Fate of methane in aquatic systems dominated by free-floating plants.

PubMed

Kosten, Sarian; Piñeiro, Marcia; de Goede, Eefje; de Klein, Jeroen; Lamers, Leon P M; Ettwig, Katharina

2016-11-01

Worldwide the area of free-floating plants is increasing, which can be expected to alter methane (CH 4 ) emissions from aquatic systems in several ways. A large proportion of the CH 4 produced may become oxidized below the plants due to the accumulation of CH 4 as a result of a decrease in the diffusive water-atmosphere flux and the entrapment of part of the ebullitive CH 4 , in combination with suitable conditions for methane oxidizing (MOX) bacteria in the aerobic rhizosphere. We used a set of essays to test this hypothesis and to explore the effect of different densities for three widespread free-floating species: Azolla filiculoides, Salvinia natans, and Eichhornia crassipes. The gas exchange velocity, proportion of CH 4 bubbles trapped by the plants, occurrence of radial oxygen loss from roots, and MOX rates on the roots were assessed. We subsequently used the outcome of these experiments to parameterize a simple model. With this model we estimated the proportion of the produced CH 4 that is oxidized, for different plant species and different densities. We found that in a shallow (1 m) system up to 70% of the CH 4 produced may become oxidized as a result of a strong decrease in gas exchange combined with high MOX activity of the rhizosphere microbiome. As floating plants also are likely to increase CH 4 production by organic matter production, especially when their presence induces anaerobic conditions, the overall effect on CH 4 emission will strongly depend on local conditions. This explains the contrasting effects of floating plants on CH 4 emissions in literature as reviewed here. As the effect of floating plants on CH 4 emissions, including the high MOX rates we show here, can be substantial, there is an urgent need to consider this impact when assessing greenhouse gas budgets. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Toward Future Photovoltaic-Based Agriculture in Sea.

PubMed

Moustafa, Khaled

2016-04-01

To meet the challenges of climate change and water shortages, combining solar energy-based seawater desalination technologies with floating agriculture stations in one innovative hybrid system would be worthy of investigation for dry and sunny regions for seawater desalination and crop production within the same platform. Here, I discuss the feasibility of such a 'floating farm' or 'bluehouse' in the sea, by comparing it with the use of terrestrial greenhouses. I also debate the potential advantages and shortcomings of such a system. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nitrate removal from polluted water by using a vegetated floating system.

PubMed

Bartucca, Maria Luce; Mimmo, Tanja; Cesco, Stefano; Del Buono, Daniele

2016-01-15

Nitrate (NO3(-)) water pollution is one of the most prevailing and relevant ecological issues. For instance, the wide presence of this pollutant in the environment is dramatically altering the quality of superficial and underground waters. Therefore, we set up a floating bed vegetated with a terrestrial herbaceous species (Italian ryegrass) with the aim to remediate hydroponic solutions polluted with NO3(-). The floating bed allowed the plants to grow and achieve an adequate development. Ryegrass was not affected by the treatments. On the contrary, plant biomass production and total nitrogen content (N-K) increased proportionally to the amount of NO3(-) applied. Regarding to the water cleaning experiments, the vegetated floating beds permitted to remove almost completely all the NO3(-) added from the hydroponic solutions with an initial concentration of 50, 100 and 150 mg L(-1). Furthermore, the calculation of the bioconcentration factor (BCF) indicated this species as successfully applicable for the remediation of solutions polluted by NO3(-). In conclusion, the results highlight that the combination of ryegrass and the floating bed system resulted to be effective in the remediation of aqueous solutions polluted by NO3(-). Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Garden Banks 388 subsea drilling/production template: Project management of a fast-track project

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

Ledbetter, W.R.

1995-10-01

Enserch Exploration`s Garden Banks 388 development is a production scheme based around a floating drilling and production facility and subsea drilling/production template. The Floating Production Facility (FPF) is a converted semisubmersible drilling rig which will drill and product through a 24-well slot template. This development is located in Block 388 of the Garden Banks area in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 200 miles southwest of New Orleans. Louisiana. This production system is being installed in an area of known oil and gas reserves and will produce to a shallow water platform 54 miles away at Ewing Bank 315. The FPFmore » will be permanently moored on the surface above the template. The subsea template has been installed in 2,190 feet of water and will produce through a 2,000 foot free-standing production riser system to the FPF. The produced fluids are partially separated on the FPF before oil and gas are pumped through the template to export gathering lines which are connected to the shallow water facility.« less

Transforming Ocean Observations of the Carbon Budget, Acidification, Hypoxia, Nutrients, and Biological Productivity: a Global Array of Biogeochemical Argo Floats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Talley, L. D.; Johnson, K. S.; Claustre, H.; Boss, E.; Emerson, S. R.; Westberry, T. K.; Sarmiento, J. L.; Mazloff, M. R.; Riser, S.; Russell, J. L.

2017-12-01

Our ability to detect changes in biogeochemical (BGC) processes in the ocean that may be driven by increasing atmospheric CO2, as well as by natural climate variability, is greatly hindered by undersampling in vast areas of the open ocean. Argo is a major international program that measures ocean heat content and salinity with about 4000 floats distributed throughout the ocean, profiling to 2000 m every 10 days. Extending this approach to a global BGC-Argo float array, using recent, proven sensor technology, and in close synergy with satellite systems, will drive a transformative shift in observing and predicting the effects of climate change on ocean metabolism, carbon uptake, acidification, deoxygenation, and living marine resource management. BGC-Argo will add sensors for pH, oxygen, nitrate, chlorophyll, suspended particles, and downwelling irradiance, with sufficient accuracy for climate studies. Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs) using BGC models indicate that 1000 BGC floats would provide sufficient coverage, hence equipping 1/4 of the Argo array. BGC-Argo (http://biogeochemical-argo.org) will enhance current sustained observational programs such as Argo, GO-SHIP, and long-term ocean time series. BGC-Argo will benefit from deployments on GO-SHIP vessels, which provide sensor verification. Empirically derived algorithms that relate the observed BGC float parameters to the carbon system parameters will provide global information on seasonal ocean-atmosphere carbon exchange. BGC Argo measurements could be paired with other emerging technology, such as pCO2 measurements from ships of opportunity and wave gliders, to extend and validate exchange estimates. BGC-Argo prototype programs already show the potential of a global observing system that can measure seasonal to decadal variability. Various countries have developed regional BGC arrays: Southern Ocean (SOCCOM), North Atlantic Subpolar Gyre (remOcean), Mediterranean (NAOS), the Kuroshio (INBOX), and Indian Ocean (IOBioArgo). As examples, bio-optical sensors are identifying regional anomalies in light attenuation/scattering, with implications for ocean productivity and carbon export; SOCCOM floats show high CO2 outgassing in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, due to previously unmeasured winter fluxes.

Design, fabrication, and integration testing of the Garden Banks 388 subsea production template

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

Ledbetter, W.R.; Smith, D.W.; Pierce, D.M.

1995-12-31

Enserch Exploration`s Garden Banks 388 development has a production scheme based around a floating drilling and production facility and subsea drilling/production template. The Floating Production Facility (FPF) is a converted semisubmersible drilling rig that will drill and produce through a 24-well slot subsea template. This development is located in Block 388 of the Garden Banks area in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 200 miles southwest of New Orleans, Louisiana. The production system is being installed in an area of known oil and gas reserves and will produce to a shallow water platform 54 miles away at Eugene Island 315. Themore » FPF will be permanently moored above the template. The subsea template has been installed in 2190 feet of water and will produce through a 2,000 foot free-standing production riser system to the FPF. The produced fluids are partially separated on the FPF before oil and gas are pumped through the template to export gathering lines that are connected to the shallow water facility. The system designed through-put is 40,000 BOPD of oil and 120 MMSCFD of gas.« less

Plant traits and environment: floating leaf blade production and turnover of waterlilies.

PubMed

Klok, Peter F; van der Velde, Gerard

2017-01-01

Floating leaf blades of waterlilies fulfill several functions in wetland ecosystems by production, decomposition and turnover as well as exchange processes. Production and turnover rates of floating leaf blades of three waterlily species, Nuphar lutea (L.) Sm., Nymphaea alba L. and Nymphaea candida Presl, were studied in three freshwater bodies, differing in trophic status, pH and alkalinity. Length and percentages of leaf loss of marked leaf blades were measured weekly during the growing season. Area and biomass were calculated based on leaf length and were used to calculate the turnover rate of floating leaf blades. Seasonal changes in floating leaf production showed that values decreased in the order: Nymphaea alba , Nuphar lutea , Nymphaea candida . The highest production was reached for Nuphar lutea and Nymphaea alba in alkaline, eutrophic water bodies. The production per leaf was relatively high for both species in the acid water body. Nymphaea candida showed a very short vegetation period and low turnover rates. The ratio Total potential leaf biomass/Maximum potential leaf biomass (P/B max ) of the three species ranged from 1.35-2.25. The ratio Vegetation period (Period with floating leaves)/Mean leaf life span ranged from 2.94-4.63, the ratio Growth period (Period with appearance of new floating leaves)/Vegetation period from 0.53-0.73. The clear differences between Nymphaea candida versus Nuphar lutea and Nymphaea alba , may be due to adaptations of Nymphaea candida to an Euro-Siberic climate with short-lasting summer conditions.

Plant traits and environment: floating leaf blade production and turnover of waterlilies

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Floating leaf blades of waterlilies fulfill several functions in wetland ecosystems by production, decomposition and turnover as well as exchange processes. Production and turnover rates of floating leaf blades of three waterlily species, Nuphar lutea (L.) Sm., Nymphaea alba L. and Nymphaea candida Presl, were studied in three freshwater bodies, differing in trophic status, pH and alkalinity. Length and percentages of leaf loss of marked leaf blades were measured weekly during the growing season. Area and biomass were calculated based on leaf length and were used to calculate the turnover rate of floating leaf blades. Seasonal changes in floating leaf production showed that values decreased in the order: Nymphaea alba, Nuphar lutea, Nymphaea candida. The highest production was reached for Nuphar lutea and Nymphaea alba in alkaline, eutrophic water bodies. The production per leaf was relatively high for both species in the acid water body. Nymphaea candida showed a very short vegetation period and low turnover rates. The ratio Total potential leaf biomass/Maximum potential leaf biomass (P/Bmax) of the three species ranged from 1.35–2.25. The ratio Vegetation period (Period with floating leaves)/Mean leaf life span ranged from 2.94–4.63, the ratio Growth period (Period with appearance of new floating leaves)/Vegetation period from 0.53–0.73. The clear differences between Nymphaea candida versus Nuphar lutea and Nymphaea alba, may be due to adaptations of Nymphaea candida to an Euro-Siberic climate with short-lasting summer conditions. PMID:28462025

Zero-power autonomous buoyancy system controlled by microbial gas production

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Peter K.; Fitzgerald, Lisa A.; Biffinger, Justin C.; Spargo, Barry J.; Houston, Brian H.; Bucaro, Joseph A.; Ringeisen, Bradley R.

2011-05-01

A zero-power ballast control system that could be used to float and submerge a device solely using a gas source was built and tested. This system could be used to convey sensors, data loggers, and communication devices necessary for water quality monitoring and other applications by periodically maneuvering up and down a water column. Operational parameters for the system such as duration of the submerged and buoyant states can be varied according to its design. The gas source can be of any origin, e.g., compressed air, underwater gas vent, gas produced by microbes, etc. The zero-power ballast system was initially tested using a gas pump and further tested using gas produced by Clostridium acetobutylicum. Using microbial gas production as the only source of gas and no electrical power during operation, the system successfully floated and submerged periodically with a period of 30 min for at least 24 h. Together with microbial fuel cells, this system opens up possibilities for underwater monitoring systems that could function indefinitely.

Potential of water surface-floating microalgae for biodiesel production: Floating-biomass and lipid productivities.

PubMed

Muto, Masaki; Nojima, Daisuke; Yue, Liang; Kanehara, Hideyuki; Naruse, Hideaki; Ujiro, Asuka; Yoshino, Tomoko; Matsunaga, Tadashi; Tanaka, Tsuyoshi

2017-03-01

Microalgae have been accepted as a promising feedstock for biodiesel production owing to their capability of converting solar energy into lipids through photosynthesis. However, the high capital and operating costs, and high energy consumption, are hampering commercialization of microalgal biodiesel. In this study, the surface-floating microalga, strain AVFF007 (tentatively identified as Botryosphaerella sudetica), which naturally forms a biofilm on surfaces, was characterized for use in biodiesel production. The biofilm could be conveniently harvested from the surface of the water by adsorbing onto a polyethylene film. The lipid productivity of strain AVFF007 was 46.3 mg/L/day, allowing direct comparison to lipid productivities of other microalgal species. The moisture content of the surface-floating biomass was 86.0 ± 1.2%, which was much lower than that of the biomass harvested using centrifugation. These results reveal the potential of this surface-floating microalgal species as a biodiesel producer, employing a novel biomass harvesting and dewatering strategy. Copyright © 2016 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Formulation and evaluation of novel coated floating tablets of bergenin and cetirizine dihydrochloride for gastric delivery.

PubMed

He, Shuang; Li, Feng; Zhou, Dan; Du, Junrong; Huang, Yuan

2012-10-01

A novel coated gastric floating drug-delivery system (GFDDS) of bergenin (BN) and cetirizine dihydrochloride (CET) was developed. First, the pharmacodynamic studies were performed and the results revealed that the new compounds of bergenin/cetirizine dihydrochloride had comparative efficacy as commercial products (bergenin/chlorphenamine maleate) but with fewer side effects on central nervous system (CNS). Subsequently, bergenin was formulated as an extended-release core tablet while cetirizine dihydrochloride was incorporated into the gastric coating film for immediate release. The formulation of GFDDS was optimized by CET content uniformity test, in vitro buoyancy and drug release. Herein, the effects of sodium bicarbonate (effervescent), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC, matrix polymer) and coating weight gain were investigated respectively. The optimized GFDDS exhibited good floating properties (buoyancy lag time < 2 min; floating duration > 10 h) and satisfactory drug-release profiles (immediate release of CET in 10 min and sustained release of BN for 12 h). In vivo gamma scintigraphy proved that the optimized GFDDS could retain in the stomach with a prolonged gastric retention time (GRT) of 5 h, and the coating layer showed no side effect for gastric retention. The novel coated gastric floating drug-delivery system offers a new approach to enhance BN's absorption at its absorption site and the efficacy of both CET and BN.

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

Rehder, J.B.

The project focuses on an appropriate technology for small-scale hydro power: floating waterwheels and turbines. For background, relic and existing systems such as early floating mills, traditional Amish waterwheels, and micro-hydro systems are examined. In the design phase of the project, new designs for Floating Hydro Power Systems include: an analysis of floatation materials and systems; a floating undershot waterwheel design; a floating cylinder (fiberglass storage tank) design; a submerged tube design; and a design for a floating platform with submerged propellers. Finally, in the applications phase, stream flow data from East Tennessee streams are used in a discussion ofmore » the potential applications of floating hydro power systems in small streams.« less

Applying n-bit floating point numbers and integers, and the n-bit filter of HDF5 to reduce file sizes of remote sensing products in memory-sensitive environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zinke, Stephan

2017-02-01

Memory sensitive applications for remote sensing data require memory-optimized data types in remote sensing products. Hierarchical Data Format version 5 (HDF5) offers user defined floating point numbers and integers and the n-bit filter to create data types optimized for memory consumption. The European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) applies a compaction scheme to the disseminated products of the Day and Night Band (DNB) data of Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (S-NPP) satellite's instrument Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) through the EUMETSAT Advanced Retransmission Service, converting the original 32 bits floating point numbers to user defined floating point numbers in combination with the n-bit filter for the radiance dataset of the product. The radiance dataset requires a floating point representation due to the high dynamic range of the DNB. A compression factor of 1.96 is reached by using an automatically determined exponent size and an 8 bits trailing significand and thus reducing the bandwidth requirements for dissemination. It is shown how the parameters needed for user defined floating point numbers are derived or determined automatically based on the data present in a product.

NREL-Statoil Collaborate to Make the First Multi-Turbine Floating Offshore

Science.gov Websites

investigated four design load cases: power production, power production plus occurrence of fault, parked -thereby lowering the cost of energy by increasing power production. Senu Sirnivas, a principal engineer at design and analysis, turbine size-up scaling, the mooring system, instrumentation, data acquisition, and

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

NONE

New fields are being added even while recent finds are brought on using floating production systems and gas pipelines. Intensive workover/redrilling continues in older onshore provinces. The paper discusses exploration, development, drilling and production in China, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Viet Nam, Pakistan, Myanmar, Brunei, and the Philippines, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Japan, Mongolia, and Taiwan are briefly mentioned.

WindWaveFloat (WWF): Final Scientific Report

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

Alla Weinstein; Roddier, Dominique; Banister, Kevin

2012-03-30

Principle Power Inc. and National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) have completed a contract to assess the technical and economic feasibility of integrating wave energy converters into the WindFloat, resulting in a new concept called the WindWaveFloat (WWF). The concentration of several devices on one platform could offer a potential for both economic and operational advantages. Wind and wave energy converters can share the electrical cable and power transfer equipment to transport the electricity to shore. Access to multiple generation devices could be simplified, resulting in cost saving at the operational level. Overall capital costs may also be reduced, provided thatmore » the design of the foundation can be adapted to multiple devices with minimum modifications. Finally, the WindWaveFloat confers the ability to increase energy production from individual floating support structures, potentially leading to a reduction in levelized energy costs, an increase in the overall capacity factor, and greater stability of the electrical power delivered to the grid. The research conducted under this grant investigated the integration of several wave energy device types into the WindFloat platform. Several of the resulting system designs demonstrated technical feasibility, but the size and design constraints of the wave energy converters (technical and economic) make the WindWaveFloat concept economically unfeasible at this time. Not enough additional generation could be produced to make the additional expense associated with wave energy conversion integration into the WindFloat worthwhile.« less

Floating microbial fuel cells as energy harvesters for signal transmission from natural water bodies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schievano, Andrea; Colombo, Alessandra; Grattieri, Matteo; Trasatti, Stefano P.; Liberale, Alessandro; Tremolada, Paolo; Pino, Claudio; Cristiani, Pierangela

2017-02-01

A new type of floating microbial fuel cell (fMFC) was developed for power supply of remote environmental sensors and data transmission. Ten operating fMFCs generated a cell potential in the range 100-800 mV depending on the external resistance applied. Power production peaked around 3-3.5 mW (power density of 22-28 mW m-2 cathode) after about 20-30 days of start-up period. The average of daily electrical energy harvested ranged between 10 and 35 mWh/d. Long-term performances were ensured in the presence of dense rice plants (Oryza Sativa). A power management system, based on a step-up DC/DC converter and a low-power data transmission system via SIGFOX™ technology, have been set up for the fMFCs. The tested fMFCs systems allowed to: i) harvest produced energy, ii) supply electronic devices (intermittent LED-light and a buzzer); iii) transmit remote data at low speed (three message of 12 bites each, in 6 s). Several 'floating garden' MFCs were set in the context of demonstrative events at EXPO2015 world exposition held in Milan between May-October 2015. Some of the 'floating garden' MFCs were operating for more than one year.

Red Sea Outflow Experiment (REDSOX): DLD2 RAFOS Float Data Report February 2001 - March 2003

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-01-01

1 2. Description of the DLD2 Float and Dual-Release System ................................................................... 2 3. Sound Sources...processing are described in detail. 2. Description of the DLD2 Float and Dual-Release System The DLD2 is a second-generation RAFOS (Ranging And Fixing Of...Sound) float with several improvements over the traditional RAFOS float (see Rossby et al., 1986, for a complete description of the RAFOS system ). A

Evaluation of a cost effective technique for treating aquaculture water discharge using Lolium perenne Lam as a biofilter.

PubMed

Nduwimana, André; Yang, Xiang-Long; Wang, Li-Ren

2007-01-01

Wastewater stabilization ponds generate low cost by-products that are useful for agriculture. The utilization of these by-products for soil amendment and as a source of nutrients for plants requires a high level of sanitation and stabilization of the organic matter, to maintain acceptable levels of soil, water and air quality. In this study, two aquaculture wastewater treatment systems; recirculating system and a floating plant bed system were designed to improve the quality of irrigation water in local communities with low income. In both systems the grass species Lolium perenne Lam was used as a plant biofilter while vegetable specie Amaranthus viridis was used to evaluate the performance of the system and the suitability of the phyto-treated water for irrigation. It was found that the harmful material removal rate for recirculating system was 88.9% for TAN (total ammonia nitrogen), 90% for NO2(-)-N, 64.8% for NO3(-)-N while for floating plant bed system 82.7% for TAN, 82% for NO2(-)-N and 60.5% for NO3(-)-N. Comparative analysis of the efficiency of waste element removal between the two systems revealed that both systems performed well, however, plant growth was not robust for floating plant bed system while recirculating system is energy consuming. Although both systems did not attain sufficient levels of TN (total nitrogen) and TP (total phosphorus) load reduction, the treatment with L. perenne remarkably improved the irrigation water quality. A. viridis plants irrigated with the phyto-treated discharge water had lesser concentrations of heavy metals in their tissues compared to those irrigated with untreated discharge. The control plants irrigated with untreated discharge were also found to be highly lignified with few stems and small leaves.

In silico and in vitro methods to optimize the performance of experimental gastroretentive floating mini-tablets.

PubMed

Eberle, Veronika A; Häring, Armella; Schoelkopf, Joachim; Gane, Patrick A C; Huwyler, Jörg; Puchkov, Maxim

2016-01-01

Development of floating drug delivery systems (FDDS) is challenging. To facilitate this task, an evaluation method was proposed, which allows for a combined investigation of drug release and flotation. It was the aim of the study to use functionalized calcium carbonate (FCC)-based lipophilic mini-tablet formulations as a model system to design FDDS with a floating behavior characterized by no floating lag time, prolonged flotation and loss of floating capability after complete drug release. Release of the model drug caffeine from the mini-tablets was assessed in vitro by a custom-built stomach model. A cellular automata-based model was used to simulate tablet dissolution. Based on the in silico data, floating forces were calculated and analyzed as a function of caffeine release. Two floating behaviors were identified for mini-tablets: linear decrease of the floating force and maintaining of the floating capability until complete caffeine release. An optimal mini-tablet formulation with desired drug release time and floating behavior was developed and tested. A classification system for a range of varied floating behavior of FDDS was proposed. The FCC-based mini-tablets had an ideal floating behavior: duration of flotation is defined and floating capability decreases after completion of drug release.

a Floating Mobile Quay for Super Container Ships in a Hub Port

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chae, Jang-Won; Park, Woo-Sun

A floating mobile quay (FMQ), which is an innovative berth system, has functions of not only both side loading/unloading but also direct transshipment to feeder ships in a hub port. Applying the FMQ to a hub port such as the west terminal of Busan New Port of Korea, it is shown from a physical modeling and field model test that the quay is dynamically stable and workable in the prevailing wave condition and also safe in a design storm condition, respectively. The terminal productivity is increased by 30% comparing with the present land based berth. The B/C ratio of the new berth system is evaluated as 1.13 considering super-large container ships. It appears that the FMQ is a technically and economically feasible system in the hub port.

Atrial electrogram quality in single-pass defibrillator leads with floating atrial bipole in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation and cardiac resynchronization therapy.

PubMed

Sticherling, Christian; Müller, Dirk; Schaer, Beat A; Krüger, Silke; Kolb, Christof

2018-03-27

Many patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) suffer from permanent atrial fibrillation (AF). Knowledge of the atrial rhythm is important to direct pharmacological or interventional treatment as well as maintaining AV-synchronous biventricular pacing if sinus rhythm can be restored. A single pass single-coil defibrillator lead with a floating atrial bipole has been shown to obtain reliable information about the atrial rhythm but has never been employed in a CRT-system. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of implanting a single coil right ventricular ICD lead with a floating atrial bipole and the signal quality of atrial electrograms (AEGM) in CRT-defibrillator recipients with permanent AF. Seventeen patients (16 males, mean age 73 ± 6 years, mean EF 25 ± 5%) with permanent AF and an indication for CRT-defibrillator placement were implanted with a designated CRT-D system comprising a single pass defibrillator lead with a atrial floating bipole. They were followed-up for 103 ± 22 days using remote monitoring for AEGM transmission. All patients had at last one AEGM suitable for atrial rhythm diagnosis and of 100 AEGM 99% were suitable for visual atrial rhythm assessment. Four patients were discharged in sinus rhythm and one reverted to AF during follow-up. Atrial electrograms retrieved from a single-pass defibrillator lead with a floating atrial bipole can be reliably used for atrial rhythm diagnosis in CRT recipients with permanent AF. Hence, a single pass ventricular defibrillator lead with a floating bipole can be considered in this population. Copyright © 2018 Indian Heart Rhythm Society. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Integrated Information Support System (IISS). Volume 5. Common Data Model Subsystem. Part 6. NDDL Processor Product Specification. Section 3.10.9 through 4.2.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-11-01

132 M1 .2 * 125 ŕ.4 1.6 MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART NATKIOAt BUREAU OF STANDARDS 1963-A - -W -o - 4w " " " lE FILE CUBe -. a II j AFVAL-TR-66... TYPE DEFINITIONS LANGUAGE: C DESCRIPTION: DESCRIPTION TIS FILE ENSURES THAT THE FOLLOWING STANDARD TYPES ARE AVAILABLE: FLOAT - SINGLE PRECISION FLOAT...a 12- ----- le ------- 37+ - -----21+ - -----90+ 3-1176 I*LL A -A S * - S PS 620141100 1 November 1985 61 ICPYDES I I I I I I

Radiometry from Bio-Argo Floats: a New Strategy to Validate Ocean Color Products at the Global Scale.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Organelli, E.; Claustre, H.; Serra, R.; Bricaud, A.; Schmechtig, C.; D'Ortenzio, F.; Poteau, A.; Mangin, A.; Leymarie, E.; Obolensky, G.; Prieur, L. M.; Dall'Olmo, G.; Xing, X.

2016-02-01

Thanks to a new generation of Bio-Argo floats equipped with sensors for PAR (Photosynthetically Available Irradiance) and downward irradiance measurements at selected wavelengths (i.e., 380, 412 and 490 nm), the number of radiometric measurements has been dramatically increasing and data are available for diverse open ocean systems, including winter periods with harsh seas when ships can hardly sample. More than 6500 radiometric profiles have so far been acquired around solar noon in the upper 250 m of the ocean. These radiometric profiles, acquired simultaneously to other key biogeochemical and bio-optical variables (chlorophyll a, CDOM, light backscattering), represent a fruitful data source for validation of Ocean Color (OC) products. Two different strategies can be implemented: direct validation of satellite OC products and identification of regions characterized by bio-optical anomalies. Diffuse attenuation coefficients (Kd) derived from these profiles, after a specifically developed quality control, are used for these purposes.A good agreement is observed between satellite-derived Kd values at 490 nm and their Bio-Argo counterparts. However, satellite overestimates low in situ Kd values found in very clear waters (e.g., Atlantic and Pacific Sub-Tropical Gyres). The analysis of the spectral Kd variability in the surface ocean shows the potential of Bio-Argo floats in identifying those regions with optical properties departing from global bio-optical relationships. Divergences of the ratio between Kd values at 380 nm and those at 490 nm from global bio-optical models are observed in areas such as the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic in winter. This might cause difficulties in retrieving biogeochemical parameters from satellite data. Hence, delineation of "anomalous" regions by Bio-Argo floats represents a useful strategy for planning dedicated cruises, setting mooring buoys or using CAL/VAL floats in order to improve Ocean Color applications.

Characterization of cement float buoyancy in the stalked barnacle Dosima fascicularis (Crustacea, Cirripedia).

PubMed

Zheden, Vanessa; Kovalev, Alexander; Gorb, Stanislav N; Klepal, Waltraud

2015-02-06

Dosima fascicularis is the only barnacle which can drift autonomously at the water surface with a foam-like cement float. The cement secreted by the animal contains numerous gas-filled cells of different size. When several individuals share one float, their size and not their number is crucial for the production of both volume and mass of the float. The gas content within the cells of the foam gives positive static buoyancy to the whole float. The volume of the float, the gas volume and the positive static buoyancy are positively correlated. The density of the cement float without gas is greater than that of seawater. This study shows that the secreted cement consists of more than 90% water and the gas volume is on average 18.5%. Our experiments demonstrate that the intact foam-like cement float is sealed to the surrounding water.

Characterization of cement float buoyancy in the stalked barnacle Dosima fascicularis (Crustacea, Cirripedia)

PubMed Central

Zheden, Vanessa; Kovalev, Alexander; Gorb, Stanislav N.; Klepal, Waltraud

2015-01-01

Dosima fascicularis is the only barnacle which can drift autonomously at the water surface with a foam-like cement float. The cement secreted by the animal contains numerous gas-filled cells of different size. When several individuals share one float, their size and not their number is crucial for the production of both volume and mass of the float. The gas content within the cells of the foam gives positive static buoyancy to the whole float. The volume of the float, the gas volume and the positive static buoyancy are positively correlated. The density of the cement float without gas is greater than that of seawater. This study shows that the secreted cement consists of more than 90% water and the gas volume is on average 18.5%. Our experiments demonstrate that the intact foam-like cement float is sealed to the surrounding water. PMID:25657839

Design and in vitro evaluation of multiparticulate floating drug delivery system of zolpidem tartarate.

PubMed

Amrutkar, P P; Chaudhari, P D; Patil, S B

2012-01-01

Zolpidem tartarate is a non-benzodiazepine, sedative-hypnotic, which finds its major use in various types of insomnia. The present work relates to development of multiparticulate floating drug delivery system based on gas generation technique to prolong the gastric residence time and to increase the overall bioavailability. Modified release dosage form of zolpidem tartarate adapted to release over a predetermined time period, according to biphasic profile of dissolution, where the first phase is immediate release phase for inducing the sleep and the second phase is modified release phase for maintaining the sleep up to 10 h. The system consists of zolpidem tartarate layered pellets coated with effervescent layer and polymeric membrane. The floating ability and in vitro drug release of the system were dependent on amount of the effervescent agent (sodium bicarbonate) layered onto the drug layered pellets, and coating level of the polymeric membrane (Eudragit(®) NE 30D). The system could float completely within 5 min and maintain the floating over a period of 10 h. The multiparticulate floating delivery system of zolpidem tartarate with rapid floating and modified drug release was obtained. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Long-Term Observations of Ocean Biogeochemistry with Nitrate and Oxygen Sensors in Apex Profiling Floats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, K. S.; Coletti, L.; Jannasch, H.; Martz, T.; Swift, D.; Riser, S.

2008-12-01

Long-term, autonomous observations of ocean biogeochemical cycles are now feasible with chemical sensors in profiling floats. These sensors will enable decadal-scale observations of trends in global ocean biogeochemical cycles. Here, we focus on measurements on nitrate and dissolved oxygen. The ISUS (In Situ Ultraviolet Spectrophotometer) optical nitrate sensor has been adapted to operate in a Webb Research, Apex profiling float. The Apex float is of the type used in the Argo array and is designed for multi-year, expendable deployments in the ocean. Floats park at 1000 m depth and make 60 nitrate and oxygen measurements at depth intervals ranging from 50 m below 400 m to 5 m in the upper 100 m as they profile to the surface. All data are transmitted to shore using the Iridium telemetry system and they are available on the Internet in near-real time. Floats equipped with ISUS and an Aanderaa oxygen sensor are capable of making 280 vertical profiles from 1000 m. At a 5 day cycle time, the floats should have nearly a four year endurance. Three floats have now been deployed at the Hawaii Ocean Time series station (HOT), Ocean Station Papa (OSP) in the Gulf of Alaska and at 50 South, 30 East in the Southern Ocean. Two additional floats are designated for deployment at the Bermuda Atlantic Time Series station (BATS) and in the Drake Passage. The HOT float has made 56 profiles over 260 days and should continue operating for 3 more years. Nitrate concentrations are in excellent agreement with the long-term mean observed at HOT. No significant long-term drift in sensor response has occurred. A variety of features have been observed in the HOT nitrate data that are linked to contemporaneous changes in oxygen production and mesoscale dynamics. The impacts of these features will be briefly described. The Southern Ocean float has operated for 200 days and is now observing reinjection of nitrate into surface waters as winter mixing occurs(surface nitrate > 24 micromolar). We expect that the OSP and Southern Ocean floats will provide a quantitative measurement of the timing and magnitude of the spring bloom via the drawdown of surface nitrate. We are funded through NSF and NOPP to continue float deployments at HOT, BATS, OSP and the Southern Ocean for the next 3 years and to refine the sensor so it can be offered as a commercial option for all float users. New sensors in development for float deployments include a stable ISFET pH sensor.

AN ADA LINEAR ALGEBRA PACKAGE MODELED AFTER HAL/S

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klumpp, A. R.

1994-01-01

This package extends the Ada programming language to include linear algebra capabilities similar to those of the HAL/S programming language. The package is designed for avionics applications such as Space Station flight software. In addition to the HAL/S built-in functions, the package incorporates the quaternion functions used in the Shuttle and Galileo projects, and routines from LINPAK that solve systems of equations involving general square matrices. Language conventions in this package follow those of HAL/S to the maximum extent practical and minimize the effort required for writing new avionics software and translating existent software into Ada. Valid numeric types in this package include scalar, vector, matrix, and quaternion declarations. (Quaternions are fourcomponent vectors used in representing motion between two coordinate frames). Single precision and double precision floating point arithmetic is available in addition to the standard double precision integer manipulation. Infix operators are used instead of function calls to define dot products, cross products, quaternion products, and mixed scalar-vector, scalar-matrix, and vector-matrix products. The package contains two generic programs: one for floating point, and one for integer. The actual component type is passed as a formal parameter to the generic linear algebra package. The procedures for solving systems of linear equations defined by general matrices include GEFA, GECO, GESL, and GIDI. The HAL/S functions include ABVAL, UNIT, TRACE, DET, INVERSE, TRANSPOSE, GET, PUT, FETCH, PLACE, and IDENTITY. This package is written in Ada (Version 1.2) for batch execution and is machine independent. The linear algebra software depends on nothing outside the Ada language except for a call to a square root function for floating point scalars (such as SQRT in the DEC VAX MATHLIB library). This program was developed in 1989, and is a copyrighted work with all copyright vested in NASA.

Resistance and resilience of floating mat fens in interior Alaska following airboat disturbance

Treesearch

Amy Zacheis; Kate Doran

2009-01-01

The floating mat fens of the Tanana Flats in interior Alaska are productive wetlands near the urban center of Fairbanks. Airboat traffic has created a network of trails through the floating vegetation mats. We established protected areas along established trails, which allowed for measurement of plant community resistance to airboat traffic and resilience following...

Floating drug delivery systems: a review.

PubMed

Arora, Shweta; Ali, Javed; Ahuja, Alka; Khar, Roop K; Baboota, Sanjula

2005-10-19

The purpose of writing this review on floating drug delivery systems (FDDS) was to compile the recent literature with special focus on the principal mechanism of floatation to achieve gastric retention. The recent developments of FDDS including the physiological and formulation variables affecting gastric retention, approaches to design single-unit and multiple-unit floating systems, and their classification and formulation aspects are covered in detail. This review also summarizes the in vitro techniques, in vivo studies to evaluate the performance and application of floating systems, and applications of these systems. These systems are useful to several problems encountered during the development of a pharmaceutical dosage form.

Definition of the Semisubmersible Floating System for Phase II of OC4

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

Robertson, A.; Jonkman, J.; Masciola, M.

Phase II of the Offshore Code Comparison Collaboration Continuation (OC4) project involved modeling of a semisubmersible floating offshore wind system as shown below. This report documents the specifications of the floating system, which were needed by the OC4 participants for building aero-hydro-servo-elastic models.

Screening of 18 species for digestate phytodepuration.

PubMed

Pavan, Francesca; Breschigliaro, Simone; Borin, Maurizio

2015-02-01

This experiment assesses the aptitude of 18 species in treating the digestate liquid fraction (DLF) in a floating wetland treatment system. The pilot system was created in NE Italy in 2010 and consists of a surface-flow system with 180 floating elements (Tech-IA®) vegetated with ten halophytes and eight other wetland species. The species were transplanted in July 2011 in basins filled with different proportions of DLF/water (DLF/w); periodic increasing of the DLF/w ratio was imposed after transplanting, reaching the worst conditions for plants in summer 2012 (highest EC value 7.3 mS cm/L and NH4-N content 225 mg/L). It emerged that only Cynodon dactylon, Typha latifolia, Elytrigia atherica, Halimione portulacoides, Salicornia fruticosa, Artemisia caerulescens, Spartina maritima and Puccinellia palustris were able to survive under the system conditions. Halophytes showed higher dry matter production than other plants. The best root development (up to 40-cm depth) was recorded for Calamagrostis epigejos, Phragmites australis, T. latifolia and Juncus maritimus. The highest nitrogen (10-15 g/m(2)) and phosphorus (1-4 g/m(2)) uptakes were obtained with P. palustris, Iris pseudacorus and Aster tripolium. In conclusion, two halophytes, P. palustris and E. atherica, present the highest potential to be used to treat DLF in floating wetlands.

The impact of the night float system on internal medicine residency programs.

PubMed

Trontell, M C; Carson, J L; Taragin, M I; Duff, A

1991-01-01

To study the design, method of implementation, perceived benefits, and problems associated with a night float system. Self-administered questionnaire completed by program directors, which included both structured and open-ended questions. The answers reflect resident and student opinions as well as those of the program directors, since program directors regularly obtain feedback from these groups. The 442 accredited internal medicine residency programs listed in the 1988-89 Directory of Graduate Medical Education Programs. Of the 442 programs, 79% responded, and 30% had experience with a night float system. The most frequent methods for initiating a night float system included: decreasing elective time (42.3%), hiring more residents (26.9%), creating a non-teaching service (12.5%), and reallocating housestaff time (9.6%). Positive effects cited include decreased fatigue, improved housestaff morale, improved recruiting, and better attitude toward internal medicine training. The quality of medical care was considered the same or better by most programs using it. The most commonly cited problems were decreased continuity of care, inadequate teaching of the night float team, and miscommunication. Residency programs using a night float system usually observe a positive effect on housestaff morale, recruitment, and working hours and no detrimental effect on the quality of patient care. Miscommunication and inadequate learning experience for the night float team are important potential problems. This survey suggests that the night float represents one solution to reducing resident working hours.

Electrowetting in a water droplet with a movable floating substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shahzad, Amir; Masud, A. R.; Song, Jang-Kun

2016-05-01

Electrowetting (EW) enables facile manipulation of a liquid droplet on a hydrophobic surface. In this study, manipulation of an electrolyte droplet having a small floating object on it was investigated on a solid hydrophobic substrate under the EW process. Herein, the floating object exhibited a vertical motion under an applied electric field owing to the spreading and contraction of the droplet on its connecting substrates. The field-induced height variation of the floating object was significantly influenced by the thicknesses of the dielectric and hydrophobic materials. A small mass was also placed on the top floating object and its effect on the spreading of the droplet was observed. In this system, the height of the top floating object is precisely controllable under the application of an electric voltage. The proposed system is expected to be highly useful in the design of nano- and micro-oscillatory systems for microengineering.

Electrowetting in a water droplet with a movable floating substrate.

PubMed

Shahzad, Amir; Masud, A R; Song, Jang-Kun

2016-05-01

Electrowetting (EW) enables facile manipulation of a liquid droplet on a hydrophobic surface. In this study, manipulation of an electrolyte droplet having a small floating object on it was investigated on a solid hydrophobic substrate under the EW process. Herein, the floating object exhibited a vertical motion under an applied electric field owing to the spreading and contraction of the droplet on its connecting substrates. The field-induced height variation of the floating object was significantly influenced by the thicknesses of the dielectric and hydrophobic materials. A small mass was also placed on the top floating object and its effect on the spreading of the droplet was observed. In this system, the height of the top floating object is precisely controllable under the application of an electric voltage. The proposed system is expected to be highly useful in the design of nano- and micro-oscillatory systems for microengineering.

An innovative on-call system for paediatric residency programs: The alternate night float.

PubMed

Moore, Gregory P; Talarico, Susanna; Kempinska, Anna; Lawrence, Sarah E; Weisz, Dany E

2015-03-01

Night-float systems, in which residents work consecutive nights, have been increasingly adopted in paediatric programs, but may be detrimental to residents' sleep and mood. To describe the self-reported impact of a novel system consisting of two consecutive weeks of 16 h overnight shifts every second day that was piloted at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (Ottawa, Ontario). A survey of 28 senior paediatric residents examined their experience with the alternate night-float system in three domains (patient care, resident professional development and well-being) and their comparison of the system with the traditional overnight on-call system. Twenty-six of 28 residents responded. Nearly all (96%) felt familiar with important details of inpatients and that handover was effective (92%). Results were mixed for professional development, with concerns about the quality of supervisors' feedback and perceived difficulty in attending daytime teaching. All residents believed that the night-float system provided a better learning experience compared with the traditional system. Less than 35% considered fatigue to be a notable problem, although 20% increased use of sleep aids or stimulants beyond their typical use. Ninety-six percent believed their workload was appropriate. All residents felt equally or less fatigued under the night-float system compared with the traditional system. Ninety-six percent recommended that the night-float model continue as the on-call system. This novel night-float system is an alternative method of providing paediatric inpatient night coverage because it meets duty hour regulations and has strong resident approval. Studies to examine its impact on residents and patient care in comparison with other systems are warranted.

Definition of the Floating System for Phase IV of OC3

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

Jonkman, J.

Phase IV of the IEA Annex XXIII Offshore Code Comparison Collaboration (OC3) involves the modeling of an offshore floating wind turbine. This report documents the specifications of the floating system, which are needed by the OC3 participants for building aero-hydro-servo-elastic models.

First measurements with Argo flots in the Southern Baltic Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walczowski, Waldemar; Goszczko, Ilona; Wieczorek, Piotr; Merchel, Malgorzata; Rak, Daniel

2017-04-01

The Argo programme is one of the most important elements of the ocean observing system. Currently almost 4000 Argo floats profile global oceans and deliver real time data. Originally Argo floats were developed for open ocean observations. Therefore a standard float can dive up to 2000 m and deep Argo floats are under development. However in the last years the shallow shelf seas become also interesting for Argo users. Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences (IOPAN) participates in the Euro-Argo research infrastructure, the European contribution to Argo system. A legal and governance framework (Euro-Argo ERIC) was set up in May 2014. For a few years IOPAN has deployed floats mostly in the Nordic Seas and the European Arctic region. In the end of 2016 the first Polish Argo float was deployed in the Southern Baltic Sea. Building on the successful experience with Argo floats deployed by the Finnish oceanographers in the Bothnian Sea and Gotland Basin, the IOPAN float was launched in the Bornholm Deep during the fall cruise of IOPAN research vessel Oceania. The standard APEX float equipped with 2-way Iridium communication was used and different modes of operation, required for the specific conditions in the shallow and low saline Baltic Sea, were tested. Settings for the Baltic float are different than for the oceanic mode and were frequently changed during the mission to find the optimum solution. Changing the float parking depth during the mission allows for the limited control of the float drift direction. Results of a high resolution numerical forecast model for the Baltic Sea proved to be a valuable tool for determining the parking depth of the float in the different flow regimes. Trajectory and drift velocity of the Argo float deployed in the Southern Baltic depended strongly on the atmospheric forcing (in particular wind speed and direction), what was clearly manifested during the 'Axel' storm passing over the deployment area in January 2017. The first deployment showed clearly that Argo floats can be a useful tool for the Baltic Sea monitoring as the important element of a more complex, multidisciplinary observing system.

Causes, trends, and policy of population migration and the floating population.

PubMed

Cai, F

1996-01-01

This study provides a discussion of migration theory, a description of the main characteristics of migrants and floating population in China, and a migration impact assessment and potential social policy directions. It is argued that the impetus for migration in China was the population distribution pattern and an uneven industrial structure that favored heavy industry. Another factor affecting migration is the gap in income between urban and rural areas, which has widened since reforms in the mid-1980s. The author finds the Todaro or the Harris-Todaro theories inappropriate for understanding migration in developing countries and flawed. Evidence about migrants' characteristics suggest that migration in China was part of a process governed by the laws of economic growth and market development. Legal migrants are defined as those who legally migrated according to the household registration system. China's development strategy during the 1950s relied on growth of capital-intensive heavy industry. The cost was underwritten by adoption of a price system that shifted the price of products in order to lower the cost of heavy industrial development. During 1952-78, agricultural output dropped sharply, but the employment structure changed very little and the rate of urbanization changed slightly. Regional inequality was obvious by 1978. As reform progressed, patterns emerged that favored eastern coastal development. Microlevel reform outdistanced macrolevel reform. Obstacles to migration were reduced: the breakup of the commune system and changes in the urban food supply system and housing. In 1990 there were 34.128 million migrants, of which 32.42% were interprovincial and 42.99% involved job-related shifts. In 1992, 8.1% of urban population were not registered; 94.909 million were floating population. Cities have established policies to match the size of the floating population to the current carrying capacity.

Collective Behavior of Camphor Floats Migrating on the Water Surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nishimori, Hiraku; Suematsu, Nobuhiko J.; Nakata, Satoshi

2017-10-01

As simple and easily controllable objects among various self-propelled particles, camphor floats on the water surface have been widely recognized. In this paper, we introduce characteristic behaviors and discuss the background mechanism of camphor floats on water, both in isolated and non-isolated conditions. In particular, we focus on: (i) the transition of dynamical characters through bifurcations exhibited by systems with small number of camphor floats and (ii) the emergence of a rich variety of complex dynamics observed in systems with large number camphor floats, and attempt to elucidate these phenomena through mathematical modeling as well as experimental analysis. Finally, we discuss the connection of the dynamics of camphor floats to that of a wider class of complex and sophisticated dynamics exhibited by various types of self-propelled particles.

Floating marine litter as a raft for drifting voyages for Planes minutus (Crustacea: Decapoda: Grapsidae) and Liocarcinus navigator (Crustacea: Decapoda: Polybiidae).

PubMed

Tutman, P; Kapiris, K; Kirinčić, M; Pallaoro, A

2017-07-15

The Columbus crab Planes minutus and Arch-fronted swimming crab Liocarcinus navigator, within their distribution ranges in the Mediterranean, were found rafted on plastic macro-litter floating on the open south Adriatic. While P. minutus was recorded from inanimate flotsam outside of the Mediterranean, L. navigator is herein reported for the first time on floating marine litter. The role of floating litter as habitat or as a dispersal agent for marine invertebrates has received quite attention however, records of decapod crabs drifting on litter has been relatively sparse. Our results suggests that vast quantities of floating debris, comprised primarily of non-biodegradable plastic polymers, probably will augment natural floating substrates in the marine environment, potentially facilitating the spread of invasive species. The dispersion of rafting crabs through floating debris should be investigated given the high potential ecological risk of invasion by exotic species due to the increase in waste production (ecological risk assessment). Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Classifying Floating Potential Measurement Unit Data Products as Science Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coffey, Victoria; Minow, Joseph

2015-01-01

We are Co-Investigators for the Floating Potential Measurement Unit (FPMU) on the International Space Station (ISS) and members of the FPMU operations and data analysis team. We are providing this memo for the purpose of classifying raw and processed FPMU data products and ancillary data as NASA science data with unrestricted, public availability in order to best support science uses of the data.

GAS AND BUBBLE PRODUCTION BY SIPHONOPHORES.

DTIC Science & Technology

Gas-filled siphonophore floats collected from a deep scattering layer (DSL) were photographed in the act of voluntarily expelling bubbles of nearly...Such free bubbles, together with the siphonophore floats themselves, constitute a biological family of potentially resonant sonar targets

Bioburden control for Space Station Freedom's Ultrapure Water System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Snodgrass, Donald W.; Rodgers, Elizabeth B.; Obenhuber, Don; Huff, Tim

1991-01-01

Bioburden control is one of the challenges for the Ultrapure Water System on Space Station Freedom. Bioburden control must enable the system to deliver water with a low bacterial count as well as maintain biological contamination at a manageable level, to permit continued production of quality water. Ozone has been chosen as the primary means of Bioburden control. Planned tests to determine the effectiveness of ozone on free-floating microbes and biofilms are described.

Alginate/cashew gum floating bead as a matrix for larvicide release.

PubMed

Paula, Haroldo C B; de Oliveira, Erick F; Abreu, Flávia O M S; de Paula, Regina C M

2012-08-01

A polymeric floating system composed of Alginate (ALG) and Cashew gum (CG), loaded with an essential oil (Lippia sidoides-Ls) was prepared by ionotropic gelation, characterized regarding its physical-chemistry properties and evaluated on its potential as a controlled release system. The influence of process parameters on the buoyancy, loading, swelling and in vitro and in vivo release kinetics, was investigated. Results showed that beads produced with carbonate and Ls at high level contents exhibit good floatability (up to 5 days) and loading capacity (15.2-23.8%). In vitro release data showed a Fickian diffusion profile and in vivo experiments showed that ALG-CG floating system presented a superior and prolonged larvicide effect, in comparison with non-floating ones, presenting larvae mortality values of 85% and 33%, respectively, after 48 h. These results indicate that ALG-CG floating beads loaded with Ls presented enhanced oil entrapment efficiency, excellent floating ability, and suitable larvicide release pattern. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

System for collecting products dumped on the surface of a mass of water

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

Carro, F.J.

1982-06-01

A system for collecting products dumped on the surface of a mass of water includes cages to be arranged at the sides of a tanker. Each cage is preferably prismatic in shape. The height of the cages is such that when the tanker is at ballast, the lower parts of the cages will be submerged while the upper parts will be above the maximum loading line of the tanker. The cages are fastened to the sides of the tanker by freely rotating connection points. In the interiors of the cages is housed a series of floating suction pump inlet membersmore » or housings, likewise prismatic in shape, having appropriate dimensions to permit a great sensitivity to the least fluctuating movements of the liquid surface. The complete face of each suction pump inlet member, which is oriented in the direction of travel of the tanker, is provided with an opening which has a height such that the lower edge thereof will be positioned below the floating line of the suction pumps at an approximate depth of 0.01 meter.« less

Motion performance and mooring system of a floating offshore wind turbine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Jing; Zhang, Liang; Wu, Haitao

2012-09-01

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

Mercury net methylation in five tropical flood plain regions of Brazil: high in the root zone of floating macrophyte mats but low in surface sediments and flooded soils.

PubMed

Guimarães, J R; Meili, M; Hylander, L D; de Castro e Silva, E; Roulet, M; Mauro, J B; de Lemos, R

2000-10-16

In aquatic systems, bottom sediments have often been considered as the main methylmercury (MeHg) production site. In tropical floodplain areas, however, floating meadows and flooded forests extend over large areas and can be important Hg methylating sites. We present here a cross-system comparison of the Hg net methylation capacity in surface sediments, flooded soils and roots of floating aquatic macrophytes, assayed by in situ incubation with 203Hg and extraction of formed Me203 Hg by acid leaching and toluene. The presence of mono-MeHg was confirmed by thin layer chromatography and other techniques. Study areas included floodplain lakes in the Amazon basin (Tapajós, Negro and Amazon rivers), the Pantanal floodplain (Paraguay river basin), freshwater coastal lagoons in Rio de Janeiro and oxbow lakes in the Mogi-Guaçú river, São Paulo state. Different Hg levels were added in assays performed in 1994-1998, but great care was taken to standardise all other test parameters, to allow data comparisons. Net MeHg production was one order of magnitude higher (mean 13.8%, range 0.28-35) in the living or decomposing roots of floating or rooted macrophyte mats (Eichhornia azurea, E. crassipes, Paspalum sp., Eleocharis sellowiana, Salvinia sp., S. rotundifolia and Scirpus cubensis) than in the surface layer of underlying lake sediments (mean 0.6%, range 0.022-2.5). Methylation in flooded soils presented a wide range and was in some cases similar to the one found in macrophyte roots but usually much lower. In a Tapajós floodplain lake, natural concentrations of MeHg in soil and sediment cores taken along a lake-forest transect agreed well with data on net methylation potentials in the same samples. E. azurea, E. crassipes and Salvinia presented the highest methylation potentials, up to 113 times higher than in sediments. Methylation in E. azurea from six lakes of the Paraguay and Cuiabá rivers, high Pantanal, was determined in the 1998 dry and wet seasons and ranged from 1.8 to 35%. Methylation was lower in washed roots than in untreated roots of E. azurea and methylation in solids isolated from the roots, was higher than in sediments but lower than in untreated roots. This indicates that the methylation in roots zones occurs mainly in the root-associated solids. Floating meadows are sites of intense production of biomass and of highly bioavailable MeHg and appear to be an essential link of the MeHg cycle in tropical aquatic systems.

The annual cycle of nitrate and net community production in surface waters of the Southern Ocean observed with SOCCOM profiling floats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, K. S.; Plant, J. N.; Sakamoto, C.; Coletti, L. J.; Sarmiento, J. L.; Riser, S.; Talley, L. D.

2016-12-01

Sixty profiling floats with ISUS and SUNA nitrate sensors have been deployed in the Southern Ocean (south of 30 degrees S) as part of the SOCCOM (Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling) program and earlier efforts. These floats have produced detailed records of the annual cycle of nitrate concentration throughout the region from the surface to depths near 2000 m. In surface waters, there are clear cycles in nitrate concentration that result from uptake of nitrate during austral spring and summer. These changes in nitrate concentration were used to compute the annual net community production over this region. NCP was computed using a simplified version of the approach detailed by Plant et al. (2016, Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 30, 859-879, DOI: 10.1002/2015GB005349). At the time the abstract was written 41 complete annual cycles were available from floats deployed before the austral summer of 2015/2016. After filtering the data to remove floats that crossed distinct frontal boundaries, floats with other anomalies, and floats in sub-tropical waters, 23 cycles were available. A preliminary assessment of the data yields an NCP of 2.8 +/- 0.95 (1 SD) mol C/m2/y after integrating to 100 m depth and converting nitrate uptake to carbon using the Redfield ratio. This preliminary assessment ignores vertical transport across the nitracline and is, therefore, a minimum estimate. The number of cycles available for analysis will increase rapidly, as 32 of the floats were deployed in the austral summer of 2015/2016 and have not yet been analyzed.

Beyond night float? The impact of call structure on internal medicine residents.

PubMed

Rosenberg, M; McNulty, D

1995-02-01

Limitation of resident working hours has been a critical issue for training programs in recent years. At Providence Medical Center, residents and faculty collaborated in developing goals, implementation strategies, and an evaluation process for a new ward float system. The goals of the float system were to reduce fatigue, facilitate education, maintain continuity of care, and minimize the negative impact of training on residents' personal lives. Evaluation revealed: 1) 74% of the residents preferred Providence Medical Center float system (PMCF) to either night float (NF) (13%) or standard every-fourth-night call (EFNC) (13%); and 2) PMCF was perceived to ensure quality patient care to a greater degree than was NF, to better facilitate resident education than was NF, and to have a less negative impact on personal lives than was EFNC.

The control of float zone interfaces by the use of selected boundary conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Foster, L. M.; Mcintosh, J.

1983-01-01

The main goal of the float zone crystal growth project of NASA's Materials Processing in Space Program is to thoroughly understand the molten zone/freezing crystal system and all the mechanisms that govern this system. The surface boundary conditions required to give flat float zone solid melt interfaces were studied and computed. The results provide float zone furnace designers with better methods for controlling solid melt interface shapes and for computing thermal profiles and gradients. Documentation and a user's guide were provided for the computer software.

Defining the IEEE-854 floating-point standard in PVS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miner, Paul S.

1995-01-01

A significant portion of the ANSI/IEEE-854 Standard for Radix-Independent Floating-Point Arithmetic is defined in PVS (Prototype Verification System). Since IEEE-854 is a generalization of the ANSI/IEEE-754 Standard for Binary Floating-Point Arithmetic, the definition of IEEE-854 in PVS also formally defines much of IEEE-754. This collection of PVS theories provides a basis for machine checked verification of floating-point systems. This formal definition illustrates that formal specification techniques are sufficiently advanced that is is reasonable to consider their use in the development of future standards.

Floating Collection in an Academic Library: An Audacious Experiment That Succeeded

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coopey, Barbara; Eshbach, Barbara; Notartomas, Trish

2016-01-01

Can a floating collection thrive in a large multicampus academic research library? Floating collections have been successful in public libraries for some time, but it is uncommon for academic libraries and unheard of for a large academic library system. This article will discuss the investigation into the feasibility of a floating collection at…

Formulation and in-vitro evaluation of floating bilayer tablet of lisinopril maleate and metoprolol tartrate.

PubMed

Ijaz, Hira; Qureshi, Junaid; Danish, Zeeshan; Zaman, Muhammad; Abdel-Daim, Mohamed; Hanif, Muhammad; Waheed, Imran; Mohammad, Imran Shair

2015-11-01

The purpose of this study was to introduce the technology for the development of rate-controlled oral drug delivery system to overcome various physiological problems. Several approaches are being used for the purpose of increasing the gastric retentive time, including floating drug delivery system. Gastric floating lisinopril maleate and metoprolol tartrate bilayer tablets were formulated by direct compression method using the sodium starch glycolate, crosscarmellose sodium for IR layer. Eudragit L100, pectin, acacia as sustained release polymers in different ratios for SR metoprolol tartrate layer and sodium bicarbonate, citric acid as gas generating agents for the floating extended release layer. The floating bilayer tablets of lisinopril maleate and metoprolol tartrate were designed to overcome the various problems associated with conventional oral dosage form. Floating tablets were evaluated for floating lag time, drug contents and in-vitro dissolution profile and different kinetic release models were applied. It was clear that the different ratios of polymers affected the drug release and floating time. L2 and M4 showed good drug release profile and floating behavior. The linear regression and model fitting showed that all formulation followed Higuchi model of drug release model except M4 that followed zero order kinetic. From the study it is evident that a promising controlled release by floating bilyer tablets of lisinopril maleate and metoprolol tartrate can be developed successfully.

Physical and Biological Drivers of Biogeochemical Tracers Within the Seasonal Sea Ice Zone of the Southern Ocean From Profiling Floats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Briggs, Ellen M.; Martz, Todd R.; Talley, Lynne D.; Mazloff, Matthew R.; Johnson, Kenneth S.

2018-02-01

Here we present initial findings from nine profiling floats equipped with pH, O2, NO3-, and other biogeochemical sensors that were deployed in the seasonal ice zone (SIZ) of the Southern Ocean in 2014 and 2015 through the Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modelling (SOCCOM) project. A large springtime phytoplankton bloom was observed that coincided with sea ice melt for all nine floats. We argue this bloom results from a shoaling of the mixed layer depth, increased vertical stability, and enhanced nutrient and light availability as the sea ice melts. This interpretation is supported by the absence of a springtime bloom when one of the floats left the SIZ in the second year of observations. During the sea ice covered period, net heterotrophic conditions were observed. The rate of uptake of O2 and release of dissolved inorganic carbon (derived from pH and estimated total alkalinity) and NO3- is reminiscent of biological respiration and is nearly Redfieldian for the nine floats. A simple model of mixed layer physics was developed to separate the physical and biological components of the signal in pH and O2 over one annual cycle for a float in the Ross Sea SIZ. The resulting annual net community production suggests that seasonal respiration during the ice covered period of the year nearly balances the production in the euphotic layer of up to 5 mol C m-2 during the ice free period leading to a net of near zero carbon exported to depth for this one float.

Analysis of Buoyancy Module Auxiliary Installation Technology Based on Numerical Simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Songsen; Jiao, Chunshuo; Ning, Meng; Dong, Sheng

2018-04-01

To reduce the requirement for lifting capacity and decrease the hoist cable force during the descending and laying process of a subsea production system (SPS), a buoyancy module auxiliary installation technology was proposed by loading buoyancy modules on the SPS to reduce the lifting weight. Two models are established, namely, the SPS lowering-down model and the buoyancy module floating-up model. The main study results are the following: 1) When the buoyancy module enters the water under wave condition, the amplitude of tension fluctuation is twice that when SPS enters water; 2) Under current condition, the displacement of SPS becomes three times larger because of the existence of the buoyancy module; 3) After being released, the velocity of the buoyancy module increases to a large speed rapidly and then reaches a balancing speed gradually. The buoyancy module floats up at a balancing speed and rushes out from the water at a pop-up distance; 4) In deep water, the floating-up velocity of the buoyancy module is related to its mass density and shape, and it is not related to water depth; 5) A drag parachute can reduce floating-up velocity and pop-up distance effectively. Good agreement was found between the simulation and experiment results.

Viewing region maximization of an integral floating display through location adjustment of viewing window.

PubMed

Kim, Joowhan; Min, Sung-Wook; Lee, Byoungho

2007-10-01

Integral floating display is a recently proposed three-dimensional (3D) display method which provides a dynamic 3D image in the vicinity to an observer. It has a viewing window only through which correct 3D images can be observed. However, the positional difference between the viewing window and the floating image causes limited viewing zone in integral floating system. In this paper, we provide the principle and experimental results of the location adjustment of the viewing window of the integral floating display system by modifying the elemental image region for integral imaging. We explain the characteristics of the viewing window and propose how to move the viewing window to maximize the viewing zone.

Application of a movable active vibration control system on a floating raft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhen; Mak, Cheuk Ming

2018-02-01

This paper presents a theoretical study of an inertial actuator connected to an accelerometer by a local feedback loop for active vibration control on a floating raft. On the criterion of the minimum power transmission from the vibratory machines to the flexible foundation in the floating raft, the best mounting positions for the inertial actuator on the intermediate mass of the floating raft are investigated. Simulation results indicate that the best mounting positions for the inertial actuator vary with frequency. To control time-varying excitations of vibratory machines on a floating raft effectively, an automatic control system based on real-time measurement of a cost function and automatically searching the best mounting position of the inertial actuator is proposed. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time that an automatic control system is proposed to move an actuator automatically for controlling a time-varying excitation.

Floating Solar Photovoltaics Gaining Ground | State, Local, and Tribal

Science.gov Websites

Gaining Ground January 24, 2017 by Alison Holm Floating solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, so-called flotovoltaics (a trademarked term) or floating solar, represent an emerging application in which PV panels are sited on bodies of water. The PV panel technology used for floating solar applications is very similar

33 CFR 147.847 - Safety Zone; BW PIONEER Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading System Safety Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... the deepwater area of the Gulf of Mexico at Walker Ridge 249. The FPSO can swing in a 360 degree arc... point at 26°41′46.25″ N and 090°30′30.16″ W is a safety zone. (b) Regulation. No vessel may enter or...

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

Not Available

Ghana National Petroleum Corp. (GNPC) plans a two well offshore drilling program it hopes will lead to a resumption of hydrocarbon production in the West African state. The wells will be drilled in South Tano field in the extreme western sector of Ghana's offshore area, near the boundary with Ivory Coast. If the program is successful, the state company will develop a novel floating production system to handle and export oil. Gas will provide fuel for an electrical power generating unit integrated into a floating production system. Power will move ashore through a submarine cable. North and south Tano fieldsmore » were discovered by Phillips Petroleum Corp., which relinquished the acreage in 1982. The South Tano discovery well flowed 1,614 b/d of oil and 8.2 MMCfd of gas. Studies by a unit of ARCO, when it was a partner in a group that later acquired the Tano block, pegged North Tano hydrocarbons in place at 53.6 million bbl of oil and 102 bcf of gas. Braspetro, under contract with GNPC, estimated South Tano hydrocarbons in place at 82 million bbl of oil and 100 bcf of gas. GNPC is evaluating the possibility of rehabilitating Saltpond oil field about 150 miles east-northeast of North and South Tano. Saltpond has been shut in since 1985.« less

Evaluation of floating-point sum or difference of products in carry-save domain

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wahab, A.; Erdogan, S.; Premkumar, A. B.

1992-01-01

An architecture to evaluate a 24-bit floating-point sum or difference of products using modified sequential carry-save multipliers with extensive pipelining is described. The basic building block of the architecture is a carry-save multiplier with built-in mantissa alignment for the summation during the multiplication cycles. A carry-save adder, capable of mantissa alignment, correctly positions products with the current carry-save sum. Carry propagation in individual multipliers is avoided and is only required once to produce the final result.

A modular optically powered floating high voltage generator.

PubMed

Antonini, P; Borsato, E; Carugno, G; Pegoraro, M; Zotto, P

2013-02-01

The feasibility of fully floating high voltage (HV) generation was demonstrated producing a prototype of a modular HV system. The primary power source is provided by a high efficiency semiconductor power cell illuminated by a laser system ensuring the floating nature of each module. The HV is then generated by dc-dc conversion and a HV multiplier. The possibility of series connection among modules was verified.

Float processing of high-temperature complex silicate glasses and float baths used for same

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cooper, Reid Franklin (Inventor); Cook, Glen Bennett (Inventor)

2000-01-01

A float glass process for production of high melting temperature glasses utilizes a binary metal alloy bath having the combined properties of a low melting point, low reactivity with oxygen, low vapor pressure, and minimal reactivity with the silicate glasses being formed. The metal alloy of the float medium is exothermic with a solvent metal that does not readily form an oxide. The vapor pressure of both components in the alloy is low enough to prevent deleterious vapor deposition, and there is minimal chemical and interdiffusive interaction of either component with silicate glasses under the float processing conditions. Alloys having the desired combination of properties include compositions in which gold, silver or copper is the solvent metal and silicon, germanium or tin is the solute, preferably in eutectic or near-eutectic compositions.

Floating aerial 3D display based on the freeform-mirror and the improved integral imaging system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Xunbo; Sang, Xinzhu; Gao, Xin; Yang, Shenwu; Liu, Boyang; Chen, Duo; Yan, Binbin; Yu, Chongxiu

2018-09-01

A floating aerial three-dimensional (3D) display based on the freeform-mirror and the improved integral imaging system is demonstrated. In the traditional integral imaging (II), the distortion originating from lens aberration warps elemental images and degrades the visual effect severely. To correct the distortion of the observed pixels and to improve the image quality, a directional diffuser screen (DDS) is introduced. However, the improved integral imaging system can hardly present realistic images with the large off-screen depth, which limits floating aerial visual experience. To display the 3D image in the free space, the off-axis reflection system with the freeform-mirror is designed. By combining the improved II and the designed freeform optical element, the floating aerial 3D image is presented.

Production of fibers by a floating zone fiber drawing technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haggerty, J. S.

1972-01-01

A CO2 laser heated, floating zone fiber growth process was developed. The resulting Al2O3 fibers exhibited the high room temperature strengths for large diameter fibers as well as high specific creep rupture strengths observed at 1093 C and 1316 C (2000 F and 2400 F). Single crystal fibers of TiC and Y2O3 were also grown. An optical system was developed to focus four CO2 laser beams onto the surface of a feed rod permitting the formation of highly controllable molten zones. The optical system permitted energy densities and angle of incidence of the beams to be adjusted over wide ranges. This optical system was incorporated into a controlled atmosphere, fiber growth furnace. The two principal advantages of a CO2 laser heat source are that ambient atmospheres may be freely selected to optimize fiber properties and the laser has no inherent temperature limit, so extremely high melting point materials can be melted. Both advantages were demonstrated.

Module assemblage technology for floating systems: in vitro flotation and in vivo gastro-retention.

PubMed

Strusi, Orazio Luca; Sonvico, Fabio; Bettini, Ruggero; Santi, Patrizia; Colombo, Gaia; Barata, Pedro; Oliveira, Ana; Santos, Delfim; Colombo, Paolo

2008-07-14

The aim of this research was to study, in vitro by resultant-weight measurement and in vivo by gamma-scintigraphy experiments in humans, the floatation behavior of systems obtained by modules assembled in void configuration. The assembled system technology allowed the manufacturing of a system characterized by the presence of an internal void space that provided an apparent density lower than water. The gastro-retention times of floating assembled systems were determined in comparison with non-floating systems having the same mass and composition. In vitro the floatation of the system started immediately after immersion in water and lasted for more than 5 h. The in vivo studies confirmed that the in vitro floating ability of void configuration was maintained also in the human stomach where the system stayed for periods of time ranging from 2.5 to 5.0 h, depending on the food regimen and the sex of the subject. Reiterate eating and drinking further prolonged the stomach residence time.

A Profiling Float System for the North Arabian Sea

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-11-29

purpose of this Defense University Research Instrumentation Program grant was to purchase a set of profiling floats to form an upper ocean observing ...purchase a set of profiling floats to form an upper ocean observing system for the Northern Arabian Sea Circulation - autonomous research (NASCar...resolution numerical simulations. To achieve these goals the DRI will utilize new observational methods that do not rely on a traditional ship-based

A Programmable and Configurable Mixed-Mode FPAA SoC

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-17

A Programmable and Configurable Mixed-Mode FPAA SoC Sahil Shah, Sihwan Kim, Farhan Adil, Jennifer Hasler, Suma George, Michelle Collins, Richard...Abstract: The authors present a Floating-Gate based, System-On-Chip large-scale Field- Programmable Analog Array IC that integrates divergent concepts...Floating-Gate, SoC, Command Word Classification This paper presents a Floating-Gate (FG) based, System- On-Chip (SoC) large-scale Field- Programmable

Optimization and characterization of gastroretentive floating drug delivery system using Box-Behnken design.

PubMed

Rapolu, Kishore; Sanka, Krishna; Vemula, Praveen Kumar; Aatipamula, Vinaydas; Mohd, Abdul Bari; Diwan, Prakash V

2013-12-01

One among many strategies to prolong gastric residence time and improve local effect of the metronidazole in stomach to eradicate Helicobacter pylori in the treatment of peptic ulcer was floating drug delivery system particularly effervescent gastroretentive tablets. The objective of this study was to prepare and evaluate, effervescent floating drug delivery system of a model drug, metronidazole. Effervescent floating drug delivery tablets were prepared by wet granulation method. A three-factor, three levels Box-Behnken design was adopted for the optimization. The selected independent variables were amount of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose K 15M (X1), sodium carboxy methylcellulose (X2) and NaHCO3 (X3). The dependent variables were floating lag time (YFLT), cumulative percentage of metronidazole released at 6th h (Y6) and cumulative percentage of metronidazole released at 12th h (Y12). Physical properties, drug content, in vitro floating lag time, total floating time and drug release behavior were assessed. YFLT range was found to be from 1.02 to 12.07 min. The ranges of other responses, Y6 and Y12 were 25.72 ± 2.85 to 77.14 ± 3.42 % and 65.47 ± 1.25 to 99.65 ± 2.28 %, respectively. Stability studies revealed that no significant change in in vitro floating lag time, total floating time and drug release behavior before and after storage. It can be concluded that a combination of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose K 15M, sodium carboxy methylcellulose and NaHCO3 can be used to increase the gastric residence time of the dosage form to improve local effect of metronidazole.

Elimination of fecal coliforms and F-specific RNA coliphage from oysters (Crassostrea virginica) relaid in floating containers.

PubMed

Kator, H; Rhodes, M

2001-06-01

Declining oyster (Crassostrea virginica) production in the Chesapeake Bay has stimulated aquaculture based on floats for off-bottom culture. While advantages of off-bottom culture are significant, the increased use of floating containers raises public health and microbiological concerns, because oysters in floats may be more susceptible to fecal contamination from storm runoff compared to those cultured on-bottom. We conducted four commercial-scale studies with market-size oysters naturally contaminated with fecal coliforms (FC) and a candidate viral indicator, F-specific RNA (FRNA) coliphage. To facilitate sampling and to test for location effects, 12 replicate subsamples, each consisting of 15 to 20 randomly selected oysters in plastic mesh bags, were placed at four characteristic locations within a 0.6- by 3.0-m "Taylor" float, and the remaining oysters were added to a depth not exceeding 15.2 cm. The float containing approximately 3,000 oysters was relaid in the York River, Virginia, for 14 days. During relay, increases in shellfish FC densities followed rain events such that final mean levels exceeded initial levels or did not meet an arbitrary product end point of 50 FC/100 ml. FRNA coliphage densities decreased to undetectable levels within 14 days (16 to 28 degrees C) in all but the last experiment, when temperatures fell between 12 and 16 degrees C. Friedman (nonparametric analysis of variance) tests performed on FC/Escherichia coli and FRNA densities indicated no differences in counts as a function of location within the float. The public health consequences of these observations are discussed, and future research and educational needs are identified.

The OMEGA system for marine bioenergy, wastewater treatment, environmental enhancement, and aquaculture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trent, J. D.

2013-12-01

OMEGA is an acronym for Offshore Membrane Enclosure for Growing Algae. The OMEGA system consists of photobioreactors (PBRs) made of flexible, inexpensive clear plastic tubes attached to floating docks, anchored offshore in naturally or artificially protected bays [1]. The system uses domestic wastewater and CO2 from coastal facilities to provide water, nutrients, and carbon for algae cultivation [2]. The surrounding seawater maintains the temperature inside the PBRs and prevents the cultivated (freshwater) algae from becoming invasive species in the marine environment (i.e., if a PBR module accidentally leaks, the freshwater algae that grow in wastewater cannot survive in the marine environment). The salt gradient between seawater and wastewater is used for forward osmosis (FO) to concentrate nutrients and facilitate algae harvesting [3]. Both the algae and FO clean the wastewater, removing nutrients as well as pharmaceuticals and personal-care products [4]. The offshore infrastructure provides a large surface area for solar-photovoltaic arrays and access to offshore wind or wave generators. The infrastructure can also support shellfish, finfish, or seaweed aquaculture. The economics of the OMEGA system are supported by a combination of biofuels production, wastewater treatment, alternative energy generation, and aquaculture. By using wastewater and operating offshore from coastal cities, OMEGA can be located close to wastewater and CO2 sources and it can avoid competing with agriculture for water, fertilizer, and land [5]. By combining biofuels production with wastewater treatment and aquaculture, the OMEGA system provides both products and services, which increase its economic feasibility. While the offshore location has engineering challenges and concerns about the impact and control of biofouling [6], large OMEGA structure will be floating marine habitats and will create protected 'no-fishing' zones that could increase local biodiversity and fishery productivity. Potential test sites for the next phase of OMEGA (1-hectare integrated system) will be discussed.

High-throughput diagnosis of potato cyst nematodes in soil samples.

PubMed

Reid, Alex; Evans, Fiona; Mulholland, Vincent; Cole, Yvonne; Pickup, Jon

2015-01-01

Potato cyst nematode (PCN) is a damaging soilborne pest of potatoes which can cause major crop losses. In 2010, a new European Union directive (2007/33/EC) on the control of PCN came into force. Under the new directive, seed potatoes can only be planted on land which has been found to be free from PCN infestation following an official soil test. A major consequence of the new directive was the introduction of a new harmonized soil sampling rate resulting in a threefold increase in the number of samples requiring testing. To manage this increase with the same staffing resources, we have replaced the traditional diagnostic methods. A system has been developed for the processing of soil samples, extraction of DNA from float material, and detection of PCN by high-throughput real-time PCR. Approximately 17,000 samples are analyzed each year using this method. This chapter describes the high-throughput processes for the production of float material from soil samples, DNA extraction from the entire float, and subsequent detection and identification of PCN within these samples.

Float level switch for a nuclear power plant containment vessel

DOEpatents

Powell, J.G.

1993-11-16

This invention is a float level switch used to sense rise or drop in water level in a containment vessel of a nuclear power plant during a loss of coolant accident. The essential components of the device are a guide tube, a reed switch inside the guide tube, a float containing a magnetic portion that activates a reed switch, and metal-sheathed, ceramic-insulated conductors connecting the reed switch to a monitoring system outside the containment vessel. Special materials and special sealing techniques prevent failure of components and allow the float level switch to be connected to a monitoring system outside the containment vessel. 1 figures.

Float level switch for a nuclear power plant containment vessel

DOEpatents

Powell, James G.

1993-01-01

This invention is a float level switch used to sense rise or drop in water level in a containment vessel of a nuclear power plant during a loss of coolant accident. The essential components of the device are a guide tube, a reed switch inside the guide tube, a float containing a magnetic portion that activates a reed switch, and metal-sheathed, ceramic-insulated conductors connecting the reed switch to a monitoring system outside the containment vessel. Special materials and special sealing techniques prevent failure of components and allow the float level switch to be connected to a monitoring system outside the containment vessel.

On the dynamic singularities in the control of free-floating space manipulators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Papadopoulos, E.; Dubowsky, S.

1989-01-01

It is shown that free-floating space manipulator systems have configurations which are dynamically singular. At a dynamically singular position, the manipulator is unable to move its end effector in some direction. This problem appears in any free-floating space manipulator system that permits the vehicle to move in response to manipulator motion without correction from the vehicle's attitude control system. Dynamic singularities are functions of the dynamic properties of the system; their existence and locations cannot be predicted solely from the kinematic structure of the manipulator, unlike the singularities for fixed base manipulators. It is also shown that the location of these dynamic singularities in the workplace is dependent upon the path taken by the manipulator in reaching them. Dynamic singularities must be considered in the control, planning and design of free-floating space manipulator systems. A method for calculating these dynamic singularities is presented, and it is shown that the system parameters can be selected to reduce the effect of dynamic singularities on a system's performance.

Efficient preliminary floating offshore wind turbine design and testing methodologies and application to a concrete spar design

PubMed Central

Matha, Denis; Sandner, Frank; Molins, Climent; Campos, Alexis; Cheng, Po Wen

2015-01-01

The current key challenge in the floating offshore wind turbine industry and research is on designing economic floating systems that can compete with fixed-bottom offshore turbines in terms of levelized cost of energy. The preliminary platform design, as well as early experimental design assessments, are critical elements in the overall design process. In this contribution, a brief review of current floating offshore wind turbine platform pre-design and scaled testing methodologies is provided, with a focus on their ability to accommodate the coupled dynamic behaviour of floating offshore wind systems. The exemplary design and testing methodology for a monolithic concrete spar platform as performed within the European KIC AFOSP project is presented. Results from the experimental tests compared to numerical simulations are presented and analysed and show very good agreement for relevant basic dynamic platform properties. Extreme and fatigue loads and cost analysis of the AFOSP system confirm the viability of the presented design process. In summary, the exemplary application of the reduced design and testing methodology for AFOSP confirms that it represents a viable procedure during pre-design of floating offshore wind turbine platforms. PMID:25583870

Using Tensor Completion Method to Achieving Better Coverage of Traffic State Estimation from Sparse Floating Car Data

PubMed Central

Ran, Bin; Song, Li; Cheng, Yang; Tan, Huachun

2016-01-01

Traffic state estimation from the floating car system is a challenging problem. The low penetration rate and random distribution make available floating car samples usually cover part space and time points of the road networks. To obtain a wide range of traffic state from the floating car system, many methods have been proposed to estimate the traffic state for the uncovered links. However, these methods cannot provide traffic state of the entire road networks. In this paper, the traffic state estimation is transformed to solve a missing data imputation problem, and the tensor completion framework is proposed to estimate missing traffic state. A tensor is constructed to model traffic state in which observed entries are directly derived from floating car system and unobserved traffic states are modeled as missing entries of constructed tensor. The constructed traffic state tensor can represent spatial and temporal correlations of traffic data and encode the multi-way properties of traffic state. The advantage of the proposed approach is that it can fully mine and utilize the multi-dimensional inherent correlations of traffic state. We tested the proposed approach on a well calibrated simulation network. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed approach yield reliable traffic state estimation from very sparse floating car data, particularly when dealing with the floating car penetration rate is below 1%. PMID:27448326

Using Tensor Completion Method to Achieving Better Coverage of Traffic State Estimation from Sparse Floating Car Data.

PubMed

Ran, Bin; Song, Li; Zhang, Jian; Cheng, Yang; Tan, Huachun

2016-01-01

Traffic state estimation from the floating car system is a challenging problem. The low penetration rate and random distribution make available floating car samples usually cover part space and time points of the road networks. To obtain a wide range of traffic state from the floating car system, many methods have been proposed to estimate the traffic state for the uncovered links. However, these methods cannot provide traffic state of the entire road networks. In this paper, the traffic state estimation is transformed to solve a missing data imputation problem, and the tensor completion framework is proposed to estimate missing traffic state. A tensor is constructed to model traffic state in which observed entries are directly derived from floating car system and unobserved traffic states are modeled as missing entries of constructed tensor. The constructed traffic state tensor can represent spatial and temporal correlations of traffic data and encode the multi-way properties of traffic state. The advantage of the proposed approach is that it can fully mine and utilize the multi-dimensional inherent correlations of traffic state. We tested the proposed approach on a well calibrated simulation network. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed approach yield reliable traffic state estimation from very sparse floating car data, particularly when dealing with the floating car penetration rate is below 1%.

Multi-input and binary reproducible, high bandwidth floating point adder in a collective network

DOEpatents

Chen, Dong; Eisley, Noel A.; Heidelberger, Philip; Steinmacher-Burow, Burkhard

2016-11-15

To add floating point numbers in a parallel computing system, a collective logic device receives the floating point numbers from computing nodes. The collective logic devices converts the floating point numbers to integer numbers. The collective logic device adds the integer numbers and generating a summation of the integer numbers. The collective logic device converts the summation to a floating point number. The collective logic device performs the receiving, the converting the floating point numbers, the adding, the generating and the converting the summation in one pass. One pass indicates that the computing nodes send inputs only once to the collective logic device and receive outputs only once from the collective logic device.

Effect of heavy oil on the development of the nervous system of floating and sinking teleost eggs.

PubMed

Irie, Kouta; Kawaguchi, Masahumi; Mizuno, Kaori; Song, Jun-Young; Nakayama, Kei; Kitamura, Shin-Ichi; Murakami, Yasunori

2011-01-01

Heavy oil (HO) on the sea surface penetrates into fish eggs and prevents the normal morphogenesis. To identify the toxicological effects of HO in the context of the egg types, we performed exposure experiments using floating eggs and sinking eggs. In the course of development, HO-exposed embryos of floating eggs showed abnormal morphology, whereas early larva of the sinking eggs had almost normal morphology. However, the developing peripheral nervous system of sinking eggs showed abnormal projections. These findings suggest that HO exposed fishes have problems in the developing neurons, although they have no morphological malformations. Through these observations, we conclude that HO is strongly toxic to floating eggs in the morphogenesis, and also affect the neuron development in both floating and sinking eggs. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Review on the prevalence of diabetes and risk factors and situation of disease management in floating population in China.

PubMed

Han, Kaiyi; Yao, Jingjing; Yin, Xiao; Zhao, Mei; Sun, Qiang

2017-01-01

To give a comprehensive and basic understanding of diabetes and its risk factors in floating people in China. We use "(diabetes or type 2 diabetes or chronic disease) and (floating population or employed floating population)" as the key words to search in the China academic literature database (CNKI), Wan Fang database, PubMed and Web of Science for relevant literature and extract the data about the prevalence of diabetes, relevant risk factors and disease management of the floating population in China. Twenty-one literatures are entered into analysis finally, one is English and the rest are Chinese. According to the national survey, the prevalence rate of diabetes in floating population in China was 5. 1% (95%CI, 4.9% - 5.3%), which is lower than that of the general population(11.6%,95%CI, 11.3%-11.8%),and is consistent with the results of the local surveys. The comparison result between the prevalence of floating population and that of local population in each region differs in local surveys. In addition, the prevalence of male floating population is lower than that of the female population. Finally, as the age of the population rises, so does the prevalence of diabetes. As for the risk factors of chronical diseases, the overweight rate in every region is similar but the obesity rate differs in different regions (Ningxia,26.0%;Xiangshan,14.0%), and the obesity rate of the floating population is less than half of that of the general people(4.7%,11.9%). The awareness rate, treatment rate and control rate in the floating patients differ in the regional researches, but they all can't meet the goals set by the local health departments. Compared with the general population, the prevalence of diabetes in the floating population are lower. However, Considering the growing population number and the poor disease management of the floating patients, the potential threat brought by the diabetes in floating population is imponderable. The government should establish the national surveillance system of diabetes for the floating population, strengthen the construction of the primary medical institutions, and optimize the existing funding system.

Formulation and evaluation of non-effervescent floating tablets of losartan potassium.

PubMed

Getyala, Anil; Gangadharappa, H V; Prasad, M Sarat Chandra; Reddy, M Praveen Kumar; Kumar, T M Pramod

2013-10-01

The aim of the work is to modify the solubility and bioavailability of Losartan potassium, by employing noneffervescent floating drug delivery (tablet dosage forms). Non-effervescent systems are a type of floating drug delivery systems, that have been used to boost the gastric residence and the floatation time in the gastro intestinal tract. The study included formulation of floating tablets using polymers like Chitosan and Karaya gum as matrix forming agents. Accurel(®) MP 1000 was used as floating agent. The tablets were prepared by direct compression technique. FTIR, DSC studies conformed that there was no incompatibility between the polymer and the drug. Tablet preformulation parameters were within the Pharmacopoeial limit. Tablet showed zero lag time, contisnuance of buoyancy for >12 h. The tablet showed good in vitro release. Drug release was through swelling and abided by the gellation mechanism. In vivo X-ray studies depicted that tablets continued to float in the GIT for 12 h. Accelerated stability showed that, tablets were stable for over 6 month. Thus the prepared non-effervescent floating tablet of Losartan potassium can be used for the treatment of hypertension for more than 12 h with single dose administration.

Role of excipients and polymeric advancements in preparation of floating drug delivery systems

PubMed Central

Kaushik, Avinash Y; Tiwari, Ajay K; Gaur, Ajay

2015-01-01

Since decade or two, the development of floating drug delivery systems becomes a significant and novel tool as having low density than gastric content. There are various advanced polymers including chitosan, eudragit, etc., and excipients such as; pore forming agent, surfactants, etc. All of them are discussed briefly, and results are concluded from various reputed researches. We have discussed all natural and synthetic systems with their effect on the release and other parameters which are essential for the floating formulation development. PMID:25599027

Net community production from autonomous oxygen observations in the Sargasso Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feen, M.; Estapa, M. L.

2016-02-01

Optical sensors on autonomous floats provide high-resolution profiles of oxygen concentration over time. Improved spatiotemporal resolution in our measurements of oxygen will allow for better estimates of net community production and a greater understanding of the biological pump. Two autonomous profiling floats (NAVIS BGCi, Sea-Bird) equipped with SBE-63 optodes to measure dissolved oxygen were deployed in the Sargasso Sea on a series of five Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) cruises from July 2013 to April 2014. In situ calibration of the oxygen sensors to Winkler titration bottle samples at BATS did not show systematic drift in the oxygen sensors over time. Calibrations were applied to determine oxygen concentrations in profiles collected in the Sargasso Sea at 1.5 to 2.5 day intervals over a year. Oxygen concentrations were used to quantify sub-mixed layer net community production. Changes in production rates from this study were compared with upper water column biology and particle flux measurements obtained independently from optical sensors on the profiling floats, allowing us to examine processes controlling carbon export into the deep ocean.

78 FR 48180 - Consolidation of Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection For Outer Continental Shelf Activities...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-07

... for all Mobile Offshore Drilling Units and Floating Outer Continental Shelf Facilities (as defined in... Commander. Vessels requiring Coast Guard inspection include Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs), Floating... engage directly in oil and gas exploration or production in the offshore waters of the Eighth Coast Guard...

The subsea deployment and installation of flexible pipe catenaries for the Enserch Garden Banks 388 Freestanding Production Riser

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

Herman, R.J.

1997-07-01

This narrative addresses the development of the subsea flexible pipe catenary handling tools and procedures as used in the Gulf of Mexico on the Enserch Garden Banks 388 Freestanding Production Riser. The philosophy that was invoked for the development of the tools and procedures was targeted on long term utilization and field maintenance capability with minimum vessel relocation requirements and minimum production interruptions. The initial emphasis for the required tools and procedures was to develop worker safe, environmentally friendly and cost effective equipment. These tools are for the deployment and installation of 3-inch Production and Annulus flexible pipe catenaries frommore » the Enserch Garden Banks 388 Floating Production Vessel to the system`s Freestanding Production Riser. The Pull In Jib system is common to the handling of all the catenaries. The Pull In Jib system has been designed to support the greater loads of the 8-inch and 12-inch export line catenaries.« less

Catamaran or semi-submersible for floating platform - selection of a better design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qasim, Idrees; Gao, Liangtian; Peng, Duojin; Liu, Bo

2018-02-01

With nonstop advancement in marine engineering, more and more new structures are being designed and explored for tidal current energy. There are three different kinds of support structures for tidal current power station mostly in use, which are sea-bed mounted/gravity based system, pile mounted system and floating moored platform. Comparing all of them, the floating mooring system is most suitable for deep water systems and the application of this arrangement is widely usable. In this paper, a semi-submersible and a catamaran as floating platforms for tidal current power stations are studied are compared on the basis of its economics, efficiency of turbine and stability of the station. Based on basic ship theory and using software MAXSURF, the stability of Catamaran tidal current power station is also calculated. It is found that the catamaran design is optimal choice.

Multi-input and binary reproducible, high bandwidth floating point adder in a collective network

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

Chen, Dong; Eisley, Noel A; Heidelberger, Philip

To add floating point numbers in a parallel computing system, a collective logic device receives the floating point numbers from computing nodes. The collective logic devices converts the floating point numbers to integer numbers. The collective logic device adds the integer numbers and generating a summation of the integer numbers. The collective logic device converts the summation to a floating point number. The collective logic device performs the receiving, the converting the floating point numbers, the adding, the generating and the converting the summation in one pass. One pass indicates that the computing nodes send inputs only once to themore » collective logic device and receive outputs only once from the collective logic device.« less

Floating-pulsatile release multiparticulate system for chronopharmacotherapy: effect of some hydrophobic additives on the buoyancy and release behavior of particles.

PubMed

Maghsoodi, M

2014-01-01

A blend of floating and pulsatile principles of a drug delivery system would have the advantage that a drug can be released in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract after a lag period, which is anticipated for chronotherapy. In this study, microballoons were prepared by an emulsion solvent diffusion technique using Eudragit S100, and hydrophobic additive (magnesium stearate, stearic acid or talc) for time- and site-specific drug release of piroxicam. The effect of hydrophobic additives on the production yield of floating microparticles, buoyant ability for 8 h, release of drug in simulated GI fluids (simulated gastric fluid [SGF] and simulated intestinal fluid [SIF]), mean particle size, apparent particle density, encapsulation efficiency of drug and physical state of incorporated drug were studied. Both production yield and buoyancy of the microballoons were affected by additives in the following order: magnesium stearate, stearic acid>free-additive>talc. The observed difference in yield and the buoyancy of the microballoons could be attributed to the hydrophobic character of the additives and the shell rigidity of the obtained microballoons. Incorporation of hydrophobic additives in the microballoons was found to impart the desired release properties to the microballoons by providing a 2-phase release pattern with initial slow release (5-6%) through 8 h in SGF followed by rapid pulse release (>92%) in SIF through 15 min. The microballoons co-formulated with magnesium stearate or stearic acid, combining excellent buoyancy and suitable drug release pattern of piroxicam, could be useful in chronopharmacotherapy in arthritis. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Floating-point system quantization errors in digital control systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Phillips, C. L.; Vallely, D. P.

1978-01-01

This paper considers digital controllers (filters) operating in floating-point arithmetic in either open-loop or closed-loop systems. A quantization error analysis technique is developed, and is implemented by a digital computer program that is based on a digital simulation of the system. The program can be integrated into existing digital simulations of a system.

Floating gastroretentive drug delivery systems: Comparison of experimental and simulated dissolution profiles and floatation behavior.

PubMed

Eberle, Veronika A; Schoelkopf, Joachim; Gane, Patrick A C; Alles, Rainer; Huwyler, Jörg; Puchkov, Maxim

2014-07-16

Gastroretentive drug delivery systems (GRDDS) play an important role in the delivery of drug substances to the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract; they offer a possibility to overcome the limited gastric residence time of conventional dosage forms. The aim of the study was to understand drug-release and floatation mechanisms of a floating GRDDS based on functionalized calcium carbonate (FCC). The inherently low apparent density of the excipient (approx. 0.6 g/cm(3)) enabled a mechanism of floatation. The higher specific surface of FCC (approx. 70 m(2)) allowed sufficient hardness of resulting compacts. The floating mechanism of GRDDS was simulated in silico under simulated acidic and neutral conditions, and the results were compared to those obtained in vitro. United States Pharmacopeia (USP) dissolution methods are of limited usefulness for evaluating floating behavior and drug release of floating dosage forms. Therefore, we developed a custom-built stomach model to simultaneously analyze floating characteristics and drug release. In silico dissolution and floatation profiles of the FCC-based tablet were simulated using a three-dimensional cellular automata-based model. In simulated gastric fluid, the FCC-based tablets showed instant floatation. The compacts stayed afloat during the measurement in 0.1 N HCl and eroded completely while releasing the model drug substance. When water was used as dissolution medium, the tablets had no floating lag time and sank down during the measurement, resulting in a change of release kinetics. Floating dosage forms based on FCC appear promising. It was possible to manufacture floating tablets featuring a density of less than unity and sufficient hardness for further processing. In silico dissolution simulation offered a possibility to understand floating behavior and drug-release mechanism. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

New insights on poly(vinyl acetate)-based coated floating tablets: characterisation of hydration and CO2 generation by benchtop MRI and its relation to drug release and floating strength.

PubMed

Strübing, Sandra; Abboud, Tâmara; Contri, Renata Vidor; Metz, Hendrik; Mäder, Karsten

2008-06-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of floating and drug release behaviour of poly(vinyl acetate)-based floating tablets with membrane controlled drug delivery. Propranolol HCl containing tablets with Kollidon SR as an excipient for direct compression and different Kollicoat SR 30 D/Kollicoat IR coats varying from 10 to 20mg polymer/cm2 were investigated regarding drug release in 0.1N HCl. Furthermore, the onset of floating, the floating duration and the floating strength of the device were determined. In addition, benchtop MRI studies of selected samples were performed. Coated tablets with 10mg polymer/cm2 SR/IR, 8.5:1.5 coat exhibited the shortest lag times prior to drug release and floating onset, the fastest increase in and highest maximum values of floating strength. The drug release was delayed efficiently within a time interval of 24 h by showing linear drug release characteristics. Poly(vinyl acetate) proved to be an appropriate excipient to ensure safe and reliable drug release. Floating strength measurements offered the possibility to quantify the floating ability of the developed systems and thus to compare different formulations more efficiently. Benchtop MRI studies allowed a deeper insight into drug release and floating mechanisms noninvasively and continuously.

Float Zone Workshop

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Naumann, R. J.

1980-01-01

A summary of the Analytical Float Zone Experiment System (AFZES) concept is presented. The types of experiments considered for such a facility are discussed. Reports from various industrial producers and users of float zone material are presented. Special emphasis is placed on state-of-the-art developments in low gravity manufacturing and their applications to space processing.

Sensor Buoy System for Monitoring Renewable Marine Energy Resources.

PubMed

García, Emilio; Quiles, Eduardo; Correcher, Antonio; Morant, Francisco

2018-03-22

In this paper we present a multi-sensor floating system designed to monitor marine energy parameters, in order to sample wind, wave, and marine current energy resources. For this purpose, a set of dedicated sensors to measure the height and period of the waves, wind, and marine current intensity and direction have been selected and installed in the system. The floating device incorporates wind and marine current turbines for renewable energy self-consumption and to carry out complementary studies on the stability of such a system. The feasibility, safety, sensor communications, and buoy stability of the floating device have been successfully checked in real operating conditions.

Sensor Buoy System for Monitoring Renewable Marine Energy Resources

PubMed Central

García, Emilio; Morant, Francisco

2018-01-01

In this paper we present a multi-sensor floating system designed to monitor marine energy parameters, in order to sample wind, wave, and marine current energy resources. For this purpose, a set of dedicated sensors to measure the height and period of the waves, wind, and marine current intensity and direction have been selected and installed in the system. The floating device incorporates wind and marine current turbines for renewable energy self-consumption and to carry out complementary studies on the stability of such a system. The feasibility, safety, sensor communications, and buoy stability of the floating device have been successfully checked in real operating conditions. PMID:29565823

Efficient preliminary floating offshore wind turbine design and testing methodologies and application to a concrete spar design.

PubMed

Matha, Denis; Sandner, Frank; Molins, Climent; Campos, Alexis; Cheng, Po Wen

2015-02-28

The current key challenge in the floating offshore wind turbine industry and research is on designing economic floating systems that can compete with fixed-bottom offshore turbines in terms of levelized cost of energy. The preliminary platform design, as well as early experimental design assessments, are critical elements in the overall design process. In this contribution, a brief review of current floating offshore wind turbine platform pre-design and scaled testing methodologies is provided, with a focus on their ability to accommodate the coupled dynamic behaviour of floating offshore wind systems. The exemplary design and testing methodology for a monolithic concrete spar platform as performed within the European KIC AFOSP project is presented. Results from the experimental tests compared to numerical simulations are presented and analysed and show very good agreement for relevant basic dynamic platform properties. Extreme and fatigue loads and cost analysis of the AFOSP system confirm the viability of the presented design process. In summary, the exemplary application of the reduced design and testing methodology for AFOSP confirms that it represents a viable procedure during pre-design of floating offshore wind turbine platforms. © 2015 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.

DETECTABILITY OF FREE FLOATING PLANETS IN OPEN CLUSTERS WITH THE JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE

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

Pacucci, Fabio; Ferrara, Andrea; D'Onghia, Elena

Recent observations have shown the presence of extra-solar planets in Galactic open stellar clusters, such as in Praesepe (M44). These systems provide a favorable environment for planetary formation due to the high heavy-element content exhibited by the majority of their population. The large stellar density, and corresponding high close-encounter event rate, may induce strong perturbations of planetary orbits with large semimajor axes. Here we present a set of N-body simulations implementing a novel scheme to treat the tidal effects of external stellar perturbers on planetary orbit eccentricity and inclination. By simulating five nearby open clusters, we determine the rate ofmore » occurrence of bodies extracted from their parent stellar system by quasi-impulsive tidal interactions. We find that the specific free-floating planet production rate N-dot {sub o} (total number of free-floating planets per unit of time, normalized by the total number of stars), is proportional to the stellar density ρ{sub *} of the cluster: N-dot {sub o}=αρ{sub ⋆}, with α = (23 ± 5) × 10{sup –6} pc{sup 3} Myr{sup –1}. For the Pleiades (M45), we predict that ∼26% of stars should have lost their planets. This raises the exciting possibility of directly observing these wandering planets with the James Webb Space Telescope in the near-infrared band. Assuming a surface temperature for the planet of ∼500 K, a free-floating planet of Jupiter size inside the Pleiades would have a specific flux of F {sub ν} (4.4 μm) ≈4 × 10{sup 2} nJy, which would lead to a very clear detection (S/N ∼ 100) in only one hour of integration.« less

Formulation and evaluation of different floating tablets containing metronidazole to target stomach.

PubMed

Loh, Zhiao C; Elkordy, Amal A

2015-01-01

The purpose of this study is to formulate and develop tablets dosage form containing Metronidazole which has swelling and floating properties as a gastroretentive controlled-release drug delivery system to improve drug bioavailability. Fifteen different formulations of effervescence-forming floating systems were designed using HPMC K15M, xanthan gum, co-povidone, Eudragit® RL PO, pluronic® F-127 and/or polypropylene foam powder as swelling agents and sodium bicarbonate with/ without citric acid as gas-forming agents at different compositions. Six out of these 15 formulations which have satisfactory tablet floating behaviour were further studied with the incorporation of Metronidazole. The tablets were evaluated based on tablet physicochemical properties, floating behaviour, swelling ability and drug dissolution studies which were carried out using 0.1M HCl at 37°C for 8 hours. Furthermore, evaluation of the powder mixtures using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were investigated. Most of the tablets show good physicochemical properties except for F11 which contains pluronic® F-127 as its release-retarding matrix-forming polymer. Other formulations show high swelling capacity, ability to float for at least 8 hours in vitro and have sustained drug release characteristics. Data obtained indicated that F3 which contains HPMC (12.5%w/w), xanthan gum (25%w/w), co-povidone (12.5%w/w) and sodium bicarbonate (31.7%w/w) is a suitable formulation with short floating lag time, good floating behaviour and sustained drug release for at least 8 hours in vitro with a zero order kinetic. Combinations of HPMC K15M and xanthan gum as swelling agents show synergistic effect in retarding drug release and are suitable in providing the most sustained drug release system.

A Self-Powered Fast-Sampling Profiling Float in support of a Mesoscale Ocean Observing System in the Western North Pacific

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valdez, T.; Chao, Y.; Davis, R. E.; Jones, J.

2012-12-01

This talk will describe a new self-powered profiling float that can perform fast sampling over the upper ocean for long durations in support of a mesoscale ocean observing system in the Western North Pacific. The current state-of-the-art profiling floats can provide several hundreds profiles for the upper ocean every ten days. To quantify the role of the upper ocean in modulating the development of Typhoons requires at least an order of magnitude reduction for the sampling interval. With today's profiling float and battery technology, a fast sampling of one day or even a few hours will reduce the typical lifetime of profiling floats from years to months. Interactions between the ocean and typhoons often involves mesoscale eddies and fronts, which require a dense array of floats to reveal the 3-dimensional structure. To measure the mesoscale ocean over a large area like the Western North Pacific therefore requires a new technology that enables fast sampling and long duration at the same time. Harvesting the ocean renewable energy associated with the vertical temperature differentials has the potential to power profiling floats with fast sampling over long durations. Results from the development and deployment of a prototype self-powered profiling float (known as SOLO-TREC) will be presented. With eight hours sampling in the upper 500 meters, the upper ocean temperature and salinity reveal pronounced high frequency variations. Plans to use the SOLO-TREC technology in support of a dense array of fast sampling profiling floats in the Western North Pacific will be discussed.

Structure and Fabrication of a Microscale Flow-Rate/Skin Friction Sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chandrasekharan, Vijay (Inventor); Sells, Jeremy (Inventor); Sheplak, Mark (Inventor); Arnold, David P. (Inventor)

2014-01-01

A floating element shear sensor and method for fabricating the same are provided. According to an embodiment, a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based capacitive floating element shear stress sensor is provided that can achieve time-resolved turbulence measurement. In one embodiment, a differential capacitive transduction scheme is used for shear stress measurement. The floating element structure for the differential capacitive transduction scheme incorporates inter digitated comb fingers forming differential capacitors, which provide electrical output proportional to the floating element deflection.

Floating point arithmetic in future supercomputers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bailey, David H.; Barton, John T.; Simon, Horst D.; Fouts, Martin J.

1989-01-01

Considerations in the floating-point design of a supercomputer are discussed. Particular attention is given to word size, hardware support for extended precision, format, and accuracy characteristics. These issues are discussed from the perspective of the Numerical Aerodynamic Simulation Systems Division at NASA Ames. The features believed to be most important for a future supercomputer floating-point design include: (1) a 64-bit IEEE floating-point format with 11 exponent bits, 52 mantissa bits, and one sign bit and (2) hardware support for reasonably fast double-precision arithmetic.

Floating point only SIMD instruction set architecture including compare, select, Boolean, and alignment operations

DOEpatents

Gschwind, Michael K [Chappaqua, NY

2011-03-01

Mechanisms for implementing a floating point only single instruction multiple data instruction set architecture are provided. A processor is provided that comprises an issue unit, an execution unit coupled to the issue unit, and a vector register file coupled to the execution unit. The execution unit has logic that implements a floating point (FP) only single instruction multiple data (SIMD) instruction set architecture (ISA). The floating point vector registers of the vector register file store both scalar and floating point values as vectors having a plurality of vector elements. The processor may be part of a data processing system.

Medical education and the ACGME duty hour requirements: assessing the effect of a day float system on educational activities.

PubMed

Roey, Steve

2006-01-01

In July 2003, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) instituted new resident work hour mandates, which are being shown to improve resident well-being and patient safety. However, there are limited data on the impact these new mandates may have on educational activities. To assess the impact on educational activities of a day float system created to meet ACGME work hour mandates. The inpatient ward coverage was changed by adding a day float team responsible for new patient admissions in the morning, with the on-call teams starting later and being responsible for new patient admissions thereafter. I surveyed the residents to assess the impact of this new system on educational activities-resident autonomy, attending teaching, conference attendance, resident teaching, self-directed learning, and ability to complete patient care responsibilities. There was no adverse effect of the day float system on educational activities. House staff reported increased autonomy, enhanced teaching from attending physicians, and improved ability to complete patient care responsibilities. Additionally, house staff demonstrated improved compliance with the ACGME mandates. The implementation of a novel day float system for the inpatient medicine ward service improved compliance with ACGME work duty requirements and did not adversely impact educational activities of the residency training program.

A novel automated alternating current biosusceptometry method to characterization of controlled-release magnetic floating tablets of metronidazole.

PubMed

Ferrari, Priscileila Colerato; dos Santos Grossklauss, Dany Bruno Borella; Alvarez, Matheus; Paixão, Fabiano Carlos; Andreis, Uilian; Crispim, Alexandre Giordano; de Castro, Ana Dóris; Evangelista, Raul Cesar; de Arruda Miranda, José Ricardo

2014-08-01

Alternating Current Biosusceptometry is a magnetically method used to characterize drug delivery systems. This work presents a system composed by an automated ACB sensor to acquire magnetic images of floating tablets. The purpose of this study was to use an automated Alternating Current Biosusceptometry (ACB) to characterize magnetic floating tablets for controlled drug delivery. Floating tablets were prepared with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as hydrophilic gel material, sodium bicarbonate as gas-generating agent and ferrite as magnetic marker. ACB was used to characterize the floating lag time and the tablet hydration rate, by quantification of the magnetic images to magnetic area. Besides the buoyancy, the floating tablets were evaluated for weight uniformity, hardness, swelling and in vitro drug release. The optimized tablets were prepared with equal amounts of HPMC and ferrite, and began to float within 4 min, maintaining the flotation during more than 24 h. The data of all physical parameters lied within the pharmacopeial limits. Drug release at 24 h was about 40%. The ACB results showed that this study provided a new approach for in vitro investigation of controlled-release dosage forms. Moreover, using automated ACB will also be possible to test these parameters in humans allowing to establish an in vitro.in vivo correlation (IVIVC).

An Economic Basis for Littoral Land-Based Production of Low Carbon Fuel from Renewable Electrical Energy and Seawater for Naval Use: Diego Garcia Evaluation

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-08-13

installed is $1.54 billion. Table 3 provides the cost breakdown of the various major components ( solar PV arrays, the carbon/hydrogen production units...barges or modular floats made from high density polymer HDP (Jet Dock and Versa Dock). These floats could support the entire solar PV array process...the restricted area is reached. Since the capital cost of the wind turbines is half that of the solar PV per Watt ($2.40/watt), the total cost

Response diversity of free-floating plants to nutrient stoichiometry and temperature: growth and resting body formation.

PubMed

McCann, Michael J

2016-01-01

Free-floating plants, like most groups of aquatic primary producers, can become nuisance vegetation under certain conditions. On the other hand, there is substantial optimism for the applied uses of free-floating plants, such as wastewater treatment, biofuel production, and aquaculture. Therefore, understanding the species-specific responses of floating plants to abiotic conditions will inform both management decisions and the beneficial applications of these plants. I measured the responses of three floating plant species common in the northeast United States (Lemna minor, Spirodela polyrhiza, and Wolffia brasiliensis) to nutrient stoichiometry (nitrogen and phosphorus) and temperature in the laboratory. I also used survey data to determine the pattern of species richness of floating plants in the field and its relationship with the dominance of this group. Floating plant species exhibited unique responses to nutrient stoichiometry and temperature in the laboratory, especially under low temperatures (18 °C) and low nutrient conditions (0.5 mg N L(-1), 0.083 mg P L(-1)). The three species displayed an apparent tradeoff with different strategies of growth or dormancy. In the field, water bodies with three or more species of floating plants were not more frequently dominated by this group. The response diversity observed in the lab may not be associated with the dominance of this group in the field because it is masked by environmental variability, has a weak effect, or is only important during transient circumstances. Future research to develop applied uses of floating plants should examine response diversity across a greater range of species or clones and environmental conditions.

Response diversity of free-floating plants to nutrient stoichiometry and temperature: growth and resting body formation

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Free-floating plants, like most groups of aquatic primary producers, can become nuisance vegetation under certain conditions. On the other hand, there is substantial optimism for the applied uses of free-floating plants, such as wastewater treatment, biofuel production, and aquaculture. Therefore, understanding the species-specific responses of floating plants to abiotic conditions will inform both management decisions and the beneficial applications of these plants. I measured the responses of three floating plant species common in the northeast United States (Lemna minor, Spirodela polyrhiza, and Wolffia brasiliensis) to nutrient stoichiometry (nitrogen and phosphorus) and temperature in the laboratory. I also used survey data to determine the pattern of species richness of floating plants in the field and its relationship with the dominance of this group. Floating plant species exhibited unique responses to nutrient stoichiometry and temperature in the laboratory, especially under low temperatures (18 °C) and low nutrient conditions (0.5 mg N L−1, 0.083 mg P L−1). The three species displayed an apparent tradeoff with different strategies of growth or dormancy. In the field, water bodies with three or more species of floating plants were not more frequently dominated by this group. The response diversity observed in the lab may not be associated with the dominance of this group in the field because it is masked by environmental variability, has a weak effect, or is only important during transient circumstances. Future research to develop applied uses of floating plants should examine response diversity across a greater range of species or clones and environmental conditions. PMID:26989619

Pharmacokinetics and analgesic effect of ketorolac floating delivery system.

PubMed

Radwan, Mahasen A; Abou El Ela, Amal El Sayeh F; Hassan, Maha A; El-Maraghy, Dalia A

2015-05-01

The efficacy of ketorolac tromethamine (KT) floating alginate beads as a drug delivery system for better control of KT release was investigated. The formulation with the highest drug loading, entrapment efficiency, swelling, buoyancy, and in vitro release would be selected for further in vivo analgesic effect in the mice and pharmacokinetics study in rats compared to the tablet dosage form. KT floating alginate beads were prepared by extrusion congealing technique. KT in plasma samples was analyzed using a UPLC MS/MS assay. The percentage yield, drug loading and encapsulation efficiency were increased proportionally with the hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) polymer amount in the KT floating beads. A reverse relationship was observed between HPMC amount in the beads and the KT in vitro release rate. F3-floating beads were selected, due to its better in vitro results (continued floating for >8 h) than others. A longer analgesic effect was observed for F3 in fed mice as compared to the tablets. After F3 administration to rats, the Cmax (2.2 ± 0.3 µg/ml) was achieved at ∼2 h and the decline in KT concentration was slower. F3 showed a significant increase in the AUC (1.89 fold) in rats as compared to the tablets. KT was successfully formulated as floating beads with prolonged in vitro release extended to a better in vivo characteristic with higher bioavailability in rats. KT in floating beads shows a superior analgesic effect over tablets, especially in fed mice.

Design, Development and Optimization of S (-) Atenolol Floating Sustained Release Matrix Tablets Using Surface Response Methodology

PubMed Central

Gunjal, P. T.; Shinde, M. B.; Gharge, V. S.; Pimple, S. V.; Gurjar, M. K.; Shah, M. N.

2015-01-01

The objective of this present investigation was to develop and formulate floating sustained release matrix tablets of s (-) atenolol, by using different polymer combinations and filler, to optimize by using surface response methodology for different drug release variables and to evaluate the drug release pattern of the optimized product. Floating sustained release matrix tablets of various combinations were prepared with cellulose-based polymers: Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, sodium bicarbonate as a gas generating agent, polyvinyl pyrrolidone as a binder and lactose monohydrate as filler. The 32 full factorial design was employed to investigate the effect of formulation variables on different properties of tablets applicable to floating lag time, buoyancy time, % drug release in 1 and 6 h (D1 h,D6 h) and time required to 90% drug release (t90%). Significance of result was analyzed using analysis of non variance and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. S (-) atenolol floating sustained release matrix tablets followed the Higuchi drug release kinetics that indicates the release of drug follows anomalous (non-Fickian) diffusion mechanism. The developed floating sustained release matrix tablet of improved efficacy can perform therapeutically better than a conventional tablet. PMID:26798171

Design, Development and Optimization of S (-) Atenolol Floating Sustained Release Matrix Tablets Using Surface Response Methodology.

PubMed

Gunjal, P T; Shinde, M B; Gharge, V S; Pimple, S V; Gurjar, M K; Shah, M N

2015-01-01

The objective of this present investigation was to develop and formulate floating sustained release matrix tablets of s (-) atenolol, by using different polymer combinations and filler, to optimize by using surface response methodology for different drug release variables and to evaluate the drug release pattern of the optimized product. Floating sustained release matrix tablets of various combinations were prepared with cellulose-based polymers: Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, sodium bicarbonate as a gas generating agent, polyvinyl pyrrolidone as a binder and lactose monohydrate as filler. The 3(2) full factorial design was employed to investigate the effect of formulation variables on different properties of tablets applicable to floating lag time, buoyancy time, % drug release in 1 and 6 h (D1 h,D6 h) and time required to 90% drug release (t90%). Significance of result was analyzed using analysis of non variance and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. S (-) atenolol floating sustained release matrix tablets followed the Higuchi drug release kinetics that indicates the release of drug follows anomalous (non-Fickian) diffusion mechanism. The developed floating sustained release matrix tablet of improved efficacy can perform therapeutically better than a conventional tablet.

Impact of polyethylene microbeads on the floating freshwater plant duckweed Lemna minor.

PubMed

Kalčíková, Gabriela; Žgajnar Gotvajn, Andreja; Kladnik, Aleš; Jemec, Anita

2017-11-01

Microplastics (MP), small plastic particles below 5 mm, have become one of the central concerns of environmental risk assessment. Microplastics are continuously being released into the aquatic environment either directly through consumer products or indirectly through fragmentation of larger plastic materials. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of polyethylene microbeads from cosmetic products on duckweed (Lemna minor), a freshwater floating plant. The effects of microbeads from two exfoliating products on the specific leaf growth rate, the chlorophyll a and b content in the leaves, root number, root length and root cell viability were assessed. At the same time, water leachates from microbeads were also prepared to exclude the contribution of cosmetic ingredients on the measured impacts. Specific leaf growth rate and content of photosynthetic pigments in duckweed leaves were not affected by polyethylene microbeads, but these microbeads significantly affected the root growth by mechanical blocking. Sharp particles also reduced the viability of root cells, while the impact of microbeads with a smooth surface was neglected. It was concluded that microbeads from cosmetic products can also have negative impacts on floating plants in freshwater ecosystems. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Floating Chip Mounting System Driven by Repulsive Force of Permanent Magnets for Multiple On-Site SPR Immunoassay Measurements

PubMed Central

Horiuchi, Tsutomu; Tobita, Tatsuya; Miura, Toru; Iwasaki, Yuzuru; Seyama, Michiko; Inoue, Suzuyo; Takahashi, Jun-ichi; Haga, Tsuneyuki; Tamechika, Emi

2012-01-01

We have developed a measurement chip installation/removal mechanism for a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) immunoassay analysis instrument designed for frequent testing, which requires a rapid and easy technique for changing chips. The key components of the mechanism are refractive index matching gel coated on the rear of the SPR chip and a float that presses the chip down. The refractive index matching gel made it possible to optically couple the chip and the prism of the SPR instrument easily via elastic deformation with no air bubbles. The float has an autonomous attitude control function that keeps the chip parallel in relation to the SPR instrument by employing the repulsive force of permanent magnets between the float and a float guide located in the SPR instrument. This function is realized by balancing the upward elastic force of the gel and the downward force of the float, which experiences a leveling force from the float guide. This system makes it possible to start an SPR measurement immediately after chip installation and to remove the chip immediately after the measurement with a simple and easy method that does not require any fine adjustment. Our sensor chip, which we installed using this mounting system, successfully performed an immunoassay measurement on a model antigen (spiked human-IgG) in a model real sample (non-homogenized milk) that included many kinds of interfering foreign substances without any sample pre-treatment. The ease of the chip installation/removal operation and simple measurement procedure are suitable for frequent on-site agricultural, environmental and medical testing. PMID:23202030

Apparatus for removing oil and other floating contaminants from a moving body of water

DOEpatents

Strohecker, J.W.

1973-12-18

The patent describes a process in which floating contaminants such as oil and solid debris are removed from a moving body of water by employing a skimming system which uses the natural gravitational flow of the water. A boom diagonally positioned across the body of water diverts the floating contaminants over a floating weir and into a retention pond where an underflow weir is used to return contaminant-free water to the moving body of water. The floating weir is ballasted to maintain the contaminant-receiving opening therein slightly below the surface of the water during fluctuations in the water level for skimming the contaminants with minimal water removal.

75 FR 19880 - Safety Zone; BW PIONEER at Walker Ridge 249, Outer Continental Shelf FPSO, Gulf of Mexico

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-16

... BW PIONEER, a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) system, at Walker Ridge 249 in the... point at 26[deg]41'46.25'' N and 090[deg]30'30.16'' W. This action is based on a thorough and... regulations. The FPSO can swing in a 360 degree arc around the center point. The safety zone will reduce...

Floating nut retention system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Charles, J. F.; Theakston, H. A. (Inventor)

1980-01-01

A floating nut retention system includes a nut with a central aperture. An inner retainer plate has an opening which is fixedly aligned with the nut aperture. An outer retainer member is formed of a base plate having an opening and a surface adjacent to a surface of the inner retainer plate. The outer retainer member includes a securing mechanism for retaining the inner retainer plate adjacent to the outer retainer member. The securing mechanism enables the inner retainer plate to float with respect to the outer retainer number, while simultaneously forming a bearing surface for inner retainer plate.

Generating and executing programs for a floating point single instruction multiple data instruction set architecture

DOEpatents

Gschwind, Michael K

2013-04-16

Mechanisms for generating and executing programs for a floating point (FP) only single instruction multiple data (SIMD) instruction set architecture (ISA) are provided. A computer program product comprising a computer recordable medium having a computer readable program recorded thereon is provided. The computer readable program, when executed on a computing device, causes the computing device to receive one or more instructions and execute the one or more instructions using logic in an execution unit of the computing device. The logic implements a floating point (FP) only single instruction multiple data (SIMD) instruction set architecture (ISA), based on data stored in a vector register file of the computing device. The vector register file is configured to store both scalar and floating point values as vectors having a plurality of vector elements.

A modified emulsion gelation technique to improve buoyancy of hydrogel tablets for floating drug delivery systems.

PubMed

Yom-Tov, Ortal; Seliktar, Dror; Bianco-Peled, Havazelet

2015-10-01

The use of buoyant or floating hydrogel tablets is of particular interest in the sustained release of drugs to the stomach. They have an ability to slow the release rates of drugs by prolonging their absorption window in the upper part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In this study we synthesized bioactive hydrogels that have sustainable release rates for drugs in the stomach based on a hydrogel preparation technique that employs emulsifying surfactants. The emulsion gelation technique, which encapsulates oil droplets within the hydrogels during crosslinking, was used to decrease their specific gravity in aqueous environments, resulting in floating drug release depots. Properties such as swelling, buoyancy, density and drug release were manipulated by changing the polymer concentrations, surfactant percentages and the oil:polymer ratios. The relationship between these properties and the hydrogel's floating lag time was documented. The potential for this material to be used as a floating drug delivery system was demonstrated. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A simple combined floating and anchored collagen gel for enhancing mechanical strength of culture system.

PubMed

Harada, Ichiro; Kim, Sung-Gon; Cho, Chong Su; Kurosawa, Hisashi; Akaike, Toshihiro

2007-01-01

In this study, a simple combined method consisting of floating and anchored collagen gel in a ligament or tendon equivalent culture system was used to produce the oriented fibrils in fibroblast-populated collagen matrices (FPCMs) during the remodeling and contraction of the collagen gel. Orientation of the collagen fibrils along single axis occurred over the whole area of the floating section and most of the fibroblasts were elongated and aligned along the oriented collagen fibrils, whereas no significant orientation of fibrils was observed in normally contracted FPCMs by the floating method. Higher elasticity and enhanced mechanical strength were obtained using our simple method compared with normally contracted floating FPCMs. The Young's modulus and the breaking point of the FPCMs were dependent on the initial cell densities. This simple method will be applied as a convenient bioreactor to study cellular processes of the fibroblasts in the tissues with highly oriented fibrils such as ligaments or tendons. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Purification of eutrophic wastewater by Cyperus alternifolius, Coleus blumei and Jasminum sambac planted in a floating phytoremediation system].

PubMed

Liu, Shizhe; Lin, Dongjiao; Tang, Shujun; Luo, Jian

2004-07-01

In a greenhouse study, Cyperus alternifolius, Coleus blumei and Jasminum sambac were cultured in a floating phytoremediation system with plantation cups inserted into a polyfoam plate that floated in the upper part of a tank filled with 100 L domestic wastewater. The contents of chemical oxygen demand (CODCr), total P (T-P), total N (T-N), soluble P(S-P), ammonia-nitrogen (NH4+ -N) and nitrate-nitrogen (NO3- -N) in the domestic wastewater were tested during the growth of these three plants. The results showed that Cyperus alternifolius and Coleus blumei could grow well in the floating phytoremediation system, their dry weight being 285.8% and 371.4% of the initial weight of planting, respectively, but Jasminum sambac could not grow well, being 125.0% of the initial weight of planting. The removal rate of TN by these 3 plants was 68.0%, 62.0% and 45.0%, and that of NO3- -N, CODCr and TP was 98.0%, 80.0% and 92.0%, 78.0%, 66.0% and 55.0%, and 90.6%, 90.5% and 88.0% respectively. Cyperus alternifolius and Coleus blumei had good effects on the removal of pollutants in the floating phytoremediation system.

Free-floating carsharing systems: innovations in membership prediction, mode share, and vehicle allocation optimization methodologies.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-08-01

"Free-floating carsharing systems are among the newest types of carsharing programs. They allow one-way rentals and have no set homes or docks for the carsharing vehicles; instead, users are permitted to drive the vehicles anywhere within the o...

Development of performance specifications for hybrid modeling of floating wind turbines in wave basin tests

DOE PAGES

Hall, Matthew; Goupee, Andrew; Jonkman, Jason

2017-08-24

Hybrid modeling—combining physical testing and numerical simulation in real time$-$opens new opportunities in floating wind turbine research. Wave basin testing is an important validation step for floating support structure design, but the conventional approaches that use physical wind above the basin are limited by scaling problems in the aerodynamics. Applying wind turbine loads with an actuation system that is controlled by a simulation responding to the basin test in real time offers a way to avoid scaling problems and reduce cost barriers for floating wind turbine design validation in realistic coupled wind and wave conditions. This paper demonstrates the developmentmore » of performance specifications for a system that couples a wave basin experiment with a wind turbine simulation. Two different points for the hybrid coupling are considered: the tower-base interface and the aero-rotor interface (the boundary between aerodynamics and the rotor structure). Analyzing simulations of three floating wind turbine designs across seven load cases reveals the motion and force requirements of the coupling system. By simulating errors in the hybrid coupling system, the sensitivity of the floating wind turbine response to coupling quality can be quantified. The sensitivity results can then be used to determine tolerances for motion tracking errors, force actuation errors, bandwidth limitations, and latency in the hybrid coupling system. These tolerances can guide the design of hybrid coupling systems to achieve desired levels of accuracy. An example demonstrates how the developed methods can be used to generate performance specifications for a system at 1:50 scale. Results show that sensitivities vary significantly between support structure designs and that coupling at the aero-rotor interface has less stringent requirements than those for coupling at the tower base. As a result, the methods and results presented here can inform design of future hybrid coupling systems and enhance understanding of how test results are affected by hybrid coupling quality.« less

Development of performance specifications for hybrid modeling of floating wind turbines in wave basin tests

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

Hall, Matthew; Goupee, Andrew; Jonkman, Jason

Hybrid modeling—combining physical testing and numerical simulation in real time$-$opens new opportunities in floating wind turbine research. Wave basin testing is an important validation step for floating support structure design, but the conventional approaches that use physical wind above the basin are limited by scaling problems in the aerodynamics. Applying wind turbine loads with an actuation system that is controlled by a simulation responding to the basin test in real time offers a way to avoid scaling problems and reduce cost barriers for floating wind turbine design validation in realistic coupled wind and wave conditions. This paper demonstrates the developmentmore » of performance specifications for a system that couples a wave basin experiment with a wind turbine simulation. Two different points for the hybrid coupling are considered: the tower-base interface and the aero-rotor interface (the boundary between aerodynamics and the rotor structure). Analyzing simulations of three floating wind turbine designs across seven load cases reveals the motion and force requirements of the coupling system. By simulating errors in the hybrid coupling system, the sensitivity of the floating wind turbine response to coupling quality can be quantified. The sensitivity results can then be used to determine tolerances for motion tracking errors, force actuation errors, bandwidth limitations, and latency in the hybrid coupling system. These tolerances can guide the design of hybrid coupling systems to achieve desired levels of accuracy. An example demonstrates how the developed methods can be used to generate performance specifications for a system at 1:50 scale. Results show that sensitivities vary significantly between support structure designs and that coupling at the aero-rotor interface has less stringent requirements than those for coupling at the tower base. As a result, the methods and results presented here can inform design of future hybrid coupling systems and enhance understanding of how test results are affected by hybrid coupling quality.« less

The study of recirculating aquaculture system in pond and its purification effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qu, Jiangqi; Zhang, Qingjing; Jia, Chengxia; Liu, Pan; Yang, Mu

2017-05-01

In this paper, a recirculating aquaculture purification system (RAPS) was designed to solve the problems of aquaculture pollution and shortage of freshwater resource according to the characteristic of northern freshwater ponds of China. The system were arranged in series and composed of high density culture pond, deposit pond, floating and submerged plant pond, ecological floating bed pond and biofilm filtrate pond. At the fish density of 20~30kg/m3 in the high density culture pond, the water quality parameters were monitored seasonally. The results indicated that the removal rate of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, ammonia nitrogen and nitrite nitrogen in the recirculating aquaculture system were 69.59%, 77.89%, 72.54% and 68.68%, respectively. The floating and submerged plant pond and ecological floating bed pond can remove TN and TP obviously, and increase dissolved oxygen and transparency significantly. And the biofilm filtrate pond has good effect of removing ammonium nitrogen and nitrite nitrogen, meanwhile, the microbial communities in the recirculating aquaculture system regulate on the water quality. Therefore, the RAPS show significant effects on water saving and pollution emission reducing.

Effects of pore forming agents on chitosan-graft-poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) hydrogel properties for use as a matrix for floating drug delivery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Budianto, E.; Al-Shidqi, M. F.; Cahyana, A. H.

2017-07-01

Eradicating H. pylori-based infection by using conventional oral dosage form of amoxicillin trihydrate finds difficulties to overcome rapid gastric retention time. Encapsulating amoxicillin trihydrate in floating drug delivery system may solve the problem. In this research, the floating drug delivery system of amoxicillin trihydrate encapsulated in floating chitosan-graft-poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) hydrogels containing CaCO3 and NaHCO3 as pore forming agents has been successfully prepared. Pore forming agents used was varied with the ratio of 10 to 25% pore forming agents to total mass of the used materials. The hydrogel were characterizedusing FTIR spectrophotometer and stereo microscope. As pore forming agents compositions increased, the porosity (%) and floating properties increased but followed by decrease in drug entrapment efficiency. Most of the floating hydrogels possessed floating ability longer than 180 min and the highest porosity was found in hydrogel containing 25% NaHCO3. Hydrogel containing CaCO3 showed sustained drug release profile than hydrogel containing NaHCO3. However, the optimum formulation was achieved at composition of 10% NaHCO3 with 57% of drug entrapped within the hydrogel and 43% drug released. The results of these studies show that NaHCO3 is an effective pore forming agents for chitosan-graft-poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) hydrogel preparation as compare to CaCO3.

Comparative evaluation of single and bilayered lamotrigine floating tablets

PubMed Central

Lakshmi, PK; Sridhar, M; Shruthi, B

2013-01-01

Aim: The purpose of this study was to prepare lamotrigine (LM) bilayered and single layered floating tablets and to compare their release profiles. Materials and Methods: LM floating tablets were prepared by direct compression method. Drug, hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose K4M, lactose monohydrate and polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 constitute controlled release layer components and floating layer components includes polymers and sodium bicarbonate. The prepared tablets were evaluated for physicochemical parameters such as hardness, friability, weight variation, thickness, floating lag time (FLT), floating time, in vitro buoyancy study, in vitro release studies. The drug-polymer interaction was studied by fourier transform infrared and differential scanning calorimetry. Results and Discussion: The FLT of all the formulations were within the prescribed limits (<3 min). When ethyl cellulose was used as floating layer component, tablets showed good buoyancy effect but eroded within 6-8 h. Hence it was replaced with hydroxypropyl cellulose -M hydrophilic polymer, which showed good FLT and floating duration for 16 h. Formulation LFC4 was found to be optimized with dissolution profile of zero order kinetics showing fickian diffusion. A comparative study of bilayered and single layered tablets of LM showed a highest similarity factor of 83.03, difference factor of 2.74 and t-test (P < 0.05) indicates that there is no significant difference between them. Conclusion: Though bilayered tablet possess many advantages, single layered tablet would be economical, cost-effective and reproducible for large scale production in the industry. However, the results of present study demonstrated that the in vitro development of bilayered gastro retentive floating tablets with controlled drug release profile for LM is feasible. PMID:24167788

Free-floating dual-arm robots for space assembly

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Agrawal, Sunil Kumar; Chen, M. Y.

1994-01-01

Freely moving systems in space conserve linear and angular momentum. As moving systems collide, the velocities get altered due to transfer of momentum. The development of strategies for assembly in a free-floating work environment requires a good understanding of primitives such as self motion of the robot, propulsion of the robot due to onboard thrusters, docking of the robot, retrieval of an object from a collection of objects, and release of an object in an object pool. The analytics of such assemblies involve not only kinematics and rigid body dynamics but also collision and impact dynamics of multibody systems. In an effort to understand such assemblies in zero gravity space environment, we are currently developing at Ohio University a free-floating assembly facility with a dual-arm planar robot equipped with thrusters, a free-floating material table, and a free-floating assembly table. The objective is to pick up workpieces from the material table and combine them into prespecified assemblies. This paper presents analytical models of assembly primitives and strategies for overall assembly. A computer simulation of an assembly is developed using the analytical models. The experiment facility will be used to verify the theoretical predictions.

The Usage of Geographical Information System in the Selection of Floating Cages Location for Aquaculture at Prigi Bay, Trenggalek Regency, East Java

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Armono, H. D.; Mahaputra, B. G.; Zikra, M.

2018-03-01

Floating cages is one of the methods of fish farming (aqua culture) that can be developed at rivers, lakes or seas. To determine a proper location for floating cages, there are some requirements that need to be fulfilled to maintain sustainibility of floating cages. Those requirements are the quality of the environment. This paper will discuss the selection of best location for aquaculture activities using Weighted Overlay method in the Geographical Information System, based on the the concentration of chlorophyll-a, sea surface temperature presented by Aqua MODIS Level 1b satellite images. The satellite data will be associated with the measured field data on March and October 2016. The study take place on Prigi Bay, at Trenggalek Regency, East Java. Based on spatial analysis in the Geographical Information System, the Prigi bay generally suitable for aquaculture activities using floating net cages. The result of Weighted Overlay combinations in both periods showed a mean score of 2.18 of 3 where 8.33 km2 (23.13% of the water area) considered as "very suitable" and 27.67 km2 (76.87% of water area) considered "suitable".

Floating plant dominance as a stable state

PubMed Central

Scheffer, Marten; Szabó, Sándor; Gragnani, Alessandra; van Nes, Egbert H.; Rinaldi, Sergio; Kautsky, Nils; Norberg, Jon; Roijackers, Rudi M. M.; Franken, Rob J. M.

2003-01-01

Invasion by mats of free-floating plants is among the most important threats to the functioning and biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems ranging from temperate ponds and ditches to tropical lakes. Dark, anoxic conditions under thick floating-plant cover leave little opportunity for animal or plant life, and they can have large negative impacts on fisheries and navigation in tropical lakes. Here, we demonstrate that floating-plant dominance can be a self-stabilizing ecosystem state, which may explain its notorious persistence in many situations. Our results, based on experiments, field data, and models, represent evidence for alternative domains of attraction in ecosystems. An implication of our findings is that nutrient enrichment reduces the resilience of freshwater systems against a shift to floating-plant dominance. On the other hand, our results also suggest that a single drastic harvest of floating plants can induce a permanent shift to an alternative state dominated by rooted, submerged growth forms. PMID:12634429

Floating Loop System For Cooling Integrated Motors And Inverters Using Hot Liquid Refrigerant

DOEpatents

Hsu, John S [Oak Ridge, TN; Ayers, Curtis W [Kingston, TN; Coomer, Chester [Knoxville, TN; Marlino, Laura D [Oak Ridge, TN

2006-02-07

A floating loop vehicle component cooling and air-conditioning system having at least one compressor for compressing cool vapor refrigerant into hot vapor refrigerant; at least one condenser for condensing the hot vapor refrigerant into hot liquid refrigerant by exchanging heat with outdoor air; at least one floating loop component cooling device for evaporating the hot liquid refrigerant into hot vapor refrigerant; at least one expansion device for expanding the hot liquid refrigerant into cool liquid refrigerant; at least one air conditioning evaporator for evaporating the cool liquid refrigerant into cool vapor refrigerant by exchanging heat with indoor air; and piping for interconnecting components of the cooling and air conditioning system.

Vertical viewing angle enhancement for the 360  degree integral-floating display using an anamorphic optic system.

PubMed

Erdenebat, Munkh-Uchral; Kwon, Ki-Chul; Yoo, Kwan-Hee; Baasantseren, Ganbat; Park, Jae-Hyeung; Kim, Eun-Soo; Kim, Nam

2014-04-15

We propose a 360 degree integral-floating display with an enhanced vertical viewing angle. The system projects two-dimensional elemental image arrays via a high-speed digital micromirror device projector and reconstructs them into 3D perspectives with a lens array. Double floating lenses relate initial 3D perspectives to the center of a vertically curved convex mirror. The anamorphic optic system tailors the initial 3D perspectives horizontally and vertically disperse light rays more widely. By the proposed method, the entire 3D image provides both monocular and binocular depth cues, a full-parallax demonstration with high-angular ray density and an enhanced vertical viewing angle.

Radiation Issues and Applications of Floating Gate Memories

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scheick, L. Z.; Nguyen, D. N.

2000-01-01

The radiation effects that affect various systems that comprise floating gate memories are presented. The wear-out degradation results of unirradiated flash memories are compared to irradiated flash memories. The procedure analyzes the failure to write and erase caused by wear-out and degradation of internal charge pump circuits. A method is described for characterizing the radiation effects of the floating gate itself. The rate dependence, stopping power dependence, SEU susceptibility and applications of floating gate in radiation environment are presented. The ramifications for dosimetry and cell failure are discussed as well as for the long term use aspects of non-volatile memories.

On the nature of control algorithms for free-floating space manipulators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Papadopoulos, Evangelos; Dubowsky, Steven

1991-01-01

It is suggested that nearly any control algorithm that can be used for fixed-based manipulators also can be employed in the control of free-floating space manipulator systems, with the additional conditions of estimating or measuring a spacecraft's orientation and of avoiding dynamic singularities. This result is based on the structural similarities between the kinematic and dynamic equations for the same manipulator but with a fixed base. Barycenters are used to formulate the kinematic and dynamic equations of free-floating space manipulators. A control algorithm for a space manipulator system is designed to demonstrate the value of the analysis.

Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center support for GODAE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dimitriou, D.; Sharfstein, P.; Ignaszewski, M.; Clancy, M.

2003-04-01

The U.S. Navy's Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC; see http://www.fnmoc.navy.mil/), located in Monterey, CA, is the lead activity within the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for numerical weather prediction and coupled air-sea modeling. FNMOC fulfills this role through means of a suite of sophisticated global and regional meteorological and oceanographic (METOC) models, extending from the top of the atmosphere to the bottom of the ocean, which is supported by one of the world's most complete real-time METOC databases. Fleet Numerical operates around-the-clock, 365 days per year and distributes METOC products to military and civilian users around the world, both ashore and afloat, through a variety of means, including a rapidly growing and innovative use of Web technology. FNMOC's customers include all branches of the Department of Defense (DoD), other government organizations such as the National Weather Service, private companies such as the Weather Channel, a number of colleges and universities, and the general public. FNMOC acquires and processes over 6 million METOC observations per day—creating one of the world's most comprehensive real-time databases of meteorological and oceanographic observations for assimilation into its models. FNMOC employs three primary models, the Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS), the Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS), and the WaveWatch III model (WW3), along with a number of specialized models and related applications. NOGAPS is a global weather model, driving nearly all other FNMOC models and applications in some fashion. COAMPS is a high-resolution regional model that has proved to be particularly valuable for forecasting weather and ocean conditions in highly complex coastal areas. WW3 is a state-of-the-art ocean wave model that is employed both globally and regionally in support of a wide variety of naval operations. Specialized models support and supplement the main models with predictions of ocean thermal structure, ocean currents, and other important data. In general, FNMOC strives to treat the air-ocean environment as a fully integrated system, from the top of the atmosphere to the bottom of the ocean, placing special emphasis on the air-ocean interface. FNMOC also hosts the USGODAE Server (see http://www.usgodae.org). Ongoing development of this system is being done through a partnership of FNMOC and NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Lab (PMEL), with oversight from the U.S. Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment (GODAE) Steering Committee and funding from the Office of Naval Research (ONR). The USGODAE Server hosts in-situ oceanographic data, atmospheric forcing fields suitable for driving ocean models and unique GODAE data sets, including demonstration ocean model products. The USGODAE Server contains fixed and drifting buoy data, bathythermograph data, PALACE float data, ship data and CMAN data. It also includes TOPEX, GFO, and ERS altimeter data, AVHRR SST retrievals, DMSP sea ice concentration retrievals and meteorological observations. The USGODAE Server also functions as one of two global repositories or Global Data Assembly Centers (GDACs) for data from the Argo global array of temperature/salinity profiling floats. Included in these online data sets are those from Canada (MEDS) with 67 floats and 1900 station files from April 2001 to present, Japan (JMA) with 97 floats and 2700 station files from April 2000 to present, and the U.S. (AOML) with 304 floats and 9800 station files from August 1997 to present, and France (CORIOLIS) with 121 floats and 5396 station files from early 2001 to present. On the USGODAE Server the Argo GDAC Web Interface allows users to easily select data based on time, region, Data Assembly Center (DAC), or float ID. Users can download float profile files, trajectory files, or technical data files. The atmospheric forcing fields hosted on the USGODAE Server are from both FNMOC and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). The FNMOC fields include output from both NOGAPS and COAMPS, with the COAMPS products obtained from the four regional areas surrounding the continental United States. Additionally, the server mirrors the METEO France Satellite Application Facility (SAF) ftp site, which provides surface radiative fluxes, wind vectors, sea-surface temperature fields, and sea ice. To facilitate access and visualization of USGODAE data sets, PMEL has developed the GODAE Live Access Server (LAS) software. LAS enables the Web user to visualize data with on-the-fly graphics, request custom subsets of variables in a choice of file formats, access background reference material about the data (i.e., metadata), and compare (e.g., difference) variables from different data sets. The USGODAE Server also uses the Grid Analysis and Display System (GrADS)/Distributed Oceanographic Data System (DODS) software from the Center for Ocean Land Atmosphere (COLA)/Institute of Global Environment and Society (IGES), serving NOGAPS, COAMPS and NCEP fields as time-aggregated DODS data sets. A thumbnail generator creates preview images for all non-gridded data files on the server, giving users the opportunity to view the contents of large in-situ and satellite data files before downloading them. The USGODAE Server has become a ``one-stop shop" for GODAE researchers and others requiring data to support global ocean modelling studies. As the execution phase for GODAE approaches, additional data sets and data access capabilities will be added to the server. An exciting new aspect of this will be the inclusion of demonstration model products produced by GODAE ocean modelers from around the world. As the server is populated with these products, it is expected to become a significant enabler and focal point for ocean model inter-comparison studies.

Hydroponic root mats for wastewater treatment-a review.

PubMed

Chen, Zhongbing; Cuervo, Diego Paredes; Müller, Jochen A; Wiessner, Arndt; Köser, Heinz; Vymazal, Jan; Kästner, Matthias; Kuschk, Peter

2016-08-01

Hydroponic root mats (HRMs) are ecotechnological wastewater treatment systems where aquatic vegetation forms buoyant filters by their dense interwoven roots and rhizomes, sometimes supported by rafts or other floating materials. A preferential hydraulic flow is created in the water zone between the plant root mat and the bottom of the treatment system. When the mat touches the bottom of the water body, such systems can also function as HRM filter; i.e. the hydraulic flow passes directly through the root zone. HRMs have been used for the treatment of various types of polluted water, including domestic wastewater; agricultural effluents; and polluted river, lake, stormwater and groundwater and even acid mine drainage. This article provides an overview on the concept of applying floating HRM and non-floating HRM filters for wastewater treatment. Exemplary performance data are presented, and the advantages and disadvantages of this technology are discussed in comparison to those of ponds, free-floating plant and soil-based constructed wetlands. Finally, suggestions are provided on the preferred scope of application of HRMs.

Development of an Operational TS Dataset Production System for the Data Assimilation System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Sung Dae; Park, Hyuk Min; Kim, Young Ho; Park, Kwang Soon

2017-04-01

An operational TS (Temperature and Salinity) dataset production system was developed to provide near real-time data to the data assimilation system periodically. It collects the latest 15 days' TS data of the north western pacific area (20°N - 55°N, 110°E - 150°E), applies QC tests to the archived data and supplies them to numerical prediction models of KIOST (Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology). The latest real-time TS data are collected from Argo GDAC and GTSPP data server every week. Argo data are downloaded from /latest_data directory of Argo GDAC. Because many duplicated data exist when all profile data are extracted from all Argo netCDF files, DB system is used to avoid duplication. All metadata (float ID, location, observation date and time, etc) of all Argo floats is stored into Database system and a Matlab program was developed to manipulate DB data, to check the duplication and to exclude duplicated data. GTSPP data are downloaded from /realtime directory of GTSPP data service. The latest data except ARGO data are extracted from the original data. Another Matlab program was coded to inspect all collected data using 10 QC tests and produce final dataset which can be used by the assimilation system. Three regional range tests to inspect annual, seasonal and monthly variations are included in the QC procedures. The C program was developed to provide regional ranges to data managers. It can calculate upper limit and lower limit of temperature and salinity at depth from 0 to 1550m. The final TS dataset contains the latest 15 days' TS data in netCDF format. It is updated every week and transmitted to numerical modeler of KIOST for operational use.

Aberration improvement of the floating 3D display system based on Tessar array and directional diffuser screen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Xin; Sang, Xinzhu; Yu, Xunbo; Zhang, Wanlu; Yan, Binbin; Yu, Chongxiu

2018-06-01

The floating 3D display system based on Tessar array and directional diffuser screen is proposed. The directional diffuser screen can smoothen the gap of lens array and make the 3D image's brightness continuous. The optical structure and aberration characteristics of the floating three-dimensional (3D) display system are analyzed. The simulation and experiment are carried out, which show that the 3D image quality becomes more and more deteriorative with the further distance of the image plane and the increasing viewing angle. To suppress the aberrations, the Tessar array is proposed according to the aberration characteristics of the floating 3D display system. A 3840 × 2160 liquid crystal display panel (LCD) with the size of 23.6 inches, a directional diffuser screen and a Tessar array are used to display the final 3D images. The aberrations are reduced and the definition is improved compared with that of the display with a single-lens array. The display depth of more than 20 cm and the viewing angle of more than 45° can be achieved.

Northern Arabian Sea Circulation - Autonomous Research: Optimal Planning Systems (NASCar-OPS)

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-30

vehicles ( gliders , drifters, floats, and/or wave- gliders ) - Provide guidance for persistent optimal sampling, including for long-duration observation...headings and relative operating speeds will be provided to the operational fleets of instruments and vehicles (e.g. gliders , drifters, floats or wave... gliders ). We plan to use models specific to vehicle types (floats, wave- gliders , etc.). We also plan to further parallelize and optimize our codes

Preparation and evaluation of novel metronidazole sustained release and floating matrix tablets.

PubMed

Asnaashari, Solmaz; Khoei, Nazaninossadat Seyed; Zarrintan, Mohammad Hosein; Adibkia, Khosro; Javadzadeh, Yousef

2011-08-01

In the present study, metronidazole was used for preparing floating dosage forms that are designed to retain in the stomach for a long time and have developed as a drug delivery system for better eradication of Helicobacter Pylori in peptic ulcer diseases. For this means, various formulations were designed using multi-factorial design. HPMC, psyllium and carbopol in different concentrations were used as floating agents, and sodium bicarbonate was added as a gas-forming agent. Hardness, friability, drug loading, floating ability and release profiles as well as kinetics of release were assessed. Formulations containing HPMC as filler showed prolonged lag times for buoyancy. Adding psyllium to these formulations had reduced relative lag times. Overall, selected formulations were able to float immediately and showed buoyancy for at least 8?h. Meanwhile, sustained profiles of drug release were also obtained. Kinetically, among the 10 assessed models, the release pattern of metronidazole from the tablets fitted best to Power law, Weibull and Higuchi models in respect overall to mean percentage error values of 3.8, 4.73 and 5.77, respectively, for calcium carbonate-based tablets and, 2.95, 6.39 and 3.9, respectively, for calcium silicate-based tablets. In general, these systems can float in the gastric condition and control the drug release from the tablets.

Floating tablets for controlled release of ofloxacin via compression coating of hydroxypropyl cellulose combined with effervescent agent.

PubMed

Qi, Xiaole; Chen, Haiyan; Rui, Yao; Yang, Fengjiao; Ma, Ning; Wu, Zhenghong

2015-07-15

To prolong the residence time of dosage forms within gastrointestinal trace until all drug released at desired rate was one of the real challenges for oral controlled-release drug delivery system. Herein, we developed a fine floating tablet via compression coating of hydrophilic polymer (hydroxypropyl cellulose) combined with effervescent agent (sodium bicarbonate) to achieve simultaneous control of release rate and location of ofloxacin. Sodium alginate was also added in the coating layer to regulate the drug release rate. The effects of the weight ratio of drug and the viscosity of HPC on the release profile were investigated. The optimized formulations were found to immediately float within 30s and remain lastingly buoyant over a period of 12 h in simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH 1.2) without pepsin, indicating a satisfactory floating and zero-order drug release profile. In addition, the oral bioavailability experiment in New Zealand rabbits showed that, the relative bioavailability of the ofloxacin after administrated of floating tablets was 172.19%, compared to marketed common release tablets TaiLiBiTuo(®). These results demonstrated that those controlled-released floating tables would be a promising gastro-retentive delivery system for drugs acting in stomach. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

El Hierro's floating stones as messengers of crust-magma interaction at depth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burchardt, S.; Troll, V. R.; Schmeling, H.; Koyi, H.; Blythe, L. S.; Longpré, M. A.; Deegan, F. M.

2012-04-01

During the early stages of the submarine eruption that started on October 10 2011 south of El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain, peculiar eruption products were found floating on the sea surface. These centimetre- to decimetre-sized "bombs" have been termed "restingolites" after the nearby village La Restinga and consist of a basaltic rind and a white to light grey core that resembles pumice in texture. According to Troll et al. (2011; see also Troll et al. EGU 2012 Abstracts), this material consists of a glassy matrix hosting extensive vesicle networks, which results in extremely low densities allowing these rocks to float on sea water. Mineralogical and geochemical analyses reveal that the "restingolites" originate from the sedimentary rocks (sand-, silt-, and mudstones) that form layer 1 of the oceanic crust beneath El Hierro. During the onset and early stages of the eruption, magma ponded at the base of this sedimentary sequence, breaking its way through the sedimentary rocks to the ocean floor. The textures of the "restingolites" reveal that crust-magma interaction during fragmentation and transport of the xenoliths involved rapid partial melting and volatile exsolution. Xenoliths strikingly similar to those from El Hierro are known from eruptions on other Canary Islands (e.g. La Palma, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote). In fact, they resemble in texture xenoliths of various protoliths from volcanic areas worldwide (e.g. Krakatao, Indonesia, Cerro Quemado, Guatemala, Laacher See, Germany). This indicates that the process of partial melting and volatile exsolution, which the "restingolites" bear witness of, is probably occurring frequently during shallow crustal magma emplacement. Thermomechanical numerical models of the effect of the density decrease associated with the formation of vesicle networks in partially molten xenoliths show that xenoliths of crustal rocks initially sink in a magma chamber, but may start to float to the chamber roof once they start to heat up and vesiculate. The "floating stones" from El Hierro thus represent the products of crust-magma interaction beneath the Canary Islands, but is probably relevant in most volcanic areas and tectonic settings. In addition, xenolith devolatilisation has important general implications for the mechanics of crustal recycling, magma emplacement into the upper crust and volatile release from active volcanic systems.

Capture of free-floating planets by planetary systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goulinski, Nadav; Ribak, Erez N.

2018-01-01

Evidence of exoplanets with orbits that are misaligned with the spin of the host star may suggest that not all bound planets were born in the protoplanetary disc of their current planetary system. Observations have shown that free-floating Jupiter-mass objects can exceed the number of stars in our Galaxy, implying that capture scenarios may not be so rare. To address this issue, we construct a three-dimensional simulation of a three-body scattering between a free-floating planet and a star accompanied by a Jupiter-mass bound planet. We distinguish between three different possible scattering outcomes, where the free-floating planet may get weakly captured after the brief interaction with the binary, remain unbound or 'kick out' the bound planet and replace it. The simulation was performed for different masses of the free-floating planets and stars, as well as different impact parameters, inclination angles and approach velocities. The outcome statistics are used to construct an analytical approximation of the cross-section for capturing a free-floating planet by fitting their dependence on the tested variables. The analytically approximated cross-section is used to predict the capture rate for these kinds of objects, and to estimate that about 1 per cent of all stars are expected to experience a temporary capture of a free-floating planet during their lifetime. Finally, we propose additional physical processes that may increase the capture statistics and whose contribution should be considered in future simulations in order to determine the fate of the temporarily captured planets.

The action of macrosounds on graphite ore and derived products

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bradeteanu, C.; Dragan, O.

1974-01-01

A suspension of graphite ore, floated graphite, and the gangue left over from flotation were subjected to the action of macrosounds under determinant conditions. The following was found: (1) The graphite ore undergoes an efficient settling action. (2) The floated graphite is strongly crushed down to the dimensions of colloidal graphite. (3) The gangue left over from flotation can be further processed to recuperate graphite from its nuclei.

Chemical Oxygen Demand abatement in sewage using Micro-Aeration Enhanced Ecological Floating Bed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Hongle; Zhou, Gaofeng; Liu, Yiqing; Tan, Jiancong; Fu, Yongsheng

2018-02-01

The traditional ecological floating bed combined with micro-aeration system and artificial medium was developed for the removal of contaminants and remediation of surface water. This micro-aeration enhanced ecological floating bed (MAEEFB) consisted of aeration unit, microbial processing unit and aquatic plant unit. Batch experiments were conducted in different operating conditions on the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the sewage using MAEEFB. The removal rate of COD by MAEEFB, enhanced ecological floating bed (EEFB) and traditional ecological floating bed (TEFB) in the same reaction conditions was 59.2%, 56.9% and 30.6%, respectively, indicating that the combination of micro-aeration system and artificial medium could enhance the removal efficiency of COD in TEFB. In MAEEFB, the aeration intensity should be designed reasonablely considering both treatment efficiency and operation cost. Only increasing the specific surface area of the packing cannot effectively improve the purification efficiency of water. Factors like packing material, ability of intercepting organics and complicated extent of microorganisms attaching on the packing should also be considered.

Potential productivity benefits of float-zone versus Czochralski crystal growth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abe, T.

1985-01-01

Efficient mass production of single-crystal silicon is necessary for the efficient silicon solar arrays needed in the coming decade. However, it is anticipated that there will be difficulty growing such volumes of crystals using conventional Czochralski (Cz) methods. While the productivity of single crystals might increase with a crystal diameter increase, there are two obstacles to the mass production of large diameter Czochralski crystals, the long production cycle due to slow growth rate and the high heat requirements of the furnaces. Also counterproductive would be the large resistivity gradient along the growth direction of the crystals due to impurity concentration. Comparison between Float zone (FZ) and Cz crystal growth on the basis of a crystal 150 mm in diameter is on an order of two to four times in favor of the FZ method. This advantage results from high growth rates and steady-state growth while maintaining a dislocation-free condition and impurity segregation.

Nonlinear quasi-static analysis of ultra-deep-water top-tension riser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Guanghai; Qiu, Xingqi; Wang, Ke; Liu, Jianjun

2017-09-01

In order to analyse the ultra-deep-water top-tension riser deformation in drilling conditions, a nonlinear quasi-static analysis model and equation are established. The riser in this model is regarded as a simply supported beam located in the vertical plane and is subjected to non-uniform axial and lateral forces. The model and the equation are solved by the finite element method. The effects of riser outside diameter, top tension ratio, sea surface current velocity, drag force coefficient, floating system drift distance and water depth on the riser lateral displacement are discussed. Results show that the riser lateral displacement increase with the increase in the sea surface current velocity, drag force coefficient and water depth, whereas decrease with the increase in the riser outside diameter, top tension ratio. The top tension ratio has an important influence on the riser deformation and it should be set reasonably under different circumstances. The drift of the floating system has a complicated influence on the riser deformation and it should avoid a large drift distance in the proceedings of drilling and production.

Biomass dynamics and sup 137 Cs cycling in floating-leaved macrophytes in a nuclear-contaminated aquatic ecosystem

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

Kelly, M.S.

1988-01-01

The purpose of these studies was to provide system-wide estimates of quantities of radioactive {sup 137}Cs cycling through above-sediment biomass of dominant macrophyte species during a growing season in Pond B, an abandoned cooling reservoir on the Department of Energy's Savannah River Plant, SC. Three floating-leaved species comprised 50-60% of plant standing crop in this softwater system and were the subject of production studies stratified by water depth. Turnover rates for leaf/petiole biomass averaged 2%, 3% and 5% day{sup {minus}1} and 5.9, 7.4 and 14.7 yr{sup {minus}1} for Nymphaea odorata, Brasenia schreberi, and Nymphoides cordata, respectively. Turnover rates varied bymore » season, water depth, and levels of herbivory, depending on species. {sup 137}Cs concentrations in plants did not different significantly by water depth, but were higher in petioles than in leaves. Transplant experiments determined that {sup 137}Cs was absorbed readily from the water column, and not from sediments, by all three species.« less

Development and Characterization of Novel Floating-Mucoadhesive Tablets Bearing Venlafaxine Hydrochloride.

PubMed

Misra, Raghvendra; Bhardwaj, Peeyush

2016-01-01

The present investigation is concerned about the development of floating bioadhesive drug delivery system of venlafaxine hydrochloride which after oral administration exhibits a unique combination of floating and bioadhesion to prolong gastric residence time and increase drug bioavailability within the stomach. The floating bioadhesive tablets were prepared by the wet granulation method using different ratios of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC K4MCR) and Carbopol 934PNF as polymers. Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and citric acid were used as gas (CO2) generating agents. Tablets were characterized for floating properties, in vitro drug release, detachment force, and swelling index. The concentration of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and Carbopol 934PNF significantly affects the in vitro drug release, floating properties, detachment force, and swelling properties of the tablets. The optimized formulation showed the floating lag time 72 ± 2.49 seconds and duration of floating 24.50 ± 0.74 hr. The in vitro release studies and floating behavior were studied in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) at pH 1.2. Different drug release kinetics models were also applied. The in vitro drug release from tablets was sufficiently sustained (more than 18 hr) and the Fickian transports of the drug from the tablets were confirmed. The radiological evidence suggests that the tablets remained buoyant and altered position in the stomach of albino rabbit and mean gastric residence time was prolonged (more than > 6 hr).

Annual nitrate drawdown observed by SOCCOM profiling floats and the relationship to annual net community production

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Kenneth S.; Plant, Joshua N.; Dunne, John P.; Talley, Lynne D.; Sarmiento, Jorge L.

2017-08-01

Annual nitrate cycles have been measured throughout the pelagic waters of the Southern Ocean, including regions with seasonal ice cover and southern hemisphere subtropical zones. Vertically resolved nitrate measurements were made using in situ ultraviolet spectrophotometer (ISUS) and submersible ultraviolet nitrate analyzer (SUNA) optical nitrate sensors deployed on profiling floats. Thirty-one floats returned 40 complete annual cycles. The mean nitrate profile from the month with the highest winter nitrate minus the mean profile from the month with the lowest nitrate yields the annual nitrate drawdown. This quantity was integrated to 200 m depth and converted to carbon using the Redfield ratio to estimate annual net community production (ANCP) throughout the Southern Ocean south of 30°S. A well-defined, zonal mean distribution is found with highest values (3-4 mol C m-2 yr-1) from 40 to 50°S. Lowest values are found in the subtropics and in the seasonal ice zone. The area weighted mean was 2.9 mol C m-2 yr-1 for all regions south of 40°S. Cumulative ANCP south of 50°S is 1.3 Pg C yr-1. This represents about 13% of global ANCP in about 14% of the global ocean area.