgap. The increase of bandgap is explained in the study.

General analysis of slab lasers using geometrical optics.

PubMed

Chung, Te-yuan; Bass, Michael

2007-02-01

A thorough and general geometrical optics analysis of a slab-shaped laser gain medium is presented. The length and thickness ratio is critical if one is to achieve the maximum utilization of absorbed pump power by the laser light in such a medium; e.g., the fill factor inside the slab is to be maximized. We point out that the conditions for a fill factor equal to 1, laser light entering and exiting parallel to the length of the slab, and Brewster angle incidence on the entrance and exit faces cannot all be satisfied at the same time. Deformed slabs are also studied. Deformation along the width direction of the largest surfaces is shown to significantly reduce the fill factor that is possible.

Recharge of valley-fill aquifers in the glaciated northeast from upland runoff

USGS Publications Warehouse

Williams, J.H.; Morrissey, D.J.

1996-01-01

Channeled and unchanneled runoff from till-covered bedrock uplands is a major source of recharge to valley-fill aquifers in the glaciated northeastern United States. Streamflow measurements and model simulation of average steady-state conditions indicate that upland runoff accounted for more recharge to two valley-fill aquifers in moderately high topographic-relief settings than did direct infiltration of precipitation. Recharge from upland runoff to a modeled valley-fill aquifer in an area of lower relief was significant but less than that from direct infiltration of precipitation. The amount of upland runoff available for recharging valley-fill aquifers in the glaciated Northeast ranges from about 1.5 to 2.5 cubic feet per second per square mile of drainage area that borders the aquifer. Stream losses from tributaries that drain the uplands commonly range from 0.3 to 1.5 cubic feet per second per 1,000 feet of wetted channel where the tributaries cross alluvial fans in the main valleys. Recharge of valley-fill aquifers from channeled runoff was estimated from measured losses and average runoff rates and was represented in aquifer models as specified fluxes or simulated by head-dependent fluxes with streamflow routing in the model cells that represent the tributary streams. Unchanneled upland runoff, which includes overland and subsurface flow, recharges the valley-fill aquifers at the contact between the aquifer and uplands near the base of the bordering till-covered hillslopes. Recharge from unchanneled runoff was estimated from average runoff rates and the hillslope area that borders the aquifer and was represented as specified fluxes to model-boundary cells along the valley walls.

The Tennessee study: factors affecting treatment outcome and healing time following nonsurgical root canal treatment.

PubMed

Azim, A A; Griggs, J A; Huang, G T-J

2016-01-01

To determine factors that may influence treatment outcome and healing time following root canal treatment. Root filled and restored teeth by pre-doctoral students were included in this study. Teeth/roots were followed-up regularly, and treatment outcome was evaluated at every follow-up appointment (healed, healing, uncertain or unsatisfactory). Host (age, immune condition, pulp/periapical diagnosis, tooth/root type, location and anatomy) and treatment factors (master apical file size, apical extension, voids and density of root filling) were recorded from patient dental records. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the impact of the factors on treatment outcomes and healing times. A total of 422 roots from 291 teeth met the inclusion criteria with a mean follow-up period of 2 years. The preoperative pulp condition, procedural errors during treatment, apical extension and density of root fillings significantly affected the treatment outcome. The average time required for a periapical lesion to heal was 11.78 months. The healing time increased in patients with compromised healing, patients older than 40 years, roots with Weine type II root canal systems, root canal systems prepared to a master apical file size <35, and roots with overextended fillings (P < 0.1). Multiple host and treatment factors affected the healing time and outcome of root canal treatment. Follow-up protocols should consider these factors before concluding the treatment outcome: patient's age, immune condition, as well as roots with overextended fillings, root canal systems with smaller apical preparations (size <35) or roots with complex canal systems. Intervention may be recommended if the treatment quality was inadequate or if patients became symptomatic. © 2015 International Endodontic Journal. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A flare event of the long-period RS Canum Venaticorum system IM Pegasi

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buzasi, Derek L.; Ramsey, Lawrence W.; Huenemoerder, David P.

1987-01-01

The characteristics of a flare event detected on the long-period RS CVn system IM Pegasi are reported. The low-resolution spectrum show enhancements of up to a factor of five in some emission lines. All of the ultraviolet emission lines normally visible are enhanced significantly more than the normal 30 rotational modulation. Emission fluxes of both the quiescent and flare event are used to construct models of the density and temperature variation with height. These models reveal a downward shift of the transition region during the flare. Scaled models of the quiet and flaring solar outer atmosphere are used to estimate the filling factor of the flare event at about 30 percent of the stellar surface. The pattern of line enhancements in the flare is the same as a previous event in Lambda Andromeda observed previously.

Highway work zone capacity estimation using field data from Kansas.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-02-01

Although extensive research has been conducted on urban freeway capacity estimation methods, minimal research has been : carried out for rural highway sections, especially sections within work zones. This study attempted to fill that void for rural :...

Evaluating four gap-filling methods for eddy covariance measurements of evapotranspiration over hilly crop fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boudhina, Nissaf; Zitouna-Chebbi, Rim; Mekki, Insaf; Jacob, Frédéric; Ben Mechlia, Nétij; Masmoudi, Moncef; Prévot, Laurent

2018-06-01

Estimating evapotranspiration in hilly watersheds is paramount for managing water resources, especially in semiarid/subhumid regions. The eddy covariance (EC) technique allows continuous measurements of latent heat flux (LE). However, time series of EC measurements often experience large portions of missing data because of instrumental malfunctions or quality filtering. Existing gap-filling methods are questionable over hilly crop fields because of changes in airflow inclination and subsequent aerodynamic properties. We evaluated the performances of different gap-filling methods before and after tailoring to conditions of hilly crop fields. The tailoring consisted of splitting the LE time series beforehand on the basis of upslope and downslope winds. The experiment was setup within an agricultural hilly watershed in northeastern Tunisia. EC measurements were collected throughout the growth cycle of three wheat crops, two of them located in adjacent fields on opposite hillslopes, and the third one located in a flat field. We considered four gap-filling methods: the REddyProc method, the linear regression between LE and net radiation (Rn), the multi-linear regression of LE against the other energy fluxes, and the use of evaporative fraction (EF). Regardless of the method, the splitting of the LE time series did not impact the gap-filling rate, and it might improve the accuracies on LE retrievals in some cases. Regardless of the method, the obtained accuracies on LE estimates after gap filling were close to instrumental accuracies, and they were comparable to those reported in previous studies over flat and mountainous terrains. Overall, REddyProc was the most appropriate method, for both gap-filling rate and retrieval accuracy. Thus, it seems possible to conduct gap filling for LE time series collected over hilly crop fields, provided the LE time series are split beforehand on the basis of upslope-downslope winds. Future works should address consecutive vegetation growth cycles for a larger panel of conditions in terms of climate, vegetation, and water status.

Estimation of gas hydrate saturation using isotropic and anisotropic models at the location selected after measurement of seismic quality factor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mundhra, A.; Sain, K.; Shankar, U.

2012-12-01

The Indian National Gas Hydrate Program Expedition (NGHP) 01 discovered gas hydrate in unconsolidated sediments at several drilling sites along the continental margins of Krishna-Godavari Basin, India. Presence of gas hydrate reduces the attenuation of travelling seismic waves which can be measured by estimation of seismic quality factor (Dasgupta and Clark, 1998). Here, we use log spectral ratio method (Sain et al, 2009) to compute quality factor at three locations, among which two have strong and one has no bottom simulating reflector (BSR), along seismic cross-line near one of the drilling site. Interval quality factor for three submarine sedimentary layers bounded by seafloor, BSR, one reflector above and another reflector below the BSR has been measured. To compute quality factor, unprocessed pre-stack seismic data has been used to avoid any influence of processing sequence. We have estimated that interval quality factor lies within 200-220 in the interval having BSR while it varies within 90-100 in other intervals. Thereby, high interval quality factor ascertains that observed BSR is due to presence of gas hydrates. We have performed rock physics modelling by using isotropic and anisotropic models, to quantitatively estimate gas hydrate saturation at one of the location where an interval has high quality factor. Abruptly high measured resistivity and high P-wave velocity in the interval, leads to towering hydrate saturation (Archie,1942 and Helegrud et al, 1999) in comparison to lower gas hydrate saturations estimated by pressure core and chlorinity measurements. Overestimation of saturation is attributed to presence of near vertical fractures that are identified from logging-while-drilling resistivity images. We have carried out anisotropic modeling (Kennedy and Herrick, 2004 and Lee,2009) by incorporating fracture volume and fracture porosity to estimate hydrate saturation and have observed that modeled gas hydrate saturations agree with the lower gas hydrate saturations obtained from pressure core and chlorinity measurements. Therefore, we find that 1) quality factor is significantly higher in the interval bearing gas hydrates and is a useful tool to discover hydrate deposits, 2) anisotropy due to presence of near vertical hydrate filled fractures translates into elevated saturation because of high measured resistivity and velocity and 3) anisotropic model greatly corrects the saturation estimates in fractured medium. References: Archie, G.E., 1942. Petroleum Transactions of AIME, 146, 54-62. Dasgupta, R., Clark, R.A., 1998. Geophysics 63, 2120-2128. Kennedy, W.D., Herrick, D.C., 2004. Petrophysics 45, 38-58. Lee, M.W., 2009. U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009-5141, 13. Sain, K., Singh, A.K., Thakur, N.K., Khanna, R.K., 2009.Marine Geophysical Researches 30, 137-145.

Estimation of Missing Water-Level Data for the Everglades Depth Estimation Network (EDEN)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Conrads, Paul; Petkewich, Matthew D.

2009-01-01

The Everglades Depth Estimation Network (EDEN) is an integrated network of real-time water-level gaging stations, ground-elevation models, and water-surface elevation models designed to provide scientists, engineers, and water-resource managers with current (2000-2009) water-depth information for the entire freshwater portion of the greater Everglades. The U.S. Geological Survey Greater Everglades Priority Ecosystems Science provides support for EDEN and their goal of providing quality-assured monitoring data for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. To increase the accuracy of the daily water-surface elevation model, water-level estimation equations were developed to fill missing data. To minimize the occurrences of no estimation of data due to missing data for an input station, a minimum of three linear regression equations were developed for each station using different input stations. Of the 726 water-level estimation equations developed to fill missing data at 239 stations, more than 60 percent of the equations have coefficients of determination greater than 0.90, and 92 percent have an coefficient of determination greater than 0.70.

The dynamics of particle disks. III - Dense and spinning particle disks. [development of kinetic theory for planetary rings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Araki, Suguru

1991-01-01

The kinetic theory of planetary rings developed by Araki and Tremaine (1986) and Araki (1988) is extended and refined, with a focus on the implications of finite particle size: (1) nonlocal collisions and (2) finite filling factors. Consideration is given to the derivation of the equations for the local steady state, the low-optical-depth limit, and the steady state at finite filling factors (including the effects of collision inelasticity, spin degrees of freedom, and self-gravity). Numerical results are presented in extensive graphs and characterized in detail. The importance of distinguishing effects (1) and (2) at low optical depths is stressed, and the existence of vertical density profiles with layered structures at high filling factors is demonstrated.

Usefulness of radionuclide angiocardiography in predicting stenotic mitral orifice area

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

Burns, R.J.; Armitage, D.L.; Fountas, P.N.

1986-12-01

Fifteen patients with pure mitral stenosis (MS) underwent high-temporal-resolution radionuclide angiocardiography for calculation of the ratio of peak left ventricular (LV) filling rate divided by mean LV filling rate (filling ratio). Whereas LV filling normally occurs in 3 phases, in MS it is more uniform. Thus, in 13 patients the filling ratio was below the normal range of 2.21 to 2.88 (p less than 0.001). In 11 patients in atrial fibrillation, filling ratio divided by mean cardiac cycle length and by LV ejection fraction provided good correlation (r = 0.85) with modified Gorlin formula derived mitral area and excellent correlationmore » with echocardiographic mitral area (r = 0.95). Significant MS can be detected using radionuclide angiocardiography to calculate filling ratio. In the absence of the confounding influence of atrial systole calculation of 0.14 (filling ratio divided by cardiac cycle length divided by LV ejection fraction) + 0.40 cm2 enables accurate prediction of mitral area (+/- 4%). Our data support the contention that the modified Gorlin formula, based on steady-state hemodynamics, provides less certain estimates of mitral area for patients with MS and atrial fibrillation, in whom echocardiography and radionuclide angiocardiography may be more accurate.« less

Estimating the density of honeybee colonies across their natural range to fill the gap in pollinator decline censuses.

PubMed

Jaffé, Rodolfo; Dietemann, Vincent; Allsopp, Mike H; Costa, Cecilia; Crewe, Robin M; Dall'olio, Raffaele; DE LA Rúa, Pilar; El-Niweiri, Mogbel A A; Fries, Ingemar; Kezic, Nikola; Meusel, Michael S; Paxton, Robert J; Shaibi, Taher; Stolle, Eckart; Moritz, Robin F A

2010-04-01

Although pollinator declines are a global biodiversity threat, the demography of the western honeybee (Apis mellifera) has not been considered by conservationists because it is biased by the activity of beekeepers. To fill this gap in pollinator decline censuses and to provide a broad picture of the current status of honeybees across their natural range, we used microsatellite genetic markers to estimate colony densities and genetic diversity at different locations in Europe, Africa, and central Asia that had different patterns of land use. Genetic diversity and colony densities were highest in South Africa and lowest in Northern Europe and were correlated with mean annual temperature. Confounding factors not related to climate, however, are also likely to influence genetic diversity and colony densities in honeybee populations. Land use showed a significantly negative influence over genetic diversity and the density of honeybee colonies over all sampling locations. In Europe honeybees sampled in nature reserves had genetic diversity and colony densities similar to those sampled in agricultural landscapes, which suggests that the former are not wild but may have come from managed hives. Other results also support this idea: putative wild bees were rare in our European samples, and the mean estimated density of honeybee colonies on the continent closely resembled the reported mean number of managed hives. Current densities of European honeybee populations are in the same range as those found in the adverse climatic conditions of the Kalahari and Saharan deserts, which suggests that beekeeping activities do not compensate for the loss of wild colonies. Our findings highlight the importance of reconsidering the conservation status of honeybees in Europe and of regarding beekeeping not only as a profitable business for producing honey, but also as an essential component of biodiversity conservation.

Utilization of tooth filling services by people with disabilities in Taiwan.

PubMed

Chen, Ming-Chuan; Kung, Pei-Tseng; Su, Hsun-Pi; Yen, Suh-May; Chiu, Li-Ting; Tsai, Wen-Chen

2016-04-05

The oral condition of people with disabilities has considerable influence on their physical and mental health. However, nationwide surveys regarding this group have not been conducted. For this study, we used the National Health Insurance Research Database to explore the tooth filling utilization among people with disabilities. Using the database of the Ministry of the Interior in 2008 which included people with disabilities registered, we merged with the medical claims database in 2008 of the Bureau of National Health Insurance to calculate the tooth filling utilization and to analyze relative factors. We recruited 993,487 people with disabilities as the research sample. The tooth filling utilization was 17.53 %. The multiple logistic regression result showed that the utilization rate of men was lower than that of women (OR = 0.78, 95 % CI = 0.77-0.79) and older people had lower utilization rates (aged over 75, OR = 0.22, 95 % CI = 0.22-0.23) compared to those under the age of 20. Other factors that significantly influenced the low tooth filling utilization included a low education level, living in less urbanized areas, low economic capacity, dementia, and severe disability. We identified the factors that influence and decrease the tooth-filling service utilization rate: male sex, old age, low education level, being married, indigenous ethnicity, residing in a low urbanization area, low income, chronic circulatory system diseases, dementia, and severe disabilities. We suggest establishing proper medical care environments for high-risk groups to maintain their quality of life.

Hydrogeologic framework and occurrence, movement, and chemical characterization of groundwater in Dixie Valley, west-central Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Huntington, Jena M.; Garcia, C. Amanda; Rosen, Michael R.

2014-01-01

Dixie Valley, a primarily undeveloped basin in west-central Nevada, is being considered for groundwater exportation. Proposed pumping would occur from the basin-fill aquifer. In response to proposed exportation, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation and Churchill County, conducted a study to improve the understanding of groundwater resources in Dixie Valley. The objective of this report is to characterize the hydrogeologic framework, the occurrence and movement of groundwater, the general water quality of the basin-fill aquifer, and the potential mixing between basin-fill and geothermal aquifers in Dixie Valley. Various types of geologic, hydrologic, and geochemical data were compiled from previous studies and collected in support of this study. Hydrogeologic units in Dixie Valley were defined to characterize rocks and sediments with similar lithologies and hydraulic properties influencing groundwater flow. Hydraulic properties of the basin-fill deposits were characterized by transmissivity estimated from aquifer tests and specific-capacity tests. Groundwater-level measurements and hydrogeologic-unit data were combined to create a potentiometric surface map and to characterize groundwater occurrence and movement. Subsurface inflow from adjacent valleys into Dixie Valley through the basin-fill aquifer was evaluated using hydraulic gradients and Darcy flux computations. The chemical signature and groundwater quality of the Dixie Valley basin-fill aquifer, and potential mixing between basin-fill and geothermal aquifers, were evaluated using chemical data collected from wells and springs during the current study and from previous investigations. Dixie Valley is the terminus of the Dixie Valley flow system, which includes Pleasant, Jersey, Fairview, Stingaree, Cowkick, and Eastgate Valleys. The freshwater aquifer in the study area is composed of unconsolidated basin-fill deposits of Quaternary age. The basin-fill hydrogeologic unit can be several orders of magnitude more transmissive than surrounding and underlying consolidated rocks and Dixie Valley playa deposits. Transmissivity estimates in the basin fill throughout Dixie Valley ranged from 30 to 45,500 feet squared per day; however, a single transmissivity value of 0.1 foot squared per day was estimated for playa deposits. Groundwater generally flows from the mountain range uplands toward the central valley lowlands and eventually discharges near the playa edge. Potentiometric contours east and west of the playa indicate that groundwater is moving eastward from the Stillwater Range and westward from the Clan Alpine Mountains toward the playa. Similarly, groundwater flows from the southern and northern basin boundaries toward the basin center. Subsurface groundwater flow likely enters Dixie Valley from Fairview and Stingaree Valleys in the south and from Jersey and Pleasant Valleys in the north, but groundwater connections through basin-fill deposits were present only across the Fairview and Jersey Valley divides. Annual subsurface inflow from Fairview and Jersey Valleys ranges from 700 to 1,300 acre-feet per year and from 1,800 to 2,300 acre-feet per year, respectively. Groundwater flow between Dixie, Stingaree, and Pleasant Valleys could occur through less transmissive consolidated rocks, but only flow through basin fill was estimated in this study. Groundwater in the playa is distinct from the freshwater, basin-fill aquifer. Groundwater mixing between basin-fill and playa groundwater systems is physically limited by transmissivity contrasts of about four orders of magnitude. Total dissolved solids in playa deposit groundwater are nearly 440 times greater than total dissolved solids in the basin-fill groundwater. These distinctive physical and chemical flow restrictions indicate that groundwater interaction between the basin fill and playa sediments was minimal during this study period (water years 2009–11). Groundwater in Dixie Valley generally can be characterized as a sodium bicarbonate type, with greater proportions of chloride north of the Dixie Valley playa, and greater proportions of sulfate south of the playa. Analysis of major ion water chemistry data sampled during the study period indicates that groundwater north and south of Township 22N differ chemically. Dixie Valley groundwater quality is marginal when compared with national primary and secondary drinking-water standards. Arsenic and fluoride concentrations exceed primary drinking water standards, and total dissolved solids and manganese concentrations exceed secondary drinking water standards in samples collected during this study. High concentrations of boron and tungsten also were observed. Chemical comparisons between basin-fill and geothermal aquifer water indicate that most basin-fill groundwater sampled could contain 10–20 percent geothermal water. Geothermal indicators such as high temperature, lithium, boron, chloride, and silica suggest that mixing occurs in many wells that tap the basin-fill aquifer, particularly on the north, south, and west sides of the basin. Magnesium-lithium geothermometers indicate that some basin-fill aquifer water sampled for the current study likely originates from water that was heated above background mountain-block recharge temperatures (between 3 and 15 degrees Celsius), highlighting the influence of mixing with warm water that was possibly derived from geothermal sources.

Photoelectrochemical Cell of Hybrid Regioregular POLY(3-HEXYLTHIOPHENE-2,5-DIYL) and Molybdenum Disulfide Film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdelmola, Fatmaelzahraa M.; Ram, Manoj K.; Takshi, Arash; Stafanakos, Elias; Kumar, Ashok; Goswami, D. Yogi

The photoelectrochemical cell attracts attention worldwide due to conversion of optical energy into electricity, production of hydrogen through water splitting and use in photodetector and photo-sensor applications. We have been working on the photochemical cell based on regioregular polyhexylthiophenes hybrid-structured films for photoelectrochemical and photovoltaic applications. This paper discusses the hybrid film studies on regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) with 2D molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) for photoelectrochemical cell. The hybrid P3HT/MoS2 films deposited over indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass plate or n-type silicon substrates were characterized using FTIR, UV/vis, electrochemical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The optical measurements showed a higher absorption magnitude with low reflection properties of P3HT/MoS2 hybrid films revealing a superior photocurrent compared to both P3HT and MoS2 films. The P3HT/MoS2 hybrid-based photoelectrochemical cell yielded a short-circuit current (Isc) of 183.16μAṡcm-2, open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.92V, fill factor (FF) of 25% and power conversion efficiency (η) of 0.18% under the light intensity of 242Wṡm-2. The estimated power conversion efficiency and fill factor are comparable to organic-based photovoltaic devices.

Maternal self-report of oral health in six-year-old Pacific children from South Auckland, New Zealand.

PubMed

Paterson, Janis E; Gao, Wanzhen; Sundborn, Gerhard; Cartwright, Susan

2011-02-01

To examine maternal and socio-demographic factors associated with oral health practices and experiences in six-year-old Pacific children. The longitudinal Pacific Islands Families (PIF) study is following a cohort of Pacific children born in Auckland, New Zealand in 2000. At approximately six years postpartum maternal reports (n = 1001) on child oral health practices and experiences of fillings and extractions were gathered. Forty-five per cent of mothers reported that their child had experienced fillings or extractions. After adjusting for confounding factors, we found that Tongan children were almost twice as likely to have their teeth filled or extracted than Samoan children (OR, 1.93; 95%, 1.34-2.77). Differences between Samoan children and children of other ethnic groups were not significant. Children of mothers who had secondary qualifications were significantly less likely to have their teeth filled or extracted compared to children of mothers who had postsecondary qualifications (OR, 0.634; 95%, 0.44-0.90). Prolonged duration of breastfeeding was associated with an increased likelihood of filling or extraction experience. In terms of maternal oral hygiene, maternal tooth brushing frequency of less that once a day was significantly associated with increased odds of fillings and/or extractions in their children (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.02-1.79). Children who were sometimes supervised for tooth brushing were significantly more likely to have fillings or extractions than children who were not provided supervision. These findings highlight the role of cultural factors and maternal hygiene in child oral health outcomes and suggest that health promotion efforts should encompass the whole family and embrace a culturally appropriate approach. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

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

Jensenius, J.; Munksgaard, N.C.

Fracture filling calcite from the piercement fields of East Rosa, Skjold, Rolf, North Arne, Nils and Vagn and the dome field Dan have been studied by fluorescence and cathodoluminescence microscopy, fluid inclusion microthermometry and carbon and oxygen isotopes. The carbon and oxygen isotope compositions of the reservoir matrix chalk have also been measured. The temperature estimates obtained from fluid inclusion data suggest that the fracture filling calcite of the piercement fields precipitated during hot water flushing of the reservoirs. The flushing system only existed around the salt diapirs and was probably related to expulsion of overpressured fluid from the surroundingmore » sediments. The thermal anomaly and the faults associated with the diapirs probably were important factors in focusing the ascending water. Lower {delta}{sup 18}O values with shallower depth of burial suggest that the porosity of chalk in the shallower fields was more severely reduced by calcite cementation during the flushing event than in the deeper fields. In the case of North Arne, Nils, Vagn and Dan, {delta}{sup 13}C values of the fracture filling calcites are similar to those of normal chalk (0.5 to 3.5 {per thousand}). However, calcites from Rolf, Skjold and East Rosa are depleted by {minus}1.8, {minus}6.2 and {minus}16.7 {per thousand}, respectively. Only in East Rosa is the matrix chalk itself depleted in {sup 13}C. The low {delta}{sup 13}C values are interpreted as the result of biodegradation. Sulfate originating from the underlying diapirs was flushed into the reservoir and used by bacteria to degrade present hydrocarbons. This process produced {sup 13}c depleted bicarbonate which was incorporated into the fracture-filling calcites.« less

Employing Lead Thiocyanate Additive to Reduce the Hysteresis and Boost the Fill Factor of Planar Perovskite Solar Cells

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

Ke, Weijun; Xiao, Chuanxiao; Wang, Changlei

2016-05-04

Lead thiocyanate in the perovskite precursor can increase the grain size of a perovskite thin film and reduce the conductivity of the grain boundaries, leading to perovskite solar cells with reduced hysteresis and enhanced fill factor. A planar perovskite solar cell with grain boundary and interface passivation achieves a steady-state efficiency of 18.42%.

Mitigation of X-ray shadow seeding of hydrodynamic instabilities on inertial confinement fusion capsules using a reduced diameter fuel fill-tube

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

MacPhee, A. G.; Smalyuk, V. A.; Landen, O. L.; Weber, C. R.; Robey, H. F.; Alfonso, E. L.; Biener, J.; Bunn, T.; Crippen, J. W.; Farrell, M.; Felker, S.; Field, J. E.; Hsing, W. W.; Kong, C.; Milovich, J.; Moore, A.; Nikroo, A.; Rice, N.; Stadermann, M.; Wild, C.

2018-05-01

We report a reduced X-ray shadow imprint of hydrodynamic instabilities on the high-density carbon ablator surface of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) capsules using a reduced diameter fuel fill tube on the National Ignition Facility (NIF). The perturbation seed mass from hydrodynamic instabilities was reduced by approximately an order of magnitude by reducing both the diameter and wall thickness of the fill tube by ˜2×, consistent with analytical estimates. This work demonstrates a successful mitigation strategy for engineered features for ICF implosions on the NIF.

Lifestyle and Depression among Hong Kong Nurses.

PubMed

Cheung, Teris; Yip, Paul S F

2016-01-16

Recent longitudinal data suggest a close association between depression and lifestyle. Little work to date has estimated the prevalence of depression in the nursing workforce in China, nor considered what lifestyle factors might be correlated with it-a gap filled by the present study. The study's web-based cross-sectional survey solicited data from qualified nurses aged between 21 and 65 registered with the Hong Kong Nursing Council. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 was used to measure 850 nurses for depression, anxiety and symptoms of stress; a generalized linear regression model examined associations between lifestyle factors and depression. Mean depression symptom scores show a downward linear trend for male and female participants. Gender and age, however, did not emerge as significant predictors of depression. Three lifestyles factors (sleep, entertainment and hobbies) showed a significant association with depression. Nurses should make therapeutic lifestyle changes to improve their work-life balance and safeguard their functioning at work and personal well-being.

A New Lebanese Medication Adherence Scale: Validation in Lebanese Hypertensive Adults.

PubMed

Bou Serhal, R; Salameh, P; Wakim, N; Issa, C; Kassem, B; Abou Jaoude, L; Saleh, N

2018-01-01

A new Lebanese scale measuring medication adherence considered socioeconomic and cultural factors not taken into account by the eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Objectives were to validate the new adherence scale and its prediction of hypertension control, compared to MMAS-8, and to assess adherence rates and factors. A cross-sectional study, including 405 patients, was performed in outpatient cardiology clinics of three hospitals in Beirut. Blood pressure was measured, a questionnaire filled, and sodium intake estimated by a urine test. Logistic regression defined predictors of hypertension control and adherence. 54.9% had controlled hypertension. 82.4% were adherent by the new scale, which showed good internal consistency, adequate questions (KMO coefficient = 0.743), and four factors. It predicted hypertension control (OR = 1.217; p value = 0.003), unlike MMAS-8, but the scores were correlated (ICC average measure = 0.651; p value < 0.001). Stress and smoking predicted nonadherence. This study elaborated a validated, practical, and useful tool measuring adherence to medications in Lebanese hypertensive patients.

Lifestyle and Depression among Hong Kong Nurses

PubMed Central

Cheung, Teris; Yip, Paul S.F.

2016-01-01

Recent longitudinal data suggest a close association between depression and lifestyle. Little work to date has estimated the prevalence of depression in the nursing workforce in China, nor considered what lifestyle factors might be correlated with it—a gap filled by the present study. The study’s web-based cross-sectional survey solicited data from qualified nurses aged between 21 and 65 registered with the Hong Kong Nursing Council. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 was used to measure 850 nurses for depression, anxiety and symptoms of stress; a generalized linear regression model examined associations between lifestyle factors and depression. Mean depression symptom scores show a downward linear trend for male and female participants. Gender and age, however, did not emerge as significant predictors of depression. Three lifestyles factors (sleep, entertainment and hobbies) showed a significant association with depression. Nurses should make therapeutic lifestyle changes to improve their work-life balance and safeguard their functioning at work and personal well-being. PMID:26784216

Water Use Practices Limit the Effectiveness of a Temephos-Based Aedes aegypti Larval Control Program in Northern Argentina

PubMed Central

Garelli, Fernando M.; Espinosa, Manuel O.; Weinberg, Diego; Trinelli, María A.; Gürtler, Ricardo E.

2011-01-01

Background A five-year citywide control program based on regular application of temephos significantly reduced Aedes aegypti larval indices but failed to maintain them below target levels in Clorinda, northern Argentina. Incomplete surveillance coverage and reduced residuality of temephos were held as the main putative causes limiting effectiveness of control actions. Methodology The duration of temephos residual effects in household-owned water-holding tanks (the most productive container type and main target for control) was estimated prospectively in two trials. Temephos was applied using spoons or inside perforated small zip-lock bags. Water samples from the study tanks (including positive and negative controls) were collected weekly and subjected to larval mortality bioassays. Water turnover was estimated quantitatively by adding sodium chloride to the study tanks and measuring its dilution 48 hs later. Principal Findings The median duration of residual effects of temephos applied using spoons (2.4 weeks) was significantly lower than with zip-lock bags (3.4 weeks), and widely heterogeneous between tanks. Generalized estimating equations models showed that bioassay larval mortality was strongly affected by water type and type of temephos application depending on water type. Water type and water turnover were highly significantly associated. Tanks filled with piped water had high turnover rates and short-lasting residual effects, whereas tanks filled with rain water showed the opposite pattern. On average, larval infestations reappeared nine weeks post-treatment and seven weeks after estimated loss of residuality. Conclusions Temephos residuality in the field was much shorter and more variable than expected. The main factor limiting temephos residuality was fast water turnover, caused by householders' practice of refilling tanks overnight to counteract the intermittence of the local water supply. Limited field residuality of temephos accounts in part for the inability of the larval control program to further reduce infestation levels with a treatment cycle period of 3 or 4 months. PMID:21445334

High-resolution observations of the polar magnetic fields of the sun

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, H.; Varsik, J.; Zirin, H.

1994-01-01

High-resolution magnetograms of the solar polar region were used for the study of the polar magnetic field. In contrast to low-resolution magnetograph observations which measure the polar magnetic field averaged over a large area, we focused our efforts on the properties of the small magnetic elements in the polar region. Evolution of the filling factor (the ratio of the area occupied by the magnetic elements to the total area) of these magnetic elements, as well as the average magnetic field strength, were studied during the maximum and declining phase of solar cycle 22, from early 1991 to mid-1993. We found that during the sunspot maximum period, the polar regions were occupied by about equal numbers of positive and negative magnetic elements, with equal average field strength. As the solar cycle progresses toward sunspot minimum, the magnetic field elements in the polar region become predominantly of one polarity. The average magnetic field of the dominant polarity elements also increases with the filling factor. In the meanwhile, both the filling factor and the average field strength of the non-dominant polarity elements decrease. The combined effects of the changing filling factors and average field strength produce the observed evolution of the integrated polar flux over the solar cycle. We compared the evolutionary histories of both filling factor and average field strength, for regions of high (70-80 deg) and low (60-70 deg) latitudes. For the south pole, we found no significant evidence of difference in the time of reversal. However, the low-latitude region of the north pole did reverse polarity much earlier than the high-latitude region. It later showed an oscillatory behavior. We suggest this may be caused by the poleward migration of flux from a large active region in 1989 with highly imbalanced flux.

Short Vigilance Tasks are Hard Work Even If Time Flies

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-10-21

maintaining the data needed , and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other...actual time. Upon completion of the task, participants filled out questionnaires related to the hedonic and temporal evaluation of the task. Participants...time. Upon completion of the task, participants filled out questionnaires related to the hedonic and temporal evaluation of the task. Participants

Comprehensive comparison of gap filling techniques for eddy covariance net carbon fluxes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moffat, A. M.; Papale, D.; Reichstein, M.; Hollinger, D. Y.; Richardson, A. D.; Barr, A. G.; Beckstein, C.; Braswell, B. H.; Churkina, G.; Desai, A. R.; Falge, E.; Gove, J. H.; Heimann, M.; Hui, D.; Jarvis, A. J.; Kattge, J.; Noormets, A.; Stauch, V. J.

2007-12-01

Review of fifteen techniques for estimating missing values of net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) in eddy covariance time series and evaluation of their performance for different artificial gap scenarios based on a set of ten benchmark datasets from six forested sites in Europe. The goal of gap filling is the reproduction of the NEE time series and hence this present work focuses on estimating missing NEE values, not on editing or the removal of suspect values in these time series due to systematic errors in the measurements (e.g. nighttime flux, advection). The gap filling was examined by generating fifty secondary datasets with artificial gaps (ranging in length from single half-hours to twelve consecutive days) for each benchmark dataset and evaluating the performance with a variety of statistical metrics. The performance of the gap filling varied among sites and depended on the level of aggregation (native half- hourly time step versus daily), long gaps were more difficult to fill than short gaps, and differences among the techniques were more pronounced during the day than at night. The non-linear regression techniques (NLRs), the look-up table (LUT), marginal distribution sampling (MDS), and the semi-parametric model (SPM) generally showed good overall performance. The artificial neural network based techniques (ANNs) were generally, if only slightly, superior to the other techniques. The simple interpolation technique of mean diurnal variation (MDV) showed a moderate but consistent performance. Several sophisticated techniques, the dual unscented Kalman filter (UKF), the multiple imputation method (MIM), the terrestrial biosphere model (BETHY), but also one of the ANNs and one of the NLRs showed high biases which resulted in a low reliability of the annual sums, indicating that additional development might be needed. An uncertainty analysis comparing the estimated random error in the ten benchmark datasets with the artificial gap residuals suggested that the techniques are already at or very close to the noise limit of the measurements. Based on the techniques and site data examined here, the effect of gap filling on the annual sums of NEE is modest, with most techniques falling within a range of ±25 g C m-2 y-1.

Effects of selective attention on perceptual filling-in.

PubMed

De Weerd, P; Smith, E; Greenberg, P

2006-03-01

After few seconds, a figure steadily presented in peripheral vision becomes perceptually filled-in by its background, as if it "disappeared". We report that directing attention to the color, shape, or location of a figure increased the probability of perceiving filling-in compared to unattended figures, without modifying the time required for filling-in. This effect could be augmented by boosting attention. Furthermore, the frequency distribution of filling-in response times for attended figures could be predicted by multiplying the frequencies of response times for unattended figures with a constant. We propose that, after failure of figure-ground segregation, the neural interpolation processes that produce perceptual filling-in are enhanced in attended figure regions. As filling-in processes are involved in surface perception, the present study demonstrates that even very early visual processes are subject to modulation by cognitive factors.

High altitude current-voltage measurement of GaAs/Ge solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hart, Russell E., Jr.; Brinker, David J.; Emery, Keith A.

Measurements of high-voltage (Voc of 1.2 V) gallium arsenide on germanium tandem junction solar cells at air mass 0.22 showed that the insolation in the red portion of the solar spectrum is insufficient to obtain high fill factor. On the basis of measurements in the LeRC X-25L solar simulator, these cells were believed to be as efficient as 21.68 percent AM0. Solar simulator spectrum errors in the red end allowed the fill factor to be as high as 78.7 percent. When a similar cell's current-voltage characteristic was measured at high altitude in the NASA Lear Jet Facility, a loss of 15 percentage points in fill factor was observed. This decrease was caused by insufficient current in the germanium bottom cell of the tandem stack.

Conceptual understanding and groundwater quality of selected basin-fill aquifers in the Southwestern United States

USGS Publications Warehouse

Thiros, Susan A.; Bexfield, Laura M.; Anning, David W.; Huntington, Jena M.

2010-01-01

The National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program of the U.S. Geological Survey has been conducting a regional analysis of water quality in the principal aquifer systems in the southwestern United States (hereinafter, “Southwest”) since 2005. Part of the NAWQA Program, the objective of the Southwest Principal Aquifers (SWPA) study is to develop a better understanding of water quality in basin-fill aquifers in the region by synthesizing information from case studies of 15 basins into a common set of important natural and human-related factors found to affect groundwater quality.The synthesis consists of three major components:1. Summary of current knowledge about the groundwater systems, and the status of, changes in, and influential factors affecting quality of groundwater in basin-fill aquifers in 15 basins previously studied by NAWQA (this report).2. Development of a conceptual model of the primary natural and human-related factors commonly affecting groundwater quality, thereby building a regional understanding of the susceptibility and vulnerability of basin-fill aquifers to contaminants.3. Development of statistical models that relate the concentration or occurrence of specific chemical constituents in groundwater to natural and human-related factors linked to the susceptibility and vulnerability of basin-fill aquifers to contamination.Basin-fill aquifers occur in about 200,000 mi2 of the 410,000 mi2 SWPA study area and are the primary source of groundwater supply for cities and agricultural communities. Four of the principal aquifers or aquifer systems of the United States are included in the basin-fill aquifers of the study area: (1) the Basin and Range basin-fill aquifers in California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona; (2) the Rio Grande aquifer system in New Mexico and Colorado; (3) the California Coastal Basin aquifers; and (4) the Central Valley aquifer system in California. Because of the generally limited availability of surface-water supplies in the arid to semiarid climate, cultural and economic activities in the Southwest are particularly dependent on supplies of good-quality groundwater. Irrigation and public-supply withdrawals from basin-fill aquifers in the study area account for about one quarter of the total withdrawals from all aquifers in the United States.Many factors influence the quality of groundwater in the 15 case-study basins, but some common factors emerge from the basin summaries presented in this report. These factors include the chemical composition of the recharge water, consolidated rock geology and composition of aquifer materials derived from consolidated rock, and land and water use. The major water-quality issues in many of the developed case-study basins are increased concentrations of dissolved solids, nitrate, and VOCs in groundwater as a result of human activities.The information presented and the citations listed in this report serve as a resource for those interested in the groundwater-flow systems in the NAWQA case-study basins. The summaries of water-development history, hydrogeology, conceptual understanding of the groundwater system under both predevelopment and modern conditions, and effects of natural and human-related factors on groundwater quality presented in the sections on each basin also serve as a foundation for the synthesis and modeling phases of the SWPA regional study.

Using remote sensing data to predict road fill areas and areas affected by fill erosion with planned forest road construction: a case study in Kastamonu Regional Forest Directorate (Turkey).

PubMed

Aricak, Burak

2015-07-01

Forest roads are essential for transport in managed forests, yet road construction causes environmental disturbance, both in the surface area the road covers and in erosion and downslope deposition of road fill material. The factors affecting the deposition distance of eroded road fill are the slope gradient and the density of plant cover. Thus, it is important to take these factors into consideration during road planning to minimize their disturbance. The aim of this study was to use remote sensing and field surveying to predict the locations that would be affected by downslope deposition of eroding road fill and to compile the data into a geographic information system (GIS) database. The construction of 99,500 m of forest roads is proposed for the Kastamonu Regional Forest Directorate in Turkey. Using GeoEye satellite images and a digital elevation model (DEM) for the region, the location and extent of downslope deposition of road fill were determined for the roads as planned. It was found that if the proposed roads were constructed by excavators, the fill material would cover 910,621 m(2) and the affected surface area would be 1,302,740 m(2). Application of the method used here can minimize the adverse effects of forest roads.

Recognition and characterization of hierarchical interstellar structure. II - Structure tree statistics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Houlahan, Padraig; Scalo, John

1992-01-01

A new method of image analysis is described, in which images partitioned into 'clouds' are represented by simplified skeleton images, called structure trees, that preserve the spatial relations of the component clouds while disregarding information concerning their sizes and shapes. The method can be used to discriminate between images of projected hierarchical (multiply nested) and random three-dimensional simulated collections of clouds constructed on the basis of observed interstellar properties, and even intermediate systems formed by combining random and hierarchical simulations. For a given structure type, the method can distinguish between different subclasses of models with different parameters and reliably estimate their hierarchical parameters: average number of children per parent, scale reduction factor per level of hierarchy, density contrast, and number of resolved levels. An application to a column density image of the Taurus complex constructed from IRAS data is given. Moderately strong evidence for a hierarchical structural component is found, and parameters of the hierarchy, as well as the average volume filling factor and mass efficiency of fragmentation per level of hierarchy, are estimated. The existence of nested structure contradicts models in which large molecular clouds are supposed to fragment, in a single stage, into roughly stellar-mass cores.

Analyses of mode filling factor of a laser end-pumped by a LD with high-order transverse modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Juhong; Wang, You; An, Guofei; Rong, Kepeng; Yu, Hang; Wang, Shunyan; Zhang, Wei; Cai, He; Xue, Liangping; Wang, Hongyuan; Zhou, Jie

2017-05-01

Although the concept of the mode filling factor (also named as "mode-matching efficiency") has been well discussed decades before, the concept of so-called overlap coefficient is often confused by the laser technicians because there are several different formulae for various engineering purposes. Furthermore, the LD-pumped configurations have become the mainstream of solid-state lasers since their compact size, high optical-to-optical efficiency, low heat generation, etc. As the beam quality of LDs are usually very unsatisfactory, it is necessary to investigate how the mode filling factor of a laser system is affected by a high-powered LD pump source. In this paper, theoretical analyses of an end-pumped laser are carried out based on the normalized overlap coefficient formalism. The study provides a convenient tool to describe the intrinsically complex issue of mode interaction corresponding to a laser and an end-pumped source. The mode filling factor has been studied for many cases in which the pump mode and the laser mode have been considered together in the calculation based on analyses of the rate equations. The results should be applied for analyses of any other types of lasers with the similar optical geometry.

A Quantitative Method for Comparing the Brightness of Antibody-dye Reagents and Estimating Antibodies Bound per Cell.

PubMed

Kantor, Aaron B; Moore, Wayne A; Meehan, Stephen; Parks, David R

2016-07-01

We present a quantitative method for comparing the brightness of antibody-dye reagents and estimating antibodies bound per cell. The method is based on complementary binding of test and fill reagents to antibody capture microspheres. Several aliquots of antibody capture beads are stained with varying amounts of the test conjugate. The remaining binding sites on the beads are then filled with a second conjugate containing a different fluorophore. Finally, the fluorescence of the test conjugate compared to the fill conjugate is used to measure the relative brightness of the test conjugate. The fundamental assumption of the test-fill method is that if it takes X molecules of one test antibody to lower the fill signal by Y units, it will take the same X molecules of any other test antibody to give the same effect. We apply a quadratic fit to evaluate the test-fill signal relationship across different amounts of test reagent. If the fit is close to linear, we consider the test reagent to be suitable for quantitative evaluation of antibody binding. To calibrate the antibodies bound per bead, a PE conjugate with 1 PE molecule per antibody is used as a test reagent and the fluorescence scale is calibrated with Quantibrite PE beads. When the fluorescence per antibody molecule has been determined for a particular conjugate, that conjugate can be used for measurement of antibodies bound per cell. This provides comparisons of the brightness of different conjugates when conducted on an instrument whose statistical photoelectron (Spe) scales are known. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Filling gaps in large ecological databases: consequences for the study of global-scale plant functional trait patterns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schrodt, Franziska; Shan, Hanhuai; Fazayeli, Farideh; Karpatne, Anuj; Kattge, Jens; Banerjee, Arindam; Reichstein, Markus; Reich, Peter

2013-04-01

With the advent of remotely sensed data and coordinated efforts to create global databases, the ecological community has progressively become more data-intensive. However, in contrast to other disciplines, statistical ways of handling these large data sets, especially the gaps which are inherent to them, are lacking. Widely used theoretical approaches, for example model averaging based on Akaike's information criterion (AIC), are sensitive to missing values. Yet, the most common way of handling sparse matrices - the deletion of cases with missing data (complete case analysis) - is known to severely reduce statistical power as well as inducing biased parameter estimates. In order to address these issues, we present novel approaches to gap filling in large ecological data sets using matrix factorization techniques. Factorization based matrix completion was developed in a recommender system context and has since been widely used to impute missing data in fields outside the ecological community. Here, we evaluate the effectiveness of probabilistic matrix factorization techniques for imputing missing data in ecological matrices using two imputation techniques. Hierarchical Probabilistic Matrix Factorization (HPMF) effectively incorporates hierarchical phylogenetic information (phylogenetic group, family, genus, species and individual plant) into the trait imputation. Advanced Hierarchical Probabilistic Matrix Factorization (aHPMF) on the other hand includes climate and soil information into the matrix factorization by regressing the environmental variables against residuals of the HPMF. One unique opportunity opened up by aHPMF is out-of-sample prediction, where traits can be predicted for specific species at locations different to those sampled in the past. This has potentially far-reaching consequences for the study of global-scale plant functional trait patterns. We test the accuracy and effectiveness of HPMF and aHPMF in filling sparse matrices, using the TRY database of plant functional traits (http://www.try-db.org). TRY is one of the largest global compilations of plant trait databases (750 traits of 1 million plants), encompassing data on morphological, anatomical, biochemical, phenological and physiological features of plants. However, despite of unprecedented coverage, the TRY database is still very sparse, severely limiting joint trait analyses. Plant traits are the key to understanding how plants as primary producers adjust to changes in environmental conditions and in turn influence them. Forming the basis for Dynamic Global Vegetation Models (DGVMs), plant traits are also fundamental in global change studies for predicting future ecosystem changes. It is thus imperative that missing data is imputed in as accurate and precise a way as possible. In this study, we show the advantages and disadvantages of applying probabilistic matrix factorization techniques in incorporating hierarchical and environmental information for the prediction of missing plant traits as compared to conventional imputation techniques such as the complete case and mean approaches. We will discuss the implications of using gap-filled data for global-scale studies of plant functional trait - environment relationship as opposed to the above-mentioned conventional techniques, using examples of out-of-sample predictions of foliar Nitrogen across several species' ranges and biomes.

Dynamics of Liquid-Filled Projectiles

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-04-01

1 Estimate of Shape of the Free Surface of the Liquid in a Liquid-Pilled Projectile During Acceleration 6 CHAPTER II. ANGULAR ACCELERATION OF THE...LIQUID IN A LIQUID-FILLED PROJECTILE DURING FLIGHT 13 Liquid "Spinup" in Configuration A 13 Angular Acceleration of the Liquid in Con... Angular Acceleration. 13 2.2 Tangential Velocity of Liquid Versus Radial Position at Several Values of Time (Liquid Configuration A) 21 2.3 Tangential

Facing haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation: do patients and their physicians agree regarding the prognosis?

PubMed

Grulke, Norbert; Bailer, Harald

2010-10-01

To evaluate the correlation and concordance between patients' and physicians' estimations of prognoses before initiation of the conditioning regimen for allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. A total of 123 patients and their attending physicians were asked to estimate a prognosis on a six-point scale. The patients were also asked to fill out questionnaires addressing their psychological state and coping. The mean prognostic estimations differed by 1.17 points (p<0.001), with the patients being more optimistic than the physicians. With respect to concordance: Pearson correlation r=0.024 (ns); unweighted kappa and kappa with linear weighting are 0.115 and 0.068, respectively. The prognostic estimates of the patients correlated with their psychological state, but not with the objective disease- or treatment-related variables, whereas the physicians' estimates were partially based on such objective factors. A clear significant association between actual survival and the physicians' estimates, but not the patients' estimates, was observed. If agreement regarding the prognosis exists, the relationship between physicians' and patients' estimates is probably non-linear. Assessing one's chances of being cured is a highly emotional task, and psychological processes such as denial or repression most likely play a decisive role. Moreover, collusion between the patient and physician may be inevitable in this situation. Whether it is desirable to gain concordance and who will benefit from such efforts must be discussed and empirically studied. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Filling defects in the pancreatic duct on endoscopic retrograde pancreatography.

PubMed

Taylor, A J; Carmody, T J; Schmalz, M J; Wiedmeyer, D A; Stewart, E T

1992-12-01

Filling defects in the pancreatic duct are a frequent finding during endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) and have a variety of causes. Some filling defects may be artifactual or related to technical factors and, once their origin is recognized, can be disregarded. Others may be due to acute changes of pancreatitis and should prompt more careful injection of contrast material into the duct. Intraluminal masses may represent calculi or a neoplasm, either of which may require surgery or endoscopic intervention. The exact nature of these filling defects may not be apparent on radiographs, and other studies may be needed. This article reviews our approach to the evaluation of filling defects in the pancreatic duct.

Evaluation of resource impact factors versus social cost estimates in determining building energy performance standard levels

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

Nieves, L.A.; Nesse, R.J.; Adams, R.C.

1979-12-01

In order to increase the welfare of society through the implementation of a building energy-performance standard, a method is required by which the least-cost means of obtaining the desired space conditioning of a building can be estimated. In other words, a life-cycle cost model must be developed to simulate the energy-related building-design decisions that would take place if resources were being allocated efficiently. The cost-minimizing model must incorporate technically efficient conservation strategies and fuel-conversion equipment, and the prices used must reflect the social value of the fuels and capital equipment used. This report explores the feasibility of developing a factormore » that could be used to adjust a design energy budget to account for the external costs associated with that energy consumption. One such factor, RIF (resource impact factor) has been proposed by ASHRAE. Though ASHRAE suggested the RIF x RUF (resource utilization factor) multiplier concept, RIF's were not explicitly defined. Weber (1978) suggested that RIF be defined as a ratio of social costs to effective market price. The basis for a RIF used in conjunction with a RUF is evaluated here and is found lacking. To fill the gap, a social-cost approach is developed that addresses the goals of both RIF's and RUF's. The rationale for using such an approach stems from the existence of differences between retail prices and the actual social costs of fuels.« less

Using Temporal Fill Factor to Reduce Frame Reconstruction Rates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Larimer, James; Balram, Nikhil; Gille, Jennifer; Luszcz, Jeffery

1997-01-01

The newer active matrix display technologies such as TFT-LCD, DMD, PDP maintain their pixel values through the entire frame time, presenting a 100% temporal fill factor, in contrast to the duty cycle produced by the phosphor impulse response of the CRT. This sample-and-hold characteristic can be exploited to lower the displayed frame rate without affecting visual quality. The lower frame rate results in significantly lower transmission bandwidth, power, and cost.

Rear surface effects in high efficiency silicon solar cells

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

Wenham, S.R.; Robinson, S.J.; Dai, X.

1994-12-31

Rear surface effects in PERL solar cells can lead not only to degradation in the short circuit current and open circuit voltage, but also fill factor. Three mechanisms capable of changing the effective rear surface recombination velocity with injection level are identified, two associated with oxidized p-type surfaces, and the third with two dimensional effects associated with a rear floating junction. Each of these will degrade the fill factor if the range of junction biases corresponding to the rear surface transition, coincides with the maximum power point. Despite the identified non idealities, PERL cells with rear floating junctions (PERF cells)more » have achieved record open circuit voltages for silicon solar cells, while simultaneously achieving fill factor improvements relative to standard PERL solar cells. Without optimization, a record efficiency of 22% has been demonstrated for a cell with a rear floating junction. The results of both theoretical and experimental studies are provided.« less

Designing ternary blend bulk heterojunction solar cells with reduced carrier recombination and a fill factor of 77%

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gasparini, Nicola; Jiao, Xuechen; Heumueller, Thomas; Baran, Derya; Matt, Gebhard J.; Fladischer, Stefanie; Spiecker, Erdmann; Ade, Harald; Brabec, Christoph J.; Ameri, Tayebeh

2016-09-01

In recent years the concept of ternary blend bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells based on organic semiconductors has been widely used to achieve a better match to the solar irradiance spectrum, and power conversion efficiencies beyond 10% have been reported. However, the fill factor of organic solar cells is still limited by the competition between recombination and extraction of free charges. Here, we design advanced material composites leading to a high fill factor of 77% in ternary blends, thus demonstrating how the recombination thresholds can be overcome. Extending beyond the typical sensitization concept, we add a highly ordered polymer that, in addition to enhanced absorption, overcomes limits predicted by classical recombination models. An effective charge transfer from the disordered host system onto the highly ordered sensitizer effectively avoids traps of the host matrix and features an almost ideal recombination behaviour.

New dual-curvature microlens array with a high fill-factor for organic light emitting diode modules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Tsung-Hung; Yang, Hsiharng; Chao, Ching-Kong; Shui, Hung-Chi

2013-09-01

A new method for fabricating a novel dual-curvature microlens array with a high fill-factor using proximity printing in a lithography process is reported. The lens shapes include dual-curvature, which is a novel shape composed of triangles and hexagons. We utilized UV proximity printing by controlling a printing gap between the mask and substrate. The designed high density microlens array pattern can fabricate a dual-curvature microlens array with a high fill-factor in a photoresist material. It is due to the UV light diffraction which deflects away from the aperture edges and produces a certain exposure in the photoresist material outside the aperture edges. A dual-curvature microlens array with a height ratio of 0.48 can boost axial luminance up to 22%. Therefore, the novel dual-curvature microlens array offers an economical solution for increasing the luminance of organic light emitting diodes.

External cardiac compression may be harmful in some scenarios of pulseless electrical activity.

PubMed

Hogan, T S

2012-10-01

Pulseless electrical activity occurs when organised or semi-organised electrical activity of the heart persists but the product of systemic vascular resistance and the increase in systemic arterial flow generated by the ejection of the left venticular stroke volume is not sufficient to produce a clinically detectable pulse. Pulseless electrical activity encompasses a very heterogeneous variety of severe circulatory shock states ranging in severity from pseudo-cardiac arrest to effective cardiac arrest. Outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation for pulseless electrical activity are generally poor. Impairment of cardiac filling is the limiting factor to cardiac output in many scenarios of pulseless electrical activity, including extreme vasodilatory shock states. There is no evidence that external cardiac compression can increase cardiac output when impaired cardiac filling is the limiting factor to cardiac output. If impaired cardiac filling is the limiting factor to cardiac output and the heart is effectively ejecting all the blood returning to it, then external cardiac compression can only increase cardiac output if it increases venous return and cardiac filling. Repeated cardiac compression asynchronous with the patient's cardiac cycle and raised mean intrathoracic pressure due to chest compression can be expected to reduce rather than to increase cardiac filling and therefore to reduce rather than to increase cardiac output in such circumstances. The hypothesis is proposed that the performance of external cardiac compression will have zero or negative effect on cardiac output in pulseless electrical activity when impaired cardiac filling is the limiting factor to cardiac output. External cardiac compression may be both directly and indirectly harmful to significant sub-groups of patients with pulseless electrical activity. We have neither evidence nor theory to provide comfort that external cardiac compression is not harmful in many scenarios of pulseless electrical activity. Investigation using a variety of animal models of pulseless electrical activity produced by different shock-inducing mechanisms is required to provide an evidence base for resuscitation guidelines. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Assessment of psychosocial problems in children with type 1 diabetes and their families: the added value of using standardised questionnaires in addition to clinical estimations of nurses and paediatricians.

PubMed

Boogerd, Emiel A; Damhuis, Anouk M A; van Alfen-van der Velden, Janiëlle A A E m; Steeghs, Marley C C H; Noordam, Cees; Verhaak, Chris M; Vermaes, Ignace P R

2015-08-01

To investigate the assessment of psychosocial problems in children with type 1 diabetes by means of clinical estimations made by nurses and paediatricians and by using standardised questionnaires. Although children with type 1 diabetes and their parents show increased risk for psychosocial problems, standardised assessment of these problems lacks in diabetes care. By comparing these different modes of assessment, using a cross-sectional design, information about the additional value of using standardised questionnaires is provided. Participants were 110 children with type 1 diabetes (aged 4-16), their parents, and healthcare professionals. Children filled out the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Diabetes Module. Parents filled out the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire parent-report and the Parenting Stress Index. Independently, nurses and paediatricians filled out a short questionnaire, which assessed their clinical estimations of the children's psychosocial problems and quality of life, and parents' levels of parenting stress. Reports of children and parents were compared to clinical estimations. Children in our sample showed more psychosocial problems and lower health-related quality of life than their healthy peers. In approximately half of the children, dichotomous estimations by healthcare professionals and dichotomised reports by patients and parents were in agreement. In 10% of the children, no psychosocial problems were present according to professionals' estimations, although patients and parents-reported psychosocial problems. In 40%, psychosocial problems were present according to professionals' estimations, although parents and patients did not report psychosocial problems. Children with type 1 diabetes show more psychosocial problems than healthy children. Professionals seem to tend towards overestimating psychosocial problems. Extending the assessment of psychosocial problems with routine screening on patient-reported outcomes, using validated questionnaires, could be of additional value in tailoring care to the needs of the individual child and parents. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Analysis of the impact path on factors of China's energy-related CO2 emissions: a path analysis with latent variables.

PubMed

Chen, Wenhui; Lei, Yalin

2017-02-01

Identifying the impact path on factors of CO 2 emissions is crucial for the government to take effective measures to reduce carbon emissions. The most existing research focuses on the total influence of factors on CO 2 emissions without differentiating between the direct and indirect influence. Moreover, scholars have addressed the relationships among energy consumption, economic growth, and CO 2 emissions rather than estimating all the causal relationships simultaneously. To fill this research gaps and explore overall driving factors' influence mechanism on CO 2 emissions, this paper utilizes a path analysis model with latent variables (PA-LV) to estimate the direct and indirect effect of factors on China's energy-related carbon emissions and to investigate the causal relationships among variables. Three key findings emanate from the analysis: (1) The change in the economic growth pattern inhibits the growth rate of CO 2 emissions by reducing the energy intensity; (2) adjustment of industrial structure contributes to energy conservation and CO 2 emission reduction by raising the proportion of the tertiary industry; and (3) the growth of CO 2 emissions impacts energy consumption and energy intensity negatively, which results in a negative impact indirectly on itself. To further control CO 2 emissions, the Chinese government should (1) adjust the industrial structure and actively develop its tertiary industry to improve energy efficiency and develop low-carbon economy, (2) optimize population shifts to avoid excessive population growth and reduce energy consumption, and (3) promote urbanization steadily to avoid high energy consumption and low energy efficiency.

Gaussian Process Model for Antarctic Surface Mass Balance and Ice Core Site Selection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

White, P. A.; Reese, S.; Christensen, W. F.; Rupper, S.

2017-12-01

Surface mass balance (SMB) is an important factor in the estimation of sea level change, and data are collected to estimate models for prediction of SMB on the Antarctic ice sheet. Using Favier et al.'s (2013) quality-controlled aggregate data set of SMB field measurements, a fully Bayesian spatial model is posed to estimate Antarctic SMB and propose new field measurement locations. Utilizing Nearest-Neighbor Gaussian process (NNGP) models, SMB is estimated over the Antarctic ice sheet. An Antarctic SMB map is rendered using this model and is compared with previous estimates. A prediction uncertainty map is created to identify regions of high SMB uncertainty. The model estimates net SMB to be 2173 Gton yr-1 with 95% credible interval (2021,2331) Gton yr-1. On average, these results suggest lower Antarctic SMB and higher uncertainty than previously purported [Vaughan et al. (1999); Van de Berg et al. (2006); Arthern, Winebrenner and Vaughan (2006); Bromwich et al. (2004); Lenaerts et al. (2012)], even though this model utilizes significantly more observations than previous models. Using the Gaussian process' uncertainty and model parameters, we propose 15 new measurement locations for field study utilizing a maximin space-filling, error-minimizing design; these potential measurements are identied to minimize future estimation uncertainty. Using currently accepted Antarctic mass balance estimates and our SMB estimate, we estimate net mass loss [Shepherd et al. (2012); Jacob et al. (2012)]. Furthermore, we discuss modeling details for both space-time data and combining field measurement data with output from mathematical models using the NNGP framework.

Estimating benthic secondary production from aquatic insect emergence in streams affected by mountaintop removal coal mining, West Virginia USA

EPA Science Inventory

Mountaintop removal and valley fill (MTR/VF) coal mining recountours the Appalachian landscape, buries headwater stream channels, and degrades downstream water quality. The goal of this study was to compare benthic community production estimates, based on seasonal insect emergen...

A Fuzzy Rule-Base Model for Classification of Spirometric FVC Graphs in Chronical Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-10-25

questionnaire was filled out before test which is very important criteria for each subject for investigating are smoking cigarettes, having asthma, chronic...9, 12]. Secondly, observed FVC and FEV1 data plotted are taken under investigation. According to the questionnaire filled out, subjects... questionnaire filled in by each subject on the result of the diagnosing (categorizing FVC graphs) COPD, elimination of erroneous factors affecting

Training the Trainers: Mission Analysis and Support for USAR Training Divisions

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-03-25

the Department of Defense (DOD),! mobilization expansion is a key factor In Limited Mobilization9 or Graduated Military Responseio theories of...less filled units of their personnel to fill earlier deploying units. After stripping units at random with 19 disastrous morale results it was decided...28 assigned) once all companies In the division are filled. This mission is identified in the unit’s Table of Distribution and Allowance ( TDA ) and

Intermittent surface water connectivity: Fill and spill vs. fill and merge dynamics

USGS Publications Warehouse

Leibowitz, Scott G.; Mushet, David M.; Newton, Wesley E.

2016-01-01

Intermittent surface connectivity can influence aquatic systems, since chemical and biotic movements are often associated with water flow. Although often referred to as fill and spill, wetlands also fill and merge. We examined the effects of these connection types on water levels, ion concentrations, and biotic communities of eight prairie pothole wetlands between 1979 and 2015. Fill and spill caused pulsed surface water connections that were limited to periods following spring snow melt. In contrast, two wetlands connected through fill and merge experienced a nearly continuous, 20-year surface water connection and had completely coincident water levels. Fill and spill led to minimal convergence in dissolved ions and macroinvertebrate composition, while these constituents converged under fill and merge. The primary factor determining differences in response was duration of the surface water connection between wetland pairs. Our findings suggest that investigations into the effects of intermittent surface water connections should not consider these connections generically, but need to address the specific types of connections. In particular, fill and spill promotes external water exports while fill and merge favors internal storage. The behaviors of such intermittent connections will likely be accentuated under a future with more frequent and severe climate extremes.

A method to estimate the additional uncertainty in gap-filled NEE resulting from long gaps in the CO2 flux record

Treesearch

Andrew D. Richardson; David Y. Hollinger

2007-01-01

Missing values in any data set create problems for researchers. The process by which missing values are replaced, and the data set is made complete, is generally referred to as imputation. Within the eddy flux community, the term "gap filling" is more commonly applied. A major challenge is that random errors in measured data result in uncertainty in the gap-...

Dynamic mechanical analysis of waste tyre rubber filled brake friction composite materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rathi, Mukesh Kumar; Singh, Tej; Chauhan, Ranchan

2018-05-01

In this research work, the dynamic mechanical properties of waste tyre rubber filled friction composites were studied. Four friction composites with varying amount of waste rubber (0, 4, 8, 12 wt.%) and barium sulphate (38, 42, 46, 50 wt.%) were designed and fabricated as per industrial norms. Dynamic mechanical analysis has been carried out to characterize the storage modulus, loss modulus and damping factor of the fabricated friction composite. Experimental results indicated that storage modulus decreases with increasing waste rubber content up to particular loading (4 wt.%), and after that it increases with further loading. The loss modulus of the composites increases steadily with increasing waste rubber content whereas, damping factor remain maximum for 12 wt.% waste rubber filled friction composites.

Factors influencing the appropriateness of restorative dental treatment: an epidemiologic perspective.

PubMed

Grembowski, D; Fiset, L; Milgrom, P; Forrester, K; Spadafora, A

1997-01-01

An epidemiology analysis was performed to identify patient and dentist factors influencing over- and undertreatment of restorative services in a sample of insured adults. At baseline, 681 Washington State employees and their spouses, aged 20 to 34 years and residing in the Olympia or Pullman areas, were interviewed by telephone. Oral assessments were conducted to measure personal characteristics, oral disease, and restoration quality. Adults were followed for two years to measure use of restorative services from dental insurance claims. Each adult's baseline and claims data were linked with provider and practice variables collected from the dentist who provided treatment. For overtreatment, 39 percent of adults received one or more replacement restorations in nondecayed teeth with satisfactory fillings at baseline, while 18 percent of adults had one or more restorations placed in teeth with no decay and fillings. An adult's probability of overtreatment was higher if the adult had more fillings at baseline, or if an adult's dentist was younger, had a busy practice, advertised, charged higher fees, had less continuing education, or had a solo practice. For undertreatment, about 16 percent of adults either received no replacement restorations in teeth with unsatisfactory fillings at baseline, or had decayed teeth at baseline that were not filled or crowned. An adult's probability of undertreatment was higher if an adult had less decayed or more missing surfaces at baseline, or if an adult's dentist believed in sharing information with patients, had a busy practice, or reported not placing fillings when radiographic evidence of new caries was present. A minority of adults aged 20 to 34 experienced potential over- or undertreatment of restorative services, which are influenced by both patient and dentist factors.

Employing Lead Thiocyanate Additive to Reduce the Hysteresis and Boost the Fill Factor of Planar Perovskite Solar Cells.

PubMed

Ke, Weijun; Xiao, Chuanxiao; Wang, Changlei; Saparov, Bayrammurad; Duan, Hsin-Sheng; Zhao, Dewei; Xiao, Zewen; Schulz, Philip; Harvey, Steven P; Liao, Weiqiang; Meng, Weiwei; Yu, Yue; Cimaroli, Alexander J; Jiang, Chun-Sheng; Zhu, Kai; Al-Jassim, Mowafak; Fang, Guojia; Mitzi, David B; Yan, Yanfa

2016-07-01

Lead thiocyanate in the perovskite precursor can increase the grain size of a perovskite thin film and reduce the conductivity of the grain boundaries, leading to perovskite solar cells with reduced hysteresis and enhanced fill factor. A planar perovskite solar cell with grain boundary and interface passivation achieves a steady-state efficiency of 18.42%. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Spatial Light Modulators and Applications: Summaries of Papers Presented at the Spatial Light Modulators and Applications Topical Meeting Held on March 15-17, 1993 in Palm Springs, California

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-03-17

modulator: Number of Elements 16 x 16 Pixel Size 1 mmxl mm Area Fill Factor > 90% Reflectance > 90% Phase Shift 900 Frame Rate > 1 kHz Operational Spectral...electro-optic constants. By using reflected light from the second interface a factor of two increase in phase shift is obtained for an applied voltage vs...wavelengths in general require thinner PLZT wafers. One of the objectives of the SLM design was to maximize pixel area fill factor and thereby the

Investigating the Relation between Sunspots and Umbral Dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yadav, Rahul; Louis, Rohan E.; Mathew, Shibu K.

2018-03-01

Umbral dots (UDs) are transient, bright features observed in the umbral region of a sunspot. We study the physical properties of UDs observed in sunspots of different sizes. The aim of our study is to relate the physical properties of UDs with the large-scale properties of sunspots. For this purpose, we analyze high-resolution G-band images of 42 sunspots observed by Hinode/SOT, located close to disk center. The images were corrected for instrumental stray light and restored with the modeled point-spread function. An automated multilevel tracking algorithm was employed to identify the UDs located in selected G-band images. Furthermore, we employed Solar Dynamics Observatory/HMI, limb-darkening-corrected, full-disk continuum images to estimate the sunspot phase and epoch for the selected sunspots. The number of UDs identified in different umbrae exhibits a linear relation to the umbral size. The observed filling factor ranges from 3% to 7% and increases with the mean umbral intensity. Moreover, the filling factor shows a decreasing trend with the umbral size. We also found that the observed mean and maximum intensities of UDs are correlated with the mean umbral intensity. However, we do not find any significant relationship between the mean (and maximum) intensity and effective diameter of UDs and the sunspot area, epoch, and decay rate. We suggest that this lack of relation could be due to either the distinct transition of spatial scales associated with overturning convection in the umbra or the shallow depth associated with UDs, or both.

Geospatial data to support analysis of water-quality conditions in basin-fill aquifers in the southwestern United States

USGS Publications Warehouse

McKinney, Tim S.; Anning, David W.

2009-01-01

The Southwest Principal Aquifers study area consists of most of California and Nevada and parts of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado; it is about 409,000 square miles. The Basin-fill aquifers extend through about 201,000 square miles of the study area and are the primary source of water for cities and agricultural communities in basins in the arid and semiarid southwestern United States (Southwest). The demand on limited ground-water resources in areas in the southwestern United States has increased significantly. This increased demand underscores the importance of understanding factors that affect the water quality in basin-fill aquifers in the region, which are being studied through the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program. As a part of this study, spatial datasets of natural and anthropogenic factors that may affect ground-water quality of the basin-fill aquifers in the southwestern United States were developed. These data include physical characteristics of the region, such as geology, elevation, and precipitation, as well as anthropogenic factors, including population, land use, and water use. Spatial statistics for the alluvial basins in the Southwest have been calculated using the datasets. This information provides a foundation for the development of conceptual and statistical models that relate natural and anthropogenic factors to ground-water quality across the Southwest. A geographic information system (GIS) was used to determine and illustrate the spatial distribution of these basin-fill variables across the region. One hundred-meter resolution raster data layers that represent the spatial characteristics of the basins' boundaries, drainage areas, population densities, land use, and water use were developed for the entire Southwest.

Effective g-factors of carriers in inverted InAs/GaSb bilayers

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

Mu, Xiaoyang; Collaborative Innovation Center of Quantum Matter, Beijing 100871; Sullivan, Gerard

2016-01-04

We perform tilt-field transport experiment on inverted InAs/GaSb, which hosts quantum spin Hall insulator. By means of coincidence method, Landau level (LL) spectra of electron and hole carriers are systematically studied at different carrier densities tuned by gate voltages. When Fermi level stays in the conduction band, we observe LL crossing and anti-crossing behaviors at odd and even filling factors, respectively, with a corresponding g-factor of 11.5. It remains nearly constant for varying filling factors and electron densities. On the contrary, for GaSb holes, only a small Zeeman splitting is observed even at large tilt angles, indicating a g-factor ofmore » less than 3.« less

How thick are lunar mare basalts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoerz, F.

1978-01-01

It is argued that De Hon's estimates of the thickness of lunar mare basalts, made by analyzing 'ghost' craters on mare surfaces, were inflated as the result of the crater morphometric data of Pike (1977) to reconstruct rim heights of degraded craters. Crater rim heights of 82 randomly selected highland craters of various states of degradation were determined, and median rim height was compared to that of corresponding fresh impact structures. Results indicate that the thickness estimates of De Hon may be reduced by a factor of 2, and that the total volume of mare basalt produced throughout lunar history could be as little as 1-2 million cubic kilometers. A survey of geochemical and petrographic evidence indicates that lateral transport of regolith components over distances of much greater than 10 km is relatively inefficient; it is suggested that vertical mixing of a highland substrate underlying the basaltic fill may have had a primordial role in generating the observed mare width distributions and high concentrations of exotic components in intrabasin regoliths.

Investigating Liquid Leak from Pre-Filled Syringes upon Needle Shield Removal: Effect of Air Bubble Pressure.

PubMed

Chan, Edwin; Maa, Yuh-Fun; Overcashier, David; Hsu, Chung C

2011-01-01

This study is to investigate the effect of headspace air pressure in pre-filled syringes on liquid leak (dripping) from the syringe needle upon needle shield removal. Drip tests to measure drip quantity were performed on syringes manually filled with 0.5 or 1.0 mL of various aqueous solutions. Parameters assessed included temperature (filling and test), bulk storage conditions (tank pressure and the type of the pressurized gas), solution composition (pure water, 0.9% sodium chloride, and a monoclonal antibody formulation), and testing procedures. A headspace pressure analyzer was used to verify the drip test method. Results suggested that leakage is indeed caused by headspace pressure increase, and the temperature effect (ideal gas expansion) is a major, but not the only, factor. The dissolved gases in the liquid bulk prior to or during filling may contribute to leakage, as these gases could be released into the headspace due to solubility changes (in response to test temperature and pressure conditions) and cause pressure increase. Needle shield removal procedures were found to cause dripping, but liquid composition played little role. Overall, paying attention to the processing history (pressure and temperature) of the liquid bulk is the key to minimize leakage. The headspace pressure could be reduced by decreasing liquid bulk storage pressure, filling at a higher temperature, or employing lower solubility gas (e.g., helium) for bulk transfer and storage. Leakage could also be mitigated by simply holding the syringe needle pointing upward during needle shield removal. Substantial advances in pre-filled syringe technology development, particularly in syringe filling accuracy, have been made. However, there are factors, as subtle as how the needle shield (or tip cap) is removed, that may affect dosing accuracy. We recently found that upon removal of the tip cap from a syringe held vertically with needle pointed downwards, a small amount of solution, up to 3-4% of the 1 mL filled volume or higher for filled volume of <1 mL, leaked out from the needle. This paper identified the root causes of this problem and offered solutions from the perspectives of the syringe fill process and the end user procedure. The readers will benefit from this paper by understanding how each process step prior to and during syringe filling may affect delivery performance of the pre-filled syringe device.

The relative patient costs and availability of dental services, materials and equipment in public oral care facilities in Tanzania.

PubMed

Nyamuryekung'e, Kasusu K; Lahti, Satu M; Tuominen, Risto J

2015-07-01

Patient charges and availability of dental services influence utilization of dental services. There is little available information on the cost of dental services and availability of materials and equipment in public dental facilities in Africa. This study aimed to determine the relative cost and availability of dental services, materials and equipment in public oral care facilities in Tanzania. The local factors affecting availability were also studied. A survey of all district and regional dental clinics in selected regions was conducted in 2014. A total of 28/30 facilities participated in the study. A structured interview was undertaken amongst practitioners and clinic managers within the facilities. Daily resources for consumption (DRC) were used for estimation of patients' relative cost. DRC are the quantified average financial resources required for an adult Tanzanian's overall consumption per day. Tooth extractions were found to cost four times the DRC whereas restorations were 9-10 times the DRC. Studied facilities provided tooth extractions (100%), scaling (86%), fillings (79%), root canal treatment (46%) and fabrication of removable partial dentures (32%). The ratio of tooth fillings to extractions in the facilities was 1:16. Less than 50% of the facilities had any of the investigated dental materials consistently available throughout the year, and just three facilities had all the investigated equipment functional and in use. Dental materials and equipment availability, skills of the practitioners and the cost of services all play major roles in provision and utilization of comprehensive oral care. These factors are likely to be interlinked and should be taken into consideration when studying any of the factors individually.

Using prescription monitoring program data to characterize out-of-pocket payments for opioid prescriptions in a state Medicaid program.

PubMed

Hartung, Daniel M; Ahmed, Sharia M; Middleton, Luke; Van Otterloo, Joshua; Zhang, Kun; Keast, Shellie; Kim, Hyunjee; Johnston, Kirbee; Deyo, Richard A

2017-09-01

Out-of-pocket payment for prescription opioids is believed to be an indicator of abuse or diversion, but few studies describe its epidemiology. Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) collect controlled substance prescription fill data regardless of payment source and thus can be used to study this phenomenon. To estimate the frequency and characteristics of prescription fills for opioids that are likely paid out-of-pocket by individuals in the Oregon Medicaid program. Cross-sectional analysis using Oregon Medicaid administrative claims and PDMP data (2012 to 2013). Continuously enrolled nondually eligible Medicaid beneficiaries who could be linked to the PDMP with two opioid fills covered by Oregon Medicaid. Patient characteristics and fill characteristics for opioid fills that lacked a Medicaid pharmacy claim. Fill characteristics included opioid name, type, and association with indicators of high-risk opioid use. A total of 33 592 Medicaid beneficiaries filled a total of 555 103 opioid prescriptions. Of these opioid fills, 74 953 (13.5%) could not be matched to a Medicaid claim. Hydromorphone (30%), fentanyl (18%), and methadone (15%) were the most likely to lack a matching claim. The 3 largest predictors for missing claims were opioid fills that overlapped with other opioids (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34-1.4), long-acting opioids (aOR 1.52; 95% CI, 1.47-1.57), and fills at multiple pharmacies (aOR 1.45; 95% CI, 1.39-1.52). Prescription opioid fills that were likely paid out-of-pocket were common and associated with several known indicators of high-risk opioid use. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Box-Counting Method of 2D Neuronal Image: Method Modification and Quantitative Analysis Demonstrated on Images from the Monkey and Human Brain.

PubMed

Rajković, Nemanja; Krstonošić, Bojana; Milošević, Nebojša

2017-01-01

This study calls attention to the difference between traditional box-counting method and its modification. The appropriate scaling factor, influence on image size and resolution, and image rotation, as well as different image presentation, are showed on the sample of asymmetrical neurons from the monkey dentate nucleus. The standard BC method and its modification were evaluated on the sample of 2D neuronal images from the human neostriatum. In addition, three box dimensions (which estimate the space-filling property, the shape, complexity, and the irregularity of dendritic tree) were used to evaluate differences in the morphology of type III aspiny neurons between two parts of the neostriatum.

Pyloric stenosis and maternal Bendectin exposure.

PubMed

Aselton, P; Jick, H; Chentow, S J; Perera, D R; Hunter, J R; Rothman, K J

1984-08-01

As part of a long-term follow-up of structural disorders present at birth or shortly thereafter in infants born at Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, all infants with a diagnosis of pyloric stenosis born between July 1, 1977 and June 30, 1982, were identified. Automated pharmacy profiles were examined to determine whether an association between maternal Bendectin use in the first trimester and infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis existed. Among the 3,835 women exposed to Bendectin while pregnant, in this group of 13,346 births, 13 had infants who developed pyloric stenosis, and among the 9,511 women not exposed, 13 had infants who developed pyloric stenosis, resulting in a risk ratio estimate of 2.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-5.2). When mothers were divided according to the number of prescriptions for Bendectin filled, the relative risk estimate increased from 1.2 (95% CI 0.4-4.4) in women who filled only one prescription to 7.6 (95% CI 4.9-11.6) in women who filled five or more prescriptions for Bendectin during their pregnancy.

Effects of natural and human factors on groundwater quality of basin-fill aquifers in the southwestern United States-conceptual models for selected contaminants

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bexfield, Laura M.; Thiros, Susan A.; Anning, David W.; Huntington, Jena M.; McKinney, Tim S.

2011-01-01

As part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program, the Southwest Principal Aquifers (SWPA) study is building a better understanding of the factors that affect water quality in basin-fill aquifers in the Southwestern United States. The SWPA study area includes four principal aquifers of the United States: the Basin and Range basin-fill aquifers in California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona; the Rio Grande aquifer system in New Mexico and Colorado; and the California Coastal Basin and Central Valley aquifer systems in California. Similarities in the hydrogeology, land- and water-use practices, and water-quality issues for alluvial basins within the study area allow for regional analysis through synthesis of the baseline knowledge of groundwater-quality conditions in basins previously studied by the NAWQA Program. Resulting improvements in the understanding of the sources, movement, and fate of contaminants are assisting in the development of tools used to assess aquifer susceptibility and vulnerability.This report synthesizes previously published information about the groundwater systems and water quality of 15 information-rich basin-fill aquifers (SWPA case-study basins) into conceptual models of the primary natural and human factors commonly affecting groundwater quality with respect to selected contaminants, thereby helping to build a regional understanding of the susceptibility and vulnerability of basin-fill aquifers to those contaminants. Four relatively common contaminants (dissolved solids, nitrate, arsenic, and uranium) and two contaminant classes (volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and pesticide compounds) were investigated for sources and controls affecting their occurrence and distribution above specified levels of concern in groundwater of the case-study basins. Conceptual models of factors that are important to aquifer vulnerability with respect to those contaminants and contaminant classes were subsequently formed. The conceptual models are intended in part to provide a foundation for subsequent development of regional-scale statistical models that relate specific constituent concentrations or occurrence in groundwater to natural and human factors.

Exposure to prescription opioid analgesics in utero and risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome: population based cohort study.

PubMed

Desai, Rishi J; Huybrechts, Krista F; Hernandez-Diaz, Sonia; Mogun, Helen; Patorno, Elisabetta; Kaltenbach, Karol; Kerzner, Leslie S; Bateman, Brian T

2015-05-14

To provide absolute and relative risk estimates of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) based on duration and timing of prescription opioid use during pregnancy in the presence or absence of additional NAS risk factors of history of opioid misuse or dependence, misuse of other substances, non-opioid psychotropic drug use, and smoking. Observational cohort study. Medicaid data from 46 US states. Pregnant women filling at least one prescription for an opioid analgesic at any time during pregnancy for whom opioid exposure characteristics including duration of therapy: short term (<30 days) or long term (≥ 30 days); timing of use: early use (only in the first two trimesters) or late use (extending into the third trimester); and cumulative dose (in morphine equivalent milligrams) were assessed. Diagnosis of NAS in liveborn infants. 1705 cases of NAS were identified among 290,605 pregnant women filling opioid prescriptions, corresponding to an absolute risk of 5.9 per 1000 deliveries (95% confidence interval 5.6 to 6.2). Long term opioid use during pregnancy resulted in higher absolute risk of NAS per 1000 deliveries in the presence of additional risk factors of known opioid misuse (220.2 (200.8 to 241.0)), alcohol or other drug misuse (30.8 (26.1 to 36.0)), exposure to other psychotropic medications (13.1 (10.6 to 16.1)), and smoking (6.6 (4.3 to 9.6)) than in the absence of any of these risk factors (4.2 (3.3 to 5.4)). The corresponding risk estimates for short term use were 192.0 (175.8 to 209.3), 7.0 (6.0 to 8.2), 2.0 (1.5 to 2.6), 1.5 (1.0 to 2.0), and 0.7 (0.6 to 0.8) per 1000 deliveries, respectively. In propensity score matched analyses, long term prescription opioid use compared with short term use and late use compared with early use in pregnancy demonstrated greater risk of NAS (risk ratios 2.05 (95% confidence interval 1.81 to 2.33) and 1.24 (1.12 to 1.38), respectively). Use of prescription opioids during pregnancy is associated with a low absolute risk of NAS in the absence of additional risk factors. Long term use compared with short term use and late use compared with early use of prescription opioids are associated with increased NAS risk independent of additional risk factors. © Desai et al 2015.

Electrical system for measurement of breakdown voltage of vacuum and gas-filled tubes using a dynamic method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pejović, Milić M.; Milosavljević, Čedomir S.; Pejović, Momčilo M.

2003-06-01

This article describes an electrical system aimed at measuring and data acquisition of breakdown voltages of vacuum and gas-filled tubes. The measurements were performed using a nitrogen-filled tube at 4 mbar pressure. Based on the measured breakdown voltage data as a function of the applied voltage increase rate, a static breakdown voltage is estimated for the applied voltage gradient ranging from 0.1 to 1 V s-1 and from 1 to 10 V s-1. The histograms of breakdown voltages versus applied voltage increase rates from 0.1 and 0.5 V s-1 are approximated by the probability density functions using a fitting procedure.

Resonant Frequency Shifts of a Fluid Filled Cavity Caused by a Bubble

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Hailan; Wang, Xiuming; Chen, Dehua; Che, Chengxuan

2009-03-01

In the previous studies for estimating acoustic wave velocities and attenuations of a rock specimen in a low frequency range using an acoustic resonance spectroscopy method, it was found that bubbles in a fluid filled cavity reduce the resonant frequency of the cavity significantly, which makes the measurement unstable. In this paper, this phenomenon is explained by using a simple model of a spherical fluid filled cavity with a single air bubble. It is pointed out that air bubble effects are caused by the vibration of the bubble coupled with the vibration of the cavity and, therefore, the measurement must be carefully prepared to prevent any air bubbles from entering the cavity.

Effect of the revisit interval on the accuracy of remote sensing-based estimates of evapotranspiration at field scales

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Accurate spatially distributed estimates of evapotranspiration (ET) derived from remotely sensed data are critical to a broad range of practical and operational applications. However, due to lengthy return intervals and cloud cover, data acquisition is not continuous over time. To fill the data gaps...

Estimates of self-reported dietary behavior related to oral health among adolescents according to the type of food

PubMed Central

do AMARAL, Regiane Cristina; SCABAR, Luiz Felipe; SLATER, Betzabeth; FRAZÃO, Paulo

2014-01-01

Objective To compare estimates of food behavior related to oral health obtained through a self-report measure and 24 hour dietary recalls (R24h). Method We applied three R24h and one self-report measure in 87 adolescents. The estimates for eleven food items were compared at individual and group levels. Results No significant differences in mean values were found for ice cream, vegetables and biscuits without filling. For the remaining items, the values reported by the adolescents were higher than the values estimated by R24h. The percentage of adolescents who reported intake frequency of 1 or more times/ day was higher than the value obtained through R24h for all food items except soft drinks. The highest values of crude agreement between the instruments, individually, were found in the biscuits without filling (75.9%) and ice cream (72.4%). Conclusion The results suggest that adolescents tend to report a degree of exposure to the food items larger than what they actually experience in their daily lives. PMID:25466475

X-ray imaging performance of scintillator-filled silicon pore arrays

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

Simon, Matthias; Engel, Klaus Juergen; Menser, Bernd

2008-03-15

The need for fine detail visibility in various applications such as dental imaging, mammography, but also neurology and cardiology, is the driver for intensive efforts in the development of new x-ray detectors. The spatial resolution of current scintillator layers is limited by optical diffusion. This limitation can be overcome by a pixelation, which prevents optical photons from crossing the interface between two neighboring pixels. In this work, an array of pores was etched in a silicon wafer with a pixel pitch of 50 {mu}m. A very high aspect ratio was achieved with wall thicknesses of 4-7 {mu}m and pore depthsmore » of about 400 {mu}m. Subsequently, the pores were filled with Tl-doped cesium iodide (CsI:Tl) as a scintillator in a special process, which includes powder melting and solidification of the CsI. From the sample geometry and x-ray absorption measurement the pore fill grade was determined to be 75%. The scintillator-filled samples have a circular active area of 16 mm diameter. They are coupled with an optical sensor binned to the same pixel pitch in order to measure the x-ray imaging performance. The x-ray sensitivity, i.e., the light output per absorbed x-ray dose, is found to be only 2.5%-4.5% of a commercial CsI-layer of similar thickness, thus very low. The efficiency of the pores to transport the generated light to the photodiode is estimated to be in the best case 6.5%. The modulation transfer function is 40% at 4 lp/mm and 10%-20% at 8 lp/mm. It is limited most likely by the optical gap between scintillator and sensor and by K-escape quanta. The detective quantum efficiency (DQE) is determined at different beam qualities and dose settings. The maximum DQE(0) is 0.28, while the x-ray absorption with the given thickness and fill factor is 0.57. High Swank noise is suspected to be the reason, mainly caused by optical scatter inside the CsI-filled pores. The results are compared to Monte Carlo simulations of the photon transport inside the pore array structure. In addition, some x-ray images of technical and anatomical phantoms are shown. This work shows that scintillator-filled pore arrays can provide x-ray imaging with high spatial resolution, but are not suitable in their current state for most of the applications in medical imaging, where increasing the x-ray doses cannot be tolerated.« less

Permanent magnet machine with windings having strand transposition

DOEpatents

Qu, Ronghai; Jansen, Patrick Lee

2009-04-21

This document discusses, among other things, a stator with transposition between the windings or coils. The coils are free from transposition to increase the fill factor of the stator slots. The transposition at the end connections between an inner coil and an outer coil provide transposition to reduce circulating current loss. The increased fill factor reduces further current losses. Such a stator is used in a dual rotor, permanent magnet machine, for example, in a compressor pump, wind turbine gearbox, wind turbine rotor.

User Guidance for Application of TREECS (trademark) and CTS for Environmental Risk Assessment of Contaminants on Department of Defense (DoD) Ranges

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-06-01

physicochemical properties of complex organic chemicals. The CTS has capabilities for estimating chemical-specific properties in the absence of experimentally ...obtained properties; thus, CTS can help fill data gaps for properties, particularly for emerging MC that have limited experimental data. This report...specific properties in the absence of experimentally obtained properties; thus, CTS can help fill data gaps for properties, particularly for emerging

Filled Crater and Scallops

NASA Image and Video Library

2015-01-28

In this observation from NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter made for a study of ancient craters, we see the craters filled with smooth material that has subsequently degraded into scallops. These formations might be possibly due to ground ice sublimation. High resolution can help to estimate any differences in roughness on the smoother main mantle and in the eroded hollows. With the enhanced color swath, we might be able to view composition variations of the material. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA19288

Effect of gas filling pressure and operation energy on ion and neutron emission in a medium energy plasma focus device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niranjan, Ram; Rout, R. K.; Srivastava, Rohit; Kaushik, T. C.

2018-03-01

The effects of gas filling pressure and operation energy on deuterium ions and neutrons have been studied in a medium energy plasma focus device, MEPF-12. The deuterium gas filling pressure was varied from 1 to 10 mbar at an operation energy of 9.7 kJ. Also, the operation energy was varied from 3.9 to 9.7 kJ at a deuterium gas filling pressure of 4 mbar. Time resolved emission of deuterium ions was measured using a Faraday cup. Simultaneously, time integrated and time resolved emissions of neutrons were measured using a silver activation detector and plastic scintillator detector, respectively. Various characteristics (fluence, peak density, and most probable energy) of deuterium ions were estimated using the Faraday cup signal. The fluence was found to be nearly independent of the gas filling pressure and operation energy, but the peak density and most probable energy of deuterium ions were found to be varying. The neutron yield was observed to be varying with the gas filling pressure and operation energy. The effect of ions on neutrons emission was observed at each operation condition.

First third filling parameters of left ventricle assessed from gated equilibrium studies in patients with various heart diseases

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

Adatepe, M.H.; Nichols, K.; Powell, O.M.

1984-01-01

The authors determined the first third filling fraction (1/3 FF), the maximum filling rate (1/3 FR) and the mean filling rate (1/3 MFR) for the first third diastolic filling period of the left ventricle in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), valvular heart disease (VHD), pericardial effusion (PE), cardiomyopathies (CM), chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and in 5 normals-all from resting gated equilibrium studies. Parameters are calculated from the third order Fourier fit to the LV volume curve and its derivative. 1/3 FF% = 1/3 diastolic count - end systolic count / 1/3 diastolic count x 100. Patients with CADmore » are divided into two groups: Group I with normal ejection fraction (EF) and wall motion (WM); Group II with abnormal EF and WM. Results are shown in the table. Abnormal filling parameters are found not only in CAD but in VHD, PE and CM. The authors conclude that the first third LV filling parameters are sensitive but non-specific indicators of filling abnormalities caused by diverse etiologic factors. Abnormal first third filling parameters may occur in the presence of a normal resting EF and WM in CAD.« less

Design of antibody-functionalized carbon nanotubes filled with radioactivable metals towards a targeted anticancer therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spinato, Cinzia; Perez Ruiz de Garibay, Aritz; Kierkowicz, Magdalena; Pach, Elzbieta; Martincic, Markus; Klippstein, Rebecca; Bourgognon, Maxime; Wang, Julie Tzu-Wen; Ménard-Moyon, Cécilia; Al-Jamal, Khuloud T.; Ballesteros, Belén; Tobias, Gerard; Bianco, Alberto

2016-06-01

In the present work we have devised the synthesis of a novel promising carbon nanotube carrier for the targeted delivery of radioactivity, through a combination of endohedral and exohedral functionalization. Steam-purified single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been initially filled with radioactive analogues (i.e. metal halides) and sealed by high temperature treatment, affording closed-ended CNTs with the filling material confined in the inner cavity. The external functionalization of these filled CNTs was then achieved by nitrene cycloaddition and followed by the derivatization with a monoclonal antibody (Cetuximab) targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), overexpressed by several cancer cells. The targeting efficiency of the so-obtained conjugate was evaluated by immunostaining with a secondary antibody and by incubation of the CNTs with EGFR positive cells (U87-EGFR+), followed by flow cytometry, confocal microscopy or elemental analyses. We demonstrated that our filled and functionalized CNTs can internalize more efficiently in EGFR positive cancer cells.In the present work we have devised the synthesis of a novel promising carbon nanotube carrier for the targeted delivery of radioactivity, through a combination of endohedral and exohedral functionalization. Steam-purified single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been initially filled with radioactive analogues (i.e. metal halides) and sealed by high temperature treatment, affording closed-ended CNTs with the filling material confined in the inner cavity. The external functionalization of these filled CNTs was then achieved by nitrene cycloaddition and followed by the derivatization with a monoclonal antibody (Cetuximab) targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), overexpressed by several cancer cells. The targeting efficiency of the so-obtained conjugate was evaluated by immunostaining with a secondary antibody and by incubation of the CNTs with EGFR positive cells (U87-EGFR+), followed by flow cytometry, confocal microscopy or elemental analyses. We demonstrated that our filled and functionalized CNTs can internalize more efficiently in EGFR positive cancer cells. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr07923c

High dynamic range vision sensor for automotive applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grenet, Eric; Gyger, Steve; Heim, Pascal; Heitger, Friedrich; Kaess, Francois; Nussbaum, Pascal; Ruedi, Pierre-Francois

2005-02-01

A 128 x 128 pixels, 120 dB vision sensor extracting at the pixel level the contrast magnitude and direction of local image features is used to implement a lane tracking system. The contrast representation (relative change of illumination) delivered by the sensor is independent of the illumination level. Together with the high dynamic range of the sensor, it ensures a very stable image feature representation even with high spatial and temporal inhomogeneities of the illumination. Dispatching off chip image feature is done according to the contrast magnitude, prioritizing features with high contrast magnitude. This allows to reduce drastically the amount of data transmitted out of the chip, hence the processing power required for subsequent processing stages. To compensate for the low fill factor (9%) of the sensor, micro-lenses have been deposited which increase the sensitivity by a factor of 5, corresponding to an equivalent of 2000 ASA. An algorithm exploiting the contrast representation output by the vision sensor has been developed to estimate the position of a vehicle relative to the road markings. The algorithm first detects the road markings based on the contrast direction map. Then, it performs quadratic fits on selected kernel of 3 by 3 pixels to achieve sub-pixel accuracy on the estimation of the lane marking positions. The resulting precision on the estimation of the vehicle lateral position is 1 cm. The algorithm performs efficiently under a wide variety of environmental conditions, including night and rainy conditions.

Intermittent Surface Water Connectivity: Fill and Spill vs. Fill ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Intermittent surface connectivity can influence aquatic systems, since chemical and biotic movements are often associated with water flow. Although often referred to as fill and spill, wetlands also fill and merge. We examined the effects of these connection types on water levels, ion concentrations, and biotic communities of eight prairie pothole wetlands between 1979 and 2015. Fill and spill caused pulsed surface water connections that were limited to periods following spring snow melt. In contrast, two wetlands connected through fill and merge experienced a nearly continuous, 20-year surface water connection and had completely coincident water levels. Fill and spill led to minimal convergence in dissolved ions and macroinvertebrate composition, while these constituents converged under fill and merge. The primary factor determining difference in responses was duration of the surface water connection between wetland pairs. Our findings suggest that investigations into the effects of intermittent surface water connections should not consider these connections generically, but need to address the specific types of connections. In particular, fill and spill promotes external water exports while fill and merge favors internal storage. The behaviors of such intermittent connections will likely be accentuated under a future with more frequent and severe climate extremes. Under the Safe and Sustainable Water Resources National Program, work is being done to qu

Intermittent Surface Water Connectivity: Fill and Spill Vs. Fill ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Intermittent surface connectivity can influence aquatic systems, since chemical and biotic movements are often associated with water flow. Although often referred to as fill and spill, wetlands also fill and merge. We examined the effects of these connection types on water levels, ion concentrations, and biotic communities of eight prairie pothole wetlands between 1979 and 2015. Fill and spill caused pulsed surface water connections that were limited to periods following spring snow melt. In contrast, two wetlands connected through fill and merge experienced a nearly continuous, 20-year surface water connection and had completely coincident water levels. Fill and spill led to minimal convergence in dissolved ions and macroinvertebrate composition, while these constituents converged under fill and merge. The primary factor determining difference in responses was duration of the surface water connection between wetland pairs. Our findings suggest that investigations into the effects of intermittent surface water connections should not consider these connections generically, but need to address the specific types of connections. In particular, fill and spill promotes external water exports while fill and merge favors internal storage. The behaviors of such intermittent connections will likely be accentuated under a future with more frequent and severe climate extremes. Under the Safe and Sustainable Water Resources National Program, work is being done to qu

A New Lebanese Medication Adherence Scale: Validation in Lebanese Hypertensive Adults

PubMed Central

Wakim, N.; Issa, C.; Kassem, B.; Abou Jaoude, L.; Saleh, N.

2018-01-01

Background A new Lebanese scale measuring medication adherence considered socioeconomic and cultural factors not taken into account by the eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Objectives were to validate the new adherence scale and its prediction of hypertension control, compared to MMAS-8, and to assess adherence rates and factors. Methodology A cross-sectional study, including 405 patients, was performed in outpatient cardiology clinics of three hospitals in Beirut. Blood pressure was measured, a questionnaire filled, and sodium intake estimated by a urine test. Logistic regression defined predictors of hypertension control and adherence. Results 54.9% had controlled hypertension. 82.4% were adherent by the new scale, which showed good internal consistency, adequate questions (KMO coefficient = 0.743), and four factors. It predicted hypertension control (OR = 1.217; p value = 0.003), unlike MMAS-8, but the scores were correlated (ICC average measure = 0.651; p value < 0.001). Stress and smoking predicted nonadherence. Conclusion This study elaborated a validated, practical, and useful tool measuring adherence to medications in Lebanese hypertensive patients. PMID:29887993

Persistent oral health disparity in 12-year-old Hispanics: a cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Elias-Boneta, Augusto R; Toro, Milagros J; Rivas-Tumanyan, Sona; Murillo, Margarita; Orraca, Luis; Encarnacion, Angeliz; Cernigliaro, Dana; Toro-Vizcarrondo, Carlos; Psoter, Walter J

2016-02-01

Dental caries is the most prevalent chronic illness worldwide. In the US dental caries has been described as a "silent epidemic", affecting 58.2 % of 12-15 year-olds, particularly in minority and immigrant groups. Caries is associated with complex yet preventable biological and behavioral factors such as dental plaque and diet, as well as social determinants of health. In developed nations, a higher risk caries has been associated with populations of low socio-economic status (SES), especially in areas with greater income disparity. An island-wide study conducted in Puerto Rico in 1997 revealed a high prevalence of dental caries in 12-year-olds and a significant health disparity between children attending private and public schools. The purpose of the present study was twofold: 1) to estimate caries levels of 12-year-old school Puerto Ricans in 2011; and 2) compare results to data obtained in 1997 to explore any possible change in caries outcomes after a government health insurance (GHI) reform was implemented. In this cross-sectional study, a probability sample of 133 out of 1,843 schools was selected proportional to enrollment size, and stratified by 1997 GHI regions, school type, and gender. Calibrated examiners conducted oral soft tissue and caries examinations. Dental caries prevalence was estimated. Mean Decayed Missing Filled Tooth/Surface (DMFT/S) indices and mean Significant Caries Index (SiC) were calculated and compared retrospectively to data obtained in 1997. The final sample included 1,587 school-enrolled children. About 53 % of participants were female and 77 % attended public schools. Between 1997 and 2011, reductions were observed in caries prevalence (81 to 69 %), mean DMFT scores (3.8 to 2.5), mean DMFS scores (6.5 to 3.9), and mean SiC index (7.3 to 5.6) in both private and public schools, with a more prominent decrease in private schools. Between 1997 and 2011, overall the filled component increased (50 to 67 %), while decayed and missing component decreased (42 to 30 %) and (8 to 3 %), respectively. Among 12-year-old schoolchildren in Puerto Rico between 1997 and 2011, caries prevalence, extent, and severity decreased as well as the DMFT missing component, while the filled component increased. Dental caries prevalence was high and the health disparity persists between children enrolled in public and private schools after more than a decade of the GHI implementation. The relationship between GHI implementation and other potentially relevant co-factors for caries warrants further research, as does the seemingly entrenched disparity across groups.

A carbon nanotube filled polydimethylsiloxane hybrid membrane for enhanced butanol recovery

PubMed Central

Xue, Chuang; Du, Guang-Qing; Chen, Li-Jie; Ren, Jian-Gang; Sun, Jian-Xin; Bai, Feng-Wu; Yang, Shang-Tian

2014-01-01

The carbon nanotubes (CNTs) filled polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) hybrid membrane was fabricated to evaluate its potential for butanol recovery from acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation broth. Compared with the homogeneous PDMS membrane, the CNTs filled into the PDMS membrane were beneficial for the improvement of butanol recovery in butanol flux and separation factor. The CNTs acting as sorption-active sites with super hydrophobicity could give an alternative route for mass transport through the inner tubes or along the smooth surface. The maximum total flux and butanol separation factor reached up to 244.3 g/m2·h and 32.9, respectively, when the PDMS membrane filled with 10 wt% CNTs was used to separate butanol from the butanol/water solution at 80°C. In addition, the butanol flux and separation factor increased dramatically as temperature increased from 30°C to 80°C in feed solution since the higher temperature produced more free volumes in polymer chains to facilitate butanol permeation. A similar increase was also observed when butanol titer in solution increased from 10 g/L to 25 g/L. Overall, the CNTs/PDMS hybrid membrane with higher butanol flux and selectivity should have good potential for pervaporation separation of butanol from ABE fermentation broth. PMID:25081019

Bounding the error on bottom estimation for multi-angle swath bathymetry sonar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mullins, Geoff K.; Bird, John S.

2005-04-01

With the recent introduction of multi-angle swath bathymetry (MASB) sonar to the commercial marketplace (e.g., Benthos Inc., C3D sonar, 2004), additions must be made to the current sonar lexicon. The correct interpretation of measurements made with MASB sonar, which uses filled transducer arrays to compute angle-of-arrival information (AOA) from backscattered signal, is essential not only for mapping, but for applications such as statistical bottom classification. In this paper it is shown that aside from uncorrelated channel to channel noise, there exists a tradeoff between effects that govern the error bounds on bottom estimation for surfaces having shallow grazing angle and surfaces distributed along a radial arc centered at the transducer. In the first case, as the bottom aligns with the radial direction to the receiver, footprint shift and shallow grazing angle effects dominate the uncertainty in physical bottom position (surface aligns along a single AOA). Alternatively, if signal from a radial arc arrives, a single AOA is usually estimated (not necessarily at the average location of the surface). Through theoretical treatment, simulation, and field measurements, the aforementioned factors affecting MASB bottom mapping are examined. [Work supported by NSERC.

Filling gaps in notification data: a model-based approach applied to travel related campylobacteriosis cases in New Zealand.

PubMed

Amene, E; Horn, B; Pirie, R; Lake, R; Döpfer, D

2016-09-06

Data containing notified cases of disease are often compromised by incomplete or partial information related to individual cases. In an effort to enhance the value of information from enteric disease notifications in New Zealand, this study explored the use of Bayesian and Multiple Imputation (MI) models to fill risk factor data gaps. As a test case, overseas travel as a risk factor for infection with campylobacteriosis has been examined. Two methods, namely Bayesian Specification (BAS) and Multiple Imputation (MI), were compared regarding predictive performance for various levels of artificially induced missingness of overseas travel status in campylobacteriosis notification data. Predictive performance of the models was assessed through the Brier Score, the Area Under the ROC Curve and the Percent Bias of regression coefficients. Finally, the best model was selected and applied to predict missing overseas travel status of campylobacteriosis notifications. While no difference was observed in the predictive performance of the BAS and MI methods at a lower rate of missingness (<10 %), but the BAS approach performed better than MI at a higher rate of missingness (50 %, 65 %, 80 %). The estimated proportion (95 % Credibility Intervals) of travel related cases was greatest in highly urban District Health Boards (DHBs) in Counties Manukau, Auckland and Waitemata, at 0.37 (0.12, 0.57), 0.33 (0.13, 0.55) and 0.28 (0.10, 0.49), whereas the lowest proportion was estimated for more rural West Coast, Northland and Tairawhiti DHBs at 0.02 (0.01, 0.05), 0.03 (0.01, 0.08) and 0.04 (0.01, 0.06), respectively. The national rate of travel related campylobacteriosis cases was estimated at 0.16 (0.02, 0.48). The use of BAS offers a flexible approach to data augmentation particularly when the missing rate is very high and when the Missing At Random (MAR) assumption holds. High rates of travel associated cases in urban regions of New Zealand predicted by this approach are plausible given the high rate of travel in these regions, including destinations with higher risk of infection. The added advantage of using a Bayesian approach is that the model's prediction can be improved whenever new information becomes available.

Determinants of immediate price impacts at the trade level in an emerging order-driven market

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Wei-Xing

2012-02-01

Common wisdom argues that, in general, large trades cause large price changes, whereas small trades cause small price changes. However, for extremely large price changes, the trade size and news play a minor role, while liquidity (especially price gaps on the limit order book) is a more influential factor. Hence, there might be other factors influencing the immediate price impacts of trades. In this paper, through mechanical analysis of price variations before and after a trade of arbitrary size, we identify that the trade size, the bid-ask spread, the price gaps and the outstanding volumes at the bid and ask sides of the limit order book have an impact on the changes in prices. We propose two regression models to investigate the influence of these microscopic factors on the price impact of buyer-initiated partially filled trades, seller-initiated partially filled trades, buyer-initiated filled trades and seller-initiated filled trades. We find that they have quantitatively similar explanatory powers and these factors can account for up to 44% of the price impacts. Large trade sizes, wide bid-ask spreads, high liquidity at the same side and low liquidity at the opposite side will cause a large price impact. We also find that the liquidity at the opposite side has a more influential impact than the liquidity at the same side. Our results shed new light on the determinants of immediate price impacts.

The notion of climate-driven strath-terrace production assessed via dissimilar stream-process response to late Quaternary climate

USGS Publications Warehouse

García, Antonio F.; Mahan, Shannon

2014-01-01

Previous research results from the Gabilan Mesa are combined with new optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) age estimates and sedimentological analyses with the aim of identifying factors that inhibit climate-driven strath-terrace production, and factors that make possible strath-terrace production independent of climate forcing. The factors are revealed by comparing the morphostratigraphy and OSL age estimates of terraces in the adjacent San Lorenzo Creek and Pancho Rico Creek drainage basins of the central California Coast Ranges. OSL age estimates on San Lorenzo Creek fill-terrace alluvium overlying bedrock at two paleofluvial levels range between 50.5 and 41.3 ka and between 33.4 and 18.2 ka. These OSL age estimates indicate that although the channel of Pancho Rico Creek was degrading at these times, San Lorenzo Creek aggradation was synchronous with previously documented regional, climatically driven aggradation that elsewhere in southern California led to strath production and alluvial deposition. The regional-scale climate forcing events had different effects on San Lorenzo and Pancho Rico Creeks because of the influences of drainage-basin lithology on bedload size and tectonic tilting direction on base-level fall. The Holocene history of channel denudation and strath production of Pancho Rico Creek is also different from that of San Lorenzo Creek, and different from that of many other streams in southern California. After Pancho Rico Creek captured the upper part of the drainage basin of San Lorenzo Creek sometime after 15.5 to 11.7 ka, Pancho Rico Creek has been producing unpaired, erosional strath terraces. The weak, clay rich, fine-grained sedimentary rock underlying Pancho Rico Valley is an ideal substrate in which to form straths. The meandering channel of Pancho Rico Creek produces straths, and weathering resistant, relatively hard bedload introduced by stream capture ensures their preservation as strath terraces.

Filled Prescriptions for Opioids After Vaginal Delivery.

PubMed

Jarlenski, Marian; Bodnar, Lisa M; Kim, Joo Yeon; Donohue, Julie; Krans, Elizabeth E; Bogen, Debra L

2017-03-01

To estimate the prevalence of filled opioid prescriptions after vaginal delivery. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 164,720 Medicaid-enrolled women in Pennsylvania who delivered a liveborn neonate vaginally from 2008 to 2013, excluding women who used opioids during pregnancy or who had an opioid use disorder. We assessed overall filled prescriptions as well as filled prescriptions in the presence or absence of the following pain-inducing conditions: bilateral tubal ligation, perineal laceration, or episiotomy. Outcomes included a binary measure of whether a woman had any opioid prescription fill 5 days or less after delivery and, among those women, a second opioid prescription fill 6-60 days after delivery. Among women with no coded pain-inducing conditions at delivery, we used multivariable logistic regression with standard errors clustered to account for within-hospital correlation to assess the association between patient characteristics and odds of a filled opioid prescription. Twelve percent of women (n=18,131) filled an outpatient opioid prescription 5 days or less after vaginal delivery; among those women, 14% (n=2,592, or 1.6% of the total) filled a second opioid prescription 6-60 days after delivery. Of the former, 5,110 (28.2%) had one or more pain-inducing conditions. Predictors of filled opioid prescriptions with no observed pain-inducing condition at delivery included tobacco use (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-1.4) and a mental health condition (adjusted OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.2-1.4). Having a diagnosis of substance use disorder other than opioid use disorder was not associated with filling an opioid prescription 5 days or less after delivery, but was associated with having a second opioid prescription 6-60 days after delivery (adjusted OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2-1.6). More than 1 in 10 Medicaid-enrolled women fill an outpatient opioid prescription after vaginal delivery. National opioid-prescribing recommendations for common obstetrics procedures such as vaginal delivery are warranted.

Department of the Army Justification of Estimates for Fiscal Year 1983 Submitted to Congress February 1982. Part 2 (Missiles).

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-02-01

STINGER missiles and ground support equipment. The program for FY 1983 represents the sixth year of a planned eleven-year procurement effort designed ...planned eleven year procurement effort designed t., fill the Army’s inventory objective. The STINER, scheduled to replace the obsolete RED-YI, has greater...equipment. This is the fifth year of procurement designed to fill the Army inventory objective. MIRES is a self-propelled, fast- reacting, multiple rocket

Vegetation Phenology Metrics Derived from Temporally Smoothed and Gap-filled MODIS Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tan, Bin; Morisette, Jeff; Wolfe, Robert; Esaias, Wayne; Gao, Feng; Ederer, Greg; Nightingale, Joanne; Nickeson, Jamie E.; Ma, Pete; Pedely, Jeff

2012-01-01

Smoothed and gap-filled VI provides a good base for estimating vegetation phenology metrics. The TIMESAT software was improved by incorporating the ancillary information from MODIS products. A simple assessment of the association between retrieved greenup dates and ground observations indicates satisfactory result from improved TIMESAT software. One application example shows that mapping Nectar Flow Phenology is tractable on a continental scale using hive weight and satellite vegetation data. The phenology data product is supporting more researches in ecology, climate change fields.

Stochastic Estimation of Cost Frontier: Evidence from Bangladesh

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mamun, Shamsul Arifeen Khan

2012-01-01

In the literature of higher education cost function study, enough knowledge is created in the area of economy scale in the context of developed countries but the knowledge of input demand is lacking. On the other hand, empirical knowledge in the context of developing countries is very meagre. The paper fills up the knowledge gap, estimating a…

Flooding and sedimentation in Wheeling Creek basin, Belmont County, Ohio

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kolva, J.R.; Koltun, G.F.

1987-01-01

The Wheeling Creek basin, which is located primarily in Belmont County, Ohio, experienced three damaging floods and four less severe floods during the 29-month period from February 1979 through June 1981. Residents of the basin became concerned about factors that could have affected the severity and frequency of out-of-bank floods. In response to those concerns, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, undertook a study to estimate peak discharges and recurrence intervals for the seven floods of interest, provide information on current and historical mining-related stream-channel fill or scour, and examine storm-period subbasin contributions to the sediment load in Wheeling Creek. Streamflow data for adjacent basins, rainfall data, and, in two cases, flood-profile data were used in conjunction with streamflow data subsequently collected on Wheeling Creek to provide estimates of peak discharge for the seven floods that occurred from February 1979 through June 1981. Estimates of recurrence intervals were assigned to the Peak discharges on the basin of regional regression equations that relate selected basin characteristics to peak discharge with fixed recurrence intervals. These estimates indicate that a statistically unusual number of floods with recurrence intervals of 2 years or more occurred within that time period. Three cross sections located on Wheeling Creek and four located on tributaries were established and surveyed quarterly for approximately 2 years. No evidence of appreciable stream-channel fill or scour was observed at any of the cross sections, although minor profile changes were apparent at some locations. Attempts were made to obtain historical cross-section profile data for comparison with current cross-section profiles; however, no usable data were found. Excavations of stream-bottom materials were made near the three main-stem cross-section locations and near the mouth of Jug Run. The bottom materials were examined for evidence of recently deposited sediments of mining-related origin. The only evidence of appreciable mining-related sediment deposition was found at Jug Run, and, to a lesser extent, at one main-stem site.

A novel EBSD-based finite-element wave propagation model for investigating seismic anisotropy: Application to Finero Peridotite, Ivrea-Verbano Zone, Northern Italy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, Xin; Frehner, Marcel; Kunze, Karsten; Zappone, Alba

2014-10-01

A novel electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) -based finite-element (FE) wave propagation simulation is presented and applied to investigate seismic anisotropy of peridotite samples. The FE model simulates the dynamic propagation of seismic waves along any chosen direction through representative 2D EBSD sections. The numerical model allows separation of the effects of crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) and shape preferred orientation (SPO). The obtained seismic velocities with respect to specimen orientation are compared with Voigt-Reuss-Hill estimates and with laboratory measurements. The results of these three independent methods testify that CPO is the dominant factor controlling seismic anisotropy. Fracture fillings and minor minerals like hornblende only influence the seismic anisotropy if their volume proportion is sufficiently large (up to 23%). The SPO influence is minor compared to the other factors. The presented FE model is discussed with regard to its potential in simulating seismic wave propagation using EBSD data representing natural rock petrofabrics.

Internal sphincter and the nature of haemorrhoids.

PubMed Central

Hancock, B D

1977-01-01

Internal anal sphincter activity has been studied in 84 patients with haemorrhoids and 40 asymptomatic subjects. Activity was estimated by measuring maximum resting anal pressure with a water filled anal balloon probe 7 mm in diameter connected to a strain gauge pressure transducer. There was greater activity of the internal sphincter in patients with haemorrhoids than in controls, but there was no significant relationship between sphincter activity and duration of symptoms, predominant symptom (bleeding or prolapse), severity of symptoms, history of pain, history of straining at stool, or size of haemorrhoids. Straining at stool occurred significantly more often in patients whose main complaint was prolapse than in those whose main complaint was bleeding. Anal dilatation reduced sphincter activity and the best clinical results were obtained in those with the most active sphincter. An internal sphincter abnormality may be an aetiological factor in some patients but there must be other factors as well. Straining at stool may determine whether bleeding or prolapse is the predominant symptom. Images Fig. 1 PMID:892612

Municipal solid-waste disposal and ground-water quality in a coastal environment, west-central Florida

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fernandez, Mario

1983-01-01

Solid waste is defined along with various methods of disposal and the hydrogeologic factors to be considered when locating land-fills is presented. Types of solid waste, composition, and sources are identified. Generation of municipal solid waste in Florida has been estimated at 4.5 pounds per day per person or about 7.8 million tons per year. Leachate is generated when precipitation and ground water percolate through the waste. Gases, mainly carbon dioxide and methane, are also produced. Leachate generally contains high concentrations of dissolved organic and inorganic matter. The two typical hydrogeologic conditions in west-central Florida are (1) permeable sand overlying clay and limestone and (2) permeable sand overlying limestone. These conditions are discussed in relation to leachate migration. Factors in landfill site selection are presented and discussed, followed by a discussion on monitoring landfills. Monitoring of landfills includes the drilling of test holes, measuring physical properties of the corings, installation of monitoring wells, and water-quality monitoring. (USGS)

High-accuracy absolute rotation rate measurements with a large ring laser gyro: establishing the scale factor.

PubMed

Hurst, Robert B; Mayerbacher, Marinus; Gebauer, Andre; Schreiber, K Ulrich; Wells, Jon-Paul R

2017-02-01

Large ring lasers have exceeded the performance of navigational gyroscopes by several orders of magnitude and have become useful tools for geodesy. In order to apply them to tests in fundamental physics, remaining systematic errors have to be significantly reduced. We derive a modified expression for the Sagnac frequency of a square ring laser gyro under Earth rotation. The modifications include corrections for dispersion (of both the gain medium and the mirrors), for the Goos-Hänchen effect in the mirrors, and for refractive index of the gas filling the cavity. The corrections were measured and calculated for the 16  m² Grossring laser located at the Geodetic Observatory Wettzell. The optical frequency and the free spectral range of this laser were measured, allowing unique determination of the longitudinal mode number, and measurement of the dispersion. Ultimately we find that the absolute scale factor of the gyroscope can be estimated to an accuracy of approximately 1 part in 10⁸.

Statistics of gravitational lenses - The uncertainties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mao, Shude

1991-01-01

The assumptions in the analysis of gravitational lensing statistics are examined. Special emphasis is given to the uncertainties in the theoretical predictions. It is shown that a simple redshift cutoff model, which may result from galaxy evolution, can significantly reduce the lensing probability and explain the large mean separation of images in observed gravitational lenses. This effect may affect the constraint on the contribution of the cosmological constant to producing a flat universe from the number counts of the observed lenses. For the Omega(0) = 1 (filled beam) model, the lensing probability of early-type galaxies with finite core radii is reduced roughly by a factor of 2 for high-redshift quasars as compared with the corresponding singular isothermal sphere model. The finite core radius effect is about 20 percent for a lambda-dominated flat universe. It is also shown that the most recent galaxy luminosity function gives lensing probabilities that are smaller than previously estimated roughly by a factor of 3.

Integration of different data gap filling techniques to facilitate assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls: A proof of principle case study (ASCCT meeting)

EPA Science Inventory

Data gap filling techniques are commonly used to predict hazard in the absence of empirical data. The most established techniques are read-across, trend analysis and quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs). Toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) are less frequently used d...

Determination of sendust intrinsic permeability from microwave constitutive parameters of composites with sendust spheres and flakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Starostenko, Sergey N.; Rozanov, Konstantin N.; Shiryaev, Artem O.; Shalygin, Alexander N.; Lagarkov, Andrey N.

2017-06-01

Intrinsic permeability of sendust alloys is determined from the measured microwave permittivity and permeability of composites filled with either spherical or flaky sendust powders. The permittivity and permeability measurements are performed applying the coaxial reflection-transmission technique in the 0.05 to 18 GHz frequency range. The effects of the filling factor, inclusion shape, and size on composite constitutive parameters are discussed. The permeability of metal inclusion is retrieved from the measured permeability of composites using a generalized Maxwell Garnett equation that accounts for the percolation threshold. The equation parameters are found by fitting the measured dependence of composite permittivity and permeability on frequency and filling. The inclusion dimensions calculated from the found parameters agree with the results of grain-size analyses. The alloy intrinsic permeability is retrieved from inclusion permeability with the account for skinning. The fitted frequency and damping factor of ferromagnetic resonance depend on the inclusion shape. The calculated reflectivity map of the flake-filled composite shows that sendust powders are promising fillers for interference suppressors and microwave absorbers at frequencies close to 1 GHz.

Evaluation of Reconstructed Remote Sensing Time Series Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rivera-Camacho, J.; Didan, K.; Barreto-munoz, A.; Yitayew, M.

2011-12-01

Vegetation phenology is the study of vegetation state, function and change over time and is directly linked to the carbon cycle and an integrative measure of climate change impacts. Field observations of phenology can address some questions associated with phenology and climate change, but they are not effective at estimating and understanding large scale change in biome seasonality. Synoptic remote sensing has emerged as a practical tool for studying the land surface vegetation over large spatial and temporal scales. However, the presence of clouds, noise, inadequate processing algorithms result in poor quality data that needs to be discarded. Discarded data is so prevalent sometimes that up to 80% of the spatial and temporal coverage is missing which inhibits the proper study of vegetation phenology. To improve these data records gap filling techniques are employed. The purpose is to accurately reconstruct the VI time series profile, while preserving as much of the original data to support accurate land surface vegetation characterization. Some methods use complex Fourier Transform (FT) functions, Gaussian fitting models, or Piecewise techniques, while others are based on simpler linear interpolation. The impact of these gap filling methods on the resulting record is yet to be fully explored and characterized. In this project, we devised a new hybrid gap filling technique based on finding the seasonally variable per-pixel optimum composite period and then filling the remaining gaps with a simple local interpolation using the Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) approach. The method is further constrained by a moving window long term average to minimize the biases that may result from over- or under-fitting. This method was applied to a 30-year sensor independent Vegetation Index ESDR from AHRR and MODIS records. To understand the impact of this gap filling technique, we performed statistical analyses to determine the error and uncertainty associated with estimating the start of season, length of season and integrated VI signal over the growing season (proxy of Gross Primary Productivity, or Carbon). Our preliminary results indicate that the time series is sensitive to the gap filling technique, particularly over areas prone to residual cloud noise and/or areas subject to long period of snow cover. This has a direct impact on the growing season characterization by making the season shorter (up to 4 weeks) and the start of the season later (up to 2 weeks). The seasonal summation of VI becomes then smaller (13%) with a direct impact on the carbon budget estimation. Another important finding is that special attention must be paid to data filtering, since this will impact the residual noise/signal in the input data and will subsequently impact the gap filling outcome.

Characterization of subvisible particle formation during the filling pump operation of a monoclonal antibody solution.

PubMed

Nayak, Arpan; Colandene, James; Bradford, Victor; Perkins, Melissa

2011-10-01

Characterization and control of aggregate and subvisible particle formation during fill-finish process steps are important for biopharmaceutical products. The filling step is of key importance as there is no further filtration of the drug product beyond sterile filtration. Filling processes can impact product quality by introducing physical stresses such as shear, friction, and cavitation. Other detrimental factors include temperature generated in the process of filling, foaming, and contact with filling system materials, including processing aids such as silicone oil. Certain pumps may shed extrinsic particles that may lead to heterogeneous nucleation-induced aggregation. In this work, microflow imaging, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), and turbidimetry were utilized to quantify subvisible particles, aggregation, and opalescence, respectively. The filling process was performed using several commonly used filling systems, including rotary piston pump, rolling diaphragm pump, peristaltic pump, and time-pressure filler. The rolling diaphragm pump, peristaltic pump, and time-pressure filler generated notably less protein subvisible particles than the rotary piston pump, although no change in aggregate content by SEC was observed by any pump. An extreme increase in subvisible particles was also reflected in an increase in turbidity. Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Thermodynamic models for bounding pressurant mass requirements of cryogenic tanks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vandresar, Neil T.; Haberbusch, Mark S.

1994-01-01

Thermodynamic models have been formulated to predict lower and upper bounds for the mass of pressurant gas required to pressurize a cryogenic tank and then expel liquid from the tank. Limiting conditions are based on either thermal equilibrium or zero energy exchange between the pressurant gas and initial tank contents. The models are independent of gravity level and allow specification of autogenous or non-condensible pressurants. Partial liquid fill levels may be specified for initial and final conditions. Model predictions are shown to successfully bound results from limited normal-gravity tests with condensable and non-condensable pressurant gases. Representative maximum collapse factor maps are presented for liquid hydrogen to show the effects of initial and final fill level on the range of pressurant gas requirements. Maximum collapse factors occur for partial expulsions with large final liquid fill fractions.

Urothelium update: how the bladder mucosa measures bladder filling.

PubMed

Janssen, D A W; Schalken, J A; Heesakkers, J P F A

2017-06-01

This review critically evaluates the evidence on mechanoreceptors and pathways in the bladder urothelium that are involved in normal bladder filling signalling. Evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies on (i) signalling pathways like the adenosine triphosphate pathway, cholinergic pathway and nitric oxide and adrenergic pathway, and (ii) different urothelial receptors that are involved in bladder filling signalling like purinergic receptors, sodium channels and TRP channels will be evaluated. Other potential pathways and receptors will also be discussed. Bladder filling results in continuous changes in bladder wall stretch and exposure to urine. Both barrier and afferent signalling functions in the urothelium are constantly adapting to cope with these dynamics. Current evidence shows that the bladder mucosa hosts essential pathways and receptors that mediate bladder filling signalling. Intracellular calcium ion increase is a dominant factor in this signalling process. However, there is still no complete understanding how interacting receptors and pathways create a bladder filling signal. Currently, there are still novel receptors investigated that could also be participating in bladder filling signalling. Normal bladder filling sensation is dependent on multiple interacting mechanoreceptors and signalling pathways. Research efforts need to focus on how these pathways and receptors interact to fully understand normal bladder filling signalling. © 2016 Scandinavian Physiological Society. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Small-bandgap polymer solar cells with unprecedented short-circuit current density and high fill factor.

PubMed

Choi, Hyosung; Ko, Seo-Jin; Kim, Taehyo; Morin, Pierre-Olivier; Walker, Bright; Lee, Byoung Hoon; Leclerc, Mario; Kim, Jin Young; Heeger, Alan J

2015-06-03

Small-bandgap polymer solar cells (PSCs) with a thick bulk heterojunction film of 340 nm exhibit high power conversion efficiencies of 9.40% resulting from high short-circuit current density (JSC ) of 20.07 mA cm(-2) and fill factor of 0.70. This remarkable efficiency is attributed to maximized light absorption by the thick active layer and minimized recombination by the optimized lateral and vertical morphology through the processing additive. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Spatial evolution of laser filaments in turbulent air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Tao; Zhu, Shiping; Zhou, Shengling; He, Yan

2018-04-01

In this study, the spatial evolution properties of laser filament clusters in turbulent air were evaluated using numerical simulations. Various statistical parameters were calculated, such as the percolation probability, filling factor, and average cluster size. The results indicate that turbulence-induced multi-filamentation can be described as a new phase transition universality class. In addition, during this process, the relationship between the average cluster size and filling factor could be fit by a power function. Our results are valuable for applications involving filamentation that can be influenced by the geometrical features of multiple filaments.

Gastropod shell size and architecture influence the applicability of methods used to estimate internal volume.

PubMed

Ragagnin, Marilia Nagata; Gorman, Daniel; McCarthy, Ian Donald; Sant'Anna, Bruno Sampaio; de Castro, Cláudio Campi; Turra, Alexander

2018-01-11

Obtaining accurate and reproducible estimates of internal shell volume is a vital requirement for studies into the ecology of a range of shell-occupying organisms, including hermit crabs. Shell internal volume is usually estimated by filling the shell cavity with water or sand, however, there has been no systematic assessment of the reliability of these methods and moreover no comparison with modern alternatives, e.g., computed tomography (CT). This study undertakes the first assessment of the measurement reproducibility of three contrasting approaches across a spectrum of shell architectures and sizes. While our results suggested a certain level of variability inherent for all methods, we conclude that a single measure using sand/water is likely to be sufficient for the majority of studies. However, care must be taken as precision may decline with increasing shell size and structural complexity. CT provided less variation between repeat measures but volume estimates were consistently lower compared to sand/water and will need methodological improvements before it can be used as an alternative. CT indicated volume may be also underestimated using sand/water due to the presence of air spaces visible in filled shells scanned by CT. Lastly, we encourage authors to clearly describe how volume estimates were obtained.

Fabrication and Characterization of Organic Photovoltaic Cell using Keithley 2400 SMU for efficient solar cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hafeez, Hafeez Y.; Iro, Zaharaddeen S.; Adam, Bala I.; Mohammed, J.

2018-04-01

An organic solar cell device or organic photovoltaic cell (OPV) is a class of solar cell that uses conductive organic polymers or small organic molecules for light absorption and charge transport. In this study, we fabricate and characterize an organic photovoltaic cell device and estimated important parameters of the device such as Open Circuit Voltage Voc of 0.28V, Short-Circuit Current Isc of 4.0 × 10-5 A, Maximum Power Pmax of 2.4 × 10-6 W, Fill Factor of 0.214 and the energy conversion efficiency of η=0.00239% were tested using Keithley 2400,source meter under A.M 1.5 (1000/m2) illumination from a Newport Class A solar simulator. Also the I-V characteristics for OPV were drawn.

Gas hydrate saturations estimated from pore-and fracture-filling gas hydrate reservoirs in the Qilian Mountain permafrost, China.

PubMed

Xiao, Kun; Zou, Changchun; Lu, Zhenquan; Deng, Juzhi

2017-11-24

Accurate calculation of gas hydrate saturation is an important aspect of gas hydrate resource evaluation. The effective medium theory (EMT model), the velocity model based on two-phase medium theory (TPT model), and the two component laminated media model (TCLM model), are adopted to investigate the characteristics of acoustic velocity and gas hydrate saturation of pore- and fracture-filling reservoirs in the Qilian Mountain permafrost, China. The compressional wave (P-wave) velocity simulated by the EMT model is more consistent with actual log data than the TPT model in the pore-filling reservoir. The range of the gas hydrate saturation of the typical pore-filling reservoir in hole DKXX-13 is 13.0~85.0%, and the average value of the gas hydrate saturation is 61.9%, which is in accordance with the results by the standard Archie equation and actual core test. The P-wave phase velocity simulated by the TCLM model can be transformed directly into the P-wave transverse velocity in a fracture-filling reservoir. The range of the gas hydrate saturation of the typical fracture-filling reservoir in hole DKXX-19 is 14.1~89.9%, and the average value of the gas hydrate saturation is 69.4%, which is in accordance with actual core test results.

Estimating Commute Distances of U.S. Army Reservists by Regional and Unit Characteristics

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-09-01

multiple regression equation is used to estimate the parameters of the commute distance distribution as a function of reserve center and market ...used to estimate the parameters of the commute distance distribution as a function of reserve center and market characteristics. The results of the...recruiting personnel to meet unit fill rates. An important objective of the USAREC is to identify market areas that will support new reserve units [Ref. 2:p

Liquefaction at Oceano, California, during the 2003 San Simeon earthquake

USGS Publications Warehouse

Holzer, T.L.; Noce, T.E.; Bennett, M.J.; Tinsley, J. C.; Rosenberg, L.I.

2005-01-01

The 2003 M 6.5 San Simeon, California, earthquake caused liquefaction-induced lateral spreading at Oceano at an unexpectedly large distance from the seismogenic rupture. We conclude that the liquefaction was caused by ground motion that was enhanced by both rupture directivity in the mainshock and local site amplification by unconsolidated fine-grained deposits. Liquefaction occurred in sandy artificial fill and undisturbed eolian sand and fluvial deposits. The largest and most damaging lateral spread was caused by liquefaction of artificial fill; the head of this lateral spread coincided with the boundary between the artificial fill and undisturbed eolian sand deposits. Values of the liquefaction potential index, in general, were greater than 5 at liquefaction sites, the threshold value that has been proposed for liquefaction hazard mapping. Although the mainshock ground motion at Oceano was not recorded, peak ground acceleration was estimated to range from 0.25 and 0.28g on the basis of the liquefaction potential index and aftershock recordings. The estimates fall within the range of peak ground acceleration values associated with the modified Mercalli intensity = VII reported at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) "Did You Feel It?" web site.

The Effect of Altitude on Intraocular Pressure in Vitrectomized Eyes with Sulfur Hexafluoride Tamponade by the Friedenwald Method: Rabbit Animal Model

PubMed Central

Fromow-Guerra, Jans; Solís-Vivanco, Adriana; Perez-Reguera, Adriana; Quiroz-Mercado, Hugo; Meza-de Regil, Armando; Papa-Oliva, Gabriela; Morales-Cantón, Virgilio

2016-01-01

The aim of this study is to assess the change in intraocular pressure after a road trip, in eyes with different levels of filling with gas tamponade. Five rabbit eyes were subject to pars plana vitrectomy and gas tamponade (filling percentage: 25%, 50%, and 100% of nonexpansile SF6, 100% saline solution, and 100% room air). A sixth eye was injected with 0.35 cc of undiluted SF6 without vitrectomy. Guided by global positioning system, they were driven to the highest point of the highway connecting Mexico City with Puebla city and back, stopping every 300 m to assess intraocular pressure. The rabbit's scleral rigidity and estimation for human eyes were done by using the Friedenwald nomogram. Maximum altitude was 3209 m (Δ949 m). There were significant differences in intraocular pressure on the rabbit eyes filled with SF6 at 100%, 50%, 25%, and 100% room air. Per every 100 m of altitude rise, the intraocular pressure increased by 1.53, 1.0046, 0.971, and 0.97 mmHg, respectively. Using the human Friedenwald rigidity coefficient, the human eye estimate for intraocular pressure change was 2.1, 1.8, 1.4, and 1.1 mmHg per every 100 m of attitude rise. Altitude changes have a significant impact on intraocular pressure. The final effect depends on the percentage of vitreous cavity fill and scleral rigidity. PMID:27957500

The Effect of Altitude on Intraocular Pressure in Vitrectomized Eyes with Sulfur Hexafluoride Tamponade by the Friedenwald Method: Rabbit Animal Model.

PubMed

Fromow-Guerra, Jans; Solís-Vivanco, Adriana; Velez-Montoya, Raul; Perez-Reguera, Adriana; Quiroz-Mercado, Hugo; Meza-de Regil, Armando; Papa-Oliva, Gabriela; Morales-Cantón, Virgilio

2016-01-01

The aim of this study is to assess the change in intraocular pressure after a road trip, in eyes with different levels of filling with gas tamponade. Five rabbit eyes were subject to pars plana vitrectomy and gas tamponade (filling percentage: 25%, 50%, and 100% of nonexpansile SF 6 , 100% saline solution, and 100% room air). A sixth eye was injected with 0.35 cc of undiluted SF 6 without vitrectomy. Guided by global positioning system, they were driven to the highest point of the highway connecting Mexico City with Puebla city and back, stopping every 300 m to assess intraocular pressure. The rabbit's scleral rigidity and estimation for human eyes were done by using the Friedenwald nomogram. Maximum altitude was 3209 m (Δ949 m). There were significant differences in intraocular pressure on the rabbit eyes filled with SF 6 at 100%, 50%, 25%, and 100% room air. Per every 100 m of altitude rise, the intraocular pressure increased by 1.53, 1.0046, 0.971, and 0.97 mmHg, respectively. Using the human Friedenwald rigidity coefficient, the human eye estimate for intraocular pressure change was 2.1, 1.8, 1.4, and 1.1 mmHg per every 100 m of attitude rise. Altitude changes have a significant impact on intraocular pressure. The final effect depends on the percentage of vitreous cavity fill and scleral rigidity.

Investigation on the fiber based approach to estimate the axial load carrying capacity of the circular concrete filled steel tube (CFST)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piscesa, B.; Attard, M. M.; Suprobo, P.; Samani, A. K.

2017-11-01

External confining devices are often used to enhance the strength and ductility of reinforced concrete columns. Among the available external confining devices, steel tube is one of the most widely used in construction. However, steel tube has some drawbacks such as local buckling which needs to be considered when estimating the axial load carrying capacity of the concrete-filled-steel-tube (CFST) column. To tackle this problem in design, Eurocode 4 provided guidelines to estimate the effective yield strength of the steel tube material. To study the behavior of CFST column, in this paper, a non-linear analysis using a fiber-based approach was conducted. The use of the fiber-based approach allows the engineers to predict not only the axial load carrying capacity but also the complete load-deformation curve of the CFST columns for a known confining pressure. In the proposed fiber-based approach, an inverse analysis is used to estimate the constant confining pressure similar to design-oriented models. This paper also presents comparisons between the fiber-based approach model with the experimental results and the 3D non-linear finite element analysis.

An Efficient Scheme for Updating Sparse Cholesky Factors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Raghavan, Padma

2002-01-01

Raghavan had earlier developed the software package DCSPACK which can be used for solving sparse linear systems where the coefficient matrix is symmetric and positive definite (this project was not funded by NASA but by agencies such as NSF). DSCPACK-S is the serial code and DSCPACK-P is a parallel implementation suitable for multiprocessors or networks-of-workstations with message passing using MCI. The main algorithm used is the Cholesky factorization of a sparse symmetric positive positive definite matrix A = LL(T). The code can also compute the factorization A = LDL(T). The complexity of the software arises from several factors relating to the sparsity of the matrix A. A sparse N x N matrix A has typically less that cN nonzeroes where c is a small constant. If the matrix were dense, it would have O(N2) nonzeroes. The most complicated part of such sparse Cholesky factorization relates to fill-in, i.e., zeroes in the original matrix that become nonzeroes in the factor L. An efficient implementation depends to a large extent on complex data structures and on techniques from graph theory to reduce, identify, and manage fill. DSCPACK is based on an efficient multifrontal implementation with fill-managing algorithms and implementation arising from earlier research by Raghavan and others. Sparse Cholesky factorization is typically a four step process: (1) ordering to compute a fill-reducing numbering, (2) symbolic factorization to determine the nonzero structure of L, (3) numeric factorization to compute L, and, (4) triangular solution to solve L(T)x = y and Ly = b. The first two steps are symbolic and are performed using the graph of the matrix. The numeric factorization step is of dominant cost and there are several schemes for improving performance by exploiting the nested and dense structure of groups of columns in the factor. The latter are aimed at better utilization of the cache-memory hierarchy on modem processors to prevent cache-misses and provide execution rates (operations/second) that are close to the peak rates for dense matrix computations. Currently, EPISCOPACY is being used in an application at NASA directed by J. Newman and M. James. We propose the implementation of efficient schemes for updating the LL(T) or LDL(T) factors computed in DSCPACK-S to meet the computational requirements of their project. A brief description is provided in the next section.

ASRM Case Insulation development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tam, W. F. S.; Bell, M.

1993-01-01

The ASRM Case Insulation Program used design of experiments to develop a high performance case insulation. The program traded-off more than thirty properties in areas of ablation performance, material properties, processibility, bonding/aging. Kevlar pulp was found to be the most significant factor. The low-molecular weight ethylene propylene diene monomer, EPDM was the second most significant factor. The curative was the third most significant factor. The tackifier was the fourth most significant factor. The stripwinding process for applying the insulation onto the case inner surfaces was also studied. The parameters selected for experiment were extruder speed, upper roller temperature and extruder nozzle temperature. The extrudability results showed that non-Kevlar filled formulations displayed optimum edges but poor thickness continuity. High Kevlar filled formulations displayed optimum thickness continuity but poor strip edge ratings.

ASRM Case Insulation development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tam, W. F. S.; Bell, M.

1993-06-01

The ASRM Case Insulation Program used design of experiments to develop a high performance case insulation. The program traded-off more than thirty properties in areas of ablation performance, material properties, processibility, bonding/aging. Kevlar pulp was found to be the most significant factor. The low-molecular weight ethylene propylene diene monomer, EPDM was the second most significant factor. The curative was the third most significant factor. The tackifier was the fourth most significant factor. The stripwinding process for applying the insulation onto the case inner surfaces was also studied. The parameters selected for experiment were extruder speed, upper roller temperature and extruder nozzle temperature. The extrudability results showed that non-Kevlar filled formulations displayed optimum edges but poor thickness continuity. High Kevlar filled formulations displayed optimum thickness continuity but poor strip edge ratings.

Predictive Coding: A Possible Explanation of Filling-In at the Blind Spot

PubMed Central

Raman, Rajani; Sarkar, Sandip

2016-01-01

Filling-in at the blind spot is a perceptual phenomenon in which the visual system fills the informational void, which arises due to the absence of retinal input corresponding to the optic disc, with surrounding visual attributes. It is known that during filling-in, nonlinear neural responses are observed in the early visual area that correlates with the perception, but the knowledge of underlying neural mechanism for filling-in at the blind spot is far from complete. In this work, we attempted to present a fresh perspective on the computational mechanism of filling-in process in the framework of hierarchical predictive coding, which provides a functional explanation for a range of neural responses in the cortex. We simulated a three-level hierarchical network and observe its response while stimulating the network with different bar stimulus across the blind spot. We find that the predictive-estimator neurons that represent blind spot in primary visual cortex exhibit elevated non-linear response when the bar stimulated both sides of the blind spot. Using generative model, we also show that these responses represent the filling-in completion. All these results are consistent with the finding of psychophysical and physiological studies. In this study, we also demonstrate that the tolerance in filling-in qualitatively matches with the experimental findings related to non-aligned bars. We discuss this phenomenon in the predictive coding paradigm and show that all our results could be explained by taking into account the efficient coding of natural images along with feedback and feed-forward connections that allow priors and predictions to co-evolve to arrive at the best prediction. These results suggest that the filling-in process could be a manifestation of the general computational principle of hierarchical predictive coding of natural images. PMID:26959812

Underutilization of high-intensity statin therapy after hospitalization for coronary heart disease.

PubMed

Rosenson, Robert S; Kent, Shia T; Brown, Todd M; Farkouh, Michael E; Levitan, Emily B; Yun, Huifeng; Sharma, Pradeep; Safford, Monika M; Kilgore, Meredith; Muntner, Paul; Bittner, Vera

2015-01-27

National guidelines recommend use of high-intensity statins after hospitalization for coronary heart disease (CHD) events. This study sought to estimate the proportion of Medicare beneficiaries filling prescriptions for high-intensity statins after hospital discharge for a CHD event and to analyze whether statin intensity before hospitalization is associated with statin intensity after discharge. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using a 5% random sample of Medicare beneficiaries between 65 and 74 years old. Beneficiaries were included in the analysis if they filled a statin prescription after a CHD event (myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization) in 2007, 2008, or 2009. High-intensity statins included atorvastatin 40 to 80 mg, rosuvastatin 20 to 40 mg, and simvastatin 80 mg. Among 8,762 Medicare beneficiaries filling a statin prescription after a CHD event, 27% of first post-discharge fills were for a high-intensity statin. The percent filling a high-intensity statin post-discharge was 23.1%, 9.4%, and 80.7%, for beneficiaries not taking statins pre-hospitalization, taking low/moderate-intensity statins, and taking high-intensity statins before their CHD event, respectively. Compared with beneficiaries not on statin therapy pre-hospitalization, multivariable adjusted risk ratios for filling a high-intensity statin were 4.01 (3.58-4.49) and 0.45 (0.40-0.52) for participants taking high-intensity and low/moderate-intensity statins before their CHD event, respectively. Only 11.5% of beneficiaries whose first post-discharge statin fill was for a low/moderate-intensity statin filled a high-intensity statin within 365 days of discharge. The majority of Medicare beneficiaries do not fill high-intensity statins after hospitalization for CHD. Copyright © 2015 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Has Medicare Part D Reduced Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Prescription Drug Use and Spending?

PubMed Central

Mahmoudi, Elham; Jensen, Gail A

2014-01-01

Objective To evaluate whether Medicare Part D has reduced racial/ethnic disparities in prescription drug utilization and spending. Data Nationally representative data on white, African American, and Hispanic Medicare seniors from the 2002–2009 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey are analyzed. Five measures are examined: filling any prescriptions during the year, the number of prescriptions filled, total annual prescription spending, annual out-of-pocket prescription spending, and average copay level. Study Design We apply the Institute of Medicine's definition of a racial/ethnic disparity and adopt a difference-in-difference-in-differences (DDD) estimator using a multivariate regression framework. The treatment group consists of Medicare seniors, the comparison group, adults without Medicare aged 55–63 years. Principal Findings Difference-in-difference-in-differences estimates suggest that for African Americans Part D increased the disparity in annual spending on prescription drugs by $258 (p = .011), yet had no effect on other measures of prescription drug disparities. For Hispanics, DDD estimates suggest that the program reduced the disparities in annual number of prescriptions filled, annual total and out-of-pocket spending on prescription drugs by 2.9 (p = .077), $282 (p = .019) and $143 (p < .001), respectively. Conclusion Medicare Part D had mixed effects. Although it reduced Hispanic/white disparities related to prescription drugs among seniors, it increased the African American/white disparity in total annual spending on prescription drugs. PMID:24102408

The complex frequencies of long-period seismic events as probes of fluid composition beneath volcanoes

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kumagai, H.; Chouet, B.A.

1999-01-01

Long-period (LP) events have been widely observed in relation to magmatic and hydrothermal activities in volcanic areas. LP waveforms characterized by their harmonic signature have been interpreted as oscillations of a fluid-filled resonator, and mixtures of liquid and gas in the form of bubbly liquids have been mainly assumed for the fluid. To investigate the characteristic properties of the resonator system, we analyse waveforms of LP events observed at four different volcanoes in Hawaii, Alaska, Colombia and Japan using a newly developed spectral method. This method allows an estimation of the complex frequencies of decaying sinusoids based on an autoregressive model. The results of our analysis show a wide variety of Q factors, ranging from tens to several hundred. We compare these complex frequencies with those predicted by the fluid-filled crack model for various mixtures of liquid, gas and ash. Although the oscillations of LP events with Q smaller than 50 can be explained by various combinations of liquids and gases, we find that ash-laden gases are required to explain long-lasting oscillations with Q larger than 100. The complex frequencies of LP events yield useful information on the types of fluids. Temporal and spatial variations of the complex frequencies can be used as probes of fluid composition beneath volcanoes.

Niche filling slows the diversification of Himalayan songbirds.

PubMed

Price, Trevor D; Hooper, Daniel M; Buchanan, Caitlyn D; Johansson, Ulf S; Tietze, D Thomas; Alström, Per; Olsson, Urban; Ghosh-Harihar, Mousumi; Ishtiaq, Farah; Gupta, Sandeep K; Martens, Jochen; Harr, Bettina; Singh, Pratap; Mohan, Dhananjai

2014-05-08

Speciation generally involves a three-step process--range expansion, range fragmentation and the development of reproductive isolation between spatially separated populations. Speciation relies on cycling through these three steps and each may limit the rate at which new species form. We estimate phylogenetic relationships among all Himalayan songbirds to ask whether the development of reproductive isolation and ecological competition, both factors that limit range expansions, set an ultimate limit on speciation. Based on a phylogeny for all 358 species distributed along the eastern elevational gradient, here we show that body size and shape differences evolved early in the radiation, with the elevational band occupied by a species evolving later. These results are consistent with competition for niche space limiting species accumulation. Even the elevation dimension seems to be approaching ecological saturation, because the closest relatives both inside the assemblage and elsewhere in the Himalayas are on average separated by more than five million years, which is longer than it generally takes for reproductive isolation to be completed; also, elevational distributions are well explained by resource availability, notably the abundance of arthropods, and not by differences in diversification rates in different elevational zones. Our results imply that speciation rate is ultimately set by niche filling (that is, ecological competition for resources), rather than by the rate of acquisition of reproductive isolation.

An effective approach for gap-filling continental scale remotely sensed time-series

PubMed Central

Weiss, Daniel J.; Atkinson, Peter M.; Bhatt, Samir; Mappin, Bonnie; Hay, Simon I.; Gething, Peter W.

2014-01-01

The archives of imagery and modeled data products derived from remote sensing programs with high temporal resolution provide powerful resources for characterizing inter- and intra-annual environmental dynamics. The impressive depth of available time-series from such missions (e.g., MODIS and AVHRR) affords new opportunities for improving data usability by leveraging spatial and temporal information inherent to longitudinal geospatial datasets. In this research we develop an approach for filling gaps in imagery time-series that result primarily from cloud cover, which is particularly problematic in forested equatorial regions. Our approach consists of two, complementary gap-filling algorithms and a variety of run-time options that allow users to balance competing demands of model accuracy and processing time. We applied the gap-filling methodology to MODIS Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and daytime and nighttime Land Surface Temperature (LST) datasets for the African continent for 2000–2012, with a 1 km spatial resolution, and an 8-day temporal resolution. We validated the method by introducing and filling artificial gaps, and then comparing the original data with model predictions. Our approach achieved R2 values above 0.87 even for pixels within 500 km wide introduced gaps. Furthermore, the structure of our approach allows estimation of the error associated with each gap-filled pixel based on the distance to the non-gap pixels used to model its fill value, thus providing a mechanism for including uncertainty associated with the gap-filling process in downstream applications of the resulting datasets. PMID:25642100

Left atrial strain: a new parameter for assessment of left ventricular filling pressure.

PubMed

Cameli, Matteo; Mandoli, Giulia Elena; Loiacono, Ferdinando; Dini, Frank Lloyd; Henein, Michael; Mondillo, Sergio

2016-01-01

In order to obtain accurate diagnosis, treatment and prognostication in many cardiac conditions, there is a need for assessment of left ventricular (LV) filling pressure. While systole depends on ejection function of LV, diastole and its disturbances influence filling function and pressures. The commonest condition that represents the latter is heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in which LV ejection is maintained, but diastole is disturbed and hence filling pressures are raised. Significant diastolic dysfunction results in raised LV end-diastolic pressure, mean left atrial (LA) pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, all referred to as LV filling pressures. Left and right heart catheterization has traditionally been used as the gold standard investigation for assessing these pressures. More recently, Doppler echocardiography has taken over such application because of its noninvasive nature and for being patient friendly. A number of indices are used to achieve accurate assessment of filling pressures including: LV pulsed-wave filling velocities (E/A ratio, E wave deceleration time), pulmonary venous flow (S wave and D wave), tissue Doppler imaging (E' wave and E/E' ratio) and LA volume index. LA longitudinal strain derived from speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is also sensitive in estimating intracavitary pressures. It is angle-independent, thus overcomes Doppler limitations and provides highly reproducible measures of LA deformation. This review examines the application of various Doppler echocardiographic techniques in assessing LV filling pressures, in particular the emerging role of STE in assessing LA pressures in various conditions, e.g., HF, arterial hypertension and atrial fibrillation.

Multiple Imputation of Groundwater Data to Evaluate Spatial and Temporal Anthropogenic Influences on Subsurface Water Fluxes in Los Angeles, CA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manago, K. F.; Hogue, T. S.; Hering, A. S.

2014-12-01

In the City of Los Angeles, groundwater accounts for 11% of the total water supply on average, and 30% during drought years. Due to ongoing drought in California, increased reliance on local water supply highlights the need for better understanding of regional groundwater dynamics and estimating sustainable groundwater supply. However, in an urban setting, such as Los Angeles, understanding or modeling groundwater levels is extremely complicated due to various anthropogenic influences such as groundwater pumping, artificial recharge, landscape irrigation, leaking infrastructure, seawater intrusion, and extensive impervious surfaces. This study analyzes anthropogenic effects on groundwater levels using groundwater monitoring well data from the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works. The groundwater data is irregularly sampled with large gaps between samples, resulting in a sparsely populated dataset. A multiple imputation method is used to fill the missing data, allowing for multiple ensembles and improved error estimates. The filled data is interpolated to create spatial groundwater maps utilizing information from all wells. The groundwater data is evaluated at a monthly time step over the last several decades to analyze the effect of land cover and identify other influencing factors on groundwater levels spatially and temporally. Preliminary results show irrigated parks have the largest influence on groundwater fluctuations, resulting in large seasonal changes, exceeding changes in spreading grounds. It is assumed that these fluctuations are caused by watering practices required to sustain non-native vegetation. Conversely, high intensity urbanized areas resulted in muted groundwater fluctuations and behavior decoupling from climate patterns. Results provides improved understanding of anthropogenic effects on groundwater levels in addition to providing high quality datasets for validation of regional groundwater models.

Ready-to-use pre-filled syringes of atropine for anaesthesia care in French hospitals - a budget impact analysis.

PubMed

Benhamou, Dan; Piriou, Vincent; De Vaumas, Cyrille; Albaladejo, Pierre; Malinovsky, Jean-Marc; Doz, Marianne; Lafuma, Antoine; Bouaziz, Hervé

2017-04-01

Patient safety is improved by the use of labelled, ready-to-use, pre-filled syringes (PFS) when compared to conventional methods of syringe preparation (CMP) of the same product from an ampoule. However, the PFS presentation costs more than the CMP presentation. To estimate the budget impact for French hospitals of switching from atropine in ampoules to atropine PFS for anaesthesia care. A model was constructed to simulate the financial consequences of the use of atropine PFS in operating theatres, taking into account wastage and medication errors. The model tested different scenarios and a sensitivity analysis was performed. In a reference scenario, the systematic use of atropine PFS rather than atropine CMP yielded a net one-year budget saving of €5,255,304. Medication errors outweighed other cost factors relating to the use of atropine CMP (€9,425,448). Avoidance of wastage in the case of atropine CMP (prepared and unused) was a major source of savings (€1,167,323). Significant savings were made by means of other scenarios examined. The sensitivity analysis suggests that the results obtained are robust and stable for a range of parameter estimates and assumptions. The financial model was based on data obtained from the literature and expert opinions. The budget impact analysis shows that even though atropine PFS is more expensive than atropine CMP, its use would lead to significant cost savings. Savings would mainly be due to fewer medication errors and their associated consequences and the absence of wastage when atropine syringes are prepared in advance. Copyright © 2016 Société française d'anesthésie et de réanimation (Sfar). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Investigation of sub-slab pressure field extension in specified granular fill materials incorporating a sump-based soil depressurisation system for radon mitigation.

PubMed

Hung, Le Chi; Goggins, Jamie; Fuente, Marta; Foley, Mark

2018-05-14

Design of bearing layers (granular fill material layers) is important for a house with a soil depressurisation (SD) system for indoor radon mitigation. These layers should not only satisfy the bearing capacity and serviceability criteria but should also provide a sufficient degree of the air permeability for the system. Previous studies have shown that a critical parameter for a SD system is the sub-slab pressure field extension in the bearing layers, but this issue has not been systematically investigated. A series of two-dimensional computational fluid dynamic simulations that investigate the behaviour of the sub-slab pressure field extension developed in a SD system is presented in this paper. The SD system considered in this paper consists of a granular fill material layer and a radon sump. The granular fill materials are 'T1 Struc' and 'T2 Perm', which are standard materials for building in the Republic of Ireland. Different conditions, which might be encountered in a practical situation, were examined. The results show that the air permeability and thickness of the granular fill materials are the two key factors which affect the sub slab pressure field extension (SPFE) significantly. Furthermore, the air permeability of native soil is found to be a fundamental factor for the SPFE so that it should be well understood when designing a SD system. Therefore, these factors should be considered sufficiently in each practical situation. Finally, a significant improvement of the pressure field extension can be achieved by ensuring air tightness of the SD system. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Polystyrene Foam Products Equation of State as a Function of Porosity and Fill Gas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mulford, R. N.; Swift, D. C.

2009-12-01

An accurate EOS for polystyrene foam is necessary for analysis of numerous experiments in shock compression, inertial confinement fusion, and astrophysics. Plastic to gas ratios vary between various samples of foam, according to the density and cell-size of the foam. A matrix of compositions has been investigated, allowing prediction of foam response as a function of the plastic-to-air ratio. The EOS code CHEETAH allows participation of the air in the decomposition reaction of the foam. Differences between air-filled, Ar-blown, and CO2-blown foams are investigated, to estimate the importance of allowing air to react with products of polystyrene decomposition. O2-blown foams are included in some comparisons, to amplify any consequences of reaction with oxygen in air. He-blown foams are included in some comparisons, to provide an extremum of density. Product pressures are slightly higher for oxygen-containing fill gases than for non-oxygen-containing fill gases. Examination of product species indicates that CO2 decomposes at high temperatures.

Tank measurements of scattering from a resin-filled fiberglass spherical shell with internal flaws.

PubMed

Tesei, Alessandra; Guerrini, Piero; Zampolli, Mario

2008-08-01

This paper presents results of acoustic inversion and structural health monitoring achieved by means of low to midfrequency elastic scattering analysis of simple, curved objects, insonified in a water tank. Acoustic elastic scattering measurements were conducted between 15 and 100 kHz on a 60-mm-radius fiberglass spherical shell, filled with a low-shear-speed epoxy resin. Preliminary measurements were conducted also on the void shell before filling, and on a solid sphere of the same material as the filler. These data were used to estimate the constituent material parameters via acoustic inversion. The objects were measured in the backscatter direction, suspended at midwater, and insonified by a broadband directional transducer. From the inspection of the response of the solid-filled shell it was possible to detect and characterize significant inhomogeneities of the interior (air pockets), the presence of which were later confirmed by x-ray CT scan and ultrasound measurements. Elastic wave analysis and a model-data comparison study support the physical interpretation of the measurements.

Different Signatures of the Total Filling Factor 1 State

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiemann, Lars; Yoon, Youngsoo; Schmult, Stefan; Hauser, Maik; Dietsche, Werner; von Klitzing, Klaus

2009-03-01

Bringing two 2-dimensional electron systems in close proximity can yield a correlated state as the electrons will experience the presence of the neighboring system. At the individual filling factors of 1/2 this leads to a new double-layer ground state as positive and negative charges from opposite layers couple to excitons. Many remarkable properties were found such as vanishing Hall and longitudinal resistances in the counterflow configuration [1], a resonantly enhanced zero bias tunneling peak [2], and more recently, a critical DC tunneling current and vanishingly small interlayer resistances in DC measurements [3]. We will show how it is possible to combine the results of these three different measurements into a consistent picture. Under certain conditions it is possible to exceed the critical currents but still observe a minimum at total filling factor 1 in the counterflow configuration.[1] M. Kellogg et al. PRL 93, 036801 (2004); E. Tutuc et al. PRL 93, 036802 (2004)[2] I.B. Spielman et al., PRL 87, 036803 (2001)[3] L. Tiemann et al., New Journal of Physics 10, 045018 (2008)

High-surface-area architectures for improved charge transfer kinetics at the dark electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells.

PubMed

Hoffeditz, William L; Katz, Michael J; Deria, Pravas; Martinson, Alex B F; Pellin, Michael J; Farha, Omar K; Hupp, Joseph T

2014-06-11

Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) redox shuttles other than triiodide/iodide have exhibited significantly higher charge transfer resistances at the dark electrode. This often results in poor fill factor, a severe detriment to device performance. Rather than moving to dark electrodes of untested materials that may have higher catalytic activity for specific shuttles, the surface area of platinum dark electrodes could be increased, improving the catalytic activity by simply presenting more catalyst to the shuttle solution. A new copper-based redox shuttle that experiences extremely high charge-transfer resistance at conventional Pt dark electrodes yields cells having fill-factors of less than 0.3. By replacing the standard Pt dark electrode with an inverse opal Pt electrode fabricated via atomic layer deposition, the dark electrode surface area is boosted by ca. 50-fold. The resulting increase in interfacial electron transfer rate (decrease in charge-transfer resistance) nearly doubles the fill factor and therefore the overall energy conversion efficiency, illustrating the utility of this high-area electrode for DSCs.

Advancements in high-power high-brightness laser bars and single emitters for pumping and direct diode application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

An, Haiyan; Jiang, Ching-Long J.; Xiong, Yihan; Zhang, Qiang; Inyang, Aloysius; Felder, Jason; Lewin, Alexander; Roff, Robert; Heinemann, Stefan; Schmidt, Berthold; Treusch, Georg

2015-03-01

We have continuously optimized high fill factor bar and packaging design to increase power and efficiency for thin disc laser system pump application. On the other hand, low fill factor bars packaged on the same direct copper bonded (DCB) cooling platform are used to build multi-kilowatt direct diode laser systems. We have also optimized the single emitter designs for fiber laser pump applications. In this paper, we will give an overview of our recent advances in high power high brightness laser bars and single emitters for pumping and direct diode application. We will present 300W bar development results for our next generation thin disk laser pump source. We will also show recent improvements on slow axis beam quality of low fill factor bar and its application on performance improvement of 4-5 kW TruDiode laser system with BPP of 30 mm*mrad from a 600 μm fiber. Performance and reliability results of single emitter for multiemitter fiber laser pump source will be presented as well.

Relative elemental abundance and heating constraints determined for the solar corona from SERTS measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Falconer, David A.

1994-01-01

Intensities of EUV spectral lines were measured as a function of radius off the solar limb by two flights of Goddard's Solar EUV Rocket Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS) for three quiet sun regions. The density scale height, line-ratio densities, line-ratio temperatures, and emission measures were determined. The line-ratio temperature determined from the ionization balances of Arnaud and Rothenflug (1985) were more self-consistent than the line-ratio temperatures obtained from the values of Arnaud and Raymond (1992). Limits on the filling factor were determined from the emission measure and the line-ratio densities for all three regions. The relative abundances of silicon, aluminum, and chromium to iron were determined. Results did agree with standard coronal relative elemental abundances for one observation, but did not agree for another. Aluminum was overabundant while silicon was underabundant. Heating was required above 1.15 solar radii for all three regions studied. For two regions, local nonconductive heating is needed for any filling factor, and in all three regions for filling factor of 0.1.

Implementation uncertainty when using recreational hunting to manage carnivores

PubMed Central

Bischof, Richard; Nilsen, Erlend B; Brøseth, Henrik; Männil, Peep; Ozoliņš, Jaānis; Linnell, John D C; Bode, Michael

2012-01-01

1. Wildlife managers often rely on resource users, such as recreational or commercial hunters, to achieve management goals. The use of hunters to control wildlife populations is especially common for predators and ungulates, but managers cannot assume that hunters will always fill annual quotas set by the authorities. It has been advocated that resource management models should account for uncertainty in how harvest rules are realized, requiring that this implementation uncertainty be estimated. 2. We used a survival analysis framework and long-term harvest data from large carnivore management systems in three countries (Estonia, Latvia and Norway) involving four species (brown bear, grey wolf, Eurasian lynx and wolverine) to estimate the performance of hunters with respect to harvest goals set by managers. 3. Variation in hunter quota-filling performance was substantial, ranging from 40% for wolverine in Norway to nearly 100% for lynx in Latvia. Seasonal and regional variation was also high within country–species pairs. We detected a positive relationship between the instantaneous potential to fill a quota slot and the relative availability of the target species for both wolverine and lynx in Norway. 4. Survivor curves and hazards – with survival time measured as the time from the start of a season until a quota slot is filled – can indicate the extent to which managers can influence harvest through adjustments of season duration and quota limits. 5. Synthesis and applications. We investigated seven systems where authorities use recreational hunting to manage large carnivore populations. The variation and magnitude of deviation from harvest goals was substantial, underlining the need to incorporate implementation uncertainty into resource management models and decisions-making. We illustrate how survival analysis can be used by managers to estimate the performance of resource users with respect to achieving harvest goals set by managers. The findings in this study come at an opportune time given the growing popularity of management strategy evaluation (MSE) models in fisheries and a push towards incorporating MSE into terrestrial harvest management. PMID:23197878

Dentition Status and Treatment Needs among Women involved in Sex Work as a Profession in the Red Light District of Pune, Maharashtra, India: A Cross-sectional Study.

PubMed

Muralidharan, Shrikanth; Acharya, Arun K; Sevekari, Tejaswi; Margabandhu, Shanthi; Rupawat, Divya; Khan, Rehan; Desale, Mandakini

2018-03-01

The overall rehabilitation of women in sex work is unfortunately limited most of the time only to moving them to another profession, but it should be focused on including health as an important factor. Factors that restrict regular dental care include misconceptions, dental fear and expense of dental care, unpleasant dental experiences, and socioeconomic factors, but such a direct correlation cannot be made in the case of such women. Until now, no study has been conducted related to the complete dentition status and treatment needs of women in sex work. The aim of our survey was to evaluate the dentition status and treatment needs among the brothel-based women engaged in sex work. A pilot study was conducted on 30 women and the final sample size was estimated to be 350. All the women were above 18 years old. Systematic random sampling method was followed after line listing of the brothels. The dentition status and treatment needs were recorded using the World Health Organization assessment form, 1997. The data collected were tabulated and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 16.0. The Chi-squared test was carried out to check the association, and all p-values below 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. The mean number of decayed teeth per person was 5.05 (±4.81), missing teeth per person was 0.96 ± 2.71, filled teeth per person was 0.04 (±0.34), and the mean of decayed missing filled permanent teeth per person was 6.05 (±5.84). There was a significant association between dental caries and age, using finger to clean the teeth, and not visiting the dentist. Due to different risk factors, such as diet, improper oral hygiene maintenance, and substance abuse, the overall dental health was found to be compromised in this population. Economic burden is an important factor that influences their attitude toward oral health and is likely to be inherited by their next generation also.

Permeability estimations and frictional flow features passing through porous media comprised of structured microbeads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shin, C.

2017-12-01

Permeability estimation has been extensively researched in diverse fields; however, methods that suitably consider varying geometries and changes within the flow region, for example, hydraulic fracture closing for several years, are yet to be developed. Therefore, in the present study a new permeability estimation method is presented based on the generalized Darcy's friction flow relation, in particular, by examining frictional flow parameters and characteristics of their variations. For this examination, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of simple hydraulic fractures filled with five layers of structured microbeads and accompanied by geometry changes and flow transitions are performed. Consequently, it was checked whether the main structures and shapes of each flow path are preserved, even for geometry variations within porous media. However, the scarcity and discontinuity of streamlines increase dramatically in the transient- and turbulent-flow regions. The quantitative and analytic examinations of the frictional flow features were also performed. Accordingly, the modified frictional flow parameters were successfully presented as similarity parameters of porous flows. In conclusion, the generalized Darcy's friction flow relation and friction equivalent permeability (FEP) equation were both modified using the similarity parameters. For verification, the FEP values of the other aperture models were estimated and then it was checked whether they agreed well with the original permeability values. Ultimately, the proposed and verified method is expected to efficiently estimate permeability variations in porous media with changing geometric factors and flow regions, including such instances as hydraulic fracture closings.

Infilling of the Hudson River Estuary During the Late Holocene (3000ka to Present): Implications for Estuarine Stratigraphic Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McHugh, C. M.; Pekar, S. F.; Ryan, W. B.; Carbotte, S.; Bell, R.; Burckle, L.

2002-12-01

Estuaries are widely preserved in the geologic record and the estuarine fill, contained between non-marine sediment, provides an excellent temporal marker for continental margin studies. Estuarine stratigraphic models have provided a framework within which to interpret the estuarine fill. However, estuarine systems differ greatly in the shape of their valleys, the tectonic boundaries they cross, and in sediment supply so that their position in the geologic record may be out of sequence with that predicted by the models. New insights into estuarine systems and models are provided by the Hudson River Estuary (HRE; New York State) based on >150 cores and grab sediment samples and acoustic images documenting in great detail how the HRE filled its earlier excavated valley during the latest Holocene (3ka to present). Radiocarbon and 137-Cs radioisotope ages, borehole, and core data document the sedimentation patterns of the estuary. Diatom assemblages provide estimates of the shallowing-upwards of the estuary as its basin filled with sediments. The three areas of the stratigraphic model present in the HRE, include zones formed within inner fluvial and outer marine areas, (containing coarse-grained, sands and gravels), and a central area (containing fine-grained, silts and clays), that are nearly filled with little room for sediments to accumulate at or near sea-level. This has resulted in sedimentary bypass for almost the entire length the estuary. South of Kingston, fine-grained sediments have ceased accumulating when the bottom approaches wave base. Upstream from Kingston, final filling occurs as sediments fill in the remaining accommodation, forming islands. This should result in the export of sediment to the coastal zone. Instead, localized areas of sediment trapping still exist, which are related to the Hudson Valley Highlands and to the location of the estuarine turbidity maximum that hold large volumes of sediment. As a result minor volumes of Recent sediment are accumulating in coastal bays (Sandy Hook, New Jersey) and on the inner shelf, and sediment export to the Hudson Shelf Valley on the mid-shelf is nearly non-existent, with sediments dated at 14ka from 14-C on the outer shelf. Additionally, anthropogenic activities (construction of bridges and dredging) alter sedimentation patterns in the estuary leading to continued localized erosion and deposition. For example, sediment export onto the shelf is taking place, not by natural processes but by dredging. The variability documented for the HRE indicates that although estuarine and stratigraphic models provide a framework for continental margin studies, the models need to be interpreted, taking into consideration these factors.

Subsurface mapping of the Ross Island flexural basin, southwest Antarctica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wenman, Christopher P.

Ross Island is a post-Miocene (< 4.6 Ma) volcanic island located in the Ross Sea region of southwest Antarctica. This region of Antarctica borders the western edge of the West Antarctic Rift System, along the Transantarctic Mountain front. Marine and over-ice multi-channel seismic reflection surveys and borehole studies targeting the Ross Sea region over the last 30+ years have been used in this study to develop a seismic stratigraphic model of the development and evolution of the Ross Island flexural basin. Four key stratigraphic horizons were identified and mapped to fully capture the basin-fill, as well as strata lying above and below the flexural basin. From oldest to youngest these horizons are named RIB-m, RIM-g, RIM-b and RIB-r. Time structure, isochron and isochore maps were created for the horizons and the stratigraphic intervals they bound. The seismic stratigraphic record shows the Ross Island flexural moat formation post-dates the main tectonic subsidence phase within the Victoria Land Basin. The maps presented here are the first to fully illustrate the evolution of the Ross Island flexural basin. The maps highlight depositional patterns of two distinct periods of flexural subsidence and basin-filling superimposed on the older N-S trending Victoria Land Basin depocenter. Two units of flexural basin fill, Unit FFI between horizons RIM-g and RIM-b (the oldest flexural basin fill), and Unit FFII between horizons RIM-b and RIB-r (the youngest flexural basin fill) are associated with the two periods of flexural subsidence. Flexural moat subsidence and subsequent filling occurred episodically during periods of active volcanism on the island. Unit FFI is estimated to range from ca. 4 to 2 Ma, corresponding with formation of the Mt. Bird volcanic edifice on Ross Island. Unit FFII ranges in age from ca. 2 to 1 Ma, and is related to Mt. Terror, Mt. Erebus, and Hut Point Peninsula volcanism. The isochore maps suggest the depocenter of the flexural basin during both time intervals was located north of the island, instead of directly beneath the Ross Island topographic load. Factors contributing to the northerly location of the depocenter include i) volcanic loading by McMurdo Volcanic Group subsea volcanic features north of the island, ii) partial compensation of the main Ross Island load by low-density, partially molten rock beneath the island, iii) extensional faulting within the Terror Rift, and iv) seaward-thickening shelf sediments transported from the Ross Ice Shelf. The seismic data show that the onset of filling of the flexural moat around Ross Island coincided with the end of ice grounding events in the area. We infer that this was caused by flexural subsidence of the seafloor to accommodate the Ross Island load.

Building a Multivariable Linear Regression Model of On-road Traffic for Creation of High Resolution Emission Inventories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Powell, James Eckhardt

Emissions inventories are an important tool, often built by governments, and used to manage emissions. To build an inventory of urban CO2 emissions and other fossil fuel combustion products in the urban atmosphere, an inventory of on-road traffic is required. In particular, a high resolution inventory is necessary to capture the local characteristics of transport emissions. These emissions vary widely due to the local nature of the fleet, fuel, and roads. Here we show a new model of ADT for the Portland, OR metropolitan region. The backbone is traffic counter recordings made by the Portland Bureau of Transportation at 7,767 sites over 21 years (1986-2006), augmented with PORTAL (The Portland Regional Transportation Archive Listing) freeway traffic count data. We constructed a regression model to fill in traffic network gaps using GIS data such as road class and population density. An EPA-supplied emissions factor was used to estimate transportation CO2 emissions, which is compared to several other estimates for the city's CO2 footprint.

Mapping Global Ocean Surface Albedo from Satellite Observations: Models, Algorithms, and Datasets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, X.; Fan, X.; Yan, H.; Li, A.; Wang, M.; Qu, Y.

2018-04-01

Ocean surface albedo (OSA) is one of the important parameters in surface radiation budget (SRB). It is usually considered as a controlling factor of the heat exchange among the atmosphere and ocean. The temporal and spatial dynamics of OSA determine the energy absorption of upper level ocean water, and have influences on the oceanic currents, atmospheric circulations, and transportation of material and energy of hydrosphere. Therefore, various parameterizations and models have been developed for describing the dynamics of OSA. However, it has been demonstrated that the currently available OSA datasets cannot full fill the requirement of global climate change studies. In this study, we present a literature review on mapping global OSA from satellite observations. The models (parameterizations, the coupled ocean-atmosphere radiative transfer (COART), and the three component ocean water albedo (TCOWA)), algorithms (the estimation method based on reanalysis data, and the direct-estimation algorithm), and datasets (the cloud, albedo and radiation (CLARA) surface albedo product, dataset derived by the TCOWA model, and the global land surface satellite (GLASS) phase-2 surface broadband albedo product) of OSA have been discussed, separately.

Silicon deposition in nanopores using a liquid precursor.

PubMed

Masuda, Takashi; Tatsuda, Narihito; Yano, Kazuhisa; Shimoda, Tatsuya

2016-11-22

Techniques for depositing silicon into nanosized spaces are vital for the further scaling down of next-generation devices in the semiconductor industry. In this study, we filled silicon into 3.5-nm-diameter nanopores with an aspect ratio of 70 by exploiting thermodynamic behaviour based on the van der Waals energy of vaporized cyclopentasilane (CPS). We originally synthesized CPS as a liquid precursor for semiconducting silicon. Here we used CPS as a gas source in thermal chemical vapour deposition under atmospheric pressure because vaporized CPS can fill nanopores spontaneously. Our estimation of the free energy of CPS based on Lifshitz van der Waals theory clarified the filling mechanism, where CPS vapour in the nanopores readily undergoes capillary condensation because of its large molar volume compared to those of other vapours such as water, toluene, silane, and disilane. Consequently, a liquid-specific feature was observed during the deposition process; specifically, condensed CPS penetrated into the nanopores spontaneously via capillary force. The CPS that filled the nanopores was then transformed into solid silicon by thermal decomposition at 400 °C. The developed method is expected to be used as a nanoscale silicon filling technology, which is critical for the fabrication of future quantum scale silicon devices.

Silicon deposition in nanopores using a liquid precursor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masuda, Takashi; Tatsuda, Narihito; Yano, Kazuhisa; Shimoda, Tatsuya

2016-11-01

Techniques for depositing silicon into nanosized spaces are vital for the further scaling down of next-generation devices in the semiconductor industry. In this study, we filled silicon into 3.5-nm-diameter nanopores with an aspect ratio of 70 by exploiting thermodynamic behaviour based on the van der Waals energy of vaporized cyclopentasilane (CPS). We originally synthesized CPS as a liquid precursor for semiconducting silicon. Here we used CPS as a gas source in thermal chemical vapour deposition under atmospheric pressure because vaporized CPS can fill nanopores spontaneously. Our estimation of the free energy of CPS based on Lifshitz van der Waals theory clarified the filling mechanism, where CPS vapour in the nanopores readily undergoes capillary condensation because of its large molar volume compared to those of other vapours such as water, toluene, silane, and disilane. Consequently, a liquid-specific feature was observed during the deposition process; specifically, condensed CPS penetrated into the nanopores spontaneously via capillary force. The CPS that filled the nanopores was then transformed into solid silicon by thermal decomposition at 400 °C. The developed method is expected to be used as a nanoscale silicon filling technology, which is critical for the fabrication of future quantum scale silicon devices.

Using agency nurses to fill RN vacancies within specialized hospice and palliative care

PubMed Central

Cozad, Melanie J.; Lindley, Lisa C.; Mixer, Sandy J.

2016-01-01

The use of agency nurses offers flexibility in filling registered nurse openings during times of shortage, yet little is known about their use in specialized palliative care. In an effort to fill this knowledge gap, this study determined whether significant relationships existed between full-time and part-time RN vacancies and the use of agency RNs within specialized hospices that deliver perinatal end of life care to women and their families in the event of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or other neonatal complications resulting in death. This study used data from the 2007 National Home and Hospice Care Survey and multivariate regression methods to estimate the association between RN vacancies and agency RNs use. Approximately 13% of perinatal hospices in 2007 used agency nurses. Increases in full-time RN vacancies are associated with a significant increase in the use of agency RNs, while part-time RN vacancies are associated with a significant decrease in agency RNs. These results suggest that full-time agency RNs were used as a supplemental workforce to fill vacancies until the full-time position is recruited. However, for part-time vacancies, the responsibilities of those positions shifted onto existing staff and the position was not filled. PMID:27683508

Maps of estimated nitrate and arsenic concentrations in basin-fill aquifers of the southwestern United States

USGS Publications Warehouse

Beisner, Kimberly R.; Anning, David W.; Paul, Angela P.; McKinney, Tim S.; Huntington, Jena M.; Bexfield, Laura M.; Thiros, Susan A.

2012-01-01

Human-health concerns and economic considerations associated with meeting drinking-water standards motivated a study of the vulnerability of basin-fill aquifers to nitrate contamination and arsenic enrichment in the southwestern United States. Statistical models were developed by using the random forest classifier algorithm to predict concentrations of nitrate and arsenic across a model grid representing about 190,600 square miles of basin-fill aquifers in parts of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The statistical models, referred to as classifiers, reflect natural and human-related factors that affect aquifer vulnerability to contamination and relate nitrate and arsenic concentrations to explanatory variables representing local- and basin-scale measures of source and aquifer susceptibility conditions. Geochemical variables were not used in concentration predictions because they were not available for the entire study area. The models were calibrated to assess model accuracy on the basis of measured values.Only 2 percent of the area underlain by basin-fill aquifers in the study area was predicted to equal or exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water standard for nitrate as N (10 milligrams per liter), whereas 43 percent of the area was predicted to equal or exceed the standard for arsenic (10 micrograms per liter). Areas predicted to equal or exceed the drinking-water standard for nitrate include basins in central Arizona near Phoenix; the San Joaquin Valley, the Santa Ana Inland, and San Jacinto Basins of California; and the San Luis Valley of Colorado. Much of the area predicted to equal or exceed the drinking-water standard for arsenic is within a belt of basins along the western portion of the Basin and Range Physiographic Province that includes almost all of Nevada and parts of California and Arizona. Predicted nitrate and arsenic concentrations are substantially lower than the drinking-water standards in much of the study area-about 93 percent of the area underlain by basin-fill aquifers was less than one-half the standard for nitrate as N (5.0 milligrams per liter), and 50 percent was less than one-half the standard for arsenic (5.0 micrograms per liter). The predicted concentrations and the improved understanding of the susceptibility and vulnerability of southwestern basin-fill aquifers to nitrate contamination and arsenic enrichment can be used by water managers as a qualitative tool to assess and protect the quality of groundwater resources in the Southwest.

Solution-processed small molecule:fullerene bulk-heterojunction solar cells: impedance spectroscopy deduced bulk and interfacial limits to fill-factors.

PubMed

Guerrero, Antonio; Loser, Stephen; Garcia-Belmonte, Germà; Bruns, Carson J; Smith, Jeremy; Miyauchi, Hiroyuki; Stupp, Samuel I; Bisquert, Juan; Marks, Tobin J

2013-10-21

Using impedance spectroscopy, we demonstrate that the low fill factor (FF) typically observed in small molecule solar cells is due to hindered carrier transport through the active layer and hindered charge transfer through the anode interfacial layer (IFL). By carefully tuning the active layer thickness and anode IFL in BDT(TDPP)2 solar cells, the FF is increased from 33 to 55% and the PCE from 1.9 to 3.8%. These results underscore the importance of simultaneously optimizing active layer thickness and IFL in small molecule solar cells.

Analysis of photonic band gap in novel piezoelectric photonic crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malar Kodi, A.; Doni Pon, V.; Joseph Wilson, K. S.

2018-03-01

The transmission properties of one-dimensional novel photonic crystal having silver-doped novel piezoelectric superlattice and air as the two constituent layers have been investigated by means of transfer matrix method. By changing the appropriate thickness of the layers and filling factor of nanocomposite system, the variation in the photonic band gap can be studied. It is found that the photonic band gap increases with the filling factor of the metal nanocomposite and with the thickness of the layer. These structures possess unique characteristics enabling one to operate as optical waveguides, selective filters, optical switches, integrated piezoelectric microactuators, etc.

Prospect of the high efficiency for the VEST (Via-hole Etching for the Separation of Thin films) cell

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

Deguchi, M.; Kawama, Y.; Matsuno, Y.

1994-12-31

The optimum design of the via-holes for the VEST cell was studied. Using a simple model, fill factors of the VEST cell were calculated. As for the via-hole distribution pattern, square grid pattern was found to be most suitable from the view points of the cell performance and the easiness of the electrode designing. It was found that the fill factor large enough (> 0.79) for the high efficiency can be obtained. A fabricated test cell showed the efficiency of 14.4%. Further improvement (efficiency over 18%) is possibly expected.

Soft tissue topography and dimensions lateral to single implant-supported restorations. a cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Chang, Moontaek; Wennström, Jan L

2013-05-01

The aim was to evaluate potential relationships between the implant position relative to adjacent teeth and dimensions and topography of the papillae lateral to implant-supported single-tooth restorations. A total of 32 subjects with a single implant-supported restoration in the esthetic zone of the maxilla were consecutively selected for the study. Soft and hard tissues at the proximal sites of the restoration were evaluated by the use of clinical, photographic, diagnostic cast, and radiographic assessments. A questionnaire was used for assessment of the patients' satisfaction with the esthetic outcome of the restorations. Potential factors influencing the papilla level and the presence of a complete papilla fill were investigated with generalized estimation equations (GEE) analysis. The bone level at the adjacent tooth significantly influenced the papilla level (P < 0.001). The distance between the contact point and the bone level at the adjacent tooth was significantly shorter for "complete" (4.3 mm) papillae than that for "deficient" papillae (5.7 mm) (P < 0.001). The GEE logistic model revealed that the chance of a complete papilla fill improved with increased facio-lingual thickness of the papilla (P = 0.004) and decreased distance between the contact point and the bone level at the tooth (P = 0.004). The self-reported satisfaction with the esthetic appearance of the implant-born restoration was not significantly different between patients with "complete" and "deficient" papillae. The probability of a complete papilla fill was significantly affected by the facio-lingual dimension of the papilla base and the distance between the contact point between the crowns and the bone level at the tooth. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Multi-allelic haplotype model based on genetic partition for genomic prediction and variance component estimation using SNP markers.

PubMed

Da, Yang

2015-12-18

The amount of functional genomic information has been growing rapidly but remains largely unused in genomic selection. Genomic prediction and estimation using haplotypes in genome regions with functional elements such as all genes of the genome can be an approach to integrate functional and structural genomic information for genomic selection. Towards this goal, this article develops a new haplotype approach for genomic prediction and estimation. A multi-allelic haplotype model treating each haplotype as an 'allele' was developed for genomic prediction and estimation based on the partition of a multi-allelic genotypic value into additive and dominance values. Each additive value is expressed as a function of h - 1 additive effects, where h = number of alleles or haplotypes, and each dominance value is expressed as a function of h(h - 1)/2 dominance effects. For a sample of q individuals, the limit number of effects is 2q - 1 for additive effects and is the number of heterozygous genotypes for dominance effects. Additive values are factorized as a product between the additive model matrix and the h - 1 additive effects, and dominance values are factorized as a product between the dominance model matrix and the h(h - 1)/2 dominance effects. Genomic additive relationship matrix is defined as a function of the haplotype model matrix for additive effects, and genomic dominance relationship matrix is defined as a function of the haplotype model matrix for dominance effects. Based on these results, a mixed model implementation for genomic prediction and variance component estimation that jointly use haplotypes and single markers is established, including two computing strategies for genomic prediction and variance component estimation with identical results. The multi-allelic genetic partition fills a theoretical gap in genetic partition by providing general formulations for partitioning multi-allelic genotypic values and provides a haplotype method based on the quantitative genetics model towards the utilization of functional and structural genomic information for genomic prediction and estimation.

Co-seismic Static Stress Drops for Earthquake Ruptures Nucleated on Faults After Progressive Strain Localization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffith, W. A.; Nielsen, S.; di Toro, G.; Pollard, D. D.; Pennacchioni, G.

2007-12-01

We estimate the coseismic static stress drop on small exhumed strike-slip faults in the Mt. Abbot quadrangle of the central Sierra Nevada (California). The sub-vertical strike-slip faults cut ~85 Ma granodiorite, were exhumed from 7-10 km depth, and were chosen because they are exposed along their entire lengths, ranging from 8 to 13 m. Net slip is estimated using offset aplite dikes and shallowly plunging slickenlines on the fault surfaces. The faults show a record of progressive strain localization: slip initially nucleated on joints and accumulated from ductile shearing (quartz-bearing mylonites) to brittle slipping (epidote-bearing cataclasites). Thin (< 1 mm) pseudotachylytes associated with the cataclasites have been identified along some faults, suggesting that brittle slip may have been seismic. The brittle contribution to slip may be distinguished from the ductile shearing because epidote-filled, rhombohedral dilational jogs opened at bends and step-overs during brittle slip, are distributed periodically along the length of the faults. We argue that brittle slip occurred along the measured fault lengths in single slip events based on several pieces of evidence. 1) Epidote crystals are randomly oriented and undeformed within dilational jogs, indicating they did not grow during aseismic slip and were not broken after initial opening and precipitation. 2) Opening-mode splay cracks are concentrated near fault tips rather than the fault center, suggesting that the reactivated faults ruptured all at once rather than in smaller slip patches. 3) The fact that the opening lengths of the dilational jogs vary systematically along the fault traces suggests that brittle reactivation occurred in a single slip event along the entire fault rather than in multiple slip events. This unique combination of factors distinguishes this study from previous attempts to estimate stress drop from exhumed faults because we can constrain the coseismic rupture length and slip. The static stress drop is calculated for a circular fault using the length of the mapped faults and their slip distributions as well as the shear modulus of the host granodiorite measured in the laboratory. Calculations yield stress drops on the order of 100-200 MPa, one to two orders of magnitude larger than typical seismological estimates. The studied seismic ruptures occurred along small, deep-seated faults (10 km depth), and, given the fault mineral filling (quartz-bearing mylonites) these were "strong" faults. Our estimates are consistent with static stress drops estimated by Nadeau and Johnson (1998) for small repeated earthquakes.

Enhancing the applicability of Kohonen Self-Organizing Map (KSOM) estimator for gap-filling in hydrometeorological timeseries data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nanda, Trushnamayee; Sahoo, Bhabagrahi; Chatterjee, Chandranath

2017-06-01

The Kohonen Self-Organizing Map (KSOM) estimator is prescribed as a useful tool for infilling the missing data in hydrometeorology. However, in this study, when the performance of the KSOM estimator is tested for gap-filling in the streamflow, rainfall, evapotranspiration (ET), and temperature timeseries data, collected from 30 gauging stations in India under missing data situations, it is felt that the KSOM modeling performance could be further improved. Consequently, this study tries to answer the research questions as to whether the length of record of the historical data and its variability has any effect on the performance of the KSOM? Whether inclusion of temporal distribution of timeseries data and the nature of outliers in the KSOM framework enhances its performance further? Subsequently, it is established that the KSOM framework should include the coefficient of variation of the datasets for determination of the number of map units, without considering it as a single value function of the sample data size. This could help to upscale and generalize the applicability of KSOM for varied hydrometeorological data types.

Quality control and gap-filling of PM10 daily mean concentrations with the best linear unbiased estimator.

PubMed

Sozzi, R; Bolignano, A; Ceradini, S; Morelli, M; Petenko, I; Argentini, S

2017-10-15

According to the European Directive 2008/50/CE, the air quality assessment consists in the measurement of the concentration fields, and the evaluation of the mean, number of exceedances, etc. of some chemical species dangerous to human health. The measurements provided by an air quality ground-based monitoring network are the main information source but the availability of these data is often limited by several technical and operational problems. In this paper, the best linear unbiased estimator (BLUE) is proposed to validate the pollutant concentration values and to fill the gaps in the measurement of time series collected by a monitoring network. The BLUE algorithm is tested using the daily mean concentrations of particulate matter having aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μ (PM 10 concentrations) measured by the air quality monitoring sensors operating in the Lazio Region in Italy. The comparison between the estimated and measured data evidences an error comparable with the measurement uncertainty. Due to its simplicity and reliability, the BLUE will be used in the routine quality test procedures of the Lazio air quality monitoring network measurements.

Detection of sulfur in the galactic center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herter, T.; Briotta, D. A., Jr.; Gull, G. E.; Shure, M. A.; Houck, J. R.

1983-01-01

A strong detection at the S III forbidden 18.71 micron line is reported for the galactic center region, Sgr A West. A line flux of 1.7 + or - 0.2 x 10 to the -17th W/sq cm is found for a 20 inch beam size measurement centered on IRS 1. A preliminary analysis indicates that the S III abundance relative to hydrogen is consistent with the cosmic abundance of sulfur, 0.000016, if a filling factor of unity within the known clumps is assumed. However, the sulfur abundance in the galactic center may be as much as a factor of 3 overabundant if a filling factor of 0.03 is adopted, a value found to hold for some galactic H II regions.

Critical temperature of noninteracting bosonic gases in cubic optical lattices at arbitrary integer fillings.

PubMed

Rakhimov, Abdulla; Askerzade, Iman N

2014-09-01

We have shown that the critical temperature of a Bose-Einstein condensate to a normal phase transition of noninteracting bosons in cubic optical lattices has a linear dependence on the filling factor, especially at large densities. The condensed fraction exhibits a linear power law dependence on temperature in contrast to the case of ideal homogeneous Bose gases.

Electrostatic measurement of plasma plume characteristics in pulsed laser evaporated carbon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mayo, R. M.; Newman, J. W.; Sharma, A.; Yamagata, Y.; Narayan, J.

1999-09-01

A triple Langmuir probe measurement has been implemented to investigate plasma plume character in low fluence (˜3.0 J/cm2) pulsed laser evaporation (PLE) discharges and has been found to be an extremely valuable tool. Absolute plasma plume density estimates are found to reside in the range 1.0×1013-2.0×1014cm-3 for vacuum pulses. A simple heavy particle streaming model for vacuum pulses allows estimates of the plume ionization fraction of ˜10%. This is consistent with typical deposition inventory suggesting that high kinetic energy ions may play an important role in diamond-like carbon (DLC) film deposition. Electron temperature inferred from the electrostatic probe is found to consistently reside in the range 0.5-3.0 eV, and appears to be uninfluenced by operating conditions and large variations in Ar and N2 fill gas pressure. Consistent with strong plume ion and neutral particle coupling to the background fill, constancy of Te suggests expulsion of background gas by the energetic plume. The leading edge ion plume speed is measured via temporal displacement of spatially separated probe signals on consecutive PLE pulses. Flow speeds as high as 5.0×104m/s are observed, corresponding to ˜156 eV in C+. The ion flow speed is found to be a strongly decreasing function of fill pressure from an average high of ˜126 eV in vacuum to ˜0.24 eV at 600 mTorr N2. Raman scattering spectroscopy indicates DLC film quality also degrades with fill pressure suggesting the importance of high ion kinetic energy in producing good quality films, consistent with earlier work demonstrating the importance of energetic particles. Optical emission indicates an increase in C2 molecular light intensity with fill gas pressure implying a reduced, if any, role of these species in DLC production. Ion current signal anomalies are often seen during high pressure pulses. It is suggested that this may indicate the formation of high mass carbon clusters during plume evolution in the presence of background gas. Mass diffusivity estimates, based on density decay, suggest the presence of C2+ under these conditions. Demonstration and control of such cluster formation may provide method(s) for controlling novel advanced materials properties.

Microtensile bond strength of bulk-fill restorative composites to dentin.

PubMed

Mandava, Jyothi; Vegesna, Divya-Prasanna; Ravi, Ravichandra; Boddeda, Mohan-Rao; Uppalapati, Lakshman-Varma; Ghazanfaruddin, M D

2017-08-01

To facilitate the easier placement of direct resin composite in deeper cavities, bulk fill composites have been introduced. The Mechanical stability of fillings in stress bearing areas restored with bulk-fill resin composites is still open to question, since long term clinical studies are not available so far. Thus, the objective of the study was to evaluate and compare the microtensile bond strength of three bulk-fill restorative composites with a nanohybrid composite. Class I cavities were prepared on sixty extracted mandibular molars. Teeth were divided into 4 groups (n= 15 each) and in group I, the prepared cavities were restored with nanohybrid (Filtek Z250 XT) restorative composite in an incremental manner. In group II, III and IV, the bulk-fill composites (Filtek, Tetric EvoCeram, X-tra fil bulk-fill restoratives) were placed as a 4 mm single increment and light cured. The restored teeth were subjected to thermocycling and bond strength testing was done using instron testing machine. The mode of failure was assessed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The bond strength values obtained in megapascals (MPa) were subjected to statistical analysis, using SPSS/PC version 20 software.One-way ANOVA was used for groupwise comparison of the bond strength. Tukey's Post Hoc test was used for pairwise comparisons among the groups. The highest mean bond strength was achieved with Filtek bulk-fill restorative showing statistically significant difference with Tetric EvoCeram bulk-fill ( p < 0.003) and X-tra fil bulk-fill ( p <0.001) composites. Adhesive failures are mostly observed with X-tra fil bulk fill composites, whereas mixed failures are more common with other bulk fill composites. Bulk-fill composites exhibited adequate bond strength to dentin and can be considered as restorative material of choice in posterior stress bearing areas. Key words: Bond strength, Bulk-fill restoratives, Configuration factor, Polymerization shrinkage.

An Improved DOA Estimation Approach Using Coarray Interpolation and Matrix Denoising

PubMed Central

Guo, Muran; Chen, Tao; Wang, Ben

2017-01-01

Co-prime arrays can estimate the directions of arrival (DOAs) of O(MN) sources with O(M+N) sensors, and are convenient to analyze due to their closed-form expression for the locations of virtual lags. However, the number of degrees of freedom is limited due to the existence of holes in difference coarrays if subspace-based algorithms such as the spatial smoothing multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm are utilized. To address this issue, techniques such as positive definite Toeplitz completion and array interpolation have been proposed in the literature. Another factor that compromises the accuracy of DOA estimation is the limitation of the number of snapshots. Coarray-based processing is particularly sensitive to the discrepancy between the sample covariance matrix and the ideal covariance matrix due to the finite number of snapshots. In this paper, coarray interpolation based on matrix completion (MC) followed by a denoising operation is proposed to detect more sources with a higher accuracy. The effectiveness of the proposed method is based on the capability of MC to fill in holes in the virtual sensors and that of MC denoising operation to reduce the perturbation in the sample covariance matrix. The results of numerical simulations verify the superiority of the proposed approach. PMID:28509886

An Improved DOA Estimation Approach Using Coarray Interpolation and Matrix Denoising.

PubMed

Guo, Muran; Chen, Tao; Wang, Ben

2017-05-16

Co-prime arrays can estimate the directions of arrival (DOAs) of O ( M N ) sources with O ( M + N ) sensors, and are convenient to analyze due to their closed-form expression for the locations of virtual lags. However, the number of degrees of freedom is limited due to the existence of holes in difference coarrays if subspace-based algorithms such as the spatial smoothing multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm are utilized. To address this issue, techniques such as positive definite Toeplitz completion and array interpolation have been proposed in the literature. Another factor that compromises the accuracy of DOA estimation is the limitation of the number of snapshots. Coarray-based processing is particularly sensitive to the discrepancy between the sample covariance matrix and the ideal covariance matrix due to the finite number of snapshots. In this paper, coarray interpolation based on matrix completion (MC) followed by a denoising operation is proposed to detect more sources with a higher accuracy. The effectiveness of the proposed method is based on the capability of MC to fill in holes in the virtual sensors and that of MC denoising operation to reduce the perturbation in the sample covariance matrix. The results of numerical simulations verify the superiority of the proposed approach.

Comparison between the use of an ultrasonic tip and a microhead handpiece in periradicular surgery: a prospective randomised trial.

PubMed

Shearer, Jane; McManners, Joseph

2009-07-01

Innovations in periradicular surgery for failed treatment of orthograde root canal disease have been well-documented. We know of no prospective studies that have compared success rates of conventional methods with these presumed advances. In this prospective randomised trial we compare the use of an ultrasonic retrotip with a microhead bur in the preparation of a retrograde cavity. Outcome was estimated clinically by estimation of pain, swelling, and sinus, and radiographically by looking at infill of bone and retrograde root filling 2 weeks and 6 months postoperatively. Both methods used other surgical techniques including microinstruments to place the retrograde root filling. The success rate of the ultrasonic method was higher (all patients, n=26) than that of the microhead method (n=19 of 21). A larger study with longer follow up is required to consolidate this evidence.

Surface nanobubbles studied by atomic force microscopy techniques: Facts, fiction, and open questions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schönherr, Holger; Hain, Nicole; Walczyk, Wiktoria; Wesner, Daniel; Druzhinin, Sergey I.

2016-08-01

In this review surface nanobubbles, which are presumably gas-filled enclosures found at the solid-liquid interface, are introduced and discussed together with key experimental findings that suggest that these nanoscale features indeed exist and are filled with gas. The most prominent technique used thus far has been atomic force microscopy (AFM). However, due to its potentially invasive nature, AFM data must be interpreted with great care. Owing to their curved interface, the Laplace internal pressure of surface nanobubbles exceeds substantially the outside ambient pressure, and the experimentally observed long term stability is in conflict with estimates of gas transport rates and predicted surface nanobubble lifetimes. Despite recent explanations of both the stability and the unusual nanoscopic contact angles, the development of new co-localization approaches and the adequate analysis of AFM data of surface nanobubbles are important as a means to confirm the gaseous nature and correctly estimate the interfacial curvature.

Silver Recycling in the United States in 2000

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hilliard, Henry E.

2003-01-01

In 2000, the global silver supply deficit (the difference between mine and scrap supply and silver demand) was more than 3,000 metric tons. U.S. silver demand for photographic applications alone was nearly equal to annual U.S. silver production. Until 1968, the U.S. silver deficit was filled by withdrawals from the U.S. Treasury reserves. In 2000, the deficit was filled by destocking, imports, and recycling. Photographic wastes, spent catalysts, and electronic scrap are the major sources of materials for silver recycling. Nearly 1,800 tons of silver contained in these materials were available for recycling in 2000. Other recyclable silver-bearing materials include dental alloys, jewelry, and silverware. In 2000, an estimated 1,700 tons of silver were recovered from secondary sources in the United States. The U.S. recycling efficiency for old scrap was calculated to have been 97 percent in 2000; the recycling rate was estimated to be 32 percent.

Silver recycling in the United States in 2000

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hilliard, Henry E.

2003-01-01

In 2000, the global silver supply deficit (the difference between mine and scrap supply and silver demand) was more than 3,000 metric tons. U.S. silver demand for photographic applications alone was nearly equal to annual U.S. silver production. Until 1968, the U.S. silver deficit was filled by withdrawals from the U.S. Treasury reserves. In 2000, the deficit was filled by destocking, imports, and recycling. Photographic wastes, spent catalysts, and electronic scrap are the major sources of materials for silver recycling. Nearly 1,800 metric tons of silver contained in these materials were available for recycling in 2000. Other recyclable silver-bearing materials include dental alloys, jewelry, and silverware. In 2000, an estimated 1,700 tons of silver were recovered from secondary sources in the United States. The U.S. recycling efficiency for old scrap was calculated to have been 97 percent in 2000; the recycling rate was estimated to be 32 percent.

Assessment of the impact that the capsule fill tube has on implosions conducted with high density carbon ablators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pak, Arthur; Benedetti, L. R.; Berzak Hopkins, L. F.; Clark, D.; Divol, L.; Dewald, E. L.; Fittinghoff, D.; Izumi, N.; Khan, S. F.; Landen, O.; Lepape, S.; Ma, T.; Marley, E.; Nagel, S.; Volegov, P.; Weber, C.; Bradley, D. K.; Callahan, D.; Grim, G.; Hurricane, O. A.; Patel, P.; Schneider, M. B.; Edwards, M. J.

2017-10-01

In recent inertial confinement implosion experiments conducted at the National Ignition Facility, bright and spatially localized x-ray emission within the hot spot at stagnation has been observed. This emission is associated with higher Z ablator material that is injected into the hot spot by the hydrodynamic perturbation induced by the 5-10 um diameter capsule fill tube. The reactivity of the DT fuel and subsequent yield of the implosion are strongly dependent on the density, temperature, and confinement time achieved throughout the stagnation of the implosion. Radiative losses from higher Z ablator material that mixes into the hot spot as well as non-uniformities in the compression and confinement induced by the fill tube perturbation can degrade the yield of the implosion. This work will examine the impact to conditions at stagnation that results from the fill tube perturbation. This assessment will be based from a pair of experiments conducted with a high density carbon ablator where the only deliberate change was reduction in fill tube diameter from 10 to 5 um. An estimate of the radiative losses and impact on performance from ablator mix injected into the hot spot by the fill tube perturbation will be presented. This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

Water Dynamics and Dewetting Transitions in the Small Mechanosensitive Channel MscS

PubMed Central

Anishkin, Andriy; Sukharev, Sergei

2004-01-01

The dynamics of confined water in capillaries and nanotubes suggests that gating of ion channels may involve not only changes of the pore geometry, but also transitions between water-filled and empty states in certain locations. The recently solved heptameric structure of the small mechanosensitive channel of Escherichia coli, MscS, has revealed a relatively wide (7–15 Å) yet highly hydrophobic transmembrane pore. Continuum estimations based on the properties of pore surface suggest low conductance and a thermodynamic possibility of dewetting. To test the predictions we performed molecular dynamics simulations of MscS filled with flexible TIP3P water. Irrespective to the initial conditions, several independent 6-ns simulations converged to the same stable state with the pore water-filled in the wider part, but predominantly empty in the narrow hydrophobic part, displaying intermittent vapor-liquid transitions. The polar gain-of-function substitution L109S in the constriction resulted in a stable hydration of the entire pore. Steered passages of Cl− ions through the narrow part of the pore consistently produced partial ion dehydration and required a force of 200–400 pN to overcome an estimated barrier of 10–20 kcal/mole, implying negligibly low conductance. We conclude that the crystal structure of MscS does not represent an open state. We infer that MscS gate, which is similar to that of the nicotinic ACh receptor, involves a vapor-lock mechanism where limited changes of geometry or surface polarity can locally switch the regime between water-filled (conducting) and empty (nonconducting) states. PMID:15111405

Geology and ground-water resources of the San Carlos Indian Reservation, Gila, Graham, and Pinal counties, Arizona

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brown, J.G.

1989-01-01

The San Carlos Indian Reservation includes about 2,900 sq mi in east- central Arizona. Relatively impermeable pre-Tertiary rocks are exposed in about 23% of the reservation and underlie water-bearing Tertiary and quaternary basin fill and Quaternary stream alluvium in much of the southern part of the reservation. About 9,000 members of the San Carlos Apache Tribe live on the reservation and rely on groundwater to meet public supply, irrigation, and other needs. Basin fill is widespread in the valley of the San Carlos and Gila Rivers and consists of fine sand, silt, limestone, clay, and pyroclastic volcanics that may attain a total maximum thickness of more than 3,200 ft in the reservation. Quaternary stream alluvium overlies the basin fill along many streams and washes. Stream alluvium consists of poorly sorted, unconsolidated, gravelly, muddy, sand; and sandy gravel and reaches a maximum thickness of 100 ft along the San Carlos and Gila Rivers. The volume of recoverable water stored in the basin fill to a depth of 1,200 ft is estimated to be about 20 million acre-ft. The volume of recoverable water stored in the stream alluvium on the reservation is estimated to be more than 100,000 acre-ft. The stream alluvium along the San Carlos River supplies most of the water used for drinking. Water throughout much of the reservation is suitable for most uses except for that in the alluvium along the Gila River, which contains large concentrations of dissolved solids. (USGS)

Bayesian algorithm implementation in a real time exposure assessment model on benzene with calculation of associated cancer risks.

PubMed

Sarigiannis, Dimosthenis A; Karakitsios, Spyros P; Gotti, Alberto; Papaloukas, Costas L; Kassomenos, Pavlos A; Pilidis, Georgios A

2009-01-01

The objective of the current study was the development of a reliable modeling platform to calculate in real time the personal exposure and the associated health risk for filling station employees evaluating current environmental parameters (traffic, meteorological and amount of fuel traded) determined by the appropriate sensor network. A set of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) was developed to predict benzene exposure pattern for the filling station employees. Furthermore, a Physiology Based Pharmaco-Kinetic (PBPK) risk assessment model was developed in order to calculate the lifetime probability distribution of leukemia to the employees, fed by data obtained by the ANN model. Bayesian algorithm was involved in crucial points of both model sub compartments. The application was evaluated in two filling stations (one urban and one rural). Among several algorithms available for the development of the ANN exposure model, Bayesian regularization provided the best results and seemed to be a promising technique for prediction of the exposure pattern of that occupational population group. On assessing the estimated leukemia risk under the scope of providing a distribution curve based on the exposure levels and the different susceptibility of the population, the Bayesian algorithm was a prerequisite of the Monte Carlo approach, which is integrated in the PBPK-based risk model. In conclusion, the modeling system described herein is capable of exploiting the information collected by the environmental sensors in order to estimate in real time the personal exposure and the resulting health risk for employees of gasoline filling stations.

Bayesian Algorithm Implementation in a Real Time Exposure Assessment Model on Benzene with Calculation of Associated Cancer Risks

PubMed Central

Sarigiannis, Dimosthenis A.; Karakitsios, Spyros P.; Gotti, Alberto; Papaloukas, Costas L.; Kassomenos, Pavlos A.; Pilidis, Georgios A.

2009-01-01

The objective of the current study was the development of a reliable modeling platform to calculate in real time the personal exposure and the associated health risk for filling station employees evaluating current environmental parameters (traffic, meteorological and amount of fuel traded) determined by the appropriate sensor network. A set of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) was developed to predict benzene exposure pattern for the filling station employees. Furthermore, a Physiology Based Pharmaco-Kinetic (PBPK) risk assessment model was developed in order to calculate the lifetime probability distribution of leukemia to the employees, fed by data obtained by the ANN model. Bayesian algorithm was involved in crucial points of both model sub compartments. The application was evaluated in two filling stations (one urban and one rural). Among several algorithms available for the development of the ANN exposure model, Bayesian regularization provided the best results and seemed to be a promising technique for prediction of the exposure pattern of that occupational population group. On assessing the estimated leukemia risk under the scope of providing a distribution curve based on the exposure levels and the different susceptibility of the population, the Bayesian algorithm was a prerequisite of the Monte Carlo approach, which is integrated in the PBPK-based risk model. In conclusion, the modeling system described herein is capable of exploiting the information collected by the environmental sensors in order to estimate in real time the personal exposure and the resulting health risk for employees of gasoline filling stations. PMID:22399936

Estimation of missing water-level data for the Everglades Depth Estimation Network (EDEN), 2013 update

USGS Publications Warehouse

Petkewich, Matthew D.; Conrads, Paul

2013-01-01

The Everglades Depth Estimation Network is an integrated network of real-time water-level gaging stations, a ground-elevation model, and a water-surface elevation model designed to provide scientists, engineers, and water-resource managers with water-level and water-depth information (1991-2013) for the entire freshwater portion of the Greater Everglades. The U.S. Geological Survey Greater Everglades Priority Ecosystems Science provides support for the Everglades Depth Estimation Network in order for the Network to provide quality-assured monitoring data for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. In a previous study, water-level estimation equations were developed to fill in missing data to increase the accuracy of the daily water-surface elevation model. During this study, those equations were updated because of the addition and removal of water-level gaging stations, the consistent use of water-level data relative to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988, and availability of recent data (March 1, 2006, to September 30, 2011). Up to three linear regression equations were developed for each station by using three different input stations to minimize the occurrences of missing data for an input station. Of the 667 water-level estimation equations developed to fill missing data at 223 stations, more than 72 percent of the equations have coefficients of determination greater than 0.90, and 97 percent have coefficients of determination greater than 0.70.

Composite fermions on a torus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pu, Songyang; Wu, Ying-Hai; Jain, J. K.

2017-11-01

We achieve an explicit construction of the lowest Landau level (LLL) projected wave functions for composite fermions in the periodic (torus) geometry. To this end, we first demonstrate how the vortex attachment of the composite fermion (CF) theory can be accomplished in the torus geometry to produce the "unprojected" wave functions satisfying the correct (quasi)periodic boundary conditions. We then consider two methods for projecting these wave functions into the LLL. The direct projection produces valid wave functions but can be implemented only for very small systems. The more powerful and more useful projection method of Jain and Kamilla fails in the torus geometry because it does not preserve the periodic boundary conditions and thus takes us out of the original Hilbert space. We have succeeded in constructing a modified projection method that is consistent with both the periodic boundary conditions and the general structure of the CF theory. This method is valid for a large class of states of composite fermions, called "proper states," which includes the incompressible ground states at electron filling factors ν =n/2 p n +1 , their charged and neutral excitations, and also the quasidegenerate ground states at arbitrary filling factors of the form ν =ν/*2pν*+1 , where n and p are integers and ν* is the CF filling factor. Comparison with exact results known for small systems for the ground and excited states at filling factors ν =1 /3 , 2/5, and 3/7 demonstrates our LLL-projected wave functions to be extremely accurate representations of the actual Coulomb eigenstates. Our construction enables the study of large systems of composite fermions on the torus, thereby opening the possibility of investigating numerous interesting questions and phenomena.

Shuttle Space Suit: Fabric/LCVG Model Validation. Chapter 8

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, J. W.; Tweed, J.; Zeitlin, C.; Kim, M.-H. Y.; Anderson, B. M.; Cucinotta, F. A.; Ware, J.; Persans, A. E.

2003-01-01

A detailed space suit computational model is being developed at the Langley Research Center for radiation exposure evaluation studies. The details of the construction of the space suit are critical to estimation of exposures and assessing the risk to the astronaut on EVA. Past evaluations of space suit shielding properties assumed the basic fabric layup (Thermal Micrometeoroid Garment, fabric restraints, and pressure envelope) and LCVG could be homogenized as a single layer overestimating the protective properties over 60 percent of the fabric area. The present space suit model represents the inhomogeneous distributions of LCVG materials (mainly the water filled cooling tubes). An experimental test is performed using a 34-MeV proton beam and high-resolution detectors to compare with model-predicted transmission factors. Some suggestions are made on possible improved construction methods to improve the space suit s protection properties.

Shuttle Spacesuit: Fabric/LCVG Model Validation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, J. W.; Tweed, J.; Zeitlin, C.; Kim, M.-H. Y.; Anderson, B. M.; Cucinotta, F. A.; Ware, J.; Persans, A. E.

2001-01-01

A detailed spacesuit computational model is being developed at the Langley Research Center for radiation exposure evaluation studies. The details of the construction of the spacesuit are critical to estimation of exposures and assessing the risk to the astronaut on EVA. Past evaluations of spacesuit shielding properties assumed the basic fabric lay-up (Thermal Micrometeroid Garment, fabric restraints, and pressure envelope) and Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG) could be homogenized as a single layer overestimating the protective properties over 60 percent of the fabric area. The present spacesuit model represents the inhomogeneous distributions of LCVG materials (mainly the water filled cooling tubes). An experimental test is performed using a 34-MeV proton beam and highresolution detectors to compare with model-predicted transmission factors. Some suggestions are made on possible improved construction methods to improve the spacesuit's protection properties.

Gas hydrate saturation from acoustic impedance and resistivity logs in the shenhu area, south china sea

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wang, X.; Wu, S.; Lee, M.; Guo, Y.; Yang, S.; Liang, J.

2011-01-01

During the China's first gas hydrate drilling expedition -1 (GMGS-1), gas hydrate was discovered in layers ranging from 10 to 25 m above the base of gas hydrate stability zone in the Shenhu area, South China Sea. Water chemistry, electrical resistivity logs, and acoustic impedance were used to estimate gas hydrate saturations. Gas hydrate saturations estimated from the chloride concentrations range from 0 to 43% of the pore space. The higher gas hydrate saturations were present in the depth from 152 to 177 m at site SH7 and from 190 to 225 m at site SH2, respectively. Gas hydrate saturations estimated from the resistivity using Archie equation have similar trends to those from chloride concentrations. To examine the variability of gas hydrate saturations away from the wells, acoustic impedances calculated from the 3 D seismic data using constrained sparse inversion method were used. Well logs acquired at site SH7 were incorporated into the inversion by establishing a relation between the water-filled porosity, calculated using gas hydrate saturations estimated from the resistivity logs, and the acoustic impedance, calculated from density and velocity logs. Gas hydrate saturations estimated from acoustic impedance of seismic data are ???10-23% of the pore space and are comparable to those estimated from the well logs. The uncertainties in estimated gas hydrate saturations from seismic acoustic impedances were mainly from uncertainties associated with inverted acoustic impedance, the empirical relation between the water-filled porosities and acoustic impedances, and assumed background resistivity. ?? 2011 Elsevier Ltd.

Hydrology of Northern Utah Valley, Utah County, Utah, 1975-2005

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cederberg, Jay R.; Gardner, Philip M.; Thiros, Susan A.

2009-01-01

The ground-water resources of northern Utah Valley, Utah, were assessed during 2003-05 to describe and quantify components of the hydrologic system, determine a hydrologic budget for the basin-fill aquifer, and evaluate changes to the system relative to previous studies. Northern Utah Valley is a horst and graben structure with ground water occurring in both the mountain-block uplands surrounding the valley and in the unconsolidated basin-fill sediments. The principal aquifer in northern Utah Valley occurs in the unconsolidated basin-fill deposits where a deeper unconfined aquifer occurs near the mountain front and laterally grades into multiple confined aquifers near the center of the valley. Sources of water to the basin-fill aquifers occur predominantly as either infiltration of streamflow at or near the interface of the mountain front and valley or as subsurface inflow from the adjacent mountain blocks. Sources of water to the basin-fill aquifers were estimated to average 153,000 (+/- 31,500) acre-feet annually during 1975-2004 with subsurface inflow and infiltration of streamflow being the predominant sources. Discharge from the basin-fill aquifers occurs in the valley lowlands as flow to waterways, drains, ditches, springs, as diffuse seepage, and as discharge from flowing and pumping wells. Ground-water discharge from the basin-fill aquifers during 1975-2004 was estimated to average 166,700 (+/- 25,900) acre-feet/year where discharge to wells for consumptive use and discharge to waterways, drains, ditches, and springs were the principal sources. Measured water levels in wells in northern Utah Valley declined an average of 22 feet from 1981 to 2004. Water-level declines are consistent with a severe regional drought beginning in 1999 and continuing through 2004. Water samples were collected from 36 wells and springs throughout the study area along expected flowpaths. Water samples collected from 34 wells were analyzed for dissolved major ions, nutrients, and stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen. Water samples from all 36 wells were analyzed for dissolved-gas concentration including noble gases and tritium/helium-3. Within the basin fill, dissolved-solids concentration generally increases with distance along flowpaths from recharge areas, and shallower flowpaths tend to have higher concentrations than deeper flowpaths. Nitrate concentrations generally are at or below natural background levels. Dissolved-gas recharge temperature data support the conceptual model of the basin-fill aquifers and highlight complexities of recharge patterns in different parts of the valley. Dissolved-gas data indicate that the highest elevation recharge sources for the basin-fill aquifer are subsurface inflow derived from recharge in the adjacent mountain block between the mouths of American Fork and Provo Canyons. Apparent ground-water ages in the basin-fill aquifer, as calculated using tritium/helium-3 data, range from 2 to more than 50 years. The youngest waters in the valley occur near the mountain fronts with apparent ages generally increasing near the valley lowlands and discharge area around Utah Lake. Flowpaths are controlled by aquifer properties and the location of the predominant recharge sources, including subsurface inflow and recharge along the mountain front. Subsurface inflow is distributed over a larger area across the interface of the subsurface mountain block and basin-fill deposits. Subsurface inflow occurs at a depth deeper than that at which mountain-front recharge occurs. Recharge along the mountain front is often localized and focused over areas where streams and creeks enter the valley, and recharge is enhanced by the associated irrigation canals.

Temporal decline in filling prescriptions for terfenadine closely in time with those for either ketoconazole or erythromycin.

PubMed

Burkhart, G A; Sevka, M J; Temple, R; Honig, P K

1997-01-01

Temporal changes in the rates of filling terfenadine prescriptions within 2 days of those for either oral erythromycin or oral ketoconazole were described with use of paid pharmacy claims data from 1988 through 1994 in state Medicaid programs from Michigan and Ohio and in a large health maintenance organization. There were rapid and significant declines in the rates of filling prescriptions for either erythromycin or ketoconazole within 2 days of prescriptions for terfenadine in all three databases that coincided with 1992 publicity about the cardiovascular risk of terfenadine. These findings suggest that the use of terfenadine with contraindicated medications has declined in response to relabeling and publicity concerning the safe use of terfenadine. Further study is necessary to estimate the absolute level of concurrent use of terfenadine with contraindicated medications.

Standardizing terminology and definitions of medication adherence and persistence in research employing electronic databases.

PubMed

Raebel, Marsha A; Schmittdiel, Julie; Karter, Andrew J; Konieczny, Jennifer L; Steiner, John F

2013-08-01

To propose a unifying set of definitions for prescription adherence research utilizing electronic health record prescribing databases, prescription dispensing databases, and pharmacy claims databases and to provide a conceptual framework to operationalize these definitions consistently across studies. We reviewed recent literature to identify definitions in electronic database studies of prescription-filling patterns for chronic oral medications. We then develop a conceptual model and propose standardized terminology and definitions to describe prescription-filling behavior from electronic databases. The conceptual model we propose defines 2 separate constructs: medication adherence and persistence. We define primary and secondary adherence as distinct subtypes of adherence. Metrics for estimating secondary adherence are discussed and critiqued, including a newer metric (New Prescription Medication Gap measure) that enables estimation of both primary and secondary adherence. Terminology currently used in prescription adherence research employing electronic databases lacks consistency. We propose a clear, consistent, broadly applicable conceptual model and terminology for such studies. The model and definitions facilitate research utilizing electronic medication prescribing, dispensing, and/or claims databases and encompasses the entire continuum of prescription-filling behavior. Employing conceptually clear and consistent terminology to define medication adherence and persistence will facilitate future comparative effectiveness research and meta-analytic studies that utilize electronic prescription and dispensing records.

Study of the Peak Shear Strength of a Cement-Filled Hard Rock Joint

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

She, Cheng-Xue; Sun, Fu-Ting

2018-03-01

The peak shear strength of a cement-filled hard rock joint is studied by theoretical analysis and laboratory testing. Based on the concept of the shear resistance angle, by combining the statistical method and fractal theory, three new parameters are proposed to characterize the three-dimensional joint morphology, reflecting the effects of the average roughness, multi-scale asperities and the dispersion degree of the roughness distribution. These factors are independent of the measurement scale, and they reflect the anisotropy of the joint roughness. Compressive shear tests are conducted on cement-filled joints. Because joints without cement can be considered special cement-filled joints in which the filling degree of cement is zero, they are also tested. The cement-filled granite joint fails primarily along the granite-cement interfaces. The filling degree of cement controls the joint failure and affects its mechanical behaviour. With a decrease in the filling degree of cement, the joint cohesion decreases; however, the dilatancy angle and the basic friction angle of the interface increase. As the filling degree approaches zero, the cohesion approaches zero, while the dilatancy angle and the basic friction angle increase to those of the joint without cement. A set of formulas is proposed to evaluate the peak shear strength of the joints with and without cement. The formulas are shown to be reasonable by comparison with the tested peak shear strength, and they reflect the anisotropy of the strength. This research deepens the understanding of cement-filled joints and provides a method to evaluate their peak shear strength.

Asymmetrical color filling-in from the nasal to the temporal side of the blind spot

PubMed Central

Li, Hui; Luo, Junxiang; Lu, Yiliang; Kan, Janis; Spillmann, Lothar; Wang, Wei

2014-01-01

The physiological blind spot, corresponding to the optic disk in the retina, is a relatively large (6 × 8°) area in the visual field that receives no retinal input. However, we rarely notice the existence of it in daily life. This is because the blind spot fills in with the brightness, color, texture, and motion of the surround. The study of filling-in enables us to better understand the creative nature of the visual system, which generates perceptual information where there is none. Is there any retinotopic rule in the color filling-in of the blind spot? To find out, we used mono-colored and bi-colored annuli hugging the boundary of the blind spot. We found that mono-colored annuli filled in the blind spot uniformly. By contrast, bi-colored annuli, where one half had a given color, while the other half had a different one, filled in the blind spot asymmetrically. Specifically, the color surrounding the nasal half typically filled in about 75% of the blind spot area, whereas the color surrounding the temporal half filled in only about 25%. This asymmetry was dependent on the relative size of the half rings, but not the two colors used, and was absent when the bi-colored annulus was rotated by 90°. Here, the two colors on the upper and lower sides of the blind spot filled in the enclosed area equally. These results suggest that the strength of filling-in decreases with distance from the fovea consistent with the decrease of the cortical magnification factor. PMID:25100977

Asymmetrical color filling-in from the nasal to the temporal side of the blind spot.

PubMed

Li, Hui; Luo, Junxiang; Lu, Yiliang; Kan, Janis; Spillmann, Lothar; Wang, Wei

2014-01-01

The physiological blind spot, corresponding to the optic disk in the retina, is a relatively large (6 × 8°) area in the visual field that receives no retinal input. However, we rarely notice the existence of it in daily life. This is because the blind spot fills in with the brightness, color, texture, and motion of the surround. The study of filling-in enables us to better understand the creative nature of the visual system, which generates perceptual information where there is none. Is there any retinotopic rule in the color filling-in of the blind spot? To find out, we used mono-colored and bi-colored annuli hugging the boundary of the blind spot. We found that mono-colored annuli filled in the blind spot uniformly. By contrast, bi-colored annuli, where one half had a given color, while the other half had a different one, filled in the blind spot asymmetrically. Specifically, the color surrounding the nasal half typically filled in about 75% of the blind spot area, whereas the color surrounding the temporal half filled in only about 25%. This asymmetry was dependent on the relative size of the half rings, but not the two colors used, and was absent when the bi-colored annulus was rotated by 90°. Here, the two colors on the upper and lower sides of the blind spot filled in the enclosed area equally. These results suggest that the strength of filling-in decreases with distance from the fovea consistent with the decrease of the cortical magnification factor.

Plasma Properties and Magnetic Field Structure of the Solar Corona, Based on Coordinated Max '91 Observations from SERTS, the VLA, and Magnetographs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brosius, Jeffrey W. (Principal Investigator)

1996-01-01

The plasma properties and magnetic field structure of the solar corona were determined using coordinated observations obtained with NASA/GSFC's Solar EUV Rocket Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS), the Very Large Array (VLA), and Kitt Peak photospheric longitudinal magnetograms. A problem was identified with the SERTS calibration as determined from laboratory measurements. A revised calibration curve was derived by requiring that the numerous available measured line intensity ratios agreed with their respective theoretical values. Densities were derived from line intensity ratios, and active region densities were found to typically exceed quiet Sun densities by factors of only about 2. The active region density was found to remain constant across the SERTS slit, despite the fact that the emission line intensities vary significantly. This indicates that the product of the path length and the volume filling factor must vary significantly from the active region outskirts to the central core. Filling factors were derived and found to range from much less than one to nearly unity. Wavelength shifts were examined along the SERTS slit in the spatially resolved spectra, but no evidence was found for significant Doppler shifts in active region 7563 or in the quiet Sun. The numerical procedure developed by Monsignori-Fossi and Landini was used to derive the active region and quiet sun differential emission measure (DEM) from the spatially averaged spectra. A DEM was estimated for each spatial pixel in the two dimensional active region images by scaling the averaged active region DEM based upon corresponding pixel intensities of SERTS Mg IX, Fe XV, and Fe XVI images. These results, along with density measurements, were used in an IDL computer code which calculated the temperature dependence of the coronal magnetic field in each spatial pixel by minimizing the difference between the observed and calculated 20 and 6 cm microwave brightness temperatures.

[Development, factor-analytical control and psychometric evaluation of a questionnaire on specialty choices among medical students].

PubMed

Hermann, K; Buchholz, A; Loh, A; Kiolbassa, K; Miksch, A; Joos, S; Götz, K

2012-07-01

A questionnaire was developed and validated which assesses factors influencing career choices of medical students and their perception of possibilities in general practice. The first questionnaire version, which was developed based on a systematic literature review, was checked for comprehensibility and redundancy using concurrent think aloud. The revised version was filled out by a pilot sample of medical students and the factor structure was assessed using principal component analysis (PCA). The final version was filled out in an online survey by medical students of all 5 Medical Faculties in the federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. The factor structure was validated with a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Reliability was assessed as internal consistency using Cronbach's α. The questionnaire comprises 2 parts: ratings of (A) the individual importance and of (B) the possibilities in general practice on 5-point scales. The first version comprising 118 items was shortened to 63 items after conducting interviews using concurrent think aloud. A further 3 items giving no information were removed after piloting the questionnaire on 179 students. The 27 items of part A were structured in 7 factors (PCA): image, personal ambition, patient orientation, work-life balance, future perspectives, job-related ambition, and variety in job. This structure had a critical fit in the CFA applied to the final version filled out by 1 299 students. Internal consistency of the factors was satisfactory to very good (Cronbach's α=0.55-0.81). The questionnaire showed good psychometric properties. Further, not assessed factors influence career choice resulting in unexplained variance in our dataset and the critical fit of the model. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

21 CFR 113.100 - Processing and production records.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... products, maximum fill-in or drained weight, or other critical factors specified in the scheduled process... end of the holding period; nature of container. (6) Food preservation methods wherein critical factors... scheduled processes used, including the thermal process, its associated critical factors, as well as other...

21 CFR 113.100 - Processing and production records.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... products, maximum fill-in or drained weight, or other critical factors specified in the scheduled process... end of the holding period; nature of container. (6) Food preservation methods wherein critical factors... scheduled processes used, including the thermal process, its associated critical factors, as well as other...

21 CFR 113.100 - Processing and production records.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... products, maximum fill-in or drained weight, or other critical factors specified in the scheduled process... end of the holding period; nature of container. (6) Food preservation methods wherein critical factors... scheduled processes used, including the thermal process, its associated critical factors, as well as other...

PHOTOMETRIC PROPERTIES FOR SELECTED ALGOL-TYPE BINARIES. II. AO SERPENTIS AND V338 HERCULIS

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

Yang, Y.-G.; Dai, H.-F.; Hu, S.-M.

2010-04-15

We present the first multiband photometry for the semidetached eclipsing binary AO Serpentis, observed on seven nights between 2009 April and July at the Weihai Observatory of Shandong University. By using the 2003 version of the Wilson-Devinney code, the photometric solutions of AO Ser and a similar object V338 Her were (re)deduced. The spectral types and orbital periods are A2 and P = 0.8793 days for AO Ser, F1V and P = 1.3057 days for V338 Her. The results reveal that two binaries are low mass ratio systems, whose secondary components fill their Roche lobes. The fill-out factors of themore » primary components are f = 58.6% for AO Ser and f = 54.2% for V338 Her, respectively. From the O - C curves of AO Ser and V338 Her, it is discovered that secular period changes with cyclic variations exist. The periods and semiamplitudes are 17.32({+-}0.01) yr and 0.0051({+-}0.0001) days for AO Ser, 29.07({+-}0.04) yr and 0.0116({+-}0.0015) days for V338 Her, respectively. This kind of cyclic oscillation may be attributed to either the light-time effect via an assumed third body or perhaps cyclic magnetic activity on the secondary component. For AO Ser, the long-term period decreases at a rate of dP/dt = -5.35({+-}0.03) x 10{sup -7} days yr{sup -1}, which may be caused by mass and angular momentum loss from the system. Considering the period decreasing, the fill-out factor of the primary for AO Ser will increase and it will finally fill its Roche lobe. Meanwhile, the secular period increase rate for V338 Her is dP/dt = +1.44({+-}0.24) x 10{sup -7} days yr{sup -1}, indicating that mass transfers from the less massive component to the more massive component. This will also cause the fill-out factor of the primary to increase. When the primaries fill their Roche lobes, AO Ser and V338 Her may evolve into contact stars, as predicted by the theory of thermal relaxation oscillations.« less

Mechanism for Angular Deformation of L-shaped Specimens —Influence of Filling Material and Shrinkage Factor—

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Furuhashi, Hiroshi; Aoki, Takerou; Okabe, Sayaka; Arai, Tsuyoshi; Seto, Masahiro; Yamabe, Masashi

L-shape is the important and fundamental shape for injection molded parts. Therefore to reveal the corner angular deformation mechanism of this shape is also valuable for understanding the warpage mechanism of injection molded parts. In this study, we investigated the influence of the filling materials (fiber, talc and not filled) and two kinds of anisotropic shrinkage factors, solidification shrinkage and shrinkage caused by thermal expansion coefficient during cooling, to the angular deformation of L-shaped specimens and the following conclusions were obtained 1) The anisotropic solidification shrinkage of MD/TD and the anisotropic thermal expansion coefficient of MD/TD are considered to cause the angular deformation of L-shaped specimens. But the contribution ratios of these two anisotropies depend on the filling material for plastics. 2) The angular deformation of PP and PBT filled with glass fiber is mainly caused by the anisotropic thermal expansion coefficient and on the other hand, that of PP and PBT without filling material is caused by anisotropic solidification shrinkage. However both anisotropies cause the angular deformation of PP filled with talc. 3) The plate thickness dependence of the angular deformation of PP filled with talc is the singular peculiar phenomenon. The plate thickness dependence of anisotropic solidification shrinkage of this material (it is also singular) is considered to have an important influence on this phenomenon.

Mid-infrared interferometry of Seyfert galaxies: Challenging the Standard Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

López-Gonzaga, N.; Jaffe, W.

2016-06-01

Aims: We aim to find torus models that explain the observed high-resolution mid-infrared (MIR) measurements of active galactic nuclei (AGN). Our goal is to determine the general properties of the circumnuclear dusty environments. Methods: We used the MIR interferometric data of a sample of AGNs provided by the instrument MIDI/VLTI and followed a statistical approach to compare the observed distribution of the interferometric measurements with the distributions computed from clumpy torus models. We mainly tested whether the diversity of Seyfert galaxies can be described using the Standard Model idea, where differences are solely due to a line-of-sight (LOS) effect. In addition to the LOS effects, we performed different realizations of the same model to include possible variations that are caused by the stochastic nature of the dusty models. Results: We find that our entire sample of AGNs, which contains both Seyfert types, cannot be explained merely by an inclination effect and by including random variations of the clouds. Instead, we find that each subset of Seyfert type can be explained by different models, where the filling factor at the inner radius seems to be the largest difference. For the type 1 objects we find that about two thirds of our objects could also be described using a dusty torus similar to the type 2 objects. For the remaining third, it was not possible to find a good description using models with high filling factors, while we found good fits with models with low filling factors. Conclusions: Within our model assumptions, we did not find one single set of model parameters that could simultaneously explain the MIR data of all 21 AGN with LOS effects and random variations alone. We conclude that at least two distinct cloud configurations are required to model the differences in Seyfert galaxies, with volume-filling factors differing by a factor of about 5-10. A continuous transition between the two types cannot be excluded.

Investigation of the Mechanism of Roof Caving in the Jinchuan Nickel Mine, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Kuo; Ma, Fengshan; Guo, Jie; Zhao, Haijun; Lu, Rong; Liu, Feng

2018-04-01

On 13 March 2016, a sudden, violent roof caving event with a collapse area of nearly 11,000 m2 occurred in the Jinchuan Nickel Mine and accompanied by air blasts, loud noises and ground vibrations. This collapse event coincided with related, conspicuous surface subsidence across an area of nearly 19,000 m2. This article aims to analyse this collapse event. In previous studies, various mining-induced collapses have been studied, but collapse accidents associated with the filling mining method are very rare and have not been thoroughly studied. The filling method has been regarded as a safe mining method for a long time, so research on associated collapse mechanisms is of considerable significance. In this study, a detailed field investigation of roadway damage was performed, and GPS monitoring results were used to analyse the surface failure. In addition, a numerical model was constructed based on the geometry of the ore body and a major fault. The analysis of the model revealed three failure mechanisms acting during different stages of destruction: double-sided embedded beam deformation, fault activation, and cantilever-articulated rock beam failure. The fault activation and the specific filling method are the key factors of this collapse event. To gain a better understanding of these factors, the shear stress and normal stress along the fault plane were monitored to determine the variation in stress at different failure stages. Discrete element models were established to study two filling methods and to analyse the stability of different filling structures.

Precipitation and Runoff Simulations of the Carson Range and Pine Nut Mountains, and Updated Estimates of Ground-Water Inflow and the Ground-Water Budgets for Basin-Fill Aquifers of Carson Valley, Douglas County, Nevada, and Alpine County, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Jeton, Anne E.; Maurer, Douglas K.

2007-01-01

Recent estimates of ground-water inflow to the basin-fill aquifers of Carson Valley, Nevada, and California, from the adjacent Carson Range and Pine Nut Mountains ranged from 22,000 to 40,000 acre-feet per year using water-yield and chloride-balance methods. In this study, watershed models were developed for watersheds with perennial streams and for watersheds with ephemeral streams in the Carson Range and Pine Nut Mountains to provide an independent estimate of ground-water inflow. This report documents the development and calibration of the watershed models, presents model results, compares the results with recent estimates of ground-water inflow to the basin-fill aquifers of Carson Valley, and presents updated estimates of the ground-water budget for basin-fill aquifers of Carson Valley. The model used for the study was the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System, a physically based, distributed-parameter model designed to simulate precipitation and snowmelt runoff as well as snowpack accumulation and snowmelt processes. Geographic Information System software was used to manage spatial data, characterize model drainages, and to develop Hydrologic Response Units. Models were developed for * Two watersheds with gaged perennial streams in the Carson Range and two watersheds with gaged perennial streams in the Pine Nut Mountains using measured daily mean runoff, * Ten watersheds with ungaged perennial streams using estimated daily mean runoff, * Ten watershed with ungaged ephemeral streams in the Carson Range, and * A large area of ephemeral runoff near the Pine Nut Mountains. Models developed for the gaged watersheds were used as index models to guide the calibration of models for ungaged watersheds. Model calibration was constrained by daily mean runoff for 4 gaged watersheds and for 10 ungaged watersheds in the Carson Range estimated in a previous study. The models were further constrained by annual precipitation volumes estimated in a previous study to provide estimates of ground-water inflow using similar water input. The calibration periods were water years 1990-2002 for watersheds in the Carson Range, and water years 1981-97 for watersheds in the Pine Nut Mountains. Daily mean values for water years 1990-2002 were then simulated using the calibrated watershed models in the Pine Nut Mountains. The daily mean values of precipitation, runoff, evapotranspiration, and ground-water inflow simulated from the watershed models were summed to provide annual mean rates and volumes for each year of the simulations, and mean annual rates and volumes computed for water years 1990-2002. Mean annual bias for the period of record for models of Daggett Creek and Fredericksburg Canyon watersheds, two gaged perennial watersheds in the Carson Range, was within 4 percent and relative errors were about 6 and 12 percent, respectively. Model fit was not as satisfactory for two gaged perennial watersheds, Pine Nut and Buckeye Creeks, in the Pine Nut Mountains. The Pine Nut Creek watershed model had a large negative mean annual bias and a relative error of -11 percent, underestimated runoff for all years but the wet years in the latter part of the record, but adequately simulated the bulk of the spring runoff most of the years. The Buckeye Creek watershed model overestimated mean annual runoff with a relative error of about -5 percent when water year 1994 was removed from the analysis because it had a poor record. The bias and error of the calibrated models were within generally accepted limits for watershed models, indicating the simulated rates and volumes of runoff and ground-water inflow were reasonable. The total mean annual ground-water inflow to Carson Valley computed using estimates simulated by the watershed models was 38,000 acre-feet, including ground-water inflow from Eagle Valley, recharge from precipitation on eolian sand and gravel deposits, and ground-water recharge from precipitation on the western alluvial fans. The estimate was in close agreement with that obtained from the chloride-balance method, 40,000 acre-feet, but was considerably greater than the estimate obtained from the water-yield method, 22,000 acre-feet. The similar estimates obtained from the watershed models and chloride-balance method, two relatively independent methods, provide more confidence that they represent a reasonably accurate volume of ground-water inflow to Carson Valley. However, the two estimates are not completely independent because they use similar distributions of mean annual precipitation. Annual ground-water recharge of the basin-fill aquifers in Carson Valley ranged from 51,000 to 54,000 acre-feet computed using estimates of ground-water inflow to Carson Valley simulated from the watershed models combined with previous estimates of other ground-water budget components. Estimates of mean annual ground-water discharge range from 44,000 to 47,000 acre-feet. The low range estimate for ground-water recharge, 51,000 acre-feet per year, is most similar to the high range estimate for ground-water discharge, 47,000 acre-feet per year. Thus, an average annual volume of about 50,000 acre-feet is a reasonable estimate for mean annual ground-water recharge to and discharge from the basin-fill aquifers in Carson Valley. The results of watershed models indicate that significant interannual variability in the volumes of ground-water inflow is caused by climate variations. During multi-year drought conditions, the watershed simulations indicate that ground-water recharge could be as much as 80 percent less than the mean annual volume of 50,000 acre-feet.

Effectiveness of Non-Lethal Capabilities in a Maritime Environment

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-09-01

demonstrates both the space filling properties for quantitative factors of the NOLH and the lack of correlation between the factors. 27 Figure 12 ...11 b. Optical Dazzler ........................................................................ 12 c...Warning Munitions................................................................. 12 2. Lethal Capabilities

Characteristic investigation of Golay9 multiple mirror telescope with a spherical primary mirror

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Feng; Wu, Quanying; Zhu, Xifang; Xiang, Ruxi; Qian, Lin

2017-10-01

The sparse aperture provides a novel solution to the manufacturing difficulties of modern super large telescopes. Golay configurations are optimal in the sparse aperture family. Characteristics of the Golay9 multiple mirror telescope having a spherical primary mirror are investigated. The arrangement of the nine sub-mirrors is discussed after the planar Golay9 configuration is analyzed. The characteristics of the entrance pupil are derived by analyzing the sub-aperture shapes with different relative apertures and sub-mirror sizes. Formulas about the fill factor and the overlay factor are deduced. Their maximal values are presented based on the derived tangency condition. Formulas for the point spread function (PSF) and the modulation transfer function (MTF) of the Golay9 MMT are also deduced. Two Golay9 MMT have been developed by Zemax simulation. Their PSF, MTF, fill factors, and overlay factors prove that our theoretical results are consistent with the practical simulation ones.

Open circuit voltage-decay behavior in amorphous p-i-n solar due to injection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smrity, Manu; Dhariwal, S. R.

2018-05-01

The paper deals with the basic recombination processes at the dangling bond and the band tail states at various levels of injection, expressed in terms of short-circuit current density and their role in the behavior of amorphous solar cells. As the level of injection increases the fill factor decreases whereas the open circuit voltage increases very slowly, showing a saturation tendency. Calculations have been done for two values of tail state densities and shows that with an increase in tail state densities both, the fill factor and open circuit voltage decreases, results an overall degradation of the solar cell.

Efficient photovoltaic heterojunctions of indium tin oxides on silicon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dubow, J. B.; Sites, J. R.; Burk, D. E.

1976-01-01

Heterojunction diodes of indium tin oxide films sputtered on to p-silicon using ion-beam techniques display significant photovoltaic effects when exposed to sunlight. Galvanomagnetic and optical measurements confirm that the oxide films are highly degenerate transparent semiconductors. At a tin oxide concentration of 10%, an open-circuit voltage of 0.51 V was observed along with a short-circuit current of 32 mA/sq cm, a fill factor of 0.70, and a conversion efficiency of 12%. As the concentration was raised to 70%, the voltage remained steady, the current fell to 27 mA/sq cm, and the fill factor fell to 0.60

Tailoring the dispersion behavior of silicon nanophotonic slot waveguides.

PubMed

Mas, Sara; Caraquitena, José; Galán, José V; Sanchis, Pablo; Martí, Javier

2010-09-27

We investigate the chromatic dispersion properties of silicon channel slot waveguides in a broad spectral region centered at ~1.5 μm. The variation of the dispersion profile as a function of the slot fill factor, i.e., the ratio between the slot and waveguide widths, is analyzed. Symmetric as well as asymmetric geometries are considered. In general, two different dispersion regimes are identified. Furthermore, our analysis shows that the zero and/or the peak dispersion wavelengths can be tailored by a careful control of the geometrical waveguide parameters including the cross-sectional area, the slot fill factor, and the slot asymmetry degree.

Tuning the dielectric properties of metallic-nanoparticle/elastomer composites by strain.

PubMed

Gaiser, Patrick; Binz, Jonas; Gompf, Bruno; Berrier, Audrey; Dressel, Martin

2015-03-14

Tunable metal/dielectric composites are promising candidates for a large number of potential applications in electronics, sensor technologies and optical devices. Here we systematically investigate the dielectric properties of Ag-nanoparticles embedded in the highly flexible elastomer poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS). As tuning parameter we use uniaxial and biaxial strain applied to the composite. We demonstrate that both static variations of the filling factor and applied strain lead to the same behavior, i.e., the filling factor of the composite can be tuned by application of strain. In this way the effective static permittivity εeff of the composite can be varied over a very large range. Once the Poisson's ratio of the composite is known, the strain dependent dielectric constant can be accurately described by effective medium theory without any additional free fit parameter up to metal filling factors close to the percolation threshold. It is demonstrated that, starting above the percolation threshold in the metallic phase, applying strain provides the possibility to cross the percolation threshold into the insulating region. The change of regime from conductive phase down to insulating follows the description given by percolation theory and can be actively controlled.

Thickness dependences of solar cell performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sah, C. T.

1982-01-01

The significance of including factors such as the base resistivity loss for solar cells thicker than 100 microns and emitter and BSF layer recombination for thin cells in predicting the fill factor and efficiency of solar cells is demonstrated analytically. A model for a solar cell is devised with the inclusion of the dopant impurity concentration profile, variation of the electron and hole mobility with dopant concentration, the concentration and thermal capture and emission rates of the recombination center, device temperature, the AM1 spectra and the Si absorption coefficient. Device equations were solved by means of the transmission line technique. The analytical results were compared with those of low-level theory for cell performance. Significant differences in predictions of the fill factor resulted, and inaccuracies in the low-level approximations are discussed.

Detection of sulphur in the galactic center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herter, T.; Briotta, D. A., Jr.; Gull, G. E.; Shure, M. A.; Houck, J. R.

1983-01-01

A strong detection at the (SIII) 18.71 micron line is reported for the Galactic Center region, Sgr A West. A line flux of 1.7 + or - 0.2x10 to the -17th power W cm(-2) is found for a 20-arc second beam-size measurement centered on IRS 1. A preliminary analysis indicates that the SIII abundance relative to hydrogen is consistent with the cosmic abundance of sulfur, 1.6x10 to the -5th power, if a filling factor of unity within the known clumps is assumed. However, the sulfur abundance in the Galactic Center may be as much as a factor of 3 overabundant if a filling factor of 0.03 is adopted, a value found to hold for some galactic HII regions.

Via fill properties of organic BARCs in dual-damascene application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Runhui

2004-05-01

With the introduction of copper as the interconnect metal, the Dual Damascene (DD) process has been integrated into integrated circuit (IC) device fabrication. The DD process utilizes organic bottom anti-reflective coatings (BARCs) not only to eliminate the thin film interference effects but also to act as via fill materials. However, three serious processing problems are encountered with organic BARCs. One is the formation of voids, which are trapped gas bubbles (evaporating solvent, byproduct of the curing reaction and air) inside the vias. Another problem is non-uniform BARC layer thickness in different via pitch areas. The third problem is the formation of fences during plasma etch. Fences are formed from materials that are removed by plasma and subsequently deposited on the sidewall surrounding the via openings during the etching process. Voids can cause variations in BARC top thickness, optical properties, via fill percentage, and plasma etch rate. This study focuses on the factors that influence the formation of voids and addresses the ways to eliminate them by optimizing the compositions of formulations and the processing conditions. Effects of molecular weight of the polymer, nature of the crosslinker, additives, and bake temperature were examined. The molecular weight of the polymer is one of the important factors that needs to be controlled carefully. Polymers with high molecular weights tend to trap voids inside the vias. Low molecular weight polymers have low Tg and low viscosity, which enables good thermal flow so that the BARC can fill vias easily without voids. Several kinds of crosslinkers were investigated in this study. When used with the same polymer system, formulations with different crosslinkers show varying results that affect planar fill, sidewall coverage, and, in some cases, voids. Additives also can change via fill behavior dramatically, and choosing the right additive will improve the via fill property. Processing conditions such as bake temperature also greatly affect via fill. Depending on the polymer thermal property and crosslinking reaction, varying the bake temperature can change the via fill behavior of the BARC. By understanding the nature of the polymer, the crosslinking reaction, and the processing conditions, we are able to design BARCs with better flow property to provide planar topography without voids inside the vias.

Using the Ridge Regression Procedures to Estimate the Multiple Linear Regression Coefficients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gorgees, HazimMansoor; Mahdi, FatimahAssim

2018-05-01

This article concerns with comparing the performance of different types of ordinary ridge regression estimators that have been already proposed to estimate the regression parameters when the near exact linear relationships among the explanatory variables is presented. For this situations we employ the data obtained from tagi gas filling company during the period (2008-2010). The main result we reached is that the method based on the condition number performs better than other methods since it has smaller mean square error (MSE) than the other stated methods.

Mobile spin impurity in an optical lattice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duncan, C. W.; Bellotti, F. F.; Öhberg, P.; Zinner, N. T.; Valiente, M.

2017-07-01

We investigate the Fermi polaron problem in a spin-1/2 Fermi gas in an optical lattice for the limit of both strong repulsive contact interactions and one dimension. In this limit, a polaronic-like behaviour is not expected, and the physics is that of a magnon or impurity. While the charge degrees of freedom of the system are frozen, the resulting tight-binding Hamiltonian for the impurity’s spin exhibits an intriguing structure that strongly depends on the filling factor of the lattice potential. This filling dependency also transfers to the nature of the interactions for the case of two magnons and the important spin balanced case. At low filling, and up until near unit filling, the single impurity Hamiltonian faithfully reproduces a single-band, quasi-homogeneous tight-binding problem. As the filling is increased and the second band of the single particle spectrum of the periodic potential is progressively filled, the impurity Hamiltonian, at low energies, describes a single particle trapped in a multi-well potential. Interestingly, once the first two bands are fully filled, the impurity Hamiltonian is a near-perfect realisation of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model. Our studies, which go well beyond the single-band approximation, that is, the Hubbard model, pave the way for the realisation of interacting one-dimensional models of condensed matter physics.

Micro-channel filling flow considering surface tension effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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

2002-05-01

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

Polystyrene foam products equation of state as a function of porosity and fill gas

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

Mulford, Roberta N; Swift, Damian C

2009-01-01

An accurate EOS for polystyrene foam is necessary for analysis of numerous experiments in shock compression, inertial confinement fusion, and astrophysics. Plastic to gas ratios vary between various samples of foam, according to the density and cell-size of the foam. A matrix of compositions has been investigated, allowing prediction of foam response as a function of the plastic-to-air ratio. The EOS code CHEETAH allows participation of the air in the decomposition reaction of the foam. Differences between air-filled, Ar-blown, and CO{sub 2}-blown foams are investigated, to estimate the importance of allowing air to react with products of polystyrene decomposition. O{submore » 2}-blown foams are included in some comparisons, to amplify any consequences of reaction with oxygen in air. He-blown foams are included in some comparisons, to provide an extremum of density. Product pressures are slightly higher for oxygen-containing fill gases than for non-oxygen-containing fill gases. Examination of product species indicates that CO{sub 2} decomposes at high temperatures.« less

New Doppler echocardiographic applications for the study of diastolic function

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garcia, M. J.; Thomas, J. D.; Klein, A. L.

1998-01-01

Doppler echocardiography is one of the most useful clinical tools for the assessment of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. Doppler indices of LV filling and pulmonary venous (PV) flow are used not only for diagnostic purposes but also for establishing prognosis and evaluating the effect of therapeutic interventions. The utility of these indices is limited, however, by the confounding effects of different physiologic variables such as LV relaxation, compliance and filling pressure. Since alterations in these variables result in changes in Doppler indices of opposite direction, it is often difficult to determine the status of a given variable when a specific Doppler filling pattern is observed. Recently, color M-mode and tissue Doppler have provided useful insights in the study of diastolic function. These new Doppler applications have been shown to provide an accurate estimate of LV relaxation and appear to be relatively insensitive to the effects of preload compensation. This review will focus on the complementary role of color M-mode and tissue Doppler echocardiography and traditional Doppler indices of LV filling and PV flow in the assessment of diastolic function.

Enhanced thermoelectric response in the fractional quantum Hall effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roura-Bas, Pablo; Arrachea, Liliana; Fradkin, Eduardo

2018-02-01

We study the linear thermoelectric response of a quantum dot embedded in a constriction of a quantum Hall bar with fractional filling factors ν =1 /m within Laughlin series. We calculate the figure of merit Z T for the maximum efficiency at a fixed temperature difference. We find a significant enhancement of this quantity in the fractional filling in relation to the integer-filling case, which is a direct consequence of the fractionalization of the electron in the fractional quantum Hall state. We present simple theoretical expressions for the Onsager coefficients at low temperatures, which explicitly show that Z T and the Seebeck coefficient increase with m .

Understanding prescription adherence: Pharmacy claims data from the Contraceptive CHOICE Project

PubMed Central

Pittman, Meredith E.; Secura, Gina M.; Allsworth, Jenifer E.; Homco, Juell B.; Madden, Tessa; Peipert, Jeffrey F.

2010-01-01

BACKGROUND We examined prescription adherence rates by contraceptive method among women who used oral contraceptive pills (OCP), transdermal patch, or vaginal ring. STUDY DESIGN Women in the St. Louis area were provided their choice of OCP, patch, or ring at no cost and followed for 18 months. Time between monthly refills was obtained from pharmacy data and analyzed as a marker of adherence. Risk factors for initial nonadherence were estimated using Cox proportional hazards; predictors for repeated nonadherence were analyzed using Poisson regression with robust error variance. RESULTS Overall, 619 participants filled 6,435 contraceptive prescriptions with a median of 10 refills per participant. Only 30% of women (n=187) obtained all refills on time. In the time-to-failure analysis, use of vaginal ring and increased parity were predictors of early nonadherence (p<0.05). In the multivariable analysis, use of the vaginal ring and history of abortion were risk factors for repeated nonadherence (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Even with financial barriers removed, pharmacy data show that many women inconsistently refill their contraception and may be at risk for unintended pregnancy. PMID:21397092

Spatial transferability using synthetic population generation methods.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-04-19

In this study, we developed a new method to transfer daily travel behavior data from one place to another. This fills a critical gap in practical : applications that need data to study behaviors but also to estimate behavioral models. The basic ingre...

Predictors of Intervention Success in a Sports-Based Program for Adolescents at Risk of Juvenile Delinquency

PubMed Central

Spruit, Anouk; van der Put, Claudia; van Vugt, Eveline; Stams, Geert Jan

2017-01-01

To prevent juvenile delinquency, there is growing interest in the use of sports-based interventions. To date, there is little empirical research that provides insights into for whom, how, and when sports-based crime prevention programs are most effective. Therefore, the current study assessed which youth, coach, and context factors were predictive of change in risk factors and protective factors for delinquency in a sports-based crime prevention program for at-risk adolescents. Participants (N = 155) and their teachers filled in questionnaires about risk and protective factors for delinquency at the start of the intervention and 13 months later. In addition, the coaches and participants filled in questionnaires about the predictors of intervention success. The youths showed significant improvements over the course of the intervention. Various youth, coach, and context factors (e.g., the type of education of youth and the sociomoral climate at the sports club) were associated to change in the outcome variables. PMID:28741394

Predictors of Intervention Success in a Sports-Based Program for Adolescents at Risk of Juvenile Delinquency.

PubMed

Spruit, Anouk; van der Put, Claudia; van Vugt, Eveline; Stams, Geert Jan

2018-05-01

To prevent juvenile delinquency, there is growing interest in the use of sports-based interventions. To date, there is little empirical research that provides insights into for whom, how, and when sports-based crime prevention programs are most effective. Therefore, the current study assessed which youth, coach, and context factors were predictive of change in risk factors and protective factors for delinquency in a sports-based crime prevention program for at-risk adolescents. Participants ( N = 155) and their teachers filled in questionnaires about risk and protective factors for delinquency at the start of the intervention and 13 months later. In addition, the coaches and participants filled in questionnaires about the predictors of intervention success. The youths showed significant improvements over the course of the intervention. Various youth, coach, and context factors (e.g., the type of education of youth and the sociomoral climate at the sports club) were associated to change in the outcome variables.

Developing index maps of water-harvest potential in Africa

USGS Publications Warehouse

Senay, G.B.; Verdin, J.P.

2004-01-01

The food security problem in Africa is tied to the small farmer, whose subsistence farming relies heavily on rain-fed agriculture. A dry spell lasting two to three weeks can cause a significant yield reduction. A small-scale irrigation scheme from small-capacity ponds can alleviate this problem. This solution would require a water harvest mechanism at a farm level. In this study, we looked at the feasibility of implementing such a water harvest mechanism in drought prone parts of Africa. A water balance study was conducted at different watershed levels. Runoff (watershed yield) was estimated using the SCS curve number technique and satellite derived rainfall estimates (RFE). Watersheds were delineated from the Africa-wide HYDRO-1K digital elevation model (DEM) data set in a GIS environment. Annual runoff volumes that can potentially be stored in a pond during storm events were estimated as the product of the watershed area and runoff excess estimated from the SCS Curve Number method. Estimates were made for seepage and net evaporation losses. A series of water harvest index maps were developed based on a combination of factors that took into account the availability of runoff, evaporation losses, population density, and the required watershed size needed to fill a small storage reservoir that can be used to alleviate water stress during a crop growing season. This study presents Africa-wide water-harvest index maps that could be used for conducting feasibility studies at a regional scale in assessing the relative differences in runoff potential between regions for the possibility of using ponds as a water management tool. ?? 2004 American Society of Agricultural Engineers.

Methodological factors affecting joint moments estimation in clinical gait analysis: a systematic review.

PubMed

Camomilla, Valentina; Cereatti, Andrea; Cutti, Andrea Giovanni; Fantozzi, Silvia; Stagni, Rita; Vannozzi, Giuseppe

2017-08-18

Quantitative gait analysis can provide a description of joint kinematics and dynamics, and it is recognized as a clinically useful tool for functional assessment, diagnosis and intervention planning. Clinically interpretable parameters are estimated from quantitative measures (i.e. ground reaction forces, skin marker trajectories, etc.) through biomechanical modelling. In particular, the estimation of joint moments during motion is grounded on several modelling assumptions: (1) body segmental and joint kinematics is derived from the trajectories of markers and by modelling the human body as a kinematic chain; (2) joint resultant (net) loads are, usually, derived from force plate measurements through a model of segmental dynamics. Therefore, both measurement errors and modelling assumptions can affect the results, to an extent that also depends on the characteristics of the motor task analysed (i.e. gait speed). Errors affecting the trajectories of joint centres, the orientation of joint functional axes, the joint angular velocities, the accuracy of inertial parameters and force measurements (concurring to the definition of the dynamic model), can weigh differently in the estimation of clinically interpretable joint moments. Numerous studies addressed all these methodological aspects separately, but a critical analysis of how these aspects may affect the clinical interpretation of joint dynamics is still missing. This article aims at filling this gap through a systematic review of the literature, conducted on Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed. The final objective is hence to provide clear take-home messages to guide laboratories in the estimation of joint moments for the clinical practice.

The Shock and Vibration Digest. Volume 18, Number 1

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-01-01

polyurethanes reduced the loss factor and emphasized the correlation between molecular storage modulus by increasing the length of the structure and...one tempera- static deformations. He gave storage and loss ture/frequency range is difficult with copoly- moduli for a carbon black filled and an...has been described (18). The shear loss author states that the frequency dependence of and storage moduli of a void-filled polyurethane the elastomers

Distance descending ordering method: An O(n) algorithm for inverting the mass matrix in simulation of macromolecules with long branches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Xiankun; Li, Peiwen

2017-11-01

Fixman's work in 1974 and the follow-up studies have developed a method that can factorize the inverse of mass matrix into an arithmetic combination of three sparse matrices-one of them is positive definite and needs to be further factorized by using the Cholesky decomposition or similar methods. When the molecule subjected to study is of serial chain structure, this method can achieve O (n) time complexity. However, for molecules with long branches, Cholesky decomposition about the corresponding positive definite matrix will introduce massive fill-in due to its nonzero structure. Although there are several methods can be used to reduce the number of fill-in, none of them could strictly guarantee for zero fill-in for all molecules according to our test, and thus cannot obtain O (n) time complexity by using these traditional methods. In this paper we present a new method that can guarantee for no fill-in in doing the Cholesky decomposition, which was developed based on the correlations between the mass matrix and the geometrical structure of molecules. As a result, the inverting of mass matrix will remain the O (n) time complexity, no matter the molecule structure has long branches or not.

SALT-RESPONSIVE ERF1 is a negative regulator of grain filling and gibberellin-mediated seedling establishment in rice.

PubMed

Schmidt, Romy; Schippers, Jos H M; Mieulet, Delphine; Watanabe, Mutsumi; Hoefgen, Rainer; Guiderdoni, Emmanuel; Mueller-Roeber, Bernd

2014-02-01

Grain quality is an important agricultural trait that is mainly determined by grain size and composition. Here, we characterize the role of the rice transcription factor (TF) SALT-RESPONSIVE ERF1 (SERF1) during grain development. Through genome-wide expression profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation, we found that SERF1 directly regulates RICE PROLAMIN-BOX BINDING FACTOR (RPBF), a TF that functions as a positive regulator of grain filling. Loss of SERF1 enhances RPBF expression resulting in larger grains with increased starch content, while SERF1 overexpression represses RPBF resulting in smaller grains. Consistently, during grain filling, starch biosynthesis genes such as GRANULE-BOUND STARCH SYNTHASEI (GBSSI), STARCH SYNTHASEI (SSI), SSIIIa, and ADP-GLUCOSE PYROPHOSPHORYLASE LARGE SUBUNIT2 (AGPL2) are up-regulated in SERF1 knockout grains. Moreover, SERF1 is a direct upstream regulator of GBSSI. In addition, SERF1 negatively regulates germination by controlling RPBF expression, which mediates the gibberellic acid (GA)-induced expression of RICE AMYLASE1A (RAmy1A). Loss of SERF1 results in more rapid seedling establishment, while SERF1 overexpression has the opposite effect. Our study reveals that SERF1 represents a negative regulator of grain filling and seedling establishment by timing the expression of RPBF.

Influence of filling-drawdown cycles of the Vajont reservoir on Mt. Toc slope stability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paronuzzi, Paolo; Rigo, Elia; Bolla, Alberto

2013-06-01

In the present work, the 1963 Vajont landslide has been back-analyzed in detail to examine the influence of reservoir operations (filling and drawdown) on Mt. Toc slope stability. The combined seepage-slope stability analyses carried out show that the main destabilizing factor that favored the 1963 Vajont landslide was the reservoir-induced water table that formed as a consequence of rapid seepage inflow within the submerged toe of the slope — decrease in the factor of safety (FOS) up to 12% compared to the initial slope stability condition, i.e., in the absence of the Vajont reservoir. Rainfall would only have been a decisive factor if the initial stability condition of the Mt. Toc slope had already been very close to failure (decrease in FOS caused by heavy or prolonged rainfall is about 3-4%, for the worst case scenario analyzed). The permeability of the shear zone material occurring at the base of the prehistoric Vajont rockslide has been evaluated at 5 × 10- 4 m/s, and back-calculated values of the friction angles Φ range from 17.5° to 27.5°. When considering mountain reservoirs, slope failures can occur during both filling and drawdown phases. In the Vajont case, owing to the highly permeable materials of the shear zone, slope stability decreased during filling and increased during drawdown. Another displacement-dependent phenomenon of a mechanical nature - progressive failure of the NE landslide constraint - has to be considered to understand the slope collapse that occurred during the last drawdown (26 September-9 October 1963). The results of the combined seepage-slope stability models indicate that permeability of bank-forming material and filling-drawdown rates of reservoirs can strongly influence slope stability. Slow lowering of the reservoir level is a necessary measure to reduce the occurrence of very dangerous transient negative peaks of FOS.

Time providing care outside visits in a home-based primary care program.

PubMed

Pedowitz, Elizabeth J; Ornstein, Katherine A; Farber, Jeffrey; DeCherrie, Linda V

2014-06-01

To assess how much time physicians in a large home-based primary care (HBPC) program spend providing care outside of home visits. Unreimbursed time and patient and provider-related factors that may contribute to that time were considered. Mount Sinai Visiting Doctors (MSVD) providers filled out research forms for every interaction involving care provision outside of home visits. Data collected included length of interaction, mode, nature, and with whom the interaction was for 3 weeks. MSVD, an academic home-visit program in Manhattan, New York. All primary care physicians (PCPs) in MSVD (n = 14) agreed to participate. Time data were analyzed using a comprehensive estimate and conservative estimates to quantify unbillable time. Data on 1,151 interactions for 537 patients were collected. An average 8.2 h/wk was spent providing nonhome visit care for a full-time provider. Using the most conservative estimates, 3.6 h/wk was estimated to be unreimbursed per full-time provider. No significant differences in interaction times were found between patients with and without dementia, new and established patients, and primary-panel and covered patients. Home-based primary care providers spend substantial time providing care outside home visits, much of which goes unrecognized in the current reimbursement system. These findings may help guide practice development and creation of new payment systems for HBPC and similar models of care. © 2014, Copyright the Authors Journal compilation © 2014, The American Geriatrics Society.

Q estimation of seismic data using the generalized S-transform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hao, Yaju; Wen, Xiaotao; Zhang, Bo; He, Zhenhua; Zhang, Rui; Zhang, Jinming

2016-12-01

Quality factor, Q, is a parameter that characterizes the energy dissipation during seismic wave propagation. The reservoir pore is one of the main factors that affect the value of Q. Especially, when pore space is filled with oil or gas, the rock usually exhibits a relative low Q value. Such a low Q value has been used as a direct hydrocarbon indicator by many researchers. The conventional Q estimation method based on spectral ratio suffers from the problem of waveform tuning; hence, many researchers have introduced time-frequency analysis techniques to tackle this problem. Unfortunately, the window functions adopted in time-frequency analysis algorithms such as continuous wavelet transform (CWT) and S-transform (ST) contaminate the amplitude spectra because the seismic signal is multiplied by the window functions during time-frequency decomposition. The basic assumption of the spectral ratio method is that there is a linear relationship between natural logarithmic spectral ratio and frequency. However, this assumption does not hold if we take the influence of window functions into consideration. In this paper, we first employ a recently developed two-parameter generalized S-transform (GST) to obtain the time-frequency spectra of seismic traces. We then deduce the non-linear relationship between natural logarithmic spectral ratio and frequency. Finally, we obtain a linear relationship between natural logarithmic spectral ratio and a newly defined parameter γ by ignoring the negligible second order term. The gradient of this linear relationship is 1/Q. Here, the parameter γ is a function of frequency and source wavelet. Numerical examples for VSP and post-stack reflection data confirm that our algorithm is capable of yielding accurate results. The Q-value results estimated from field data acquired in western China show reasonable comparison with oil-producing well location.

Thermal Conductivity Performance of Polypropylene Composites Filled with Polydopamine-Functionalized Hexagonal Boron Nitride.

PubMed

Chen, Lin; Xu, Hong-Fei; He, Shao-Jian; Du, Yi-Hang; Yu, Nan-Jie; Du, Xiao-Ze; Lin, Jun; Nazarenko, Sergei

2017-01-01

Mussel-inspired approach was attempted to non-covalently functionalize the surfaces of boron nitride (BN) with self-polymerized dopamine coatings in order to reduce the interfacial thermal barrier and enhance the thermal conductivity of BN-containing composites. Compared to the polypropylene (PP) composites filled with pristine BN at the same filler content, thermal conductivity was much higher for those filled with both functionalized BN (f-BN) and maleic anhydride grafted PP (PP-g-ma) due to the improved filler dispersion and better interfacial filler-matrix compatibility, which facilitated the development of more thermal paths. Theoretical models were also applied to predict the composite thermal conductivity in which the Nielsen model was found to fit well with the experimental results, and the estimated effective aspect ratio of fillers well corresponded to the degree of filler aggregation as observed in the morphological study.

X-ray shadow imprint of hydrodynamic instabilities on the surface of inertial confinement fusion capsules by the fuel fill tube

DOE PAGES

MacPhee, A. G.; Casey, D. T.; Clark, D. S.; ...

2017-03-30

Measurements of hydrodynamic instability growth for a high-density carbon ablator for indirectly driven inertial confinement fusion implosions on the National Ignition Facility are reported. We observe significant unexpected features on the capsule surface created by shadows of the capsule fill tube, as illuminated by laser-irradiated x-ray spots on the hohlraum wall. These shadows increase the spatial size and shape of the fill tube perturbation in a way that can significantly degrade performance in layered implosions compared to previous expectations. The measurements were performed at a convergence ratio of ~2 using in-flight x-ray radiography. The initial seed due to shadow imprintmore » is estimated to be equivalent to ~50–100 nm of solid ablator material. As a result, this discovery has prompted the need for a mitigation strategy for future inertial confinement fusion designs as proposed here.« less

Thermal Conductivity Performance of Polypropylene Composites Filled with Polydopamine-Functionalized Hexagonal Boron Nitride

PubMed Central

Xu, Hong-Fei; He, Shao-Jian; Du, Yi-Hang; Yu, Nan-Jie; Du, Xiao-Ze; Lin, Jun; Nazarenko, Sergei

2017-01-01

Mussel-inspired approach was attempted to non-covalently functionalize the surfaces of boron nitride (BN) with self-polymerized dopamine coatings in order to reduce the interfacial thermal barrier and enhance the thermal conductivity of BN-containing composites. Compared to the polypropylene (PP) composites filled with pristine BN at the same filler content, thermal conductivity was much higher for those filled with both functionalized BN (f-BN) and maleic anhydride grafted PP (PP-g-ma) due to the improved filler dispersion and better interfacial filler-matrix compatibility, which facilitated the development of more thermal paths. Theoretical models were also applied to predict the composite thermal conductivity in which the Nielsen model was found to fit well with the experimental results, and the estimated effective aspect ratio of fillers well corresponded to the degree of filler aggregation as observed in the morphological study. PMID:28107466

X-ray shadow imprint of hydrodynamic instabilities on the surface of inertial confinement fusion capsules by the fuel fill tube

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

MacPhee, A. G.; Casey, D. T.; Clark, D. S.

Measurements of hydrodynamic instability growth for a high-density carbon ablator for indirectly driven inertial confinement fusion implosions on the National Ignition Facility are reported. We observe significant unexpected features on the capsule surface created by shadows of the capsule fill tube, as illuminated by laser-irradiated x-ray spots on the hohlraum wall. These shadows increase the spatial size and shape of the fill tube perturbation in a way that can significantly degrade performance in layered implosions compared to previous expectations. The measurements were performed at a convergence ratio of ~2 using in-flight x-ray radiography. The initial seed due to shadow imprintmore » is estimated to be equivalent to ~50–100 nm of solid ablator material. As a result, this discovery has prompted the need for a mitigation strategy for future inertial confinement fusion designs as proposed here.« less

Rangewide determinants of population performance in Prunus lusitanica: Lessons for the contemporary conservation of a Tertiary relict tree

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pardo, Adara; Cáceres, Yonatan; Pulido, Fernando

2018-01-01

Relict species are an extremely important part of biodiversity and as such studies on the factors that allow their current persistence are required. The aim of this study was to assess the determinants of the distribution and range-wide population performance of the Tertiary relict tree Prunus lusitanica L. This threatened species is confined to Iberia, Northern Morocco and Macaronesia with a fragmented and scattered distribution. Using ecological niche modelling, we calculated the level of range filling across the range and tested its relationship with human impact. We then assessed the relative importance of climatic suitability as obtained through niche modelling, topographic factors and contemporary human impact on range-wide population performance. Results showed that the species occupies only 2.4% of the overall area predicted to be climatically suitable for its presence and the level of range filling varied across regions. A weak negative relationship among range filling and human impact was found. Overall climatic suitability was the strongest predictor of population performance. However, it showed high variability across regions: the effect was positive in Iberia whereas negative but not significant in Macaronesia and Morocco. Human impact showed a significant negative effect and finally topographic factors such as altitude had a minor negative effect. Our results highlight that both climate and human impact play a major role in the current limited range filling and performance of the species. Management plans to minimize anthropogenic disturbances together with reforestation measures are urgently needed in order to conserve this unique species.

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

Alan E. Bland

Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU) and Western Research Institute (WRI) have been developing flowable fill materials formulated using ash from the Montana-Dakota Utilities R. M. Heskett Station in Mandan, North Dakota. MDU and WRI have partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC) to further the development of these materials for lignite-fired fluidized-bed combustion (FBC) facilities. The MDU controlled density fill (CDF) appears to be a viable engineering material and environmentally safe. WRI is pursuing the commercialization of the technology under the trademark Ready-Fill{trademark}. The project objectives were to: (1) assess the market in themore » Bismarck-Mandan area; (2) evaluate the geotechnical properties and environmental compatibility; and (3) construct and monitor demonstrations of the various grades of flowable fill products in full-scale demonstrations. The scope of initial phase of work entailed the following: Task I--Assess Market for MDU Flowable Fill Products; Task II--Assess Geotechnical and Environmental Properties of MDU Flowable Fill Products; and Task III--Demonstrate and Monitor MDU Flowable Fill Products in Field-Scale Demonstrations. The results of these testing and demonstration activities proved the following: (1) The market assessment indicated that a market exists in the Bismarck-Mandan area for structural construction applications, such as sub-bases for residential and commercial businesses, and excavatable fill applications, such as gas line and utility trench filling. (2) The cost of the MDU flowable fill product must be lower than the current $35-$45/cubic yard price if it is to become a common construction material. Formulations using MDU ash and lower-cost sand alternatives offer that opportunity. An estimated market of 10,000 cubic yards of MDU flowable fill products could be realized if prices could be made competitive. (3) The geotechnical properties of the MDU ash-based flowable fill can be modified to meet the needs of a range of applications from structural fill applications to excavatable applications, such as utility trench fill. (4) Environmental assessments using standard testing indicate that the environmental properties of the fill materials are compatible with numerous construction applications and do not pose a threat to either adjacent groundwater or soils. (5) WRI developed an Environmental Field Simulator (EFS) method for assessing the impact of flowable fill materials on adjacent soils and found that the zone of impact is less than a couple of inches, thereby posing no threat to adjacent soils. (6) Field-scale demonstrations of the MDU flowable fill were constructed and were successful for structural, as well as excavatable applications. Monitoring has demonstrated the geotechnical performance, environmental performance, and compatibility with common embed materials with the MDU flowable fill products. Technical and economic issues were identified that may hinder the commercial acceptance of MDU flowable fill materials, including: (1) the ability to produce a consistent product; (2) the ability to provide a product year round (cold weather retards strength development); and (3) the ability to evaluate and produce commercial quantities of MDU flowable fill using inexpensive materials.« less

Risk factors associated with oroantral perforation during surgical removal of maxillary third molar teeth.

PubMed

Hasegawa, Takumi; Tachibana, Akira; Takeda, Daisuke; Iwata, Eiji; Arimoto, Satomi; Sakakibara, Akiko; Akashi, Masaya; Komori, Takahide

2016-12-01

The relationship between radiographic findings and the occurrence of oroantral perforation is controversial. Few studies have quantitatively analyzed the risk factors contributing to oroantral perforation, and no study has reported multivariate analysis of the relationship(s) between these various factors. This retrospective study aims to fill this void. Various risk factors for oroantral perforation during maxillary third molar extraction were investigated by univariate and multivariate analysis. The proximity of the roots to the maxillary sinus floor (root-sinus [RS] classification) was assessed using panoramic radiography and classified as types 1-5. The relationship between the maxillary second and third molars was classified according to a modified version of the Archer classification. The relative depth of the maxillary third molar in the bone was classified as class A-C, and its angulation relative to the long axis of the second molar was also recorded. Performance of an incision (OR 5.16), mesioangular tooth angulation (OR 6.05), and type 3 RS classification (i.e., significant superimposition of the roots of all posterior maxillary teeth with the sinus floor; OR 10.18) were all identified as risk factors with significant association to an outcome of oroantral perforation. To our knowledge, this is the first multivariate analysis of the risk factors for oroantral perforation during surgical extraction of the maxillary third molar. This RS classification may offer a new predictive parameter for estimating the risk of oroantral perforation.

Association Between US State Medical Cannabis Laws and Opioid Prescribing in the Medicare Part D Population.

PubMed

Bradford, Ashley C; Bradford, W David; Abraham, Amanda; Bagwell Adams, Grace

2018-05-01

Opioid-related mortality increased by 15.6% from 2014 to 2015 and increased almost 320% between 2000 and 2015. Recent research finds that the use of all pain medications (opioid and nonopioid collectively) decreases in Medicare Part D and Medicaid populations when states approve medical cannabis laws (MCLs). The association between MCLs and opioid prescriptions is not well understood. To examine the association between prescribing patterns for opioids in Medicare Part D and the implementation of state MCLs. Longitudinal analysis of the daily doses of opioids filled in Medicare Part D for all opioids as a group and for categories of opioids by state and state-level MCLs from 2010 through 2015. Separate models were estimated first for whether the state had implemented any MCL and second for whether a state had implemented either a dispensary-based or a home cultivation only-based MCL. The primary outcome measure was the total number of daily opioid doses prescribed (in millions) in each US state for all opioids. The secondary analysis examined the association between MCLs separately by opioid class. From 2010 to 2015 there were 23.08 million daily doses of any opioid dispensed per year in the average state under Medicare Part D. Multiple regression analysis results found that patients filled fewer daily doses of any opioid in states with an MCL. The associations between MCLs and any opioid prescribing were statistically significant when we took the type of MCL into account: states with active dispensaries saw 3.742 million fewer daily doses filled (95% CI, -6.289 to -1.194); states with home cultivation only MCLs saw 1.792 million fewer filled daily doses (95% CI, -3.532 to -0.052). Results varied by type of opioid, with statistically significant estimated negative associations observed for hydrocodone and morphine. Hydrocodone use decreased by 2.320 million daily doses (or 17.4%) filled with dispensary-based MCLs (95% CI, -3.782 to -0.859; P = .002) and decreased by 1.256 million daily doses (or 9.4%) filled with home-cultivation-only-based MCLs (95% CI, -2.319 to -0.193; P = .02). Morphine use decreased by 0.361 million daily doses (or 20.7%) filled with dispensary-based MCLs (95% CI, -0.718 to -0.005; P = .047). Medical cannabis laws are associated with significant reductions in opioid prescribing in the Medicare Part D population. This finding was particularly strong in states that permit dispensaries, and for reductions in hydrocodone and morphine prescriptions.

The Effects of Rainfall Inhomogeneity on Climate Variability of Rainfall Estimated from Passive Microwave Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kummerow, Christian; Poyner, Philip; Berg, Wesley; Thomas-Stahle, Jody

2007-01-01

Passive microwave rainfall estimates that exploit the emission signal of raindrops in the atmosphere are sensitive to the inhomogeneity of rainfall within the satellite field of view (FOV). In particular, the concave nature of the brightness temperature (T(sub b)) versus rainfall relations at frequencies capable of detecting the blackbody emission of raindrops cause retrieval algorithms to systematically underestimate precipitation unless the rainfall is homogeneous within a radiometer FOV, or the inhomogeneity is accounted for explicitly. This problem has a long history in the passive microwave community and has been termed the beam-filling error. While not a true error, correcting for it requires a priori knowledge about the actual distribution of the rainfall within the satellite FOV, or at least a statistical representation of this inhomogeneity. This study first examines the magnitude of this beam-filling correction when slant-path radiative transfer calculations are used to account for the oblique incidence of current radiometers. Because of the horizontal averaging that occurs away from the nadir direction, the beam-filling error is found to be only a fraction of what has been reported previously in the literature based upon plane-parallel calculations. For a FOV representative of the 19-GHz radiometer channel (18 km X 28 km) aboard the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), the mean beam-filling correction computed in this study for tropical atmospheres is 1.26 instead of 1.52 computed from plane-parallel techniques. The slant-path solution is also less sensitive to finescale rainfall inhomogeneity and is, thus, able to make use of 4-km radar data from the TRMM Precipitation Radar (PR) in order to map regional and seasonal distributions of observed rainfall inhomogeneity in the Tropics. The data are examined to assess the expected errors introduced into climate rainfall records by unresolved changes in rainfall inhomogeneity. Results show that global mean monthly errors introduced by not explicitly accounting for rainfall inhomogeneity do not exceed 0.5% if the beam-filling error is allowed to be a function of rainfall rate and freezing level and does not exceed 2% if a universal beam-filling correction is applied that depends only upon the freezing level. Monthly regional errors can be significantly larger. Over the Indian Ocean, errors as large as 8% were found if the beam-filling correction is allowed to vary with rainfall rate and freezing level while errors of 15% were found if a universal correction is used.

[Experimental study on the transforming growth factor β3 combined with dental pulp stem cells in early bone integration of implant].

PubMed

Guzalinuer, Ababaikeli; Muhetaer, Huojia; Wu, H; Paerhati, Abudureheman

2018-04-09

Objective: To establish the experimental model of rabbit mandibular anterior implant repair and evaluate the effects of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β3 and dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) in promoting the bone integration of implant. Methods: The New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into experimental group, control group and blank group (6 rabbits for each group) . In the experimental group, the implant area was filled with the mixture of TGF-β3, DPSC and Bio-oss powder. In the control group, the implant area was filled with the mixture of DPSC and Bio-oss powder. In the blank group, the implant area was filled with the mixture of phosphate buffer solution and Bio-oss powder. Eighteen New Zealand rabbits were sacrificed in 2 weeks after procedure. The treated alveolar bone tissue was observed. The bone tissue around the implant were estimated by HE staining, immunocytochemical staining and real-time quantitative PCR. Results: The implants were no shedding nor loose. HE staining shows the blank group had a sparse trabecular bone and a small amount of blood vessel around the implant and no obvious new bone formation. The control group showed that the bone trabecula around the implant was sparse and slender, the osteoblasts were arranged linearly around the trabecular bone, a small amount of new bone formation was found around the implant. In the experimental group, there were more thick and dense trabecular bone around the implant, the surrounding osteoblasts were arranged in clusters. The osteoblasts were active and many new bone formed. Typical bone lacunae, bone cells and a large number of new blood vessels can be observed. Immunohistochemistry showed that the proportion of average positive area in the experimental group, control group, blank group were (24.6±5.3) %, (11.3±2.8) % and (7.6±3.8) % respectively. The expression of bone sialoprotein in experimental group were significantly higher than the other 2 groups( P= 0.000). Real-time quantitative PCR results showed that the expression level of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), type Ⅰcollagen (COL-Ⅰ), alkaline phosphatase in the experimental group was higher than in the blank group. The expression level of RUNX2 and COL-Ⅰ in the experimental group was higher than that of the control group ( P= 0.023). Conclusions: TGF-β3 has potential to promote the transformation of DPSC into osteoblasts, which can promote the integration of bone around the implant.

How large is the Upper Indus Basin? The pitfalls of auto-delineation using DEMs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khan, Asif; Richards, Keith S.; Parker, Geoffrey T.; McRobie, Allan; Mukhopadhyay, Biswajit

2014-02-01

Extraction of watershed areas from Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) is increasingly required in a variety of environmental analyses. It is facilitated by the availability of DEMs based on remotely sensed data, and by Geographical Information System (GIS) software. However, accurate delineation depends on the quality of the DEM and the methodology adopted. This paper considers automated and supervised delineation in a case study of the Upper Indus Basin (UIB), Pakistan, for which published estimates of the basin area show significant disagreement, ranging from 166,000 to 266,000 km2. Automated delineation used ArcGIS Archydro and hydrology tools applied to three good quality DEMs (two from SRTM data with 90m resolution, and one from 30m resolution ASTER data). Automatic delineation defined a basin area of c.440,000 km2 for the UIB, but included a large area of internal drainage in the western Tibetan Plateau. It is shown that discrepancies between different estimates reflect differences in the initial extent of the DEM used for watershed delineation, and the unchecked effect of iterative pit-filling of the DEM (going beyond the filling of erroneous pixels to filling entire closed basins). For the UIB we have identified critical points where spurious addition of catchment area has arisen, and use Google Earth to examine the geomorphology adjacent to these points, and also examine the basin boundary data provided by the HydroSHEDS database. We show that the Pangong Tso watershed and some other areas in the western Tibetan plateau are not part of the UIB, but are areas of internal drainage. Our best estimate of the area of the Upper Indus Basin (at Besham Qila) is 164,867 km2 based on the SRTM DEM, and 164,853 km2 using the ASTER DEM). This matches the catchment area measured by WAPDA SWHP. An important lesson from this investigation is that one should not rely on automated delineation, as iterative pit-filling can produce spurious drainage networks and basins, when there are areas of internal drainage nearby.

Structure and Filling Characteristics of Paleokarst Reservoirs in the Northern Tarim Basin, Revealed by Outcrop, Core and Borehole Images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Fei; Lu, Xinbian; Zheng, Songqing; Zhang, Hongfang; Rong, Yuanshuai; Yang, Debin; Liu, Naigui

2017-06-01

The Ordovician paleokarst reservoirs in the Tahe oilfield, with burial depths of over 5300 m, experienced multiple phases of geologic processes and exhibit strong heterogeneity. Core testing can be used to analyse the characteristics of typical points at the centimetre scale, and seismic datasets can reveal the macroscopic outlines of reservoirs at the >10-m scale. However, neither method can identify caves, cave fills and fractures at the meter scale. Guided by outcrop investigations and calibrations based on core sample observations, this paper describes the interpretation of high longitudinal resolution borehole images, the identification of the characteristics of caves, cave fills (sedimentary, breccia and chemical fills) and fractures in single wells, and the identification of structures and fill characteristics at the meter scale in the strongly heterogeneous paleokarst reservoirs. The paleogeomorphology, a major controlling factor in the distribution of paleokarst reservoirs, was also analysed. The results show that one well can penetrate multiple cave layers of various sizes and that the caves are filled with multiple types of fill. The paleogeomorphology can be divided into highlands, slopes and depressions, which controlled the structure and fill characteristics of the paleokarst reservoirs. The results of this study can provide fundamental meter-scale datasets for interpreting detailed geologic features of deeply buried paleocaves, can be used to connect core- and seismic-scale interpretations, and can provide support for the recognition and development of these strongly heterogeneous reservoirs.

Clinical and laboratory evaluation of microstructural changes in the physical, mechanical and chemical properties of dental filling materials under the influence of an electromagnetic field.

PubMed

Moiseeva, Natalia S; Kunin, Anatoly A

2018-03-01

Restorative filling materials used for dental caries prevention and treatment consist of various components including monomers or oligomers, which play a significant role in forming the main structure of these materials, as well as in characterising their physical, mechanical and chemical properties. The necessity for the development and improvement of structural characteristics of polymeric dental filling materials intended for caries prevention and their life duration increase served as the initiating factor of our research. According to the research purpose and challenges, we studied the changes in the physical, mechanical and chemical properties of composite filling materials with and without electromagnetic field influence. The investigations in vivo include the study of microstructural features of polymeric filling materials by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the investigations in vitro include the study of sealed and extracted human teeth chips by using X-ray spectral analysis. We also evaluated the changes in the strength characteristics of dental filling materials with and without electromagnetic field influence. The analysis of the obtained data indicates the presence of structural changes in polymeric dental filling materials, including the material microstructure condensation confirmed by the SEM results, an increase in the strength and adhesion characteristics and certain regularities of the chemical elemental composition concentration change in the area of hard tooth tissue and dental filling material. These scientific data will provide tooth caries prevention and promote the increase of treatment quality.

Factors Influencing Career Choice among Police Recruits

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cole, Bryan

2012-01-01

This quantitative, non-experimental study examined the career choice factors of 154 (n = 154) police recruits to determine a correlation of age group generation to the five career choice factors presented in the Sibson Reward of Work Model. Law enforcement agencies faced a shortage of viable candidates to fill vacant positions. While extensive…

An Investigation of Relationships between Internal and External Factors Affecting Technology Integration in Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hur, Jung Won; Shannon, David; Wolf, Sara

2016-01-01

Various factors affecting technology integration have been identified, but little research has examined the relationships between factors, especially internal and external ones, and whether they directly or indirectly influenced each other. To fill this research gap, this study examined the significance and relationships of five factors…

Measurement of factors that negatively influence the outcome of quitting smoking among patients with COPD: psychometric analyses of the Try To Quit Smoking instrument.

PubMed

Lundh, Lena; Alinaghizadeh, Hassan; Törnkvist, Lena; Gilljam, Hans; Galanti, Maria Rosaria

2014-12-01

To test internal consistency and factor structure of a brief instrument called Trying to Quit smoking. The most effective treatment for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is to quit smoking. Constant thoughts about quitting and repeated quit attempts can generate destructive feelings and make it more difficult to quit. Development and psychometric testing of the Trying to Quit smoking scale. The Trying to Quit smoking, an instrument designed to assess pressure-filled states of mind and corresponding pressure-relief strategies, was tested among 63 Swedish patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Among these, the psychometric properties of the instrument were analysed by Exploratory Factor Analyses. Fourteen items were included in the factor analyses, loading on three factors labelled: (1) development of pressure-filled mental states; (2) use of destructive pressure-relief strategies; and (3) ambivalent thoughts when trying to quit smoking. These three factors accounted for more than 80% of the variance, performed well on the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) test and had high internal consistency.

The effect of exchange interaction on quasiparticle Landau levels in narrow-gap quantum well heterostructures.

PubMed

Krishtopenko, S S; Gavrilenko, V I; Goiran, M

2012-04-04

Using the 'screened' Hartree-Fock approximation based on the eight-band k·p Hamiltonian, we have extended our previous work (Krishtopenko et al 2011 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 23 385601) on exchange enhancement of the g-factor in narrow-gap quantum well heterostructures by calculating the exchange renormalization of quasiparticle energies, the density of states at the Fermi level and the quasiparticle g-factor for different Landau levels overlapping. We demonstrate that exchange interaction yields more pronounced Zeeman splitting of the density of states at the Fermi level and leads to the appearance of peak-shaped features in the dependence of the Landau level energies on the magnetic field at integer filling factors. We also find that the quasiparticle g-factor does not reach the maximum value at odd filling factors in the presence of large overlapping of spin-split Landau levels. We advance an argument that the behavior of the quasiparticle g-factor in weak magnetic fields is defined by a random potential of impurities in narrow-gap heterostructures. © 2012 IOP Publishing Ltd

Temperature-profile methods for estimating percolation rates in arid environments

USGS Publications Warehouse

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

2003-01-01

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

Fill-factor improvement of Si CMOS single-photon avalanche diode detector arrays by integration of diffractive microlens arrays.

PubMed

Intermite, Giuseppe; McCarthy, Aongus; Warburton, Ryan E; Ren, Ximing; Villa, Federica; Lussana, Rudi; Waddie, Andrew J; Taghizadeh, Mohammad R; Tosi, Alberto; Zappa, Franco; Buller, Gerald S

2015-12-28

Single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) detector arrays generally suffer from having a low fill-factor, in which the photo-sensitive area of each pixel is small compared to the overall area of the pixel. This paper describes the integration of different configurations of high efficiency diffractive optical microlens arrays onto a 32 × 32 SPAD array, fabricated using a 0.35 µm CMOS technology process. The characterization of SPAD arrays with integrated microlens arrays is reported over the spectral range of 500-900 nm, and a range of f-numbers from f/2 to f/22. We report an average concentration factor of 15 measured for the entire SPAD array with integrated microlens array. The integrated SPAD and microlens array demonstrated a very high uniformity in overall efficiency.

Optical depth estimates and effective critical densities of dense gas tracers in the inner parts of nearby galaxy discs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiménez-Donaire, M. J.; Bigiel, F.; Leroy, A. K.; Cormier, D.; Gallagher, M.; Usero, A.; Bolatto, A.; Colombo, D.; García-Burillo, S.; Hughes, A.; Kramer, C.; Krumholz, M. R.; Meier, D. S.; Murphy, E.; Pety, J.; Rosolowsky, E.; Schinnerer, E.; Schruba, A.; Tomičić, N.; Zschaechner, L.

2017-04-01

High critical density molecular lines like HCN (1-0) or HCO+ (1-0) represent our best tool to study currently star-forming, dense molecular gas at extragalactic distances. The optical depth of these lines is a key ingredient to estimate the effective density required to excite emission. However, constraints on this quantity are even scarcer in the literature than measurements of the high-density tracers themselves. Here, we combine new observations of HCN, HCO+ and HNC (1-0) and their optically thin isotopologues H13CN, H13CO+ and HN13C (1-0) to measure isotopologue line ratios. We use IRAM 30-m observations from the large programme EMPIRE and new Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array observations, which together target six nearby star-forming galaxies. Using spectral stacking techniques, we calculate or place strong upper limits on the HCN/H13CN, HCO+/H13CO+ and HNC/HN13C line ratios in the inner parts of these galaxies. Under simple assumptions, we use these to estimate the optical depths of HCN (1-0) and HCO+ (1-0) to be τ ˜ 2-11 in the active, inner regions of our targets. The critical densities are consequently lowered to values between 5 and 20 × 105 cm-3, 1 and 3 × 105 cm-3 and 9 × 104 cm-3 for HCN, HCO+ and HNC, respectively. We study the impact of having different beam-filling factors, η, on these estimates and find that the effective critical densities decrease by a factor of η _{12}/η _{13} τ_{12}. A comparison to existing work in NGC 5194 and NGC 253 shows the HCN/H13CN and HCO+/H13CO+ ratios in agreement with our measurements within the uncertainties. The same is true for studies in other environments such as the Galactic Centre or nuclear regions of active galactic nucleus dominated nearby galaxies.

Predicting ground-water movement in large mine spoil areas in the Appalachian Plateau

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wunsch, D.R.; Dinger, J.S.; Graham, C.D.R.

1999-01-01

Spoil created by surface mining can accumulate large quantities of ground-water, which can create geotechnical or regulatory problems, as well as flood active mine pits. A current study at a large (4.1 km2), thick, (up to 90 m) spoil body in eastern Kentucky reveals important factors that control the storage and movement of water. Ground-water recharge occurs along the periphery of the spoil body where surface-water drainage is blocked, as well as from infiltration along the spoil-bedrock contact, recharge from adjacent bedrock, and to a minor extent, through macropores at the spoil's surface. Based on an average saturated thickness of 6.4 m for all spoil wells, and assuming an estimated porosity of 20%, approximately 5.2 x 106 m3 of water is stored within the existing 4.1 km2 of reclaimed spoil. A conceptual model of ground-water flow, based on data from monitoring wells, dye-tracing data, discharge from springs and ponds, hydraulic gradients, chemical data, field reconnaissance, and aerial photographs indicate that three distinct but interconnected saturated zones have been established: one in the spoil's interior, and others in the valley fills that surround the main spoil body at lower elevations. Ground-water movement is sluggish in the spoil's interior, but moves quickly through the valley fills. The conceptual model shows that a prediction of ground-water occurrence, movement, and quality can be made for active or abandoned spoil areas if all or some of the following data are available: structural contour of the base of the lowest coal seam being mined, pre-mining topography, documentation of mining methods employed throughout the mine, overburden characteristics, and aerial photographs of mine progression.Spoil created by surface mining can accumulate large quantities of ground-water, which can create geotechnical or regulatory problems, as well as flood active mine pits. A current study at a large (4.1 km2), thick, (up to 90 m) spoil body in eastern Kentucky reveals important factors that control the storage and movement of water. Ground-water recharge occurs along the periphery of the spoil body where surface-water drainage is blocked, as well as from infiltration along the spoil-bedrock contact, recharge from adjacent bedrock, and to a minor extent, through macropores at the spoil's surface. Based on an average saturated thickness of 6.4 m for all spoil wells, and assuming an estimated porosity of 20%, approximately 5.2 ?? 106 m3 of water is stored within the existing 4.1 km2 of reclaimed spoil. A conceptual model of ground-water flow, based on data from monitoring wells, dye-tracing data, discharge from springs and ponds, hydraulic gradients, chemical data, field reconnaissance, and aerial photographs indicate that three distinct but interconnected saturated zones have been established: one in the spoil's interior, and others in the valley fills that surround the main spoil body at lower elevations. Ground-water movement is sluggish in the spoil's interior, but moves quickly through the valley fills. The conceptual model shows that a prediction of ground-water occurrence, movement, and quality can be made for active or abandoned spoil areas if all or some of the following data are available: structural contour of the base of the lowest coal seam being mined, pre-mining topography, documentation of mining methods employed throughout the mine, overburden characteristics, and aerial photographs of mine progression.

Risk factors and monitoring for water quality to determine best management practices for splash parks.

PubMed

de Man, H; Leenen, E J T M; van Knapen, F; de Roda Husman, A M

2014-09-01

Splash parks have been associated with infectious disease outbreaks as a result of exposure to poor water quality. To be able to protect public health, risk factors were identified that determine poor water quality. Samples were taken at seven splash parks where operators were willing to participate in the study. Higher concentrations of Escherichia coli were measured in water of splash parks filled with rainwater or surface water as compared with sites filled with tap water, independent of routine inspection intervals and employed disinfection. Management practices to prevent fecal contamination and guarantee maintaining good water quality at splash parks should include selection of source water of acceptable quality.

Staggered Orbital Currents in the Half-Filled Two-Leg Ladder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fjaerestad, J. O.; Marston, Brad; Sudbo, A.

2002-03-01

We present strong analytical and numerical evidence for the existence of a staggered flux (SF) phase in the half-filled two-leg ladder, with true long-range order in the counter-circulating currents. Using abelian bosonization with a careful treatment of the Klein factors, we show that a certain phase of the half-filled ladder, previously identified as having spin-Peierls order, instead exhibits staggered orbital currents with no dimerization.(J. O. Fjærestad and J. B. Marston, cond- mat/0107094.) This result, combined with a weak-coupling renormalization-group analysis, implies that the SF phase exists in a region of the phase diagram of the half-filled t-U-V-J ladder. Using the density-matrix renormalization-group (DMRG) approach generalized to complex-valued wavefunctions, we demonstrate that the SF phase exhibits robust currents at intermediate values of the interaction strengths.

Observations and light curve solutions of three ultrashort-period W UMa binaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kjurkchieva, Diana P.; Michel, Raul; Popov, Velimir A.; Deras, Dan

2018-07-01

Photometric observations in V, Rc and Ic bands of the ultrashort-period W UMa binaries 1SWASP J044132.96+440613.7, 1SWASP J052926.88+461147.5 and NSVS 2175434 are presented. The results from the modeling and analysis of our observations reveal that: (i) All targets undergo total eclipses and their photometric mass ratios should be accepted with confidence; (ii) All stellar components are late-type dwarfs; (iii) The temperature difference of target components does not exceed 150 K; (iv) All targets have overcontact configurations with fill-out factor around 0.24; (v) The orbit of NSVS 2175434 is slightly eccentric which is unusual for such an ultrashort-period binary; (vi) The orbital periods of all targets were improved. Masses, radii and luminosities of the stellar components were estimated by the empirical relation "period, orbital axis" for short- and ultrashort-period binaries.

Observations of OH and CO in the Orion Molecular Cloud

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Viscuso, P. J.

1985-01-01

The results of millimeter and submillimeter observations of the BN-KL region of the Orion molecular cloud are reported. Observations were made with a 91 cm bent Cassegrain telescope fitted with an interferometer/grating spectrometer during flights at 13-14 km altitude in the NASA Kuiper Observatory. The data collected covered the 2Pi(1/2)J = 3/2 yields 1/2 and 2Pi(3/2)J = 7/2 yields 5/2 rotational transitions of OH. The measurements were made at 163 and 84 micron wavelengths, respectively. The OH emitting regions was estimated to have a temperature of 1000 K and a molecular hydrogen density of about 6 million/cu cm. Depopulation of the excited states of OH was caused primarily by collisional excitation. The OH fill factor for the region survey was about 10 percent, in line with predictions for a post-shocked region.

Mariner V: Plasma and Magnetic Fields Observed near Venus.

PubMed

Bridge, H S; Lazarus, A J; Snyder, C W; Smith, E J; Davis, L; Coleman, P J; Jones, D E

1967-12-29

Abrupt changes in the amplitude of the magnetic fluctuations, in the field strength, and in the plasma properties, were observed with Mariner V near Venus. They provide clear evidence for the presence of a bow shock around the planet, similar to, but much smaller than, that observed at Earth. The observations appear consistent with an interaction of the solar wind with the ionosphere of Venus. No planetary field could be detected, but a steady radial field and very low plasma density were found 10,000 to 20,000 kilometers behind Venus and 8,000 to 12,000 kilometers from the Sun-Venus line. These observations may be interpreted as relating to an expansion wave tending to fill the cavity produced by Venus in the solar wind. The upper limit to the magnetic dipole moment of Venus is estimated to be within a factor of 2 of 10(-3) items that of Earth.

Integrated spectral photocurrent density and reproducibility analyses of excitonic ZnO/NiO heterojunction.

PubMed

Patel, Malkeshkumar; Kim, Joondong

2017-12-01

In this data article, the excitonic ZnO/NiO heterojunction device (Patel et al., 2017) [1] was measured for the integrated photocurrent density and reproducibility. Photograph of the prepared devices of ZnO/NiO on the FTO/glass is presented. Integrated photocurrent density as a function of photon energy from the sunlight is presented. Quantum efficiency measurement system (McScienceK3100, Korea) compliance with International Measurement System was employed to measure ZnO/NIO devices. These data are shown for the 300-440 nm of segment of the sunlight (AM1.5G, http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/spectra/am1.5/). Reproducibility measure of ZnO/NiO device was presented for nine devices with the estimated device performance parameters including the open circuit voltage, short circuit current density, fill factor and power conversion efficiency.

Effect of anode ring arrangement on the spectroscopic characteristics of the NASA Lewis Bumpy Torus plasma

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Richardson, R. W.

1974-01-01

The modified Penning discharge in the NASA Lewis Bumpy Torus is normally produced by an anode ring at high voltage in each of the 12 magnetic mirror midplanes. For this investigation, the plasma was run with 12, 6, 3, and 1 anode rings. When 3 anode rings were used, the spectroscopically determined relative electron density and mean ion residence time increased by factors of 10 and 5, respectively, in one mode of operation. The discharge is observed to uniformly fill all bumps around the torus regardless of the anode arrangement and number. A plasma density on axis of 100 billion per cu cm is estimated for the 3-anode case in one mode of operation based on an observed discharge current to ion loss rate correlation and a measured mean ion residence time of .5 msec.

Effect of anode ring arrangement on the spectroscopic characteristics of the NASA Lewis bumpy torus plasma

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Richardson, R. W.

1974-01-01

The modified Penning discharge in the NASA Lewis Bumpy Torus is normally produced by an anode ring at high voltage in each of the 12 magnetic mirror midplanes. For this investigation, the plasma was run with 12, 6, 3, and 1 anode rings. When 3 anode rings were used, the spectroscopically determined relative electron density and mean ion residence time increase by factors of 10 and 5, respectively, in one mode of operation. The discharge is observed to uniformly fill all bumps around the torus regardless of the anode arrangement and number. A plasma density on axis of 10 to the 11th power cm/3 is estimated for the 3 anode case in one mode of operation based on an observed discharge current to ion loss rate correlation and a measured mean ion residence time of .5 msec.

Preliminary measurement of gas concentrations of perfluropropane using an analytical weighing balance.

PubMed

Clarkson, Douglas McG; Manna, Avinish; Hero, Mark

2014-02-01

We describe the use of an analytical weighing balance of measurement accuracy 0.00001g for determination of concentrations of perfluropropane (C3F8) gas used in ophthalmic surgical vitrectomy procedures. A range of test eyes corresponding to an eye volume of 6.1ml were constructed using 27 gauge needle exit ducts and separately 20 gauge (straight) and 23 gauge (angled) entrance ports. This method allowed determination of concentration levels in the sample preparation syringe and also levels in test eyes. It was determined that a key factor influencing gas concentrations accuracy related to the method of gas fill and the value of dead space of the gas preparation/delivery system and with a significant contribution arising from the use of the particle filter. The weighing balance technique was identified as an appropriate technique for estimation of gas concentrations. Copyright © 2013 IPEM. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An issue of literacy on pediatric arterial hypertension

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teodoro, M. Filomena; Romana, Andreia; Simão, Carla

2017-11-01

Arterial hypertension in pediatric age is a public health problem, whose prevalence has increased significantly over time. Pediatric arterial hypertension (PAH) is under-diagnosed in most cases, a highly prevalent disease, appears without notice with multiple consequences on the children's health and future adults. Children caregivers and close family must know the PAH existence, the negative consequences associated with it, the risk factors and, finally, must do prevention. In [12, 13] can be found a statistical data analysis using a simpler questionnaire introduced in [4] under the aim of a preliminary study about PAH caregivers acquaintance. A continuation of such analysis is detailed in [14]. An extension of such questionnaire was built and applied to a distinct population and it was filled online. The statistical approach is partially reproduced in the present work. Some statistical models were estimated using several approaches, namely multivariate analysis (factorial analysis), also adequate methods to analyze the kind of data in study.

The Atmospheric Dynamics of alpha Tau (K5 III) - Clues to Understanding the Magnetic Dynamo in Late-Type Giant Stars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carpenter, Kenneth G.; Airapetian, Vladimir

2008-01-01

Using HST/GHRS, HST/STIS and FUSE archival data for alpha Tau and the CHIANTI spectroscopic code, we have derived line shifts, volumetric emission measures, and plasma density estimates, and calculated filling factors for a number of UV lines forming between 10,000 K and 300,000 K in the outer atmosphere of this red giant star. The data suggest the presence of low-temperature extended regions and high-temperature compact regions, associated with magnetically open and closed structures in the stellar atmosphere, respectively. The signatures of UV lines from alpha Tau can be consistently understood via a model of upward-traveling Alfven waves in a gravitationally stratified atmosphere. These waves cause non-thermal broadening in UV lines due to unresolved wave motions and downward plasma motions in compact magnetic loops heated by resonant Alfven wave heating.

The Atmospheric Dynamics of Alpha Tau (K5 III) - Clues to Understanding the Magnetic Dynamo in Late-Type Giant Stars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carpenter, Kenneth G.; Airapetian, Vladimir

2008-01-01

Using HST/GHRS, HST/STIS and FUSE archival data for a Tau and the CHIANTI spectroscopic code, we have derived line shifts, volumetric emission measures, and plasma density estimates, and calculated filling factors for a number of UV lines forming between 10,000 K and 300,000 K in the outer atmosphere of this red giant star. The data suggest the presence of low-temperature extended regions and high-temperature compact regions, associated with magnetically open and closed structures in the stellar atmosphere, respectively. The signatures of UV lines from a Tau can be consistently understood via a model of upward-traveling Alfv6n waves in a gravitationally stratified atmosphere. These waves cause nonthermal broadening in UV lines due to unresolved wave motions and downward plasma motions in compact magnetic loops heated by resonant Alfven wave heating.

Observations of OH and CO in the Orion Molecular Cloud

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Viscuso, P. J.

The results of millimeter and submillimeter observations of the BN-KL region of the Orion molecular cloud are reported. Observations were made with a 91 cm bent Cassegrain telescope fitted with an interferometer/grating spectrometer during flights at 13-14 km altitude in the NASA Kuiper Observatory. The data collected covered the 2Pi(1/2)J = 3/2 yields 1/2 and 2Pi(3/2)J = 7/2 yields 5/2 rotational transitions of OH. The measurements were made at 163 and 84 micron wavelengths, respectively. The OH emitting regions was estimated to have a temperature of 1000 K and a molecular hydrogen density of about 6 million/cu cm. Depopulation of the excited states of OH was caused primarily by collisional excitation. The OH fill factor for the region survey was about 10 percent, in line with predictions for a post-shocked region.

Measures of large-scale structure in the CfA redshift survey slices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

De Lapparent, Valerie; Geller, Margaret J.; Huchra, John P.

1991-01-01

Variations of the counts-in-cells with cell size are used here to define two statistical measures of large-scale clustering in three 6 deg slices of the CfA redshift survey. A percolation criterion is used to estimate the filling factor which measures the fraction of the total volume in the survey occupied by the large-scale structures. For the full 18 deg slice of the CfA redshift survey, f is about 0.25 + or - 0.05. After removing groups with more than five members from two of the slices, variations of the counts in occupied cells with cell size have a power-law behavior with a slope beta about 2.2 on scales from 1-10/h Mpc. Application of both this statistic and the percolation analysis to simulations suggests that a network of two-dimensional structures is a better description of the geometry of the clustering in the CfA slices than a network of one-dimensional structures. Counts-in-cells are also used to estimate at 0.3 galaxy h-squared/Mpc the average galaxy surface density in sheets like the Great Wall.

Doing More with Less? Toward Increasing the Resolution of Protistan Grazing-rate Measurements.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morison, F.; Menden-Deuer, S.

2016-02-01

The dilution method is the standard protocol to quantify phytoplankton grazing-mortality rates and has been key in developing an understanding of protistan grazing impact on ocean primary production. Although the method's extensive use has facilitated the acquisition of a global dataset, its laborious application hinders the sampling resolution needed to fill knowledge gaps remaining at the geographical, seasonal, and vertical scales, and of the effects of climate-related factors influencing grazing magnitude. Here we present a rigorous assessment of an abbreviated method known as the 2-point. We analyzed unpublished results from 77 dilution experiments performed using a series of up to 5 dilutions under a wide range of chlorophyll concentrations and temperatures. We quantified the difference between estimates of both phytoplankton growth and grazing-mortality obtained based on the full dilution series and those obtained when the number of dilutions was reduced to 2. We considered the effect of non-linearity and chlorophyll concentration, and generated quantified estimates of trade-offs when choosing the fraction of seawater in the diluted treatment. Ultimately, we provide an assessment of the reliability of the 2-point method and recommendations on how to apply it.

Methods for Estimating the Uncertainty in Emergy Table-Form Models

EPA Science Inventory

Emergy studies have suffered criticism due to the lack of uncertainty analysis and this shortcoming may have directly hindered the wider application and acceptance of this methodology. Recently, to fill this gap, the sources of uncertainty in emergy analysis were described and an...

Statistical modeling of ecosystem respiration using eddy covariance data: Maximum likelihood parameter estimation, and Monte Carlo simulation of model and parameter uncertainty, applied to three simple models

Treesearch

Andrew D. Richardson; David Y. Hollinger; David Y. Hollinger

2005-01-01

Whether the goal is to fill gaps in the flux record, or to extract physiological parameters from eddy covariance data, researchers are frequently interested in fitting simple models of ecosystem physiology to measured data. Presently, there is no consensus on the best models to use, or the ideal optimization criteria. We demonstrate that, given our estimates of the...

Heritability of lifetime ecstasy use.

PubMed

Verweij, Karin J H; Treur, Jorien L; Vreeker, Annabel; Brunt, Tibor M; Willemsen, Gonneke; Boomsma, Dorret I; Vink, Jacqueline M

2017-09-01

Ecstasy is a widely used psychoactive drug that users often take because they experience positive effects such as increased euphoria, sociability, elevated mood, and heightened sensations. Ecstasy use is not harmless and several immediate and long term side effects have been identified. Lifetime ecstasy use is likely to be partly influenced by genetic factors, but no twin study has determined the heritability. Here, we apply a classical twin design to a large sample of twins and siblings to estimate the heritability of lifetime ecstasy use. The sample comprised 8500 twins and siblings aged between 18 and 45 years from 5402 families registered at the Netherlands Twin Registry. In 2013-2014 participants filled out a questionnaire including a question whether they had ever used ecstasy. We used the classical twin design to partition the individual differences in liability to ecstasy use into that due to genetic, shared environmental, and residual components. Overall, 10.4% of the sample had used ecstasy during their lifetime, with a somewhat higher prevalence in males than females. Twin modelling indicated that individual differences in liability to lifetime ecstasy use are for 74% due to genetic differences between individuals, whereas shared environmental and residual factors explain a small proportion of its liability (5% and 21%, respectively). Although heritability estimates appeared to be higher for females than males, this difference was not significant. Lifetime ecstasy use is a highly heritable trait, which indicates that some people are genetically more vulnerable to start using ecstasy than others. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Clarifying springtime temperature reconstructions of the medieval period by gap-filling the cherry blossom phenological data series at Kyoto, Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aono, Yasuyuki; Saito, Shizuka

2010-03-01

We investigated documents and diaries from the ninth to the fourteenth centuries to supplement the phenological data series of the flowering of Japanese cherry ( Prunus jamasakura) in Kyoto, Japan, to improve and fill gaps in temperature estimates based on previously reported phenological data. We then reconstructed a nearly continuous series of March mean temperatures based on 224 years of cherry flowering data, including 51 years of previously unused data, to clarify springtime climate changes. We also attempted to estimate cherry full-flowering dates from phenological records of other deciduous species, adding further data for 6 years in the tenth and eleventh centuries by using the flowering phenology of Japanese wisteria ( Wisteria floribunda). The reconstructed tenth century March mean temperatures were around 7°C, indicating warmer conditions than at present. Temperatures then fell until the 1180s, recovered gradually until the 1310s, and then declined again in the mid-fourteenth century.

Estimating the change of porosity in the saturated zone during air sparging.

PubMed

Tsai, Yih-jin; Kuo, Yu-chia; Chen, Tsu-chi; Chou, Feng-chih

2006-01-01

Air sparging is a remedial method for groundwater. The remedial region is similar to the air flow region in the saturated zone. If soil particles are transported during air sparging, the porosity distributions in the saturated zone change, which may alter the flow path of the air. To understand better the particle movement, this study performed a sandbox test to estimate the soil porosity change during air sparging. A clear fracture was formed and the phenomenon of particle movement was observed when the air injection was started. The moved sand filled the porous around the fracture and the reparked sand filled the fracture, reducing the porosity around the fracture. The results obtained from the photographs of the sandbox, the current measurements and the direct sand sample measurements were close to each other and are credible. Therefore, air injection during air sparging causes sand particle movement of sand, altering the characteristic of the sand matrix and the air distribution.

Opto-mechanical analysis of nonlinear elastomer membrane deformation under hydraulic pressure for variable-focus liquid-filled microlenses.

PubMed

Choi, Seung Tae; Son, Byeong Soo; Seo, Gye Won; Park, Si-Young; Lee, Kyung-Sick

2014-03-10

Nonlinear large deformation of a transparent elastomer membrane under hydraulic pressure was analyzed to investigate its optical performance for a variable-focus liquid-filled membrane microlens. In most membrane microlenses, actuators control the hydraulic pressure of optical fluid so that the elastomer membrane together with the internal optical fluid changes its shape, which alters the light path of the microlens to adapt its optical power. A fluid-structure interaction simulation was performed to estimate the transient behavior of the microlens under the operation of electroactive polymer actuators, demonstrating that the viscosity of the optical fluid successfully stabilizes the fluctuations within a fairly short period of time during dynamic operations. Axisymmetric nonlinear plate theory was used to calculate the deformation profile of the membrane under hydrostatic pressure, with which optical characteristics of the membrane microlens were estimated. The effects of gravitation and viscoelastic behavior of the elastomer membrane on the optical performance of the membrane microlens were also evaluated with finite element analysis.

Mechanism of Superconductivity in Quasi-Two-Dimensional Organic Conductor β-(BDA-TTP) Salts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nonoyama, Yoshito; Maekawa, Yukiko; Kobayashi, Akito; Suzumura, Yoshikazu; Ito, Hiroshi

2008-09-01

We investigate theoretically the superconductivity of two-dimensional organic conductors, β-(BDA-TTP)2SbF6 and β-(BDA-TTP)2AsF6, to understand the role of the spin and charge fluctuations. The transition temperature is estimated by applying random phase approximation to an extended Hubbard model wherein realistic transfer energies are estimated by extended Hückel calculation. We find a gapless superconducting state with a dxy-like symmetry, which is consistent with the experimental results obtained by specific heat and scanning tunneling microscope. In the present model with an effectively half-filled triangular lattice, spin fluctuation competes with charge fluctuation as a mechanism of pairing interaction since both fluctuations have the same characteristic momentum q=(π,0) for V being smaller than U. This is in contrast to a model with a quarter-filled square lattice, wherein both fluctuations contribute cooperatively to pairing interaction due to fluctuations having different characteristic momenta. The resultant difference in the superconductivity of these two materials is also discussed.

Clarifying springtime temperature reconstructions of the medieval period by gap-filling the cherry blossom phenological data series at Kyoto, Japan.

PubMed

Aono, Yasuyuki; Saito, Shizuka

2010-03-01

We investigated documents and diaries from the ninth to the fourteenth centuries to supplement the phenological data series of the flowering of Japanese cherry (Prunus jamasakura) in Kyoto, Japan, to improve and fill gaps in temperature estimates based on previously reported phenological data. We then reconstructed a nearly continuous series of March mean temperatures based on 224 years of cherry flowering data, including 51 years of previously unused data, to clarify springtime climate changes. We also attempted to estimate cherry full-flowering dates from phenological records of other deciduous species, adding further data for 6 years in the tenth and eleventh centuries by using the flowering phenology of Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda). The reconstructed tenth century March mean temperatures were around 7 degrees C, indicating warmer conditions than at present. Temperatures then fell until the 1180s, recovered gradually until the 1310s, and then declined again in the mid-fourteenth century.

Research Misconduct: A Report from a Developing Country.

PubMed

Khadem-Rezaiyan, Majid; Dadgarmoghaddam, Maliheh

2017-10-01

Cheating rate is rising and engages newer methods. This study performed to estimate the rate of research misconduct in the thesis of undergraduate and postgraduate medical students in 2015. In this cross sectional study, all undergraduate and postgraduate medical students graduated during the study period in 2015, from the School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran were asked to fill a small checklist anonymously. It consisted of two demographic questions and two other ones for estimation of research misconduct. All three major types of research misconduct were explained in the checklist. We used the Randomized Response Technique for sensitive question in this survey. We asked the respondent to choose one question randomly and answer to it. The probability of selection of each question was equal. There were 149 filled questionnaires out of which 44 (31%) were graduated for General Practitioner, 63 (44%) for Residency, 31(21%) for Master Degree and 6 (4%) for Ph.D. Fifty-two percent (75) were male. More than half of participants were graduated between 2011 and 2012. The majority of participants were native (104, 81%). Undergraduate students had an estimation of 19% research misconduct in performing the thesis while this was 26% of postgraduate students. Males were nearly two times comparing to females in this issue (30% vs. 16%). This high estimation must be considered in future policy making about observing strictly on researches.

Estimating the stability of electrical conductivity of filled polymers under the influence of negative temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Minakova, N. N.; Ushakov, V. Ya.

2017-12-01

One of the key problems in modern materials technology is synthesis of materials for electrotechnical devices capable of operating under severe conditions. Electrical and power engineering, in particular, demands for electrically conductive composite materials operating at high and low temperatures, various mechanical loads, electric fields, etc. Chaotic arrangement of electrically conductive component in the matrix and its structural and geometrical inhomogeneity can increase the local electric and thermal energy flux densities up to critical values even when their average values remain moderate. Elastomers filled with technical carbon being a promising component for electrotechnical devices was chosen as an object of study.

Dark localized structures in a cavity filled with a left-handed material

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

Tlidi, Mustapha; Kockaert, Pascal; Gelens, Lendert

2011-07-15

We consider a nonlinear passive optical cavity filled with left-handed and right-handed materials and driven by a coherent injected beam. We assume that both left-handed and right-handed materials possess a Kerr focusing type of nonlinearity. We show that close to the zero-diffraction regime, high-order diffraction allows us to stabilize dark localized structures in this device. These structures consist of dips in the transverse profile of the intracavity field and do not exist without high-order diffraction. We analyze the snaking bifurcation diagram associated with these structures. Finally, a realistic estimation of the model parameters is provided.

Psychopharmacologic Services for Homeless Veterans: Comparing Psychotropic Prescription Fills Among Homeless and Non-Homeless Veterans with Serious Mental Illness.

PubMed

Hermes, Eric; Rosenheck, Robert

2016-02-01

Using national Veterans Health Administration (VHA) administrative data, this study evaluated differences in psychotropic medication use between homeless and non-homeless adults with serious mental illness (SMI) who used VHA services in 2010. The adjusted mean number of psychotropic prescription fills associated with homeless individuals were identified using regression models adjusted for socio-demographics, diagnoses, and use of health services. Of the 876,989 individuals with SMI using VHA services, 7.2 % were homeless at some time during 2010. In bivariate analysis, homeless individuals filled more psychotropic medication prescriptions compared with non-homeless individuals. However, after adjusting for potentially confounding variables, homeless individuals were found to have filled 16.2 % fewer prescriptions than non-homeless individuals when all psychotropics were analyzed together (F = 6947.1, p < .001) and for most individual classes of psychotropics. Greater use of residential/inpatient mental health services by the homeless was the most important single factor associated with filling more psychotropic prescriptions than non-homeless individuals.

Gating geometry studies of thin-walled 17-4PH investment castings

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

Maguire, M.C.; Zanner, F.J.

1992-11-01

The ability to design gating systems that reliably feed and support investment castings is often the result of ``cut-and-try`` methodology. Factors such as hot tearing, porosity, cold shuts, misruns, and shrink are defects often corrected by several empirical gating design iterations. Sandia National Laboratories is developing rules that aid in removing the uncertainty involved in the design of gating systems for investment castings. In this work, gating geometries used for filling of thin walled investment cast 17-4PH stainless steel flat plates were investigated. A full factorial experiment evaluating the influence of metal pour temperature, mold preheat temperature, and mold channelmore » thickness were conducted for orientations that filled a horizontal flat plate from the edge. A single wedge gate geometry was used for the edge-gated configuration. Thermocouples placed along the top of the mold recorded metal front temperatures, and a real-time x-ray imaging system tracked the fluid flow behavior during filling of the casting. Data from these experiments were used to determine the terminal fill volumes and terminal fill times for each gate design.« less

Gating geometry studies of thin-walled 17-4PH investment castings

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

Maguire, M.C.; Zanner, F.J.

1992-01-01

The ability to design gating systems that reliably feed and support investment castings is often the result of cut-and-try'' methodology. Factors such as hot tearing, porosity, cold shuts, misruns, and shrink are defects often corrected by several empirical gating design iterations. Sandia National Laboratories is developing rules that aid in removing the uncertainty involved in the design of gating systems for investment castings. In this work, gating geometries used for filling of thin walled investment cast 17-4PH stainless steel flat plates were investigated. A full factorial experiment evaluating the influence of metal pour temperature, mold preheat temperature, and mold channelmore » thickness were conducted for orientations that filled a horizontal flat plate from the edge. A single wedge gate geometry was used for the edge-gated configuration. Thermocouples placed along the top of the mold recorded metal front temperatures, and a real-time x-ray imaging system tracked the fluid flow behavior during filling of the casting. Data from these experiments were used to determine the terminal fill volumes and terminal fill times for each gate design.« less

Improving satellite-based PM2.5 estimates in China using Gaussian processes modeling in a Bayesian hierarchical setting.

PubMed

Yu, Wenxi; Liu, Yang; Ma, Zongwei; Bi, Jun

2017-08-01

Using satellite-based aerosol optical depth (AOD) measurements and statistical models to estimate ground-level PM 2.5 is a promising way to fill the areas that are not covered by ground PM 2.5 monitors. The statistical models used in previous studies are primarily Linear Mixed Effects (LME) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) models. In this study, we developed a new regression model between PM 2.5 and AOD using Gaussian processes in a Bayesian hierarchical setting. Gaussian processes model the stochastic nature of the spatial random effects, where the mean surface and the covariance function is specified. The spatial stochastic process is incorporated under the Bayesian hierarchical framework to explain the variation of PM 2.5 concentrations together with other factors, such as AOD, spatial and non-spatial random effects. We evaluate the results of our model and compare them with those of other, conventional statistical models (GWR and LME) by within-sample model fitting and out-of-sample validation (cross validation, CV). The results show that our model possesses a CV result (R 2  = 0.81) that reflects higher accuracy than that of GWR and LME (0.74 and 0.48, respectively). Our results indicate that Gaussian process models have the potential to improve the accuracy of satellite-based PM 2.5 estimates.

Biomass Combustions and Burning Emissions Inferred from GOES Fire Radiative Power

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, X.; Kondragunta, S.; Schmidt, C.

2007-12-01

Biomass burning significantly affects air quality and climate changes. Current estimates of burning emissions are rather imprecise and vary markedly with different methodologies. This paper investigates biomass burning consumption and emissions using GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites) WF_ABBA (Wildfire Automated Biomass Burning Algorithm) fire product. In doing this, we establish a set of representatives in diurnal patterns of half-hourly GOES Fire Radiative Power (FRP) for various ecosystems. The representative patterns are used to fill the missed and poor observations of half hourly FRP in GOES fire data for individual fire pixels. The simulated FRP is directly applied to the calculation of the biomass combusted during fire activities. The FRP-based biomass combustion is evaluated using the estimates using a traditional model which integrates burned area, fuel loading, and combustion factor. In the traditional model calculation, we derive burned areas from GOES WF_ABBA fire size. Fuel loading includes three different types (1) MODIS Vegetation Property-based Fuel System (MVPFS), (2) National Dangerous Rating Systems (NFDRS), and (3) the Fuel Characteristic Classification System (FCCS). By comparing the biomass combustions across the Contiguous United States (CONUS) from 2003-2005, we conclude that FRP is an effective tool to estimate the biomass burning emissions. Finally, we examine the temporal and spatial patterns in biomass combustions and emissions (PM2.5, CO, NH3) across the CONUS.

Modeling change in learning strategies throughout higher education: a multi-indicator latent growth perspective.

PubMed

Coertjens, Liesje; Donche, Vincent; De Maeyer, Sven; Vanthournout, Gert; Van Petegem, Peter

2013-01-01

The change in learning strategies during higher education is an important topic of research in the Student Approaches to Learning field. Although the studies on this topic are increasingly longitudinal, analyses have continued to rely primarily on traditional statistical methods. The present research is innovative in the way it uses a multi-indicator latent growth analysis in order to more accurately estimate the general and differential development in learning strategy scales. Moreover, the predictive strength of the latent growth models are estimated. The sample consists of one cohort of Flemish University College students, 245 of whom participated in the three measurement waves by filling out the processing and regulation strategies scales of the Inventory of Learning Styles--Short Versions. Independent-samples t-tests revealed that the longitudinal group is a non-random subset of students starting University College. For each scale, a multi-indicator latent growth model is estimated using Mplus 6.1. Results suggest that, on average, during higher education, students persisting in their studies in a non-delayed manner seem to shift towards high-quality learning and away from undirected and surface-oriented learning. Moreover, students from the longitudinal group are found to vary in their initial levels, while, unexpectedly, not in their change over time. Although the growth models fit the data well, significant residual variances in the latent factors remain.

Modeling Change in Learning Strategies throughout Higher Education: A Multi-Indicator Latent Growth Perspective

PubMed Central

Coertjens, Liesje; Donche, Vincent; De Maeyer, Sven; Vanthournout, Gert; Van Petegem, Peter

2013-01-01

The change in learning strategies during higher education is an important topic of research in the Student Approaches to Learning field. Although the studies on this topic are increasingly longitudinal, analyses have continued to rely primarily on traditional statistical methods. The present research is innovative in the way it uses a multi-indicator latent growth analysis in order to more accurately estimate the general and differential development in learning strategy scales. Moreover, the predictive strength of the latent growth models are estimated. The sample consists of one cohort of Flemish University College students, 245 of whom participated in the three measurement waves by filling out the processing and regulation strategies scales of the Inventory of Learning Styles – Short Versions. Independent-samples t-tests revealed that the longitudinal group is a non-random subset of students starting University College. For each scale, a multi-indicator latent growth model is estimated using Mplus 6.1. Results suggest that, on average, during higher education, students persisting in their studies in a non-delayed manner seem to shift towards high-quality learning and away from undirected and surface-oriented learning. Moreover, students from the longitudinal group are found to vary in their initial levels, while, unexpectedly, not in their change over time. Although the growth models fit the data well, significant residual variances in the latent factors remain. PMID:23844112

Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Reservoirs in the Lower Jordan Watershed

PubMed Central

Alshboul, Zeyad; Lorke, Andreas

2015-01-01

We have analyzed monthly hydrological, meteorological and water quality data from three irrigation and drinking water reservoirs in the lower Jordan River basin and estimated the atmospheric emission rates of CO2. The data were collected between 2006 and 2013 and show that the reservoirs, which differ in size and age, were net sources of CO2. The estimated surface fluxes were comparable in magnitude to those reported for hydroelectric reservoirs in the tropical and sub-tropical zones. Highest emission rates were observed for a newly established reservoir, which was initially filled during the sampling period. In the two older reservoirs, CO2 partial pressures and fluxes were significantly decreasing during the observation period, which could be related to simultaneously occurring temporal trends in water residence time and chemical composition of the water. The results indicate a strong influence of water and reservoir management (e.g. water consumption) on CO2 emission rates, which is affected by the increasing anthropogenic pressure on the limited water resources in the study area. The low wind speed and relatively high pH favored chemical enhancement of the CO2 gas exchange at the reservoir surfaces, which caused on average a four-fold enhancement of the fluxes. A sensitivity analysis indicates that the uncertainty of the estimated fluxes is, besides pH, mainly affected by the poorly resolved wind speed and resulting uncertainty of the chemical enhancement factor. PMID:26588241

Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Reservoirs in the Lower Jordan Watershed.

PubMed

Alshboul, Zeyad; Lorke, Andreas

2015-01-01

We have analyzed monthly hydrological, meteorological and water quality data from three irrigation and drinking water reservoirs in the lower Jordan River basin and estimated the atmospheric emission rates of CO2. The data were collected between 2006 and 2013 and show that the reservoirs, which differ in size and age, were net sources of CO2. The estimated surface fluxes were comparable in magnitude to those reported for hydroelectric reservoirs in the tropical and sub-tropical zones. Highest emission rates were observed for a newly established reservoir, which was initially filled during the sampling period. In the two older reservoirs, CO2 partial pressures and fluxes were significantly decreasing during the observation period, which could be related to simultaneously occurring temporal trends in water residence time and chemical composition of the water. The results indicate a strong influence of water and reservoir management (e.g. water consumption) on CO2 emission rates, which is affected by the increasing anthropogenic pressure on the limited water resources in the study area. The low wind speed and relatively high pH favored chemical enhancement of the CO2 gas exchange at the reservoir surfaces, which caused on average a four-fold enhancement of the fluxes. A sensitivity analysis indicates that the uncertainty of the estimated fluxes is, besides pH, mainly affected by the poorly resolved wind speed and resulting uncertainty of the chemical enhancement factor.

Broadband perfect infrared absorption by tuning epsilon-near-zero and epsilon-near-pole resonances of multilayer ITO nanowires.

PubMed

Zhou, Kun; Cheng, Qiang; Song, Jinlin; Lu, Lu; Jia, Zhihao; Li, Junwei

2018-01-01

We numerically investigate the broadband perfect infrared absorption by tuning epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) and epsilon-near-pole (ENP) resonances of multilayer indium tin oxide nanowires (ITO NWs). The monolayer ITO NWs array shows intensive absorption at ENZ and ENP wavelengths for p polarization, while only at the ENP wavelength for s polarization. Moreover, the ENP resonances are almost omnidirectional and the ENZ resonances are angularly dependent. Therefore, the absorption bandwidth is broader for p polarization than that for s polarization when polarized waves are incident obliquely. The ENZ resonances can be tuned by altering the doping concentration and volume filling factor of ITO NWs. However, the ENP resonances only can be tuned by changing the doping concentration of ITO NWs, and volume filling factor impacts little on the ENP resonances. Based on the strong absorption properties of each layer at their own ENP and ENZ resonances, the tuned absorption of the bilayer ITO NWs with the different doping concentrations can be broader and stronger. Furthermore, multilayer ITO NWs can achieve broadband perfect absorption by controlling the doping concentration, volume filling factor, and length of the NWs in each layer. This study has the potential to apply to applications requiring efficient absorption and energy conversion.

Photodiode area effect on performance of X-ray CMOS active pixel sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, M. S.; Kim, Y.; Kim, G.; Lim, K. T.; Cho, G.; Kim, D.

2018-02-01

Compared to conventional TFT-based X-ray imaging devices, CMOS-based X-ray imaging sensors are considered next generation because they can be manufactured in very small pixel pitches and can acquire high-speed images. In addition, CMOS-based sensors have the advantage of integration of various functional circuits within the sensor. The image quality can also be improved by the high fill-factor in large pixels. If the size of the subject is small, the size of the pixel must be reduced as a consequence. In addition, the fill factor must be reduced to aggregate various functional circuits within the pixel. In this study, 3T-APS (active pixel sensor) with photodiodes of four different sizes were fabricated and evaluated. It is well known that a larger photodiode leads to improved overall performance. Nonetheless, if the size of the photodiode is > 1000 μm2, the degree to which the sensor performance increases as the photodiode size increases, is reduced. As a result, considering the fill factor, pixel-pitch > 32 μm is not necessary to achieve high-efficiency image quality. In addition, poor image quality is to be expected unless special sensor-design techniques are included for sensors with a pixel pitch of 25 μm or less.

Mid-frequency MTF compensation of optical sparse aperture system.

PubMed

Zhou, Chenghao; Wang, Zhile

2018-03-19

Optical sparse aperture (OSA) can greatly improve the spatial resolution of optical system. However, because of its aperture dispersion and sparse, its mid-frequency modulation transfer function (MTF) are significantly lower than that of a single aperture system. The main focus of this paper is on the mid-frequency MTF compensation of the optical sparse aperture system. Firstly, the principle of the mid-frequency MTF decreasing and missing of optical sparse aperture are analyzed. This paper takes the filling factor as a clue. The method of processing the mid-frequency MTF decreasing with large filling factor and method of compensation mid-frequency MTF with small filling factor are given respectively. For the MTF mid-frequency decreasing, the image spatial-variant restoration method is proposed to restore the mid-frequency information in the image; for the mid-frequency MTF missing, two images obtained by two system respectively are fused to compensate the mid-frequency information in optical sparse aperture image. The feasibility of the two method are analyzed in this paper. The numerical simulation of the system and algorithm of the two cases are presented using Zemax and Matlab. The results demonstrate that by these two methods the mid-frequency MTF of OSA system can be compensated effectively.

Environmental and Genetic Contributions to Indicators of Oral Malodor in Twins

PubMed Central

Bretz, Walter A.; Biesbrock, A.; Corby, P. M; Corby, A. L.; Bretz, W. G.; Wessel, J.; Schork, N. J.

2011-01-01

This study aimed to: (1) determine concordance rates of self-reported and subjectively determined indicators of oral malodor in twins; (2) determine the relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors to levels of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) in intraoral and exhaled breath. Fifty-one twin pairs participated in the study. Measurements of VSCs were obtained by a halimeter. The presence of tongue coatings was determined and twins filled out a 32-item questionnaire on oral malodor indicators independently of one another. Estimates of heritability (h2) for halimeter measurements were computed by SOLAR. The concordance rates for the presence of tongue coating among identical and fraternal twins were 67% and 11%, respectively. In the 10 most informative items, 70% exhibited higher concordance rates for identical than for fraternal twins. Of particular interest were the differences in concordance rates for dry mouth, sinus infection and unusual sweating. The h2 for intraoral breath was 0.28 ± 0.17 (NS), whereas the h2 for exhaled breath was 0.50 ± 0.20 (p = .0207). The concordance rates of tongue coatings and malodor indicators were higher in identical twins than in fraternal twins. Intraoral breath VSC values were primarily attributable to environmental factors, whereas exhaled breath VSC values were partially explained by genetic factors. PMID:22506313

Theory of g-factor enhancement in narrow-gap quantum well heterostructures.

PubMed

Krishtopenko, S S; Gavrilenko, V I; Goiran, M

2011-09-28

We report on the study of the exchange enhancement of the g-factor in the two-dimensional (2D) electron gas in n-type narrow-gap semiconductor heterostructures. Our approach is based on the eight-band k⋅p Hamiltonian and takes into account the band nonparabolicity, the lattice deformation, the spin-orbit coupling and the Landau level broadening in the δ-correlated random potential model. Using the 'screened' Hartree-Fock approximation we demonstrate that the exchange g-factor enhancement not only shows maxima at odd values of Landau level filling factors but, due to the conduction band nonparabolicity, persists at even filling factor values as well. The magnitude of the exchange enhancement, the amplitude and the shape of the g-factor oscillations are determined by both the screening of the electron-electron interaction and the Landau level width. The 'enhanced' g-factor values calculated for the 2D electron gas in InAs/AlSb quantum well heterostructures are compared with our earlier experimental data and with those obtained by Mendez et al (1993 Phys. Rev. B 47 13937) in magnetic fields up to 30 T.

Major factors controlling fracture development in the Middle Permian Lucaogou Formation tight oil reservoir, Junggar Basin, NW China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Chen; Zhu, Deyu; Luo, Qun; Liu, Luofu; Liu, Dongdong; Yan, Lin; Zhang, Yunzhao

2017-09-01

Natural fractures in seven wells from the Middle Permian Lucaogou Formation in the Junggar Basin were evaluated in light of regional structural evolution, tight reservoir geochemistry (including TOC and mineral composition), carbon and oxygen isotopes of calcite-filled fractures, and acoustic emission (AE). Factors controlling the development of natural fractures were analyzed using qualitative and/or semi-quantitative techniques, with results showing that tectonic factors are the primary control on fracture development in the Middle Permian Lucaogou Formation of the Junggar Basin. Analyses of calcite, dolomite, and TOC show positive correlations with the number of fractures, while deltaic lithofacies appear to be the most favorable for fracture development. Mineral content was found to be a major control on tectonic fracture development, while TOC content and sedimentary facies mainly control bedding fractures. Carbon and oxygen isotopes vary greatly in calcite-filled fractures (δ13C ranges from 0.87‰ to 7.98‰, while δ18O ranges from -12.63‰ to -5.65‰), indicating that fracture development increases with intensified tectonic activity or enhanced diagenetic alteration. By analyzing the cross-cutting relationships of fractures in core, as well as four Kaiser Effect points in the acoustic emission curve, we observed four stages of tectonic fracture development. First-stage fractures are extensional, and were generated in the late Triassic, with calcite fracture fills formed between 36.51 °C and 56.89 °C. Second-stage fractures are shear fractures caused by extrusion stress from the southwest to the northeast, generated by the rapid uplift of the Tianshan in the Middle and Late Jurassic; calcite fracture fills formed between 62.91 °C and 69.88 °C. Third-stage fractures are NNW-trending shear fractures that resulted from north-south extrusion and thrusting in a foreland depression along the front of the Early Cretaceous Bogda Mountains. Calcite fracture fills formed between 81.74 °C and 85.43 °C. Fourth-stage fractures inherited the tectonic framework of the third stage, resulting in fractures with the same orientation, but without calcite filling. By differentiating the various stages of fracture development, we were able to better understand the origin of fractures in tight oil reservoirs and their significance for exploration and development.

Measuring Magnetic Oscillations in the Solar Photosphere: Coordinated Observations with MDI, ASP and MWO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Norton, A. A.; Ulrich, R. K.

2000-03-01

A comprehensive observing effort was undertaken to simultaneously obtain full Stokes profiles as well as longitudinal magnetogram maps of a positive plage region on 8 December, 1998 with the Michelson Doppler Imager, the Advanced Stokes Polarimeter and Mt. Wilson Observatory magnetograph. We compare 1.2'' spatially-averaged signals of velocities as well as filter magnetograph longitudinal flux signals with Stokes determined fluctuations in filling factor, field inclination, magnetic flux and field strength. The velocity signals are in excellent agreement. Michelson Doppler Imager magnetic flux correlates best with fluctuations in the Advanced Stokes Polarimeter filling factor, not inclination angle or field strength. A correlated flux and filling factor change in the absence of a field strength fluctuation can be understood in terms of internally unperturbed flux tubes being buffeted by external pressure fluctuations. The 12.5'' square aperture spatially averaged Mt. Wilson magnetograph signals are compared with Michelson Doppler Imager signals from the corresponding observing area. Velocity signals are in superb agreement. Magnetic signals exhibit similar oscillatory behavior. Lack of Advanced Stokes Polarimeter data for this time excludes interpretation of magnetic fluctuations as due to filling factor or field inclination angle. Mt. Wilson Observatory simultaneous sampling of the nickel and sodium spectral line profiles with several wing pairs allowed inter-comparison of signals from different heights of formation. Slight phase shifts and large propagation speeds for the velocity signals are indicative of modified standing waves. Phase speeds associated with magnetic signals are characteristic of photospheric Alfvén speeds for plage fields. The phase speed increase with height agrees with the altitude dependence of the Alfvén speed. The observed fluctuations and phases are interpreted as a superposition of signatures from the horizontal component of the driving mechanism sweeping the field lines in/out of the resolution area and the magnetic response of the flux tube to this buffeting.

Nonpolar p-GaN/n-Si heterojunction diode characteristics: a comparison between ensemble and single nanowire devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patsha, Avinash; Pandian, Ramanathaswamy; Dhara, Sandip; Tyagi, A. K.

2015-10-01

The electrical and photodiode characteristics of ensemble and single p-GaN nanowire and n-Si heterojunction devices were studied. Ideality factor of the single nanowire p-GaN/n-Si device was found to be about three times lower compared to that of the ensemble nanowire device. Apart from the deep-level traps in p-GaN nanowires, defect states due to inhomogeneity in Mg dopants in the ensemble nanowire device are attributed to the origin of the high ideality factor. Photovoltaic mode of the ensemble nanowire device showed an improvement in the fill-factors up to 60% over the single nanowire device with fill-factors up to 30%. Responsivity of the single nanowire device in the photoconducting mode was found to be enhanced by five orders, at 470 nm. The enhanced photoresponse of the single nanowire device also confirms the photoconduction due to defect states in p-GaN nanowires.

Numerical simulation of the casting process of titanium removable partial denture frameworks.

PubMed

Wu, Menghuai; Wagner, Ingo; Sahm, Peter R; Augthun, Michael

2002-03-01

The objective of this work was to study the filling incompleteness and porosity defects in titanium removal partial denture frameworks by means of numerical simulation. Two frameworks, one for lower jaw and one for upper jaw, were chosen according to dentists' recommendation to be simulated. Geometry of the frameworks were laser-digitized and converted into a simulation software (MAGMASOFT). Both mold filling and solidification of the castings with different sprue designs (e.g. tree, ball, and runner-bar) were numerically calculated. The shrinkage porosity was quantitatively predicted by a feeding criterion, the potential filling defect and gas pore sensitivity were estimated based on the filling and solidification results. A satisfactory sprue design with process parameters was finally recommended for real casting trials (four replica for each frameworks). All the frameworks were successfully cast. Through X-ray radiographic inspections it was found that all the castings were acceptably sound except for only one case in which gas bubbles were detected in the grasp region of the frame. It is concluded that numerical simulation aids to achieve understanding of the casting process and defect formation in titanium frameworks, hence to minimize the risk of producing defect casting by improving the sprue design and process parameters.

The Fast and Non-capillary Fluid Filling Mechanism in the Hummingbird's Tongue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rico-Guevara, Alejandro; Fan, Tai-Hsi; Rubega, Margaret

2014-03-01

Hummingbirds gather nectar by inserting their beaks inside flowers and cycling their tongues at a frequency of up to 20 Hz. It is unclear how they achieve efficiency at this high licking rate. Ever since proposed in 1833, it has been believed that hummingbird tongues are a pair of tiny straws filled with nectar by capillary rise. Our discoveries are very different from this general consensus. The tongue does not draw up floral nectar via capillary action under experimental conditions that resemble natural ones. Theoretical models based on capillary rise were mistaken and unsuitable for estimating the fluid intake rate and to support foraging theories. We filmed (up to 1265 frames/s) the fluid uptake in 20 species of hummingbirds that belong to 7 out of the 9 main hummingbird clades. We found that the fluid filling within the portions of the tongue that remain outside the nectar is about five times faster than capillary filling. We present strong evidence to rule out the capillarity model. We introduce a new fluid-structure interaction and hydrodynamic model and compare the results with field experimental data to explain how hummingbirds actually extract fluid from flowers at the lick level.

Experimental investigation of the heat transfer characteristics of a helium cryogenic thermosyphon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Long, Z. Q.; Zhang, P.

2013-10-01

The heat transfer performance of a cryogenic thermosyphon filled with helium as the working fluid is investigated experimentally with a G-M cryocooler as the heat sink in this study. The cryogenic thermosyphon acts as a thermal link between the cryocooler and the cooled target (the copper evaporator with a large mass). Helium is charged in different filling ratios, and the cooling down process and the heat transfer characteristics of the cryogenic thermosyphon are investigated. The cooling down process of the cooled target can be significantly accelerated by the presence of helium in the cryogenic thermosyphon and the cooling down period can be further shortened by the increase of filling ratio. The heat transfer mode changes from the liquid-vapor phase change to natural convection as the increase of the heating power applied on the evaporator. The heat transfer limit and thermal resistance are discussed for the liquid-vapor phase change heat transfer, and they can be estimated by empirical correlations. For the natural convection heat transfer, it can be enhanced by increasing the filling ratio, and the natural convection of supercritical helium is much stronger than that of gaseous helium.

Natural image statistics mediate brightness 'filling in'.

PubMed

Dakin, Steven C; Bex, Peter J

2003-11-22

Although the human visual system can accurately estimate the reflectance (or lightness) of surfaces under enormous variations in illumination, two equiluminant grey regions can be induced to appear quite different simply by placing a light-dark luminance transition between them. This illusion, the Craik-Cornsweet-O'Brien (CCOB) effect, has been taken as evidence for a low-level 'filling-in' mechanism subserving lightness perception. Here, we present evidence that the mechanism responsible for the CCOB effect operates not via propagation of a neural signal across space but by amplification of the low spatial frequency (SF) structure of the image. We develop a simple computational model that relies on the statistics of natural scenes actively to reconstruct the image that is most likely to have caused an observed series of responses across SF channels. This principle is tested psychophysically by deriving classification images (CIs) for subjects' discrimination of the contrast polarity of CCOB stimuli masked with noise. CIs resemble 'filled-in' stimuli; i.e. observers rely on portions of the stimuli that contain no information per se but that correspond closely to the reported perceptual completion. As predicted by the model, the filling-in process is contingent on the presence of appropriate low SF structure.

Dollars for lives : the effect of highway capital investments on traffic fatalities.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-10-01

There is no research that links capital investments on highways with highway fatalities. Our research project aimed to fill : t : hat gap. We used state : - : level data from the 48 contiguous states of the U.S. from 1968 through 2010 to estimate the...

CERES EBAF Data available in the ArcGIS Portal

Atmospheric Science Data Center

2018-06-22

... 28 variables from the Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) Energy Balanced and Filled (EBAF) Edition 4 Top-of-Atmosphere (TOA) data ... climate model evaluation, estimating the Earth's global mean energy budget, and to infer meridional heat transport.  The ASDC will continue ...

76 FR 14458 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-16

... will administer the PTIN application process. Most applications will be filled out on-line. Form W-12... process. Respondents: Individuals or Households. Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,464,000 hours. OMB Number... report controlled group status and information on orphan drug credits allowed for covered pharmaceutical...

Doppler echocardiographic analysis of left ventricular filling in treated hypertensive patients.

PubMed

Phillips, R A; Coplan, N L; Krakoff, L R; Yeager, K; Ross, R S; Gorlin, R; Goldman, M E

1987-02-01

Early detection and prevention of cardiac dysfunction is an important goal in the management of hypertensive patients. In this study, Doppler echocardiography was used to evaluate the pattern of left ventricular diastolic filling in 38 subjects: 18 treated hypertensive patients (blood pressure 141 +/- 17/83 +/- 10 mm Hg, mean +/- SD) without other coronary risk factors and 20 risk-free normotensive subjects of similar age (47 +/- 10 and 49 +/- 13 years, respectively). Peak velocity of late left ventricular filling due to the atrial contraction was greater in hypertensive compared with normotensive subjects (69 +/- 14 versus 52 +/- 13 cm/s; p less than 0.001). Peak velocity of late filling was significantly greater in hypertensive versus normotensive subjects in those aged 50 years or younger and those older than age 50 (65 +/- 12 versus 50 +/- 11; p less than 0.01 and 75 +/- 15 versus 56 +/- 15 cm/s; p less than 0.05, respectively). In hypertensive subjects, peak velocity of late filling did not correlate with routine indexes of hypertensive heart disease (including posterior wall thickness and left ventricular mass), systolic and diastolic blood pressure or duration of hypertension. These results indicate that increased velocity of late left ventricular filling may be independent of left ventricular hypertrophy and persist despite effective blood pressure control.

Changes in Rates of Shore Retreat, Lake Michigan, 1967-1976.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-12-01

D.C., Apr. 1946. BERG, D.W., "Factors Affecting Beach Nourishment at Presque Isle Peninsula, Erie , Pennsylvania ," Proceedings of the Ninth Conference on...concern the behavior of beach fill at Presque Isle Peninsula on Lake Erie . Guidelines for moni- toring the effect of shore protection works in the Great...NTIS AD 631 520). BERG, D.W., and DUANE, D.B., "Effects of Particle Size and Distribution on Stability of Artificially Filled Beach, Presque Isle

[Therapeutic effect of double fill nine tastes soup in treating recurrent respiratory infection (RRI) and change of immune function in children].

PubMed

Wang, Youcheng; Zhang, Lijuan; Hu, Guohua; Wang, Menghe; Tang, Xiaoyuan; Guo, Hui; Shi, Yimei; Chen, Shufang; Shi, Changchun

2012-04-01

To investigate the therapeutic effect of double fill nine tastes soup in treating children recurrent respiratory infection (RRTI) and the change of immune function. 77 RRTI patients were randomly selected into observation and control groups. The observation group was treated with Chinese medicine- double fill nine tastes soup,water frying points 2 times oral. The control was treated with transfer factor oral liquid,every 10 mL,2 times daily oral. Treatment periods were both two months. IgA, IgG, IgM and IL-12, TNF-alpha, INF-gamma were detected before and after treatment to assess the clinical effects and the changes of immune factors, meanwhile, a health group was established. Before treatment, compared with the health group, the serum IgA, IgG, IgM, IgE, IL-12, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma in both groups were significantly different (P < 0.01). After treatment, the ratio of IgA, IgG, Ig M, IL-12, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma in two groups were significantly different (P < 0.01). Compared with the recurrence rate and clinical effects, the observation group was better than control, and the differences were significant (P < 0.01). Double fill nine tastes soup has significant effects in treating recurrent respiratory infection (RRI) and enhance the immune function in children.

Critical Evaluation of Risk Factors and Early Complications in 564 Consecutive Two-Stage Implant-Based Breast Reconstructions Using Acellular Dermal Matrix at a Single Center.

PubMed

Selber, Jesse C; Wren, James H; Garvey, Patrick B; Zhang, Hong; Erickson, Cameron; Clemens, Mark W; Butler, Charles E

2015-07-01

Acellular dermal matrix for implant-based breast reconstruction appears to cause higher early complication rates, but long-term outcomes are perceived to be superior. This dichotomy is the subject of considerable debate. The authors hypothesized that patient characteristics and operative variables would have a greater impact on complications than the type of acellular dermal matrix used. A retrospective cohort study was performed of consecutive patients who underwent two-stage, implant-based breast reconstruction with human cadaveric or bovine acellular dermal matrix from 2006 to 2012 at a single institution. Patient characteristics and operative variables were analyzed using logistic regression analyses to identify risk factors for complications. The authors included 564 reconstructions in the study. Radiation therapy and obesity increased the odds of all complications. Every 100-ml increase in preoperative breast volume increased the odds of any complication by 1 percent, the odds of infection by 27 percent, and the risk of explantation by 16 percent. The odds of seroma increased linearly with increasing surface area of acellular dermal matrix. Odds of infection were higher with an intraoperative expander fill volume greater than 50 percent of the total volume. Risk of explantation was twice as high when intraoperative expander fill volume was greater than 300 ml. Radiation therapy, obesity, larger breasts, higher intraoperative fill volumes, and larger acellular dermal matrices are all independent risk factors for early complications. Maximizing the initial mastectomy skin envelope fill must be balanced with the understanding that higher complication rates may result from a larger intraoperative breast mound. Risk, III.

Sound transmission loss of composite sandwich panels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Ran

Light composite sandwich panels are increasingly used in automobiles, ships and aircraft, because of the advantages they offer of high strength-to-weight ratios. However, the acoustical properties of these light and stiff structures can be less desirable than those of equivalent metal panels. These undesirable properties can lead to high interior noise levels. A number of researchers have studied the acoustical properties of honeycomb and foam sandwich panels. Not much work, however, has been carried out on foam-filled honeycomb sandwich panels. In this dissertation, governing equations for the forced vibration of asymmetric sandwich panels are developed. An analytical expression for modal densities of symmetric sandwich panels is derived from a sixth-order governing equation. A boundary element analysis model for the sound transmission loss of symmetric sandwich panels is proposed. Measurements of the modal density, total loss factor, radiation loss factor, and sound transmission loss of foam-filled honeycomb sandwich panels with different configurations and thicknesses are presented. Comparisons between the predicted sound transmission loss values obtained from wave impedance analysis, statistical energy analysis, boundary element analysis, and experimental values are presented. The wave impedance analysis model provides accurate predictions of sound transmission loss for the thin foam-filled honeycomb sandwich panels at frequencies above their first resonance frequencies. The predictions from the statistical energy analysis model are in better agreement with the experimental transmission loss values of the sandwich panels when the measured radiation loss factor values near coincidence are used instead of the theoretical values for single-layer panels. The proposed boundary element analysis model provides more accurate predictions of sound transmission loss for the thick foam-filled honeycomb sandwich panels than either the wave impedance analysis model or the statistical energy analysis model.

Impact of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation on Left Ventricular Filling Pressure and Left Atrial Remodeling

PubMed Central

dos Santos, Simone Nascimento; Henz, Benhur Davi; Zanatta, André Rodrigues; Barreto, José Roberto; Loureiro, Kelly Bianca; Novakoski, Clarissa; dos Santos, Marcus Vinícius Nascimento; Giuseppin, Fabio F.; Oliveira, Edna Maria; Leite, Luiz Roberto

2014-01-01

Background Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction is associated with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF), and the estimation of elevated LV filling pressures by E/e' ratio is related to worse outcomes in patients with AF. However, it is unknown if restoring sinus rhythm reverses this process. Objective To evaluate the impact of AF ablation on estimated LV filling pressure. Methods A total of 141 patients underwent radiofrequency (RF) ablation to treat drug-refractory AF. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed 30 days before and 12 months after ablation. LV functional parameters, left atrial volume index (LAVind), and transmitral pulsed and mitral annulus tissue Doppler (e' and E/e') were assessed. Paroxysmal AF was present in 18 patients, persistent AF was present in 102 patients, and long-standing persistent AF in 21 patients. Follow-up included electrocardiographic examination and 24-h Holter monitoring at 3, 6, and 12 months after ablation. Results One hundred seventeen patients (82.9%) were free of AF during the follow-up (average, 18 ± 5 months). LAVind reduced in the successful group (30.2 mL/m2 ± 10.6 mL/m2 to 22.6 mL/m2 ± 1.1 mL/m2, p < 0.001) compared to the non-successful group (37.7 mL/m2 ± 14.3 mL/m2 to 37.5 mL/m2 ± 14.5 mL/m2, p = ns). Improvement of LV filling pressure assessed by a reduction in the E/e' ratio was observed only after successful ablation (11.5 ± 4.5 vs. 7.1 ± 3.7, p < 0.001) but not in patients with recurrent AF (12.7 ± 4.4 vs. 12 ± 3.3, p = ns). The success rate was lower in the long-standing persistent AF patient group (57% vs. 87%, p = 0.001). Conclusion Successful AF ablation is associated with LA reverse remodeling and an improvement in LV filling pressure. PMID:25590928

Full-Coverage High-Resolution Daily PM(sub 2.5) Estimation using MAIAC AOD in the Yangtze River Delta of China

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Xiao, Qingyang; Wang, Yujie; Chang, Howard H.; Meng, Xia; Geng, Guannan; Lyapustin, Alexei Ivanovich; Liu, Yang

2017-01-01

Satellite aerosol optical depth (AOD) has been used to assess population exposure to fine particulate matter (PM (sub 2.5)). The emerging high-resolution satellite aerosol product, Multi-Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction(MAIAC), provides a valuable opportunity to characterize local-scale PM(sub 2.5) at 1-km resolution. However, non-random missing AOD due to cloud snow cover or high surface reflectance makes this task challenging. Previous studies filled the data gap by spatially interpolating neighboring PM(sub 2.5) measurements or predictions. This strategy ignored the effect of cloud cover on aerosol loadings and has been shown to exhibit poor performance when monitoring stations are sparse or when there is seasonal large-scale missngness. Using the Yangtze River Delta of China as an example, we present a Multiple Imputation (MI) method that combines the MAIAC high-resolution satellite retrievals with chemical transport model (CTM) simulations to fill missing AOD. A two-stage statistical model driven by gap-filled AOD, meteorology and land use information was then fitted to estimate daily ground PM(sub 2.5) concentrations in 2013 and 2014 at 1 km resolution with complete coverage in space and time. The daily MI models have an average R(exp 2) of 0.77, with an inter-quartile range of 0.71 to 0.82 across days. The overall Ml model 10-fold cross-validation R(exp 2) (root mean square error) were 0.81 (25 gm(exp 3)) and 0.73 (18 gm(exp 3)) for year 2013 and 2014, respectively. Predictions with only observational AOD or only imputed AOD showed similar accuracy.Comparing with previous gap-filling methods, our MI method presented in this study performed bette rwith higher coverage, higher accuracy, and the ability to fill missing PM(sub 2.5) predictions without ground PM(sub 2.5) measurements. This method can provide reliable PM(sub 2.5)predictions with complete coverage that can reduce biasin exposure assessment in air pollution and health studies.

Patient, physician, pharmacy, and pharmacy benefit design factors related to generic medication use.

PubMed

Shrank, William H; Stedman, Margaret; Ettner, Susan L; DeLapp, Dee; Dirstine, June; Brookhart, M Alan; Fischer, Michael A; Avorn, Jerry; Asch, Steven M

2007-09-01

Increased use of generic medications conserves insurer and patient financial resources and may increase patient adherence. The objective of the study is to evaluate whether physician, patient, pharmacy benefit design, or pharmacy characteristics influence the likelihood that patients will use generic drugs Observational analysis of 2001-2003 pharmacy claims from a large health plan in the Western United States. We evaluated claims for 5,399 patients who filled a new prescription in at least 1 of 5 classes of chronic medications with generic alternatives. We identified patients initiated on generic drugs and those started on branded medications who switched to generic drugs in the subsequent year. We used generalized estimating equations to perform separate analyses assessing the relationship between independent variables and the probability that patients were initiated on or switched to generic drugs. Of the 5,399 new prescriptions filled, 1,262 (23.4%) were generics. Of those initiated on branded medications, 606 (14.9%) switched to a generic drug in the same class in the subsequent year. After regression adjustment, patients residing in high-income zip codes were more likely to initiate treatment with a generic than patients in low-income regions (RR = 1.29; 95% C.I. 1.04-1.60); medical subspecialists (RR = 0.82; 0.69-0.95) and obstetrician/gynecologists (RR = 0.81; 0.69-0.98) were less likely than generalist physicians to initiate generics. Pharmacy benefit design and pharmacy type were not associated with initiation of generic medications. However, patients were over 2.5 times more likely to switch from branded to generic medications if they were enrolled in 3-tier pharmacy plans (95% C.I. 1.12-6.09), and patients who used mail-order pharmacies were 60% more likely to switch to a generic (95% C.I. 1.18-2.30) after initiating treatment with a branded drug. Physician and patient factors have an important influence on generic drug initiation, with the patients who live in the poorest zip codes paradoxically receiving generic drugs least often. While tiered pharmacy benefit designs and mail-order pharmacies helped steer patients towards generic medications once the first prescription has been filled, they had little effect on initial prescriptions. Providing patients and physicians with information about generic alternatives may reduce costs and lead to more equitable care.

Selective Equilibration of Spin-Polarized Quantum Hall Edge States in Graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amet, F.; Williams, J. R.; Watanabe, K.; Taniguchi, T.; Goldhaber-Gordon, D.

2014-05-01

We report on transport measurements of dual-gated, single-layer graphene devices in the quantum Hall regime, allowing for independent control of the filling factors in adjoining regions. Progress in device quality allows us to study scattering between edge states when the fourfold degeneracy of the Landau level is lifted by electron correlations, causing edge states to be spin and/or valley polarized. In this new regime, we observe a dramatic departure from the equilibration seen in more disordered devices: edge states with opposite spins propagate without mixing. As a result, the degree of equilibration inferred from transport can reveal the spin polarization of the ground state at each filling factor. In particular, the first Landau level is shown to be spin polarized at half filling, providing an independent confirmation of a conclusion of Young et al. [Nat. Phys. 8, 550 (2012)]. The conductance in the bipolar regime is strongly suppressed, indicating that copropagating edge states, even with the same spin, do not equilibrate along PN interfaces. We attribute this behavior to the formation of an insulating ν =0 stripe at the PN interface.

On the generation of a bubbly universe - A quantitative assessment of the CfA slice

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ostriker, J. P.; Strassler, M. J.

1989-01-01

A first attempt is made to calculate the properties of the matter distribution in a universe filled with overlapping bubbles produced by multiple explosions. Each spherical shell follows the cosmological Sedov-Taylor solution until it encounters another shell. Thereafter, mergers are allowed to occur in pairs on the basis of N-body results. At the final epoch, the matrix of overlapping shells is populated with 'galaxies' and the properties of slices through the numerically constructed cube compare well with CfA survey results for specified initial conditions. A statistic is found which measures the distance distribution from uniformly distributed points to the nearest galaxies on the projected plane which appears to provide a good measure of the bubbly character of the galaxy distribution. In a quantitative analysis of the CfA 'slice of the universe', a very good match is found between simulation and the real data for final average bubble radii of (13.5 + or - 1.5)/h Mpc with formal filling factor 1.0-1.5 or actual filling factor of 65-80 percent.

A compact tritium enrichment unit for large sample volumes with automated re-filling and higher enrichment factor.

PubMed

Kumar, B; Han, L-F; Wassenaar, L I; Klaus, P M; Kainz, G G; Hillegonds, D; Brummer, D; Ahmad, M; Belachew, D L; Araguás, L; Aggarwal, P

2016-12-01

Tritium ( 3 H) in natural waters is a powerful tracer of hydrological processes, but its low concentrations require electrolytic enrichment before precise measurements can be made with a liquid scintillation counter. Here, we describe a newly developed, compact tritium enrichment unit which can be used to enrich up to 2L of a water sample. This allows a high enrichment factor (>100) for measuring low 3 H contents of <0.05TU. The TEU uses a small cell (250mL) with automated re-filling and a CO 2 bubbling technique to neutralize the high alkalinity of enriched samples. The enriched residual sample is retrieved from the cell under vacuum by cryogenic distillation at -20°C and the tritium enrichment factor for each sample is accurately determined by measuring pre- and post- enrichment 2 H concentrations with laser spectrometry. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

The watercolor effect: a new principle of grouping and figure-ground organization.

PubMed

Pinna, Baingio; Werner, John S; Spillmann, Lothar

2003-01-01

The watercolor effect is perceived when a dark (e.g., purple) contour is flanked by a lighter chromatic contour (e.g., orange). Under these conditions, the lighter color will assimilate over the entire enclosed area. This filling-in determines figure-ground organization when it is pitted against the classical Gestalt factors of proximity, good continuation, closure, symmetry, convexity, as well as amodal completion, and past experience. When it is combined with a given Gestalt factor, the resulting effect on figure-ground organization is stronger than for each factor alone. When the watercolor effect is induced by a dark red edge instead of an orange edge, its figural strength is reduced, but still stronger than without it. Finally, when a uniform surface is filled physically using the color of the orange fringe, figure-ground organization is not different from that for the purple contour only. These findings show that the watercolor effect induced by the edge could be an independent factor, different from the classical Gestalt factors of figure-ground organization. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Optimal design criteria - prediction vs. parameter estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waldl, Helmut

2014-05-01

G-optimality is a popular design criterion for optimal prediction, it tries to minimize the kriging variance over the whole design region. A G-optimal design minimizes the maximum variance of all predicted values. If we use kriging methods for prediction it is self-evident to use the kriging variance as a measure of uncertainty for the estimates. Though the computation of the kriging variance and even more the computation of the empirical kriging variance is computationally very costly and finding the maximum kriging variance in high-dimensional regions can be time demanding such that we cannot really find the G-optimal design with nowadays available computer equipment in practice. We cannot always avoid this problem by using space-filling designs because small designs that minimize the empirical kriging variance are often non-space-filling. D-optimality is the design criterion related to parameter estimation. A D-optimal design maximizes the determinant of the information matrix of the estimates. D-optimality in terms of trend parameter estimation and D-optimality in terms of covariance parameter estimation yield basically different designs. The Pareto frontier of these two competing determinant criteria corresponds with designs that perform well under both criteria. Under certain conditions searching the G-optimal design on the above Pareto frontier yields almost as good results as searching the G-optimal design in the whole design region. In doing so the maximum of the empirical kriging variance has to be computed only a few times though. The method is demonstrated by means of a computer simulation experiment based on data provided by the Belgian institute Management Unit of the North Sea Mathematical Models (MUMM) that describe the evolution of inorganic and organic carbon and nutrients, phytoplankton, bacteria and zooplankton in the Southern Bight of the North Sea.

Large quantum rings in the ν > 1 quantum Hall regime.

PubMed

Räsänen, E; Aichinger, M

2009-01-14

We study computationally the ground-state properties of large quantum rings in the filling-factor ν>1 quantum Hall regime. We show that the arrangement of electrons into different Landau levels leads to clear signatures in the total energies as a function of the magnetic field. In this context, we discuss possible approximations for the filling factor ν in the system. We are able to characterize integer-ν states in quantum rings in an analogy with conventional quantum Hall droplets. We also find a partially spin-polarized state between ν = 2 and 3. Despite the specific topology of a quantum ring, this state is strikingly reminiscent of the recently found ν = 5/2 state in a quantum dot.

Simple fabrication of closed-packed IR microlens arrays on silicon by femtosecond laser wet etching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meng, Xiangwei; Chen, Feng; Yang, Qing; Bian, Hao; Du, Guangqing; Hou, Xun

2015-10-01

We demonstrate a simple route to fabricate closed-packed infrared (IR) silicon microlens arrays (MLAs) based on femtosecond laser irradiation assisted by wet etching method. The fabricated MLAs show high fill factor, smooth surface and good uniformity. They can be used as optical devices for IR applications. The exposure and etching parameters are optimized to obtain reproducible microlens with hexagonal and rectangular arrangements. The surface roughness of the concave MLAs is only 56 nm. This presented method is a maskless process and can flexibly change the size, shape and the fill factor of the MLAs by controlling the experimental parameters. The concave MLAs on silicon can work in IR region and can be used for IR sensors and imaging applications.

Symmetry breaking in the zero-energy Landau level in bilayer graphene.

PubMed

Zhao, Y; Cadden-Zimansky, P; Jiang, Z; Kim, P

2010-02-12

The quantum Hall effect near the charge neutrality point in bilayer graphene is investigated in high magnetic fields of up to 35 T using electronic transport measurements. In the high-field regime, the eightfold degeneracy in the zero-energy Landau level is completely lifted, exhibiting new quantum Hall states corresponding to filling factors nu=0, 1, 2, and 3. Measurements of the activation energy gaps for the nu=2 and 3 filling factors in tilted magnetic fields exhibit no appreciable dependence on the in-plane magnetic field, suggesting that these Landau level splittings are independent of spin. In addition, measurements taken at the nu=0 charge neutral point show that, similar to single layer graphene, the bilayer becomes insulating at high fields.

High external quantum efficiency and fill-factor InGaN/GaN heterojunction solar cells grown by NH3-based molecular beam epitaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lang, J. R.; Neufeld, C. J.; Hurni, C. A.; Cruz, S. C.; Matioli, E.; Mishra, U. K.; Speck, J. S.

2011-03-01

High external quantum efficiency (EQE) p-i-n heterojunction solar cells grown by NH3-based molecular beam epitaxy are presented. EQE values including optical losses are greater than 50% with fill-factors over 72% when illuminated with a 1 sun AM0 spectrum. Optical absorption measurements in conjunction with EQE measurements indicate an internal quantum efficiency greater than 90% for the InGaN absorbing layer. By adjusting the thickness of the top p-type GaN window contact layer, it is shown that the short-wavelength (<365 nm) quantum efficiency is limited by the minority carrier diffusion length in highly Mg-doped p-GaN.

Development of highly efficient laser bars emitting at around 1060 nm for medical applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pietrzak, Agnieszka; Zorn, Martin; Meusel, Jens; Huelsewede, Ralf; Sebastian, Juergen

2018-02-01

An overview is presented on the recent progress in the development of high power laser bars at wavelengths around 1060nm. The development is focused on highly efficient and reliable laser performance under pulsed operation for medical applications. The epitaxial structure and lateral layout of the laser bars were tailored to meet the application requirements. Reliable operation peak powers of 350W and 500W are demonstrated from laser bars with fill-factor FF=75% and resonator lengths 1.5mm and 2.0mm, respectively. Moreover, 60W at current 65A with lifetime <10.000h are presented. The power scaling with fill-factor enables a cost reduction ($/W) up to 35%.

Charge tuning of nonresonant magnetoexciton phonon interactions in graphene.

PubMed

Rémi, Sebastian; Goldberg, Bennett B; Swan, Anna K

2014-02-07

Far from resonance, the coupling of the G-band phonon to magnetoexcitons in single layer graphene displays kinks and splittings versus filling factor that are well described by Pauli blocking and unblocking of inter- and intra-Landau level transitions. We explore the nonresonant electron-phonon coupling by high-magnetic field Raman scattering while electrostatic tuning of the carrier density controls the filling factor. We show qualitative and quantitative agreement between spectra and a linearized model of electron-phonon interactions in magnetic fields. The splitting is caused by dichroism of left- and right-handed circular polarized light due to lifting of the G-band phonon degeneracy, and the piecewise linear slopes are caused by the linear occupancy of sequential Landau levels versus ν.

Board-Certified Oncology Pharmacists: Their Potential Contribution to Reducing a Shortfall in Oncology Patient Visits.

PubMed

Ignoffo, Robert; Knapp, Katherine; Barnett, Mitchell; Barbour, Sally Yowell; D'Amato, Steve; Iacovelli, Lew; Knudsen, Jasen; Koontz, Susannah E; Mancini, Robert; McBride, Ali; McCauley, Dayna; Medina, Patrick; O'Bryant, Cindy L; Scarpace, Sarah; Stricker, Steve; Trovato, James A

2016-04-01

With an aging US population, the number of patients who need cancer treatment will increase significantly by 2020. On the basis of a predicted shortage of oncology physicians, nonphysician health care practitioners will need to fill the shortfall in oncology patient visits, and nurse practitioners and physician assistants have already been identified for this purpose. This study proposes that appropriately trained oncology pharmacists can also contribute. The purpose of this study is to estimate the supply of Board of Pharmacy Specialties-certified oncology pharmacists (BCOPs) and their potential contribution to the care of patients with cancer through 2020. Data regarding accredited oncology pharmacy residencies, new BCOPs, and total BCOPs were used to estimate oncology residencies, new BCOPs, and total BCOPs through 2020. A Delphi panel process was used to estimate patient visits, identify patient care services that BCOPs could provide, and study limitations. By 2020, there will be an estimated 3,639 BCOPs, and approximately 62% of BCOPs will have completed accredited oncology pharmacy residencies. Delphi panelists came to consensus (at least 80% agreement) on eight patient care services that BCOPs could provide. Although the estimates given by our model indicate that BCOPs could provide 5 to 7 million 30-minute patient visits annually, sensitivity analysis, based on factors that could reduce potential visit availability resulted in 2.5 to 3.5 million visits by 2020 with the addition of BCOPs to the health care team. BCOPs can contribute to a projected shortfall in needed patient visits for cancer treatment. BCOPs, along with nurse practitioners and physician assistants could substantially reduce, but likely not eliminate, the shortfall of providers needed for oncology patient visits. Copyright © 2016 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.

A comparison of glass cermet cement and amalgam restorations in primary molars.

PubMed

Hickel, R; Voss, A

1990-01-01

The aim of this clinical study was to compare the efficacy of GCC with amalgam as a filling material in primary molars. Two hundred fifteen restorations were placed in the first and second primary molars of seventy-four patients, ranging in age from four to ten years. The overall failure rate of amalgam is lower than that of GCC, but not significantly different. In older children, amalgam has greater advantages. An advantage of GCC is the short time required to fill the cavity. This might be an important factor in young and/or difficult children. In these cases amalgam cannot be placed under optimal conditions and, therefore, the results are less satisfactory. GCC is a viable alternative filling material.

Material limitations on the detection limit in refractometry.

PubMed

Skafte-Pedersen, Peder; Nunes, Pedro S; Xiao, Sanshui; Mortensen, Niels Asger

2009-01-01

We discuss the detection limit for refractometric sensors relying on high-Q optical cavities and show that the ultimate classical detection limit is given by min {Δn} ≳ η, with n + iη being the complex refractive index of the material under refractometric investigation. Taking finite Q factors and filling fractions into account, the detection limit declines. As an example we discuss the fundamental limits of silicon-based high-Q resonators, such as photonic crystal resonators, for sensing in a bio-liquid environment, such as a water buffer. In the transparency window (λ ≳ 1100 nm) of silicon the detection limit becomes almost independent on the filling fraction, while in the visible, the detection limit depends strongly on the filling fraction because the silicon absorbs strongly.

The associations between birth outcomes and satellite-estimated maternal PM2.5 exposure in Shanghai, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Q.; Liu, Y.; Strickland, M. J.; Chang, H. H.; Kan, H.

2017-12-01

Background: Satellite remote sensing data have been employed for air pollution exposure assessment, with the intent of better characterizing exposure spatio-temproal variations. However, non-random missingness in satellite data may lead to exposure error. Objectives: We explored the differences in health effect estimates due to different exposure metrics, with and without satellite data, when analyzing the associations between maternal PM2.5 exposure and birth outcomes. Methods: We obtained birth registration records of 132,783 singleton live births during 2011-2014 in Shanghai. Trimester-specific and total pregnancy exposures were estimated from satellite PM2.5 predictions with missingness, gap-filled satellite PM2.5 predictions with complete coverage and regional average PM2.5 measurements from monitoring stations. Linear regressions estimated associations between birth weight and maternal PM2.5 exposure. Logistic regressions estimated associations between preterm birth and the first and second trimester exposure. Discrete-time models estimated third trimester and total pregnancy associations with preterm birth. Effect modifications by maternal age and parental education levels were investigated. Results: we observed statistically significant associations between maternal PM2.5 exposure during all exposure windows and adverse birth outcomes. A 10 µg/m3 increase in pregnancy PM2.5 exposure was associated with a 12.85 g (95% CI: 18.44, 7.27) decrease in birth weight for term births, and a 27% (95% CI: 20%, 36%) increase in the risk of preterm birth. Greater effects were observed between first and third trimester exposure and birth weight, as well as between first trimester exposure and preterm birth. Mothers older than 35 years and without college education tended to have higher associations with preterm birth. Conclusions: Gap-filled satellite data derived PM2.5 exposure estimates resulted in reduced exposure error and more precise health effect estimates.

Estimating benthic secondary production from aquatic insect emergence in streams affected by mountaintop removal coal mining, West Virginia, USA

EPA Science Inventory

Mountaintop removal and valley filling is a coal mining method that results in burial of headwater streams. As a result of recent litigation, rapid methods for measuring ecosystem functions are needced for more appropriate permittingand mitigation stra tegies.

19 CFR 132.12 - Procedure on opening of potentially filled quotas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... consumption, with estimated duties attached, shall not be presented before 12 noon Eastern Standard Time in all time zones. However, an entry summary for consumption, or withdrawal for consumption, for... exact moment of the opening of the quota in all time zones. All importers prepared to present entry...

Health Literacy and Happiness: A Community-Based Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Angner, Erik; Miller, Michael J.; Ray, Midge N.; Saag, Kenneth G.; Allison, Jeroan J.

2010-01-01

The relationship between health literacy and happiness was explored using a cross-sectional survey of community-dwelling older primary-care patients. Health literacy status was estimated with the following previously validated question: "How confident are you in filling out medical forms by yourself?" Happiness was measured using an adapted…

INDOOR AIR QUALITY MODEL VERSION 1.0 DOCUMENTATION

EPA Science Inventory

The report presents a multiroom model for estimating the impact of various sources on indoor air quality (IAQ). The model is written for use on IBM-PC and compatible microcomputers. It is easy to use with a menu-driven user interface. Data are entered using a fill-in-a-form inter...

43 CFR 2568.40 - Does BLM have the authority to ask me for the information required in these regulations?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... AK-2561-10. BLM uses this information to determine if using the public lands is appropriate. You must... follows: 28 hours per response to fill out form AK-2561-10. These estimates include the time for reviewing...

43 CFR 2568.40 - Does BLM have the authority to ask me for the information required in these regulations?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... AK-2561-10. BLM uses this information to determine if using the public lands is appropriate. You must... follows: 28 hours per response to fill out form AK-2561-10. These estimates include the time for reviewing...

43 CFR 2568.40 - Does BLM have the authority to ask me for the information required in these regulations?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... AK-2561-10. BLM uses this information to determine if using the public lands is appropriate. You must... follows: 28 hours per response to fill out form AK-2561-10. These estimates include the time for reviewing...

43 CFR 2568.40 - Does BLM have the authority to ask me for the information required in these regulations?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... AK-2561-10. BLM uses this information to determine if using the public lands is appropriate. You must... follows: 28 hours per response to fill out form AK-2561-10. These estimates include the time for reviewing...

Use of Water Content Reflectometers in Bioinfiltration/Bioretention to Measure Water Movement and Estimate Evapotranspiration - abstract

EPA Science Inventory

Most bioinfiltration/bioretention models assume runoff is evenly distributed across the surface area and after the engineered fill media is no longer saturated, the volumetric water content (VWC) is constant throughout the media profile and at field capacity. Four to nine water ...

Use of Water Content Reflectometers in Bioinfiltration/Bioretention to Measure Water Movement and Estimate Evapotranspiration

EPA Science Inventory

Most bioinfiltration/bioretention models assume runoff is evenly distributed across the surface area and after the engineered fill media is no longer saturated, the volumetric water content (VWC) is constant throughout the media profile and at field capacity. Four to nine water ...

Association between community pharmacy loyalty and persistence and implementation of antipsychotic treatment among individuals with schizophrenia.

PubMed

Zongo, Frank E; Moisan, Jocelyne; Grégoire, Jean-Pierre; Lesage, Alain; Dossa, Anara Richi; Lauzier, Sophie

2018-01-01

Non-adherence is a major obstacle to optimal treatment of schizophrenia. Community pharmacists are in a key position to detect non-adherence and put in place interventions. Their role is likely to be more efficient when individuals are loyal to a single pharmacy. To assess the association between the level of community pharmacy loyalty and persistence with and implementation of antipsychotic drug treatment among individuals with schizophrenia. A cohort study using databases from the Quebec health insurance board (Canada) was conducted among new antipsychotic users insured by Quebec's public drug plan. Level of community pharmacy loyalty was assessed as the number of pharmacies visited in the year after antipsychotics initiation. Persistence was defined as having an antipsychotic supply in the user's possession on the 730 th day after its initiation and implementation as having antipsychotics in the user's possession for ≥80% of the days in the second year after antipsychotics initiation (among persistent only). Generalized linear models were used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). 6,251 individuals were included in the cohort and 54.1% had their drug prescriptions filled in >1 pharmacy. When compared to those who had their prescriptions filled in a single pharmacy, those who had their prescriptions filled in ≥4 different pharmacies were 22% more likely to be non-persistent (aPR = 1.22; 95%CI = 1.10-1.37) and 49% more likely to have an antipsychotic for <80% of the days (aPR = 1.49; 95%IC = 1.28-1.74). This first exploration of community pharmacy loyalty in the context of severe mental illness indicates that this healthcare organisation factor might be associated with antipsychotics persistence and implementation. Identification of individuals with low community pharmacy loyalty and initiatives to optimize community pharmacy loyalty could contribute to enhanced persistence and implementation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Role of Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery Devices in the Management of Glaucoma

PubMed Central

Fingeret, Murray; Dickerson, Jaime E.

2018-01-01

SIGNIFICANCE Noncompliance is a problem affecting glaucoma patients. Approaches to improve adherence include the use of drug-delivery systems and safer forms of surgery. Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) has reduced complications, particularly in combination with cataract surgery, and with its good intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction may reduce or eliminate glaucoma medications. Glaucoma is a progressive disease and a leading cause of irreversible blindness. Elevated IOP is the most important risk factor, but effective medical management is dependent on patient adherence. This review summarizes the adherence problem in glaucoma and the efforts, including MIGS, to provide effective IOP control that is not dependent on patient compliance. The current understanding of patient adherence to pharmacological treatment of glaucoma is discussed including the challenges facing glaucoma patients. Historical approaches to providing IOP control in a sustained and reliable way are presented culminating in a review of the burgeoning use of MIGS devices. It is estimated that, in the United States, 27% of prescriptions written, across all medications, are not filled or are filled but not taken. For ocular hypotensive medications, even when filled, a large percentage (which varies widely by study) are not instilled as prescribed. To address this problem, methods for sustained drug delivery have been and continue to be developed, as well as surgical and laser approaches. Most recently, MIGS devices have gained popularity because of the ease of implantation during cataract surgery, favorable safety profile, and the possibility for effective and long-lasting IOP lowering, as well as the reduction or elimination of need for IOP-lowering medication. Poor adherence to treatment is relatively common among glaucoma patients and is associated with progression of disease. Recommending MIGS implantation during cataract surgery may offer optometrists a valuable treatment option in managing glaucoma patients, particularly where good adherence is in doubt. PMID:29370021

Fully relayed regenerative amplifier

DOEpatents

Glass, Alexander J.

1981-01-01

A regenerative laser apparatus and method using the optical relay concept to maintain high fill factors, to suppress diffraction effects, and to minimize phase distortions in a regenerative amplifier.

Modeling invasive breast cancer: growth factors propel progression of HER2-positive premalignant lesions

PubMed Central

Pradeep, C-R; Zeisel, A; Köstler, WJ; Lauriola, M; Jacob-Hirsch, J; Haibe-Kains, B; Amariglio, N; Ben-Chetrit, N; Emde, A; Solomonov, I; Neufeld, G; Piccart, M; Sagi, I; Sotiriou, C; Rechavi, G; Domany, E; Desmedt, C; Yarden, Y

2013-01-01

The HER2/neu oncogene encodes a receptor-like tyrosine kinase whose overexpression in breast cancer predicts poor prognosis and resistance to conventional therapies. However, the mechanisms underlying aggressiveness of HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2)-overexpressing tumors remain incompletely understood. Because it assists epidermal growth factor (EGF) and neuregulin receptors, we overexpressed HER2 in MCF10A mammary cells and applied growth factors. HER2-overexpressing cells grown in extracellular matrix formed filled spheroids, which protruded outgrowths upon growth factor stimulation. Our transcriptome analyses imply a two-hit model for invasive growth: HER2-induced proliferation and evasion from anoikis generate filled structures, which are morphologically and transcriptionally analogous to preinvasive patients’ lesions. In the second hit, EGF escalates signaling and transcriptional responses leading to invasive growth. Consistent with clinical relevance, a gene expression signature based on the HER2/EGF-activated transcriptional program can predict poorer prognosis of a subgroup of HER2-overexpressing patients. In conclusion, the integration of a three-dimensional cellular model and clinical data attributes progression of HER2-overexpressing lesions to EGF-like growth factors acting in the context of the tumor's microenvironment. PMID:22139081

Simulation of Underground Muon Flux with Application to Muon Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamaoka, J. A. K.; Bonneville, A.; Flygare, J.; Lintereur, A.; Kouzes, R.

2015-12-01

Muon tomography uses highly energetic muons, produced by cosmic rays interacting within the upper atmosphere, to image dense materials. Like x-rays, an image can be constructed from the negative of the absorbed (or scattered) muons. Unlike x-rays, these muons can penetrate thousands of meters of earth. Muon tomography has been shown to be useful across a wide range of applications (such as imaging of the interior of volcanoes and cargo containers). This work estimates the sensitivity of muon tomography for various underground applications. We use simulations to estimate the change in flux as well as the spatial resolution when imaging static objects, such as mine shafts, and dynamic objects, such as a CO2 reservoir filling over time. We present a framework where we import ground density data from other sources, such as wells, gravity and seismic data, to generate an expected muon flux distribution at specified underground locations. This information can further be fed into a detector simulation to estimate a final experimental sensitivity. There are many applications of this method. We explore its use to image underground nuclear test sites, both the deformation from the explosion as well as the supporting infrastructure (access tunnels and shafts). We also made estimates for imaging a CO2 sequestration site similar to Futuregen 2.0 in Illinois and for imaging magma chambers beneath the Cascade Range volcanoes. This work may also be useful to basic science, such as underground dark matter experiments, where increasing experimental sensitivity requires, amongst other factors, a precise knowledge of the muon background.

A methodology for treating missing data applied to daily rainfall data in the Candelaro River Basin (Italy).

PubMed

Lo Presti, Rossella; Barca, Emanuele; Passarella, Giuseppe

2010-01-01

Environmental time series are often affected by the "presence" of missing data, but when dealing statistically with data, the need to fill in the gaps estimating the missing values must be considered. At present, a large number of statistical techniques are available to achieve this objective; they range from very simple methods, such as using the sample mean, to very sophisticated ones, such as multiple imputation. A brand new methodology for missing data estimation is proposed, which tries to merge the obvious advantages of the simplest techniques (e.g. their vocation to be easily implemented) with the strength of the newest techniques. The proposed method consists in the application of two consecutive stages: once it has been ascertained that a specific monitoring station is affected by missing data, the "most similar" monitoring stations are identified among neighbouring stations on the basis of a suitable similarity coefficient; in the second stage, a regressive method is applied in order to estimate the missing data. In this paper, four different regressive methods are applied and compared, in order to determine which is the most reliable for filling in the gaps, using rainfall data series measured in the Candelaro River Basin located in South Italy.

Enthalpy generation from mixing in hohlraum-driven targets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amendt, Peter; Milovich, Jose

2016-10-01

The increase in enthalpy from the physical mixing of two initially separated materials is analytically estimated and applied to ICF implosions and gas-filled hohlraums. Pressure and temperature gradients across a classical interface are shown to be the origin of enthalpy generation from mixing. The amount of enthalpy generation is estimated to be on the order of 100 Joules for a 10 micron-scale annular mixing layer between the solid deuterium-tritium fuel and the undoped high-density carbon ablator of a NIF-scale implosion. A potential resonance is found between the mixing layer thickness and gravitational (Cs2/ g) and temperature-gradient scale lengths, leading to elevated enthalpy generation. These results suggest that if mixing occurs in current capsule designs for the National Ignition Facility, the ignition margin may be appreciably eroded by the associated enthalpy of mixing. The degree of enthalpy generation from mixing of high- Z hohlraum wall material and low- Z gas fills is estimated to be on the order of 100 kJ or more for recent NIF-scale hohlraum experiments, which is consistent with the inferred missing energy based on observed delays in capsule implosion times. Work performed under the auspices of Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS) under Contract No. DE-AC52-07NA27344.

Subharmonic generation, chaos, and subharmonic resurrection in an acoustically driven fluid-filled cavity.

PubMed

Cantrell, John H; Adler, Laszlo; Yost, William T

2015-02-01

Traveling wave solutions of the nonlinear acoustic wave equation are obtained for the fundamental and second harmonic resonances of a fluid-filled cavity. The solutions lead to the development of a non-autonomous toy model for cavity oscillations. Application of the Melnikov method to the model equation predicts homoclinic bifurcation of the Smale horseshoe type leading to a cascade of period doublings with increasing drive displacement amplitude culminating in chaos. The threshold value of the drive displacement amplitude at tangency is obtained in terms of the acoustic drive frequency and fluid attenuation coefficient. The model prediction of subharmonic generation leading to chaos is validated from acousto-optic diffraction measurements in a water-filled cavity using a 5 MHz acoustic drive frequency and from the measured frequency spectrum in the bifurcation cascade regime. The calculated resonant threshold amplitude of 0.2 nm for tangency is consistent with values estimated for the experimental set-up. Experimental evidence for the appearance of a stable subharmonic beyond chaos is reported.

Techniques for identifying predators of goose nests

USGS Publications Warehouse

Anthony, R. Michael; Grand, J.B.; Fondell, T.F.; Miller, David A.

2006-01-01

We used cameras and artificial eggs to identify nest predators of dusky Canada goose Branta canadensis occidentalis nests during 1997-2000. Cameras were set up at 195 occupied goose nests and 60 artificial nests. We placed wooden eggs and domestic goose eggs that were emptied and then filled with wax or foam in an additional 263 natural goose nests to identify predators from marks in the artificial eggs. All techniques had limitations, but each correctly identified predators and estimated their relative importance. Nests with cameras had higher rates of abandonment than natural nests, especially during laying. Abandonment rates were reduced by deploying artificial eggs late in laying and reducing time at nests. Predation rates for nests with cameras were slightly lower than for nests without cameras. Wax-filled artificial eggs caused mortality of embryos in natural nests, but were better for identifying predator marks at artificial nests. Use of foam-filled artificial eggs in natural nests was the most cost effective means of monitoring nest predation. ?? Wildlife Biology (2006).

Development of a polar direct drive platform for mix and burn experiments on the National Ignition Facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murphy, T. J.; Kyrala, G. A.; Krasheninnikova, N. S.; Bradley, P. A.; Cobble, J. A.; Tregillis, I. L.; Obrey, K. A. D.; Baumgaertel, J. A.; Hsu, S. C.; Shah, R. C.; Hakel, P.; Kline, J. L.; Schmitt, M. J.; Kanzleiter, R. J.; Batha, S. H.; Wallace, R. J.; Bhandarkar, S.; Fitzsimmons, P.; Hoppe, M.; Nikroo, A.; McKenty, P.

2016-03-01

Capsules driven with polar drive [1, 2] on the National Ignition Facility [3] are being used [4] to study mix in convergent geometry. In preparation for experiments that will utilize deuterated plastic shells with a pure tritium fill, hydrogen-filled capsules with copper- doped deuterated layers have been imploded on NIF to provide spectroscopic and nuclear measurements of capsule performance. Experiments have shown that the mix region, when composed of shell material doped with about 1% copper (by atom), reaches temperatures of about 2 keV, while undoped mixed regions reach about 3 keV. Based on the yield from these implosions, we estimate the thickness of CD that mixed into the gas as between about 0.25 and 0.43 μm of the inner capsule surface, corresponding to about 5 to 9 μg of material. Using 5 atm of tritium as the fill gas should result in over 1013 DT neutrons being produced, which is sufficient for neutron imaging [5].

Pulse mode of operation of a spherical piezoceramic transducer filled with liquid and having a correcting electric circuit.

PubMed

Konovalov, S I; Kuz'menko, A G

2010-12-01

By means of a computational method, the possibility of radiating a short acoustic pulse by a transducer in the form of a piezoceramic sphere internally filled with liquid is investigated. An electric inductive-resistive circuit is connected to the electric input of the transducer. Solution is obtained based on scheme-analogs theory for piezoceramic transducers, and spectral Fourier transform theory. The values of parameters of the system, providing minimal durations of radiated signals, are determined. Computation was carried out for different values of relative thicknesses of the transducer wall. The estimates of durations and amplitudes of the acoustic signals radiated into the external medium are obtained.

Comparative Investigation on Thermal Insulation of Polyurethane Composites Filled with Silica Aerogel and Hollow Silica Microsphere.

PubMed

Liu, Chunyuan; Kim, Jin Seuk; Kwon, Younghwan

2016-02-01

This paper presents a comparative study on thermal conductivity of PU composites containing open-cell nano-porous silica aerogel and closed-cell hollow silica microsphere, respectively. The thermal conductivity of PU composites is measured at 30 degrees C with transient hot bridge method. The insertion of polymer in pores of silica aerogel creates mixed interfaces, increasing the thermal conductivity of resulting composites. The measured thermal conductivity of PU composites filled with hollow silica microspheres is estimated using theoretical models, and is in good agreement with Felske model. It appears that the thermal conductivity of composites decreases with increasing the volume fraction (phi) when hollow silica microsphere (eta = 0.916) is used.

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

Weeks, R.; Briggs, M.; Gyenes, L.

A study carried out to assist the design of an infrastructure for refuelling battery electric cars is described. A one-week survey by questionnaire of all filling stations in the area yielded estimates of petrol sales at individual stations together with number of customers served and quantities purchased per customer. A computer simulation of traffic flow attempted to predict weekly petrol sales in nine sectors of the town. A one-day count of traffic and petrol buyers at a single filling station was related to the traffic flows in the whole town to give a typical daily pattern of petrol buyers. Finallymore » a simulation procedure was developed to investigate the effects of demand on queue length at battery exchange stations.« less

Dental metal-induced innate reactivity in keratinocytes.

PubMed

Mortazavi, S M J; Mortazavi, Ghazal; Paknahad, Maryam

2016-06-01

In their paper that is published in Toxicology in Vitro, Rachmawati et al. have recently claimed that in spite of the growing concern about the safety of amalgam, negative reports about the health effects of dental amalgam are still scarce or controversial. Substantial evidence indicates that mercury release from dental amalgam fillings may adversely affect human health. Over the past years, we have shown that exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) can increase the release of mercury from dental amalgam fillings. It is worth mentioning that the results of investigations on the microleakage of amalgam fillings following MRI have confirmed our results. Furthermore, exposure to X-rays as a part of the electromagnetic spectrum has also been linked to increased mercury release from dental amalgam fillings. Considering the explosive rise in human exposure to electromagnetic fields, the role of human exposure to EMF as a key factor in increasing the release of mercury from dental amalgam restorations cannot be simply ignored. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Reliability analysis of InGaN/GaN multi-quantum-well solar cells under thermal stress

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Xuanqi; Fu, Houqiang; Chen, Hong; Lu, Zhijian; Baranowski, Izak; Montes, Jossue; Yang, Tsung-Han; Gunning, Brendan P.; Koleske, Dan; Zhao, Yuji

2017-12-01

We investigate the thermal stability of InGaN solar cells under thermal stress at elevated temperatures from 400 °C to 500 °C. High Resolution X-Ray Diffraction analysis reveals that material quality of InGaN/GaN did not degrade after thermal stress. The external quantum efficiency characteristics of solar cells were well-maintained at all temperatures, which demonstrates the thermal robustness of InGaN materials. Analysis of current density-voltage (J-V) curves shows that the degradation of conversion efficiency of solar cells is mainly caused by the decrease in open-circuit voltage (Voc), while short-circuit current (Jsc) and fill factor remain almost constant. The decrease in Voc after thermal stress is attributed to the compromised metal contacts. Transmission line method results further confirmed that p-type contacts became Schottky-like after thermal stress. The Arrhenius model was employed to estimate the failure lifetime of InGaN solar cells at different temperatures. These results suggest that while InGaN solar cells have high thermal stability, the degradation in the metal contact could be the major limiting factor for these devices under high temperature operation.

Emission Factors of Nitrous Oxide by Organic Manure Fertilizers in Japanese Upland Fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sudo, S.

2011-12-01

Preliminary data of field experiments which were conducted to estimate emission factors of nitrous oxide by organic manure fertilizers in 10 Japan-wide experiment sites, 2010 was reported. We compared nitrous oxide emission from urea as chemical fertilizers and cow manure as organic applications, in 1o Japanese prefectures of Yamagata, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Aichi, Shiga, Tokushima, Nagasaki, Kumamoto and Kagoshima. Same amounts of nitrogen were applied in organic and inorganic fertilizers in each field. In each site, 3 replication plots were organized in randomized block design with zero-nitrogen application plots. N2O gas fluxes were measured every one week or more during cultivation seasons. We also measured several soil physical and chemical parameters of inorganic nitrogen species, soil moisture contents or WFPS (Water Filled Pore Space), soil temperatures, bulk densities etc. Gas fluxes ware measured by automated Shimadzu GC-2014 ECD gas chromatograph. Soil moistures were measured by Camplel's Hydrosense in each site. Vegetation of conducting fields were cabbage in 7 fields, wheat in 1, pear orchard and onion in 1. Microorganisms' abundance was also considered to clarify N2O emission processes by the PCR-DGGE method.

Impact of fill-level in twin-screw granulation on critical quality attributes of granules and tablets.

PubMed

Meier, Robin; Moll, Klaus-Peter; Krumme, Markus; Kleinebudde, Peter

2017-06-01

In a previous study a change of the fill-level in the barrel exerted a huge influence on the twin-screw granulation (TSG) process of a high drug loaded, simplified formulation. The present work investigated this influence systematically. The specific feed load (SFL) indicating the mass per revolution as surrogate parameter for the fill-level was applied and the correlation to the real volumetric fill level of an extruder could be demonstrated by a newly developed method. A design of experiments was conducted to examine the combined influence of SFL and screw speed on the process and on critical quality attributes of granules and tablets. The same formulation was granulated at constant liquid level with the same screw configuration and led to distinctively different results by only changing the fill-level and the screw speed. The power consumption of the extruder increased at higher SFLs with hardly any influence of screw speed. At low SFL the median residence time was mainly fill-level dependent and at higher SFL mainly screw speed dependent. Optimal values for the product characteristics were found at medium values for the SFL. Granule size distributions shifted from mono-modal and narrow shape to broader and even bimodal distributions of larger median granule sizes, when exceeding or falling below a certain fill-level. Deviating from the optimum fill-level, tensile strength of tablets decreased by about 25% and disintegration times of tablets increased for more than one third. At low fill-levels, material accumulation in front of the kneading zone was detected by pressure measurements and was assumed to be responsible for the unfavored product performance. At high fill-levels, granule consolidation due to higher propensity of contact with the result of higher material temperature was accounted for inferior product performance. The fill-level was found to be an important factor in assessment and development of twin-screw granulation processes as it impacted process and product attributes enormously. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Causes and methods to estimate cryptic sources of fishing mortality.

PubMed

Gilman, E; Suuronen, P; Hall, M; Kennelly, S

2013-10-01

Cryptic, not readily detectable, components of fishing mortality are not routinely accounted for in fisheries management because of a lack of adequate data, and for some components, a lack of accurate estimation methods. Cryptic fishing mortalities can cause adverse ecological effects, are a source of wastage, reduce the sustainability of fishery resources and, when unaccounted for, can cause errors in stock assessments and population models. Sources of cryptic fishing mortality are (1) pre-catch losses, where catch dies from the fishing operation but is not brought onboard when the gear is retrieved, (2) ghost-fishing mortality by fishing gear that was abandoned, lost or discarded, (3) post-release mortality of catch that is retrieved and then released alive but later dies as a result of stress and injury sustained from the fishing interaction, (4) collateral mortalities indirectly caused by various ecological effects of fishing and (5) losses due to synergistic effects of multiple interacting sources of stress and injury from fishing operations, or from cumulative stress and injury caused by repeated sub-lethal interactions with fishing operations. To fill a gap in international guidance on best practices, causes and methods for estimating each component of cryptic fishing mortality are described, and considerations for their effective application are identified. Research priorities to fill gaps in understanding the causes and estimating cryptic mortality are highlighted. © 2013 The Authors. Journal of Fish Biology © 2013 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.

Molecular and morphological surface analysis: effect of filling pastes and cleaning agents on root dentin

PubMed Central

DAINEZI, Vanessa Benetello; IWAMOTO, Alexsandra Shizue; MARTIN, Airton Abrahão; SOARES, Luís Eduardo Silva; HOSOYA, Yumiko; PASCON, Fernanda Miori; PUPPIN-RONTANI, Regina Maria

2017-01-01

Abstract The quality of the dentin root is the most important factor for restoration resin sealing and drives the outcome of endodontic treatment. Objective This study evaluated the effect of different filling pastes and cleaning agents on the root dentin of primary teeth using Fourier-transformed Raman spectroscopy (FT-Raman), micro energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (µ-EDXRF) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis. Material and Methods Eighty roots of primary teeth were endodontically prepared and distributed into 4 groups and filled according to the following filling pastes: Control-no filling (CP), Calen®+zinc oxide (CZ), Calcipex II® (CII), Vitapex® (V). After seven days, filling paste groups were distributed to 4 subgroups according to cleaning agents (n=5): Control-no cleaning (C), Ethanol (E), Tergenform® (T), 35% Phosphoric acid (PA). Then, the roots were sectioned and the dentin root sections were internally evaluated by FT-Raman, µ-EDXRF and SEM. Data was submitted to two-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (α=0.05). Results Regarding filling pastes, there was no significant difference in organic content. CP provided the lowest calcium values and, calcium/phosphoric ratio (Ca/P), and the highest phosphoric values. For cleaning agents there was no difference in organic content when compared to the C; however, T showed significantly higher calcium and Ca/P than PA. All groups showed similar results for phosphorus. The dentin smear layer was present after use of the cleaning agents, except PA. Conclusion The filling pastes changed the inorganic content, however they did not change the organic content. Cleaning agents did not alter the inorganic and organic content. PA cleaned and opened dentin tubules. PMID:28198982

External root resorption during orthodontic treatment in root-filled teeth and contralateral teeth with vital pulp: A clinical study of contributing factors.

PubMed

Lee, Yun Ju; Lee, Tae Yeon

2016-01-01

There is a lack of research to support the belief that root canal treatment can be considered for stopping or decreasing external apical root resorption (EARR). There is conflicting evidence as to whether root-filled teeth are more or less likely to experience EARR after orthodontic treatment. The purpose of this study was to compare the degree of EARR of root-filled teeth with that of contralateral teeth with vital pulp after fixed orthodontic treatment. The study sample consisted of 35 patients aged 25.23 ± 4.92 years who had at least 1 root-filled tooth before orthodontic treatment. Digital panoramic radiographs of each patient taken before and after orthodontic treatment were used to measure the EARR. The Student t test for matched pairs and the Pearson correlation analysis were applied. The mean EARR values were 0.22 (0.14, 0.35) for root-filled teeth and 0.87 (0.59, 1.31) for contralateral teeth with vital pulp, indicating significantly less EARR for root-filled teeth compared with the contralateral teeth with vital pulp after orthodontic treatment. EARR was influenced by the patient's age, treatment duration, treatment type, and periapical pathosis, but not by tooth type and sex. Root-filled teeth appear to be associated with significantly less EARR than are contralateral teeth with vital pulp. This study suggests that the possible complication of EARR in root-filled teeth may not be an important consideration in orthodontic treatment planning, and root canal treatment can be considered for stopping or decreasing EARR when severe EARR occurs during orthodontic treatment. Copyright © 2016 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Impact of the quality of coronal restoration and root canal filling on the periapical health in adult syrian subpopulation

PubMed Central

Alafif, Hisham

2014-01-01

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the status of periapical tissues of endodontically treated teeth according to coronal restorations and root canal fillings separately and in concomitant in adult Syrian subpopulation. Methods: 784 endodontically treated teeth from two hundred randomly selected Syrian adult patients were radiographically evaluated. According to predetermined criteria, the quality of coronal restorations and root canal filling of each tooth was scored as adequate or inadequate. The status of periapical tissues was also classified as healthy or diseased. Results were analyzed using Chi-squared test. Results: Adequate coronal restorations were determined in 58.54% of cases which was accompanied with less periapical pathosis than that in teeth with inadequate restorations (P < 0.01). 14% of teeth were restored by posts which showed no significant impact on the periapical tissues health. 18.5% of endodontic treatments were evaluated as adequate with less number of periapical radiolucencies than that of inadequate root canal fillings (P < 0.01). Absence of periapical pathosis was 96.6% in cases with both adequate coronal restorations and root canals fillings. The rate was 88.5% in cases with only adequate root canals fillings, and about 70% in cases with only adequate coronal restorations. When the treatment was inadequate in both coronal and root canals fillings, success rate was only observed in 48.8%. Conclusion: The most important factor with regard to the periradicular tissue health is the quality of root canal filling without neglecting the influence of coronal restoration (regardless of its type). There is a high prevalence rate of periapical pathosis in Syrian subpopulation due to poor dental practice. PMID:25565729

Unconventional imaging with contained granular media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quadrelli, Marco B.; Basinger, Scott; Sidick, Erkin

2017-09-01

Typically, the cost of a space-borne imaging system is driven by the size and mass of the primary aperture. The solution that we propose uses a method to construct an imaging system in space in which the nonlinear optical properties of a cloud of micron-sized particles, shaped into a specific surface by electromagnetic means, and allows one to form a very large and lightweight aperture of an optical system, hence reducing overall mass and cost. Recent work at JPL has investigated the feasibility of a granular imaging system, concluding that such a system could be built and controlled in orbit. We conducted experiments and simulation of the optical response of a granular lens. In all cases, the optical response, measured by the Modulation Transfer Function, of hexagonal reflectors was closely comparable to that of a conventional spherical mirror. We conducted some further analyses by evaluating the sensitivity to fill factor and grain shape, and found a marked sensitivity to fill factor but no sensitivity to grain shape. We have also found that at fill factors as low as 30%, the reflection from a granular lens is still excellent. Furthermore, we replaced the monolithic primary mirror in an existing integrated model of an optical system (WFIRST Coronagraph) with a granular lens, and found that the granular lens that can be useful for exoplanet detection provides excellent contrast levels. We will present our testbed and simulation results in this paper.

Computer analysis of microcrystalline silicon hetero-junction solar cell with lumerical FDTD/DEVICE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riaz, Muhammad; Earles, S. K.; Kadhim, Ahmed; Azzahrani, Ahmad

The computer analysis of tandem solar cell, c-Si/a-Si:H/μc-SiGe, is studied within Lumerical FDTD/Device 4.6. The optical characterization is performed in FDTD and then total generation rate is transported into DEVICE for electrical characterization. The electrical characterization of the solar cell is carried out in DEVICE. The design is implemented by staking three sub cells with band gap of 1.12eV, 1.50eV and 1.70eV, respectively. First, single junction solar cell with both a-Si and μc-SiGe absorbing layers are designed and compared. The thickness for both layers are kept the same. In a single junction, solar cell with a-Si absorbing layer, the fill factor and the efficiency are noticed as FF = 78.98%, and η = 6.03%. For μc-SiGe absorbing layer, the efficiency and fill factor are increased as η = 7.06% and FF = 84.27%, respectively. Second, for tandem thin film solar cell c-Si/a-Si:H/μc-SiGe, the fill factor FF = 81.91% and efficiency η = 9.84% have been noticed. The maximum efficiency for both single junction thin film solar cell c-Si/μc-SiGe and tandem solar cell c-Si/a-Si:H/μc-SiGe are improved with check board surface design for light trapping.

Dose Distribution in Bladder and Surrounding Normal Tissues in Relation to Bladder Volume in Conformal Radiotherapy for Bladder Cancer

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

Majewski, Wojciech, E-mail: wmajewski1@poczta.onet.p; Wesolowska, Iwona; Urbanczyk, Hubert

2009-12-01

Purpose: To estimate bladder movements and changes in dose distribution in the bladder and surrounding tissues associated with changes in bladder filling and to estimate the internal treatment margins. Methods and Materials: A total of 16 patients with bladder cancer underwent planning computed tomography scans with 80- and 150-mL bladder volumes. The bladder displacements associated with the change in volume were measured. Each patient had treatment plans constructed for a 'partially empty' (80 mL) and a 'partially full' (150 mL) bladder. An additional plan was constructed for tumor irradiation alone. A subsequent 9 patients underwent sequential weekly computed tomography scanningmore » during radiotherapy to verify the bladder movements and estimate the internal margins. Results: Bladder movements were mainly observed cranially, and the estimated internal margins were nonuniform and largest (>2 cm) anteriorly and cranially. The dose distribution in the bladder worsened if the bladder increased in volume: 70% of patients (11 of 16) would have had bladder underdosed to <95% of the prescribed dose. The dose distribution in the rectum and intestines was better with a 'partially empty' bladder (volume that received >70%, 80%, and 90% of the prescribed dose was 23%, 20%, and 15% for the rectum and 162, 144, 123 cm{sup 3} for the intestines, respectively) than with a 'partially full' bladder (volume that received >70%, 80%, and 90% of the prescribed dose was 28%, 24%, and 18% for the rectum and 180, 158, 136 cm{sup 3} for the intestines, respectively). The change in bladder filling during RT was significant for the dose distribution in the intestines. Tumor irradiation alone was significantly better than whole bladder irradiation in terms of organ sparing. Conclusion: The displacements of the bladder due to volume changes were mainly related to the upper wall. The internal margins should be nonuniform, with the largest margins cranially and anteriorly. The changes in bladder filling during RT could influence the dose distribution in the bladder and intestines. The dose distribution in the rectum and bowel was slightly better with a 'partially empty' than with a 'full' bladder.« less

Cost sharing and branded antidepressant initiation among patients treated with generics.

PubMed

Buxbaum, Jason D; Chernew, Michael E; Bonafede, Machaon; Vlahiotis, Anna; Walter, Deborah; Mucha, Lisa; Fendrick, A Mark

2018-04-01

To determine the relationship between consumer cost sharing for branded antidepressants and the initiation of branded therapy among patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) filling a prescription for generic MDD medication.  Retrospective cross-sectional analyses. Patients aged 18 to 64 years with MDD who filled a generic antidepressant were identified in commercial claims data for 2012 to 2014. For each year-specific analysis, an average cost-sharing index for branded antidepressants at the level of the plan was computed. Multivariable models were used to estimate the relationship between plan-level cost sharing for branded antidepressant medications and the filling of branded prescriptions, with demographic and clinical variables as covariates. For patients with MDD filling a generic prescription, increases in branded cost sharing were associated with significant decreases in the likelihood of filling a branded antidepressant in each year (P <.001). Results in 2012 imply that a shift from the 0th to 90th percentile in the branded cost-sharing index corresponded with a 9.5% decrease in the relative likelihood of a branded fill among patients receiving a generic antidepressant. The corresponding figures for 2013 and 2014 were 9.3% and 3.5%, respectively. In MDD, patients and clinicians who dutifully adhere to guidelines requiring a trial of first-line medication may ultimately require therapy with alternate agents to achieve adequate disease control. A "reward the good soldier" benefit design would lower cost sharing for higher-tier evidence-based therapies when clinically indicated. Results suggest that narrowing the gap in cost sharing between branded and generic medications following a trial of a generic agent might improve access to second-line treatment in MDD.

Liquid Transfer Cryogenic Test Facility: Initial hydrogen and nitrogen no-vent fill data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moran, Matthew E.; Nyland, Ted W.; Papell, S. Stephen

1990-03-01

The Liquid Transfer Cryogenic Test Facility is a versatile testbed for ground-based cryogenic fluid storage, handling, and transfer experimentation. The test rig contains two well instrumented tanks, and a third interchangeable tank, designed to accommodate liquid nitrogen or liquid hydrogen testing. The internal tank volumes are approx. 18, 5, and 1.2 cu. ft. Tank pressures can be varied from 2 to 30 psia. Preliminary no vent fill tests with nitrogen and hydrogen were successfully completed with the test rig. Initial results indicate that no vent fills of nitrogen above 90 percent full are achievable using this test configuration, in a 1-g environment, and with inlet liquid temperatures as high as 143 R, and an average tank wall temperature of nearly 300 R. This inlet temperature corresponds to a saturation pressure of 19 psia for nitrogen. Hydrogen proved considerably more difficult to transfer between tanks without venting. The highest temperature conditions resulting in a fill level greater than 90 percent were with an inlet liquid temperature of 34 R, and an estimated tank wall temperature of slightly more than 100 R. Saturation pressure for hydrogen at this inlet temperature is 10 psia. All preliminary no vent fill tests were performed with a top mounted full cone nozzle for liquid injection. The nozzle produces a 120 degree conical droplet spray at a differential pressure of 10 psi. Pressure in the receiving tank was held to less than 30 psia for all tests.

Liquid Transfer Cryogenic Test Facility: Initial hydrogen and nitrogen no-vent fill data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moran, Matthew E.; Nyland, Ted W.; Papell, S. Stephen

1990-01-01

The Liquid Transfer Cryogenic Test Facility is a versatile testbed for ground-based cryogenic fluid storage, handling, and transfer experimentation. The test rig contains two well instrumented tanks, and a third interchangeable tank, designed to accommodate liquid nitrogen or liquid hydrogen testing. The internal tank volumes are approx. 18, 5, and 1.2 cu. ft. Tank pressures can be varied from 2 to 30 psia. Preliminary no vent fill tests with nitrogen and hydrogen were successfully completed with the test rig. Initial results indicate that no vent fills of nitrogen above 90 percent full are achievable using this test configuration, in a 1-g environment, and with inlet liquid temperatures as high as 143 R, and an average tank wall temperature of nearly 300 R. This inlet temperature corresponds to a saturation pressure of 19 psia for nitrogen. Hydrogen proved considerably more difficult to transfer between tanks without venting. The highest temperature conditions resulting in a fill level greater than 90 percent were with an inlet liquid temperature of 34 R, and an estimated tank wall temperature of slightly more than 100 R. Saturation pressure for hydrogen at this inlet temperature is 10 psia. All preliminary no vent fill tests were performed with a top mounted full cone nozzle for liquid injection. The nozzle produces a 120 degree conical droplet spray at a differential pressure of 10 psi. Pressure in the receiving tank was held to less than 30 psia for all tests.

A spatial model of white sturgeon rearing habitat in the lower Columbia River, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hatten, J.R.; Parsley, M.J.

2009-01-01

Concerns over the potential effects of in-water placement of dredged materials prompted us to develop a GIS-based model that characterizes in a spatially explicit manner white sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus rearing habitat in the lower Columbia River, USA. The spatial model was developed using water depth, riverbed slope and roughness, fish positions collected in 2002, and Mahalanobis distance (D2). We created a habitat suitability map by identifying a Mahalanobis distance under which >50% of white sturgeon locations occurred in 2002 (i.e., high-probability habitat). White sturgeon preferred relatively moderate to high water depths, and low to moderate riverbed slope and roughness values. The eigenvectors indicated that riverbed slope and roughness were slightly more important than water depth, but all three variables were important. We estimated the impacts that fill might have on sturgeon habitat by simulating the addition of fill to the thalweg, in 3-m increments, and recomputing Mahalanobis distances. Channel filling simulations revealed that up to 9 m of fill would have little impact on high-probability habitat, but 12 and 15 m of fill resulted in habitat declines of ???12% and ???45%, respectively. This is the first spatially explicit predictive model of white sturgeon rearing habitat in the lower Columbia River, and the first to quantitatively predict the impacts of dredging operations on sturgeon habitat. Future research should consider whether water velocity improves the accuracy and specificity of the model, and to assess its applicability to other areas in the Columbia River.

Particulate and microbial contamination in in-use admixed intravenous infusions.

PubMed

Yorioka, Katsuhiro; Oie, Shigeharu; Oomaki, Masafumi; Imamura, Akihisa; Kamiya, Akira

2006-11-01

We compared particulate and microbial contamination in residual solutions of peripheral intravenous admixtures after the termination of drip infusion between intravenous fluids admixed with glass ampoule drugs and those admixed with pre-filled syringe drugs. The mean number of particles>or=1.3 microm in diameter per 1 ml of residual solution was 758.4 for fluids (n=60) admixed with potassium chloride in a glass ampoule (20 ml volume), 158.6 for fluids (n=63) admixed with potassium chloride in a pre-filled syringe (20 ml volume), 736.5 for fluids (n=66) admixed with sodium chloride in a glass ampoule (20 ml volume), 179.2 for fluids (n=15) admixed with sodium chloride in a pre-filled syringe (20 ml volume), 1884.5 in fluids (n=30) admixed with dobutamine hydrochloride in 3 glass ampoules (5 ml volume), and 178.9 (n=10) in diluted dobutamine hydrochloride in pre-filled syringes (50 ml volume: For these samples alone, particulate and microbial contamination were evaluated in sealed products.) Thus, for potassium chloride or sodium chloride for injection, the number of particles>or=1.3 microm in diameter in the residual intravenous solution was significantly higher for fluids admixed with glass ampoule drugs than for those admixed with pre-filled syringe drugs (p<0.0001). For dobutamine hydrochloride for injection, the number of particles>or=1.3 microm in diameter in the residual intravenous solution was estimated to be higher for fluids admixed with its glass ampoule drug than for those admixed with its pre-filled syringe drug. Observation of the residual solutions of fluids admixed with potassium chloride, sodium chloride, or dobutamine hydrochloride in glass ampoules using an electron microscope with an X-ray analyzer showed glass fragments in each residual solution. Therefore, for the prevention of glass particle contamination in peripheral intravenous admixtures, the use of pre-filled syringe drugs may a useful method. No microbial contamination was observed in any of the residual solutions of 5 types of admixture.

Modeling the influence of the BRDF characteristics of vegetation on the retrieval of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence under different illumination conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xinjie; Liu, Liangyun

2017-04-01

The Fraunhofer Line Discrimination (FLD) principle is the main approach used for the retrieval of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF). The basic assumption of the FLD principle is that the apparent reflectance spectra without SIF in-filling are smooth in the region of the absorption bands. However, in fact, this assumption is not valid due to the so-called "direct radiation in-filling" effect caused by the non-linear contribution of direct and diffuse radiation at the oxygen absorption bands, which are widely used for ground-based SIF retrieval. In this study, we first analyzed the physical mechanism of the direct radiation in-filling effect on the oxygen absorption bands and found that the bias in the SIF retrieval caused by the direct radiation in-filling effect at the O2-A band was less than 20% based on the use of a simulated dataset. Secondly, we established a simple correction model of the direct radiation in-filling effect. We found that the direct radiation in-filling effect at the O2-A band was directly proportional to the difference between the reflectance of the direct and diffuse radiation, and that the coefficient of proportionality was well correlated with the diffuse-to-global radiation ratio in the form of a quadratic function. The coefficient of determination (R-squared) for this correlation was 0.97. Finally, the model was validated using both simulated and field datasets. The validation results show that the bias in the SIF retrieval caused by the direct radiation in-filling effect can be efficiently corrected using the model proposed in this paper. This study thus provides a possible approach to estimating and correcting for the direct radiation-infilling effect using prior knowledge of the BRDF characteristics of direct and diffuse radiation for specific targets.

Quantum Hall signatures of dipolar Mahan excitons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schinner, G. J.; Repp, J.; Kowalik-Seidl, K.; Schubert, E.; Stallhofer, M. P.; Rai, A. K.; Reuter, D.; Wieck, A. D.; Govorov, A. O.; Holleitner, A. W.; Kotthaus, J. P.

2013-01-01

We explore the photoluminescence of spatially indirect, dipolar Mahan excitons in a gated double quantum well diode containing a mesoscopic electrostatic trap for neutral dipolar excitons at low temperatures down to 250 mK and in quantizing magnetic fields. Mahan excitons in the surrounding of the trap, consisting of individual holes interacting with a degenerate two-dimensional electron system confined in one of the quantum wells, exhibit strong quantum Hall signatures at integer filling factors and related anomalies around filling factor ν=(2)/(3),(3)/(5), and (1)/(2), reflecting the formation of composite fermions. Interactions across the trap perimeter are found to influence the energy of the confined neutral dipolar excitons by the presence of the quantum Hall effects in the two-dimensional electron system surrounding the trap.

High Fill Factors of Si Solar Cells Achieved by Using an Inverse Connection Between MOS and PN Junctions.

PubMed

Wang, Liang-Xing; Zhou, Zhi-Quan; Zhang, Tian-Ning; Chen, Xin; Lu, Ming

2016-12-01

Fill factors (FFs) of ~0.87 have been obtained for crystalline Si (c-Si) solar cells based on Ag front contacts after rapid thermal annealing. The usual single PN junction model fails to explain the high FF result. A metal/oxide/semiconductor (MOS) junction at the emitter is found to be inversely connected to the PN one, and when its barrier height/e is close to the open-circuit voltage of the solar cell, very high FF is obtainable. In this work, although the open-circuit voltage (<580 mV) is not high here, the efficiency of c-Si solar cell still reaches the state-of-the-art value (>20 %) due to the high FF achieved.

Material Limitations on the Detection Limit in Refractometry

PubMed Central

Skafte-Pedersen, Peder; Nunes, Pedro S.; Xiao, Sanshui; Mortensen, Niels Asger

2009-01-01

We discuss the detection limit for refractometric sensors relying on high-Q optical cavities and show that the ultimate classical detection limit is given by min {Δn} ≳ η, with n + iη being the complex refractive index of the material under refractometric investigation. Taking finite Q factors and filling fractions into account, the detection limit declines. As an example we discuss the fundamental limits of silicon-based high-Q resonators, such as photonic crystal resonators, for sensing in a bio-liquid environment, such as a water buffer. In the transparency window (λ ≳ 1100 nm) of silicon the detection limit becomes almost independent on the filling fraction, while in the visible, the detection limit depends strongly on the filling fraction because the silicon absorbs strongly. PMID:22291513

Investigation of the structure and lithology of bedrock concealed by basin fill, using ground-based magnetic-field-profile data acquired in the San Rafael Basin, southeastern Arizona

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bultman, Mark W.

2013-01-01

Data on the Earth’s total-intensity magnetic field acquired near ground level and at measurement intervals as small as 1 m include information on the spatial distribution of nearsurface magnetic dipoles that in many cases are unique to a specific lithology. Such spatial information is expressed in the texture (physical appearance or characteristics) of the data at scales of hundreds of meters to kilometers. These magnetic textures are characterized by several descriptive statistics, their power spectrum, and their multifractal spectrum. On the basis of a graphical comparison and textural characterization, ground-based magnetic-field profile data can be used to estimate bedrock lithology concealed by as much as 100 m of basin fill in some cases, information that is especially important in assessing and exploring for concealed mineral deposits. I demonstrate that multifractal spectra of ground-based magnetic-field-profile data can be used to differentiate exposed lithologies and that the shape and position of the multifractal spectrum of the ground-based magnetic-field-profile of concealed lithologies can be matched to the upward-continued multifractal spectrum of an exposed lithology to help distinguish the concealed lithology. In addition, ground-based magnetic-field-profile data also detect minute differences in the magnetic susceptibility of rocks over small horizontal and vertical distances and so can be used for precise modeling of bedrock geometry and structure, even when that bedrock is concealed by 100 m or more of nonmagnetic basin fill. Such data contain valuable geologic information on the bedrock concealed by basin fill that may not be so visible in aeromagnetic data, including areas of hydrothermal alteration, faults, and other bedrock structures. Interpretation of these data in the San Rafael Basin, southeastern Arizona, has yielded results for estimating concealed lithologies, concealed structural geology, and a concealed potential mineral-resource target.

Disorganization of Attachment in Relation to Maternal Alcohol Consumption.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

O'Connor, Mary J.; And Others

The relation between maternal alcohol consumption and infant attachment behavior at one year of age was investigated in this study. Alcohol consumption was estimated by self-report questionnaires filled out by mothers who were over 30 years of age. The questionnaire elicited information about the amount of alcohol mothers consumed prior to,…

Gold Rush!

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brahier, Daniel J.

1997-01-01

Describes a mathematical investigation of gold--how it is weighed, stored, used, and valued. For grades 3-4, children estimate the value of treasure chests filled with gold coins and explore the size and weight of gold bars. Children in grades 5-6 explore how gold is mined and used, and how the value of gold changes over time. (PVD)

Filling the gap: improving estimates of working tree resources in agricultural landscapes

Treesearch

C.H. Perry; C.W. Woodall; G.C. Liknes; M.M. Schoeneberger

2008-01-01

Agroforestry plantings and other trees intentionally established in rural and urban areas are emerging as innovative management options for addressing resource issues and achieving landscapelevel goals. An understanding of the ecosystem services contributed by these and future plantings would provide critical information to policy and program developers, and a...

Do College Youth Serve Others? How and under Which Circumstances? Implications for Promoting Community Service

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Griffith, James; Thomas, Todd

2014-01-01

This chapter describes how data on the extent of community service among a national representative sample of young college students were associated with "supports," including human, social, and cultural capital. This chapter helps fill missing information on estimates of the occurrence and persistence of community service, types of…

Guidelines for Fire Service Education Programs in Community and Junior Colleges.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Favreau, Donald F.

This report serves as a guideline for fire service education. For men filling the estimated 10,000 opportunities in career fire department organizations each year in the 1970s, it is necessary that they receive a supplement to department-level training in drills and skills. Knowledge of hydraulics, chemistry, mechanical engineering, law…

Teaching the Concept of Breakdown Point in Simple Linear Regression.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chan, Wai-Sum

2001-01-01

Most introductory textbooks on simple linear regression analysis mention the fact that extreme data points have a great influence on ordinary least-squares regression estimation; however, not many textbooks provide a rigorous mathematical explanation of this phenomenon. Suggests a way to fill this gap by teaching students the concept of breakdown…

Numerical Estimation of the Elastic Properties of Thin-Walled Structures Manufactured from Short-Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Altenbach, H.; Naumenko, K.; L'vov, G. I.; Pilipenko, S. N.

2003-05-01

A model which allows us to estimate the elastic properties of thin-walled structures manufactured by injection molding is presented. The starting step is the numerical prediction of the microstructure of a short-fiber-reinforced composite developed during the filling stage of the manufacturing process. For this purpose, the Moldflow Plastic Insight® commercial program is used. As a result of simulating the filling process, a second-rank orientation tensor characterizing the microstructure of the material is obtained. The elastic properties of the prepared material locally depend on the orientational distribution of fibers. The constitutive equation is formulated by means of orientational averaging for a given orientation tensor. The tensor of elastic material properties is computed and translated into the format for a stress-strain analysis based on the ANSYSÒ finite-element code. The numerical procedure and the convergence of results are discussed for a thin strip, a rectangular plate, and a shell of revolution. The influence of manufacturing conditions on the stress-strain state of statically loaded thin-walled elements is illustrated.

Martian stepped-delta formation by rapid water release.

PubMed

Kraal, Erin R; van Dijk, Maurits; Postma, George; Kleinhans, Maarten G

2008-02-21

Deltas and alluvial fans preserved on the surface of Mars provide an important record of surface water flow. Understanding how surface water flow could have produced the observed morphology is fundamental to understanding the history of water on Mars. To date, morphological studies have provided only minimum time estimates for the longevity of martian hydrologic events, which range from decades to millions of years. Here we use sand flume studies to show that the distinct morphology of martian stepped (terraced) deltas could only have originated from a single basin-filling event on a timescale of tens of years. Stepped deltas therefore provide a minimum and maximum constraint on the duration and magnitude of some surface flows on Mars. We estimate that the amount of water required to fill the basin and deposit the delta is comparable to the amount of water discharged by large terrestrial rivers, such as the Mississippi. The massive discharge, short timescale, and the associated short canyon lengths favour the hypothesis that stepped fans are terraced delta deposits draped over an alluvial fan and formed by water released suddenly from subsurface storage.

Nordic Sea Level - Analysis of PSMSL RLR Tide Gauge data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knudsen, Per; Andersen, Ole

2015-04-01

Tide gauge data from the Nordic region covering a period of time from 1920 to 2000 are evaluated. 63 stations having RLR data for at least 40 years have been used. Each tide gauge data record was averaged to annual averages after the monthly average seasonal anomalies were removed. Some stations lack data, especially before around 1950. Hence, to compute representative sea level trends for the 1920-2000 period a procedure for filling in estimated sea level values in the voids, is needed. To fill in voids in the tide gauge data records a reconstruction method was applied that utilizes EOF.s in an iterative manner. Subsequently the trends were computed. The estimated trends range from about -8 mm/year to 2 mm/year reflecting both post-glacial uplift and sea level rise. An evaluation of the first EOFs show that the first EOF clearly describes the trends in the time series. EOF #2 and #3 describe differences in the inter-annual sea level variability with-in the Baltic Sea and differences between the Baltic and the North Atlantic / Norwegian seas, respectively.

Mean circulatory filling pressure: its meaning and measurement.

PubMed

Rothe, C F

1993-02-01

The volume-pressure relationship of the vasculature of the body as a whole, its vascular capacitance, requires a measurement of the mean circulatory filling pressure (Pmcf). A change in vascular capacitance induced by reflexes, hormones, or drugs has physiological consequences similar to a rapid change in blood volume and thus strongly influences cardiac output. The Pmcf is defined as the mean vascular pressure that exists after a stop in cardiac output and redistribution of blood, so that all pressures are the same throughout the system. The Pmcf is thus related to the fullness of the circulatory system. A change in Pmcf provides a uniquely useful index of a change in overall venous smooth muscle tone if the blood volume is not concomitantly changed. The Pmcf also provides an estimate of the distending pressure in the small veins and venules, which contain most of the blood in the body and comprise most of the vascular compliance. Thus the Pmcf, which is normally independent of the magnitude of the cardiac output, provides an estimate of the upstream pressure that determines the rate of flow returning to the heart.

Scaling in the distribution of intertrade durations of Chinese stocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Zhi-Qiang; Chen, Wei; Zhou, Wei-Xing

2008-10-01

The distribution of intertrade durations, defined as the waiting times between two consecutive transactions, is investigated based upon the limit order book data of 23 liquid Chinese stocks listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in the whole year 2003. A scaling pattern is observed in the distributions of intertrade durations, where the empirical density functions of the normalized intertrade durations of all 23 stocks collapse onto a single curve. The scaling pattern is also observed in the intertrade duration distributions for filled and partially filled trades and in the conditional distributions. The ensemble distributions for all stocks are modeled by the Weibull and the Tsallis q-exponential distributions. Maximum likelihood estimation shows that the Weibull distribution outperforms the q-exponential for not-too-large intertrade durations which account for more than 98.5% of the data. Alternatively, nonlinear least-squares estimation selects the q-exponential as a better model, in which the optimization is conducted on the distance between empirical and theoretical values of the logarithmic probability densities. The distribution of intertrade durations is Weibull followed by a power-law tail with an asymptotic tail exponent close to 3.

Impaired atrioventricular transport in patients with transposition of the great arteries palliated by atrial switch and preserved systolic right ventricular function: A magnetic resonance imaging study.

PubMed

Ladouceur, Magalie; Kachenoura, Nadjia; Soulat, Gilles; Bollache, Emilie; Redheuil, Alban; Azizi, Michel; Delclaux, Christophe; Chatellier, Gilles; Boutouyrie, Pierre; Iserin, Laurence; Bonnet, Damien; Mousseaux, Elie

2017-07-01

We aimed (1) determine if systemic right ventricle filling parameters influence systemic right ventricle stroke volume in adult patients with D-transposition of the great arteries (D-TGA) palliated by atrial switch, using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography, and (2) to study relationship of these diastolic parameters with exercise performance and BNP, in patients with preserved systolic systemic right ventricle function. Single-center, cross-sectional, prospective study. In patients with D-TGA palliated by atrial switch, diastolic dysfunction of the systemic right ventricle may precede systolic dysfunction. Forty-five patients with D-TGA and atrial switch and 45 age and sex-matched healthy subjects underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography. Filling flow-rates measured by phase-contrast cardiac magnetic resonance imaging were analyzed using customized software to estimate diastolic parameters and compared with exercise performance. In D-TGA, early filling of systemic right ventricle was impaired with a lower peak filling rate normalized by filling volume (Ef/FV measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging) and a higher early filling peak velocity normalized by early peak myocardial velocity (E US /Ea measured by echocardiography) compared with controls (P ≤ .04). Stroke volume of systemic right ventricle showed a direct and significant association with pulmonary venous pathway size (respectively r = 0.50, P < .01). Systemic right atrial area and systemic right ventricle mass/volume index measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, as well as Ef/FV were significantly correlated with exercise performances and BNP (P < .01). All correlations were independent of age, gender, body mass index and blood pressure. Systemic right ventricle pre-load and stroke volume depend mainly on intraatrial pathway function. Moreover, systemic right ventricle remodeling and right atrial dysfunction impair systemic right ventricle filling, leading to BNP increase and exercise limitation. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging should assess systemic right ventricle filling abnormalities in D-TGA patients. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Arsenic in midwestern glacial deposits? Occurrence and relation to selected hydrogeologic and geochemical factors

USGS Publications Warehouse

Thomas, Mary Ann

2003-01-01

Ground-water-quality data collected as part of 12 U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment studies during 1996-2001 were analyzed to (1) document arsenic occurrence in four types of gla-cial deposits that occur in large areas of the Midwest, (2) identify hydrogeologic or geochemical factors asso-ciated with elevated arsenic concentrations, and (3) search for clues as to arsenic source(s) or mechanism(s) of mobilization that could be useful for designing future studies. Arsenic and other water-quality constituents were sampled in 342 monitor and domestic wells in parts of Illinois Indiana Ohio Michigan and Wisconsin. Arsenic was detected (at a concentration >1 ?g/L) in one-third of the samples. The maximum concentration was 84 ?g/L, and the median was less than 1 ?g/L. Eight percent of samples had arsenic concentrations that exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 10?g/L. Samples were from four aquifer types?confined valley fill, unconfined valley fill, outwash plain, and till with sand lenses. Highest arsenic concentrations were found in reducing waters from valley-fill depos-its. In confined valley fill, all waters were reducing and old (recharged before 1953), and almost half of sam-ples had arsenic concentrations greater than the MCL. In unconfined valley fill, redox conditions and ages were varied, and elevated arsenic concentrations were sporadic. In both types of valley fill, elevated arsenic concentrations are linked to the underlying bedrock on the basis of spatial relations and geochemical correla-tions. In shallow (150 ft), all deep wells were from a distinctive aquifer type (confined valley fill). It is not known whether wells at similar depths in other aquifer types would produce waters with simi-larly high arsenic concentrations. Correlations of arsenic with fluoride, strontium, and barium suggest that arsenic might be related to epi-genetic (Mississippi Valley-type) sulfide deposits in Paleozoic bedrock. Arsenic is typically released from sulfides by oxidation, but in the current study, the highest arsenic concentrations in glacial deposits were detected in reducing waters. Therefore, a link between epigenetic sulfides and elevated arsenic concentrations in glacial deposits would probably require a multi-step process.

Hydraulic forces contribute to left ventricular diastolic filling

PubMed Central

Maksuti, Elira; Carlsson, Marcus; Arheden, Håkan; Kovács, Sándor J.; Broomé, Michael; Ugander, Martin

2017-01-01

Myocardial active relaxation and restoring forces are known determinants of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. We hypothesize the existence of an additional mechanism involved in LV filling, namely, a hydraulic force contributing to the longitudinal motion of the atrioventricular (AV) plane. A prerequisite for the presence of a net hydraulic force during diastole is that the atrial short-axis area (ASA) is smaller than the ventricular short-axis area (VSA). We aimed (a) to illustrate this mechanism in an analogous physical model, (b) to measure the ASA and VSA throughout the cardiac cycle in healthy volunteers using cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, and (c) to calculate the magnitude of the hydraulic force. The physical model illustrated that the anatomical difference between ASA and VSA provides the basis for generating a hydraulic force during diastole. In volunteers, VSA was greater than ASA during 75–100% of diastole. The hydraulic force was estimated to be 10–60% of the peak driving force of LV filling (1–3 N vs 5–10 N). Hydraulic forces are a consequence of left heart anatomy and aid LV diastolic filling. These findings suggest that the relationship between ASA and VSA, and the associated hydraulic force, should be considered when characterizing diastolic function and dysfunction. PMID:28256604

It Shrinks! It Cracks!

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-04-20

Given enough time, impact craters on Mars tend to fill up with different materials. For instance, some craters on Mars had lakes inside them in the past. When these lakes dried out, they left behind traces of their past existence, such as sedimentary deposits (materials that were carried along with the running water into the lake inside the crater and then settled down). Some craters, especially in high latitudes, contain ice deposits that filled the crater when an earlier ice age allowed ice to extend into the crater's latitude. Here, NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spies a crater that lies close to Elysium, a major volcanic system on Mars. The whole region surrounding the crater was at some point covered by lava from the volcano creating vast lava plains, and in the process, flooding impact craters in their way. When the lava eventually cooled down, it solidified and began to shrink in size. This shrinking led to formation of cracks on the surface of the lava that grew in a circular pattern matching the shape of the crater it was filling. Scientists can study these fractures and estimate how much it shrank in volume to better understand the properties of the lava (such as its temperature) during the time it filled the crater. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21596

Marginal adaptation of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) compared with amalgam as a root-end filling material: a low-vacuum (LV) versus high-vacuum (HV) SEM study.

PubMed

Shipper, G; Grossman, E S; Botha, A J; Cleaton-Jones, P E

2004-05-01

To compare the marginal adaptation of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) or amalgam root-end fillings in extracted teeth under low-vacuum (LV) versus high-vacuum (HV) scanning electron microscope (SEM) viewing conditions. Root-end fillings were placed in 20 extracted single-rooted maxillary teeth. Ten root ends were filled with MTA and the other 10 root ends were filled with amalgam. Two 1 mm thick transverse sections of each root-end filling were cut 0.50 mm (top) and 1.50 mm (bottom) from the apex. Gap size was recorded at eight fixed points along the dentine-filling material interface on each section when uncoated wet (LV wet (LVW)) and dry under LV (0.3 Torr) in a JEOL JSM-5800 SEM and backscatter emission (LV dry uncoated (LVDU)). The sections were then air-dried, gold-coated and gap size was recorded once again at the fixed points under HV (10(-6) Torr; HV dry coated (HVDC)). Specimen cracking, and the size and extent of the crack were noted. Gap sizes at fixed points were smallest under LVW and largest under HVDC SEM conditions. Gaps were smallest in MTA root-end fillings. A General Linear Models Analysis, with gap size as the dependent variable, showed significant effects for extent of crack in dentine, material and viewing condition (P = 0.0001). This study showed that MTA produced a superior marginal adaptation to amalgam, and that LVW conditions showed the lowest gap size. Gap size was influenced by the method of SEM viewing. If only HV SEM viewing conditions are used for MTA and amalgam root-end fillings, a correction factor of 3.5 and 2.2, respectively, may be used to enable relative comparisons of gap size to LVW conditions.

Contemporary multilevel analysis of the effectiveness of water fluoridation in Australia.

PubMed

Do, Loc; Spencer, A John

2015-02-01

Water fluoridation was extended in Queensland, Australia, across 2009-2011. A research program was commenced to inform the rationale for and the outcome of this program, to estimate the effectiveness of water fluoridation in preventing caries and to predict changes in caries experience as a result of the extension of fluoridation. Queensland children were selected through a stratified random sample selection in 2010-2012. Oral epidemiological examinations provided individual-level outcomes for decayed, missing or filled primary or permanent tooth surfaces: dmfs (among 5-8-year-olds) and DMFS (9-14-year-olds). Explanatory factors at the individual-level, school-level and area-level fluoridation status were derived. Data were weighted to represent the population. Three-level multilevel multivariable models were sequentially specified for negative binomial distribution of dmfs/DMFS to estimate rate ratios (RR). The effectiveness of area-level water fluoridation was evaluated in the full models controlling for other factors. Data from 2,214 5-8 year-olds and 3,186 9-14 year-olds from 207 schools in 16 areas were analysed. Queensland's average dmfs was 4.23 and DMFS 1.47. The lowest levels of dental caries were observed in long-term fluoridated Townsville. In the full models, Townsville children had significantly lower caries experience (RR for dmfs: 0.61 (95%CI: 0.44-0.82); RR for DMFS 0.60 (95%CI: 0.42-0.88)) compared with children in non-fluoridated areas. Comparison of caries experience of children at the time of the extension of water fluoridation supported the rationale for this population health measure. © 2014 Public Health Association of Australia.

Leadership Readiness for Flexibility and Mobility: The 4th Dimensions on Situational Leadership Styles in Educational Settings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rajbhandari, Mani Man Singh; Loock, Coert; Du Plessis, Pierre; Rajbhandari, Smriti

2014-01-01

In educational settings, leadership flexibility and mobility is essential factor for leadership readiness. This incorporates both factors concerning the situational needs and followership situational readiness. Leadership in education require multi facet dimensional approaches that enables the educational leaders to fill in the gaps and reduces…

Law School Intentions of Undergraduate Business Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Edmonds, Thomas; Flanagan, David J.; Palmer, Timothy B.

2013-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to examine factors that influence business students' intentions to enroll in law school. Scant research has focused on factors that influence business students' decisions to enroll in law school. This paper attempts to fill that gap. Hypotheses about student intentions are based on Ajzen & Fishbein's (1977) Theory…

Development of the Academic Performance Perception Scale

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gur, Recep

2017-01-01

Purpose: While numerous studies about academic performance that focused on only one factor, studies aiming to measure academicians' perceptions across many factors have not been observed in the literature. The current study aims to fill this gap and become a resource for upcoming studies. The aim of this study is to develop a valid and reliable…

Volatile-rich Crater Interior Deposits on Mars: An Energy Balance Model of Modification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Russell, Patrick S.; Head, James W.; Hecht, Michael H.

2003-01-01

Several craters on Mars are partially filled by material emplaced by post-impact processes. Populations of such craters include those in the circumsouth polar cap region, in Arabia Terra, associated with the Medusae Fossae Formation, and in the northern lowlands proximal to the north polar cap. In this study, crater fill material refers to an interior mound, generally separated from the interior walls of the crater by a trough that may be continuous along the crater s circumference (i.e. a ring-shaped trough), or may only partially contact the crater walls (i.e. a crescent-shaped trough). The fill deposit is frequently off-center from the crater center and may be asymmetric, (i.e. not circular) in plan view shape. Here we test the hypothesis that asymmetries in volatile fill shape, profile, and center-location within a crater result from asymmetries in local energy balance within the crater due mainly to variation of solar insolation and radiative effects of the crater walls over the crater interior. We first focus on Korolev crater in the northern lowlands. We can then apply this model to other craters in different regions. If asymmetry in morphology and location of crater fill are consistent with radiative-dominated asymmetries in energy budget within the crater, then 1) the volatile-rich composition of the fill is supported (this process should not be effective at shaping volcanic or sedimentary deposits), and 2) the dominant factor determining the observed shape of volatile-rich crater fill is the local radiative energy budget within the crater (and erosive processes such as eolian deflation are not necessary).

Hydrogeology and quality of ground water in the upper Arkansas River basin from Buena Vista to Salida, Colorado, 2000-2003

USGS Publications Warehouse

Watts, Kenneth R.

2005-01-01

The upper Arkansas River Basin between Buena Vista and Salida, Colorado, is a downfaulted basin, the Buena Vista-Salida structural basin, located between the Sawatch and Mosquito Ranges. The primary aquifers in the Buena Vista-Salida structural basin consist of poorly consolidated to unconsolidated Quaternary-age alluvial and glacial deposits and Tertiary-age basin-fill deposits. Maximum thickness of the alluvial, glacial, and basin-fill deposits is about 5,000 feet, but 95 percent of the water-supply wells in Chaffee County are no more than 300 feet deep. Hydrologic conditions in the 149-square mile study area are described on the basis of hydrologic and geologic data compiled and collected during September 2000 through September 2003. The principal aquifers described in this report are the alluvial-outwash and basin-fill aquifers. An estimated 3,443 wells pumped about 690 to 1,240 acre-feet for domestic and household use in Chaffee County during 2003. By 2030, projected increases in the population of Chaffee County, Colorado, may require use of an additional 4,000 to 5,000 wells to supply an additional 800 to 1,800 acre-feet per year of ground water for domestic and household supply. The estimated specific yield of the upper 300 feet of the alluvial-outwash and basin-fill aquifers ranged from about 0.02 to 0.2. Current (2003) and projected (2030) ground-water withdrawals by domestic and household wells are less than 1 percent of the estimated 472,000 acre-feet of drainable ground water in the upper 300 feet of the subsurface. Locally, little water is available in the upper 300 feet. In densely populated areas, well interference could result in decreased water levels and well yields, which may require deepening or replacement of wells. Infiltration of surface water diverted for irrigation and from losing streams is the primary source of ground-water recharge in the semiarid basin. Ground-water levels in the alluvial-outwash and basin-fill aquifers vary seasonally with maximum water levels occurring in the early summer after snowmelt runoff peaks. Because of the drought during 2002, relatively large declines in ground-water levels occurred in about one-half of the monitored wells. Differences in water-level altitudes in shallow and deep wells indicate the potential for downward flow in upland areas and support results of preliminary cross-sectional models of ground-water flow. The apparent mean age of ground-water recharge ranged from about 1 to more than 48 years before 2001. The older (pre-1953) water was from wells that were located in ground-water discharge areas. Ground-water flow in the Buena Vista-Salida structural basin drains eastward toward the Arkansas River and, locally, toward the South Arkansas River. Ground water in the alluvial-outwash and basin-fill aquifers generally is calcium-bicarbonate water type with less than 250 milligrams per liter dissolved solids. Nitrate concentrations generally were less than 1 to 2 milligrams per liter and do not indicate widespread contamination of ground water from surface sources.

Spin-dependent electron many-body effects in GaAs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nemec, P.; Kerachian, Y.; van Driel, H. M.; Smirl, Arthur L.

2005-12-01

Time- and polarization-resolved differential transmission measurements employing same and oppositely circularly polarized 150fs optical pulses are used to investigate spin characteristics of conduction band electrons in bulk GaAs at 295K . Electrons and holes with densities in the 2×1016cm-3-1018cm-3 range are generated and probed with pulses whose center wavelength is between 865 and 775nm . The transmissivity results can be explained in terms of the spin sensitivity of both phase-space filling and many-body effects (band-gap renormalization and screening of the Coulomb enhancement factor). For excitation and probing at 865nm , just above the band-gap edge, the transmissivity changes mainly reflect spin-dependent phase-space filling which is dominated by the electron Fermi factors. However, for 775nm probing, the influence of many-body effects on the induced transmission change are comparable with those from reduced phase space filling, exposing the spin dependence of the many-body effects. If one does not take account of these spin-dependent effects one can misinterpret both the magnitude and time evolution of the electron spin polarization. For suitable measurements we find that the electron spin relaxation time is 130ps .

Resolving the Aerosol Piece of the Global Climate Picture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kahn, R. A.

2017-12-01

Factors affecting our ability to calculate climate forcing and estimate model predictive skill include direct radiative effects of aerosols and their indirect effects on clouds. Several decades of Earth-observing satellite observations have produced a global aerosol column-amount (AOD) record, but an aerosol microphysical property record required for climate and many air quality applications is lacking. Surface-based photometers offer qualitative aerosol-type classification, and several space-based instruments map aerosol air-mass types under favorable conditions. However, aerosol hygroscopicity, mass extinction efficiency (MEE), and quantitative light absorption, must be obtained from in situ measurements. Completing the aerosol piece of the climate picture requires three elements: (1) continuing global AOD and qualitative type mapping from space-based, multi-angle imagers and aerosol vertical distribution from near-source stereo imaging and downwind lidar, (2) systematic, quantitative in situ observations of particle properties unobtainable from space, and (3) continuing transport modeling to connect observations to sources, and extrapolate limited sampling in space and time. At present, the biggest challenges to producing the needed aerosol data record are: filling gaps in particle property observations, maintaining global observing capabilities, and putting the pieces together. Obtaining the PDFs of key particle properties, adequately sampled, is now the leading observational deficiency. One simplifying factor is that, for a given aerosol source and season, aerosol amounts often vary, but particle properties tend to be repeatable. SAM-CAAM (Systematic Aircraft Measurements to Characterize Aerosol Air Masses), a modest aircraft payload deployed frequently could fill this gap, adding value to the entire satellite data record, improving aerosol property assumptions in retrieval algorithms, and providing MEEs to translate between remote-sensing optical constraints and aerosol mass book-kept in climate models [Kahn et al., BAMS 2017]. This will also improve connections between remote-sensing particle types and those defined in models. The third challenge, maintaining global observing capabilities, requires continued community effort and good budgetary fortune.