Measurement of the neutron electric to magnetic form factor ratio at Q2=1.58  GeV2 using the reaction 3He[over →](e[over →],e'n)pp.

PubMed

Schlimme, B S; Achenbach, P; Ayerbe Gayoso, C A; Bernauer, J C; Böhm, R; Bosnar, D; Challand, Th; Distler, M O; Doria, L; Fellenberger, F; Fonvieille, H; Gómez Rodríguez, M; Grabmayr, P; Hehl, T; Heil, W; Kiselev, D; Krimmer, J; Makek, M; Merkel, H; Middleton, D G; Müller, U; Nungesser, L; Ott, B A; Pochodzalla, J; Potokar, M; Sánchez Majos, S; Sargsian, M M; Sick, I; Sirca, S; Weinriefer, M; Wendel, M; Yoon, C J

2013-09-27

A measurement of beam helicity asymmetries in the reaction 3He[over →](e[over →],e'n)pp is performed at the Mainz Microtron in quasielastic kinematics to determine the electric to magnetic form factor ratio of the neutron GEn/GMn at a four-momentum transfer Q2=1.58  GeV2. Longitudinally polarized electrons are scattered on a highly polarized 3He gas target. The scattered electrons are detected with a high-resolution magnetic spectrometer, and the ejected neutrons are detected with a dedicated neutron detector composed of scintillator bars. To reduce systematic errors, data are taken for four different target polarization orientations allowing the determination of GEn/GMn from a double ratio. We find μnGEn/GMn=0.250±0.058(stat)±0.017(syst).

Mathematical Models of the Circadian Sleep-Wake Cycle.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-05-01

circadian geber , 97,98 system precision, 4 Form factor Damped oscillators, mutual excitation of, and relationship to ratio of deviations, 37 self-sustainment...rhythms, 5-6 Forced internal desynebronization, by Zeit- incorporation of, into models of circadian geber , 97,98 system precision, 4 Form factor Damped...equation, for modeling of circadian geber phase, and modification by fre- rhythms, 19 quency coefficient, 54,55,56 Oscillatory range, effects of

HQET form factors for Bs → Klv decays beyond leading order

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banerjee, Debasish; Koren, Mateusz; Simma, Hubert; Sommer, Rainer

2018-03-01

We compute semi-leptonic Bs decay form factors using Heavy Quark Effective Theory on the lattice. To obtain good control of the 1 /mb expansion, one has to take into account not only the leading static order but also the terms arising at O (1/mb): kinetic, spin and current insertions. We show results for these terms calculated through the ratio method, using our prior results for the static order. After combining them with non-perturbative HQET parameters they can be continuum-extrapolated to give the QCD form factor correct up to O (1/mb2) corrections and without O (αs(mb)n) corrections.

Charge form factor of the neutron at low momentum transfer from the 2H-->(e-->,e'n)1H reaction.

PubMed

Geis, E; Kohl, M; Ziskin, V; Akdogan, T; Arenhövel, H; Alarcon, R; Bertozzi, W; Booth, E; Botto, T; Calarco, J; Clasie, B; Crawford, C B; DeGrush, A; Donnelly, T W; Dow, K; Farkhondeh, M; Fatemi, R; Filoti, O; Franklin, W; Gao, H; Gilad, S; Hasell, D; Karpius, P; Kolster, H; Lee, T; Maschinot, A; Matthews, J; McIlhany, K; Meitanis, N; Milner, R G; Rapaport, J; Redwine, R P; Seely, J; Shinozaki, A; Sirca, S; Sindile, A; Six, E; Smith, T; Steadman, M; Tonguc, B; Tschalaer, C; Tsentalovich, E; Turchinetz, W; Xiao, Y; Xu, W; Zhang, C; Zhou, Z; Zwart, T

2008-07-25

We report new measurements of the neutron charge form factor at low momentum transfer using quasielastic electrodisintegration of the deuteron. Longitudinally polarized electrons at an energy of 850 MeV were scattered from an isotopically pure, highly polarized deuterium gas target. The scattered electrons and coincident neutrons were measured by the Bates Large Acceptance Spectrometer Toroid (BLAST) detector. The neutron form factor ratio GEn/GMn was extracted from the beam-target vector asymmetry AedV at four-momentum transfers Q2=0.14, 0.20, 0.29, and 0.42 (GeV/c)2.

Nucleon and Elastic and Transition Form Factors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Segovia, Jorge; Cloët, Ian C.; Roberts, Craig D.; Schmidt, Sebastian M.

2014-12-01

We present a unified study of nucleon and elastic and transition form factors, and compare predictions made using a framework built upon a Faddeev equation kernel and interaction vertices that possess QCD-like momentum dependence with results obtained using a symmetry-preserving treatment of a vector vector contact-interaction. The comparison emphasises that experiments are sensitive to the momentum dependence of the running couplings and masses in the strong interaction sector of the Standard Model and highlights that the key to describing hadron properties is a veracious expression of dynamical chiral symmetry breaking in the bound-state problem. Amongst the results we describe, the following are of particular interest: possesses a zero at Q 2 = 9.5 GeV2; any change in the interaction which shifts a zero in the proton ratio to larger Q 2 relocates a zero in to smaller Q 2; there is likely a value of momentum transfer above which ; and the presence of strong diquark correlations within the nucleon is sufficient to understand empirical extractions of the flavour-separated form factors. Regarding the -baryon, we find that, inter alia: the electric monopole form factor exhibits a zero; the electric quadrupole form factor is negative, large in magnitude, and sensitive to the nature and strength of correlations in the Faddeev amplitude; and the magnetic octupole form factor is negative so long as rest-frame P- and D-wave correlations are included. In connection with the transition, the momentum-dependence of the magnetic transition form factor, , matches that of once the momentum transfer is high enough to pierce the meson-cloud; and the electric quadrupole ratio is a keen measure of diquark and orbital angular momentum correlations, the zero in which is obscured by meson-cloud effects on the domain currently accessible to experiment. Importantly, within each framework, identical propagators and vertices are sufficient to describe all properties discussed herein. Our analysis and predictions should therefore serve as motivation for measurement of elastic and transition form factors involving the nucleon and its resonances at high photon virtualities using modern electron-beam facilities.

Towards a Resolution of the Proton Form Factor Problem: New Electron and Positron Scattering Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adikaram, D.; Rimal, D.; Weinstein, L. B.; Raue, B.; Khetarpal, P.; Bennett, R. P.; Arrington, J.; Brooks, W. K.; Adhikari, K. P.; Afanasev, A. V.; Amaryan, M. J.; Anderson, M. D.; Anefalos Pereira, S.; Avakian, H.; Ball, J.; Battaglieri, M.; Bedlinskiy, I.; Biselli, A. S.; Bono, J.; Boiarinov, S.; Briscoe, W. J.; Burkert, V. D.; Carman, D. S.; Careccia, S.; Celentano, A.; Chandavar, S.; Charles, G.; Colaneri, L.; Cole, P. L.; Contalbrigo, M.; Crede, V.; D'Angelo, A.; Dashyan, N.; De Vita, R.; De Sanctis, E.; Deur, A.; Djalali, C.; Dodge, G. E.; Dupre, R.; Egiyan, H.; El Alaoui, A.; El Fassi, L.; Elouadrhiri, L.; Eugenio, P.; Fedotov, G.; Fegan, S.; Filippi, A.; Fleming, J. A.; Fradi, A.; Garillon, B.; Gilfoyle, G. P.; Giovanetti, K. L.; Girod, F. X.; Goetz, J. T.; Gohn, W.; Golovatch, E.; Gothe, R. W.; Griffioen, K. A.; Guegan, B.; Guidal, M.; Guo, L.; Hafidi, K.; Hakobyan, H.; Hanretty, C.; Harrison, N.; Hattawy, M.; Hicks, K.; Holtrop, M.; Hughes, S. M.; Hyde, C. E.; Ilieva, Y.; Ireland, D. G.; Ishkhanov, B. S.; Jenkins, D.; Jiang, H.; Jo, H. S.; Joo, K.; Joosten, S.; Kalantarians, N.; Keller, D.; Khandaker, M.; Kim, A.; Kim, W.; Klein, A.; Klein, F. J.; Koirala, S.; Kubarovsky, V.; Kuhn, S. E.; Livingston, K.; Lu, H. Y.; MacGregor, I. J. D.; Markov, N.; Mattione, P.; Mayer, M.; McKinnon, B.; Mestayer, M. D.; Meyer, C. A.; Mirazita, M.; Mokeev, V.; Montgomery, R. A.; Moody, C. I.; Moutarde, H.; Movsisyan, A.; Camacho, C. Munoz; Nadel-Turonski, P.; Niccolai, S.; Niculescu, G.; Osipenko, M.; Ostrovidov, A. I.; Park, K.; Pasyuk, E.; Peña, C.; Pisano, S.; Pogorelko, O.; Price, J. W.; Procureur, S.; Prok, Y.; Protopopescu, D.; Puckett, A. J. R.; Ripani, M.; Rizzo, A.; Rosner, G.; Rossi, P.; Roy, P.; Sabatié, F.; Salgado, C.; Schott, D.; Schumacher, R. A.; Seder, E.; Sharabian, Y. G.; Simonyan, A.; Skorodumina, I.; Smith, E. S.; Smith, G. D.; Sober, D. I.; Sokhan, D.; Sparveris, N.; Stepanyan, S.; Stoler, P.; Strauch, S.; Sytnik, V.; Taiuti, M.; Tian, Ye; Trivedi, A.; Ungaro, M.; Voskanyan, H.; Voutier, E.; Walford, N. K.; Watts, D. P.; Wei, X.; Wood, M. H.; Zachariou, N.; Zana, L.; Zhang, J.; Zhao, Z. W.; Zonta, I.; CLAS Collaboration

2015-02-01

There is a significant discrepancy between the values of the proton electric form factor, GEp, extracted using unpolarized and polarized electron scattering. Calculations predict that small two-photon exchange (TPE) contributions can significantly affect the extraction of GEp from the unpolarized electron-proton cross sections. We determined the TPE contribution by measuring the ratio of positron-proton to electron-proton elastic scattering cross sections using a simultaneous, tertiary electron-positron beam incident on a liquid hydrogen target and detecting the scattered particles in the Jefferson Lab CLAS detector. This novel technique allowed us to cover a wide range in virtual photon polarization (ɛ ) and momentum transfer (Q2) simultaneously, as well as to cancel luminosity-related systematic errors. The cross section ratio increases with decreasing ɛ at Q2=1.45 GeV2 . This measurement is consistent with the size of the form factor discrepancy at Q2≈1.75 GeV2 and with hadronic calculations including nucleon and Δ intermediate states, which have been shown to resolve the discrepancy up to 2 - 3 GeV2 .

High dietary calcium to phosphorus ratio and alkali-forming potential as factors promoting silica urolithiasis in sheep.

PubMed

Stewart, S R; Emerick, R J; Pritchard, R H

1990-02-01

Sheep were used to study factors previously found to promote silica urolithiasis in a rat model. In addition to high silica, these dietary factors included elevated calcium, a high calcium to phosphorus ratio and alkali-forming effects. Wether lambs had ad libitum access to a diet of 50% of grass hay and 50% ground oats plus supplement. Diet analysis was 3.4% total SiO2, .29% calcium, .25% phosphorus, 11.3% CP and 28% ADF. Treatments (40 lambs/treatment) consisted of a control (C), limestone to increase dietary calcium to .6% (L), L + 1% sodium bicarbonate (LS) and L + 1% ammonium chloride (LA). After a 91-d experimental period followed by a 56-d postexperimental finishing period, silica kidney deposits were found in all treatments, and SiO2 made up 74% to 97% of the urolithic ash. Kidney urolith incidences in the four treatments were C, 7/40; L, 12/40; LS, 20/40; and LA, 9/40. A higher urolith incidence in LS (LS vs C, P less than .05) and a trend toward a higher incidence in L (L vs C, P less than .2), accompanied by elevated urine pH (L = LS greater than C greater than LA, P less than .01), lend support to the concept that high-silica diets having high calcium to phosphorus ratios and alkali-forming potentials contribute to silica urolithiasis.

Electric Form Factor of the Neutron

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feuerbach, Robert

2007-10-01

Recent polarization-based precision measurements of the nucleons' elastic electric form factors have led to surprising results. The measurement of the ratio of the proton's electromagnetic form factors, μpGE^p/GM^p, was found to drop nearly linearly with Q^2 out to at least 5 GeV^2, inconsistent with the older Rosenbluth-type experiments. A recent measurement of GE^n, the neutron's electric form-factor saw GE^n does not fall off as quickly as commonly expected up to Q^2 1.5 GeV^2. Extending this study, a precision measurement of GE^n up to Q^2=3.5 GeV^2 was completed in Hall A at Jefferson Lab. The ratio GE^n/GM^n was measured through the beam-target asymmetry A of electrons quasi-elastically scattered off polarized neutrons in the reaction ^3He(e,e' n). The experiment took full advantage of the electron beam, recent target developments, as well as two detectors new to Jefferson Lab. The measurement used the accelerator's 100% duty-cycle high-polarization (typically 84%) electron beam and a new, hybrid optically-pumped polarized ^3He target which achieved in-beam polarizations in excess of 50%. A medium acceptance (80msr) open-geometry magnetic spectrometer (BigBite) detected the scattered electron, while a geometrically matched neutron detector observed the struck neutron. Preliminary results from this measurement will be discussed and compared to modern calculations of GE^n.

Stress intensity factors for deep cracks emanating from the corner formed by a hole intersecting a plate surface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcgowan, J. J.; Smith, C. W.

1974-01-01

A technique consisting of freezing photo-elasticity and a numerical method was used to obtain stress intensity factors for natural cracks emanating from the corner at which a hole intersects a plate surface. Geometries studied were: (1) crack depth to thickness ratios of approximately 0.2, (2) 0.5 and 0.75; (3) crack depth to crack length ratios of approximately 1.0 to 2.0; and (4) crack length to hole radius ratios of about 0.5 to 2.0. All final crack geometries were grown under monotonic loading and growth was not self similar, with most of the growth occuring through the thickness under remote extension. Stress intensity factors were determined at the intersection of the flaw border.

Proton elastic form factor ratios to Q2=3.5GeV2 by polarization transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Punjabi, V.; Perdrisat, C. F.; Aniol, K. A.; Baker, F. T.; Berthot, J.; Bertin, P. Y.; Bertozzi, W.; Besson, A.; Bimbot, L.; Boeglin, W. U.; Brash, E. J.; Brown, D.; Calarco, J. R.; Cardman, L. S.; Chai, Z.; Chang, C.-C.; Chen, J.-P.; Chudakov, E.; Churchwell, S.; Cisbani, E.; Dale, D. S.; Leo, R. De; Deur, A.; Diederich, B.; Domingo, J. J.; Epstein, M. B.; Ewell, L. A.; Fissum, K. G.; Fleck, A.; Fonvieille, H.; Frullani, S.; Gao, J.; Garibaldi, F.; Gasparian, A.; Gerstner, G.; Gilad, S.; Gilman, R.; Glamazdin, A.; Glashausser, C.; Gomez, J.; Gorbenko, V.; Green, A.; Hansen, J.-O.; Howell, C. R.; Huber, G. M.; Iodice, M.; de Jager, C. W.; Jaminion, S.; Jiang, X.; Jones, M. K.; Kahl, W.; Kelly, J. J.; Khayat, M.; Kramer, L. H.; Kumbartzki, G.; Kuss, M.; Lakuriki, E.; Laveissière, G.; Lerose, J. J.; Liang, M.; Lindgren, R. A.; Liyanage, N.; Lolos, G. J.; Macri, R.; Madey, R.; Malov, S.; Margaziotis, D. J.; Markowitz, P.; McCormick, K.; McIntyre, J. I.; Meer, R. L.; Michaels, R.; Milbrath, B. D.; Mougey, J. Y.; Nanda, S. K.; Offermann, E. A.; Papandreou, Z.; Pentchev, L.; Petratos, G. G.; Piskunov, N. M.; Pomatsalyuk, R. I.; Prout, D. L.; Quéméner, G.; Ransome, R. D.; Raue, B. A.; Roblin, Y.; Roche, R.; Rutledge, G.; Rutt, P. M.; Saha, A.; Saito, T.; Sarty, A. J.; Smith, T. P.; Sorokin, P.; Strauch, S.; Suleiman, R.; Takahashi, K.; Templon, J. A.; Todor, L.; Ulmer, P. E.; Urciuoli, G. M.; Vernin, P.; Vlahovic, B.; Voskanyan, H.; Wijesooriya, K.; Wojtsekhowski, B. B.; Woo, R. J.; Xiong, F.; Zainea, G. D.; Zhou, Z.-L.

2005-05-01

The ratio of the proton elastic electromagnetic form factors, GEp/GMp, was obtained by measuring Pt and Pℓ, the transverse and longitudinal recoil proton polarization components, respectively, for the elastic e→p→ep→reaction in the four-momentum transfer squared range of 0.5 to 3.5GeV2. In the single-photon exchange approximation, GEp/GMp is directly proportional to Pt/Pℓ. The simultaneous measurement of Pt and Pℓ in a polarimeter reduces systematic uncertainties. The results for GEp/GMp show a systematic decrease with increasing Q2, indicating for the first time a definite difference in the distribution of charge and magnetization in the proton. The data have been reanalyzed and their systematic uncertainties have become significantly smaller than those reported previously.

Flavor dependence of the pion and kaon form factors and parton distribution functions

DOE PAGES

Hutauruk, Parada T. P.; Cloët, Ian C.; Thomas, Anthony W.

2016-09-01

The separate quark flavor contributions to the pion and kaon valence quark distribution functions are studied, along with the corresponding electromagnetic form factors in the space-like region. The calculations are made using the solution of the Bethe-Salpeter equation for the model of Nambu and Jona-Lasinio with proper-time regularization. Both the pion and kaon form factors and the valence quark distribution functions reproduce many features of the available empirical data. The larger mass of the strange quark naturally explains the empirical fact that the ratio u(K) + (x)/u(pi) + (x) drops below unity at large x, with a value of approximately Mmore » $$2\\atop{u}$$/Ms$$2\\atop{s}$$ as x → 1. With regard to the elastic form factors we report a large flavor dependence, with the u-quark contribution to the kaon form factor being an order of magnitude smaller than that of the s-quark at large Q 2, which may be a sensitive measure of confinement effects in QCD. Surprisingly though, the total K + and π + form factors differ by only 10%. Lastly, in general we find that flavor breaking effects are typically around 20%.« less

Flavor dependence of the pion and kaon form factors and parton distribution functions

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

Hutauruk, Parada T. P.; Cloët, Ian C.; Thomas, Anthony W.

The separate quark flavor contributions to the pion and kaon valence quark distribution functions are studied, along with the corresponding electromagnetic form factors in the space-like region. The calculations are made using the solution of the Bethe-Salpeter equation for the model of Nambu and Jona-Lasinio with proper-time regularization. Both the pion and kaon form factors and the valence quark distribution functions reproduce many features of the available empirical data. The larger mass of the strange quark naturally explains the empirical fact that the ratio u(K) + (x)/u(pi) + (x) drops below unity at large x, with a value of approximately Mmore » $$2\\atop{u}$$/Ms$$2\\atop{s}$$ as x → 1. With regard to the elastic form factors we report a large flavor dependence, with the u-quark contribution to the kaon form factor being an order of magnitude smaller than that of the s-quark at large Q 2, which may be a sensitive measure of confinement effects in QCD. Surprisingly though, the total K + and π + form factors differ by only 10%. Lastly, in general we find that flavor breaking effects are typically around 20%.« less

Hydroxy nitrate production in the OH-initiated oxidation of alkenes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teng, A. P.; Crounse, J. D.; Lee, L.; St. Clair, J. M.; Cohen, R. C.; Wennberg, P. O.

2015-04-01

Alkenes are oxidized rapidly in the atmosphere by addition of OH and subsequently O2 leading to the formation of β-hydroxy peroxy radicals. These peroxy radicals react with NO to form β-hydroxy nitrates with a branching ratio α. We quantify α for CM2-C8 alkenes at 295 K ± 3 and 993 hPa. The branching ratio can be expressed as α = (0.045 ± 0.016) × N - (0.11 ± 0.05) where N is the number of heavy atoms (excluding the peroxy moiety), and listed errors are 2σ. These branching ratios are larger than previously reported and are similar to those for peroxy radicals formed from H abstraction from alkanes. We find the isomer distributions of β-hydroxy nitrates formed under NO-dominated peroxy radical chemistry to be different than the isomer distribution of hydroxy hydroperoxides produced under HO2-dominated peroxy radical chemistry. Assuming unity yield for the hydroperoxides implies that the branching ratio to form β-hydroxy nitrates increases with substitution of RO2. Deuterium substitution enhances the branching ratio to form hydroxy nitrates in both propene and isoprene by a factor of ~ 1.5. The role of alkene chemistry in the Houston region is re-evaluated using the RONO2 branching ratios reported here. Small alkenes are found to play a significant role in present-day oxidant formation more than a decade (2013) after the 2000 Texas Air Quality Study identified these compounds as major contributors to photochemical smog in Houston.

Abnormal factor VIII coagulant antigen in patients with renal dysfunction and in those with disseminated intravascular coagulation.

PubMed Central

Weinstein, M J; Chute, L E; Schmitt, G W; Hamburger, R H; Bauer, K A; Troll, J H; Janson, P; Deykin, D

1985-01-01

Factor VIII antigen (VIII:CAg) exhibits molecular weight heterogeneity in normal plasma. We have compared the relative quantities of VIII:CAg forms present in normal individuals (n = 22) with VIII:CAg forms in renal dysfunction patients (n = 19) and in patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC; n = 7). In normal plasma, the predominant VIII: CAg form, detectable by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was of molecular weight 2.4 X 10(5), with minor forms ranging from 8 X 10(4) to 2.6 X 10(5) D. A high proportion of VIII:CAg in renal dysfunction patients, in contrast, was of 1 X 10(5) mol wt. The patients' high 1 X 10(5) mol wt VIII: CAg level correlated with increased concentrations of serum creatinine, F1+2 (a polypeptide released upon prothrombin activation), and with von Willebrand factor. Despite the high proportion of the 1 X 10(5) mol wt VIII:CAg form, which suggests VIII:CAg proteolysis, the ratio of Factor VIII coagulant activity to total VIII:CAg concentration was normal in renal dysfunction patients. These results could be simulated in vitro by thrombin treatment of normal plasma, which yielded similar VIII:CAg gel patterns and Factor VIII coagulant activity to antigen ratios. DIC patients with high F1+2 levels but no evidence of renal dysfunction had an VIII:CAg gel pattern distinct from renal dysfunction patients. DIC patients had elevated concentrations of both the 1 X 10(5) and 8 X 10(4) mol wt VIII:CAg forms. We conclude that an increase in a particular VIII:CAg form correlates with the severity of renal dysfunction. The antigen abnormality may be the result of VIII:CAg proteolysis by a thrombinlike enzyme and/or prolonged retention of proteolyzed VIII:CAg fragments. Images PMID:3932466

Precise measurement of the neutron magnetic form factor G(M)n in the few-GeV2 region.

PubMed

Lachniet, J; Afanasev, A; Arenhövel, H; Brooks, W K; Gilfoyle, G P; Higinbotham, D; Jeschonnek, S; Quinn, B; Vineyard, M F; Adams, G; Adhikari, K P; Amaryan, M J; Anghinolfi, M; Asavapibhop, B; Asryan, G; Avakian, H; Bagdasaryan, H; Baillie, N; Ball, J P; Baltzell, N A; Barrow, S; Batourine, V; Battaglieri, M; Beard, K; Bedlinskiy, I; Bektasoglu, M; Bellis, M; Benmouna, N; Berman, B L; Biselli, A S; Bonner, B E; Bookwalter, C; Bouchigny, S; Boiarinov, S; Bradford, R; Branford, D; Briscoe, W J; Bültmann, S; Burkert, V D; Calarco, J R; Careccia, S L; Carman, D S; Casey, L; Cheng, L; Cole, P L; Coleman, A; Collins, P; Cords, D; Corvisiero, P; Crabb, D; Crede, V; Cummings, J P; Dale, D; Daniel, A; Dashyan, N; De Masi, R; De Vita, R; De Sanctis, E; Degtyarenko, P V; Denizli, H; Dennis, L; Deur, A; Dhamija, S; Dharmawardane, K V; Dhuga, K S; Dickson, R; Djalali, C; Dodge, G E; Doughty, D; Dragovitsch, P; Dugger, M; Dytman, S; Dzyubak, O P; Egiyan, H; Egiyan, K S; El Fassi, L; Elouadrhiri, L; Empl, A; Eugenio, P; Fatemi, R; Fedotov, G; Fersch, R; Feuerbach, R J; Forest, T A; Fradi, A; Gabrielyan, M Y; Garçon, M; Gavalian, G; Gevorgyan, N; Giovanetti, K L; Girod, F X; Goetz, J T; Gohn, W; Golovatch, E; Gothe, R W; Graham, L; Griffioen, K A; Guidal, M; Guillo, M; Guler, N; Guo, L; Gyurjyan, V; Hadjidakis, C; Hafidi, K; Hakobyan, H; Hanretty, C; Hardie, J; Hassall, N; Heddle, D; Hersman, F W; Hicks, K; Hleiqawi, I; Holtrop, M; Hu, J; Huertas, M; Hyde-Wright, C E; Ilieva, Y; Ireland, D G; Ishkhanov, B S; Isupov, E L; Ito, M M; Jenkins, D; Jo, H S; Johnstone, J R; Joo, K; Juengst, H G; Kageya, T; Kalantarians, N; Keller, D; Kellie, J D; Khandaker, M; Khetarpal, P; Kim, K Y; Kim, K; Kim, W; Klein, A; Klein, F J; Klusman, M; Konczykowski, P; Kossov, M; Kramer, L H; Kubarovsky, V; Kuhn, J; Kuhn, S E; Kuleshov, S V; Kuznetsov, V; Laget, J M; Langheinrich, J; Lawrence, D; Lima, A C S; Livingston, K; Lowry, M; Lu, H Y; Lukashin, K; Maccormick, M; Malace, S; Manak, J J; Markov, N; Mattione, P; McAleer, S; McCracken, M E; McKinnon, B; McNabb, J W C; Mecking, B A; Mestayer, M D; Meyer, C A; Mibe, T; Mikhailov, K; Mineeva, T; Minehart, R; Mirazita, M; Miskimen, R; Mokeev, V; Moreno, B; Moriya, K; Morrow, S A; Moteabbed, M; Mueller, J; Munevar, E; Mutchler, G S; Nadel-Turonski, P; Nasseripour, R; Niccolai, S; Niculescu, G; Niculescu, I; Niczyporuk, B B; Niroula, M R; Niyazov, R A; Nozar, M; O'Rielly, G V; Osipenko, M; Ostrovidov, A I; Park, K; Park, S; Pasyuk, E; Paterson, C; Pereira, S Anefalos; Philips, S A; Pierce, J; Pivnyuk, N; Pocanic, D; Pogorelko, O; Polli, E; Popa, I; Pozdniakov, S; Preedom, B M; Price, J W; Prok, Y; Protopopescu, D; Qin, L M; Raue, B A; Riccardi, G; Ricco, G; Ripani, M; Ritchie, B G; Rosner, G; Rossi, P; Rowntree, D; Rubin, P D; Sabatié, F; Saini, M S; Salamanca, J; Salgado, C; Sandorfi, A; Santoro, J P; Sapunenko, V; Schott, D; Schumacher, R A; Serov, V S; Sharabian, Y G; Sharov, D; Shaw, J; Shvedunov, N V; Skabelin, A V; Smith, E S; Smith, L C; Sober, D I; Sokhan, D; Starostin, A; Stavinsky, A; Stepanyan, S; Stepanyan, S S; Stokes, B E; Stoler, P; Stopani, K A; Strakovsky, I I; Strauch, S; Suleiman, R; Taiuti, M; Taylor, S; Tedeschi, D J; Thompson, R; Tkabladze, A; Tkachenko, S; Ungaro, M; Vlassov, A V; Watts, D P; Wei, X; Weinstein, L B; Weygand, D P; Williams, M; Wolin, E; Wood, M H; Yegneswaran, A; Yun, J; Yurov, M; Zana, L; Zhang, J; Zhao, B; Zhao, Z W

2009-05-15

The neutron elastic magnetic form factor was extracted from quasielastic electron scattering on deuterium over the range Q;{2}=1.0-4.8 GeV2 with the CLAS detector at Jefferson Lab. High precision was achieved with a ratio technique and a simultaneous in situ calibration of the neutron detection efficiency. Neutrons were detected with electromagnetic calorimeters and time-of-flight scintillators at two beam energies. The dipole parametrization gives a good description of the data.

B → Dℓν form factors at nonzero recoil and |V cb| from 2+1-flavor lattice QCD

DOE PAGES

Bailey, Jon A.

2015-08-10

We present the first unquenched lattice-QCD calculation of the hadronic form factors for the exclusive decay B¯→Dℓν¯ at nonzero recoil. We carry out numerical simulations on 14 ensembles of gauge-field configurations generated with 2+1 flavors of asqtad-improved staggered sea quarks. The ensembles encompass a wide range of lattice spacings (approximately 0.045 to 0.12 fm) and ratios of light (up and down) to strange sea-quark masses ranging from 0.05 to 0.4. For the b and c valence quarks we use improved Wilson fermions with the Fermilab interpretation, while for the light valence quarks we use asqtad-improved staggered fermions. We extrapolate ourmore » results to the physical point using rooted staggered heavy-light meson chiral perturbation theory. We then parametrize the form factors and extend them to the full kinematic range using model-independent functions based on analyticity and unitarity. We present our final results for f +(q 2) and f 0(q 2), including statistical and systematic errors, as coefficients of a series in the variable z and the covariance matrix between these coefficients. We then fit the lattice form-factor data jointly with the experimentally measured differential decay rate from BABAR to determine the CKM matrix element, |V cb|=(39.6 ± 1.7 QCD+exp ± 0.2 QED) × 10 –3. As a byproduct of the joint fit we obtain the form factors with improved precision at large recoil. In conclusion, we use them to update our calculation of the ratio R(D) in the Standard Model, which yields R(D)=0.299(11).« less

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

Wally Melnitchouk; John Tjon

We compute the corrections from two-photon and \\gamma-Z exchange in parity-violating elastic electron--proton scattering, used to extract the strange form factors of the proton. We use a hadronic formalism that successfully reconciled the earlier discrepancy in the proton's electron to magnetic form factor ratio, suitably extended to the weak sector. Implementing realistic electroweak form factors, we find effects of the order 2-3% at Q^2 <~ 0.1 GeV^2, which are largest at backward angles, and have a strong Q^2 dependence at low Q^2. Two-boson contributions to the weak axial current are found to be enhanced at low Q^2 and for forwardmore » angles. We provide corrections at kinematics relevant for recent and upcoming parity-violating experiments.« less

Explaining the Rapid Increase in Nigeria's Sex Ratio at Birth: Factors and Implications.

PubMed

Kaba, Amadu J

2015-06-01

This paper examines the rapid increase in Nigeria's sex ratio at birth from 1.03 boys born for every 1 girl born in each year from 1996-2008 to 1.06 in each year from 2009-2014, second only to Tunisia in Africa at 1.07. The average sex ratio at birth in the world in 2014 was 1.07. In most Black African nations or Black majority nations, it is 1.03 or less. Among the factors presented for this development are: historical fluctuations of sex ratio at birth; geography and ethnicity; male preference/chasing a son; Age of parents; high death rates of male infants and males in general; and wealth/socioeconomic status. Among the potential implications are: young and poor men in Nigeria may not be able to find brides and form families due to a potential shortage of females; emigration of young and poor Nigerian men to West (Africa) and elsewhere to seek brides and form families; immigration of marriage age women from West (Africa) and around the world to Nigeria to seek husbands; and low contraceptive use and high fertility rates in Nigeria.

Positive and negative feedback loops in nutrient phytoplankton interactions related to climate dynamics factors in a shallow temperate estuary (Vistula Lagoon, southern Baltic)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kruk, Marek; Kobos, Justyna; Nawrocka, Lidia; Parszuto, Katarzyna

2018-04-01

This study aims to demonstrate that factors associated with climate dynamics, such as temperature and wind, affect the ecosystem of the shallow Vistula Lagoon in the southern Baltic and cause nutrient forms phytoplankton interactions: the growth of biomass and constraints of it. This occurs through a network of direct and indirect relationships between environmental and phytoplankton factors, including interactions of positive and negative feedback loops. Path analysis supported by structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test hypotheses regarding the impact of climate factors on algal assemblages. Increased phytoplankton biomass was affected directly by water temperature and salinity, while the wind speed effect was indirect as it resulted in increased concentrations of suspended solids (SS) in the water column. Simultaneously, the concentration of SS in the water was positively correlated with particulate organic carbon (POC), particulate nitrogen (PN), and particulate phosphorus (PP), and was negatively correlated with the total nitrogen to phosphorus (N:P) ratio. Particulate forms of C, N, and phosphorus (P), concentrations of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and nitrate and nitrite nitrogen (NO3-N + NO2-N), and ratios of the total N:P and DIN:SRP, all indirectly effected Cyanobacteria C concentrations. These processes influence other phytoplankton groups (Chlorophyta, Bacillariophyceae and the picophytoplankton fraction). Increased levels of SRP associated with organic matter (POC), which stemmed from reduced DIN:SRP ratios, contributed to increased Cyanoprokaryota and picophytoplankton C concentrations, which created a positive feedback loop. However, a simultaneous reduction in the total N:P ratio could have inhibited increases in the biomass of these assemblages by limiting N, which likely formed a negative feedback loop. The study indicates that the nutrients-phytoplankton feedback loop phenomenon can intensify eutrophication in a temperate lagoon, including increases of the biomass of Cyanobacteria and picophytoplankton. However, it can also constrain this increase.

Towards a Resolution of the Proton Form Factor Problem: New Electron and Positron Scattering Data

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

Adikaram, D.; Rimal, D.; Weinstein, L. B.

There is a significant discrepancy between the values of the proton electric form factor, GpE, extracted using unpolarized and polarized electron scattering. Calculations predict that small two-photon exchange (TPE) contributions can significantly affect the extraction of GpE from the unpolarized electron-proton cross sections. We determined the TPE contribution by measuring the ratio of positron-proton to electron-proton elastic scattering cross sections using a simultaneous, tertiary electron-positron beam incident on a liquid hydrogen target and detecting the scattered particles in the Jefferson Lab CLAS detector. This novel technique allowed us to cover a wide range in virtual photon polarization (epsilon) and momentummore » transfer (Q2) simultaneously, as well as to cancel luminosity-related systematic errors. The cross section ratio increases with decreasing ε at Q2=1.45 GeV2. This measurement is consistent with the size of the form factor discrepancy at Q2≈1.75 GeV2 and with hadronic calculations including nucleon and Delta intermediate states, which have been shown to resolve the discrepancy up to 2-3 GeV2.« less

Towards a Resolution of the Proton Form Factor Problem: New Electron and Positron Scattering Data

DOE PAGES

Adikaram, D.; Rimal, D.; Weinstein, L. B.; ...

2015-02-10

There is a significant discrepancy between the values of the proton electric form factor, GpE, extracted using unpolarized and polarized electron scattering. Calculations predict that small two-photon exchange (TPE) contributions can significantly affect the extraction of GpE from the unpolarized electron-proton cross sections. We determined the TPE contribution by measuring the ratio of positron-proton to electron-proton elastic scattering cross sections using a simultaneous, tertiary electron-positron beam incident on a liquid hydrogen target and detecting the scattered particles in the Jefferson Lab CLAS detector. This novel technique allowed us to cover a wide range in virtual photon polarization (epsilon) and momentummore » transfer (Q2) simultaneously, as well as to cancel luminosity-related systematic errors. The cross section ratio increases with decreasing ε at Q2=1.45 GeV2. This measurement is consistent with the size of the form factor discrepancy at Q2≈1.75 GeV2 and with hadronic calculations including nucleon and Delta intermediate states, which have been shown to resolve the discrepancy up to 2-3 GeV2.« less

Towards a resolution of the proton form factor problem: new electron and positron scattering data.

PubMed

Adikaram, D; Rimal, D; Weinstein, L B; Raue, B; Khetarpal, P; Bennett, R P; Arrington, J; Brooks, W K; Adhikari, K P; Afanasev, A V; Amaryan, M J; Anderson, M D; Anefalos Pereira, S; Avakian, H; Ball, J; Battaglieri, M; Bedlinskiy, I; Biselli, A S; Bono, J; Boiarinov, S; Briscoe, W J; Burkert, V D; Carman, D S; Careccia, S; Celentano, A; Chandavar, S; Charles, G; Colaneri, L; Cole, P L; Contalbrigo, M; Crede, V; D'Angelo, A; Dashyan, N; De Vita, R; De Sanctis, E; Deur, A; Djalali, C; Dodge, G E; Dupre, R; Egiyan, H; El Alaoui, A; El Fassi, L; Elouadrhiri, L; Eugenio, P; Fedotov, G; Fegan, S; Filippi, A; Fleming, J A; Fradi, A; Garillon, B; Gilfoyle, G P; Giovanetti, K L; Girod, F X; Goetz, J T; Gohn, W; Golovatch, E; Gothe, R W; Griffioen, K A; Guegan, B; Guidal, M; Guo, L; Hafidi, K; Hakobyan, H; Hanretty, C; Harrison, N; Hattawy, M; Hicks, K; Holtrop, M; Hughes, S M; Hyde, C E; Ilieva, Y; Ireland, D G; Ishkhanov, B S; Jenkins, D; Jiang, H; Jo, H S; Joo, K; Joosten, S; Kalantarians, N; Keller, D; Khandaker, M; Kim, A; Kim, W; Klein, A; Klein, F J; Koirala, S; Kubarovsky, V; Kuhn, S E; Livingston, K; Lu, H Y; MacGregor, I J D; Markov, N; Mattione, P; Mayer, M; McKinnon, B; Mestayer, M D; Meyer, C A; Mirazita, M; Mokeev, V; Montgomery, R A; Moody, C I; Moutarde, H; Movsisyan, A; Camacho, C Munoz; Nadel-Turonski, P; Niccolai, S; Niculescu, G; Osipenko, M; Ostrovidov, A I; Park, K; Pasyuk, E; Peña, C; Pisano, S; Pogorelko, O; Price, J W; Procureur, S; Prok, Y; Protopopescu, D; Puckett, A J R; Ripani, M; Rizzo, A; Rosner, G; Rossi, P; Roy, P; Sabatié, F; Salgado, C; Schott, D; Schumacher, R A; Seder, E; Sharabian, Y G; Simonyan, A; Skorodumina, I; Smith, E S; Smith, G D; Sober, D I; Sokhan, D; Sparveris, N; Stepanyan, S; Stoler, P; Strauch, S; Sytnik, V; Taiuti, M; Tian, Ye; Trivedi, A; Ungaro, M; Voskanyan, H; Voutier, E; Walford, N K; Watts, D P; Wei, X; Wood, M H; Zachariou, N; Zana, L; Zhang, J; Zhao, Z W; Zonta, I

2015-02-13

There is a significant discrepancy between the values of the proton electric form factor, G(E)(p), extracted using unpolarized and polarized electron scattering. Calculations predict that small two-photon exchange (TPE) contributions can significantly affect the extraction of G(E)(p) from the unpolarized electron-proton cross sections. We determined the TPE contribution by measuring the ratio of positron-proton to electron-proton elastic scattering cross sections using a simultaneous, tertiary electron-positron beam incident on a liquid hydrogen target and detecting the scattered particles in the Jefferson Lab CLAS detector. This novel technique allowed us to cover a wide range in virtual photon polarization (ϵ) and momentum transfer (Q(2)) simultaneously, as well as to cancel luminosity-related systematic errors. The cross section ratio increases with decreasing ϵ at Q(2)=1.45  GeV(2). This measurement is consistent with the size of the form factor discrepancy at Q(2)≈1.75  GeV(2) and with hadronic calculations including nucleon and Δ intermediate states, which have been shown to resolve the discrepancy up to 2-3  GeV(2).

Mechanical Anisotropic and Electronic Properties of Amm2-carbon under Pressure*

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xing, Meng-Jiang; Li, Xiao-Zhen; Yu, Shao-Jun; Wang, Fu-Yan

2017-09-01

Structural, electronic properties and mechanical anisotropy of Amm2-carbon are investigated utilizing frist-principles calculations by Cambridge Serial Total Energy Package (CASTEP) code. The work is performed with the generalized gradient approximation in the form of Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE), PBEsol, Wu and Cohen (WC) and local density approximation in the form of Ceperley and Alder data as parameterized by Perdew and Zunger (CA-PZ). The mechanical anisotropy calculations show that Amm2-carbon exhibit large anisotropy in elastic moduli, such as Poisson’s ratio, shear modulus and Young’s modulus, and other anisotropy factors, such as the shear anisotropic factor and the universal anisotropic index AU. It is interestingly that the anisotropy in shear modulus and Young’s modulus, universal anisotropic index and the shear anisotropic factor all increases with increasing pressure, but the anisotropy in Poisson’s ratio decreases. The band structure calculations reveal that Amm2-carbon is a direct-band-gap semiconductor at ambient pressure, but with the pressure increasing, it becomes an indirect-band-gap semiconductor.

Calibration for single multi-mode fiber digital scanning microscopy imaging system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, Zhe; Liu, Guodong; Liu, Bingguo; Gan, Yu; Zhuang, Zhitao; Chen, Fengdong

2015-11-01

Single multimode fiber (MMF) digital scanning imaging system is a development tendency of modern endoscope. We concentrate on the calibration method of the imaging system. Calibration method comprises two processes, forming scanning focused spots and calibrating the couple factors varied with positions. Adaptive parallel coordinate algorithm (APC) is adopted to form the focused spots at the multimode fiber (MMF) output. Compare with other algorithm, APC contains many merits, i.e. rapid speed, small amount calculations and no iterations. The ratio of the optics power captured by MMF to the intensity of the focused spots is called couple factor. We setup the calibration experimental system to form the scanning focused spots and calculate the couple factors for different object positions. The experimental result the couple factor is higher in the center than the edge.

Primary culture of intestinal epithelial cells as a potential model for Toxoplasma gondii enteric cycle studies.

PubMed

Moura, Marcos de Assis; Amendoeira, Maria Regina Reis; Barbosa, Helene Santos

2009-09-01

The primary culture of intestinal epithelial cells from domestic cats is an efficient cellular model to study the enteric cycle of Toxoplasma gondii in a definitive host. The parasite-host cell ratio can be pointed out as a decisive factor that determines the intracellular fate of bradyzoites forms. The development of the syncytial-like forms of T. gondii was observed using the 1:20 bradyzoite-host cell ratio, resulting in similar forms described in in vivo systems. This alternative study potentially opens up the field for investigation into the molecular aspects of this interaction. This can contribute to the development of new strategies for intervention of a main route by which toxoplasmosis spreads.

Mineral Fiber Toxicology

EPA Science Inventory

The chemical and physical properties of different forms of mineral fibers impact biopersistence and pathology in the lung. Fiber chemistry, length, aspect ratio, surface area and dose are critical factors determining mineral fiber-associated health effects including cancer and as...

Bed forms created by simulated waves and currents in a large flume

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lacy, Jessica R.; Rubin, David M.; Ikeda, Hiroshi; Mokudai, Kuniyasu; Hanes, Daniel M.

2007-01-01

The morphology and evolution of bed forms created by combinations of waves and currents were investigated using an oscillating plate in a 4-m-wide flume. Current speed ranged from 0 to 30 cm/s, maximum oscillatory velocity ranged from 20 to 48 cm/s, oscillation period was 8 s (except for one run with 12 s period), and the median grain size was 0.27 mm. The angle between oscillations and current was 90°, 60°, or 45°. At the end of each run the sand bed was photographed and ripple dimensions were measured. Ripple wavelength was also determined from sonar images collected throughout the runs. Increasing the ratio of current to wave (i.e., oscillatory) velocity decreased ripple height and wavelength, in part because of the increased fluid excursion during the wave period. Increasing the ratio of current to waves, or decreasing the angle between current and waves, increased the three-dimensionality of bed forms. During the runs, ripple wavelength increased by a factor of about 2. The average number of wave periods for evolution of ripple wavelength to 90% of its final value was 184 for two-dimensional ripples starting from a flat bed. Bed form orientations at the end of each run were compared to four potential controlling factors: the directions of waves, current, maximum instantaneous bed shear stress, and maximum gross bed form normal transport (MGBNT). The directions of waves and of MGBNT were equally good predictors of bed form orientations, and were significantly better than the other two factors.

Final analysis of proton form factor ratio data at Q 2 = 4.0, 4.8, and 5.6 GeV 2

DOE PAGES

Puckett, A. J. R.; Brash, E. J.; Gayou, O.; ...

2012-04-11

Recently published measurements of the proton electromagnetic form factor ratio R = μ p G E p/G M p at momentum transfers Q 2 up to 8.5 GeV 2 in Jefferson Lab Hall C deviate from the linear trend of previous measurements in Jefferson Lab Hall A, favoring a slower rate of decrease of R with Q 2. While statistically compatible in the region of overlap with Hall A, the Hall C data hint at a systematic difference between the two experiments. This possibility was investigated in a reanalysis of the Hall A data. We find that the original analysismore » underestimated the background in the selection of elastic events. The application of an additional cut to further suppress the background increases the results for R, improving the consistency between Halls A and C.« less

Measurement of the N→Δ+(1232) Transition at High-Momentum Transfer by π0 Electroproduction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ungaro, M.; Stoler, P.; Aznauryan, I.; Burkert, V. D.; Joo, K.; Smith, L. C.; Adams, G.; Amarian, M.; Ambrozewicz, P.; Anghinolfi, M.; Asryan, G.; Audit, G.; Avakian, H.; Bagdasaryan, H.; Ball, J. P.; Baltzell, N. A.; Barrow, S.; Batourine, V.; Battaglieri, M.; Bedliski, I.; Bektasoglu, M.; Bellis, M.; Benmouna, N.; Berman, B. L.; Biselli, A. S.; Bonner, B. E.; Bouchigny, S.; Boiarinov, S.; Bradford, R.; Branford, D.; Briscoe, W. J.; Brooks, W. K.; Bültmann, S.; Butuceanu, C.; Calarco, J. R.; Careccia, S. L.; Carman, D. S.; Cazes, A.; Chen, S.; Cole, P. L.; Coltharp, P.; Cords, D.; Corvisiero, P.; Crabb, D.; Cummings, J. P.; Sanctis, E. De; Devita, R.; Degtyarenko, P. V.; Denizli, H.; Dennis, L.; Deur, A.; Dharmawardane, K. V.; Djalali, C.; Dodge, G. E.; Donnelly, J.; Doughty, D.; Dugger, M.; Dytman, S.; Dzyubak, O. P.; Egiyan, H.; Egiyan, K. S.; Elouadrhiri, L.; Eugenio, P.; Fatemi, R.; Fedotov, G.; Feldman, G.; Feuerbach, R. J.; Funsten, H.; Garçon, M.; Gavalian, G.; Gilfoyle, G. P.; Giovanetti, K. L.; Girod, F. X.; Goetz, J.; Gordon, C. I. O.; Gothe, R. W.; Griffioen, K. A.; Guidal, M.; Guillo, M.; Guler, N.; Guo, L.; Gyurjyan, V.; Hadjidakis, C.; Hakobyan, R. S.; Hardie, J.; Heddle, D.; Hersman, F. W.; Hleiqawi, I.; Holtrop, M.; Hicks, K.; Hyde-Wright, C. E.; Ilieva, Y.; Ireland, D. G.; Ishkhanov, B. S.; Ito, M. M.; Jenkins, D.; Jo, H. S.; Juengst, H. G.; Kellie, J. D.; Khandaker, M.; Kim, W.; Klein, A.; Klein, F. J.; Klimenko, A. V.; Kossov, M.; Kramer, L. H.; Kubarovsky, V.; Kuhn, J.; Kuhn, S. E.; Lachniet, J.; Laget, J. M.; Langheinrich, J.; Lawrence, D.; Lee, T.; Li, Ji; Livingston, K.; Marchand, C.; Markov, N.; McAleer, S.; McKinnon, B.; McNabb, J. W. C.; Mecking, B. A.; Mehrabyan, S.; Melone, J. J.; Mestayer, M. D.; Meyer, C. A.; Mikhailov, K.; Minehart, R.; Mirazita, M.; Miskimen, R.; Mokeev, V.; Morand, L.; Morrow, S. A.; Mueller, J.; Mutchler, G. S.; Napolitano, J.; Nasseripour, R.; Niccolai, S.; Niculescu, G.; Niculescu, I.; Niczyporuk, B. B.; Niroula, M.; Niyazov, R. A.; Nozar, M.; O'Rielly, G. V.; Osipenko, M.; Ostrovidov, A. I.; Park, K.; Pasyuk, E.; Philips, S. A.; Pivnyuk, N.; Pocanic, D.; Pogorelko, O.; Polli, E.; Pozdniakov, S.; Preedom, B. M.; Price, J. W.; Prok, Y.; Protopopescu, D.; Qin, L. M.; Raue, B. A.; Riccardi, G.; Ricco, G.; Ripani, M.; Ritchie, B. G.; Ronchetti, F.; Rosner, G.; Rossi, P.; Rubin, P. D.; Sabatié, F.; Salgado, C.; Santoro, J. P.; Sapunenko, V.; Schumacher, R. A.; Serov, V. S.; Sharabian, Y. G.; Skabelin, A. V.; Smith, E. S.; Sober, D. I.; Stavinsky, A.; Stepanyan, S. S.; Stepanyan, S.; Stokes, B. E.; Strakovsky, I. I.; Strauch, S.; Taiuti, M.; Tedeschi, D. J.; Thoma, U.; Tkabladze, A.; Todor, L.; Tkachenko, S.; Tur, C.; Vineyard, M. F.; Vlassov, A. V.; Weinstein, L. B.; Weygand, D. P.; Williams, M.; Wolin, E.; Wood, M. H.; Yegneswaran, A.; Zana, L.; Zhang, B.; Zhang, J.; Zhao, B.

2006-09-01

We report a new measurement of the exclusive electroproduction reaction γ*p→π0p to explore the evolution from soft nonperturbative physics to hard processes via the Q2 dependence of the magnetic (M1+), electric (E1+), and scalar (S1+) multipoles in the N→Δ transition. 9000 differential cross section data points cover W from threshold to 1.4GeV/c2, 4π center-of-mass solid angle, and Q2 from 3 to 6GeV2/c2, the highest yet achieved. It is found that the magnetic form factor GM* decreases with Q2 more steeply than the proton magnetic form factor, the ratio E1+/M1+ is small and negative, indicating strong helicity nonconservation, and the ratio S1+/M1+ is negative, while its magnitude increases with Q2.

Exposing strangeness: Projections for kaon electromagnetic form factors

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

Gao, Fei; Chang, Lei; Liu, Yu -Xin

A continuum approach to the kaon and pion bound-state problems is used to reveal their electromagnetic structure. For both systems, when used with parton distribution amplitudes appropriate to the scale of the experiment, Standard Model hard-scattering formulas are accurate to within 25% at momentum transfers Q 2 ≈ 8 GeV 2. There are measurable differences between the distribution of strange and normal matter within the kaons, e.g. the ratio of their separate contributions reaches a peak value of 1.5 at Q 2 ≈ 6 GeV 2. Its subsequent Q 2 evolution is accurately described by the hard scattering formulas. Projectionsmore » for the ratio of kaon and pion form factors at timelike momenta beyond the resonance region are also presented. In conclusion, these results and projections should prove useful in planning next-generation experiments.« less

Exposing strangeness: Projections for kaon electromagnetic form factors

DOE PAGES

Gao, Fei; Chang, Lei; Liu, Yu -Xin; ...

2017-08-28

A continuum approach to the kaon and pion bound-state problems is used to reveal their electromagnetic structure. For both systems, when used with parton distribution amplitudes appropriate to the scale of the experiment, Standard Model hard-scattering formulas are accurate to within 25% at momentum transfers Q 2 ≈ 8 GeV 2. There are measurable differences between the distribution of strange and normal matter within the kaons, e.g. the ratio of their separate contributions reaches a peak value of 1.5 at Q 2 ≈ 6 GeV 2. Its subsequent Q 2 evolution is accurately described by the hard scattering formulas. Projectionsmore » for the ratio of kaon and pion form factors at timelike momenta beyond the resonance region are also presented. In conclusion, these results and projections should prove useful in planning next-generation experiments.« less

Predictive variables for the biological behaviour of basal cell carcinoma of the face: relevance of morphometry of the nuclei.

PubMed

Appel, T; Bierhoff, E; Appel, K; von Lindern, J-J; Bergé, S; Niederhagen, B

2003-06-01

We did a morphometric analysis of 130 histological sections of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the face to find out whether morphometric variables in the structure of the nuclei of BCC cells could serve as predictors of the biological behaviour. We considered the following variables: maximum and minimum diameters, perimeter, nuclear area and five form factors that characterise and quantify the shape of a structure (axis ratio, shape factor, nuclear contour index, nuclear roundness and circumference ratio). We did a statistical analysis of primary and recurring tumours and four histology-based groups (multifocal superficial BCCs, nodular BCCs, sclerosing BCCs and miscellaneous forms) using a two-sided t test for independent samples. Multifocal superficial BCCs showed significantly smaller values for the directly measured variables (maximum and minimum diameters, perimeter and nuclear area). Morphometry could not distinguish between primary and recurring tumours.

Neotectonic Activity from Karewa Sediments, Kashmir Himalaya, India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agarwal, K. K.; Shah, R. A.; Achyuthan, H.; Singh, D. S.; Srivastava, S.; Khan, I.

2018-01-01

Intermontane basin sedimentation occurred during Pliocene-Pleistocene in the Karewa Basin which formed after the continent-continent collision resulting in the formation of Himalayan orogenic belt around Eocene. These are elongated, narrow, thrust bounded basins which have formed during the late stages of orogeny. Situated at a height of 1700-1800 m above sea level, the Karewa basin received sediments because of ponding of a pre-existing river system and the tectonic movements along the Great Himalayan Ranges in the north and the Pir-Panjal ranges in the south along active faults. About 1300 m thick sediments of largely fluvio-lacustrine, glacio-fluvio-lacustrine and eolian origin are exposed having evidences of neotectonically formed structural features such as folds and faults. Folds are more prominent in the Lower Karewa formation (Hirpur Formation) while faults (mostly normal faults) are abundant in the Upper Karewas (Nagum Formation). Drainage in the area varies from dendritic to anastomosing to parallel. Anastomosing drainage suggests sudden decrease in gradient while presence of linear features such as faults and ridges is evident by parallel drainage. Study of morphometric parameters such as stream length (Lsm) and stream length ratios (RL), bifurcation ratio (Rb), drainage density (D), form factor (Rf), circularity ratio (Rc), and elongation ratio (Re) also indicate intense tectonic activity in the recent past.

Solubility advantage of amorphous pharmaceuticals: I. A thermodynamic analysis.

PubMed

Murdande, Sharad B; Pikal, Michael J; Shanker, Ravi M; Bogner, Robin H

2010-03-01

In recent years there has been growing interest in advancing amorphous pharmaceuticals as an approach for achieving adequate solubility. Due to difficulties in the experimental measurement of solubility, a reliable estimate of the solubility enhancement ratio of an amorphous form of a drug relative to its crystalline counterpart would be highly useful. We have developed a rigorous thermodynamic approach to estimate enhancement in solubility that can be achieved by conversion of a crystalline form to the amorphous form. We rigorously treat the three factors that contribute to differences in solubility between amorphous and crystalline forms. First, we calculate the free energy difference between amorphous and crystalline forms from thermal properties measured by modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC). Secondly, since an amorphous solute can absorb significant amounts of water, which reduces its activity and solubility, a correction is made using water sorption isotherm data and the Gibbs-Duhem equation. Next, a correction is made for differences in the degree of ionization due to differences in solubilities of the two forms. Utilizing this approach the theoretically estimated solubility enhancement ratio of 7.0 for indomethacin (amorphous/gamma-crystal) was found to be in close agreement with the experimentally determined ratio of 4.9. 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association

Proton Form Factor Puzzle and the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS) two-photon exchange experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rimal, Dipak

The electromagnetic form factors are the most fundamental observables that encode information about the internal structure of the nucleon. The electric (GE) and the magnetic ( GM) form factors contain information about the spatial distribution of the charge and magnetization inside the nucleon. A significant discrepancy exists between the Rosenbluth and the polarization transfer measurements of the electromagnetic form factors of the proton. One possible explanation for the discrepancy is the contributions of two-photon exchange (TPE) effects. Theoretical calculations estimating the magnitude of the TPE effect are highly model dependent, and limited experimental evidence for such effects exists. Experimentally, the TPE effect can be measured by comparing the ratio of positron-proton elastic scattering cross section to that of the electron-proton [R = sigma(e +p)/sigma(e+p)]. The ratio R was measured over a wide range of kinematics, utilizing a 5.6 GeV primary electron beam produced by the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) at Jefferson Lab. This dissertation explored dependence of R on kinematic variables such as squared four-momentum transfer (Q2) and the virtual photon polarization parameter (epsilon). A mixed electron-positron beam was produced from the primary electron beam in experimental Hall B. The mixed beam was scattered from a liquid hydrogen (LH2) target. Both the scattered lepton and the recoil proton were detected by the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS). The elastic events were then identified by using elastic scattering kinematics. This work extracted the Q2 dependence of R at high epsilon(epsilon > 0.8) and the $epsilon dependence of R at approx 0.85 GeV2. In these kinematics, our data confirm the validity of the hadronic calculations of the TPE effect by Blunden, Melnitchouk, and Tjon. This hadronic TPE effect, with additional corrections contributed by higher excitations of the intermediate state nucleon, largely reconciles the Rosenbluth and the polarization transfer measurements of the electromagnetic form factors.

Sexual dysfunction among Chinese married men aged 30-60 years: a population-based study in Hong Kong.

PubMed

Zhang, Huiping; Yip, Andrew W C; Fan, Susan; Yip, Paul S F

2013-02-01

To estimate the prevalence of, and risk factors associated with, sexual dysfunction among Hong Kong Chinese married men aged 30-60 years. The present study was a part of the Ninth Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice survey conducted in 2007 by the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong. The data set consisted of 728 face-to-face interviews with Hong Kong Chinese married men aged 30-60 years living in the community. The classification of sexual dysfunction in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition" was used to measure male sexual dysfunction (MSD). Regarding MSD prevalence, approximately 15% of men reported ≥ 1 form of MSD, with a lack of sexual interest, erectile dysfunction, and premature ejaculation present in 11.1%, 4.3%, and 4.7%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that age (odds ratio 2.39), employment status (odds ratio 3.62), having a wife who sought medical help for sexual problems (odds ratio 4.47), liberal attitudes toward female sexual initiation (odds ratio 2.07), and marital dissatisfaction (odds ratio 2.35) were all statistically significant risk factors for MSD and its specific components among the sample. However, having traditional attitudes toward female sexual refusal was a protective factor for MSD (odds ratio 0.51) and lack of sexual interest (odds ratio 0.51). The prevalence of MSD was low among young and middle-age married men in Hong Kong. Factors contributing to the risk of MSD spanned the domains of socioeconomic status, attitudes toward sex, and relationship factors. These findings suggest future directions for public health policies and the delivery of services that address the prevention and treatment of MSD. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Periodic Orbits Contribution to the 2-Point Correlation Form Factor for Pseudo-Integrable Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bogomolny, E.; Giraud, O.; Schmit, C.

Using heuristic arguments based on the trace formulas we relate the 2-point correlation form factor, K2(τ), at small values of τ with sums over classical periodic orbits for typical examples of pseudo-integrable systems. The later sums have been explicitly calculated for the following models: (i) plane billiards in the form of right triangles with one angle π/n and (ii) rectangular billiards with the Aharonov-Bohm flux line. In the first model, using the properties of the Veech structure, it is shown that K2(0)=(n+ɛ(n))/(3(n-2)), where ɛ(n)= 0 for odd n, ɛ(n)= 2 for even n not divisible by 3, and ɛ(n)=6 for even n divisible by 3. For completeness we also recall informally the main features of the Veech construction. In the second model the answer depends on arithmetical properties of ratios of flux line coordinates to the corresponding sides of the rectangle. When these ratios are non-commensurable irrational numbers, K2(0)=1-3 , where is the fractional part of the flux through the rectangle when and it is symmetric with respect to the line when . The comparison of these results with numerical calculations of the form factor is discussed in detail. The above values of K2(0) differ from all known examples of spectral statistics, thus confirming analytically the peculiarities of statistical properties of the energy levels in pseudo-integrable systems.

Factors Affecting the Dissolution of Indomethacin Solid Dispersions.

PubMed

Zhang, Wei; Zhang, Chen-Ning; He, Yue; Duan, Ban-Yan; Yang, Guang-Yi; Ma, Wei-Dong; Zhang, Yong-Hong

2017-11-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of factors such as carrier type, drug/carrier ratio, binary carriers, and preparation method on the dissolution of an insoluble drug, indomethacin (IM), under supersaturation conditions. Using a solvent evaporation (SE) method, poloxamer 188 and PVP K30 showed better dissolution among the selected carriers. Furthermore, as the ratio of carriers increased (drug/carrier ratio from 1:0.5 to 1:2), the dissolution rate increased especially in almost two times poloxamer 188 solid dispersions (SDs), while the reverse results were observed for PVP K30 SDs. For the binary carrier SD, a lower dissolution was found. Under hot melt extrusion (HME), the dissolution of poloxamer 188 SD and PVP K30 SD was 0.83- and 0.94-folds lower than that using SE, respectively, while the binary carrier SD showed the best dissolution. For poloxamer 188 SDs, the drug's crystal form changed when using SE, while no crystal form change was observed using HME. IM was amorphous in PVP K30 SDs prepared by both methods. For binary carrier systems, amorphous and crystalline drugs coexisted in SD using SE, and negligible amorphous IM was in SD using HME. This study indicated that a higher amorphous proportion in SD did not correlate with higher dissolution rate, and other factors, such as carrier type, particle size, and density, were also critical.

Quality of the log-geometric distribution extrapolation for smaller undiscovered oil and gas pool size

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chenglin, L.; Charpentier, R.R.

2010-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey procedure for the estimation of the general form of the parent distribution requires that the parameters of the log-geometric distribution be calculated and analyzed for the sensitivity of these parameters to different conditions. In this study, we derive the shape factor of a log-geometric distribution from the ratio of frequencies between adjacent bins. The shape factor has a log straight-line relationship with the ratio of frequencies. Additionally, the calculation equations of a ratio of the mean size to the lower size-class boundary are deduced. For a specific log-geometric distribution, we find that the ratio of the mean size to the lower size-class boundary is the same. We apply our analysis to simulations based on oil and gas pool distributions from four petroleum systems of Alberta, Canada and four generated distributions. Each petroleum system in Alberta has a different shape factor. Generally, the shape factors in the four petroleum systems stabilize with the increase of discovered pool numbers. For a log-geometric distribution, the shape factor becomes stable when discovered pool numbers exceed 50 and the shape factor is influenced by the exploration efficiency when the exploration efficiency is less than 1. The simulation results show that calculated shape factors increase with those of the parent distributions, and undiscovered oil and gas resources estimated through the log-geometric distribution extrapolation are smaller than the actual values. ?? 2010 International Association for Mathematical Geology.

Stress intensity factors for deep cracks emanating from the corner formed by a hole intersecting a plate surface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcgowan, J. J.; Smith, C. W.

1976-01-01

The stress intensity factors (SIFs) at the end points of flaws emanating from the corner formed by the intersection of a plate with a hole were determined using stress freezing photoelasticity and a numerical technique known as the Taylor series correction method to extract the SIF values from the photoelastic data. The geometries studied were crack depth to thickness ratios of about 0.2, 0.5, and 0.75; crack depth to crack length ratios of about 1.0 to 2.0; and crack length to hole radius ratios of about 0.5 to 2.0. The SIFs were determined at the intersection of the flaw border with the plate surface (KS) and with the edge of the hole (KH). It is shown that extension of a crack emanating from a corner of intersection of a hole with a plate under monotonically increasing load is not self-similar and that as the flaw depth increases, KH decreases and KS increases. Existing theories and design criteria significantly overestimate the SIF at both the hole and the surface except for shallow flaws at the hole and deep flaws at the surface.

B→πll Form Factors for New Physics Searches from Lattice QCD.

PubMed

Bailey, Jon A; Bazavov, A; Bernard, C; Bouchard, C M; DeTar, C; Du, Daping; El-Khadra, A X; Freeland, E D; Gámiz, E; Gottlieb, Steven; Heller, U M; Kronfeld, A S; Laiho, J; Levkova, L; Liu, Yuzhi; Lunghi, E; Mackenzie, P B; Meurice, Y; Neil, E; Qiu, Si-Wei; Simone, J N; Sugar, R; Toussaint, D; Van de Water, R S; Zhou, Ran

2015-10-09

The rare decay B→πℓ^{+}ℓ^{-} arises from b→d flavor-changing neutral currents and could be sensitive to physics beyond the standard model. Here, we present the first ab initio QCD calculation of the B→π tensor form factor f_{T}. Together with the vector and scalar form factors f_{+} and f_{0} from our companion work [J. A. Bailey et al., Phys. Rev. D 92, 014024 (2015)], these parametrize the hadronic contribution to B→π semileptonic decays in any extension of the standard model. We obtain the total branching ratio BR(B^{+}→π^{+}μ^{+}μ^{-})=20.4(2.1)×10^{-9} in the standard model, which is the most precise theoretical determination to date, and agrees with the recent measurement from the LHCb experiment [R. Aaij et al., J. High Energy Phys. 12 (2012) 125].

$$B\\to\\pi\\ell\\ell$$ Form Factors for New-Physics Searches from Lattice QCD

DOE PAGES

Bailey, Jon A.

2015-10-07

The rare decay B→πℓ +ℓ - arises from b→d flavor-changing neutral currents and could be sensitive to physics beyond the standard model. Here, we present the first ab initio QCD calculation of the B→π tensor form factor f T. Together with the vector and scalar form factors f + and f 0 from our companion work [J. A. Bailey et al., Phys. Rev. D 92, 014024 (2015)], these parametrize the hadronic contribution to B→π semileptonic decays in any extension of the standard model. We obtain the total branching ratio BR(B +→π +μ +μ -)=20.4(2.1)×10 -9 in the standard model, whichmore » is the most precise theoretical determination to date, and agrees with the recent measurement from the LHCb experiment [R. Aaij et al., J. High Energy Phys. 12 (2012) 125].« less

Ischemic Optic Neuropathy in Cardiac Surgery: Incidence and Risk Factors in the United States from the National Inpatient Sample 1998 to 2013.

PubMed

Rubin, Daniel S; Matsumoto, Monica M; Moss, Heather E; Joslin, Charlotte E; Tung, Avery; Roth, Steven

2017-05-01

Ischemic optic neuropathy is the most common form of perioperative visual loss, with highest incidence in cardiac and spinal fusion surgery. To date, potential risk factors have been identified in cardiac surgery by only small, single-institution studies. To determine the preoperative risk factors for ischemic optic neuropathy, the authors used the National Inpatient Sample, a database of inpatient discharges for nonfederal hospitals in the United States. Adults aged 18 yr or older admitted for coronary artery bypass grafting, heart valve repair or replacement surgery, or left ventricular assist device insertion in National Inpatient Sample from 1998 to 2013 were included. Risk of ischemic optic neuropathy was evaluated by multivariable logistic regression. A total of 5,559,395 discharges met inclusion criteria with 794 (0.014%) cases of ischemic optic neuropathy. The average yearly incidence was 1.43 of 10,000 cardiac procedures, with no change during the study period (P = 0.57). Conditions increasing risk were carotid artery stenosis (odds ratio, 2.70), stroke (odds ratio, 3.43), diabetic retinopathy (odds ratio, 3.83), hypertensive retinopathy (odds ratio, 30.09), macular degeneration (odds ratio, 4.50), glaucoma (odds ratio, 2.68), and cataract (odds ratio, 5.62). Female sex (odds ratio, 0.59) and uncomplicated diabetes mellitus type 2 (odds ratio, 0.51) decreased risk. The incidence of ischemic optic neuropathy in cardiac surgery did not change during the study period. Development of ischemic optic neuropathy after cardiac surgery is associated with carotid artery stenosis, stroke, and degenerative eye conditions.

Compendium of energy-dependent sensitivity profiles for the TRX-2 thermal lattice

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

Tomlinson, E.T.; Lucius, J.L.; Drischler, J.D.

1978-03-01

Energy-dependent sensitivity profiles for five responses calculated for the TRX-2 thermal lattice with the ORNL sensitivity code system FORSS are presented here both in graphical form and in SENPRO format. The responses are the multiplication factor, k/sub eff/; the ratio of epithermal-to-thermal captures in /sup 238/U, /sup 28/rho; the ratio of epithermal-to-thermal fissions in /sup 235/U, /sup 25/delta; the ratio of fissions in /sup 238/U to fissions in /sup 235/U, /sup 28/delta; and the ratio of captures in /sup 238/U to fissions in /sup 235/U, CR. A summary table of the total sensitivities is also presented.

Factors governing hole expansion ratio of steel sheets with smooth sheared edge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoon, Jae Ik; Jung, Jaimyun; Lee, Hak Hyeon; Kim, Gyo-Sung; Kim, Hyoung Seop

2016-11-01

Stretch-flangeability measured using hole expansion test (HET) represents the ability of a material to form into a complex shaped component. Despite its importance in automotive applications of advanced high strength steels, stretch-flangeability is a less known sheet metal forming property. In this paper, we investigate the factors governing hole expansion ratio (HER) by means of tensile test and HET. We correlate a wide range of tensile properties with HERs of steel sheet specimens because the stress state in the hole edge region during the HET is almost the same as that of the uniaxial tensile test. In order to evaluate an intrinsic HER of steel sheet specimens, the initial hole of the HET specimen is produced using a milling process after punching, which can remove accumulated shearing damage and micro-void in the hole edge region that is present when using the standard HER evaluation method. It was found that the intrinsic HER of steel sheet specimens was proportional to the strain rate sensitivity exponent and post uniform elongation.

Maceral distributions in Illinois coals and their paleoenvironmental implications

USGS Publications Warehouse

Harvey, R.D.; Dillon, J.W.

1985-01-01

For purposes of assessing the maceral distribution of Illinois (U.S.A.) coals analyses were assembled for 326 face channel and drill core samples from 24 coal members of the Pennsylvanian System. The inertinite content of coals from the Missourian and Virgilian Series averages 16.1% (mineral free), compared to 9.4% for older coals from the Desmoinesian and older Series. This indicates there was generally a higher state of oxidation in the peat that formed the younger coals. This state probably resulted from greater exposure of these peats to weathering as the climate became drier and the water table lower than was the case for the older coals, although oxidation during allochthonous deposition of inertinite components is a genetic factor that needs further study to confirm the importance of the climate. Regional variation of the vitrinite-inertinite ratio (V-I), on a mineral- and micrinite-free basis, was observed in the Springfield (No. 5) and Herrin (No. 6) Coal Members to be related to the geographical position of paleochannel (river) deposits known to have been contemporaneous with the peats that formed these two coal strata. The V-I ratio is highest (generally 12-27) in samples from areas adjacent to the channels, and lower (5-11) some 10-20 km away. We interpret the V-I ratio to be an inverse index of the degree of oxidation to which the original peat was exposed. High V-I ratio coal located near the channels probably formed under more anoxic conditions than did the lower V-I ratio coal some distance away from the channels. The low V-I ratio coal probably formed in areas of the peat swamp where the watertable was generally lower than the channel areas. ?? 1986.

Selective concentration of aromatic bases from water with a resin adsorbent

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stuber, H.A.; Leenheer, J.A.

1983-01-01

Aromatic bases are concentrated from water on columns of a resin adsorbent and recovered by aqueous-acid elution. The degree of concentration attainable depends on the ratio of the capacity factor (k) of the neutral form of the amine to that of the ionized form. Capacity factors of ionic forms of amines on XAD-8 resin (a methylacrylic ester polymer) are greater than zero, ranging from 20 to 250 times lower than those of their neutral forms; they increase with increasing hydrophobicity of the amine. Thus, desorption by acid is an edition (k during desorption >0) rather than a displacement (k during desorption = 0) process. The degree of concentration attainable on XAD-8 resin varies with the hydrophobicity of the amine, being limited for hydrophilic solutes (for example, pyridine) by small neutral-form k's, reaching a maximum for amines of intermediate hydrophobicity (for example, quinoline), and decreasing for more hydrophobc solutes (for example, acridine) because of their large ionic-form k's.

Surface plasmons for doped graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bordag, M.; Pirozhenko, I. G.

2015-04-01

Within the Dirac model for the electronic excitations of graphene, we calculate the full polarization tensor with finite mass and chemical potential. It has, besides the (00)-component, a second form factor, which must be accounted for. We obtain explicit formulas for both form factors and for the reflection coefficients. Using these, we discuss the regions in the momentum-frequency plane where plasmons may exist and give numeric solutions for the plasmon dispersion relations. It turns out that plasmons exist for both, transverse electric and transverse magnetic polarizations over the whole range of the ratio of mass to chemical potential, except for zero chemical potential, where only a TE plasmon exists.

Evaluation of the secretion and release of vascular endothelial growth factor from two-dimensional culture and three-dimensional cell spheroids formed with stem cells and osteoprecursor cells.

PubMed

Lee, Hyunjin; Lee, Sung-Il; Ko, Youngkyung; Park, Jun-Beom

2018-05-18

Co-culture has been applied in cell therapy, including stem cells, and has been reported to give enhanced functionality. In this study, stem-cell spheroids were formed in concave micromolds at different ratios of stem cells to osteoprecursor cells, and the amount of secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was evaluated. Gingiva-derived stem cells and osteoprecursor cells in the amount of 6 × 105 were seeded on a 24-well culture plate or concave micromolds. The ratios of stem cells to osteoprecursor cells included: 0:4 (group 1), 1:3 (group 2), 2:2 (group 3), 3:1 (group 4), and 4:0 (group 5). The morphology of cells in a 2-dimensional culture (groups 1-5) showed a fibroblast-like appearance. The secretion of VEGF increased with the increase in stem cells, and a statistically significant increase was noted in groups 3, 4 and 5 when compared with the media-only group (p < 0.05). Osteoprecursor cells formed spheroids in concave microwells, and no noticeable change in the morphology was noted with the increase in stem cells. Spheroids containing stem cells were positive for the stem-cell markers SSEA-4. The secretion of VEGF from cell spheroids increased with the increase in stem cells. This study showed that cell spheroids formed with stem cells and osteoprecursor cells with different ratios, using microwells, had paracrine effects on the stem cells. The secretion of VEGF increased with the increase in stem cells. This stem-cell spheroid may be applied for tissue-engineering purposes.

Influence of moisture content, particle size and forming temperature on productivity and quality of rice straw pellets

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

Ishii, Kazuei, E-mail: k-ishii@eng.hokudai.ac.jp; Furuichi, Toru

Highlights: • Optimized conditions were determined for the production of rice straw pellets. • The moisture content and forming temperature are key factors. • High quality rice pellets in the lower heating value and durability were produced. - Abstract: A large amount of rice straw is generated and left as much in paddy fields, which causes greenhouse gas emissions as methane. Rice straw can be used as bioenergy. Rice straw pellets are a promising technology because pelletization of rice straw is a form of mass and energy densification, which leads to a product that is easy to handle, transport, storemore » and utilize because of the increase in the bulk density. The operational conditions required to produce high quality rice straw pellets have not been determined. This study determined the optimal moisture content range required to produce rice straw pellets with high yield ratio and high heating value, and also determined the influence of particle size and the forming temperature on the yield ratio and durability of rice straw pellets. The optimal moisture content range was between 13% and 20% under a forming temperature of 60 or 80 °C. The optimal particle size was between 10 and 20 mm, considering the time and energy required for shredding, although the particle size did not significantly affect the yield ratio and durability of the pellets. The optimized conditions provided high quality rice straw pellets with nearly 90% yield ratio, ⩾12 MJ/kg for the lower heating value, and >95% durability.« less

Extraction of the neutron electric form factor from measurements of inclusive double spin asymmetries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sulkosky, V.; Jin, G.; Long, E.; Zhang, Y.-W.; Mihovilovic, M.; Kelleher, A.; Anderson, B.; Higinbotham, D. W.; Širca, S.; Allada, K.; Annand, J. R. M.; Averett, T.; Bertozzi, W.; Boeglin, W.; Bradshaw, P.; Camsonne, A.; Canan, M.; Cates, G. D.; Chen, C.; Chen, J.-P.; Chudakov, E.; De Leo, R.; Deng, X.; Deur, A.; Dutta, C.; El Fassi, L.; Flay, D.; Frullani, S.; Garibaldi, F.; Gao, H.; Gilad, S.; Gilman, R.; Glamazdin, O.; Golge, S.; Gomez, J.; Hansen, J.-O.; Holmstrom, T.; Huang, J.; Ibrahim, H.; de Jager, C. W.; Jensen, E.; Jiang, X.; Jones, M.; Kang, H.; Katich, J.; Khanal, H. P.; King, P.; Korsch, W.; LeRose, J.; Lindgren, R.; Lu, H.-J.; Luo, W.; Markowitz, P.; Meekins, D.; Meziane, M.; Michaels, R.; Moffit, B.; Monaghan, P.; Muangma, N.; Nanda, S.; Norum, B. E.; Pan, K.; Parno, D.; Piasetzky, E.; Posik, M.; Punjabi, V.; Puckett, A. J. R.; Qian, X.; Qiang, Y.; Qui, X.; Riordan, S.; Saha, A.; Sawatzky, B.; Shabestari, M.; Shahinyan, A.; Shoenrock, B.; John, J. St.; Subedi, R.; Tobias, W. A.; Tireman, W.; Urciuoli, G. M.; Wang, D.; Wang, K.; Wang, Y.; Watson, J.; Wojtsekhowski, B.; Ye, Z.; Zhan, X.; Zhang, Y.; Zheng, X.; Zhao, B.; Zhu, L.; Jefferson Lab Hall A Collaboration

2017-12-01

Background: Measurements of the neutron charge form factor, GEn, are challenging because the neutron has no net charge. In addition, measurements of the neutron form factors must use nuclear targets which require accurately accounting for nuclear effects. Extracting GEn with different targets and techniques provides an important test of our handling of these effects. Purpose: The goal of the measurement was to use an inclusive asymmetry measurement technique to extract the neutron charge form factor at a four-momentum transfer of 1 (GeV/c ) 2 . This technique has very different systematic uncertainties than traditional exclusive measurements and thus serves as an independent check of whether nuclear effects have been taken into account correctly. Method: The inclusive quasielastic reaction 3He ⃗(e ⃗,e') was measured at Jefferson Laboratory. The neutron electric form factor, GEn, was extracted at Q2=0.98 (GeV/c ) 2 from ratios of electron-polarization asymmetries measured for two orthogonal target spin orientations. This Q2 is high enough that the sensitivity to GEn is not overwhelmed by the neutron magnetic contribution, and yet low enough that explicit neutron detection is not required to suppress pion production. Results: The neutron electric form factor, GEn, was determined to be 0.0414 ±0.0077 (stat)±0.0022 (syst) , providing the first high-precision inclusive extraction of the neutron's charge form factor. Conclusions: The use of the inclusive quasielastic 3He ⃗(e ⃗,e') with a four-momentum transfer near 1 (GeV/c ) 2 has been used to provide a unique measurement of GEn. This new result provides a systematically independent validation of the exclusive extraction technique results and implies that the nuclear corrections are understood. This is contrary to the proton form factor where asymmetry and differential cross section measurements have been shown to have large systematic differences.

Three Dimensional Parametric Analyses of Stress Concentration Factor and Its Mitigation in Isotropic and Orthotropic Plate with Central Circular Hole Under Axial In-Plane Loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagpal, Shubhrata; Jain, Nitin Kumar; Sanyal, Shubhashis

2016-01-01

The problem of finding the stress concentration factor of a loaded rectangular plate has offered considerably analytical difficulty. The present work focused on understanding of behavior of isotropic and orthotropic plate subjected to static in-plane loading using finite element method. The complete plate model configuration has been analyzed using finite element method based software ANSYS. In the present work two parameters: thickness to width of plate (T/A) and diameter of hole to width of plate (D/A) have been varied for analysis of stress concentration factor (SCF) and its mitigation. Plates of five different materials have been considered for complete analysis to find out the sensitivity of stress concentration factor. The D/A ratio varied from 0.1 to 0.7 for analysis of SCF and varied from 0.1 to 0.5 for analyzing the mitigation of SCF. 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 are considered as T/A ratio for all the cases. The results are presented in graphical form and discussed. The mitigation in SCF reported is very encouraging. The SCF is more sensitive to D/A ratio as compared to T/A.

Spin-1 Particles and Perturbative QCD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Melo, J. P. B. C.; Frederico, T.; Ji, Chueng-Ryong

2018-07-01

Due to the angular condition in the light-front dynamics (LFD), the extraction of the electromagnetic form factors for spin-1 particles can be uniquely determined taking into account implicitly non-valence and/or the zero-mode contributions to the matrix elements of the electromagnetic current. No matter which matrix elements of the electromagnetic current is used to extract the electromagnetic form factors, the same unique result is obtained. As physical observables, the electromagnetic form factors obtained from matrix elements of the current in LFD must be equal to those obtained in the instant form calculations. Recently, the Babar collaboration (Phys Rev D 78:071103, 2008) has analyzed the reaction e^+ + e^-→ ρ ^+ + ρ ^- at √{s}=10.58 GeV to measure the cross section as well as the ratios of the helicity amplitudes F_{λ 'λ }. We present our recent analysis of the Babar data for the rho meson considering the angular condition in LFD to put a stringent test on the onset of asymptotic perturbative QCD and predict the energy regime where the subleading contributions are still considerable.

A re-evaluation of finite-element models and stress-intensity factors for surface cracks emanating from stress concentrations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tan, P. W.; Raju, I. S.; Shivakumar, K. N.; Newman, J. C., Jr.

1988-01-01

A re-evaluation of the 3-D finite-element models and methods used to analyze surface crack at stress concentrations is presented. Previous finite-element models used by Raju and Newman for surface and corner cracks at holes were shown to have ill-shaped elements at the intersection of the hole and crack boundaries. These ill-shaped elements tended to make the model too stiff and, hence, gave lower stress-intensity factors near the hole-crack intersection than models without these elements. Improved models, without these ill-shaped elements, were developed for a surface crack at a circular hole and at a semi-circular edge notch. Stress-intensity factors were calculated by both the nodal-force and virtual-crack-closure methods. Both methods and different models gave essentially the same results. Comparisons made between the previously developed stress-intensity factor equations and the results from the improved models agreed well except for configurations with large notch-radii-to-plate-thickness ratios. Stress-intensity factors for a semi-elliptical surface crack located at the center of a semi-circular edge notch in a plate subjected to remote tensile loadings were calculated using the improved models. The ratio of crack depth to crack length ranged form 0.4 to 2; the ratio of crack depth to plate thickness ranged from 0.2 to 0.8; and the ratio of notch radius to the plate thickness ranged from 1 to 3. The models had about 15,000 degrees-of-freedom. Stress-intensity factors were calculated by using the nodal-force method.

Nucleon form factors from quenched lattice QCD with domain wall fermions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sasaki, Shoichi; Yamazaki, Takeshi

2008-07-01

We present a quenched lattice calculation of the weak nucleon form factors: vector [FV(q2)], induced tensor [FT(q2)], axial vector [FA(q2)] and induced pseudoscalar [FP(q2)] form factors. Our simulations are performed on three different lattice sizes L3×T=243×32, 163×32, and 123×32 with a lattice cutoff of a-1≈1.3GeV and light quark masses down to about 1/4 the strange quark mass (mπ≈390MeV) using a combination of the DBW2 gauge action and domain wall fermions. The physical volume of our largest lattice is about (3.6fm)3, where the finite volume effects on form factors become negligible and the lower momentum transfers (q2≈0.1GeV2) are accessible. The q2 dependences of form factors in the low q2 region are examined. It is found that the vector, induced tensor, and axial-vector form factors are well described by the dipole form, while the induced pseudoscalar form factor is consistent with pion-pole dominance. We obtain the ratio of axial to vector coupling gA/gV=FA(0)/FV(0)=1.219(38) and the pseudoscalar coupling gP=mμFP(0.88mμ2)=8.15(54), where the errors are statistical errors only. These values agree with experimental values from neutron β decay and muon capture on the proton. However, the root mean-squared radii of the vector, induced tensor, and axial vector underestimate the known experimental values by about 20%. We also calculate the pseudoscalar nucleon matrix element in order to verify the axial Ward-Takahashi identity in terms of the nucleon matrix elements, which may be called as the generalized Goldberger-Treiman relation.

Positron beams and two-photon exchange: The key to precision form factors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bernauer, Jan C.

2018-05-01

The proton elastic form factor ratio can be measured either via Rosenbluth separation in an unpolarized beam and target experiment, or via the use of polarization degrees of freedom. However, data produced by these two approaches show a discrepancy, increasing with Q2. The proposed explanation of this discrepancy—two-photon exchange—has been tested recently by three experiments. The results support the existence of a small two-photon exchange effect but cannot establish that theoretical treatment at the measured momentum transfers are valid. At larger momentum transfers, theory remains untested. This paper investigates the possibilities of measurements at DESY and Jefferson Lab to measure the effect at larger momentum transfers.

Perturbative corrections to B → D form factors in QCD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yu-Ming; Wei, Yan-Bing; Shen, Yue-Long; Lü, Cai-Dian

2017-06-01

We compute perturbative QCD corrections to B → D form factors at leading power in Λ/ m b , at large hadronic recoil, from the light-cone sum rules (LCSR) with B-meson distribution amplitudes in HQET. QCD factorization for the vacuum-to- B-meson correlation function with an interpolating current for the D-meson is demonstrated explicitly at one loop with the power counting scheme {m}_c˜ O(√{Λ {m}_b}) . The jet functions encoding information of the hard-collinear dynamics in the above-mentioned correlation function are complicated by the appearance of an additional hard-collinear scale m c , compared to the counterparts entering the factorization formula of the vacuum-to- B-meson correction function for the construction of B → π from factors. Inspecting the next-to-leading-logarithmic sum rules for the form factors of B → Dℓν indicates that perturbative corrections to the hard-collinear functions are more profound than that for the hard functions, with the default theory inputs, in the physical kinematic region. We further compute the subleading power correction induced by the three-particle quark-gluon distribution amplitudes of the B-meson at tree level employing the background gluon field approach. The LCSR predictions for the semileptonic B → Dℓν form factors are then extrapolated to the entire kinematic region with the z-series parametrization. Phenomenological implications of our determinations for the form factors f BD +,0 ( q 2) are explored by investigating the (differential) branching fractions and the R( D) ratio of B → Dℓν and by determining the CKM matrix element |V cb | from the total decay rate of B → Dμν μ .

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

Richter, W. A.; Brown, B. Alex

Assignments are made between theory and experiment of corresponding levels in {sup 26}Mg levels based on energies, lifetimes, branching ratios, electron scattering form factors, and reduced electromagnetic transition strengths. Results based on the new sd-shell interactions USDA (universal sd-shell interaction A) and USDB (universal sd-shell interaction B), as well as the older USD interaction, are compared.

Damping scaling factors for elastic response spectra for shallow crustal earthquakes in active tectonic regions: "average" horizontal component

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rezaeian, Sanaz; Bozorgnia, Yousef; Idriss, I.M.; Abrahamson, Norman; Campbell, Kenneth; Silva, Walter

2014-01-01

Ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) for elastic response spectra are typically developed at a 5% viscous damping ratio. In reality, however, structural and nonstructural systems can have other damping ratios. This paper develops a new model for a damping scaling factor (DSF) that can be used to adjust the 5% damped spectral ordinates predicted by a GMPE for damping ratios between 0.5% to 30%. The model is developed based on empirical data from worldwide shallow crustal earthquakes in active tectonic regions. Dependencies of the DSF on potential predictor variables, such as the damping ratio, spectral period, ground motion duration, moment magnitude, source-to-site distance, and site conditions, are examined. The strong influence of duration is captured by the inclusion of both magnitude and distance in the DSF model. Site conditions show weak influence on the DSF. The proposed damping scaling model provides functional forms for the median and logarithmic standard deviation of DSF, and is developed for both RotD50 and GMRotI50 horizontal components. A follow-up paper develops a DSF model for vertical ground motion.

Hard two-photon contribution to elastic lepton-proton scattering determined by the OLYMPUS experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hasell, D. K.; OLYMPUS Collaboration

2018-02-01

The OLYMPUS collaboration has recently made a precise measurement of the positron-proton to electron-proton elastic scattering cross section ratio, R 2γ, over a wide range of the virtual photon polarization, 0.456 < ɛ < 0.978. This provides a direct measure of hard two-photon exchange in elastic lepton-proton scattering widely thought to explain the discrepancy observed between unpolarized and polarized measurements of the proton form factor ratio, {μ }p{G}Ep/{G}Mp. The OLYMPUS results are small, within 1% on unity, over the range of momentum transfers measured and significantly lower than theoretical calculations that can explain part of the observed discrepancy in terms of two-photon exchange at higher momentum transfers. However, the results are in reasonable agreement with predictions based on phenomenological fits to the available form factor data. The motivation for measuring R 2γ will be presented followed by a description of the OLYMPUS experiment. The importance of radiative corrections in the analysis will be shown also. Then we will present the OLYMPUS results and compare with results from two similar experiments and theoretical calculations.

Fabry-Perot resonators with transverse coupling on SOI using loop mirrors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saber, Md Ghulam; Abadía, Nicolás; Wang, Yun; Plant, David V.

2018-05-01

A novel integrated transversely coupled Fabry-Perot resonator using loop mirrors as the end reflectors are demonstrated via simulations and experiments on the silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform. The resonator is formed by connecting two loop mirrors to the two output ports of a directional coupler to form the resonant cavity and utilizing the other two ports as the input and the output. Depending on which two ports of the directional coupler are mirrored, two configurations of the resonator can be achieved. The impacts of varying the cavity length and the coupling coefficient of the directional coupler on the output characteristics of the resonators are analyzed. A Q-factor of 28086 and an extinction ratio of 10.04 dB with an insertion loss of 1.9 dB is achieved experimentally for a 1038 μm cavity length and an extinction ratio of 18.14 dB and a Q-factor of 5120 with an insertion loss of 2.12 dB is obtained for a cavity length of 376 μm. The reported resonator offers additional freedom to tune the spectral characteristics.

Spectral damping scaling factors for shallow crustal earthquakes in active tectonic regions

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rezaeian, Sanaz; Bozorgnia, Yousef; Idriss, I.M.; Campbell, Kenneth; Abrahamson, Norman; Silva, Walter

2012-01-01

Ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) for elastic response spectra, including the Next Generation Attenuation (NGA) models, are typically developed at a 5% viscous damping ratio. In reality, however, structural and non-structural systems can have damping ratios other than 5%, depending on various factors such as structural types, construction materials, level of ground motion excitations, among others. This report provides the findings of a comprehensive study to develop a new model for a Damping Scaling Factor (DSF) that can be used to adjust the 5% damped spectral ordinates predicted by a GMPE to spectral ordinates with damping ratios between 0.5 to 30%. Using the updated, 2011 version of the NGA database of ground motions recorded in worldwide shallow crustal earthquakes in active tectonic regions (i.e., the NGA-West2 database), dependencies of the DSF on variables including damping ratio, spectral period, moment magnitude, source-to-site distance, duration, and local site conditions are examined. The strong influence of duration is captured by inclusion of both magnitude and distance in the DSF model. Site conditions are found to have less significant influence on DSF and are not included in the model. The proposed model for DSF provides functional forms for the median value and the logarithmic standard deviation of DSF. This model is heteroscedastic, where the variance is a function of the damping ratio. Damping Scaling Factor models are developed for the “average” horizontal ground motion components, i.e., RotD50 and GMRotI50, as well as the vertical component of ground motion.

Rooting depths of plants relative to biological and environmental factors

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

Foxx, T S; Tierney, G D; Williams, J M

1984-11-01

In 1981 to 1982 an extensive bibliographic study was completed to document rooting depths of native plants in the United States. The data base presently contains 1034 citations with approximately 12,000 data elements. In this paper the data were analyzed for rooting depths as related to life form, soil type, geographical region, root type, family, root depth to shoot height ratios, and root depth to root lateral ratios. Average rooting depth and rooting frequencies were determined and related to present low-level waste site maintenance.

Factors associated with recent intimate partner violence experience amongst currently married women in Afghanistan and health impacts of IPV: a cross sectional study.

PubMed

Gibbs, Andrew; Corboz, Julienne; Jewkes, Rachel

2018-05-03

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is exceedingly common in conflict and post-conflict settings. We first seek to describe factors associated with past 12 month IPV amongst currently married women in Afghanistan, focused on the factors typically assumed to drive IPV. Second, to describe whether IPV is independently associated with a range of health outcomes. Cross-sectional analysis of currently married Afghan women, comprising the baseline study of a trial to prevent IPV. We use multinomial regression, reporting adjusted relative-risk ratios to model factors associated with the different forms of IPV, comparing no IPV, emotional IPV only, and physical IPV and emotional IPV. Second we assessed whether experience of emotional IPV, and physical IPV, were independently associated with health outcomes, reporting adjusted ß coefficients and adjusted odds ratios as appropriate. Nine hundred thirty five currently married women were recruited, 11.8% experienced only emotional IPV and 23.1% experienced physical and emotional IPV. Emotional IPV only was associated with attending a women's group, greater food insecurity, her husband having more than one wife, experiencing other forms of family violence, and more inequitable community gender norms. Experiencing both physical IPV and emotional IPV was associated with attending a women's group, more childhood trauma, husband cruelty, her husband having more than one wife, experiencing other forms of family violence, more inequitable community gender norms, and greater reported disability. Emotional IPV and physical IPV were independently associated with worse health outcomes. IPV remains common in Afghanistan. Economic interventions for women alone are unlikely to prevent IPV and potentially may increase IPV. Economic interventions need to also work with husbands and families, and work to transform community level gender norms. NCT03236948 . Registered 28 July 2017, retrospectively registered.

Sex ratio of offspring of patients with prostatic cancer

PubMed Central

Hill, Gerry B.; Fincham, Shirley M.; Wijayasinghe, Chandrani; Haronga, Christine L.; Hendin, Michael M.

1985-01-01

We have examined the fertility of 354 patients with prostatic cancer and 597 controls who had married at least once and formed part of a population-based case-control study in Alberta. Considering offspring of both sexes, the mean fertility of the patients was 3.17, not significantly different from the mean of 3.11 for the controls. However, the sex ratios were significantly different, 56.5% of the patients' offspring being sons, compared with 50.1% of the controls' offspring. The difference in sex ratio persisted after adjustment for ethnic group, level of education and age at first marriage, which were found to be risk factors for prostatic cancer. PMID:4027827

Deducing the form factors for shear used in the calculus of the displacements based on strain energy methods. Mathematical approach for currently used shapes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Constantinescu, E.; Oanta, E.; Panait, C.

2017-08-01

The paper presents an initial study concerning the form factors for shear, for a rectangular and for a circular cross section, being used an analytical method and a numerical study. The numerical study considers a division of the cross section in small areas and uses the power of the definitions in order to compute the according integrals. The accurate values of the form factors are increasing the accuracy of the displacements computed by the use of the strain energy methods. The knowledge resulted from this study will be used for several directions of development: calculus of the form factors for a ring-type cross section of variable ratio of the inner and outer diameters, calculus of the geometrical characteristics of an inclined circular segment and, using a Bool algebra that operates with geometrical shapes, for an inclined circular ring segment. These shapes may be used to analytically define the geometrical model of a complex composite section, i.e. a ship hull cross section. The according calculus relations are also useful for the development of customized design commands in CAD commercial applications. The paper is a result of the long run development of original computer based instruments in engineering of the authors.

Synthesizing Risk from Summary Evidence Across Multiple Risk Factors.

PubMed

Shrier, Ian; Colditz, Graham A; Steele, Russell J

2018-07-01

Although meta-analyses provide summary effect estimates that help advise patient care, patients often want to compare their overall health to the general population. The Harvard Cancer Risk Index was published in 2004 and uses risk ratio estimates and prevalence estimates from original studies across many risk factors to provide an answer to this question. However, the published version of the formula only uses dichotomous risk factors and its derivation was not provided. The objective of this brief report was to provide the derivation of a more general form of the equation that allows the incorporation of risk factors with three or more levels.

An equation of state based upon a ratio of polynomials (rational) form for the residual Helmholtz energy: application to nitrogen, argon and methane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gomez-Osorio, Martin A.; Browne, Robert A.; Cristancho, Diego E.; Holste, James C.; Hall, Kenneth R.; Bell, Ian H.

2017-06-01

This work presents an equation of state that contains the residual Helmholtz free energy as a ratio of polynomials in density with temperature-dependent coefficients and demonstrates that it is a viable alternative for describing thermodynamic properties accurately. The specific form of the equation in this work has six density terms in the numerator, three density terms in the denominator, and five temperature parameters for each temperature-dependent coefficient. Nitrogen, argon, and methane serve as prototype fluids to demonstrate the capability of the form to describe p-ρ-T behaviour, vapour pressures, speeds of sound, and isochoric heat capacities up to 1000 MPa. Characteristic curves for several properties of nitrogen generated using the equation exhibit proper behaviour at high temperatures and pressures. Because the equation contains no exponential terms or non-integer exponents, the computational time associated with the new equation is more than a factor of 10 less than that required for similar equations with comparable accuracy.

Extraction of the neutron electric form factor from measurements of inclusive double spin asymmetries

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

Sulkosky, V.; Jin, G.; Long, E.

Background: Measurements of the neutron charge form factor, Gmore » $$n\\atop{E}$$, are challenging because the neutron has no net charge. Additionally, measurements of the neutron form factors must use nuclear targets which require accurately accounting for nuclear effects. Extracting G$$n\\atop{E}$$ with different targets and techniques provides an important test of our handling of these effects. Purpose: The goal of the measurement was to use an inclusive asymmetry measurement technique to extract the neutron charge form factor at a four-momentum transfer of 1 (GeV/c) 2. This technique has very different systematic uncertainties than traditional exclusive measurements and thus serves as an independent check of whether nuclear effects have been taken into account correctly. Method: The inclusive quasielastic reaction 3$$→\\atop{He}$$ ($$→\\atop{e}$$, e') was measured at Jefferson Laboratory. The neutron electric form factor, G$$n\\atop{E}$$, was extracted at Q 2 = 0.98 ( GeV/c) 2 from ratios of electron-polarization asymmetries measured for two orthogonal target spin orientations. This Q 2 is high enough that the sensitivity to G$$n\\atop{E}$$ is not overwhelmed by the neutron magnetic contribution, and yet low enough that explicit neutron detection is not required to suppress pion production. Results: The neutron electric form factor, G$$n\\atop{E}$$, was determined to be 0.0414 ± 0.0077 ( stat ) ± 0.0022 ( syst ), providing the first high-precision inclusive extraction of the neutron's charge form factor. In conclusion: The use of the inclusive quasielastic 3$$→\\atop{He}$$ ($$→\\atop{e}$$, e') with a four-momentum transfer near 1 (GeV/c) 2 has been used to provide a unique measurement of G$$n\\atop{E}$$. This new result provides a systematically independent validation of the exclusive extraction technique results and implies that the nuclear corrections are understood. This is contrary to the proton form factor where asymmetry and differential cross section measurements have been shown to have large systematic differences.« less

Extraction of the neutron electric form factor from measurements of inclusive double spin asymmetries

DOE PAGES

Sulkosky, V.; Jin, G.; Long, E.; ...

2017-12-26

Background: Measurements of the neutron charge form factor, Gmore » $$n\\atop{E}$$, are challenging because the neutron has no net charge. Additionally, measurements of the neutron form factors must use nuclear targets which require accurately accounting for nuclear effects. Extracting G$$n\\atop{E}$$ with different targets and techniques provides an important test of our handling of these effects. Purpose: The goal of the measurement was to use an inclusive asymmetry measurement technique to extract the neutron charge form factor at a four-momentum transfer of 1 (GeV/c) 2. This technique has very different systematic uncertainties than traditional exclusive measurements and thus serves as an independent check of whether nuclear effects have been taken into account correctly. Method: The inclusive quasielastic reaction 3$$→\\atop{He}$$ ($$→\\atop{e}$$, e') was measured at Jefferson Laboratory. The neutron electric form factor, G$$n\\atop{E}$$, was extracted at Q 2 = 0.98 ( GeV/c) 2 from ratios of electron-polarization asymmetries measured for two orthogonal target spin orientations. This Q 2 is high enough that the sensitivity to G$$n\\atop{E}$$ is not overwhelmed by the neutron magnetic contribution, and yet low enough that explicit neutron detection is not required to suppress pion production. Results: The neutron electric form factor, G$$n\\atop{E}$$, was determined to be 0.0414 ± 0.0077 ( stat ) ± 0.0022 ( syst ), providing the first high-precision inclusive extraction of the neutron's charge form factor. In conclusion: The use of the inclusive quasielastic 3$$→\\atop{He}$$ ($$→\\atop{e}$$, e') with a four-momentum transfer near 1 (GeV/c) 2 has been used to provide a unique measurement of G$$n\\atop{E}$$. This new result provides a systematically independent validation of the exclusive extraction technique results and implies that the nuclear corrections are understood. This is contrary to the proton form factor where asymmetry and differential cross section measurements have been shown to have large systematic differences.« less

Evaluation of emerging factors blocking filtration of high-adjunct-ratio wort.

PubMed

Ma, Ting; Zhu, Linjiang; Zheng, Feiyun; Li, Yongxian; Li, Qi

2014-08-20

Corn starch has become a common adjunct for beer brewing in Chinese breweries. However, with increasing ratio of corn starch, problems like poor wort filtration performance arise, which will decrease production capacity of breweries. To solve this problem, factors affecting wort filtration were evaluated, such as the size of corn starch particle, special yellow floats formed during liquefaction of corn starch, and residual substance after liquefaction. The effects of different enzyme preparations including β-amylase and β-glucanase on filtration rate were also evaluated. The results indicate that the emerging yellow floats do not severely block filtration, while the fine and uniform-shape corn starch particle and its incompletely hydrolyzed residue after liquefaction are responsible for filtration blocking. Application of β-amylase preparation increased the filtration rate of liquefied corn starch. This study is useful for our insight into the filtration blocking problem arising in the process of high-adjunct-ratio beer brewing and also provides a feasible solution using enzyme preparations.

Standard model predictions for B→Kℓ(+)ℓ- with form factors from lattice QCD.

PubMed

Bouchard, Chris; Lepage, G Peter; Monahan, Christopher; Na, Heechang; Shigemitsu, Junko

2013-10-18

We calculate, for the first time using unquenched lattice QCD form factors, the standard model differential branching fractions dB/dq2(B→Kℓ(+)ℓ(-)) for ℓ=e, μ, τ and compare with experimental measurements by Belle, BABAR, CDF, and LHCb. We report on B(B→Kℓ(+)ℓ(-)) in q2 bins used by experiment and predict B(B→Kτ(+)τ(-))=(1.41±0.15)×10(-7). We also calculate the ratio of branching fractions R(e)(μ)=1.00029(69) and predict R(ℓ)(τ)=1.176(40), for ℓ=e, μ. Finally, we calculate the "flat term" in the angular distribution of the differential decay rate F(H)(e,μ,τ) in experimentally motivated q2 bins.

The introduction of an additional probability coefficient in evaluating the possibility of the existence of extraterrestrial intelligent beings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barth, H.

An hypothesis is presented concerning the crucial influence of tides on the evolutionary transition from aquatic to land animal forms. The hypothesis suggests that the evolution of higher forms of life on a planet also depends on the existence of a planet-moon system in which the mass ratio of both constituents must be approximately equal to that of the earth-moon system, which is 81:1. The hypothesis is taken into account in the form of the probability factor fb in Drake's formula for estimating the presumed extraterrestrial civilizations in Milky Way which may conceivably make contact.

[Quantitative surface analysis of Pt-Co, Cu-Au and Cu-Ag alloy films by XPS and AES].

PubMed

Li, Lian-Zhong; Zhuo, Shang-Jun; Shen, Ru-Xiang; Qian, Rong; Gao, Jie

2013-11-01

In order to improve the quantitative analysis accuracy of AES, We associated XPS with AES and studied the method to reduce the error of AES quantitative analysis, selected Pt-Co, Cu-Au and Cu-Ag binary alloy thin-films as the samples, used XPS to correct AES quantitative analysis results by changing the auger sensitivity factors to make their quantitative analysis results more similar. Then we verified the accuracy of the quantitative analysis of AES when using the revised sensitivity factors by other samples with different composition ratio, and the results showed that the corrected relative sensitivity factors can reduce the error in quantitative analysis of AES to less than 10%. Peak defining is difficult in the form of the integral spectrum of AES analysis since choosing the starting point and ending point when determining the characteristic auger peak intensity area with great uncertainty, and to make analysis easier, we also processed data in the form of the differential spectrum, made quantitative analysis on the basis of peak to peak height instead of peak area, corrected the relative sensitivity factors, and verified the accuracy of quantitative analysis by the other samples with different composition ratio. The result showed that the analytical error in quantitative analysis of AES reduced to less than 9%. It showed that the accuracy of AES quantitative analysis can be highly improved by the way of associating XPS with AES to correct the auger sensitivity factors since the matrix effects are taken into account. Good consistency was presented, proving the feasibility of this method.

Heavy quarkonium production at low P⊥ in nonrelativistic QCD with soft gluon resummation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Peng; Yuan, C.-P.; Yuan, Feng

2013-09-01

We extend the nonrelativistic QCD (NRQCD) prediction for the production of heavy quarkonium with low transverse momentum in hadronic collisions by taking into account effects from all-order soft gluon resummation. Following the Collins-Soper-Sterman formalism, we resum the most singular terms in the partonic subprocesses. The theoretical predictions of J/ψ and Υ productions are compared to the experimental data from the fixed target experiments (E866) and the collider experiments (RHIC, Tevatron, LHC). The associated nonperturbative Sudakov form factor for the gluon distributions is found to be different from the previous assumption of rescaling the quark form factor by the ratio of color factors. This conclusion should be further checked by future experiments on Higgs boson and/or diphoton production in pp collisions. We also comment on the implication of our results on determining the color-octet matrix elements associated with the J/ψ and Υ productions in the NRQCD factorization formalism.

MEMS microphone innovations towards high signal to noise ratios (Conference Presentation) (Plenary Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dehé, Alfons

2017-06-01

After decades of research and more than ten years of successful production in very high volumes Silicon MEMS microphones are mature and unbeatable in form factor and robustness. Audio applications such as video, noise cancellation and speech recognition are key differentiators in smart phones. Microphones with low self-noise enable those functions. Backplate-free microphones enter the signal to noise ratios above 70dB(A). This talk will describe state of the art MEMS technology of Infineon Technologies. An outlook on future technologies such as the comb sensor microphone will be given.

Experimental Investigations on Axially and Eccentrically Loaded Masonry Walls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keshava, Mangala; Raghunath, Seshagiri Rao

2017-12-01

In India, un-reinforced masonry walls are often used as main structural components in load bearing structures. Indian code on masonry accounts the reduction in strength of walls by using stress reduction factors in its design philosophy. This code was introduced in 1987 and reaffirmed in 1995. The present study investigates the use of these factors for south Indian masonry. Also, with the gaining popularity in block work construction, the aim of this study was to find out the suitability of these factors given in the Indian code to block work masonry. Normally, the load carrying capacity of masonry walls can be assessed in three ways, namely, (1) tests on masonry constituents, (2) tests on masonry prisms and (3) tests on full-scale wall specimens. Tests on bricks/blocks, cement-sand mortar, brick/block masonry prisms and 14 full-scale brick/block masonry walls formed the experimental investigation. The behavior of the walls was investigated under varying slenderness and eccentricity ratios. Hollow concrete blocks normally used as in-fill masonry can be considered as load bearing elements as its load carrying capacity was found to be high when compared to conventional brick masonry. Higher slenderness and eccentricity ratios drastically reduced the strength capacity of south Indian brick masonry walls. The reduction in strength due to slenderness and eccentricity is presented in the form of stress reduction factors in the Indian code. These factors obtained through experiments on eccentrically loaded brick masonry walls was lower while that of brick/block masonry under axial loads was higher than the values indicated in the Indian code. Also the reduction in strength is different for brick and block work masonry thus indicating the need for separate stress reduction factors for these two masonry materials.

An 'unconditional-like' structure for the conditional estimator of odds ratio from 2 x 2 tables.

PubMed

Hanley, James A; Miettinen, Olli S

2006-02-01

In the estimation of the odds ratio (OR), the conditional maximum-likelihood estimate (cMLE) is preferred to the more readily computed unconditional one (uMLE). However, the exact cMLE does not have a closed form to help divine it from the uMLE or to understand in what circumstances the difference between the two is appreciable. Here, the cMLE is shown to have the same 'ratio of cross-products' structure as its unconditional counterpart, but with two of the cell frequencies augmented, so as to shrink the unconditional estimator towards unity. The augmentation involves a factor, similar to the finite population correction, derived from the minimum of the marginal totals.

Partitioning factor of mercury during coal combustion in low capacity domestic heating units.

PubMed

Hlawiczka, Stanislaw; Kubica, Krystyna; Zielonka, Urszula

2003-08-01

Data from an experiment concerning Hg emission from coal combustion in a furnace of 5.6 kW capacity are presented. The goal of the experiment was to define how much of the mercury in coal combusted in the stove was emitted to the atmosphere in gaseous form because vapors contribute mainly to human intake of the metal from ambient air. The partitioning factor kappa, defined as the ratio of gaseous mercury mass emitted to the air and mercury mass contained in the unit coal mass before combustion was evaluated. The mean value of the kappa factors determined in the study was 0.52 indicating that on average only 52% of the mercury was emitted to the air in gaseous form during coal combustion in an apparatus similar to a domestic furnace. The kappa value determined seems relatively low indicating that besides mercury emitted to the atmosphere in gaseous form, a large portion of the mercury is present in particulate matter trapped in the chimney duct and emitted to the air.

Review of calcium carbonate polymorph precipitation in spring systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jones, Brian

2017-05-01

Many spring deposits throughout the world are characterized by spectacular deposits of calcium carbonate that are formed of various combinations of aragonite and calcite, and in very rare cases vaterite. The factors that control the precipitation of the aragonite and calcite have been the subject of considerable debate that has been based on natural precipitates and information gained from numerous laboratory experiments. Synthesis of this information indicates that there is probably no single universal factor that controls calcite and aragonite precipitation in all springs. Instead, the reason for aragonite as opposed to calcite precipitation should be ascertained by considering the following ordered series of possibilities for each system. First, aragonite, commonly with calcite as a co-precipitate, will form from spring water that has a high CO2 content and rapid CO2 degassing, irrespective of the Mg:Ca ratio and scale of precipitation. Second, aragonite can be precipitated from waters that have low levels of CO2 degassing provided that the Mg:Ca ratio is high enough to inhibit calcite precipitation. Third, the presence of biofilms may lead to the simultaneous precipitation of aragonite and calcite (irrespective of CO2 degassing or Mg:Ca ratio) either within the different microdomains that develop in the biofilm or because of diurnal changes in various geochemical parameters associated with the biofilm. Although the precipitation of calcite and aragonite has commonly been linked directly to water temperature, there is no clear evidence for this proposition. It is possible, however, that temperature may be influencing another parameter that plays a more direct role in the precipitation of these CaCO3 polymorphs. Despite the advances that have been made, the factors that ultimately control calcite and aragonite are still open to debate because this long-standing problem has still not been fully resolved.

Decays of bottom mesons emitting tensor mesons in the final state using the Isgur-Scora-Grinstein-Wise II model

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

Sharma, Neelesh; Verma, R. C.; Dhir, Rohit

2011-01-01

In this paper, we investigate phenomenologically two-body weak decays of the bottom mesons emitting pseudoscalar/vector meson and a tensor meson. Form factors are obtained using the improved Isgur-Scora-Grinstein-Wise II model. Consequently, branching ratios for the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa-favored and Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa-suppressed decays are calculated.

Tree height estimation in redwood/Douglas-fir stands in Mendocino County

Treesearch

Helge Eng

2012-01-01

In this study, height-diameter equations were developed for managed stands of coastal redwood/Douglas-fir stands in Mendocino County. Equations were developed by species to predict tree height as a function of diameter as well as other factors that are known to potentially explain tree height, including site class and live crown ratio. Two equation forms were compared...

[Treatment of wastewater containing Cr(VI) by LDH synthesizing in situ].

PubMed

Chen, Tian-hu; Feng, You-liang; Xu, Hui-fang; Peng, Shu-chuan; Huang, Chuan-hui; Tang, Shu-pei

2004-03-01

The objective of this work was to investigate the efficiency and factors impacting of removal Cr(VI) from wastewater by layer double hydroxide synthesizing in situ. Principle of the method may be described as follow: Mg2+ and Al3+ hydrolysis and forms Mg/Al-LDH by adding Mg2+, Al3+ and NaOH into wastewater containing Cr(VI), Cr(VI) anions are selectively intercalated into interlayer of LDH to balance positive structural charge. While Mg2+ and Al3+ co-precipitates and forms LDH, the Cr(VI) in wastewater is removal by settle of LDH synthesizing in situ, which are confirmed by analysis of X-ray diffraction on settle and chemical analysis on aqueous. The results indicate that factors of impacting on efficiency of removal Cr(VI) include in amount of adding Mg2+ and Al3+, Mg/Al ratio, pH and concentration of Cr(VI) in wastewater. The maximal removal efficiency of Cr(VI) can be reached when pH values are between 8.5 and 9, and Mg/Al ratios are between 1:1 and 2:1, meanwhile, Mg and Al added can be taken good use of. This technology has present extraordinary efficiency of wastewater treatment.

Measurement of the ϕ → π0e+e- transition form factor with the KLOE detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anastasi, A.; Babusci, D.; Bencivenni, G.; Berlowski, M.; Bloise, C.; Bossi, F.; Branchini, P.; Budano, A.; Caldeira Balkeståhl, L.; Cao, B.; Ceradini, F.; Ciambrone, P.; Curciarello, F.; Czerwiński, E.; D'Agostini, G.; Danè, E.; De Leo, V.; De Lucia, E.; De Santis, A.; De Simone, P.; Di Cicco, A.; Di Domenico, A.; Di Salvo, R.; Domenici, D.; D'Uffizi, A.; Fantini, A.; Felici, G.; Fiore, S.; Gajos, A.; Gauzzi, P.; Giardina, G.; Giovannella, S.; Graziani, E.; Happacher, F.; Heijkenskjöld, L.; Ikegami Andersson, W.; Johansson, T.; Kamińska, D.; Krzemien, W.; Kupsc, A.; Loffredo, S.; Mandaglio, G.; Martini, M.; Mascolo, M.; Messi, R.; Miscetti, S.; Morello, G.; Moricciani, D.; Moskal, P.; Papenbrock, M.; Passeri, A.; Patera, V.; Perez del Rio, E.; Ranieri, A.; Salabura, P.; Santangelo, P.; Sarra, I.; Schioppa, M.; Silarski, M.; Sirghi, F.; Tortora, L.; Venanzoni, G.; Wiślicki, W.; Wolke, M.

2016-06-01

A measurement of the vector to pseudoscalar conversion decay ϕ →π0e+e- with the KLOE experiment is presented. A sample of ˜9500 signal events was selected from a data set of 1.7 fb-1 of e+e- collisions at √{ s} ˜mϕ collected at the DAΦNE e+e- collider. These events were used to perform the first measurement of the transition form factor |Fϕπ0 (q2) | and a new measurement of the branching ratio of the decay: BR (ϕ →π0e+e-) = (1.35 ±0.05-0.10+0.05) ×10-5. The result improves significantly on previous measurements and is in agreement with theoretical predictions.

Study of the lubricant properties of carbon nonfluoride: (CF subx) subn

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Play, D.; Godet, M.

1977-01-01

Friction and wear tests were performed with rubbed carbon monofluorides derived from different types of carbon. Best results were given by fluorated artificial graphite and coke. The coefficient of friction is practically independent of the fluorine-to-carbon ratio x where 0 x 1, but wear decreases by a factor of 6 as x tends toward 1. For a range of variation of the severity factor (PV) expressed in Newtons/cm. sec (where P is the average pressure and V the velocity) contained between 1,000 and 200,000, the wear measured with carbon monofluoride is significantly lower than that obtained with MoS2. A transfer film or third body which protects the surfaces is formed with carbon monofluoride, and beyond 400 C, thick and fragile oxide coatings are also formed.

Photodesorption of H2O, HDO, and D2O ice and its impact on fractionation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arasa, Carina; Koning, Jesper; Kroes, Geert-Jan; Walsh, Catherine; van Dishoeck, Ewine F.

2015-03-01

The HDO/H2O ratio measured in interstellar gas is often used to draw conclusions on the formation and evolution of water in star-forming regions and, by comparison with cometary data, on the origin of water on Earth. In cold cores and in the outer regions of protoplanetary disks, an important source of gas-phase water comes from photodesorption of water ice. This research note presents fitting formulae for implementation in astrochemical models using previously computed photodesorption efficiencies for all water ice isotopologues obtained with classical molecular dynamics simulations. The results are used to investigate to what extent the gas-phase HDO/H2O ratio reflects that present in the ice or whether fractionation can occur during the photodesorption process. Probabilities for the top four monolayers are presented for photodesorption of X (X = H, D) atoms, OX radicals, and X2O and HDO molecules following photodissociation of H2O, D2O, and HDO in H2O amorphous ice at ice temperatures from 10-100 K. Significant isotope effects are found for all possible products: (1) H atom photodesorption probabilities from H2O ice are larger than those for D atom photodesorption from D2O ice by a factor of 1.1; the ratio of H and D photodesorbed upon HDO photodissociation is a factor of 2. This process will enrich the ice in deuterium atoms over time; (2) the OD/OH photodesorption ratio upon D2O and H2O photodissociation is on average a factor of 2, but the OD/OH photodesorption ratio upon HDO photodissociation is almost constant at unity for all ice temperatures; (3) D atoms are more effective in kicking out neighbouring water molecules than H atoms. However, the ratio of the photodesorbed HDO and H2O molecules is equal to the HDO/H2O ratio in the ice, therefore, there is no isotope fractionation when HDO and H2O photodesorb from the ice. Nevertheless, the enrichment of the ice in D atoms due to photodesorption can over time lead to an enhanced HDO/H2O ratio in the ice, and, when photodesorbed, also in the gas. The extent to which the ortho/para ratio of H2O can be modified by the photodesorption process is discussed briefly as well. Appendices are available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.orgCompiled simulation data and raw data are only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (ftp://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/575/A121

Dynamical shift condition for unequal mass black hole binaries

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

Mueller, Doreen; Grigsby, Jason; Bruegmann, Bernd

Certain numerical frameworks used for the evolution of binary black holes make use of a gamma driver, which includes a damping factor. Such simulations typically use a constant value for damping. However, it has been found that very specific values of the damping factor are needed for the calculation of unequal mass binaries. We examine carefully the role this damping plays and provide two explicit, nonconstant forms for the damping to be used with mass ratios further from one. Our analysis of the resultant waveforms compares well against the constant damping case.

Runway image shape as a cue for judgment of approach angle.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1979-11-01

One cue for visual judgment of glidepath angle has been referred to as form ratio. Form ratio is defined as the ratio of vertical height of the runway to width of the far end in the runway retinal image. The ability of pilots to judge form ratios was...

Refining new-physics searches in B→Dτν with lattice QCD.

PubMed

Bailey, Jon A; Bazavov, A; Bernard, C; Bouchard, C M; Detar, C; Du, Daping; El-Khadra, A X; Foley, J; Freeland, E D; Gámiz, E; Gottlieb, Steven; Heller, U M; Kim, Jongjeong; Kronfeld, A S; Laiho, J; Levkova, L; Mackenzie, P B; Meurice, Y; Neil, E T; Oktay, M B; Qiu, Si-Wei; Simone, J N; Sugar, R; Toussaint, D; Van de Water, R S; Zhou, Ran

2012-08-17

The semileptonic decay channel B→Dτν is sensitive to the presence of a scalar current, such as that mediated by a charged-Higgs boson. Recently, the BABAR experiment reported the first observation of the exclusive semileptonic decay B→Dτ(-)ν, finding an approximately 2σ disagreement with the standard-model prediction for the ratio R(D)=BR(B→Dτν)/BR(B→Dℓν), where ℓ = e,μ. We compute this ratio of branching fractions using hadronic form factors computed in unquenched lattice QCD and obtain R(D)=0.316(12)(7), where the errors are statistical and total systematic, respectively. This result is the first standard-model calculation of R(D) from ab initio full QCD. Its error is smaller than that of previous estimates, primarily due to the reduced uncertainty in the scalar form factor f(0)(q(2)). Our determination of R(D) is approximately 1σ higher than previous estimates and, thus, reduces the tension with experiment. We also compute R(D) in models with electrically charged scalar exchange, such as the type-II two-Higgs-doublet model. Once again, our result is consistent with, but approximately 1σ higher than, previous estimates for phenomenologically relevant values of the scalar coupling in the type-II model. As a by-product of our calculation, we also present the standard-model prediction for the longitudinal-polarization ratio P(L)(D)=0.325(4)(3).

Prediction of e± elastic scattering cross-section ratio based on phenomenological two-photon exchange corrections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qattan, I. A.

2017-06-01

I present a prediction of the e± elastic scattering cross-section ratio, Re+e-, as determined using a new parametrization of the two-photon exchange (TPE) corrections to electron-proton elastic scattering cross section σR. The extracted ratio is compared to several previous phenomenological extractions, TPE hadronic calculations, and direct measurements from the comparison of electron and positron scattering. The TPE corrections and the ratio Re+e- show a clear change of sign at low Q2, which is necessary to explain the high-Q2 form factors discrepancy while being consistent with the known Q2→0 limit. While my predictions are in generally good agreement with previous extractions, TPE hadronic calculations, and existing world data including the recent two measurements from the CLAS and VEPP-3 Novosibirsk experiments, they are larger than the new OLYMPUS measurements at larger Q2 values.

Renal-Stone Risk Assessment During Space Shuttle Flights

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitson, Peggy A.; Pietrzyk, Robert A.; Pak, Charles Y. C.

1996-01-01

The metabolic and environmental factors influencing renal stone formation before, during, and after Space Shuttle flights were assessed. We established the contributing roles of dietary factors in relationship to the urinary risk factors associated with renal stone formation. 24-hr urine samples were collected prior to, during space flight, and following landing. Urinary factors associated with renal stone formation were analyzed and the relative urinary supersaturation ratios of calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate (brushite), sodium urate, struvite and uric acid were calculated. Food and fluid consumption was recorded for a 48-hr period ending with the urine collection. Urinary composition changed during flight to favor the crystallization of stone-forming salts. Factors that contributed to increased potential for stone formation during space flight were significant reductions in urinary pH and increases in urinary calcium. Urinary output and citrate, a potent inhibitor of calcium-containing stones, were slightly reduced during space flight. Dietary intakes were significantly reduced for a number of variables, including fluid, energy, protein, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. This is the first in-flight characterization of the renal stone forming potential in astronauts. With the examination of urinary components and nutritional factors, it was possible to determine the factors that contributed to increased risk or protected from risk. In spite of the protective components, the negative contributions to renal stone risk predominated and resulted in a urinary environment that favored the supersaturation of stone-forming salts. The importance of the hypercalciuria was noted since renal excretion was high relative to the intake.

Quantifying lead-time bias in risk factor studies of cancer through simulation.

PubMed

Jansen, Rick J; Alexander, Bruce H; Anderson, Kristin E; Church, Timothy R

2013-11-01

Lead-time is inherent in early detection and creates bias in observational studies of screening efficacy, but its potential to bias effect estimates in risk factor studies is not always recognized. We describe a form of this bias that conventional analyses cannot address and develop a model to quantify it. Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data form the basis for estimates of age-specific preclinical incidence, and log-normal distributions describe the preclinical duration distribution. Simulations assume a joint null hypothesis of no effect of either the risk factor or screening on the preclinical incidence of cancer, and then quantify the bias as the risk-factor odds ratio (OR) from this null study. This bias can be used as a factor to adjust observed OR in the actual study. For this particular study design, as average preclinical duration increased, the bias in the total-physical activity OR monotonically increased from 1% to 22% above the null, but the smoking OR monotonically decreased from 1% above the null to 5% below the null. The finding of nontrivial bias in fixed risk-factor effect estimates demonstrates the importance of quantitatively evaluating it in susceptible studies. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Separation of Niobium and Tantalum Pentafluoride by Selective Precipitation Using p-Phenylenediamine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nete, M.; Purcell, W.; Nel, J. T.

2016-11-01

The similarity between Ta and Nb chemistry makes it difficult to find the appropriate reagents and chemical reactions for the separation of the two elements. This study investigated the precipitation behavior of TaF5 and NbF5 with p-phenylenediamine (PPDA). PPDA preferentially precipitated Nb from a 1:1 ratio of NbF5 and TaF5. Niobium recoveries of >80%, and only 4% Ta, were found in the precipitate of the reaction between (Nb/Ta)F5 and PPDA in ethanol. A separation factor of 100(9) indicated the potential for successful separation of Nb and Ta in a fluoride environment. A spectrophotometric study of the formation ratio of the newly formed Nb compound indicated a 1:1 metal:ligand ratio.

Effects of ridge cracking and interface sliding on morphological symmetry breaking in straight-sided blisters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Shi-Chen; Yu, Sen-Jiang; He, Linghui; Ni, Yong

2018-03-01

Complex surface patterns generated by nonlinear buckling originate from various symmetry-breaking instabilities. Identifying possible key factors that regulate the instability modes is critical to reveal the mechanism of the surface pattern selection. In this paper, how another two factors (ridge cracking and interface sliding) including Poisson's ratio influence the morphological symmetry breaking in straight-sided blisters are systematically studied. Morphology diagrams from stability analysis show that ridge cracking and low Poisson's ratio promote symmetric instability mode and favor bubble-like blisters while interface sliding and high Poisson's ratio facilitate antisymmetric instability mode and result in telephone cord buckles. The analytical predictions are evidenced by experimental observations on annealed silicon nitride films on glass substrates and confirmed by nonlinear numerical simulations. This study explains how and why the rarely observed bubble-like blisters in accompany with ridge crack can appear in brittle thin films in comparison with the ubiquitously observed telephone cord buckles that usually form as the development of an antisymmetric instability mode when straight-sided blisters undergo the super-critical isotropic compression.

Vortex motion in axisymmetric piston-cylinder configurations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shih, T. I. P.; Smith, G. E.; Springer, G. S.

1982-01-01

By using the Beam and Warming implicit-factored method of solution of the Navier-Stokes equations, velocities were calculated inside axisymmetric piston cylinder configurations during the intake and compression strokes. Results are presented in graphical form which show the formation, growth and breakup of those vortices which form during the intake stroke by the jet issuing from the valve. It is shown that at bore-to-stroke ratio of less than unity, the vortices may breakup during the intake stroke. It is also shown that vortices which do not breakup during the intake stroke coalesce during the compression stroke.

Influence of process parameters on the content of biomimetic calcium phosphate coating on titanium: a Taguchi analysis.

PubMed

Thammarakcharoen, Faungchat; Suvannapruk, Waraporn; Suwanprateeb, Jintamai

2014-10-01

In this study, a statistical design of experimental methodology based on Taguchi orthogonal design has been used to study the effect of various processing parameters on the amount of calcium phosphate coating produced by such technique. Seven control factors with three levels each including sodium hydroxide concentration, pretreatment temperature, pretreatment time, cleaning method, coating time, coating temperature and surface area to solution volume ratio were studied. X-ray diffraction revealed that all the coatings consisted of the mixture of octacalcium phosphate (OCP) and hydroxyapatite (HA) and the presence of each phase depended on the process conditions used. Various content and size (-1-100 μm) of isolated spheroid particles with nanosized plate-like morphology deposited on the titanium surface or a continuous layer of plate-like nanocrystals having the plate thickness in the range of -100-300 nm and the plate width in the range of 3-8 μm were formed depending on the process conditions employed. The optimum condition of using sodium hydroxide concentration of 1 M, pretreatment temperature of 70 degrees C, pretreatment time of 24 h, cleaning by ultrasonic, coating time of 6 h, coating temperature of 50 degrees C and surface area to solution volume ratio of 32.74 for producing the greatest amount of the coating formed on the titanium surface was predicted and validated. In addition, coating temperature was found to be the dominant factor with the greatest contribution to the coating formation while coating time and cleaning method were significant factors. Other factors had negligible effects on the coating performance.

Bridging the gap between batch and column experiments: A case study of Cs adsorption on granite.

PubMed

Wang, Tsing-Hai; Li, Ming-Hsu; Teng, Shi-Ping

2009-01-15

Both batch and column methods are conventionally utilized to determine some critical parameters for assessing the transport of contaminants of concern. The validity of using these parameters is somewhat confusing, however, since outputs such as distribution coefficient (Kd) from these two approaches are often discrepant. To bridge this gap, all possible factors that might contribute to this discrepancy were thoroughly investigated in this report by a case study of Cs sorption to crushed granite under various conditions. Our results confirm an important finding that solid/liquid (S/L) ratio is the dominant factor responsible for this discrepancy. As long as the S/L ratio exceeds 0.25, a consistent Kd value can be reached by the two methods. Under these conditions (S/L ratios>0.25), the sorption capacity of the solid is about an order of magnitude less than that in low S/L ratios (<0.25). Although low sorption capacity is observed in the cases of high S/L ratios, the sorption usually takes place preferentially on the most favorable (thermodynamically stable) sorption sites to form a stronger binding. This is verified by our desorption experiments in which a linear isotherm feature is shown either in deionized water or in 1M of ammonium acetate solutions. It may be concluded that batch experiment with an S/L ratio exceeding 0.25 is crucial to obtain convincing Kd values for safety assessment of radioactive waste repository.

Real-Gas Correction Factors for Hypersonic Flow Parameters in Helium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Erickson, Wayne D.

1960-01-01

The real-gas hypersonic flow parameters for helium have been calculated for stagnation temperatures from 0 F to 600 F and stagnation pressures up to 6,000 pounds per square inch absolute. The results of these calculations are presented in the form of simple correction factors which must be applied to the tabulated ideal-gas parameters. It has been shown that the deviations from the ideal-gas law which exist at high pressures may cause a corresponding significant error in the hypersonic flow parameters when calculated as an ideal gas. For example the ratio of the free-stream static to stagnation pressure as calculated from the thermodynamic properties of helium for a stagnation temperature of 80 F and pressure of 4,000 pounds per square inch absolute was found to be approximately 13 percent greater than that determined from the ideal-gas tabulation with a specific heat ratio of 5/3.

Critical Concentration Ratio for Solar Thermoelectric Generators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

ur Rehman, Naveed; Siddiqui, Mubashir Ali

2016-10-01

A correlation for determining the critical concentration ratio (CCR) of solar concentrated thermoelectric generators (SCTEGs) has been established, and the significance of the contributing parameters is discussed in detail. For any SCTEG, higher concentration ratio leads to higher temperatures at the hot side of modules. However, the maximum value of this temperature for safe operation is limited by the material properties of the modules and should be considered as an important design constraint. Taking into account this limitation, the CCR can be defined as the maximum concentration ratio usable for a particular SCTEG. The established correlation is based on factors associated with the material and geometric properties of modules, thermal characteristics of the receiver, installation site attributes, and thermal and electrical operating conditions. To reduce the number of terms in the correlation, these factors are combined to form dimensionless groups by applying the Buckingham Pi theorem. A correlation model containing these groups is proposed and fit to a dataset obtained by simulating a thermodynamic (physical) model over sampled values acquired by applying the Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) technique over a realistic distribution of factors. The coefficient of determination and relative error are found to be 97% and ±20%, respectively. The correlation is validated by comparing the predicted results with literature values. In addition, the significance and effects of the Pi groups on the CCR are evaluated and thoroughly discussed. This study will lead to a wide range of opportunities regarding design and optimization of SCTEGs.

Components of polarization-transfer to a bound proton in a deuteron measured by quasi-elastic electron scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Izraeli, D.; Yaron, I.; Schlimme, B. S.; Achenbach, P.; Arenhövel, H.; Ashkenazi, A.; Beričič, J.; Böhm, R.; Bosnar, D.; Cohen, E. O.; Distler, M. O.; Esser, A.; Friščić, I.; Gilman, R.; Korover, I.; Lichtenstadt, J.; Mardor, I.; Merkel, H.; Middleton, D. G.; Mihovilovič, M.; Müller, U.; Olivenboim, M.; Piasetzky, E.; Pochodzalla, J.; Ron, G.; Schoth, M.; Schulz, F.; Sfienti, C.; Širca, S.; Štajner, S.; Strauch, S.; Thiel, M.; Tyukin, A.; Weber, A.; A1 Collaboration

2018-06-01

We report the first measurements of the transverse (Px and Py) and longitudinal (Pz) components of the polarization transfer to a bound proton in the deuteron via the 2H (e → ,e‧ p →) reaction, over a wide range of missing momentum. A precise determination of the electron beam polarization reduces the systematic uncertainties on the individual components to a level that enables a detailed comparison to a state-of-the-art calculation of the deuteron using free-proton electromagnetic form factors. We observe very good agreement between the measured and the calculated Px /Pz ratios, but deviations of the individual components. Our results cannot be explained by medium modified electromagnetic form factors. They point to an incomplete description of the nuclear reaction mechanism in the calculation.

A universal formula for the field enhancement factor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biswas, Debabrata

2018-04-01

The field enhancement factor (FEF) is an important quantity in field emission calculations since the tunneling electron current depends very sensitively on its magnitude. The exact dependence of FEF on the emitter height h, the radius of curvature at the apex Ra, as well as the shape of the emitter base are still largely unknown. In this work, a universal formula for the field enhancement factor is derived for a single emitter. It depends on the ratio h/Ra and has the form γ a = ( 2 h / R a ) / [ α 1 ln ( 4 h / R a ) - α 2 ] , where α1 and α2 depend on the charge distribution on the emitter. Numerical results show that a simpler form γ a = ( 2 h / R a ) / [ ln ( 4 h / R a ) - α ] is equally valid with α depending on the emitter-base. Thus, for the hyperboloid, conical, and ellipsoid emitters, the value of α is 0, 0.88, and 2, while for the cylindrical base, α ≃ 2.6.

Altered STAT4 Isoform Expression in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

PubMed

Jabeen, Rukhsana; Miller, Lucy; Yao, Weiguo; Gupta, Sandeep; Steiner, Steven; Kaplan, Mark H

2015-10-01

Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are the major forms of inflammatory bowel disease, and pathogenesis involves a complex interplay among genetic, environmental, and immunological factors. We evaluated isoform expression of the IL-12-activated transcription factor STAT4 in children with CD and UC. We collected biopsy samples from both patients newly diagnosed with CD and with UC. We further collected blood samples from patients newly diagnosed with CD and with UC as well as from patients who had a flare-up after being in clinical remission, and we examined the ratios of STAT4β/STAT4α mRNA. In addition to STAT4 isoforms, we measured the expression of the cytokines TNFα, IFNγ, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, and IL-17 using polymerase chain reaction of biopsy samples and multiplex analysis of patient serum samples. Ratios of STAT4β/STAT4α were increased in specific gastrointestinal tract segments in both patients with CD and those with UC that correlate with the location and severity of inflammation. In contrast, we did not observe changes in STAT4β/STAT4α ratios in biopsy specimens from patients with eosinophilic esophagitis. We also observed increased STAT4β/STAT4α ratios in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with UC and those with CD, compared with healthy controls. Ratios were normalized after patients were treated with steroids. Collectively, these data indicate that STAT4 isoforms could be an important noninvasive biomarker in the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and that expression of these isoforms might provide further insight into the pathogenesis of IBD.

Methodological survey of designed uneven randomization trials (DU-RANDOM): a protocol.

PubMed

Wu, Darong; Akl, Elie A; Guyatt, Gordon H; Devereaux, Philip J; Brignardello-Petersen, Romina; Prediger, Barbara; Patel, Krupesh; Patel, Namrata; Lu, Taoying; Zhang, Yuan; Falavigna, Maicon; Santesso, Nancy; Mustafa, Reem A; Zhou, Qi; Briel, Matthias; Schünemann, Holger J

2014-01-23

Although even randomization (that is, approximately 1:1 randomization ratio in study arms) provides the greatest statistical power, designed uneven randomization (DUR), (for example, 1:2 or 1:3) is used to increase participation rates. Until now, no convincing data exists addressing the impact of DUR on participation rates in trials. The objective of this study is to evaluate the epidemiology and to explore factors associated with DUR. We will search for reports of RCTs published within two years in 25 general medical journals with the highest impact factor according to the Journal Citation Report (JCR)-2010. Teams of two reviewers will determine eligibility and extract relevant information from eligible RCTs in duplicate and using standardized forms. We will report the prevalence of DUR trials, the reported reasons for using DUR, and perform a linear regression analysis to estimate the association between the randomization ratio and the associated factors, including participation rate, type of informed consent, clinical area, and so on. A clearer understanding of RCTs with DUR and its association with factors in trials, for example, participation rate, can optimize trial design and may have important implications for both researchers and users of the medical literature.

Modulating surface rheology by electrostatic protein/polysaccharide interactions.

PubMed

Ganzevles, Renate A; Zinoviadou, Kyriaki; van Vliet, Ton; Cohen, Martien A; de Jongh, Harmen H

2006-11-21

There is a large interest in mixed protein/polysaccharide layers at air-water and oil-water interfaces because of their ability to stabilize foams and emulsions. Mixed protein/polysaccharide adsorbed layers at air-water interfaces can be prepared either by adsorption of soluble protein/polysaccharide complexes or by sequential adsorption of complexes or polysaccharides to a previously formed protein layer. Even though the final protein and polysaccharide bulk concentrations are the same, the behavior of the adsorbed layers can be very different, depending on the method of preparation. The surface shear modulus of a sequentially formed beta-lactoglobulin/pectin layer can be up to a factor of 6 higher than that of a layer made by simultaneous adsorption. Furthermore, the surface dilatational modulus and surface shear modulus strongly (up to factors of 2 and 7, respectively) depend on the bulk -lactoglobulin/pectin mixing ratio. On the basis of the surface rheological behavior, a mechanistic understanding of how the structure of the adsorbed layers depends on the protein/polysaccharide interaction in bulk solution, mixing ratio, ionic strength, and order of adsorption to the interface (simultaneous or sequential) is derived. Insight into the effect of protein/polysaccharide interactions on the properties of adsorbed layers provides a solid basis to modulate surface rheological behavior.

Volatile enrichments and composition of carbon-rich giant planets: the case of WASP-12b

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mousis, O.; Madhusudhan, N.; Johnson, T. V.; Lunine, J. I.

2011-10-01

Carbon-rich planets (CRPs) are the exotic new members in the repertoire of extrasolar planets. We define a CRP as a planet with a carbon to oxygen (C/O) ratio ? 1. The first CRP atmosphere was inferred recently for the very hot Jupiter WASP-12b [1]. Here we show that it is not possible to reproduce the C/O ratio ? 1 observed in WASP-12b via the accretion of planetesimals formed in a disk whose gas phase elemental composition is similar to the one of the parent star. In order to reproduce the observed C/O ratio in the planet, one needs to invoke an oxygen abundance which is depleted by a factor of roughly two compared to that of the parent star, with the exact value contingent on the volatile-to-silicate fraction.

Integrating channel form and processes in the Gangetic plains rivers: Implications for geomorphic diversity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, N. G.; Sinha, R.

2018-02-01

Geomorphic diversity at a variety of spatial and temporal scales has been studied in the western Ganga plains (WGP), India, to isolate the dominating factors at each scale that have the potential to cause major geomorphic change. The Ganga River and its major tributaries draining the WGP have been investigated in terms of longitudinal, cross-sectional, and planform morphology to assess the influence of potential controls such as climate, geology, topography, land use, hydrology, and sediment transport. These data were then compared with those from the rivers draining the eastern Ganga plains (EGP) to understand the geomorphic diversity across the Ganga plains and the causal factors. Our investigations suggest that in-channel geomorphic diversity over decadal scale in rivers with low width-to-depth (W/D) ratio is caused by periodic incision/aggradation, but it is driven by channel avulsion in rivers characterized by high W/D ratio. Similarly, planform (reach-scale) parameters such as sinuosity and braid-channel-ratio are influenced by intrinsic factors such as changes in hydrological conditions and morphodynamics (cutoffs, small-scale avulsion) that are in turn impacted by natural and human-induced factors. Finally, we have isolated the climatic and hydrologic effects on the longitudinal profile concavity of alluvial trunk channels in tectonically stable and unstable landscapes. We demonstrate that the rivers flowing through a tectonically stable landscape are graded in nature where higher discharge tends to create more concave longitudinal profiles compared to those in tectonically unstable landscape at 103-year scale.

The mass spectral density in quantitative time-of-flight mass spectrometry of polymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tate, Ranjeet S.; Ebeling, Dan; Smith, Lloyd M.

2001-03-01

Time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) is being increasingly used for the study of polymers, for example to obtain the distribution of molecular masses for polymer samples. Serious efforts have also been underway to use TOF-MS for DNA sequencing. In TOF-MS the data is obtained in the form of a time-series that represents the distribution in arrival times of ions of various m/z ratios. This time-series data is then converted to a "mass-spectrum" via a coordinate transformation from the arrival time (t) to the corresponding mass-to-charge ratio (m/z = const. t^2). In this transformation, it is important to keep in mind that spectra are distributions, or densities of weight +1, and thus do not transform as functions. To obtain the mass-spectral density, it is necessary to include a multiplicative factor of √m/z. Common commercial instruments do not take this factor into account. Dropping this factor has no effect on qualitative analysis (detection) or local quantitative measurements, since S/N or signal-to-baseline ratios are unaffected for peaks with small dispersions. However, there are serious consequences for general quantitative analyses. In DNA sequencing applications, loss of signal intensity is in part attributed to multiple charging; however, since the √m/z factor is not taken into account, this conclusion is based on an overestimate (by a factor of √z) of the relative amount of the multiply charged species. In the study of polymers, the normalized dispersion is underestimated by approximately (M_w/Mn -1)/2. In terms of M_w/Mn itself, for example, a M_w/M_n=1.5 calculated without the √m factor corresponds in fact to a M_w/M_n=1.88.

Study of B c  → J/ψV and {B}_{c}^{* } \\rightarrow {\\eta }_{c}V decays within the QCD factorization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Qin; Chen, Li-Li; Xu, Shuai

2018-07-01

In this paper, we study the non-leptonic B c → J/ψV and {B}c* \\to {η }cV (V=ρ ,{K}* ) weak decays in the framework of QCD factorization. In the evaluation, the form factors are calculated using the Bauer–Stech–Wirbel model and the light-front quark model, respectively. Besides the longitudinal amplitude, the power-suppressed transverse contributions are also evaluated at next-to-leading order. The predictions for the observables of B c → J/ψV and {B}c* \\to {η }cV decays are presented. We find that the NLO QCD contribution presents about 8% correction to the branching ratios, and the longitudinal polarization fractions of these decays are at the level of (80 ∼ 90)%. In addition, we suggest direct measurements on some useful ratios, {R}{K* /ρ }(λ =0) and {\\widetilde{R}}{K* /ρ }(λ =0), which are very suitable to test the consistence between theoretical prediction and data because their theoretical uncertainties can be well controlled.

Gear sound levels with various tooth contact ratios and forms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lenski, Joseph W., Jr.; Spencer, Robert H.; Drago, Raymond J.; Valco, Mark J.; Oswald, Fred B.

1993-01-01

The real noise reduction benefits which may be obtained through the use of one gear tooth form as compared to another is an important design parameter for any geared system, especially for helicopters in which both weight and reliability are very important factors. The design and testing of nine sets of gears which are as identical as possible except for their basic tooth geometry are described. Noise measurements were made at various combinations of load and speed for each gear set so that direct comparisons could be made. The resultant data was analyzed so that valid conclusions could be drawn and interpreted for design use.

Analytical and experimental design and analysis of an optimal processor for image registration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcgillem, C. D. (Principal Investigator); Svedlow, M.; Anuta, P. E.

1976-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. A quantitative measure of the registration processor accuracy in terms of the variance of the registration error was derived. With the appropriate assumptions, the variance was shown to be inversely proportional to the square of the effective bandwidth times the signal to noise ratio. The final expressions were presented to emphasize both the form and simplicity of their representation. In the situation where relative spatial distortions exist between images to be registered, expressions were derived for estimating the loss in output signal to noise ratio due to these spatial distortions. These results are in terms of a reduction factor.

C/EBPβ LIP augments cell death by inducing osteoglycin.

PubMed

Wassermann-Dozorets, Rina; Rubinstein, Menachem

2017-04-06

Many types of tumor cell are devoid of the extracellular matrix proteoglycan osteoglycin (Ogn), but its role in tumor biology is poorly studied. Here we show that RNAi of Ogn attenuates stress-triggered cell death, whereas its overexpression increases cell death. We found that the transcription factor C/EBPβ regulates the expression of Ogn. C/EBPβ is expressed as a full-length, active form (LAP) and as a truncated, dominant-negative form (LIP), and the LIP/LAP ratio is positively correlated with the extent of cell death under stress. For example, we reported that drug-resistant tumor cells lack LIP altogether, and its supplementation abolished their resistance to chemotherapy and to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Here we further show that elevated LIP/LAP ratio robustly increased Ogn expression and cell death under stress by modulating the mitogen-activated protein kinase/activator protein 1 pathway (MAPK/AP-1). Our findings suggest that LIP deficiency renders tumor cell resistant to ER stress by preventing the induction of Ogn.

Safety Testing of Ammonium Nitrate Based Mixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phillips, Jason; Lappo, Karmen; Phelan, James; Peterson, Nathan; Gilbert, Don

2013-06-01

Ammonium nitrate (AN)/ammonium nitrate based explosives have a lengthy documented history of use by adversaries in acts of terror. While historical research has been conducted on AN-based explosive mixtures, it has primarily focused on detonation performance while varying the oxygen balance between the oxidizer and fuel components. Similarly, historical safety data on these materials is often lacking in pertinent details such as specific fuel type, particle size parameters, oxidizer form, etc. A variety of AN-based fuel-oxidizer mixtures were tested for small-scale sensitivity in preparation for large-scale testing. Current efforts focus on maintaining a zero oxygen-balance (a stoichiometric ratio for active chemical participants) while varying factors such as charge geometry, oxidizer form, particle size, and inert diluent ratios. Small-scale safety testing was conducted on various mixtures and fuels. It was found that ESD sensitivity is significantly affected by particle size, while this is less so for impact and friction. Thermal testing is in progress to evaluate hazards that may be experienced during large-scale testing.

A quantitative model to evaluate solubility relationship of polymorphs from their thermal properties.

PubMed

Mao, Chen; Pinal, Rodolfo; Morris, Kenneth R

2005-07-01

The objective of the study is to develop a model to estimate the solubility ratio of two polymorphic forms based on the calculation of the free energy difference of two forms at any temperature. This model can be used for compounds with low solubility (a few mole percent) in which infinite dilution can be approximated. The model is derived using the melting temperature and heat of fusion for apparent monotropic systems, and the solid-solid transition temperature and heat of transition for apparent enantiotropic systems. A rigorous derivation also requires heat capacity (Cp) measurement of liquid and two solid forms. This model is validated by collecting thermal properties of polymorphs for several drugs using conventional or modulated differential scanning calorimetry. From these properties the solubility ratio of two polymorphs is evaluated using the model and compared with the experimental value at different temperatures. The predicted values using the full model agree well with the experimental ones. For the purpose of easy measurement, working equations without Cp terms are also applied. Ignoring Cp may result in an error of 10% or less, suggesting that the working equation is applicable in practice. Additional error may be generated for the apparent enantiotropic systems due to the inconsistency between the observed solid-solid transition temperature and the true thermodynamic transition temperature. This inconsistency allows the predicted solubility ratios (low melt/high melt) to be smaller. Therefore, a correction factor of 1.1 is recommended to reduce the error when the working equation is used to estimate the solubility ratio of an enantiotropic system. The study of the free energy changes of two crystalline forms of a drug allows for the development of a model that successfully predicts the solubility ratio at any temperature from their thermal properties. This model provides a thermodynamic foundation as to how the free energy difference of two polymorphs is reflected by their equilibrium solubilities. It also provides a quick and practical way of evaluating the relative solubility of two polymorphs from single differential scanning calorimetry runs.

Geometry and starvation effects in hydrodynamic lubrication

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brewe, D.; Hamrock, B. J.

1982-01-01

Numerical methods were used to detemine the effects of lubricant starvation on the minimum film thickness under conditions of a hydrodynamic point contact. Starvation was effected by varying the fluid inlet level. The Reynolds boundary conditions were applied at the cavitation boundary and zero pressure was stipulated at the meniscus or inlet boundary. A minimum film thickness equation as a function of both the ratio of dimensionless load to dimensionless speed and inlet supply level was determined. By comparing the film generated under the starved inlet condition with the film generated from the fully flooded inlet, an expression for the film reduction factor was obtained. Based on this factor a starvation threshold was defined as well as a critically starved inlet. The changes in the inlet pressure buildup due to changing the available lubricant supply are presented in the form of three dimensional isometric plots and also in the form of contour plots.

Thin and small form factor cells : simulated behavior.

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

Clews, Peggy Jane; Pluym, Tammy; Grubbs, Robert K.

Thin and small form factor cells have been researched lately by several research groups around the world due to possible lower assembly costs and reduced material consumption with higher efficiencies. Given the popularity of these devices, it is important to have detailed information about the behavior of these devices. Simulation of fabrication processes and device performance reveals some of the advantages and behavior of solar cells that are thin and small. Three main effects were studied: the effect of surface recombination on the optimum thickness, efficiency, and current density, the effect of contact distance on the efficiency for thin cells,more » and lastly the effect of surface recombination on the grams per Watt-peak. Results show that high efficiency can be obtained in thin devices if they are well-passivated and the distance between contacts is short. Furthermore, the ratio of grams per Watt-peak is greatly reduced as the device is thinned.« less

Analysis of starvation effects on hydrodynamic lubrication in nonconforming contacts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brewe, D. E.; Hamrock, B. J.

1981-01-01

Numerical methods were used to determine the effects of lubricant starvation on the minimum film thickness under conditions of a hydrodynamic point contact. Starvation was effected by varying the fluid inlet level. The Reynolds boundary conditions were applied at the cavitation boundary and zero pressure was stipulated at the meniscus or inlet boundary. A minimum-fill-thickness equation as a function of both the ratio of dimensionless load to dimensionless speed and inlet supply level was determined. By comparing the film generated under the starved inlet condition with the film generated from the fully flooded inlet, an expression for the film reduction factor was obtained. Based on this factor a starvation threshold was defined as well as a critically starved inlet. The changes in the inlet pressure buildup due to changing the available lubricant supply are presented in the form of three dimensional isometric plots and also in the form of contour plots.

Geometry and starvation effects in hydrodynamic lubrication

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brewe, D. E.; Hamrock, B. J.

1982-01-01

Numerical methods were used to determine the effects of lubricant starvation on the minimum film thickness under conditions of a hydrodynamic point contact. Starvation was effected by varying the fluid inlet level. The Reynolds boundary conditions were applied at the cavitation boundary and zero pressure was stipulated at the meniscus or inlet boundary. A minimum-film-thickness equation as a function of both the ratio of dimensionless load to dimensionless speed and inlet supply level was determined. By comparing the film generated under the starved inlet condition with the film generated from the fully flooded inlet, an expression for the film reduction factor was obtained. Based on this factor a starvation threshold was defined as well as a critically starved inlet. The changes in the inlet pressure buildup due to changing the available lubricant supply are presented in the form of three dimensional isometric plots and also in the form of contour plots.

A Higher-Order Bending Theory for Laminated Composite and Sandwich Beams

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cook, Geoffrey M.

1997-01-01

A higher-order bending theory is derived for laminated composite and sandwich beams. This is accomplished by assuming a special form for the axial and transverse displacement expansions. An independent expansion is also assumed for the transverse normal stress. Appropriate shear correction factors based on energy considerations are used to adjust the shear stiffness. A set of transverse normal correction factors is introduced, leading to significant improvements in the transverse normal strain and stress for laminated composite and sandwich beams. A closed-form solution to the cylindrical elasticity solutions for a wide range of beam aspect ratios and commonly used material systems. Accurate shear stresses for a wide range of laminates, including the challenging unsymmetric composite and sandwich laminates, are obtained using an original corrected integration scheme. For application of the theory to a wider range of problems, guidelines for finite element approximations are presented.

100-Gb/s InP DP-IQ modulator for small-form-factor pluggable coherent transceivers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kikuchi, Nobuhiro; Ogiso, Yoshihiro; Yamada, Eiichi

2016-02-01

We developed a compact InP-based DP-IQ modulator for small-form-factor pluggable coherent transceivers. The modulator achieves 112-Gb/s DP-QPSK modulation with a driving voltage of 6 Vppd. In addition, it provides 86-Gb/s DP-16 QAM signal generation and 240-km transmission with negligible degradation of BER performance. The halfwavelength voltage of our recent device is 1.9 V, and a high median extinction ratio of over 32 dB was achieved for more than 1,400 child MZ modulators. We have also proposed an athermal InP-based twin IQ modulator that enables us to use a modulator in a TEC-free operation. It contributes to lowering the power consumption of transceivers. Under a constant driving condition, there is little change in 56-Gb/s x 2 QPSK modulation characteristics in the range of 20 to 80°C.

High aspect ratio template and method for producing same for central and peripheral nerve repair

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sakamoto, Jeff S. (Inventor); Chan, Christina (Inventor); Tuszynski, Mark Henry (Inventor); Mehrotra, Sumit (Inventor); Gros, Thomas (Inventor)

2011-01-01

Millimeter to nano-scale structures manufactured using a multi-component polymer fiber matrix are disclosed. The use of dissimilar polymers allows the selective dissolution of the polymers at various stages of the manufacturing process. In one application, biocompatible matrixes may be formed with long pore length and small pore size. The manufacturing process begins with a first polymer fiber arranged in a matrix formed by a second polymer fiber. End caps may be attached to provide structural support and the polymer fiber matrix selectively dissolved away leaving only the long polymer fibers. These may be exposed to another product, such as a biocompatible gel to form a biocompatible matrix. The polymer fibers may then be selectively dissolved leaving only a biocompatible gel scaffold with the pores formed by the dissolved polymer fibers. The scaffolds may be used in, among other applications, the repair of central and peripheral nerves. Scaffolds for the repair of peripheral nerves may include a reservoir for the sustained release of nerve growth factor. The scaffolds may also include a multifunctional polyelectrolyte layer for the sustained release of nerve growth factor and enhance biocompatibility.

Cast Stone Formulation At Higher Sodium Concentrations

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

Fox, K. M.; Roberts, K. A.; Edwards, T. B.

2013-09-17

A low temperature waste form known as Cast Stone is being considered to provide supplemental Low Activity Waste (LAW) immobilization capacity for the Hanford site. Formulation of Cast Stone at high sodium concentrations is of interest since a significant reduction in the necessary volume of Cast Stone and subsequent disposal costs could be achieved if an acceptable waste form can be produced with a high sodium molarity salt solution combined with a high water to premix (or dry blend) ratio. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the factors involved with increasing the sodium concentration in Cast Stone, includingmore » production and performance properties and the retention and release of specific components of interest. Three factors were identified for the experimental matrix: the concentration of sodium in the simulated salt solution, the water to premix ratio, and the blast furnace slag portion of the premix. The salt solution simulants used in this study were formulated to represent the overall average waste composition. The cement, blast furnace slag, and fly ash were sourced from a supplier in the Hanford area in order to be representative. The test mixes were prepared in the laboratory and fresh properties were measured. Fresh density increased with increasing sodium molarity and with decreasing water to premix ratio, as expected given the individual densities of these components. Rheology measurements showed that all of the test mixes produced very fluid slurries. The fresh density and rheology data are of potential value in designing a future Cast Stone production facility. Standing water and density gradient testing showed that settling is not of particular concern for the high sodium compositions studied. Heat of hydration measurements may provide some insight into the reactions that occur within the test mixes, which may in turn be related to the properties and performance of the waste form. These measurements showed that increased sodium concentration in the salt solution reduced the time to peak heat flow, and reducing the amount of slag in the premix increased the time to peak heat flow. These observations may help to describe some of the cured properties of the samples, in particular the differences in compressive strength observed after 28 and 90 days of curing. Samples were cured for at least 28 days at ambient temperature in the laboratory prior to cured properties analyses. The low activity waste form for disposal at the Hanford Site is required to have a compressive strength of at least 500 psi. After 28 days of curing, several of the test mixes had mean compressive strengths that were below the 500 psi requirement. Higher sodium concentrations and higher water to premix ratios led to reduced compressive strength. Higher fly ash concentrations decreased the compressive strength after 28 days of curing. This may be explained in that the cementitious phases matured more quickly in the mixes with higher concentrations of slag, as evidenced by the data for the time to peak heat generation. All of the test mixes exhibited higher mean compressive strengths after 90 days of curing, with only one composition having a mean compressive strength of less than 500 psi. Leach indices were determined for the test mixes for contaminants of interest. The leaching performance of the mixes evaluated in this study was not particularly sensitive to the factors used in the experimental design. This may be beneficial in demonstrating that the performance of the waste form is robust with respect to changes in the mix composition. The results of this study demonstrate the potential to achieve significantly higher waste loadings in Cast Stone and other low temperature, cementitious waste forms. Additional work is needed to elucidate the hydration mechanisms occurring in Cast Stone formulated with highly concentrated salt solutions since these reactions are responsible for determining the performance of the cured waste form. The thermal analyses completed in this study provide some preliminary insight, although the limited range of the factors in the test matrix hindered the identification of individual component effects. Future work should involve broader factor ranges to identify the roles played by each of the components in the mix via thermal analyses, analytical microscopy, and characterization of phase formation.« less

Cast Stone Formulation At Higher Sodium Concentrations

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

Fox, K. M.; Edwards, T. A.; Roberts, K. B.

2013-10-02

A low temperature waste form known as Cast Stone is being considered to provide supplemental Low Activity Waste (LAW) immobilization capacity for the Hanford site. Formulation of Cast Stone at high sodium concentrations is of interest since a significant reduction in the necessary volume of Cast Stone and subsequent disposal costs could be achieved if an acceptable waste form can be produced with a high sodium molarity salt solution combined with a high water to premix (or dry blend) ratio. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the factors involved with increasing the sodium concentration in Cast Stone, includingmore » production and performance properties and the retention and release of specific components of interest. Three factors were identified for the experimental matrix: the concentration of sodium in the simulated salt solution, the water to premix ratio, and the blast furnace slag portion of the premix. The salt solution simulants used in this study were formulated to represent the overall average waste composition. The cement, blast furnace slag, and fly ash were sourced from a supplier in the Hanford area in order to be representative. The test mixes were prepared in the laboratory and fresh properties were measured. Fresh density increased with increasing sodium molarity and with decreasing water to premix ratio, as expected given the individual densities of these components. Rheology measurements showed that all of the test mixes produced very fluid slurries. The fresh density and rheology data are of potential value in designing a future Cast Stone production facility. Standing water and density gradient testing showed that settling is not of particular concern for the high sodium compositions studied. Heat of hydration measurements may provide some insight into the reactions that occur within the test mixes, which may in turn be related to the properties and performance of the waste form. These measurements showed that increased sodium concentration in the salt solution reduced the time to peak heat flow, and reducing the amount of slag in the premix increased the time to peak heat flow. These observations may help to describe some of the cured properties of the samples, in particular the differences in compressive strength observed after 28 and 90 days of curing. Samples were cured for at least 28 days at ambient temperature in the laboratory prior to cured properties analyses. The low activity waste form for disposal at the Hanford Site is required to have a compressive strength of at least 500 psi. After 28 days of curing, several of the test mixes had mean compressive strengths that were below the 500 psi requirement. Higher sodium concentrations and higher water to premix ratios led to reduced compressive strength. Higher fly ash concentrations decreased the compressive strength after 28 days of curing. This may be explained in that the cementitious phases matured more quickly in the mixes with higher concentrations of slag, as evidenced by the data for the time to peak heat generation. All of the test mixes exhibited higher mean compressive strengths after 90 days of curing, with only one composition having a mean compressive strength of less than 500 psi. Leach indices were determined for the test mixes for contaminants of interest. The leaching performance of the mixes evaluated in this study was not particularly sensitive to the factors used in the experimental design. This may be beneficial in demonstrating that the performance of the waste form is robust with respect to changes in the mix composition. The results of this study demonstrate the potential to achieve significantly higher waste loadings in Cast Stone and other low temperature, cementitious waste forms. Additional work is needed to elucidate the hydration mechanisms occurring in Cast Stone formulated with highly concentrated salt solutions since these reactions are responsible for determining the performance of the cured waste form. The thermal analyses completed in this study provide some preliminary insight, although the limited range of the factors in the test matrix hindered the identification of individual component effects. Future work should involve broader factor ranges to identify the roles played by each of the components in the mix via thermal analyses, analytical microscopy, and characterization of phase formation.« less

Cast Stone Formulation At Higher Sodium Concentrations

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

Fox, K. M.; Roberts, K. A.; Edwards, T. B.

2014-02-28

A low temperature waste form known as Cast Stone is being considered to provide supplemental Low Activity Waste (LAW) immobilization capacity for the Hanford site. Formulation of Cast Stone at high sodium concentrations is of interest since a significant reduction in the necessary volume of Cast Stone and subsequent disposal costs could be achieved if an acceptable waste form can be produced with a high sodium molarity salt solution combined with a high water to premix (or dry blend) ratio. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the factors involved with increasing the sodium concentration in Cast Stone, includingmore » production and performance properties and the retention and release of specific components of interest. Three factors were identified for the experimental matrix: the concentration of sodium in the simulated salt solution, the water to premix ratio, and the blast furnace slag portion of the premix. The salt solution simulants used in this study were formulated to represent the overall average waste composition. The cement, blast furnace slag, and fly ash were sourced from a supplier in the Hanford area in order to be representative. The test mixes were prepared in the laboratory and fresh properties were measured. Fresh density increased with increasing sodium molarity and with decreasing water to premix ratio, as expected given the individual densities of these components. Rheology measurements showed that all of the test mixes produced very fluid slurries. The fresh density and rheology data are of potential value in designing a future Cast Stone production facility. Standing water and density gradient testing showed that settling is not of particular concern for the high sodium compositions studied. Heat of hydration measurements may provide some insight into the reactions that occur within the test mixes, which may in turn be related to the properties and performance of the waste form. These measurements showed that increased sodium concentration in the salt solution reduced the time to peak heat flow, and reducing the amount of slag in the premix increased the time to peak heat flow. These observations may help to describe some of the cured properties of the samples, in particular the differences in compressive strength observed after 28 and 90 days of curing. Samples were cured for at least 28 days at ambient temperature in the laboratory prior to cured properties analyses. The low activity waste form for disposal at the Hanford Site is required to have a compressive strength of at least 500 psi. After 28 days of curing, several of the test mixes had mean compressive strengths that were below the 500 psi requirement. Higher sodium concentrations and higher water to premix ratios led to reduced compressive strength. Higher fly ash concentrations decreased the compressive strength after 28 days of curing. This may be explained in that the cementitious phases matured more quickly in the mixes with higher concentrations of slag, as evidenced by the data for the time to peak heat generation. All of the test mixes exhibited higher mean compressive strengths after 90 days of curing, with only one composition having a mean compressive strength of less than 500 psi. Leachability indices were determined for the test mixes for contaminants of interest. The leaching performance of the mixes evaluated in this study was not particularly sensitive to the factors used in the experimental design. This may be beneficial in demonstrating that the performance of the waste form is robust with respect to changes in the mix composition. The results of this study demonstrate the potential to achieve significantly higher waste loadings in Cast Stone and other low temperature, cementitious waste forms. Additional work is needed to elucidate the hydration mechanisms occurring in Cast Stone formulated with highly concentrated salt solutions since these reactions are responsible for determining the performance of the cured waste form. The thermal analyses completed in this study provide some preliminary insight, although the limited range of the factors in the test matrix hindered the identification of individual component effects. Future work should involve broader factor ranges to identify the roles played by each of the components in the mix via thermal analyses, analytical microscopy, and characterization of phase formation.« less

Benzothiadiazole-based polymer for single and double junction solar cells with high open circuit voltage.

PubMed

Venkatesan, Swaminathan; Ngo, Evan C; Chen, Qiliang; Dubey, Ashish; Mohammad, Lal; Adhikari, Nirmal; Mitul, Abu Farzan; Qiao, Qiquan

2014-06-21

Single and double junction solar cells with high open circuit voltage were fabricated using poly{thiophene-2,5-diyl-alt-[5,6-bis(dodecyloxy)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole]-4,7-diyl} (PBT-T1) blended with fullerene derivatives in different weight ratios. The role of fullerene loading on structural and morphological changes was investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The XRD and AFM measurements showed that a higher fullerene mixing ratio led to breaking of inter-chain packing and hence resulted in smaller disordered polymer domains. When the PBT-T1:PC60BM weight ratio was 1 : 1, the polymer retained its structural order; however, large aggregated domains formed, leading to poor device performance due to low fill factor and short circuit current density. When the ratio was increased to 1 : 2 and then 1 : 3, smaller amorphous domains were observed, which improved photovoltaic performance. The 1 : 2 blending ratio was optimal due to adequate charge transport pathways giving rise to moderate short circuit current density and fill factor. Adding 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO) additive into the 1 : 2 blend films further improved both the short circuit current density and fill factor, leading to an increased efficiency to 4.5% with PC60BM and 5.65% with PC70BM. These single junction solar cells exhibited a high open circuit voltage at ∼ 0.9 V. Photo-charge extraction by linearly increasing voltage (Photo-CELIV) measurements showed the highest charge carrier mobility in the 1 : 2 film among the three ratios, which was further enhanced by introducing the DIO. The Photo-CELIV measurements with varying delay times showed significantly higher extracted charge carrier density for cells processed with DIO. Tandem devices using P3HT:IC60BA as bottom cell and PBT-T1:PC60BM as top cell exhibited a high open circuit voltage of 1.62 V with 5.2% power conversion efficiency.

Effect of inertia properties on attitude stability of nonrigid spin-stabilized spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lang, W. E.; Young, J. P.

1974-01-01

The phenomenon of energy dissipation in spinning spacecraft is discussed with particular reference to its dependence on spacecraft inertia properties. Specific dissipation mechanisms are identified. The effect of external environmental factors on spin stability is also discussed. Generalized curves are presented relating system stability to the principal inertia ratio for various forms of energy dissipation. Dual-spin systems and the effect of lateral inertia asymmetry are also reviewed.

Kinetics of the formation of ozone and nitrogen oxides due to a pulsed microwave discharge in air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Larin, V. F.; Rumiantsev, S. A.

1989-03-01

The paper presents results of a numerical simulation of the kinetics of plasma-chemical processes induced by a single microwave pulse in the stratosphere. It is shown that the gas temperature is one of the main factors influencing the concentration ratio of ozone and nitrogen oxides formed under the effect of a microwave pulse. Long pulses, producing considerable gas heating, favor the formation of nitrogen oxides.

Principal component analysis to assess the efficiency and mechanism for enhanced coagulation of natural algae-laden water using a novel dual coagulant system.

PubMed

Ou, Hua-Se; Wei, Chao-Hai; Deng, Yang; Gao, Nai-Yun; Ren, Yuan; Hu, Yun

2014-02-01

A novel dual coagulant system of polyaluminum chloride sulfate (PACS) and polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDADMAC) was used to treat natural algae-laden water from Meiliang Gulf, Lake Taihu. PACS (Aln(OH)mCl3n-m-2k(SO4)k) has a mass ratio of 10 %, a SO4 (2-)/Al3 (+) mole ratio of 0.0664, and an OH/Al mole ratio of 2. The PDADMAC ([C8H16NCl]m) has a MW which ranges from 5 × 10(5) to 20 × 10(5) Da. The variations of contaminants in water samples during treatments were estimated in the form of principal component analysis (PCA) factor scores and conventional variables (turbidity, DOC, etc.). Parallel factor analysis determined four chromophoric dissolved organic matters (CDOM) components, and PCA identified four integrated principle factors. PCA factor 1 had significant correlations with chlorophyll-a (r=0.718), protein-like CDOM C1 (0.689), and C2 (0.756). Factor 2 correlated with UV254 (0.672), humic-like CDOM component C3 (0.716), and C4 (0.758). Factors 3 and 4 had correlations with NH3-N (0.748) and T-P (0.769), respectively. The variations of PCA factors scores revealed that PACS contributed less aluminum dissolution than PAC to obtain equivalent removal efficiency of contaminants. This might be due to the high cationic charge and pre-hydrolyzation of PACS. Compared with PACS coagulation (20 mg L(-1)), the removal of PCA factors 1, 2, and 4 increased 45, 33, and 12 %, respectively, in combined PACS-PDADMAC treatment (0.8 mg L(-1) +20 mg L(-1)). Since PAC contained more Al (0.053 g/1 g) than PACS (0.028 g/1 g), the results indicated that PACS contributed less Al dissolution into the water to obtain equivalent removal efficiency.

Effect of precipitation, geographical location and biosynthesis on New Zealand milk powder bulk and fatty acids D/H ratios

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frew, R.; Emad Ehtesham, R.; Van Hale, R.; Hayman, A.; Baisden, T.

2012-04-01

D/H ratio measurements provide useful information for the investigation of biogeochemical influences on natural and agricultural produce, particularly with application to food traceability and authentication. Numerous studies have shown that variation of a product's D/H ratio is influenced by both environmental factors and biological processes. This study investigates the D/H ratio of New Zealand milk powder and individual fatty acids, and causal determinants of isotopic variation. One of the key environmental factors is precipitation, and the D/H ratio "isoscaping" of NZ has been undertaken. New Zealand provides a unique geography for these kinds of study in terms of proximity to the ocean and natural geographical variability from sea level to elevations as high as 3700 m. Milk powder samples were collected from different geographical regions from milk processing units, which were supplied by producers in the immediate region. H/D ratios of bulk milk powder and of individual fatty acids were determined. Initial comparison of the precipitation and milk powder bulk D/H data show a very good differentiation from north to southernmost parts of New Zealand and a relation between rain and milk bulk D/H abundance ratio. Almost 98% of milk FAs are in the form of triglycerides that have been extracted and hydrolysed to free FAs. Free FAs were esterified and analyzed with GC-IRMS. Individual FAs show variation in D/H ratio, and all values are depleted relative to the precipitation data. The difference in D/H ratio amongst individual FAs reflects the geographical environment and biological processes i.e. micro-organisms activity in the rumen of the cow. Short chain FAs (less than 8 carbons), particularly C4 (Butyric acid), appear to be key determinants. The variation in the data can be rationalized using statistical multivariate analysis.

Stress analysis for structures with surface cracks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bell, J. C.

1978-01-01

Two basic forms of analysis, one treating stresses around arbitrarily loaded circular cracks, the other treating stresses due to loads arbitrarily distributed on the surface of a half space, are united by a boundary-point least squares method to obtain analyses for stresses from surface cracks in places or bars. Calculations were for enough cases to show how effects from the crack vary with the depth-to-length ratio, the fractional penetration ratio, the obliquity of the load, and to some extent the fractional span ratio. The results include plots showing stress intensity factors, stress component distributions near the crack, and crack opening displacement patterns. Favorable comparisons are shown with two kinds of independent experiments, but the main method for confirming the results is by wide checking of overall satisfaction of boundary conditions, so that external confirmation is not essential. Principles involved in designing analyses which promote dependability of the results are proposed and illustrated.

Phosphorus speciation and its bioavailability in sediments of the Jiaozhou Bay

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kang, Xuming; Song, Jinming; Yuan, Huamao; Shi, Xin; Yang, Weifeng; Li, Xuegang; Li, Ning; Duan, Liqin

2017-03-01

Phosphorus (P) is an important macronutrient that can limit primary productivity in coastal marine ecosystems. In this study, four sediment cores were collected in the Jiaozhou Bay to study the phosphorus forms and their bioavailability, including exchangeable or loosely sorbed P (Ex-P), iron-bound P (Fe-P), authigenic P (Ca-P), detrital P (De-P) and organic P (OP), which were separated and quantified using a sequential extraction method (SEDEX). The results showed that the concentration of total P (TP) in core sediments ranged from 6.23 to 10.46 μmol/g, and inorganic P (IP) was the dominated P form. Fe-P and De-P were the main chemical forms of IP in core sediments. The profile variation of OP presented the most significant among the phosphorus forms. Whereas the concentrations of Ex-P, Fe-P, and Ca-P varied slightly with depth, indicating that the transformation of Ex-P, Fe-P, Ca-P, and OP could occur during sedimentary P burial. Moreover, the distribution of P species was influenced by many factors, including terrigenous input, biological processes, organic matter degradation and increasing human activities. High total organic carbon (TOC)/OP ratio occurred in the Jiaozhou Bay, ranging from 73 to 472 (average, 180 ± 81) in core sediments, which was caused by the increasing terrestrial organic matter. The ratio of TOC/Preactive ranged from 24 to 101 (average 46 ± 15) in core sediments (lower than the Redfield ratio), implying a surplus of sedimentary reactive P compared with TOC. Potential bioavailable P (BAP) accounted for about 28.2-60.8% (average, 47.1 ± 7.4%) of TP in core sediments, and presented an increasing trend since 1980s, which might be responsible for the shift of phytoplankton community composition during these decades.

Evolution of stalk/spore ratio in a social amoeba: cell-to-cell interaction via a signaling chemical shaped by cheating risk.

PubMed

Uchinomiya, Kouki; Iwasa, Yoh

2013-11-07

The social amoeba (or cellular slime mold) is a model system for cell cooperation. When food is depleted in the environment, cells aggregate together. Some of these cells become stalks, raising spores to aid in their dispersal. Differentiation-inducing factor-1 (DIF-1) is a signaling chemical produced by prespore cells and decomposed by prestalk cells. It affects the rate of switching between prestalk and prespore cells, thereby achieving a stable stalk/spore ratio. In this study we analyzed the evolution of the stalk/spore ratio. Strains may differ in the production and decomposition rates of the signaling chemical, and in the sensitivity of cells to switch in response to the signaling chemical exposure. When two strains with the same stalk/spore ratio within their own fruiting body are combined into a single fruiting body, one strain may develop into prespores to a greater degree than the other. Direct evolutionary simulations and quantitative genetic dynamics demonstrate that if a fruiting body is always formed by a single strain, the cells evolve to produce less signaling chemical and become more sensitive to the signaling chemical due to the cost of producing the chemical. In contrast, if a fruiting body is formed by multiple strains, the cells evolve to become less sensitive to the signaling chemical and produce more signaling chemical in order to reduce the risk of being exploited. In contrast, the stalk-spore ratio is less likely to be affected by small cheating risk. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Geomorphometry of Drainage Basin for Natural Resources Management Using High Resolution Satellite Data an Indian Example

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Venkateswarlu, P.; Reddy, M. A.; Prasad, A. T.

2003-12-01

Application of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System for the development of land and water resources action plan at micro level for appropriate management of land/water resources of a watershed in rain fed region of Prakasam District in Andhra Pradesh, India forms the focal theme of this paper. The quantitative description of drainage basin geometry can be effectively determined using Remote Sensing and GIS techniques. Each of the sixty-two sub-watersheds of the study area have been studied in terms of the Morphometric parameters - Stream length, Bifurcation ratio, Length ratio, Drainage density, Stream frequency, Texture ratio, Form factor, Area Perimeters, Circularity ratio and Elongation ratio and prioritized all the sub-watersheds under study. The prioritization of sub sheds based on morphometry is compared with sediment yield prioritization and found nearly same for the study area. The information obtained from the thematic maps are integrated and action plans are suggested for land and water resources development on a sustainable basis. Landuse/Landcover, Hydrogeomorphology and Soil thematic maps were generated. In addition slope and Drainage maps were prepared from Survey of India toposheets. Based on the computerized database created using ARC/INFO software, information derived in terms of natural resources and their spatial distribution was then integrated with the socio economic data to formulate an action plan, which includes suggestion of alternative Landuse/Landcover practices. Such a plan is useful for natural resources management and for improving the socio-economic status of rural population on a sustainable basis. Keywords: Natural Resources, Remote Sensing, Morphometry sustainable development.

Subtypes of Benign Breast Disease as a Risk Factor for Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocol

PubMed Central

Zendehdel, Manoosh; Niakan, Babak; Keshtkar, Abbasali; Rafiei, Elahe; Salamat, Fatemeh

2018-01-01

Breast cancer is a multifactorial disease. Benign breast disease (BBD) is one of the most important risk factors for breast cancer. The etiology of BBD is unknown. It is divided into nonproliferative and proliferative diseases. The selection of studies will be based on titles, abstract screening, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and quality assessment. Previous studies have shown that all types of BBD increase the risk of breast cancer, but the risk degree is different for each one. Accurate risk estimation of breast cancer in each category can be very important for proper clinical management. This systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted on observational studies (traditional case control, nested case control, case cohort, and cohort) published in the Web of Science (ISI), PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, Google Scholar, and the key journals of this field such as Breast Cancer Research and Treatment and Cancer Research from January 2000 to June 2015. Reference lists and gray literature will be reviewed too. All the initial retrievals will be performed by 2 researchers independently. The data extraction form will consist of general information concerning the studies, study eligibility, method, risk of bias assessment, and results—including odds ratios, risk ratios, rate ratios, and hazard ratios. The PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines will be used to report our findings. Registration Details: PROSPERO-42016035243 PMID:29398746

Subtypes of Benign Breast Disease as a Risk Factor for Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocol.

PubMed

Zendehdel, Manoosh; Niakan, Babak; Keshtkar, Abbasali; Rafiei, Elahe; Salamat, Fatemeh

2018-01-01

Breast cancer is a multifactorial disease. Benign breast disease (BBD) is one of the most important risk factors for breast cancer. The etiology of BBD is unknown. It is divided into nonproliferative and proliferative diseases. The selection of studies will be based on titles, abstract screening, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and quality assessment. Previous studies have shown that all types of BBD increase the risk of breast cancer, but the risk degree is different for each one. Accurate risk estimation of breast cancer in each category can be very important for proper clinical management. This systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted on observational studies (traditional case control, nested case control, case cohort, and cohort) published in the Web of Science (ISI), PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, Google Scholar, and the key journals of this field such as Breast Cancer Research and Treatment and Cancer Research from January 2000 to June 2015. Reference lists and gray literature will be reviewed too. All the initial retrievals will be performed by 2 researchers independently. The data extraction form will consist of general information concerning the studies, study eligibility, method, risk of bias assessment, and results-including odds ratios, risk ratios, rate ratios, and hazard ratios. The PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines will be used to report our findings. Registration Details: PROSPERO-42016035243.

What Factors Explain Bicycling and Walking for Commuting by ELSA-Brasil Participants?

PubMed

de Matos, Sheila Maria Alvim; Pitanga, Francisco José Gondim; Almeida, Maria da Conceição C; Queiroz, Ciro Oliveira; Dos Santos, Clarice Alves; de Almeida, Rogerio Tosta; da Silva, Ianne Tayrine Martins; Griep, Rosane Harter; Amorim, Leila Denise Alves Ferreira; Patrão, Ana Luísa; Aquino, Estela M L

2018-03-01

To analyze the factors associated with commuting by bicycling and walking in adult participants from ELSA-Brasil (Longitudinal Study of Adult Health). Cross-sectional. Six teaching/research institutions throughout Brazil. A total of 15 105 civil servants. Commuting by bicycling and walking was analyzed using the long-form International Physical Activity Questionnaire. A hierarchical model containing possible factors associated with commuting by bicycling and walking was constructed. Crude and adjusted odds ratios were calculated using multinomial logistic regression. Considering the 2 forms of commuting, 66% of the participants were being considered inactive or insufficiently active. In women, being "heavier," feeling unsafe practicing physical activity, and being a former smoker were factors negatively associated with commuting by bicycling and walking. In men, active commuting was less common among those who were overweight or had abdominal obesity, those with a negative perception of safety, and those reporting that there was nowhere suitable in the neighborhood to practice physical activity. Obesity and negative perceptions in the neighborhood are associated with inactive or insufficiently active commuting. The relevance of this finding for public health is reinforce developing policies aimed at promoting health in Brazil and in other countries with similar characteristics.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Bulgarian Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and/or Obesity

PubMed Central

Gateva, Antoaneta; Kamenov, Zdravko

2012-01-01

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disturbances in women of reproductive age. Besides its well-known effects on reproductive health, it is also linked to increased cardiovascular risk in later life. The aim of this study is to investigate some classical cardiovascular risk factors in a crossectional study of Bulgarian women with PCOS and/or obesity. We performed a retrospective medical chart review of 375 women from an university endocrine clinic. We found significant differences in the indices of carbohydrate metabolism, blood pressure, lipid profile, rate of liver steatosis, and the levels liver enzymes and hematological results between the lean and obese PCOS women. Obese women without PCOS did not show significantly different results in their OGGT form obese PCOS women. Waist-to-stature-ratio (WSR) correlated better with the baseline IRI levels and lipid profile than waist-to-hip-ratio (WHR) that makes it a better marker for unfavorable metabolic profile. PMID:22262974

Analysis of surface cracks in finite plates under tension or bending loads

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Newman, J. C., Jr.; Raju, I. S.

1979-01-01

Stress-intensity factors calculated with a three-dimensional, finite-element analysis for shallow and deep semielliptical surface cracks in finite elastic isotropic plates subjected to tension or bending loads are presented. A wide range of configuration parameters was investigated. The ratio of crack depth to plate thickness ranged from 0.2 to 0.8 and the ratio of crack depth to crack length ranged from 0.2 to 2.0. The effects of plate width on stress-intensity variations along the crack front was also investigated. A wide-range equation for stress-intensity factors along the crack front as a function of crack depth, crack length, plate thickness, and plate width was developed for tension and bending loads. The equation was used to predict patterns of surface-crack growth under tension or bending fatigue loads. A modified form of the equation was also used to correlate surface-crack fracture data for a brittle epoxy material within + or - 10 percent for a wide range of crack shapes and crack sizes.

Avoiding overstating the strength of forensic evidence: Shrunk likelihood ratios/Bayes factors.

PubMed

Morrison, Geoffrey Stewart; Poh, Norman

2018-05-01

When strength of forensic evidence is quantified using sample data and statistical models, a concern may be raised as to whether the output of a model overestimates the strength of evidence. This is particularly the case when the amount of sample data is small, and hence sampling variability is high. This concern is related to concern about precision. This paper describes, explores, and tests three procedures which shrink the value of the likelihood ratio or Bayes factor toward the neutral value of one. The procedures are: (1) a Bayesian procedure with uninformative priors, (2) use of empirical lower and upper bounds (ELUB), and (3) a novel form of regularized logistic regression. As a benchmark, they are compared with linear discriminant analysis, and in some instances with non-regularized logistic regression. The behaviours of the procedures are explored using Monte Carlo simulated data, and tested on real data from comparisons of voice recordings, face images, and glass fragments. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Excited heavy baryons and their symmetries III: Phenomenology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baccouche, Z. Aziza; Chow, Chi-Keung; Cohen, Thomas D.; Gelman, Boris A.

2001-12-01

Phenomenological applications of an effective theory of low-lying excited states of charm and bottom isoscalar baryons are discussed at leading and next-to-leading order in the combined heavy-quark and large- Nc expansion. The combined expansion is formulated in terms of the counting parameter λ˜1/ mQ,1/ Nc; the combined expansion is in powers of λ1/2. We work up to next-to-leading order. We obtain model-independent predictions for the excitation energies, the semileptonic form factors and electromagnetic decay rates. At leading order in the combined expansion these observables are given in terms of one phenomenological constant which can be determined from the excitation energy of the first excited state of Λc baryon. At next-to-leading order an additional phenomenological constant is required. The spin-averaged mass of the doublet of the first orbitally excited state of Λb is predicted to be approximately 5920 MeV. It is shown that in the combined limit at leading and next-to-leading order there is only one independent form factor describing Λ b→Λ cℓ ν¯; similarly, Λ b→Λ c∗ℓ ν¯ and Λ b→Λ c1ℓ ν¯ decays are described by a single independent form factor. These form factors are calculated at leading and next-to-leading order in the combined expansion. The value of the Λ b→Λ cℓ ν¯ form factor at zero recoil is predicted to be 0.998 at leading order which is very close to HQET value of unity. The electromagnetic decay rates of the first excited states of Λc and Λb are determined at leading and next-to-leading order. The ratio of radiative decay rates Γ(Λ c∗→Λ cγ)/Γ(Λ b1→Λ bγ) is predicted to be approximately 0.2, greatly different from the heavy-quark effective theory value of unity.

Application of Factor Analysis on the Financial Ratios of Indian Cement Industry and Validation of the Results by Cluster Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De, Anupam; Bandyopadhyay, Gautam; Chakraborty, B. N.

2010-10-01

Financial ratio analysis is an important and commonly used tool in analyzing financial health of a firm. Quite a large number of financial ratios, which can be categorized in different groups, are used for this analysis. However, to reduce number of ratios to be used for financial analysis and regrouping them into different groups on basis of empirical evidence, Factor Analysis technique is being used successfully by different researches during the last three decades. In this study Factor Analysis has been applied over audited financial data of Indian cement companies for a period of 10 years. The sample companies are listed on the Stock Exchange India (BSE and NSE). Factor Analysis, conducted over 44 variables (financial ratios) grouped in 7 categories, resulted in 11 underlying categories (factors). Each factor is named in an appropriate manner considering the factor loads and constituent variables (ratios). Representative ratios are identified for each such factor. To validate the results of Factor Analysis and to reach final conclusion regarding the representative ratios, Cluster Analysis had been performed.

Health-related Quality of Life and Associated Factors Among Undergraduate University Students

PubMed Central

Nur, Naim; Kıbık, Ahmet; Kılıç, Esma; Sümer, Haldun

2017-01-01

Objectives The aims of this study were to explore factors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among students of Cumhuriyet University, Turkey. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 1751 undergraduate students. HRQOL was measured using the Turkish version of 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire. We looked at the effect of sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., gender, age, drinking, and smoking) on the individual HRQOL domains. Results Place of residency (odds ratio (OR) = 3.947 for role emotion dimension), smoking status (OR = -2.756 for role physical dimension), received amount of pocket money (OR = 2.463 for mental health dimension), and body mass index (OR = 1.463 for mental health dimension) were the factors significantly associated with the HRQOL. Conclusions Young students’ HRQOL is affected by socioeconomic, demographic, and behavioral factors. To improve student’s HRQOL, any health-promoting strategies should focus on modifiable risk factors and socioeconomic supports for students. PMID:28804586

Do dry roasting, lightly salting nuts affect their cardioprotective properties and acceptability?

PubMed

Tey, Siew Ling; Robinson, Terryn; Gray, Andrew R; Chisholm, Alexandra W; Brown, Rachel Clare

2017-04-01

Previous studies have reported improvements in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors with the consumption of raw nuts. However, around one-third of nuts consumed are roasted and salted. Thus, it is important to determine whether roasting and salting nuts affect the health benefits observed with raw nuts. This study aimed to compare the effects of consuming two different forms of hazelnuts on cardiovascular risk factors and acceptance. Using a randomised crossover design, 72 participants were asked to consume 30 g/day of either raw or dry roasted, lightly salted hazelnuts for 28 days each. CVD risk factors were measured at the beginning and end of each treatment period. "Desire to consume" and "overall liking" for both forms of hazelnuts were assessed daily using a 150-mm visual analogue scale. Body composition, blood pressure, plasma total and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1 and B100, glucose and α-tocopherol concentrations did not differ between forms of hazelnuts (all P ≥ 0.054). High-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (P = 0.037) and triacylglycerol (P < 0.001) concentrations were significantly lower following the consumption of dry roasted, lightly salted hazelnuts when compared to the raw hazelnuts. Compared with baseline, consuming both forms of hazelnuts significantly improved HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1 concentrations, total-C/HDL-C ratio, and systolic blood pressure without significantly changing body composition. Acceptance ratings did not differ between forms of hazelnuts and remained high throughout the study. Dry roasting and lightly salting nuts do not appear to negate the cardioprotective effects observed with raw nut consumption, and both forms of nuts are resistant to monotony. Public health messages could be extended to include dry roasted and lightly salted nuts as part of a heart healthy diet.

Internal shocks in microquasar jets with a continuous Lorentz factor modulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pjanka, Patryk; Stone, James M.

2018-06-01

We perform relativistic hydrodynamic simulations of internal shocks formed in microquasar jets by continuous variation of the bulk Lorentz factor, in order to investigate the internal shock model. We consider one-, two-, and flicker noise 20-mode variability. We observe emergence of a forward-reverse shock structure for each peak of the Lorentz factor modulation. The high pressure in the shocked layer launches powerful outflows perpendicular to the jet beam into the ambient medium. These outflows dominate the details of the jet's kinetic energy thermalization. They are responsible for mixing between the jet and the surrounding medium and generate powerful shocks in the latter. These results do not concur with the popular picture of well-defined internal shells depositing energy as they collide within the confines of the jet, in fact collisions between internal shells themselves are quite rare in our continuous formulation of the problem. For each of our simulations, we calculate the internal energy deposited in the system, the `efficiency' of this deposition (defined as the ratio of internal to total flow energy), and the maximum temperature reached in order to make connections to emission mechanisms. We probe the dependence of these diagnostics on the Lorentz factor variation amplitudes, modulation frequencies, as well as the initial density ratio between the jet and the ambient medium.

A stochastic method for computing hadronic matrix elements

DOE PAGES

Alexandrou, Constantia; Constantinou, Martha; Dinter, Simon; ...

2014-01-24

In this study, we present a stochastic method for the calculation of baryon 3-point functions which is an alternative to the typically used sequential method offering more versatility. We analyze the scaling of the error of the stochastically evaluated 3-point function with the lattice volume and find a favorable signal to noise ratio suggesting that the stochastic method can be extended to large volumes providing an efficient approach to compute hadronic matrix elements and form factors.

Reducing treatment of coppersmelting slag: Thermodynamic analysis of impurities behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Komkov, Alexey; Kamkin, Rostislav

2011-01-01

A thermodynamic mathematical model, describing behavior of Pb, Zn, and As during reducing slag cleaning in the Vanyukov furnace has been developed. Using a developed model, the influence of different factors, such as temperature, oxygen partial pressure, the ratio of the formed phases on the behavior of impurities, was analyzed. It was found that arsenic can significantly move to the bottom phase, and zinc can be significantly vaporized under conditions in the Vanyukov furnace.

The relative noise levels of parallel axis gear sets with various contact ratios and gear tooth forms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Drago, Raymond J.; Lenski, Joseph W., Jr.; Spencer, Robert H.; Valco, Mark; Oswald, Fred B.

1993-01-01

The real noise reduction benefits which may be obtained through the use of one gear tooth form as compared to another is an important design parameter for any geared system, especially for helicopters in which both weight and reliability are very important factors. This paper describes the design and testing of nine sets of gears which are as identical as possible except for their basic tooth geometry. Noise measurements were made at various combinations of load and speed for each gear set so that direct comparisons could be made. The resultant data was analyzed so that valid conclusions could be drawn and interpreted for design use.

The impact of signal-to-noise ratio on contextual cueing in children and adults.

PubMed

Yang, Yingying; Merrill, Edward C

2015-04-01

Contextual cueing refers to a form of implicit spatial learning where participants incidentally learn to associate a target location with its repeated spatial context. Successful contextual learning produces an efficient visual search through familiar environments. Despite the fact that children exhibit the basic ability of implicit spatial learning, their general effectiveness in this form of learning can be compromised by other development-dependent factors. Learning to extract useful information (signal) in the presence of various amounts of irrelevant or distracting information (noise) characterizes one of the most important changes that occur with cognitive development. This research investigated whether signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) affects contextual cueing differently in children and adults. S/N was operationally defined as the ratio of repeated versus new displays encountered over time. Three ratio conditions were created: high (100%), medium (67%), and low (33%) conditions. Results suggested no difference in the acquisition of contextual learning effects in the high and medium conditions across three age groups (6- to 8-year-olds, 10- to 12-year-olds, and young adults). However, a significant developmental difference emerged in the low S/N condition. As predicted, adults exhibited significant contextual cueing effects, whereas older children showed marginally significant contextual cueing and younger children did not show cueing effects. Group differences in the ability to exhibit implicit contextual learning under low S/N conditions and the implications of this difference are discussed. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Stress intensity factors for deep cracks emanating from the corner formed by a hole intersecting a plate surface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcgowan, J. J.; Smith, C. W.

1974-01-01

A technique consisting of a marriage between stress freezing photoelasticity and a numerical method was used to obtain stress intensity factors for natural cracks emanating from the corner at which a hole intersects a plate surface. Geometrics studied were: crack depth to thickness ratios of approximately 0.2, 0.5, and 0.75; crack depth to crack length ratios of approximately 1.0 to 2.0. All final crack geometries were grown under monotonic loading and growth was not self similar with most of the growth occurring through the thickness under remote extension. Stress intensity plate surface K sub s factors were determined at the intersection of the flaw border with the plate surface K sub s and with the edge of the hole K sub h. Results showed that for the relatively shallow flaws K sub h approximately equal to 1.5 K sub s, for the moderately deep flaws K sub h approximately equal to K sub s, and for the deep flaws K sub h approximately equal to 0.5 K sub s, revealing a severe sensitivity of K to flaw geometry.

Frailty Index Predicts All-Cause Mortality for Middle-Aged and Older Taiwanese: Implications for Active-Aging Programs.

PubMed

Lin, Shu-Yu; Lee, Wei-Ju; Chou, Ming-Yueh; Peng, Li-Ning; Chiou, Shu-Ti; Chen, Liang-Kung

2016-01-01

Frailty Index, defined as an individual's accumulated proportion of listed health-related deficits, is a well-established metric used to assess the health status of old adults; however, it has not yet been developed in Taiwan, and its local related structure factors remain unclear. The objectives were to construct a Taiwan Frailty Index to predict mortality risk, and to explore the structure of its factors. Analytic data on 1,284 participants aged 53 and older were excerpted from the Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study (2006), in Taiwan. A consensus workgroup of geriatricians selected 159 items according to the standard procedure for creating a Frailty Index. Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to explore the association between the Taiwan Frailty Index and mortality. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify structure factors and produce a shorter version-the Taiwan Frailty Index Short-Form. During an average follow-up of 4.3 ± 0.8 years, 140 (11%) subjects died. Compared to those in the lowest Taiwan Frailty Index tertile (< 0.18), those in the uppermost tertile (> 0.23) had significantly higher risk of death (Hazard ratio: 3.2; 95% CI 1.9-5.4). Thirty-five items of five structure factors identified by exploratory factor analysis, included: physical activities, life satisfaction and financial status, health status, cognitive function, and stresses. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (C-statistics) of the Taiwan Frailty Index and its Short-Form were 0.80 and 0.78, respectively, with no statistically significant difference between them. Although both the Taiwan Frailty Index and Short-Form were associated with mortality, the Short-Form, which had similar accuracy in predicting mortality as the full Taiwan Frailty Index, would be more expedient in clinical practice and community settings to target frailty screening and intervention.

Effects of Vibrations on Metal Forming Process: Analytical Approach and Finite Element Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Armaghan, Khan; Christophe, Giraud-Audine; Gabriel, Abba; Régis, Bigot

2011-01-01

Vibration assisted forming is one of the most recent and beneficial technique used to improve forming process. Effects of vibration on metal forming processes can be attributed to two causes. First, the volume effect links lowering of yield stress with the influence of vibration on the dislocation movement. Second, the surface effect explains lowering of the effective coefficient of friction by periodic reduction contact area. This work is related to vibration assisted forming process in viscoplastic domain. Impact of change in vibration waveform has been analyzed. For this purpose, two analytical models have been developed for two different types of vibration waveforms (sinusoidal and triangular). These models were developed on the basis of Slice method that is used to find out the required forming force for the process. Final relationships show that application of triangular waveform in forming process is more beneficial as compare to sinusoidal vibrations in terms of reduced forming force. Finite Element Method (FEM) based simulations were performed using Forge2008®and these confirmed the results of analytical models. The ratio of vibration speed to upper die speed is a critical factor in the reduction of the forming force.

The Impact of CDH13 Polymorphism and Statin Administration on TG/HDL Ratio in Cardiovascular Patients

PubMed Central

Choi, Jung Ran; Kim Yoon, Sungjoo; Park, Jong Keun; Sorn, Sungbin Richard; Park, Mi-Young

2015-01-01

Purpose Adiponectin is expressed in adipose tissue, and is affected by smoking, obesity, and genetic factors, such as CDH13 polymorphism, contributing to the development of coronary vascular diseases (CVDs). Materials and Methods We investigated the effect of genetic variations of CDH13 (rs3865188) on blood chemistry and adiponectin levels in 345 CVD patients undergoing statin-free or statin treatment. Results Genetic variation in CDH13 was significantly correlated with several clinical factors, including adiponectin, diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride (TG), and insulin levels. Subjects with the T allele (mutant form) had significantly lower adiponectin levels than those with the A allele. Total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), TG/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) ratio, and HDL3b subtype were markedly decreased in statin treated subjects regardless of having the A or T allele. TG and TG/HDL in the statin-free group with TT genotype of the rs3865188 was higher than in the others but they were not different in the statin-treated subjects. We observed a significant difference in adiponectin levels between patients with the A and T alleles in the statin-free group; meanwhile, no difference in adiponectin levels was noted in the statin group. Plasma levels of other cytokines, leptin, visfatin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were not different among the CDH13 genotypes according to statin administration. Body mass index (BMI), TG, insulin, HDL3b, and TG/HDL ratio showed negative correlations with adiponectin levels. Conclusion Plasma adiponectin levels and TG/HDL ratio were significantly different according to variants of CDH13 and statin administration in Korean patients with CVD. PMID:26446643

The Impact of CDH13 Polymorphism and Statin Administration on TG/HDL Ratio in Cardiovascular Patients.

PubMed

Choi, Jung Ran; Jang, Yangsoo; Kim Yoon, Sungjoo; Park, Jong Keun; Sorn, Sungbin Richard; Park, Mi-Young; Lee, Myoungsook

2015-11-01

Adiponectin is expressed in adipose tissue, and is affected by smoking, obesity, and genetic factors, such as CDH13 polymorphism, contributing to the development of coronary vascular diseases (CVDs). We investigated the effect of genetic variations of CDH13 (rs3865188) on blood chemistry and adiponectin levels in 345 CVD patients undergoing statin-free or statin treatment. Genetic variation in CDH13 was significantly correlated with several clinical factors, including adiponectin, diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride (TG), and insulin levels. Subjects with the T allele (mutant form) had significantly lower adiponectin levels than those with the A allele. Total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), TG/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) ratio, and HDL3b subtype were markedly decreased in statin treated subjects regardless of having the A or T allele. TG and TG/HDL in the statin-free group with TT genotype of the rs3865188 was higher than in the others but they were not different in the statin-treated subjects. We observed a significant difference in adiponectin levels between patients with the A and T alleles in the statin-free group; meanwhile, no difference in adiponectin levels was noted in the statin group. Plasma levels of other cytokines, leptin, visfatin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were not different among the CDH13 genotypes according to statin administration. Body mass index (BMI), TG, insulin, HDL3b, and TG/HDL ratio showed negative correlations with adiponectin levels. Plasma adiponectin levels and TG/HDL ratio were significantly different according to variants of CDH13 and statin administration in Korean patients with CVD.

Return to preinjury sports participation following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: contributions of demographic, knee impairment, and self-report measures.

PubMed

Lentz, Trevor A; Zeppieri, Giorgio; Tillman, Susan M; Indelicato, Peter A; Moser, Michael W; George, Steven Z; Chmielewski, Terese L

2012-11-01

Cross-sectional cohort. (1) To examine differences in clinical variables (demographics, knee impairments, and self-report measures) between those who return to preinjury level of sports participation and those who do not at 1 year following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, (2) to determine the factors most strongly associated with return-to-sport status in a multivariate model, and (3) to explore the discriminatory value of clinical variables associated with return to sport at 1 year postsurgery. Demographic, physical impairment, and psychosocial factors individually prohibit return to preinjury levels of sports participation. However, it is unknown which combination of factors contributes to sports participation status. Ninety-four patients (60 men; mean age, 22.4 years) 1 year post-anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were included. Clinical variables were collected and included demographics, knee impairment measures, and self-report questionnaire responses. Patients were divided into "yes return to sports" or "no return to sports" groups based on their answer to the question, "Have you returned to the same level of sports as before your injury?" Group differences in demographics, knee impairments, and self-report questionnaire responses were analyzed. Discriminant function analysis determined the strongest predictors of group classification. Receiver-operating-characteristic curves determined the discriminatory accuracy of the identified clinical variables. Fifty-two of 94 patients (55%) reported yes return to sports. Patients reporting return to preinjury levels of sports participation were more likely to have had less knee joint effusion, fewer episodes of knee instability, lower knee pain intensity, higher quadriceps peak torque-body weight ratio, higher score on the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Evaluation Form, and lower levels of kinesiophobia. Knee joint effusion, episodes of knee instability, and score on the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Evaluation Form were identified as the factors most strongly associated with self-reported return-to-sport status. The highest positive likelihood ratio for the yes-return-to-sports group classification (14.54) was achieved when patients met all of the following criteria: no knee effusion, no episodes of instability, and International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Evaluation Form score greater than 93. In multivariate analysis, the factors most strongly associated with return-to-sport status included only self-reported knee function, episodes of knee instability, and knee joint effusion.

Ice Generation and the Heat and Mass Transfer Phenomena of Introducing Water to a Cold Bath of Brine.

PubMed

Yun, Xiao; Quarini, Giuseppe L

2017-03-13

We demonstrate a method for the study of the heat and mass transfer and of the freezing phenomena in a subcooled brine environment. Our experiment showed that, under the proper conditions, ice can be produced when water is introduced to a bath of cold brine. To make ice form, in addition to having the brine and water mix, the rate of heat transfer must bypass that of mass transfer. When water is introduced in the form of tiny droplets to the brine surface, the mode of heat and mass transfer is by diffusion. The buoyancy stops water from mixing with the brine underneath, but as the ice grows thicker, it slows down the rate of heat transfer, making ice more difficult to grow as a result. When water is introduced inside the brine in the form of a flow, a number of factors are found to influence how much ice can form. Brine temperature and concentration, which are the driving forces of heat and mass transfer, respectively, can affect the water-to-ice conversion ratio; lower bath temperatures and brine concentrations encourage more ice to form. The flow rheology, which can directly affect both the heat and mass transfer coefficients, is also a key factor. In addition, the flow rheology changes the area of contact of the flow with the bulk fluid.

Dental arch dimensions, form and tooth size ratio among a Saudi sample.

PubMed

Omar, Haidi; Alhajrasi, Manar; Felemban, Nayef; Hassan, Ali

2018-01-01

To determine the dental arch dimensions and arch forms in a sample of Saudi orthodontic patients, to investigate the prevalence of Bolton anterior and overall tooth size discrepancies, and to compare the effect of gender on the measured parameters. Methods: This study is a biometric analysis of dental casts of 149 young adults recruited from different orthodontic centers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The dental arch dimensions were measured. The measured parameters were arch length, arch width, Bolton's ratio, and arch form. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS software version 22.0 (IBM Corporation, New York, USA); this cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2015 and May 2016. Results: Dental arch measurements, including inter-canine and inter-molar distance, were found to be significantly greater in males than females (p less than 0.05). The most prevalent dental arch forms were narrow tapered (50.3%) and narrow ovoid (34.2%), respectively. The prevalence of tooth size discrepancy in all cases was 43.6% for anterior ratio and 24.8% for overall ratio. The mean Bolton's anterior ratio in all malocclusion classes was 79.81%, whereas the mean Bolton's overall ratio was 92.21%. There was no significant difference between males and females regarding Bolton's ratio. Conclusion: The most prevalent arch form was narrow tapered, followed by narrow ovoid. Males generally had larger dental arch measurements than females, and the prevalence of tooth size discrepancy was more in Bolton's anterior teeth ratio than in overall ratio.

L-glutamine supplementations enhance liver glutamine-glutathione axis and heat shock factor-1 expression in endurance-exercise trained rats.

PubMed

Petry, Éder Ricardo; Cruzat, Vinicius Fernandes; Heck, Thiago Gomes; Homem de Bittencourt, Paulo Ivo; Tirapegui, Julio

2015-04-01

Liver L-glutamine is an important vehicle for the transport of ammonia and intermediary metabolism of amino acids between tissues, particularly under catabolic situations, such as high-intensity exercise. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of oral supplementations with L-glutamine in its free or dipeptide forms (with L-alanine) on liver glutamine-glutathione (GSH) axis, and 70 kDa heat shock proteins (HSP70)/heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1) expressions. Adult male Wistar rats were 8-week trained (60 min/day, 5 days/week) on a treadmill. During the last 21 days, the animals were daily supplemented with 1 g of L-glutamine/kg body weight per day in either l-alanyl-L-glutamine dipeptide (DIP) form or a solution containing L-glutamine and l-alanine in their free forms (GLN+ALA) or water (controls). Exercise training increased cytosolic and nuclear HSF1 and HSP70 expression, as compared with sedentary animals. However, both DIP and GLN+ALA supplements enhanced HSF1 expression (in both cytosolic and nuclear fractions) in relation to exercised controls. Interestingly, HSF1 rises were not followed by enhanced HSP70 expression. DIP and GLN+ALA supplements increased plasma glutamine concentrations (by 62% and 59%, respectively) and glutamine to glutamate plasma ratio in relation to trained controls. This was in parallel with a decrease in plasma ammonium levels. Supplementations increased liver GSH (by 90%), attenuating the glutathione disulfide (GSSG) to GSH ratio, suggesting a redox state protection. In conclusion, oral administration with DIP and GLN+ALA supplements in endurance-trained rats improve liver glutamine-GSH axis and modulate HSF1 pathway.

Total molecular gas masses of Planck - Herschel selected strongly lensed hyper luminous infrared galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harrington, K. C.; Yun, M. S.; Magnelli, B.; Frayer, D. T.; Karim, A.; Weiß, A.; Riechers, D.; Jiménez-Andrade, E. F.; Berman, D.; Lowenthal, J.; Bertoldi, F.

2018-03-01

We report the detection of CO(1-0) line emission from seven Planck and Herschel selected hyper luminous ({L_{IR (8-1000{μ m})} > 10^{13} L_{⊙}) infrared galaxies with the Green Bank Telescope (GBT). CO(1-0) measurements are a vital tool to trace the bulk molecular gas mass across all redshifts. Our results place tight constraints on the total gas content of these most apparently luminous high-z star-forming galaxies (apparent IR luminosities of LIR > 1013 - 14 L⊙), while we confirm their predetermined redshifts measured using the Large Millimeter Telescope, LMT (zCO = 1.33-3.26). The CO(1-0) lines show similar profiles as compared to Jup = 2-4 transitions previously observed with the LMT. We report enhanced infrared to CO line luminosity ratios of < L_IR / L^' }_{CO(1-0)} > = 110 ± 22 L_{⊙} (K km s^{-1} pc^{-2})^{-1} compared to normal star-forming galaxies, yet similar to those of well-studied IR-luminous galaxies at high-z. We find average brightness temperature ratios of 〈 r21〉 = 0.93 (2 sources), 〈 r31〉 = 0.34 (5 sources), and 〈 r41〉 = 0.18 (1 source). The r31 and r41 values are roughly half the average values for SMGs. We estimate the total gas mass content as {μ M_{H2} = (0.9-27.2) × 10^{11} (α _CO/0.8) M_{⊙}, where μ is the magnification factor and αCO is the CO line luminosity to molecular hydrogen gas mass conversion factor. The rapid gas depletion times, < τ_depl > = 80} Myr, reveal vigorous starburst activity, and contrast the Gyr depletion time-scales observed in local, normal star-forming galaxies.

Synergistic and Non-synergistic Associations for Cigarette Smoking and Non-tobacco Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease Incidence in the Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (ARIC) Study.

PubMed

Lubin, Jay H; Couper, David; Lutsey, Pamela L; Yatsuya, Hiroshi

2017-07-01

Cigarette smoking, various metabolic and lipid-related factors and hypertension are well-recognized cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Since smoking affects many of these factors, use of a single imprecise smoking metric, for example, ever or never smoked, may allow residual confounding and explain inconsistencies in current assessments of interactions. Using a comprehensive model in pack-years and cigarettes/day for the complex smoking-related relative risk (RR) of CVD to reduce residual confounding, we evaluated interactions with non-tobacco risk factors, including additive (non-synergistic) and multiplicative (synergistic) forms. Data were from the prospective Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study from four areas of the United States recruited in 1987-1989 with follow-up through 2008. Analyses included 14 127 participants, 207 693 person-years and 2857 CVD events. Analyses revealed distinct interactions with smoking: including statistical consistency with additive (body mass index [BMI], waist to hip ratio [WHR], diabetes mellitus [DM], glucose, insulin, high density lipoproteins [HDL] and HDL(2)); and multiplicative (hypertension, total cholesterol [TC], low density lipoproteins [LDLs], apolipoprotein B [apoB], TC to HDL ratio and HDL(3)) associations, as well as indeterminate (apolipoprotein A-I [apoA-I] and triglycerides) associations. The forms of the interactions were revealing but require confirmation. Improved understanding of joint associations may help clarify the public health burden of smoking for CVD, links between etiologic factors and biological mechanisms, and the consequences of joint exposures, whereby synergistic associations highlight joint effects and non-synergistic associations suggest distinct contributions. Joint associations for cigarette smoking and non-tobacco risk factors were distinct, revealing synergistic/multiplicative (hypertension, TC, LDL, apoB, TC/HDL, HDL(3)), non-synergistic/additive (BMI, WHR, DM, glucose, insulin, HDL, HDL(2)) and indeterminate (apoA-I and TRIG) associations. If confirmed, these results may help better define the public health burden of smoking on CVD risk and identify links between etiologic factors and biologic mechanisms, where synergistic associations highlight joint impacts and non-synergistic associations suggest distinct contributions from each factor. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco 2016. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.

Publisher's Note: Proton elastic form factor ratios to Q2=3.5GeV2 by polarization transfer [Phys. Rev. C 71, 055202 (2005)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Punjabi, V.; Perdrisat, C. F.; Aniol, K. A.; Baker, F. T.; Berthot, J.; Bertin, P. Y.; Bertozzi, W.; Besson, A.; Bimbot, L.; Boeglin, W. U.; Brash, E. J.; Brown, D.; Calarco, J. R.; Cardman, L. S.; Chai, Z.; Chang, C.-C.; Chen, J.-P.; Chudakov, E.; Churchwell, S.; Cisbani, E.; Dale, D. S.; Leo, R. De; Deur, A.; Diederich, B.; Domingo, J. J.; Epstein, M. B.; Ewell, L. A.; Fissum, K. G.; Fleck, A.; Fonvieille, H.; Frullani, S.; Gao, J.; Garibaldi, F.; Gasparian, A.; Gerstner, G.; Gilad, S.; Gilman, R.; Glamazdin, A.; Glashausser, C.; Gomez, J.; Gorbenko, V.; Green, A.; Hansen, J.-O.; Howell, C. R.; Huber, G. M.; Iodice, M.; Jager, C. W.; Jaminion, S.; Jiang, X.; Jones, M. K.; Kahl, W.; Kelly, J. J.; Khayat, M.; Kramer, L. H.; Kumbartzki, G.; Kuss, M.; Lakuriki, E.; Laveissière, G.; Lerose, J. J.; Liang, M.; Lindgren, R. A.; Liyanage, N.; Lolos, G. J.; Macri, R.; Madey, R.; Malov, S.; Margaziotis, D. J.; Markowitz, P.; McCormick, K.; McIntyre, J. I.; Meer, R. L.; Michaels, R.; Milbrath, B. D.; Mougey, J. Y.; Nanda, S. K.; Offermann, E. A.; Papandreou, Z.; Pentchev, L.; Petratos, G. G.; Piskunov, N. M.; Pomatsalyuk, R. I.; Prout, D. L.; Quéméner, G.; Ransome, R. D.; Raue, B. A.; Roblin, Y.; Roche, R.; Rutledge, G.; Rutt, P. M.; Saha, A.; Saito, T.; Sarty, A. J.; Smith, T. P.; Sorokin, P.; Strauch, S.; Suleiman, R.; Takahashi, K.; Templon, J. A.; Todor, L.; Ulmer, P. E.; Urciuoli, G. M.; Vernin, P.; Vlahovic, B.; Voskanyan, H.; Wijesooriya, K.; Wojtsekhowski, B. B.; Woo, R. J.; Xiong, F.; Zainea, G. D.; Zhou, Z.-L.

2005-06-01

This paper was published online on 20 May 2005 without several of the authors’ corrections incorporated. Equation (13) has been replaced. The captions of Figs. 16 18 have also been replaced. Typographical errors on pages 4, 6, 14, 15, 18, 19, 22, and 24 have all been corrected. The paper has been corrected as of 8 June 2005. The text is correct in the printed version of the journal.

Publisher's Note: Proton elastic form factor ratios to Q{sup 2}=3.5 GeV{sup 2} by polarization transfer [Phys. Rev. C 71, 055202 (2005)

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

Punjabi, V.; Perdrisat, C.F.; Aniol, K.A.

2005-06-01

This paper was published online on 20 May 2005 without several of the authors' corrections incorporated. Equation (13) has been replaced. The captions of Figs. 16-18 have also been replaced. Typographical errors on pages 4, 6, 14, 15, 18, 19, 22, and 24 have all been corrected. The paper has been corrected as of 8 June 2005. The text is correct in the printed version of the journal.

Nucleon structure from 2+1-flavor domain-wall QCD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohta, Shigemi

2018-03-01

Nucleon-structure calculations of isovector vector-and axialvector-current form factors, transversity and scalar charge, and quark momentum and helicity fractions are reported from two recent 2+1-flavor dynamical domain-wall fermions lattice-QCD ensembles generated jointly by the RIKEN-BNL-Columbia and UKQCD Collaborations with Iwasaki × dislocation-suppressing-determinatn-ratio gauge action at inverse lattice spacing of 1.378(7) GeV and pion mass values of 249.4(3) and 172.3(3) MeV.

Ion Thermal Conductivity and Ion Distribution Function in the Banana Regime

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-04-01

approximate collision operator which is more general than the model operator derived by HIRSHMAN and SIGMAR is presented. By use of this collision...by HIRSHMAN and SIGMAR (1976). The finite aspect ratio correction is shown to increase the ion thermal conductivity by a factor of two in the...operator (12) is more general than that of Hirshman and Sigmar which can be derived by approximating Ct(1=0,1,2)in (12) by more simple forms. Let us

Stress Intensity Factors for Part-Through Surface Cracks in Hollow Cylinders

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mettu, Sambi R.; Raju, Ivatury S.; Forman, Royce G.

1992-01-01

Flaws resulting from improper welding and forging are usually modeled as cracks in flat plates, hollow cylinders or spheres. The stress intensity factor solutions for these crack cases are of great practical interest. This report describes some recent efforts at improving the stress intensity factor solutions for cracks in such geometries with emphasis on hollow cylinders. Specifically, two crack configurations for cylinders are documented. One is that of a surface crack in an axial plane and the other is a part-through thumb-nail crack in a circumferential plane. The case of a part-through surface crack in flat plates is used as a limiting case for very thin cylinders. A combination of the two cases for cylinders is used to derive a relation for the case of a surface crack in a sphere. Solutions were sought which cover the entire range of the geometrical parameters such as cylinder thickness, crack aspect ratio and crack depth. Both the internal and external position of the cracks are considered for cylinders and spheres. The finite element method was employed to obtain the basic solutions. Power-law form of loading was applied in the case of flat plates and axial cracks in cylinders and uniform tension and bending loads were applied in the case of circumferential (thumb-nail) cracks in cylinders. In the case of axial cracks, the results for tensile and bending loads were used as reference solutions in a weight function scheme so that the stress intensity factors could be computed for arbitrary stress gradients in the thickness direction. For circumferential cracks, since the crack front is not straight, the above technique could not be used. Hence for this case, only the tension and bending solutions are available at this time. The stress intensity factors from the finite element method were tabulated so that results for various geometric parameters such as crack depth-to-thickness ratio (a/t), crack aspect ratio (a/c) and internal radius-to-thickness ratio (R/t) or the crack length-to-width ratio (2c/W) could be obtained by interpolation and extrapolation. Such complete tables were then incorporated into the NASA/FLAGRO computer program which is widely used by the aerospace community for fracture mechanics analysis.

Mechanisms for Differential Protein Production in Toxin–Antitoxin Systems

PubMed Central

Deter, Heather S.; Jensen, Roderick V.; Mather, William H.; Butzin, Nicholas C.

2017-01-01

Toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems are key regulators of bacterial persistence, a multidrug-tolerant state found in bacterial species that is a major contributing factor to the growing human health crisis of antibiotic resistance. Type II TA systems consist of two proteins, a toxin and an antitoxin; the toxin is neutralized when they form a complex. The ratio of antitoxin to toxin is significantly greater than 1.0 in the susceptible population (non-persister state), but this ratio is expected to become smaller during persistence. Analysis of multiple datasets (RNA-seq, ribosome profiling) and results from translation initiation rate calculators reveal multiple mechanisms that ensure a high antitoxin-to-toxin ratio in the non-persister state. The regulation mechanisms include both translational and transcriptional regulation. We classified E. coli type II TA systems into four distinct classes based on the mechanism of differential protein production between toxin and antitoxin. We find that the most common regulation mechanism is translational regulation. This classification scheme further refines our understanding of one of the fundamental mechanisms underlying bacterial persistence, especially regarding maintenance of the antitoxin-to-toxin ratio. PMID:28677629

Effects of iron on optical properties of dissolved organic matter.

PubMed

Poulin, Brett A; Ryan, Joseph N; Aiken, George R

2014-09-02

Iron is a source of interference in the spectroscopic analysis of dissolved organic matter (DOM); however, its effects on commonly employed ultraviolet and visible (UV-vis) light adsorption and fluorescence measurements are poorly defined. Here, we describe the effects of iron(II) and iron(III) on the UV-vis absorption and fluorescence of solutions containing two DOM fractions and two surface water samples. In each case, regardless of DOM composition, UV-vis absorption increased linearly with increasing iron(III). Correction factors were derived using iron(III) absorption coefficients determined at wavelengths commonly used to characterize DOM. Iron(III) addition increased specific UV absorbances (SUVA) and decreased the absorption ratios (E2:E3) and spectral slope ratios (SR) of DOM samples. Both iron(II) and iron(III) quenched DOM fluorescence at pH 6.7. The degree and region of fluorescence quenching varied with the iron:DOC concentration ratio, DOM composition, and pH. Regions of the fluorescence spectra associated with greater DOM conjugation were more susceptible to iron quenching, and DOM fluorescence indices were sensitive to the presence of both forms of iron. Analyses of the excitation-emission matrices using a 7- and 13-component parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) model showed low PARAFAC sensitivity to iron addition.

Study of Bc→ψ (2 S )K , ηc(2 S )K , ψ (3770 )K decays with perturbative QCD approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duan, Feng-Bo; Yu, Xian-Qiao

2018-05-01

We study the Bc→ψ (2 S ) K , ηc(2 S ) K , ψ (3770 ) K decays with perturbative QCD approach based on kT factorization. The new orbitally excited charmonium distribution amplitudes ψ (1 3D1) based on the Schrödinger wave function of the n =1 , l =2 state for the harmonic-oscillator potential are employed. By using the corresponding distribution amplitudes, we calculate the branching ratio of Bc→ψ (2 S ) K , ηc(2 S ) K , ψ (3770 ) K decays and the form factors A0 ,1 ,2 and V for the transition Bc→ψ (1 3D1) . We obtain the branching ratio of both Bc→ψ (2 S ) K and Bc→ηc(2 S ) K are at the order of 10-5. The effects of two sets of the S-D mixing angle θ =-1 2 ° and θ =2 7 ° for the decay Bc→ψ (3770 ) K are studied first in this paper. Our calculations show that the branching ratio of the decay Bc→ψ (3770 ) K can be raised from the order of 10-6 to the order of 10-5 at the mixing angle θ =-1 2 ° , which can be tested by the running LHC-b experiments.

Effects of iron on optical properties of dissolved organic matter

USGS Publications Warehouse

Poulin, Brett; Ryan, Joseph N.; Aiken, George R.

2014-01-01

Iron is a source of interference in the spectroscopic analysis of dissolved organic matter (DOM); however, its effects on commonly employed ultraviolet and visible (UV–vis) light adsorption and fluorescence measurements are poorly defined. Here, we describe the effects of iron(II) and iron(III) on the UV–vis absorption and fluorescence of solutions containing two DOM fractions and two surface water samples. In each case, regardless of DOM composition, UV–vis absorption increased linearly with increasing iron(III). Correction factors were derived using iron(III) absorption coefficients determined at wavelengths commonly used to characterize DOM. Iron(III) addition increased specific UV absorbances (SUVA) and decreased the absorption ratios (E2:E3) and spectral slope ratios (SR) of DOM samples. Both iron(II) and iron(III) quenched DOM fluorescence at pH 6.7. The degree and region of fluorescence quenching varied with the iron:DOC concentration ratio, DOM composition, and pH. Regions of the fluorescence spectra associated with greater DOM conjugation were more susceptible to iron quenching, and DOM fluorescence indices were sensitive to the presence of both forms of iron. Analyses of the excitation–emission matrices using a 7- and 13-component parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) model showed low PARAFAC sensitivity to iron addition.

Risk factors of prolonged mechanical ventilation following open heart surgery: what has changed over the last decade?

PubMed

Siddiqui, Muhammad-Mujtaba Ali; Paras, Iftikhar; Jalal, Anjum

2012-09-01

To identify the risk factors for prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation after open heart surgery in Pakistan. This study is based on retrospective analysis of database. We conducted study of all patients who underwent open heart surgery at CPE Institute of Cardiology, Multan from March 2009 to May 2011. The data was retrieved from the database in the form of electronic spreadsheet which was then analyzed using SPSS software. The patients with incomplete data entries were removed from the analysis resulting in a set of 1,617 patients. The data of each patient consisted of 65 preoperative, operative and postoperative variables. The data was summarized as means, medians and standard deviations for numeric variables and frequencies and percentages or categoric variables. These risk factors were compared using Chi-sqaure test. Their ODDs ratios and 95% confidence intervals of ODD's Ratios and P values were calculated. Out of a total of 1,617 patients, 77 patients (4.76%) had prolonged ventilation for a cumulated duration of more than over 24 hours. Preoperative renal failure, emphysema, low EF (<30%), urgent operation, preoperative critical state, prolonged bypass time, prolonged cross clamp time, complex surgical procedures and peri-operative myocardial infarction were found to be risk factors for PIMV. Old age, female gender, advanced ASA class, advanced NYHA class, diabetes mellitus, smoking, history of COPD, redo surgery, left main stenosis, obesity and use of intra-aortic balloon pump were not found to have significant ODDs ratios for PIMV. The patients with prolonged ventilation had significantly high mortality i.e. 32.47% while the normal ventilation group had 0.32% overall mortality. Many of the previously considered risk factors for prolonged ventilation after open heart study are no more significant risk factors. However, prolonged ventilation continues to be associated with very high mortality.

Effect of C/N ratio, aeration rate and moisture content on ammonia and greenhouse gas emission during the composting.

PubMed

Jiang, Tao; Schuchardt, Frank; Li, Guoxue; Guo, Rui; Zhao, Yuanqiu

2011-01-01

Gaseous emission (N2O, CH4 and NH3) from composting can be an important source of anthropogenic greenhouse gas and air pollution. A laboratory scale orthogonal experiment was conducted to estimate the effects of C/N ratio, aeration rate and initial moisture content on gaseous emission during the composting of pig faeces from Chinese Ganqinfen system. The results showed that about 23.9% to 45.6% of total organic carbon (TOC) was lost in the form of CO2 and 0.8% to 7.5% of TOC emitted as CH4. Most of the nitrogen was lost in the form of NH3, which account for 9.6% to 32.4% of initial nitrogen. N2O was also an important way of nitrogen losses and 1.5% to 7.3% of initial total nitrogen was lost as it. Statistic analysis showed that the aeration rate is the most important factor which could affect the NH3 (p = 0.0189), CH4 (p = 0.0113) and N2O (p = 0.0493) emissions significantly. Higher aeration rates reduce the CH4 emission but increase the NH3 and N2O losses. C/N ratio could affect the NH3 (p = 0.0442) and CH4 (p = 0.0246) emissions significantly, but not the N2O. Lower C/N ratio caused higher NH3 and CH4 emissions. The initial moisture content can not influence the gaseous emission significantly. Most treatments were matured after 37 days, except a trial with high moisture content and a low C/N ratio.

Ratio of serum levels of AGEs to soluble form of RAGE is a predictor of endothelial function.

PubMed

Kajikawa, Masato; Nakashima, Ayumu; Fujimura, Noritaka; Maruhashi, Tatsuya; Iwamoto, Yumiko; Iwamoto, Akimichi; Matsumoto, Takeshi; Oda, Nozomu; Hidaka, Takayuki; Kihara, Yasuki; Chayama, Kazuaki; Goto, Chikara; Aibara, Yoshiki; Noma, Kensuke; Takeuchi, Masayoshi; Matsui, Takanori; Yamagishi, Sho-Ichi; Higashi, Yukihito

2015-01-01

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their specific receptor, the receptor for AGEs (RAGE), play an important role in atherosclerosis. Recently, a soluble form of RAGE (sRAGE) has been identified in human serum. However, the role of sRAGE in cardiovascular disease is still controversial. There is no information on the association between simultaneous measurements of AGEs and sRAGE and vascular function. In this study, we evaluated the associations between serum levels of AGEs and sRAGE, ratio of AGEs to sRAGE, and vascular function. We measured serum levels of AGEs and sRAGE and assessed vascular function by measurement of flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation in 110 subjects who underwent health examinations. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with vascular function. Univariate regression analysis revealed that FMD correlated with age, BMI, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, glucose, smoking pack-years, nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation, serum levels of AGEs and sRAGE, and ratio of AGEs to sRAGE. Multivariate analysis revealed that the ratio of AGEs to sRAGE remained an independent predictor of FMD, while serum level of AGEs alone or sRAGE alone was not associated with FMD. These findings suggest that sRAGE may have a counterregulatory mechanism that is activated to counteract the vasotoxic effect of the AGE-RAGE axis. The ratio of AGEs to sRAGE may be a new chemical biomarker of endothelial function. © 2015 by the American Diabetes Association. Readers may use this article as long as the work is properly cited, the use is educational and not for profit, and the work is not altered.

Exploring family and community involvement to protect Thai youths from alcohol and illegal drug abuse.

PubMed

Wongtongkam, Nualnong; Ward, Paul Russell; Day, Andrew; Winefield, Anthony Harold

2015-01-01

Youth substance abuse is widely recognized as a major public health issue in Thailand. This study explores family and community risk and protective factors relevant to alcohol and illegal drug misuse in 1,778 Thai teenagers. Strong family attachment and a family history of antisocial behaviors were strongly associated with nearly all forms of substance abuse, with adjusted odds ratios ranging from 5.05 to 8.45. Community disorganization was strongly associated with self-reported substance use, although involvement in prosocial activities acted as a protective factor. The findings suggest that interventions that promote family cohesion and encourage community involvement may have considerable benefits in reducing substance abuse in Thai adolescents.

Strong composition-dependent variation of MCs + calibration factors in TiO x and GeO x ( x ≤ 2) films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gnaser, Hubert; Le, Yongkang; Su, Weifeng

2006-07-01

The emission of MCs + secondary ions (M designates the analyte species) from TiO x (0.2 ≤ x ≤ 2) and GeO x (0.001 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) films under Cs + bombardment was examined. The relative calibration factors of OCs +/TiCs + and OCs +/GeCs + were determined and were found to depend pronouncedly on the O/Ti and O/Ge atomic concentration ratios. Specifically, with increasing oxygen content OCs + ions form much more efficiently (as compared to TiCs + or GeCs + ions), an enhancement amounting to more than a factor of 10 for the highest oxygen concentrations. Concurrently, the formation of TiOCs + or GeOCs + ions increases drastically. For both oxide systems, an empirical relation for the oxygen-concentration dependence of the relative calibration factors could be established.

Part II--Factors associated with school nurse ratios: key state informants' perceptions.

PubMed

Maughan, Erin

2009-08-01

This paper is the second of a two-part series examining factors influencing school nurse to pupil staffing ratios. The paper reports data from a qualitative study exploring the social and political factors that potentially influence ratios. Interviews were conducted with 30 key state informants from these states. Content analysis of the data identified common themes. Positive factors reported to influence ratios included: the approach taken to effect change, value placed upon school nurses, local support (from both educators and parents) and community buy-in, fear of litigation, and dynamic leadership. Barriers to improving ratios included: lack of funding and misunderstanding of the role of the school nurse. Philosophical beliefs and state geography were "swing" factors that influenced staffing positively or negatively. This study adds to our knowledge of the factors influencing staffing and highlights important social and political factors that school nurses can target to improve nurse to pupil ratios.

Study of D →a0(980 )e+νe decay in the light-cone sum rules approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Xiao-Dong; Li, Hai-Bo; Wei, Bin; Xu, Yu-Guo; Yang, Mao-Zhi

2017-08-01

Within the QCD light-cone sum rule (LCSR) approach, we investigate the transition form factors of D →a0(980 ) up to the twist-3 light-cone distribution amplitudes (LCDAs) of the scalar meson a0(980 ) in the two-quark picture. Using these form factors, we calculate the differential decay widths and branching ratios of the D →a0(980 )e+νe semileptonic decays. We obtain B (D0→a0-(980 )e+νe)=(4.0 8-1.22+1.37)×10-4 and B (D+→a00(980 )e+νe)=(5.4 0-1.59+1.78)×10-4 . The results are sensitive to the a0(980 ) inner structure. These decays can be searched for at the BESIII experiment, and any experimental observations will be useful to identify internal quark contents of the a0(980 ) meson, which will shed light on understanding theoretical models.

Improved measurement of the form factors in the decay lambda+c-->lambda + nue.

PubMed

Hinson, J W; Huang, G S; Lee, J; Miller, D H; Pavlunin, V; Rangarajan, R; Sanghi, B; Shibata, E I; Shipsey, I P J; Cronin-Hennessy, D; Park, C S; Park, W; Thayer, J B; Thorndike, E H; Coan, T E; Gao, Y S; Liu, F; Stroynowski, R; Artuso, M; Boulahouache, C; Blusk, S; Dambasuren, E; Dorjkhaidav, O; Mountain, R; Muramatsu, H; Nandakumar, R; Skwarnicki, T; Stone, S; Wang, J C; Csorna, S E; Danko, I; Bonvicini, G; Cinabro, D; Dubrovin, M; McGee, S; Bornheim, A; Lipeles, E; Pappas, S P; Shapiro, A; Sun, W M; Weinstein, A J; Briere, R A; Chen, G P; Ferguson, T; Tatishvili, G; Vogel, H; Watkins, M E; Adam, N E; Alexander, J P; Berkelman, K; Boisvert, V; Cassel, D G; Duboscq, J E; Ecklund, K M; Ehrlich, R; Galik, R S; Gibbons, L; Gittelman, B; Gray, S W; Hartill, D L; Heltsley, B K; Hsu, L; Jones, C D; Kandaswamy, J; Kreinick, D L; Magerkurth, A; Mahlke-Krüger, H; Meyer, T O; Mistry, N B; Patterson, J R; Peterson, D; Pivarski, J; Richichi, S J; Riley, D; Sadoff, A J; Schwarthoff, H; Shepherd, M R; Thayer, J G; Urner, D; Wilksen, T; Warburton, A; Weinberger, M; Athar, S B; Avery, P; Breva-Newell, L; Potlia, V; Stoeck, H; Yelton, J; Benslama, K; Cawlfield, C; Eisenstein, B I; Gollin, G D; Karliner, I; Lowrey, N; Plager, C; Sedlack, C; Selen, M; Thaler, J J; Williams, J; Edwards, K W; Besson, D; Anderson, S; Frolov, V V; Gong, D T; Kubota, Y; Li, S Z; Poling, R; Smith, A; Stepaniak, C J; Urheim, J; Metreveli, Z; Seth, K K; Tomaradze, A; Zweber, P; Ahmed, S; Alam, M S; Ernst, J; Jian, L; Saleem, M; Wappler, F; Arms, K; Eckhart, E; Gan, K K; Gwon, C; Honscheid, K; Kagan, H; Kass, R; Pedlar, T K; von Toerne, E; Severini, H; Skubic, P; Dytman, S A; Mueller, J A; Nam, S; Savinov, V

2005-05-20

Using the CLEO detector at the Cornell Electron Storage Ring, we have studied the distribution of kinematic variables in the decay lambda(+)(c)lambda--> e(+)nu(e). By performing a four-dimensional maximum likelihood fit, we determine the form factor ratio, R= f(2)/f(1) = -0.31 +/- 0.05(stat) +/- 0.04(syst), the pole mass, M(pole) = [2.21 +/- 0.08(stat) +/- 0.14(syst)] GeV/c(2), and the decay asymmetry parameter of the lambda(+)(c), alpha (lambda(c)) = -0.86 +/-0.03(stat) +/- 0.02(syst), for q(2) = 0.67 (GeV/c(2))(2). We compare the angular distributions of the lambda(+)(c) and lambda(-)(c) and find no evidence for CP violation: A(lambda(c)) = (alpha(lambda(c)) + alpha (lambda(c)))/(alpha(lambda(c))-alpha(lambda(c))) = 0.00 +/- 0.03(stat) +/- 0.01(syst) +/- 0.02, where the third error is from the uncertainty in the world average of the CP-violating parameter, A(lambda), for ppi(-).

Effects of aeration on formation and localization of the acetyl coenzyme A synthetases of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klein, H. P.; Jahnke, L.

1979-01-01

Previous studies on the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have shown that two different forms of the enzyme acetyl coenzyme A synthetase (ACS) are present, depending on the conditions under which the cells are grown. The paper evaluates the usefulness of a method designed to assay both synthetases simultaneously in yeast homogenates. The data presented confirm the possibility of simultaneous detection and estimation of the amount of both ACSs of S. cerevisiae in crude homogenates of this strain, making possible the study of physiological factors involved in the formation of these isoenzymes. One important factor for specifying which of the two enzymes is found in these yeast cells is the presence or absence of oxygen in their environment. Aeration not only affects the ratio of the two ACSs but also appears to affect the cellular distribution of these enzymes. Most of the data presented suggest the possibility that the nonaerobic ACS may serve as a precursor to the aerobic form.

Selenium content and oxidation states in fly ashes from western U.S. coals

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

Mattigod, Shas V; Quinn, Thomas R

2003-08-01

A selective extraction scheme was developed for the determination of the oxidation states of Se species in coal ashes. As compared to HF dissolution, extractions with 70% HC1O4 mobilized 90 to 100% of all compound and redox forms of Se from four of the five fly ashes. Extractions with 16M HNO3 did not mobilize all forms of Se as effectively as perchloric acid. Both oxidized forms of Se (IV and VI) were completely mobilized by 12M HCl extraction. Deionized-distilled water was not an effective extractant for mobilizing all compound forms of Se(IV) from fly ashes. Extraction data (70% HClO4, 16Mmore » HNO3, 12M HCl, DI water) indicated that the solid:solution ratio is a critical factor in Se extractability from fly ashes. Maximum extractions in all cases were obtained only with very high (1:500) solid:solution ratios. Extraction times from 1.5 to 25 hours did not significantly change Se extractability with any of the extractants except with 12M HCl, which required a minimum reaction time of 48 hours to attain maximum Se extractability. Reaction times shorter than the critical time and low solid:solution ratios significantly affected Se extractability from these fly ashes. Measurements of Se content and redox state in particle size and density fractions five western United States coal ashes indicated that typically, the Se content increased with decreasing particle size.. However, no consistent trend in Se concentration between the light and heavy density fractions of <2.7-m size fraction was observed. Selenium redox state data indicated that only Se(0) and Se(IV) forms were present in these five coal ashes. The presence of Se(IV) is significant since it is much more easily mobilized than the elemental form. Examination of fly ashes by the proposed scheme to determine Se redox species could permit better estimation of the Se content of plants grown on fly ash amended soils.« less

Experimental tests of factorization in charmless nonleptonic two-body B decays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ali, A.; Kramer, G.; Lü, Cai-Dian

1998-11-01

Using a theoretical framework based on the next-to-leading-order QCD-improved effective Hamiltonian and a factorization ansatz for the hadronic matrix elements of the four-quark operators, we reassess branching fractions in two-body nonleptonic decays B-->PP,PV,VV, involving the lowest-lying light pseudoscalar (P) and vector (V) mesons in the standard model. We work out the parametric dependence of the decay rates, making use of the currently available information on the weak mixing matrix elements, form factors, decay constants, and quark masses. Using the sensitivity of the decay rates on the effective number of colors, Nc, as a criterion of theoretical predictivity, we classify all the current-current (tree) and penguin transitions in five different classes. The recently measured charmless two-body B-->PP decays (B+-->K+η', B0-->K0η', B0-->K+π-, B+-->π+K0, and charge conjugates) are dominated by the Nc-stable QCD penguin transitions (class-IV transitions) and their estimates are consistent with the data. The measured charmless B-->PV (B+-->ωK+, B+-->ωh+) and B-->VV transition (B-->φK*), on the other hand, belong to the penguin (class-V) and tree (class-III) transitions. The class-V penguin transitions are Nc sensitive and/or involve large cancellations among competing amplitudes, making their decay rates in general more difficult to predict. Some of these transitions may also receive significant contributions from annihilation and/or final state interactions. We propose a number of tests of the factorization framework in terms of the ratios of branching ratios for some selected B-->h1h2 decays involving light hadrons h1 and h2, which depend only moderately on the form factors. We also propose a set of measurements to determine the effective coefficients of the current-current and QCD penguin operators. The potential impact of B-->h1h2 decays on the CKM phenomenology is emphasized by analyzing a number of decay rates in the factorization framework.

Evidence for the separate human T-lymphocyte subpopulations that collaborate with autologous monocyte/macrophages in the elaboration of colony-stimulating activity and those that suppress this collaboration.

PubMed

Verma, D S; Johnston, D A; McCredie, K B

1983-11-01

We investigated the interaction of monocyte/macrophages and autologous T lymphocytes in the methanol extraction residue (MER) of BCG-induced production of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating activity (CSA). Coincubation of monocyte/macrophages and T lymphocytes at a 1:3 ratio produces an optimum collaboration; a change to a 1:9 ratio diminished this collaboration. Coincubation of monocyte/macrophages and T lymphocytes primed with lithium carbonate (2 meq/liter) for 40 hr synergistically increased CSA elaboration and prevented the decline in CSA noted for the 1:9 monocyte/macrophage: T lymphocyte ratio. In contrast, concanavalin-A-primed T lymphocytes did not enhance CSA elaboration at any monocyte/macrophage:T lymphocyte ratio except, occasionally, at 1:9. However, this was overcome if the T lymphocytes were primed with both concanavalin-A and lithium carbonate before their coincubation with monocyte/macrophages. Further cell-mixing experiments revealed that concanavalin-A-primed T lymphocytes contained a subpopulation that suppressed monocyte/macrophage and T-lymphocyte collaboration. Activation of suppressor T lymphocytes could be effectively prevented by lithium carbonate and, in a dose-dependent manner, by irradiation. Also, suppressor T lymphocytes not only diminished the elaboration of colony-stimulating factor(s), but also elaborated an inhibitor of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells. We further demonstrated that the respective hemopoietic helper and suppressor T-lymphocyte activities could be enriched with OKT8- (or OKT4+) and OKT8+ subpopulations.

Quasi-two-body decays Bc → D(s)[ρ(770),ρ(1450),ρ(1700)→]ππ in the perturbative QCD factorization approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Ai-Jun; Li, Ya; Xiao, Zhen-Jun

2018-01-01

In this paper, we studied the quasi-two-body Bc →D(s) [ ρ (770) , ρ (1450) , ρ (1700) → ] ππ decays by employing the perturbative QCD (PQCD) factorization approach. The two-pion distribution amplitudes Φππ are applied to include the final-state interactions between the pion pair, while the time-like form factors Fπ (w2) associated with the P-wave resonant states ρ (770), ρ (1450) and ρ (1700) are extracted from the experimental data of the e+e- annihilation. We found that: (a) the PQCD predictions for the branching ratios of the quasi-two-body Bc →D(s) [ ρ (770) , ρ (1450) , ρ (1700) → ] ππ decays are in the order of 10-9 to 10-5 and the direct CP violations around (10 - 40)% in magnitude; (b) the two sets of the large hierarchy R 1 a , 1 b , 1 c and R 2 a , 2 b , 2 c for the ratios of the branching ratios of the considered decays are defined and can be understood in the PQCD factorization approach, while the self-consistency between the quasi-two-body and two-body framework for Bc →D(s) [ ρ (770) → ] ππ and Bc →D(s) ρ (770) decays are confirmed by our numerical results; (c) taking currently known B (ρ (1450) → ππ) and B (ρ (1700) → ππ) as input, we extracted the theoretical predictions for B (Bc → Dρ (1450)) and B (Bc → Dρ (1700)) from the PQCD predictions for the decay rates of the quasi-two-body decays Bc → D [ ρ (1450) , ρ (1700) → ] ππ. All the PQCD predictions will be tested in the future experiments.

Large-basis ab initio no-core shell model and its application to {sup 12}C

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

Navratil, P.; Vary, J. P.; Barrett, B. R.

2000-11-01

We present the framework for the ab initio no-core nuclear shell model and apply it to obtain properties of {sup 12}C. We derive two-body effective interactions microscopically for specific model spaces from the realistic CD-Bonn and the Argonne V8' nucleon-nucleon (NN) potentials. We then evaluate binding energies, excitation spectra, radii, and electromagnetic transitions in the 0{Dirac_h}{Omega}, 2{Dirac_h}{Omega}, and 4{Dirac_h}{Omega} model spaces for the positive-parity states and the 1{Dirac_h}{Omega}, 3{Dirac_h}{Omega}, and 5{Dirac_h}{Omega} model spaces for the negative-parity states. Dependence on the model-space size, on the harmonic-oscillator frequency, and on the type of the NN potential, used for the effective interaction derivation,more » are studied. In addition, electromagnetic and weak neutral elastic charge form factors are calculated in the impulse approximation. Sensitivity of the form-factor ratios to the strangeness one-body form-factor parameters and to the influence of isospin-symmetry violation is evaluated and discussed. Agreement between theory and experiment is favorable for many observables, while others require yet larger model spaces and/or three-body forces. The limitations of the present results are easily understood by virtue of the trends established and previous phenomenological results.« less

River meanders - Theory of minimum variance

USGS Publications Warehouse

Langbein, Walter Basil; Leopold, Luna Bergere

1966-01-01

Meanders are the result of erosion-deposition processes tending toward the most stable form in which the variability of certain essential properties is minimized. This minimization involves the adjustment of the planimetric geometry and the hydraulic factors of depth, velocity, and local slope.The planimetric geometry of a meander is that of a random walk whose most frequent form minimizes the sum of the squares of the changes in direction in each successive unit length. The direction angles are then sine functions of channel distance. This yields a meander shape typically present in meandering rivers and has the characteristic that the ratio of meander length to average radius of curvature in the bend is 4.7.Depth, velocity, and slope are shown by field observations to be adjusted so as to decrease the variance of shear and the friction factor in a meander curve over that in an otherwise comparable straight reach of the same riverSince theory and observation indicate meanders achieve the minimum variance postulated, it follows that for channels in which alternating pools and riffles occur, meandering is the most probable form of channel geometry and thus is more stable geometry than a straight or nonmeandering alinement.

Dental arch dimensions, form and tooth size ratio among a Saudi sample

PubMed Central

Omar, Haidi; Alhajrasi, Manar; Felemban, Nayef; Hassan, Ali

2018-01-01

Objectives: To determine the dental arch dimensions and arch forms in a sample of Saudi orthodontic patients, to investigate the prevalence of Bolton anterior and overall tooth size discrepancies, and to compare the effect of gender on the measured parameters. Methods: This study is a biometric analysis of dental casts of 149 young adults recruited from different orthodontic centers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The dental arch dimensions were measured. The measured parameters were arch length, arch width, Bolton’s ratio, and arch form. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS software version 22.0 (IBM Corporation, New York, USA); this cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2015 and May 2016. Results: Dental arch measurements, including inter-canine and inter-molar distance, were found to be significantly greater in males than females (p<0.05). The most prevalent dental arch forms were narrow tapered (50.3%) and narrow ovoid (34.2%), respectively. The prevalence of tooth size discrepancy in all cases was 43.6% for anterior ratio and 24.8% for overall ratio. The mean Bolton’s anterior ratio in all malocclusion classes was 79.81%, whereas the mean Bolton’s overall ratio was 92.21%. There was no significant difference between males and females regarding Bolton’s ratio. Conclusion: The most prevalent arch form was narrow tapered, followed by narrow ovoid. Males generally had larger dental arch measurements than females, and the prevalence of tooth size discrepancy was more in Bolton’s anterior teeth ratio than in overall ratio. PMID:29332114

Dechlorination of disinfection by-product monochloroacetic acid in drinking water by nanoscale palladized iron bimetallic particle.

PubMed

Chen, Chao; Wang, Xiangyu; Chang, Ying; Liu, Huiling

2008-01-01

Nanoscale palladized iron (Pd/Fe) bimetallic particles were prepared by reductive deposition method. The particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller-nitrogen (BET-N2) method. Data obtained from those methods indicated that nanoscale Pd/Fe bimetallic particles contained alpha-Fe0. Detected Pd to Fe ratio by weight (Pd/Fe ratio) was close to theoretical value. Spherical granules with diameter of 47 +/- 11.5 nm connected with one another to form chains and the chains composed nanoscale Pd/Fe bimetallic particles. Specific surface area of particles was 51 m2/g. The factors, such as species of reductants, Pd/Fe ratio, dose of nanoscale Pd/Fe bimetallic particles added into solutions, solution initial pH, and a variety of solvents were studied. Dechlorination effect of monochloroacetic acid by different reductants followed the trend: nanoscale Pd/Fe bimetallic particles of 0.182% Pd/Fe > nanoscale Fe > reductive Fe. When the Pd/Fe ratio was lower than 0.083%, increasing Pd/Fe ratio would increase dechlorination efficiency (DE) of MCAA. When the Pd/Fe ratio was higher than 0.083%, increasing Pd/Fe ratio caused a decrease in DE. Adding more nanoscale Pd/Fe bimetallic particles to solution would enhance DE. The DE of MCAA decreased as initial pH of solution increased.

Numerical studies of temperature effect on the extrusion fracture and swell of plastic micro-pipe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Zhong; Huang, Xingyuan; Xiong, Zhihua

2018-03-01

Temperature is a key factor that impacts extrusion forming quality of plastic micro-pipe. In this study, the effect of temperature on extrusion fracture and swell of plastic micro-pipe was investigated by numerical method. Under a certain of the melt’s flow volume, the extrusion pattern, extrusion swelling ratio of melt are obtained under different temperatures. Results show that the extrusion swelling ratio of plastic micro-pipe decreases with increasing of temperature. In order to study the reason of temperature effect, the physical distributions of plastic micro-pipe are gotten. Numerical results show that the viscosity, pressure, stress value of melt are all decreased with the increasing of temperature, which leads to decrease the extrusion swell and fracture phenomenon for the plastic micro-pipe.

Electronic structure of semiconducting alkali-metal silicides and germanides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tegze, M.; Hafner, J.

1989-11-01

We present self-consistent linearized-muffin-tin-orbital calculations of the electronic structure of three alkali-metal germanides and silicides (KGe, NaGe, and NaSi). Like the alkali-metal-lead compounds investigated in our earlier work [M. Tegze and J. Hafner, Phys. Rev. B 39, 8263 (1989)] the Ge and Si compounds of the alkali metals form complex structures based on the packing of tetrahedral Ge4 and Si4 clusters. Our calculations show that all three compounds are narrow-gap semiconductors. The width of the energy gap depends on two main factors: the ratio of the intracluster to the intercluster interactions between the group-IV elements (which increases from Pb to Si) and the strength of the interactions between the alkali-metal atoms (which varies with the size ratio).

Inelastic behavior of cold-formed braced walls under monotonic and cyclic loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gerami, Mohsen; Lotfi, Mohsen; Nejat, Roya

2015-06-01

The ever-increasing need for housing generated the search for new and innovative building methods to increase speed and efficiency and enhance quality. One method is the use of light thin steel profiles as load-bearing elements having different solutions for interior and exterior cladding. Due to the increase in CFS construction in low-rise residential structures in the modern construction industry, there is an increased demand for performance inelastic analysis of CFS walls. In this study, the nonlinear behavior of cold-formed steel frames with various bracing arrangements including cross, chevron and k-shape straps was evaluated under cyclic and monotonic loading and using nonlinear finite element analysis methods. In total, 68 frames with different bracing arrangements and different ratios of dimensions were studied. Also, seismic parameters including resistance reduction factor, ductility and force reduction factor due to ductility were evaluated for all samples. On the other hand, the seismic response modification factor was calculated for these systems. It was concluded that the highest response modification factor would be obtained for walls with bilateral cross bracing systems with a value of 3.14. In all samples, on increasing the distance of straps from each other, shear strength increased and shear strength of the wall with bilateral bracing system was 60 % greater than that with lateral bracing system.

Electrostatic Forces as Dominant Interactions Between Proteins and Polyanions: an ESI MS Study of Fibroblast Growth Factor Binding to Heparin Oligomers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Minsky, Burcu Baykal; Dubin, Paul L.; Kaltashov, Igor A.

2017-04-01

The interactions between fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors (FGFRs) are facilitated by heparan sulfate (HS) and heparin (Hp), highly sulfated biological polyelectrolytes. The molecular basis of FGF interactions with these polyelectrolytes is highly complex due to the structural heterogeneity of HS/Hp, and many details still remain elusive, especially the significance of charge density and minimal chain length of HS/Hp in growth factor recognition and multimerization. In this work, we use electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS) to investigate the association of relatively homogeneous oligoheparins (octamer, dp8, and decamer, dp10) with acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1). This growth factor forms 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 protein/heparinoid complexes with both dp8 and dp10, and the fraction of bound protein is highly dependent on protein/heparinoid molar ratio. Multimeric complexes are preferentially formed on the highly sulfated Hp oligomers. Although a variety of oligomers appear to be binding-competent, there is a strong correlation between the affinity and the overall level of sulfation (the highest charge density polyanions binding FGF most strongly via multivalent interactions). These results show that the interactions between FGF-1 and Hp oligomers are primarily directed by electrostatics, and also demonstrate the power of ESI MS as a tool to study multiple binding equilibria between proteins and structurally heterogeneous polyanions.

Development of a 2-stage shear-cutting-process to reduce cut-edge-sensitivity of steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gläsner, T.; Sunderkötter, C.; Hoffmann, H.; Volk, W.; Golle, R.

2017-09-01

The edge cracking sensitivity of AHSS and UHSS is a challenging factor in the cold forming process. Expanding cut holes during flanging operations is rather common in automotive components. During these flanging operations the pierced hole is stretched so that its diameter is increased. These flanging operations stretch material that has already been subjected to large amounts of plastic deformation, therefore forming problems may occur. An innovative cutting process decreases micro cracks in the cutting surface and facilitates the subsequent cold forming process. That cutting process consists of two stages, which produces close dimensional tolerance and smooth edges. As a result the hole expanding ratio was increased by nearly 100 % when using thick high strength steels for suspension components. The paper describes the mechanisms of the trimming process at the cut edge, and the positive effect of the 2-stage shear-cutting process on the hole extension capability of multiphase steels.

Resolution of overlapped spectra for the determination of ternary mixture using different and modified spectrophotometric methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moussa, Bahia Abbas; El-Zaher, Asmaa Ahmed; Mahrouse, Marianne Alphonse; Ahmed, Maha Said

2016-08-01

Four new spectrophotometric methods were developed, applied to resolve the overlapped spectra of a ternary mixture of [aliskiren hemifumarate (ALS)-amlodipine besylate (AM)-hydrochlorothiazide (HCT)] and to determine the three drugs in pure form and in combined dosage form. Method A depends on simultaneous determination of ALS, AM and HCT using principal component regression and partial least squares chemometric methods. In Method B, a modified isosbestic spectrophotometric method was applied for the determination of the total concentration of ALS and HCT by measuring the absorbance at 274.5 nm (isosbestic point, Aiso). On the other hand, the concentration of HCT in ternary mixture with ALS and AM could be calculated without interference using first derivative spectrophotometric method by measuring the amplitude at 279 nm (zero crossing of ALS and zero value of AM). Thus, the content of ALS was calculated by subtraction. Method C, double divisor first derivative ratio spectrophotometry (double divisor 1DD method), was based on that for the determination of one drug, the ratio spectra were obtained by dividing the absorption spectra of its different concentrations by the sum of the absorption spectra of the other two drugs as a double divisor. The first derivative of the obtained ratio spectra were then recorded using the appropriate smoothing factor. The amplitudes at 291 nm, 380 nm and 274.5 nm were selected for the determination of ALS, AM and HCT in their ternary mixture, respectively. Method D was based on mean centering of ratio spectra. The mean centered values at 287, 295.5 and 269 nm were recorded and used for the determination of ALS, AM and HCT, respectively. The developed methods were validated according to ICH guidelines and proved to be accurate, precise and selective. Satisfactory results were obtained by applying the proposed methods to the analysis of pharmaceutical dosage form.

Resolution of overlapped spectra for the determination of ternary mixture using different and modified spectrophotometric methods.

PubMed

Moussa, Bahia Abbas; El-Zaher, Asmaa Ahmed; Mahrouse, Marianne Alphonse; Ahmed, Maha Said

2016-08-05

Four new spectrophotometric methods were developed, applied to resolve the overlapped spectra of a ternary mixture of [aliskiren hemifumarate (ALS)-amlodipine besylate (AM)-hydrochlorothiazide (HCT)] and to determine the three drugs in pure form and in combined dosage form. Method A depends on simultaneous determination of ALS, AM and HCT using principal component regression and partial least squares chemometric methods. In Method B, a modified isosbestic spectrophotometric method was applied for the determination of the total concentration of ALS and HCT by measuring the absorbance at 274.5nm (isosbestic point, Aiso). On the other hand, the concentration of HCT in ternary mixture with ALS and AM could be calculated without interference using first derivative spectrophotometric method by measuring the amplitude at 279nm (zero crossing of ALS and zero value of AM). Thus, the content of ALS was calculated by subtraction. Method C, double divisor first derivative ratio spectrophotometry (double divisor (1)DD method), was based on that for the determination of one drug, the ratio spectra were obtained by dividing the absorption spectra of its different concentrations by the sum of the absorption spectra of the other two drugs as a double divisor. The first derivative of the obtained ratio spectra were then recorded using the appropriate smoothing factor. The amplitudes at 291nm, 380nm and 274.5nm were selected for the determination of ALS, AM and HCT in their ternary mixture, respectively. Method D was based on mean centering of ratio spectra. The mean centered values at 287, 295.5 and 269nm were recorded and used for the determination of ALS, AM and HCT, respectively. The developed methods were validated according to ICH guidelines and proved to be accurate, precise and selective. Satisfactory results were obtained by applying the proposed methods to the analysis of pharmaceutical dosage form. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Evaluating the Properties of Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Nanoparticle Formulations Encapsulating a Hydrophobic Drug by Using the Quality by Design Approach.

PubMed

Kozaki, Masato; Kobayashi, Shin-Ichiro; Goda, Yukihiro; Okuda, Haruhiro; Sakai-Kato, Kumiko

2017-01-01

We applied the Quality by Design (QbD) approach to the development of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticle formulations encapsulating triamcinolone acetonide, and the critical process parameters (CPPs) were identified to clarify the correlations between critical quality attributes and CPPs. Quality risk management was performed by using an Ishikawa diagram and experiments with a fractional factorial design (ANOVA). The CPPs for particle size were PLGA concentration and rotation speed, and the CPP for relative drug loading efficiency was the poor solvent to good solvent volume ratio. By assessing the mutually related factors in the form of ratios, many factors could be efficiently considered in the risk assessment. We found a two-factor interaction between rotation speed and rate of addition of good solvent by using a fractional factorial design with resolution V. The system was then extended by using a central composite design, and the results obtained were visualized by using the response surface method to construct a design space. Our research represents a case study of the application of the QbD approach to pharmaceutical development, including formulation screening, by taking actual production factors into consideration. Our findings support the feasibility of using a similar approach to nanoparticle formulations under development. We could establish an efficient method of analyzing the CPPs of PLGA nanoparticles by using a QbD approach.

Osteogenesis and Trophic Factor Secretion are Influenced by the Composition of Hydroxyapatite/Poly(Lactide-Co-Glycolide) Composite Scaffolds

PubMed Central

He, Jiawei; Genetos, Damian C.

2010-01-01

The use of composite biomaterials for bone repair capitalizes on the beneficial aspects of individual materials while tailoring the mechanical properties of the composite. We hypothesized that substrate composition would modulate the osteogenic response and secretion of potent trophic factors by human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Composite scaffolds were prepared by combining nanosized hydroxyapatite (HA) and microspheres formed of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLG) at varying ratios between 0:1 and 5:1. Scaffolds were seeded with hMSCs for culture in osteogenic conditions or subcutaneous implantation into nude rats. Compressive moduli increased with HA content in a near-linear fashion. The osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs increased in a dose-dependent manner as determined by alkaline phosphatase activity and osteopontin secretion after 4 weeks of culture. Further, endogenous secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor was sustained at significantly higher levels over 28 days for hMSCs seeded in 2.5:1 and 5:1 HA:PLG scaffolds. Eight weeks after implantation, scaffolds with higher HA:PLG ratios exhibited greater vascularization and more mineralized tissue. These data demonstrate that the mechanical properties, osteogenic differentiation, as well as the timing and duration of trophic factor secretion by hMSCs can be tailored through controlling the composition of the polymer–bioceramic composite. PMID:19642853

Lung cancer incidence among Norwegian silicon carbide industry workers: associations with particulate exposure factors

PubMed Central

Kjærheim, Kristina; Føreland, Solveig; Eduard, Wijnand; Kjuus, Helge

2012-01-01

Objectives An increased lung cancer risk associated with total dust exposure in the silicon carbide (SiC) industry has previously been reported. The aim of the present study was to examine the relative importance of specific exposure factors by using a comprehensive, historic job exposure matrix based on about 8000 measurements. Methods Cumulative exposure to total and respirable dust, respirable quartz, cristobalite, and SiC particles and SiC fibres was assessed for 1687 long-term workers employed during 1913–2003 in the Norwegian SiC industry. Standardised incidence ratios for lung cancer, with follow-up during 1953–2008, were calculated stratified by cumulative exposure categories. Poisson regression analyses were performed using both categorised and log-transformed cumulative exposure variables. Results The lung cancer incidence was about twofold increased at the highest level of exposure to each of the exposure factors (standardised incidence ratios 1.9–2.3 for all agents). Internal analyses showed associations between exposure level and lung cancer incidence for all investigated factors, but a significant trend only for total dust and cristobalite. In multivariate analyses, cristobalite showed the most consistent associations, followed by SiC fibres. Conclusions The results indicated that crystalline silica in the form of cristobalite was the most important occupational exposure factor responsible for lung cancer excess in the Norwegian SiC industry. SiC fibres seemed to have an additional effect. PMID:22611173

Final analysis of proton form factor ratio data at Q2=4.0, 4.8, and 5.6 GeV2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puckett, A. J. R.; Brash, E. J.; Gayou, O.; Jones, M. K.; Pentchev, L.; Perdrisat, C. F.; Punjabi, V.; Aniol, K. A.; Averett, T.; Benmokhtar, F.; Bertozzi, W.; Bimbot, L.; Calarco, J. R.; Cavata, C.; Chai, Z.; Chang, C.-C.; Chang, T.; Chen, J. P.; Chudakov, E.; De Leo, R.; Dieterich, S.; Endres, R.; Epstein, M. B.; Escoffier, S.; Fissum, K. G.; Fonvieille, H.; Frullani, S.; Gao, J.; Garibaldi, F.; Gilad, S.; Gilman, R.; Glamazdin, A.; Glashausser, C.; Gomez, J.; Hansen, J.-O.; Higinbotham, D.; Huber, G. M.; Iodice, M.; de Jager, C. W.; Jiang, X.; Khandaker, M.; Kozlov, S.; Kramer, K. M.; Kumbartzki, G.; LeRose, J. J.; Lhuillier, D.; Lindgren, R. A.; Liyanage, N.; Lolos, G. J.; Margaziotis, D. J.; Marie, F.; Markowitz, P.; McCormick, K.; Michaels, R.; Milbrath, B. D.; Nanda, S. K.; Neyret, D.; Piskunov, N. M.; Ransome, R. D.; Raue, B. A.; Roché, R.; Rvachev, M.; Salgado, C.; Sirca, S.; Sitnik, I.; Strauch, S.; Todor, L.; Tomasi-Gustafsson, E.; Urciuoli, G. M.; Voskanyan, H.; Wijesooriya, K.; Wojtsekhowski, B. B.; Zheng, X.; Zhu, L.

2012-04-01

Precise measurements of the proton electromagnetic form factor ratio R=μpGEp/GMp using the polarization transfer method at Jefferson Lab have revolutionized the understanding of nucleon structure by revealing the strong decrease of R with momentum transfer Q2 for Q2≳1 GeV2, in strong disagreement with previous extractions of R from cross-section measurements. In particular, the polarization transfer results have exposed the limits of applicability of the one-photon-exchange approximation and highlighted the role of quark orbital angular momentum in the nucleon structure. The GEp-II experiment in Jefferson Lab's Hall A measured R at four Q2 values in the range 3.5GeV2≤Q2≤5.6GeV2. A possible discrepancy between the originally published GEp-II results and more recent measurements at higher Q2 motivated a new analysis of the GEp-II data. This article presents the final results of the GEp-II experiment, including details of the new analysis, an expanded description of the apparatus, and an overview of theoretical progress since the original publication. The key result of the final analysis is a systematic increase in the results for R, improving the consistency of the polarization transfer data in the high-Q2 region. This increase is the result of an improved selection of elastic events which largely removes the systematic effect of the inelastic contamination, underestimated by the original analysis.

Size distributions of ambient air particles and enrichment factor analyses of metallic elements at Taichung Harbor near the Taiwan Strait

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fang, Guor-Cheng; Wu, Yuh-Shen; Chang, Shih-Yu; Huang, Shih-Han; Rau, Jui-Yeh

2006-10-01

This work attempts to characterize metallic elements associated with atmospheric particulate matter on a dry deposition plate, a TE-PUF high-volume air sampler and a universal air sampler. Dry deposition fluxes of particulates and concentrations of total suspended particulate, fine (PM 2.5) and coarse (PM 2.5-10) particulate matters were collected at Taichung harbor sampling sites from August 2004 to January 2005. Chemical analyses of metallic elements were made using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer coupled with hollow cathode lamps. Concentrations of metal elements in the forms of coarse particles and fine particles as well as the coarse/fine particulate ratios were presented. Statistical methods such as correlation analysis, principal component analysis and enrichment factor analysis were performed to compare the chemical components and identify possible emission sources at the sampling sites. Metallic elements of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Ni and Mg had higher EF crust ratios in winter and spring than in summer and autumn. Diurnal and nocturnal variations of metallic element concentrations in fine and coarse particles were also discussed.

Enduring starvation in silent population: a study on prevalence and factors contributing to household food security in the tribal population in Bankura, West Bengal.

PubMed

Mukhopadhyay, Dipta Kanti; Mukhopadhyay, Sujishnu; Biswas, Akhil Bandhu

2010-01-01

Strengthening food security enhancement intervention should be based on the assessment of household food security and its correlates. The objective was to find out the prevalence and factors contributing to household food security in a tribal population in Bankura. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 267 tribal households in Bankura-I CD Block selected through cluster random sampling. Household food security was assessed using a validated Bengali version of Household Food Security Scale-Short Form along with the collection of information regarding the monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE), total to earning member ratio, BPL card holding, utilization of the public distribution system (PDS) and receipt of any social assistance through a house-to-house survey. Overall, 47.2% of study households were food secure whereas 29.6% and 23.2% were low and very low food secure, respectively. MPCE ≥ Rs. 356, total to earning member ratio ≤ 4:1, regular utilization of PDS, and nonholding of the BPL card were significantly related with household food security.

Spent coffee grounds-based activated carbon preparation for sequestering of malachite green

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lim, Jun-Wei; Lam, Keat-Ying; Bashir, Mohammed J. K.; Yeong, Yin-Fong; Lam, Man-Kee; Ho, Yeek-Chia

2016-11-01

The key of reported work was to optimize the fabricating factors of spent coffee grounds-based activated carbon (SCG-bAC) used to sequester Malachite Green (MG) form aqueous solution via adsorption process. The fabricating factors of impregnation ratio with ortho-phosphoric acid, activation temperature and activation time were simultaneously optimized by central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM) targeting on maximum removal of MG. At the optimum condition, 96.3% of MG was successfully removed by SCG-bAC at the impregnation ratio with ortho-phosphoric acid of 0.50, activation temperature of 554°C and activation time of 31.4 min. Statistical model that could predict the MG removal percentage was also derived and had been statistically confirmed to be significant. Subsequently, the MG adsorption equilibrium data was found well-fitted to Langmuir isotherm model, indicating the predominance of monolayer adsorption of MG on SCG-bAC surface. To conclude, the findings from the this study unveil the potential of spent coffee grounds as an alternative precursor in fabricating low-cost AC for the treatment of wastewater loaded with MG pollutant.

A methodology to select galaxies just after the quenching of star formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Citro, Annalisa; Pozzetti, Lucia; Quai, Salvatore; Moresco, Michele; Vallini, Livia; Cimatti, Andrea

2017-08-01

We propose a new methodology aimed at finding star-forming galaxies in the phase which immediately follows the star-formation (SF) quenching, based on the use of high- to low-ionization emission line ratios. These ratios rapidly disappear after the SF halt, due to the softening of the UV ionizing radiation. We focus on [O III] λ5007/Hα and [Ne III] λ3869/[O II] λ3727, studying them with simulations obtained with the cloudy photoionization code. If a sharp quenching is assumed, we find that the two ratios are very sensitive tracers as they drop by a factor of ˜ 10 within ˜10 Myr from the interruption of the SF; instead, if a smoother and slower SF decline is assumed (I.e. an exponentially declining SF history with e-folding time τ = 200 Myr), they decrease by a factor of ˜2 within ˜80 Myr. We mitigate the ionization-metallicity degeneracy affecting our methodology using pairs of emission line ratios separately related to metallicity and ionization, adopting the [N II] λ6584/[O II] λ3727 ratio as metallicity diagnostic. Using a Sloan Digital Sky Survey galaxy sample, we identify 10 examples among the most extreme quenching candidates within the [O III] λ5007/Hα versus [N II] λ6584/[O II] λ3727 plane, characterized by low [O III] λ5007/Hα, faint [Ne III] λ3869, and by blue dust-corrected spectra and (u - r) colours, as expected if the SF quenching has occurred in the very recent past. Our results also suggest that the observed fractions of quenching candidates can be used to constrain the quenching mechanism at work and its time-scales.

Impact of diagenesis and low grade metamorphosis on Triassic sabkha dolomite δ26Mg

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Immenhauser, A.; Geske, A.; Richter, D.; Buhl, D.; Niedermayr, A.

2012-12-01

Dolomite is a common rock forming mineral in the geological record but its value as archive of ancient seawater δ26Mg signatures and their variations in time are at present underexplored. Unknown factors include the sensitivity of δ26Mg ratio to processes in the diagenetic and low grade metamorphic domain. Here, we document and discusses the first detailed δ26Mg data set from early diagenetic and burial dolomites. Samples come from the Upper Triassic Hauptdolomit (Dolomia Principale; The Dolomites, Italy) and include coeval dolmicrites that underwent differential burial diagenesis in a temperature range between about 100 and more than 350°C. As indicated by dolmicrite 87/86Sr ratios, sabkha calcian D1 dolomites precipitated from evaporated seawater and stabilized at an early diagenetic stage to D2 dolomites analysed here. With increasing burial temperature, dolomite δ26Mg ratio scatter in the data set decreases with increasing Mg/Ca ratio and degree of order. Specifically, δ26Mg ratio variability is reduced from ~0.7‰ at burial temperatures beneath 100°C to about ~0.2‰ at temperatures in excess of 350°C, respectively, with mean δ26Mg values ranging constantly near -1.9‰. This suggests that, at least for the rock buffered system investigated here, dolmicrite δ26Mg proxy data are conservative and preserve near pristine values even at elevated burial temperatures. At present, the main element of uncertainty is the Mg-isotope fractionation factor between (evaporated) seawater and dolomite. A possible solution to this problem includes the compilation of a data from modern sabkha environments including pore water and calcian dolomite δ26Mg isotope signatures.

The predictive efficiency of school bullying versus later offending: a systematic/meta-analytic review of longitudinal studies.

PubMed

Ttofi, Maria M; Farrington, David P; Lösel, Friedrich; Loeber, Rolf

2011-04-01

Although bullying and delinquency share similar risk factors, no previous systematic review has ever been conducted to examine possible links between school bullying and criminal offending later in life. To investigate the extent to which bullying perpetration at school predicts offending later in life, and whether this relation holds after controlling for other major childhood risk factors. Results are based on a thorough systematic review and meta-analysis of studies measuring school bullying and later offending. Effect sizes are based on both published and unpublished studies; longitudinal investigators of 28 studies have conducted specific analyses for our review. The probability of offending up to 11 years later was much higher for school bullies than for non-involved students [odds ratio (OR) = 2.50; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.03-3.08]. Bullying perpetration was a significant risk factor for later offending, even after controlling for major childhood risk factors (OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.55-2.14). Effect sizes were smaller when the follow-up period was longer and larger when bullying was assessed in older children. The age of participants when outcome measures were taken was negatively related with effect sizes. Finally, the summary effect size did not decrease much as the number of controlled risk factors increased. School bullying is a strong and specific risk factor for later offending. Effective anti-bullying programmes should be promoted, and could be viewed as a form of early crime prevention. Such programmes would have a high benefit : cost ratio. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Imaging performance of annular apertures. II - Line spread functions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tschunko, H. F. A.

1978-01-01

Line images formed by aberration-free optical systems with annular apertures are investigated in the whole range of central obstruction ratios. Annular apertures form lines images with central and side line groups. The number of lines in each line group is given by the ratio of the outer diameter of the annular aperture divided by the width of the annulus. The theoretical energy fraction of 0.889 in the central line of the image formed by an unobstructed aperture increases for centrally obstructed apertures to 0.932 for the central line group. Energy fractions for the central and side line groups are practically constant for all obstruction ratios and for each line group. The illumination of rectangular secondary apertures of various length/width ratios by apertures of various obstruction ratios is discussed.

Development and evaluation of a monolithic floating dosage form for furosemide.

PubMed

Menon, A; Ritschel, W A; Sakr, A

1994-02-01

The poor bioavailability of orally dosed furosemide (60%), a weakly acidic drug, is due to the presence of a biological window comprised of the upper gastrointestinal tract. The purpose of the present study was to develop and optimize in vitro a monolithic modified-release dosage form (MMR) for furosemide with increased gastric residence time and to evaluate the in vivo performance of the dosage form. The principle of floatation was used to restrict the MMR to the stomach. A two-factor three-level full factorial experimental design was employed for formulation development. A flow-through cell was designed to evaluate in vitro dissolution parameters. Quadratic regression models indicated the polymer viscosity and polymer:drug ratio to be significant (p < 0.05) formulation factors in determining the duration of buoyancy and the release profile. Statistical optimization using response surface methodology with certain physiological constraints relating to gastric emptying time predicted an optimal MMR. In vivo evaluation of the optimized MMR in beagle dogs resulted in a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the absolute bioavailability for the MMR dosage form (42.9%) as compared to the commercially available tablet (33.4%) and enteric product (29.5%). Significant in vitro/in vivo correlations (p < 0.05) were obtained for the MMR using deconvolution analysis normalized for bioavailability. The floating dosage form was found to be a feasible approach in delivering furosemide to the upper gastrointestinal tract to maximize drug absorption.

New Examination of the Traditional Raman Lidar Technique II: Temperature Dependence Aerosol Scattering Ratio and Water Vapor Mixing Ratio Equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whiteman, David N.; Abshire, James B. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

In a companion paper, the temperature dependence of Raman scattering and its influence on the Raman water vapor signal and the lidar equations was examined. New forms of the lidar equation were developed to account for this temperature sensitivity. Here we use those results to derive the temperature dependent forms of the equations for the aerosol scattering ratio, aerosol backscatter coefficient, extinction to backscatter ratio and water vapor mixing ratio. Pertinent analysis examples are presented to illustrate each calculation.

Targeted resequencing identifies defective variants of decoy receptor 3 in pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease.

PubMed

Cardinale, C J; Wei, Z; Panossian, S; Wang, F; Kim, C E; Mentch, F D; Chiavacci, R M; Kachelries, K E; Pandey, R; Grant, S F A; Baldassano, R N; Hakonarson, H

2013-10-01

Genome-wide association studies have implicated common variation at the 20q13 locus in inflammatory bowel disease, particularly for the pediatric Crohn's form. This locus harbors tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF6B), encoding a secreted protein, decoy receptor 3 (DcR3), which binds to and neutralizes pro-inflammatory cytokines of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily. We sought to further the evidence of DcR3's role in pediatric IBD by identifying missense mutations with functional significance within TNFRSF6B. We sequenced the exons of the gene in 528 Caucasian pediatric IBD cases and 549 Caucasian healthy controls to establish the frequency of such events in each population. Sequencing revealed that our IBD cohort harbored a greater number of missense variants, yielding an odds ratio of 3.9 (P-value=0.005). Using functional assays, we established that the frequency of mutants defective in secretion from cultured cells was greater in the Crohn's category than in the controls, yielding an odds ratio of 7.1 (P-value=0.004). These results suggest that rare defective variants in TNFRSF6B have a role in the pathogenesis of some cases of IBD and that interventions targeting this group of tumor necrosis factor-family members may benefit patients with IBD.

A predictive relationship between population and genetic sex ratios in clonal species

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McLetchie, D. Nicholas; García-Ramos, Gisela

2017-04-01

Sexual reproduction depends on mate availability that is reflected by local sex ratios. In species where both sexes can clonally expand, the population sex ratio describes the proportion of males, including clonally derived individuals (ramets) in addition to sexually produced individuals (genets). In contrast to population sex ratio that accounts for the overall abundance of the sexes, the genetic sex ratio reflects the relative abundance of genetically unique mates, which is critical in predicting effective population size but is difficult to estimate in the field. While an intuitive positive relationship between population (ramet) sex ratio and genetic (genet) sex ratio is expected, an explicit relationship is unknown. In this study, we determined a mathematical expression in the form of a hyperbola that encompasses a linear to a nonlinear positive relationship between ramet and genet sex ratios. As expected when both sexes clonally have equal number of ramets per genet both sex ratios are identical, and thus ramet sex ratio becomes a linear function of genet sex ratio. Conversely, if sex differences in ramet number occur, this mathematical relationship becomes nonlinear and a discrepancy between the sex ratios amplifies from extreme sex ratios values towards intermediate values. We evaluated our predictions with empirical data that simultaneously quantified ramet and genet sex ratios in populations of several species. We found that the data support the predicted positive nonlinear relationship, indicating sex differences in ramet number across populations. However, some data may also fit the null model, which suggests that sex differences in ramet number were not extensive, or the number of populations was too small to capture the curvature of the nonlinear relationship. Data with lack of fit suggest the presence of factors capable of weakening the positive relationship between the sex ratios. Advantages of this model include predicting genet sex ratio using population sex ratios given known sex differences in ramet number, and detecting sex differences in ramet number among populations.

Improved perturbative QCD formalism for Bc meson decays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xin; Li, Hsiang-nan; Xiao, Zhen-Jun

2018-06-01

We derive the kT resummation for doubly heavy-flavored Bc meson decays by including the charm quark mass effect into the known formula for a heavy-light system. The resultant Sudakov factor is employed in the perutrbative QCD study of the "golden channel" Bc+→J /ψ π+. With a reasonable model for the Bc meson distribution amplitude, which maintains approximate on-shell conditions of both the partonic bottom and charm quarks, it is observed that the imaginary piece of the Bc→J /ψ transition form factor appears to be power suppressed, and the Bc+→J /ψ π+ branching ratio is not lower than 10-3. The above improved perturbative QCD formalism is applicable to Bc meson decays to other charmonia and charmed mesons.

Hadronic vacuum polarization in true muonium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lamm, Henry

2017-01-01

In order to reduce the theoretical uncertainty in the prediction, the leading-order hadronic vacuum polarization contribution to the hyperfine splitting of true muonium is reevaluated in two ways. A more complex pionic form factor and better estimates of the perturbative QCD contributions are used to study the model dependence of the previous calculation. The second, more accurate method directly integrates the Drell ratio R (s ) to obtain C1 ,HVP=-0.04874 (9 ) . This corresponds to an energy shift in the hyperfine splitting (HFS) of Δ EHFS,HVP μ=-8202 (16 ) MHz and represents a factor-of-50 reduction in the theoretical uncertainty from hadronic sources. We also compute the contribution in positronium, which is too small at present to detect.

An Experimental Investigation of the Effect of a Canard Control on the Lift, Drag, and Pitching Moment of an Aspect-Ratio 2.0 Triangular Wing Incorporating a Form of Conical Camber

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Menees, Gene P.; Boyd, John W.

1959-01-01

The results of an experimental investigation to determine the effect of a canard control on the lift, drag, and pitching-moment characteristics of an aspect-ratio-2.0 triangular wing incorporating a form of conical camber are presented. The canard had a triangular plan form of aspect ratio 2.0 and was mounted in the extended chord plane of the wing. The ratio of the area of the exposed canard panels to the total wing area was 6.9 percent, and the ratio of the total areas was 12.9 percent. Data were obtained at Mach numbers from 0.70 to 2.22 through an angle-of-attack range from -6 deg to +18 deg with the canard on, and with the canard off. To provide a basis for comparison, the canard was also tested with a symmetrical wing having the same plan form, aspect ratio, and thickness distribution as the cambered wing. The results of the investigation showed that at the high subsonic speeds the gain in maximum lift-drag ratio achieved by camber was considerably reduced by the addition of a canard. At the supersonic speeds, the addition of the canard did not change the effect of camber on the maximum lift-drag ratios.

Formation of ethyl ferulate from feruloylated oligosaccharide by transesterification of rice koji enzyme under sake mash conditions.

PubMed

Suzuki, Nobukazu; Ito, Toshihiko; Hiroshima, Kai; Tokiwano, Tetsuo; Hashizume, Katsumi

2016-03-01

Formation of ethyl ferulate (EF) and ferulic acid (FA) under sake mash conditions was studied using feruloylated oligosaccharide (FO), prepared from rice grains, as the substrate for rice koji enzyme. EF and FA were produced from FO over six times faster than from alkyl ferulates however, under the same ethanol concentration, only small differences were observed between the EF/FA ratios when either FO or methyl ferulate were used as substrates. Esterification and hydrolysis of FO or methyl ferulate showed similar pH dependencies and similar EF/FA ratios for each substrate in all of the pH ranges tested. Ethanol concentration clearly affected the EF/FA ratio; the ratio increased as ethanol concentration increased. Formation of EF and FA in the sake mash simulated rice digest was accelerated by addition of exogenous FO. These results indicated that supply of FO to sake mash is a crucial step for EF and FA formation, and ethanol is an influencing factor in the EF/FA ratio. The rice koji enzyme reaction suggested that EF and FA are formed through a common feruloylated enzyme intermediate complex by transesterification or hydrolysis, and these reactions occur competitively. Copyright © 2015 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

New metastable form of glibenclamide prepared by redispersion from ternary solid dispersions containing polyvinylpyrrolidone-K30 and sodium lauryl sulfate.

PubMed

Thongnopkoon, Thanu; Puttipipatkhachorn, Satit

2016-01-01

Modification of polymorphic forms of poorly water-soluble drugs is one way to achieve the desirable properties. In this study, glibenclamide (GBM) particles with different polymorphic forms, including a new metastable form, were obtained from redispersion of ternary solid dispersion systems. The ternary solid dispersion systems, consisting of GBM, polyvinylpyrrolidone-K30 (PVP-K30) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), were prepared by solvent evaporation method and subsequently redispersed in deionized water. The precipitated drug particles were then collected at a given time period. The drug particles with different polymorphic forms could be achieved depending on the polymer/surfactant ratio. Amorphous drug nanoparticles could be obtained by using a high polymer/surfactant ratio, whereas two different crystalline forms were obtained from the systems containing low polymer/surfactant ratios. Interestingly, a new metastable form IV of GBM with improved dissolution behavior could be obtained from the system of GBM:PVP-K30:SLS with the weight ratio of 2:2:4. This new polymorphic form IV of GBM was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffractometry (PXRD) and solid state 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The molecular arrangement of the new polymorphic form IV of GBM was proposed. The GBM particles with polymorphic form IV also showed an improved dissolution behavior. In addition, it was found that the formation of the new polymorphic form IV of GBM by this process was reproducible.

Stability Study on Steel Structural Columns with Initial Blast Damage under High Temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baoxin, Qi; Yan, Shi; Li, Peng

2018-03-01

Blast may bring light-weight steel columns with initial damages, resulting in lowering its critical fire-resistance temperature whose reduced amplitude is relevant to the form and degree of the damages. Finite element analysis software ANSYS was used in the paper to analyze the issue of the fire-resistance temperature of the column with the blast damages, and the coupling method for heat and structure was applied during the simulation. The emphasis was laid on parametric factors of axial compression ratio, the form and the degree of the initial damages, as well as the confined condition at the ends of the columns. The numerical results showed that the fire-resistance temperature will lower as increasing of the axial compression ratio, the form and the degree of the initial damages and it will be also affected by the restraint conditions at the ends of the columns. The critical stress formula with initial bending damage under elevated temperature was set up under flexural small deformation condition, then the stability coefficient was determined and the method for evaluating the limit temperature of the column was put forward. The theoretical result was also compared with that of the finite element method (FEM). The results both showed that the stability capacity for the damaged columns was dramatically reduced as increasing the temperature and the initial damage level.

Extremely high efficiency phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes with horizontal emitting dipoles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Kwon-Hyeon; Moon, Chang-Ki; Lee, Jeong-Hwan; Kim, Jang-Joo

2014-10-01

We present the factors influencing the orientation of the phosphorescent dyes in phosphorescent OLEDs. And, we report that an OLED containing a phosphorescent emitter with horizontally oriented dipoles in an exciplex-forming co-host that exhibits an extremely high EQE of 32.3% and power efficiency of 142 lm/W, the highest values ever reported in literature. Furthermore, we experimentally and theoretically correlated the EQE of OLEDs to the PL quantum yield and the horizontal dipole ratio of phosphorescent dyes using three different dyes.

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

Blunden, P. G.; Melnitchouk, W.

We examine the two-photon exchange corrections to elastic electron-nucleon scattering within a dispersive approach, including contributions from both nucleon and Δ intermediate states. The dispersive analysis avoids off-shell uncertainties inherent in traditional approaches based on direct evaluation of loop diagrams, and guarantees the correct unitary behavior in the high energy limit. Using empirical information on the electromagnetic nucleon elastic and NΔ transition form factors, we compute the two-photon exchange corrections both algebraically and numerically. Finally, results are compared with recent measurements of e + p to e - p cross section ratios from the CLAS, VEPP-3 and OLYMPUS experiments.

Using hyperentanglement to enhance resolution, signal-to-noise ratio, and measurement time

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, James F.

2017-03-01

A hyperentanglement-based atmospheric imaging/detection system involving only a signal and an ancilla photon will be considered for optical and infrared frequencies. Only the signal photon will propagate in the atmosphere and its loss will be classical. The ancilla photon will remain within the sensor experiencing low loss. Closed form expressions for the wave function, normalization, density operator, reduced density operator, symmetrized logarithmic derivative, quantum Fisher information, quantum Cramer-Rao lower bound, coincidence probabilities, probability of detection, probability of false alarm, probability of error after M measurements, signal-to-noise ratio, quantum Chernoff bound, time-on-target expressions related to probability of error, and resolution will be provided. The effect of noise in every mode will be included as well as loss. The system will provide the basic design for an imaging/detection system functioning at optical or infrared frequencies that offers better than classical angular and range resolution. Optimization for enhanced resolution will be included. The signal-to-noise ratio will be increased by a factor equal to the number of modes employed during the hyperentanglement process. Likewise, the measurement time can be reduced by the same factor. The hyperentanglement generator will typically make use of entanglement in polarization, energy-time, orbital angular momentum and so on. Mathematical results will be provided describing the system's performance as a function of loss mechanisms and noise.

Investigation of a scabies outbreak in a kindergarten in Constance, Germany.

PubMed

Ariza, L; Walter, B; Worth, C; Brockmann, S; Weber, M-L; Feldmeier, H

2013-03-01

In industrialized countries, scabies occurs sporadically or in the form of protracted epidemics, typically in nursing homes for elderly people. Outbreaks of scabies in a kindergarten are very rare. The main goal of our study was to investigate an outbreak of scabies in a kindergarten and to identify risk factors for the infestation with the ectoparasitosis. We investigated an outbreak of scabies in a kindergarten in the City of Constance, southern Germany, with a particular pedagogical concept. Risk factors indicating a transmission of Sarcoptes mites through body contact or via fomites were assessed using questionnaires and by following the daily routine in the kindergarten. A total of 16 cases were identified. The attack rate was significantly higher in nursery teachers (risk ratio 42.1) compared to children (risk ratio 10.5). In all cases, scabies had developed rather recently, with minimal clinical manifestations. In nursery teachers, the probability of scabies was 4.4 times higher in those teachers who hugged children regularly. Children who preferably played with their own soft toys had a lower probability of developing scabies [risk ratio 0.14, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.05-0.42; p = 0.04]. It seems conceivable that the particular pedagogical concept of the kindergarten favored the spread of Sarcoptes mites. We were unable to show whether transmission had preferably occurred through body contact or via fomites.

Recent applications of the transonic wing analysis computer code, TWING

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Subramanian, N. R.; Holst, T. L.; Thomas, S. D.

1982-01-01

An evaluation of the transonic-wing-analysis computer code TWING is given. TWING utilizes a fully implicit approximate factorization iteration scheme to solve the full potential equation in conservative form. A numerical elliptic-solver grid-generation scheme is used to generate the required finite-difference mesh. Several wing configurations were analyzed, and the limits of applicability of this code was evaluated. Comparisons of computed results were made with available experimental data. Results indicate that the code is robust, accurate (when significant viscous effects are not present), and efficient. TWING generally produces solutions an order of magnitude faster than other conservative full potential codes using successive-line overrelaxation. The present method is applicable to a wide range of isolated wing configurations including high-aspect-ratio transport wings and low-aspect-ratio, high-sweep, fighter configurations.

Precision measurement of σ(e+e-→π+π-γ)/σ(e+e-→μ+μ-γ) and determination of the π+π- contribution to the muon anomaly with the KLOE detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

KLOE; KLOE-2 Collaborations; Babusci, D.; Badoni, D.; Balwierz-Pytko, I.; Bencivenni, G.; Bini, C.; Bloise, C.; Bossi, F.; Branchini, P.; Budano, A.; Caldeira Balkeståhl, L.; Capon, G.; Ceradini, F.; Ciambrone, P.; Curciarello, F.; Czerwiński, E.; Dané, E.; De Leo, V.; De Lucia, E.; De Robertis, G.; De Santis, A.; De Simone, P.; Di Domenico, A.; Di Donato, C.; Domenici, D.; Erriquez, O.; Fanizzi, G.; Felici, G.; Fiore, S.; Franzini, P.; Gauzzi, P.; Giardina, G.; Giovannella, S.; Gonnella, F.; Graziani, E.; Happacher, F.; Heijkenskjöld, L.; Höistad, B.; Iafolla, L.; Iarocci, E.; Jacewicz, M.; Johansson, T.; Kluge, W.; Kupsc, A.; Lee-Franzini, J.; Loddo, F.; Lukin, P.; Mandaglio, G.; Martemianov, M.; Martini, M.; Mascolo, M.; Messi, R.; Miscetti, S.; Morello, G.; Moricciani, D.; Moskal, P.; Müller, S.; Nguyen, F.; Passeri, A.; Patera, V.; Prado Longhi, I.; Ranieri, A.; Redmer, C. F.; Santangelo, P.; Sarra, I.; Schioppa, M.; Sciascia, B.; Silarski, M.; Taccini, C.; Tortora, L.; Venanzoni, G.; Versaci, R.; Wiślicki, W.; Wolke, M.; Zdebik, J.

2013-03-01

We have measured the ratio σ(e+e-→π+π-γ)/σ(e+e-→μ+μ-γ), with the KLOE detector at DAΦNE for a total integrated luminosity of ˜240 pb. From this ratio we obtain the cross section σ(e+e-→π+π-). From the cross section we determine the pion form factor | and the two-pion contribution to the muon anomaly aμ for 0.592

Segmenting health maintenance organizations to study productivity and profitability.

PubMed

Sobol, M G

2000-01-01

As the decade ended, health maintenance organizations (HMOs) were increasing in popularity as a means of health care delivery. These groups take many forms, so it is important for the analyst to see if the efficiency and financial results for these different forms vary. The four major forms are profit vs. not-for-profit, chain vs. non-chain, group/staff vs. individual practice association (IPA), and federally qualified vs. non-federally qualified. Using a nationwide database of all the HMOs in the United States, the article compares liquidity rates, leverage ratios, profitability ratios, marketing, and per member ratios across the four groups using paired t tests. The two classifications that showed the most differences were group/staff vs. IPA and federally qualified vs. non-federally qualified. IPAs have a better liquidity position and lower leverage ratios than group/staff but their administrative costs are higher and the time to receive payments and to pay debts is higher. Non-federally qualified have somewhat higher liquidity ratios and higher profitability ratios. These significant differences in financial outcomes indicate that studies of HMOs should segment different major forms of organizations and study them separately before trying to show the effects of different policies on HMO efficiency and effectiveness.

First measurement of the 34S(p ,γ )35Cl reaction rate through indirect methods for presolar nova grains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gillespie, S. A.; Parikh, A.; Barton, C. J.; Faestermann, T.; José, J.; Hertenberger, R.; Wirth, H.-F.; de Séréville, N.; Riley, J. E.; Williams, M.

2017-08-01

Sulphur isotopic ratio measurements may help to establish the astrophysical sites in which certain presolar grains were formed. Nova model predictions of the 34S/32S ratio are, however, unreliable due to the lack of an experimental 34S(p ,γ )35Cl reaction rate. To this end, we have measured the 34S(3He,d )35Cl reaction at 20 MeV using a high resolution quadrupole-dipole-dipole-dipole magnetic spectrograph. Twenty-two levels over 6.2 MeV

Clinical relevance of diagnosing COPD by fixed ratio or lower limit of normal: a systematic review.

PubMed

van Dijk, Wouter D; Gupta, Nisha; Tan, Wan C; Bourbeau, Jean

2014-02-01

Different spirometric criteria in diagnosing COPD have been advocated by different groups, debilitating adequate diagnosis and treatment of COPD. We reviewed the clinical relevance of fixed ratio and lower limit of normal (LLN) in diagnosing COPD and explored if modifying factors may affect their clinical relevance. Two reviewers independently searched PubMed and Embase for papers that compared both criteria on any clinically relevant outcome, published before June 1st, 2012, without any language restriction. Two reviewers independently extracted the study characteristics, including study design, population characteristics and diagnostic criteria used, and summarized the results of clinical relevance. Study quality was assessed by scoring forms for bias and level of evidence. Of 394 studies retrieved, 11 studies were included, with a median of 1,258 participants. Although both criteria appeared related with various clinically relevant outcomes, we were unable to prefer one criterion over the other, with various performances of the criteria for different outcomes. Should the criteria disagree on diagnosis, an alternative diagnosis should be suspected, in particular in those (elderly) with less severe airflow limitation for whom the LLN appears a better criterion. The fixed ratio appears to perform better in subjects with more severe airflow limitation. In diagnosing COPD, severity of airflow limitation appears an important factor for choosing whether the fixed ratio or LLN. Disagreement between the criteria is suggestive for an alternative diagnosis. Future studies on clinical relevance should further reveal the criterion of choice, in order to improve adequate diagnosis and consequent treatments.

Cross-Roll Flow Forming of ODS Alloy Heat Exchanger Tubes For Hoop Creep Enhancement

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

Bimal Kad

2007-09-30

Mechanically alloyed oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) Fe-Cr-Al alloy thin walled tubes and sheets, produced via powder processing and consolidation methodologies are promising materials for eventual use at temperatures up to 1200 C in the power generation industry, far above the temperature capabilities of conventional alloys. Target end-uses range from gas turbine combustor liners to high aspect ratio (L/D) heat exchanger tubes. Grain boundary creep processes at service temperatures, particularly those acting in the hoop direction, are the dominant failure mechanisms for such components. The processed microstructure of ODS alloys consists of high aspect ratio grains aligned parallel to the tubemore » axis, a result of dominant axial metal flow which aligns the dispersoid particles and other impurities in the longitudinal direction. The dispersion distribution is unaltered on a micro scale by recrystallization thermal treatments, but the high aspect ratio grain shape typically obtained limits transverse grain spacing and consequently the hoop creep response. Improving hoop creep in ODS-alloy components will require understanding and manipulating the factors that control the recrystallization behavior, and represents a critical materials design and development challenge that must be overcome in order to fully exploit the potential of ODS alloys. The objectives of this program were to (1) increase creep-strength at temperature in ODS-alloy tube and liner components by 100% via, (2) preferential cross-roll flow forming and grain/particle fibering in the critical hoop direction. The research program outlined was iterative and intended to systematically (i) examine and identify post-extrusion forming methodologies to create hoop strengthened tubes, to be (ii) evaluated at 'in-service' loads at service temperatures and environments. Our report outlines the significant hoop creep enhancements possible via secondary cross-rolling and/or flow-forming operations. Each of the secondary processes i.e. hot rotary forming and ambient-temperature flow forming exhibited improvement over the base-line hoop-creep performance. The flow formed MA956 tubes exhibited performance superior to all other rolling/forming variants. At the conclusion of this program 2ksi creep-test exposure for flow formed materials exceeded 7300 hours, 7694 hours and 4200 hours for creep tests operating at 950 C, 975 C and 1000 C respectively. The Larsen-Miller parameter for these improvised flow-formed tubes now exceeds 54.14, i.e., better than ever recorded previously. The creep performance enhancement in cross-rolled MA956 material samples versus the base creep property is elucidated. At least 2-3 orders of magnitude of improvement in creep rates/day and concomitant increases in creeplife are demonstrated for the flow formed tubes versus the base reference tests.« less

Effect of complexation conditions on microcapsulation of Lactobacillus acidophilus in xanthan-chitosan polyelectrolyte complex gels.

PubMed

Chen, He; Song, Yajuan; Liu, Nina; Wan, Hongchang; Shu, Guowei; Liao, Na

2015-01-01

Lactobacillus acidophilus has become increasingly popular because of their beneficial effects on health of their host, and are called proboscis. In order to exert beneficial effects for probiotics, they must be able to tolerate the acidic conditions of the stomach environment and the bile in the small intestine. Microencapsulated form has received reasonable attention, since it can protect probiotic organisms against an unfavourable environment, and to allow their release in a viable and metabolically active state in the intestine. The aim of this study was to investigate some factores, such as chitosan solution pH and concentration, xanthan concentration, cell suspension-xanthan ratio, mixed bacteria glue liquid-chitosan ratio, which impacted the process of microencapsulation of L. acidophilus. In this study, L. acidophilus was immobilized with xanthan⁄chitosan gel using extrusion method. The viable counts and encapsulation yield of L. acidophilus encapsulated in different chitosan solution pH (4.5, 5, 5.5 and 6), in different chitosan concentration (0.5%, 0.7%, 0.9% and 1.1%), in different xanthan concentration (0.5%, 0.7%, 0.9% and 1.1%), in different cell suspension-xanthan ratios (1:5, 1:10, 1:15 and 1:20), in different mixed bacteria glue liquid-chitosan ratios (1:3, 1:4, 1:5 and 1:6), have been investigated by single factor experiment method. The optimum conditions of microencapsulated L. acidophilus have been observed. The optimum chitosan solution pH for L. acidophilus was 5.5; the optimum chitosan concentration was 0.9%; the optimum xanthan concentration was 0.7%; the optimum cell suspension-xanthan ratio was 1:10; the optimum mixed bacteria glue liquid-chitosan ratio was 1:3. These results will be helpful to further optimize the process of L. acidophilus microencapsulation, and provide reference for obtaining higher viable counts and entrapped yield of L. acidophilus microcapsules.

Culture of preantral follicles in poly(ethylene) glycol-based, three-dimensional hydrogel: a relationship between swelling ratio and follicular developments

PubMed Central

Ahn, Jong Il; Kim, Gil Ah; Kwon, Hyo Suk; Ahn, Ji Yeon; Hubbell, Jeffrey A; Song, Yong Sang; Lee, Seung Tae; Lim, Jeong Mook

2015-01-01

This study was undertaken to examine how the softness of poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG)-based hydrogels, creating a three-dimensional (3D) microenvironment, influences the in vitro growth of mouse ovarian follicles. Early secondary, preantral follicles of 2 week-old mice were cultured in a crosslinked four-arm PEG hydrogel. The hydrogel swelling ratio, which relates to softness, was modified within the range 25.7–15.5 by increasing the reactive PEG concentration in the precursor solution from 5% to 15% w/v, but it did not influence follicular growth to form the pseudoantrum (60–80%; p = 0.76). Significant (p < 0.04) model effects, however, were detected in the maturation and developmental competence of the follicle-derived oocytes. A swelling ratio of > 21.4 yielded better oocyte maturation than other levels, while the highest competence to develop pronuclear and blastocyst formation was detected at 20.6. In conclusion, gel softness, as reflected in swelling ratio, was one of the essential factors for supporting folliculogenesis in vivo within a hydrogel-based, 3D microenvironment. © 2014 The Authors. Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. PMID:24493269

INTEGRAL REACTION RATES AND NEUTRON ENERGY SPECTRA IN A WELL MODERATED REACTOR

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

Connolly, J.W.; Rose, A.; Wall, T.

1963-04-01

Cadmium ratio measurements in the internal reflector of MOATA were made with gold, indium, tungsten, manganese, molybdenum, and copper detectors. These measurements were analyzed on the assumption that the neutron spectrum consists of a Maxwellian distribution to which is smoothly joined a 1/E slowing down spectrum, the cross sections being averaged according to the methods of Westcott. A search through recent literature suggests that the s factors for gold and indium listed by Westcott are in error. If this is accepted, then it appears that the measured epithermal spectrum is closely 1/E in form for neutron energies between 1 andmore » 600 ev. The corrections to be applied when foils of finite thickness are used in cadmium ratio measuremerts are discussed, and the spectrum derived from these measurements was used to calculate reaction rate ratios of copper: indium and copper: gold alloy foils. These ratios were compared with measured values. Values of the effective resonance integral of Pt/sup 198/ wire detectors were measured, and from these values an estimate was made of the infinitely dilute resonance integral of this isotope. (auth)« less

Statistical Properties of a Two-Stage Procedure for Creating Sky Flats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crawford, R. W.; Trueblood, M.

2004-05-01

Accurate flat fielding is an essential factor in image calibration and good photometry, yet no single method for creating flat fields is both practical and effective in all cases. At Winer Observatory, robotic telescope opera- tion and the research program of Near Earth Object follow-up astrometry favor the use of sky flats formed from the many images that are acquired during a night. This paper reviews the statistical properties of the median-combine process used to create sky flats and discusses a computationally efficient procedure for two-stage combining of many images to form sky flats with relatively high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This procedure is in use at Winer for the flat field calibration of unfiltered images taken for NEO follow-up astrometry.

Optical depth estimates and effective critical densities of dense gas tracers in the inner parts of nearby galaxy discs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiménez-Donaire, M. J.; Bigiel, F.; Leroy, A. K.; Cormier, D.; Gallagher, M.; Usero, A.; Bolatto, A.; Colombo, D.; García-Burillo, S.; Hughes, A.; Kramer, C.; Krumholz, M. R.; Meier, D. S.; Murphy, E.; Pety, J.; Rosolowsky, E.; Schinnerer, E.; Schruba, A.; Tomičić, N.; Zschaechner, L.

2017-04-01

High critical density molecular lines like HCN (1-0) or HCO+ (1-0) represent our best tool to study currently star-forming, dense molecular gas at extragalactic distances. The optical depth of these lines is a key ingredient to estimate the effective density required to excite emission. However, constraints on this quantity are even scarcer in the literature than measurements of the high-density tracers themselves. Here, we combine new observations of HCN, HCO+ and HNC (1-0) and their optically thin isotopologues H13CN, H13CO+ and HN13C (1-0) to measure isotopologue line ratios. We use IRAM 30-m observations from the large programme EMPIRE and new Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array observations, which together target six nearby star-forming galaxies. Using spectral stacking techniques, we calculate or place strong upper limits on the HCN/H13CN, HCO+/H13CO+ and HNC/HN13C line ratios in the inner parts of these galaxies. Under simple assumptions, we use these to estimate the optical depths of HCN (1-0) and HCO+ (1-0) to be τ ˜ 2-11 in the active, inner regions of our targets. The critical densities are consequently lowered to values between 5 and 20 × 105 cm-3, 1 and 3 × 105 cm-3 and 9 × 104 cm-3 for HCN, HCO+ and HNC, respectively. We study the impact of having different beam-filling factors, η, on these estimates and find that the effective critical densities decrease by a factor of η _{12}/η _{13} τ_{12}. A comparison to existing work in NGC 5194 and NGC 253 shows the HCN/H13CN and HCO+/H13CO+ ratios in agreement with our measurements within the uncertainties. The same is true for studies in other environments such as the Galactic Centre or nuclear regions of active galactic nucleus dominated nearby galaxies.

The Methane to Carbon Dioxide Ratio Produced during Peatland Decomposition and a Simple Approach for Distinguishing This Ratio

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chanton, J.; Hodgkins, S. B.; Cooper, W. T.; Glaser, P. H.; Corbett, J. E.; Crill, P. M.; Saleska, S. R.; Rich, V. I.; Holmes, B.; Hines, M. E.; Tfaily, M.; Kostka, J. E.

2014-12-01

Peatland organic matter is cellulose-like with an oxidation state of approximately zero. When this material decomposes by fermentation, stoichiometry dictates that CH4 and CO2 should be produced in a ratio approaching one. While this is generally the case in temperate zones, this production ratio is often departed from in boreal peatlands, where the ratio of belowground CH4/CO2 production varies between 0.1 and 1, indicating CO2 production by a mechanism in addition to fermentation. The in situ CO2/CH4 production ratio may be ascertained by analysis of the 13C isotopic composition of these products, because CO2 production unaccompanied by methane production produces CO2 with an isotopic composition similar to the parent organic matter while methanogenesis produces 13C depleted methane and 13C enriched CO2. The 13C enrichment in the subsurface CO2 pool is directly related to the amount of if formed from methane production and the isotopic composition of the methane itself. Excess CO2 production is associated with more acidic conditions, Sphagnum vegetation, high and low latitudes, methane production dominated by hydrogenotrophic methane production, 13C depleted methane, and generally, more nutrient depleted conditions. Three theories have been offered to explain these observations— 1) inhibition of acetate utilization, acetate build-up and diffusion to the surface and eventual aerobic oxidation, 2) the use of humic acids as electron acceptors, and the 3) utilization of organic oxygen to produce CO2. In support of #3, we find that 13C-NMR, Fourier transform infrared (FT IR) spectroscopy, and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) clearly show the evolution of polysaccharides and cellulose towards more decomposed humified alkyl compounds stripped of organic oxygen utilized to form CO2. Such decomposition results in more negative carbon oxidation states varying from -1 to -2. Coincident with this reduction in oxidation state, is the greater production of methane. Changing climatic conditions may alter the balance of the factors which affect the CO2/CH4 ratio by changing the water balance of the peatland, nutrient status, or temperature.

Edge grouping combining boundary and region information.

PubMed

Stahl, Joachim S; Wang, Song

2007-10-01

This paper introduces a new edge-grouping method to detect perceptually salient structures in noisy images. Specifically, we define a new grouping cost function in a ratio form, where the numerator measures the boundary proximity of the resulting structure and the denominator measures the area of the resulting structure. This area term introduces a preference towards detecting larger-size structures and, therefore, makes the resulting edge grouping more robust to image noise. To find the optimal edge grouping with the minimum grouping cost, we develop a special graph model with two different kinds of edges and then reduce the grouping problem to finding a special kind of cycle in this graph with a minimum cost in ratio form. This optimal cycle-finding problem can be solved in polynomial time by a previously developed graph algorithm. We implement this edge-grouping method, test it on both synthetic data and real images, and compare its performance against several available edge-grouping and edge-linking methods. Furthermore, we discuss several extensions of the proposed method, including the incorporation of the well-known grouping cues of continuity and intensity homogeneity, introducing a factor to balance the contributions from the boundary and region information, and the prevention of detecting self-intersecting boundaries.

Numerical simulation of the flow and fuel-air mixing in an axisymmetric piston-cylinder arrangement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shih, T. I. P.; Smith, G. E.; Springer, G. S.

1982-01-01

The implicit factored method of Beam and Warming was employed to describe the flow and the fuel-air mixing in an axisymmetric piston-cylinder configuration during the intake and compression strokes. The governing equations were established on the basis of laminar flow. The increased mixing due to turbulence was simulated by appropriately chosen effective transport properties. Calculations were performed for single-component gases and for two-component gases and for two-component gas mixtures. The flow field was calculated as functions of time and position for different geometries, piston speeds, intake-charge-to-residual-gas-pressure ratios, and species mass fractions of the intake charge. Results are presented in graphical form which show the formation, growth, and break-up of those vortices which form during the intake stroke and the mixing of fuel and air throughout the intake and compression strokes. It is shown that at bore-to-stroke ratio of less than unity, the vortices may break-up during the intake stroke. It is also shown that vortices which do not break-up during the intake stroke coalesce during the compression stroke. The results generated were compared to existing numerical solutions and to available experimental data.

The Role of Thiol/Disulphide Homeostasis in Anthracycline Associated Cardiac Toxicity.

PubMed

Topuz, Mustafa; Şen, Omer; Kaplan, Mehmet; Akkus, Oguz; Erel, Ozcan; Gur, Mustafa

2017-02-07

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the baseline thiol/disulfide state can predict the occurrence of anthracycline induced cardiac toxicity. A total of 186 cancer patients receiving anthracycline (doxorubicin)-based chemotherapy were enrolled. All patients underwent 2-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) to determine their left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and blood samples for measuring thiol forms were obtained before treatment and 4 weeks after completion of the chemotherapy. The mean dose of doxorubicin exposure was 255 ± 39.2 mg/m 2 . Baseline native thiol was found to be lower whereas baseline disulfide and the disulfide/total thiol ratio were found to be higher in patients who had a decrease in LVEF after anthracycline therapy. Also, the amount of decrease in LVEF was well correlated with the delta value of the thiol forms. Logistic regression analysis revealed that changes in BNP and global longitudinal strain (GLS), baseline level of native thiol, disulfide, and the disulfide/total thiol ratio were strong predictors for a decrease in LVEF.The thiol/disulfide pathway may be a factor for predicting chemotherapy-induced cardiac toxicity as one of the oxidative stress mechanisms.

Quasi-two-body decays B → Kρ → Kππ in perturbative QCD approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Wen-Fei; Li, Hsiang-nan

2016-12-01

We analyze the quasi-two-body decays B → Kρ → Kππ in the perturbative QCD (PQCD) approach, in which final-state interactions between the pions in the resonant regions associated with the P-wave states ρ (770) and ρ‧ (1450) are factorized into two-pion distribution amplitudes. Adopting experimental inputs for the time-like pion form factors involved in two-pion distribution amplitudes, we calculate branching ratios and direct CP asymmetries of the B → Kρ (770) , Kρ‧ (1450) → Kππ modes. It is shown that agreement of theoretical results with data can be achieved, through which Gegenbauer moments of the P-wave two-pion distribution amplitudes are determined. The consistency between the three-body and two-body analyses of the B → Kρ (770) → Kππ decays supports the PQCD factorization framework for exclusive hadronic B meson decays.

Network formation in a multi-asset artificial stock market

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Songtao; He, Jianmin; Li, Shouwei; Wang, Chao

2018-04-01

A multi-asset artificial stock market is developed. In the market, stocks are assigned to a number of sectors and traded by heterogeneous investors. The mechanism of continuous double auction is employed to clear order book and form daily closed prices. Simulation results of prices at the sector level show an intra-sector similarity and inter-sector distinctiveness, and returns of individual stocks have stylized facts that are ubiquitous in the real-world stock market. We find that the market risk factor has critical impact on both network topology transition and connection formation, and that sector risk factors account for the formation of intra-sector links and sector-based local interaction. In addition, the number of community in threshold-based networks is correlated negatively and positively with the value of correlation coefficients and the ratio of intra-sector links, which are respectively determined by intensity of sector risk factors and the number of sectors.

Does landscape fragmentation influence sex ratio of dioecious plants? A case study of Pistacia chinensis in the Thousand-Island Lake region of China.

PubMed

Yu, Lin; Lu, Jianbo

2011-01-01

The Thousand-Island Lake region in Zhejiang Province, China is a highly fragmented landscape with a clear point-in-time of fragmentation as a result of flooding to form the reservoir. Islands in the artificial lake were surveyed to examine how population sex ratio of a dioecious plant specie Pistacia chinensis B. was affected by landscape fragmentation. A natural population on the mainland near the lake was also surveyed for comparison. Population size, sex ratio and diameter at breast height (DBH) of individuals were measured over 2 years. More than 1,500 individuals, distributed in 31 populations, were studied. Soil nitrogen in the different populations was measured to identify the relationship between sex ratio and micro-environmental conditions. In accordance with the results of many other reports on biased sex ratio in relation to environmental gradient, we found that poor soil nitrogen areas fostered male-biased populations. In addition, the degree of sex ratio bias increased with decreasing population size and population connectivity. The biased sex ratios were only found in younger individuals (less than 50 years old) in small populations, while a stable 1∶1 sex ratio was found in the large population on the mainland. We concluded that the effects of landscape fragmentation on the dioecious population sex ratio were mainly achieved in relation to changing soil nitrogen conditions in patches and pollen limitation within and among populations. Large populations could maintain a more suitable environment in terms of nutrient conditions and pollen flow, subsequently maintaining a stable sex ratio in dioecious plant populations. Both micro-environmental factors and spatial structure should be considered in fragmented landscape for the conservation of dioecious plant species.

Investigation of complexes tannic acid and myricetin with Fe(III)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sungur, Şana; Uzar, Atike

2008-01-01

The pH dependence of the complexes was determined by both potentiometric and spectrophotometric studies. Stability constants and stoichiometries of the formed complexes were determined using slope ratio method. Fe(III) was formed complexes with tannic acid of various stoichiometries, which in the 1:1 molar ratio at pH < 3, in the 2:1 molar ratio at pH 3-7 and in the 4:1 molar ratio at pH > 7. Fe(III) was formed complexes with myricetin in the 1:2 molar ratio at pH 4 and 5 and in the 1:1 molar ratio at pH 6. Stability constant values were found to be 10 5 to 10 17 and 10 5 to 10 9 for Fe(III)-tannic acid complexes and Fe(III)-myricetin complexes. Both tannic acid and myricetin were possessed minimum affinities to Cu(II) and Zn(II). They had less affinity for Al(III) than for Fe(III).

Genetic overexpression of glutathione peroxidase-1 attenuates microcystin-leucine-arginine-induced memory impairment in mice.

PubMed

Shin, Eun-Joo; Hwang, Yeong Gwang; Pham, Duc Toan; Lee, Ji Won; Lee, Yu Jeung; Pyo, Dongjin; Lei, Xin Gen; Jeong, Ji Hoon; Kim, Hyoung-Chun

2018-06-13

Microcystin-leucine-arginine (MCLR) is the most common form of microcystins, which are environmental toxins produced by cyanobacteria, and its hepatotoxicity has been well-documented. However, the neurotoxic potential of MCLR remains to be further elucidated. In the present study, we investigated whether intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of MCLR induces mortality and neuronal loss in the hippocampus of mice. Because we found that MCLR impairs memory function in the hippocampus at a low dose (4 ng/μl/mouse, i.c.v.) without a significant neuronal loss, we focused on this dose for further analyses. Results showed that MCLR (4 ng/μl/mouse, i.c.v.) significantly increased oxidative stress (i.e., malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl, and synaptosomal ROS) in the hippocampus. In addition, MCLR significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity without corresponding induction of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, and thus led to significant decrease in the ratio of GPx/SODs activity. The GSH/GSSG ratio was also significantly reduced after MCLR treatment. GPx-1 overexpressing transgenic mice (GPx-1 Tg) were significantly protected from MCLR-induced memory impairment and oxidative stress. The DNA binding activity of nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in these mice was significantly enhanced, and the ratios of GPx/SODs activity and GSH/GSSG returned to near control levels in the hippocampus. Importantly, memory function exhibited a significant positive correlation with the ratios of GPx/SODs activity and GSH/GSSG in the hippocampus of MCLR-treated non-transgenic (non-Tg)- and GPx-1 Tg-mice. Combined, our results suggest that MCLR induces oxidative stress and memory impairment without significant neuronal loss, and that GPx-1 gene constitutes an important protectant against MCLR-induced memory impairment and oxidative stress via maintaining antioxidant defense system homeostasis, possibly through the induction of Nrf2 transcription factor. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Common familial risk factors for schizophrenia and diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Foley, Debra L; Mackinnon, Andrew; Morgan, Vera A; Watts, Gerald F; Castle, David J; Waterreus, Anna; Galletly, Cherrie A

2016-05-01

The co-occurrence of type 2 diabetes and psychosis is an important form of medical comorbidity within individuals, but no large-scale study has evaluated comorbidity within families. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is evidence for familial comorbidity between type 2 diabetes and psychosis. Data were analysed from an observational study of a nationally representative sample of 1642 people with psychosis who were in contact with psychiatric services at the time of survey (The 2010 Australian National Survey of Psychosis). Participants were aged 18-64 years and met World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision diagnostic criteria for a psychotic disorder (857 with schizophrenia, 319 with bipolar disorder with psychotic features, 293 with schizoaffective disorder, 81 with depressive psychosis and 92 with delusional disorder or other non-organic psychoses). Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between a family history of diabetes and a family history of schizophrenia. A positive family history of diabetes was associated with a positive family history of schizophrenia in those with a psychotic disorder (odds ratio = 1.35, p = 0.01, adjusted for age and gender). The association was different in those with an affective versus non-affective psychosis (odds ratio = 0.613, p = 0.019, adjusted for age and gender) and was significant only in those with a non-affective psychosis, specifically schizophrenia (odds ratio = 1.58, p = 0.005, adjusted for age and sex). Adjustment for demographic factors in those with schizophrenia slightly strengthened the association (odds ratio = 1.74, p = 0.001, adjusted for age, gender, diagnosis, ethnicity, education, employment, income and marital status). Elevated risk for type 2 diabetes in people with schizophrenia is not simply a consequence of antipsychotic medication; type 2 diabetes and schizophrenia share familial risk factors. © The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 2015.

Using noble gas ratios to determine the origin of ground ice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Utting, Nicholas; Lauriol, Bernard; Lacelle, Denis; Clark, Ian

2016-01-01

Argon, krypton and xenon have different solubilities in water, meaning their ratios in water are different from those in atmospheric air. This characteristic is used in a novel method to distinguish between ice bodies which originate from the compaction of snow (i.e. buried snow banks, glacial ice) vs. ice which forms from the freezing of groundwater (i.e. pingo ice). Ice which forms from the compaction of snow has gas ratios similar to atmospheric air, while ice which forms from the freezing of liquid water is expected to have gas ratios similar to air-equilibrated water. This analysis has been conducted using a spike dilution noble gas line with gas extraction conducted on-line. Samples were mixed with an aliquot of rare noble gases while being melted, then extracted gases are purified and cryogenically separated. Samples have been analysed from glacial ice, buried snow bank ice, intrusive ice, wedge ice, cave ice and two unknown ice bodies. Ice bodies which have formed from different processes have different gas ratios relative to their formation processes.

Far-infrared and dust properties of present-day galaxies in the EAGLE simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Camps, Peter; Trayford, James W.; Baes, Maarten; Theuns, Tom; Schaller, Matthieu; Schaye, Joop

2016-10-01

The Evolution and Assembly of GaLaxies and their Environments (EAGLE) cosmological simulations reproduce the observed galaxy stellar mass function and many galaxy properties. In this work, we study the dust-related properties of present-day EAGLE galaxies through mock observations in the far-infrared and submm wavelength ranges obtained with the 3D dust radiative transfer code SKIRT. To prepare an EAGLE galaxy for radiative transfer processing, we derive a diffuse dust distribution from the gas particles and we re-sample the star-forming gas particles and the youngest star particles into star-forming regions that are assigned dedicated emission templates. We select a set of redshift-zero EAGLE galaxies that matches the K-band luminosity distribution of the galaxies in the Herschel Reference Survey (HRS), a volume-limited sample of about 300 normal galaxies in the Local Universe. We find overall agreement of the EAGLE dust scaling relations with those observed in the HRS, such as the dust-to-stellar mass ratio versus stellar mass and versus NUV-r colour relations. A discrepancy in the f250/f350 versus f350/f500 submm colour-colour relation implies that part of the simulated dust is insufficiently heated, likely because of limitations in our sub-grid model for star-forming regions. We also investigate the effect of adjusting the metal-to-dust ratio and the covering factor of the photodissociation regions surrounding the star-forming cores. We are able to constrain the important dust-related parameters in our method, informing the calculation of dust attenuation for EAGLE galaxies in the UV and optical domain.

An examination of the overlap between genetic and environmental risk factors for intentional weight loss and overeating.

PubMed

Wade, Tracey D; Treloar, Susan A; Heath, Andrew C; Martin, Nicholas G

2009-09-01

To further our understanding of how intentional weight loss (IWL) and overeating are related, we examined the shared genetic and environmental variance between lifetime IWL and overeating. Interview data were available for 1,976 female twins (both members of 439 and 264 pairs of monozygotic and dizygotic twins, respectively), mean age = 40.61, SD = 4.72. We used lifetime diagnostic data for eating disorders obtained from a semistructured psychiatric telephone interview, examined in a bivariate twin analysis. Both lifetime behaviors were measured on a 3-point scale, where absence of IWL or overeating formed one anchor on the scale and lifetime anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) formed the opposite anchors, respectively. In line with previous findings, a higher body mass index was significantly associated with the lifetime presence of IWL and/or overeating (odds ratio = 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-1.19). The best fitting twin model contained additive genetic and nonshared environmental influence influencing both IWL and overeating, with correlations between these influences of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.35-0.92) and 0.24 (95% CI: 0.07-0.42), respectively. About 37% of genetic risk factors were considered to overlap between IWL and overeating, and with only 6% of overlap between environmental risk factors. Thus, considerable independence of risk factors was indicated.

Multi-scale simulation of quantum dot formation in Al/Al (110) homoepitaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiwary, Yogesh; Fichthorn, Kristen

2007-03-01

In experimental studies of Al(110) homoepitaxy, it is observed that over a certain temperature window (330-500K), 3D huts, up to 50 nm high with well defined and smooth (111) and (100) facets, form and self-organize over the micron scale [1]. The factors leading to this kinetic self-organization are currently unclear. To understand how these structures form and evolve, we simulated multi-layer, homoepitaxial growth on Al(110) using ab initio kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC). At the high temperatures, where nano-huts form, the KMC simulations are slow. To tackle this problem, we use a technique developed by Devita & Sander [2], in which isolated adatoms make multiple moves in one step. We achieve high efficiency with this algorithm and we explore very high temperatures on large simulation lattices. We uncover a variety of interesting morphologies (Ripples, mounds, smooth surface, huts) that depend on the growth temperature. By varying the barriers for various rate processes, we discern the factors that determine hut sizes, aspect ratios, and self-organization. [1] F. Buatier de Mongeot, W. Zhu, A. Molle, R. Buzio, C. Boragno, U. Valbusa, E. Wang, and Z. Zhang, Phys. Rev. Lett. 91, 016102 (2003). [2] J.P. Devita & L.M. Sander, Phys. Rev. B 72, 205421 (2005).

Connection between Stellar Mass Distributions within Galaxies and Quenching Since z = 2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mosleh, Moein; Tacchella, Sandro; Renzini, Alvio; Carollo, C. Marcella; Molaeinezhad, Alireza; Onodera, Masato; Khosroshahi, Habib G.; Lilly, Simon

2017-03-01

We study the history from z˜ 2 to z˜ 0 of the stellar mass assembly of quiescent and star-forming galaxies in a spatially resolved fashion. For this purpose, we use multi-wavelength imaging data from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) over the GOODS fields and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) for the local population. We present the radial stellar mass surface density profiles of galaxies with {M}* > {10}10 {M}⊙ , corrected for mass-to-light ratio ({M}* /L) variations, and derive the half-mass-radius (R m ), central stellar mass surface density within 1 kpc ({{{Σ }}}1) and surface density at R m ({{{Σ }}}m) for star-forming and quiescent galaxies and study their evolution with redshift. At fixed stellar mass, the half-mass sizes of quiescent galaxies increase from z˜ 2 to z˜ 0 by a factor of ˜ 3-5, whereas the half-mass sizes of star-forming galaxies increase only slightly, by a factor of ˜2. The central densities {{{Σ }}}1 of quiescent galaxies decline slightly (by a factor of ≲ 1.7) from z˜ 2 to z˜ 0, while for star-forming galaxies {{{Σ }}}1 increases with time, at fixed mass. We show that the central density {{{Σ }}}1 has a tighter correlation with specific star-formation rate (sSFR) than {{{Σ }}}m and for all masses and redshifts galaxies with higher central density are more prone to be quenched. Reaching a high central density ({{{Σ }}}1≳ {10}10 {M}⊙ {{kpc}}2) seems to be a prerequisite for the cessation of star formation, though a causal link between high {{{Σ }}}1 and quenching is difficult to prove and their correlation can have a different origin.

Factor VIII organisation on nanodiscs with different lipid composition.

PubMed

Grushin, Kirill; Miller, Jaimy; Dalm, Daniela; Stoilova-McPhie, Svetla

2015-04-01

Nanodiscs (ND) are lipid bilayer membrane patches held by amphiphilic scaffolding proteins (MSP) of ~10 nm in diameter. Nanodiscs have been developed as lipid nanoplatforms for structural and functional studies of membrane and membrane associated proteins. Their size and monodispersity have rendered them unique for electron microscopy (EM) and single particle analysis studies of proteins and complexes either spanning or associated to the ND membrane. Binding of blood coagulation factors and complexes, such as the Factor VIII (FVIII) and the Factor VIIIa - Factor IXa (intrinsic tenase) complex to the negatively charged activated platelet membrane is required for normal haemostasis. In this study we present our work on optimising ND, specifically designed to bind FVIII at close to physiological conditions. The binding of FVIII to the negatively charged ND rich in phosphatidylserine (PS) was followed by electron microscopy at three different PS compositions and two different membrane scaffolding protein (MSP1D1) to lipid ratios. Our results show that the ND with highest PS content (80 %) and lowest MSP1D1 to lipid ratio (1:47) are the most suitable for structure determination of the membrane-bound FVIII by single particle EM. Our preliminary FVIII 3D reconstruction as bound to PS containing ND demonstrates the suitability of the optimised ND for structural studies by EM. Further assembly of the activated FVIII form (FVIIIa) and the whole FVIIIa-FIXa complex on ND, followed by EM and single particle reconstruction will help to identify the protein-protein and protein-membrane interfaces critical for the intrinsic tenase complex assembly and function.

Solventless visible light-curable coating: I. Critical formulation and processing parameters.

PubMed

Bose, Sagarika; Bogner, Robin H

2010-06-30

Film coating is generally accomplished by spraying polymers dissolved in solvents onto a cascading bed of tablets. The limitations associated with the use of solvents (both aqueous and organic) can be overcome by the use of solventless coating technologies. In this proposed solventless photocurable film coating system, each layer of coating onto the pellets (non-pareil beads) was formed using liquid photocurable monomer, powdered pore-forming agents, photosensitizers and photoinitiators in a mini-coating pan and later cured by visible light. Yield, coating efficiency, variation in color, diameter and roundness were determined for each batch to evaluate process efficiency and coating quality. It was found that the ratio (S/L ratio) of the amount of solid (S) pore-forming agent to volume of liquid (L) monomer, particle size and type of the pore-forming agent, concentration of initiator, and total exposure (light intensity x exposure time) of light were critical formulation and processing parameters for the process. Using lactose as a pore-forming agent, an optimum ratio of pore-forming agent to photocurable polymer was 1.8-3.0 to achieve good process efficiency and uniformity. The ratio was sensitive to particle size and type of pore-forming agent. 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Relationship between TG/HDL-C ratio and metabolic syndrome risk factors with chronic kidney disease in healthy adult population.

PubMed

Ho, Chih-I; Chen, Jau-Yuan; Chen, Shou-Yen; Tsai, Yi-Wen; Weng, Yi-Ming; Tsao, Yu-Chung; Li, Wen-Cheng

2015-10-01

The triglycerides-to-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio has been identified as a biomarker of insulin resistance and a predictor for atherosclerosis. The objectives of this study were to investigate which the TG/HDL-C ratio is useful to detect metabolic syndrome (MS) risk factors and subclinical chronic kidney disease (CKD) in general population without known CKD or renal impairment and to compare predictive accuracy of MS risk factors. This was a cross-sectional study. A total 46,255 subjects aged ≥18 years undergoing health examination during 2010-2011 in Taiwan. The independent associations between TG/HDL-C ratio quartiles, waist circumstance (WC) waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), mean atrial pressure (MAP), and CKD prevalence was analyzed by using logistic regression models. Analyses of the areas under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) were performed to determine the accuracy of MS risk factors in predicting CKD. A dose-response manner was observed for the prevalence of CKD and measurements of MS risk factors, showing increases from the lowest to the highest quartile of the TG/HDL-C ratio. Males and females in the highest TG/HDL-C ratio quartile (>2.76) had a 1.4-fold and 1.74-fold greater risk of CKD than those in the lowest quartile (≤1.04), independent of confounding factors. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) had the highest AUC for predicting CKD among MS risk factors. The TG/HDL-C ratio was an independent risk factor for CKD, but it showed no superiority over MAP in predicting CKD. A TG/HDL-C ratio ≥2.76 may be useful in clinical practice to detect subjects with worsened cardiometabolic profile who need monitoring to prevent CKD. TG/HDL-C ratio is an independent risk factor for CKD in adults aged 18-50 years. MAP was the most powerful predictor over other MS risk factors in predicting CKD. However, longitudinal and comparative studies are required to demonstrate the predictive value of TG/HDL-C on the onset and progression of CKD over time. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.

Measurement of the neutrino neutral-current elastic differential cross section on mineral oil at Eν˜1GeV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aguilar-Arevalo, A. A.; Anderson, C. E.; Bazarko, A. O.; Brice, S. J.; Brown, B. C.; Bugel, L.; Cao, J.; Coney, L.; Conrad, J. M.; Cox, D. C.; Curioni, A.; Dharmapalan, R.; Djurcic, Z.; Finley, D. A.; Fleming, B. T.; Ford, R.; Garcia, F. G.; Garvey, G. T.; Grange, J.; Green, C.; Green, J. A.; Hart, T. L.; Hawker, E.; Imlay, R.; Johnson, R. A.; Karagiorgi, G.; Kasper, P.; Katori, T.; Kobilarcik, T.; Kourbanis, I.; Koutsoliotas, S.; Laird, E. M.; Linden, S. K.; Link, J. M.; Liu, Y.; Liu, Y.; Louis, W. C.; Mahn, K. B. M.; Marsh, W.; Mauger, C.; McGary, V. T.; McGregor, G.; Metcalf, W.; Meyers, P. D.; Mills, F.; Mills, G. B.; Monroe, J.; Moore, C. D.; Mousseau, J.; Nelson, R. H.; Nienaber, P.; Nowak, J. A.; Osmanov, B.; Ouedraogo, S.; Patterson, R. B.; Pavlovic, Z.; Perevalov, D.; Polly, C. C.; Prebys, E.; Raaf, J. L.; Ray, H.; Roe, B. P.; Russell, A. D.; Sandberg, V.; Schirato, R.; Schmitz, D.; Shaevitz, M. H.; Shoemaker, F. C.; Smith, D.; Soderberg, M.; Sorel, M.; Spentzouris, P.; Spitz, J.; Stancu, I.; Stefanski, R. J.; Sung, M.; Tanaka, H. A.; Tayloe, R.; Tzanov, M.; van de Water, R. G.; Wascko, M. O.; White, D. H.; Wilking, M. J.; Yang, H. J.; Zeller, G. P.; Zimmerman, E. D.

2010-11-01

We report a measurement of the flux-averaged neutral-current elastic differential cross section for neutrinos scattering on mineral oil (CH2) as a function of four-momentum transferred squared, Q2. It is obtained by measuring the kinematics of recoiling nucleons with kinetic energy greater than 50 MeV which are readily detected in MiniBooNE. This differential cross-section distribution is fit with fixed nucleon form factors apart from an axial mass MA that provides a best fit for MA=1.39±0.11GeV. Using the data from the charged-current neutrino interaction sample, a ratio of neutral-current to charged-current quasielastic cross sections as a function of Q2 has been measured. Additionally, single protons with kinetic energies above 350 MeV can be distinguished from neutrons and multiple nucleon events. Using this marker, the strange quark contribution to the neutral-current axial vector form factor at Q2=0, Δs, is found to be Δs=0.08±0.26.

Charge segregation in weakly ionized microgels

DOE PAGES

Hyatt, John S.; Douglas, Alison M.; Stanley, Chris; ...

2017-01-19

Here we investigate microgels synthesized from N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) copolymerized with a large mol% of acrylic acid, finding that when the acid groups are partially ionized at high temperatures, competition between ion-induced swelling and hydrophobic deswelling of poly(NIPAM) chains results in microphase separation. In cross-linked microgels, this manifests as a dramatic decrease in the ratio between the radius of gyration and the hydrodynamic radius to ~0.2, indicating that almost all the mass of the microgel is concentrated near the particle center. We also observe a concurrent decrease of the polymer network length scale via small-angle neutron scattering, confirming the presence ofmore » a dense, deswollen core surrounded by a diffuse, charged periphery. We compare these results to those obtained for a system of charged ultralow-cross-linked microgels; the form factor shows a distinct peak at high q when the temperature exceeds a threshold value. Lastly, we successfully fit the form factor to theory developed to describe scattering from weakly charged gels in poor solvents, and we tie this behavior to charge segregation in the case of the cross-linked microgels.« less

Oncology staff: burnout, job satisfaction and coping with stress.

PubMed

Guveli, Hulya; Anuk, Dilek; Oflaz, Serap; Guveli, Murat Emin; Yildirim, Nazmiye Kocaman; Ozkan, Mine; Ozkan, Sedat

2015-08-01

The oncology staff is at high risk for developing psychological disorders and burnout. In this study, we aimed to evaluate their burnout levels, job satisfaction, psychological statement and ways of coping with stress and the relationship between these variables and their sociodemographic and occupational characteristics. Among all health workers at the Istanbul University Institute, of Oncology, 159 were included in the study. A sociodemographic data form, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and the Styles of Coping Inventory-Short Form were used to evaluate burnout and its contributing factors. High levels of 'emotional exhaustion', 'depersonalization' and 'low sense of personal accomplishment' were determined in 30.2%, 8.2% and 44% of all participants, respectively. The variables that affected emotional exhaustion were assessed by logistic regression analysis. Accordingly, the ratio of emotional exhaustion was approximately 10 times higher in those for whom job stress was the most important stress factor compared with those who indicated nonjob stress for each one point increase on the GHQ and depersonalization scores, which were other predictors, with odds ratio (OR) : 1.23, p = 0.006 and OR : 1.67, p < 0.001, respectively. A negative correlation was detected between adaptive coping styles and 'burnout,' and a positive correlation was found between maladaptive coping strategies and exhaustion. It is necessary to monitor the psychological status of employees in oncology units with scanning tools such as GHQ to understand their job stress perceptions and to help them develop adaptive coping methods. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Novel pure component contribution, mean centering of ratio spectra and factor based algorithms for simultaneous resolution and quantification of overlapped spectral signals: An application to recently co-formulated tablets of chlorzoxazone, aceclofenac and paracetamol

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toubar, Safaa S.; Hegazy, Maha A.; Elshahed, Mona S.; Helmy, Marwa I.

2016-06-01

In this work, resolution and quantitation of spectral signals are achieved by several univariate and multivariate techniques. The novel pure component contribution algorithm (PCCA) along with mean centering of ratio spectra (MCR) and the factor based partial least squares (PLS) algorithms were developed for simultaneous determination of chlorzoxazone (CXZ), aceclofenac (ACF) and paracetamol (PAR) in their pure form and recently co-formulated tablets. The PCCA method allows the determination of each drug at its λmax. While, the mean centered values at 230, 302 and 253 nm, were used for quantification of CXZ, ACF and PAR, respectively, by MCR method. Partial least-squares (PLS) algorithm was applied as a multivariate calibration method. The three methods were successfully applied for determination of CXZ, ACF and PAR in pure form and tablets. Good linear relationships were obtained in the ranges of 2-50, 2-40 and 2-30 μg mL- 1 for CXZ, ACF and PAR, in order, by both PCCA and MCR, while the PLS model was built for the three compounds each in the range of 2-10 μg mL- 1. The results obtained from the proposed methods were statistically compared with a reported one. PCCA and MCR methods were validated according to ICH guidelines, while PLS method was validated by both cross validation and an independent data set. They are found suitable for the determination of the studied drugs in bulk powder and tablets.

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

Yu, Mo; Evans II, Neal J.; Dodson-Robinson, Sarah E.

Gas in protostellar disks provides the raw material for giant planet formation and controls the dynamics of the planetesimal-building dust grains. Accurate gas mass measurements help map the observed properties of planet-forming disks onto the formation environments of known exoplanets. Rare isotopologues of carbon monoxide (CO) have been used as gas mass tracers for disks in the Lupus star-forming region, with an assumed interstellar CO/H{sub 2} abundance ratio. Unfortunately, observations of T-Tauri disks show that CO abundance is not interstellar, a finding reproduced by models that show CO abundance decreasing both with distance from the star and as a functionmore » of time. Here, we present radiative transfer simulations that assess the accuracy of CO-based disk mass measurements. We find that the combination of CO chemical depletion in the outer disk and optically thick emission from the inner disk leads observers to underestimate gas mass by more than an order of magnitude if they use the standard assumptions of interstellar CO/H{sub 2} ratio and optically thin emission. Furthermore, CO abundance changes on million-year timescales, introducing an age/mass degeneracy into observations. To reach a factor of a few accuracy for CO-based disk mass measurements, we suggest that observers and modelers adopt the following strategies: (1) select low- J transitions; (2) observe multiple CO isotopologues and use either intensity ratios or normalized line profiles to diagnose CO chemical depletion; and (3) use spatially resolved observations to measure the CO-abundance distribution.« less

Disk Masses around Solar-mass Stars are Underestimated by CO Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Mo; Evans, Neal J., II; Dodson-Robinson, Sarah E.; Willacy, Karen; Turner, Neal J.

2017-05-01

Gas in protostellar disks provides the raw material for giant planet formation and controls the dynamics of the planetesimal-building dust grains. Accurate gas mass measurements help map the observed properties of planet-forming disks onto the formation environments of known exoplanets. Rare isotopologues of carbon monoxide (CO) have been used as gas mass tracers for disks in the Lupus star-forming region, with an assumed interstellar CO/H2 abundance ratio. Unfortunately, observations of T-Tauri disks show that CO abundance is not interstellar, a finding reproduced by models that show CO abundance decreasing both with distance from the star and as a function of time. Here, we present radiative transfer simulations that assess the accuracy of CO-based disk mass measurements. We find that the combination of CO chemical depletion in the outer disk and optically thick emission from the inner disk leads observers to underestimate gas mass by more than an order of magnitude if they use the standard assumptions of interstellar CO/H2 ratio and optically thin emission. Furthermore, CO abundance changes on million-year timescales, introducing an age/mass degeneracy into observations. To reach a factor of a few accuracy for CO-based disk mass measurements, we suggest that observers and modelers adopt the following strategies: (1) select low-J transitions; (2) observe multiple CO isotopologues and use either intensity ratios or normalized line profiles to diagnose CO chemical depletion; and (3) use spatially resolved observations to measure the CO-abundance distribution.

The Dual Origin Of The Nitrogen Deficiency In Comets: Selective Volatile Trapping In The Nebula And Postaccretion Radiogenic Heating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mousis, Olivier; Guilbert-Lepoutre, A.; Lunine, J. I.; Cochran, A. L.; Waite, J. H.; Petit, J.; Rousselot, P.

2012-10-01

We propose a scenario that explains the apparent nitrogen deficiency in comets in a way consistent with the presence of this molecule in the atmospheres of Pluto and Triton. We use a statistical thermodynamic model to investigate the composition of the successive multiple guest clathrates that may have formed during the cooling of the primordial nebula from the most abundant volatiles present in the gas phase. These clathrates agglomerated with the other ices (pure condensates or stoechiometric hydrates) and formed the building blocks of comets. We report that molecular nitrogen is a poor clathrate former, when we consider a plausible gas phase composition of the primordial nebula. This implies that its trapping into cometesimals requires a low disk temperature (about 20 K) in order to allow the formation of its pure condensate. We find that it is possible to explain the lack of molecular nitrogen in comets as a consequence of their postformation internal heating engendered by the decay of radiogenic nuclides. This scenario is found to be consistent with the presence of nitrogen-rich atmospheres around Pluto and Triton. Our model predicts that comets should present xenon-to-water and krypton-to-water ratios close to solar xenon-to-oxygen and krypton-to-oxygen ratios, respectively. In contrast, the argon-to-water ratio is predicted to be depleted by a factor of about 300 in comets compared to solar argon-to-oxygen, as a consequence of the nitrogen outgassing.

Accounting for Selection Bias in Studies of Acute Cardiac Events.

PubMed

Banack, Hailey R; Harper, Sam; Kaufman, Jay S

2018-06-01

In cardiovascular research, pre-hospital mortality represents an important potential source of selection bias. Inverse probability of censoring weights are a method to account for this source of bias. The objective of this article is to examine and correct for the influence of selection bias due to pre-hospital mortality on the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and all-cause mortality after an acute cardiac event. The relationship between the number of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors (0-5; smoking status, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity) and all-cause mortality was examined using data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. To illustrate the magnitude of selection bias, estimates from an unweighted generalized linear model with a log link and binomial distribution were compared with estimates from an inverse probability of censoring weighted model. In unweighted multivariable analyses the estimated risk ratio for mortality ranged from 1.09 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98-1.21) for 1 CVD risk factor to 1.95 (95% CI, 1.41-2.68) for 5 CVD risk factors. In the inverse probability of censoring weights weighted analyses, the risk ratios ranged from 1.14 (95% CI, 0.94-1.39) to 4.23 (95% CI, 2.69-6.66). Estimates from the inverse probability of censoring weighted model were substantially greater than unweighted, adjusted estimates across all risk factor categories. This shows the magnitude of selection bias due to pre-hospital mortality and effect on estimates of the effect of CVD risk factors on mortality. Moreover, the results highlight the utility of using this method to address a common form of bias in cardiovascular research. Copyright © 2018 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Bonner Prize: The Elastic Form Factors of the Nucleon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perdrisat, Charles F.

2017-01-01

A series of experiments initiated in 1998 at the then new Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator, or CEBAF in Newport News Virginia, resulted in unexpected results, changing significantly our understanding of the structure of the proton. These experiments used a relatively new technique to obtain the ratio of the two form factors of the proton, namely polarization. An intense beam of highly polarized electrons with energy up to 6 GeV was made to interact elastically with un-polarized protons in a hydrogen target. The polarization of the recoiling protons, with energies up to 5 GeV, was measured from a second interaction in a polarimeter consisting of blocs of graphite or CH2 and tracking wire chambers. The scattered electrons were detected in an electromagnetic lead-glass calorimeter, to select elastically scattered events. After a short introduction describing the path which brought me from the University of Geneva to the College of William and Mary in 1966, I will introduce the subject of elastic electron scattering, describe some of the apparatus required for such experiments, and show the results which were unexpected at the time. These results demonstrated unequivocally that the two form factors required to describe elastic ep scattering, electric GE and magnetic GM in the Born approximation, had a drastically different dependence upon the four-momentum squared q2 = q2 -ω2 with q the momentum, and ω the energy transferred in the reaction. The finding, in flagrant disagreement with the data available at the time, which had been obtained dominantly from cross section measurements of the type first used by Nobel Prize R. Hofstadter 60 years ago, have led to a reexamination of the information provided by form factors on the structure of the nucleon, in particular its quark-gluon content. The conclusion will then be a brief outline of several theoretical considerations to put the results in a proper perspective.

Swiss cheese striatum: clinical implications.

PubMed

Burnett, Melinda S; Witte, Robert J; Ahlskog, J Eric

2014-06-01

Markedly enlarged Virchow-Robin spaces throughout the striatum appear occasionally on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the elderly, and this type of striatum is known as the Swiss cheese striatum (SCS); however, its clinical impact is unknown. To determine the clinical features associated with SCS detected on MRI scans. A blinded, retrospective case-control study using medical records from 2000 to 2007 obtained from an MRI database at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, of residents 40 years of age or older of Olmsted County, Minnesota, who had extensive Mayo Clinic medical records and MRI reports suggestive of SCS. Cases with a severe form of SCS (n = 27) were randomly selected for comparison with age-, sex-, and examination year-matched controls (n = 52) with a minimal form of SCS or no SCS. Magnetic resonance imaging. Associations of clinical and imaging features with the presence of a severe form of SCS. Medical records were reviewed for clinical features such as parkinsonism, dementia, and vascular risk factors. The MRI scans were visually scored for degree of leukoaraiosis, central atrophy, and cortical atrophy. No significant differences were found between those with a severe form of SCS and controls in rates of parkinsonism (19% vs 17%; odds ratio, 1.09 [95% CI, 0.28-4.16]) or dementia of any type (30% vs 21%; odds ratio, 1.57 [95% CI, 0.48-5.13]). Vascular risk factors were not significantly different between groups. Swiss cheese striatum correlated with degree of leukoaraiosis (P < .001). Potential associations with visualized cortical atrophy (P = .01), nonobstructive urinary incontinence (18.5% vs 3.9%; P = .04), and syncope (37% vs 9.6%; P = .01) did not hold up after correction for the false discovery rate. Our study suggests that marked cribriform change in the striatum was not associated with the development of extrapyramidal clinical disorders, including parkinsonism. The association of SCS with leukoaraiosis suggests that it is part of a more generalized cerebrovascular process. Skepticism is called for when attributing clinical symptoms to this MRI finding.

Procoagulant imbalance in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

PubMed

Tripodi, Armando; Fracanzani, Anna L; Primignani, Massimo; Chantarangkul, Veena; Clerici, Marigrazia; Mannucci, Pier Mannuccio; Peyvandi, Flora; Bertelli, Cristina; Valenti, Luca; Fargion, Silvia

2014-07-01

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by increased risk of cardiovascular events and liver-fibrosis. Both could be explained by a procoagulant-imbalance that was surmised but never directly demonstrated. We investigated 113 patients with varying histological liver damage [steatosis (n=32), steatohepatitis (n=51), metabolic-cirrhosis (n=30)], 54 with alcoholic/viral-cirrhosis and 179 controls. Plasma was evaluated for levels of pro- and anti-coagulants, and for thrombin-generation assessed as endogenous-thrombin-potential (ETP) with and without thrombomodulin or Protac® as protein C activators. The procoagulant-imbalance was defined as ETP-ratio (with-to-without thrombomodulin) or as Protac®-induced-coagulation-inhibition (PICI%). High ETP-ratios or low PICI% indicate resistance to thrombomodulin or Protac® and hence a procoagulant-imbalance. ETP-ratio increased from controls [0.57 (0.11-0.89)] to steatosis [0.72 (0.33-0.86)] and metabolic-cirrhosis [0.80 (0.57-0.95)], (p<0.001), the latter being comparable to that for alcoholic/viral-cirrhosis [0.80 (0.57-0.95) vs. 0.80 (0.44-0.96)]. Factor VIII (a potent procoagulant for thrombin-generation) increased from steatosis [99% (71-150)] to metabolic-cirrhosis [157% (64-232)], p<0.001. Protein C (a powerful anticoagulant) decreased from steatosis [103% (77-228)] to metabolic-cirrhosis [77 (17-146)], p<0.001. As a consequence, factor VIII-to-protein C ratio increased from steatosis [0.96 (0.36-1.60)] to metabolic-cirrhosis [2.05 (0.81-12.1)], p<0.001 and was correlated with the ETP-ratio (rho=0.543, p<0.001). Similar results were obtained for PICI%. Patients with procoagulant-imbalance detected as ETP-ratio greater or PICI% lower than the median value of controls tended to have a higher risk of metabolic-syndrome, higher intima-media thickness, fibrosis, steatosis or lobular inflammation, all considered clinical manifestations of NAFLD. NAFLD is characterized by a procoagulant-imbalance progressing from the less severe (steatosis) to the most severe form of the disease (metabolic-cirrhosis). This imbalance appears to result from increased factor VIII and reduced protein C and might play a role in the risk of cardiovascular events and liver-fibrosis commonly observed in NAFLD. Copyright © 2014 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Types of abuse and risk factors associated with elder abuse.

PubMed

Simone, Lacher; Wettstein, Albert; Senn, Oliver; Rosemann, Thomas; Hasler, Susann

2016-01-01

Detecting elder abuse is challenging because it is a taboo, and many cases remain unreported. This study aimed to identify types of elder abuse and to investigate its associated risk factors. Retrospective analyses of 903 dossiers created at an Independent Complaints Authority for Old Age in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, from January 1, 2008 to October 31, 2012. Characteristics of victims and perpetrators, types of abuse, and associated risk factors related to the victim or the perpetrator were assessed. Bi- and multivariate analysis were used to identify abuse and neglect determinants. A total of 150 cases reflected at least one form of elder abuse or neglect; 104 cases were categorised as abuse with at least one type of abuse (overall 135 mentions), 46 cases were categorised as neglect (active or passive). Psychological abuse was the most reported form (47%), followed by financial (35%), physical (30%) and anticonstitutional abuse (18%). In 81% of the 150 cases at least two risk factors existed. In 13% no associated risk factor could be identified. Compared with neglect, elders with abuse were less likely to be a nursing home resident than living at home (odds ratio [OR] 0.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.00-0.19). In addition, they were more likely to be cohabiting with their perpetrators (OR 18.01, 95% CI 4.43-73.19). For the majority of the reported elder abuse cases at least two associated risk factors could be identified. Knowledge about these red flags and a multifaceted strategy are needed to identify and prevent elder abuse.

Tumour necrosis factor-α/interleukin-10 ratio in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome.

PubMed

Jiang, H; Cao, H; Wang, P; Liu, W; Cao, F; Chen, J

2015-01-01

To explore the significance of the tumour necrosis factor-α/interleukin-10 ratio and the effect of continuous positive airway pressure in patients with different degrees of obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome severity. This study comprised 135 patients with obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome and 94 control subjects. Tumour necrosis factor-α and tumour necrosis factor-α/interleukin-10 ratio values were significantly higher in the obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome group than in the control group, but interleukin-10 was significantly lower. Tumour necrosis factor-α/interleukin-10 ratio values increased in line with the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome. In multivariate analysis, the tumour necrosis factor-α/interleukin-10 ratio correlated positively with the apnoea-hypopnoea index and all indices of obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome, except for age, body mass index and neck circumference. After one month of continuous positive airway pressure therapy, levels of tumour necrosis factor-α decreased; interleukin-10 showed no change. The results suggest that inflammation is activated and anti-inflammatory cytokines are decreased in obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome patients. Tumour necrosis factor-α/interleukin-10 ratio may prove useful for severity monitoring and management of obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome patients, and may reduce the need for polysomnography.

Spatiotemporal Variations and Driving Factors of Air Pollution in China.

PubMed

Zhan, Dongsheng; Kwan, Mei-Po; Zhang, Wenzhong; Wang, Shaojian; Yu, Jianhui

2017-12-08

In recent years, severe and persistent air pollution episodes in China have drawn wide public concern. Based on ground monitoring air quality data collected in 2015 in Chinese cities above the prefectural level, this study identifies the spatiotemporal variations of air pollution and its associated driving factors in China using descriptive statistics and geographical detector methods. The results show that the average air pollution ratio and continuous air pollution ratio across Chinese cities in 2015 were 23.1 ± 16.9% and 16.2 ± 14.8%. The highest levels of air pollution ratio and continuous air pollution ratio were observed in northern China, especially in the Bohai Rim region and Xinjiang province, and the lowest levels were found in southern China. The average and maximum levels of continuous air pollution show distinct spatial variations when compared with those of the continuous air pollution ratio. Monthly changes in both air pollution ratio and continuous air pollution ratio have a U-shaped variation, indicating that the highest levels of air pollution occurred in winter and the lowest levels happened in summer. The results of the geographical detector model further reveal that the effect intensity of natural factors on the spatial disparity of the air pollution ratio is greater than that of human-related factors. Specifically, among natural factors, the annual average temperature, land relief, and relative humidity have the greatest and most significant negative effects on the air pollution ratio, whereas human factors such as population density, the number of vehicles, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) witness the strongest and most significant positive effects on air pollution ratio.

Spatiotemporal Variations and Driving Factors of Air Pollution in China

PubMed Central

Zhan, Dongsheng; Zhang, Wenzhong; Wang, Shaojian; Yu, Jianhui

2017-01-01

In recent years, severe and persistent air pollution episodes in China have drawn wide public concern. Based on ground monitoring air quality data collected in 2015 in Chinese cities above the prefectural level, this study identifies the spatiotemporal variations of air pollution and its associated driving factors in China using descriptive statistics and geographical detector methods. The results show that the average air pollution ratio and continuous air pollution ratio across Chinese cities in 2015 were 23.1 ± 16.9% and 16.2 ± 14.8%. The highest levels of air pollution ratio and continuous air pollution ratio were observed in northern China, especially in the Bohai Rim region and Xinjiang province, and the lowest levels were found in southern China. The average and maximum levels of continuous air pollution show distinct spatial variations when compared with those of the continuous air pollution ratio. Monthly changes in both air pollution ratio and continuous air pollution ratio have a U-shaped variation, indicating that the highest levels of air pollution occurred in winter and the lowest levels happened in summer. The results of the geographical detector model further reveal that the effect intensity of natural factors on the spatial disparity of the air pollution ratio is greater than that of human-related factors. Specifically, among natural factors, the annual average temperature, land relief, and relative humidity have the greatest and most significant negative effects on the air pollution ratio, whereas human factors such as population density, the number of vehicles, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) witness the strongest and most significant positive effects on air pollution ratio. PMID:29292783

Orbital evolution and accretion of protoplanets tidally interacting with a gas disk. II. Solid surface density evolution with type-I migration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daisaka, Junko K.; Tanaka, Hidekazu; Ida, Shigeru

2006-12-01

This paper investigates the surface density evolution of a planetesimal disk due to the effect of type-I migration by carrying out N-body simulation and through analytical method, focusing on terrestrial planet formation. The coagulation and the growth of the planetesimals take place in the abundant gas disk except for a final stage. A protoplanet excites density waves in the gas disk, which causes the torque on the protoplanet. The torque imbalance makes the protoplanet suffer radial migration, which is known as type-I migration. Type-I migration time scale derived by the linear theory may be too short for the terrestrial planets to survive, which is one of the major problems in the planet formation scenario. Although the linear theory assumes a protoplanet being in a gas disk alone, Kominami et al. [Kominami, J., Tanaka, H., Ida, S., 2005. Icarus 167, 231-243] showed that the effect of the interaction with the planetesimal disk and the neighboring protoplanets on type-I migration is negligible. The migration becomes pronounced before the planet's mass reaches the isolation mass, and decreases the solid component in the disk. Runaway protoplanets form again in the planetesimal disk with decreased surface density. In this paper, we present the analytical formulas that describe the evolution of the solid surface density of the disk as a function of gas-to-dust ratio, gas depletion time scale and semimajor axis, which agree well with our results of N-body simulations. In general, significant depletion of solid material is likely to take place in inner regions of disks. This might be responsible for the fact that there is no planet inside Mercury's orbit in our Solar System. Our most important result is that the final surface density of solid components ( Σ) and mass of surviving planets depend on gas surface density ( Σ) and its depletion time scale ( τ) but not on initial Σ; they decrease with increase in Σ and τ. For a fixed gas-to-dust ratio and τ, larger initial Σ results in smaller final Σ and smaller surviving planets, because of larger Σ. To retain a specific amount of Σ, the efficient disk condition is not an initially large Σ but the initial Σ as small as the specified final one and a smaller gas-to-dust ratio. To retain Σ comparable to that of the minimum mass solar nebula (MMSN), a disk must have the same Σ and a gas-to-dust ratio that is smaller than that of MMSN by a factor of 1.3×(τ/1 Myr) at ˜1 AU. (Equivalently, type-I migration speed is slower than that predicted by the linear theory by the same factor.) The surviving planets are Mars-sized ones in this case; in order to form Earth-sized planets, their eccentricities must be pumped up to start orbit crossing and coagulation among them. At ˜5 AU, Σ of MMSN is retained under the same condition, but to form a core massive enough to start runaway gas accretion, a gas-to-dust ratio must be smaller than that of MMSN by a factor of 3×τ/1 Myr.

STEAM FORMING NEUTRONIC REACTOR AND METHOD OF OPERATING IT

DOEpatents

Untermyer, S.

1960-05-10

The heterogeneous reactor is liquid moderated and cooled by a steam forming coolant and is designed to produce steam from the coolant directly within the active portion of the reactor while avoiding the formation of bubbles in the liquid moderator. This reactor achieves inherent stability as a result of increased neutron leakage and increased neutron resonance absorption in the U/sup 238/ fuel with the formation of bubbles. The invention produces certain conditions under which the formation of vapor bubbles as a result of a neutron flux excursion from the injection of a reactivity increment into the reactor will operate to nullify the reactivity increment within a sufficiently short period of time to prevent unsafe reactor operating conditions from developing. This is obtained by disposing a plurality of fuel elements within a mass of steam forming coolant in the core with the ratio of the volume of steam forming coolant to the volume of fissionable isotopes being within the range yielding a multiplication factor greater than unity and a negative reactivity to core void coefficient at the boiling temperature of the coolant.

Effects of density, cellulose nanofibrils addition ratio, pressing method, and particle size on the bending properties of wet-formed particleboard

Treesearch

Weiqi Leng; John F. Hunt; Mehdi Tajvidi

2017-01-01

Wet-formed particleboard bonded with cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) was prepared in this work. The effects of density, CNF addition ratio, pressing method, and particle size on the bending strength were evaluated. The results showed that density had the most important effect on the modulus of elasticity (MOE), while the CNF addition ratio had the most important effect on...

Determination of K-shell absorption jump factors and jump ratios for La2O3, Ce and Gd using two different methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akman, Ferdi; Durak, Rıdvan; Kaçal, Mustafa Recep; Turhan, Mehmet Fatih; Akdemir, Fatma

2015-02-01

The K shell absorption jump factors and jump ratios for La2O3, Ce and Gd samples have been determined using the gamma or X-ray attenuation and EDXRF methods. It is the first time that the K shell absorption jump factor and jump ratio have been discussed for present elements using two different methods. To detect K X-rays, a high resolution Si(Li) detector was used. The experimental results of K shell absorption jump factors and jump ratios were compared with the theoretically calculated ones.

Vasoactive agents for the prediction of early- and late-onset preeclampsia in a high-risk cohort

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background To evaluate the soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), placental growth factor (PlGF), and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio for the prediction of early- and late-onset preeclampsia in a high-risk cohort. Methods We studied serial serum samples collected prospectively at 12 + 0 - 14 + 0, 18 + 0 - 20 + 0, and 26 + 0 - 28 + 0 weeks + days of gestation in 6 women who developed early-onset preeclampsia (before 34 weeks of gestation) and in 21 women who developed late-onset preeclampsia (after 34 weeks of gestation) with automated ElecSys 2010 immunoanalyzer (Roche Diagnostics, Germany). Twenty-six high-risk women and 53 women without risk factors with normal pregnancies served as controls. Results Serum PlGF concentrations were lower at 18 + 0 to 20 + 0, and 26 + 0 to 28 + 0 weeks of gestation in women who developed early-onset preeclampsia compared to women who developed late-onset preeclampsia and to controls (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). At 18 + 0 to 20 + 0 weeks of gestation area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) for serum PlGF was 99.8% (p = 0.0007, 95% CI 99.0-100.0). At 26 + 0 to 28 + 0 weeks of gestation serum sFlt-1/PlGF ratio explicitly detects those women who developed early-onset preeclampsia (AUC 100.0%, p = 0.0007, 95% CI 100–100). Amongst women with late-onset preeclampsia, those who developed severe form of the disease (N = 8) had significantly higher serum sFlt-1 concentrations at all three timepoints (p = 0.004, p = 0.006, and p = 0.003, respectively) compared to women with non-severe form (N = 13). Conclusions Low serum PlGF concentration predicts early-onset preeclampsia from the second trimester and elevated serum sFlt-1/PlGF ratio from 26 to 28 weeks of gestation. Elevated serum sFlt-1 concentration in the first trimester in women who later develop late-onset, severe preeclampsia may suggest different etiology compared to the late-onset non-severe form of the disease. PMID:23663420

An in vitro method for predicting the efficacy of WBC separation using different starch preparations and anticoagulant ratios.

PubMed

Rock, G; Berger, R; Romans, R A; Russell, N M; Owens, W A

2000-12-01

Separation of blood components depends on a number of factors, including the viscosity of the plasma and the number and size of the various cellular elements. To enhance granulocyte collection, it is common practice to alter the plasma environment by the addition of sedimenting agents such as hydroxyethyl starch. Recently, because of its prolonged persistence in the circulation, the higher-molecular-weight form of hydroxyethyl starch, Hespan (HP), has been replaced by the lower-molecular-weight form, pentastarch (PS). However, the yield appears to be lower. A rapid in vitro approach was used to permit comparison of the efficiency of separation of WBCs by the use of PS and HP and different ratios of anticoagulants that also alter the sedimenting characteristics of blood. Blood from individual persons was collected into sodium citrate at ratios of 1:8, 1:12, and 1:16. Samples were evaluated either before or after the addition of PS or HP and after centrifugation. The addition of HP increased the sedimentation rate to at least four times that of plasma (10.9 vs. 47.9 mm); PS approximately doubled the rate. Viscosity was altered by the introduction of either starch. These changes (ranging from a rate of 4.2 in HP with a 1:16 anticoagulant to 3.6 in PS with a 1:8 ratio of anticoagulant) reflected the anticipated effects of anticoagulant dilution and carbohydrate addition. Granulocyte recovery was highest, with a 1:12 anticoagulant ratio in all tests with HP producing the greatest yield (HP, 101%; PS, 89%; control, 78%). HP is far more effective than its lower-molecular-weight substitute PS in the generation of granulocytes in the buffy coat of whole blood. This method provides a simple, rapid, in vitro approach to evaluating the separating efficiency of solutions.

Quantitative Classification and Environmental Interpretation of Secondary Forests 18 Years After the Invasion of Pine Forests by Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) in China

PubMed Central

Wang, Zhuang; Luo, You-Qing; Shi, Juan; Gao, Ruihe; Wang, Guoming

2014-01-01

Abstract With growing concerns over the serious ecological problems in pine forests ( Pinus massoniana , P. thunbergii ) caused by the invasion of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (the pine wood nematode), a particular challenge is to determine the succession and restoration of damaged pine forests in Asia. We used two-way indicator species analysis and canonical correlation analysis for the hierarchical classification of existing secondary forests that have been restored since the invasion of B. xylophilus 18 years ago. Biserial correlation analysis was used to relate the spatial distribution of species to environmental factors. After 18 years of natural recovery, the original pine forest had evolved into seven types of secondary forest. Seven environmental factors, namely soil depth, humus depth, soil pH, aspect, slope position, bare rock ratio, and distance to the sea, were significantly correlated with species distribution. Furthermore, we proposed specific reform measures and suggestions for the different types of secondary forest formed after the damage and identified the factors driving the various forms of restoration. These results suggest that it is possible to predict the restoration paths of damaged pine forests, which would reduce the negative impact of B. xylophilus invasions. PMID:25527600

The shady side of solar protection.

PubMed

Parsons, P G; Neale, R; Wolski, P; Green, A

1998-04-06

To determine the value of shade in protecting humans from solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Measurement with photometers of protection factors for ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) and for total solar radiation for different types of trees and other structures during the summer months (1995-1997) in south-east Queensland. (The protection ratio is the ratio of the intensity of UVB or total solar radiation in direct sunlight to that in shade.) For summer sun at midday, the mean (SD) UV protection ratio for the shade of trees (n = 65) was 4.21 (1.36) on a horizontal surface and 1.33 (0.30) on a vertical surface. In contrast, the mean (SD) protection ratio for total solar energy (primarily infrared) was much higher (12.1 [1.4]). Trees common in recreational areas in Australia (eucalypts: UV protection ratio, 3.52 [0.79]; Norfolk Island pines: UV protection ratio, 3.72 [0.98]) offered reduced protection compared with trees with more dense foliage (UV protection ratio, 5.48 [1.44]). Over a whole day, measurement of shade by trees and other structures showed that the UV protection ratio was lower in the morning and afternoon. Shade from awnings, buildings and hats gave similar results to those for trees. Both at midday and over a whole day satisfactory protection (UV protection ratio > 15) was obtained only in shade which eliminated exposure to the sky as well as to direct sunlight; for example, in thickly wooded areas and under low, widely overhanging structures. Most forms of shade, while useful, offer people insufficient protection from solar UV. A fair-skinned person sheltering under a tree could suffer sunburn after less than one hour. There is a need for appropriate design of structural shade, use of other solar protection measures in conjunction with shade, and research on behavioural responses to shade.

Between-year variation in population sex ratio increases with complexity of the breeding system in Hymenoptera.

PubMed

Kümmerli, Rolf; Keller, Laurent

2011-06-01

While adaptive adjustment of sex ratio in the function of colony kin structure and food availability commonly occurs in social Hymenoptera, long-term studies have revealed substantial unexplained between-year variation in sex ratio at the population level. In order to identify factors that contribute to increased between-year variation in population sex ratio, we conducted a comparative analysis across 47 Hymenoptera species differing in their breeding system. We found that between-year variation in population sex ratio steadily increased as one moved from solitary species, to primitively eusocial species, to single-queen eusocial species, to multiple-queen eusocial species. Specifically, between-year variation in population sex ratio was low (6.6% of total possible variation) in solitary species, which is consistent with the view that in solitary species, sex ratio can vary only in response to fluctuations in ecological factors such as food availability. In contrast, we found significantly higher (19.5%) between-year variation in population sex ratio in multiple-queen eusocial species, which supports the view that in these species, sex ratio can also fluctuate in response to temporal changes in social factors such as queen number and queen-worker control over sex ratio, as well as factors influencing caste determination. The simultaneous adjustment of sex ratio in response to temporal fluctuations in ecological and social factors seems to preclude the existence of a single sex ratio optimum. The absence of such an optimum may reflect an additional cost associated with the evolution of complex breeding systems in Hymenoptera societies.

The Evidential Basis of Decision Making in Plant Disease Management.

PubMed

Hughes, Gareth

2017-08-04

The evidential basis for disease management decision making is provided by data relating to risk factors. The decision process involves an assessment of the evidence leading to taking (or refraining from) action on the basis of a prediction. The primary objective of the decision process is to identify-at the time the decision is made-the control action that provides the best predicted end-of-season outcome, calculated in terms of revenue or another appropriate metric. Data relating to disease risk factors may take a variety of forms (e.g., continuous, discrete, categorical) on measurement scales in a variety of units. Log 10 -likelihood ratios provide a principled basis for the accumulation of evidence based on such data and allow predictions to be made via Bayesian updating of prior probabilities.

Calculation of shear viscosity using Green-Kubo relations within a parton cascade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wesp, C.; El, A.; Reining, F.; Xu, Z.; Bouras, I.; Greiner, C.

2011-11-01

The shear viscosity of a gluon gas is calculated using the Green-Kubo relation. Time correlations of the energy-momentum tensor in thermal equilibrium are extracted from microscopic simulations using a parton cascade solving various Boltzmann collision processes. We find that the perturbation-QCD- (pQCD-) based gluon bremsstrahlung described by Gunion-Bertsch processes significantly lowers the shear viscosity by a factor of 3 to 8 compared to elastic scatterings. The shear viscosity scales with the coupling as η˜1/[αs2log(1/αs)]. For constant αs the shear viscosity to entropy density ratio η/s has no dependence on temperature. Replacing the pQCD-based collision angle distribution of binary scatterings by an isotropic form decreases the shear viscosity by a factor of 3.

Effect of neck geometry of resonance cells on noise reduction efficiency in sound-absorbing structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pisarev, P. V.; Anoshkin, A. N.; Pan'kov, A. A.

2016-10-01

The present work formulates the physical and mathematical models capable to forecast acoustic properties of resonance cells in sound absorbing structures. Distribution of acoustic pressure inside the duct and on sidewall cell was found, loss factor of output acoustic pressure wave was calculated for variety of geometric forms of cell's chamber and neck for monochromatic wave in 100-600Hz frequency range. Analysis of the acoustic pressure fields revealed that cell neck geometry strongly influences on cell resonant frequency and on outlet acoustic pressure loss factor. The effectiveness of the proposed by the authors biconical design of the resonant cell was proved, which increased acoustic radiation at the resonance frequency resulting significant increase of loss ratio of wave acoustic pressure at duct outlet.

Combined platelet and plasma derivatives enhance proliferation of stem/progenitor cells maintaining their differentiation potential.

PubMed

Muraglia, Anita; Todeschi, Maria Rosa; Papait, Andrea; Poggi, Alessandro; Spanò, Raffaele; Strada, Paolo; Cancedda, Ranieri; Mastrogiacomo, Maddalena

2015-12-01

Platelet derivatives have been proposed as alternatives to animal sera given that for cell therapy applications, the use of fetal bovine/calf serum (FBS/FCS) is subjected to severe limitations for safety and ethical concerns. We developed a cell culture medium additive obtained by the combination of two blood-derived standardized components. A platelet lysate (PL) and a platelet-poor plasma (PPP) were produced in a lyophilized form. Each component was characterized for its growth factor content (platelet-derived growth factor-BB/vascular endothelial growth factor). PL and PPP were used as single components or in combination in different ratio at cumulative 5% final concentration in the culture medium. The single components were less effective than the component combination. In primary cell cultures (bone marrow stromal cells, adipose derived adult stem cells, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells, lymphocytes), the PL/PPP supplement promoted an increased cell proliferation in respect to the standard FCS culture in a dose-dependent manner, maintaining the cell functionality, clonogenicity, phenotype and differentiative properties throughout the culture. At a different component ratio, the supplement was also used to support proliferation of a cell line (U-937). The PL/PPP supplement is an efficient cell culture medium additive that can replace FCS to promote cell proliferation. It can outdo FCS, especially when adopted in primary cultures from tissue biopsies. Moreover, the dual component nature of the supplement allows the researcher to determine the more appropriate ratio of the two components for the nutritional and functional requirements of the cell type of interest. Copyright © 2015 International Society for Cellular Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Anatomy of Bs → PV decays and effects of next-to-leading order contributions in the perturbative QCD factorization approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Da-Cheng; Yang, Ping; Liu, Xin; Xiao, Zhen-Jun

2018-06-01

In this paper, we will make systematic calculations for the branching ratios and the CP-violating asymmetries of the twenty one Bbars0 → PV decays by employing the perturbative QCD (PQCD) factorization approach. Besides the full leading-order (LO) contributions, all currently known next-to-leading order (NLO) contributions are taken into account. We found numerically that: (a) the NLO contributions can provide ∼ 40% enhancement to the LO PQCD predictions for B (Bbars0 →K0K bar * 0) and B (Bbars0 →K±K*∓), or a ∼ 37% reduction to B (Bbars0 →π-K*+); and we confirmed that the inclusion of the known NLO contributions can improve significantly the agreement between the theory and those currently available experimental measurements; (b) the total effects on the PQCD predictions for the relevant Bs0 → P transition form factors after the inclusion of the NLO twist-2 and twist-3 contributions is generally small in magnitude: less than 10% enhancement respect to the leading order result; (c) for the "tree" dominated decay Bbars0 →K+ρ- and the "color-suppressed-tree" decay Bbars0 →π0K*0, the big difference between the PQCD predictions for their branching ratios are induced by different topological structure and by interference effects among the decay amplitude AT,C and AP: constructive for the first decay but destructive for the second one; and (d) for Bbars0 → V (η ,η‧) decays, the complex pattern of the PQCD predictions for their branching ratios can be understood by rather different topological structures and the interference effects between the decay amplitude A (Vηq) and A (Vηs) due to the η-η‧ mixing.

A comparison of the psychometric properties of three cigarette withdrawal scales.

PubMed

Etter, Jean-François; Hughes, John R

2006-03-01

To compare the psychometric properties of three cigarette withdrawal scales. An internet cohort study. Each of 4,644 current (44%), former (49%) and never smokers (7%) completed the three scales via the internet. A subsample completed the scales again after 14 days (n=1309), and indicated their smoking status after 42 days (n=1431). The Cigarette Withdrawal Scale (CWS), the Wisconsin Withdrawal Scale (WWS) and the Minnesota Withdrawal Form (MWF). All three scales covered the main elements in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual version IV (DSM-IV) and the International Classification of Diseases version 10 (ICD-10) definitions of tobacco withdrawal, but WWS did not cover weight gain. Factor analyses indicated that only six factors were present in WWS, instead of the expected seven factors. Cronbach's alpha coefficients (0.76-0.93) were high for all scales. Test-retest coefficients were in the range of 0.66-0.86 for CWS and WWS, but were somewhat lower for some MWF items (range 0.52-0.80). In 324 ex-smokers who had quit smoking 31 days or less before baseline, craving predicted relapse at 14-day follow-up (CWS: odds ratio=1.53 per point, P=0.003; WWS: odds ratio=1.40, P=0.04; MWF: odds ratio=1.49, P=0.002). In 34 baseline smokers who had quit smoking by 14-day retest, an increase in craving (WWS and MWF), depressed mood (MWF) and difficulty concentrating (WWS) between baseline and retest predicted relapse at 42-day follow-up. In terms of construct validity, scales performed similarly, but performance on some key tests (e.g. withdrawal will increase post-cessation) were inadequate, due perhaps to methodological limitations. No scale showed a decisive advantage over the others. MWF has the advantage of brevity.

The COPD Helplessness Index

PubMed Central

Katz, Patricia P.; Yelin, Edward H.; Iribarren, Carlos; Knight, Sara J.; Blanc, Paul D.; Eisner, Mark D.

2010-01-01

Background: Psychologic factors affect how patients with COPD respond to attempts to improve their self-management skills. Learned helplessness may be one such factor, but there is no validated measure of helplessness in COPD. Methods: We administered a new COPD Helplessness Index (CHI) to 1,202 patients with COPD. Concurrent validity was assessed through association of the CHI with established psychosocial measures and COPD severity. The association of helplessness with incident COPD exacerbations was then examined by following subjects over a median 2.1 years, defining COPD exacerbations as COPD-related hospitalizations or ED visits. Results: The CHI demonstrated internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.75); factor analysis was consistent with the CHI representing a single construct. Greater CHI-measured helplessness correlated with greater COPD severity assessed by the BODE (Body-mass, Obstruction, Dyspnea, Exercise) Index (r = 0.34; P < .001). Higher CHI scores were associated with worse generic (Short Form-12, Physical Component Summary Score) and respiratory-specific (Airways Questionnaire 20) health-related quality of life, greater depressive symptoms, and higher anxiety (all P < .001). Controlling for sociodemographics and smoking status, helplessness was prospectively associated with incident COPD exacerbations (hazard ratio = 1.31; P < .001). After also controlling for the BODE Index, helplessness remained predictive of COPD exacerbations among subjects with BODE Index ≤ median (hazard ratio = 1.35; P = .01), but not among subjects with higher BODE Index values (hazard ratio = 0.93; P = .34). Conclusions: The CHI is an internally consistent and valid measure, concurrently associated with health status and predictively associated with COPD exacerbations. The CHI may prove a useful tool in analyzing differential clinical responses mediated by patient-centered attributes. PMID:19837823

Effects of high-orbit spaceflight on signaling cascades and apoptosis in immune cells from mice flied on board the BION-M1 satellite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Novoselova, Elena; Shenkman, Boris; Lunin, Sergey; Parfenyuk, Svetlana; Novoselova, Tatyana; Fesenko, Eugeny

The study was designed to evaluate immune cell activity in male C57bl mice after a 30-day high-orbit spaceflight (550 km, higher than conventional manned spaceflights) on board the BION-M1 satellite (Roskosmos Program, Russia). For the present study, thymus, spleens and plasma samples were collected from mice 12 h after landing and, additionally, 7 days subsequently. Assessing the activity of NF-kappaB signaling cascade by measuring Rel A (p65) protein phosphorylation in splenic lymphocytes, we showed that the NF-kappaB activity was significantly increased at 12 h after landing. Contrariwise, one week after landing, the NF-kappaB activity was markedly decreased, even below to the control values. Interestingly, after landing there were no significant changes in SAPK/JNK cascade activity in splenic lymphocytes as well as in the expression of transcription factor IRF3 in thymus cells. To assess the apoptosis status in thymus lymphocytes, levels of p53 protein and its phosphorylated form were measured in thymic lymphocytes. It is known that p53 plays an important role in the cellular response to DNA damage, genomic aberrations, and other characteristic of apoptosis. The results showed that the high-orbit spaceflight environment caused some increase in level of p53 protein, but most notably, activated phosphorylated form of p53 protein. Calculated ratio of active and inactive forms of the protein (ph-p53/p53) 12 h after landing increased by more than 2-fold, indicating the apparent induction of apoptosis in thymus cells. Interestingly, 7 days after the landing, this ratio was not restored, but rather increased: the specified ratio was 4 times higher as compared to the ground-based control. We can conclude that response to the prolonged high-orbit spaceflight is not like the classic "stress response", which is usually observed under various stressful factors. It is known that the stress response is surely accompanied by increased SAPK/JNK cascade activity as well as the expression of the IRF3; in fact, we did not observed any changes in the SAPK/JNK phosphorylation or in the IRF3 production. Furthermore, stressful factors usually result in the fast, but reversible, thymus involution. But our measurements showed that the thymus depletion at 7th day after landing was expressed even more than 12 h after the spaceflight. This is consistent with the results of the level of apoptosis in thymus cells; indeed, the apoptosis in thymus lymphocytes 7 days after was higher than 12 h after landing. Collectively, these results indicate that the changes of immune cell homeostasis may be a result of exposure to damaging factors of not very high intensity. In any case, similar effects are caused, to our knowledge, by low doses of ionizing radiation. As spaceflight is not accompanied only with the gravitational changes, but also with other factors, such as radiation, it is possible that immune disbalance after spaceflight was caused by a combined action of several factors. The work was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project 12-04-00113-a.The authors express their gratitude to unified team involved in preparation and implementation of the spaceflight of BION-M #1.

Spectroscopy and multivariate analyses applications related to solid rocket nozzle bondline

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arendale, W. F.; Hatcher, Richard; Benson, Brian; Workman, Gary L.

1991-01-01

Chemical composition and molecular orientation define the properties of materials. Information related to chemical composition and molecular configuration is obtained by various forms of spectroscopy. Software algorithms developed for multivariate analyses, expert systems, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are used to conduct repetitive operations. The techniques are believed to be of particular significance toward achieving TQM objectives. The objective was to obtain information related to the quality of the bondline in the solid rocket motor, SRM, nozzle. Hysol 934 NA, a room temperature curing epoxide resin, is used as the bonding agent. A good bond requires that the adhesive be placed on a properly prepared metal surface, the adhesives Part A and B be mixed in appropriate ratio from material within shelf life specifications. Spectroscopic data was obtained for surfaces prepared according to specifications, contaminated metal surfaces, samples of the epoxide adhesive at times that represent shelf aging from 3 months to 2 years, several mix ratio of A to B, and curing material. Temperature was found to be a significant factor. The study concentrated on pot life and mix ratio.

Part II--Factors Associated with School Nurse Ratios: Key State Informants' Perceptions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maughan, Erin

2009-01-01

This paper is the second of a two-part series examining factors influencing school nurse to pupil staffing ratios. The paper reports data from a qualitative study exploring the social and political factors that potentially influence ratios. Interviews were conducted with 30 key state informants from these states. Content analysis of the data…

Reporting the cost-effectiveness of interventions with nonsignificant effect differences: example from a trial of secondary prevention of coronary heart disease.

PubMed

Johnston, Katharine; Gray, Alastair; Moher, Michael; Yudkin, Patricia; Wright, Lucy; Mant, David

2003-01-01

This study reports the cost-effectiveness of interventions with nonsignificant differences in effect, and considers reporting of cost-effectiveness in situations where nonsignificant differences arise in some but not all end points. Data on costs and effects associated with three end points (adequate assessment, risk factors, and life-years) were derived from a trial of methods to promote secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. Incremental cost per life-year gained figures were calculated, and the uncertainty around these was displayed on cost-effectiveness planes in the form of ellipses. There was a significant difference in one of the intermediate end points (adequate assessment) but nonsignificant differences in the other intermediate end point (risk factors) and the final end point (life-years). Estimation of cost per life-year figures revealed the cost-effectiveness of the interventions to be unfavorable. Cost-effectiveness ratios based on final end points should be calculated even in situations where nonsignificant differences in life-years arise, to avoid publication bias and to provide decision makers with useful information. Uncertainty in the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios should be estimated and presented graphically.

Galactic Angular Momentum in Cosmological Zoom-in Simulations. I. Disk and Bulge Components and the Galaxy-Halo Connection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sokołowska, Aleksandra; Capelo, Pedro R.; Fall, S. Michael; Mayer, Lucio; Shen, Sijing; Bonoli, Silvia

2017-02-01

We investigate the angular momentum evolution of four disk galaxies residing in Milky-Way-sized halos formed in cosmological zoom-in simulations with various sub-grid physics and merging histories. We decompose these galaxies, kinematically and photometrically, into their disk and bulge components. The simulated galaxies and their components lie on the observed sequences in the j *-M * diagram, relating the specific angular momentum and mass of the stellar component. We find that galaxies in low-density environments follow the relation {j}* \\propto {M}* α past major mergers, with α ˜ 0.6 in the case of strong feedback, when bulge-to-disk ratios are relatively constant, and α ˜ 1.4 in the other cases, when secular processes operate on shorter timescales. We compute the retention factors (I.e., the ratio of the specific angular momenta of stars and dark matter) for both disks and bulges and show that they vary relatively slowly after averaging over numerous but brief fluctuations. For disks, the retention factors are usually close to unity, while for bulges, they are a few times smaller. Our simulations therefore indicate that galaxies and their halos grow in a quasi-homologous way.

Molecular nitrogen in comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko indicates a low formation temperature.

PubMed

Rubin, M; Altwegg, K; Balsiger, H; Bar-Nun, A; Berthelier, J-J; Bieler, A; Bochsler, P; Briois, C; Calmonte, U; Combi, M; De Keyser, J; Dhooghe, F; Eberhardt, P; Fiethe, B; Fuselier, S A; Gasc, S; Gombosi, T I; Hansen, K C; Hässig, M; Jäckel, A; Kopp, E; Korth, A; Le Roy, L; Mall, U; Marty, B; Mousis, O; Owen, T; Rème, H; Sémon, T; Tzou, C-Y; Waite, J H; Wurz, P

2015-04-10

Molecular nitrogen (N2) is thought to have been the most abundant form of nitrogen in the protosolar nebula. It is the main N-bearing molecule in the atmospheres of Pluto and Triton and probably the main nitrogen reservoir from which the giant planets formed. Yet in comets, often considered the most primitive bodies in the solar system, N2 has not been detected. Here we report the direct in situ measurement of N2 in the Jupiter family comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, made by the Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis mass spectrometer aboard the Rosetta spacecraft. A N2/CO ratio of (5.70 ± 0.66) × 10(-3) (2σ standard deviation of the sampled mean) corresponds to depletion by a factor of ~25.4 ± 8.9 as compared to the protosolar value. This depletion suggests that cometary grains formed at low-temperature conditions below ~30 kelvin. Copyright © 2015, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Self-employed persons in Sweden - mortality differentials by industrial sector and enterprise legal form: a five-year follow-up study.

PubMed

Toivanen, Susanna; Mellner, Christin; Vinberg, Stig

2015-01-01

This study investigated mortality differentials between self-employed persons in Sweden, considering industrial sector, enterprise characteristics and socio-demographic factors. Data on 321,274 self-employed persons were obtained from population registers in Sweden. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare all-cause and cause-specific mortality rate ratios by industrial sector and enterprise legal form, adjusted for confounders. All-cause mortality was 10-32% higher in self-employed persons in Manufacturing and Mining, Trade and Communication, and Not Specified and Other sectors than in Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing. Mortality from cardiovascular disease was 23% higher in Trade and Communication, and from neoplasms 17-51% higher in Manufacturing and Mining, Not Specified, and Other. Mortality from suicide was 45-60% lower in Personal and Cultural Services, and in Not Specified. Mortality was 8-16% higher in sole proprietorship than limited partnership. Further research of working conditions is warranted, considering industry and enterprise legal form. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Gas flows in radial micro-nozzles with pseudo-shocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiselev, S. P.; Kiselev, V. P.; Zaikovskii, V. N.

2018-07-01

In the present paper, results of an experimental and numerical study of supersonic gas flows in radial micro-nozzles are reported. A distinguishing feature of such flows is the fact that two factors, the nozzle divergence and the wall friction force, exert a substantial influence on the flow structure. Under the action of the wall friction force, in the micro-nozzle there forms a pseudo-shock that separates the supersonic from subsonic flow region. The position of the pseudo-shock can be evaluated from the condition of flow blockage in the nozzle exit section. A detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of gas flows in radial micro-nozzles is given. It is shown that the gas flow in a micro-nozzle is defined by the complicated structure of the boundary layer in the micro-nozzle, this structure being dependent on the width-to-radius ratio of the nozzle and its inlet-to-outlet pressure ratio.

Precision measurement of σ (e+e- →π+π- γ) / σ (e+e- →μ+μ- γ) and determination of the π+π- contribution to the muon anomaly with the KLOE detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Babusci, D.; Badoni, D.; Balwierz-Pytko, I.; Bencivenni, G.; Bini, C.; Bloise, C.; Bossi, F.; Branchini, P.; Budano, A.; Caldeira Balkeståhl, L.; Capon, G.; Ceradini, F.; Ciambrone, P.; Curciarello, F.; Czerwiński, E.; Dané, E.; De Leo, V.; De Lucia, E.; De Robertis, G.; De Santis, A.; De Simone, P.; Di Domenico, A.; Di Donato, C.; Domenici, D.; Erriquez, O.; Fanizzi, G.; Felici, G.; Fiore, S.; Franzini, P.; Gauzzi, P.; Giardina, G.; Giovannella, S.; Gonnella, F.; Graziani, E.; Happacher, F.; Heijkenskjöld, L.; Höistad, B.; Iafolla, L.; Iarocci, E.; Jacewicz, M.; Johansson, T.; Kluge, W.; Kupsc, A.; Lee-Franzini, J.; Loddo, F.; Lukin, P.; Mandaglio, G.; Martemianov, M.; Martini, M.; Mascolo, M.; Messi, R.; Miscetti, S.; Morello, G.; Moricciani, D.; Moskal, P.; Müller, S.; Nguyen, F.; Passeri, A.; Patera, V.; Prado Longhi, I.; Ranieri, A.; Redmer, C. F.; Santangelo, P.; Sarra, I.; Schioppa, M.; Sciascia, B.; Silarski, M.; Taccini, C.; Tortora, L.; Venanzoni, G.; Versaci, R.; Wiślicki, W.; Wolke, M.; Zdebik, J.; KLOE; KLOE-2 Collaborations

2013-03-01

We have measured the ratio σ (e+e- →π+π- γ) / σ (e+e- →μ+μ- γ), with the KLOE detector at DAΦNE for a total integrated luminosity of ∼ 240pb-1. From this ratio we obtain the cross section σ (e+e- →π+π-). From the cross section we determine the pion form factor |Fπ | 2 and the two-pion contribution to the muon anomaly aμ for 0.592

The branching ratio ω → π ^+π ^- revisited

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hanhart, C.; Holz, S.; Kubis, B.; Kupść, A.; Wirzba, A.; Xiao, C. W.

2017-02-01

We analyze the most recent data for the pion vector form factor in the timelike region, employing a model-independent approach based on dispersion theory. We confirm earlier observations about the inconsistency of different modern high-precision data sets. Excluding the BaBar data, we find an updated value for the isospin-violating branching ratio B(ω → π ^+π ^-) = (1.46± 0.08) × 10^{-2}. As a side result, we also extract an improved value for the pion vector or charge radius, √{< r_V^2rangle } = 0.6603(5)(4) {fm}, where the first uncertainty is statistical as derived from the fit, while the second estimates the possible size of nonuniversal radiative corrections. In addition, we demonstrate that modern high-quality data for the decay η '→ π ^+π ^-γ will allow for an even improved determination of the transition strength ω → π ^+π ^-.

Modelling high-resolution ALMA observations of strongly lensed highly star-forming galaxies detected by Herschel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dye, S.; Furlanetto, C.; Dunne, L.; Eales, S. A.; Negrello, M.; Nayyeri, H.; van der Werf, P. P.; Serjeant, S.; Farrah, D.; Michałowski, M. J.; Baes, M.; Marchetti, L.; Cooray, A.; Riechers, D. A.; Amvrosiadis, A.

2018-06-01

We have modelled ˜0.1 arcsec resolution Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimeter Array imaging of six strong gravitationally lensed galaxies detected by the Herschel Space Observatory. Our modelling recovers mass properties of the lensing galaxies and, by determining magnification factors, intrinsic properties of the lensed submillimetre sources. We find that the lensed galaxies all have high ratios of star formation rate to dust mass, consistent with or higher than the mean ratio for high-redshift submillimetre galaxies and low-redshift ultra-luminous infrared galaxies. Source reconstruction reveals that most galaxies exhibit disturbed morphologies. Both the cleaned image plane data and the directly observed interferometric visibilities have been modelled, enabling comparison of both approaches. In the majority of cases, the recovered lens models are consistent between methods, all six having mass density profiles that are close to isothermal. However, one system with poor signal to noise shows mildly significant differences.

Large magnetoresistance ratio of 10% by Fe50Co50 layers for current-confined-path current-perpendicular-to-plane giant magnetoresistance spin-valve films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fukuzawa, Hideaki; Yuasa, Hiromi; Hashimoto, Susumu; Iwasaki, Hitoshi; Tanaka, Yoichiro

2005-08-01

We have realized a large magnetoresistance (MR) ratio of 10.2% by current-perpendicular-to-plane giant magnetoresistance (CPP-GMR) spin-valve films having current-confined-path (CCP) structure formed by AlCu-NOL (nano-oxide-layer). CPP-GMR with conventional Co90Fe10 pinned and free layers showed an MR ratio and a ΔRA (the change of resistance area product) were 4% and 20mΩμm2, respectively, at a small RA (resistance area product) of 500mΩμm2. By replacing the Co90Fe10 layers by Fe50Co50 layers both for pinned and free layers, we have successfully realized a MR ratio and a ΔRA of 7.5% and 37.5mΩμm2, respectively, at a small RA of 500mΩμm2. Moreover, a large MR ratio of 10.2% and a large ΔRA of 418mΩμm2 were realized at a relatively large RA of 4100mΩμm2. This large MR ratio by using Fe50Co50 layers was due to a larger spin-dependent interface scattering factor γ of 0.72 for the interface between Fe50Co50 and Cu, which was improved from a γ of 0.62 for the interface between Co90Fe10 and Cu.

A Novel Method for Preparing Auxetic Foam from Closed-cell Polymer Foam Based on Steam Penetration and Condensation (SPC) Process.

PubMed

Fan, Donglei; Li, Minggang; Qiu, Jian; Xing, Haiping; Jiang, Zhiwei; Tang, Tao

2018-05-31

Auxetic materials are a class of materials possessing negative Poisson's ratio. Here we establish a novel method for preparing auxetic foam from closed-cell polymer foam based on steam penetration and condensation (SPC) process. Using polyethylene (PE) closed-cell foam as an example, the resultant foams treated by SPC process present negative Poisson's ratio during stretching and compression testing. The effect of steam-treated temperature and time on the conversion efficiency of negative Poisson's ratio foam is investigated, and the mechanism of SPC method for forming re-entrant structure is discussed. The results indicate that the presence of enough steam within the cells is a critical factor for the negative Poisson's ratio conversion in the SPC process. The pressure difference caused by steam condensation is the driving force for the conversion from conventional closed-cell foam to the negative Poisson's ratio foam. Furthermore, the applicability of SPC process for fabricating auxetic foam is studied by replacing PE foam by polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam with closed-cell structure or replacing water steam by ethanol steam. The results verify the universality of SPC process for fabricating auxetic foams from conventional foams with closed-cell structure. In addition, we explored potential application of the obtained auxetic foams by SPC process in the fabrication of shape memory polymer materials.

Acicular photomultiplier photocathode structure

DOEpatents

Craig, Richard A.; Bliss, Mary

2003-09-30

A method and apparatus for increasing the quantum efficiency of a photomultiplier tube by providing a photocathode with an increased surface-to-volume ratio. The photocathode includes a transparent substrate, upon one major side of which is formed one or more large aspect-ratio structures, such as needles, cones, fibers, prisms, or pyramids. The large aspect-ratio structures are at least partially composed of a photoelectron emitting material, i.e., a material that emits a photoelectron upon absorption of an optical photon. The large aspect-ratio structures may be substantially composed of the photoelectron emitting material (i.e., formed as such upon the surface of a relatively flat substrate) or be only partially composed of a photoelectron emitting material (i.e., the photoelectron emitting material is coated over large aspect-ratio structures formed from the substrate material itself.) The large aspect-ratio nature of the photocathode surface allows for an effective increase in the thickness of the photocathode relative the absorption of optical photons, thereby increasing the absorption rate of incident photons, without substantially increasing the effective thickness of the photocathode relative the escape incidence of the photoelectrons.

Formation of lactoferrin/sodium caseinate complexes and their adsorption behaviour at the air/water interface.

PubMed

Li, Quanyang; Zhao, Zhengtao

2017-10-01

This research investigated the complexation behaviour between lactoferrin (Lf) and sodium caseinate (NaCas) before and after heat treatment. The results showed that heating facilitated their interaction and different complexes were formed at different Lf/NaCas ratios. The presence of low concentrations of NaCas resulted in the rapid precipitation of Lf, while no precipitation was observed at the NaCas concentrations higher than Lf/NaCas ratio of 2:1. The formed complexes at the ratio of 2:1 have an average diameter of 194±9.0nm and they exhibited a great capacity in lowering the air/water interfacial tension. Further increase of NaCas concentration to ratios of 1:1 and 1:2 resulted in the formation of smaller complexes with average diameters of 60±2.5nm. The complexes formed at these two ratios showed similar adsorption behaviour at the air/water interface and they exhibited lower capacity in decreasing the interfacial tension than the ratio of 2:1. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Simultaneous determination of Fluticasone propionate and Azelastine hydrochloride in the presence of pharmaceutical dosage form additives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Merey, Hanan A.; El-Mosallamy, Sally S.; Hassan, Nagiba Y.; El-Zeany, Badr A.

2016-05-01

Fluticasone propionate (FLU) and Azelastine hydrochloride (AZE) are co-formulated with phenylethyl alcohol (PEA) and Benzalkonium chloride (BENZ) (as preservatives) in pharmaceutical dosage form for treatment of seasonal allergies. Different spectrophotometric methods were used for the simultaneous determination of cited drugs in the dosage form. Direct spectrophotometric method was used for determining of AZE, while Derivative of double divisor of ratio spectra (DD-RS), Ratio subtraction coupled with ratio difference method (RS-RD) and Mean centering of the ratio spectra (MCR) are used for the determination of FLU. The linearity of the proposed methods was investigated in the range of 5.00-40.00 and 5.00-80.00 μg/mL for FLU and AZE, respectively. The specificity of the developed methods was investigated by analyzing laboratory prepared mixtures containing different ratios of cited drugs in addition to PEA and their pharmaceutical dosage form. The validity of the proposed methods was assessed using the standard addition technique. The obtained results were statistically compared with those obtained by official or the reported method for FLU or AZE, respectively showing no significant difference with respect to accuracy and precision at p = 0.05.

Association of dissolved mercury with dissolved organic carbon in U.S. rivers and streams: The role of watershed soil organic carbon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stoken, Olivia M.; Riscassi, Ami L.; Scanlon, Todd M.

2016-04-01

Streams and rivers are important pathways for the export of atmospherically deposited mercury (Hg) from watersheds. Dissolved Hg (HgD) is strongly associated with dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in stream water, but the ratio of HgD to DOC is highly variable between watersheds. In this study, the HgD:DOC ratios from 19 watersheds were evaluated with respect to Hg wet deposition and watershed soil organic carbon (SOC) content. On a subset of sites where data were available, DOC quality measured by specific ultra violet absorbance at 254 nm, was considered as an additional factor that may influence HgD:DOC . No significant relationship was found between Hg wet deposition and HgD:DOC, but SOC content (g m-2) was able to explain 81% of the variance in the HgD:DOC ratio (ng mg-1) following the form: HgD:DOC=17.8*SOC-0.41. The inclusion of DOC quality as a secondary predictor variable explained only an additional 1% of the variance. A mathematical framework to interpret the observed power-law relationship between HgD:DOC and SOC suggests Hg supply limitation for adsorption to soils with relatively large carbon pools. With SOC as a primary factor controlling the association of HgD with DOC, SOC data sets may be utilized to predict stream HgD:DOC ratios on a more geographically widespread basis. In watersheds where DOC data are available, estimates of HgD may be readily obtained. Future Hg emissions policies must consider soil-mediated processes that affect the transport of Hg and DOC from terrestrial watersheds to streams for accurate predictions of water quality impacts.

The effect of organic compounds in the oxidation kinetics of Cr(III) by H 2O 2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pettine, Maurizio; Gennari, Francesca; Campanella, Luigi; Millero, Frank J.

2008-12-01

The oxidation of Cr(III) has been studied in NaCl solutions in the presence of two siderophore models, acetohydroxamic acid (Aha) and benzohydroxamic acid (Bha), the natural siderophore Desferal (DFOB) and the synthetic aminocarboxilate (ethylenedinitrilo)-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) as a function of pH (8-9), ionic strength (0.01-2 M) and temperature (10-50 °C), at different Cr(III)-organic compound ratios. The addition of Aha and Bha caused the rates to increase at low ligand/Cr(III) ratios and decrease at high ratios. The variation of the pseudo first order rate constant ( k1) as a function of the ligand concentration has been attributed to the formation of three Cr(III)-organo species (1:1, 1:2, 1:3), which can form in the presence of monohydroxamic acids. A kinetic model has been developed that gives a value of 600 (min -1) for the pseudo first order rate constant k and values approaching zero for k and k. These kinetic results demonstrate that these monohydroxamic acids are able to bind with Cr(III) under experimental conditions that may occur in natural waters and can increase the oxidation rates of Cr(III) with H 2O 2 by a factor of 3.5 at an Aha/Cr(III) ratio of about 50-100. The monohydroxamic acids also affect the rates on aged products of Cr(III), suggesting that these ligands are able to affect the oxidation rates by releasing reactive Cr(III). DFOB and EDTA do not have a great effect on the oxidation of Cr(III) with H 2O 2. This is thought to be due to the much longer times they need to form complexes with Cr(III) compared to Aha and Bha. The rates for the formation of DFOB and EDTA complexes with Cr(III) are not competitive with the rates of the formation of aged Cr(III). After allowing Cr(III) and DFOB to react for 5 days to form the complex, reaction rates of Cr(III) with H 2O 2 appear to be lowered probably because of steric hindrance of the chelated Cr(III).

Morphological and physicochemical characteristics of iron corrosion scales formed under different water source histories in a drinking water distribution system.

PubMed

Yang, Fan; Shi, Baoyou; Gu, Junnong; Wang, Dongsheng; Yang, Min

2012-10-15

The corrosion scales on iron pipes could have great impact on the water quality in drinking water distribution systems (DWDS). Unstable and less protective corrosion scale is one of the main factors causing "discolored water" issues when quality of water entering into distribution system changed significantly. The morphological and physicochemical characteristics of corrosion scales formed under different source water histories in duration of about two decades were systematically investigated in this work. Thick corrosion scales or densely distributed corrosion tubercles were mostly found in pipes transporting surface water, but thin corrosion scales and hollow tubercles were mostly discovered in pipes transporting groundwater. Magnetite and goethite were main constituents of iron corrosion products, but the mass ratio of magnetite/goethite (M/G) was significantly different depending on the corrosion scale structure and water source conditions. Thick corrosion scales and hard shell of tubercles had much higher M/G ratio (>1.0), while the thin corrosion scales had no magnetite detected or with much lower M/G ratio. The M/G ratio could be used to identify the characteristics and evaluate the performances of corrosion scales formed under different water conditions. Compared with the pipes transporting ground water, the pipes transporting surface water were more seriously corroded and could be in a relatively more active corrosion status all the time, which was implicated by relatively higher siderite, green rust and total iron contents in their corrosion scales. Higher content of unstable ferric components such as γ-FeOOH, β-FeOOH and amorphous iron oxide existed in corrosion scales of pipes receiving groundwater which was less corroded. Corrosion scales on groundwater pipes with low magnetite content had higher surface area and thus possibly higher sorption capacity. The primary trace inorganic elements in corrosion products were Br and heavy metals. Corrosion products obtained from pipes transporting groundwater had higher levels of Br, Ti, Ba, Cu, Sr, V, Cr, La, Pb and As. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Drag Coefficient of Parabolic Bodies of Revolution Operating at Zero Cavitation Number and Zero Angle of Yaw

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Virgil E., Jr.; Rasnick, Thomas A.

1961-01-01

The form-drag coefficient of parabolic bodies of revolution with fineness ratios greater than 1 operating at zero angle of yaw and zero cavitation number is determined both theoretically and experimentally. Agreement between theory and experiment is very good, The theoretical form-drag coefficient of paraboloids is about half the form-drag coefficient of cones of comparable fineness ratio.

Tempest Simulations of Collisionless Damping of the Geodesic-Acoustic Mode in Edge-Plasma Pedestals

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

Xu, X. Q.; Xiong, Z.; Nevins, W. M.

The fully nonlinear (full-f) four-dimensional TEMPEST gyrokinetic continuum code correctly produces the frequency and collisionless damping of geodesic-acoustic modes (GAMs) and zonal flow, with fully nonlinear Boltzmann electrons for the inverse aspect ratio {epsilon} scan and the tokamak safety factor q scan in homogeneous plasmas. TEMPEST simulations show that the GAMs exist in the edge pedestal for steep density and temperature gradients in the form of outgoing waves. The enhanced GAM damping may explain experimental beam emission spectroscopy measurements on the edge q scaling of the GAM amplitude.

Tempest Simulations of Collisionless Damping of the Geodesic-Acoustic Mode in Edge-Plasma Pedestals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, X. Q.; Xiong, Z.; Gao, Z.; Nevins, W. M.; McKee, G. R.

2008-05-01

The fully nonlinear (full-f) four-dimensional TEMPEST gyrokinetic continuum code correctly produces the frequency and collisionless damping of geodesic-acoustic modes (GAMs) and zonal flow, with fully nonlinear Boltzmann electrons for the inverse aspect ratio γ scan and the tokamak safety factor q scan in homogeneous plasmas. TEMPEST simulations show that the GAMs exist in the edge pedestal for steep density and temperature gradients in the form of outgoing waves. The enhanced GAM damping may explain experimental beam emission spectroscopy measurements on the edge q scaling of the GAM amplitude.

TEMPEST simulations of collisionless damping of the geodesic-acoustic mode in edge-plasma pedestals.

PubMed

Xu, X Q; Xiong, Z; Gao, Z; Nevins, W M; McKee, G R

2008-05-30

The fully nonlinear (full-f) four-dimensional TEMPEST gyrokinetic continuum code correctly produces the frequency and collisionless damping of geodesic-acoustic modes (GAMs) and zonal flow, with fully nonlinear Boltzmann electrons for the inverse aspect ratio scan and the tokamak safety factor q scan in homogeneous plasmas. TEMPEST simulations show that the GAMs exist in the edge pedestal for steep density and temperature gradients in the form of outgoing waves. The enhanced GAM damping may explain experimental beam emission spectroscopy measurements on the edge q scaling of the GAM amplitude.

Protein/Arabinoxylans Gels: Effect of mass ratio on the rheological, microstructural and diffusional characteristics

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Arabinoxylan (AX) gels entrapping standard model proteins at different mass ratios were formed. The distribution of protein through the network was investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). In mixed gels, protein aggregates forming clusters were detected at protein/polysaccharide ra...

Characterizations of mortar-degraded spinney waste composite nominated as solidifying agent for radwastes due to immersion processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saleh, H. M.; Eskander, S. B.

2012-11-01

Immobilization process of radioactive wastes is a compromise between economic and reliability factors. It involves the use of inert and cheap matrices to fix the wastes in homogenous monolithic solid forms. The characteristics of the resulting waste form were studied in various disposal options before coming to the final conclusion concerning the solidification process. A proposed mortar composite is formed from a mixture of Portland cement and sand in the weight ratio of 0.33 which by slurry of degraded spinney waste fibers at the ratio of 0.7 relative to the Portland cement. The composite was prepared at the laboratory ambient conditions (25 ± 5 °C). The temperature changes accompanying the hydration process were followed up to 96 h. At the end of 28 days, curing period, the performance of the obtained composite was evaluated under immersion circumstances imitating a flooding scenario that could happen at a disposal site. Compressive strength, porosity and mass changes were investigated under complete static immersion conditions in three different leachants, namely acetic acid, groundwater and seawater for 48 weeks. X-ray and scanning electron microscopy were used to follow and evaluate the changes that may occur for the proposed composite under flooding conditions. Based on the experimental data reached, it could be concluded that the prepared mortar composite can be nominated as a matrix for solidification/stabilization of some radwaste categories, even under the aggressive attacks of various immersion media.

Silylated Derivatives Retain Carbon and Alter Expected 13C-Tracer Enrichments Using Continuous Flow-Combustion-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry

PubMed Central

Shinebarger, Steven R.; Haisch, Michael; Matthews, Dwight E.

2008-01-01

Continuous-flow inlets from oxidation reactors are commonly used systems for biological sample introduction into isotope ratio mass spectrometers (IRMS) to measure 13C enrichment above natural abundance. Because the samples must be volatile enough to pass through a gas chromatograph, silylated derivatization reactions are commonly used to modify biological molecules to add the necessary volatility. Addition of a t-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS) group is a common derivatization approach. However, we have found that samples do not produce the expected increment in measured 13C abundance as the TBDMS derivatives. We have made measurements of 13C enrichment of leucine and glutamate standards of known 13C enrichment using derivatives without silicon (N-acetyl n-propyl ester), with silicon (TBDMS), and an intermediate case. The measurements of 13C in amino acids derivatized without silicon were as expected. The 13C enrichment measurements using the TBDMS derivative were higher than expected, but could be corrected to produce the expected 13C enrichment measurement by IRMS if one carbon was removed per silicon. We postulate that the silicon in the derivative forms silicon carbide compounds in the heated cupric oxide reactor, rather than forming silicon dioxide. Doing so reduces the amount of CO2 formed from the carbon in the sample. Silylated derivatives retain carbon with the silicon and must be used carefully and with correction factors to measure 13C enrichments by continuous-flow IRMS. PMID:12510745

On the Likelihood Ratio Test for the Number of Factors in Exploratory Factor Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hayashi, Kentaro; Bentler, Peter M.; Yuan, Ke-Hai

2007-01-01

In the exploratory factor analysis, when the number of factors exceeds the true number of factors, the likelihood ratio test statistic no longer follows the chi-square distribution due to a problem of rank deficiency and nonidentifiability of model parameters. As a result, decisions regarding the number of factors may be incorrect. Several…

Measurements of K shell absorption jump factors and jump ratios using EDXRF technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kacal, Mustafa Recep; Han, İbrahim; Akman, Ferdi

2015-04-01

In the present work, the K-shell absorption jump factors and jump ratios for 30 elements between Ti ( Z = 22) and Er ( Z = 68) were measured by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) technique. The jump factors and jump ratios for these elements were determined by measuring the K shell fluorescence parameters such as the Kα X-ray production cross-sections, K shell fluorescence yields, Kβ-to- Kα X-rays intensity ratios, total atomic absorption cross sections and mass attenuation coefficients. The measurements were performed using an Am-241 radioactive point source and a Si (Li) detector in direct excitation and transmission experimental geometry. The results for jump factors and jump ratios were compared with theoretically calculated and the ones available in the literature.

Nucleon form factors in dispersively improved chiral effective field theory. II. Electromagnetic form factors

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

Alarcon, J. M.; Weiss, C.

We study the nucleon electromagnetic form factors (EM FFs) using a recently developed method combining Chiral Effective Field Theory (more » $$\\chi$$EFT) and dispersion analysis. The spectral functions on the two-pion cut at $$t > 4 M_\\pi^2$$ are constructed using the elastic unitarity relation and an $N/D$ representation. $$\\chi$$EFT is used to calculate the real unctions $$J_\\pm^1 (t) = f_\\pm^1(t)/F_\\pi(t)$$ (ratios of the complex $$\\pi\\pi \\rightarrow N \\bar N$$ partial-wave amplitudes and the timelike pion FF), which are free of $$\\pi\\pi$$ rescattering. Rescattering effects are included through the empirical timelike pion FF $$|F_\\pi(t)|^2$$. The method allows us to compute the isovector EM spectral functions up to $$t \\sim 1$$ GeV$^2$ with controlled accuracy (LO, NLO, and partial N2LO). With the spectral functions we calculate the isovector nucleon EM FFs and their derivatives at $t = 0$ (EM radii, moments) using subtracted dispersion relations. We predict the values of higher FF derivatives with minimal uncertainties and explain their collective behavior. Finally, we estimate the individual proton and neutron FFs by adding an empirical parametrization of the isoscalar sector. Excellent agreement with the present low-$Q^2$ FF data is achieved up to $$\\sim$$0.5 GeV$^2$ for $$G_E$$, and up to $$\\sim$$0.2 GeV$^2$ for $$G_M$$. Our results can be used to guide the analysis of low-$Q^2$ elastic scattering data and the extraction of the proton charge radius.« less

Nucleon form factors in dispersively improved chiral effective field theory. II. Electromagnetic form factors

DOE PAGES

Alarcon, J. M.; Weiss, C.

2018-05-08

We study the nucleon electromagnetic form factors (EM FFs) using a recently developed method combining Chiral Effective Field Theory (more » $$\\chi$$EFT) and dispersion analysis. The spectral functions on the two-pion cut at $$t > 4 M_\\pi^2$$ are constructed using the elastic unitarity relation and an $N/D$ representation. $$\\chi$$EFT is used to calculate the real unctions $$J_\\pm^1 (t) = f_\\pm^1(t)/F_\\pi(t)$$ (ratios of the complex $$\\pi\\pi \\rightarrow N \\bar N$$ partial-wave amplitudes and the timelike pion FF), which are free of $$\\pi\\pi$$ rescattering. Rescattering effects are included through the empirical timelike pion FF $$|F_\\pi(t)|^2$$. The method allows us to compute the isovector EM spectral functions up to $$t \\sim 1$$ GeV$^2$ with controlled accuracy (LO, NLO, and partial N2LO). With the spectral functions we calculate the isovector nucleon EM FFs and their derivatives at $t = 0$ (EM radii, moments) using subtracted dispersion relations. We predict the values of higher FF derivatives with minimal uncertainties and explain their collective behavior. Finally, we estimate the individual proton and neutron FFs by adding an empirical parametrization of the isoscalar sector. Excellent agreement with the present low-$Q^2$ FF data is achieved up to $$\\sim$$0.5 GeV$^2$ for $$G_E$$, and up to $$\\sim$$0.2 GeV$^2$ for $$G_M$$. Our results can be used to guide the analysis of low-$Q^2$ elastic scattering data and the extraction of the proton charge radius.« less

Internal living environment and respiratory disease in children: findings from the Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal child cohort study.

PubMed

Tin Tin, Sandar; Woodward, Alistair; Saraf, Rajneeta; Berry, Sarah; Atatoa Carr, Polly; Morton, Susan M B; Grant, Cameron C

2016-12-08

The incidence of early childhood acute respiratory infections (ARIs) has been associated with aspects of the indoor environment. In recent years, public awareness about some of these environmental issues has increased, including new laws and subsequent changes in occupant behaviours. This New Zealand study investigated current exposures to specific risk factors in the home during the first five years of life and provided updated evidence on the links between the home environment and childhood ARI hospitalisation. Pregnant women (n = 6822) were recruited in 2009 and 2010, and their 6853 children created a child cohort that was representative of New Zealand births from 2007-10. Longitudinal data were collected through face-to-face interviews and linkage to routinely collected national datasets. Incidence rates with Poisson distribution confidence intervals were computed and Cox regression modelling for repeated events was performed. Living in a rented dwelling (48%), household crowding (22%) or dampness (20%); and, in the child's room, heavy condensation (20%) or mould or mildew on walls or ceilings (13%) were prevalent. In 14% of the households, the mother smoked cigarettes and in 30%, other household members smoked. Electric heaters were commonly used, followed by wood, flued gas and unflued portable gas heaters. The incidence of ARI hospitalisation before age five years was 33/1000 person-years. The risk of ARI hospitalisation was higher for children living in households where there was a gas heater in the child's bedroom: hazard ratio for flued gas heater 1.69 (95% CI: 1.21-2.36); and for unflued gas heater 1.68 (95% CI: 1.12-2.53); and where a gas heater was the sole type of household heating (hazard ratio: 1.64 (95% CI: 1.29-2.09)). The risk was reduced in households that used electric heaters (Hazard ratio: 0.74 (95% CI: 0.61-0.89)) or wood burners (hazard ratio: 0.79 (95% CI: 0.66-0.93)) as a form of household heating. The associations with other risk factors were not significant. The risk of early childhood ARI hospitalisation is increased by gas heater usage, specifically in the child's bedroom. Use of non-gas forms of heating may reduce the risk of early childhood ARI hospitalisation.

Open burning of rice, corn and wheat straws: primary emissions, photochemical aging, and secondary organic aerosol formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fang, Zheng; Deng, Wei; Zhang, Yanli; Ding, Xiang; Tang, Mingjin; Liu, Tengyu; Hu, Qihou; Zhu, Ming; Wang, Zhaoyi; Yang, Weiqiang; Huang, Zhonghui; Song, Wei; Bi, Xinhui; Chen, Jianmin; Sun, Yele; George, Christian; Wang, Xinming

2017-12-01

Agricultural residues are among the most abundant biomass burned globally, especially in China. However, there is little information on primary emissions and photochemical evolution of agricultural residue burning. In this study, indoor chamber experiments were conducted to investigate primary emissions from open burning of rice, corn and wheat straws and their photochemical aging as well. Emission factors of NOx, NH3, SO2, 67 non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs), particulate matter (PM), organic aerosol (OA) and black carbon (BC) under ambient dilution conditions were determined. Olefins accounted for > 50 % of the total speciated NMHCs emission (2.47 to 5.04 g kg-1), indicating high ozone formation potential of straw burning emissions. Emission factors of PM (3.73 to 6.36 g kg-1) and primary organic carbon (POC, 2.05 to 4.11 gC kg-1), measured at dilution ratios of 1300 to 4000, were lower than those reported in previous studies at low dilution ratios, probably due to the evaporation of semi-volatile organic compounds under high dilution conditions. After photochemical aging with an OH exposure range of (1.97-4.97) × 1010 molecule cm-3 s in the chamber, large amounts of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) were produced with OA mass enhancement ratios (the mass ratio of total OA to primary OA) of 2.4-7.6. The 20 known precursors could only explain 5.0-27.3 % of the observed SOA mass, suggesting that the major precursors of SOA formed from open straw burning remain unidentified. Aerosol mass spectrometry (AMS) signaled that the aged OA contained less hydrocarbons but more oxygen- and nitrogen-containing compounds than primary OA, and carbon oxidation state (OSc) calculated with AMS resolved O / C and H / C ratios increased linearly (p < 0.001) with OH exposure with quite similar slopes.

Discrimination of bed form scales using robust spline filters and wavelet transforms: Methods and application to synthetic signals and bed forms of the Río Paraná, Argentina

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gutierrez, Ronald R.; Abad, Jorge D.; Parsons, Daniel R.; Best, James L.

2013-09-01

There is no standard nomenclature and procedure to systematically identify the scale and magnitude of bed forms such as bars, dunes, and ripples that are commonly present in many sedimentary environments. This paper proposes a standardization of the nomenclature and symbolic representation of bed forms and details the combined application of robust spline filters and continuous wavelet transforms to discriminate these morphodynamic features, allowing the quantitative recognition of bed form hierarchies. Herein the proposed methodology for bed form discrimination is first applied to synthetic bed form profiles, which are sampled at a Nyquist ratio interval of 2.5-50 and a signal-to-noise ratio interval of 1-20 and subsequently applied to a detailed 3-D bed topography from the Río Paraná, Argentina, which exhibits large-scale dunes with superimposed, smaller bed forms. After discriminating the synthetic bed form signals into three-bed form hierarchies that represent bars, dunes, and ripples, the accuracy of the methodology is quantified by estimating the reproducibility, the cross correlation, and the standard deviation ratio of the actual and retrieved signals. For the case of the field measurements, the proposed method is used to discriminate small and large dunes and subsequently obtain and statistically analyze the common morphological descriptors such as wavelength, slope, and amplitude of both stoss and lee sides of these different size bed forms. Analysis of the synthetic signals demonstrates that the Morlet wavelet function is the most efficient in retrieving smaller periodicities such as ripples and smaller dunes and that the proposed methodology effectively discriminates waves of different periods for Nyquist ratios higher than 25 and signal-to-noise ratios higher than 5. The analysis of bed forms in the Río Paraná reveals that, in most cases, a Gamma probability distribution, with a positive skewness, best describes the dimensionless wavelength and amplitude for both the lee and stoss sides of large dunes. For the case of smaller superimposed dunes, the dimensionless wavelength shows a discrete behavior that is governed by the sampling frequency of the data, and the dimensionless amplitude better fits the Gamma probability distribution, again with a positive skewness. This paper thus provides a robust methodology for systematically identifying the scales and magnitudes of bed forms in a range of environments.

Differential erosion and the formation of layered yardangs in the Loulan region (Lop Nur), eastern Tarim Basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Yongchong; Xu, Lishuai; Mu, Guijin

2018-02-01

Yardangs are a type of wind-sculpted landform which generally form in hyper-arid regions. Several factors affect the development of yardangs, and the relative importance of these factors likely varies with differences in regional environmental factors. In the Loulan region of Lop Nur, wind dynamics are the principal factor affecting the development of yardangs. However, layered yardangs, which have undergone a unique form of differential erosion, are common in the region. These erosional landforms differ from typical yardangs which are eroded solely by abrasion and deflation. We conducted field and laboratory investigations of layered yardangs to determine their origin. The results indicate that there are two types of strata comprising the yardangs: uncompacted sand-silt layers, with a lower carbonate content; and compacted clay-silt layers, with a higher carbonate content. Both types of strata are horizontal and occur in alternating layers. This type of structure enables the wind to more easily erode the less resistant sand-silt layers at different heights, leaving the more resistant compacted clay-silt layers relatively intact. Eventually the undercut remnant clay-silt layers collapse once the weight of the suspended strata exceeds their elastic resistance (more than 90% of the fallen blocks have length/thickness ratios between 1.2 and 2.5). Therefore, in addition to wind dynamics, the lithology and structure of the strata are important factors affecting the development of the layered yardangs. This type of differential erosion accelerates the development of the yardangs in the Loulan region.

New Examination of the Traditional Raman Lidar Technique II: Evaluating the Ratios for Water Vapor and Aerosols

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whiteman, David N.

2003-01-01

In a companion paper, the temperature dependence of Raman scattering and its influence on the Raman and Rayleigh-Mie lidar equations was examined. New forms of the lidar equation were developed to account for this temperature sensitivity. Here those results are used to derive the temperature dependent forms of the equations for the water vapor mixing ratio, aerosol scattering ratio, aerosol backscatter coefficient, and extinction to backscatter ratio (Sa). The error equations are developed, the influence of differential transmission is studied and different laser sources are considered in the analysis. The results indicate that the temperature functions become significant when using narrowband detection. Errors of 5% and more can be introduced in the water vapor mixing ratio calculation at high altitudes and errors larger than 10% are possible for calculations of aerosol scattering ratio and thus aerosol backscatter coefficient and extinction to backscatter ratio.

Determination of K shell absorption jump factors and jump ratios of 3d transition metals by measuring K shell fluorescence parameters.

PubMed

Kaçal, Mustafa Recep; Han, İbrahim; Akman, Ferdi

2015-01-01

Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence technique (EDXRF) has been employed for measuring K-shell absorption jump factors and jump ratios for Ti, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu elements. The jump factors and jump ratios for these elements were determined by measuring K shell fluorescence parameters such as the Kα X-ray production cross-sections, K shell fluorescence yields, Kβ-to-Kα X-rays intensity ratios, total atomic absorption cross sections and mass attenuation coefficients. The measurements were performed using a Cd-109 radioactive point source and an Si(Li) detector in direct excitation and transmission experimental geometry. The measured values for jump factors and jump ratios were compared with theoretically calculated and the ones available in the literature. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

AN EXAMINATION OF THE OVERLAP BETWEEN GENETIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS FOR INTENTIONAL WEIGHT LOSS AND OVEREATING

PubMed Central

Wade, Tracey D.; Treloar, Susan A.; Heath, Andrew C.; Martin, Nicholas G

2009-01-01

Objective In order to further our understanding of how intentional weight loss (IWL) and overeating are related, we examined the shared genetic and environmental variance between lifetime IWL and overeating. Methods Interview data were available for 1976 female twins (both members of 439 and 264 pairs of monozygotic and dizygotic twins respectively), mean age=40.61, SD=4.72. We used lifetime diagnostic data for eating disorders obtained from a semi-structured psychiatric telephone interview, examined in a bivariate twin analysis. Both lifetime behaviours were measured on a 3-point scale, where absence of IWL or overeating formed one anchor on the scale and lifetime anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) formed the opposite anchors respectively. Results In line with previous findings, a higher body mass index was significantly associated with the lifetime presence of IWL and/or overeating (odds ratio=1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08–1.19). The best fitting twin model contained additive genetic and non-shared environmental influence influencing both IWL and overeating, with correlations between these influences of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.35–0.92) and 0.24 (95% CI: 0.07–0.42) respectively. Conclusion About 37% of genetic risk factors were considered to overlap between IWL and overeating, and with only 6% of overlap between environmental risk factors. Thus considerable independence of risk factors was indicated. PMID:19235851

Dust ring formation due to sublimation of dust grains drifting radially inward by the Poynting-Robertson drag: An analytical model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kobayashi, Hiroshi; Watanabe, Sei-ichiro; Kimura, Hiroshi; Yamamoto, Tetsuo

2009-05-01

Dust particles exposed to the stellar radiation and wind drift radially inward by the Poynting-Robertson (P-R) drag and pile up at the zone where they begin to sublime substantially. The reason they pile up or form a ring is that their inward drifts due to the P-R drag are suppressed by stellar radiation pressure when the ratio of radiation pressure to stellar gravity on them increases during their sublimation phases. We present analytic solutions to the orbital and mass evolution of such subliming dust particles, and find their drift velocities at the pileup zone are almost independent of their initial semimajor axes and masses. We derive analytically an enhancement factor of the number density of the particles at the outer edge of the sublimation zone from the solutions. We show that the formula of the enhancement factor reproduces well numerical simulations in the previous studies. The enhancement factor for spherical dust particles of silicate and carbon extends from 3 to more than 20 at stellar luminosities L=0.8-500L, where L is solar luminosity. Although the enhancement factor for fluffy dust particles is smaller than that for spherical particles, sublimating particles inevitably form a dust ring as long as their masses decrease faster than their surface areas during sublimation. The formulation is applicable to dust ring formation for arbitrary shape and material of dust in dust-debris disks as well as in the Solar System.

Part 1--Factors Associated with School Nurse Ratios: An Analysis of State Data

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maughan, Erin

2009-01-01

Despite the recognized importance of school nurses, the ratios of nurse to pupil are insufficient in many states across the country. The purpose of this study was to describe school nurse-to-pupil ratios by state and to statistically identify factors that may influence these ratios. Funding per pupil unit in general and support services and laws…

T-lymphocyte Subsets as a Prognostic Factor in a Clinical Course of Chickenpox

PubMed Central

Baljic, Rusmir; Konjo, Hadzan; Hrustemovic, Dzenana; Gazibera, Belma; Katica, Amela; Hukic, Mirsada

2017-01-01

Objective: To investigate possible prognostic values of CD4+, CD8+ T-lymphocytes, CD4/CD8 ratio to clinical course of chickenpox in immunocompetent hosts. Materials and methods: We performed a prospective study which included 69 immunocompetent patients with chickenpox who were addmited to Clinic for infectious disease, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, in a 18 month period. All patients were divided into two groups depending on clinical presentation on admission. Patients with mild clinical form were dedicated to „outpatient” group, and patients with moderate, severe or life-threatening clinical forms were dedicated to „hospitalized” group. Also 30 healthy volunteers are included in study as a control group. We analyzed values of CD4+, CD8+ percentage, CD4/CD8 ratio with comparison to clinical course of chickenpox. All specimens were taken in acute phase of illness. Results: Values of CD4+ percentage were significantly declined in a group of hospitalized patients, compared to group of outpatients and control group. Values of CD8+ percentage were higher in a group of hospitalized patients, while CD4/CD8 values were lower in comparison to a group of outpatients and control group. Conclusion: We found significant correlation between these parameters and clinical course of chickenpox. PMID:28484347

Mechanism for optimization of signal-to-noise ratio of dopamine release based on short-term bidirectional plasticity.

PubMed

Da Cunha, Claudio; McKimm, Eric; Da Cunha, Rafael M; Boschen, Suelen L; Redgrave, Peter; Blaha, Charles D

2017-07-15

Repeated electrical stimulation of dopamine (dopamine) fibers can cause variable effects on further dopamine release; sometimes there are short-term decreases while in other cases short-term increases have been reported. Previous studies have failed to discover what factors determine in which way dopamine neurons will respond to repeated stimulation. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate what determines the direction and magnitude of this particular form of short-term plasticity. Fixed potential amperometry was used to measure dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens in response to two trains of electrical pulses administered to the ventral tegmental area of anesthetized mice. When the pulse trains were of equal magnitude we found that low magnitude stimulation was associated with short-term suppression and high magnitude stimulation with short-term facilitation of dopamine release. Secondly, we found that the magnitude of the second pulse train was critical for determining the sign of the plasticity (suppression or facilitation), while the magnitude of the first pulse train determined the extent to which the response to the second train was suppressed or facilitated. This form of bidirectional plasticity might provide a mechanism to enhance signal-to-noise ratio of dopamine neurotransmission. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Addressing the [O III] / Hβ offset in metal poor star forming galaxies found in the RESOLVE survey and ECO catalog

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richardson, Chris T.; Kannappan, Sheila; Moffett, Amanda J.; RESOLVE survey team

2018-06-01

Metal poor star forming galaxies sit on the far left wing of the BPT diagram just below traditional demarcation lines. The basic approach to reproducing their emission lines by coupling photoionization models to stellar population synthesis models underestimates the observed [O III] / Hβ ratio by a factor 0.3-0.5 dex. We classified galaxies as metal poor in the REsolved Spectroscopy of a Local VolumE (RESOLVE) survey and the Environmental COntext (ECO) catalog by using the IZI code based off of Bayesian inference. We used a variety of stellar population synthesis codes to generate SEDs covering a range of starburst ages and metallicities including both secular and binary stellar evolution. Here, we show that multiple SPS codes can produce SEDs hard enough to reduce the offset assuming that simple, and perhaps unjustified, nebular conditions hold. Adopting more realistic nebular conditions shows that, despite the recent emphasis placed on binary evolution to fit high O III ratios, none of our SEDs can reduce the offset. We propose several new solutions including using ensembles of nebular clouds and improved microphysics to address this issue. This work is supported by National Science Foundation awards OCI-1053575, though XSEDE award TG-AST140040, and NSF awards AST-0955368 and CISE/ACI-1156614.

Application of the ratio difference spectrophotometry to the determination of ibuprofen and famotidine in their combined dosage form: comparison with previously published spectrophotometric methods.

PubMed

Zaazaa, Hala E; Elzanfaly, Eman S; Soudi, Aya T; Salem, Maissa Y

2015-05-15

Ratio difference spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of ibuprofen and famotidine in their mixture form. Ibuprofen and famotidine were determined in the presence of each other by the ratio difference spectrophotometric (RD) method where linearity was obtained from 50 to 600μg/mL and 2.5 to 25μg/mL for ibuprofen and famotidine, respectively. The suggested method was validated according to ICH guidelines and successfully applied for the analysis of ibuprofen and famotidine in their pharmaceutical dosage forms without interference from any additives or excipients. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Domestic Violence Against Women by Their Husbands in Iran

PubMed Central

Jahromi, Marzieh Kargar; Jamali, Safieh; Koshkaki, Afifeh Rahmanian; Javadpour, Shohreh

2016-01-01

Objective: Domestic violence against women is a health problem. Research on domestic violence in order to clarify the relationship between the different forms of violence and health outcomes is needed. This study aimed to determine the frequency and risk factors of domestic violence in women. It also assessed the association between risk factors and psychological, physical, and sexual violence against women by their intimate partners. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on married women 16–80 years of age living in jahrom south of Iran between August 2013 and December 2014. This research was implemented through questionnaires including the demographic characteristic. The form of partner violence including emotional abuse, physical violence and sexual violence was assessed with a validated questionnaire. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to measure the association between violence and factors. Results: The prevalence of physical, sexual and emotional domestic violence was respectively 16.4%, 18.6% and 44.4%.and was associated with Age (p=0.002), Husband’s Age (p=0.001), Length of marriage (p=0.002), Woman’s low educational level women’s education (OR=4.67 95%. CI=1.97-11.07), husband’s low education (OR=9.22 95%. CI=0.69-12.16), were the most important risk factors for violence. Conclusion: Prevalence of physical, emotional or sexual violence was very high. Men’s violence against women in intimate relationships is commonly occurring in Iran. Considering the factors contributing to violence against women, raising the level of education of men and women is one of the ways to prevent violence. PMID:26652083

Information exchange using a prescribed form and involvement of occupational health nurses promotes occupational physicians to collaborate with attending physicians for supporting workers with illness in Japan.

PubMed

Muto, Go; Nakamura, Rina Ishii; Yokoyama, Kazuhito; Kitamura, Fumihiko; Omori, Yuki; Saito, Masahiko; Endo, Motoki

2017-12-19

The maintenance of a balance between work and disease treatment is an important issue in Japan. This study explored factors that affect collaboration between occupational physicians (OPs) and attending physicians (APs). A questionnaire was mailed to 1,102 OPs. The questionnaire assessed the demographic characteristics of OPs; their opinions and behaviors related to collaboration, including the exchange of medical information with APs; and the occupational health service system at their establishments. In total, 275 OPs completed the questionnaire (25.0% response rate). Over 80% of respondents believed OPs should collaborate with APs. After adjusting for company size, collaboration >10 times/year (with regard to both returning to work following sick leave and annual health check-ups for employees) was significantly associated with environmental factors, such as the presence of occupational health nurses (odds ratio (OR): 5.56 and 5.01, respectively, p<0.05) and the use of prescribed forms for information exchange (OR: 4.21 and 3.63, respectively, p<0.05) but not with the demographic characteristics of the OPs (p>0.05). The majority of OPs believed that collaboration with APs is important for supporting workers with illnesses. Support systems including prescribed forms of information exchange and occupational health nurses, play pivotal roles in promoting this collaboration.

Method for isotopic analysis of chlorinated organic compounds

DOEpatents

Holt, Ben D.; Sturchio, Neil C.

1999-01-01

The present invention provides a method for preparing a VOC sample for carbon and chlorine isotope ratio analysis by mass spectrometer. A VOC sample is placed in a combustion tube and reacted with CuO to form CO.sub.2 and CuCl. The CO.sub.2 is then extracted and analyzed for the carbon isotope ratio. The CuCl is separated from the excess CuO and reacted with CH.sub.3 I to form CH.sub.3 Cl, extracted and analyzed for chlorine isotope ratio.

Spectrophotometric determination of H2O2-generating oxidases using oxyhemoglobin as oxygen donor and indicator.

PubMed

Bârzu, O; Dânşoreanu, M

1980-01-01

1. Spectrophotometric determination of oxygen uptake using oxyhemoglobin as oxygen donor and indicator was used for assay of H2O2-generating oxidases like monoamine oxidase and glucose oxidase. 2. In order to decompose H2O2 formed during the oxygen uptake, catalase and methanol (or ethanol) was added to the respiratory system. At pH values higher than 7.5 the oxydation of deoxygenated hemoglobin to methemoglobin was less than 3%. 2. Oxidases with low Km for oxygen can be assayed using the spectrophotometric method if suitable correction factors are introduced into the calculation of oxygen uptake. The correction factor represents the ratio of the rate of formation (or disappearance) of one of the reactants and the rate of oxyhemoglobin deoxygenation, measured under identical experimental conditions.

Ratio-based vs. model-based methods to correct for urinary creatinine concentrations.

PubMed

Jain, Ram B

2016-08-01

Creatinine-corrected urinary analyte concentration is usually computed as the ratio of the observed level of analyte concentration divided by the observed level of the urinary creatinine concentration (UCR). This ratio-based method is flawed since it implicitly assumes that hydration is the only factor that affects urinary creatinine concentrations. On the contrary, it has been shown in the literature, that age, gender, race/ethnicity, and other factors also affect UCR. Consequently, an optimal method to correct for UCR should correct for hydration as well as other factors like age, gender, and race/ethnicity that affect UCR. Model-based creatinine correction in which observed UCRs are used as an independent variable in regression models has been proposed. This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of ratio-based and model-based creatinine correction methods when the effects of gender, age, and race/ethnicity are evaluated one factor at a time for selected urinary analytes and metabolites. It was observed that ratio-based method leads to statistically significant pairwise differences, for example, between males and females or between non-Hispanic whites (NHW) and non-Hispanic blacks (NHB), more often than the model-based method. However, depending upon the analyte of interest, the reverse is also possible. The estimated ratios of geometric means (GM), for example, male to female or NHW to NHB, were also compared for the two methods. When estimated UCRs were higher for the group (for example, males) in the numerator of this ratio, these ratios were higher for the model-based method, for example, male to female ratio of GMs. When estimated UCR were lower for the group (for example, NHW) in the numerator of this ratio, these ratios were higher for the ratio-based method, for example, NHW to NHB ratio of GMs. Model-based method is the method of choice if all factors that affect UCR are to be accounted for.

Synthesis of high aspect ratio ZnO nanowires with an inexpensive handcrafted electrochemical setup

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

Taheri, Ali, E-mail: at1361@aut.ac.ir, E-mail: atahery@aeoi.org.ir; Saramad, Shahyar; Setayeshi, Saeed

In this work, high aspect ratio zinc oxide nanowires are synthesized using templated one-step electrodeposition technique. Electrodeposition of the nanowires is done using a handcrafted electronic system. Nuclear track-etched polycarbonate membrane is used as a template to form the high aspect ratio nanowires. The result of X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy shows that nanowires with a good crystallinity and an aspect ratio of more than 30 can be achieved in a suitable condition. The height of electrodeposited nanowires reaches to about 11 μm. Based on the obtained results, high aspect ratio ZnO nanowires can be formed using inexpensive electrodepositionmore » setup with an acceptable quality.« less

Cofactor engineering to regulate NAD+/NADH ratio with its application to phytosterols biotransformation.

PubMed

Su, Liqiu; Shen, Yanbing; Zhang, Wenkai; Gao, Tian; Shang, Zhihua; Wang, Min

2017-10-30

Cofactor engineering is involved in the modification of enzymes related to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotides (NADH and NAD + ) metabolism, which results in a significantly altered spectrum of metabolic products. Cofactor engineering plays an important role in metabolic engineering but is rarely reported in the sterols biotransformation process owing to its use of multi-catabolic enzymes, which promote multiple consecutive reactions. Androst-4-ene-3, 17-dione (AD) and androst-1, 4-diene-3, 17-dione (ADD) are important steroid medicine intermediates that are obtained via the nucleus oxidation and the side chain degradation of phytosterols by Mycobacterium. Given that the biotransformation from phytosterols to AD (D) is supposed to be a NAD + -dependent process, this work utilized cofactor engineering in Mycobacterium neoaurum and investigated the effect on cofactor and phytosterols metabolism. Through the addition of the coenzyme precursor of nicotinic acid in the phytosterols fermentation system, the intracellular NAD + /NADH ratio and the AD (D) production of M. neoaurum TCCC 11978 (MNR M3) were higher than in the control. Moreover, the NADH: flavin oxidoreductase was identified and was supposed to exert a positive effect on cofactor regulation and phytosterols metabolism pathways via comparative proteomic profiling of MNR cultured with and without phytosterols. In addition, the NADH: flavin oxidoreductase and a water-forming NADH oxidase from Lactobacillus brevis, were successfully overexpressed and heterologously expressed in MNR M3 to improve the intracellular ratio of NAD + /NADH. After 96 h of cultivation, the expression of these two enzymes in MNR M3 resulted in the decrease in intracellular NADH level (by 51 and 67%, respectively) and the increase in NAD + /NADH ratio (by 113 and 192%, respectively). Phytosterols bioconversion revealed that the conversion ratio of engineered stains was ultimately improved by 58 and 147%, respectively. The highest AD (D) conversion ratio by MNR M3N2 was 94% in the conversion system with soybean oil as reaction media to promote the solubility of phytosterols. The ratio of NAD + /NADH is an important factor for the transformation of phytosterols. Expression of NADH: flavin oxidoreductase and water-forming NADH oxidase in MNR improved AD (D) production. Besides the manipulation of key enzyme activities, which included in phytosterols degradation pathways, maintenance the balance of redox also played an important role in promoting steroid biotransformation. The recombinant MNR strain may be useful in industrial production.

Evidence for rapid topographic evolution and crater degradation on Mercury from simple crater morphometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fassett, Caleb I.; Crowley, Malinda C.; Leight, Clarissa; Dyar, M. Darby; Minton, David A.; Hirabayashi, Masatoshi; Thomson, Bradley J.; Watters, Wesley A.

2017-06-01

Examining the topography of impact craters and their evolution with time is useful for assessing how fast planetary surfaces evolve. Here, new measurements of depth/diameter (d/D) ratios for 204 craters of 2.5 to 5 km in diameter superposed on Mercury's smooth plains are reported. The median d/D is 0.13, much lower than expected for newly formed simple craters ( 0.21). In comparison, lunar craters that postdate the maria are much less modified, and the median crater in the same size range has a d/D ratio that is nearly indistinguishable from the fresh value. This difference in crater degradation is remarkable given that Mercury's smooth plains and the lunar maria likely have ages that are comparable, if not identical. Applying a topographic diffusion model, these results imply that crater degradation is faster by a factor of approximately two on Mercury than on the Moon, suggesting more rapid landform evolution on Mercury at all scales.