40 CFR 52.1169 - Stack height review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

....1169 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED... limitations have been affected by stack height credits greater than good engineering practice or any other... under the Massachusetts SIP and our delegated PSD authority, the Department of Environmental Quality...

First-principles investigation of quantum transport in GeP3 nanoribbon-based tunneling junctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Qiang; Li, Jian-Wei; Wang, Bin; Nie, Yi-Hang

2018-06-01

Two-dimensional (2D) GeP3 has recently been theoretically proposed as a new low-dimensional material [ Nano Lett. 17(3), 1833 (2017)]. In this manuscript, we propose a first-principles calculation to investigate the quantum transport properties of several GeP3 nanoribbon-based atomic tunneling junctions. Numerical results indicate that monolayer GeP3 nanoribbons show semiconducting behavior, whereas trilayer GeP3 nanoribbons express metallic behavior owing to the strong interaction between each of the layers. This behavior is in accordance with that proposed in two-dimensional GeP3 layers. The transmission coefficient T( E) of tunneling junctions is sensitive to the connecting formation between the central monolayer GeP3 nanoribbon and the trilayer GeP3 nanoribbon at both ends. The T( E) value of the bottom-connecting tunneling junction is considerably larger than those of the middle-connecting and top-connecting ones. With increases in gate voltage, the conductances increase for the bottom-connecting and middle-connecting tunneling junctions, but decrease for the top-connecting tunneling junctions. In addition, the conductance decreases exponentially with respect to the length of the central monolayer GeP3 nanoribbon for all the tunneling junctions. I-V curves show approximately linear behavior for the bottom-connecting and middle-connecting structures, but exhibit negative differential resistance for the top-connecting structures. The physics of each phenomenon is analyzed in detail.

40 CFR 52.2534 - Stack height review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 4 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Stack height review. 52.2534 Section 52.2534 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED... greater than good engineering practice or any other prohibited dispersion technique as defined in EPA's...

40 CFR 52.1532 - Stack height review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

...) APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS (CONTINUED) New Hampshire § 52.1532 Stack height review. The State of New Hampshire has declared to the satisfaction of EPA that no existing emission... the New Hampshire SIP and our delegated PSD authority, the New Hampshire Air Resources Agency will...

40 CFR 52.1532 - Stack height review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

...) APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS (CONTINUED) New Hampshire § 52.1532 Stack height review. The State of New Hampshire has declared to the satisfaction of EPA that no existing emission... the New Hampshire SIP and our delegated PSD authority, the New Hampshire Air Resources Agency will...

40 CFR 52.1532 - Stack height review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

...) APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS (CONTINUED) New Hampshire § 52.1532 Stack height review. The State of New Hampshire has declared to the satisfaction of EPA that no existing emission... the New Hampshire SIP and our delegated PSD authority, the New Hampshire Air Resources Agency will...

40 CFR 52.1532 - Stack height review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

...) APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS (CONTINUED) New Hampshire § 52.1532 Stack height review. The State of New Hampshire has declared to the satisfaction of EPA that no existing emission... the New Hampshire SIP and our delegated PSD authority, the New Hampshire Air Resources Agency will...

40 CFR 52.1532 - Stack height review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

...) APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS (CONTINUED) New Hampshire § 52.1532 Stack height review. The State of New Hampshire has declared to the satisfaction of EPA that no existing emission... the New Hampshire SIP and our delegated PSD authority, the New Hampshire Air Resources Agency will...

40 CFR 266.107 - Standards to control hydrogen chloride (HCl) and chlorine gas (Cl2) emissions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Industrial Furnaces § 266.107 Standards to control hydrogen chloride (HCl) and chlorine gas (Cl2) emissions... streams, including hazardous waste, fuels, and industrial furnace feed stocks shall not exceed the levels...: terrain-adjusted effective stack height, good engineering practice stack height, terrain type, land use...

40 CFR 266.107 - Standards to control hydrogen chloride (HCl) and chlorine gas (Cl2) emissions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Industrial Furnaces § 266.107 Standards to control hydrogen chloride (HCl) and chlorine gas (Cl2) emissions... streams, including hazardous waste, fuels, and industrial furnace feed stocks shall not exceed the levels...: terrain-adjusted effective stack height, good engineering practice stack height, terrain type, land use...

40 CFR 266.107 - Standards to control hydrogen chloride (HCl) and chlorine gas (Cl2) emissions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... Industrial Furnaces § 266.107 Standards to control hydrogen chloride (HCl) and chlorine gas (Cl2) emissions... streams, including hazardous waste, fuels, and industrial furnace feed stocks shall not exceed the levels...: terrain-adjusted effective stack height, good engineering practice stack height, terrain type, land use...

40 CFR 266.107 - Standards to control hydrogen chloride (HCl) and chlorine gas (Cl2) emissions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Industrial Furnaces § 266.107 Standards to control hydrogen chloride (HCl) and chlorine gas (Cl2) emissions... streams, including hazardous waste, fuels, and industrial furnace feed stocks shall not exceed the levels...: terrain-adjusted effective stack height, good engineering practice stack height, terrain type, land use...

40 CFR 266.107 - Standards to control hydrogen chloride (HCl) and chlorine gas (Cl2) emissions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... Industrial Furnaces § 266.107 Standards to control hydrogen chloride (HCl) and chlorine gas (Cl2) emissions... streams, including hazardous waste, fuels, and industrial furnace feed stocks shall not exceed the levels...: terrain-adjusted effective stack height, good engineering practice stack height, terrain type, land use...

Epidemiological features of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in Chengdu city with a population of 14 million based on data from a single institution.

PubMed

Guo, Lin-Jie; Wang, Chun-Hui; Tang, Cheng-Wei

2016-09-01

Recent studies on gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) in the United States as well as the European studies demonstrate an increasing GEP-NETs incidence. Most information on the epidemiology of neuroendocrine tumors comes from western countries. However, the epidemiological profile of GEP-NETs in West China is still unclear. The aim of study was to reflect the regional features of GEP-NETs in Chengdu city of West China based on data from a single institution. West China Hospital (WCH), the largest university hospital located in Chengdu (West China) with population of 14.04 million, has established a serial of databases in recent years. According to the data from Medical Records Section of WCH and Chengdu Health Bureau, the total patients per year in WCH covered about 25.6-28% patients of Chengdu city during the 5 years. Therefore, we have used GEP-NETs diagnosed in WCH from 2009 to 2013 to reflect the regional epidemiological profile of GEP-NETs. GEP-NETs proportion in WCH increased 1.6-folds during past 5 years from 1.28/10(5) to 2.03/10(5) , P < 0.05. The average duration of symptom before diagnosis was 16.8 months. About 46.6% (115/248) of GEP-NETs were metastatic. Seventy-seven percent (190/248) of patients were over 40 years. Proportions of GEP-NETs from primary sites were rectum 30.6% (76/248), pancreas 23.4% (58/248), gastric 13.3% (33/248) and esophagus 11.3% (28/248). Proportions of insulinoma, vipoma and nonfunctional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (P-NETs) were 43.1% (25/58), 1.7% (1/58) and 55.2% (32/58) separately in the P-NETs. There is a distinct epidemiologic profile between West China and western countries based on a single institution data. The delayed diagnosis reflects inadequate disease awareness of GEP-NETs and paucity of research funding. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Measurements of GEp/GMp to high Q2 and search for 2{gamma} contribution in elastic ep at Jefferson Lab

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

Vina Punjabi, Charles Perdrisat

2010-05-01

The ratio, μpGEp/GMp, where μp is the proton magnetic moment, has been measured extensively over the last decade at the Jefferson Laboratory, using the polarization transfer method. This ratio is extracted directly from the measured ratio of transverse to longitudinal polarizations components of the recoiling proton in elastic electron-proton scattering. The polarization transfer results are of unprecedented high precision and accuracy, due in large part to the small systematic uncertainties associated with the experimental technique. Prior to these measurements, the form factors were empirically observed to exhibit dipole forms, such that μpGEp/GMp ≈ 1 over all regions of momentum transfermore » studied. With the Hall A results confirming that the ratio μpGEp/GMp shows a steady decrease below unity as a function of Q2, beginning around Q2 ≈ 1 GeV2, discussions revolving around the implication of this deviation from dipole behavior for the structure of the proton have been accompanied by renewed experimental interest in these elastic form factors. Starting in the fall of 2007, two new experiments, GEp-III and GEp-2γ in Hall C at JLab, measured the form factor ratio, GEp/GMp; the GEp-III experiment pushed the highest Q2 limit from 5.6 to 8.49 GeV2, with intermediate points at 5.2 and 6.8 GeV2, and the GEp-2γ experiment measured the ratio in three different kinematics at the constant value Q2=2.5 GeV2, by changing beam energy and detector angles. Preliminary results from both experiments are reported.« less

Fresnel zone plate stacking in the intermediate field for high efficiency focusing in the hard X-ray regime

DOE PAGES

Gleber, Sophie -Charlotte; Wojcik, Michael; Liu, Jie; ...

2014-11-05

Focusing efficiency of Fresnel zone plates (FZPs) for X-rays depends on zone height, while the achievable spatial resolution depends on the width of the finest zones. FZPs with optimal efficiency and sub-100-nm spatial resolution require high aspect ratio structures which are difficult to fabricate with current technology especially for the hard X-ray regime. A possible solution is to stack several zone plates. To increase the number of FZPs within one stack, we first demonstrate intermediate-field stacking and apply this method by stacks of up to five FZPs with adjusted diameters. Approaching the respective optimum zone height, we maximized efficiencies formore » high resolution focusing at three different energies, 10, 11.8, and 25 keV.« less

75 FR 69715 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-15

... contract for future functional equivalence analyses of the GEPS 3 product. \\1\\ Notice of United States... GEPS contracts, a description of applicable GEPS contracts, formulas for prices, an analysis of the... information and volume commitments, do not alter the contracts' functional equivalency. Id. at 3-4. The Postal...

Current Status of Interventional Radiology in the Management of Gastro-Entero-Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours (GEP-NETs)

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

Orgera, Gianluigi; Krokidis, Miltiadis, E-mail: mkrokidis@hotmail.com; Cappucci, Matteo

2015-02-15

Within the group of Gastro-Entero-Pancreatic Neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NETs), several heterogeneous malignancies are included with a variety of clinical manifestations and imaging characteristics. Often these cases are inoperable and minimal invasive treatment offered by image-guided procedures appears to be the only option. Interventional radiology offers a valid solution in the management of primary and metastatic GEP-NETs. The purpose of this review article is to describe the current status of the role of Interventional Radiology in the management of GEP-NETs.

WebLogo

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

Crooks, Gavin E.

WebLogo is a web based application designed to make the generation of sequence logos as easy and painless as possible. Sequesnce logos are a graphical representation of an amino acid or nucleic acid multiple sequence alignment developed by Tom Schneider and Mike Stephens. Each logo consists of stacks of symbols, one stack for each position in the sequence. The overall height of the stack indicates the sequence conservation at that position, while the height of symbols within the stack indicates the relative frequency of each amino or nucleic acid at that position. In general, a sequence logo provides a richermore » and more precise description of, for example, a binding site, than would a consensus sequence.« less

Winding Pack Height Management During Fabrication of the ITER CS Module

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martovetsky, Nicolai N.; Irick, David K.; Reed, Richard P.; Haefelfinger, Rolf; Salazar, Erica

The Central Solenoid (CS) stack consists of six modules, 2.1 m tall each [1]. In order to verify good impregnation, we performed a vacuum pressure impregnation (VPI) test of a full cross section of the CS module (CSM), 40 conductors tall and 14 conductors wide [2]. It was discovered that after preparation of the full cross section stack until completion of the VPI, the stack shrunk in height by 20-25 mm. Our study of the literature and discussions with the leading experts in VPI did not reveal obvious reasons for this change of height, so we launched a study to address this issue. We assembled two 12x1 (tall by wide) arrays and several 7x1 arrays in order to study characteristics of the dry winding pack under compressive force and effects of different fabrication steps. Then we impregnated these arrays in different conditions under compressive force and studied change of height as a result of compression, impregnation, gelling and curing of the stack of insulated conductors. We showed that by controlling the application of the compressive force, before closing the mold and during impregnation, one can reduce the height uncertainty. Most of the height reduction takes place while the glass is dry under the dead weight and the applied compressive force. Reduction of height during injection of the resin and during gelling, curing and cooling of the coil is noticeable, reproducible and relatively small. The paper presents results of our studies and recommendations for assembly and VPI of tall windings.

Gene-expression programming for flip-bucket spillway scour.

PubMed

Guven, Aytac; Azamathulla, H Md

2012-01-01

During the last two decades, researchers have noticed that the use of soft computing techniques as an alternative to conventional statistical methods based on controlled laboratory or field data, gave significantly better results. Gene-expression programming (GEP), which is an extension to genetic programming (GP), has nowadays attracted the attention of researchers in prediction of hydraulic data. This study presents GEP as an alternative tool in the prediction of scour downstream of a flip-bucket spillway. Actual field measurements were used to develop GEP models. The proposed GEP models are compared with the earlier conventional GP results of others (Azamathulla et al. 2008b; RMSE = 2.347, δ = 0.377, R = 0.842) and those of commonly used regression-based formulae. The predictions of GEP models were observed to be in strictly good agreement with measured ones, and quite a bit better than conventional GP and the regression-based formulae. The results are tabulated in terms of statistical error measures (GEP1; RMSE = 1.596, δ = 0.109, R = 0.917) and illustrated via scatter plots.

Measurement of Circulating Progranulin (PGRN/GP88/GEP) by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and Application in Human Diseases.

PubMed

Serrero, Ginette; Hicks, David

2018-01-01

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a well-established methodology for detection of analytes in various biological fluids. The assay described herein has been validated for the detection of PGRN/GP88/GEP in blood (serum/ plasma), urine and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and synovial fluid and may also be used for breast milk, ductal lavage, nipple aspirates, and saliva. The ability to measure circulating levels of PGRN/GP88/GEP has proven to have clinical utility for several human diseases such as cancer where changes of PGRN/GP88/GEP can be determined as a mean to monitor disease status or response to therapy. In the case of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), the ability to measure PGRN/GP88/GEP levels in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid may be useful in distinguishing PGRN mutation carriers among FTD populations at large. The assay used is a sandwich ELISA where a highly specific antihuman PGRN/GP88/GEP monoclonal antibody is employed as a capture antibody coated on 96-well microplates. After contact with serum (or other bodily fluid), unbound material is washed away before application of another PGRN/GP88/GEP detecting antibody which in turn is detected by a horseradish peroxidase (HRP) conjugated antibody. After further washing to remove all unbound HRP, a substrate (TMB) is added, and after approximately 6 min, a color is developed and can be read as optical density at 620 nm (or 450 nm if using HCL as a stop solution) in a microplate reader. The test described herein is capable of measuring very low levels of PGRN/GP88/GEP such as 0.2 ng/mL as found in CSF of certain FTD patients. Additionally, we have demonstrated the potential clinical utility of measuring the changes of PGRN/GP88/GEP blood levels in cancer patients undergoing therapy.

Partitioning controls on Amazon forest photosynthesis between environmental and biotic factors at hourly to interannual timescales

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

Wu, Jin; Guan, Kaiyu; Hayek, Matthew

Gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) in tropical forests varies both with the environment and with biotic changes in photosynthetic infrastructure, but our understanding of the relative effects of these factors across timescales is limited. Here, we used a statistical model to partition the variability of seven years of eddy covariance-derived GEP in a central Amazon evergreen forest into two main causes: variation in environmental drivers (solar radiation, diffuse light fraction, and vapor pressure deficit) that interact with model parameters that govern photosynthesis and biotic variation in canopy photosynthetic light-use efficiency associated with changes in the parameters themselves. Our fitted model wasmore » able to explain most of the variability in GEP at hourly (R 2 = 0.77) to interannual (R 2 = 0.80) timescales. At hourly timescales, we found that 75% of observed GEP variability could be attributed to environmental variability. When aggregating GEP to the longer timescales (daily, monthly, and yearly), however, environmental variation explained progressively less GEP variability: At monthly timescales, it explained only 3%, much less than biotic variation in canopy photosynthetic light-use efficiency, which accounted for 63%. These results challenge modeling approaches that assume GEP is primarily controlled by the environment at both short and long timescales. Our approach distinguishing biotic from environmental variability can help to resolve debates about environmental limitations to tropical forest photosynthesis. For example, we found that biotically regulated canopy photosynthetic light-use efficiency (associated with leaf phenology) increased with sunlight during dry seasons (consistent with light but not water limitation of canopy development) but that realized GEP was nonetheless lower relative to its potential efficiency during dry than wet seasons (consistent with water limitation of photosynthesis in given assemblages of leaves). Lastly, this work highlights the importance of accounting for differential regulation of GEP at different timescales and of identifying the underlying feedbacks and adaptive mechanisms.« less

Partitioning controls on Amazon forest photosynthesis between environmental and biotic factors at hourly to interannual timescales

DOE PAGES

Wu, Jin; Guan, Kaiyu; Hayek, Matthew; ...

2016-09-19

Gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) in tropical forests varies both with the environment and with biotic changes in photosynthetic infrastructure, but our understanding of the relative effects of these factors across timescales is limited. Here, we used a statistical model to partition the variability of seven years of eddy covariance-derived GEP in a central Amazon evergreen forest into two main causes: variation in environmental drivers (solar radiation, diffuse light fraction, and vapor pressure deficit) that interact with model parameters that govern photosynthesis and biotic variation in canopy photosynthetic light-use efficiency associated with changes in the parameters themselves. Our fitted model wasmore » able to explain most of the variability in GEP at hourly (R 2 = 0.77) to interannual (R 2 = 0.80) timescales. At hourly timescales, we found that 75% of observed GEP variability could be attributed to environmental variability. When aggregating GEP to the longer timescales (daily, monthly, and yearly), however, environmental variation explained progressively less GEP variability: At monthly timescales, it explained only 3%, much less than biotic variation in canopy photosynthetic light-use efficiency, which accounted for 63%. These results challenge modeling approaches that assume GEP is primarily controlled by the environment at both short and long timescales. Our approach distinguishing biotic from environmental variability can help to resolve debates about environmental limitations to tropical forest photosynthesis. For example, we found that biotically regulated canopy photosynthetic light-use efficiency (associated with leaf phenology) increased with sunlight during dry seasons (consistent with light but not water limitation of canopy development) but that realized GEP was nonetheless lower relative to its potential efficiency during dry than wet seasons (consistent with water limitation of photosynthesis in given assemblages of leaves). Lastly, this work highlights the importance of accounting for differential regulation of GEP at different timescales and of identifying the underlying feedbacks and adaptive mechanisms.« less

Partitioning controls on Amazon forest photosynthesis between environmental and biotic factors at hourly to interannual timescales.

PubMed

Wu, Jin; Guan, Kaiyu; Hayek, Matthew; Restrepo-Coupe, Natalia; Wiedemann, Kenia T; Xu, Xiangtao; Wehr, Richard; Christoffersen, Bradley O; Miao, Guofang; da Silva, Rodrigo; de Araujo, Alessandro C; Oliviera, Raimundo C; Camargo, Plinio B; Monson, Russell K; Huete, Alfredo R; Saleska, Scott R

2017-03-01

Gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) in tropical forests varies both with the environment and with biotic changes in photosynthetic infrastructure, but our understanding of the relative effects of these factors across timescales is limited. Here, we used a statistical model to partition the variability of seven years of eddy covariance-derived GEP in a central Amazon evergreen forest into two main causes: variation in environmental drivers (solar radiation, diffuse light fraction, and vapor pressure deficit) that interact with model parameters that govern photosynthesis and biotic variation in canopy photosynthetic light-use efficiency associated with changes in the parameters themselves. Our fitted model was able to explain most of the variability in GEP at hourly (R 2  = 0.77) to interannual (R 2  = 0.80) timescales. At hourly timescales, we found that 75% of observed GEP variability could be attributed to environmental variability. When aggregating GEP to the longer timescales (daily, monthly, and yearly), however, environmental variation explained progressively less GEP variability: At monthly timescales, it explained only 3%, much less than biotic variation in canopy photosynthetic light-use efficiency, which accounted for 63%. These results challenge modeling approaches that assume GEP is primarily controlled by the environment at both short and long timescales. Our approach distinguishing biotic from environmental variability can help to resolve debates about environmental limitations to tropical forest photosynthesis. For example, we found that biotically regulated canopy photosynthetic light-use efficiency (associated with leaf phenology) increased with sunlight during dry seasons (consistent with light but not water limitation of canopy development) but that realized GEP was nonetheless lower relative to its potential efficiency during dry than wet seasons (consistent with water limitation of photosynthesis in given assemblages of leaves). This work highlights the importance of accounting for differential regulation of GEP at different timescales and of identifying the underlying feedbacks and adaptive mechanisms. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The influence of gene expression profiling on decisional conflict in decision making for early-stage breast cancer chemotherapy.

PubMed

MacDonald, Karen V; Bombard, Yvonne; Deal, Ken; Trudeau, Maureen; Leighl, Natasha; Marshall, Deborah A

2016-07-01

Women with early-stage breast cancer, of whom only 15% will experience a recurrence, are often conflicted or uncertain about taking chemotherapy. Gene expression profiling (GEP) of tumours informs risk prediction, potentially affecting treatment decisions. We examined whether receiving a GEP test score reduces decisional conflict in chemotherapy treatment decision making. A general population sample of 200 women completed the decisional conflict scale (DCS) at baseline (no GEP test score scenario) and after (scenario with GEP test score added) completing a discrete choice experiment survey for early-stage breast cancer chemotherapy. We scaled the 16-item DCS total scores and subscores from 0 to 100 and calculated means, standard deviations and change in scores, with significance (p < 0.05) based on matched pairs t-tests. We identified five respondent subgroups based on preferred treatment option; almost 40% did not change their chemotherapy decision after receiving GEP testing information. Total score and all subscores (uncertainty, informed, values clarity, support, and effective decision) decreased significantly in the respondent subgroup who were unsure about taking chemotherapy initially but changed to no chemotherapy (n =33). In the subgroup of respondents (n = 25) who chose chemotherapy initially but changed to unsure, effective decision subscore increased significantly. In the overall sample, changes in total and all subscores were non-significant. GEP testing adds value for women initially unsure about chemotherapy treatment with a decrease in decisional conflict. However, for women who are confident about their treatment decisions, GEP testing may not add value. Decisions to request GEP testing should be personalised based on patient preferences. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Monthly reservoir inflow forecasting using a new hybrid SARIMA genetic programming approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moeeni, Hamid; Bonakdari, Hossein; Ebtehaj, Isa

2017-03-01

Forecasting reservoir inflow is one of the most important components of water resources and hydroelectric systems operation management. Seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) models have been frequently used for predicting river flow. SARIMA models are linear and do not consider the random component of statistical data. To overcome this shortcoming, monthly inflow is predicted in this study based on a combination of seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) and gene expression programming (GEP) models, which is a new hybrid method (SARIMA-GEP). To this end, a four-step process is employed. First, the monthly inflow datasets are pre-processed. Second, the datasets are modelled linearly with SARIMA and in the third stage, the non-linearity of residual series caused by linear modelling is evaluated. After confirming the non-linearity, the residuals are modelled in the fourth step using a gene expression programming (GEP) method. The proposed hybrid model is employed to predict the monthly inflow to the Jamishan Dam in west Iran. Thirty years' worth of site measurements of monthly reservoir dam inflow with extreme seasonal variations are used. The results of this hybrid model (SARIMA-GEP) are compared with SARIMA, GEP, artificial neural network (ANN) and SARIMA-ANN models. The results indicate that the SARIMA-GEP model ( R 2=78.8, VAF =78.8, RMSE =0.89, MAPE =43.4, CRM =0.053) outperforms SARIMA and GEP and SARIMA-ANN ( R 2=68.3, VAF =66.4, RMSE =1.12, MAPE =56.6, CRM =0.032) displays better performance than the SARIMA and ANN models. A comparison of the two hybrid models indicates the superiority of SARIMA-GEP over the SARIMA-ANN model.

The Impact of PD-L1 Expression in Patients with Metastatic GEP-NETs

PubMed Central

Kim, Seung Tae; Ha, Sang Yun; Lee, Sujin; Ahn, Soomin; Lee, Jeeyun; Park, Se Hoon; Park, Joon Oh; Lim, Ho Yeong; Kang, Won Ki; Kim, Kyoung-Mee; Park, Young Suk

2016-01-01

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), which is expressed on many cancer cells, interacts with PD1 expressed on the surface of T cells, inhibiting the T cells and blocking the antitumor immune response. Expression of PD-L1 in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) has not been studied. We investigated the impact of PD-L1 expression in 32 patients with metastatic GEP-NET. The expression of PD-L1 was evaluated using an anti-PD-L1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) antibody optimized for staining of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples. The correlation between PD-L1 and clinicopathological data including survival and response to systemic treatments was analyzed. Primary sites were 24 foregut-derived GEP-NETs, including stomach (n=1), duodenum (n=2), biliary tract (n=7), and pancreas (n=14), and 8 hindgut-derived GEP-NETs of the distal colon and rectum. Among the 32 patients with metastatic GEP-NET analyzed in this study, 7 (21.9%) had expression of PD-L1 in tumor tissues. Expression of PD-L1 was significantly associated with high-grade WHO classification (grade 3) (p=0.008) but not with gender, primary site, and number of metastatic sites (p>0.05). The status of PD-L1 expression was statistically associated with progression-free survival (PFS) for first-line systemic treatment (p=0.047). Moreover, the status of PD-L1 expression could significantly predict overall survival (p=0.037). The expression of PD-L1 was associated with higher WHO tumor grade (grade 3) in metastatic GEP-NETs. PD-L1 expression had both predictive and prognostic value for survival of patients with metastatic GEP-NETs. PMID:26958083

Spatial patterns and climate drivers of carbon fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems of China.

PubMed

Yu, Gui-Rui; Zhu, Xian-Jin; Fu, Yu-Ling; He, Hong-Lin; Wang, Qiu-Feng; Wen, Xue-Fa; Li, Xuan-Ran; Zhang, Lei-Ming; Zhang, Li; Su, Wen; Li, Sheng-Gong; Sun, Xiao-Min; Zhang, Yi-Ping; Zhang, Jun-Hui; Yan, Jun-Hua; Wang, Hui-Min; Zhou, Guang-Sheng; Jia, Bing-Rui; Xiang, Wen-Hua; Li, Ying-Nian; Zhao, Liang; Wang, Yan-Fen; Shi, Pei-Li; Chen, Shi-Ping; Xin, Xiao-Ping; Zhao, Feng-Hua; Wang, Yu-Ying; Tong, Cheng-Li

2013-03-01

Understanding the dynamics and underlying mechanism of carbon exchange between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere is one of the key issues in global change research. In this study, we quantified the carbon fluxes in different terrestrial ecosystems in China, and analyzed their spatial variation and environmental drivers based on the long-term observation data of ChinaFLUX sites and the published data from other flux sites in China. The results indicate that gross ecosystem productivity (GEP), ecosystem respiration (ER), and net ecosystem productivity (NEP) of terrestrial ecosystems in China showed a significantly latitudinal pattern, declining linearly with the increase of latitude. However, GEP, ER, and NEP did not present a clear longitudinal pattern. The carbon sink functional areas of terrestrial ecosystems in China were mainly located in the subtropical and temperate forests, coastal wetlands in eastern China, the temperate meadow steppe in the northeast China, and the alpine meadow in eastern edge of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The forest ecosystems had stronger carbon sink than grassland ecosystems. The spatial patterns of GEP and ER in China were mainly determined by mean annual precipitation (MAP) and mean annual temperature (MAT), whereas the spatial variation in NEP was largely explained by MAT. The combined effects of MAT and MAP explained 79%, 62%, and 66% of the spatial variations in GEP, ER, and NEP, respectively. The GEP, ER, and NEP in different ecosystems in China exhibited 'positive coupling correlation' in their spatial patterns. Both ER and NEP were significantly correlated with GEP, with 68% of the per-unit GEP contributed to ER and 29% to NEP. MAT and MAP affected the spatial patterns of ER and NEP mainly by their direct effects on the spatial pattern of GEP. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Hyperspectral Remote Sensing of Terrestrial Ecosystem Productivity from ISS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huemmrich, K. F.; Campbell, P. K. E.; Gao, B. C.; Flanagan, L. B.; Goulden, M.

2017-12-01

Data from the Hyperspectral Imager for Coastal Ocean (HICO), mounted on the International Space Station (ISS), were used to develop and test algorithms for remotely retrieving ecosystem productivity. The ISS orbit introduces both limitations and opportunities for observing ecosystem dynamics. Twenty six HICO images were used from four study sites representing different vegetation types: grasslands, shrubland, and forest. Gross ecosystem production (GEP) data from eddy covariance were matched with HICO-derived spectra. Multiple algorithms were successful relating spectral reflectance with GEP, including: Spectral Vegetation Indices (SVI), SVI in a light use efficiency model framework, spectral shape characteristics through spectral derivatives and absorption feature analysis, and statistical models leading to Multiband Hyperspectral Indices (MHI) from stepwise regressions and Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR). Algorithms were able to achieve r2 better than 0.7 for both GEP at the overpass time and daily GEP. These algorithms were successful using a diverse set of observations combining data from multiple years, multiple times during growing season, different times of day, with different view angles, and different vegetation types. The demonstrated robustness of the algorithms presented in this study over these conditions provides some confidence in mapping spatial patterns of GEP, describing variability within fields as well as the regional patterns based only on spectral reflectance information. The ISS orbit provides periods with multiple observations collected at different times of the day within a period of a few days. Diurnal GEP patterns were estimated comparing the half-hourly average GEP from the flux tower against HICO estimates of GEP (r2=0.87) if morning, midday, and afternoon observations were available for average fluxes in the time period.

Gene expression programming approach for the estimation of moisture ratio in herbal plants drying with vacuum heat pump dryer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dikmen, Erkan; Ayaz, Mahir; Gül, Doğan; Şahin, Arzu Şencan

2017-07-01

The determination of drying behavior of herbal plants is a complex process. In this study, gene expression programming (GEP) model was used to determine drying behavior of herbal plants as fresh sweet basil, parsley and dill leaves. Time and drying temperatures are input parameters for the estimation of moisture ratio of herbal plants. The results of the GEP model are compared with experimental drying data. The statistical values as mean absolute percentage error, root-mean-squared error and R-square are used to calculate the difference between values predicted by the GEP model and the values actually observed from the experimental study. It was found that the results of the GEP model and experimental study are in moderately well agreement. The results have shown that the GEP model can be considered as an efficient modelling technique for the prediction of moisture ratio of herbal plants.

Patients’ perceptions of gene expression profiling in breast cancer treatment decisions

PubMed Central

Bombard, Y.; Rozmovits, L.; Trudeau, M.E.; Leighl, N.B.; Deal, K.; Marshall, D.A.

2014-01-01

Introduction Determining the likely benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer patients depends on estimating baseline recurrence risk. Gene expression profile (gep) testing of tumours informs risk prediction, but evidence of its clinical utility is limited. We explored patient perceptions of gep testing and the impact of those perceptions on chemotherapy decisions. Methods We conducted one focus group (n = 4) and individual interviews (n = 24) with patients who used gep testing, recruited through clinics at two hospitals in Ontario. Data were analyzed using content analysis and constant comparison techniques. Results Patients’ understanding of gep testing was variable, and misapprehensions were common. Patients valued the test because it provided them with certainty amidst confusion, with options and a sense of empowerment, and with personalized, authoritative information. They commonly believed that the test was better and fundamentally different from other clinical tests, attributing to it unique power and truth-value. This kind of “magical thinking” was derived from an amplified perception of the test’s validity and patients’ need for reassurance about their treatment choices. Despite misperceptions or magical thinking, gep was widely considered to be the deciding factor in treatment decisions. Conclusions Patients tend to overestimate the truth-value of gep testing based on misperceptions of its validity. Our results identify a need to better support patient understanding of the test and its limitations. Findings illustrate the deep emotional investment patients make in gep test results and the impact of that investment on their treatment decisions. PMID:24764705

Predicting the activity of drugs for a group of imidazopyridine anticoccidial compounds.

PubMed

Si, Hongzong; Lian, Ning; Yuan, Shuping; Fu, Aiping; Duan, Yun-Bo; Zhang, Kejun; Yao, Xiaojun

2009-10-01

Gene expression programming (GEP) is a novel machine learning technique. The GEP is used to build nonlinear quantitative structure-activity relationship model for the prediction of the IC(50) for the imidazopyridine anticoccidial compounds. This model is based on descriptors which are calculated from the molecular structure. Four descriptors are selected from the descriptors' pool by heuristic method (HM) to build multivariable linear model. The GEP method produced a nonlinear quantitative model with a correlation coefficient and a mean error of 0.96 and 0.24 for the training set, 0.91 and 0.52 for the test set, respectively. It is shown that the GEP predicted results are in good agreement with experimental ones.

[Effect of seasonal high temperature and drought on carbon flux of bamboo forest ecosystem in subtropical region].

PubMed

Chen, Xiao-feng; Jiang, Hong; Niu, Xiao-dong; Zhang, Jin-meng; Liu, Yu-li; Fang, Cheng-yuan

2016-02-01

The carbon flux of subtropical bamboo forest ecosystem was continuously measured using eddy covariance technique in Anji County of Zhejiang Province, China. The monthly net ecosystem productivity (NEP), ecosystem respiration (Re) and gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) data from 2011 to 2013 were selected to analyze the impacts of seasonal high temperature and drought on the carbon flux of bamboo forest ecosystem. The results showed that there were big differences among annual NEP of bamboo forest from 2011 to 2013. Because of the asynchronization of precipitation and heat, the seasonal high temperature and drought in July and August of 2013 caused significant decline in NEP by 59.9% and 80.0% when compared with the same months in 2011. Correlation analysis of the NEP, Re, GEP and environmental factors suggested that the atmosphere temperatures were significantly correlated with Re and GEP in 2011 and 2013 (P<0.05). However, to air and soil moisture, Re and GEP had different responses, that was, GEP was more vulnerable by the decrease of the soil moisture compared with Re. Besides, the raising of saturation vapour pressure promoted the Re modestly but inhibited the GEP, which was supposed to be the main reason for NEP decrease of bamboo forest ecosystem in Anji, from July to August in 2013.

Aqueous Binder Enhanced High-Performance GeP5 Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

PubMed Central

He, Jun; Wei, Yaqing; Hu, Lintong; Li, Huiqiao; Zhai, Tianyou

2018-01-01

GeP5 is a recently reported new anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs), it holds a large theoretical capacity about 2300 mAh g−1, and a high rate capability due to its bi-active components and superior conductivity. However, it undergoes a large volume change during its electrochemical alloying and de-alloying with Li, a suitable binder is necessary to stable the electrode integrity for improving cycle performance. In this work, we tried to apply aqueous binders LiPAA and NaCMC to GeP5 anode, and compared the difference in electrochemical performance between them and traditional binder PVDF. As can be seen from the test result, GeP5 can keep stable in both common organic solvents and proton solvents such as water and alcohol solvents, it meets the application requirements of aqueous binders. The electrochemistry results show that the use of LiPAA binder can significantly improve the initial Coulombic efficiency, reversible capacity, and cyclability of GeP5 anode as compared to the electrodes based on NaCMC and PVDF binders. The enhanced electrochemical performance of GeP5 electrode with LiPAA binder can be ascribed to the unique high strength long chain polymer structure of LiPAA, which also provide numerous uniform distributed carboxyl groups to form strong ester groups with active materials and copper current collector. Benefit from that, the GeP5 electrode with LiPAA can also exhibit excellent rate capability, and even at low temperature, it still shows attractive electrochemical performance. PMID:29484292

Aqueous Binder Enhanced High-Performance GeP5 Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Jun; Wei, Yaqing; Hu, Lintong; Li, Huiqiao; Zhai, Tianyou

2018-02-01

GeP5 is a recently reported new anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs), it holds a large theoretical capacity about 2300 mAh g-1, and a high rate capability due to its bi-active components and superior conductivity. However, it undergoes a large volume change during its electrochemical alloying and de-alloying with Li, a suitable binder is necessary to stable the electrode integrity for improving cycle performance. In this work, we tried to apply aqueous binders LiPAA and NaCMC to GeP5 anode, and compared the difference in electrochemical performance between them and traditional binder PVDF. As can be seen from the test result, GeP5 can keep stable in both common organic solvents and proton solvents such as water and alcohol solvents, it meets the application requirements of aqueous binders. The electrochemistry results show that the use of LiPAA binder can significantly improve the initial Coulombic efficiency, reversible capacity, and cyclability of GeP5 anode as compared to the electrodes based on NaCMC and PVDF binders. The enhanced electrochemical performance of GeP5 electrode with LiPAA binder can be ascribed to the unique high strength long chain polymer structure of LiPAA, which also provide numerous uniform distributed carboxyl groups to form strong ester groups with active meterials and copper current collector. Benefit from that, the GeP5 electrode with LiPAA can also exhibit excellent rate capability, and even at low temperature, it still shows attractive electrochemical performance.

Multifunctional Binary Monolayers Ge xP y: Tunable Band Gap, Ferromagnetism, and Photocatalyst for Water Splitting.

PubMed

Li, Pengfei; Zhang, Wei; Li, Dongdong; Liang, Changhao; Zeng, Xiao Cheng

2018-06-04

The most stable structures of two-dimensional Ge x P y and Ge x As y monolayers with different stoichiometries (e.g., GeP, GeP 2 , and GeP 3 ) are explored systematically through the combination of the particle-swarm optimization technique and density functional theory optimization. For GeP 3 , we show that the newly predicted most stable C2/ m structure is 0.16 eV/atom lower in energy than the state-of-the-art P3̅m1 structure reported previously ( Nano Lett. 2017, 17, 1833). The computed electronic band structures suggest that all the stable and metastable monolayers of Ge x P y are semiconductors with highly tunable band gaps under the biaxial strain, allowing strain engineering of their band gaps within nearly the whole visible-light range. More interestingly, the hole doping can convert the C2/ m GeP 3 monolayer from nonmagnetic to ferromagnetic because of its unique valence band structure. For the GeP 2 monolayer, the predicted most stable Pmc2 1 structure is a (quasi) direct-gap semiconductor that possesses a high electron mobility of ∼800 cm 2 V -1 s -1 along the k a direction, which is much higher than that of MoS 2 (∼200 cm 2 V -1 s -1 ). More importantly, the Pmc2 1 GeP 2 monolayer not only can serve as an n-type channel material in field-effect transistors but also can be an effective catalyst for splitting water.

Randomized pilot trial of gene expression profiling versus heart biopsy in the first year after heart transplant: early invasive monitoring attenuation through gene expression trial.

PubMed

Kobashigawa, Jon; Patel, Jignesh; Azarbal, Babak; Kittleson, Michelle; Chang, David; Czer, Lawrence; Daun, Tiffany; Luu, Minh; Trento, Alfredo; Cheng, Richard; Esmailian, Fardad

2015-05-01

The endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is considered the gold standard in rejection surveillance post cardiac transplant, but is invasive, with risk of complications. A previous trial suggested that the gene expression profiling (GEP) blood test was noninferior to EMB between 6 and 60 months post transplant. As most rejections occur in the first 6 months, we conducted a single-center randomized trial of GEP versus EMB starting at 55 days post transplant (when GEP is valid). Sixty heart transplant patients meeting inclusion criteria were randomized beginning at 55 days post transplant to either GEP or EMB arms. A positive GEP ≥30 between 2 and 6 months, or ≥34 after 6 months, prompted a follow-up biopsy. The primary end point included a composite of death/retransplant, rejection with hemodynamic compromise or graft dysfunction at 18 months post transplant. A coprimary end point included change in first-year maximal intimal thickness by intravascular ultrasound, a recognized surrogate for long-term outcome. Corticosteroid weaning was assessed in both the groups. The composite end point was similar between the GEP and EMB groups (10% versus 17%; log-rank P=0.44). The coprimary end point of first-year intravascular ultrasound change demonstrated no difference in mean maximal intimal thickness (0.35±0.36 versus 0.36±0.26 mm; P=0.944). Steroid weaning was successful in both the groups (91% versus 95%). In this pilot study, GEP starting at 55 days post transplant seems comparable with EMB for rejection surveillance in selected heart transplant patients and does not result in increased adverse outcomes. GEP also seems useful to guide corticosteroid weaning. Larger randomized trials are required to confirm these findings. URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT014182482377. © 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.

Multi-electrode double layer capacitor having single electrolyte seal and aluminum-impregnated carbon cloth electrodes

DOEpatents

Farahmandi, C. J.; Dispennette, J. M.; Blank, E.; Kolb, A. C.

1999-05-25

A single cell, multi-electrode high performance double layer capacitor includes first and second flat stacks of electrodes adapted to be housed in a closeable two-part capacitor case which includes only a single electrolyte seal. Each electrode stack has a plurality of electrodes connected in parallel, with the electrodes of one stack being interleaved with the electrodes of the other stack to form an interleaved stack, and with the electrodes of each stack being electrically connected to respective capacitor terminals. A porous separator sleeve is inserted over the electrodes of one stack before interleaving to prevent electrical shorts between the electrodes. The electrodes are made by folding a compressible, low resistance, aluminum-impregnated carbon cloth, made from activated carbon fibers, around a current collector foil, with a tab of the foils of each electrode of each stack being connected in parallel and connected to the respective capacitor terminal. The height of the interleaved stack is somewhat greater than the inside height of the closed capacitor case, thereby requiring compression of the interleaved electrode stack when placed inside of the case, and thereby maintaining the interleaved electrode stack under modest constant pressure. The closed capacitor case is filled with an electrolytic solution and sealed. A preferred electrolytic solution is made by dissolving an appropriate salt into acetonitrile (CH[sub 3]CN). In one embodiment, the two parts of the capacitor case are conductive and function as the capacitor terminals. 32 figs.

Method of making a multi-electrode double layer capacitor having single electrolyte seal and aluminum-impregnated carbon cloth electrodes

DOEpatents

Farahmandi, C. Joseph; Dispennette, John M.; Blank, Edward; Kolb, Alan C.

2002-09-17

A single cell, multi-electrode high performance double layer capacitor includes first and second flat stacks of electrodes adapted to be housed in a closeable two-part capacitor case which includes only a single electrolyte seal. Each electrode stack has a plurality of electrodes connected in parallel, with the electrodes of one stack being interleaved with the electrodes of the other stack to form an interleaved stack, and with the electrodes of each stack being electrically connected to respective capacitor terminals. A porous separator is positioned against the electrodes of one stack before interleaving to prevent electrical shorts between the electrodes. The electrodes are made by folding a compressible, low resistance, aluminum-impregnated carbon cloth, made from activated carbon fibers, around a current collector foil, with a tab of the foils of each electrode of each stack being connected in parallel and connected to the respective capacitor terminal. The height of the interleaved stack is somewhat greater than the inside height of the closed capacitor case, thereby requiring compression of the interleaved electrode stack when placed inside of the case, and thereby maintaining the interleaved electrode stack under modest constant pressure. The closed capacitor case is filled with an electrolytic solution and sealed. A preferred electrolytic solution is made by dissolving an appropriate salt into acetonitrile (CH.sub.3 CN). In one embodiment, the two parts of the capacitor case are conductive and function as the capacitor terminals.

Multi-electrode double layer capacitor having single electrolyte seal and aluminum-impregnated carbon cloth electrodes

DOEpatents

Farahmandi, C Joseph [San Diego, CA; Dispennette, John M [Oceanside, CA; Blank, Edward [San Diego, CA; Kolb, Alan C [Rancho Santa Fe, CA

1999-05-25

A single cell, multi-electrode high performance double layer capacitor includes first and second flat stacks of electrodes adapted to be housed in a closeable two-part capacitor case which includes only a single electrolyte seal. Each electrode stack has a plurality of electrodes connected in parallel, with the electrodes of one stack being interleaved with the electrodes of the other stack to form an interleaved stack, and with the electrodes of each stack being electrically connected to respective capacitor terminals. A porous separator sleeve is inserted over the electrodes of one stack before interleaving to prevent electrical shorts between the electrodes. The electrodes are made by folding a compressible, low resistance, aluminum-impregnated carbon cloth, made from activated carbon fibers, around a current collector foil, with a tab of the foils of each electrode of each stack being connected in parallel and connected to the respective capacitor terminal. The height of the interleaved stack is somewhat greater than the inside height of the closed capacitor case, thereby requiring compression of the interleaved electrode stack when placed inside of the case, and thereby maintaining the interleaved electrode stack under modest constant pressure. The closed capacitor case is filled with an electrolytic solution and sealed. A preferred electrolytic solution is made by dissolving an appropriate salt into acetonitrile (CH.sub.3 CN). In one embodiment, the two parts of the capacitor case are conductive and function as the capacitor terminals.

Multi-electrode double layer capacitor having single electrolyte seal and aluminum-impregnated carbon cloth electrodes

DOEpatents

Farahmandi, C. Joseph; Dispennette, John M.; Blank, Edward; Kolb, Alan C.

1999-01-19

A single cell, multi-electrode high performance double layer capacitor includes first and second flat stacks of electrodes adapted to be housed in a closeable two-part capacitor case which includes only a single electrolyte seal. Each electrode stack has a plurality of electrodes connected in parallel, with the electrodes of one stack being interleaved with the electrodes of the other stack to form an interleaved stack, and with the electrodes of each stack being electrically connected to respective capacitor terminals. A porous separator sleeve is inserted over the electrodes of one stack before interleaving to prevent electrical shorts between the electrodes. The electrodes are made by folding a compressible, low resistance, aluminum-impregnated carbon cloth, made from activated carbon fibers, around a current collector foil, with a tab of the foils of each electrode of each stack being connected in parallel and connected to the respective capacitor terminal. The height of the interleaved stack is somewhat greater than the inside height of the closed capacitor case, thereby requiring compression of the interleaved electrode stack when placed inside of the case, and thereby maintaining the interleaved electrode stack under modest constant pressure. The closed capacitor case is filled with an electrolytic solution and sealed. A preferred electrolytic solution is made by dissolving an appropriate salt into acetonitrile (CH.sub.3 CN). In one embodiment, the two parts of the capacitor case are conductive and function as the capacitor terminals.

Multi-electrode double layer capacitor having single electrolyte seal and aluminum-impregnated carbon cloth electrodes

DOEpatents

Farahmandi, C.J.; Dispennette, J.M.; Blank, E.; Kolb, A.C.

1999-01-19

A single cell, multi-electrode high performance double layer capacitor includes first and second flat stacks of electrodes adapted to be housed in a closeable two-part capacitor case which includes only a single electrolyte seal. Each electrode stack has a plurality of electrodes connected in parallel, with the electrodes of one stack being interleaved with the electrodes of the other stack to form an interleaved stack, and with the electrodes of each stack being electrically connected to respective capacitor terminals. A porous separator sleeve is inserted over the electrodes of one stack before interleaving to prevent electrical shorts between the electrodes. The electrodes are made by folding a compressible, low resistance, aluminum-impregnated carbon cloth, made from activated carbon fibers, around a current collector foil, with a tab of the foils of each electrode of each stack being connected in parallel and connected to the respective capacitor terminal. The height of the interleaved stack is somewhat greater than the inside height of the closed capacitor case, thereby requiring compression of the interleaved electrode stack when placed inside of the case, and thereby maintaining the interleaved electrode stack under modest constant pressure. The closed capacitor case is filled with an electrolytic solution and sealed. A preferred electrolytic solution is made by dissolving an appropriate salt into acetonitrile (CH{sub 3}CN). In one embodiment, the two parts of the capacitor case are conductive and function as the capacitor terminals. 32 figs.

Method of making a multi-electrode double layer capacitor having single electrolyte seal and aluminum-impregnated carbon cloth electrodes

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

Farahmandi, C. Joseph; Dispennette, John M.; Blank, Edward

A method of making a double layer capacitior includes first and second flat stacks of electrodes adapted to be housed in a closeable two-part capacitor case which includes only a single electrolyte seal. Each electrode stack has a plurality of electrodes connected in parallel, with the electrodes of one stack being interleaved with the electrodes of the other stack to form an interleaved stack, and with the electrodes of each stack being electrically connected to respective capacitor terminals. A porous separator is positioned against the electrodes of one stack before interleaving to prevent electrical shorts between the electrodes. The electrodesmore » are made by folding a compressible, low resistance, aluminum-impregnated carbon cloth, made from activated carbon fibers, around a current collector foil, with a tab of the foils of each electrode of each stack being connected in parallel and connected to the respective capacitor terminal. The height of the interleaved stack is somewhat greater than the inside height of the closed capacitor case, thereby requiring compression of the interleaved electrode stack when placed inside of the case, and thereby maintaining the interleaved electrode stack under modest constant pressure. The closed capacitor case is filled with an electrolytic solution and sealed. A preferred electrolytic solution is made by dissolving an appropriate salt into acetonitrile (CH.sub.3 CN). In one embodiment, the two arts of the capacitor case are conductive and function as the capacitor terminals.« less

WebLogo: A Sequence Logo Generator

PubMed Central

Crooks, Gavin E.; Hon, Gary; Chandonia, John-Marc; Brenner, Steven E.

2004-01-01

WebLogo generates sequence logos, graphical representations of the patterns within a multiple sequence alignment. Sequence logos provide a richer and more precise description of sequence similarity than consensus sequences and can rapidly reveal significant features of the alignment otherwise difficult to perceive. Each logo consists of stacks of letters, one stack for each position in the sequence. The overall height of each stack indicates the sequence conservation at that position (measured in bits), whereas the height of symbols within the stack reflects the relative frequency of the corresponding amino or nucleic acid at that position. WebLogo has been enhanced recently with additional features and options, to provide a convenient and highly configurable sequence logo generator. A command line interface and the complete, open WebLogo source code are available for local installation and customization. PMID:15173120

Polarization transfer observables in elastic electron-proton scattering at Q2=2.5 , 5.2, 6.8, and 8.5 GeV2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puckett, A. J. R.; Brash, E. J.; Jones, M. K.; Luo, W.; Meziane, M.; Pentchev, L.; Perdrisat, C. F.; Punjabi, V.; Wesselmann, F. R.; Afanasev, A.; Ahmidouch, A.; Albayrak, I.; Aniol, K. A.; Arrington, J.; Asaturyan, A.; Baghdasaryan, H.; Benmokhtar, F.; Bertozzi, W.; Bimbot, L.; Bosted, P.; Boeglin, W.; Butuceanu, C.; Carter, P.; Chernenko, S.; Christy, M. E.; Commisso, M.; Cornejo, J. C.; Covrig, S.; Danagoulian, S.; Daniel, A.; Davidenko, A.; Day, D.; Dhamija, S.; Dutta, D.; Ent, R.; Frullani, S.; Fenker, H.; Frlez, E.; Garibaldi, F.; Gaskell, D.; Gilad, S.; Gilman, R.; Goncharenko, Y.; Hafidi, K.; Hamilton, D.; Higinbotham, D. W.; Hinton, W.; Horn, T.; Hu, B.; Huang, J.; Huber, G. M.; Jensen, E.; Keppel, C.; Khandaker, M.; King, P.; Kirillov, D.; Kohl, M.; Kravtsov, V.; Kumbartzki, G.; Li, Y.; Mamyan, V.; Margaziotis, D. J.; Marsh, A.; Matulenko, Y.; Maxwell, J.; Mbianda, G.; Meekins, D.; Melnik, Y.; Miller, J.; Mkrtchyan, A.; Mkrtchyan, H.; Moffit, B.; Moreno, O.; Mulholland, J.; Narayan, A.; Nedev, S.; Nuruzzaman, Piasetzky, E.; Pierce, W.; Piskunov, N. M.; Prok, Y.; Ransome, R. D.; Razin, D. S.; Reimer, P.; Reinhold, J.; Rondon, O.; Shabestari, M.; Shahinyan, A.; Shestermanov, K.; Širca, S.; Sitnik, I.; Smykov, L.; Smith, G.; Solovyev, L.; Solvignon, P.; Subedi, R.; Tomasi-Gustafsson, E.; Vasiliev, A.; Veilleux, M.; Wojtsekhowski, B. B.; Wood, S.; Ye, Z.; Zanevsky, Y.; Zhang, X.; Zhang, Y.; Zheng, X.; Zhu, L.

2017-11-01

Background: Interest in the behavior of nucleon electromagnetic form factors at large momentum transfers has steadily increased since the discovery, using polarization observables, of the rapid decrease of the ratio GEp/GMp of the proton's electric and magnetic form factors for momentum transfers Q2≳1 GeV2, in strong disagreement with previous extractions of this ratio using the traditional Rosenbluth separation technique. Purpose: The GEp-III and GEp -2 γ experiments were carried out in Jefferson Laboratory's (JLab's) Hall C from 2007 to 2008, to extend the knowledge of GEp/GMp to the highest practically achievable Q2 given the maximum beam energy of 6 GeV and to search for effects beyond the Born approximation in polarization transfer observables of elastic e ⃗p scattering. This article provides an expanded description of the common experimental apparatus and data analysis procedures, and reports the results of a final reanalysis of the data from both experiments, including the previously unpublished results of the full-acceptance dataset of the GEp -2 γ experiment. Methods: Polarization transfer observables in elastic e ⃗p →e p ⃗ scattering were measured at central Q2 values of 2.5, 5.2, 6.8, and 8.54 GeV2. At Q2=2.5 GeV2 , data were obtained for central values of the virtual photon polarization parameter ɛ of 0.149, 0.632, and 0.783. The Hall C High Momentum Spectrometer detected and measured the polarization of protons recoiling elastically from collisions of JLab's polarized electron beam with a liquid hydrogen target. A large-acceptance electromagnetic calorimeter detected the elastically scattered electrons in coincidence to suppress inelastic backgrounds. Results: The final GEp-III data are largely unchanged relative to the originally published results. The statistical uncertainties of the final GEp -2 γ data are significantly reduced at ɛ =0.632 and 0.783 relative to the original publication. Conclusions: The final GEp-III results show that the decrease with Q2 of GEp/GMp continues to Q2=8.5 GeV2 , but at a slowing rate relative to the approximately linear decrease observed in earlier Hall A measurements. At Q2=8.5 GeV2 , GEp/GMp remains positive but is consistent with zero. At Q2=2.5 GeV2 , GEp/GMp derived from the polarization component ratio R ∝Pt/Pℓ shows no statistically significant ɛ dependence, as expected in the Born approximation. On the other hand, the ratio Pℓ/PℓBorn of the longitudinal polarization transfer component to its Born value shows an enhancement of roughly 1.7% at ɛ =0.783 relative to ɛ =0.149 , with ≈2.2 σ significance based on the total uncertainty, implying a similar effect in the transverse component Pt that cancels in the ratio R .

Estimation of soil cation exchange capacity using Genetic Expression Programming (GEP) and Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Emamgolizadeh, S.; Bateni, S. M.; Shahsavani, D.; Ashrafi, T.; Ghorbani, H.

2015-10-01

The soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) is one of the main soil chemical properties, which is required in various fields such as environmental and agricultural engineering as well as soil science. In situ measurement of CEC is time consuming and costly. Hence, numerous studies have used traditional regression-based techniques to estimate CEC from more easily measurable soil parameters (e.g., soil texture, organic matter (OM), and pH). However, these models may not be able to adequately capture the complex and highly nonlinear relationship between CEC and its influential soil variables. In this study, Genetic Expression Programming (GEP) and Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS) were employed to estimate CEC from more readily measurable soil physical and chemical variables (e.g., OM, clay, and pH) by developing functional relations. The GEP- and MARS-based functional relations were tested at two field sites in Iran. Results showed that GEP and MARS can provide reliable estimates of CEC. Also, it was found that the MARS model (with root-mean-square-error (RMSE) of 0.318 Cmol+ kg-1 and correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.864) generated slightly better results than the GEP model (with RMSE of 0.270 Cmol+ kg-1 and R2 of 0.807). The performance of GEP and MARS models was compared with two existing approaches, namely artificial neural network (ANN) and multiple linear regression (MLR). The comparison indicated that MARS and GEP outperformed the MLP model, but they did not perform as good as ANN. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine the most and the least influential variables affecting CEC. It was found that OM and pH have the most and least significant effect on CEC, respectively.

Controls on seasonal patterns of maximum ecosystem carbon uptake and canopy-scale photosynthetic light response: contributions from both temperature and photoperiod.

PubMed

Stoy, Paul C; Trowbridge, Amy M; Bauerle, William L

2014-02-01

Most models of photosynthetic activity assume that temperature is the dominant control over physiological processes. Recent studies have found, however, that photoperiod is a better descriptor than temperature of the seasonal variability of photosynthetic physiology at the leaf scale. Incorporating photoperiodic control into global models consequently improves their representation of the seasonality and magnitude of atmospheric CO2 concentration. The role of photoperiod versus that of temperature in controlling the seasonal variability of photosynthetic function at the canopy scale remains unexplored. We quantified the seasonal variability of ecosystem-level light response curves using nearly 400 site years of eddy covariance data from over eighty Free Fair-Use sites in the FLUXNET database. Model parameters describing maximum canopy CO2 uptake and the initial slope of the light response curve peaked after peak temperature in about 2/3 of site years examined, emphasizing the important role of temperature in controlling seasonal photosynthetic function. Akaike's Information Criterion analyses indicated that photoperiod should be included in models of seasonal parameter variability in over 90% of the site years investigated here, demonstrating that photoperiod also plays an important role in controlling seasonal photosynthetic function. We also performed a Granger causality analysis on both gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) and GEP normalized by photosynthetic photon flux density (GEP n ). While photoperiod Granger-caused GEP and GEP n in 99 and 92% of all site years, respectively, air temperature Granger-caused GEP in a mere 32% of site years but Granger-caused GEP n in 81% of all site years. Results demonstrate that incorporating photoperiod may be a logical step toward improving models of ecosystem carbon uptake, but not at the expense of including enzyme kinetic-based temperature constraints on canopy-scale photosynthesis.

Generation of Classical DInSAR and PSI Ground Motion Maps on a Cloud Thematic Platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mora, Oscar; Ordoqui, Patrick; Romero, Laia

2016-08-01

This paper presents the experience of ALTAMIRA INFORMATION uploading InSAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry) services in the Geohazard Exploitation Platform (GEP), supported by ESA. Two different processing chains are presented jointly with ground motion maps obtained from the cloud computing, one being DIAPASON for classical DInSAR and SPN (Stable Point Network) for PSI (Persistent Scatterer Interferometry) processing. The product obtained from DIAPASON is the interferometric phase related to ground motion (phase fringes from a SAR pair). SPN provides motion data (mean velocity and time series) on high-quality pixels from a stack of SAR images. DIAPASON is already implemented, and SPN is under development to be exploited with historical data coming from ERS-1/2 and ENVISAT satellites, and current acquisitions of SENTINEL-1 in SLC and TOPSAR modes.

An efficient model for auxiliary diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma based on gene expression programming.

PubMed

Zhang, Li; Chen, Jiasheng; Gao, Chunming; Liu, Chuanmiao; Xu, Kuihua

2018-03-16

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The early diagnosis of HCC is greatly helpful to achieve long-term disease-free survival. However, HCC is usually difficult to be diagnosed at an early stage. The aim of this study was to create the prediction model to diagnose HCC based on gene expression programming (GEP). GEP is an evolutionary algorithm and a domain-independent problem-solving technique. Clinical data show that six serum biomarkers, including gamma-glutamyl transferase, C-reaction protein, carcinoembryonic antigen, alpha-fetoprotein, carbohydrate antigen 153, and carbohydrate antigen 199, are related to HCC characteristics. In this study, the prediction of HCC was made based on these six biomarkers (195 HCC patients and 215 non-HCC controls) by setting up optimal joint models with GEP. The GEP model discriminated 353 out of 410 subjects, representing a determination coefficient of 86.28% (283/328) and 85.37% (70/82) for training and test sets, respectively. Compared to the results from the support vector machine, the artificial neural network, and the multilayer perceptron, GEP showed a better outcome. The results suggested that GEP modeling was a promising and excellent tool in diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, and it could be widely used in HCC auxiliary diagnosis. Graphical abstract The process to establish an efficient model for auxiliary diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Gene expression profiling for molecular staging of cutaneous melanoma in patients undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy.

PubMed

Gerami, Pedram; Cook, Robert W; Russell, Maria C; Wilkinson, Jeff; Amaria, Rodabe N; Gonzalez, Rene; Lyle, Stephen; Jackson, Gilchrist L; Greisinger, Anthony J; Johnson, Clare E; Oelschlager, Kristen M; Stone, John F; Maetzold, Derek J; Ferris, Laura K; Wayne, Jeffrey D; Cooper, Chelsea; Obregon, Roxana; Delman, Keith A; Lawson, David

2015-05-01

A gene expression profile (GEP) test able to accurately identify risk of metastasis for patients with cutaneous melanoma has been clinically validated. We aimed for assessment of the prognostic accuracy of GEP and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) tests, independently and in combination, in a multicenter cohort of 217 patients. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to assess the expression of 31 genes from primary melanoma tumors, and SLNB outcome was determined from clinical data. Prognostic accuracy of each test was determined using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis of disease-free, distant metastasis-free, and overall survivals. GEP outcome was a more significant and better predictor of each end point in univariate and multivariate regression analysis, compared with SLNB (P < .0001 for all). In combination with SLNB, GEP improved prognostication. For patients with a GEP high-risk outcome and a negative SLNB result, Kaplan-Meier 5-year disease-free, distant metastasis-free, and overall survivals were 35%, 49%, and 54%, respectively. Within the SLNB-negative cohort of patients, overall risk of metastatic events was higher (∼30%) than commonly found in the general population of patients with melanoma. In this study cohort, GEP was an objective tool that accurately predicted metastatic risk in SLNB-eligible patients. Copyright © 2015 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effective pollutant emission heights for atmospheric transport modelling based on real-world information.

PubMed

Pregger, Thomas; Friedrich, Rainer

2009-02-01

Emission data needed as input for the operation of atmospheric models should not only be spatially and temporally resolved. Another important feature is the effective emission height which significantly influences modelled concentration values. Unfortunately this information, which is especially relevant for large point sources, is usually not available and simple assumptions are often used in atmospheric models. As a contribution to improve knowledge on emission heights this paper provides typical default values for the driving parameters stack height and flue gas temperature, velocity and flow rate for different industrial sources. The results were derived from an analysis of the probably most comprehensive database of real-world stack information existing in Europe based on German industrial data. A bottom-up calculation of effective emission heights applying equations used for Gaussian dispersion models shows significant differences depending on source and air pollutant and compared to approaches currently used for atmospheric transport modelling.

Phosphoric acid electric utility fuel cell technology development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Breault, R. D.; Briggs, T. A.; Congdon, J. V.; Demarche, T. E.; Gelting, R. L.; Goller, G. J.; Luoma, W. L.; McCloskey, M. W.; Mientek, A. P.; Obrien, J. J.

1991-04-01

The major objective of this effort was the advancement of cell and stack technology required to meet performance and cost criteria for fabrication and operation of a prototype large area, full height phosphoric acid fuel cell stack. The performance goal for the cell stack corresponded to a power density of 150 wsf, and the manufactured cost goal was a 510 $/kW reduction (in 1981 dollars) compared to existing 3.7 ft.(exp 2) active area cell stacks.

Comprehensive gene expression profiling and immunohistochemical studies support application of immunophenotypic algorithm for molecular subtype classification in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A report from the International DLBCL Rituximab-CHOP Consortium Program Study

PubMed Central

Visco, Carlo; Li, Yan; Xu-Monette, Zijun Y.; Miranda, Roberto N.; Green, Tina M.; Li, Yong; Tzankov, Alexander; Wen, Wei; Liu, Wei-min; Kahl, Brad S.; d’Amore, Emanuele S. G.; Montes-Moreno, Santiago; Dybkær, Karen; Chiu, April; Tam, Wayne; Orazi, Attilio; Zu, Youli; Bhagat, Govind; Winter, Jane N.; Wang, Huan-You; O’Neill, Stacey; Dunphy, Cherie H.; Hsi, Eric D.; Zhao, X. Frank; Go, Ronald S.; Choi, William W. L.; Zhou, Fan; Czader, Magdalena; Tong, Jiefeng; Zhao, Xiaoying; van Krieken, J. Han; Huang, Qing; Ai, Weiyun; Etzell, Joan; Ponzoni, Maurilio; Ferreri, Andres J. M.; Piris, Miguel A.; Møller, Michael B.; Bueso-Ramos, Carlos E.; Medeiros, L. Jeffrey; Wu, Lin; Young, Ken H.

2013-01-01

Gene expression profiling (GEP) has stratified diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) into molecular subgroups that correspond to different stages of lymphocyte development - namely germinal center B-cell-like and activated B-cell-like. This classification has prognostic significance, but GEP is expensive and not readily applicable into daily practice, which has lead to immunohistochemical algorithms proposed as a surrogate for GEP analysis. We assembled tissue microarrays from 475 de novo DLBCL patients who were treated with rituximab-CHOP chemotherapy. All cases were successfully profiled by GEP on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples. Sections were stained with antibodies reactive with CD10, GCET1, FOXP1, MUM1, and BCL6 and cases were classified following a rationale of sequential steps of differentiation of B-cells. Cutoffs for each marker were obtained using receiver operating characteristic curves, obviating the need for any arbitrary method. An algorithm based on the expression of CD10, FOXP1, and BCL6 was developed that had a simpler structure than other recently proposed algorithms and 92.6% concordance with GEP. In multivariate analysis, both the International Prognostic Index and our proposed algorithm were significant independent predictors of progression-free and overall survival. In conclusion, this algorithm effectively predicts prognosis of DLBCL patients matching GEP subgroups in the era of rituximab therapy. PMID:22437443

Gene expression models for prediction of longitudinal dispersion coefficient in streams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sattar, Ahmed M. A.; Gharabaghi, Bahram

2015-05-01

Longitudinal dispersion is the key hydrologic process that governs transport of pollutants in natural streams. It is critical for spill action centers to be able to predict the pollutant travel time and break-through curves accurately following accidental spills in urban streams. This study presents a novel gene expression model for longitudinal dispersion developed using 150 published data sets of geometric and hydraulic parameters in natural streams in the United States, Canada, Europe, and New Zealand. The training and testing of the model were accomplished using randomly-selected 67% (100 data sets) and 33% (50 data sets) of the data sets, respectively. Gene expression programming (GEP) is used to develop empirical relations between the longitudinal dispersion coefficient and various control variables, including the Froude number which reflects the effect of reach slope, aspect ratio, and the bed material roughness on the dispersion coefficient. Two GEP models have been developed, and the prediction uncertainties of the developed GEP models are quantified and compared with those of existing models, showing improved prediction accuracy in favor of GEP models. Finally, a parametric analysis is performed for further verification of the developed GEP models. The main reason for the higher accuracy of the GEP models compared to the existing regression models is that exponents of the key variables (aspect ratio and bed material roughness) are not constants but a function of the Froude number. The proposed relations are both simple and accurate and can be effectively used to predict the longitudinal dispersion coefficients in natural streams.

Neuroendocrine Carcinomas of the Gastroenteropancreatic System: A Comprehensive Review

PubMed Central

Ilett, Emma Elizabeth; Langer, Seppo W.; Olsen, Ingrid Holst; Federspiel, Birgitte; Kjær, Andreas; Knigge, Ulrich

2015-01-01

To date, empirical literature has generally been considered lacking in relation to neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs), the highly malignant subgroup of neuroendocrine neoplasms. NECs are often found in the lungs or the gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) system and can be of small or large cell type. Concentrating on GEP-NECs, we can conclude that survival times are poor, with a median of only 4–16 months depending on disease stage and primary site. Further, this aggressive disease appears to be on the rise, with incidence numbers increasing while survival times are stagnant. Treatment strategies concerning surgery are often undecided and second-line chemotherapy is not yet established. After an analysis of over 2600 articles, we can conclude that there is indeed more empirical literature concerning GEP-NECs available than previously assumed. This unique review is based on 333 selected articles and contains detailed information concerning all aspects of GEP-NECs. Namely, the classification, histology, genetic abnormalities, epidemiology, origin, biochemistry, imaging, treatment and survival of GEP-NECs are described. Also, organ-specific summaries with more detail in relation to disease presentation, diagnosis, treatment and survival are presented. Finally, key points are discussed with directions for future research priorities. PMID:26854147

Gaussian effective potential: Quantum mechanics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stevenson, P. M.

1984-10-01

We advertise the virtues of the Gaussian effective potential (GEP) as a guide to the behavior of quantum field theories. Much superior to the usual one-loop effective potential, the GEP is a natural extension of intuitive notions familiar from quantum mechanics. A variety of quantum-mechanical examples are studied here, with an eye to field-theoretic analogies. Quantum restoration of symmetry, dynamical mass generation, and "quantum-mechanical resuscitation" are among the phenomena discussed. We suggest how the GEP could become the basis of a systematic approximation procedure. A companion paper will deal with scalar field theory.

Optical Quantification of Intracellular pH in Drosophila melanogaster Malpighian Tubule Epithelia with a Fluorescent Genetically-encoded pH Indicator.

PubMed

Rossano, Adam J; Romero, Michael F

2017-08-11

Epithelial ion transport is vital to systemic ion homeostasis as well as maintenance of essential cellular electrochemical gradients. Intracellular pH (pHi) is influenced by many ion transporters and thus monitoring pHi is a useful tool for assessing transporter activity. Modern Genetically Encoded pH-Indicators (GEpHIs) provide optical quantification of pHi in intact cells on a cellular and subcellular scale. This protocol describes real-time quantification of cellular pHi regulation in Malpighian Tubules (MTs) of Drosophila melanogaster through ex vivo live-imaging of pHerry, a pseudo-ratiometric GEpHI with a pKa well-suited to track pH changes in the cytosol. Extracted adult fly MTs are composed of morphologically and functionally distinct sections of single-cell layer epithelia, and can serve as an accessible and genetically tractable model for investigation of epithelial transport. GEpHIs offer several advantages over conventional pH-sensitive fluorescent dyes and ion-selective electrodes. GEpHIs can label distinct cell populations provided appropriate promoter elements are available. This labeling is particularly useful in ex vivo, in vivo, and in situ preparations, which are inherently heterogeneous. GEpHIs also permit quantification of pHi in intact tissues over time without need for repeated dye treatment or tissue externalization. The primary drawback of current GEpHIs is the tendency to aggregate in cytosolic inclusions in response to tissue damage and construct over-expression. These shortcomings, their solutions, and the inherent advantages of GEpHIs are demonstrated in this protocol through assessment of basolateral proton (H + ) transport in functionally distinct principal and stellate cells of extracted fly MTs. The techniques and analysis described are readily adaptable to a wide variety of vertebrate and invertebrate preparations, and the sophistication of the assay can be scaled from teaching labs to intricate determination of ion flux via specific transporters.

Ecosystem Model Performance at Wetlands: Results from the North American Carbon Program Site Synthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sulman, B. N.; Desai, A. R.; Schroeder, N. M.; NACP Site Synthesis Participants

2011-12-01

Northern peatlands contain a significant fraction of the global carbon pool, and their responses to hydrological change are likely to be important factors in future carbon cycle-climate feedbacks. Global-scale carbon cycle modeling studies typically use general ecosystem models with coarse spatial resolution, often without peatland-specific processes. Here, seven ecosystem models were used to simulate CO2 fluxes at three field sites in Canada and the northern United States, including two nutrient-rich fens and one nutrient-poor, sphagnum-dominated bog, from 2002-2006. Flux residuals (simulated - observed) were positively correlated with measured water table for both gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) at the two fen sites for all models, and were positively correlated with water table at the bog site for the majority of models. Modeled diurnal cycles at fen sites agreed well with eddy covariance measurements overall. Eddy covariance GEP and ER were higher during dry periods than during wet periods, while model results predicted either the opposite relationship or no significant difference. At the bog site, eddy covariance GEP had no significant dependence on water table, while models predicted higher GEP during wet periods. All models significantly over-estimated GEP at the bog site, and all but one over-estimated ER at the bog site. Carbon cycle models in peatland-rich regions could be improved by incorporating better models or measurements of hydrology and by inhibiting GEP and ER rates under saturated conditions. Bogs and fens likely require distinct treatments in ecosystem models due to differences in nutrients, peat properties, and plant communities.

Genomic Testing and Therapies for Breast Cancer in Clinical Practice

PubMed Central

Haas, Jennifer S.; Phillips, Kathryn A.; Liang, Su-Ying; Hassett, Michael J.; Keohane, Carol; Elkin, Elena B.; Armstrong, Joanne; Toscano, Michele

2011-01-01

Purpose: Given the likely proliferation of targeted testing and treatment strategies for cancer, a better understanding of the utilization patterns of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) testing and trastuzumab and newer gene expression profiling (GEP) for risk stratification and chemotherapy decision making are important. Study Design: Cross-sectional. Methods: We performed a medical record review of women age 35 to 65 years diagnosed between 2006 and 2007 with invasive localized breast cancer, identified using claims from a large national health plan (N = 775). Results: Almost all women received HER2 testing (96.9%), and 24.9% of women with an accepted indication received GEP. Unexplained socioeconomic differences in GEP use were apparent after adjusting for age and clinical characteristics; specifically, GEP use increased with income. For example, those in the lowest income category (< $40,000) were less likely than those with an income of $125,000 or more to receive GEP (odds ratio, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.16 to 0.73). A majority of women (57.7%) with HER2-positive disease received trastuzumab; among these women, differences in age and clinical characteristics were not apparent, although surprisingly, those in the lowest income category were more likely than those in the high-income category to receive trastuzumab (P = .02). Among women who did not have a positive HER2 test, 3.9% still received trastuzumab. Receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy increased as GEP score indicated greater risk of recurrence. Conclusion: Identifying and eliminating unnecessary variation in the use of these expensive tests and treatments should be part of quality improvement and efficiency programs. PMID:21886507

Identification of high-risk cutaneous melanoma tumors is improved when combining the online American Joint Committee on Cancer Individualized Melanoma Patient Outcome Prediction Tool with a 31-gene expression profile-based classification.

PubMed

Ferris, Laura K; Farberg, Aaron S; Middlebrook, Brooke; Johnson, Clare E; Lassen, Natalie; Oelschlager, Kristen M; Maetzold, Derek J; Cook, Robert W; Rigel, Darrell S; Gerami, Pedram

2017-05-01

A significant proportion of patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)-defined early-stage cutaneous melanoma have disease recurrence and die. A 31-gene expression profile (GEP) that accurately assesses metastatic risk associated with primary cutaneous melanomas has been described. We sought to compare accuracy of the GEP in combination with risk determined using the web-based AJCC Individualized Melanoma Patient Outcome Prediction Tool. GEP results from 205 stage I/II cutaneous melanomas with sufficient clinical data for prognostication using the AJCC tool were classified as low (class 1) or high (class 2) risk. Two 5-year overall survival cutoffs (AJCC 79% and 68%), reflecting survival for patients with stage IIA or IIB disease, respectively, were assigned for binary AJCC risk. Cox univariate analysis revealed significant risk classification of distant metastasis-free and overall survival (hazard ratio range 3.2-9.4, P < .001) for both tools. In all, 43 (21%) cases had discordant GEP and AJCC classification (using 79% cutoff). Eleven of 13 (85%) deaths in that group were predicted as high risk by GEP but low risk by AJCC. Specimens reflect tertiary care center referrals; more effective therapies have been approved for clinical use after accrual. The GEP provides valuable prognostic information and improves identification of high-risk melanomas when used together with the AJCC online prediction tool. Copyright © 2016 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Mercury Dispersion Modeling And Purge Ventilation Stack Height Determination For Tank 40H

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

Rivera-Giboyeaux, A.

2017-05-19

The SRNL Atmospheric Technologies Group performed an analysis for mercury emissions from H-Tank Farm - Tank 40 ventilation system exhaust in order to assess whether the Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL), or Threshold Limit Value (TLV) levels for mercury will be exceeded during bulk sludge slurry mixing and sludge removal operations. The American Meteorological Society/Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Model (AERMOD) was used as the main dispersion modelling tool for this analysis. The results indicated that a 45-foot stack is sufficient to raise the plume centerline from the Tank 40 release to prevent mercury exposure problems for any of the stackmore » discharge scenarios provided. However, a 42-foot stack at Tank 40 is sufficient to prevent mercury exposure concerns in all emission scenarios except the 50 mg/m 3 release. At a 42-foot stack height, values exceeding the exposure standards are only measured on receptors located above 34 feet.« less

75 FR 65386 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-22

... Postal Service believes the instant contract is functionally equivalent to previously submitted GEPS... GEPS 1 as a product, also authorized functionally equivalent agreements to be included within the... Postal Service of Filing a Functionally Equivalent Global Expedited Package Services 3 Negotiated Service...

75 FR 14475 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-25

... Service believes the instant contracts are functionally equivalent to previously submitted GEPS 2... established GEPS 1 as a product, also authorized functionally equivalent agreements to be included within the... Functionally Equivalent Global Expedited Package Services 2 Negotiated Service Agreements and Application for...

75 FR 25303 - New Postal Products

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-07

... believes the instant contracts are functionally equivalent to previously submitted GEPS 2 contracts, and... GEPS 1 as a product, also authorized functionally equivalent agreements to be included within the... Functionally Equivalent Global Expedited Package Services 2 Negotiated Service Agreements and Application for...

Logic programming reveals alteration of key transcription factors in multiple myeloma.

PubMed

Miannay, Bertrand; Minvielle, Stéphane; Roux, Olivier; Drouin, Pierre; Avet-Loiseau, Hervé; Guérin-Charbonnel, Catherine; Gouraud, Wilfried; Attal, Michel; Facon, Thierry; Munshi, Nikhil C; Moreau, Philippe; Campion, Loïc; Magrangeas, Florence; Guziolowski, Carito

2017-08-23

Innovative approaches combining regulatory networks (RN) and genomic data are needed to extract biological information for a better understanding of diseases, such as cancer, by improving the identification of entities and thereby leading to potential new therapeutic avenues. In this study, we confronted an automatically generated RN with gene expression profiles (GEP) from a cohort of multiple myeloma (MM) patients and normal individuals using global reasoning on the RN causality to identify key-nodes. We modeled each patient by his or her GEP, the RN and the possible automatically detected repairs needed to establish a coherent flow of the information that explains the logic of the GEP. These repairs could represent cancer mutations leading to GEP variability. With this reasoning, unmeasured protein states can be inferred, and we can simulate the impact of a protein perturbation on the RN behavior to identify therapeutic targets. We showed that JUN/FOS and FOXM1 activities are altered in almost all MM patients and identified two survival markers for MM patients. Our results suggest that JUN/FOS-activation has a strong impact on the RN in view of the whole GEP, whereas FOXM1-activation could be an interesting way to perturb an MM subgroup identified by our method.

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

PubMed

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

2016-04-13

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

Facile Synthesis of Layer Structured GeP3/C with Stable Chemical Bonding for Enhanced Lithium-Ion Storage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qi, Wen; Zhao, Haihua; Wu, Ying; Zeng, Hong; Tao, Tao; Chen, Chao; Kuang, Chunjiang; Zhou, Shaoxiong; Huang, Yunhui

2017-02-01

Recently, metal phosphides have been investigated as potential anode materials because of higher specific capacity compared with those of carbonaceous materials. However, the rapid capacity fade upon cycling leads to poor durability and short cycle life, which cannot meet the need of lithium-ion batteries with high energy density. Herein, we report a layer-structured GeP3/C nanocomposite anode material with high performance prepared by a facial and large-scale ball milling method via in-situ mechanical reaction. The P-O-C bonds are formed in the composite, leading to close contact between GeP3 and carbon. As a result, the GeP3/C anode displays excellent lithium storage performance with a high reversible capacity up to 1109 mA h g-1 after 130 cycles at a current density of 0.1 A g-1. Even at high current densities of 2 and 5 A g-1, the reversible capacities are still as high as 590 and 425 mA h g-1, respectively. This suggests that the GeP3/C composite is promising to achieve high-energy lithium-ion batteries and the mechanical milling is an efficient method to fabricate such composite electrode materials especially for large-scale application.

Methyl Bromide Buffer Zone Distances for Commodity and Structural Fumigation: Active Aeration, Attached Vertical Stacks, More than 8 hours, 10 Foot Stack Height

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This document contains buffer zone tables required by certain methyl bromide commodity fumigant product labels that refer to Buffer Zone Lookup Tables located at epa.gov/pesticide-registration/mbcommoditybuffer on the label.

Methyl Bromide Buffer Zone Distances for Commodity and Structural Fumigation: Active Aeration, Attached Vertical Stacks , 8 Hours or Less, 10 Foot Stack Height

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This document contains buffer zone tables required by certain methyl bromide commodity fumigant product labels that refer to Buffer Zone Lookup Tables located at epa.gov/pesticide-registration/mbcommoditybuffer on the label.

Methyl Bromide Buffer Zone Distances for Commodity and Structural Fumigation: Active Aeration, Attached Vertical Stacks, 8 Hours or Less, 50 Foot Stack Height

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This document contains buffer zone tables required by certain methyl bromide commodity fumigant product labels that refer to Buffer Zone Lookup Tables located at epa.gov/pesticide-registration/mbcommoditybuffer on the label.

Methyl Bromide Buffer Zone Distances for Commodity and Structural Fumigation: Active Aeration, Attached Vertical Stacks , 8 Hours or Less, 25 Foot Stack Height

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This document contains buffer zone tables required by certain methyl bromide commodity fumigant product labels that refer to Buffer Zone Lookup Tables located at epa.gov/pesticide-registration/mbcommoditybuffer on the label.

Methyl Bromide Buffer Zone Distances for Commodity and Structural Fumigation: Active Aeration, Attached Vertical Stacks, More than 8 hours, 25 Foot Stack Height

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This document contains buffer zone tables required by certain methyl bromide commodity fumigant product labels that refer to Buffer Zone Lookup Tables located at epa.gov/pesticide-registration/mbcommoditybuffer on the label.

Methyl Bromide Buffer Zone Distances for Commodity and Structural Fumigation: Active Aeration, Attached Vertical Stacks, More than 8 hours, 50 Foot Stack Height

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This document contains buffer zone tables required by certain methyl bromide commodity fumigant product labels that refer to Buffer Zone Lookup Tables located at epa.gov/pesticide-registration/mbcommoditybuffer on the label.

75 FR 7296 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-18

... Equivalent Global Expedited package Services 2 Negotiated Service Agreement and Application for Non-Public... Postal Service believes the instant contract is functionally equivalent to previously submitted GEPS 2... established GEPS 1 as a product, also authorized functionally equivalent agreements to be included within the...

Development of a high power density 2.5 kW class solid oxide fuel cell stack

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yokoo, M.; Mizuki, K.; Watanabe, K.; Hayashi, K.

2011-10-01

We have developed a 2.5 kW class solid oxide fuel cell stack. It is constructed by combining 70 power generation units, each of which is composed of an anode-supported planar cell and separators. The power generation unit for the 2.5 kW class stack were designed so that the height of the unit were scaled down by 2/3 of that for our conventional 1.5 kW class stack. The power generation unit for the 2.5 kW class stack provided the same output as the unit used for the conventional 1.5 kW class stack, which means that power density per unit volume of the 2.5 kW class stack was 50% greater than that of the conventional 1.5 kW class stack.

Prospective study of the impact of the Prosigna assay on adjuvant clinical decision-making in unselected patients with estrogen receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor negative, node negative early-stage breast cancer.

PubMed

Martín, Miguel; González-Rivera, Milagros; Morales, Serafín; de la Haba-Rodriguez, Juan; González-Cortijo, Lucía; Manso, Luis; Albanell, Joan; González-Martín, Antonio; González, Sónia; Arcusa, Angels; de la Cruz-Merino, Luis; Rojo, Federico; Vidal, María; Galván, Patricia; Aguirre, Elena; Morales, Cristina; Ferree, Sean; Pompilio, Kristen; Casas, Maribel; Caballero, Rosalía; Goicoechea, Uxue; Carrasco, Eva; Michalopoulos, Steven; Hornberger, John; Prat, Aleix

2015-06-01

Improved understanding of risk of recurrence (ROR) is needed to reduce cases of recurrence and more effectively treat breast cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to examine how a gene-expression profile (GEP), identified by Prosigna, influences physician adjuvant treatment selection for early breast cancer (EBC) and the effects of this influence on optimizing adjuvant treatment recommendations in clinical practice. A prospective, observational, multicenter study was carried out in 15 hospitals across Spain. Participating medical oncologists completed pre-assessment, post-assessment, and follow-up questionnaires recording their treatment recommendations and confidence in these recommendations, before and after knowing the patient's ROR. Patients completed questionnaires on decision-making, anxiety, and health status. Between June 2013 and January 2014, 217 patients enrolled and a final 200 were included in the study. Patients were postmenopausal, estrogen receptor positive, human epidermal growth hormone factor negative, and node negative with either stage 1 or stage 2 tumors. After receiving the GEP results, treatment recommendations were changed for 40 patients (20%). The confidence of medical oncologists in their treatment recommendations increased in 41.6% and decreased in 6.5% of total cases. Patients reported lower anxiety after physicians made treatment recommendations based on the GEP results (p < 0.05). Though this study does not include evaluation of the impact of GEP on long-term outcomes, it was found that GEP results influenced the treatment decisions of medical oncologists and their confidence in adjuvant therapy selection. Patients' anxiety about the selected adjuvant therapy decreased with use of the GEP.

Impact of hydrological variations on modeling of peatland CO2 fluxes: Results from the North American Carbon Program site synthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sulman, Benjamin N.; Desai, Ankur R.; Schroeder, Nicole M.; Ricciuto, Dan; Barr, Alan; Richardson, Andrew D.; Flanagan, Lawrence B.; Lafleur, Peter M.; Tian, Hanqin; Chen, Guangsheng; Grant, Robert F.; Poulter, Benjamin; Verbeeck, Hans; Ciais, Philippe; Ringeval, Bruno; Baker, Ian T.; Schaefer, Kevin; Luo, Yiqi; Weng, Ensheng

2012-03-01

Northern peatlands are likely to be important in future carbon cycle-climate feedbacks due to their large carbon pools and vulnerability to hydrological change. Use of non-peatland-specific models could lead to bias in modeling studies of peatland-rich regions. Here, seven ecosystem models were used to simulate CO2fluxes at three wetland sites in Canada and the northern United States, including two nutrient-rich fens and one nutrient-poor,sphagnum-dominated bog, over periods between 1999 and 2007. Models consistently overestimated mean annual gross ecosystem production (GEP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) at all three sites. Monthly flux residuals (simulated - observed) were correlated with measured water table for GEP and ER at the two fen sites, but were not consistently correlated with water table at the bog site. Models that inhibited soil respiration under saturated conditions had less mean bias than models that did not. Modeled diurnal cycles agreed well with eddy covariance measurements at fen sites, but overestimated fluxes at the bog site. Eddy covariance GEP and ER at fens were higher during dry periods than during wet periods, while models predicted either the opposite relationship or no significant difference. At the bog site, eddy covariance GEP did not depend on water table, while simulated GEP was higher during wet periods. Carbon cycle modeling in peatland-rich regions could be improved by incorporating wetland-specific hydrology and by inhibiting GEP and ER under saturated conditions. Bogs and fens likely require distinct plant and soil parameterizations in ecosystem models due to differences in nutrients, peat properties, and plant communities.

Gene expression profiling in multiple myeloma--reporting of entities, risk, and targets in clinical routine.

PubMed

Meissner, Tobias; Seckinger, Anja; Rème, Thierry; Hielscher, Thomas; Möhler, Thomas; Neben, Kai; Goldschmidt, Hartmut; Klein, Bernard; Hose, Dirk

2011-12-01

Multiple myeloma is an incurable malignant plasma cell disease characterized by survival ranging from several months to more than 15 years. Assessment of risk and underlying molecular heterogeneity can be excellently done by gene expression profiling (GEP), but its way into clinical routine is hampered by the lack of an appropriate reporting tool and the integration with other prognostic factors into a single "meta" risk stratification. The GEP-report (GEP-R) was built as an open-source software developed in R for gene expression reporting in clinical practice using Affymetrix microarrays. GEP-R processes new samples by applying a documentation-by-value strategy to the raw data to be able to assign thresholds and grouping algorithms defined on a reference cohort of 262 patients with multiple myeloma. Furthermore, we integrated expression-based and conventional prognostic factors within one risk stratification (HM-metascore). The GEP-R comprises (i) quality control, (ii) sample identity control, (iii) biologic classification, (iv) risk stratification, and (v) assessment of target genes. The resulting HM-metascore is defined as the sum over the weighted factors gene expression-based risk-assessment (UAMS-, IFM-score), proliferation, International Staging System (ISS) stage, t(4;14), and expression of prognostic target genes (AURKA, IGF1R) for which clinical grade inhibitors exist. The HM-score delineates three significantly different groups of 13.1%, 72.1%, and 14.7% of patients with a 6-year survival rate of 89.3%, 60.6%, and 18.6%, respectively. GEP reporting allows prospective assessment of risk and target gene expression and integration of current prognostic factors in clinical routine, being customizable about novel parameters or other cancer entities. ©2011 AACR.

Methyl Bromide Buffer Zone Distances for Commodity and Structural Fumigation: Active Aeration, Open Area Vertical Stacks, More than 8 Hours, 25 Foot Stack Height

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This document contains buffer zone tables required by certain methyl bromide commodity fumigant product labels that refer to Buffer Zone Lookup Tables located at epa.gov/pesticide-registration/mbcommoditybuffer on the label.

Methyl Bromide Buffer Zone Distances for Commodity and Structural Fumigation: Active Aeration, Open Area Vertical Stacks , 8 Hours or Less, 5 Foot Stack Height

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This document contains buffer zone tables required by certain methyl bromide commodity fumigant product labels that refer to Buffer Zone Lookup Tables located at epa.gov/pesticide-registration/mbcommoditybuffer on the label.

Methyl Bromide Buffer Zone Distances for Commodity and Structural Fumigation: Active Aeration, Open Area Vertical Stacks, More than 8 Hours, 5 Foot Stack Height

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This document contains buffer zone tables required by certain methyl bromide commodity fumigant product labels that refer to Buffer Zone Lookup Tables located at epa.gov/pesticide-registration/mbcommoditybuffer on the label.

Methyl Bromide Buffer Zone Distances for Commodity and Structural Fumigation: Active Aeration, Open Area Vertical Stacks, 8 Hours or Less, 10 Foot Stack Height

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This document contains buffer zone tables required by certain methyl bromide commodity fumigant product labels that refer to Buffer Zone Lookup Tables located at epa.gov/pesticide-registration/mbcommoditybuffer on the label.

Methyl Bromide Buffer Zone Distances for Commodity and Structural Fumigation: Active Aeration, Open Area Vertical Stacks, 8 Hours or Less, 50 Foot Stack Height

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This document contains buffer zone tables required by certain methyl bromide commodity fumigant product labels that refer to Buffer Zone Lookup Tables located at epa.gov/pesticide-registration/mbcommoditybuffer on the label.

Methyl Bromide Buffer Zone Distances for Commodity and Structural Fumigation: Active Aeration, Open Area Vertical Stacks, 8 Hours or Less, 25 Foot Stack Height

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This document contains buffer zone tables required by certain methyl bromide commodity fumigant product labels that refer to Buffer Zone Lookup Tables located at epa.gov/pesticide-registration/mbcommoditybuffer on the label.

Methyl Bromide Buffer Zone Distances for Commodity and Structural Fumigation: Active Aeration, Open Area Vertical Stacks, More than 8 Hours, 50 Foot Stack Height

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This document contains buffer zone tables required by certain methyl bromide commodity fumigant product labels that refer to Buffer Zone Lookup Tables located at epa.gov/pesticide-registration/mbcommoditybuffer on the label.

Methyl Bromide Buffer Zone Distances for Commodity and Structural Fumigation: Active Aeration, Open Area Vertical Stacks, More than 8 Hours, 10 Foot Stack Height

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This document contains buffer zone tables required by certain methyl bromide commodity fumigant product labels that refer to Buffer Zone Lookup Tables located at epa.gov/pesticide-registration/mbcommoditybuffer on the label.

Current status of gene expression profiling in the diagnosis and management of acute leukaemia.

PubMed

Bacher, Ulrike; Kohlmann, Alexander; Haferlach, Torsten

2009-06-01

Gene expression profiling (GEP) enables the simultaneous investigation of the expression of tens of thousands of genes and was successfully introduced in leukaemia research a decade ago. Aiming to better understand the diversity of genetic aberrations in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), pioneer studies investigated and confirmed the predictability of many cytogenetic and molecular subclasses in AML and ALL. In addition, GEP can define new prognostic subclasses within distinct leukaemia subgroups, as illustrated in AML with normal karyotype. Another approach is the development of treatment-specific sensitivity assays, which might contribute to targeted therapy studies. Finally, GEP might enable the detection of new molecular targets for therapy in patients with acute leukaemia. Meanwhile, large multicentre studies, e.g. the Microarray Innovations in LEukaemia (MILE) study, prepare for a standardised introduction of GEP in leukaemia diagnostic algorithms, aiming to translate this novel methodology into clinical routine for the benefit of patients with the complex disorders of AML and ALL.

Strain engineering on electronic structure and carrier mobility in monolayer GeP3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Bowen; Long, Mengqiu; Zhang, Xiaojiao; Dong, Yulan; Li, Mingjun; Yi, Yougen; Duan, Haiming

2018-06-01

Using density functional theory coupled with the Boltzmann transport equation with relaxation time approximation, we have studied the strain effect on the electronic structure and carrier mobility of two-dimensional monolayer GeP3. We find that the energies of valence band maximum and conduction band minimum are nearly linearly shifted with a biaxial strain in the range of  ‑4% to 6%, and the band structure experiences a remarkable transition from semiconductor to metal with the appropriate compression (‑5% strain). Under biaxial strain, the mobility of the electron and hole in monolayer GeP3 reduces and increases by more than one order of magnitude, respectively. It is suggested that it is possible to perform successive transitions from an n-type semiconductor (‑4% strain) to a good performance p-semiconductor (+6% strain) by applying strain in monolayer GeP3, which is potentially useful for flexible electronics and nanosized mechanical sensors.

How do women trade-off benefits and risks in chemotherapy treatment decisions based on gene expression profiling for early-stage breast cancer? A discrete choice experiment.

PubMed

Marshall, Deborah A; Deal, Ken; Bombard, Yvonne; Leighl, Natasha; MacDonald, Karen V; Trudeau, Maureen

2016-06-02

Gene expression profiling (GEP) of tumours informs baseline risk prediction, potentially affecting adjuvant chemotherapy decisions for women with early-stage breast cancer. Since only 15% will experience a recurrence, concerns have been raised about potential harms from overtreatment and high GEP costs in publicly funded healthcare systems. We aimed to estimate preferences and personal utility of GEP testing information and benefit-risk trade-offs in chemotherapy treatment decisions. Based on literature review and findings from our qualitative research (focus groups, interviews with patients with breast cancer and medical oncologists), we developed a discrete choice experiment (DCE) survey and administered it via an internet panel. The DCE included 12 choice tasks with 5 attributes and 3 alternatives considering orthogonality, D-efficiency and level balance. The DCE survey was administered to 1004 Canadian women from the general population. Preferences were analysed using conditional logit and hierarchical Bayes and evaluated for goodness of fit. We conducted simulation analyses for alternative scenarios. GEP test score indicating likely benefit from chemotherapy was the most important attribute. Doctor's clinical estimate of the risk of cancer returning, trust in your cancer doctor and side effects of chemotherapy (temporary and permanent) were relatively less important but showed significant differences among levels. In the scenario analyses, 78% were likely to choose chemotherapy in a high-risk scenario, 55% in a moderate-risk scenario and 33% in a low-risk scenario, with the other attributes held constant. A high GEP score was more important in influencing the choice of chemotherapy for those at intermediate clinical risk. GEP testing information influences chemotherapy treatment decisions in early-stage breast cancer and varies depending on clinical risk. Clinicians should be aware of these differences and tailor the use of GEP testing accordingly. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

77 FR 12724 - International Postal Service-Global Expedited Package Services (GEPS) Contracts

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-02

... POSTAL SERVICE\\TM\\ 39 CFR Part 20 International Postal Service--Global Expedited Package Services (GEPS) Contracts AGENCY: Postal Service TM . ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Postal Service will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM[supreg]) to...

75 FR 45174 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-02

... and CP2010-83; Order No. 501] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice... Package Services 3 (GEPS 3) contracts to the competitive product list. This notice addresses procedural..., Attachment 3. The Notice also explains that Order No. 86, which established GEPS 1 as a product, also...

40 CFR 52.990 - Stack height regulations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Section 52.990 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS... emission limitation for a specific source exceeds the height allowed by Section 921(A) “Good Engineering... Department of Environmental Quality, dated September 23, 1986, stated that: In specific, the State regulation...

Ecosystem carbon exchange in response to locust outbreaks in a temperate steppe.

PubMed

Song, Jian; Wu, Dandan; Shao, Pengshuai; Hui, Dafeng; Wan, Shiqiang

2015-06-01

It is predicted that locust outbreaks will occur more frequently under future climate change scenarios, with consequent effects on ecological goods and services. A field manipulative experiment was conducted to examine the responses of gross ecosystem productivity (GEP), net ecosystem carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange (NEE), ecosystem respiration (ER), and soil respiration (SR) to locust outbreaks in a temperate steppe of northern China from 2010 to 2011. Two processes related to locust outbreaks, natural locust feeding and carcass deposition, were mimicked by clipping 80 % of aboveground biomass and adding locust carcasses, respectively. Ecosystem carbon (C) exchange (i.e., GEP, NEE, ER, and SR) was suppressed by locust feeding in 2010, but stimulated by locust carcass deposition in both years (except SR in 2011). Experimental locust outbreaks (i.e., clipping plus locust carcass addition) decreased GEP and NEE in 2010 whereas they increased GEP, NEE, and ER in 2011, leading to neutral changes in GEP, NEE, and SR across the 2 years. The responses of ecosystem C exchange could have been due to the changes in soil ammonium nitrogen, community cover, and aboveground net primary productivity. Our findings of the transient and neutral changes in ecosystem C cycling under locust outbreaks highlight the importance of resistance, resilience, and stability of the temperate steppe in maintaining reliable ecosystem services, and facilitate the projections of ecosystem functioning in response to natural disturbance and climate change.

GEP, A Geophysical and Environemental integrated payload for ExoMars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spohn, T.; Lognonne, P.; Dehant, V.; Giardini, D.; Friis-Christensen, E.; Calcutt, S.; GEP Team

The goal of the GEP proposed onboard the ExoMars mission is to provide the first complete set of geophysical and environmental data of Mars. A full mass of 20 kg is envisaged, enabling a payload of about 5 kg serviced by common integrated subsystems. GEP will first monitor the present Martian climate and meteorology by providing a unique monitoring on potential hazards for future human exploration missions (radiations, atmospheric electricity, dust) and on atmospheric parameters (wind, pressure, temperature, humidity). Such a long term monitoring has never been performed since the Viking landers. GEP will then provide, for the first time, a complete geophysical monitoring of Mars. It will search for remote and regional seismic activity, will measure the heat flux of the planets, will monitor the rotation of Mars and will study the magnetic field at the surface and finally will constrain the subsurface in the vicinity of the ExoMars landing site and the deep interior. By providing these new geophysical data and associated constraints on the interior and on the actual geologic activity of the surface, GEP will provide a major step in our understanding of the geological evolution of the planet and the habitability conditions during the first billion years, enabling a full understanding of the surface and mineralogical observations performed by the Pasteur payload onboard the ExoMars rover and by the payload onboard the MSL NASA 2009 mission.

78 FR 1277 - International Product Change-Global Expedited Package Services-Non-Published Rates

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-08

... POSTAL SERVICE International Product Change--Global Expedited Package Services-- Non-Published...-- Non-Published Rates 4 (GEPS-NPR 4) to the Competitive Products List. DATES: Effective date: January 8... add Global Expedited Package Services-- Non-Published Rates 4 (GEPS-NPR 4) to the Competitive Products...

Improving Girls' Education in Guatemala. Impact Evaluation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Agency for International Development (IDCA), Washington, DC. Center for Development Information and Evaluation.

In Guatemala, many girls attend no school. A project by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Basic Education Strengthening (BEST), demonstrated that improving educational quality is the best approach to enhancing girls' participation. BEST included a Girls Education Program (GEP) activity. Under the BEST/GEP umbrella,…

A Design of Experiments Approach Defining the Relationships Between Processing and Microstructure for Ti-6Al-4V

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wallace, Terryl A.; Bey, Kim S.; Taminger, Karen M. B.; Hafley, Robert A.

2004-01-01

A study was conducted to evaluate the relative significance of input parameters on Ti- 6Al-4V deposits produced by an electron beam free form fabrication process under development at the NASA Langley Research Center. Five input parameters where chosen (beam voltage, beam current, translation speed, wire feed rate, and beam focus), and a design of experiments (DOE) approach was used to develop a set of 16 experiments to evaluate the relative importance of these parameters on the resulting deposits. Both single-bead and multi-bead stacks were fabricated using 16 combinations, and the resulting heights and widths of the stack deposits were measured. The resulting microstructures were also characterized to determine the impact of these parameters on the size of the melt pool and heat affected zone. The relative importance of each input parameter on the height and width of the multi-bead stacks will be discussed. .

Tunable Emission Wavelength Stacked InAs/GaAs Quantum Dots by Chemical Beam Epitaxy for Optical Coherence Tomography

PubMed Central

Ilahi, Bouraoui; Zribi, Jihene; Guillotte, Maxime; Arès, Richard; Aimez, Vincent; Morris, Denis

2016-01-01

We report on Chemical Beam Epitaxy (CBE) growth of wavelength tunable InAs/GaAs quantum dots (QD) based superluminescent diode’s active layer suitable for Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). The In-flush technique has been employed to fabricate QD with controllable heights, from 5 nm down to 2 nm, allowing a tunable emission band over 160 nm. The emission wavelength blueshift has been ensured by reducing both dots’ height and composition. A structure containing four vertically stacked height-engineered QDs have been fabricated, showing a room temperature broad emission band centered at 1.1 µm. The buried QD layers remain insensitive to the In-flush process of the subsequent layers, testifying the reliability of the process for broadband light sources required for high axial resolution OCT imaging. PMID:28773633

[The application of gene expression programming in the diagnosis of heart disease].

PubMed

Dai, Wenbin; Zhang, Yuntao; Gao, Xingyu

2009-02-01

GEP (Gene expression programming) is a new genetic algorithm, and it has been proved to be excellent in function finding. In this paper, for the purpose of setting up a diagnostic model, GEP is used to deal with the data of heart disease. Eight variables, Sex, Chest pain, Blood pressure, Angina, Peak, Slope, Colored vessels and Thal, are picked out of thirteen variables to form a classified function. This function is used to predict a forecasting set of 100 samples, and the accuracy is 87%. Other algorithms such as SVM (Support vector machine) are applied to the same data and the forecasting results show that GEP is better than other algorithms.

78 FR 963 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-07

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. MC2013-27 and CP2013-35; Order No. 1601] New Postal... Global Express Guaranteed (GXG), as well as the creation of a new GEPS-NPR 4 model contract and... redacted version of the GEPS-NPR 4 model contract related to the proposed new product under 39 U.S.C. 3632...

Contrasting effects of invasive insects and fire on ecosystem water use efficiency

Treesearch

K.L. Clark; N.S. Skowronski; M.R. Gallagher; H. Renninger; K.V.R. Schäfer

2014-01-01

We used eddy covariance and meteorological measurements to estimate net ecosystem exchange of CO2 (NEE), gross ecosystem production (GEP), evapotranspiration (Et), and ecosystem water use efficiency (WUEe; calculated as GEP / Et during dry canopy conditions) in three upland forests in the New Jersey Pinelands, USA, that were defoliated by gypsy...

Application of gene expression programming and neural networks to predict adverse events of radical hysterectomy in cervical cancer patients.

PubMed

Kusy, Maciej; Obrzut, Bogdan; Kluska, Jacek

2013-12-01

The aim of this article was to compare gene expression programming (GEP) method with three types of neural networks in the prediction of adverse events of radical hysterectomy in cervical cancer patients. One-hundred and seven patients treated by radical hysterectomy were analyzed. Each record representing a single patient consisted of 10 parameters. The occurrence and lack of perioperative complications imposed a two-class classification problem. In the simulations, GEP algorithm was compared to a multilayer perceptron (MLP), a radial basis function network neural, and a probabilistic neural network. The generalization ability of the models was assessed on the basis of their accuracy, the sensitivity, the specificity, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). The GEP classifier provided best results in the prediction of the adverse events with the accuracy of 71.96 %. Comparable but slightly worse outcomes were obtained using MLP, i.e., 71.87 %. For each of measured indices: accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and the AUROC, the standard deviation was the smallest for the models generated by GEP classifier.

Upgrade of a GEP50 robot control system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alounai, Ali T.; Gharsalli, Imed

2000-03-01

Recently the ASL at Tennessee Technological University was donated a GEP50 welder. The welding is done via off line point-to-point teaching. A state of the art robot was needed for research but because money was not available to purchase such an expensive item. It was therefore decided to upgrade the GEP50 control system to make the welder a multitasking robot. The robot has five degrees of freedom can be sufficient to pursue some research in robotics control. The problem was that the control system of the welder is limited to point-to-point control, using off-line teaching. To make the GEP50 a multitasking robot that can be controlled using different control strategies, the existing control system of the welder had to be replaced. The upgrade turned to be a low cost operation. This robot is currently in sue to test different advanced control strategies in the ASL. This work discusses all the steps and tasks undertaken during the upgrade operation. The hardware and software required or the upgrade are provided in this paper. The newly developed control system has been implemented and tested successfully.

Development of ocean color algorithms for estimating chlorophyll-a concentrations and inherent optical properties using gene expression programming (GEP).

PubMed

Chang, Chih-Hua

2015-03-09

This paper proposes new inversion algorithms for the estimation of Chlorophyll-a concentration (Chla) and the ocean's inherent optical properties (IOPs) from the measurement of remote sensing reflectance (Rrs). With in situ data from the NASA bio-optical marine algorithm data set (NOMAD), inversion algorithms were developed by the novel gene expression programming (GEP) approach, which creates, manipulates and selects the most appropriate tree-structured functions based on evolutionary computing. The limitations and validity of the proposed algorithms are evaluated by simulated Rrs spectra with respect to NOMAD, and a closure test for IOPs obtained at a single reference wavelength. The application of GEP-derived algorithms is validated against in situ, synthetic and satellite match-up data sets compiled by NASA and the International Ocean Color Coordinate Group (IOCCG). The new algorithms are able to provide Chla and IOPs retrievals to those derived by other state-of-the-art regression approaches and obtained with the semi- and quasi-analytical algorithms, respectively. In practice, there are no significant differences between GEP, support vector regression, and multilayer perceptron model in terms of the overall performance. The GEP-derived algorithms are successfully applied in processing the images taken by the Sea Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS), generate Chla and IOPs maps which show better details of developing algal blooms, and give more information on the distribution of water constituents between different water bodies.

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.

Impact of a Graduate Entry Programme on a medical school library service.

PubMed

Martin, Sam

2003-03-01

The aim of this study was to compare the use of library facilities by first year undergraduate medical students and Graduate Entry Programme students (GEP). More specifically it tried to determine which library services (if any) were more frequently used by GEP so that this could be taken into account in future Information Services planning. A questionnaire on the use of Library and Information Services was posted to all first year GEP students and undergraduates on the 5-year course. In addition, user statistics of library entry and borrowing were collated from gate readings and the library Unicorn management system. Overall, GEP students were found to make a greater daily/weekly use of library facilities than undergraduates on the 5-year course. The facilities most used by both sets of students were essential texts, e-mail, PCs and study facilities. Computer Aided Learning packages, journals and video facilities were least used. However, on a daily/weekly basis GEP students made 74% more use of journals (P < 0.01), 59% more use of e-journals (P < 0.05), 36% more use photocopiers (P < 0.05), 42% more use of printers (P < 0.05), 56% more use of the library catalogue (P < 0.05) and 50% more use of databases (P < 0.05). This difference in use should be taken into account by LIS providers as there is expected to be an increase in fast-track graduate courses offered by medical schools throughout the UK.

Reverse engineering model structures for soil and ecosystem respiration: the potential of gene expression programming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ilie, Iulia; Dittrich, Peter; Carvalhais, Nuno; Jung, Martin; Heinemeyer, Andreas; Migliavacca, Mirco; Morison, James I. L.; Sippel, Sebastian; Subke, Jens-Arne; Wilkinson, Matthew; Mahecha, Miguel D.

2017-09-01

Accurate model representation of land-atmosphere carbon fluxes is essential for climate projections. However, the exact responses of carbon cycle processes to climatic drivers often remain uncertain. Presently, knowledge derived from experiments, complemented by a steadily evolving body of mechanistic theory, provides the main basis for developing such models. The strongly increasing availability of measurements may facilitate new ways of identifying suitable model structures using machine learning. Here, we explore the potential of gene expression programming (GEP) to derive relevant model formulations based solely on the signals present in data by automatically applying various mathematical transformations to potential predictors and repeatedly evolving the resulting model structures. In contrast to most other machine learning regression techniques, the GEP approach generates readable models that allow for prediction and possibly for interpretation. Our study is based on two cases: artificially generated data and real observations. Simulations based on artificial data show that GEP is successful in identifying prescribed functions, with the prediction capacity of the models comparable to four state-of-the-art machine learning methods (random forests, support vector machines, artificial neural networks, and kernel ridge regressions). Based on real observations we explore the responses of the different components of terrestrial respiration at an oak forest in south-eastern England. We find that the GEP-retrieved models are often better in prediction than some established respiration models. Based on their structures, we find previously unconsidered exponential dependencies of respiration on seasonal ecosystem carbon assimilation and water dynamics. We noticed that the GEP models are only partly portable across respiration components, the identification of a general terrestrial respiration model possibly prevented by equifinality issues. Overall, GEP is a promising tool for uncovering new model structures for terrestrial ecology in the data-rich era, complementing more traditional modelling approaches.

Interim analysis of survival in a prospective, multi-center registry cohort of cutaneous melanoma tested with a prognostic 31-gene expression profile test.

PubMed

Hsueh, Eddy C; DeBloom, James R; Lee, Jonathan; Sussman, Jeffrey J; Covington, Kyle R; Middlebrook, Brooke; Johnson, Clare; Cook, Robert W; Slingluff, Craig L; McMasters, Kelly M

2017-08-29

A 31-gene expression profile (GEP) test that provides risk classification of cutaneous melanoma (CM) patients has been validated in several retrospective studies. The objective of the reported study was a prospective evaluation of the GEP performance in patients enrolled in two clinical registries. Three-hundred twenty two CM patients enrolled in the EXPAND (NCT02355587) and INTEGRATE (NCT02355574) registries met the criteria of age ≥ 16 years, successful GEP result and ≥1 follow-up visit for inclusion in this interim analysis. Primary endpoints were recurrence-free (RFS), distant metastasis-free (DMFS), and overall survival (OS). Median follow-up was 1.5 years for event-free patients. Median age for subjects was 58 years (range 18-87) and median Breslow thickness was 1.2 mm (range 0.2-12.0). Eighty-eight percent (282/322) of cases had stage I/II disease and 74% (237/322) had a SLN biopsy. Seventy-seven percent (248/322) had class 1 molecular profiles. 1.5-year RFS, DMFS, and OS rates were 97 vs. 77%, 99 vs. 89%, and 99 vs. 92% for class 1 vs. class 2, respectively (p < 0.0001 for each). Multivariate Cox regression showed Breslow thickness, mitotic rate, and GEP class to significantly predict recurrence (p < 0.01), while tumor thickness was the only significant predictor of distant metastasis and overall survival in this interim analysis. Interim analysis of patient outcomes from a combined prospective cohort supports the 31-gene GEP's ability to stratify early-stage CM patients into two groups with significantly different metastatic risk. RFS outcomes in this real-world cohort are consistent with previously published analyses with retrospective specimens. GEP testing complements current clinicopathologic features and increases identification of high-risk patients. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02355574  and NCT02355587.

Study of the in-medium nucleon electromagnetic form factors using a light-front nucleon wave function combined with the quark-meson coupling model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Araújo, W. R. B.; de Melo, J. P. B. C.; Tsushima, K.

2018-02-01

We study the nucleon electromagnetic (EM) form factors in symmetric nuclear matter as well as in vacuum within a light-front approach using the in-medium inputs calculated by the quark-meson coupling model. The same in-medium quark properties are used as those used for the study of in-medium pion properties. The zero of the proton EM form factor ratio in vacuum, the electric to magnetic form factor ratio μpGEp (Q2) /GMp (Q2) (Q2 = -q2 > 0 with q being the four-momentum transfer), is determined including the latest experimental data by implementing a hard constituent quark component in the nucleon wave function. A reasonable fit is achieved for the ratio μpGEp (Q2) /GMp (Q2) in vacuum, and we predict that the Q02 value to cross the zero of the ratio to be about 15 GeV2. In addition the double ratio data of the proton EM form factors in 4He and H nuclei, [GEp4He (Q2) /G4HeMp (Q2) ] / [GEp1H (Q2) /GMp1H (Q2) ], extracted by the polarized (e → ,e‧ p →) scattering experiment on 4He at JLab, are well described. We also predict that the Q02 value satisfying μpGEp (Q02) /GMp (Q0 2) = 0 in symmetric nuclear matter, shifts to a smaller value as increasing nuclear matter density, which reflects the facts that the faster falloff of GEp (Q2) as increasing Q2 and the increase of the proton mean-square charge radius. Furthermore, we calculate the neutron EM form factor double ratio in symmetric nuclear matter for 0.1

77 FR 305 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-04

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2012-4 and CP2012-8; Order No. 1073] New Postal...), as well as a new GEPS-NPR 3 model contract and accompanying financial model that differ from the GEPS... to the proposed new product under 39 U.S.C. 3632(b)(3) and 39 CFR 3015.5. Id. Attachment B. The...

Peak flood estimation using gene expression programming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zorn, Conrad R.; Shamseldin, Asaad Y.

2015-12-01

As a case study for the Auckland Region of New Zealand, this paper investigates the potential use of gene-expression programming (GEP) in predicting specific return period events in comparison to the established and widely used Regional Flood Estimation (RFE) method. Initially calibrated to 14 gauged sites, the GEP derived model was further validated to 10 and 100 year flood events with a relative errors of 29% and 18%, respectively. This is compared to the RFE method providing 48% and 44% errors for the same flood events. While the effectiveness of GEP in predicting specific return period events is made apparent, it is argued that the derived equations should be used in conjunction with those existing methodologies rather than as a replacement.

40 CFR 52.875 - Original identification of plan section.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... applicable to stationary sources subject to prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) permit requirements... interim stack height policy for each PSD permit issued until such time as EPA revises its general stack... submitted rule revisions to K.A.R. 28-19-17, the PSD rule; to K.A.R. 28-19-19, the CEM rule; and to K.A.R...

40 CFR 52.875 - Original identification of plan section.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... applicable to stationary sources subject to prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) permit requirements... interim stack height policy for each PSD permit issued until such time as EPA revises its general stack... submitted rule revisions to K.A.R. 28-19-17, the PSD rule; to K.A.R. 28-19-19, the CEM rule; and to K.A.R...

40 CFR 52.875 - Original identification of plan section.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... applicable to stationary sources subject to prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) permit requirements... interim stack height policy for each PSD permit issued until such time as EPA revises its general stack... submitted rule revisions to K.A.R. 28-19-17, the PSD rule; to K.A.R. 28-19-19, the CEM rule; and to K.A.R...

40 CFR 52.875 - Original identification of plan section.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... applicable to stationary sources subject to prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) permit requirements... interim stack height policy for each PSD permit issued until such time as EPA revises its general stack... submitted rule revisions to K.A.R. 28-19-17, the PSD rule; to K.A.R. 28-19-19, the CEM rule; and to K.A.R...

Relationship between clinical characteristics and survival of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms: A single-institution analysis (1995-2012) in South China.

PubMed

Wang, Yu-Hong; Lin, Yuan; Xue, Ling; Wang, Jin-Hui; Chen, Min-Hu; Chen, Jie

2012-11-29

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (GEP-NEN) is the most common type of neuroendocrine tumors accounting for 65-75% of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). Given the fact that there are few studies on GEP-NENs among Chinese patients, we performed a retrospective study in South China. Totally 178 patients with GEP-NENs treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between January 1995 and May 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Pancreas was found the most common site of involvement (34.8%). 149 patients (83.7%) presented as non-functional tumors with non-specific symptoms such as abdominal pain (33.7%); carcinoid syndrome was not found in this study. Several methods are useful for localization of GEP-NENs, yielding varied detection rates from 77.8% to 98.7%. Positive rates of chromogranin A (CgA) and synaptophysin (Syn) immunhistochemically were 69.1% and 90.2%, respectively. 87 patients (51.5%) had G1 tumors, 31(18.3%) G2 tumors and 51 (30.2%) G3 tumors. Neuroendocrine tumor (NET), neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) and mixed adenoendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) were 69.8%, 27.2% and 3.0%, respectively. 28.1% of patients presented with distant disease. Surgery was performed in 152 (85.4%) patients, and overall 5-year survival rate was 54.5%. Functionality, G1 grading and NET classification were associated with favorable prognosis in univariate analysis. Distant metastasis contributed to unfavorable prognosis of these tumors. Nonfunctional tumors with non-specific symptoms account for the majority of GEP-NENs. Diagnosis depends on pathological classification. Multidisciplinary treatments could help improve the outcome.

Gastrointestinal Endogenous Protein-Derived Bioactive Peptides: An in Vitro Study of Their Gut Modulatory Potential

PubMed Central

Dave, Lakshmi A.; Hayes, Maria; Mora, Leticia; Montoya, Carlos A.; Moughan, Paul J.; Rutherfurd, Shane M.

2016-01-01

A recently proposed paradigm suggests that, like their dietary counterparts, digestion of gastrointestinal endogenous proteins (GEP) may also produce bioactive peptides. With an aim to test this hypothesis, in vitro digests of four GEP namely; trypsin (TRYP), lysozyme (LYS), mucin (MUC), serum albumin (SA) and a dietary protein chicken albumin (CA) were screened for their angiotensin-I converting (ACE-I), renin, platelet-activating factor-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitory (DPP-IV) and antioxidant potential following simulated in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Further, the resultant small intestinal digests were enriched to obtain peptides between 3–10 kDa in size. All in vitro digests of the four GEP were found to inhibit ACE-I compared to the positive control captopril when assayed at a concentration of 1 mg/mL, while the LYS < 3-kDa permeate fraction inhibited renin by 40% (±1.79%). The LYS < 10-kDa fraction inhibited PAF-AH by 39% (±4.34%), and the SA < 3-kDa fraction inhibited DPP-IV by 45% (±1.24%). The MUC < 3-kDa fraction had an ABTS-inhibition antioxidant activity of 150 (±24.79) µM trolox equivalent and the LYS < 10-kDa fraction inhibited 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) by 54% (±1.62%). Moreover, over 190 peptide-sequences were identified from the bioactive GEP fractions. The findings of the present study indicate that GEP are a significant source of bioactive peptides which may influence gut function. PMID:27043546

Grazing Effects on Water Use Efficiency on a Mongolian Desert Steppe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shao, C.; Chen, J.; Li, L.; John, R.; Ouyang, Z.

2015-12-01

Ecosystem-level water use efficiency (WUE), defined as the ratio of gross primary production (GPP) to evapotranspiration (ET), was assessed by continuous and simultaneous direct eddy-covariance (EC) measurements of carbon and water fluxes on adjacent pastures of grazed (DS) and ungrazed steppes (FS) in the Mongolia Plateau for a two-year period from 2010 to 2012. We found that the WUE was well positively linear correlated (r2=0.90) with the GEP both in the DS and FS. Due to our desert steppe was very sensitive to the precipitation, WUE was co-varied with the precipitation. WUE increased with the GEP increase under good water conditions, when the GEP reached its maximal value (DS: 3 g C m-2, FS: 2 g C m-2), the WUE was suppressed and kept a stable value during the peak growing season. Both GEP and WUE was near zero when the soil moisture was lower. We also found that the WUE was negatively correlated with ET. The WUE was higher in GS than that in FS. The mean seasonal WUE was 0.93 in GS and 0.54 g C kg-1 H2O in FS, with a peak monthly WUE of 1.32 in GS and 0.73 g C kg-1 H2O in FS, respectively. The difference between GS and FS mainly caused by that the ET was changed with the GEP during the entire growing season. This suggests the importance of both plant population dynamics and water statues should be considered in WUE studies.

Operating Comfort Prediction Model of Human-Machine Interface Layout for Cabin Based on GEP.

PubMed

Deng, Li; Wang, Guohua; Chen, Bo

2015-01-01

In view of the evaluation and decision-making problem of human-machine interface layout design for cabin, the operating comfort prediction model is proposed based on GEP (Gene Expression Programming), using operating comfort to evaluate layout scheme. Through joint angles to describe operating posture of upper limb, the joint angles are taken as independent variables to establish the comfort model of operating posture. Factor analysis is adopted to decrease the variable dimension; the model's input variables are reduced from 16 joint angles to 4 comfort impact factors, and the output variable is operating comfort score. The Chinese virtual human body model is built by CATIA software, which will be used to simulate and evaluate the operators' operating comfort. With 22 groups of evaluation data as training sample and validation sample, GEP algorithm is used to obtain the best fitting function between the joint angles and the operating comfort; then, operating comfort can be predicted quantitatively. The operating comfort prediction result of human-machine interface layout of driller control room shows that operating comfort prediction model based on GEP is fast and efficient, it has good prediction effect, and it can improve the design efficiency.

Operating Comfort Prediction Model of Human-Machine Interface Layout for Cabin Based on GEP

PubMed Central

Wang, Guohua; Chen, Bo

2015-01-01

In view of the evaluation and decision-making problem of human-machine interface layout design for cabin, the operating comfort prediction model is proposed based on GEP (Gene Expression Programming), using operating comfort to evaluate layout scheme. Through joint angles to describe operating posture of upper limb, the joint angles are taken as independent variables to establish the comfort model of operating posture. Factor analysis is adopted to decrease the variable dimension; the model's input variables are reduced from 16 joint angles to 4 comfort impact factors, and the output variable is operating comfort score. The Chinese virtual human body model is built by CATIA software, which will be used to simulate and evaluate the operators' operating comfort. With 22 groups of evaluation data as training sample and validation sample, GEP algorithm is used to obtain the best fitting function between the joint angles and the operating comfort; then, operating comfort can be predicted quantitatively. The operating comfort prediction result of human-machine interface layout of driller control room shows that operating comfort prediction model based on GEP is fast and efficient, it has good prediction effect, and it can improve the design efficiency. PMID:26448740

The current medical education system in the world.

PubMed

Nara, Nobuo; Suzuki, Toshiya; Tohda, Shuji

2011-07-04

To contribute to the innovation of the medical education system in Japan, we visited 35 medical schools and 5 institutes in 12 countries of North America, Europe, Australia and Asia in 2008-2010 and observed the education system. We met the deans, medical education committee and administration affairs and discussed about the desirable education system. We also observed the facilities of medical schools.Medical education system shows marked diversity in the world. There are three types of education course; non-graduate-entry program(non-GEP), graduate-entry program(GEP) and mixed program of non-GEP and GEP. Even in the same country, several types of medical schools coexist. Although the education methods are also various among medical schools, most of the medical schools have introduced tutorial system based on PBL or TBL and simulation-based learning to create excellent medical physicians. The medical education system is variable among countries depending on the social environment. Although the change in education program may not be necessary in Japan, we have to innovate education methods; clinical training by clinical clerkship must be made more developed to foster the training of the excellent clinical physicians, and tutorial education by PBL or TBL and simulation-based learning should be introduced more actively.

Early developments in gene-expression profiling of breast tumors: potential for increasing black-white patient disparities in breast cancer outcomes?

PubMed

Odierna, Donna H; Afable-Munsuz, Aimee; Ikediobi, Ogechi; Beattie, Mary; Knight, Sara; Ko, Michelle; Wilson, Adrienne; Ponce, Ninez A

2011-11-01

New prognostic tests, such as gene-expression profiling (GEP) of breast tumors, are expected to prolong survival and improve the quality of life for many breast cancer patients. In this article, we argue that GEP has not been adequately validated in minority populations, and that both biological and social factors might affect the broad utility of these tests in diverse populations. We suggest that the widespread use of this technology could potentially lead to suboptimal treatment for black women, resulting in a further increase in black-white patient disparities in treatment response, morbidity and mortality rates. We argue for the need to build a large and diverse evidence base for GEP and other emerging technologies in personalized medicine.

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.

FOXM1: A novel drug target in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

PubMed Central

Briest, Franziska; Berg, Erika; Grass, Irina; Freitag, Helma; Kaemmerer, Daniel; Lewens, Florentine; Christen, Friederike; Arsenic, Ruza; Altendorf-Hofmann, Annelore; Kunze, Almut; Sänger, Jörg; Knösel, Thomas; Siegmund, Britta; Hummel, Michael; Grabowski, Patricia

2015-01-01

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) are heterogeneous tumors that need to be molecularly defined to obtain novel therapeutic options. Forkheadbox protein M1 (FOXM1) is a crucial transcription factor in neoplastic cells and has been associated with differentiation and proliferation. We found that FOXM1 is strongly associated with tumor differentiation and occurrence of metastases in gastrointestinal NENs. In vitro inhibition by the FOXM1 inhibitor siomycin A led to down-regulation of mitotic proteins and resulted in a strong inhibitory effect. Siomycin A decreased mitosis rate, induced apoptosis in GEP-NEN cell lines and exerts synergistic effects with chemotherapy. FOXM1 is associated with clinical outcome and FOXM1 inhibition impairs survival in vitro. We therefore propose FOXM1 as novel therapeutic target in GEP-NENs. PMID:25797272

Quantitative structure-activity relationships studies of CCR5 inhibitors and toxicity of aromatic compounds using gene expression programming.

PubMed

Shi, Weimin; Zhang, Xiaoya; Shen, Qi

2010-01-01

Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) study of chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) binding affinity of substituted 1-(3,3-diphenylpropyl)-piperidinyl amides and ureas and toxicity of aromatic compounds have been performed. The gene expression programming (GEP) was used to select variables and produce nonlinear QSAR models simultaneously using the selected variables. In our GEP implementation, a simple and convenient method was proposed to infer the K-expression from the number of arguments of the function in a gene, without building the expression tree. The results were compared to those obtained by artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector machine (SVM). It has been demonstrated that the GEP is a useful tool for QSAR modeling. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Variable Temperature Performance of a Si(Li) Detector Stack

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hubbard, G. Scott; McMurray, Robert E., Jr.; Keller, R. G.; Wercinski, P. F.; Walton, J. T.; Wong, Y. K.

1994-01-01

New experimental data is presented which displays 137Cs resolution of both single Si(Li) devices and a detector stack 2 cm in height as a function of temperature (85 K greater than or equal to T greater than or equal to 245 K). We also discuss variations in photopeak shape which indicate that detector charge collection may be temperature dependent over the range of interest.

Phosphoric and electric utility fuel cell technology development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Breault, R. D.; Briggs, T. A.; Congdon, J. V.; Demarche, T. E.; Gelting, R. L.; Goller, G. J.; Luoma, W. I.; McCloskey, M. W.; Mientek, A. P.; Obrien, J. J.

1984-01-01

The advancement of electric utility cell stack technology and reduction of cell stack cost was initiated. The cell stack has a nominal 10 ft (2) active area and operates at 120 psia/405(0)F. The program comprises six parallel phases, which culminate in a full height, 10-ft(2) stack verification test: (1) provides the information and services needed to manage the effort, including definition of the prototype commercial power plant; (2) develops the technical base for long term improvements to the cell stack; (3) develops materials and processing techniques for cell stack components incorporating the best available technology; (4) provides the design of hardware and conceptual processing layouts, and updates the power plant definition of Phase 1 to reflect the results of Phases 2 and 3; Phase 5 manufactures the hardware to verify the achievements of Phases 2 and 3, and analyzes the cost of this hardware; and Phase 6 tests the cell stacks assembled from the hardware of Phase 5 to assess the state of development.

Factors Affecting Dermatologists' Use of a 31-Gene Expression Profiling Test as an Adjunct for Predicting Metastatic Risk in Cutaneous Melanoma.

PubMed

Svoboda, Ryan M; Glazer, Alex M; Farberg, Aaron S; Rigel, Darrell S

2018-05-01

A 31-gene expression profile (31-GEP) test to predict metastatic risk in patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma has previously been validated and is available for clinical use. The impact of the availability of such a test on clinical decision-making has previously been studied. However, little is known about which factors play a role in clinicians' decision to utilize the test. To determine factors affecting clinicians' decisions to utilize the 31-GEP test for metastatic risk stratification in patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma. Dermatologists attending a national conference completed a series of questions based around four clinical vignettes using an audience response system. The vignettes and associated questions were designed to determine the impact of three factors-Breslow thickness, ulceration, and sentinel lymph node biopsy status-on the decision to order the 31-GEP test. Main Outcomes and Measures: The percentage of respondents who would order the 31-GEP test in the various clinical scenarios was quantified. Differences between groups were assessed using the chi-squared test. A total of 181/187 individuals completed the survey (96.8% response rate). For tumors with a Breslow thickness ≥0.5 mm, a majority of respondents reported that they would recommend the 31-GEP test. Ulceration was associated with a statistically significant increase in the percentage of clinicians who would recommend the assay for all but the thickest (2.1 mm) tumors. A negative SLN was only associated with a statistically significant increase in the percentage of clinicians who would recommend the test for the thinnest (0.26 mm) tumors (22% to 34%, P=0.033). Ulceration appears to be the most important factor impacting clinicians when deciding to order the 31-GEP test to assess risk for melanoma metastasis. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(5):544-547.

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Use of gene-expression programming to estimate Manning’s roughness coefficient for high gradient streams

USGS Publications Warehouse

Azamathulla, H. Md.; Jarrett, Robert D.

2013-01-01

Manning’s roughness coefficient (n) has been widely used in the estimation of flood discharges or depths of flow in natural channels. Therefore, the selection of appropriate Manning’s nvalues is of paramount importance for hydraulic engineers and hydrologists and requires considerable experience, although extensive guidelines are available. Generally, the largest source of error in post-flood estimates (termed indirect measurements) is due to estimates of Manning’s n values, particularly when there has been minimal field verification of flow resistance. This emphasizes the need to improve methods for estimating n values. The objective of this study was to develop a soft computing model in the estimation of the Manning’s n values using 75 discharge measurements on 21 high gradient streams in Colorado, USA. The data are from high gradient (S > 0.002 m/m), cobble- and boulder-bed streams for within bank flows. This study presents Gene-Expression Programming (GEP), an extension of Genetic Programming (GP), as an improved approach to estimate Manning’s roughness coefficient for high gradient streams. This study uses field data and assessed the potential of gene-expression programming (GEP) to estimate Manning’s n values. GEP is a search technique that automatically simplifies genetic programs during an evolutionary processes (or evolves) to obtain the most robust computer program (e.g., simplify mathematical expressions, decision trees, polynomial constructs, and logical expressions). Field measurements collected by Jarrett (J Hydraulic Eng ASCE 110: 1519–1539, 1984) were used to train the GEP network and evolve programs. The developed network and evolved programs were validated by using observations that were not involved in training. GEP and ANN-RBF (artificial neural network-radial basis function) models were found to be substantially more effective (e.g., R2 for testing/validation of GEP and RBF-ANN is 0.745 and 0.65, respectively) than Jarrett’s (J Hydraulic Eng ASCE 110: 1519–1539, 1984) equation (R2 for testing/validation equals 0.58) in predicting the Manning’s n.

The Galaxy Evolution Probe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glenn, Jason; Galaxy Evolution Probe Team

2018-01-01

The Galaxy Evolution Probe (GEP) is a concept for a far-infrared observatory to survey large regions of sky for star-forming galaxies from z = 0 to beyond z = 3. Our knowledge of galaxy formation is incomplete and requires uniform surveys over a large range of redshifts and environments to accurately describe mass assembly, star formation, supermassive black hole growth, interactions between these processes, and what led to their decline from z ~ 2 to the present day. Infrared observations are sensitive to dusty, star-forming galaxies, which have bright polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission features and warm dust continuum in the rest-frame mid infrared and cooler thermal dust emission in the far infrared. Unlike previous far-infrared continuum surveys, the GEP will measure photometric redshifts commensurate with galaxy detections from PAH emission and Si absorption features, without the need for obtaining spectroscopic redshifts of faint counterparts at other wavelengths.The GEP design includes a 2 m diameter telescope actively cooled to 4 K and two instruments: (1) An imager covering 10 to 300 um with 25 spectral resolution R ~ 8 bands (with lower R at the longest wavelengths) to detect star-forming galaxies and measure their redshifts photometrically. (2) A 23 – 190 um, R ~ 250 dispersive spectrometer for redshift confirmation and identification of obscured AGN using atomic fine-structure lines. Lines including [Ne V], [O IV], [O III], [O I], and [C II] will probe gas physical conditions, radiation field hardness, and metallicity. Notionally, the GEP will have a two-year mission: galaxy surveys with photometric redshifts in the first year and a second year devoted to follow-up spectroscopy. A comprehensive picture of star formation in galaxies over the last 10 billion years will be assembled from cosmologically relevant volumes, spanning environments from field galaxies and groups, to protoclusters, to dense galaxy clusters.Commissioned by NASA, the GEP concept is being developed to demonstrate the ambitious science that could be enabled by a Probe-class mission (defined to be in the cost range $400M to $1B). GEP concept study partners are the University of Colorado Boulder, JPL, and Ball Aerospace.

Effects of Warming on CO2 Fluxes in an Alpine Meadow Ecosystem on the Central Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

PubMed

Ganjurjav, Hasbagan; Gao, Qingzhu; Zhang, Weina; Liang, Yan; Li, Yawei; Cao, Xujuan; Wan, Yunfan; Li, Yue; Danjiu, Luobu

2015-01-01

To analyze CO2 fluxes under conditions of climate change in an alpine meadow on the central Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, we simulated the effect of warming using open top chambers (OTCs) from 2012 to 2014. The OTCs increased soil temperature by 1.62°C (P < 0.05), but decreased soil moisture (1.38%, P < 0.05) during the experiments. The response of ecosystem CO2 fluxes to warming was variable, and dependent on the year. Under conditions of warming, mean gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) during the growing season increased significantly in 2012 and 2014 (P < 0.05); however, ecosystem respiration (ER) increased substantially only in 2012 (P < 0.05). The net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) increased marginally in 2012 (P = 0.056), did not change in 2013(P > 0.05), and increased significantly in 2014 (P = 0.034) under conditions of warming. The GEP was more sensitive to climate variations than was the ER, resulting in a large increase in net carbon uptake under warming in the alpine meadow. Under warming, the 3-year averages of GEP, ER, and NEE increased by 19.6%, 15.1%, and 21.1%, respectively. The seasonal dynamic patterns of GEP and NEE, but not ER, were significantly impacted by warming. Aboveground biomass, particularly the graminoid biomass increased significantly under conditions of warming. Soil moisture, soil temperature, and aboveground biomass were the main factors that affected the variation of the ecosystem CO2 fluxes. The effect of warming on inter- and intra-annual patterns of ecosystem CO2 fluxes and the mechanism of different sensitivities in GEP and ER to warming, require further researched.

Constraints on signaling network logic reveal functional subgraphs on Multiple Myeloma OMIC data.

PubMed

Miannay, Bertrand; Minvielle, Stéphane; Magrangeas, Florence; Guziolowski, Carito

2018-03-21

The integration of gene expression profiles (GEPs) and large-scale biological networks derived from pathways databases is a subject which is being widely explored. Existing methods are based on network distance measures among significantly measured species. Only a small number of them include the directionality and underlying logic existing in biological networks. In this study we approach the GEP-networks integration problem by considering the network logic, however our approach does not require a prior species selection according to their gene expression level. We start by modeling the biological network representing its underlying logic using Logic Programming. This model points to reachable network discrete states that maximize a notion of harmony between the molecular species active or inactive possible states and the directionality of the pathways reactions according to their activator or inhibitor control role. Only then, we confront these network states with the GEP. From this confrontation independent graph components are derived, each of them related to a fixed and optimal assignment of active or inactive states. These components allow us to decompose a large-scale network into subgraphs and their molecular species state assignments have different degrees of similarity when compared to the same GEP. We apply our method to study the set of possible states derived from a subgraph from the NCI-PID Pathway Interaction Database. This graph links Multiple Myeloma (MM) genes to known receptors for this blood cancer. We discover that the NCI-PID MM graph had 15 independent components, and when confronted to 611 MM GEPs, we find 1 component as being more specific to represent the difference between cancer and healthy profiles.

Analysis of 320 gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors identifies TS expression as independent biomarker for survival.

PubMed

Lee, Hye Seung; Chen, Min; Kim, Ji Hun; Kim, Woo Ho; Ahn, Soyeon; Maeng, Kyungah; Allegra, Carmen J; Kaye, Frederic J; Hochwald, Steven N; Zajac-Kaye, Maria

2014-07-01

Thymidylate synthase (TS), a critical enzyme for DNA synthesis and repair, is both a potential tumor prognostic biomarker as well as a tumorigenic oncogene in animal models. We have now studied the clinical implications of TS expression in gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and compared these results to other cell cycle biomarker genes. Protein tissue arrays were used to study TS, Ki-67, Rb, pRb, E2F1, p18, p21, p27 and menin expression in 320 human GEP-NETs samples. Immunohistochemical expression was correlated with univariate and multivariate predictors of survival utilizing Kaplan Meier and Cox proportional hazards models. Real time RT-PCR was used to validate these findings. We found that 78 of 320 GEP-NETs (24.4%) expressed TS. NETs arising in the colon, stomach and pancreas showed the highest expression of TS (47.4%, 42.6% and 37.3%, respectively), whereas NETs of the appendix, rectum and duodenum displayed low TS expression (3.3%, 12.9% and 15.4%, respectively). TS expression in GEP-NETs was associated with poorly differentiated endocrine carcinoma, angiolymphatic invasion, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis (p < 0.05). Patients with TS-positive NETs had markedly worse outcomes than TS-negative NETs as shown by univariate (p < 0.001) and multivariate (p = 0.01) survival analyses. Expression of p18 predicted survival in TS-positive patients that received chemotherapy (p = 0.015). In conclusion, TS protein expression was an independent prognostic biomarker for GEP-NETs. The strong association of increased TS expression with aggressive disease and early death supports the role of TS as a cancer promoting agent in these tumors. © 2013 UICC.

Effects of Warming on CO2 Fluxes in an Alpine Meadow Ecosystem on the Central Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau

PubMed Central

Ganjurjav, Hasbagan; Gao, Qingzhu; Zhang, Weina; Liang, Yan; Li, Yawei; Cao, Xujuan; Wan, Yunfan; Li, Yue; Danjiu, Luobu

2015-01-01

To analyze CO2 fluxes under conditions of climate change in an alpine meadow on the central Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, we simulated the effect of warming using open top chambers (OTCs) from 2012 to 2014. The OTCs increased soil temperature by 1.62°C (P < 0.05), but decreased soil moisture (1.38%, P < 0.05) during the experiments. The response of ecosystem CO2 fluxes to warming was variable, and dependent on the year. Under conditions of warming, mean gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) during the growing season increased significantly in 2012 and 2014 (P < 0.05); however, ecosystem respiration (ER) increased substantially only in 2012 (P < 0.05). The net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) increased marginally in 2012 (P = 0.056), did not change in 2013(P > 0.05), and increased significantly in 2014 (P = 0.034) under conditions of warming. The GEP was more sensitive to climate variations than was the ER, resulting in a large increase in net carbon uptake under warming in the alpine meadow. Under warming, the 3-year averages of GEP, ER, and NEE increased by 19.6%, 15.1%, and 21.1%, respectively. The seasonal dynamic patterns of GEP and NEE, but not ER, were significantly impacted by warming. Aboveground biomass, particularly the graminoid biomass increased significantly under conditions of warming. Soil moisture, soil temperature, and aboveground biomass were the main factors that affected the variation of the ecosystem CO2 fluxes. The effect of warming on inter- and intra-annual patterns of ecosystem CO2 fluxes and the mechanism of different sensitivities in GEP and ER to warming, require further researched. PMID:26147223

A comparison of monthly precipitation point estimates at 6 locations in Iran using integration of soft computing methods and GARCH time series model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mehdizadeh, Saeid; Behmanesh, Javad; Khalili, Keivan

2017-11-01

Precipitation plays an important role in determining the climate of a region. Precise estimation of precipitation is required to manage and plan water resources, as well as other related applications such as hydrology, climatology, meteorology and agriculture. Time series of hydrologic variables such as precipitation are composed of deterministic and stochastic parts. Despite this fact, the stochastic part of the precipitation data is not usually considered in modeling of precipitation process. As an innovation, the present study introduces three new hybrid models by integrating soft computing methods including multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), Bayesian networks (BN) and gene expression programming (GEP) with a time series model, namely generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) for modeling of the monthly precipitation. For this purpose, the deterministic (obtained by soft computing methods) and stochastic (obtained by GARCH time series model) parts are combined with each other. To carry out this research, monthly precipitation data of Babolsar, Bandar Anzali, Gorgan, Ramsar, Tehran and Urmia stations with different climates in Iran were used during the period of 1965-2014. Root mean square error (RMSE), relative root mean square error (RRMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and determination coefficient (R2) were employed to evaluate the performance of conventional/single MARS, BN and GEP, as well as the proposed MARS-GARCH, BN-GARCH and GEP-GARCH hybrid models. It was found that the proposed novel models are more precise than single MARS, BN and GEP models. Overall, MARS-GARCH and BN-GARCH models yielded better accuracy than GEP-GARCH. The results of the present study confirmed the suitability of proposed methodology for precise modeling of precipitation.

Effects of experimental nitrogen deposition on peatland carbon pools and fluxes: a modeling analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Y.; Blodau, C.; Moore, T. R.; Bubier, J. L.; Juutinen, S.; Larmola, T.

2014-07-01

Nitrogen (N) pollution of peatlands alters their carbon (C) balances, yet long-term effects and controls are poorly understood. We applied the model PEATBOG to analyze impacts of long-term nitrogen (N) fertilization on C cycling in an ombrotrophic bog. Simulations of summer gross ecosystem production (GEP), ecosystem respiration (ER) and net ecosystem exchange (NEE) were evaluated against 8 years of observations and extrapolated for 80 years to identify potential effects of N fertilization and factors influencing model behavior. The model successfully simulated moss decline and raised GEP, ER and NEE on fertilized plots. GEP was systematically overestimated in the model compared to the field data due to high tolerance of Sphagnum to N deposition in the model. Model performance regarding the 8 year response of GEP and NEE to N was improved by introducing an N content threshold shifting the response of photosynthesis capacity to N content in shrubs and graminoids from positive to negative at high N contents. Such changes also eliminated the competitive advantages of vascular species and led to resilience of mosses in the long-term. Regardless of the large changes of C fluxes over the short-term, the simulated GEP, ER and NEE after 80 years depended on whether a graminoid- or shrub-dominated system evolved. When the peatland remained shrub-Sphagnum dominated, it shifted to a C source after only 10 years of fertilization at 6.4 g N m-2 yr-1, whereas this was not the case when it became graminoid-dominated. The modeling results thus highlight the importance of ecosystem adaptation and reaction of plant functional types to N deposition, when predicting the future C balance of N-polluted cool temperate bogs.

Prediction of atmospheric degradation data for POPs by gene expression programming.

PubMed

Luan, F; Si, H Z; Liu, H T; Wen, Y Y; Zhang, X Y

2008-01-01

Quantitative structure-activity relationship models for the prediction of the mean and the maximum atmospheric degradation half-life values of persistent organic pollutants were developed based on the linear heuristic method (HM) and non-linear gene expression programming (GEP). Molecular descriptors, calculated from the structures alone, were used to represent the characteristics of the compounds. HM was used both to pre-select the whole descriptor sets and to build the linear model. GEP yielded satisfactory prediction results: the square of the correlation coefficient r(2) was 0.80 and 0.81 for the mean and maximum half-life values of the test set, and the root mean square errors were 0.448 and 0.426, respectively. The results of this work indicate that the GEP is a very promising tool for non-linear approximations.

The Genomics Education Partnership: Successful Integration of Research into Laboratory Classes at a Diverse Group of Undergraduate Institutions

PubMed Central

Shaffer, Christopher D.; Alvarez, Consuelo; Bailey, Cheryl; Barnard, Daron; Bhalla, Satish; Chandrasekaran, Chitra; Chandrasekaran, Vidya; Chung, Hui-Min; Dorer, Douglas R.; Du, Chunguang; Eckdahl, Todd T.; Poet, Jeff L.; Frohlich, Donald; Goodman, Anya L.; Gosser, Yuying; Hauser, Charles; Hoopes, Laura L.M.; Johnson, Diana; Jones, Christopher J.; Kaehler, Marian; Kokan, Nighat; Kopp, Olga R.; Kuleck, Gary A.; McNeil, Gerard; Moss, Robert; Myka, Jennifer L.; Nagengast, Alexis; Morris, Robert; Overvoorde, Paul J.; Shoop, Elizabeth; Parrish, Susan; Reed, Kelynne; Regisford, E. Gloria; Revie, Dennis; Rosenwald, Anne G.; Saville, Ken; Schroeder, Stephanie; Shaw, Mary; Skuse, Gary; Smith, Christopher; Smith, Mary; Spana, Eric P.; Spratt, Mary; Stamm, Joyce; Thompson, Jeff S.; Wawersik, Matthew; Wilson, Barbara A.; Youngblom, Jim; Leung, Wilson; Buhler, Jeremy; Mardis, Elaine R.; Lopatto, David

2010-01-01

Genomics is not only essential for students to understand biology but also provides unprecedented opportunities for undergraduate research. The goal of the Genomics Education Partnership (GEP), a collaboration between a growing number of colleges and universities around the country and the Department of Biology and Genome Center of Washington University in St. Louis, is to provide such research opportunities. Using a versatile curriculum that has been adapted to many different class settings, GEP undergraduates undertake projects to bring draft-quality genomic sequence up to high quality and/or participate in the annotation of these sequences. GEP undergraduates have improved more than 2 million bases of draft genomic sequence from several species of Drosophila and have produced hundreds of gene models using evidence-based manual annotation. Students appreciate their ability to make a contribution to ongoing research, and report increased independence and a more active learning approach after participation in GEP projects. They show knowledge gains on pre- and postcourse quizzes about genes and genomes and in bioinformatic analysis. Participating faculty also report professional gains, increased access to genomics-related technology, and an overall positive experience. We have found that using a genomics research project as the core of a laboratory course is rewarding for both faculty and students. PMID:20194808

Prediction of flow duration curves for ungauged basins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Atieh, Maya; Taylor, Graham; M. A. Sattar, Ahmed; Gharabaghi, Bahram

2017-02-01

This study presents novel models for prediction of flow Duration Curves (FDCs) at ungauged basins using artificial neural networks (ANN) and Gene Expression Programming (GEP) trained and tested using historical flow records from 171 unregulated and 89 regulated basins across North America. For the 89 regulated basins, FDCs were generated for both before and after flow regulation. Topographic, climatic, and land use characteristics are used to develop relationships between these basin characteristics and FDC statistical distribution parameters: mean (m) and variance (ν). The two main hypotheses that flow regulation has negligible effect on the mean (m) while it the variance (ν) were confirmed. The novel GEP model that predicts the mean (GEP-m) performed very well with high R2 (0.9) and D (0.95) values and low RAE value of 0.25. The simple regression model that predicts the variance (REG-v) was developed as a function of the mean (m) and a flow regulation index (R). The measured performance and uncertainty analysis indicated that the ANN-m was the best performing model with R2 (0.97), RAE (0.21), D (0.93) and the lowest 95% confidence prediction error interval (+0.22 to +3.49). Both GEP and ANN models were most sensitive to drainage area followed by mean annual precipitation, apportionment entropy disorder index, and shape factor.

Skylign: a tool for creating informative, interactive logos representing sequence alignments and profile hidden Markov models

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Logos are commonly used in molecular biology to provide a compact graphical representation of the conservation pattern of a set of sequences. They render the information contained in sequence alignments or profile hidden Markov models by drawing a stack of letters for each position, where the height of the stack corresponds to the conservation at that position, and the height of each letter within a stack depends on the frequency of that letter at that position. Results We present a new tool and web server, called Skylign, which provides a unified framework for creating logos for both sequence alignments and profile hidden Markov models. In addition to static image files, Skylign creates a novel interactive logo plot for inclusion in web pages. These interactive logos enable scrolling, zooming, and inspection of underlying values. Skylign can avoid sampling bias in sequence alignments by down-weighting redundant sequences and by combining observed counts with informed priors. It also simplifies the representation of gap parameters, and can optionally scale letter heights based on alternate calculations of the conservation of a position. Conclusion Skylign is available as a website, a scriptable web service with a RESTful interface, and as a software package for download. Skylign’s interactive logos are easily incorporated into a web page with just a few lines of HTML markup. Skylign may be found at http://skylign.org. PMID:24410852

Unsupervised SBAS-DInSAR Processing of Space-borne SAR data for Earth Surface Displacement Time Series Generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Casu, F.; de Luca, C.; Lanari, R.; Manunta, M.; Zinno, I.

2016-12-01

During the last 25 years, the Differential Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (DInSAR) has played an important role for understanding the Earth's surface deformation and its dynamics. In particular, the large collections of SAR data acquired by a number of space-borne missions (ERS, ENVISAT, ALOS, RADARSAT, TerraSAR-X, COSMO-SkyMed) have pushed toward the development of advanced DInSAR techniques for monitoring the temporal evolution of the ground displacements with an high spatial density. Moreover, the advent of the Copernicus Sentinel-1 (S1) constellation is providing a further increase in the SAR data flow available to the Earth science community, due to its characteristics of global coverage strategy and free and open access data policy. Therefore, managing and storing such a huge amount of data, processing it in an effcient way and maximizing the available archives exploitation are becoming high priority issues. In this work we present some recent advances in the DInSAR field for dealing with the effective exploitation of the present and future SAR data archives. In particular, an efficient parallel SBAS implementation (namely P-SBAS) that takes benefit from high performance computing is proposed. Then, the P-SBAS migration to the emerging Cloud Computing paradigm is shown, together with extensive tests carried out in the Amazon's Elastic Cloud Compute (EC2) infrastructure. Finally, the integration of the P-SBAS processing chain within the ESA Geohazards Exploitation Platform (GEP), for setting up operational on-demand and systematic web tools, open to every user, aimed at automatically processing stacks of SAR data for the generation of SBAS displacement time series, is also illustrated. A number of experimental results obtained by using the ERS, ENVISAT and S1 data in areas characterized by volcanic, seismic and anthropogenic phenomena will be shown. This work is partially supported by: the DPC-CNR agreement, the EPOS-IP project and the ESA GEP project.

49 CFR 173.175 - Permeation devices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

..., flat and horizontal surface from a height of 1.8 m (5.9 feet): (i) One drop flat on the bottom; (ii) One drop flat on the top; (iii) One drop flat on the long side; (iv) One drop flat on the short side... stacked to a height of 3 m (10 feet) (including the test sample). (3) Each of the above tests may be...

Investigation of the Feasibility of Using Laser Induced Fluorescence for Concentration Measurements by Diatomic Sulfur.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-12-01

GEP/PH/82D-1O INVESTIGATION OF THE FEASIBILITY OF USING LASER INDUCED FLUORESCENCE FOR CONCENTRATION MEASUREMENTS OF DIATOMIC SULFUR THESIS AFIT/GEP...FEASIBILITY OF USING LASER INDUCED FLUORESCENCE FOR CONCENTRATION MEASUREMENTS OF DIATOMIC SULFUR THESIS Presented to the Faculty of the School of...December 1982 SPecial Approved for public release; distribution unlimited Preface This thesis presented a rare opportunity and a formidable challenge

Device for equalizing molten electrolyte content in a fuel cell stack

DOEpatents

Smith, J.L.

1985-12-23

A device for equalizing the molten electrolyte content throughout the height of a fuel cell stack is disclosed. The device includes a passageway for electrolyte return with electrolyte wettable wicking material in the opposite end portions of the passageway. One end portion is disposed near the upper, negative end of the stack where electrolyte flooding occurs. The second end portion is placed near the lower, positive end of the stack where electrolyte is depleted. Heating means are provided at the upper portion of the passageway to increase electrolyte vapor pressure in the upper wicking material. The vapor is condensed in the lower passageway portion and conducted as molten electrolyte in the lower wick to the positive end face of the stack. An inlet is provided to inject a modifying gas into the passageway and thereby control the rate of electrolyte return.

Device for equalizing molten electrolyte content in a fuel cell stack

DOEpatents

Smith, James L.

1987-01-01

A device for equalizing the molten electrolyte content throughout the height of a fuel cell stack is disclosed. The device includes a passageway for electrolyte return with electrolyte wettable wicking material in the opposite end portions of the passageway. One end portion is disposed near the upper, negative end of the stack where electrolyte flooding occurs. The second end portion is placed near the lower, positive end of the stack where electrolyte is depleted. Heating means are provided at the upper portion of the passageway to increase electrolyte vapor pressure in the upper wicking material. The vapor is condensed in the lower passageway portion and conducted as molten electrolyte in the lower wick to the positive end face of the stack. An inlet is provided to inject a modifying gas into the passageway and thereby control the rate of electrolyte return.

Forecasting daily lake levels using artificial intelligence approaches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kisi, Ozgur; Shiri, Jalal; Nikoofar, Bagher

2012-04-01

Accurate prediction of lake-level variations is important for planning, design, construction, and operation of lakeshore structures and also in the management of freshwater lakes for water supply purposes. In the present paper, three artificial intelligence approaches, namely artificial neural networks (ANNs), adaptive-neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), and gene expression programming (GEP), were applied to forecast daily lake-level variations up to 3-day ahead time intervals. The measurements at the Lake Iznik in Western Turkey, for the period of January 1961-December 1982, were used for training, testing, and validating the employed models. The results obtained by the GEP approach indicated that it performs better than ANFIS and ANNs in predicting lake-level variations. A comparison was also made between these artificial intelligence approaches and convenient autoregressive moving average (ARMA) models, which demonstrated the superiority of GEP, ANFIS, and ANN models over ARMA models.

The Application of Gene Expression Profiling in Predictions of Occult Lymph Node Metastasis in Colorectal Cancer Patients

PubMed Central

Peyravian, Noshad; Larki, Pegah; Gharib, Ehsan; Nazemalhosseini-Mojarad, Ehsan; Anaraki, Fakhrosadate; Young, Chris; McClellan, James; Ashrafian Bonab, Maziar; Asadzadeh-Aghdaei, Hamid; Zali, Mohammad Reza

2018-01-01

A key factor in determining the likely outcome for a patient with colorectal cancer is whether or not the tumour has metastasised to the lymph nodes—information which is also important in assessing any possibilities of lymph node resection so as to improve survival. In this review we perform a wide-range assessment of literature relating to recent developments in gene expression profiling (GEP) of the primary tumour, to determine their utility in assessing node status. A set of characteristic genes seems to be involved in the prediction of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in colorectal patients. Hence, GEP is applicable in personalised/individualised/tailored therapies and provides insights into developing novel therapeutic targets. Not only is GEP useful in prediction of LNM, but it also allows classification based on differences such as sample size, target gene expression, and examination method. PMID:29498671

The effects of a high-stack coal-burning power plant on the relative pH of the superficial bark of hardwood trees

Treesearch

David F. Grether

1976-01-01

The Allen S. King Generating Plant near Bayport, Minnesota delivers 420 tons of sulfur dioxide to the atmosphere daily from a 789 foot (240 m) stack. Dispersal from this height theoretically minimizes harmful effects of the gases on vegetation. Six years of post-operational pH tests on hardwoods, in the area, show fluctuations in, but no significant increase of the...

Note: O-ring stack system for electron gun alignment.

PubMed

Park, In-Yong; Cho, Boklae; Han, Cheolsu; Shin, Seungmin; Lee, Dongjun; Ahn, Sang Jung

2015-01-01

We present a reliable method for aligning an electron gun which consists of an electron source and lenses by controlling a stack of rubber O-rings in a vacuum condition. The beam direction angle is precisely tilted along two axes by adjusting the height difference of a stack of O-rings. In addition, the source position is shifted in each of three orthogonal directions. We show that the tilting angle and linear shift along the x and y axes as obtained from ten stacked O-rings are ±2.55° and ±2 mm, respectively. This study can easily be adapted to charged particle gun alignment and adjustments of the flange position in a vacuum, ensuring that its results can be useful with regard to electrical insulation between flanges with slight modifications.

Conversion of a moderately rewetted fen to a shallow lake - implications for net CO2 exchange

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koebsch, Franziska; Glatzel, Stephan; Hofmann, Joachim; Forbrich, Inke; Jurasinski, Gerald

2013-04-01

Extensive rewetting projects to re-establish the natural carbon (C) sequestration function of degraded peatlands are currently taking place in Europe and North-America. Year-round flooding provides a robust measure to prevent periods of drought that are associated with ongoing peat mineralization and to initiate the accumulation of new organic matter. Here, we present measurements of net carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange during the gradual conversion of a moderately rewetted fen to a shallow lake. When we started our measurements in 2009, mean growing season water level (MWGL) was 0 cm. In 2010 the site was flooded throughout the year with MWGL of 36 cm. Extraordinary strong rainfalls in July 2011 resulted in a further increase of MWGL to 56 cm. Measurements of net ecosystem exchange (NEE) were conducted during growing seasons (May-October) using the Eddy Covariance method. Information about vegetation vitality was deduced from the enhanced vegetation index (EVI) based on MODIS data. Ecosystem respiration (Reco) and gross ecosystem production (GEP) were high during vegetation period 2009 (1273.4 and -1572.1 g CO2-C m-2), but decreased by 61 and 46% respectively when the fen was flooded throughout 2010. Under water-logged conditions, heterotrophic respiration declines and gas exchange is limited. Moreover, flooding is a severe stress factor for plants and decreases autotrophic respiration and photosynthesis. However, in comparison to 2010, rates of Reco and GEP doubled during the beginning of growing season 2011, indicating plastic response strategies of wetland plants to flooding. Presumably, plants were not able to cope with the further increase of water levels to up to 120 cm in June/July 2011, resulting in another drop of GEP and Reco. The effects of plant vitality on GEP were confirmed by the remote sensed vegetation index. Throughout all three growing seasons, the fen was a distinct net CO2 sink (2009: -333.3±12.3, 2010: -294.1±8.4, -352.4±5.1 g CO2-C m-2). However, flooding causes a short-term ecosystem shift with severe consequences for Reco and GEP. Our results indicate that after a relatively short period of time, the plant community can acclimatise to inundation with increasing rates of GEP and autotrophic respiration.

Impact of Fire Resistant Fuel Blends on Compression Ignition Engine Performance

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-07-01

EFFECTS ON ENGINE PERFORMANCE FRF blends were tested in the CAT C7 and GEP 6.5L(T) engines to determine the effects of FRF on engine ...impact on efficiency of the Stanadyne rotary injection pump used in the GEP 6.5L(T) engine , thus largely effecting its power output when varying... exhaust backpressure .  Emissions are sampled from an exhaust probe installed between the engine and exhaust system butterfly valve. 

Tumor Cell Gene Expression Changes Following Short-term In vivo Exposure to Single Agent Chemotherapeutics are Related to Survival in Multiple Myeloma

PubMed Central

Burington, Bart; Barlogie, Bart; Zhan, Fenghuang; Crowley, John; Shaughnessy, John D.

2013-01-01

Changes in global gene expression patterns in tumor cells following in vivo therapy may vary by treatment and provide added or synergistic prognostic power over pretherapy gene expression profiles (GEP). This molecular readout of drug-cell interaction may also point to mechanisms of action/resistance. In newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma (MM), microarray data were obtained on tumor cells prior to and 48 hours after in vivo treatment using dexamethasone (n = 45) or thalidomide (n = 42); in the case of relapsed MM, microarray data were obtained prior to (n = 36) and after (n = 19) lenalidomide administration. Dexamethasone and thalidomide induced both common and unique GEP changes in tumor cells. Combined baseline and 48-hour changes in GEP in a subset of genes, many related to oxidative stress and cytoskeletal dynamics, were predictive of outcome in newly diagnosed MM patients receiving tandem transplants. Thalidomide-altered genes also changed following lenalidomide exposure and predicted event-free and overall survival in relapsed patients receiving lenalidomide as a single agent. Combined with baseline molecular features, changes in GEP following short-term single-agent exposure may help guide treatment decisions for patients with MM. Genes whose drug-altered expression were found to be related to survival may point to molecular switches related to response and/or resistance to different classes of drugs. PMID:18676754

Molecular cancer classification using a meta-sample-based regularized robust coding method.

PubMed

Wang, Shu-Lin; Sun, Liuchao; Fang, Jianwen

2014-01-01

Previous studies have demonstrated that machine learning based molecular cancer classification using gene expression profiling (GEP) data is promising for the clinic diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Novel classification methods with high efficiency and prediction accuracy are still needed to deal with high dimensionality and small sample size of typical GEP data. Recently the sparse representation (SR) method has been successfully applied to the cancer classification. Nevertheless, its efficiency needs to be improved when analyzing large-scale GEP data. In this paper we present the meta-sample-based regularized robust coding classification (MRRCC), a novel effective cancer classification technique that combines the idea of meta-sample-based cluster method with regularized robust coding (RRC) method. It assumes that the coding residual and the coding coefficient are respectively independent and identically distributed. Similar to meta-sample-based SR classification (MSRC), MRRCC extracts a set of meta-samples from the training samples, and then encodes a testing sample as the sparse linear combination of these meta-samples. The representation fidelity is measured by the l2-norm or l1-norm of the coding residual. Extensive experiments on publicly available GEP datasets demonstrate that the proposed method is more efficient while its prediction accuracy is equivalent to existing MSRC-based methods and better than other state-of-the-art dimension reduction based methods.

Development of GP and GEP models to estimate an environmental issue induced by blasting operation.

PubMed

Faradonbeh, Roohollah Shirani; Hasanipanah, Mahdi; Amnieh, Hassan Bakhshandeh; Armaghani, Danial Jahed; Monjezi, Masoud

2018-05-21

Air overpressure (AOp) is one of the most adverse effects induced by blasting in the surface mines and civil projects. So, proper evaluation and estimation of the AOp is important for minimizing the environmental problems resulting from blasting. The main aim of this study is to estimate AOp produced by blasting operation in Miduk copper mine, Iran, developing two artificial intelligence models, i.e., genetic programming (GP) and gene expression programming (GEP). Then, the accuracy of the GP and GEP models has been compared to multiple linear regression (MLR) and three empirical models. For this purpose, 92 blasting events were investigated, and subsequently, the AOp values were carefully measured. Moreover, in each operation, the values of maximum charge per delay and distance from blast points, as two effective parameters on the AOp, were measured. After predicting by the predictive models, their performance prediction was checked in terms of variance account for (VAF), coefficient of determination (CoD), and root mean square error (RMSE). Finally, it was found that the GEP with VAF of 94.12%, CoD of 0.941, and RMSE of 0.06 is a more precise model than other predictive models for the AOp prediction in the Miduk copper mine, and it can be introduced as a new powerful tool for estimating the AOp resulting from blasting.

High-dose octreotide acetate for management of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

PubMed

Chadha, Manpreet K; Lombardo, Jeffrey; Mashtare, Terry; Wilding, Gregory E; Litwin, Alan; Raczyk, Cheryl; Gibbs, John F; Kuvshinoff, Boris; Javle, Milind M; Iyer, Renuka V

2009-10-01

Long-acting sandostatin (S-LAR; octreotide acetate) is well tolerated and effective for symptom control and possibly disease control in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). We undertook a retrospective analysis to study the efficacy and tolerability of higher doses (more than 20-30 mg/month) of S-LAR in GEP-NETs. With IRB approval, charts of all patients with GEP-NET who received S-LAR between June 2002 to September 2007 at Roswell Park Cancer Institute were reviewed and their data analyzed. Fifty-four patients with GEP-NET received S-LAR; thirty required dose escalation. Patients received a median of 5 doses of S-LAR at conventional dose followed by up-titration of the dose for symptom control (20) and radiological progression (17). Median high dose of S-LAR was 40 mg (range: 40-90 mg) with a median of 8.5 high doses received. No treatment related toxicities were seen. The estimated 1-year survival for patients on conventional dose alone was 0.77 (95% CI of 0.50 to 0.91) and those on high-dose was 0.88 (95% CI of 0.68 to 0.96) (p=0.4777) while median time to any other intervention was 2.9 months versus 17.7 months (p=0.12). Dose escalation of S-LAR is well tolerated and may provide longer disease control.

Estimating Soil Cation Exchange Capacity from Soil Physical and Chemical Properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bateni, S. M.; Emamgholizadeh, S.; Shahsavani, D.

2014-12-01

The soil Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) is an important soil characteristic that has many applications in soil science and environmental studies. For example, CEC influences soil fertility by controlling the exchange of ions in the soil. Measurement of CEC is costly and difficult. Consequently, several studies attempted to obtain CEC from readily measurable soil physical and chemical properties such as soil pH, organic matter, soil texture, bulk density, and particle size distribution. These studies have often used multiple regression or artificial neural network models. Regression-based models cannot capture the intricate relationship between CEC and soil physical and chemical attributes and provide inaccurate CEC estimates. Although neural network models perform better than regression methods, they act like a black-box and cannot generate an explicit expression for retrieval of CEC from soil properties. In a departure with regression and neural network models, this study uses Genetic Expression Programming (GEP) and Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS) to estimate CEC from easily measurable soil variables such as clay, pH, and OM. CEC estimates from GEP and MARS are compared with measurements at two field sites in Iran. Results show that GEP and MARS can estimate CEC accurately. Also, the MARS model performs slightly better than GEP. Finally, a sensitivity test indicates that organic matter and pH have respectively the least and the most significant impact on CEC.

Within-wafer CD variation induced by wafer shape

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Chi-hao; Yang, Mars; Yang, Elvis; Yang, T. H.; Chen, K. C.

2016-03-01

In order to meet the increasing storage capacity demand and reduce bit cost of NAND flash memories, 3D stacked vertical flash cell array has been proposed. In constructing 3D NAND flash memories, the bit number per unit area is increased as increasing the number of stacked layers. However, the increased number of stacked layers has made the film stress control extremely important for maintaining good process quality. The residual film stress alters the wafer shape accordingly several process impacts have been readily observed across wafer, such as film deposition non-uniformity, etch rate non-uniformity, wafer chucking error on scanner, materials coating/baking defects, overlay degradation and critical dimension (CD) non-uniformity. The residual tensile and compressive stresses on wafers will result in concave and convex wafer shapes, respectively. This study investigates within-wafer CD uniformity (CDU) associated with wafer shape change induced by the 3D NAND flash memory processes. Within-wafer CDU was correlated with several critical parameters including different wafer bow heights of concave and convex wafer shapes, photo resists with different post exposure baking (PEB) temperature sensitivities, and DoseMapper compensation. The results indicated the trend of within-wafer CDU maintains flat for convex wafer shapes with bow height up to +230um and concave wafer shapes with bow height ranging from 0 ~ -70um, while the within-wafer CDU trends up from -70um to -246um wafer bow heights. To minimize the within-wafer CD distribution induced by wafer warpage, carefully tailoring the film stack and thermal budget in the process flow for maintaining the wafer shape at CDU friendly range is indispensable and using photo-resist materials with lower PEB temperature sensitivity is also suggested. In addition, DoseMapper compensation is also an alternative to greatly suppress the within-wafer CD non-uniformity but the photo-resist profile variation induced by across-wafer PEB temperature non-uniformity attributed to wafer warpage is uncorrectable, and the photo-resist profile variation is believed to affect across-wafer etch bias uniformity to some degree.

Discovering Hidden Connections among Diseases, Genes and Drugs Based on Microarray Expression Profiles with Negative-Term Filtering

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Microarrays based on gene expression profiles (GEPs) can be tailored specifically for a variety of topics to provide a precise and efficient means with which to discover hidden information. This study proposes a novel means of employing existing GEPs to reveal hidden relationships among diseases, genes, and drugs within a rich biomedical database, PubMed. Unlike the co-occurrence method, which considers only the appearance of keywords, the proposed method also takes into account negative relationships and non-relationships among keywords, the importance of which has been demonstrated in previous studies. Three scenarios were conducted to verify the efficacy of the proposed method. In Scenario 1, disease and drug GEPs (disease: lymphoma cancer, lymph node cancer, and drug: cyclophosphamide) were used to obtain lists of disease- and drug-related genes. Fifteen hidden connections were identified between the diseases and the drug. In Scenario 2, we adopted different diseases and drug GEPs (disease: AML-ALL dataset and drug: Gefitinib) to obtain lists of important diseases and drug-related genes. In this case, ten hidden connections were identified. In Scenario 3, we obtained a list of disease-related genes from the disease-related GEP (liver cancer) and the drug (Capecitabine) on the PharmGKB website, resulting in twenty-two hidden connections. Experimental results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed method in uncovering hidden connections among diseases, genes, and drugs. Following implementation of the weight function in the proposed method, a large number of the documents obtained in each of the scenarios were judged to be related: 834 of 4028 documents, 789 of 1216 documents, and 1928 of 3791 documents in Scenarios 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The negative-term filtering scheme also uncovered a large number of negative relationships as well as non-relationships among these connections: 97 of 834, 38 of 789, and 202 of 1928 in Scenarios 1, 2, and 3, respectively. PMID:24915461

Adoption of Gene Expression Profile Testing and Association With Use of Chemotherapy Among Women With Breast Cancer

PubMed Central

Hassett, Michael J.; Silver, Samuel M.; Hughes, Melissa E.; Blayney, Douglas W.; Edge, Stephen B.; Herman, James G.; Hudis, Clifford A.; Marcom, P. Kelly; Pettinga, Jane E.; Share, David; Theriault, Richard; Wong, Yu-Ning; Vandergrift, Jonathan L.; Niland, Joyce C.; Weeks, Jane C.

2012-01-01

Purpose Gene expression profile (GEP) testing is a relatively new technology that offers the potential of personalized medicine to patients, yet little is known about its adoption into routine practice. One of the first commercially available GEP tests, a 21-gene profile, was developed to estimate the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for hormone receptor–positive breast cancer (HR-positive BC). Patients and Methods By using a prospective registry data set outlining the routine care provided to women diagnosed from 2006 to 2008 with HR-positive BC at 17 comprehensive and community-based cancer centers, we assessed GEP test adoption and the association between testing and chemotherapy use. Results Of 7,375 women, 20.4% had GEP testing and 50.2% received chemotherapy. Over time, testing increased (14.7% in 2006 to 27.5% in 2008; P < .01) and use of chemotherapy decreased (53.9% in 2006 to 47.0% in 2008; P < .01). Characteristics independently associated with lower odds of testing included African American versus white race (odds ratio [OR], 0.70; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.92) and high school or less versus more than high school education (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.76). Overall, testing was associated with lower odds of chemotherapy use (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.62 to 0.80). Stratified analyses demonstrated that for small, node-negative cancers, testing was associated with higher odds of chemotherapy use (OR, 11.13; 95% CI, 5.39 to 22.99), whereas for node-positive and large node-negative cancers, testing was associated with lower odds of chemotherapy use (OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.17). Conclusion There has been a progressive increase in use of this GEP test and an associated shift in the characteristics of and overall reduction in the proportion of women with HR-positive BC receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. PMID:22585699

Glyoxalase 1 copy number variation in patients with well differentiated gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NET)

PubMed Central

Xue, Mingzhan; Shafie, Alaa; Qaiser, Talha; Rajpoot, Nasir M.; Kaltsas, Gregory; James, Sean; Gopalakrishnan, Kishore; Fisk, Adrian; Dimitriadis, Georgios K.; Grammatopoulos, Dimitris K.; Rabbani, Naila; Thornalley, Paul J.; Weickert, Martin O.

2017-01-01

Background The glyoxalase-1 gene (GLO1) is a hotspot for copy-number variation (CNV) in human genomes. Increased GLO1 copy-number is associated with multidrug resistance in tumour chemotherapy, but prevalence of GLO1 CNV in gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NET) is unknown. Methods GLO1 copy-number variation was measured in 39 patients with GEP-NET (midgut NET, n = 25; pancreatic NET, n = 14) after curative or debulking surgical treatment. Primary tumour tissue, surrounding healthy tissue and, where applicable, additional metastatic tumour tissue were analysed, using real time qPCR. Progression and survival following surgical treatment were monitored over 4.2 ± 0.5 years. Results In the pooled GEP-NET cohort, GLO1 copy-number in healthy tissue was 2.0 in all samples but significantly increased in primary tumour tissue in 43% of patients with pancreatic NET and in 72% of patients with midgut NET, mainly driven by significantly higher GLO1 copy-number in midgut NET. In tissue from additional metastases resection (18 midgut NET and one pancreatic NET), GLO1 copy number was also increased, compared with healthy tissue; but was not significantly different compared with primary tumour tissue. During mean 3 - 5 years follow-up, 8 patients died and 16 patients showed radiological progression. In midgut NET, a high GLO1 copy-number was associated with earlier progression. In NETs with increased GLO1 copy number, there was increased Glo1 protein expression compared to non-malignant tissue. Conclusions GLO1 copy-number was increased in a large percentage of patients with GEP-NET and correlated positively with increased Glo1 protein in tumour tissue. Analysis of GLO1 copy-number variation particularly in patients with midgut NET could be a novel prognostic marker for tumour progression. PMID:29100361

Effects of experimental nitrogen deposition on peatland carbon pools and fluxes: a modelling analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Y.; Blodau, C.; Moore, T. R.; Bubier, J.; Juutinen, S.; Larmola, T.

2015-01-01

Nitrogen (N) pollution of peatlands alters their carbon (C) balances, yet long-term effects and controls are poorly understood. We applied the model PEATBOG to explore impacts of long-term nitrogen (N) fertilization on C cycling in an ombrotrophic bog. Simulations of summer gross ecosystem production (GEP), ecosystem respiration (ER) and net ecosystem exchange (NEE) were evaluated against 8 years of observations and extrapolated for 80 years to identify potential effects of N fertilization and factors influencing model behaviour. The model successfully simulated moss decline and raised GEP, ER and NEE on fertilized plots. GEP was systematically overestimated in the model compared to the field data due to factors that can be related to differences in vegetation distribution (e.g. shrubs vs. graminoid vegetation) and to high tolerance of vascular plants to N deposition in the model. Model performance regarding the 8-year response of GEP and NEE to N input was improved by introducing an N content threshold shifting the response of photosynthetic capacity (GEPmax) to N content in shrubs and graminoids from positive to negative at high N contents. Such changes also eliminated the competitive advantages of vascular species and led to resilience of mosses in the long-term. Regardless of the large changes of C fluxes over the short-term, the simulated GEP, ER and NEE after 80 years depended on whether a graminoid- or shrub-dominated system evolved. When the peatland remained shrub-Sphagnum-dominated, it shifted to a C source after only 10 years of fertilization at 6.4 g N m-2 yr-1, whereas this was not the case when it became graminoid-dominated. The modelling results thus highlight the importance of ecosystem adaptation and reaction of plant functional types to N deposition, when predicting the future C balance of N-polluted cool temperate bogs.

The Carbon Balance Pivot Point of Southwestern U.S. Semiarid Ecosystems: Insights From the 21st Century Drought

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scott, R. L.; Biederman, J.; Barron-Gafford, G.; Hamerlynck, E. P.

2015-12-01

Global-scale studies indicate that semiarid ecosystems strongly regulate the long-term trend and interannual variability of the terrestrial carbon sink, possibly due to changes in vegetation and an inherent sensitivity to changes in water availability. However, we lack understanding of how climate shifts, such as the ongoing decadal-scale drought in the Southwest US, impact carbon sink functioning in semiarid ecosystems with differing structure. Therefore, we investigated the response of net ecosystem production of carbon dioxide (NEP) to changes in annual water availability in four Southwest US ecosystems varying in relative shrub, tree and grass abundance. Using eddy covariance carbon dioxide and water vapor flux measurements collected over the last drought-impacted decade, we identified a precipitation "pivot point" in the annual carbon balance for each ecosystem type where annual NEP switched from negative to positive. At the three sites with larger amounts of grass, rather than woody plant, cover, pivot points were closer to the drought-period mean annual precipitation (MAP) than MAP over the preceding 30 years, suggesting the carbon pools of these grassier ecosystems have more quickly adjusted to the decadal-scale drought. Current-year water availability, as quantified by evapotranspiration (ET) overwhelmingly drove the response of gross ecosystem photosynthesis (GEP) and respiration (Reco) fluxes. Ecosystem water use efficiency (GEP/ET) increased with water availability and leaf area index, resulting in a more efficient photosynthetic use of water in wetter years and at wetter sites. Grasslands supported a higher leaf area than shrublands at a given water availability, and thus had higher GEP/ET. Differences in GEP/ET were also related to the relative proportion of abiotic evaporation, estimated from the ET intercept in a linear regression of ET and GEP, to total ET at a site, highlighting the importance of ET partitioning for understanding how semiarid rainfall drives plant productivity.

Selecting and Ranking Cost Research Projects

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-09-01

Model (STACM) Enhancements Automated Cost Estimating Integrated Tools ( ACEIT ) Libraries BM/C 3 GEP Engineering and Cost BM/C 3 EP Engineering and Cost...50K NOM VHI 0.02635481 STACM ENHANCEMENTS NOM អK NOM VHI 0.02468682 ACEIT LIBRARIES VHI 50-IOOK HI VHI 0.06357704 GEP ENGRG. & COST VHI 100-150K VHl...0.02505922 SCATS LOW អK NOM VIII 0.02468682 PICES SUPPORT NOM 50-100K NOM VlIl 0.02455186 ACEIT SUPPORT VIII 50-100K VHI VHI 0.08208244 GUARDIAN

Note: O-ring stack system for electron gun alignment

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

Park, In-Yong; Cho, Boklae; Han, Cheolsu

We present a reliable method for aligning an electron gun which consists of an electron source and lenses by controlling a stack of rubber O-rings in a vacuum condition. The beam direction angle is precisely tilted along two axes by adjusting the height difference of a stack of O-rings. In addition, the source position is shifted in each of three orthogonal directions. We show that the tilting angle and linear shift along the x and y axes as obtained from ten stacked O-rings are ±2.55° and ±2 mm, respectively. This study can easily be adapted to charged particle gun alignmentmore » and adjustments of the flange position in a vacuum, ensuring that its results can be useful with regard to electrical insulation between flanges with slight modifications.« less

Improvement in trapped fields by stacking bulk superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suzuki, A.; Wongsatanawarid, A.; Seki, H.; Murakami, M.

2009-10-01

We studied the effects of stacking several bulk superconductor blocks on the field trapping properties. In order to avoid the detrimental effects of the bottom deteriorated parts, bulk Dy-Ba-Cu-O superconductors 45 mm in diameter and 10 mm in thickness were cut from the top parts of as-grown bulk blocks of 25 mm diameter. We stacked the superconductors and measured the field distribution as a function of the gap. The trapped field measurements were performed by field-cooling the samples inserted in between two permanent magnets with liquid nitrogen. It was found that the trapped field values are almost doubled when the number of stacked bulk superconductors increased from two to three. The present results clearly show that one can expect beneficial effects of increasing the ratio of the height to the diameter even in bulk high temperature superconductors.

Spatially explicit modelling of forest structure and function using airborne lidar and hyperspectral remote sensing data combined with micrometeorological measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomas, Valerie Anne

This research models canopy-scale photosynthesis at the Groundhog River Flux Site through the integration of high-resolution airborne remote sensing data and micrometeorological measurements collected from a flux tower. Light detection and ranging (lidar) data are analysed to derive models of tree structure, including: canopy height, basal area, crown closure, and average aboveground biomass. Lidar and hyperspectral remote sensing data are used to model canopy chlorophyll (Chl) and carotenoid concentrations (known to be good indicators of photosynthesis). The integration of lidar and hyperspectral data is applied to derive spatially explicit models of the fraction of photosynthetically active radiation (fPAR) absorbed by the canopy as well as a species classification for the site. These products are integrated with flux tower meteorological measurements (i.e., air temperature and global solar radiation) collected on a continuous basis over 2004 to apply the C-Fix model of carbon exchange to the site. Results demonstrate that high resolution lidar and lidar-hyperspectral integration techniques perform well in the boreal mixedwood environment. Lidar models are well correlated with forest structure, despite the complexities introduced in the mixedwood case (e.g., r2=0.84, 0.89, 0.60, and 0.91, for mean dominant height, basal area, crown closure, and average aboveground biomass). Strong relationships are also shown for canopy scale chlorophyll/carotenoid concentration analysis using integrated lidar-hyperspectral techniques (e.g., r2=0.84, 0.84, and 0.82 for Chl(a), Chl(a+b), and Chl(b)). Examination of the spatially explicit models of fPAR reveal distinct spatial patterns which become increasingly apparent throughout the season due to the variation in species groupings (and canopy chlorophyll concentration) within the 1 km radius surrounding the flux tower. Comparison of results from the modified local-scale version of the C-Fix model to tower gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) demonstrate a good correlation to flux tower measured GEP (r2=0.70 for 10 day averages), with the largest deviations occurring in June-July. This research has direct benefits for forest inventory mapping and management practices; mapping of canopy physiology and biochemical constituents related to forest health; and scaling and direct comparison to large resolution satellite models to help bridge the gap between the local-scale measurements at flux towers and predictions derived from continental-scale carbon models.

Cell module and fuel conditioner

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoover, D. Q., Jr.

1980-01-01

Measurements of stack height changes with temperature and cell material characteristics were made. Stack 559 was assembled and components were fabricated for 560, 561, and 562. Stack 425 was transferred from the parallel DOE program and installed in the OS/IES simulation loop for mechanical and electrical testing. Construction and preliminary checkout of the 2 kW test facility was completed and design and procurement of the 8 kW test facility was initiated. The fuel conditioning subsystem design continued to evolve and the state points for the current design were calculated at full and part load conditions. Steam reforming catalyst activity tests were essentially completed and aging tests and CO shift converter tests were initiated.

Modelling formulations using gene expression programming--a comparative analysis with artificial neural networks.

PubMed

Colbourn, E A; Roskilly, S J; Rowe, R C; York, P

2011-10-09

This study has investigated the utility and potential advantages of gene expression programming (GEP)--a new development in evolutionary computing for modelling data and automatically generating equations that describe the cause-and-effect relationships in a system--to four types of pharmaceutical formulation and compared the models with those generated by neural networks, a technique now widely used in the formulation development. Both methods were capable of discovering subtle and non-linear relationships within the data, with no requirement from the user to specify the functional forms that should be used. Although the neural networks rapidly developed models with higher values for the ANOVA R(2) these were black box and provided little insight into the key relationships. However, GEP, although significantly slower at developing models, generated relatively simple equations describing the relationships that could be interpreted directly. The results indicate that GEP can be considered an effective and efficient modelling technique for formulation data. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Use of Gene Expression Programming in regionalization of flow duration curve

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hashmi, Muhammad Z.; Shamseldin, Asaad Y.

2014-06-01

In this paper, a recently introduced artificial intelligence technique known as Gene Expression Programming (GEP) has been employed to perform symbolic regression for developing a parametric scheme of flow duration curve (FDC) regionalization, to relate selected FDC characteristics to catchment characteristics. Stream flow records of selected catchments located in the Auckland Region of New Zealand were used. FDCs of the selected catchments were normalised by dividing the ordinates by their median value. Input for the symbolic regression analysis using GEP was (a) selected characteristics of normalised FDCs; and (b) 26 catchment characteristics related to climate, morphology, soil properties and land cover properties obtained using the observed data and GIS analysis. Our study showed that application of this artificial intelligence technique expedites the selection of a set of the most relevant independent variables out of a large set, because these are automatically selected through the GEP process. Values of the FDC characteristics obtained from the developed relationships have high correlations with the observed values.

A Data-driven Approach for Forecasting Next-day River Discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharif, H. O.; Billah, K. S.

2017-12-01

This study focuses on evaluating the performance of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) eco-hydrological model, a simple Auto-Regressive with eXogenous input (ARX) model, and a Gene expression programming (GEP)-based model in one-day-ahead forecasting of discharge of a subtropical basin (the upper Kentucky River Basin). The three models were calibrated with daily flow at the US Geological Survey (USGS) stream gauging station not affected by flow regulation for the period of 2002-2005. The calibrated models were then validated at the same gauging station as well as another USGS gauge 88 km downstream for the period of 2008-2010. The results suggest that simple models outperform a sophisticated hydrological model with GEP having the advantage of being able to generate functional relationships that allow scientific investigation of the complex nonlinear interrelationships among input variables. Unlike SWAT, GEP, and to some extent, ARX are less sensitive to the length of the calibration time series and do not require a spin-up period.

Partitioning evapotranspiration using long-term carbon dioxide and water vapor fluxes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scott, Russell L.; Biederman, Joel A.

2017-07-01

The separate components of evapotranspiration (ET) elucidate the pathways and time scales over which water is returned to the atmosphere, but ecosystem-scale measurements of transpiration (T) and evaporation (E) remain elusive. We propose a novel determination of E and T using multiyear eddy covariance estimates of ET and gross ecosystem photosynthesis (GEP). The method is applicable at water-limited sites over time periods during which a linear regression between GEP (abscissa) and ET (ordinate) yields a positive ET axis intercept, an estimate of E. At four summer-rainfall semiarid sites, T/ET increases to a peak coincident with maximum GEP and remains elevated as the growing season progresses, consistent with previous, direct measurements. The seasonal course of T/ET is related to increasing leaf area index and declining frequency of rainy days—an index of the wet surface conditions that promote E—suggesting both surface and climatic controls on ET partitioning.

CodonLogo: a sequence logo-based viewer for codon patterns.

PubMed

Sharma, Virag; Murphy, David P; Provan, Gregory; Baranov, Pavel V

2012-07-15

Conserved patterns across a multiple sequence alignment can be visualized by generating sequence logos. Sequence logos show each column in the alignment as stacks of symbol(s) where the height of a stack is proportional to its informational content, whereas the height of each symbol within the stack is proportional to its frequency in the column. Sequence logos use symbols of either nucleotide or amino acid alphabets. However, certain regulatory signals in messenger RNA (mRNA) act as combinations of codons. Yet no tool is available for visualization of conserved codon patterns. We present the first application which allows visualization of conserved regions in a multiple sequence alignment in the context of codons. CodonLogo is based on WebLogo3 and uses the same heuristics but treats codons as inseparable units of a 64-letter alphabet. CodonLogo can discriminate patterns of codon conservation from patterns of nucleotide conservation that appear indistinguishable in standard sequence logos. The CodonLogo source code and its implementation (in a local version of the Galaxy Browser) are available at http://recode.ucc.ie/CodonLogo and through the Galaxy Tool Shed at http://toolshed.g2.bx.psu.edu/.

Transcriptional response to organic compounds from diverse gasoline and biogasoline fuel emissions in human lung cells.

PubMed

Libalova, Helena; Rossner, Pavel; Vrbova, Kristyna; Brzicova, Tana; Sikorova, Jitka; Vojtisek-Lom, Michal; Beranek, Vit; Klema, Jiri; Ciganek, Miroslav; Neca, Jiri; Machala, Miroslav; Topinka, Jan

2018-04-01

Modern vehicles equipped with Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine have emerged as an important source of particulate emissions potentially harmful to human health. We collected and characterized gasoline exhaust particles (GEPs) produced by neat gasoline fuel (E0) and its blends with 15% ethanol (E15), 25% n-butanol (n-But25) and 25% isobutanol (i-But25). To study the toxic effects of organic compounds extracted from GEPs, we analyzed gene expression profiles in human lung BEAS-2B cells. Despite the lowest GEP mass, n-But25 extract contained the highest concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), while i-But25 extract the lowest. Gene expression analysis identified activation of the DNA damage response and other subsequent events (cell cycle arrest, modulation of extracellular matrix, cell adhesion, inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis) following 4 h exposure to all GEP extracts. The i-But25 extract induced the most distinctive gene expression pattern particularly after 24 h exposure. Whereas E0, E15 and n-But25 extract treatments resulted in persistent stress signaling including DNA damage response, MAPK signaling, oxidative stress, metabolism of PAHs or pro-inflammatory response, i-But25 induced changes related to the metabolism of the cellular nutrients required for cell recovery. Our results indicate that i-But25 extract possessed the weakest genotoxic potency possibly due to the low PAH content. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Barrier inhomogeneities at vertically stacked graphene-based heterostructures.

PubMed

Lin, Yen-Fu; Li, Wenwu; Li, Song-Lin; Xu, Yong; Aparecido-Ferreira, Alex; Komatsu, Katsuyoshi; Sun, Huabin; Nakaharai, Shu; Tsukagoshi, Kazuhito

2014-01-21

The integration of graphene and other atomically flat, two-dimensional materials has attracted much interest and been materialized very recently. An in-depth understanding of transport mechanisms in such heterostructures is essential. In this study, vertically stacked graphene-based heterostructure transistors were manufactured to elucidate the mechanism of electron injection at the interface. The temperature dependence of the electrical characteristics was investigated from 300 to 90 K. In a careful analysis of current-voltage characteristics, an unusual decrease in the effective Schottky barrier height and increase in the ideality factor were observed with decreasing temperature. A model of thermionic emission with a Gaussian distribution of barriers was able to precisely interpret the conduction mechanism. Furthermore, mapping of the effective Schottky barrier height is unmasked as a function of temperature and gate voltage. The results offer significant insight for the development of future layer-integration technology based on graphene-based heterostructures.

Analysis of Modes in an Unstable Strip Laser Resonator.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-12-01

1977. 9. Siegman , A.E. "Unstable Optical Resonators for Laser Applications",Proceedings of the IEEE,53(3),277-287, March 1965. 10.------- "Unstable...7 AD-AO94 722 AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOO--ETC F/6 20/5 ANALYSIS OF MODES IN AN UNSTABLE STRIP LASER RESONATORJ(U...Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 81 2 09 018 AFIT/GEP/PH/801D-7 ANALYSIS OF ,ODES -’ IN AN JJNSTABLE STRIP LASER 3ESONATOR. THESIS AFIT/GEP/PH/800-7 James

Fuel Maps for the GEP 6.5LT Engine When Operating on at J/JP-8 Fuel Blends at Ambient and Elevated Temperatures

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-04-01

system. The new calibrated fuel injection pump and injectors were installed, and the fuel injection timing of the new fuel injection system was set to...Product 6.5L Turbocharged diesel engine at two inlet temperature conditions. The GEP 6.5LT engine represents legacy diesel engine design with...derived cetane number DF-2 Diesel Fuel number 2 ft Foot HEFA Hydro-treated Esters and Fatty Acid(s) HP or hp Horsepower hr Hour in Inch in³ cubic

Synthesis of the Plasma Chemistry Occurring in High Power CO2 Lasers

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-12-01

AFIT/GEP/PH/78D-13 44 SYNTHESIS OF THE PLASMA CHEMISTRY D D C OCCURRING IN HIGH POWER CO 2 LASERS ’Una CTHESIS David E. Toodle AFIT/GEP/PH/78D-13 2nd...inves- tivation is the plasma chemistry occurring in the laser discharge. These studies are ultimately related to the development of flowing and...aids in the understanding of plasma chemistry pro- cesses in the CO2 laser discharge. I would like to thank the whole staff of the Advanced Concepts

The Geohazards Exploitation Platform: an advanced cloud-based environment for the Earth Science community

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manunta, Michele; Casu, Francesco; Zinno, Ivana; De Luca, Claudio; Pacini, Fabrizio; Caumont, Hervé; Brito, Fabrice; Blanco, Pablo; Iglesias, Ruben; López, Álex; Briole, Pierre; Musacchio, Massimo; Buongiorno, Fabrizia; Stumpf, Andre; Malet, Jean-Philippe; Brcic, Ramon; Rodriguez Gonzalez, Fernando; Elias, Panagiotis

2017-04-01

The idea to create advanced platforms for the Earth Observation community, where the users can find data but also state-of-art algorithms, processing tools, computing facilities, and instruments for dissemination and sharing, has been launched several years ago. The initiatives developed in this context have been supported firstly by the Framework Programmes of European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA) and, progressively, by the Copernicus programme. In particular, ESA created and supported the Grid Processing on Demand (G-POD) environment, where the users can access to advanced processing tools implemented in a GRID environment, satellite data and computing facilities. All these components are located in the same datacentre to significantly reduce and make negligible the time to move the satellite data from the archive. From the experience of G-POD was born the idea of ESA to have an ecosystem of Thematic Exploitation Platforms (TEP) focused on the integration of Ground Segment capabilities and ICT technologies to maximize the exploitation of EO data from past and future missions. A TEP refers to a computing platform that deals with a set of user scenarios involving scientists, data providers and ICT developers, aggregated around an Earth Science thematic area. Among the others, the Geohazards Exploitation Platform (GEP) aims at providing on-demand and systematic processing services to address the need of the geohazards community for common information layers and to integrate newly developed processors for scientists and other expert users. Within GEP, the community benefits from a cloud-based environment, specifically designed for the advanced exploitation of EO data. A partner can bring its own tools and processing chains, but also has access in the same workspace to large satellite datasets and shared data processing tools. GEP is currently in the pre-operations phase under a consortium led by Terradue Srl and six pilot projects concerning different EO applications have been selected: time-series stereo-photogrammetric processing using optical images for landslides and tectonics movement monitoring with CNRS/EOST (FR), optical based processing method for volcanic hazard monitoring with INGV (IT), systematic generation of deformation time-series with Sentinel-1 data with CNR-IREA (IT), systematic processing of Sentinel-1 interferometric imagery with DLR (DE), terrain motion velocity map generation based on PSI processing by TRE-ALTAMIRA (ES) and a campaign to test and employ GEP applications with the Corinth Rift EPOS Near Fault Observatory. Finally, GEP is significantly contributing to the development of the satellite component of the European Plate Observing System (EPOS), a long-term plan to facilitate the integrated use of data, data products, and facilities from distributed research infrastructures for solid Earth science in Europe. In particular, GEP has been identified as gateway for the Thematic Core Service "Satellite Data" of EPOS, namely the platform through which the satellite EPOS services will be delivered. In the current work, latest activities and achievements of GEP, including the impact in the context of the distributed Research Infrastructures such as EPOS, will be presented and discussed.

The SBAS Sentinel-1 Surveillance service for automatic and systematic generation of Earth surface displacement within the GEP platform.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Casu, Francesco; De Luca, Claudio; Lanari, Riccardo; Manunta, Michele; Zinno, Ivana

2017-04-01

The Geohazards Exploitation Platform (GEP) is an ESA activity of the Earth Observation (EO) ground segment to demonstrate the benefit of new technologies for large scale processing of EO data. GEP aims at providing both on-demand processing services for scientific users of the geohazards community and an integration platform for new EO data analysis processors dedicated to scientists and other expert users. In the Remote Sensing scenario, a crucial role is played by the recently launched Sentinel-1 (S1) constellation that, with its global acquisition policy, has literally flooded the scientific community with a huge amount of data acquired over large part of the Earth on a regular basis (down to 6-days with both Sentinel-1A and 1B passes). Moreover, the S1 data, as part of the European Copernicus program, are openly and freely accessible, thus fostering their use for the development of tools for Earth surface monitoring. In particular, due to their specific SAR Interferometry (InSAR) design, Sentinel-1 satellites can be exploited to build up operational services for the generation of advanced interferometric products that can be very useful within risk management and natural hazard monitoring scenarios. Accordingly, in this work we present the activities carried out for the development, integration, and deployment of the SBAS Sentinel-1 Surveillance service of CNR-IREA within the GEP platform. This service is based on a parallel implementation of the SBAS approach, referred to as P-SBAS, able to effectively run in large distributed computing infrastructures (grid and cloud) and to allow for an efficient computation of large SAR data sequences with advanced DInSAR approaches. In particular, the Surveillance service developed on GEP platform consists on the systematic and automatic processing of Sentinel-1 data on selected Areas of Interest (AoI) to generate updated surface displacement time series via the SBAS-InSAR algorithm. We built up a system that is automatically triggered by every new S1 acquisition over the AoI, once it is available on the S1 catalogue. Then, tacking benefit from the SBAS results generated by previous runs of the service, the system processes the new acquisitions only, thus saving storage space and computing time and finally generating an updated SBAS time series. The same P-SBAS processor underlying the Surveillance service is also available through the GEP as a standard on-demand DInSAR service, thus allowing the scientific community to generate S1 SBAS time series on areas not covered by the Surveillance service itself. It is worth noting that the SBAS Sentinel-1 Surveillance service on GEP represents the core of the EPOSAR service, which will deliver S1 displacement time series of Earth surface on a regular basis for the European Plate Observing System (EPOS) Research Infrastructure community. In particular, the main goal of EPOSAR is to contribute with advanced technique and methods, which have already well demonstrated their effectiveness and relevance, in investigating the physical processes controlling earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and unrest episodes as well as those driving tectonics and Earth surface dynamics.

Estimation of daily reference evapotranspiration (ETo) using artificial intelligence methods: Offering a new approach for lagged ETo data-based modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mehdizadeh, Saeid

2018-04-01

Evapotranspiration (ET) is considered as a key factor in hydrological and climatological studies, agricultural water management, irrigation scheduling, etc. It can be directly measured using lysimeters. Moreover, other methods such as empirical equations and artificial intelligence methods can be used to model ET. In the recent years, artificial intelligence methods have been widely utilized to estimate reference evapotranspiration (ETo). In the present study, local and external performances of multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) and gene expression programming (GEP) were assessed for estimating daily ETo. For this aim, daily weather data of six stations with different climates in Iran, namely Urmia and Tabriz (semi-arid), Isfahan and Shiraz (arid), Yazd and Zahedan (hyper-arid) were employed during 2000-2014. Two types of input patterns consisting of weather data-based and lagged ETo data-based scenarios were considered to develop the models. Four statistical indicators including root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), coefficient of determination (R2), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) were used to check the accuracy of models. The local performance of models revealed that the MARS and GEP approaches have the capability to estimate daily ETo using the meteorological parameters and the lagged ETo data as inputs. Nevertheless, the MARS had the best performance in the weather data-based scenarios. On the other hand, considerable differences were not observed in the models' accuracy for the lagged ETo data-based scenarios. In the innovation of this study, novel hybrid models were proposed in the lagged ETo data-based scenarios through combination of MARS and GEP models with autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (ARCH) time series model. It was concluded that the proposed novel models named MARS-ARCH and GEP-ARCH improved the performance of ETo modeling compared to the single MARS and GEP. In addition, the external analysis of the performance of models at stations with similar climatic conditions denoted the applicability of nearby station' data for estimation of the daily ETo at target station.

Modeling of Nearshore-Placed Dredged Material

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-07-01

lateral boundaries of the beach were bounded by stacked 19.5-centimeter (cm) long by 9 cm wide mortar bricks having heights ranging from 1.4 to 5.6 cm...The use of bricks of varying height allowed flexibility in constructing the boundaries similar to the average beach profile. Additionally, because...by laying out the outer dimensions with bricks and filled with the dyed sand (Figures 5 and 6). The boards used to grade the beach were set to the

The effect of climate variability on the carbon cycle of a Mediterranean forest

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manca, G.; Tirone, G.; Matteucci, G.; Tonon, G.; Cherubini, P.; Goded Ballarin, I.; Duerr, M.; Matteucci, M.; Seufert, G.

2009-04-01

Measurements of Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) of carbon dioxide have operated since 1999 in the Mediterranean forest ecosystem (Pinus pinaster, L.) located in San Rossore (Pisa - Italy). Using night time values of NEE it is possible to estimate the Ecosystem Respiration (Reco) and the Gross Ecosystem Productivity (GEP), i.e. the photosynthetic uptake of CO2 without respiratory losses. The analysis of such fluxes shows that on annual base San Rossore is a CO2 sink. This ecosystem experiences a strong reduction of carbon uptake during summer when the rainfall is low and the air temperature is high. In such condition trees close stomata in order to avoid alteration of the leaf water status. This is the typical behaviour of the drought avoiding species. The reduction of the carbon uptake is due mainly to a reduction of photosynthesis whereas the ecosystem respiration undergoes a lower decrease. The summer 2003 is an extreme example of this pattern. The long time series collected in San Rossore allows to test the reaction of the forest to a wet summer (summer 2002), when the rainfall was 506 mm (300 mm more than the summer average 1999-2007), and the effect of high temperature in winter (January 2007). During summer 2002 both GEP and Reco were higher than the average but the GEP experienced the higher increase. The high temperature in January 2007 (3 °C higher than the average 1999-2007), was responsible for the huge increase of the ecosystem respiration not balanced by the little increase of GEP.

SOCIO-ETHICAL ISSUES IN PERSONALIZED MEDICINE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENTS OF GENE EXPRESSION PROFILING TESTS FOR BREAST CANCER PROGNOSIS.

PubMed

Ali-Khan, Sarah E; Black, Lee; Palmour, Nicole; Hallett, Michael T; Avard, Denise

2015-01-01

There have been multiple calls for explicit integration of ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) in health technology assessment (HTA) and addressing ELSI has been highlighted as key in optimizing benefits in the Omics/Personalized Medicine field. This study examines HTAs of an early clinical example of Personalized Medicine (gene expression profile tests [GEP] for breast cancer prognosis) aiming to: (i) identify ELSI; (ii) assess whether ELSIs are implicitly or explicitly addressed; and (iii) report methodology used for ELSI integration. A systematic search for HTAs (January 2004 to September 2012), followed by descriptive and qualitative content analysis. Seventeen HTAs for GEP were retrieved. Only three (18%) explicitly presented ELSI, and only one reported methodology. However, all of the HTAs included implicit ELSI. Eight themes of implicit and explicit ELSI were identified. "Classical" ELSI including privacy, informed consent, and concerns about limited patient/clinician genetic literacy were always presented explicitly. Some ELSI, including the need to understand how individual patients' risk tolerances affect clinical decision-making after reception of GEP results, were presented both explicitly and implicitly in HTAs. Others, such as concern about evidentiary deficiencies for clinical utility of GEP tests, occurred only implicitly. Despite a wide variety of important ELSI raised, these were rarely explicitly addressed in HTAs. Explicit treatment would increase their accessibility to decision-makers, and may augment HTA efficiency maximizing their utility. This is particularly important where complex Personalized Medicine applications are rapidly expanding choices for patients, clinicians and healthcare systems.

Generation expansion planning in a competitive electric power industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chuang, Angela Shu-Woan

This work investigates the application of non-cooperative game theory to generation expansion planning (GEP) in a competitive electricity industry. We identify fundamental ways competition changes the nature of GEP, review different models of oligopoly behavior, and argue that assumptions of the Cournot model are compatible with GEP. Applying Cournot theory of oligopoly behavior, we formulate a GEP model that may characterize expansion in the new competitive regime, particularly in pool-dominated generation supply industries. Our formulation incorporates multiple markets and is patterned after the basic design of the California ISO/PX system. Applying the model, we conduct numerical experiments on a test system, and analyze generation investment and market participation decisions of different candidate expansion units that vary in costs and forced outage rates. Simulations are performed under different scenarios of competition. In particular, we observe higher probabilistic measures of reliability from Cournot expansion compared to the expansion plan of a monopoly with an equivalent minimum reserve margin requirement. We prove several results for a subclass of problems encompassed by our formulation. In particular, we prove that under certain conditions Cournot competition leads to greater total capacity expansion than a situation in which generators collude in a cartel. We also show that industry output after introduction of new technology is no less than monopoly output. So a monopoly may lack sufficient incentive to introduce new technologies. Finally, we discuss the association between capacity payments and the issue of pricing reliability. And we derive a formula for computing ideal capacity payment rates by extending the Value of Service Reliability technique.

Frustration and correlations in stacked triangular-lattice Ising antiferromagnets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burnell, F. J.; Chalker, J. T.

2015-12-01

We study multilayer triangular-lattice Ising antiferromagnets with interlayer interactions that are weak and frustrated in an abc stacking. By analyzing a coupled height model description of these systems, we show that they exhibit a classical spin liquid regime at low temperature, in which both intralayer and interlayer correlations are strong but there is no long-range order. Diffuse scattering in this regime is concentrated on a helix in reciprocal space, as observed for charge ordering in the materials LuFe2O4 and YbFe2O4 .

Performance of low resistance microchannel plate stacks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Siegmund, O. H. W.; Stock, J.

1991-01-01

Results are presented from an evaluation of three sets of low resistance microchannel plate (MCP) stacks; the tests encompassed gain, pulse-height distribution, background rate, event rate capacity as a function of illuminated area, and performance changes due to high temperature bakeout and high flux UV scrub. The MCPs are found to heat up, requiring from minutes to hours to reach stabilization. The event rate is strongly dependent on the size of the area being illuminated, with larger areas experiencing a gain drop onset at lower rates than smaller areas.

Implementation of Stack Height Regulations - Exceptions from Restrictions on Credit for Merged Stacks

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This document may be of assistance in applying the New Source Review (NSR) air permitting regulations including the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) requirements. This document is part of the NSR Policy and Guidance Database. Some documents in the database are a scanned or retyped version of a paper photocopy of the original. Although we have taken considerable effort to quality assure the documents, some may contain typographical errors. Contact the office that issued the document if you need a copy of the original.

Cost-effectiveness of using a gene expression profiling test to aid in identifying the primary tumour in patients with cancer of unknown primary.

PubMed

Hannouf, M B; Winquist, E; Mahmud, S M; Brackstone, M; Sarma, S; Rodrigues, G; Rogan, P; Hoch, J S; Zaric, G S

2017-06-01

We aimed to investigate the cost-effectiveness of a 2000-gene-expression profiling (GEP) test to help identify the primary tumor site when clinicopathological diagnostic evaluation was inconclusive in patients with cancer of unknown primary (CUP). We built a decision-analytic-model to project the lifetime clinical and economic consequences of different clinical management strategies for CUP. The model was parameterized using follow-up data from the Manitoba Cancer Registry, cost data from Manitoba Health administrative databases and secondary sources. The 2000-GEP-based strategy compared to current clinical practice resulted in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $44,151 per quality-adjusted life years (QALY) gained. The total annual-budget impact was $36.2 million per year. A value-of-information analysis revealed that the expected value of perfect information about the test's clinical impact was $4.2 million per year. The 2000-GEP test should be considered for adoption in CUP. Field evaluations of the test are associated with a large societal benefit.

Performance Assessment of Kernel Density Clustering for Gene Expression Profile Data

PubMed Central

Zeng, Beiyan; Chen, Yiping P.; Smith, Oscar H.

2003-01-01

Kernel density smoothing techniques have been used in classification or supervised learning of gene expression profile (GEP) data, but their applications to clustering or unsupervised learning of those data have not been explored and assessed. Here we report a kernel density clustering method for analysing GEP data and compare its performance with the three most widely-used clustering methods: hierarchical clustering, K-means clustering, and multivariate mixture model-based clustering. Using several methods to measure agreement, between-cluster isolation, and withincluster coherence, such as the Adjusted Rand Index, the Pseudo F test, the r2 test, and the profile plot, we have assessed the effectiveness of kernel density clustering for recovering clusters, and its robustness against noise on clustering both simulated and real GEP data. Our results show that the kernel density clustering method has excellent performance in recovering clusters from simulated data and in grouping large real expression profile data sets into compact and well-isolated clusters, and that it is the most robust clustering method for analysing noisy expression profile data compared to the other three methods assessed. PMID:18629292

Compensation Claims for Sub-substandard Care of Patients with Gastroentero-pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Nationwide Descriptive Study of Cases Between 2005-2016 in Norway.

PubMed

Desserud, Kari F; Bukholm, Ida; Søreide, Jon Arne

2017-10-01

Management of patients with neuroendocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract or pancreas (GEP-NENs) poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This study described the medico-legal claims reported to a national governmental system that oversees compensation to patients with GEP-NENs Materials and Methods: An electronic search of the Norwegian System of Compensation to Patients database was performed to identify claims evaluated between 2005-2016. The clinical information and the medico-legal evaluation were reviewed. We identified seven patients, five women and two men, with a median age of 57 (range=47-73) years. Delayed diagnosis (median diagnostic delay of 18 (range=6-48) months) was the main cause for claims in six out of the seven patients). Four patients received financial compensation based on the claim judgement. This review of claims that were evaluated by the Norwegian System of Compensation to Patients showed that a timely diagnosis of GEP-NENs remains a clinical challenge. Copyright© 2017, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

PRRT genomic signature in blood for prediction of 177Lu-octreotate efficacy.

PubMed

Bodei, Lisa; Kidd, Mark S; Singh, Aviral; van der Zwan, Wouter A; Severi, Stefano; Drozdov, Ignat A; Cwikla, Jaroslaw; Baum, Richard P; Kwekkeboom, Dik J; Paganelli, Giovanni; Krenning, Eric P; Modlin, Irvin M

2018-07-01

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) utilizes somatostatin receptor (SSR) overexpression on neuroendocrine tumors (NET) to deliver targeted radiotherapy. Intensity of uptake at imaging is considered related to efficacy but has low sensitivity. A pretreatment strategy to determine individual PRRT response remains a key unmet need. NET transcript expression in blood integrated with tumor grade provides a PRRT predictive quotient (PPQ) which stratifies PRRT "responders" from "non-responders". This study clinically validates the utility of the PPQ in NETs. The development and validation of the PPQ was undertaken in three independent 177 Lu-PRRT treated cohorts. Specificity was tested in two separate somatostatin analog-treated cohorts. Prognostic value of the marker was defined in a cohort of untreated patients. The developmental cohort included lung and gastroenteropancreatic [GEP] NETs (n = 72) from IRST Meldola, Italy. The majority were GEP (71%) and low grade (86% G1-G2). Prospective validation cohorts were from Zentralklinik Bad Berka, Germany (n = 44), and Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands (n = 42). Each cohort included predominantly well differentiated, low grade (86-95%) lung and GEP-NETs. The non-PRRT comparator cohorts included SSA cohort I, n = 28 (100% low grade, 100% GEP-NET); SSA cohort II, n = 51 (98% low grade; 76% GEP-NET); and an untreated cohort, n = 44 (64% low grade; 91% GEP-NET). Baseline evaluations included clinical information (disease status, grade, SSR) and biomarker (CgA). NET blood gene transcripts (n = 8: growth factor signaling and metabolism) were measured pre-therapy and integrated with tumor Ki67 using a logistic regression model. This provided a binary output: "predicted responder" (PPQ+); "predicted non-responder" (PPQ-). Treatment response was evaluated using RECIST criteria [Responder (stable, partial and complete response) vs Non-Responder)]. Sample measurement and analyses were blinded to study outcome. Statistical evaluation included Kaplan-Meier survival and standard test evaluation analyses. In the developmental cohort, 56% responded to PRRT. The PPQ predicted 100% of responders and 84% of non-responders (accuracy: 93%). In the two validation cohorts (response: 64-79%), the PPQ was 95% accurate (Bad Berka: PPQ + =97%, PPQ- = 93%; Rotterdam: PPQ + =94%, PPQ- = 100%). Overall, the median PFS was not reached in PPQ+ vs PPQ- (10-14 months; HR: 18-77, p < 0.0001). In the comparator cohorts, the predictor (PPQ) was 47-50% accurate for SSA-treatment and 50% as a prognostic. No differences in PFS were respectively noted (PPQ+: 10-12 months vs. PPQ-: 9-15 months). The PPQ derived from circulating NET specific genes and tumor grade prior to the initiation of therapy is a highly specific predictor of the efficacy of PRRT with an accuracy of 95%.

Responses of ecosystem water use efficiency to spring snow and summer water addition with or without nitrogen addition in a temperate steppe

PubMed Central

Zhai, Penghui; Huang, Jianhui; Zhao, Xiang; Dong, Kuanhu

2018-01-01

Water use efficiency (WUE) is an important indicator of ecosystem functioning but how ecosystem WUE responds to climate change including precipitation and nitrogen (N) deposition increases is still unknown. To investigate such responses, an experiment with a randomized block design with water (spring snowfall or summer water addition) and nitrogen addition was conducted in a temperate steppe of northern China. We investigated net ecosystem CO2 production (NEP), gross ecosystem production (GEP) and evapotranspiration (ET) to calculate ecosystem WUE (WUEnep = NEP/ET or WUEgep = GEP/ET) under spring snow and summer water addition with or without N addition from 2011 to 2013. The results showed that spring snow addition only had significant effect on ecosystem WUE in 2013 and summer water addition showed positive effect on ecosystem WUE in 2011 and 2013, as their effects on NEP and GEP is stronger than ET. N addition increased ecosystem WUE in 2012 and 2013 both in spring snow addition and summer water addition for its increasing effects on NEP and GEP but no effect on ET. Summer water addition had less but N addition had greater increasing effects on ecosystem WUE as natural precipitation increase indicating that natural precipitation regulates ecosystem WUE responses to water and N addition. Moreover, WUE was tightly related with atmospheric vapor-pressure deficit (VPD), photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), precipitation and soil moisture indicating the regulation of climate drivers on ecosystem WUE. In addition, it also was affected by aboveground net primary production (ANPP). The study suggests that ecosystem WUE responses to water and N addition is determined by the change in carbon process rather than that in water process, which are regulated by climate change in the temperate steppe of northern China. PMID:29529082

Recovering Wood and McCarthy's ERP-prototypes by means of ERP-specific procrustes-rotation.

PubMed

Beauducel, André

2018-02-01

The misallocation of treatment-variance on the wrong component has been discussed in the context of temporal principal component analysis of event-related potentials. There is, until now, no rotation-method that can perfectly recover Wood and McCarthy's prototypes without making use of additional information on treatment-effects. In order to close this gap, two new methods: for component rotation were proposed. After Varimax-prerotation, the first method identifies very small slopes of successive loadings. The corresponding loadings are set to zero in a target-matrix for event-related orthogonal partial Procrustes- (EPP-) rotation. The second method generates Gaussian normal distributions around the peaks of the Varimax-loadings and performs orthogonal Procrustes-rotation towards these Gaussian distributions. Oblique versions of this Gaussian event-related Procrustes- (GEP) rotation and of EPP-rotation are based on Promax-rotation. A simulation study revealed that the new orthogonal rotations recover Wood and McCarthy's prototypes and eliminate misallocation of treatment-variance. In an additional simulation study with a more pronounced overlap of the prototypes GEP Promax-rotation reduced the variance misallocation slightly more than EPP Promax-rotation. Comparison with Existing Method(s): Varimax- and conventional Promax-rotations resulted in substantial misallocations of variance in simulation studies when components had temporal overlap. A substantially reduced misallocation of variance occurred with the EPP-, EPP Promax-, GEP-, and GEP Promax-rotations. Misallocation of variance can be minimized by means of the new rotation methods: Making use of information on the temporal order of the loadings may allow for improvements of the rotation of temporal PCA components. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors with Liver Metastases in Korea: A Clinicopathological Analysis of 72 Cases in a Single Institute

PubMed Central

Shin, Yooju; Ha, Sang Yun; Hyeon, Jiyeon; Lee, Boram; Lee, Jeeyun; Jang, Kee-Taek; Kim, Kyoung-Mee; Park, Young Suk; Park, Cheol-Keun

2015-01-01

Purpose Management of gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine tumors with liver metastases (NETLM) presents many clinical challenges. Assessment of the extent of disease and primary tumor site is crucial for management. In this study, we investigated the primary tumor sites and prognostic factors in GEP NETLM among Korean patients. Materials and Methods We reviewed the medical records of 72 Korean patients diagnosed with GEP NETLM between January 1999 and May 2013, focusing on their clinical and pathologic characteristics. Results The most frequently encountered primary tumor sites were the pancreas (n=25, 35%), stomach (n=8, 11%), gall bladder (n=4, 6%) and rectum (n=3, 4%). Twenty-five patients (35%) had occult primary tumor. Twelve patients (17%) had histological grade G1 tumors, 30 patients (42%) had G2 tumors, and 30 patients (42%) had G3 tumors. The mean follow-up period after histological confirmation of hepatic metastases was 11.30±2.44 months for G3 tumors, 19.67±4.09 months for G2 tumors, and 30.67±6.51 months for G1 tumors. Multivariate analyses revealed that an unknown primary tumor site (p=0.001) and higher histological grade (p < 0.001) were independent prognostic indicators for shorter overall survival (OS). Most long-term survivors (OS > 24 months) had received antitumor treatment. Conclusion The primary tumor site most frequently associated with GEP NETLM was the pancreas. Unknown primary tumor and higher histological grade were independent prognostic indicators for shorter OS. Patients identified as being at a risk of shorter OS should be followed up closely. PMID:25687852

Responses of ecosystem water use efficiency to spring snow and summer water addition with or without nitrogen addition in a temperate steppe.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiaolin; Zhai, Penghui; Huang, Jianhui; Zhao, Xiang; Dong, Kuanhu

2018-01-01

Water use efficiency (WUE) is an important indicator of ecosystem functioning but how ecosystem WUE responds to climate change including precipitation and nitrogen (N) deposition increases is still unknown. To investigate such responses, an experiment with a randomized block design with water (spring snowfall or summer water addition) and nitrogen addition was conducted in a temperate steppe of northern China. We investigated net ecosystem CO2 production (NEP), gross ecosystem production (GEP) and evapotranspiration (ET) to calculate ecosystem WUE (WUEnep = NEP/ET or WUEgep = GEP/ET) under spring snow and summer water addition with or without N addition from 2011 to 2013. The results showed that spring snow addition only had significant effect on ecosystem WUE in 2013 and summer water addition showed positive effect on ecosystem WUE in 2011 and 2013, as their effects on NEP and GEP is stronger than ET. N addition increased ecosystem WUE in 2012 and 2013 both in spring snow addition and summer water addition for its increasing effects on NEP and GEP but no effect on ET. Summer water addition had less but N addition had greater increasing effects on ecosystem WUE as natural precipitation increase indicating that natural precipitation regulates ecosystem WUE responses to water and N addition. Moreover, WUE was tightly related with atmospheric vapor-pressure deficit (VPD), photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), precipitation and soil moisture indicating the regulation of climate drivers on ecosystem WUE. In addition, it also was affected by aboveground net primary production (ANPP). The study suggests that ecosystem WUE responses to water and N addition is determined by the change in carbon process rather than that in water process, which are regulated by climate change in the temperate steppe of northern China.

Radio-guided surgery with the use of [99mTc-EDDA/HYNIC]octreotate in intra-operative detection of neuroendocrine tumours of the gastrointestinal tract.

PubMed

Hubalewska-Dydejczyk, A; Kulig, J; Szybinski, P; Mikolajczak, R; Pach, D; Sowa-Staszczak, A; Fröss-Baron, K; Huszno, B

2007-10-01

Radio-guided surgery (RGS) is an intra-operative localising technique which enables identification of tissue "marked" by a specific radiotracer injected before surgery. It is mainly used for sentinel node mapping and for detection of parathyroid adenomas and other tumours, including neuroendocrine tumours of the gastrointestinal tract (GEP-NET). The aim of this study was to determine whether intra-operative radio-detection with the use of [(99m)Tc-EDDA/HYNIC]octreotate, a new somatostatin analogue, is able to reveal an unknown primary and secondary sites, thereby improving surgical treatment and the final outcome of GEP-NET. The study group included nine patients with suspected GEP-NET (four carcinoids, five pancreatic NET) localised with somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (with [(99m)Tc-EDDA/HYNIC]octreotate), who had negative results on other pre-operative imaging tests. At surgery, suspected tumours were measured in situ and ex vivo and precise exploration of the abdominal cavity was performed with the intra-operative scintillation detector (Navigator). Intra-operative gamma counting localised three carcinoids. In one patient SRS was false positive (owing to inflammatory infiltration). Compared with SRS, RGS revealed additional lymph node metastases in one case. RGS resulted in successful localisation of all pancreatic NET (the smallest lesion was 8 mm in diameter). [(99m)Tc-EDDA/HYNIC]octreotate SRS followed by RGS is a promising technique to improve the rate of detection and efficacy of treatment of GEP-NET, especially in the presence of occult endocrine tumours. The imaging properties of [(99m)Tc-EDDA/HYNIC]octreotate and the 1-day imaging protocol offer opportunities for more widespread application of this tracer followed by RGS in oncology.

Rapid recovery of gross ecosystem production and ecosystem-level respiration in a semiarid sagebrush shrubland following prescribed fire.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fellows, A.; Flerchinger, G. N.

2016-12-01

The impact of fire remains a key uncertainty in our understanding of the spatio-temporal dynamics of carbon cycling on Western US rangelands. We, therefore, tracked the recovery of carbon fluxes and vegetative carbon stocks following prescribed fire in a sagebrush shrubland located in the Western US Great Basin. We quantified the change in plant function type, Leaf Area Index (LAI), aboveground carbon stocks, Gross Ecosystem Production (GEP), and Ecosystem-level Respiration (Reco) for 2 years before and 5 years following a prescribed fire that burned in 2007. Recruitment of burned sagebrush shrubland by fast growing grasses and forbs drove a rapid recovery of LAI, GEP, and Reco following fire; LAI, GEP, and Reco recovered within 1-3 years. These findings are consistent with previous measurement and modeling work by Flerchinger that demonstrated rooting depths, soil moisture withdrawal, and evapotranspiration also recovered within a few years of this fire. Live aboveground biomass reached 15% of pre-fire aboveground biomass after 5 years. The rapid recovery of LAI, rooting depth, GEP and Reco may partially reflect conducive environmental conditions at this site and at the time of the fire. In particular, the site was wet for a sagebrush shrubland; annual precipitation averaged 545 mm during the study and large-deep snow drifts formed upslope of the site. Post-fire weather was particularly wet, with the second, third and fourth years following fire receiving 587, 614, and 745 mm of water. Grazing was excluded from the burned area, which limited herbivory and may have facilitated vegetation establishment and growth. Lastly, the fire burned in September after many grasses and herbaceous plants had already senesced.

Compact piezoelectric tripod manipulator based on a reverse bridge-type amplification mechanism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Na, Tae-Won; Choi, Jun-Ho; Jung, Jin-Young; Kim, Hyeong-Geon; Han, Jae-Hung; Park, Kwang-Chun; Oh, Il-Kwon

2016-09-01

We report a hierarchical piezoelectric tripod manipulator based on a reverse bridge-type displacement amplifier. The reverse bridge-type amplification mechanism is pre-strained by each piezo-stack actuator up to 60 μm and is cross-stacked in a series arrangement to make a compact and high-stroke manipulator having load-bearing characteristics. The designed manipulator with three degrees of freedom is compact with a height of 56.0 mm, a diameter of 48.6 mm and total weight of 115 g. It achieves a translational stroke of up to 880 μm in heaving motion and a tilting angle of up to 2.0° in rotational motion within the operating voltage and power range of the piezoelectric stack actuator. A key feature of the present design is built-in and pre-strained displacement amplification mechanisms integrated with piezoelectric stacked actuators, resulting in a compact tripod manipulator having exceptionally high stroke and load-bearing capacity.

40 CFR 52.1870 - Identification of plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Chemical Corporation in Allen County, Crystal Tissue Company in Butler County, U.S. Steel Corporation.... (81) On March 3, 1986, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) submitted Good Engineering... Engineering Practice Stack Height Regulations”. These rules were adopted by the State on February 12, 1986 and...

40 CFR 52.380 - Rules and regulations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... the following elements of the revisions: (1)-(2) [Reserved] (3) The program to review new and modified... (5) Stack height regulations (6) Interstate pollution requirements (7) Monitoring requirements (8) Conflict of interest provisions. (9) Use of 1 percent sulfur content fuel by the following residual oil...

40 CFR 52.380 - Rules and regulations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... the following elements of the revisions: (1)-(2) [Reserved] (3) The program to review new and modified... (5) Stack height regulations (6) Interstate pollution requirements (7) Monitoring requirements (8) Conflict of interest provisions. (9) Use of 1 percent sulfur content fuel by the following residual oil...

40 CFR 52.380 - Rules and regulations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... the following elements of the revisions: (1)-(2) [Reserved] (3) The program to review new and modified... (5) Stack height regulations (6) Interstate pollution requirements (7) Monitoring requirements (8) Conflict of interest provisions. (9) Use of 1 percent sulfur content fuel by the following residual oil...

40 CFR 52.380 - Rules and regulations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... the following elements of the revisions: (1)-(2) [Reserved] (3) The program to review new and modified... (5) Stack height regulations (6) Interstate pollution requirements (7) Monitoring requirements (8) Conflict of interest provisions. (9) Use of 1 percent sulfur content fuel by the following residual oil...

40 CFR 52.1832 - Stack height regulations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Section 52.1832 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS... letter to Douglas M. Skie, EPA, dated May 11, 1988, Dana K. Mount, Director, Division of Environmental Engineering stated: * * * We are submitting this letter to allow EPA to continue to process our current SIP...

Comparison of the Current Center of Site Annual Neshap Dose Modeling at the Savannah River Site with Other Assessment Methods.

PubMed

Minter, Kelsey M; Jannik, G Timothy; Stagich, Brooke H; Dixon, Kenneth L; Newton, Joseph R

2018-04-01

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires the use of the model CAP88 to estimate the total effective dose (TED) to an offsite maximally exposed individual (MEI) for demonstrating compliance with 40 CFR 61, Subpart H: The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) regulations. For NESHAP compliance at the Savannah River Site (SRS), the EPA, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), South Carolina's Department of Health and Environmental Control, and SRS approved a dose assessment method in 1991 that models all radiological emissions as if originating from a generalized center of site (COS) location at two allowable stack heights (0 m and 61 m). However, due to changes in SRS missions, radiological emissions are no longer evenly distributed about the COS. An area-specific simulation of the 2015 SRS radiological airborne emissions was conducted to compare to the current COS method. The results produced a slightly higher dose estimate (2.97 × 10 mSv vs. 2.22 × 10 mSv), marginally changed the overall MEI location, and noted that H-Area tritium emissions dominated the dose. Thus, an H-Area dose model was executed as a potential simplification of the area-specific simulation by adopting the COS methodology and modeling all site emissions from a single location in H-Area using six stack heights that reference stacks specific to the tritium production facilities within H-Area. This "H-Area Tritium Stacks" method produced a small increase in TED estimates (3.03 × 10 mSv vs. 2.97 × 10 mSv) when compared to the area-specific simulation. This suggests that the current COS method is still appropriate for demonstrating compliance with NESHAP regulations but that changing to the H-Area Tritium Stacks assessment method may now be a more appropriate representation of operations at SRS.

First measurement of proton's charge form factor at very low Q2 with initial state radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mihovilovič, M.; Weber, A. B.; Achenbach, P.; Beranek, T.; Beričič, J.; Bernauer, J. C.; Böhm, R.; Bosnar, D.; Cardinali, M.; Correa, L.; Debenjak, L.; Denig, A.; Distler, M. O.; Esser, A.; Ferretti Bondy, M. I.; Fonvieille, H.; Friedrich, J. M.; Friščić, I.; Griffioen, K.; Hoek, M.; Kegel, S.; Kohl, Y.; Merkel, H.; Middleton, D. G.; Müller, U.; Nungesser, L.; Pochodzalla, J.; Rohrbeck, M.; Sánchez Majos, S.; Schlimme, B. S.; Schoth, M.; Schulz, F.; Sfienti, C.; Širca, S.; Štajner, S.; Thiel, M.; Tyukin, A.; Vanderhaeghen, M.; Weinriefer, M.

2017-08-01

We report on a new experimental method based on initial-state radiation (ISR) in e-p scattering, which exploits the radiative tail of the elastic peak to study the properties of electromagnetic processes and to extract the proton charge form factor (GEp) at extremely small Q2. The ISR technique was implemented in an experiment at the three-spectrometer facility of the Mainz Microtron (MAMI). This led to a precise validation of radiative corrections far away from elastic line and provided first measurements of GEp for 0.001 ≤Q2 ≤ 0.004(GeV / c)2.

Guidelines for Good Epidemiology Practices for Occupational and Environmental Epidemiologic Research. The Chemical Manufacturers Association's Epidemiology Task Group.

PubMed

1991-12-01

The Guidelines for Good Epidemiology Practices (GEPs) for Occupational and Environmental Epidemiologic Research address the conduct of studies generally undertaken to answer questions about human health in relationship to the work place or the environment. The GEPs propose minimum practices and procedures that should be considered to help ensure the quality and integrity of data used in epidemiologic research and to provide adequate documentation of the research methods. The GEPs address the process of conducting individual epidemiologic studies and do not prescribe specific research methods. The Guidelines for Good Epidemiology Practices propose minimum practices and procedures in the following areas: I. Organization and Personnel II. Facilities, Resource Commitment, and Contractors III. Protocol IV. Review and Approval V. Study Conduct VI. Communication VII. Archiving VIII. Quality Assurance Although the Guidelines for Good Epidemiology Practices will not guarantee good epidemiology, they do provide a useful framework for ensuring that all research issues are adequately addressed. This framework is proposed as a first step in improving epidemiologic research practices through adherence to sound scientific research principles. Appendices provide an overview of standard operating procedures, a glossary of terms used in the Guidelines, and suggested references on occupational epidemiology methods.

Distributed Function Mining for Gene Expression Programming Based on Fast Reduction.

PubMed

Deng, Song; Yue, Dong; Yang, Le-chan; Fu, Xiong; Feng, Ya-zhou

2016-01-01

For high-dimensional and massive data sets, traditional centralized gene expression programming (GEP) or improved algorithms lead to increased run-time and decreased prediction accuracy. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a new improved algorithm called distributed function mining for gene expression programming based on fast reduction (DFMGEP-FR). In DFMGEP-FR, fast attribution reduction in binary search algorithms (FAR-BSA) is proposed to quickly find the optimal attribution set, and the function consistency replacement algorithm is given to solve integration of the local function model. Thorough comparative experiments for DFMGEP-FR, centralized GEP and the parallel gene expression programming algorithm based on simulated annealing (parallel GEPSA) are included in this paper. For the waveform, mushroom, connect-4 and musk datasets, the comparative results show that the average time-consumption of DFMGEP-FR drops by 89.09%%, 88.85%, 85.79% and 93.06%, respectively, in contrast to centralized GEP and by 12.5%, 8.42%, 9.62% and 13.75%, respectively, compared with parallel GEPSA. Six well-studied UCI test data sets demonstrate the efficiency and capability of our proposed DFMGEP-FR algorithm for distributed function mining.

Insights on the fundamental lithium storage behavior of all-solid-state lithium batteries containing the LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 cathode and sulfide electrolyte

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Gang; Yao, Xiayin; Wan, Hongli; Huang, Bingxin; Yin, Jingyun; Ding, Fei; Xu, Xiaoxiong

2016-03-01

An insightful study on the fundamental lithium storage behavior of all-solid-state lithium battery with a structure of LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 (NCA)/Li10GeP2S12/Li-In is carried out in this work. The relationship between electrochemical performances and particle size, surface impurities and defects of the NCA positive material is systematically investigated. It is found that a ball-milling technique can decrease the particle size and remove surface impurities of the NCA cathode while also give rise to surface defects which could be recovered by a post-annealing process. The results indicate that the interfacial resistance between the NCA and Li10GeP2S12 is obviously decreased during the ball-milling followed by a post-annealing. Consequently, the discharge capacity of NCA in the NCA/Li10GeP2S12/Li-In solid-state battery is significantly enhanced, which exhibits a discharge capacity of 146 mAh g-1 at 25 °C.

Li Distribution Heterogeneity in Solid Electrolyte Li10GeP2S12 upon Electrochemical Cycling Probed by 7Li MRI.

PubMed

Chien, Po-Hsiu; Feng, Xuyong; Tang, Mingxue; Rosenberg, Jens T; O'Neill, Sean; Zheng, Jin; Grant, Samuel C; Hu, Yan-Yan

2018-04-19

All-solid-state rechargeable batteries embody the promise for high energy density, increased stability, and improved safety. However, their success is impeded by high resistance for mass and charge transfer at electrode-electrolyte interfaces. Li deficiency has been proposed as a major culprit for interfacial resistance, yet experimental evidence is elusive due to the challenges associated with noninvasively probing the Li distribution in solid electrolytes. In this Letter, three-dimensional 7 Li magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is employed to examine Li distribution homogeneity in solid electrolyte Li 10 GeP 2 S 12 within symmetric Li/Li 10 GeP 2 S 12 /Li batteries. 7 Li MRI and the derived histograms reveal Li depletion from the electrode-electrolyte interfaces and increased heterogeneity of Li distribution upon electrochemical cycling. Significant Li loss at interfaces is mitigated via facile modification with a poly(ethylene oxide)/bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide Li salt thin film. This study demonstrates a powerful tool for noninvasively monitoring the Li distribution at the interfaces and in the bulk of all-solid-state batteries as well as a convenient strategy for improving interfacial stability.

Perspectives of gene expression profiling for diagnosis and therapy in haematological malignancies.

PubMed

Bacher, Ulrike; Kohlmann, Alexander; Haferlach, Torsten

2009-05-01

Considering the heterogeneity of leukaemias and the widening spectrum of therapeutic strategies, novel diagnostic methods are urgently needed for haematological malignancies. For a decade, gene expression profiling (GEP) has been applied in leukaemia research. Thus, various studies demonstrated worldwide that the majority of genetically defined leukaemia subtypes are accurately predictable by GEP, for example, with respect to reciprocal rearrangements in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Moreover, novel prognostically relevant gene classifiers were developed as, for example, in normal karyotype AML. Considering the lymphatic malignancies, GEP studies defined novel clinically relevant subtypes in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and improved the discrimination of Burkitt lymphoma and DLBCL cases, overcoming considerable overlaps of these entities that exist from morphological and genetic perspectives. Treatment-specific sensitivity assays are being developed for targeted drugs such as farnesyl transferase inhibitors in AML or imatinib in BCR-ABL1 positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Irrespectively of these proceedings, an introduction of the microarray technology in haematological practice requires diagnostic algorithms and strategies for interaction with currently established diagnostic techniques. Large multicentre studies such as the MILE Study (Microarray Innovations in LEukemia) aim at translating this methodology into clinical routine workflows and to catalyze this process.

Prediction of essential proteins based on gene expression programming.

PubMed

Zhong, Jiancheng; Wang, Jianxin; Peng, Wei; Zhang, Zhen; Pan, Yi

2013-01-01

Essential proteins are indispensable for cell survive. Identifying essential proteins is very important for improving our understanding the way of a cell working. There are various types of features related to the essentiality of proteins. Many methods have been proposed to combine some of them to predict essential proteins. However, it is still a big challenge for designing an effective method to predict them by integrating different features, and explaining how these selected features decide the essentiality of protein. Gene expression programming (GEP) is a learning algorithm and what it learns specifically is about relationships between variables in sets of data and then builds models to explain these relationships. In this work, we propose a GEP-based method to predict essential protein by combing some biological features and topological features. We carry out experiments on S. cerevisiae data. The experimental results show that the our method achieves better prediction performance than those methods using individual features. Moreover, our method outperforms some machine learning methods and performs as well as a method which is obtained by combining the outputs of eight machine learning methods. The accuracy of predicting essential proteins can been improved by using GEP method to combine some topological features and biological features.

Classification of Genes and Putative Biomarker Identification Using Distribution Metrics on Expression Profiles

PubMed Central

Huang, Hung-Chung; Jupiter, Daniel; VanBuren, Vincent

2010-01-01

Background Identification of genes with switch-like properties will facilitate discovery of regulatory mechanisms that underlie these properties, and will provide knowledge for the appropriate application of Boolean networks in gene regulatory models. As switch-like behavior is likely associated with tissue-specific expression, these gene products are expected to be plausible candidates as tissue-specific biomarkers. Methodology/Principal Findings In a systematic classification of genes and search for biomarkers, gene expression profiles (GEPs) of more than 16,000 genes from 2,145 mouse array samples were analyzed. Four distribution metrics (mean, standard deviation, kurtosis and skewness) were used to classify GEPs into four categories: predominantly-off, predominantly-on, graded (rheostatic), and switch-like genes. The arrays under study were also grouped and examined by tissue type. For example, arrays were categorized as ‘brain group’ and ‘non-brain group’; the Kolmogorov-Smirnov distance and Pearson correlation coefficient were then used to compare GEPs between brain and non-brain for each gene. We were thus able to identify tissue-specific biomarker candidate genes. Conclusions/Significance The methodology employed here may be used to facilitate disease-specific biomarker discovery. PMID:20140228

Observational study of patients with gastroenteropancreatic and bronchial neuroendocrine tumors in Argentina: Results from the large database of a multidisciplinary group clinical multicenter study

PubMed Central

O’CONNOR, JUAN MANUEL; MARMISSOLLE, FABIANA; BESTANI, CLAUDIA; PESCE, VERONICA; BELLI, SUSANA; DOMINICHINI, ENZO; MENDEZ, GUILLERMO; PRICE, PAOLA; GIACOMI, NORA; PAIROLA, ALEJANDRO; LORIA, FERNANDO SÁNCHEZ; HUERTAS, EDUARDO; MARTIN, CLAUDIO; PATANE, KARINA; POLERI, CLAUDIA; ROSENBERG, MOISES; CABANNE, ANA; KUJARUK, MIRTA; CAINO, ANALIA; ZAMORA, VICTOR; MARIANI, JAVIER; DIOCA, MARIANO; PARMA, PATRICIA; PODESTA, GUSTAVO; ANDRIANI, OSCAR; GONDOLESI, GABRIEL; ROCA, ENRIQUE

2014-01-01

Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) include a spectrum of malignancies arising from neuroendocrine cells throughout the body. The objective of this clinical investigation of retrospectively and prospectively collected data was to describe the prevalence, demographic data, clinical symptoms and methods of diagnosis of NET and the treatment and long-term follow-up of patients with NET. Data were provided by the participating centers and assessed for consistency by internal reviewers. All the cases were centrally evaluated (when necessary) by the pathologists in our group. The tissue samples were reviewed by hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical staining techniques to confirm the diagnosis of NET. In total, 532 cases were documented: 461 gastroenteropancreatic-NET (GEP-NET) and 71 bronchial NET (BNET). All the tumors were immunohistochemically defined according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society criteria. The most common initial symptoms in GEP-NET were abdominal pain, diarrhea, bowel obstruction, flushing, gastrointestinal bleeding and weight loss. The most common tumor types were carcinoid (58.0%), non-functional pancreatic tumor (23.0%), metastatic NET of unknown primary (16.0%) and functional pancreatic tumor (3.0%). Of the BNET, 89.0% were typical and 11.0% atypical carcinoids. Of the patients with GEP-NET, 59.2% had distant metastasis at diagnosis. The locations of the primary tumors in GEP-NET were the small bowel (26.9%), pancreas (25.2%), colon-rectum (12.4%), appendix (7.6%), stomach (6.9%), esophagus (2.8%), duodenum (2.0%) and unknown primary (16.3%). The histological subtypes based on the WHO classification were well-differentiated NET (20.1%), well-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (66.5%) and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (10.3%). Overall, 67.3% of the patients underwent surgery, 41.2% with curative intent and 26.1% for palliative purposes. The 5-year survival rates were 65.1% (95% confidence interval, 58.0–71.4%) in GEP-NET and 100.0% in typical carcinoid of the lung. This observational, non-interventional, longitudinal study aimed to accumulate relevant information regarding the epidemiology, clinical presentation and current practices in the treatment of NET patients in Argentina, providing insight into regional differences and patterns of care in this heterogeneous disease. PMID:25054030

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO NUCLEAR REACTOR CORE

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

Bell, F.R.

1963-03-01

A nuclear reactor core composed of a number of stacked horizontal layers is described. Each layer is made up of elements of moderator material of equal height and of generally hexagonal cross-section. Each element has holes containing nuclear fuel and separate ones for coolant. (C.E.S.)

40 CFR 52.1225 - Review of new sources and modifications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS (CONTINUED) Minnesota § 52.1225 Review of new sources and modifications. (a) Part D—Approval. The State of Minnesota has satisfied the... nonattainment areas. (b)-(d) [Reserved] (e) The State of Minnesota has committed to conform to the Stack Height...

40 CFR 52.1225 - Review of new sources and modifications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS (CONTINUED) Minnesota § 52.1225 Review of new sources and modifications. (a) Part D—Approval. The State of Minnesota has satisfied the... nonattainment areas. (b)-(d) [Reserved] (e) The State of Minnesota has committed to conform to the Stack Height...

40 CFR 52.1225 - Review of new sources and modifications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS (CONTINUED) Minnesota § 52.1225 Review of new sources and modifications. (a) Part D—Approval. The State of Minnesota has satisfied the... nonattainment areas. (b)-(d) [Reserved] (e) The State of Minnesota has committed to conform to the Stack Height...

40 CFR 52.1225 - Review of new sources and modifications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS (CONTINUED) Minnesota § 52.1225 Review of new sources and modifications. (a) Part D—Approval. The State of Minnesota has satisfied the... nonattainment areas. (b)-(d) [Reserved] (e) The State of Minnesota has committed to conform to the Stack Height...

40 CFR 52.1225 - Review of new sources and modifications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS (CONTINUED) Minnesota § 52.1225 Review of new sources and modifications. (a) Part D—Approval. The State of Minnesota has satisfied the... nonattainment areas. (b)-(d) [Reserved] (e) The State of Minnesota has committed to conform to the Stack Height...

40 CFR 52.824 - Original identification of plan section.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... attainment and unclassified areas of the state (PSD) were submitted on March 9, 1987, by the Iowa Department... review/PSD regulations. (47) Revised Chapters 22 and 23 regulations pertaining to stack height credits..., incorporates by reference revised EPA PSD rules pertaining to NO X increments. (i) Incorporation by reference...

40 CFR 63.457 - Test methods and procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... port locations and gas stream properties. For purposes of selecting vent sampling port locations and... sampling line into the stack and secure it with the tip slightly lower than the port height. Start the pump... ketone, and propionaldehyde mass flow rates (kg/Mg ODP) entering the biological treatment system...

40 CFR 63.457 - Test methods and procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... port locations and gas stream properties. For purposes of selecting vent sampling port locations and... sampling line into the stack and secure it with the tip slightly lower than the port height. Start the pump... ketone, and propionaldehyde mass flow rates (kg/Mg ODP) entering the biological treatment system...

Dephasing rates for weak localization and universal conductance fluctuations in two dimensional Si:P and Ge:P δ-layers.

PubMed

Shamim, Saquib; Mahapatra, S; Scappucci, G; Klesse, W M; Simmons, M Y; Ghosh, Arindam

2017-05-04

We report quantum transport measurements on two dimensional (2D) Si:P and Ge:P δ-layers and compare the inelastic scattering rates relevant for weak localization (WL) and universal conductance fluctuations (UCF) for devices of various doping densities (0.3-2.5 × 10 18 m -2 ) at low temperatures (0.3-4.2 K). The phase breaking rate extracted experimentally from measurements of WL correction to conductivity and UCF agree well with each other within the entire temperature range. This establishes that WL and UCF, being the outcome of quantum interference phenomena, are governed by the same dephasing rate.

[Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy in medullary thyroid carcinomas, GEP and carcinoid tumors].

PubMed

Eising, E G; Farahati, J; Bier, D; Knust, E J; Reiners, C

1995-02-01

For this study, 24 patients with medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) and 10 with carcinoid-/GEP-tumours underwent scintigraphy with 123I-Tyr3-octreotide or 111In-DTPA-D-Phe1-octreotide (Octreoscan) or 99mTc-V-DMSA. Calcitonin and CEA were elevated in MTC patients, the other had tumour lesions on CT. Octreoscan-scintigraphy was positive in 68% of all suspicious cases. On the other hand, 123I-Tyr3-octreotide showed only rarely positive results. 99mTc-V-DMSA-scans in MTC patients were positive in 23%. Liver metastases could be seen only with Octreoscan in the non-MTC-group. These results showed better sensitivity of 111In-labelled octreotide.

Cryogenic Piezoelectric Actuator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jiang, Xiaoning; Cook, William B.; Hackenberger, Wesley S.

2009-01-01

In this paper, PMN-PT single crystal piezoelectric stack actuators and flextensional actuators were designed, prototyped and characterized for space optics applications. Single crystal stack actuators with footprint of 10 mm x10 mm and the height of 50 mm were assembled using 10 mm x10mm x0.15mm PMN-PT plates. These actuators showed stroke > 65 - 85 microns at 150 V at room temperature, and > 30 microns stroke at 77 K. Flextensional actuators with dimension of 10mm x 5 mm x 7.6 mm showed stroke of >50 microns at room temperature at driving voltage of 150 V. A flextensional stack actuator with dimension of 10 mm x 5 mm x 47 mm showed stroke of approx. 285 microns at 150 V at room temperature and > 100 microns at 77K under driving of 150 V should be expected. The large cryogenic stroke and high precision of these actuators are promising for cryogenic optics applications.

Enhancements to AERMOD's building downwash algorithms based on wind-tunnel and Embedded-LES modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monbureau, E. M.; Heist, D. K.; Perry, S. G.; Brouwer, L. H.; Foroutan, H.; Tang, W.

2018-04-01

Knowing the fate of effluent from an industrial stack is important for assessing its impact on human health. AERMOD is one of several Gaussian plume models containing algorithms to evaluate the effect of buildings on the movement of the effluent from a stack. The goal of this study is to improve AERMOD's ability to accurately model important and complex building downwash scenarios by incorporating knowledge gained from a recently completed series of wind tunnel studies and complementary large eddy simulations of flow and dispersion around simple structures for a variety of building dimensions, stack locations, stack heights, and wind angles. This study presents three modifications to the building downwash algorithm in AERMOD that improve the physical basis and internal consistency of the model, and one modification to AERMOD's building pre-processor to better represent elongated buildings in oblique winds. These modifications are demonstrated to improve the ability of AERMOD to model observed ground-level concentrations in the vicinity of a building for the variety of conditions examined in the wind tunnel and numerical studies.

Can Electron-Rich Oxygen (O2-) Withdraw Electrons from Metal Centers? A DFT Study on Oxoanion-Caged Polyoxometalates.

PubMed

Takazaki, Aki; Eda, Kazuo; Osakai, Toshiyuki; Nakajima, Takahito

2017-10-12

The answer to the question "Can electron-rich oxygen (O 2- ) withdraw electrons from metal centers?" is seemingly simple, but how the electron population on the M atom behaves when the O-M distance changes is a matter of controversy. A case study has been conducted for Keggin-type polyoxometalate (POM) complexes, and the first-principles electronic structure calculations were carried out not only for real POM species but also for "hypothetical" ones whose heteroatom was replaced with a point charge. From the results of natural population analysis, it was proven that even an electron-rich O 2- , owing to its larger electronegativity as a neutral atom, withdraws electrons when electron redistribution occurs by the change of the bond length. In the case where O 2- coexists with a cation having a large positive charge (e.g., P 5+ (O 2- ) 4 = [PO 4 ] 3- ), the gross electron population (GEP) on the M atom seemingly increases as the O atom comes closer, but this increment in GEP is not due to the role of the O atom but due to a Coulombic effect of the positive charge located on the cation. Furthermore, it was suggested that not GEP but net electron population (NEP) should be responsible for the redox properties.

New alternatives for reference evapotranspiration estimation in West Africa using limited weather data and ancillary data supply strategies.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Landeras, Gorka; Bekoe, Emmanuel; Ampofo, Joseph; Logah, Frederick; Diop, Mbaye; Cisse, Madiama; Shiri, Jalal

2018-05-01

Accurate estimation of reference evapotranspiration ( ET 0 ) is essential for the computation of crop water requirements, irrigation scheduling, and water resources management. In this context, having a battery of alternative local calibrated ET 0 estimation methods is of great interest for any irrigation advisory service. The development of irrigation advisory services will be a major breakthrough for West African agriculture. In the case of many West African countries, the high number of meteorological inputs required by the Penman-Monteith equation has been indicated as constraining. The present paper investigates for the first time in Ghana, the estimation ability of artificial intelligence-based models (Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and Gene Expression Programing (GEPs)), and ancillary/external approaches for modeling reference evapotranspiration ( ET 0 ) using limited weather data. According to the results of this study, GEPs have emerged as a very interesting alternative for ET 0 estimation at all the locations of Ghana which have been evaluated in this study under different scenarios of meteorological data availability. The adoption of ancillary/external approaches has been also successful, moreover in the southern locations. The interesting results obtained in this study using GEPs and some ancillary approaches could be a reference for future studies about ET 0 estimation in West Africa.

Assessment of all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Braun, P.; Uhlmann, C.; Weiss, M.; Weber, A.; Ivers-Tiffée, E.

2018-07-01

All-solid-state lithium-ion batteries (ASSBs) are considered as next generation energy storage systems. A model might be very useful, which describes all contributions to the internal cell resistance, enables an optimization of the cell design, and calculates the performance of an open choice of cell architectures. A newly developed one-dimensional model for ASSBs is presented, based on a design concept which employs the use of composite electrodes. The internal cell resistance is calculated by linking two-phase transmission line models representing the composite electrodes with an ohmic resistance representing the solid electrolyte (separator). Thereby, electrical parameters, i.e. ionic and electronic conductivity, electrochemical parameters, i.e. charge-transfer resistance at interfaces and lithium solid-state diffusion, and microstructure parameters, i.e. electrode thickness, particle size, interface area, phase composition and tortuosity, are considered as the most important material and design parameters. Subsequently, discharge curves are simulated, and energy- and power-density characteristics of all-solid-state cell architectures are calculated. These model calculations are discussed and compared with experimental data from literature for a high power LiCoO2-Li10GeP2S12/Li10GeP2S12/Li4Ti5O12-Li10GeP2S12 cell.

Clinical benefit of systemic treatment in patients with advanced pancreatic and gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumours according to ESMO-MCBS and ASCO framework.

PubMed

de Hosson, L D; van Veenendaal, L M; Schuller, Y; Zandee, W T; de Herder, W W; Tesselaar, M E T; Klümpen, H J; Walenkamp, A M E

2017-12-01

Assessment of clinical benefit of systemic treatments of rare diseases including gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NET) is challenging. Recently several tools have been developed to grade the clinical benefit of cancer drugs. The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) has developed the ESMO Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale (ESMO-MCBS). The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has developed and revised the ASCO framework consisting of the Net Health Benefit (NHB) score juxtaposed against the costs of the treatment. In this review, we graded systemic treatments for GEP-NET patients with both frameworks. The electronic databases (PubMed and EMBASE) were searched for papers reporting comparative trials, conducted in adult GEP-NET patients in the English language. Papers were assessed according to the ESMO-MCBS and the NHB part of the ASCO revised Framework (NHB-ASCO-F) by four independent assessors, and discrepancies were discussed. The search yielded 32 trials of which 6 were eligible for grading with the ESMO-MCBS resulting in scores of 2 or 3. Eight trials were eligible for grading with the NHB-ASCO-F, resulting in scores between 37.6 and 57.4. Trials that were not primary assessable by the tools were analysed separately. Consensus between assessors was reached in 68% of trials with the ESMO-MCBS and in 23% of trials with the NHB-ASCO-F. The currently used systemic treatments for GEP-NET patients had low scores according to the NHB-ASCO-F and none could be graded as meaningful clinical beneficial according to the ESMO-MCBS. Despite the low incidence, the heterogeneous patient population and relatively long natural course of NET, future studies on new treatment modalities should aim for high clinical benefit outcomes. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society for Medical Oncology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Message-adjusted network (MAN) hypothesis in gastro-entero-pancreatic (GEP) endocrine system.

PubMed

Aykan, N Faruk

2007-01-01

Several types of communication coordinate body functions to maintain homeostasis. Clarifying intercellular communication systems is as important as intracellular signal mechanisms. In this study, we propose an intercellular network model to establish novel targets in GEP-endocrine system, based on up-to-date information from medical publications. As materials, two physiologic events which are Pavlov's sham-feeding assay and bicarbonate secretion into the duodenum from pancreas were explored by new biologic data from the literature. Major key words used in Pub-Med were modes of regulations (autocrine, paracrine, endocrine, neurocrine, juxtacrine, lumencrine), GEP cells, hormones, peptides and neuro-transmitters. In these two examples of physiologic events, we can design a model of network to clarify transmission of a message. When we take a simple, unique message, we can observe a complete intercellular network. In our examples, these messages are "food is coming" and "hydrogen ions are increasing" in human language (humanese). We need to find molecular counterparts of these unique messages in cell language (cellese). In this network (message-adjusted network; MAN), message is an input which can affect the physiologic equilibrium, mission is an output to improve the disequilibrium and aim is always maintenance of homeostasis. If we orientate to a transmission of a unique message we can distinguish that different cells use different chemical messengers in different modes of regulations to transmit the same message. This study also supports Shannon's information theory and cell language theories such as von Neumann-Patte principles. After human genome project (HU-GO) and protein organisations (HU-PO), finding true messages and the establishment of their networks (in our model HU-MAN project) can be a novel and exciting field in cell biology. We established an intercellular network model to understand intercellular communication in the physiology of GEP endocrine system. This model could help to explain complex physiologic events as well as to generate new treatment concepts.

Quantifying Fast and Slow Responses of Terrestrial Carbon Exchange across a Water Availability Gradient in North American Flux Sites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biederman, J. A.; Scott, R. L.; Goulden, M.

2014-12-01

Climate change is predicted to increase the frequency and severity of water limitation, altering terrestrial ecosystems and their carbon exchange with the atmosphere. Here we compare site-level temporal sensitivity of annual carbon fluxes to interannual variations in water availability against cross-site spatial patterns over a network of 19 eddy covariance flux sites. This network represents one order of magnitude in mean annual productivity and includes western North American desert shrublands and grasslands, savannahs, woodlands, and forests with continuous records of 4 to 12 years. Our analysis reveals site-specific patterns not identifiable in prior syntheses that pooled sites. We interpret temporal variability as an indicator of ecosystem response to annual water availability due to fast-changing factors such as leaf stomatal response and microbial activity, while cross-site spatial patterns are used to infer ecosystem adjustment to climatic water availability through slow-changing factors such as plant community and organic carbon pools. Using variance decomposition, we directly quantify how terrestrial carbon balance depends on slow- and fast-changing components of gross ecosystem production (GEP) and total ecosystem respiration (TER). Slow factors explain the majority of variance in annual net ecosystem production (NEP) across the dataset, and their relative importance is greater at wetter, forest sites than desert ecosystems. Site-specific offsets from spatial patterns of GEP and TER explain one third of NEP variance, likely due to slow-changing factors not directly linked to water, such as disturbance. TER and GEP are correlated across sites as previously shown, but our site-level analysis reveals surprisingly consistent linear relationships between these fluxes in deserts and savannahs, indicating fast coupling of TER and GEP in more arid ecosystems. Based on the uncertainty associated with slow and fast factors, we suggest a framework for improved prediction of terrestrial carbon balance. We will also present results of ongoing work to quantify fast and slow contributions to the relationship between evapotranspiration and precipitation across a precipitation gradient.

Semi-contact-writing of polymer molds for prototyping PDMS chips with low surface roughness, sharp edges and locally varying channel heights

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gutzweiler, Ludwig; Stumpf, Fabian; Tanguy, Laurent; Roth, Guenter; Koltay, Peter; Zengerle, Roland; Riegger, Lutz

2016-04-01

Microfluidic systems fabricated in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) enable a broad variety of applications and are widespread in the field of Lab-on-a-Chip. Here we demonstrate semi-contact-writing, a novel method for fabrication of polymer based molds for casting microfluidic PDMS chips in a highly flexible, time and cost-efficient manner. The method is related to direct-writing of an aqueous polymer solution on a planar glass substrate and substitutes conventional, time- and cost-consuming UV-lithography. This technique facilitates on-demand prototyping in a low-cost manner and is therefore ideally suited for rapid chip layout iterations. No cleanroom facilities and less expertise are required. Fabrication time from scratch to ready-to-use PDMS-chip is less than 5 h. This polymer writing method enables structure widths down to 140 μm and controllable structure heights ranging from 5.5 μm for writing single layers up to 98 μm by stacking. As a unique property, freely selectable height variations across a substrate can be achieved by application of local stacking. Furthermore, the molds exhibit low surface roughness (R a   =  24 nm, R RMS  =  28 nm) and high fidelity edge sharpness. We validated the method by fabrication of molds to cast PDMS chips for droplet based flow-through PCR with single-cell sensitivity.

The Effects of Microgravity on Seated Height (Spinal Elongation)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Young, K. S.; Rajulu, S.

2011-01-01

ABSTRACT Many physiological factors, such as spinal elongation, fluid shifts, bone atrophy, and muscle loss, occur during an exposure to a microgravity environment. Spinal elongation is just one of the factors that can also affect the safety and performance of a crewmember while in space. Spinal elongation occurs due to the lack of gravity/compression on the spinal column. This allows for the straightening of the natural spinal curve. There is a possible fluid shift in the inter-vertebral disks that may also result in changes in height. This study aims at collecting the overall change in seated height for crewmembers exposed to a microgravity environment. During previous Programs, Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) and Skylab, spinal elongation data was collected from a small number of subjects in a standing posture but were limited in scope. Data from these studies indicated a quick increase in stature during the first few days of weightlessness, after which stature growth reached a plateau resulting in up to a 3% increase of the original measurement [1-5]. However, this data was collected only for crewmembers in standing posture and not in a seated posture. Seated height may have a different effect than standing height due to a change in posture as well as due to a compounded effect of wearing restraints and a potential compression of the gluteal area. Seated height was deemed as a critical measurement in the design of the Constellation Program s (CxP) Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), called Orion which is now the point-of-departure vehicle for the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) Program; therefore a better understanding of the effects of microgravity on seated height is necessary. Potential changes in seated height that may not have impacted crew accommodation in previous Programs will have significant effects on crew accommodation due to the layout of seats in the Orion.. The current and existing configuration is such that the four crewmembers are stacked two by two with the commander and pilot seats on the top and the two remaining seats underneath, thereby limiting the amount of clearance for the crewmembers seated in the bottom seat. The inner mold line of these types of vehicles are fixed due to other design constraints; therefore, it is essential that all seats incorporate additional clearance to account for adequate spinal growth thereby ensuring that the crew can safely ingress the seat and be strapped in prior to its return to earth. If there is not enough clearance to account for spinal growth deltas between seats then there is the potential that crewmembers will not be able to comfortably and safely fit into their seats. The crewmember in the bottom stacked seat may even have negative clearance with the seat above him or her which could lead to potential ingress/egress issues or potentially injury of the crewmember during landing. These impacts are specific to these types of vehicles with stacked seat configuration. Without proper knowledge of the amount of spinal elongation, or growth, which occurs due to microgravity and space flight, the design of future vehicle(s) or suits may cause injury, discomfort, and limit crew accommodation and crew complements. The experiment primarily aimed to collect seated height data for subjects exposed to microgravity environments, and feed new information regarding the effect of elongation of the spine forward into the design of the Orion. The data collected during the experiment included, two seated height measurement and two digital pictures of seated height pre-, in-, and post-flight. In addition to seated height, crewmembers had an optional task of collecting stature , standing height. Seated height data was obtained from 29 crewmembers that included 8 ISS increment crew (2 females and 6 males) and 21 Shuttle crew (1 female, 20 males), and whose mean age was 48 years ( 4 years). This study utilized the last six Shuttle flights, STS-128 to STS-134. The results show that partipating crewmembers experienced growth up to 6% in seated height and up to 3% in stature. Based on the worst case statistical analysis of the subject data, the recommended seated height growth of 6% will be provided to the designers as the necessary seated height adjustment.

The Geohazards Exploitation Platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laur, Henri; Casu, Francesco; Bally, Philippe; Caumont, Hervé; Pinto, Salvatore

2016-04-01

The Geohazards Exploitation Platform, or Geohazards TEP (GEP), is an ESA originated R&D activity of the EO ground segment to demonstrate the benefit of new technologies for large scale processing of EO data. This encompasses on-demand processing for specific user needs, systematic processing to address common information needs of the geohazards community, and integration of newly developed processors for scientists and other expert users. The platform supports the geohazards community's objectives as defined in the context of the International Forum on Satellite EO and Geohazards organised by ESA and GEO in Santorini in 2012. The GEP is a follow on to the Supersites Exploitation Platform (SSEP) an ESA initiative to support the Geohazards Supersites & Natural Laboratories initiative (GSNL). Today the GEP allows to exploit 70+ Terabyte of ERS and ENVISAT archive and the Copernicus Sentinel-1 data available on line. The platform has already engaged 22 European early adopters in a validation activity initiated in March 2015. Since September, this validation has reached 29 single user projects. Each project is concerned with either integrating an application, running on demand processing or systematically generating a product collection using an application available in the platform. The users primarily include 15 geoscience centres and universities based in Europe: British Geological Survey (UK), University of Leeds (UK), University College London (UK), ETH University of Zurich (CH), INGV (IT), CNR-IREA and CNR-IRPI (IT), University of L'Aquila (IT), NOA (GR), Univ. Blaise Pascal & CNRS (FR), Ecole Normale Supérieure (FR), ISTERRE / University of Grenoble-Alpes (FR). In addition, there are users from Africa and North America with the University of Rabat (MA) and the University of Miami (US). Furthermore two space agencies and four private companies are involved: the German Space Research Centre DLR (DE), the European Space Agency (ESA), Altamira Information (ES), DEIMOS Space (ES), eGEOS (IT) and SATIM (PL). The GEP is now pursuing these projects with early adopters integrating additional conventional and advanced EO processors. It will also expand its user base to gradually reach a total of 60 separate users in pre-operations in 2017 with 6 new pilot projects being taken on board: photogrammetric processing using Optical EO data with University of Strasbourg (FR); optical based processing method for volcanic hazard monitoring with INGV (IT); systematic generation of Interferometric displacement time series based on the Sentinel-1 data with CNR IREA (IT); systematic processing of Sentinel-1 Interferometric Browse imagery with DLR (DE); precise terrain motion mapping with SPN Persistent Scatterers Interferometric chain of Altamira Information (ES); and a campaign to test and exploit GEP applications with the Corinth Rift Laboratory in which Greek and French experts of seismic hazards are engaged. Following the pre-operations phase starting in 2017 the Geohazards platform is intended to support a broad user community and has already established partnerships with large user networks, a particular example of which being the EPOS research infrastructure. Within EPOS, the GEP is intended to act as the main interface for accessing, processing, analysing and sharing products related to the Satellite Data Thematic Service.

The Influence of Stand Development on Annual Carbon Exchange in Ponderosa Pine in Eastern Oregon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurpius, M. R.; Irvine, J.; Law, B. E.; Unsworth, M. H.

2003-12-01

It is commonly assumed that productivity, and therefore total carbon sequestration, is higher in young, actively growing stands than in old-growth stands. We show that ponderosa pine stands in Oregon did not fit this pattern. Carbon and water fluxes were measured continuously by eddy covariance above young-, mature-, and old-aged ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. Ex P. & C. Laws.) stands located within 10 km of each other in central Oregon. The general study area is on the east side of the Cascade Mountains and is classified as high desert: winters are cool and wet while summers are hot and dry, resulting in seasonal drought stress. The old site is composed of patches of multiple age classes: 27% (by ground area) old trees (> 250 years old), 25% young trees (< 50 years old), and 48% mixed - with both age classes. The forest has a very open canopy with summer maximum LAI of 2.1 (0.1 in understory shrubs). The mature site (approx. 90 yrs. old) is naturally regenerating after clear-cutting and summer maximum LAI is 3.0 (0.1 in understory shrubs). The young site (approx. 16 yrs. old) was previously an old-growth forest that was clearcut in 1978 and allowed to regenerate naturally, and the maximum summer LAI was 1.2 (0.4 in understory shrubs). The mature site had the highest gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) (1350 gC m-2 y-1) but also the highest ecosystem respiration (Re) (940 gC m-2 y-1). The old site had moderately high GEP (1200 gC m-2 y-1) and lower Re (690 gC m-2 y-1). The young site had the lowest GEP (730 gC m-2 y-1 in 2000-2001 and 790 gC m-2 y-1 in 2002) and the lowest Re (550 gC m-2 y-1 in 2000-2001 and 600 gC m-2 y-1 in 2002). Despite having the highest LAI, the mature site did not have the highest net ecosystem exchange (NEE). The balance of GEP and Re resulted in the highest NEE occurring at the old site (-580 +/-75 gC m-2 y-1), which experiences the least severe drought stress according to water potential and sapflow data. NEE at the mature site was moderately high (-435 +/-60 gC m-2 y-1) and was lowest at the young site (-170 +/-20 gC m-2 y-1 in 2000-2001 and -160 +/-20 gC m-2 y-1 in 2002) which experiences the most severe drought stress. The ratio of Re:GEP was 0.6, 0.7, and 0.75 for the old, mature, and young stands, respectively, indicating that as the stands age they respire less per unit carbon fixed. We conclude that more established ponderosa pine stands in this region are likely to sequester more carbon than recently disturbed stands, likely due to a low Re:GEP and a more established rooting system which enables older trees to better withstand drought.

e-Infrastuctures interoperability: the Geohazards Exploitation Platform for the use of satellite earth observations in Geosciences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caumont, Herve; Brito, Fabrice; Mathot, Emmanuel; Barchetta, Francesco; Loeschau, Frank

2015-04-01

We present recent achievements with the Geohazards Exploitation Platform (GEP), a European contribution to the GEO SuperSites, and its interoperability with the MEDiterranean SUpersite Volcanoes (MED-SUV) e- infrastructure. The GEP is a catalyst for the use of satellite Earth observation missions, providing data to initiatives such as the GEO Geohazard Supersites and Natural Laboratories (GSNL), the Volcano and Seismic Hazards CEOS Pilots or the European Plate Observing System (EPOS). As satellite sensors are delivering increasing amounts of data, researchers need more computational science tools and services. The GEP contribution in this regard allows scientists to access different data types, relevant to the same area and phenomena and to directly stage selected inputs to scalable processing applications that deliver EO-based science products. With the GEP concept of operation for improved collaboration, a partner can bring its processing tools, use from his workspace other shared toolboxes and access large data repositories. GEP is based on Open Source Software components, on a Cloud Services architecture inheriting a range of ESA and EC funded innovations, and is associating the scientific community and SMEs in implementing new capabilities. Via MED-SUV, we are making discoverable and accessible a large number of products over the Mt. Etna, Vesu- vius/Campi Flegrei volcanic areas, which are of broader interest for Geosciences researchers, so they can process ENVISAT MERIS, ENVISAT ASAR, and ERS SAR data (both Level 1 and Level 2) hosted in the ESA clusters and in ESA's Virtual Archive, TerraSAR-X data hosted in DLR's Virtual Archive, as well as data hosted in other dedicated MED-SUV Virtual Archives (e.g. for LANDSAT, EOS-1). GEP will gradually access Sentinel-1A data, other space agencies data and value-added products. Processed products can also be published and archived on the MED-SUV e-Infrastructure. In this effort, data policy rules applied to the acquisitions are verified against the GEOSS Data Collection of Open Resources for Everyone (GEOSS Data-CORE) principles. The resulting infras- tructure repositories include connectivity to the GEOSS Data Access Broker (DAB), through the "OGC CS-W OpenSearch Geo and Time extensions" interface standard, a key interoperability arrangement used by the MED- SUV systems, making EO data products available to both the project partners and the broader initiatives. GEP is also proposing and further developing hosted processing, aimed at MED-SUV researchers' work on new methods to integrate in-situ and satellite sensors data: a set of users services (concept of Platform-as-a-Service, or PaaS) for generating value-added products, including tools to design and develop Hadoop-enabled processing chains. The PaaS core engine is the Developer Cloud Sandboxes service, where scalable processing chains are prepared and validated. The PaaS makes use of Virtual Machines technology, and of middleware for scaling-out processing tasks via interfaces to commercial Cloud Providers, or through research agreements to academic re- sources like EGI.eu. After integration, processors are deployed and invoked 'as-a-Service' by partners via OGC Web Processing Service standard interface, or shared as reusable virtualized resources. Recent integration work covered e.g. ROI_PAC, GMTSAR and DORIS ADORE toolboxes along with supporting processing services such as DEM generation. Such approach has been discussed also with the MARSite project, ensuring the adopted solu- tions are aligned. As part of the MED-SUV project, we are developing tools and services supporting researchers working on new data fusion methods, and fostering collaboration between different end users and partners, including towards the GEO communities. Overall, the approach provides an integrated European contribution for the exploitation of decades of scientific data gathered from Earth observation satellites.

User's guide for RAM. Volume II. Data preparation and listings

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

Turner, D.B.; Novak, J.H.

1978-11-01

The information presented in this user's guide is directed to air pollution scientists having an interest in applying air quality simulation models. RAM is a method of estimating short-term dispersion using the Gaussian steady-state model. These algorithms can be used for estimating air quality concentrations of relatively nonreactive pollutants for averaging times from an hour to a day from point and area sources. The algorithms are applicable for locations with level or gently rolling terrain where a single wind vector for each hour is a good approximation to the flow over the source area considered. Calculations are performed for eachmore » hour. Hourly meteorological data required are wind direction, wind speed, temperature, stability class, and mixing height. Emission information required of point sources consists of source coordinates, emission rate, physical height, stack diameter, stack gas exit velocity, and stack gas temperature. Emission information required of area sources consists of southwest corner coordinates, source side length, total area emission rate and effective area source-height. Computation time is kept to a minimum by the manner in which concentrations from area sources are estimated using a narrow plume hypothesis and using the area source squares as given rather than breaking down all sources into an area of uniform elements. Options are available to the user to allow use of three different types of receptor locations: (1) those whose coordinates are input by the user, (2) those whose coordinates are determined by the model and are downwind of significant point and area sources where maxima are likely to occur, and (3) those whose coordinates are determined by the model to give good area coverage of a specific portion of the region. Computation time is also decreased by keeping the number of receptors to a minimum. Volume II presents RAM example outputs, typical run streams, variable glossaries, and Fortran source codes.« less

The effect of Al segregation on Schottky barrier height and effective work function in TiAl/TiN/HfO2 gate stacks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Geun-Myeong; Oh, Young Jun; Chang, K. J.

2016-07-01

We perform first-principles density functional calculations to investigate the effects of Al incorporation on the p-type Schottky barrier height ≤ft({φ\\text{p}}\\right) and the effective work function for various high-k/metal gate stacks, such as TiN/HfO2 with interface Al impurities, Ti1-x Al x N/HfO2, and TiAl/TiN/HfO2. When Al atoms substitute for the interface Ti atoms at TiN/HfO2 interface, interface dipole fields become stronger, leading to the increase of {φ\\text{p}} and thereby the n-type shift of effective work function. In Ti1-x Al x N/HfO2 interface, {φ\\text{p}} linearly increases with the Al content, attributed to the presence of interface Al atoms. On the other hand, in TiAl/TiN/HfO2 interface, where Al is assumed not to segregate from TiAl to TiN, {φ\\text{p}} is nearly independent of the thickness of TiAl. Our results indicate that Al impurities at the metal/dielectric interface play an important role in controlling the effective work function, and provide a clue to understanding the n-type shift of the effective work function observed in TiAl/TiN/HfO2 gate stacks fabricated by using thegate-last process.

Electronic screening in stacked graphene flakes revealed by scanning tunneling microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Xiaofeng; Salmeron, Miquel

2013-02-01

Electronic doping and screening effects in stacked graphene flakes on Ru and Cu substrates have been observed using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The screening affects the apparent STM height of each flake in successive layers reflecting the density of states near the Fermi level and thus the doping level. It is revealed in this way that the strong doping of the first graphene layer on Ru(0001) is attenuated in the second one, and almost eliminated in the third and fourth layers. Similar effect is also observed in graphene flakes on Cu(111). In contrast, the strong doping effect is suppressed immediately by a water layer intercalated between the graphene and Ru.

Asymmetrical reverse vortex flow due to induced-charge electro-osmosis around carbon stacking structures.

PubMed

Sugioka, Hideyuki

2011-05-01

Broken symmetry of vortices due to induced-charge electro-osmosis (ICEO) around stacking structures is important for the generation of a large net flow in a microchannel. Following theoretical predictions in our previous study, we herein report experimental observations of asymmetrical reverse vortex flows around stacking structures of carbon posts with a large height (~110 μm) in water, prepared by the pyrolysis of a photoresist film in a reducing gas. Further, by the use of a coupled calculation method that considers boundary effects precisely, the experimental results, except for the problem of anomalous flow reversal, are successfully explained. That is, unlike previous predictions, the precise calculations here show that stacking structures accelerate a reverse flow rather than suppressing it for a microfluidic channel because of the deformation of electric fields near the stacking portions; these structures can also generate a large net flow theoretically in the direction opposite that of a previous prediction for a standard vortex flow. Furthermore, by solving the one-dimensional Poisson-Nernst-Plank (PNP) equations in the presence of ac electric fields, we find that the anomalous flow reversal occurs by the phase retardation between the induced diffuse charge and the tangential electric field. In addition, we successfully explain the nonlinearity of the flow velocity on the applied voltage by the PNP analysis. In the future, we expect to improve the pumping performance significantly by using stacking structures of conductive posts along with a low-cost process. © 2011 American Physical Society

76 FR 24421 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; New Mexico; Section 110(a)(2...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-02

... approval based on the November 2, 1988, approval of New Mexico's stack height regulations (53 FR 44191), at.... Guy Donaldson, Chief, Air Planning Section (6PD- L), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue... Section (6PD-L), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733...

Structure and growth of Bi(110) islands on Si(111)√{3 }×√{3 }-B substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagase, Kentaro; Kokubo, Ikuya; Yamazaki, Shiro; Nakatsuji, Kan; Hirayama, Hiroyuki

2018-05-01

The structure and growth of ultrathin Bi(110) islands were investigated on a Si(111)√{3 }×√{3 }-B substrate by scanning tunneling microscopy and scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS). Both even- and odd-layer-height islands nucleated on a one-monolayer-thick wetting layer. The islands preferred the even layer heights over the odd layer heights with an area ratio of 3:1. A weak, long-range corrugation was observed to overlap on the atomic arrangement at the top of the islands. The average distance between the peaks of the corrugation oscillated in accordance with the alternation of even and odd layer heights. Nucleation of single- and double-layer terraces occurred on the islands with even layer heights but not on those with odd layer heights. The unit cell of the single-layer terrace was aligned with that of the underlying even-layer-height island. The inequality in the height preference and the height-dependent oscillation of the corrugation suggested that the even- and odd-layer-height islands possessed different structures. The dominance and stability against terrace nucleation of the even-layer-height islands were consistent with the theoretically predicted stability of the paired layer-stacked black-phosphorus (BP)-like structure for ultrathin Bi(110) films. The alignment of the unit cell at the terrace on the island and STS spectra suggested a BP-like/bulklike/BP-like sandwich structure for the odd-layer-height Bi(110) islands.

[Examination of skin autofluorescence for the determination of glycation end-products in patients on chronic hemodialysis].

PubMed

Golubev, R V; Papayan, G V; Glazunova, A A; Korosteleva, N Yu; Petrishchev, N N; Smirnov, A V

2016-01-01

To assess the results of determination of glycation end-products (GEPs) by skin autofluorescence (AF) in patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD). A device made in Russia was used to estimate skin AF intensity in 40 apparently healthy individuals and in 76 patients treated with chronic HD. While analyzing the findings, comparisons were made in both groups; a relationship between skin AF intensity and clinical and laboratory parameters was also investigated in patients on HD. The intensity of AF in the patients treated with chronic HD proved to be significantly higher than that in the control group. There was a direct correlation of the intensity of AF with age in both groups and that with the duration of dialysis treatment in patients on HD. In patients with coronary heart disease, the intensity of AF was significantly higher than in those without this condition. The intensity of AF directly correlated with the Charlson comorbidity index in the patients on HD. There were no correlations of skin AF intensity with main generally detected laboratory blood indicators, body mass index, and the nature of drug therapy in the patients on HD. Tissue GEP levels may serve as a cumulative index of metabolic stress in HD patients. The determination of GEP by measuring the intensity of skin AF may be used to assess prognosis in patients treated with chronic HD.

Harnessing Satellite Imageries in Feature Extraction Using Google Earth Pro

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernandez, Sim Joseph; Milano, Alan

2016-07-01

Climate change has been a long-time concern worldwide. Impending flooding, for one, is among its unwanted consequences. The Phil-LiDAR 1 project of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Republic of the Philippines, has developed an early warning system in regards to flood hazards. The project utilizes the use of remote sensing technologies in determining the lives in probable dire danger by mapping and attributing building features using LiDAR dataset and satellite imageries. A free mapping software named Google Earth Pro (GEP) is used to load these satellite imageries as base maps. Geotagging of building features has been done so far with the use of handheld Global Positioning System (GPS). Alternatively, mapping and attribution of building features using GEP saves a substantial amount of resources such as manpower, time and budget. Accuracy-wise, geotagging by GEP is dependent on either the satellite imageries or orthophotograph images of half-meter resolution obtained during LiDAR acquisition and not on the GPS of three-meter accuracy. The attributed building features are overlain to the flood hazard map of Phil-LiDAR 1 in order to determine the exposed population. The building features as obtained from satellite imageries may not only be used in flood exposure assessment but may also be used in assessing other hazards and a number of other uses. Several other features may also be extracted from the satellite imageries.

Differential response to gepirone but not to chlordiazepoxide in malnourished rats subjected to learned helplessness.

PubMed

Camargo, L M M; Nascimento, A B; Almeida, S S

2008-01-01

The learned helplessness (LH) paradigm is characterized by learning deficits resulting from inescapable events. The aims of the present study were to determine if protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) alters learning deficits induced by LH and if the neurochemical changes induced by malnutrition alter the reactivity to treatment with GABA-ergic and serotonergic drugs during LH. Well-nourished (W) and PCM Wistar rats (61 days old) were exposed or not to inescapable shocks (IS) and treated with gepirone (GEP, 0.0-7.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, N = 128) or chlordiazepoxide (0.0-7.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, N = 128) 72 h later, 30 min before the test session (30 trials of escape learning). The results showed that rats exposed to IS had higher escape latency than non-exposed rats (12.6 +/- 2.2 vs 4.4 +/- 0.8 s) and that malnutrition increased learning impairment produced by LH. GEP increased the escape latency of W animals exposed or non-exposed to IS, but did not affect the response of PCM animals, while chlordiazepoxide reduced the escape deficit of both W and PCM rats. The data suggest that PCM animals were more sensitive to the impairment produced by LH and that PCM led to neurochemical changes in the serotonergic system, resulting in hyporeactivity to the anxiogenic effects of GEP in the LH paradigm.

Deformations of temporary wooden supports used to reduce building deflections in mining areas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gromysz, Krzysztof

2018-04-01

Temporary supports, consisting of a stack of wooden elements and a hydraulic jack, are used in the process of removing deflections in buildings with one to three aboveground floors in mining areas. During uneven raising, the supports are loaded monotonically, unloaded and loaded cyclically. Laboratory tests were designed for the supports. For the investigated range of loads of 0 to 400 kN, under a growing load, a linear relationship exists between a load and the change in the stack length, which signifies that the deformations of wooden elements and displacements related to their mutual interactions increase proportionally. A seemingly higher stack stiffness is seen at the beginning of the unloading process and for cyclical loads, meaning that in this phase of loading, the material deformation of the wooden elements and the jack is responsible for changing the jack length in this load phase, with a negligible presence of mutual displacements of wooden elements. The support, after being unloaded, returns to the initial position and its permanent deformations are not observed. The stiffness of a temporary support decreases as the height of the stack of wooden elements increases.

Electronic Asymmetry by Compositionally Braking Inversion Symmetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Warusawithana, Maitri

2005-03-01

By stacking molecular layers of 3 different perovskite titanate phases, BaTiO3, SrTiO3 and CaTiO3 with atomic layer control, we construct nanostructures where global inversion symmetry is broken. With the structures clamped to the substrate, the stacking order gives rise to asymmetric strain fields. The dielectric response show asymmetric field tuning consistent with the symmetry of the stacking order. By analyzing the temperature and frequency dependence of the complex dielectric constant, we show that the response comes from activated switching of dipoles between two asymmetric states separated by an energy barrier. We find the size of average dipole units from the temperature dependence of the linewidth of field tuning curves to be around 10 unit cells in all the different nanostructures we investigate. At low temperatures we observe a deviation from the kinetic response suggesting a further growth in correlations. Pyrocurrent measurements confirm this observation indicating a phase transition to a ferro-like state. We explain the high temperature dipoles as single unit cell cross sectional columns correlated via the strain fields in the stacking direction, with the height somewhat short of the film thickness possibly due to some form of weak disorder.

PI3K-AKT-mTOR-Signaling and beyond: the Complex Network in Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

PubMed Central

Briest, Franziska; Grabowski, Patricia

2014-01-01

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms are heterogeneous in their clinical behavior and require therapies specially tailored according to staging, grading, origin and expression of peptide receptors. Despite extensive scientific efforts, the therapy options are still not satisfactory. The main reasons are due to the lack of a broad mechanistic knowledge, an insufficient classification of specific diagnostic sub-groups, and predictive markers. GEP-NEN tumors evade early diagnosis because of slow asymptomatic growth behavior and are frequently not detected until metastasized. How signaling networks contribute to tumor progression and how these networks interact remains unclear in large parts. In this review we summarize the knowledge on the growth factor responsive non-angiogenetic pathways in sporadic GEP-NENs, highlight promising mechanistic research approaches, and describe important therapy targets. PMID:24578720

Prediction on the inhibition ratio of pyrrolidine derivatives on matrix metalloproteinase based on gene expression programming.

PubMed

Li, Yuqin; You, Guirong; Jia, Baoxiu; Si, Hongzong; Yao, Xiaojun

2014-01-01

Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) were developed to predict the inhibition ratio of pyrrolidine derivatives on matrix metalloproteinase via heuristic method (HM) and gene expression programming (GEP). The descriptors of 33 pyrrolidine derivatives were calculated by the software CODESSA, which can calculate quantum chemical, topological, geometrical, constitutional, and electrostatic descriptors. HM was also used for the preselection of 5 appropriate molecular descriptors. Linear and nonlinear QSAR models were developed based on the HM and GEP separately and two prediction models lead to a good correlation coefficient (R (2)) of 0.93 and 0.94. The two QSAR models are useful in predicting the inhibition ratio of pyrrolidine derivatives on matrix metalloproteinase during the discovery of new anticancer drugs and providing theory information for studying the new drugs.

Clustering on Magnesium Surfaces - Formation and Diffusion Energies.

PubMed

Chu, Haijian; Huang, Hanchen; Wang, Jian

2017-07-12

The formation and diffusion energies of atomic clusters on Mg surfaces determine the surface roughness and formation of faulted structure, which in turn affect the mechanical deformation of Mg. This paper reports first principles density function theory (DFT) based quantum mechanics calculation results of atomic clustering on the low energy surfaces {0001} and [Formula: see text]. In parallel, molecular statics calculations serve to test the validity of two interatomic potentials and to extend the scope of the DFT studies. On a {0001} surface, a compact cluster consisting of few than three atoms energetically prefers a face-centered-cubic stacking, to serve as a nucleus of stacking fault. On a [Formula: see text], clusters of any size always prefer hexagonal-close-packed stacking. Adatom diffusion on surface [Formula: see text] is high anisotropic while isotropic on surface (0001). Three-dimensional Ehrlich-Schwoebel barriers converge as the step height is three atomic layers or thicker. Adatom diffusion along steps is via hopping mechanism, and that down steps is via exchange mechanism.

40 CFR 52.1820 - Identification of plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

...-15-02-05 Method of sampling and analysis 12/1/94 10/8/96, 61 FR 52865 33-15-02-06 Reference...-18-02 Good engineering practice demonstrations 10/1/87 11/14/88, 53 FR 45763 33-15-18-03 Exemptions.../12/80, 45 FR 53475 (13) Stack Height Demonstration Analysis Statewide Submitted: 4/18/86 and 7/21/87...

Microstructural dependency of optical properties of m-plane InGaN multiple quantum wells grown on 2° misoriented bulk GaN substrates

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

Tang, Fengzai; Barnard, Jonathan S.; Zhu, Tongtong

A non-polar m-plane structure consisting of five InGaN/GaN quantum wells (QWs) was grown on ammonothermal bulk GaN by metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy. Surface step bunches propagating through the QW stack were found to accommodate the 2° substrate miscut towards the -c direction. Both large steps with heights of a few tens of nanometres and small steps between one and a few atomic layers in height are observed, the former of which exhibit cathodoluminescence at longer wavelengths than the adjacent m-plane terraces. This is attributed to the formation of semi-polar facets at the steps on which the QWs are shown tomore » be thicker and have higher Indium contents than those in the adjacent m-plane regions. Discrete basal-plane stacking faults (BSFs) were occasionally initiated from the QWs on the main m-plane terraces, but groups of BSFs were frequently observed to initiate from those on the large steps, probably related to the increased strain associated with the locally higher indium content and thickness.« less

The Gaussian atmospheric transport model and its sensitivity to the joint frequency distribution and parametric variability.

PubMed

Hamby, D M

2002-01-01

Reconstructed meteorological data are often used in some form of long-term wind trajectory models for estimating the historical impacts of atmospheric emissions. Meteorological data for the straight-line Gaussian plume model are put into a joint frequency distribution, a three-dimensional array describing atmospheric wind direction, speed, and stability. Methods using the Gaussian model and joint frequency distribution inputs provide reasonable estimates of downwind concentration and have been shown to be accurate to within a factor of four. We have used multiple joint frequency distributions and probabilistic techniques to assess the Gaussian plume model and determine concentration-estimate uncertainty and model sensitivity. We examine the straight-line Gaussian model while calculating both sector-averaged and annual-averaged relative concentrations at various downwind distances. The sector-average concentration model was found to be most sensitive to wind speed, followed by horizontal dispersion (sigmaZ), the importance of which increases as stability increases. The Gaussian model is not sensitive to stack height uncertainty. Precision of the frequency data appears to be most important to meteorological inputs when calculations are made for near-field receptors, increasing as stack height increases.

Graphene/semicrystalline-carbon derived from amylose films for supercapacitor application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deraman, M.; Sazali, N. E. S.; Hanappi, M. F. Y. M.; Tajuddin, N. S. M.; Hamdan, E.; Suleman, M.; Othman, M. A. R.; Omar, R.; Hashim, M. A.; Basri, N. H.; Nor, N. S. M.; Dolah, B. N. M.; Noor, A. M.; Jasni, M. R. M.

2016-08-01

Graphene/semicrystalline-carbon in the form of carbon flakes is produced by carbonization up to 600, 700, 800, 900 and 1000°C, respectively, of the amylose films prepared by a casting method on copper foil substrate. The carbon flakes are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) method to determine their microcrystallite interlayer spacing, width and stack-height; and Raman spectroscopy (RS) method to obtain structural information from the D-, D2- and G-bands peak-intensities. The XRD results show that increase in carbonization temperature lead to ~(1-3%), ~85% and ~30%increase in the microcrystallites interlayer spacing, width and stack-height, respectively, indicating that a larger growth of microcrytallite of carbon flakes occurs in the direction parallel to (001) plane or film planar surface. The specific surface area of carbon flakes estimated from the XRD results in decreases from ~4400 to ~3400 m2/g, corresponding to the specific capacitance between ~500 to ~400 F/g, which are well within the range of specific capacitance for typical electrodes carbon for supercapacitor application. The RS results show that the multilayer graphene co-exist with semicrystalline- carbon within the carbon flakes, with the multilayer graphene relative quantities increase with increasing carbonization temperature.

Shrubland carbon sink depends upon winter water availability in the warm deserts of North America

USGS Publications Warehouse

Biederman, Joel A.; Scott, Russell L.; John A. Arnone,; Jasoni, Richard L.; Litvak, Marcy E.; Moreo, Michael T.; Papuga, Shirley A.; Ponce-Campos, Guillermo E.; Schreiner-McGraw, Adam P.; Vivoni, Enrique R.

2018-01-01

Global-scale studies suggest that dryland ecosystems dominate an increasing trend in the magnitude and interannual variability of the land CO2 sink. However, such model-based analyses are poorly constrained by measured CO2 exchange in open shrublands, which is the most common global land cover type, covering ∼14% of Earth’s surface. Here we evaluate how the amount and seasonal timing of water availability regulate CO2 exchange between shrublands and the atmosphere. We use eddy covariance data from six US sites across the three warm deserts of North America with observed ranges in annual precipitation of ∼100–400mm, annual temperatures of 13–18°C, and records of 2–8 years (33 site-years in total). The Chihuahuan, Sonoran and Mojave Deserts present gradients in both mean annual precipitation and its seasonal distribution between the wet-winter Mojave Desert and the wet-summer Chihuahuan Desert. We found that due to hydrologic losses during the wettest summers in the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts, evapotranspiration (ET) was a better metric than precipitation of water available to drive dryland CO2 exchange. In contrast with recent synthesis studies across diverse dryland biomes, we found that NEP could not be directly predicted from ET due to wintertime decoupling of the relationship between ecosystem respiration (Reco) and gross ecosystem productivity (GEP). Ecosystem water use efficiency (WUE=GEP/ET) did not differ between winter and summer. Carbon use efficiency (CUE=NEP/GEP), however, was greater in winter because Reco returned a smaller fraction of carbon to the atmosphere (23% of GEP) than in summer (77%). Combining the water-carbon relations found here with historical precipitation since 1980, we estimate that lower average winter precipitation during the 21st century reduced the net carbon sink of the three deserts by an average of 6.8TgC yr1. Our results highlight that winter precipitation is critical to the annual carbon balance of these warm desert shrublands.

Temperature based daily incoming solar radiation modeling based on gene expression programming, neuro-fuzzy and neural network computing techniques.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Landeras, G.; López, J. J.; Kisi, O.; Shiri, J.

2012-04-01

The correct observation/estimation of surface incoming solar radiation (RS) is very important for many agricultural, meteorological and hydrological related applications. While most weather stations are provided with sensors for air temperature detection, the presence of sensors necessary for the detection of solar radiation is not so habitual and the data quality provided by them is sometimes poor. In these cases it is necessary to estimate this variable. Temperature based modeling procedures are reported in this study for estimating daily incoming solar radiation by using Gene Expression Programming (GEP) for the first time, and other artificial intelligence models such as Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS). Traditional temperature based solar radiation equations were also included in this study and compared with artificial intelligence based approaches. Root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) RMSE-based skill score (SSRMSE), MAE-based skill score (SSMAE) and r2 criterion of Nash and Sutcliffe criteria were used to assess the models' performances. An ANN (a four-input multilayer perceptron with ten neurons in the hidden layer) presented the best performance among the studied models (2.93 MJ m-2 d-1 of RMSE). A four-input ANFIS model revealed as an interesting alternative to ANNs (3.14 MJ m-2 d-1 of RMSE). Very limited number of studies has been done on estimation of solar radiation based on ANFIS, and the present one demonstrated the ability of ANFIS to model solar radiation based on temperatures and extraterrestrial radiation. By the way this study demonstrated, for the first time, the ability of GEP models to model solar radiation based on daily atmospheric variables. Despite the accuracy of GEP models was slightly lower than the ANFIS and ANN models the genetic programming models (i.e., GEP) are superior to other artificial intelligence models in giving a simple explicit equation for the phenomenon which shows the relationship between the input and output parameters. This study provided new alternatives for solar radiation estimation based on temperatures.

CO2 exchange and evapotranspiration across dryland ecosystems of southwestern North America.

PubMed

Biederman, Joel A; Scott, Russell L; Bell, Tom W; Bowling, David R; Dore, Sabina; Garatuza-Payan, Jaime; Kolb, Thomas E; Krishnan, Praveena; Krofcheck, Dan J; Litvak, Marcy E; Maurer, Gregory E; Meyers, Tilden P; Oechel, Walter C; Papuga, Shirley A; Ponce-Campos, Guillermo E; Rodriguez, Julio C; Smith, William K; Vargas, Rodrigo; Watts, Christopher J; Yepez, Enrico A; Goulden, Michael L

2017-10-01

Global-scale studies suggest that dryland ecosystems dominate an increasing trend in the magnitude and interannual variability of the land CO 2 sink. However, such analyses are poorly constrained by measured CO 2 exchange in drylands. Here we address this observation gap with eddy covariance data from 25 sites in the water-limited Southwest region of North America with observed ranges in annual precipitation of 100-1000 mm, annual temperatures of 2-25°C, and records of 3-10 years (150 site-years in total). Annual fluxes were integrated using site-specific ecohydrologic years to group precipitation with resulting ecosystem exchanges. We found a wide range of carbon sink/source function, with mean annual net ecosystem production (NEP) varying from -350 to +330 gCm -2 across sites with diverse vegetation types, contrasting with the more constant sink typically measured in mesic ecosystems. In this region, only forest-dominated sites were consistent carbon sinks. Interannual variability of NEP, gross ecosystem production (GEP), and ecosystem respiration (R eco ) was larger than for mesic regions, and half the sites switched between functioning as C sinks/C sources in wet/dry years. The sites demonstrated coherent responses of GEP and NEP to anomalies in annual evapotranspiration (ET), used here as a proxy for annually available water after hydrologic losses. Notably, GEP and R eco were negatively related to temperature, both interannually within site and spatially across sites, in contrast to positive temperature effects commonly reported for mesic ecosystems. Models based on MODIS satellite observations matched the cross-site spatial pattern in mean annual GEP but consistently underestimated mean annual ET by ~50%. Importantly, the MODIS-based models captured only 20-30% of interannual variation magnitude. These results suggest the contribution of this dryland region to variability of regional to global CO 2 exchange may be up to 3-5 times larger than current estimates. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Round-robin test for the cell-of-origin classification of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma-a feasibility study using full slide staining.

PubMed

Reinke, Sarah; Richter, Julia; Fend, Falko; Feller, Alfred; Hansmann, Martin-Leo; Hüttl, Katrin; Oschlies, Ilske; Ott, German; Möller, Peter; Rosenwald, Andreas; Stein, Harald; Altenbuchinger, Michael; Spang, Rainer; Klapper, Wolfram

2018-05-05

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is subdivided by gene expression analysis (GEP) into two molecular subtypes named germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) and activated B-cell-like (ABC) after their putative cell-of-origin (COO). Determination of the COO is considered mandatory in any new-diagnosed DLBCL, not otherwise specified according to the updated WHO classification. Despite the fact that pathologists are free to choose the method for COO classification, immunohistochemical (IHC) assays are most widely used. However, to the best of our knowledge, no round-robin test to evaluate the interlaboratory variability has been published so far. Eight hematopathology laboratories participated in an interlaboratory test for COO classification of 10 DLBCL tumors using the IHC classifier comprising the expression of CD10, BCL6, and MUM1 (so-called Hans classifier). The results were compared with GEP for COO signature and, in a subset, with results obtained by image analysis. In 7/10 cases (70%), at least seven laboratories assigned a given case to the same COO subtype (one center assessed one sample as not analyzable), which was in agreement with the COO subtype determined by GEP. The results in 3/10 cases (30%) revealed discrepancies between centers and/or between IHC and GEP subtype. Whereas the CD10 staining results were highly reproducible, staining for MUM1 was inconsistent in 50% and for BCL6 in 40% of cases. Image analysis of 16 slides stained for BCL6 (N = 8) and MUM1 (N = 8) of the two cases with the highest disagreement in COO classification were in line with the score of the pathologists in 14/16 stainings analyzed (87.5%). This study describes the first round-robin test for COO subtyping in DLBCL using IHC and demonstrates that COO classification using the Hans classifier yields consistent results among experienced hematopathologists, even when variable staining protocols are used. Data from this small feasibility study need to be validated in larger cohorts.

Dose-dense and less dose-intense Total Therapy 5 for gene expression profiling-defined high-risk multiple myeloma.

PubMed

Jethava, Y; Mitchell, A; Zangari, M; Waheed, S; Schinke, C; Thanendrarajan, S; Sawyer, J; Alapat, D; Tian, E; Stein, C; Khan, R; Heuck, C J; Petty, N; Avery, D; Steward, D; Smith, R; Bailey, C; Epstein, J; Yaccoby, S; Hoering, A; Crowley, J; Morgan, G; Barlogie, B; van Rhee, F

2016-07-29

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a heterogeneous disease with high-risk patients progressing rapidly despite treatment. Various definitions of high-risk MM are used and we reported that gene expression profile (GEP)-defined high risk was a major predictor of relapse. In spite of our best efforts, the majority of GEP70 high-risk patients relapse and we have noted higher relapse rates during drug-free intervals. This prompted us to explore the concept of less intense drug dosing with shorter intervals between courses with the aim of preventing inter-course relapse. Here we report the outcome of the Total Therapy 5 trial, where this concept was tested. This regimen effectively reduced early mortality and relapse but failed to improve progression-free survival and overall survival due to relapse early during maintenance.

Effects of elevated CO2, warming and summer drought on the carbon balance in a Danish heathland after seven treatment years - results from the CLIMAITE project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steenberg Larsen, Klaus; Ambus, Per; Beier, Claus; Ibrom, Andreas; Ransijn, Johannes; Kappel Schmidt, Inger; Wu, Jian

2013-04-01

In a Danish heathland co-dominated by heather (Calluna vulgaris) and grasses (Deschampsia flexuosa) we simulated realistic future climate scenarios in a full-factorial design of elevated atmospheric CO2 (510 ppm), increased temperatures (0.5-1.5 °Celcius) and intensified summer drought events (4-6 weeks per year). Treatments were initiated in 2005. Using manual chamber techniques, we measured soil respiration (SR), ecosystem respiration (ER) and net ecosystem exchange of CO2 (NEE) and determined gross ecosystem photosynthesis (GEP) as NEE - ER. We also monitored carbon losses in the form of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in leached soil water. The results indicate that across all combinations of treatments with elevated CO2, SR rates increased by 20-30%, whereas GEP rates increased by

Dual tracer functional imaging of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors using 68Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT and 18F-FDG PET-CT: competitive or complimentary?

PubMed

Naswa, Niraj; Sharma, Punit; Gupta, Santosh Kumar; Karunanithi, Sellam; Reddy, Rama Mohan; Patnecha, Manish; Lata, Sneh; Kumar, Rakesh; Malhotra, Arun; Bal, Chandrasekhar

2014-01-01

This study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT with F-FDG PET/CT in the patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). Data of 51 patients with definite histological diagnosis of GEP-NET who underwent both Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT and F-FDG PET-CT within a span of 15 days were selected for this retrospective analysis. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated for Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT and F-FDG PET-CT, and results were compared both on patientwise and regionwise analysis. Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT is superior to F-FDG PET-CT on patientwise analysis (P < 0.0001). On regionwise analysis, Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT is superior to F-FDG PET-CT only for lymph node metastases (P < 0.003). Although Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT detected more liver and skeletal lesions compared with F-FDG PET-CT, the difference was not statistically significant. In addition, the results of combined imaging helped in selecting candidates who would undergo the appropriate mode of treatment, whether octreotide therapy or conventional chemotherapy Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT seems to be superior to F-FDG PET-CT for imaging GEP-NETs. However, their role seems to be complementary because combination of Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT and F-FDG PET-CT in such patients helps demonstrate the total disease burden and segregate them to proper therapeutic groups.

Human gut endogenous proteins as a potential source of angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE-I)-, renin inhibitory and antioxidant peptides.

PubMed

Dave, Lakshmi A; Hayes, Maria; Montoya, Carlos A; Rutherfurd, Shane M; Moughan, Paul J

2016-02-01

It is well known that endogenous bioactive proteins and peptides play a substantial role in the body's first line of immunological defence, immune-regulation and normal body functioning. Further, the peptides derived from the luminal digestion of proteins are also important for body function. For example, within the peptide database BIOPEP (http://www.uwm.edu.pl/biochemia/index.php/en/biopep) 12 endogenous antimicrobial and 64 angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE-I) inhibitory peptides derived from human milk and plasma proteins are listed. The antimicrobial peptide database (http://aps.unmc.edu/AP/main.php) lists over 111 human host-defence peptides. Several endogenous proteins are secreted in the gut and are subject to the same gastrointestinal digestion processes as food proteins derived from the diet. The human gut endogenous proteins (GEP) include mucins, serum albumin, digestive enzymes, hormones, and proteins from sloughed off epithelial cells and gut microbiota, and numerous other secreted proteins. To date, much work has been carried out regarding the health altering effects of food-derived bioactive peptides but little attention has been paid to the possibility that GEP may also be a source of bioactive peptides. In this review, we discuss the potential of GEP to constitute a gut cryptome from which bioactive peptides such as ACE-I inhibitory, renin inhibitory and antioxidant peptides may be derived. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Safety and efficacy of everolimus in gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors after (177)Lu-octreotate.

PubMed

Kamp, Kimberly; Gumz, Brenda; Feelders, Richard A; Kwekkeboom, Dik J; Kaltsas, Gregory; Costa, Frederico P; de Herder, Wouter W

2013-12-01

Although (177)Lu-octreotate is an effective treatment for patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs), some patients will fail or develop disease progression necessitating further treatment. We examined whether the safety and efficacy of everolimus after prior treatment with (177)Lu-octreotate is different from the published safety profile of everolimus in GEP-NETs. In this multicenter study, 24 GEP-NET patients were included. Adverse events were assessed according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 3.0. Tumor response was measured according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), version 1.0. Major clinical adverse events (grade 3 or 4) during treatment with everolimus were hyperglycemia (20.8%), fatigue (8.3%), thrombocytopenia (8.3%), and elevated alanine transaminase levels (8.3%). By radiological review, there were four partial responses (16.7%), five patients (62.5%) with stable disease, and three patients (12.5%) with progressive disease. For two patients (8.3%), no data on tumor response were available. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 13.1 months (95% CI, 11.5-21.2). Median PFS of the current study was longer when compared with the RADIANT-3 trial (13.1 vs 11.4 months) and shorter when compared with the RADIANT-1 trial (13.1 vs 16.7 months). In conclusion, the safety profile of everolimus is not influenced by previous treatment with peptide receptor radiotherapy.

40 CFR 52.1820 - Identification of plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... and analysis 12/1/94 10/8/96, 61 FR 52865 33-15-02-06 Reference conditions 10/1/87 5/12/89, 54 FR... engineering practice demonstrations 10/1/87 11/14/88, 53 FR 45763 33-15-18-03 Exemptions 10/1/87 11/14/88, 53.../12/80, 45 FR 53475 (13) Stack Height Demonstration Analysis Statewide Submitted: 4/18/86 and 7/21/87...

Flat or curved thin optical display panel

DOEpatents

Veligdan, J.T.

1995-01-10

An optical panel includes a plurality of waveguides stacked together, with each waveguide having a first end and an opposite second end. The first ends collectively define a first face, and the second ends collectively define a second face of the panel. The second face is disposed at an acute face angle relative to the waveguides to provide a panel which is relatively thin compared to the height of the second face. In an exemplary embodiment for use in a projection TV, the first face is substantially smaller in height than the second face and receives a TV image, with the second face defining a screen for viewing the image enlarged. 7 figures.

Anionic microemulsion to solvent stacking for on-line sample concentration of cationic analytes in capillary electrophoresis.

PubMed

Kukusamude, Chunyapuk; Srijaranai, Supalax; Quirino, Joselito P

2014-05-01

The common SDS microemulsion (i.e. 3.3% SDS, 0.8% octane, and 6.6% butanol) and organic solvents were investigated for the stacking of cationic drugs in capillary zone electrophoresis using a low pH separation electrolyte. The sample was prepared in the acidic microemulsion and a high percentage of organic solvent was included in the electrolyte at anodic end of capillary. The stacking mechanism was similar to micelle to solvent stacking where the micelles were replaced by the microemulsion for the transport of analytes to the organic solvent rich boundary. This boundary is found between the microemulsion and anodic electrolyte. The effective electrophoretic mobility of the cations reversed from the direction of the anode in the microemulsion to the cathode in the boundary. Microemulsion to solvent stacking was successfully achieved with 40% ACN in the anodic electrolyte and hydrodynamic sample injection of 21 s at 1000 mbar (equivalent to 30% of the effective length). The sensitivity enhancement factors in terms of peak height and corrected peak area were 15 to 35 and 21 to 47, respectively. The linearity R(2) in terms of corrected peak area were >0.999. Interday precisions (%RSD, n = 6) were 3.3-4.0% for corrected peak area and 2.0-3.0% for migration time. Application to spiked real sample is also presented. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

An experimental verification of metamaterial coupled enhanced transmission for antenna applications

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

Pushpakaran, Sarin V.; Raj, Rohith K.; Pradeep, Anju

2014-02-10

Inspired by the work of Bethe on electromagnetic transmission through subwavelength hole, there has been immense interest on the extraordinary transmission through subwavelength slot/slit on metal plates. The invention of metamaterials has boosted the extra ordinary transmission through subwavelength slots. We examine computationally and experimentally the concept of metamaterial cover using an array of split ring resonators (SRRs), for enhancing the transmission in a stacked dipole antenna working in the S band. The front to back ratio is considerably improved by enhancing the magnetic resonant strength in close proximity of the slit of the upper parasitic dipole. The effect ofmore » stacking height of the SRR monolayer on the resonant characteristics of the split ring resonators and its effect on antenna radiation characteristics has been studied.« less

[The role of endoscopy in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors].

PubMed

Magno, L; Sivero, L; Napolitano, V; Ruggiero, S; Fontanarosa, G; Massa, S

2010-01-01

Versione italiana Riassunto: Il ruolo dell'endoscopia nei tumori neuroendocrini gastroenteropancreatici. L. Magno, L. Sivero, V. Napolitano, S. Ruggiero, G. Fontanarosa, S. Massa I tumori neuroendocrini (NET) gastro-entero-pancreatici (GEP) sono neoplasie rare che originano dalle cellule neuroendocrine del tubo digerente e del pancreas. L'endoscopia digestiva e l'ecoendoscopia rivestono un ruolo importante nella diagnosi, stadiazione e sorveglianza dei pazienti con NET. Inoltre, in casi selezionati, le tecniche endoscopiche operative consentono il trattamento di queste neoplasie in fase precoce. English version Summary: The role of endoscopy in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. L. Magno, L. Sivero, V. Napolitano, S. Ruggiero, G. Fontanarosa, S. Massa Gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are rare neoplasia arisen from neuroendocrine cells present in the gut mucosa and pancreas. Digestive endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography play a relevant role in NET diagnosis, stadiation and surveillance. Moreover, in selected patients, surgical endoscopy allows the tratment of these cancers at an early stage.

River suspended sediment estimation by climatic variables implication: Comparative study among soft computing techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kisi, Ozgur; Shiri, Jalal

2012-06-01

Estimating sediment volume carried by a river is an important issue in water resources engineering. This paper compares the accuracy of three different soft computing methods, Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), and Gene Expression Programming (GEP), in estimating daily suspended sediment concentration on rivers by using hydro-meteorological data. The daily rainfall, streamflow and suspended sediment concentration data from Eel River near Dos Rios, at California, USA are used as a case study. The comparison results indicate that the GEP model performs better than the other models in daily suspended sediment concentration estimation for the particular data sets used in this study. Levenberg-Marquardt, conjugate gradient and gradient descent training algorithms were used for the ANN models. Out of three algorithms, the Conjugate gradient algorithm was found to be better than the others.

Developing a predictive tropospheric ozone model for Tabriz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khatibi, Rahman; Naghipour, Leila; Ghorbani, Mohammad A.; Smith, Michael S.; Karimi, Vahid; Farhoudi, Reza; Delafrouz, Hadi; Arvanaghi, Hadi

2013-04-01

Predictive ozone models are becoming indispensable tools by providing a capability for pollution alerts to serve people who are vulnerable to the risks. We have developed a tropospheric ozone prediction capability for Tabriz, Iran, by using the following five modeling strategies: three regression-type methods: Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), and Gene Expression Programming (GEP); and two auto-regression-type models: Nonlinear Local Prediction (NLP) to implement chaos theory and Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models. The regression-type modeling strategies explain the data in terms of: temperature, solar radiation, dew point temperature, and wind speed, by regressing present ozone values to their past values. The ozone time series are available at various time intervals, including hourly intervals, from August 2010 to March 2011. The results for MLR, ANN and GEP models are not overly good but those produced by NLP and ARIMA are promising for the establishing a forecasting capability.

DNA methylation profiles distinguish different subtypes of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

PubMed

How-Kit, Alexandre; Dejeux, Emelyne; Dousset, Bertrand; Renault, Victor; Baudry, Marion; Terris, Benoit; Tost, Jörg

2015-01-01

Most studies have considered gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) as a homogenous group of samples or distinguish only gastrointestinal from pancreatic endocrine tumors. This article investigates if DNA methylation patterns could distinguish subtypes of GEP-NETs. The DNA methylation level of 807 cancer-related genes was investigated in insulinomas, gastrinomas, non-functioning pancreatic endocrine tumors and small intestine endocrine tumors. DNA methylation patterns were found to be tumor type specific for each of the pancreatic tumor subtypes and identified two distinct methylation-based groups in small intestine endocrine tumors. Differences of DNA methylation levels were validated by pyrosequencing for 20 candidate genes and correlated with differences at the transcriptional level for four candidate genes. The heterogeneity of DNA methylation patterns in the different subtypes of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors suggests different underlying pathways and, therefore, these tumors should be considered as distinct entities in molecular and clinical studies.

Clustering on Magnesium Surfaces – Formation and Diffusion Energies

DOE PAGES

Chu, Haijian; Huang, Hanchen; Wang, Jian

2017-07-12

The formation and diffusion energies of atomic clusters on Mg surfaces determine the surface roughness and formation of faulted structure, which in turn affect the mechanical deformation of Mg. This paper reports first principles density function theory (DFT) based quantum mechanics calculation results of atomic clustering on the low energy surfaces {0001} and {more » $$\\bar{1}$$011} . In parallel, molecular statics calculations serve to test the validity of two interatomic potentials and to extend the scope of the DFT studies. On a {0001} surface, a compact cluster consisting of few than three atoms energetically prefers a face-centered-cubic stacking, to serve as a nucleus of stacking fault. On a {$$\\bar{1}$$011} , clusters of any size always prefer hexagonal-close-packed stacking. Adatom diffusion on surface {$$\\bar{1}$$011} is high anisotropic while isotropic on surface (0001). Three-dimensional Ehrlich–Schwoebel barriers converge as the step height is three atomic layers or thicker. FInally, adatom diffusion along steps is via hopping mechanism, and that down steps is via exchange mechanism.« less

Clustering on Magnesium Surfaces – Formation and Diffusion Energies

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

Chu, Haijian; Huang, Hanchen; Wang, Jian

The formation and diffusion energies of atomic clusters on Mg surfaces determine the surface roughness and formation of faulted structure, which in turn affect the mechanical deformation of Mg. This paper reports first principles density function theory (DFT) based quantum mechanics calculation results of atomic clustering on the low energy surfaces {0001} and {more » $$\\bar{1}$$011} . In parallel, molecular statics calculations serve to test the validity of two interatomic potentials and to extend the scope of the DFT studies. On a {0001} surface, a compact cluster consisting of few than three atoms energetically prefers a face-centered-cubic stacking, to serve as a nucleus of stacking fault. On a {$$\\bar{1}$$011} , clusters of any size always prefer hexagonal-close-packed stacking. Adatom diffusion on surface {$$\\bar{1}$$011} is high anisotropic while isotropic on surface (0001). Three-dimensional Ehrlich–Schwoebel barriers converge as the step height is three atomic layers or thicker. FInally, adatom diffusion along steps is via hopping mechanism, and that down steps is via exchange mechanism.« less

Evidence that Tropical Forest Photosynthesis is Not Directly Limited by High Temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, M.; Taylor, T.; Van Haren, J. L. M.; Rosolem, R.; Restrepo-Coupe, N.; Wu, J.; Oliveira Junior, R. C.; Silva, R. D.; De Araujo, A. C.; Camargo, P. B. D.; Huxman, T. E.; Saleska, S. R.

2016-12-01

Loss of tropical forest biomass under rising temperatures could result in significant feedbacks to global climate. The vulnerability of tropical trees to climate warming depends on the specific physiological mechanisms controlling photosynthetic decline at temperatures above the thermal optimum. High temperatures may negatively impact photosynthetic metabolism (direct effects) (Doughty and Goulden 2008), or leaves may respond to the concomitant increase in vapor pressure deficit (VPD) by closing stomata (indirect effects) (Lloyd and Farquhar 2008). The difference is important because the former reveals a vulnerability of photosynthetic infrastructure to higher temperatures, while the latter is an expected physiological response of healthy leaves. We investigated these contrasting hypotheses in a climate controlled, 0.2 ha artificial tropical forest (the Biosphere 2 tropical forest biome, B2-TF). Typically coupled in nature, VPD and temperature can be varied independently in the controlled environment of the B2-TF, and their effects on photosynthesis distinguished. We found that in the B2-TF, gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) was strongly reduced by increasing VPD, but responded little to temperature. Whereas eddy flux-derived GEP of three natural tropical forest sites in the Amazon of Brazil declined at temperatures above 27°C, GEP in the B2-TF remained stable up to 33°C under both low and high VPD regimes. While either mechanism results in reduced photosynthesis, the impact of VPD is short-lived and may be mitigated by enhanced water use efficiency under elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations, allowing tropical forests to be more resilient to climate warming.

ExoMars: ESA's mission to search for signs of life on the red planet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gardini, B.; Vago, J. L.; Baglioni, P.; Kminek, G.; Gianfiglio, G.

In the framework of its Aurora Exploration Program in 2011 the European Space Agency ESA plans to launch the ExoMars mission ExoMars will deliver two science elements to the Martian surface a Rover carrying the Pasteur scientific payload and a small fixed surface station ---the Geophysics Environment Package GEP The Rover s scientific objectives are 1 To search for signs of past and present life and 2 To characterise in the shallow subsurface the vertical distribution profile for water and geochemical composition The science goals of GEP are 1 to measure geophysics parameters necessary to understand the planet s long-term internal evolution and habitability and 2 to characterise the local environment and identify hazards to future human missions Over its planned 6-month lifetime the Rover will travel a few kilometres searching for traces of past and present signs of life It will do this by collecting and analysing samples from within surface rocks and from underground ---down to 2-m depth The very powerful combination of mobility with the capability to access locations where organic molecules might be well preserved is unique to this mission ExoMars will have the right tools to try to answer the question of whether life ever arose on the red planet The ExoMars mission contains two other elements a Carrier and a Descent Module The Carrier will bring the Descent Module to Mars and release it from the hyperbolic arrival trajectory The Descent Module s objective is to safely deploy the Rover and the GEP ---developing a robust

3D Tomographic SAR Imaging in Densely Vegetated Mountainous Rural Areas in China and Sweden

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, L.; Muller, J. P., , Prof

2017-12-01

3D SAR Tomography (TomoSAR) and 4D SAR Differential Tomography (Diff-TomoSAR) exploit multi-baseline SAR data stacks to create an important new innovation of SAR Interferometry, to unscramble complex scenes with multiple scatterers mapped into the same SAR cell. In addition to this 3-D shape reconstruction and deformation solution in complex urban/infrastructure areas, and recent cryospheric ice investigations, emerging tomographic remote sensing applications include forest applications, e.g. tree height and biomass estimation, sub-canopy topographic mapping, and even search, rescue and surveillance. However, these scenes are characterized by temporal decorrelation of scatterers, orbital, tropospheric and ionospheric phase distortion and an open issue regarding possible height blurring and accuracy losses for TomoSAR applications particularly in densely vegetated mountainous rural areas. Thus, it is important to develop solutions for temporal decorrelation, orbital, tropospheric and ionospheric phase distortion.We report here on 3D imaging (especially in vertical layers) over densely vegetated mountainous rural areas using 3-D SAR imaging (SAR tomography) derived from data stacks of X-band COSMO-SkyMed Spotlight and L band ALOS-1 PALSAR data stacks over Dujiangyan Dam, Sichuan, China and L and P band airborne SAR data (BioSAR 2008 - ESA) in the Krycklan river catchment, Northern Sweden. The new TanDEM-X 12m DEM is used to assist co - registration of all the data stacks over China first. Then, atmospheric correction is being assessed using weather model data such as ERA-I, MERRA, MERRA-2, WRF; linear phase-topography correction and MODIS spectrometer correction will be compared and ionospheric correction methods are discussed to remove tropospheric and ionospheric delay. Then the new TomoSAR method with the TanDEM-X 12m DEM is described to obtain the number of scatterers inside each pixel, the scattering amplitude and phase of each scatterer and finally extract tomograms (imaging), their 3D positions and motion parameters (deformation). A progress report will be shown on these different aspects.This work is partially supported by the CSC and UCL MAPS Dean prize through a PhD studentship at UCL-MSSL.

Plume trajectory formation under stack tip self-enveloping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gribkov, A. M.; Zroichikov, N. A.; Prokhorov, V. B.

2017-10-01

The phenomenon of stack tip self-enveloping and its influence upon the conditions of plume formation and on the trajectory of its motion are considered. Processes are described occurring in the initial part of the plume while the interaction between vertically directed flue gases outflowing from the stack and a horizontally directed moving air flow at high wind velocities that lead to the formation of a flag-like plume. Conditions responsible for the origin and evolution of interaction between these flows are demonstrated. For the first time, a plume formed under these conditions without bifurcation is registered. A photo image thereof is presented. A scheme for the calculation of the motion of a plume trajectory is proposed, the quantitative characteristics of which are obtained based on field observations. The wind velocity and direction, air temperature, and atmospheric turbulence at the level of the initial part of the trajectory have been obtained based on data obtained from an automatic meteorological system (mounted on the outer parts of a 250 m high stack no. 1 at the Naberezhnye Chelny TEPP plant) as well as based on the results of photographing and theodolite sighting of smoke puffs' trajectory taking into account their velocity within its initial part. The calculation scheme is supplemented with a new acting force—the force of self-enveloping. Based on the comparison of the new calculation scheme with the previous one, a significant contribution of this force to the development of the trajectory is revealed. A comparison of the natural full-scale data with the results of the calculation according to the proposed new scheme is made. The proposed calculation scheme has allowed us to extend the application of the existing technique to the range of high wind velocities. This approach would make it possible to simulate and investigate the trajectory and full rising height of the calculated the length above the mouth of flue-pipes, depending on various modal and meteorological parameters under the interrelation between the dynamic and thermal components of the rise as well as to obtain a universal calculation expression for determining the height of the plume rise for different classes of atmospheric stability.

FDA Approves Lutathera for Neuroendocrine Tumors

Cancer.gov

FDA has approved Lutathera® for some people with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) that affect the digestive tract. On January 29, FDA approved Lutathera® for adult patients with advanced NETs that affect the pancreas or gastrointestinal tract, known as GEP-NETs.

The Surveillance and On-demand Sentinel-1 SBAS Services on the Geohazards Exploitation Platforms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Casu, F.; de Luca, C.; Zinno, I.; Manunta, M.; Lanari, R.

2017-12-01

The Geohazards Exploitation Platform (GEP) is an ESA R&D activity of the EO ground segment to demonstrate the benefit of new technologies for large scale processing of EO data. GEP aims at providing on-demand processing services for specific user needs, as well as systematic processing services to address the need of the geohazards community for common information layers and, finally, to integrate newly developed processors for scientists and other expert users. In this context, a crucial role is played by the recently launched Sentinel-1 (S1) constellation that, with its global acquisition policy, has flooded the scientific community with a huge amount of data acquired over large part of the Earth on a regular basis (down to 6-days with both Sentinel-1A and 1B passes). The Sentinel-1 data, as part of the European Copernicus program, are openly and freely accessible, thus fostering their use for the development of automated and systematic tools for Earth surface monitoring. In particular, due to their specific SAR Interferometry (InSAR) design, Sentinel-1 satellites can be exploited to build up operational services for the easy and rapid generation of advanced InSAR products useful for risk management and natural hazard monitoring. In this work we present the activities carried out for the development, integration, and deployment of two SBAS Sentinel-1 services of CNR-IREA within the GEP framework, namely the Surveillance and On-demand services. The Surveillance service consists on the systematic and automatic processing of Sentinel-1 data over selected Areas of Interest (AoI) to generate updated surface displacement time series via the SBAS-InSAR algorithm. We built up a system that is automatically triggered by every new Sentinel-1 acquisition over the AoI, once it is available on the S1 catalogue. Then, the system processes the new acquisitions only, thus saving storage space and computing time. The processing, which relies on the Parallel version of the SBAS (P-SBAS) chain, allows us to effectively perform massive, systematic and automatic analysis of S1 SAR data. It is worth noting that the SBAS Sentinel-1 services on GEP represent the core of the EPOSAR service, which will deliver S1 displacement time series of Earth surface for the European Plate Observing System (EPOS) Research Infrastructure community.

Sputter deposition of indium tin oxide onto zinc pthalocyanine: Chemical and electronic properties of the interface studied by photoelectron spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gassmann, Jürgen; Brötz, Joachim; Klein, Andreas

2012-02-01

The interface chemistry and the energy band alignment at the interface formed during sputter deposition of transparent conducting indium tin oxide (ITO) onto the organic semiconductor zinc phtalocyanine (ZnPc), which is important for inverted, transparent, and stacked organic light emitting diodes, is studied by in situ photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS and UPS). ITO was sputtered at room temperature and a low power density with a face to face arrangement of the target and substrate. With these deposition conditions, no chemical reaction and a low barrier height for charge injection at this interface are observed. The barrier height is comparable to those observed for the reverse deposition sequence, which also confirms the absence of sputter damage.

Fuel cell and system for supplying electrolyte thereto

DOEpatents

Adlhart, Otto J.; Feigenbaum, Haim

1984-01-01

An electrolyte distribution and supply system for use with a fuel cell having means for drawing electrolyte therein is formed by a set of containers of electrolyte joined to respective fuel cells in a stack of such cells. The electrolyte is separately stored so as to provide for electrical isolation between electrolytes of the individual cells of the stack. Individual storage compartments are coupled by capillary tubes to the respective fuel cells. Hydrostatic pressure is maintained individually for each of the fuel cells by separately elevating each compartment of the storing means to a specific height above the corresponding fuel cell which is to be fed from that compartment of the storing means. The individual compartments are filled with electrolyte by allowing the compartments to overflow thereby maintaining the requisite depth of electrolyte in each of the storage compartments.

75 FR 28076 - New Postal Products

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-19

...) contracts.\\1\\ The Postal Service believes the instant contracts are functionally equivalent to previously..., which established GEPS 1 as a product, also authorized functionally equivalent agreements to be included... of Four Functionally Equivalent Global Expedited Package Services 2 Negotiated Service Agreements and...

75 FR 22633 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-29

...) contracts.\\1\\ The Postal Service believes the instant contracts are functionally equivalent to previously..., which established GEPS 1 as a product, also authorized functionally equivalent agreements to be included... Filing of Two Functionally Equivalent Global Expedited Package Services 2 Negotiated Service Agreements...

75 FR 53002 - New Postal Products

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-30

... contracts are functionally equivalent to previously submitted GEPS contracts, and are supported by Governors... authorized functionally equivalent agreements to be included within the product, provided that they meet the... Functionally Equivalent Global Expedited Package Services 3 Negotiated Service Agreements and Application for...

75 FR 9005 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-26

... functionally equivalent to previously submitted GEPS 2 contracts, and is supported by Governors' Decision No... functionally equivalent agreements to be included within the product, provided that they meet the requirements...]\\ Notice of United States Postal Service Filing of Functionally Equivalent Global Expedited Package...

75 FR 45175 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-02

... Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a... to the competitive product list. This notice addresses procedural steps associated with the filing... that Order No. 86, which established GEPS 1 as a product, also authorized functionally equivalent...

Materials Data on Ag3Sn2(GeP2)3 (SG:217) by Materials Project

DOE Data Explorer

Kristin Persson

2016-05-02

Computed materials data using density functional theory calculations. These calculations determine the electronic structure of bulk materials by solving approximations to the Schrodinger equation. For more information, see https://materialsproject.org/docs/calculations

A 1 kWel thermoelectric stack for geothermal power generation - Modeling and geometrical optimization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suter, C.; Jovanovic, Z.; Steinfeld, A.

2012-06-01

A thermoelectric stack composed of arrays of Bi-Te alloy thermoelectric converter (TEC) modules is considered for geothermal heat conversion. The TEC modules consist of Al2O3 plates with surface 30×30 mm2 and 127 p-type (Bi0.2Sb0.8)2Te3 and n-type Bi2(Te0.96Se0.04)3 thermoelement pairs, each having a cross-section of 1.05×1.05 mm2, and with a figure-of-merit of 1 and a heat-to-electricity conversion efficiency of ˜5%. A heat transfer model is formulated to couple conduction in the thermoelements with convection between the Al2O3 plates and the water flow in counter-flow channel configuration. The calculated open-circuit voltages are compared to those resulting from the mean temperature differences across the TEC modules computed by CFD. The investigated parameters are: hot water inlet and outlet temperatures (373 - 413 K and 323 - 363 K, respectively), stack length (300 - 1500 mm), thermoelement length (1 - 4 mm) and hot channel heights (0.2 - 2 mm). The heat transfer model is then applied to optimize a 1 kWel stack with hot water inlet at 393 K and outlet at 353 K for either maximum heat-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 2.9% or minimum size of 0.0044 m3.

A composite cordwood volume table for pulpwood species in the Lake States

Treesearch

S.R. Gevorkiantz

1945-01-01

Because there is very little difference in the stacked unpeeled volumes of most native trees cut for pulpwood in the Lake States, a generalized cordwood table can be used. Tech. Note 202 (Aug. 1943) presented a table for trees from 6 to 14 inches d.b.h. and 1 to -7 bolts in usable height. Because of the demand for similar information for both smaller and larger trees,...

Numerical Modeling of Infragravity Wave Runup on Steep and Mildly Sloping Natural Beaches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fiedler, J. W.; Smit, P.; Brodie, K. L.; McNinch, J.; Guza, R. T.; Gallien, T.

2016-12-01

We present ongoing work which aims to validate the non-hydrostatic model SWASH for wave runup and infragravity waves generated by a range of different incident wave spectra at the offshore boundary, including the effect of finite directional spread. Flume studies of wave runup are limited to normally incident (1D) sea and infragravity waves, but natural waves are directionally spread (2D), with substantially different dynamics from 1D. For example, refractive trapping (edge waves) is only possible with 2D waves, and the bound infragravity wave response to short wave groups is highly amplified for the special case of normal incidence. Selected case studies are modeled at Agate Beach, Oregon, a low slope (1:80) beach with maximum offshore wave heights greater than 7m, and Cardiff, California, a steep (1:8) beach with maximum wave heights of 2m. Peak periods ranged between 5-20 s at both sites. On both beaches, waves were measured on a transect from approximately 10m depth to the runup, using pressure sensors, current meters, and a scanning lidar. Bulk short wave quantities, wave runup, infragravity frequency spectra and energy fluxes are compared with SWASH. On the low slope beach with energetic incident waves, the observed horizontal runup excursions reach 140m ( 100s periods). Swash front velocities reached up to several m/s, causing short waves to stack up during runup drawdown. On reversal of the infragravity phase, the stacked short waves are swept onshore with the long wave front, effectively enhancing runup by phase coupling long and short waves. Statistical variability and nonlinearity in swash generation lead to time-varying runup heights. Here, we test these observations with 2D SWASH, as well as the sensitivity of modeled runup to the parameterization of bottom friction.

75 FR 45174 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-02

...-published Rates, rate schedules, a management analysis, and certification that prices satisfy applicable pricing criteria. Attachment 3 is a Statement of Justification by the Executive Director, Global Business Management. Attachment 4 is a representative agreement between the Postal Service and a customer of GEPS--Non...

75 FR 57087 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-17

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. CP2010-104; Order No. 530] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal... Service concludes that its filing demonstrates that this new GEPS 3 contract complies with the...

MicroArray Facility: a laboratory information management system with extended support for Nylon based technologies.

PubMed

Honoré, Paul; Granjeaud, Samuel; Tagett, Rebecca; Deraco, Stéphane; Beaudoing, Emmanuel; Rougemont, Jacques; Debono, Stéphane; Hingamp, Pascal

2006-09-20

High throughput gene expression profiling (GEP) is becoming a routine technique in life science laboratories. With experimental designs that repeatedly span thousands of genes and hundreds of samples, relying on a dedicated database infrastructure is no longer an option.GEP technology is a fast moving target, with new approaches constantly broadening the field diversity. This technology heterogeneity, compounded by the informatics complexity of GEP databases, means that software developments have so far focused on mainstream techniques, leaving less typical yet established techniques such as Nylon microarrays at best partially supported. MAF (MicroArray Facility) is the laboratory database system we have developed for managing the design, production and hybridization of spotted microarrays. Although it can support the widely used glass microarrays and oligo-chips, MAF was designed with the specific idiosyncrasies of Nylon based microarrays in mind. Notably single channel radioactive probes, microarray stripping and reuse, vector control hybridizations and spike-in controls are all natively supported by the software suite. MicroArray Facility is MIAME supportive and dynamically provides feedback on missing annotations to help users estimate effective MIAME compliance. Genomic data such as clone identifiers and gene symbols are also directly annotated by MAF software using standard public resources. The MAGE-ML data format is implemented for full data export. Journalized database operations (audit tracking), data anonymization, material traceability and user/project level confidentiality policies are also managed by MAF. MicroArray Facility is a complete data management system for microarray producers and end-users. Particular care has been devoted to adequately model Nylon based microarrays. The MAF system, developed and implemented in both private and academic environments, has proved a robust solution for shared facilities and industry service providers alike.

MicroArray Facility: a laboratory information management system with extended support for Nylon based technologies

PubMed Central

Honoré, Paul; Granjeaud, Samuel; Tagett, Rebecca; Deraco, Stéphane; Beaudoing, Emmanuel; Rougemont, Jacques; Debono, Stéphane; Hingamp, Pascal

2006-01-01

Background High throughput gene expression profiling (GEP) is becoming a routine technique in life science laboratories. With experimental designs that repeatedly span thousands of genes and hundreds of samples, relying on a dedicated database infrastructure is no longer an option. GEP technology is a fast moving target, with new approaches constantly broadening the field diversity. This technology heterogeneity, compounded by the informatics complexity of GEP databases, means that software developments have so far focused on mainstream techniques, leaving less typical yet established techniques such as Nylon microarrays at best partially supported. Results MAF (MicroArray Facility) is the laboratory database system we have developed for managing the design, production and hybridization of spotted microarrays. Although it can support the widely used glass microarrays and oligo-chips, MAF was designed with the specific idiosyncrasies of Nylon based microarrays in mind. Notably single channel radioactive probes, microarray stripping and reuse, vector control hybridizations and spike-in controls are all natively supported by the software suite. MicroArray Facility is MIAME supportive and dynamically provides feedback on missing annotations to help users estimate effective MIAME compliance. Genomic data such as clone identifiers and gene symbols are also directly annotated by MAF software using standard public resources. The MAGE-ML data format is implemented for full data export. Journalized database operations (audit tracking), data anonymization, material traceability and user/project level confidentiality policies are also managed by MAF. Conclusion MicroArray Facility is a complete data management system for microarray producers and end-users. Particular care has been devoted to adequately model Nylon based microarrays. The MAF system, developed and implemented in both private and academic environments, has proved a robust solution for shared facilities and industry service providers alike. PMID:16987406

Linkages of plant stoichiometry to ecosystem production and carbon fluxes with increasing nitrogen inputs in an alpine steppe.

PubMed

Peng, Yunfeng; Li, Fei; Zhou, Guoying; Fang, Kai; Zhang, Dianye; Li, Changbin; Yang, Guibiao; Wang, Guanqin; Wang, Jun; Yang, Yuanhe

2017-12-01

Unprecedented levels of nitrogen (N) have entered terrestrial ecosystems over the past century, which substantially influences the carbon (C) exchange between the atmosphere and biosphere. Temperature and moisture are generally regarded as the major controllers over the N effects on ecosystem C uptake and release. N-phosphorous (P) stoichiometry regulates the growth and metabolisms of plants and soil organisms, thereby affecting many ecosystem C processes. However, it remains unclear how the N-induced shift in the plant N:P ratio affects ecosystem production and C fluxes and its relative importance. We conducted a field manipulative experiment with eight N addition levels in a Tibetan alpine steppe and assessed the influences of N on aboveground net primary production (ANPP), gross ecosystem productivity (GEP), ecosystem respiration (ER), and net ecosystem exchange (NEE); we used linear mixed-effects models to further determine the relative contributions of various factors to the N-induced changes in these parameters. Our results showed that the ANPP, GEP, ER, and NEE all exhibited nonlinear responses to increasing N additions. Further analysis demonstrated that the plant N:P ratio played a dominate role in shaping these C exchange processes. There was a positive relationship between the N-induced changes in ANPP (ΔANPP) and the plant N:P ratio (ΔN:P), whereas the ΔGEP, ΔER, and ΔNEE exhibited quadratic correlations with the ΔN:P. In contrast, soil temperature and moisture were only secondary predictors for the changes in ecosystem production and C fluxes along the N addition gradient. These findings highlight the importance of plant N:P ratio in regulating ecosystem C exchange, which is crucial for improving our understanding of C cycles under the scenarios of global N enrichment. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Imaging of Chemokine Receptor 4 Expression in Neuroendocrine Tumors - a Triple Tracer Comparative Approach.

PubMed

Werner, Rudolf A; Weich, Alexander; Higuchi, Takahiro; Schmid, Jan S; Schirbel, Andreas; Lassmann, Michael; Wild, Vanessa; Rudelius, Martina; Kudlich, Theodor; Herrmann, Ken; Scheurlen, Michael; Buck, Andreas K; Kropf, Saskia; Wester, Hans-Jürgen; Lapa, Constantin

2017-01-01

C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and somatostatin receptors (SSTR) are overexpressed in gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NET). In this study, we aimed to elucidate the feasibility of non-invasive CXCR4 positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging in GEP-NET patients using [ 68 Ga]Pentixafor in comparison to 68 Ga-DOTA-D-Phe-Tyr3-octreotide ([ 68 Ga]DOTATOC) and 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose ([ 18 F]FDG). Twelve patients with histologically proven GEP-NET (3xG1, 4xG2, 5xG3) underwent [ 68 Ga]DOTATOC, [ 18 F]FDG, and [ 68 Ga]Pentixafor PET/CT for staging and planning of the therapeutic management. Scans were analyzed on a patient as well as on a lesion basis and compared to immunohistochemical staining patterns of CXCR4 and somatostatin receptors SSTR2a and SSTR5. [ 68 Ga]Pentixafor visualized tumor lesions in 6/12 subjects, whereas [ 18 F]FDG revealed sites of disease in 10/12 and [ 68 Ga]DOTATOC in 11/12 patients, respectively. Regarding sensitivity, SSTR-directed PET was the superior imaging modality in all G1 and G2 NET. CXCR4-directed PET was negative in all G1 NET. In contrast, 50% of G2 and 80% of G3 patients exhibited [ 68 Ga]Pentixafor-positive tumor lesions. Whereas CXCR4 seems to play only a limited role in detecting well-differentiated NET, increasing receptor expression could be non-invasively observed with increasing tumor grade. Thus, [ 68 Ga]Pentixafor PET/CT might serve as non-invasive read-out for evaluating the possibility of CXCR4-directed endoradiotherapy in advanced dedifferentiated SSTR-negative tumors.

Tradeoffs of Using Administrative Claims and Medical Records to Identify the Use of Personalized Medicine for Patients with Breast Cancer

PubMed Central

Liang, Su-Ying; Phillips, Kathryn A.; Wang, Grace; Keohane, Carol; Armstrong, Joanne; Morris, William M.; Haas, Jennifer S.

2012-01-01

Background Administrative claims and medical records are important data sources to examine healthcare utilization and outcomes. Little is known about identifying personalized medicine technologies in these sources. Objectives To describe agreement, sensitivity, and specificity of administrative claims compared to medical records for two pairs of targeted tests and treatments for breast cancer. Research Design Retrospective analysis of medical records linked to administrative claims from a large health plan. We examined whether agreement varied by factors that facilitate tracking in claims (coding and cost) and that enhance medical record completeness (records from multiple providers). Subjects Women (35 – 65 years) with incident breast cancer diagnosed in 2006–2007 (n=775). Measures Use of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and gene expression profiling (GEP) testing, trastuzumab and adjuvant chemotherapy in claims and medical records. Results Agreement between claims and records was substantial for GEP, trastuzumab, and chemotherapy, and lowest for HER2 tests. GEP, an expensive test with unique billing codes, had higher agreement (91.6% vs. 75.2%), sensitivity (94.9% vs. 76.7%), and specificity (90.1% vs. 29.2%) than HER2, a test without unique billing codes. Trastuzumab, a treatment with unique billing codes, had slightly higher agreement (95.1% vs. 90%) and sensitivity (98.1% vs. 87.9%) than adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusions Higher agreement and specificity were associated with services that had unique billing codes and high cost. Administrative claims may be sufficient for examining services with unique billing codes. Medical records provide better data for identifying tests lacking specific codes and for research requiring detailed clinical information. PMID:21422962

Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: Current Data on a Prospectively Collected, Retrospectively Analyzed Clinical Multicenter Investigation

PubMed Central

Niederle, Bruno

2011-01-01

Background. The aim of this prospectively collected, retrospectively analyzed clinical investigation was to describe “unmasked” clinical symptoms and methods of diagnosis, treatment, and short-term follow-up of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) diagnosed during 1 year in Austria. Methods. In total, 277 patients with GEP-NETs were documented. All tumors were immunhistochemically defined according to recently summarized criteria (World Health Organization, European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society). A standardized questionnaire comprising 50 clinical and biochemical parameters (clinical symptoms, mode of diagnosis, treatment, follow-up) was completed by attending physicians. Results. The most common initial symptoms were episodes of abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, gastrointestinal bleeding, flushing, and bowel obstruction. Overall, 48.1% of tumors were diagnosed by endoscopy, 43.7% were diagnosed during surgery, 5% were diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration of the primary or metastases, and 2.5% were diagnosed during autopsy; 44.5% of tumors were not suspected clinically and were diagnosed incidentally during various surgical procedures. Overall, 18.7% of tumors were removed endoscopically and 67.6% were removed surgically; 13.7% of patients were followed without interventional treatment. Endoscopic or surgical intervention was curative in 81.4% of patients and palliative in 18.6% of patients. At the time of diagnosis, information on metastasis was available in 83.7% of patients with malignant NETs. Lymph node or distant metastases were documented in 74.7% of patients. In 19.3% of patients, 41 secondary tumors were documented, with 78.0% classified histologically as adenocarcinomas. Conclusion. This investigation summarizes the clinical presentation and current practice of management of GEP-NETs and thereby extends the understanding and clinical experience. PMID:21467149

Integrin alpha 10, CD44, PTEN, cadherin-11 and lactoferrin expressions are potential biomarkers for selecting patients in need of central nervous system prophylaxis in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

PubMed Central

Lemma, Siria A; Kuusisto, Milla; Haapasaari, Kirsi-Maria; Sormunen, Raija; Lehtinen, Tuula; Klaavuniemi, Tuula; Eray, Mine; Jantunen, Esa; Soini, Ylermi; Vasala, Kaija; Böhm, Jan; Salokorpi, Niina; Koivunen, Petri; Karihtala, Peeter; Vuoristo, Jussi; Turpeenniemi-Hujanen, Taina; Kuittinen, Outi

2017-01-01

Abstract Central nervous system (CNS) relapse is a devastating complication that occurs in about 5% of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients. Currently, there are no predictive biological markers. We wanted to study potential biomarkers of CNS tropism that play a role in adhesion, migration and/or in the regulation of inflammatory responses. The expression levels of ITGA10, CD44, PTEN, cadherin-11, CDH12, N-cadherin, P-cadherin, lactoferrin and E-cadherin were studied with IHC and IEM. GEP was performed to see whether found expressional changes are regulated at DNA/RNA level. IHC included 96 samples of primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL), secondary CNS lymphoma (sCNSL) and systemic DLBCL (sDLBCL). IEM included two PCNSL, one sCNSL, one sDLBCL and one reactive lymph node samples. GEP was performed on two DLBCL samples, one with and one without CNS relapse. CNS disease was associated with enhanced expression of cytoplasmic and membranous ITGA10 and nuclear PTEN (P < 0.0005, P = 0.002, P = 0.024, respectively). sCNSL presented decreased membranous CD44 and nuclear and cytoplasmic cadherin-11 expressions (P = 0.001, P = 0.006, P = 0.048, respectively). In PCNSL lactoferrin expression was upregulated (P < 0.0005). IEM results were mainly supportive of the IHC results. In GEP CD44, cadherin-11, lactoferrin and E-cadherin were under-expressed in CNS disease. Our results are in line with previous studies, where gene expressions in extracellular matrix and adhesion-related pathways are altered in CNS lymphoma. This study gives new information on the DLBCL CNS tropism. If further verified, these markers might become useful in predicting CNS relapses. PMID:28854563

A time-and-motion approach to micro-costing of high-throughput genomic assays

PubMed Central

Costa, S.; Regier, D.A.; Meissner, B.; Cromwell, I.; Ben-Neriah, S.; Chavez, E.; Hung, S.; Steidl, C.; Scott, D.W.; Marra, M.A.; Peacock, S.J.; Connors, J.M.

2016-01-01

Background Genomic technologies are increasingly used to guide clinical decision-making in cancer control. Economic evidence about the cost-effectiveness of genomic technologies is limited, in part because of a lack of published comprehensive cost estimates. In the present micro-costing study, we used a time-and-motion approach to derive cost estimates for 3 genomic assays and processes—digital gene expression profiling (gep), fluorescence in situ hybridization (fish), and targeted capture sequencing, including bioinformatics analysis—in the context of lymphoma patient management. Methods The setting for the study was the Department of Lymphoid Cancer Research laboratory at the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver, British Columbia. Mean per-case hands-on time and resource measurements were determined from a series of direct observations of each assay. Per-case cost estimates were calculated using a bottom-up costing approach, with labour, capital and equipment, supplies and reagents, and overhead costs included. Results The most labour-intensive assay was found to be fish at 258.2 minutes per case, followed by targeted capture sequencing (124.1 minutes per case) and digital gep (14.9 minutes per case). Based on a historical case throughput of 180 cases annually, the mean per-case cost (2014 Canadian dollars) was estimated to be $1,029.16 for targeted capture sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, $596.60 for fish, and $898.35 for digital gep with an 807-gene code set. Conclusions With the growing emphasis on personalized approaches to cancer management, the need for economic evaluations of high-throughput genomic assays is increasing. Through economic modelling and budget-impact analyses, the cost estimates presented here can be used to inform priority-setting decisions about the implementation of such assays in clinical practice. PMID:27803594

Carbon, water, and energy fluxes in a semiarid cold desert grassland during and following multiyear drought

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bowling, David R.; Bethers-Marchetti, S.; Lunch, C.K.; Grote, E.E.; Belnap, J.

2010-01-01

The net exchanges of carbon dioxide, water vapor, and energy were examined in a perennial Colorado Plateau grassland for 5 years. The study began within a multiyear drought and continued as the drought ended. The grassland is located near the northern boundary of the influence of the North American monsoon, a major climatic feature bringing summer rain. Following rain, evapotranspiration peaked above 8 mm d-1 but was usually much smaller (2-4 mm d-1). Net productivity of the grassland was low compared to other ecosystems, with peak hourly net CO2 uptake in the spring of 4 (mu or u)mol m-2 s-1 and springtime carbon gain in the range of 42 + or - 11 g C m-2 (based on fluxes) to 72 + or - 55 g C m-2 (based on carbon stocks; annual carbon gain was not quantified). Drought decreased gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) and total ecosystem respiration, with a much larger GEP decrease. Monsoon rains led to respiratory pulses, lasting a few days at most, and only rarely resulted in net CO2 gain, despite the fact that C4 grasses dominated plant cover. Minor CO2 uptake was observed in fall following rain. Spring CO2 uptake was regulated by deep soil moisture, which depended on precipitation in the prior fall and winter. The lack of CO2 uptake during the monsoon and the dependence of GEP on deep soil moisture are in contrast with arid grasslands of the warm deserts. Cold desert grasslands are most likely to be impacted by future changes in winter and not summer precipitation.

How do land management practices affect net ecosystem CO2 exchange of an invasive plant infestation?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sonnentag, O.; Detto, M.; Runkle, B.; Kelly, M.; Baldocchi, D. D.

2009-12-01

Ecosystem gas and energy exchanges of invasive plant infestations under different land management practices have been subject of few studies and thus little is known. Our goal is to characterize seasonal changes in net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) through the processes of photosynthesis (GEP) and ecosystem respiration (Reco) of a grassland used as pasture yet infested by perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium) in California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. We analyze eddy-covariance supported by environmental and canopy-scale hyperspectral reflectance measurements acquired in 2007-2009. Our study covers three summer drought periods with slightly different land management practices. Over the study period the site was subject to year-round grazing, and in 2008 the site was additionally mowed. Specific questions we address are a) how does pepperweed flowering affect GEP, b) does a mowing event affect NEE mainly through GEP or Reco, and c) can the combined effects of phenology and mowing on pepperweed NEE potentially be tracked using routinely applied remote sensing techniques? Preliminary results indicate that pepperweed flowering drastically decreases photosynthetic CO2 uptake due to shading by the dense arrangement of white flowers at the canopy top, causing the infestation to be almost CO2 neutral. In contrast, mowing causes the infestation to act as moderate net CO2 sink, mainly due to increased CO2 uptake during regrowth. We demonstrate that spectral regions other than commonly-used red and near-infrared might be more promising for pepperweed monitoring because of its spectral uniqueness during the flowering phase. Our results have important implications for land-use land-cover (LULC) change studies when biological invasions and their management alter ecosystem structure and functioning but not necessarily the respective LULC class.

Supplementation of Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors Using Over-the-Counter Vitamin D3 Preparations.

PubMed

Robbins, Helen L; Symington, Megan; Mosterman, Barbara; Goodby, Josie; Davies, Louise; Dimitriadis, Georgios K; Kaltsas, Gregory; Randeva, Harpal S; Weickert, Martin O

2018-05-21

Vitamin D (vit-D) deficiency is highly prevalent in patients with gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NET) and has been linked to reduced overall survival. We here assessed the vit-D status in 183 patients with GEP-NET at the time of their first presentation in the ARDEN NET Centre. We further examined the effect of simple advice to increase vit-D intake using over-the-counter vit-D preparations [colecalciferol (Vit-D3), 1,000-2,000 units/day], over a prospective observation period of 24 mo. At baseline, only 33.3% of patients showed vit-D sufficiency (25-OH-vit-D; >50 nmol/L), the remainder was insufficient (31.3%; 25-OH-vit-D; 25-50 nmol/L) or deficient (35.5%; 25-OH-vit-D; <25 nmol/L). Repeated advice to increase vit-D intake at routine 6-monthly follow-up appointments was associated with increased 25-OH-vit-D from 37.8 ± 3.5 nmol/L at baseline to 60.4 ± 5.6 nmol/L (P < 0.0001) and 56.8 ± 7.0 nmol/L (P = 0.039) after 12 and 24 mo. Percentage of vit-D insufficiency decreased from 66.6% at baseline to 44.9% and 46.2% after 12 and 24 months, respectively. Previous abdominal surgery, but not treatment with somatostatin analogues predicted 25-OH-vit-D levels in bootstrapped linear regression analyses (P = 0.037). In summary, simple advice to increase vit-D intake using over-the-counter preparations was associated with significant improvement of vit-D deficiency/insufficiency, although, 15% of GEP-NET patients remained deficient and may benefit from additional measures of vit-D replacement.

A consensus definition and rating scale for minimalist shoes.

PubMed

Esculier, Jean-Francois; Dubois, Blaise; Dionne, Clermont E; Leblond, Jean; Roy, Jean-Sébastien

2015-01-01

While minimalist running shoes may have an influence on running biomechanics and on the incidence of overuse injuries, the term "minimalist" is currently used without standardisation. The objectives of this study were to reach a consensus on a standard definition of minimalist running shoes, and to develop and validate a rating scale that could be used to determine the degree of minimalism of running shoes, the Minimalist Index (MI). For this modified Delphi study, 42 experts from 11 countries completed four electronic questionnaires on an optimal definition of minimalist shoes and on elements to include within the MI. Once MI was developed following consensus, 85 participants subjectively ranked randomly assigned footwear models from the most to the least minimalist and rated their degree of minimalism using visual analog scales (VAS), before evaluating the same footwear models using MI. A subsample of thirty participants reassessed the same shoes on another occasion. Construct validity and inter- and intra-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICC]; Gwet's AC1) of MI were evaluated. The following definition of minimalist shoes was agreed upon by 95 % of participants: "Footwear providing minimal interference with the natural movement of the foot due to its high flexibility, low heel to toe drop, weight and stack height, and the absence of motion control and stability devices". Characteristics to be included in MI were weight, flexibility, heel to toe drop, stack height and motion control/stability devices, each subscale carrying equal weighing (20 %) on final score. Total MI score was highly correlated with VAS (r = 0.91). A significant rank effect (p < 0.001) confirmed the MI's discriminative validity. Excellent intra- and inter-rater reliability was found for total MI score (ICC = 0.84-0.99) and for weight, stack height, heel to toe drop and flexibility subscales (AC1 = 0.82-0.99), while good inter-rater reliability was found for technologies (AC1 = 0.73). This standardised definition of minimalist shoes developed by an international panel of experts will improve future research on minimalist shoes and clinical recommendations. MI's adequate validity and reliability will allow distinguishing running shoes based on their degree of minimalism, and may help to decrease injuries related to footwear transition.

CRREL (Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory) Technical Publications. Supplement, October 1986-September 1988

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-09-01

1000. Extensive post -test optical analysis allowed Antenna polarization and height, and sigaal stacking estimation of the size distribution and number of...to 10 C higher under natural activated sludge. A design example is presented for conditions than in the wind tunnel studies. Results each case. All...typically limitations of the methcd are presented, examples are columnar type crystal structure. The remaining 2i% shown, and notes on user instructions are

75 FR 8758 - New Postal Product

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2010-02-25

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. CP2010-24; Order No. 410] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal... incidental differences. Id. at 6. The Postal Service contends that its filings demonstrate that this new GEPS...

75 FR 67146 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-01

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. CP2011-13 Through CP2011-18; Order No. 559] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a... 4. The Postal Service concludes that its filings demonstrate that each of the new GEPS 3 contracts...

75 FR 57303 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-20

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. CP2010-105 through CP2010-115; Order No. 535] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a... concludes that its filings demonstrate that each of the new GEPS 3 contracts complies with the requirements...

78 FR 37851 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-24

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. CP2013-68; Order No. 1750] New Postal Product AGENCY... filing concerning the addition of Global Expedited Package Services 3 Contract to the competitive product... GEPS 3 product. Notice at 2. \\1\\ Notice of United States Postal Service of Filing a Functionally...

Forecasting Caspian Sea level changes using satellite altimetry data (June 1992-December 2013) based on evolutionary support vector regression algorithms and gene expression programming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Imani, Moslem; You, Rey-Jer; Kuo, Chung-Yen

2014-10-01

Sea level forecasting at various time intervals is of great importance in water supply management. Evolutionary artificial intelligence (AI) approaches have been accepted as an appropriate tool for modeling complex nonlinear phenomena in water bodies. In the study, we investigated the ability of two AI techniques: support vector machine (SVM), which is mathematically well-founded and provides new insights into function approximation, and gene expression programming (GEP), which is used to forecast Caspian Sea level anomalies using satellite altimetry observations from June 1992 to December 2013. SVM demonstrates the best performance in predicting Caspian Sea level anomalies, given the minimum root mean square error (RMSE = 0.035) and maximum coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.96) during the prediction periods. A comparison between the proposed AI approaches and the cascade correlation neural network (CCNN) model also shows the superiority of the GEP and SVM models over the CCNN.

Modeling rainfall-runoff process using soft computing techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kisi, Ozgur; Shiri, Jalal; Tombul, Mustafa

2013-02-01

Rainfall-runoff process was modeled for a small catchment in Turkey, using 4 years (1987-1991) of measurements of independent variables of rainfall and runoff values. The models used in the study were Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) and Gene Expression Programming (GEP) which are Artificial Intelligence (AI) approaches. The applied models were trained and tested using various combinations of the independent variables. The goodness of fit for the model was evaluated in terms of the coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), coefficient of efficiency (CE) and scatter index (SI). A comparison was also made between these models and traditional Multi Linear Regression (MLR) model. The study provides evidence that GEP (with RMSE=17.82 l/s, MAE=6.61 l/s, CE=0.72 and R2=0.978) is capable of modeling rainfall-runoff process and is a viable alternative to other applied artificial intelligence and MLR time-series methods.

Response of NDVI, biomass, and ecosystem gas exchange to long-term warming and fertilization in wet sedge tundra.

PubMed

Boelman, Natalie T; Stieglitz, Marc; Rueth, Heather M; Sommerkorn, Martin; Griffin, Kevin L; Shaver, Gaius R; Gamon, John A

2003-05-01

This study explores the relationship between the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), aboveground plant biomass, and ecosystem C fluxes including gross ecosystem production (GEP), ecosystem respiration (ER) and net ecosystem production. We measured NDVI across long-term experimental treatments in wet sedge tundra at the Toolik Lake LTER site, in northern Alaska. Over 13 years, N and P were applied in factorial experiments (N, P and N + P), air temperature was increased using greenhouses with and without N + P fertilizer, and light intensity (photosynthetically active photon flux density) was reduced by 50% using shade cloth. Within each treatment plot, NDVI, aboveground biomass and whole-system CO(2) flux measurements were made at the same sampling points during the peak-growing season of 2001. We found that across all treatments, NDVI is correlated with aboveground biomass ( r(2)=0.84), GEP ( r(2)=0.75) and ER ( r(2)=0.71), providing a basis for linking remotely sensed NDVI to aboveground biomass and ecosystem carbon flux.

Risk stratification in myelodysplastic syndromes: is there a role for gene expression profiling?

PubMed

Zeidan, Amer M; Prebet, Thomas; Saad Aldin, Ehab; Gore, Steven David

2014-04-01

Evaluation of: Pellagatti A, Benner A, Mills KI et al. Identification of gene expression-based prognostic markers in the hematopoietic stem cells of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. J. Clin. Oncol. 31(28), 3557-3564 (2013). Patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) exhibit wide heterogeneity in clinical outcomes making accurate risk-stratification an integral part of the risk-adaptive management paradigm. Current prognostic schemes for MDS rely on clinicopathological parameters. Despite the increasing knowledge of the genetic landscape of MDS and the prognostic impact of many newly discovered molecular aberrations, none to date has been incorporated formally into the major risk models. Efforts are ongoing to use data generated from genome-wide high-throughput techniques to improve the 'individualized' outcome prediction for patients. We here discuss an important paper in which gene expression profiling (GEP) technology was applied to marrow CD34(+) cells from 125 MDS patients to generate and validate a standardized GEP-based prognostic signature.

Flat or curved thin optical display panel

DOEpatents

Veligdan, James T.

1995-01-10

An optical panel 10 includes a plurality of waveguides 12 stacked together, with each waveguide 12 having a first end 12a and an opposite second end 12b. The first ends 12a collectively define a first face 16, and the second ends 12b collectively define a second face 18 of the panel 10. The second face 18 is disposed at an acute face angle relative to the waveguides 12 to provide a panel 10 which is relatively thin compared to the height of the second face. In an exemplary embodiment for use in a projection TV, the first face 16 is substantially smaller in height than the second face 18 and receives a TV image, with the second face 18 defining a screen for viewing the image enlarged.

Growth study of self-assembled GaN nanocolumns on silica glass by plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liudi Mulyo, Andreas; Konno, Yuta; Nilsen, Julie S.; van Helvoort, Antonius T. J.; Fimland, Bjørn-Ove; Weman, Helge; Kishino, Katsumi

2017-12-01

We demonstrate GaN nanocolumn growth on fused silica glass by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The effect of the substrate temperature, Ga flux and N2 flow rate on the structural and optical properties are studied. At optimum growth conditions, GaN nanocolumns are vertically aligned and well separated with an average diameter, height and density of 72 nm, 1.2 μm and 1.6 × 109 cm-2, respectively. The nanocolumns exhibit wurtzite crystal structure with no threading dislocations, stacking faults or twinning and grow in the [0 0 0 1] direction. At the interface adjacent to the glass, there is a few atom layers thick intermediate phase with ABC stacking order (zinc blende). Photoluminescence measurements evidence intense and narrow excitonic emissions, along with the absence of any defect-related zinc blende and yellow luminescence emission.

Method of fabricating reflection-mode EUV diffraction elements

DOEpatents

Naulleau, Patrick P.

2002-01-01

Techniques for fabricating a well-controlled, quantized-level, engineered surface that serves as substrates for EUV reflection multilayer overcomes problems associated with the fabrication of reflective EUV diffraction elements. The technique when employed to fabricate an EUV diffraction element that includes the steps of: (a) forming an etch stack comprising alternating layers of first and second materials on a substrate surface where the two material can provide relative etch selectivity; (b) creating a relief profile in the etch stack wherein the relief profile has a defined contour; and (c) depositing a multilayer reflection film over the relief profile wherein the film has an outer contour that substantially matches that of the relief profile. For a typical EUV multilayer, if the features on the substrate are larger than 50 nm, the multilayer will be conformal to the substrate. Thus, the phase imparted to the reflected wavefront will closely match that geometrically set by the surface height profile.

The near-source impacts of diesel backup generators in urban environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tong, Zheming; Zhang, K. Max

2015-05-01

Distributed power generation, located close to consumers, plays an important role in the current and future power systems. However, its near-source impacts in complex urban environments are not well understood. In this paper, we focused on diesel backup generators that participate in demand response (DR) programs. We first improved the micro-environmental air quality simulations by employing a meteorology processor, AERMET, to generate site-specific boundary layer parameters for the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) modeling. The modeling structure was then incorporated into the CTAG model to evaluate the environmental impacts of diesel backup generators in near-source microenvironments. We found that the presence of either tall upwind or downwind building can deteriorate the air quality in the near-stack street canyons, largely due to the recirculation zones generated by the tall buildings, reducing the near-stack dispersion. Decreasing exhaust momentum ratio (stack exit velocity/ambient wind velocity) draws more exhaust into the recirculation zone, and reduces the effective stack height, which results in elevated near-ground concentrations inside downwind street canyons. The near-ground PM2.5 concentration for the worst scenarios could well exceed 100 μg m-3, posing potential health risk to people living and working nearby. In general, older diesel backup generators (i.e., Tier 1, 2 or older) without the up-to-date emission control may significantly increase the pollutant concentration in the near-source street canyons if participating in DR programs. Even generators that comply with Tier-4 standards could lead to PM hotspots if their stacks are next to tall buildings. Our study implies that the siting of diesel backup generators stacks should consider not only the interactions of fresh air intake and exhaust outlet for the building housing the backup generators, but also the dispersion of exhaust plumes in the surrounding environment.

75 FR 67148 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-01

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. CP2011-5 Through CP2011-12; Order No. 557] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a.... at 4. The Postal Service concludes that its filings demonstrate that each of the new GEPS 3 contracts...

76 FR 80987 - International Product Change-Global Expedited Package Services-Non-Published Rates

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-27

... POSTAL SERVICE International Product Change--Global Expedited Package Services-- Non-Published... request with the Postal Regulatory Commission to add Global Expedited Package Services-- Non-Published... Package Services--Non- Published Rates 3 (GEPS--NPR 3) to the Competitive Products List and Notice of...

75 FR 72845 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-26

... contract for future functional equivalence analyses of the GEPS 3 product. \\1\\ Notice of United States... analysis of the formulas, and certification of the Governors' vote; and Attachment 4--an application for... costing information and volume commitments, do not alter the contracts' functional equivalency. Id. at 3-4...

The influence of wind speed on airflow and fine particle transport within different building layouts of an industrial city.

PubMed

Mei, Dan; Wen, Meng; Xu, Xuemei; Zhu, Yuzheng; Xing, Futang

2018-04-20

In atmospheric environment, the layout difference of urban buildings has a powerful influence on accelerating or inhibiting the dispersion of particle matters (PM). In industrial cities, buildings of variable heights can obstruct the diffusion of PM from industrial stacks. In this study, PM dispersed within building groups was simulated by Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations coupled Lagrangian approach. Four typical street building arrangements were used: (a) a low-rise building block with Height/base H/b = 1 (b = 20 m); (b) step-up building layout (H/b = 1, 2, 3, 4); (c) step-down building layout (H/b = 4, 3, 2, 1); (d) high-rise building block (H/b = 5). Profiles of stream functions and turbulence intensity were used to examine the effect of various building layouts on atmospheric airflow. Here, concepts of particle suspension fraction and concentration distribution were used to evaluate the effect of wind speed on fine particle transport. These parameters showed that step-up building layouts accelerated top airflow and diffused more particles into street canyons, likely having adverse effects on resident health. In renewal old industry areas, the step-down building arrangement which can hinder PM dispersion from high-level stacks should be constructed preferentially. High turbulent intensity results in formation of a strong vortex that hinders particles into the street canyons. It is found that an increase in wind speed enhanced particle transport and reduced local particle concentrations, however, it did not affect the relative location of high particle concentration zones, which are related to building height and layout. This study has demonstrated the height variation and layout of urban architecture affect the local concentration distribution of particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere and for the first time that wind velocity has particular effects on PM transport in various building groups. The findings may have general implications in optimization the building layout based on particle transport characteristics during the renewal of industrial cities. For city planners, the results and conclusions are useful for improving the local air quality. The study method also can be used to calculate the explosion risk of industrial dust for people who live in industrial cities.

Interim Policy on Stack Height Regulatory Actions

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This document may be of assistance in applying the New Source Review (NSR) air permitting regulations including the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) requirements. This document is part of the NSR Policy and Guidance Database. Some documents in the database are a scanned or retyped version of a paper photocopy of the original. Although we have taken considerable effort to quality assure the documents, some may contain typographical errors. Contact the office that issued the document if you need a copy of the original.

Q and A on Implementing the Revised Stack Height Regulation

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This document may be of assistance in applying the New Source Review (NSR) air permitting regulations including the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) requirements. This document is part of the NSR Policy and Guidance Database. Some documents in the database are a scanned or retyped version of a paper photocopy of the original. Although we have taken considerable effort to quality assure the documents, some may contain typographical errors. Contact the office that issued the document if you need a copy of the original.

Effect of Changing Stack Heights on PSD Modeling and Monitoring

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This document may be of assistance in applying the New Source Review (NSR) air permitting regulations including the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) requirements. This document is part of the NSR Policy and Guidance Database. Some documents in the database are a scanned or retyped version of a paper photocopy of the original. Although we have taken considerable effort to quality assure the documents, some may contain typographical errors. Contact the office that issued the document if you need a copy of the original.

75 FR 54401 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-07

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. CP2010-102 and CP2010-103; Order No. 529] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a... that each of the new GEPS 3 contracts complies with the requirements of 39 U.S.C. 3633 and is...

75 FR 65676 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-26

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2010-28 and CP2011-20 through CP2011-25; Order No. 564] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is... demonstrate that each of the new GEPS 3 contracts complies with the requirements of 39 U.S.C. 3633 and is...

75 FR 61785 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-06

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. CP2010-119, CP2010-120, CP2010-121, CP2010-122, CP2010- 123, CP2010-124, and CP2010-125; Order No. 548] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory... Service concludes that its filings demonstrate that each of the new GEPS 3 contracts complies with the...

75 FR 35102 - New Postal Products

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-21

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. CP2010-60 through CP2010-63; Order No. 472] New Postal... recently-filed Postal Service request to add new Global Expedited Package Services 2 products to the... Service also contends that its filing demonstrates that each of the new GEPS 2 contracts complies with the...

75 FR 57995 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-23

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. CP2010-116, CP2010-117, and CP2010-118; Order No. 541] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is... that each of the new GEPS 3 contracts complies with the requirements of 39 U.S.C. 3633 and is...

75 FR 17175 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-05

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. CP2010-33, CP2010-34 and CP2010-35; Order No. 431] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing... differences. Id. at 6. The Postal Service contends that its filings demonstrate that each of the new GEPS 2...

75 FR 4593 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-28

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. CP2010-20; Order No. 397] New Postal Product AGENCY... Service request to add GEPS 2 (CP2009-50) to the Competitive Product List. The Postal Service has also... Global Expedited Package Services 2 to the Competitive Product List, August 28, 2009 (Order No. 290). \\4...

Atomistic study of the graphene nanobubbles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iakovlev, Evgeny; Zhilyaev, Petr; Akhatov, Iskander

2017-11-01

A two-dimensional (2D) heterostructures can be created using 2D crystals stacking method. Substance can be trapped between the layers which leads to formation of the surface nanobubbles. We study nanobubbles trapped between graphene layers with argon atoms inside using molecular dynamics approach. For bubbles with radius in range 7-34 nm the solid close-packed state of argon is found, although according to bulk argon phase diagram the fluid phase must be observed. The universal shape scaling (constant ratio of height to radius), which is found experimentally and proved by the theory of elasticity of membranes, is also observed in our atomistic simulations. An unusual pancake shape (extremely small height to radius ratio) is found for smallest nanobubble with radius 7 nm. The nanobubbles with similar shape were experimentally observed at the interface between water and hydrophobic surface.

System stability and calibrations for hand-held electromagnetic frequency domain instruments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saksa, Pauli J.; Sorsa, Joona

2017-05-01

There are a few multiple-frequency domain electromagnetic induction (EMI) hand-held rigid boom systems available for shallow geophysical resistivity investigations. They basically measure secondary field real and imaginary components after the system calibrations. One multiple-frequency system, the EMP-400 Profiler from Geophysical Survey Systems Inc., was tested for system calibrations, stability and various effects present in normal measurements like height variation, tilting, signal stacking and time stability. Results indicated that in test conditions, repeatable high-accuracy imaginary component values can be recorded for near-surface frequency soundings. In test conditions, real components are also stable but vary strongly in normal surveying measurements. However, certain calibration issues related to the combination of user influence and measurement system height were recognised as an important factor in reducing for data errors and for further processing like static offset corrections.

Low pressure process for continuous fiber reinforced polyamic acid resin matrix composite laminates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Druyun, Darleen A. (Inventor); Hou, Tan-Hung (Inventor); Kidder, Paul W. (Inventor); Reddy, Rakasi M. (Inventor); Baucom, Robert M. (Inventor)

1994-01-01

A low pressure processor was developed for preparing a well-consolidated polyimide composite laminate. Prepreg plies were formed from unidirectional fibers and a polyamic acid resin solution. Molding stops were placed at the sides of a matched metal die mold. The prepreg plies were cut shorter than the length of the mold in the in-plane lateral direction and were stacked between the molding stops to a height which was higher than the molding stops. The plies were then compressed to the height of the stops and heated to allow the volatiles to escape and to start the imidization reaction. After removing the stops from the mold, the heat was increased and 0 - 500 psi was applied to complete the imidization reaction. The heat and pressure were further increased to form a consolidated polyimide composite laminate.

Analysis of the performance of a passive hybrid powerplant to power a lightweight unmanned aerial vehicle for a high altitude mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Renau, Jordi; Sánchez, Fernando; Lozano, Antonio; Barroso, Jorge; Barreras, Félix

2017-07-01

The objective of this research is to analyze the performance of a passive hybrid powerplant control system to be implemented in a lightweight unmanned aerial vehicle capable to ascend up to the high troposphere (10,000 m). The powerplant is based on a high-temperature PEM fuel cell connected in parallel to a set of lithium-polymer batteries and regulated by two power diodes. Test performed in steady state demonstrates that the use of the hybrid system increases the efficiency of the stack by more than 7% because the voltage at the main DC bus is limited by the batteries. The robustness of the passive control system is proved in a long-term test in which random perturbations of ±15% are applied to the average power that would be demanded during the ascent flight. The hybridization of the stack with the batteries eliminates sudden peaks in the current generated by the stack, which are responsible for prompt degradation phenomena that drastically reduce its useful lifetime. The study demonstrates that with the passive hybrid powerplant it is possible to reach the target height with the gas storage system considered in the application, contrary to what happens with the simple power plant.

Three-Dimensional Microphase Separation and Synergistic Permeability in Stacked Lipid–Polymer Hybrid Membranes

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

Kang, Minjee; Lee, Byeongdu; Leal, Cecilia

Here, we present new structures of soft-material thin films that augment the functionality of substrate-mediated delivery systems. A hybrid material composed of phospholipids and block copolymers adopts a multilayered membrane structure supported on a solid surface. The hybrid films comprise intentional intramembrane heterogeneities that register across multilayers. These stacked domains convey unprecedented enhancement and control of permeability of solutes across micrometer-thick films. Using grazing incidence X-ray scattering, phase contrast atomic force microscopy, and confocal microscopy, we observed that in each lamella, lipid and polymers partition unevenly within the membrane plane segregating into lipid- or polymer-rich domains. Interestingly, we found evidencemore » that like-domains align in registry across multilayers, thereby making phase separation three-dimensional. Phase boundaries exist over extended length scales to compensate the height mismatch between lipid and polymer molecules. We show that microphase separation in hybrid films can be exploited to augment the capability of drug-eluting substrates. Lipid–polymer hybrid films loaded with paclitaxel show synergistic permeability of drug compared to single-component counterparts. We present a thorough structural study of stacked lipid–polymer hybrid membranes and propose that the presence of registered domains and domain boundaries impart enhanced drug release functionality. This work offers new perspectives in designing thin films for controlled delivery applications« less

Microchannel Plates for the UVCS and SUMER Instruments on the SOHO Satellite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Siegmund, O. H. W.; Gummin, M. A.; Sasseen, T.; Jelinsky, P.; Gaines, G. A.; Hull, J.; Stock, J. M.; Edgar, M.; Welsh, B.; Jelinsky, S.;

Three-Dimensional Microphase Separation and Synergistic Permeability in Stacked Lipid–Polymer Hybrid Membranes

DOE PAGES

Kang, Minjee; Lee, Byeongdu; Leal, Cecilia

2017-10-20

Here, we present new structures of soft-material thin films that augment the functionality of substrate-mediated delivery systems. A hybrid material composed of phospholipids and block copolymers adopts a multilayered membrane structure supported on a solid surface. The hybrid films comprise intentional intramembrane heterogeneities that register across multilayers. These stacked domains convey unprecedented enhancement and control of permeability of solutes across micrometer-thick films. Using grazing incidence X-ray scattering, phase contrast atomic force microscopy, and confocal microscopy, we observed that in each lamella, lipid and polymers partition unevenly within the membrane plane segregating into lipid- or polymer-rich domains. Interestingly, we found evidencemore » that like-domains align in registry across multilayers, thereby making phase separation three-dimensional. Phase boundaries exist over extended length scales to compensate the height mismatch between lipid and polymer molecules. We show that microphase separation in hybrid films can be exploited to augment the capability of drug-eluting substrates. Lipid–polymer hybrid films loaded with paclitaxel show synergistic permeability of drug compared to single-component counterparts. We present a thorough structural study of stacked lipid–polymer hybrid membranes and propose that the presence of registered domains and domain boundaries impart enhanced drug release functionality. This work offers new perspectives in designing thin films for controlled delivery applications« less

Promoting Collaborative Playful Experimentation through Group Playing by Ear in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Varvarigou, Maria

2017-01-01

A group of 46, first-year, primarily classically trained, undergraduate students took part in an exploratory research study on Group Ear Playing (GEP) in higher education. The students attended the "Playing by Ear" component of the Practical Musicianship module, which adopts the materials and strategies on playing by ear in the…

75 FR 44029 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-27

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2010-28 and CP2010-71; Order No. 492] New Postal... No. CP2009-50. It states the mailer's current contract ends July 31, 2010, and it expects the new... demonstrate that the new GEPS 3 contract complies with the requirements of 39 U.S.C. 3633, is functionally...

Evaluating the generalizability of GEP models for estimating reference evapotranspiration in distant humid and arid locations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiafar, Hamed; Babazadeh, Hosssien; Marti, Pau; Kisi, Ozgur; Landeras, Gorka; Karimi, Sepideh; Shiri, Jalal

2017-10-01

Evapotranspiration estimation is of crucial importance in arid and hyper-arid regions, which suffer from water shortage, increasing dryness and heat. A modeling study is reported here to cross-station assessment between hyper-arid and humid conditions. The derived equations estimate ET0 values based on temperature-, radiation-, and mass transfer-based configurations. Using data from two meteorological stations in a hyper-arid region of Iran and two meteorological stations in a humid region of Spain, different local and cross-station approaches are applied for developing and validating the derived equations. The comparison of the gene expression programming (GEP)-based-derived equations with corresponding empirical-semi empirical ET0 estimation equations reveals the superiority of new formulas in comparison with the corresponding empirical equations. Therefore, the derived models can be successfully applied in these hyper-arid and humid regions as well as similar climatic contexts especially in data-lack situations. The results also show that when relying on proper input configurations, cross-station might be a promising alternative for locally trained models for the stations with data scarcity.

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 .

Expression profiles of adult T-cell leukemia–lymphoma and associations with clinical responses to zidovudine and interferon α

PubMed Central

ALIZADEH, ASH A.; BOHEN, SEAN P.; LOSSOS, CHEN; MARTINEZ-CLIMENT, JOSE A.; RAMOS, JUAN CARLOS; CUBEDO-GIL, ELENA; HARRINGTON, WILLIAM J.; LOSSOS, IZIDORE S.

2014-01-01

Adult T-cell leukemia–lymphoma (ATLL) is an HTLV-1-associated lymphoproliferative malignancy that is frequently fatal. We compared gene expression profiles (GEPs) of leukemic specimens from nine patients with ATLL at the time of diagnosis and immediately after combination therapy with zidovudine (AZT) and interferon α (IFNα). GEPs were also related to genetic aberrations determined by comparative genomic hybridization. We identified several genes anomalously over-expressed in the ATLL leukemic cells at the mRNA level, including LYN, CSPG2, and LMO2, and confirmed LMO2 expression in ATLL cells at the protein level. In vivo AZT–IFNα therapy evoked a marked induction of interferon-induced genes accompanied by repression of cell-cycle regulated genes, including those encoding ribosomal proteins. Remarkably, patients not responding to AZT–IFNα differed most from responding patients in lower expression of these same IFN-responsive genes, as well as components of the antigen processing and presentation apparatus. Demonstration of specific gene expression signatures associated with response to AZT–IFNα therapy may provide novel insights into the mechanisms of action in ATLL. PMID:20370541

Predicting groundwater level fluctuations with meteorological effect implications—A comparative study among soft computing techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shiri, Jalal; Kisi, Ozgur; Yoon, Heesung; Lee, Kang-Kun; Hossein Nazemi, Amir

2013-07-01

The knowledge of groundwater table fluctuations is important in agricultural lands as well as in the studies related to groundwater utilization and management levels. This paper investigates the abilities of Gene Expression Programming (GEP), Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) techniques for groundwater level forecasting in following day up to 7-day prediction intervals. Several input combinations comprising water table level, rainfall and evapotranspiration values from Hongcheon Well station (South Korea), covering a period of eight years (2001-2008) were used to develop and test the applied models. The data from the first six years were used for developing (training) the applied models and the last two years data were reserved for testing. A comparison was also made between the forecasts provided by these models and the Auto-Regressive Moving Average (ARMA) technique. Based on the comparisons, it was found that the GEP models could be employed successfully in forecasting water table level fluctuations up to 7 days beyond data records.

CryoSat-2 SAR and SARin Inland Water Heights from the CRUCIAL project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benveniste, J.; Restano, M.; Ambrózio, A.; Moore, P.; Birkinshaw, S.

2017-12-01

CRUCIAL was an ESA/STSE funded project investigating innovative land and inland water applications from CryoSat-2 with a forward-look component to the Sentinel-3 and Jason-CS/Sentinel-6 missions. The high along-track sampling of CryoSat-2 in its SAR and SARin modes offers the opportunity to recover high frequency signals over inland waters. A methodology was developed to process the FBR L1A Doppler beams to form a waveform product using ground cell gridding, beam steering and beam stacking. Inland water heights from CryoSat-2 are derived by using a set of empirical retrackers formulated for inland water applications. Results of the processing strategy include a comparison of waveforms and heights from the burst echoes (80 m along-track) and from multi-look waveforms (320 m along-track). SAR and SARin FBR data are available for the Amazon, Brahmaputra and Mekong for 2011-2015. FBR SAR results are compared against stage data from the nearest gauge. Heights from Tonlé Sap are also compared against Jason-2 data from the United States Department of Agriculture. A strategy to select the number of multi-looks over rivers was designed based on the rms of heights across Tonlé Sap. Comparisons include results from the empirical retrackers and from waveforms and heights obtained via ESA's Grid Processing on Demand (G-POD/SARvatore) using the SAMOSA2 retracker. Results of FBR SARin processing for the Amazon and Brahmaputra are presented including comparison of heights from the two antennae, extraction of slope of the ground surface and validation against ground data where appropriate.

Genetically encoded pH-indicators reveal activity-dependent cytosolic acidification of Drosophila motor nerve termini in vivo

PubMed Central

Rossano, Adam J; Chouhan, Amit K; Macleod, Gregory T

2013-01-01

All biochemical processes, including those underlying synaptic function and plasticity, are pH sensitive. Cytosolic pH (pHcyto) shifts are known to accompany nerve activity in situ, but technological limitations have prevented characterization of such shifts in vivo. Genetically encoded pH-indicators (GEpHIs) allow for tissue-specific in vivo measurement of pH. We expressed three different GEpHIs in the cytosol of Drosophila larval motor neurons and observed substantial presynaptic acidification in nerve termini during nerve stimulation in situ. SuperEcliptic pHluorin was the most useful GEpHI for studying pHcyto shifts in this model system. We determined the resting pH of the nerve terminal cytosol to be 7.30 ± 0.02, and observed a decrease of 0.16 ± 0.01 pH units when the axon was stimulated at 40 Hz for 4 s. Realkalinization occurred upon cessation of stimulation with a time course of 20.54 ± 1.05 s (τ). The chemical pH-indicator 2′,7′-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein corroborated these changes in pHcyto. Bicarbonate-derived buffering did not contribute to buffering of acid loads from short (≤4 s) trains of action potentials but did buffer slow (∼60 s) acid loads. The magnitude of cytosolic acid transients correlated with cytosolic Ca2+ increase upon stimulation, and partial inhibition of the plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase, a Ca2+/H+ exchanger, attenuated pHcyto shifts. Repeated stimulus trains mimicking motor patterns generated greater cytosolic acidification (∼0.30 pH units). Imaging through the cuticle of intact larvae revealed spontaneous pHcyto shifts in presynaptic termini in vivo, similar to those seen in situ during fictive locomotion, indicating that presynaptic pHcyto shifts cannot be dismissed as artifacts of ex vivo preparations. PMID:23401611

Effects of warming and clipping on ecosystem carbon fluxes across two hydrologically contrasting years in an alpine meadow of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

PubMed

Peng, Fei; You, Quangang; Xu, Manhou; Guo, Jian; Wang, Tao; Xue, Xian

2014-01-01

Responses of ecosystem carbon (C) fluxes to human disturbance and climatic warming will affect terrestrial ecosystem C storage and feedback to climate change. We conducted a manipulative experiment to investigate the effects of warming and clipping on soil respiration (Rs), ecosystem respiration (ER), net ecosystem exchange (NEE) and gross ecosystem production (GEP) in an alpine meadow in a permafrost region during two hydrologically contrasting years (2012, with 29.9% higher precipitation than the long-term mean, and 2013, with 18.9% lower precipitation than the long-tem mean). Our results showed that GEP was higher than ER, leading to a net C sink (measured by NEE) over the two growing seasons. Warming significantly stimulated ecosystem C fluxes in 2012 but did not significantly affect these fluxes in 2013. On average, the warming-induced increase in GEP (1.49 µ mol m(-2) s(-1)) was higher than in ER (0.80 µ mol m(-2) s(-1)), resulting in an increase in NEE (0.70 µ mol m(-2) s(-1)). Clipping and its interaction with warming had no significant effects on C fluxes, whereas clipping significantly reduced aboveground biomass (AGB) by 51.5 g m(-2) in 2013. These results suggest the response of C fluxes to warming and clipping depends on hydrological variations. In the wet year, the warming treatment caused a reduction in water, but increases in soil temperature and AGB contributed to the positive response of ecosystem C fluxes to warming. In the dry year, the reduction in soil moisture, caused by warming, and the reduction in AGB, caused by clipping, were compensated by higher soil temperatures in warmed plots. Our findings highlight the importance of changes in soil moisture in mediating the responses of ecosystem C fluxes to climate warming in an alpine meadow ecosystem.

Integrin alpha 10, CD44, PTEN, cadherin-11 and lactoferrin expressions are potential biomarkers for selecting patients in need of central nervous system prophylaxis in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

PubMed

Lemma, Siria A; Kuusisto, Milla; Haapasaari, Kirsi-Maria; Sormunen, Raija; Lehtinen, Tuula; Klaavuniemi, Tuula; Eray, Mine; Jantunen, Esa; Soini, Ylermi; Vasala, Kaija; Böhm, Jan; Salokorpi, Niina; Koivunen, Petri; Karihtala, Peeter; Vuoristo, Jussi; Turpeenniemi-Hujanen, Taina; Kuittinen, Outi

2017-08-01

Central nervous system (CNS) relapse is a devastating complication that occurs in about 5% of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients. Currently, there are no predictive biological markers. We wanted to study potential biomarkers of CNS tropism that play a role in adhesion, migration and/or in the regulation of inflammatory responses. The expression levels of ITGA10, CD44, PTEN, cadherin-11, CDH12, N-cadherin, P-cadherin, lactoferrin and E-cadherin were studied with IHC and IEM. GEP was performed to see whether found expressional changes are regulated at DNA/RNA level. IHC included 96 samples of primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL), secondary CNS lymphoma (sCNSL) and systemic DLBCL (sDLBCL). IEM included two PCNSL, one sCNSL, one sDLBCL and one reactive lymph node samples. GEP was performed on two DLBCL samples, one with and one without CNS relapse. CNS disease was associated with enhanced expression of cytoplasmic and membranous ITGA10 and nuclear PTEN (P < 0.0005, P = 0.002, P = 0.024, respectively). sCNSL presented decreased membranous CD44 and nuclear and cytoplasmic cadherin-11 expressions (P = 0.001, P = 0.006, P = 0.048, respectively). In PCNSL lactoferrin expression was upregulated (P < 0.0005). IEM results were mainly supportive of the IHC results. In GEP CD44, cadherin-11, lactoferrin and E-cadherin were under-expressed in CNS disease. Our results are in line with previous studies, where gene expressions in extracellular matrix and adhesion-related pathways are altered in CNS lymphoma. This study gives new information on the DLBCL CNS tropism. If further verified, these markers might become useful in predicting CNS relapses. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press.

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

Cazzato, Roberto Luigi, E-mail: gigicazzato@hotmail.it; Garnon, Julien, E-mail: juleiengarnon@gmail.com; Ramamurthy, Nitin, E-mail: nitin-ramamurthy@hotmail.com

AimTo review our preliminary experience with 6-l-18F-fluorodihydroxyphenylalanine (18F-FDOPA) PET/CT-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumours (NETs).Materials and MethodsThree patients (mean age 51.3 years; range 43–56) with gastro-entero pancreatic NET (GEP-NET) liver metastases underwent 18F-FDOPA PET/CT-guided RFA. Patients were referred with oligometastatic hepatic-confined disease (1–6 metastases; <3 cm) on 18F-FDOPA PET/CT; poor lesion visualisation on US, CT, and MR; and ongoing symptoms. Procedures were performed in an interventional PET/CT scanner under general anaesthesia using a split-dose protocol. Lesion characteristics, procedural duration and technical success (accurate probe placement and post-procedural ablation-zone photopaenia), complications, patient and operator dose, and clinical outcomes weremore » evaluated.ResultsThirteen liver metastases (mean size 11.4 mm, range 8–16) were treated in three patients (two presented with “carcinoid syndrome”). Technical success was 100 % with a mean procedural duration of 173.3 min (range 90–210) and no immediate complications. Mean patient dose was 2844 mGy·cm (range 2104–3686). Operator and radiographer doses were acceptable other than the operator’s right hand in the first case (149 µSv); this normalised in the second case. There was no local tumour or extra-hepatic disease progression at mid-term follow-up (mean 12.6 months; range 6–20); however, two cases progressed with new liver metastases at different sites. There was 100 % clinical success (n = 2) in resolving carcinoid syndrome symptoms.Conclusion18F-FDOPA PET/CT-guided RFA appears technically feasible, safe, and effective in patients with GEP-NETs and low-burden hepatic metastases. Further prospective studies are required to elucidate its precise role in tailored multimodality management of GEP-NET liver metastases.« less

Effects of Warming and Clipping on Ecosystem Carbon Fluxes across Two Hydrologically Contrasting Years in an Alpine Meadow of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

PubMed Central

Peng, Fei; You, Quangang; Xu, Manhou; Guo, Jian; Wang, Tao; Xue, Xian

2014-01-01

Responses of ecosystem carbon (C) fluxes to human disturbance and climatic warming will affect terrestrial ecosystem C storage and feedback to climate change. We conducted a manipulative experiment to investigate the effects of warming and clipping on soil respiration (Rs), ecosystem respiration (ER), net ecosystem exchange (NEE) and gross ecosystem production (GEP) in an alpine meadow in a permafrost region during two hydrologically contrasting years (2012, with 29.9% higher precipitation than the long-term mean, and 2013, with 18.9% lower precipitation than the long-tem mean). Our results showed that GEP was higher than ER, leading to a net C sink (measured by NEE) over the two growing seasons. Warming significantly stimulated ecosystem C fluxes in 2012 but did not significantly affect these fluxes in 2013. On average, the warming-induced increase in GEP (1.49 µ mol m−2s−1) was higher than in ER (0.80 µ mol m−2s−1), resulting in an increase in NEE (0.70 µ mol m−2s−1). Clipping and its interaction with warming had no significant effects on C fluxes, whereas clipping significantly reduced aboveground biomass (AGB) by 51.5 g m−2 in 2013. These results suggest the response of C fluxes to warming and clipping depends on hydrological variations. In the wet year, the warming treatment caused a reduction in water, but increases in soil temperature and AGB contributed to the positive response of ecosystem C fluxes to warming. In the dry year, the reduction in soil moisture, caused by warming, and the reduction in AGB, caused by clipping, were compensated by higher soil temperatures in warmed plots. Our findings highlight the importance of changes in soil moisture in mediating the responses of ecosystem C fluxes to climate warming in an alpine meadow ecosystem. PMID:25291187

Assessment of Total Lesion Glycolysis by 18F FDG PET/CT Significantly Improves Prognostic Value of GEP and ISS in Myeloma.

PubMed

McDonald, James E; Kessler, Marcus M; Gardner, Michael W; Buros, Amy F; Ntambi, James A; Waheed, Sarah; van Rhee, Frits; Zangari, Maurizio; Heuck, Christoph J; Petty, Nathan; Schinke, Carolina; Thanendrarajan, Sharmilan; Mitchell, Alan; Hoering, Antje; Barlogie, Bart; Morgan, Gareth J; Davies, Faith E

2017-04-15

Purpose: Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with CT attenuation correction ( 18 F-FDG PET/CT) is useful in the detection and enumeration of focal lesions and in semiquantitative characterization of metabolic activity (glycolytic phenotype) by calculation of glucose uptake. Total lesion glycolysis (TLG) and metabolic tumor volume (MTV) have the potential to improve the value of this approach and enhance the prognostic value of disease burden measures. This study aims to determine whether TLG and MTV are associated with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), and whether they improve risk assessments such as International Staging System (ISS) stage and GEP70 risk. Experimental Design: 192 patients underwent whole body PET/CT in the Total Therapy 3A (TT3A) trial and were evaluated using three-dimensional region-of-interest analysis with TLG, MTV, and standard measurement parameters derived for all focal lesions with peak SUV above the background red marrow signal. Results: In multivariate analysis, baseline TLG > 620 g and MTV > 210 cm 3 remained a significant factor of poor PFS and OS after adjusting for baseline myeloma variables. Combined with the GEP70 risk score, TLG > 205 g identifies a high-risk-behaving subgroup with poor expected survival. In addition, TLG > 205 g accurately divides ISS stage II patients into two subgroups with similar outcomes to ISS stage I and ISS stage III, respectively. Conclusions: TLG and MTV have significant survival implications at baseline and offer a more precise quantitation of the glycolytic phenotype of active disease. These measures can be assessed more readily than before using FDA-approved software and should be standardized and incorporated into clinical trials moving forward. Clin Cancer Res; 23(8); 1981-7. ©2016 AACR . ©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.

Complex carbon cycle responses to multi-level warming and supplemental summer rain in the high Arctic.

PubMed

Sharp, Elizabeth D; Sullivan, Patrick F; Steltzer, Heidi; Csank, Adam Z; Welker, Jeffrey M

2013-06-01

The Arctic has experienced rapid warming and, although there are uncertainties, increases in precipitation are projected to accompany future warming. Climate changes are expected to affect magnitudes of gross ecosystem photosynthesis (GEP), ecosystem respiration (ER) and the net ecosystem exchange of CO2 (NEE). Furthermore, ecosystem responses to climate change are likely to be characterized by nonlinearities, thresholds and interactions among system components and the driving variables. These complex interactions increase the difficulty of predicting responses to climate change and necessitate the use of manipulative experiments. In 2003, we established a long-term, multi-level and multi-factor climate change experiment in a polar semidesert in northwest Greenland. Two levels of heating (30 and 60 W m(-2) ) were applied and the higher level was combined with supplemental summer rain. We made plot-level measurements of CO2 exchange, plant community composition, foliar nitrogen concentrations, leaf δ(13) C and NDVI to examine responses to our treatments at ecosystem- and leaf-levels. We confronted simple models of GEP and ER with our data to test hypotheses regarding key drivers of CO2 exchange and to estimate growing season CO2 -C budgets. Low-level warming increased the magnitude of the ecosystem C sink. Meanwhile, high-level warming made the ecosystem a source of C to the atmosphere. When high-level warming was combined with increased summer rain, the ecosystem became a C sink of magnitude similar to that observed under low-level warming. Competition among our ER models revealed the importance of soil moisture as a driving variable, likely through its effects on microbial activity and nutrient cycling. Measurements of community composition and proxies for leaf-level physiology suggest GEP responses largely reflect changes in leaf area of Salix arctica, rather than changes in leaf-level physiology. Our findings indicate that the sign and magnitude of the future High Arctic C budget may depend upon changes in summer rain. © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Adverse events related to gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures in pediatric patients under anesthesia care and a predictive risk model (AEGEP Study).

PubMed

Ariza, F; Montilla-Coral, D; Franco, O; González, L F; Lozano, L C; Torres, A M; Jordán, J; Blanco, L F; Suárez, L; Cruz, G; Cepeda, M

2014-01-01

Multiple studies have analyzed perioperative factors related to adverse events (AEs) in children who require gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures (GEP) in settings where deep sedation is the preferred anesthetic technique over general anesthesia (GA) but not for the opposite case. We reviewed our anesthesia institutional database, seeking children less than 12 years who underwent GEP over a 5-year period. A logistic regression was used to determine significant associations between preoperative conditions, characteristics of the procedure, airway management, anesthetic approaches and the presence of serious and non-serious AEs. GA was preferred over deep sedation [77.8% vs. 22.2% in 2178 GEP under anesthesia care (n=1742)]. We found 96 AEs reported in 77 patients, including hypoxemia (1.82%), bronchospasm (1.14%) and laryngospasm (0.91%) as the most frequent. There were 2 cases of severe bradycardia related to laryngospasm/hypoxemia and a case of aspiration resulting in unplanned hospitalization, but there were no cases of intra- or postoperative deaths. Final predictive model for perioperative AEs included age <1 year, upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) <1 week prior to the procedure and low weight for the age (LWA) as independent risk factors and ventilation by facial mask as a protector against these events (p<0.05). AEs are infrequent and severe ones are remote in a setting where AG is preferred over deep sedation. Ventilatory AEs are the most frequent and depend on biometrical and comorbid conditions more than anesthetic drugs chosen. Age <1 year, history of URTI in the week prior to the procedure and LWA work as independent risk factors for AEs in these patients. Copyright © 2013 Sociedad Española de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor. Published by Elsevier España. All rights reserved.

In vitro effect of 4-pentylphenol and 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol on murine splenic lymphocyte populations and cytokine/granzyme production.

PubMed

Yang, Lubing; Ma, Sihui; Wan, Yifang; Duan, Shuqi; Ye, Siyan; Du, Shengjie; Ruan, Xinwei; Sheng, Xia; Weng, Qiang; Taya, Kazuyoshi; Xu, Meiyu

2016-07-01

Gasoline exhaust particles (GEP) and diesel exhaust particles (DEP) are considered to be some of the most important air pollutants. Among the many constituents in these pollutant particles, 4-pentylphenol (PP) and 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol (PNMC) are considered important phenolics in GEP and DEP, respectively. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of in vitro exposure to commercially-supplied PP and PNMC on populations of, and production of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4 and granzyme-B by, mouse splenic lymphocytes. After in vitro exposure to PP or PNMC for 48 h, splenocyte viability was measured, cell phenotypes, e.g. B-cell (CD19), T-cells (CD3), T-cell subsets (CD4 and CD8), were quantified by flow cytometry and production of IL-2, IL-4 and granzyme-B was assessed via ELISA. The oxidative toxicity of PP and PNMC toward the splenocytes was also evaluated using measures of hydroxyl radical and malondiadehyde production and changes in glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities. Results showed that in vitro exposure to PP and PNMC inhibited splenic cell parameters in a dose-related manner. Exposure to PP and PNMC decreased splenic T-lymphocyte populations and splenocyte production of cytokines and granzyme B, as well as induced oxidative stress in the splenocytes. The results also showed that the percentages of CD3(+) T-cells overall and of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cells therein, among exposed splenocytes, were reduced; neither compound appeared to affect levels of CD19(+) B-cells. Overall, the suppressive effects of PP were stronger than PNMC. The data here provide support for the proposal that PP-/PNMC-induced toxicity in splenocytes may be due at least in part to oxidative damage and that PP and PNMC - as components of GEP and DEP - might significantly impact on splenic T-cell formation/release of cytokines/granzymes in situ.

Optimization of image reconstruction method for SPECT studies performed using [⁹⁹mTc-EDDA/HYNIC] octreotate in patients with neuroendocrine tumors.

PubMed

Sowa-Staszczak, Anna; Lenda-Tracz, Wioletta; Tomaszuk, Monika; Głowa, Bogusław; Hubalewska-Dydejczyk, Alicja

2013-01-01

Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) is a useful tool in the assessment of GEP-NET (gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor) patients. The choice of appropriate settings of image reconstruction parameters is crucial in interpretation of these images. The aim of the study was to investigate how the GEP NET lesion signal to noise ratio (TCS/TCB) depends on different reconstruction settings for Flash 3D software (Siemens). SRS results of 76 randomly selected patients with confirmed GEP-NET were analyzed. For SPECT studies the data were acquired using standard clinical settings 3-4 h after the injection of 740 MBq 99mTc-[EDDA/HYNIC] octreotate. To obtain final images the OSEM 3D Flash reconstruction with different settings and FBP reconstruction were used. First, the TCS/TCB ratio in voxels was analyzed for different combinations of the number of subsets and the number of iterations of the OSEM 3D Flash reconstruction. Secondly, the same ratio was analyzed for different parameters of the Gaussian filter (with FWHM = 2-4 times greater from the pixel size). Also the influence of scatter correction on the TCS/TCB ratio was investigated. With increasing number of subsets and iterations, the increase of TCS/TCB ratio was observed. With increasing settings of Gauss [FWHM coefficient] filter, the decrease of TCS/TCB ratio was reported. The use of scatter correction slightly decreases the values of this ratio. OSEM algorithm provides a meaningfully better reconstruction of the SRS SPECT study as compared to the FBP technique. A high number of subsets improves image quality (images are smoother). Increasing number of iterations gives a better contrast and the shapes of lesions and organs are sharper. The choice of reconstruction parameters is a compromise between image qualitative appearance and its quantitative accuracy and should not be modified when comparing multiple studies of the same patient.

Ten-year variability in ecosystem water use efficiency in an oak-dominated temperate forest under a warming climate

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

Xie, Jing; Chen, Jiquan; Sun, Ge

The impacts of extreme weather events on water-carbon (C) coupling and ecosystem-scale water use efficiency (WUE) over a long term are poorly understood. We analyzed the changes in ecosystem water use efficiency (WUE) from 10 years of eddy-covariance measurements (2004-2013) over an oak-dominated temperate forest in Ohio, USA. The aim was to investigate the long-term response of ecosystem WUE to measured changes in site-biophysical conditions and ecosystem attributes. The oak forest produced new plant biomass of 2.5 +/- 0.2 gC kg(-1) of water loss annually. Monthly evapotranspiration (ET) and gross ecosystem production (GEP) were tightly coupled over the 10-year studymore » period (R-2=0.94). Daily WUE had a linear relationship with air temperature (T-a) in low-temperature months and a unimodal relationship with T-a in high-temperature months during the growing season. On average, daily WUE ceased to increase when T-a exceeded 22 degrees C in warm months for both wet and dry years. Monthly WUE had a strong positive linear relationship with leaf area index (LAI), net radiation (R-n), and T-a and weak logarithmic relationship with water vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and precipitation (P) on a growing-season basis. When exploring the regulatory mechanisms on WUE within each season, spring LAI and P, summer R-n and T-a, and autumnal VPD and R-n were found to be the main explanatory variables for seasonal variation in WUE. The model developed in this study was able to capture 78% of growing-season variation in WUE on a monthly basis. The negative correlation between WUE and A in spring was mainly due to the high precipitation amounts in spring, decreasing GEP and WUE when LAI was still small, adding ET being observed to increase with high levels of evaporation as a result of high SWC in spring. Summer WUE had a significant decreasing trend across the 10 years mainly due to the combined effect of seasonal drought and increasing potential and available energy increasing ET, but decreasing GEP in summer. We concluded that seasonal dynamics of the interchange between precipitation and drought status of the system was an important variable in controlling seasonal WUE in wet years. In contrast, despite the negative impacts of unfavorable warming, available groundwater and an early start of the growing season were important contributing variables in high seasonal GEP, and thus, high seasonal WUE in dry years. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.« less

Ten-year variability in ecosystem water use efficiency in an oak-dominated temperate forest under a warming climate

DOE PAGES

Xie, Jing; Chen, Jiquan; Sun, Ge; ...

2016-01-07

The impacts of extreme weather events on water-carbon (C) coupling and ecosystem-scale water use efficiency (WUE) over a long term are poorly understood. We analyzed the changes in ecosystem water use efficiency (WUE) from 10 years of eddy-covariance measurements (2004-2013) over an oak-dominated temperate forest in Ohio, USA. The aim was to investigate the long-term response of ecosystem WUE to measured changes in site-biophysical conditions and ecosystem attributes. The oak forest produced new plant biomass of 2.5 +/- 0.2 gC kg(-1) of water loss annually. Monthly evapotranspiration (ET) and gross ecosystem production (GEP) were tightly coupled over the 10-year studymore » period (R-2=0.94). Daily WUE had a linear relationship with air temperature (T-a) in low-temperature months and a unimodal relationship with T-a in high-temperature months during the growing season. On average, daily WUE ceased to increase when T-a exceeded 22 degrees C in warm months for both wet and dry years. Monthly WUE had a strong positive linear relationship with leaf area index (LAI), net radiation (R-n), and T-a and weak logarithmic relationship with water vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and precipitation (P) on a growing-season basis. When exploring the regulatory mechanisms on WUE within each season, spring LAI and P, summer R-n and T-a, and autumnal VPD and R-n were found to be the main explanatory variables for seasonal variation in WUE. The model developed in this study was able to capture 78% of growing-season variation in WUE on a monthly basis. The negative correlation between WUE and A in spring was mainly due to the high precipitation amounts in spring, decreasing GEP and WUE when LAI was still small, adding ET being observed to increase with high levels of evaporation as a result of high SWC in spring. Summer WUE had a significant decreasing trend across the 10 years mainly due to the combined effect of seasonal drought and increasing potential and available energy increasing ET, but decreasing GEP in summer. We concluded that seasonal dynamics of the interchange between precipitation and drought status of the system was an important variable in controlling seasonal WUE in wet years. In contrast, despite the negative impacts of unfavorable warming, available groundwater and an early start of the growing season were important contributing variables in high seasonal GEP, and thus, high seasonal WUE in dry years. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.« less

Performance of Small Pore Microchannel Plates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Siegmund, O. H. W.; Gummin, M. A.; Ravinett, T.; Jelinsky, S. R.; Edgar, M.

1995-01-01

Small pore size microchannel plates (MCP's) are needed to satisfy the requirements for future high resolution small and large format detectors for astronomy. MCP's with pore sizes in the range 5 micron to 8 micron are now being manufactured, but they are of limited availability and are of small size. We have obtained sets of Galileo 8 micron and 6.5 micron MCP's, and Philips 6 micron and 7 micron pore MCP's, and compared them to our larger pore MCP Z stacks. We have tested back to back MCP stacks of four of these MCP's and achieved gains greater than 2 x 1O(exp 7) with pulse height distributions of less than 40% FWHM, and background rates of less than 0.3 events sec(exp -1) cm(exp -2). Local counting rates up to approx. 100 events/pore/sec have been attained with little drop of the MCP gain. The bare MCP quantum efficiencies are somewhat lower than those expected, however. Flat field images are characterized by an absence of MCP fixed pattern noise.

Aircraft Boundary-layer Measurements in the Gulf of Tehuantepec

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Friehe, Carl; Melville, W. K.

2005-11-01

Airborne flux, meteorological, and wave measurements were made from the NSF/NCAR EC130Q aircraft in the Gulf of Tehuantepec under strong boundary-layer gap winds up to 25 m/sec at 33 m height. Statistics of flux estimates were obtained from multiple 33-m tracks flown under reasonably stationary and homogeneous conditions. Flux divergence was obtained from stack patterns flown at various distances from shore. Tracks flown at 33 m between the stacks provided the pressure gradient and advection terms in the momentum balance. Near shore, flux divergence was important and approximately balanced by the pressure gradient and advective terms; off-shore (400 km), divergence was small and again approximately in balance with the other two terms. Data from dropsondes and the Scanning Aerosol Backscatter LIDAR (SABL) revealed that the internal boundary layer initially thins off-shore as the gap wind field spreads horizontally, and then thickens due to turbulent mixing and possible hydraulic effects. Supported by NSF Division of Ocean Sciences.

Stack Number Influence on the Accuracy of Aster Gdem (V2)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mirzadeh, S. M. J.; Alizadeh Naeini, A.; Fatemi, S. B.

2017-09-01

In this research, the influence of stack number (STKN) on the accuracy of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) Global DEM (GDEM) has been investigated. For this purpose, two data sets of ASTER and Reference DEMs from two study areas with various topography (Bomehen and Tazehabad) were used. The Results show that in both study areas, STKN of 19 results in minimum error so that this minimum error has small difference with other STKN. The analysis of slope, STKN, and error values shows that there is no strong correlation between these parameters in both study areas. For example, the value of mean absolute error increase by changing the topography and the increase of slope values and height on cells but, the changes in STKN has no important effect on error values. Furthermore, according to high values of STKN, effect of slope on elevation accuracy has practically decreased. Also, there is no great correlation between the residual and STKN in ASTER GDEM.

Submonolayer Quantum Dot Infrared Photodetector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ting, David Z.; Bandara, Sumith V.; Gunapala, Sarath D.; Chang, Yia-Chang

2010-01-01

A method has been developed for inserting submonolayer (SML) quantum dots (QDs) or SML QD stacks, instead of conventional Stranski-Krastanov (S-K) QDs, into the active region of intersubband photodetectors. A typical configuration would be InAs SML QDs embedded in thin layers of GaAs, surrounded by AlGaAs barriers. Here, the GaAs and the AlGaAs have nearly the same lattice constant, while InAs has a larger lattice constant. In QD infrared photodetector, the important quantization directions are in the plane perpendicular to the normal incidence radiation. In-plane quantization is what enables the absorption of normal incidence radiation. The height of the S-K QD controls the positions of the quantized energy levels, but is not critically important to the desired normal incidence absorption properties. The SML QD or SML QD stack configurations give more control of the structure grown, retains normal incidence absorption properties, and decreases the strain build-up to allow thicker active layers for higher quantum efficiency.

Double Barriers and Magnetic Field in Bilayer Graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Redouani, Ilham; Jellal, Ahmed; Bahlouli, Hocine

2015-12-01

We study the transmission probability in an AB-stacked bilayer graphene of Dirac fermions scattered by a double-barrier structure in the presence of a magnetic field. We take into account the full four bands structure of the energy spectrum and use the suitable boundary conditions to determine the transmission probability. Our numerical results show that for energies higher than the interlayer coupling, four ways for transmission are possible while for energies less than the height of the barrier, Dirac fermions exhibit transmission resonances and only one transmission channel is available. We show that, for AB-stacked bilayer graphene, there is no Klein tunneling at normal incidence. We find that the transmission displays sharp peaks inside the transmission gap around the Dirac point within the barrier regions while they are absent around the Dirac point in the well region. The effect of the magnetic field, interlayer electrostatic potential, and various barrier geometry parameters on the transmission probabilities is also discussed.

Mean Dynamic Topography of the Arctic Ocean

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Farrell, Sinead Louise; Mcadoo, David C.; Laxon, Seymour W.; Zwally, H. Jay; Yi, Donghui; Ridout, Andy; Giles, Katherine

2012-01-01

ICESat and Envisat altimetry data provide measurements of the instantaneous sea surface height (SSH) across the Arctic Ocean, using lead and open water elevation within the sea ice pack. First, these data were used to derive two independent mean sea surface (MSS) models by stacking and averaging along-track SSH profiles gathered between 2003 and 2009. The ICESat and Envisat MSS data were combined to construct the high-resolution ICEn MSS. Second, we estimate the 5.5-year mean dynamic topography (MDT) of the Arctic Ocean by differencing the ICEn MSS with the new GOCO02S geoid model, derived from GRACE and GOCE gravity. Using these satellite-only data we map the major features of Arctic Ocean dynamical height that are consistent with in situ observations, including the topographical highs and lows of the Beaufort and Greenland Gyres, respectively. Smaller-scale MDT structures remain largely unresolved due to uncertainties in the geoid at short wavelengths.

Response to Kay Phillips Regarding a Review on the Stack Height Regulations and Accompanying Preamble Language

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This document may be of assistance in applying the New Source Review (NSR) air permitting regulations including the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) requirements. This document is part of the NSR Policy and Guidance Database. Some documents in the database are a scanned or retyped version of a paper photocopy of the original. Although we have taken considerable effort to quality assure the documents, some may contain typographical errors. Contact the office that issued the document if you need a copy of the original.

Void-Free Lid for Food Packaging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Watson, C. D.; Farris, W. P.

1986-01-01

Flexible cover eliminates air pockets in sealed container. Universal food-package lid formed from flexible plastic. Partially folded, lid unfolded by depressing center portion. Height of flat portion of lid above flange thereby reduced. Pressure of food against central oval depression pops it out, forming dome that provides finger grip for mixing contents with water or opening lid. Therefore food stays fresh, allows compact stacking of partially filled containers, and resists crushing. Originally developed for packaging dehydrated food for use in human consumption on Space Shuttle missions. Other uses include home canning and commercial food packaging.

The Impact of Speaking Component of an Institutional Test on Bilingual Students' Anxiety Level

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ramos, Selen

2017-01-01

The aim of the current study was to investigate whether bilingual university/ college students may have speaking test anxiety. Additionally, it was examined whether there were differences in anxiety levels among bilingual students according to gender. To collect data, 140 bilingual university students were given a GEP-TAS (General English…

The Genomics Education Partnership: Successful Integration of Research into Laboratory Classes at a Diverse Group of Undergraduate Institutions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shaffer, Christopher D.; Alvarez, Consuelo; Bailey, Cheryl; Barnard, Daron; Bhalla, Satish; Chandrasekaran, Chitra; Chandrasekaran, Vidya; Chung, Hui-Min; Dorer, Douglas R.; Du, Chunguang; Eckdahl, Todd T.; Poet, Jeff L.; Frohlich, Donald; Goodman, Anya L.; Gosser, Yuying; Hauser, Charles; Hoopes, Laura L. M.; Johnson, Diana; Jones, Christopher J.; Kaehler, Marian; Kokan, Nighat; Kopp, Olga R.; Kuleck, Gary A.; McNeil, Gerard; Moss, Robert; Myka, Jennifer L.; Nagengast, Alexis; Morris, Robert; Overvoorde, Paul J.; Shoop, Elizabeth; Parrish, Susan; Reed, Kelynne; Regisford, E. Gloria; Revie, Dennis; Rosenwald, Anne G.; Saville, Ken; Schroeder, Stephanie; Shaw, Mary; Skuse, Gary; Smith, Christopher; Smith, Mary; Spana, Eric P.; Spratt, Mary; Stamm, Joyce; Thompson, Jeff S.; Wawersik, Matthew; Wilson, Barbara A.; Youngblom, Jim; Leung, Wilson; Buhler, Jeremy; Mardis, Elaine R.; Lopatto, David; Elgin, Sarah C. R.

2010-01-01

Genomics is not only essential for students to understand biology but also provides unprecedented opportunities for undergraduate research. The goal of the Genomics Education Partnership (GEP), a collaboration between a growing number of colleges and universities around the country and the Department of Biology and Genome Center of Washington…

Tear Down and Inspection of the Cummins VTA-903 Evaluated Using the Single Common Powertrain Lubricant SCPL

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-12-13

Materials AT Anti-Thrust AVG Average BFV Bradley Fighting Vehicle CAT Caterpillar EOT End Of Test GEP General Engine Products HMMWV High...Vehicle ( BFV ), is a 14.8 liter, V8, turbocharged after-cooled diesel engine, producing approximately 600 hp, and 1225 lb-ft of torque at their respective

College Collaboration with Gifted Programs: Deaf Studies Unit (Part 2)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Buisson, Gerald J.; Salgo, Jennifer

2012-01-01

The present article is the second in a 2-part series. Part 1 explained the needs of students in gifted education programs (GEPs), the concept of interest-area mentorship, and how mentors help meet gifted elementary-school students' needs in light of National Association for Gifted Children standards. Part 2 explains that the goals and standards…

Group Playing by Ear in Higher Education: The Processes That Support Imitation, Invention and Group Improvisation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Varvarigou, Maria

2017-01-01

This article explores how group playing by ear (GEP) through imitation of recorded material and opportunities for inventive work during peer interaction was used to support first year undergraduate western classical music students' aural, group creativity and improvisation skills. The framework that emerged from the analysis of the data describes…

Study of Efficacy and Safety of PDR001 in Patients With Advanced or Metastatic, Well-differentiated, Non-functional Neuroendocrine Tumors of Pancreatic, Gastrointestinal (GI), or Thoracic Origin or Poorly-differentiated Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma (GEP-NEC)

ClinicalTrials.gov

2017-11-15

Well-differentiated Non-functional NET of Thoracic Origin; Well-differentiated Non-functional NET of Gastrointestinal Origin; Well-differentiated Non-functional NET of Pancreatic Origin; Poorly-differentiated Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma

Noise characteristics of barium ferrite particulate rigid disks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kodama, Naoki; Inoue, Hitoshi; Spratt, Geoffrey; Uesaka, Yasutaro; Katsumoto, Masayuki

1991-04-01

This paper discusses the relationship between the noise characteristics and magnetic properties of longitudinal barium ferrite (Ba-F) rigid disks with different switching field distributions (SFD). The magnetomotive force dependencies of reverse dc-erase (RDC) noise are measured and compared with SFD values. Coated disks with acicular magnetic particles have dips and thin-film disks peaks in the RDC. In Ba-F disks, both cases are observed depending on the SFD values, though the depths or heights of the RDC noise are much smaller than those of coated disks with acicular particles or thin-film disks. Disks with small SFD values have peaks, and disks with large SFD values have dips. In order to find the relationship between noise properties and magnetic properties, interparticle interactions in Ba-F disks are investigated. Reverse dc remanence Id(H) and ac-demagnetized isothermal remanence Ir(H) are measured. Both are normalized by the saturation remanence. The deviation from the noninteracting system, ΔM = Id(H) - [1ΔM=Id(H)-[1- 2Ir(H)] and an interaction field factor (IFF) given by (H'r - Hr)/Hc, are derived from these remanent properties. Here, H'r is the field corresponding to 50% of the remanent magnetization, Hr is remanence coercivity. In Ba-F disks, ΔM shows positive interactions, and the peak heights of ΔM increase and IFF decrease with decreasing SFD values. Positive interactions between Ba-F particles seem to be caused by particle stacking. Therefore, particle stacking results in small SFD values and peak-type RDC noise.

The effect of applied control strategy on the current-voltage correlation of a solid oxide fuel cell stack during dynamic operation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szmyd, Janusz S.; Komatsu, Yosuke; Brus, Grzegorz; Ghigliazza, Francesco; Kimijima, Shinji; Ściążko, Anna

2014-09-01

This paper discusses the transient characteristics of the planar type SOFC cell stack, of which the standard output is 300 W. The transient response of the voltage to the manipulation of an electric current was investigated. The effects of the response and of the operating condition determined by the operating temperature of the stack were studied by mapping a current-voltage (I-V) correlation. The current-based fuel control (CBFC) was adopted for keeping the fuel utilization factor at constant while the value of the electric current was ramped at the constant rate. The present experimental study shows that the transient characteristics of the cell voltage are determined by primarily the operating temperature caused by the manipulation of the current. Particularly, the slope of the I-V curve and the overshoot found on the voltage was remarkably influenced by the operating temperature. The different values of the fuel utilization factor influence the height of the settled voltages. The CBFC has significance in determining the slope of the I-V characteristic, but the different values ofthe fuel utilization factor does not affect the slope as the operating temperature does. The CBFC essentially does not alter the amplitude of the overshoot on the voltage response, since this is dominated by the operating temperature and its change is caused by manipulating the current.

Capping of Aβ42 Oligomers by Small Molecule Inhibitors

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Aβ42 peptides associate into soluble oligomers and protofibrils in the process of forming the amyloid fibrils associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The oligomers have been reported to be more toxic to neurons than fibrils, and have been targeted by a wide range of small molecule and peptide inhibitors. With single touch atomic force microscopy (AFM), we show that monomeric Aβ42 forms two distinct types of oligomers, low molecular weight (MW) oligomers with heights of 1–2 nm and high MW oligomers with heights of 3–5 nm. In both cases, the oligomers are disc-shaped with diameters of ∼10–15 nm. The similar diameters suggest that the low MW species stack to form the high MW oligomers. The ability of Aβ42 inhibitors to interact with these oligomers is probed using atomic force microscopy and NMR spectroscopy. We show that curcumin and resveratrol bind to the N-terminus (residues 5–20) of Aβ42 monomers and cap the height of the oligomers that are formed at 1–2 nm. A second class of inhibitors, which includes sulindac sulfide and indomethacin, exhibit very weak interactions across the Aβ42 sequence and do not block the formation of the high MW oligomers. The correlation between N-terminal interactions and capping of the height of the Aβ oligomers provides insights into the mechanism of inhibition and the pathway of Aβ aggregation. PMID:25422864

First Prismatic Building Model Reconstruction from Tomosar Point Clouds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Y.; Shahzad, M.; Zhu, X.

2016-06-01

This paper demonstrates for the first time the potential of explicitly modelling the individual roof surfaces to reconstruct 3-D prismatic building models using spaceborne tomographic synthetic aperture radar (TomoSAR) point clouds. The proposed approach is modular and works as follows: it first extracts the buildings via DSM generation and cutting-off the ground terrain. The DSM is smoothed using BM3D denoising method proposed in (Dabov et al., 2007) and a gradient map of the smoothed DSM is generated based on height jumps. Watershed segmentation is then adopted to oversegment the DSM into different regions. Subsequently, height and polygon complexity constrained merging is employed to refine (i.e., to reduce) the retrieved number of roof segments. Coarse outline of each roof segment is then reconstructed and later refined using quadtree based regularization plus zig-zag line simplification scheme. Finally, height is associated to each refined roof segment to obtain the 3-D prismatic model of the building. The proposed approach is illustrated and validated over a large building (convention center) in the city of Las Vegas using TomoSAR point clouds generated from a stack of 25 images using Tomo-GENESIS software developed at DLR.

3D reconstruction of the porous microstructure of Al2O3-coatings based on sequentially revealed surface data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loftfield, Nina; Kästner, Markus; Reithmeier, Eduard

2018-06-01

Local and global liquid transport properties correlate strongly with the morphology of porous materials. Therefore, by characterizing the porous network information is indirectly gained on the materials properties. Properties like the open-porosity are easily accessible with techniques like mercury porosimetry. However, the 3D image reconstruction, destructive or non-destructive, holds advantages like an accurate spatially resolved representation of the investigated material. Common 3D data acquisition is done by x-ray microtomography or a combination of focused ion beam based milling and scanning electron microscopy. In this work a reconstruction approach similar to the latter one is implemented. The porous network is reconstructed based on an alternating process of milling the surface by fly cutting and measuring the surface data with a confocal laser scanning microscope. This has the benefit of reconstructing the pore network on the basis of surface height data, measuring the structure boundaries directly. The stack of milled surface height data needs to be registered and the pore structure to be segmented. The segmented pore structure is connected throughout each height layer and afterwards meshed. The investigated materials are porous surface coatings of aluminum oxide for the usage in tribological pairings.

The GEP: Crowd-Sourcing Big Data Analysis with Undergraduates.

PubMed

Elgin, Sarah C R; Hauser, Charles; Holzen, Teresa M; Jones, Christopher; Kleinschmit, Adam; Leatherman, Judith

2017-02-01

The era of 'big data' is also the era of abundant data, creating new opportunities for student-scientist research partnerships. By coordinating undergraduate efforts, the Genomics Education Partnership produces high-quality annotated data sets and analyses that could not be generated otherwise, leading to scientific publications while providing many students with research experience. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Think Locally, Act Globally: Comparing Urban, Suburban, and Rural Colleges' Internationalization: The Case of the CÉGEPS

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bègin-Caouette, Olivier

2013-01-01

Community colleges were created to respond to the specific needs of their local community, yet the growing transnational connections established between institutions seem to give the "local", a global outlook. Based on a survey to which 39 of Québec general and vocational colleges (CEGEPs)--81% of the population--responded, this article…

Radiation Gene-expression Signatures in Primary Breast Cancer Cells.

PubMed

Minafra, Luigi; Bravatà, Valentina; Cammarata, Francesco P; Russo, Giorgio; Gilardi, Maria C; Forte, Giusi I

2018-05-01

In breast cancer (BC) care, radiation therapy (RT) is an efficient treatment to control localized tumor. Radiobiological research is needed to understand molecular differences that affect radiosensitivity of different tumor subtypes and the response variability. The aim of this study was to analyze gene expression profiling (GEP) in primary BC cells following irradiation with doses of 9 Gy and 23 Gy delivered by intraoperative electron radiation therapy (IOERT) in order to define gene signatures of response to high doses of ionizing radiation. We performed GEP by cDNA microarrays and evaluated cell survival after IOERT treatment in primary BC cell cultures. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to validate candidate genes. We showed, for the first time, a 4-gene and a 6-gene signature, as new molecular biomarkers, in two primary BC cell cultures after exposure at 9 Gy and 23 Gy respectively, for which we observed a significantly high survival rate. Gene signatures activated by different doses of ionizing radiation may predict response to RT and contribute to defining a personalized biological-driven treatment plan. Copyright© 2018, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

Automatic programming via iterated local search for dynamic job shop scheduling.

PubMed

Nguyen, Su; Zhang, Mengjie; Johnston, Mark; Tan, Kay Chen

2015-01-01

Dispatching rules have been commonly used in practice for making sequencing and scheduling decisions. Due to specific characteristics of each manufacturing system, there is no universal dispatching rule that can dominate in all situations. Therefore, it is important to design specialized dispatching rules to enhance the scheduling performance for each manufacturing environment. Evolutionary computation approaches such as tree-based genetic programming (TGP) and gene expression programming (GEP) have been proposed to facilitate the design task through automatic design of dispatching rules. However, these methods are still limited by their high computational cost and low exploitation ability. To overcome this problem, we develop a new approach to automatic programming via iterated local search (APRILS) for dynamic job shop scheduling. The key idea of APRILS is to perform multiple local searches started with programs modified from the best obtained programs so far. The experiments show that APRILS outperforms TGP and GEP in most simulation scenarios in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. The analysis also shows that programs generated by APRILS are more compact than those obtained by genetic programming. An investigation of the behavior of APRILS suggests that the good performance of APRILS comes from the balance between exploration and exploitation in its search mechanism.

GNQ-209P Mutation in Metastatic Uveal Melanoma and Treatment Outcome.

PubMed

Abdel Karim, Nagla; Eldessouki, Ihab; Taftaf, Ahmad; Ayham, Deeb; Gaber, Ola; Makramalla, Abouelmagd; Correa, Zelia M

2018-01-01

Metastatic prognosis in uveal melanoma is assessed by gene expression profiling (GEP) testing of the tumor cells, usually obtained by fine needle aspiration (FNA). GEP has demonstrated high accuracy in distinguishing class I and II tumors, both having different metastatic potential. Transcriptomic studies identified distinct mutations including somatic mutations in GNAQ and GNA11 , detected in more than 80%, and contribute to the upregulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and the development of uveal melanoma (UM). The role of these mutations in treatment selection and possible benefit from targeted therapy are somewhat unclear. However, until the discovery of novel agents, local versus systemic therapies remain options for treatment that can still be considered for disease control in certain cases. We report a series of patients with metastatic UM with distinct mutational profiles. One had significant liver metastases with proven GNQ-209P mutation on tissue biopsy while peripheral blood molecular profiling did not show these mutations. The other three cases had no GNQ-209P mutation. All cases received nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane) as a treatment drug, and we record their responses to treatment and their molecular-profiling results.

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).

Groundwater vulnerability indices conditioned by Supervised Intelligence Committee Machine (SICM).

PubMed

Nadiri, Ata Allah; Gharekhani, Maryam; Khatibi, Rahman; Sadeghfam, Sina; Moghaddam, Asghar Asghari

2017-01-01

This research presents a Supervised Intelligent Committee Machine (SICM) model to assess groundwater vulnerability indices of an aquifer. SICM uses Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to overarch three Artificial Intelligence (AI) models: Support Vector Machine (SVM), Neuro-Fuzzy (NF) and Gene Expression Programming (GEP). Each model uses the DRASTIC index, the acronym of 7 geological, hydrological and hydrogeological parameters, which collectively represents intrinsic (or natural) vulnerability and gives a sense of contaminants, such as nitrate-N, penetrating aquifers from the surface. These models are trained to modify or condition their DRASTIC index values by measured nitrate-N concentration. The three AI-techniques often perform similarly but have differences as well and therefore SICM exploits the situation to improve the modeled values by producing a hybrid modeling results through selecting better performing SVM, NF and GEP components. The models of the study area at Ardabil aquifer show that the vulnerability indices by the DRASTIC framework produces sharp fronts but AI models smoothen the fronts and reflect a better correlation with observed nitrate values; SICM improves on the performances of three AI models and cope well with heterogeneity and uncertain parameters. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Wetland Resiliency: How does multi-year water table level decline and recovery influence carbon dioxide and methane fluxes?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pugh, C.; Reed, D. E.; Desai, A. R.; Sulman, B. N.

2016-12-01

Wetlands play a disproportionately large role in the global carbon budget, and individual wetlands can fluctuate between carbon sinks and sources depending on factors such as hydrology, biogeochemistry, and land use. Although much research has been done on wetland biogeochemical cycles, there is a lack of experimental evidence concerning how changes in wetland hydrology influence these cycles over interannual timescales. Over a seven-year period, Sulman et al. (2009) found that a drought-induced declining water table at a shrub wetland in northern Wisconsin coincided with increased ecosystem respiration (ER) and gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) (Sulman et al. 2009). Since then, however, the average water table level at this site has begun to increase, thus allowing a unique opportunity to explore how wetland carbon storage is impacted by water table recovery. With the addition of three more years of eddy covariance observations post recovery and new methane flux observations, we found that water table level no longer had a significant correlation with GEP, ER, or methane flux. Air temperature, however, had a strong correlation with all three. Average methane flux stayed relatively constant under 14 °C, before increasing an order of magnitude from 3.7 nmol m-2 s-1 in April to 36 nmol m-2 s-1 in July. These results suggest that, over decadal timescales, temperature, rather than water level, is a stronger limiting factor for both aerobic and anaerobic respiration in shrub fen wetlands. Wetlands play a disproportionately large role in the global carbon budget, and individual wetlands can fluctuate between carbon sinks and sources depending on factors such as hydrology, biogeochemistry, and land use. Although much research has been done on wetland biogeochemical cycles, there is a lack of experimental evidence concerning how changes in wetland hydrology influence these cycles over interannual timescales. Over a seven-year period, Sulman et al. (2009) found that a drought-induced declining water table at a shrub wetland in northern Wisconsin coincided with increased ecosystem respiration (ER) and gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) (Sulman et al. 2009). Since then, however, the average water table level at this site has begun to increase, thus allowing a unique opportunity to explore how wetland carbon storage is impacted by water table recovery. With the addition of three more years of eddy covariance observations post recovery and new methane flux observations, we found that water table level no longer had a significant correlation with GEP, ER, or methane flux. Air temperature, however, had a strong correlation with all three. Average methane flux stayed relatively constant under 14 °C, before increasing an order of magnitude from 3.7 nmol m-2 s-1 in April to 36 nmol m-2 s-1 in July. These results suggest that, over decadal timescales, temperature, rather than water level, is a stronger limiting factor for both aerobic and anaerobic respiration in shrub fen wetlands.

Sentinel-1 automatic processing chain for volcanic and seismic areas monitoring within the Geohazards Exploitation Platform (GEP)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Luca, Claudio; Zinno, Ivana; Manunta, Michele; Lanari, Riccardo; Casu, Francesco

2016-04-01

The microwave remote sensing scenario is rapidly evolving through development of new sensor technology for Earth Observation (EO). In particular, Sentinel-1A (S1A) is the first of a sensors' constellation designed to provide a satellite data stream for the Copernicus European program. Sentinel-1A has been specifically designed to provide, over land, Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR) products to analyze and investigate Earth's surface displacements. S1A peculiarities include wide ground coverage (250 km of swath), C-band operational frequency and short revisit time (that will reduce from 12 to 6 days when the twin system Sentinel-1B will be placed in orbit during 2016). Such characteristics, together with the global coverage acquisition policy, make the Sentinel-1 constellation to be extremely suitable for volcanic and seismic areas studying and monitoring worldwide, thus allowing the generation of both ground displacement information with increasing rapidity and new geological understanding. The main acquisition mode over land is the so called Interferometric Wide Swath (IWS) that is based on the Terrain Observation by Progressive Scans (TOPS) technique and that guarantees the mentioned S1A large coverage characteristics at expense of a not trivial interferometric processing. Moreover, the satellite spatial coverage and the reduced revisit time will lead to an exponential increase of the data archives that, after the launch of Sentine-1B, will reach about 3TB per day. Therefore, the EO scientific community needs from the one hand automated and effective DInSAR tools able to address the S1A processing complexity, and from the other hand the computing and storage capacities to face out the expected large amount of data. Then, it is becoming more crucial to move processors and tools close to the satellite archives, being not efficient anymore the approach of downloading and processing data with in-house computing facilities. To address these issues, ESA recently funded the development of the Geohazards Exploitation Platform (GEP), a project aimed at putting together data, processing tools and results to make them accessible to the EO scientific community, with particular emphasis to the Geohazard Supersites & Natural Laboratories and the CEOS Seismic Hazards and Volcanoes Pilots. In this work we present the integration of the parallel version of a well-known DInSAR algorithm referred to as Small BAseline Subset (P-SBAS) within the GEP platform for processing Sentinel-1 data. The integration allowed us to set up an operational on-demand web tool, open to every user, aimed at automatically processing S1A data for the generation of SBAS displacement time-series. Main characteristics as well as a number of experimental results obtained by using the implemented web tool will be also shown. This work is partially supported by: the RITMARE project of Italian MIUR, the DPC-CNR agreement and the ESA GEP project.

The ESA Geohazard Exploitation Platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bally, Philippe; Laur, Henri; Mathieu, Pierre-Philippe; Pinto, Salvatore

2015-04-01

Earthquakes represent one of the world's most significant hazards in terms both of loss of life and damages. In the first decade of the 21st century, earthquakes accounted for 60 percent of fatalities from natural disasters, according to the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR). To support mitigation activities designed to assess and reduce risks and improve response in emergency situations, satellite EO can be used to provide a broad range of geo-information services. This includes for instance crustal block boundary mapping to better characterize active faults, strain rate mapping to assess how rapidly faults are deforming, soil vulnerability mapping to help estimate how the soil is behaving in reaction to seismic phenomena, geo-information to assess the extent and intensity of the earthquake impact on man-made structures and formulate assumptions on the evolution of the seismic sequence, i.e. where local aftershocks or future main shocks (on nearby faults) are most likely to occur. In May 2012, the European Space Agency and the GEO Secretariat convened the International Forum on Satellite EO for Geohazards now known as the Santorini Conference. The event was the continuation of a series of international workshops such as those organized by the Geohazards Theme of the Integrated Global Observing Strategy Partnership. In Santorini the seismic community has set out a vision of the EO contribution to an operational global seismic risk program, which lead to the Geohazard Supersites and Natural Laboratories (GSNL) initiative. The initial contribution of ESA to suuport the GSNL was the first Supersites Exploitation Platform (SSEP) system in the framework of Grid Processing On Demand (GPOD), now followed by the Geohazard Exploitation Platform (GEP). In this presentation, we will describe the contribution of the GEP for exploiting satellite EO for geohazard risk assessment. It is supporting the GEO Supersites and has been further expanded to address broader objectives of the geohazards community. In particular it is a contribution to the CEOS WG Disasters and its Seismic Hazards Pilot and terrain deformation applications of its Volcano Pilot. The geohazards platform is sourced with elements - data, tools, and processing- relevant to the geohazards theme and related exploitation scenarios. For example, platform provides access to large SAR data collections and services to support SAR Interferometry (InSAR), in particular the Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) and Small Baseline Subset (SBAS) techniques, to provide precise terrain deformation. The GEP includes data coming from the ENVISAT ASAR and ERS archives, already hosted in the ESA clusters and in ESA's Virtual Archive and further extended to cover the requirements of the CEOS Pilot on Seismic Hazards. The GEP is gradually accessing Sentinel-1A data alongside with EO data from other space agencies with an interest in the geohazard exploitation platform. Further to this, the platform is intended to be available in the framework of the European Plate Observing System (EPOS) initiative, in order to help its users exploit EO data to support solid Earth monitoring and geophysical and geological analysis.

The contribution of the Geohazards Exploitation Platform for the GEO Supersites community

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manunta, Michele; Caumont, Hervé; Mora, Oscar; Casu, Francesco; Zinno, Ivana; De Luca, Claudio; Pepe, Susi; Pepe, Antonio; Brito, Fabrice; Romero, Laia; Stumpf, Andre; Malet, Jean-Philippe; Brcic, Ramon; Rodriguez Gonzalez, Fernando; Musacchio, Massimo; Buongiorno, Fabrizia; Briole, Pierre

2016-04-01

The European Space Agency (ESA) initiative for the creation of an ecosystem of Thematic Exploitation Platforms (TEP) focuses on the capitalization of Ground Segment capabilities and ICT technologies to maximize the exploitation of EO data from past and future missions. A TEP refers to a computing platform that complies to a set of exploitation scenarios involving scientific users, data providers and ICT providers, aggregated around an Earth Science thematic area. The Exploitation Platforms are targeted to cover different capacities and they define, implement and validate a platform for effective data exploitation of EO data sources in a given thematic area. In this framework, the Geohazards Thematic Exploitation Platform or Geohazards TEP (GEP) aims at providing on-demand processing services for specific user needs as well as systematic processing services to address the need of the geohazards community for common information layers and, finally, to integrate newly developed processors for scientists and other expert users. The GEP has now on-boarded over 40 European early adopters and will transition during 2016 to pre-operations by developing six new Pilot applications that will significantly augment the Platform's capabilities for systematic production and community building. Each project on the Platform is concerned with either integrating an application, running on demand processing using an application available in the platform or systematically generating a new product collection. The platform will also expand its user base in 2016, to gradually reach a total of about 65 individual users. Under a Consortium lead by Terradue Srl, six new pilot projects have been taken on board: photogrammetric processing using optical EO data with University of Strasbourg (FR), optical based processing method for volcanic hazard monitoring with INGV (IT), systematic generation of deformation time-series with Sentinel-1 data with CNR IREA (IT), systematic processing of Sentinel-1 interferometric imagery with DLR (DE), precise terrain motion mapping with SPN Persistent Scatterers Interferometric chain of Altamira Information (ES) and a campaign to test and exploit GEP applications with the Corinth Rift Laboratory in which Greek and French experts of seismic hazards are engaged. The consortium is in charge of the resources and services management under a sustainable and fair governance model to ensure alignment of the Platform with user community needs, broad collaboration with main data and service providers in the domain, and excellence among user initiatives willing to contribute. In this work we show how the GEO Geohazards Supersites community can fully benefit from availability of an advanced IT infrastructure, where satellite and in-situ data, processing tools and web-based visualization instruments are at the disposal of users to address scientific questions. In particular, we focus on the contributions provided by GEP for the management of EO data, for the implementation of a European e-infrastructure, and for the monitoring and modelling of ground deformations and seismic activity.

Refreshable tactile displays based on bistable electroactive polymer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niu, Xiaofan; Brochu, Paul; Salazar, Brandon; Pei, Qibing

2011-04-01

Refreshable tactile displays can significantly improve the education of blind children and the quality of life of people with severe vision impairment. A number of actuator technologies have been investigated. Bistable Electroactive Polymer (BSEP) appears to be well suited for this application. The BSEP exhibits a bistable electrically actuated strain as large as 335%. We present improved refreshable tactile display devices fabricated on thin plastic sheets. Stacked BSEP films were employed to meet the requirements in raised dot height and supporting force. The bistable nature of the actuation reduces the power consumption and simplifies the device operation.

Water-use efficiency of a poplar plantation in Northern China

Treesearch

Jie Zhou; Zhiqiang Zhang; Ge sun; Xianrui Fang; Tonggang Zha; Jiquan Chen; Asko Noormets; Junting Guo; Steve McNulty

2014-01-01

The water-use efficiency (WUE) of an ecosystem—defined as the gross ecosystem production (GEP) divided by the evapotranspiration (ET)—is an important index for understanding the coupling of water and carbon and quantifying water–carbon trade-offs in forests. An open-path eddy covariance technique and a microclimate measurement system were deployed to investigate the...

Advances in the Use of In Situ Flux Tower Measures of Canopy Structure and Function for Evaluation of MODIS and VIIRS Vegetation Indices and Phenology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huete, A. R.; Ma, X.; Devadas, R.; Miura, T.; Obata, K.; Restrepo-Coupe, N.; Kato, A.

2016-12-01

Prior studies have linked tower-based measures of ecosystem productivity (GEP) and satellite vegetation indices (VIs) over primarily phenologically driven ecosystems. In situ flux towers are advantageous for satellite product assessments due to their comparable footprints and finer temporal resolution measurements. However, weaker relationships have been reported in meteorological driven ecosystems in which satellite and flux tower measures of productivity are asynchronous. This suggests that satellite derived biophysical measures are not a measure of GEP, but rather a proxy for ecosystem structure (e.g. LAI) and function. Here we investigate the use of flux tower measures of photosynthetic infrastructure, including photosynthetic capacity and light use efficiency, as more appropriate measures for the evaluation of satellite VI products and phenology. We related MODIS and VIIRS VIs (NDVI, EVI, EVI2) and phenology over a series of flux tower sites located across a climatically-diverse north to south gradient in central Australia, encompassing wet and dry subtropcal savannas, semi-arid shrub/grass, and temperate broadleaf evergreen forests. These represented environmental conditions where phenology and meteorology are not always synchronized. Our objectives were to (1) advance the use of in situ tower data for more accurate evaluation of satellite products and assess challenges and limitations of in situ tower networks; (2) intercompare cross-sensor VI products and derived phenology with tower measures across biomes to assess consistencies; and (3) better understand satellite and tower relationships to improve upon interpretation of satellite VI and phenology data. Our results show, that in contrast to measures of GEP, our measures of photosynthetic infrastructure were much better related to satellite VIs; they removed strong hysteresis influences on VI- productivity relationships across phenologic green-up and brown-down phases; and thus were better related to satellite phenology profiles. We conclude that flux tower networks offer a valuable source of in situ and consistent data that can be used for satellite time series continuity and cross sensor studies. This can also bring forward the validation of vegetation indices beyond simple reflectance-based accuracy assessments.

Comprehensive gene expression analysis of the NAC gene family under normal growth conditions, hormone treatment, and drought stress conditions in rice using near-isogenic lines (NILs) generated from crossing Aday Selection (drought tolerant) and IR64.

PubMed

Nuruzzaman, Mohammed; Sharoni, Akhter Most; Satoh, Kouji; Moumeni, Ali; Venuprasad, Ramiah; Serraj, Rachid; Kumar, Arvind; Leung, Hei; Attia, Kotb; Kikuchi, Shoshi

2012-05-01

The NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2 and CUC2) genes are plant-specific transcriptional factors known to play diverse roles in various plant developmental processes. We describe the rice (Oryza sativa) OsNAC genes expression profiles (GEPs) under normal and water-deficit treatments (WDTs). The GEPs of the OsNAC genes were analyzed in 25 tissues covering the entire life cycle of Minghui 63. High expression levels of 17 genes were demonstrated in certain tissues under normal conditions suggesting that these genes may play important roles in specific organs. We determined that 16 genes were differentially expressed under at least 1 phytohormone (NAA, GA3, KT, SA, ABA, and JA) treatment. To investigate the GEPs in the root, leaf, and panicle of three rice genotypes [e.g., 2 near-isogenic lines (NILs) and IR64], we used two NILs from a common genetic combination backcross developed by Aday Selection and IR64. WDTs were applied using the fraction of transpirable soil water at severe, mild, and control conditions. Transcriptomic analysis using a 44K oligoarray from Agilent was performed on all the tissue samples. We identified common and specific genes in all tissues from the two NILs under both WDTs, and the majority of the OsNAC genes that were activated were in the drought-tolerant IR77298-14-1-2-B-10 line compared with the drought-susceptible IR77298-14-1-2-B-13 or IR64. In IR77298-14-1-2-B-10, seventeen genes were very specific in their expression levels. Approximately 70 % of the genes from subgroups SNAC and NAM/CUC3 were activated in the leaf, but 37 % genes from subgroup SND were inactivated in the root compared with the control under severe stress conditions. These results provide a useful reference for the cloning of candidate genes from the specific subgroup for further functional analysis.

Stacking-fault strengthening of biomedical Co-Cr-Mo alloy via multipass thermomechanical processing.

PubMed

Yamanaka, Kenta; Mori, Manami; Sato, Shigeo; Chiba, Akihiko

2017-09-07

The strengthening of metallic biomaterials, such as Co-Cr-Mo and titanium alloys, is of crucial importance to the improvement of the durability of orthopedic implants. In the present study, we successfully developed a face-centered cubic (fcc) Co-Cr-Mo alloy with an extremely high yield strength (1400 MPa) and good ductility (12%) by multipass hot-rolling, which is suitable for industrial production, and examined the relevant strengthening mechanisms. Using an X-ray diffraction line-profile analysis, we revealed that a substantial increase in the number of stacking faults (SFs) in the fcc γ-matrix occurred at a greater height reduction (r), while physical modeling demonstrated that the contribution of the accumulated SFs (i.e., the reduction in SF spacing) with an increase in r successfully explains the entire strengthening behavior of the hot-rolled alloy. The present study sheds light on the importance of the SF strengthening mechanism, and will help to guide the design and manufacturing strategy for the high-strength Co-Cr-Mo alloys used in highly durable medical devices.

Modeling the height of young forests regenerating from recent disturbances in Mississippi using Landsat and ICESat data

USGS Publications Warehouse

Li, Ainong; Huang, Chengquan; Sun, Guoqing; Shi, Hua; Toney, Chris; Zhu, Zhiliang; Rollins, Matthew G.; Goward, Samuel N.; Masek, Jeffery G.

2011-01-01

Many forestry and earth science applications require spatially detailed forest height data sets. Among the various remote sensing technologies, lidar offers the most potential for obtaining reliable height measurement. However, existing and planned spaceborne lidar systems do not have the capability to produce spatially contiguous, fine resolution forest height maps over large areas. This paper describes a Landsat–lidar fusion approach for modeling the height of young forests by integrating historical Landsat observations with lidar data acquired by the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) instrument onboard the Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation (ICESat) satellite. In this approach, “young” forests refer to forests reestablished following recent disturbances mapped using Landsat time-series stacks (LTSS) and a vegetation change tracker (VCT) algorithm. The GLAS lidar data is used to retrieve forest height at sample locations represented by the footprints of the lidar data. These samples are used to establish relationships between lidar-based forest height measurements and LTSS–VCT disturbance products. The height of “young” forest is then mapped based on the derived relationships and the LTSS–VCT disturbance products. This approach was developed and tested over the state of Mississippi. Of the various models evaluated, a regression tree model predicting forest height from age since disturbance and three cumulative indices produced by the LTSS–VCT method yielded the lowest cross validation error. The R2 and root mean square difference (RMSD) between predicted and GLAS-based height measurements were 0.91 and 1.97 m, respectively. Predictions of this model had much higher errors than indicated by cross validation analysis when evaluated using field plot data collected through the Forest Inventory and Analysis Program of USDA Forest Service. Much of these errors were due to a lack of separation between stand clearing and non-stand clearing disturbances in current LTSS–VCT products and difficulty in deriving reliable forest height measurements using GLAS samples when terrain relief was present within their footprints. In addition, a systematic underestimation of about 5 m by the developed model was also observed, half of which could be explained by forest growth that occurred between field measurement year and model target year. The remaining difference suggests that tree height measurements derived using waveform lidar data could be significantly underestimated, especially for young pine forests. Options for improving the height modeling approach developed in this study were discussed.

Modeling the Height of Young Forests Regenerating from Recent Disturbances in Mississippi using Landsat and ICESat data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Li, Ainong; Huang, Chengquan; Sun, Guoqing; Shi, Hua; Toney, Chris; Zhu, Zhiliang; Rollins, Matthew G.; Goward, Samuel N.; Masek, Jeffrey G.

2011-01-01

Many forestry and earth science applications require spatially detailed forest height data sets. Among the various remote sensing technologies, lidar offers the most potential for obtaining reliable height measurement. However, existing and planned spaceborne lidar systems do not have the capability to produce spatially contiguous, fine resolution forest height maps over large areas. This paper describes a Landsat-lidar fusion approach for modeling the height of young forests by integrating historical Landsat observations with lidar data acquired by the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) instrument onboard the Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation (ICESat) satellite. In this approach, "young" forests refer to forests reestablished following recent disturbances mapped using Landsat time-series stacks (LTSS) and a vegetation change tracker (VCT) algorithm. The GLAS lidar data is used to retrieve forest height at sample locations represented by the footprints of the lidar data. These samples are used to establish relationships between lidar-based forest height measurements and LTSS-VCT disturbance products. The height of "young" forest is then mapped based on the derived relationships and the LTSS-VCT disturbance products. This approach was developed and tested over the state of Mississippi. Of the various models evaluated, a regression tree model predicting forest height from age since disturbance and three cumulative indices produced by the LTSS-VCT method yielded the lowest cross validation error. The R(exp 2) and root mean square difference (RMSD) between predicted and GLAS-based height measurements were 0.91 and 1.97 m, respectively. Predictions of this model had much higher errors than indicated by cross validation analysis when evaluated using field plot data collected through the Forest Inventory and Analysis Program of USDA Forest Service. Much of these errors were due to a lack of separation between stand clearing and non-stand clearing disturbances in current LTSS-VCT products and difficulty in deriving reliable forest height measurements using GLAS samples when terrain relief was present within their footprints. In addition, a systematic underestimation of about 5 m by the developed model was also observed, half of which could be explained by forest growth that occurred between field measurement year and model target year. The remaining difference suggests that tree height measurements derived using waveform lidar data could be significantly underestimated, especially for young pine forests. Options for improving the height modeling approach developed in this study were discussed.

Multi-Instrument Observations of Prolonged Stratified Wind Layers at Iqaluit, Nunavut

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mariani, Zen; Dehghan, Armin; Gascon, Gabrielle; Joe, Paul; Hudak, David; Strawbridge, Kevin; Corriveau, Julien

2018-02-01

Data collected between October 2015 and May 2016 at Environment and Climate Change Canada's Iqaluit research site (64°N, 69°W) have revealed a high frequency (40% of all days for which observations were available) of stratified wind layer events that occur from near the surface up to about 7.2 km above sea level. These stratified wind layers are clearly visible as wind shifts (90 to 180°) with height in range-height indicator scans from the Doppler lidar and Ka-band radar and in wind direction profiles from the Doppler lidar and radiosonde. During these events, the vertical structure of the flow appears to be a stack of 4 to 10 layers ranging in vertical width from 0.1 to 4.4 km. The stratification events that were observed occurred predominantly (81%) during light precipitation and lasted up to 27.5 h. The integrated measurement platforms at Iqaluit permitted continuous observations of the evolution of stratification events in different meteorological conditions.

Quantification of Confocal Images Using LabVIEW for Tissue Engineering Applications

PubMed Central

Sfakis, Lauren; Kamaldinov, Tim; Larsen, Melinda; Castracane, James

2016-01-01

Quantifying confocal images to enable location of specific proteins of interest in three-dimensional (3D) is important for many tissue engineering (TE) applications. Quantification of protein localization is essential for evaluation of specific scaffold constructs for cell growth and differentiation for application in TE and tissue regeneration strategies. Although obtaining information regarding protein expression levels is important, the location of proteins within cells grown on scaffolds is often the key to evaluating scaffold efficacy. Functional epithelial cell monolayers must be organized with apicobasal polarity with proteins specifically localized to the apical or basolateral regions of cells in many organs. In this work, a customized program was developed using the LabVIEW platform to quantify protein positions in Z-stacks of confocal images of epithelial cell monolayers. The program's functionality is demonstrated through salivary gland TE, since functional salivary epithelial cells must correctly orient many proteins on the apical and basolateral membranes. Bio-LabVIEW Image Matrix Evaluation (Bio-LIME) takes 3D information collected from confocal Z-stack images and processes the fluorescence at each pixel to determine cell heights, nuclei heights, nuclei widths, protein localization, and cell count. As a demonstration of its utility, Bio-LIME was used to quantify the 3D location of the Zonula occludens-1 protein contained within tight junctions and its change in 3D position in response to chemical modification of the scaffold with laminin. Additionally, Bio-LIME was used to demonstrate that there is no advantage of sub-100 nm poly lactic-co-glycolic acid nanofibers over 250 nm fibers for epithelial apicobasal polarization. Bio-LIME will be broadly applicable for quantification of proteins in 3D that are grown in many different contexts. PMID:27758134

Quantification of Confocal Images Using LabVIEW for Tissue Engineering Applications.

PubMed

Sfakis, Lauren; Kamaldinov, Tim; Larsen, Melinda; Castracane, James; Khmaladze, Alexander

2016-11-01

Quantifying confocal images to enable location of specific proteins of interest in three-dimensional (3D) is important for many tissue engineering (TE) applications. Quantification of protein localization is essential for evaluation of specific scaffold constructs for cell growth and differentiation for application in TE and tissue regeneration strategies. Although obtaining information regarding protein expression levels is important, the location of proteins within cells grown on scaffolds is often the key to evaluating scaffold efficacy. Functional epithelial cell monolayers must be organized with apicobasal polarity with proteins specifically localized to the apical or basolateral regions of cells in many organs. In this work, a customized program was developed using the LabVIEW platform to quantify protein positions in Z-stacks of confocal images of epithelial cell monolayers. The program's functionality is demonstrated through salivary gland TE, since functional salivary epithelial cells must correctly orient many proteins on the apical and basolateral membranes. Bio-LabVIEW Image Matrix Evaluation (Bio-LIME) takes 3D information collected from confocal Z-stack images and processes the fluorescence at each pixel to determine cell heights, nuclei heights, nuclei widths, protein localization, and cell count. As a demonstration of its utility, Bio-LIME was used to quantify the 3D location of the Zonula occludens-1 protein contained within tight junctions and its change in 3D position in response to chemical modification of the scaffold with laminin. Additionally, Bio-LIME was used to demonstrate that there is no advantage of sub-100 nm poly lactic-co-glycolic acid nanofibers over 250 nm fibers for epithelial apicobasal polarization. Bio-LIME will be broadly applicable for quantification of proteins in 3D that are grown in many different contexts.

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

Upadhyaya, Mihir; Jindal, Vibhu; Basavalingappa, Adarsh

The availability of defect-free masks is considered to be a critical issue for enabling extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) as the next generation technology. Since completely defect-free masks will be hard to achieve, it is essential to have a good understanding of the printability of the native EUV mask defects. In this work, we performed a systematic study of native mask defects to understand the defect printability caused by them. The multilayer growth over native substrate mask blank defects was correlated to the multilayer growth over regular-shaped defects having similar profiles in terms of their width and height. To model themore » multilayer growth over the defects, a novel level-set multilayer growth model was used that took into account the tool deposition conditions of the Veeco Nexus ion beam deposition tool. The same tool was used for performing the actual deposition of the multilayer stack over the characterized native defects, thus ensuring a fair comparison between the actual multilayer growth over native defects, and modeled multilayer growth over regular-shaped defects. Further, the printability of the characterized native defects was studied with the SEMATECH-Berkeley Actinic Inspection Tool (AIT), an EUV mask-imaging microscope at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). Printability of the modeled regular-shaped defects, which were propagated up the multilayer stack using level-set growth model was studied using defect printability simulations implementing the waveguide algorithm. Good comparison was observed between AIT and the simulation results, thus demonstrating that multilayer growth over a defect is primarily a function of a defect’s width and height, irrespective of its shape. This would allow us to predict printability of the arbitrarily-shaped native EUV mask defects in a systematic and robust manner.« less

Communal biofuel burning for district heating: Emissions and immissions from medium-sized (0.4 and 1.5 MW) facilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fachinger, Friederike; Drewnick, Frank; Gieré, Reto; Borrmann, Stephan

2018-05-01

Particulate and gaseous emissions of two medium-sized district heating facilities (400 kW, fueled with miscanthus, and 1.5 MW, fueled with wood chips) were characterized for different operational conditions, and compared to previously obtained results for household wood and pellet stoves. SO2 and NOx emission factors (reported in mg MJFuel-1) were found to not only depend on fuel sulfur/nitrogen content, but also on combustion appliance type and efficiency. Emission factors of SO2, NOx, and PM (particulate matter) increased with increasing load. Particle chemical composition did not primarily depend on operational conditions, but varied mostly with combustion appliances, fuel types, and flue gas cleaning technologies. Black carbon content was decreasing with increasing combustion efficiency; chloride content was strongly enhanced when burning miscanthus. Flue gas cleaning using an electrostatic precipitator caused strong reduction not only in total PM, but also in the fraction of refractory and semi-refractory material within emitted PM1. For the impact of facilities on their surroundings (immissions) not only their total emissions are decisive, but also their stack heights. In immission measurements downwind of the two facilities, a plume could only be observed for the 400 kW facility with low (11 m) stack height (1.5 MW facility: 30 m), and measured immissions agreed reasonably well with predicted ones. The impact of these immissions is non-negligible: At a distance of 50 m from the facility, apart from CO2, also plume contributions of NOx, ultrafine particles, PM1, PM10, poly-aromatic hydrocarbons, and sulfate were detected, with enhancements above background values of 2-130%.

Efficient barrier for charge injection in polyethylene by silver nanoparticles/plasma polymer stack

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

Milliere, L.; Makasheva, K., E-mail: kremena.makasheva@laplace.univ-tlse.fr; Laurent, C.

2014-09-22

Charge injection from a metal/insulator contact is a process promoting the formation of space charge in polymeric insulation largely used in thick layers in high voltage equipment. The internal charge perturbs the field distribution and can lead to catastrophic failure either through its electrostatic effects or through energetic processes initiated under charge recombination and/or hot electrons effects. Injection is still ill-described in polymeric insulation due to the complexity of the contact between the polymer chains and the electrodes. Barrier heights derived from the metal work function and the polymer electronic affinity do not provide a good description of the measurementsmore » [Taleb et al., IEEE Trans. Dielectr. Electr. Insul. 20, 311–320 (2013)]. Considering the difficulty to describe the contact properties and the need to prevent charge injection in polymers for high voltage applications, we developed an alternative approach by tailoring the interface properties by the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)/plasma polymer stack, deposited on the polymer film. Due to their small size, the AgNPs, covered by a very thin film of plasma polymer, act as deep traps for the injected charges thereby stabilizing the interface from the point of view of charge injection. After a quick description of the method for elaborating the nanostructured layer near the contact, it is demonstrated how the AgNPs/plasma polymer stack effectively prevents, in a spectacular way, the formation of bulk space charge.« less

Ti-Doped GaOx Resistive Switching Memory with Self-Rectifying Behavior by Using NbOx/Pt Bilayers.

PubMed

Park, Ju Hyun; Jeon, Dong Su; Kim, Tae Geun

2017-12-13

Crossbar arrays (CBAs) with resistive random access memory (ReRAM) constitute an established architecture for high-density memory. However, sneak paths via unselected cells increase the total power consumption of these devices and limit the array size. To eliminate such sneak-path problems, we propose a Ti/GaO x /NbO x /Pt structure with a self-rectifying resistive-switching (RS) behavior. In this structure, to reduce the operating voltage, we used a Ti/GaO x stack to increase the number of trap sites in the RS GaO x layer through interfacial reactions between the Ti and GaO x layers. This increase enables easier carrier transport with reduced electric fields. We then adopted a NbO x /Pt stack to add rectifying behavior to the RS GaO x layer. This behavior is a result of the large Schottky barrier height between the NbO x and Pt layers. Finally, both the Ti/GaO x and NbO x /Pt stacks were combined to realize a self-rectifying ReRAM device, which exhibited excellent performance. Characteristics of the device include a low operating voltage range (-2.8 to 2.5 V), high on/off ratios (∼20), high selectivity (∼10 4 ), high operating speeds (200-500 ns), a very low forming voltage (∼3 V), stable operation, and excellent uniformity for high-density CBA-based ReRAM applications.

Structure and dynamics of thylakoids in land plants.

PubMed

Pribil, Mathias; Labs, Mathias; Leister, Dario

2014-05-01

Thylakoids of land plants have a bipartite structure, consisting of cylindrical grana stacks, made of membranous discs piled one on top of the other, and stroma lamellae which are helically wound around the cylinders. Protein complexes predominantly located in the stroma lamellae and grana end membranes are either bulky [photosystem I (PSI) and the chloroplast ATP synthase (cpATPase)] or are involved in cyclic electron flow [the NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (NDH) and PGRL1-PGR5 heterodimers], whereas photosystem II (PSII) and its light-harvesting complex (LHCII) are found in the appressed membranes of the granum. Stacking of grana is thought to be due to adhesion between Lhcb proteins (LHCII or CP26) located in opposed thylakoid membranes. The grana margins contain oligomers of CURT1 proteins, which appear to control the size and number of grana discs in a dosage- and phosphorylation-dependent manner. Depending on light conditions, thylakoid membranes undergo dynamic structural changes that involve alterations in granum diameter and height, vertical unstacking of grana, and swelling of the thylakoid lumen. This plasticity is realized predominantly by reorganization of the supramolecular structure of protein complexes within grana stacks and by changes in multiprotein complex composition between appressed and non-appressed membrane domains. Reversible phosphorylation of LHC proteins (LHCPs) and PSII components appears to initiate most of the underlying regulatory mechanisms. An update on the roles of lipids, proteins, and protein complexes, as well as possible trafficking mechanisms, during thylakoid biogenesis and the de-etiolation process complements this review.

Interface Modification of Bernal- and Rhombohedral-Stacked Trilayer-Graphene/Metal Electrode on Resistive Switching of Silver Electrochemical Metallization Cells.

PubMed

Wang, Jer-Chyi; Chan, Ya-Ting; Chen, Wei-Fan; Wu, Ming-Chung; Lai, Chao-Sung

2017-10-25

Bernal- and rhombohedral-stacked trilayer graphene (B- and r-TLG) on nickel (Ni) and iridium (Ir) films acting as bottom electrodes (BEs) of silver electrochemical metallization cells (Ag-EMCs) have been investigated in this study. Prior to the fabrication of the EMC devices, Raman mapping and atomic force microscopy are applied to identify the B- and r-TLG sheets, with the latter revealing a significant D peak and a rough surface for the Ir film. The Ag-EMCs with the stacked BE of r-TLG on the Ir film show a conductive mechanism of Schottky emission at the positive top electrode bias for both high- and low-resistance states that can be examined by the resistance change with the device area and are modulated by pulse bias operation. Thus, an effective electron barrier height of 0.262 eV at the r-TLG and Ir interface is obtained because of the conspicuous energy gap of r-TLG on the Ir film and the van der Waals (vdW) gap between the r-TLG and Ir contact metal. With the use of Ni instead of Ir contact metal, the Ag-EMCs with TLG BE demonstrate +0.3 V/-0.75 V operation voltages, more than 10 4 s data retention at 115 °C and 250 times endurance testing, making the TLG sheets suitable for low-power nonvolatile memory applications on flexible substrates.

The Development and Application of Spatiotemporal Metrics for the Characterization of Point Source FFCO2 Emissions and Dispersion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roten, D.; Hogue, S.; Spell, P.; Marland, E.; Marland, G.

2017-12-01

There is an increasing role for high resolution, CO2 emissions inventories across multiple arenas. The breadth of the applicability of high-resolution data is apparent from their use in atmospheric CO2 modeling, their potential for validation of space-based atmospheric CO2 remote-sensing, and the development of climate change policy. This work focuses on increasing our understanding of the uncertainty in these inventories and the implications on their downstream use. The industrial point sources of emissions (power generating stations, cement manufacturing plants, paper mills, etc.) used in the creation of these inventories often have robust emissions characteristics, beyond just their geographic location. Physical parameters of the emission sources such as number of exhaust stacks, stack heights, stack diameters, exhaust temperatures, and exhaust velocities, as well as temporal variability and climatic influences can be important in characterizing emissions. Emissions from large point sources can behave much differently than emissions from areal sources such as automobiles. For many applications geographic location is not an adequate characterization of emissions. This work demonstrates the sensitivities of atmospheric models to the physical parameters of large point sources and provides a methodology for quantifying parameter impacts at multiple locations across the United States. The sensitivities highlight the importance of location and timing and help to highlight potential aspects that can guide efforts to reduce uncertainty in emissions inventories and increase the utility of the models.

Automated Rapid Prototyping of 3D Ceramic Parts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McMillin, Scott G.; Griffin, Eugene A.; Griffin, Curtis W.; Coles, Peter W. H.; Engle, James D.

2005-01-01

An automated system of manufacturing equipment produces three-dimensional (3D) ceramic parts specified by computational models of the parts. The system implements an advanced, automated version of a generic rapid-prototyping process in which the fabrication of an object having a possibly complex 3D shape includes stacking of thin sheets, the outlines of which closely approximate the horizontal cross sections of the object at their respective heights. In this process, the thin sheets are made of a ceramic precursor material, and the stack is subsequently heated to transform it into a unitary ceramic object. In addition to the computer used to generate the computational model of the part to be fabricated, the equipment used in this process includes: 1) A commercially available laminated-object-manufacturing machine that was originally designed for building woodlike 3D objects from paper and was modified to accept sheets of ceramic precursor material, and 2) A machine designed specifically to feed single sheets of ceramic precursor material to the laminated-object-manufacturing machine. Like other rapid-prototyping processes that utilize stacking of thin sheets, this process begins with generation of the computational model of the part to be fabricated, followed by computational sectioning of the part into layers of predetermined thickness that collectively define the shape of the part. Information about each layer is transmitted to rapid-prototyping equipment, where the part is built layer by layer. What distinguishes this process from other rapid-prototyping processes that utilize stacking of thin sheets are the details of the machines and the actions that they perform. In this process, flexible sheets of ceramic precursor material (called "green" ceramic sheets) suitable for lamination are produced by tape casting. The binder used in the tape casting is specially formulated to enable lamination of layers with little or no applied heat or pressure. The tape is cut into individual sheets, which are stacked in the sheet-feeding machine until used. The sheet-feeding machine can hold enough sheets for about 8 hours of continuous operation.

Development of first generation aerospace NiMH cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tinker, Lawrence; Dell, Dan; Wu, Tony; Rampel, Guy

1993-01-01

Gates Aerospace Batteries in conjunction with Gates Energy Products (GEP) has been developing NiMH technology for aerospace use since 1990. GEP undertook the development of NiMH technology for commercial cell applications in 1987. This program focused on wound cell technology for replacement of current NiCd technology. As an off shoot of this program small, wound cells were used to evaluate initial design options for aerospace prismatic cell designs. Early in 1991, the first aerospace prismatic cell designs were built in a 6 Ah cell configuration. These cells were used to initially characterize performance in prismatic configurations and begin early life cycle testing. Soon after the 6 Ah cells were on test, several 22 Ah cells were built to test other options. The results of testing of these cells were used to identify potential problem areas for long lived cells and develop solutions to those problems. Following these two cell builds, a set of 7 Ah cells was built to evaluate improvements to the technology. To date results from these tests are very promising. Cycle lives in excess of 2,200 LEO cycles at 50 percent DoD were achieved with cells continuing on test. Results from these cell tests are discussed and data presented to demonstrate feasibility of this technology for aerospace programs.

Electrochemical Stability of Li 10GeP 2S 12 and Li 7La 3Zr 2O 12 Solid Electrolytes

DOE PAGES

Han, Fudong; Zhu, Yizhou; He, Xingfeng; ...

2016-01-21

The electrochemical stability window of solid electrolyte is overestimated by the conventional experimental method using a Li/electrolyte/inert metal semiblocking electrode because of the limited contact area between solid electrolyte and inert metal. Since the battery is cycled in the overestimated stability window, the decomposition of the solid electrolyte at the interfaces occurs but has been ignored as a cause for high interfacial resistances in previous studies, limiting the performance improvement of the bulk-type solid-state battery despite the decades of research efforts. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify the intrinsic stability window of the solid electrolyte. The thermodynamic electrochemicalmore » stability window of solid electrolytes is calculated using first principles computation methods, and an experimental method is developed to measure the intrinsic electrochemical stability window of solid electrolytes using a Li/electrolyte/electrolyte-carbon cell. The most promising solid electrolytes, Li10GeP2S12 and cubic Li-garnet Li7La3Zr2O12, are chosen as the model materials for sulfide and oxide solid electrolytes, respectively. The results provide valuable insights to address the most challenging problems of the interfacial stability and resistance in high-performance solid-state batteries.« less

Water and nitrogen availability co-control ecosystem CO2 exchange in a semiarid temperate steppe.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiaolin; Tan, Yulian; Li, Ang; Ren, Tingting; Chen, Shiping; Wang, Lixin; Huang, Jianhui

2015-10-23

Both water and nitrogen (N) availability have significant effects on ecosystem CO2 exchange (ECE), which includes net ecosystem productivity (NEP), ecosystem respiration (ER) and gross ecosystem photosynthesis (GEP). How water and N availability influence ECE in arid and semiarid grasslands is still uncertain. A manipulative experiment with additions of rainfall, snow and N was conducted to test their effects on ECE in a semiarid temperate steppe of northern China for three consecutive years with contrasting natural precipitation. ECE increased with annual precipitation but approached peak values at different precipitation amount. Water addition, especially summer water addition, had significantly positive effects on ECE in years when the natural precipitation was normal or below normal, but showed trivial effect on GEP when the natural precipitation was above normal as effects on ER and NEP offset one another. Nitrogen addition exerted non-significant or negative effects on ECE when precipitation was low but switched to a positive effect when precipitation was high, indicating N effect triggered by water availability. Our results indicate that both water and N availability control ECE and the effects of future precipitation changes and increasing N deposition will depend on how they can change collaboratively in this semiarid steppe ecosystem.

A comparison of performance of several artificial intelligence methods for predicting the dynamic viscosity of TiO2/SAE 50 nano-lubricant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hemmat Esfe, Mohammad; Tatar, Afshin; Ahangar, Mohammad Reza Hassani; Rostamian, Hossein

2018-02-01

Since the conventional thermal fluids such as water, oil, and ethylene glycol have poor thermal properties, the tiny solid particles are added to these fluids to increase their heat transfer improvement. As viscosity determines the rheological behavior of a fluid, studying the parameters affecting the viscosity is crucial. Since the experimental measurement of viscosity is expensive and time consuming, predicting this parameter is the apt method. In this work, three artificial intelligence methods containing Genetic Algorithm-Radial Basis Function Neural Networks (GA-RBF), Least Square Support Vector Machine (LS-SVM) and Gene Expression Programming (GEP) were applied to predict the viscosity of TiO2/SAE 50 nano-lubricant with Non-Newtonian power-law behavior using experimental data. The correlation factor (R2), Average Absolute Relative Deviation (AARD), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and Margin of Deviation were employed to investigate the accuracy of the proposed models. RMSE values of 0.58, 1.28, and 6.59 and R2 values of 0.99998, 0.99991, and 0.99777 reveal the accuracy of the proposed models for respective GA-RBF, CSA-LSSVM, and GEP methods. Among the developed models, the GA-RBF shows the best accuracy.

A Projection free method for Generalized Eigenvalue Problem with a nonsmooth Regularizer.

PubMed

Hwang, Seong Jae; Collins, Maxwell D; Ravi, Sathya N; Ithapu, Vamsi K; Adluru, Nagesh; Johnson, Sterling C; Singh, Vikas

2015-12-01

Eigenvalue problems are ubiquitous in computer vision, covering a very broad spectrum of applications ranging from estimation problems in multi-view geometry to image segmentation. Few other linear algebra problems have a more mature set of numerical routines available and many computer vision libraries leverage such tools extensively. However, the ability to call the underlying solver only as a "black box" can often become restrictive. Many 'human in the loop' settings in vision frequently exploit supervision from an expert, to the extent that the user can be considered a subroutine in the overall system. In other cases, there is additional domain knowledge, side or even partial information that one may want to incorporate within the formulation. In general, regularizing a (generalized) eigenvalue problem with such side information remains difficult. Motivated by these needs, this paper presents an optimization scheme to solve generalized eigenvalue problems (GEP) involving a (nonsmooth) regularizer. We start from an alternative formulation of GEP where the feasibility set of the model involves the Stiefel manifold. The core of this paper presents an end to end stochastic optimization scheme for the resultant problem. We show how this general algorithm enables improved statistical analysis of brain imaging data where the regularizer is derived from other 'views' of the disease pathology, involving clinical measurements and other image-derived representations.

What have we learned from global change manipulative experiments in China? A meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Fu, Zheng; Niu, Shuli; Dukes, Jeffrey S.

2015-01-01

Although China has the largest population in the world, a faster rate of warming than the global average, and an active global change research program, results from many of the global change experiments in Chinese terrestrial ecosystems have not been included in global syntheses. Here, we specifically analyze the observed responses of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling in global change manipulative experiments in China, and compare these responses to those from other regions of the world. Most global change factors, vegetation types, and treatment methods that have been studied or used elsewhere in the world have also been studied and applied in China. The responses of terrestrial ecosystem C and N cycles to N addition and climate warming in China are similar in both direction and intensity to those reported in global syntheses. In Chinese ecosystems as elsewhere, N addition significantly increased aboveground (AGB) and belowground biomass (BGB), litter mass, dissolved organic C, net ecosystem productivity (NEP), and gross ecosystem productivity (GEP). Warming stimulated AGB, BGB and the root-shoot ratio. Increasing precipitation accelerated GEP, NEP, microbial respiration, soil respiration, and ecosystem respiration. Our findings complement and support previous global syntheses and provide insight into regional responses to global change. PMID:26205333

The effect of different temperature profiles upon the length and crystallinity of vertically-aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes.

PubMed

Yun, Jongju; Lee, Cheesung; Zheng, Qing; Baik, Seunghyun

2012-08-01

We synthesized vertically-aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes with an inner diameter of 1.6-7.5 nm and stack height of 80-28600 microm by chemical vapor deposition. The effects of synthesis conditions such as substrate position in the tube furnace, maximum temperature, temperature increasing rate and synthesis duration on the structure of nanotubes were investigated. It was found that slightly faster temperature increase rate resulted in significantly longer length, larger diameter and more defects of nanotubes. Structural parameters such as inner, outer diameters, wall thickness and defects were investigated using transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy.

New numerical solutions of three-dimensional compressible hydrodynamic convection. [in stars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hossain, Murshed; Mullan, D. J.

1990-01-01

Numerical solutions of three-dimensional compressible hydrodynamics (including sound waves) in a stratified medium with open boundaries are presented. Convergent/divergent points play a controlling role in the flows, which are dominated by a single frequency related to the mean sound crossing time. Superposed on these rapid compressive flows, slower eddy-like flows eventually create convective transport. The solutions contain small structures stacked on top of larger ones, with vertical scales equal to the local pressure scale heights, H sub p. Although convective transport starts later in the evolution, vertical scales of H sub p are apparently selected at much earlier times by nonlinear compressive effects.

AtomicJ: An open source software for analysis of force curves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hermanowicz, Paweł; Sarna, Michał; Burda, Kvetoslava; Gabryś, Halina

2014-06-01

We present an open source Java application for analysis of force curves and images recorded with the Atomic Force Microscope. AtomicJ supports a wide range of contact mechanics models and implements procedures that reduce the influence of deviations from the contact model. It generates maps of mechanical properties, including maps of Young's modulus, adhesion force, and sample height. It can also calculate stacks, which reveal how sample's response to deformation changes with indentation depth. AtomicJ analyzes force curves concurrently on multiple threads, which allows for high speed of analysis. It runs on all popular operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and Macintosh.

Investigations of the Electronic, Vibrational and Structural Properties of Single and Few-Layer Graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lui, Chun Hung

Single and few-layer graphene (SLG and FLG) have stimulated great scientific interest because of their distinctive properties and potential for novel applications. In this dissertation, we investigate the mechanical, electronic and vibrational properties of these remarkable materials by various techniques, including atomic-force microscopy (AFM) and Raman, infrared (IR), and ultrafast optical spectroscopy. With respect to its mechanical properties, SLG is known to be capable of undergoing significant mechanical deformation. We have applied AFM to investigate how the morphology of SLG is influenced by the substrate on which it is deposited. We have found that SLG is strongly affected by the morphology of the underlying supporting surface. In particular, SLG deposited on atomically flat surfaces of mica substrates exhibits an ultraflat morphology, with height variation essentially indistinguishable from that observed for the surface of cleaved graphite. One of the most distinctive aspects of SLG is its spectrum of electronic excitations, with its characteristic linear energy-momentum dispersion relation. We have examined the dynamics of the corresponding Dirac fermions by optical emission spectroscopy. By analyzing the spectra of light emission induced in the spectral visible range by 30-femtosecond laser pulses, we find that the charge carriers in graphene cool by the emission of strongly coupled optical phonons in a few 10's of femtoseconds and thermalize among themselves even more rapidly. The charge carriers and the strongly coupled optical phonons are thus essentially in thermal equilibrium with one another on the picosecond time scale, but can be driven strongly out of equilibrium with the other phonons in the system. Temperatures exceeding 3000 K are achieved for the subsystem of the charge carriers and optical phonons under femtosecond laser excitation. While SLG exhibits remarkable physical properties, its few-layer counterparts are also of great interest. In particular, FLG can exist in various crystallographic stacking sequences, which strongly influence the material's electronic properties. We have developed an accurate and convenient method of characterizing stacking order in FLG using the lineshape of the Raman 2D-mode. Raman imaging allows us to visualize directly the spatial distribution of Bernal (ABA) and rhombohedral (ABC) stacking in trilayer and tetralayer graphene. We find that 15% of exfoliated graphene trilayers and tetralayers are comprised of micrometer-sized domains of rhombohedral stacking, rather than of usual Bernal stacking. The accurate identification of stacking domains in FLG allows us to investigate the influence of stacking order on the material's electronic properties. In particular, we have studied by means of IR spectroscopy the possibility of opening a band gap by the application of a strong perpendicular electric field in trilayer graphene. We observe an electrically tunable band gap exceeding 100 meV in ABC trilayers, while no band gap is found for ABA trilayers. We have also studied the influence of layer thickness and stacking order on the Raman response of the out-of-plane vibrations in FLG. We observe a Raman combination mode that involves the layer-breathing vibrations in FLG. This Raman mode is absent in SLG and exhibits a lineshape that depends sensitively on both the material's layer thickness and stacking sequence.

The computational structural mechanics testbed generic structural-element processor manual

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stanley, Gary M.; Nour-Omid, Shahram

1990-01-01

The usage and development of structural finite element processors based on the CSM Testbed's Generic Element Processor (GEP) template is documented. By convention, such processors have names of the form ESi, where i is an integer. This manual is therefore intended for both Testbed users who wish to invoke ES processors during the course of a structural analysis, and Testbed developers who wish to construct new element processors (or modify existing ones).

Sri Lanka-Canada School Library & Information Services Program Components: A School Library Study Tour (Lower Fraser Valley Mainland, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, September 22-October 3, 2001). Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Gerald R., Ed.

The Government of Sri Lanka entered in an agreement with IDA (International Development Association) (World Bank) to undertake the implementation of a set of reforms recommended by a number of study panels appointed for this purpose. These recommendations were classified under eight components and the General Education Project II (GEP II) was…

Upscaling key ecosystem functions across the conterminous United States by a water‐centric ecosystem model

Treesearch

Ge Sun; Peter Caldwell; Asko Noormets; Steven G. McNulty; Erika Cohen; al. et.

2011-01-01

We developed a water‐centric monthly scale simulation model (WaSSI‐C) by integrating empirical water and carbon flux measurements from the FLUXNET network and an existing water supply and demand accounting model (WaSSI). The WaSSI‐C model was evaluated with basin‐scale evapotranspiration (ET), gross ecosystem productivity (GEP), and net ecosystem exchange (NEE)...

A simplified technique for polymethyl methacrylate cranioplasty: combined cotton stacking and finger fracture method.

PubMed

Kung, Woon-Man; Lin, Muh-Shi

2012-01-01

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is one of the most frequently used cranioplasty materials. However, limitations exist with PMMA cranioplasty including longer operative time, greater blood loss and a higher infection rate. To reduce these disadvantages, it is proposed to introduce a new surgical method for PMMA cranioplasty. Retrospective review of nine patients who received nine PMMA implants using combined cotton stacking and finger fracture method from January 2008 to July 2011. The definitive height of skull defect was quantified by computer-based image analysis of computed tomography (CT) scans. Aesthetic outcomes as measured by post-reduction radiographs and cranial index of symmetry (CIS), cranial nerve V and VII function and complications (wound infection, hardware extrusions, meningitis, osteomyelitis and brain abscess) were evaluated. The mean operation time for implant moulding was 24.56 ± 4.6 minutes and 178.0 ± 53 minutes for skin-to-skin. Average blood loss was 169 mL. All post-operative radiographs revealed excellent reduction. The mean CIS score was 95.86 ± 1.36%, indicating excellent symmetry. These results indicate the safety, practicability, excellent cosmesis, craniofacial symmetry and stability of this new surgical technique.

Rapid and direct determination of glyphosate, glufosinate, and aminophosphonic acid by online preconcentration CE with contactless conductivity detection.

PubMed

See, Hong Heng; Hauser, Peter C; Ibrahim, Wan Aini Wan; Sanagi, Mohd Marsin

2010-01-01

Rapid and direct online preconcentration followed by CE with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (CE-C(4)D) is evaluated as a new approach for the determination of glyphosate, glufosinate (GLUF), and aminophosphonic acid (AMPA) in drinking water. Two online preconcentration techniques, namely large volume sample stacking without polarity switching and field-enhanced sample injection, coupled with CE-C(4)D were successfully developed and optimized. Under optimized conditions, LODs in the range of 0.01-0.1 microM (1.7-11.1 microg/L) and sensitivity enhancements of 48- to 53-fold were achieved with the large volume sample stacking-CE-C(4)D method. By performing the field-enhanced sample injection-CE-C(4)D procedure, excellent LODs down to 0.0005-0.02 microM (0.1-2.2 microg/L) as well as sensitivity enhancements of up to 245- to 1002-fold were obtained. Both techniques showed satisfactory reproducibility with RSDs of peak height of better than 10%. The newly established approaches were successfully applied to the analysis of glyphosate, glufosinate, and aminophosphonic acid in spiked tap drinking water.

Correlative Light-Electron Fractography of Interlaminar Fracture in a Carbon-Epoxy Composite.

PubMed

Hein, Luis Rogerio de O; Campos, Kamila A de

2015-12-01

This work evaluates the use of light microscopes (LMs) as a tool for interlaminar fracture of polymer composite investigation with the aid of correlative fractography. Correlative fractography consists of an association of the extended depth of focus (EDF) method, based on reflected LM, with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate interlaminar fractures. The use of these combined techniques is exemplified here for the mode I fracture of carbon-epoxy plain-weave reinforced composite. The EDF-LM is a digital image-processing method that consists of the extraction of in-focus pixels for each x-y coordinate in an image from a stack of Z-ordered digital pictures from an LM, resulting in a fully focused picture and a height elevation map for each stack. SEM is the most used tool for the identification of fracture mechanisms in a qualitative approach, with the combined advantages of a large focus depth and fine lateral resolution. However, LMs, with EDF software, may bypass the restriction on focus depth and present enough lateral resolution at low magnification. Finally, correlative fractography can provide the general comprehension of fracture processes, with the benefits of the association of different resolution scales and contrast modes.

High-responsivity graphene/InAs nanowire heterojunction near-infrared photodetectors with distinct photocurrent on/off ratios.

PubMed

Miao, Jinshui; Hu, Weida; Guo, Nan; Lu, Zhenyu; Liu, Xingqiang; Liao, Lei; Chen, Pingping; Jiang, Tao; Wu, Shiwei; Ho, Johnny C; Wang, Lin; Chen, Xiaoshuang; Lu, Wei

2015-02-25

Graphene is a promising candidate material for high-speed and ultra-broadband photodetectors. However, graphene-based photodetectors suffer from low photoreponsivity and I(light)/I(dark) ratios due to their negligible-gap nature and small optical absorption. Here, a new type of graphene/InAs nanowire (NW) vertically stacked heterojunction infrared photodetector is reported, with a large photoresponsivity of 0.5 AW(-1) and I(light)/I(dark) ratio of 5 × 10(2), while the photoresponsivity and I(light)/I(dark) ratio of graphene infrared photodetectors are 0.1 mAW(-1) and 1, respectively. The Fermi level (E(F)) of graphene can be widely tuned by the gate voltage owing to its 2D nature. As a result, the back-gated bias can modulate the Schottky barrier (SB) height at the interface between graphene and InAs NWs. Simulations further demonstrate the rectification behavior of graphene/InAs NW heterojunctions and the tunable SB controls charge transport across the vertically stacked heterostructure. The results address key challenges for graphene-based infrared detectors, and are promising for the development of graphene electronic and optoelectronic applications. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Schottky diode model for non-parabolic dispersion in narrow-gap semiconductor and few-layer graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ang, Yee Sin; Ang, L. K.; Zubair, M.

Despite the fact that the energy dispersions are highly non-parabolic in many Schottky interfaces made up of 2D material, experimental results are often interpreted using the conventional Schottky diode equation which, contradictorily, assumes a parabolic energy dispersion. In this work, the Schottky diode equation is derived for narrow-gap semiconductor and few-layer graphene where the energy dispersions are highly non-parabolic. Based on Kane's non-parabolic band model, we obtained a more general Kane-Schottky scaling relation of J (T2 + γkBT3) which connects the contrasting J T2 in the conventional Schottky interface and the J T3 scaling in graphene-based Schottky interface via a non-parabolicity parameter, γ. For N-layer graphene of ABC -stacking and of ABA -stacking, the scaling relation follows J T 2 / N + 1 and J T3 respectively. Intriguingly, the Richardson constant extracted from the experimental data using an incorrect scaling can differ with the actual value by more than two orders of magnitude. Our results highlights the importance of using the correct scaling relation in order to accurately extract important physical properties, such as the Richardson constant and the Schottky barrier's height.

Discovery and validation of gene classifiers for endocrine-disrupting chemicals in zebrafish (danio rerio)

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Development and application of transcriptomics-based gene classifiers for ecotoxicological applications lag far behind those of biomedical sciences. Many such classifiers discovered thus far lack vigorous statistical and experimental validations. A combination of genetic algorithm/support vector machines and genetic algorithm/K nearest neighbors was used in this study to search for classifiers of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in zebrafish. Searches were conducted on both tissue-specific and tissue-combined datasets, either across the entire transcriptome or within individual transcription factor (TF) networks previously linked to EDC effects. Candidate classifiers were evaluated by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) on both the original training data and a dedicated validation dataset. Results Multi-tissue dataset yielded no classifiers. Among the 19 chemical-tissue conditions evaluated, the transcriptome-wide searches yielded classifiers for six of them, each having approximately 20 to 30 gene features unique to a condition. Searches within individual TF networks produced classifiers for 15 chemical-tissue conditions, each containing 100 or fewer top-ranked gene features pooled from those of multiple TF networks and also unique to each condition. For the training dataset, 10 out of 11 classifiers successfully identified the gene expression profiles (GEPs) of their targeted chemical-tissue conditions by GSEA. For the validation dataset, classifiers for prochloraz-ovary and flutamide-ovary also correctly identified the GEPs of corresponding conditions while no classifier could predict the GEP from prochloraz-brain. Conclusions The discrepancies in the performance of these classifiers were attributed in part to varying data complexity among the conditions, as measured to some degree by Fisher’s discriminant ratio statistic. This variation in data complexity could likely be compensated by adjusting sample size for individual chemical-tissue conditions, thus suggesting a need for a preliminary survey of transcriptomic responses before launching a full scale classifier discovery effort. Classifier discovery based on individual TF networks could yield more mechanistically-oriented biomarkers. GSEA proved to be a flexible and effective tool for application of gene classifiers but a similar and more refined algorithm, connectivity mapping, should also be explored. The distribution characteristics of classifiers across tissues, chemicals, and TF networks suggested a differential biological impact among the EDCs on zebrafish transcriptome involving some basic cellular functions. PMID:22849515

Nanoscale pillar arrays for separations

DOE PAGES

Kirchner, Teresa; Strickhouser, Rachel; Hatab, Nahla; ...

2015-04-01

The work presented herein evaluates silicon nano-pillar arrays for use in planar chromatography. Electron beam lithography and metal thermal dewetting protocols were used to create nano-thin layer chromatography platforms. With these fabrication methods we are able to reduce the size of the characteristic features in a separation medium below that used in ultra-thin layer chromatography; i.e. pillar heights are 1-2μm and pillar diameters are typically in the 200- 400nm range. In addition to the intrinsic nanoscale aspects of the systems, it is shown they can be further functionalized with nanoporous layers and traditional stationary phases for chromatography; hence exhibit broad-rangingmore » lab-on-a-chip and point-of-care potential. Because of an inherent high permeability and very small effective mass transfer distance between pillars, chromatographic efficiency can be very high but is enhanced herein by stacking during development and focusing while drying, yielding plate heights in the nm range separated band volumes. Practical separations of fluorescent dyes, fluorescently derivatized amines, and anti-tumor drugs are illustrated.« less

Structural and electrical characterization of epitaxial Ge thin films on Si(001) formed by sputtering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Otsuka, Shintaro; Mori, Takahiro; Morita, Yukinori; Uchida, Noriyuki; Liu, Yongxun; O'uchi, Shin-ichi; Fuketa, Hiroshi; Migita, Shinji; Masahara, Meishoku; Matsukawa, Takashi

2017-04-01

We structurally and electrically characterize sub-10-nm-thick heteroepitaxial Ge films on Si(001), formed by heated sputtering and subsequent rapid thermal annealing (RTA). After RTA treatment at 720 °C, we find the heteroepitaxial Ge films to have smooth surfaces with a roughness root mean square value of 0.54 nm. Raman measurement reveals that the 720 °C RTA improves the crystallinity of Ge films while maintaining abrupt Ge/Si interfaces. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy confirms that the 720 °C RTA step effectively reduces stacking faults and dislocations in the Ge films. The Richardson plot of the TaN/Ge/n-Si diode indicates a Schottky barrier height (SBH) of 0.33 V, which is close to the height of 0.37 V measured from the capacitance-voltage measurement. These values are reasonable compared with the reported SBH of the TaN/bulk Ge Schottky barrier diode, indicating that the method involving heated sputtering and subsequent RTA provides adequate thin Ge films for Ge/Si heterostructures.

Investigation of large format microchannel plate Z configurations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Siegmund, O. H. W.; Coburn, K.; Malina, R. F.

1985-01-01

The performance of triplet (Z) stacks of microchannel plates (MCPs) has been studied as a part of the instrument development for the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) satellite mission. Relatively large MCPs with a 60-mm diameter and having a large 80:1 channel length to diameter (L:D) ratio were used in several configurations. The MCPs were used in the EUVE prototype imaging detector to provide more than 512 x 512 pixels with low image distortion (less than 1 percent). The gain and pulse height characteristics of the MCPs were examined, showing that both high gains (more than 2 x 10 to the 7th) and tight output pulse height distributions (less than 30 percent FWHM) may be achieved. Simple distribution techniques have also allowed low intrinsic background event rates (less than 0.15 events per sq cm/s) to be obtained. Variation of the quantum efficiency of the MCPs over the wavelength range 160-1216 A has been investigated for a range of angles of incidence. The effect of temperature variations on MCP operating characteristics has also been evaluated.

Virtual egocenters as a function of display geometric field of view and eye station point

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Psotka, Joseph

1993-01-01

The accurate location of one's virtual egocenter in a geometric space is of critical importance for immersion technologies. This experiment was conducted to investigate the role of field of view (FOV) and observer station points in the perception of the location of one's egocenter (the personal viewpoint) in virtual space. Rivalrous cues to the accurate location of one's egocenter may be one factor involved in simulator sickness. Fourteen subjects viewed an animated 3D model, of the room in which they sat, binocularly, from Eye Station Points (ESP) of either 300 or 800 millimeters. The display was on a 190 by 245 mm monitor, at a resolution of 320 by 200 pixels with 256 colors. They saw four models of the room designed with four geometric field of view (FOVg) conditions of 18, 48, 86, and 140 degrees. They drew the apparent paths of the camera in the room on a bitmap of the room as seen from infinity above. Large differences in the paths of the camera were seen as a function of both FOVg and ESP. Ten of the subjects were then asked to find the position for each display that minimized camera motion. The results fit well with predictions from an equation that took the ratio of human FOV (roughly 180 degrees) to FOVg times the Geometric Eye Point (GEP) of the imager: Zero Station Point = (180/FOVg)*GEP

Investigation on the interface between Li10GeP2S12 electrolyte and carbon conductive agents in all-solid-state lithium battery.

PubMed

Yoon, Kyungho; Kim, Jung-Joon; Seong, Won Mo; Lee, Myeong Hwan; Kang, Kisuk

2018-05-23

All-solid-state batteries are considered as one of the attractive alternatives to conventional lithium-ion batteries, due to their intrinsic safe properties benefiting from the use of non-flammable solid electrolytes in ASSBs. However, one of the issues in employing the solid-state electrolyte is the sluggish ion transport kinetics arising from the chemical and physical instability of the interfaces among solid components including electrode material, electrolyte and additive agents. In this work, we investigate the stability of the interface between carbon conductive agents and Li 10 GeP 2 S 12 in a composite cathode and its effect on the electrochemical performance of ASSBs. It is found that the inclusion of various carbon conductive agents in composite cathode leads to inferior kinetic performance of the cathode despite expectedly enhanced electrical conductivity of the composite. We observe that the poor kinetic performance is attributed to a large interfacial impedance which is gradually developed upon the inclusions of the various carbon conductive agents regardless of their physical differences. The analysis through X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy suggests that the carbon additives in the composite cathode stimulate the electrochemical decomposition of LGPS electrolyte degrading its surface during cycling, indicating the large interfacial resistance stems from the undesirable decomposition of the electrolyte at the interface.

Spectrum of Gastroenteropancreatic NENs in Routine Histological Examinations of Bioptic and Surgical Specimen: A Study of 161 Cases Collected from 17 Departments of Pathology in the Czech Republic

PubMed Central

Mandys, Václav

2014-01-01

Objective. To characterize GEP-NENs in routine biopsies and surgical specimen in the Czech Republic and to evaluate how WHO Classification (2010) is acceptable in diagnostic practice. Methods. Paraffin-embedded blocks and bioptic reports were collected from 17 departments of pathology. Histologic slides were stained with H&E and immunohistologically for CgA, synaptophysin, and Ki-67. Results. Out of 28 gastric NENs, there were 22 NETs, G1, 5 NETs, G2, and 1 NEC. Ten duodenal NENs were NETs, G1. Among 27 NENs of jejunum and ileum, 23 were NETs, G1, 2 NETs, G2, and 1 NEC and 1 mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC). Among 42 appendiceal “incidentalomas”, 39 were NETs G1, 2 goblet cell carcinoids, and 1 MANEC. Out of 34 large intestinal NENs, 30 were NETs, G1, 3 NETs, G2, and 1 NEC. One small intestinal and 6 large bowel neoplasms were reclassified as poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas. In 12 pancreatic NENs, there were 7 NETs, G1, 3 NETs, G2, and 2 NECs. Conclusions. Our study demonstrates differences in GEP-NENs frequency in sites of origin in our region, comparing to other countries. Regarding routine bioptic diagnostics, we gave evidence that the WHO 2010 classification of NENs is fully acceptable for exact categorisation of tumours. PMID:24695372

Solid state ionics: a Japan perspective

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamamoto, Osamu

2017-12-01

The 70-year history of scientific endeavor of solid state ionics research in Japan is reviewed to show the contribution of Japanese scientists to the basic science of solid state ionics and its applications. The term 'solid state ionics' was defined by Takehiko Takahashi of Nagoya University, Japan: it refers to ions in solids, especially solids that exhibit high ionic conductivity at a fairly low temperature below their melting points. During the last few decades of exploration, many ion conducting solids have been discovered in Japan such as the copper-ion conductor Rb4Cu16I7Cl13, proton conductor SrCe1-xYxO3, oxide-ion conductor La0.9Sr0.9Ga0.9Mg0.1O3, and lithium-ion conductor Li10GeP2S12. Rb4Cu16I7Cl13 has a conductivity of 0.33 S cm-1 at 25 °C, which is the highest of all room temperature ion conductive solid electrolytes reported to date, and Li10GeP2S12 has a conductivity of 0.012 S cm-1 at 25 °C, which is the highest among lithium-ion conductors reported to date. Research on high-temperature proton conducting ceramics began in Japan. The history, the discovery of novel ionic conductors and the story behind them are summarized along with basic science and technology.

The Coupling of Ecosystem Productivity and Water Availability in Dryland Regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scott, R. L.; Biederman, J. A.; Barron-Gafford, G.

2014-12-01

Land cover and climatic change will alter biosphere-atmosphere exchanges of water vapor and carbon dioxide depending, in part, on feedbacks between biotic activity and water availability. Eddy covariance observations allow us to estimate ecosystem-scale productivity and respiration, and these datasets are now becoming sufficiently mature to advance understanding of these ecohydrological interactions. Here we use a network of sites in semiarid western North America representing gradients of water availability and functional plant type. We examine how precipitation (P) controls evapotranspiration (ET), net ecosystem production (NEP), and its component fluxes of ecosystem respiration (Reco) and gross ecosystem production (GEP). Despite the high variability in seasonal and annual precipitation timing and amounts that we expect to influence ecosystem function, we find persistent overall relationships between P or ET and the fluxes of NEP, Reco and GEP across the network, indicating a commonality and resilience in ecosystem soil and plant response to water availability. But we also observe several important site differences such as prior seasonal legacy effects on subsequent fluxes which vary depending on dominant plant functional type. For example, multiyear droughts, episodic cool-season droughts, and hard winter freezes seem to affect the herbaceous species differently than the woody ones. Nevertheless, the overall, strong coupling between hydrologic and ecologic processes at these sites bolsters our ability to predict the response of dryland ecosystems to future precipitation change.

Comparison of artificial intelligence methods and empirical equations to estimate daily solar radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mehdizadeh, Saeid; Behmanesh, Javad; Khalili, Keivan

2016-08-01

In the present research, three artificial intelligence methods including Gene Expression Programming (GEP), Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) as well as, 48 empirical equations (10, 12 and 26 equations were temperature-based, sunshine-based and meteorological parameters-based, respectively) were used to estimate daily solar radiation in Kerman, Iran in the period of 1992-2009. To develop the GEP, ANN and ANFIS models, depending on the used empirical equations, various combinations of minimum air temperature, maximum air temperature, mean air temperature, extraterrestrial radiation, actual sunshine duration, maximum possible sunshine duration, sunshine duration ratio, relative humidity and precipitation were considered as inputs in the mentioned intelligent methods. To compare the accuracy of empirical equations and intelligent models, root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute relative error (MARE) and determination coefficient (R2) indices were used. The results showed that in general, sunshine-based and meteorological parameters-based scenarios in ANN and ANFIS models presented high accuracy than mentioned empirical equations. Moreover, the most accurate method in the studied region was ANN11 scenario with five inputs. The values of RMSE, MAE, MARE and R2 indices for the mentioned model were 1.850 MJ m-2 day-1, 1.184 MJ m-2 day-1, 9.58% and 0.935, respectively.

Prediction of Scour below Flip Bucket using Soft Computing Techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Azamathulla, H. Md.; Ab Ghani, Aminuddin; Azazi Zakaria, Nor

2010-05-01

The accurate prediction of the depth of scour around hydraulic structure (trajectory spillways) has been based on the experimental studies and the equations developed are mainly empirical in nature. This paper evaluates the performance of the soft computing (intelligence) techiques, Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy System (ANFIS) and Genetic expression Programming (GEP) approach, in prediction of scour below a flip bucket spillway. The results are very promising, which support the use of these intelligent techniques in prediction of highly non-linear scour parameters.

A precision oncology approach to the pharmacological targeting of mechanistic dependencies in neuroendocrine tumors. | Office of Cancer Genomics

Cancer.gov

We introduce and validate a new precision oncology framework for the systematic prioritization of drugs targeting mechanistic tumor dependencies in individual patients. Compounds are prioritized on the basis of their ability to invert the concerted activity of master regulator proteins that mechanistically regulate tumor cell state, as assessed from systematic drug perturbation assays. We validated the approach on a cohort of 212 gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs), a rare malignancy originating in the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract.

GEP 6.5LT Engine Cetane Window Evaluation for ATJ/JP-8 Fuel Blends

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-01

matching pre- calibrated amplifier • BEI Shaft Encoder (0.2 CAD) • Wolff Instrumented Injector for needle lift The high speed data was recorded and post...14. ABSTRACT The European Stationary Cycle 13 Mode test and a power curve was performed on a 6.5L turbocharged V-8 diesel engine for three ATJ...15. SUBJECT TERMS ATJ, Alcohol to Jet, Cetane Number, Synthetic Fuel, JP-8, diesel engine, combustion 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17

Microchip electrophoresis of oligosaccharides using large-volume sample stacking with an electroosmotic flow pump in a single channel.

PubMed

Kawai, Takayuki; Sueyoshi, Kenji; Kitagawa, Fumihiko; Otsuka, Koji

2010-08-01

The applicability of an online preconcentration technique, large-volume sample stacking with an electroosmotic flow pump (LVSEP), to microchip zone electrophoresis (MCZE) for the analysis of oligosaccharides was investigated. Since the sample stacking and separation proceeded continuously without polarity switching in LVSEP, a single "straight" channel microchip could be employed. In the MCZE analysis of oligosaccharides, sample adsorption onto the channel surface should be suppressed, so the straight microchannel was modified with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). So far, the mechanism of LVSEP in the polymer-coated capillary or microchannel has not been reported, and thus, the LVSEP process in the PVA-coated channel was investigated by fluorescence imaging. Although it is well-known that the PVA coating can suppress the electroosmotic flow (EOF), an enhanced EOF with a mobility of 4.4 x 10(-4) cm(2)/(V x s) was observed in a low ionic strength sample solution. It was revealed that such temporarily enhanced EOF in the sample zone worked as the driving force to remove the sample matrix in LVSEP. To evaluate the analytical performance of LVSEP-MCZE, oligosaccharides were analyzed in the PVA-coated straight channel. As a result, both the glucose ladder and oligosaccharides obtained from bovine ribonuclease B were well enriched and separated with up to 2200-2900-fold sensitivity enhancement compared to those in a conventional MCZE analysis. The run-to-run repeatabilities of the migration time and peak height were good with relative standard deviations of 1.1% and 7.2%, respectively, which were better than those of normal MCZE. By applying the LVSEP technique to MCZE, a complicated voltage program for fluidic control could be simplified from four channels for two steps to two channels for one step.

Method for selecting minimum width of leaf in multileaf adjustable collimator while inhibiting passage of particle beams of radiation through sawtooth joints between collimator leaves

DOEpatents

Ludewigt, Bernhard; Bercovitz, John; Nyman, Mark; Chu, William

1995-01-01

A method is disclosed for selecting the minimum width of individual leaves of a multileaf adjustable collimator having sawtooth top and bottom surfaces between adjacent leaves of a first stack of leaves and sawtooth end edges which are capable of intermeshing with the corresponding sawtooth end edges of leaves in a second stack of leaves of the collimator. The minimum width of individual leaves in the collimator, each having a sawtooth configuration in the surface facing another leaf in the same stack and a sawtooth end edge, is selected to comprise the sum of the penetration depth or range of the particular type of radiation comprising the beam in the particular material used for forming the leaf; plus the total path length across all the air gaps in the area of the joint at the edges between two leaves defined between lines drawn across the peaks of adjacent sawtooth edges; plus at least one half of the length or period of a single sawtooth. To accomplish this, in accordance with the method of the invention, the penetration depth of the particular type of radiation in the particular material to be used for the collimator leaf is first measured. Then the distance or gap between adjoining or abutting leaves is selected, and the ratio of this distance to the height of the sawteeth is selected. Finally the number of air gaps through which the radiation will pass between sawteeth is determined by selecting the number of sawteeth to be formed in the joint. The measurement and/or selection of these parameters will permit one to determine the minimum width of the leaf which is required to prevent passage of the beam through the sawtooth joint.

Subcritical water extraction of alkaloids in Sophora flavescens Ait. and determination by capillary electrophoresis with field-amplified sample stacking.

PubMed

Wang, Haiyan; Lu, Yuchao; Chen, Jie; Li, Junchao; Liu, Shuhui

2012-01-25

The extraction and determination of cytisine, sophocarpine, matrine, sophoridine and oxymatrine in Sophora flavescens Ait. were performed using subcritical water extraction and capillary electrophoresis with field-amplified sample stacking. The effects of extraction temperature, pressure, time and cycle number on the extraction yields were investigated systematically for accelerated solvent extraction with ethanol (ASE) and accelerated solvent extraction with water (subcritical water extraction, SWE). The extraction yields obtained using SWE, ASE, water ultrasonic extraction and chloroform soaking extraction methods were compared. The electrophoresis separation buffer was monosodium phosphate (pH 3.0; 110 mM)-isopropanol (85:15, v/v). The effect of phosphoric acid added to the sample matrix on the reproducibility of the peak heights of the analytes was also examined. Cytisine, sophoridine and oxymatrine showed good linearity (R(2)>0.999) within 0.125-4.0 μg/mL, and sophocarpine and matrine exhibited good linearity (R(2)>0.998) within 0.0625-2.0 μg/mL, with the detection limits in the range of 0.004-0.0013 μg/mL. The five alkaloid contents in medicinal plants from different sources and Sophora instant granule were determined and compared. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Novel Hybrid Model for Drawing Trace Reconstruction from Multichannel Surface Electromyographic Activity.

PubMed

Chen, Yumiao; Yang, Zhongliang

2017-01-01

Recently, several researchers have considered the problem of reconstruction of handwriting and other meaningful arm and hand movements from surface electromyography (sEMG). Although much progress has been made, several practical limitations may still affect the clinical applicability of sEMG-based techniques. In this paper, a novel three-step hybrid model of coordinate state transition, sEMG feature extraction and gene expression programming (GEP) prediction is proposed for reconstructing drawing traces of 12 basic one-stroke shapes from multichannel surface electromyography. Using a specially designed coordinate data acquisition system, we recorded the coordinate data of drawing traces collected in accordance with the time series while 7-channel EMG signals were recorded. As a widely-used time domain feature, Root Mean Square (RMS) was extracted with the analysis window. The preliminary reconstruction models can be established by GEP. Then, the original drawing traces can be approximated by a constructed prediction model. Applying the three-step hybrid model, we were able to convert seven channels of EMG activity recorded from the arm muscles into smooth reconstructions of drawing traces. The hybrid model can yield a mean accuracy of 74% in within-group design (one set of prediction models for all shapes) and 86% in between-group design (one separate set of prediction models for each shape), averaged for the reconstructed x and y coordinates. It can be concluded that it is feasible for the proposed three-step hybrid model to improve the reconstruction ability of drawing traces from sEMG.

Effects of rodent-induced land degradation on ecosytem carbon fluxes in alpine meadow in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, F.; Quangang, Y.; Xue, X.; Guo, J.; Wang, T.

2014-10-01

Land degradation induced by rodent activities is extensively occurred in alpine meadow ecosystem in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau that would affect the ecosystem carbon (C) balance. We conducted a field experiment with six levels of land degradation (D1-D6, degradation aggravates from D1 to D6) to investigate the effects of land degradation on ecosystem C fluxes. Soil respiration (Rs), net ecosystem exchange (NEE), ecosystem respiration (ER) and gross ecosystem production (GEP) were measured from June to September 2012. Soil respiration, ER, GEP and above-ground biomass (AGB) was significantly higher in slightly degraded (D3 and D6) than in severely degraded land (D1, D2, D4 and D5). Positive averages of NEE in the growing season indicate that alpine meadow ecosystem is a weak C sink during the growing season. Net ecosystem exchange had no significant difference among different degraded levels, but the average NEE in slightly degraded group was 33.6% higher than in severely degraded group. Soil respiration, ER and NEE were positively correlated with AGB whereas soil organic C, labile soil C, total nitrogen (N) and inorganic nitrogen were associated with root biomass (RB). Our results highlight the decline of vegetation C storage of alpine meadow ecosystem with increasing number of rodent holes and suggest the control of AGB on ecosystem C fluxes, and the control of RB on soil C and N with development of land degradation.

A patient with a metastatic gastroenteropancreatic endocrine carcinoma causing hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia and the carcinoid syndrome.

PubMed

Hinchliffe, E; Allcock, R L; Mansoor, W; Myers, M A

2011-11-01

We present the case of a 57-year-old patient who initially presented with a constellation of symptoms including intense pruritis, flushing and diarrhoea. Following several months clinical deterioration, the patient was investigated radiologically, where multiple hepatic tumours were identified. Liver biopsy confirmed the presence of a well-differentiated metastatic gastroenteropancreatic endocrine carcinoma with biochemical evidence of serotonin secretion. Over a period of six months, the clinical course of the patient's disease progressed whereby severe hypoglycaemia became the major manifestation. Subsequent biochemical investigations confirmed the diagnosis of an insulinoma. Extensive radiological investigation revealed a solitary primary pancreatic tumour, indicating the presence of a metastatic pancreatic endocrine tumour (PET) secreting both insulin and serotonin. The patient was treated with a chemotherapy regimen consisting of 12 cycles of 5-fluorouracil/oxaliplatin, responding clinically - improved World Health Organization performance score from 3 to 1, biochemically - significantly reduced plasma chromogranin A and cancer antigen 19-9 concentrations and improved liver function tests, and radiologically - reduced pancreatic and hepatic tumour size. This is the first report of a primary PET secreting insulin and serotonin. Due to the association of serotonin-secreting gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumours (GEP-ETs) with multiple endocrine neoplasia type-1 (MEN1) and biochemical evidence of an insulinoma, MEN1 should also be considered in such cases. The case provides further evidence for the biological heterogeneity of GEP-ETs and the myriad secretory humoral products and resultant clinical syndromes arising from such tumours.

The effects of grazing and watering on ecosystem CO2 fluxes vary by community phenology.

PubMed

Han, Juanjuan; Li, Linghao; Chu, Housen; Miao, Yuan; Chen, Shiping; Chen, Jiquan

2016-01-01

Grazing profoundly influences vegetation and the subsequent carbon fluxes in various ecosystems. However, little effort has been made to explore the underlying mechanisms for phenological changes and their consequences on carbon fluxes at ecosystem level, especially under the coupled influences of human disturbances and climate change. Here, a manipulative experiment (2012-2013) was conducted to examine both the independent and interactive effects of grazing and watering on carbon fluxes across phenological phases in a desert steppe. Grazing advanced or delayed phenological timing, leading to a shortened green-up phase (GrP: 23.60 days) in 2013 and browning phase (BrP: 12.48 days) in 2012 from high grazing, and insignificant effects on the reproductive phase (ReP) in either year. High grazing significantly enhance carbon uptake, while light grazing reduce carbon uptake in ReP. Watering only delayed the browning time by 5.01 days in 2013, producing no significant effects on any phenophase. Watering promoted the net ecosystem exchange (NEE), ecosystem respiration (ER), and gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) only in the GrP. When calculating the yearly differences in phenophases and the corresponding carbon fluxes, we found that an extended GrP greatly enhanced NEE, but a prolonged ReP distinctly reduced it. The extended GrP also significantly promote GEP. Increases in growing season length appeared promoting ER, regardless of any phenophase. Additionally, the shifts in NEE appeared dependent of the variations in leaf area index (LAI). Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Solid state ionics: a Japan perspective

PubMed Central

Yamamoto, Osamu

2017-01-01

Abstract The 70-year history of scientific endeavor of solid state ionics research in Japan is reviewed to show the contribution of Japanese scientists to the basic science of solid state ionics and its applications. The term ‘solid state ionics’ was defined by Takehiko Takahashi of Nagoya University, Japan: it refers to ions in solids, especially solids that exhibit high ionic conductivity at a fairly low temperature below their melting points. During the last few decades of exploration, many ion conducting solids have been discovered in Japan such as the copper-ion conductor Rb4Cu16I7Cl13, proton conductor SrCe1–xYxO3, oxide-ion conductor La0.9Sr0.9Ga0.9Mg0.1O3, and lithium-ion conductor Li10GeP2S12. Rb4Cu16I7Cl13 has a conductivity of 0.33 S cm–1 at 25 °C, which is the highest of all room temperature ion conductive solid electrolytes reported to date, and Li10GeP2S12 has a conductivity of 0.012 S cm–1 at 25 °C, which is the highest among lithium-ion conductors reported to date. Research on high-temperature proton conducting ceramics began in Japan. The history, the discovery of novel ionic conductors and the story behind them are summarized along with basic science and technology. PMID:28804526

Water- and Plant-Mediated Responses of Ecosystem Carbon Fluxes to Warming and Nitrogen Addition on the Songnen Grassland in Northeast China

PubMed Central

Jiang, Li; Guo, Rui; Zhu, Tingcheng; Niu, Xuedun; Guo, Jixun; Sun, Wei

2012-01-01

Background Understanding how grasslands are affected by a long-term increase in temperature is crucial to predict the future impact of global climate change on terrestrial ecosystems. Additionally, it is not clear how the effects of global warming on grassland productivity are going to be altered by increased N deposition and N addition. Methodology/Principal Findings In-situ canopy CO2 exchange rates were measured in a meadow steppe subjected to 4-year warming and nitrogen addition treatments. Warming treatment reduced net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) and increased ecosystem respiration (ER); but had no significant impacts on gross ecosystem productivity (GEP). N addition increased NEE, ER and GEP. However, there were no significant interactions between N addition and warming. The variation of NEE during the four experimental years was correlated with soil water content, particularly during early spring, suggesting that water availability is a primary driver of carbon fluxes in the studied semi-arid grassland. Conclusion/Significance Ecosystem carbon fluxes in grassland ecosystems are sensitive to warming and N addition. In the studied water-limited grassland, both warming and N addition influence ecosystem carbon fluxes by affecting water availability, which is the primary driver in many arid and semiarid ecosystems. It remains unknown to what extent the long-term N addition would affect the turn-over of soil organic matter and the C sink size of this grassland. PMID:23028848

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

Lin, Chien-Chih; Hsu, Pei-Lun; Lin, Li

A particular edge-dependent inversion current behavior of metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) tunneling diodes was investigated utilizing square and comb-shaped electrodes. The inversion tunneling current exhibits the strong dependence on the tooth size of comb-shaped electrodes and oxide thickness. Detailed illustrations of current conduction mechanism are developed by simulation and experimental measurement results. It is found that the electron diffusion current and Schottky barrier height lowering for hole tunneling current both contribute on inversion current conduction. In MOS tunneling photodiode applications, the photoresponse can be improved by decreasing SiO{sub 2} thickness and using comb-shaped electrodes with smaller tooth spacing. Meantime, the high andmore » steady photosensitivity can also be approached by introducing HfO{sub 2} into dielectric stacks.« less

OVoG Inversion for the Retrieval of Agricultural Crop Structure by Means of Multi-Baseline Polarimetric SAR Interferometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pichierri, Manuele; Hajnsek, Irena

2015-04-01

In this work, the potential of multi-baseline Pol-InSAR for crop parameter estimation (e.g. crop height and extinction coefficients) is explored. For this reason, a novel Oriented Volume over Ground (OVoG) inversion scheme is developed, which makes use of multi-baseline observables to estimate the whole stack of model parameters. The proposed algorithm has been initially validated on a set of randomly-generated OVoG scenarios, to assess its stability over crop structure changes and its robustness against volume decorrelation and other decorrelation sources. Then, it has been applied to a collection of multi-baseline repeat-pass SAR data, acquired over a rural area in Germany by DLR's F-SAR.

Small Scale High Speed Turbomachinery

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

London, Adam P. (Inventor); Droppers, Lloyd J. (Inventor); Lehman, Matthew K. (Inventor); Mehra, Amitav (Inventor)

2015-01-01

A small scale, high speed turbomachine is described, as well as a process for manufacturing the turbomachine. The turbomachine is manufactured by diffusion bonding stacked sheets of metal foil, each of which has been pre-formed to correspond to a cross section of the turbomachine structure. The turbomachines include rotating elements as well as static structures. Using this process, turbomachines may be manufactured with rotating elements that have outer diameters of less than four inches in size, and/or blading heights of less than 0.1 inches. The rotating elements of the turbomachines are capable of rotating at speeds in excess of 150 feet per second. In addition, cooling features may be added internally to blading to facilitate cooling in high temperature operations.

Root restriction: A tool for improving volume utilization efficiency in bioregenerative life-support systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graham, Thomas; Wheeler, Raymond

2016-06-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate root restriction as a tool to increase volume utilization efficiency in spaceflight crop production systems. Bell pepper plants (Capsicum annuum cv. California Wonder) were grown under restricted rooting volume conditions in controlled environment chambers. The rooting volume was restricted to 500 ml and 60 ml in a preliminary trial, and 1500 ml (large), 500 ml (medium), and 250 ml (small) for a full fruiting trial. To reduce the possible confounding effects of water and nutrient restrictions, care was taken to ensure an even and consistent soil moisture throughout the study, with plants being watered/fertilized several times daily with a low concentration soluble fertilizer solution. Root restriction resulted in a general reduction in biomass production, height, leaf area, and transpiration rate; however, the fruit production was not significantly reduced in the root restricted plants under the employed environmental and horticultural conditions. There was a 21% reduction in total height and a 23% reduction in overall crown diameter between the large and small pot size in the fruiting study. Data from the fruiting trial were used to estimate potential volume utilization efficiency improvements for edible biomass in a fixed production volume. For fixed lighting and rooting hardware situations, the majority of improvement from root restriction was in the reduction of canopy area per plant, while height reductions could also improve volume utilization efficiency in high stacked or vertical agricultural systems.

Root restriction: A tool for improving volume utilization efficiency in bioregenerative life-support systems.

PubMed

Graham, Thomas; Wheeler, Raymond

2016-06-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate root restriction as a tool to increase volume utilization efficiency in spaceflight crop production systems. Bell pepper plants (Capsicum annuum cv. California Wonder) were grown under restricted rooting volume conditions in controlled environment chambers. The rooting volume was restricted to 500ml and 60ml in a preliminary trial, and 1500ml (large), 500ml (medium), and 250ml (small) for a full fruiting trial. To reduce the possible confounding effects of water and nutrient restrictions, care was taken to ensure an even and consistent soil moisture throughout the study, with plants being watered/fertilized several times daily with a low concentration soluble fertilizer solution. Root restriction resulted in a general reduction in biomass production, height, leaf area, and transpiration rate; however, the fruit production was not significantly reduced in the root restricted plants under the employed environmental and horticultural conditions. There was a 21% reduction in total height and a 23% reduction in overall crown diameter between the large and small pot size in the fruiting study. Data from the fruiting trial were used to estimate potential volume utilization efficiency improvements for edible biomass in a fixed production volume. For fixed lighting and rooting hardware situations, the majority of improvement from root restriction was in the reduction of canopy area per plant, while height reductions could also improve volume utilization efficiency in high stacked or vertical agricultural systems. Copyright © 2016 The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR). All rights reserved.

Impact of Water Level on Carbon Sequestration at a Sub-tropical Peat Marsh

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sumner, D.; Hinkle, C.; Li, J.

2012-12-01

The impact of water level on sub-tropical peat marsh atmospheric/landscape carbon exchange was explored through eddy-covariance measurement of carbon dioxide and methane fluxes over a site at Blue Cypress Conservation Area in Florida. This site is vegetated with tall, dense sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) and a thick accumulation of peat (over 3 m) suggesting a historically high primary productivity and carbon sequestration. Water managers are particularly interested in understanding how water-level controls can be directed to maintain topography through avoidance of excessive drought-induced oxidative losses of peat soil, as well as to minimize releases of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Comparison of net ecosystem productivity (NEP) during a wet year of continuous inundation and a drier year with a 9-month hydroperiod (NEP of 710 and 180 g C/m2/yr, respectively) suggests the positive impact of inundation on sequestration of carbon dioxide. These results are counter to previous research in short stature (1 m or less) sawgrass marshes in the Florida Everglades which indicate suppression of productivity during inundation. This seeming contradiction is probably best explained by the tall stature (over 2 m) of sawgrass at the study site in which inundation still does not cover a substantial fraction of the green leaves and the lower canopy is largely composed of brown and decaying leaves. Gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) was suppressed during the dry year (GEP = 1380 and 1030 g C/m2/yr for wet and dry years, respectively), probably as a consequence of canopy moisture stress. Respiration (R) was enhanced the year when water levels were farthest below land surface (R = 670 and 850 g C/m2/yr for wet and dry years, respectively) as a result of soil oxidation. GEP remained suppressed during the dry year even after re-flooding, probably because of relatively low photosynthetic leaf area that was the legacy of reduced canopy growth rates during the drought. Over a seven-month measurement period spanning a dry-to-inundated transition in the marsh, methane flux was negligible during non-inundated periods, but was substantial (averaging 80 g C/m2/yr) during wet periods. The results of this study suggest that water level is a critical control on atmospheric carbon exchanges at this peat marsh with implications for water management and strategic planning under potentially drier conditions that might occur in response to climate change.

Impact of Water Level on Carbon Sequestration at a Sub-tropical Peat Marsh

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sumner, D.; Hinkle, C.; Graham, S.; Li, J.

2013-12-01

The impact of water level on sub-tropical peat marsh atmospheric/landscape carbon exchange was explored through eddy-covariance measurement of carbon dioxide and methane fluxes over a site at Blue Cypress Conservation Area in Florida. This site is vegetated with tall, dense sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) and a thick accumulation of peat (over 3 m) suggesting a historically high primary productivity and carbon sequestration. Water managers are particularly interested in understanding how water-level controls can be directed to maintain topography through avoidance of excessive drought-induced oxidative losses of peat soil, as well as to minimize releases of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Comparison of net ecosystem productivity (NEP) during a wet year of continuous inundation and a drier year with a 9-month hydroperiod (NEP of 710 and 180 g C/m2/yr, respectively) suggests the positive impact of inundation on sequestration of carbon dioxide. These results are counter to previous research in short stature (1 m or less) sawgrass marshes in the Florida Everglades which indicate suppression of productivity during inundation. This seeming contradiction is probably best explained by the tall stature (over 2 m) of sawgrass at the study site in which inundation still does not cover a substantial fraction of the green leaves and the lower canopy is largely composed of brown and decaying leaves. Gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) was suppressed during the dry year (GEP = 1380 and 1030 g C/m2/yr for wet and dry years, respectively), probably as a consequence of canopy moisture stress. Respiration (R) was enhanced the year when water levels were farthest below land surface (R = 670 and 850 g C/m2/yr for wet and dry years, respectively) as a result of soil oxidation. GEP remained suppressed during the dry year even after re-flooding, probably because of relatively low photosynthetic leaf area that was the legacy of reduced canopy growth rates during the drought. Over a seven-month measurement period spanning a dry-to-inundated transition in the marsh, methane flux was negligible during non-inundated periods, but was substantial (averaging 80 g C/m2/yr) during wet periods. The results of this study suggest that water level is a critical control on atmospheric carbon exchanges at this peat marsh with implications for water management and strategic planning under potentially drier conditions that might occur in response to climate change.

Steps in Solution Growth: Revised Gibbs-Thomson Law, Turbulence and Morphological Stability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chernov, A. A.; Rashkovich, L. N.; Vekilov, P. G.

2004-01-01

Two groups of new phenomena revealed by AFM and high resolution optical interferometry on crystal faces growing from solutions will be discussed. 1. Spacing between strongly polygonized spiral steps with low less than 10(exp -2) kink density on lysozyme and K- biphtalate do not follow the Burton-cabrera-Frank theory. The critical length of the yet immobile first Short step segment adjacent to a pinning defect (dislocation, stacking fault) is many times longer than that following from the step free energy. The low-kink density steps are typical of many growth conditions and materials, including low temperature gas phase epitaxy and MBE. 2. The step bunching pattern on the approx. 1 cm long { 110) KDP face growing from the turbulent solution flow (Re (triple bonds) 10(exp 4), solution flow rate approx. 1 m/s) suggests that the step bunch height does not increase infinitely as the bunch path on the crystal face rises, as is usually observed on large KDP crystals. The mechanism controlling the maximal bunch width and height is based on the drag of the solution depleted by the step bunch down thc solution stream. It includes splitting, coagulation and interlacing of bunches

Observation of layered antiferromagnetism in self-assembled parallel NiSi nanowire arrays on Si(110) by spin-polarized scanning tunneling spectromicroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hong, Ie-Hong; Hsu, Hsin-Zan

2018-03-01

The layered antiferromagnetism of parallel nanowire (NW) arrays self-assembled on Si(110) have been observed at room temperature by direct imaging of both the topographies and magnetic domains using spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (SP-STM/STS). The topographic STM images reveal that the self-assembled unidirectional and parallel NiSi NWs grow into the Si(110) substrate along the [\\bar{1}10] direction (i.e. the endotaxial growth) and exhibit multiple-layer growth. The spatially-resolved SP-STS maps show that these parallel NiSi NWs of different heights produce two opposite magnetic domains, depending on the heights of either even or odd layers in the layer stack of the NiSi NWs. This layer-wise antiferromagnetic structure can be attributed to an antiferromagnetic interlayer exchange coupling between the adjacent layers in the multiple-layer NiSi NW with a B2 (CsCl-type) crystal structure. Such an endotaxial heterostructure of parallel magnetic NiSi NW arrays with a layered antiferromagnetic ordering in Si(110) provides a new and important perspective for the development of novel Si-based spintronic nanodevices.

Laser annealed in-situ P-doped Ge for on-chip laser source applications (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Srinivasan, Ashwyn; Pantouvaki, Marianna; Shimura, Yosuke; Porret, Clement; Van Deun, Rik; Loo, Roger; Van Thourhout, Dries; Van Campenhout, Joris

2016-05-01

Realization of a monolithically integrated on-chip laser source remains the holy-grail of Silicon Photonics. Germanium (Ge) is a promising semiconductor for lasing applications when highly doped with Phosphorous (P) and or alloyed with Sn [1, 2]. P doping makes Ge a pseudo-direct band gap material and the emitted wavelengths are compatible with fiber-optic communication applications. However, in-situ P doping with Ge2H6 precursor allows a maximum active P concentration of 6×1019 cm-3 [3]. Even with such active P levels, n++ Ge is still an indirect band gap material and could result in very high threshold current densities. In this work, we demonstrate P-doped Ge layers with active n-type doping beyond 1020 cm-3, grown using Ge2H6 and PH3 and subsequently laser annealed, targeting power-efficient on-chip laser sources. The use of Ge2H6 precursors during the growth of P-doped Ge increases the active P concentration level to a record fully activated concentration of 1.3×1020 cm-3 when laser annealed with a fluence of 1.2 J/cm2. The material stack consisted of 200 nm thick P-doped Ge grown on an annealed 1 µm Ge buffer on Si. Ge:P epitaxy was performed with PH3 and Ge2H6 at 320oC. Low temperature growth enable Ge:P epitaxy far from thermodynamic equilibrium, resulting in an enhanced incorporation of P atoms [3]. At such high active P concentration, the n++ Ge layer is expected to be a pseudo-direct band gap material. The photoluminescence (PL) intensities for layers with highest active P concentration show an enhancement of 18× when compared to undoped Ge grown on Si as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The layers were optically pumped with a 640 nm laser and an incident intensity of 410 mW/cm2. The PL was measured with a NIR spectrometer with a Hamamatsu R5509-72 NIR photomultiplier tube detector whose detectivity drops at 1620 nm. Due to high active P concentration, we expect band gap narrowing phenomena to push the PL peak to wavelengths beyond the detection limit (1620nm) of the setup. Therefore, the 18× enhancement is a lower limit estimation. In this contribution, an extensive study of laser annealing conditions and their impact on material properties will be discussed. A major concern in using highly doped Ge as an active medium is the increase in free-carrier absorption (FCA). However, results reported in [4] suggest that FCA is significantly dominated by holes due to larger absorption cross-section of holes compared to electrons. The FCA results in [4] and JDOS modeling were used to calculate the gain spectrum for the highest doped Ge samples, including the typical 0.25% biaxial tensile strain of epitaxial Ge on Si. A carrier lifetime of 3 ns is required as shown in Fig. 3 for a target threshold current density of sub-20 kA/cm2 which represents at least tenfold reduction when compared to active P-doping level of 6×1019 cm-3. As a result, laser annealed highly doped Ge layers grown with Ge2H6 precursors are a promising approach for realizing a power efficient on-chip Ge laser source.

The Atchafalaya River Delta. Report 10. Wave Hindcasts. Appendix C.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-03-01

8217 " .1 Trl I: A,: FlPIc;D BF DJPECTION HEIO"HT(FT .. CH T" I TOTAL , 0.1, , 31 1. - 4.5- O ,+ . ’ 4 .q 𔃾.4 LC!;GEP 0. - 0."𔃾 0 0.25- 0.’. 1107 0.50 . -1...144 48 192 1.75 -199 o.• 2.00 - 2.24 0 2.25-2.49 . . . . . . . . . .0 2.5n -GREATER c00 74 6 3.6 TOTAL 0 6 7845 866 33; 46 0 . AVERAGE HS(FT) 0 .64

A Demonstration of HEFA SPK/JP-8 Fuel Blend at the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-10-01

Interim Report TFLRF No. 400 Evaluation of the Fuel Effects of Synthetic JP-8 Blends on the 6.5L Turbo Diesel V8 from General Engine Products (GEP) Using...on the biofuel did indicate they noticed some differences in comparison to the diesel fuel they normally use. These differences were expected since...the biofuel blend is a drop-in replacement for JP-8 (jet) fuel rather than diesel fuel. Military Impact The U.S. Military will be prepared to

Design and Implementation of an Operations Module for the ARGOS paperless Ship System

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-06-01

A. OPERATIONS STACK SCRIPTS SCRIPTS FOR STACK: operations * BACKGROUND #1: Operations * on openStack hide message box show menuBar pass openStack end... openStack ** CARD #1, BUTTON #1: Up ***** on mouseUp visual effect zoom out go to card id 10931 of stack argos end mouseUp ** CARD #1, BUTTON #2...STACK SCRIPTS SCRIPTS FOR STACK: Reports ** BACKGROUND #1: Operations * on openStack hie message box show menuBar pass openStack end openStack ** CARD #1

Atomic force microscopy study on crystal growth of Cu 2+-doped L-arginine phosphate monohydrate crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geng, Y. L.; Xu, D.; Wang, Y. L.; Du, W.; Liu, H. Y.; Zhang, G. H.; Wang, X. Q.; Sun, D. L.

2005-01-01

Sub-steps and defects of the {1 0 0} planes of Cu 2+-doped L-arginine phosphate monohydrate (LAP) crystals are observed by atomic force microscopy. Formation of sub-steps is not due to the stacking faults but a result of single LAP: Cu 2+ molecule acting as growth unit. Two-dimensional (2D) nuclei with the same height as sub-steps occur on the step-edges. Impurities of Cu 2+ ions cause steps bunch and macrosteps formation. Liquid inclusions in the form of long channels form when the macrosteps lose their stability. Numerous small 3D growth hillocks are found in the channels. The extra stress induced by the 3D islands can result in dislocations and steps mismatches.

Cu Pillar Low Temperature Bonding and Interconnection Technology of for 3D RF Microsystem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, G. X.; Qian, K. Q.; Huang, M.; Yu, Y. W.; Zhu, J.

2018-03-01

In this paper 3D interconnects technologies used Cu pillars are discussed with respect to RF microsystem. While 2.5D Si interposer and 3D packaging seem to rely to cu pillars for the coming years, RF microsystem used the heterogeneous chip such as GaAs integration with Si interposers should be at low temperature. The pillars were constituted by Cu (2 micron) -Ni (2 micron) -Cu (3 micron) -Sn (1 micron) multilayer metal and total height is 8 micron on the front-side of the wafer by using electroplating. The wafer backside Cu pillar is obtained by temporary bonding, thinning and silicon surface etching. The RF interposers are stacked by Cu-Sn eutectic bonding at 260 °C. Analyzed the reliability of different pillar bonding structure.

Volumetric Imaging and Characterization of Focusing Waveguide Grating Couplers

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

Katzenmeyer, Aaron Michael; McGuinness, Hayden James Evans; Starbuck, Andrew Lea

Volumetric imaging of focusing waveguide grating coupler emission with high spatial resolution in the visible (λ = 637.3 nm) is demonstrated using a scanning near-field optical microscope with long z-axis travel range. Stacks of 2-D images recorded at fixed distance from the device are compiled to yield 3-D visualization of the light emission pattern and enable extraction of parameters, such as spot size, angle of emission, and focal height. Measurements of such parameters are not prevalent in the literature yet are necessary for efficacious design and integration. As a result, it is observed that finite-difference time-domain simulations based on fabricationmore » layout files do not perfectly predict in-hand device behavior, underscoring the merit of experimental validation, particularly for critical application.« less

First-cut design of an all-superconducting 100-T direct current magnet

PubMed Central

Iwasa, Yukikazu; Hahn, Seungyong

2013-01-01

A 100-T magnetic field has heretofore been available only in pulse mode. This first-cut design demonstrates that a 100-T DC magnet (100 T) is possible. We base our design on: Gadolinium-based coated superconductor; a nested-coil formation, each a stack of double-pancake coils with the no-insulation technique; a band of high-strength steel over each coil; and a 12-T radial-field limit. The 100 T, a 20 mm cold bore, 6-m diameter, 17-m height, with a total of 12 500-km long superconductor, stores an energy of 122 GJ at its 4.2-K operating current of 2400 A. It requires a 4.2-K cooling power of 300 W. PMID:24399859

First-cut design of an all-superconducting 100-T direct current magnet.

PubMed

Iwasa, Yukikazu; Hahn, Seungyong

2013-12-16

A 100-T magnetic field has heretofore been available only in pulse mode. This first-cut design demonstrates that a 100-T DC magnet (100 T) is possible. We base our design on: Gadolinium-based coated superconductor; a nested-coil formation, each a stack of double-pancake coils with the no-insulation technique; a band of high-strength steel over each coil; and a 12-T radial-field limit. The 100 T, a 20 mm cold bore, 6-m diameter, 17-m height, with a total of 12 500-km long superconductor, stores an energy of 122 GJ at its 4.2-K operating current of 2400 A. It requires a 4.2-K cooling power of 300 W.

Volumetric Imaging and Characterization of Focusing Waveguide Grating Couplers

DOE PAGES

Katzenmeyer, Aaron Michael; McGuinness, Hayden James Evans; Starbuck, Andrew Lea; ...

2017-08-29

Volumetric imaging of focusing waveguide grating coupler emission with high spatial resolution in the visible (λ = 637.3 nm) is demonstrated using a scanning near-field optical microscope with long z-axis travel range. Stacks of 2-D images recorded at fixed distance from the device are compiled to yield 3-D visualization of the light emission pattern and enable extraction of parameters, such as spot size, angle of emission, and focal height. Measurements of such parameters are not prevalent in the literature yet are necessary for efficacious design and integration. As a result, it is observed that finite-difference time-domain simulations based on fabricationmore » layout files do not perfectly predict in-hand device behavior, underscoring the merit of experimental validation, particularly for critical application.« less

Production summary for extended barrel module fabrication at Argonne for the ATLAS tile calorimeter.

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

Guarino, V.; Hill, N.; Petereit, E.

The Tile Calorimeter is one of the main hadronic calorimeters to be used in the ATLAS experiment at CERN [1,2]. It is a steel/scintillator sampling calorimeter which is built by stacking 64 segments in azimuth and 3 separate cylinders to provide a total structure whose length is approximately 12m and whose diameter is a little over 8.4m. It has a total weight of about 2630 metric tons. Important features of this calorimeter are: A minimum gap (1.5mm) between modules in azimuth; Pockets in the structure to hold the scintillator tiles; Recessed channels at the edges of the module into whichmore » the readout fibers will sit; and Holes in the structure through which a radioactive source will pass. The mechanical structure for one of the 3 calorimeter sections, the Extended Barrel (EBA) was constructed at Argonne. A schematic of the calorimeter sampling structure and the layout of one of the 64 segments, termed a module, are shown in figure 1. Each module comprises mechanically of a precision machined, structural girder to which 10 submodules are bolted. One of these submodules, the ITC, has a customized shape to accommodate services for other detector elements. Each submodule weighs 850Kg and the assembled mechanical structure of the module weighs approximately 9000Kg (a fully instrumented Extended Barrel modules weighs {approx}9600Kg). A crucial issue for the tile calorimeter assembly is the minimization of the un-instrumented gap between modules when they are stacked on top of each other during final assembly. The design goal was originally 1mm gap which was eventually relaxed to 1.5mm following a careful evaluation of all tolerances in the construction and assembly process as shown in figure 2 [3]. Submodules for this assembly were produced at 4 locations [4] using tooling and procedures which were largely identical [5]. An important issue was the height of each submodule on the stacking fixture on which they were fabricated as this defines the length along the girder for installation, with a design gap between submodules on the girder of 0.3mm. During production we relaxed this tolerance to +0.3, -1.5mm. The height summary for submodules used at Argonne is shown in Appendix I. About 10 submodules fell outside the positive height envelope (due to the raw plate thickness being out of specification) and we constructed some custom short submodules to allow their use in module assembly. The structural girders were produced commercially following the Quality Control plan agreed to with the Tile Calorimeter collaboration and shipped to Argonne. The crucial tolerances on the girder are the key into which submodules are placed as well as the flatness of the key surface which are used in aligning submodules such that the azimuthal surface lies wholly an envelope of +0.75mm from nominal [6]. Another important characteristic of the girder are clearance holes through which the wavelength shift fibers pass to couple the light to photomultipliers located inside the girder, as described in [2]. Since these fiber bundles must be located to high precision, rather than position the holes in the steel to this precision, tooling was developed by which the precision pieces are glued into the girder [7]. This is shown in figure 3. More details on the pieces used to accomplish this interface to the readout electronics are discussed in [2].« less

Degradation Mechanisms at the Li10GeP2S12/LiCoO2 Cathode Interface in an All-Solid-State Lithium-Ion Battery.

PubMed

Zhang, Wenbo; Richter, Felix H; Culver, Sean P; Leichtweiss, Thomas; Lozano, Juan G; Dietrich, Christian; Bruce, Peter G; Zeier, Wolfgang G; Janek, Jürgen

2018-06-20

All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) show great potential for providing high power and energy densities with enhanced battery safety. While new solid electrolytes (SEs) have been developed with high enough ionic conductivities, SSBs with long operational life are still rarely reported. Therefore, on the way to high-performance and long-life ASSBs, a better understanding of the complex degradation mechanisms, occurring at the electrode/electrolyte interfaces is pivotal. While the lithium metal/solid electrolyte interface is receiving considerable attention due to the quest for high energy density, the interface between the active material and solid electrolyte particles within the composite cathode is arguably the most difficult to solve and study. In this work, multiple characterization methods are combined to better understand the processes that occur at the LiCoO 2 cathode and the Li 10 GeP 2 S 12 solid electrolyte interface. Indium and Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 are used as anode materials to avoid the instability problems associated with Li-metal anodes. Capacity fading and increased impedances are observed during long-term cycling. Postmortem analysis with scanning transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy show that electrochemically driven mechanical failure and degradation at the cathode/solid electrolyte interface contribute to the increase in internal resistance and the resulting capacity fading. These results suggest that the development of electrochemically more stable SEs and the engineering of cathode/SE interfaces are crucial for achieving reliable SSB performance.

Event-based stormwater management pond runoff temperature model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sabouri, F.; Gharabaghi, B.; Sattar, A. M. A.; Thompson, A. M.

2016-09-01

Stormwater management wet ponds are generally very shallow and hence can significantly increase (about 5.4 °C on average in this study) runoff temperatures in summer months, which adversely affects receiving urban stream ecosystems. This study uses gene expression programming (GEP) and artificial neural networks (ANN) modeling techniques to advance our knowledge of the key factors governing thermal enrichment effects of stormwater ponds. The models developed in this study build upon and compliment the ANN model developed by Sabouri et al. (2013) that predicts the catchment event mean runoff temperature entering the pond as a function of event climatic and catchment characteristic parameters. The key factors that control pond outlet runoff temperature, include: (1) Upland Catchment Parameters (catchment drainage area and event mean runoff temperature inflow to the pond); (2) Climatic Parameters (rainfall depth, event mean air temperature, and pond initial water temperature); and (3) Pond Design Parameters (pond length-to-width ratio, pond surface area, pond average depth, and pond outlet depth). We used monitoring data for three summers from 2009 to 2011 in four stormwater management ponds, located in the cities of Guelph and Kitchener, Ontario, Canada to develop the models. The prediction uncertainties of the developed ANN and GEP models for the case study sites are around 0.4% and 1.7% of the median value. Sensitivity analysis of the trained models indicates that the thermal enrichment of the pond outlet runoff is inversely proportional to pond length-to-width ratio, pond outlet depth, and directly proportional to event runoff volume, event mean pond inflow runoff temperature, and pond initial water temperature.

Spatially explicit simulation of peatland hydrology and carbon dioxide exchange: Influence of mesoscale topography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sonnentag, O.; Chen, J. M.; Roulet, N. T.; Ju, W.; Govind, A.

2008-06-01

Carbon dynamics in peatlands are controlled, in large part, by their wetness as defined by water table depth and volumetric liquid soil moisture content. A common type of peatland is raised bogs that typically have a multiple-layer canopy of vascular plants over a Sphagnum moss ground cover. Their convex form restricts water supply to precipitation and water is shed toward the margins, usually by lateral subsurface flow. The hydraulic gradient for lateral subsurface flow is governed by the peat surface topography at the mesoscale (˜200 m to 5 km). To investigate the influence of mesoscale topography on wetness, evapotranspiration (ET), and gross primary productivity (GPP) in a bog during the snow-free period, we compare the outputs of a further developed version of the daily Boreal Ecosystem Productivity Simulator (BEPS) with observations made at the Mer Bleue peatland, located near Ottawa, Canada. Explicitly considering mesoscale topography, simulated total ET and GPP correlate well with measured ET (r = 0.91) and derived gross ecosystem productivity (GEP; r = 0.92). Both measured ET and derived GEP are simulated similarly well when mesoscale topography is neglected, but daily simulated values are systematically underestimated by about 10% and 12% on average, respectively, due to greater wetness resulting from the lack of lateral subsurface flow. Owing to the differences in moss surface conductances of water vapor and carbon dioxide with increasing moss water content, the differences in the spatial patterns of simulated total ET and GPP are controlled by the mesotopographic position of the moss ground cover.

Inter- and under-canopy soil water, leaf-level and whole-plant gas exchange dynamics of a semi-arid perennial C4 grass.

PubMed

Hamerlynck, Erik P; Scott, Russell L; Susan Moran, M; Schwander, Andrea M; Connor, Erin; Huxman, Travis E

2011-01-01

It is not clear if tree canopies in savanna ecosystems exert positive or negative effects on soil moisture, and how these might affect understory plant carbon balance. To address this, we quantified rooting-zone volumetric soil moisture (θ(25 cm)), plant size, leaf-level and whole-plant gas exchange of the bunchgrass, bush muhly (Muhlenbergia porteri), growing under and between mesquite (Prosopis velutina) in a southwestern US savanna. Across two contrasting monsoon seasons, bare soil θ(25 cm) was 1.0-2.5% lower in understory than in the intercanopy, and was consistently higher than in soils under grasses, where θ(25 cm) was similar between locations. Understory plants had smaller canopy areas and volumes with larger basal diameters than intercanopy plants. During an above-average monsoon, intercanopy and understory plants had similar seasonal light-saturated leaf-level photosynthesis (A(net-sat)), stomatal conductance (g(s-sat)), and whole-plant aboveground respiration (R(auto)), but with higher whole-plant photosynthesis (GEP(plant)) and transpiration (T(plant)) in intercanopy plants. During a below-average monsoon, intercanopy plants had higher diurnally integrated GEP(plant), R(auto), and T(plant). These findings showed little evidence of strong, direct positive canopy effects to soil moisture and attendant plant performance. Rather, it seems understory conditions foster competitive dominance by drought-tolerant species, and that positive and negative canopy effects on soil moisture and community and ecosystem processes depends on a suite of interacting biotic and abiotic factors.

The impact of stack geometry and mean pressure on cold end temperature of stack in thermoacoustic refrigeration systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wantha, Channarong

2018-02-01

This paper reports on the experimental and simulation studies of the influence of stack geometries and different mean pressures on the cold end temperature of the stack in the thermoacoustic refrigeration system. The stack geometry was tested, including spiral stack, circular pore stack and pin array stack. The results of this study show that the mean pressure of the gas in the system has a significant impact on the cold end temperature of the stack. The mean pressure of the gas in the system corresponds to thermal penetration depth, which results in a better cold end temperature of the stack. The results also show that the cold end temperature of the pin array stack decreases more than that of the spiral stack and circular pore stack geometry by approximately 63% and 70%, respectively. In addition, the thermal area and viscous area of the stack are analyzed to explain the results of such temperatures of thermoacoustic stacks.

Potential barrier heights at metal on oxygen-terminated diamond interfaces

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

Muret, P., E-mail: pierre.muret@neel.cnrs.fr; Traoré, A.; Maréchal, A.

2015-11-28

Electrical properties of metal-semiconductor (M/SC) and metal/oxide/SC structures built with Zr or ZrO{sub 2} deposited on oxygen-terminated surfaces of (001)-oriented diamond films, comprised of a stack of lightly p-doped diamond on a heavily doped layer itself homoepitaxially grown on an Ib substrate, are investigated experimentally and compared to different models. In Schottky barrier diodes, the interfacial oxide layer evidenced by high resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron energy losses spectroscopy before and after annealing, and barrier height inhomogeneities accounts for the measured electrical characteristics until flat bands are reached, in accordance with a model which generalizes that by Tung [Phys.more » Rev. B 45, 13509 (1992)] and permits to extract physically meaningful parameters of the three kinds of interface: (a) unannealed ones, (b) annealed at 350 °C, (c) annealed at 450 °C with the characteristic barrier heights of 2.2–2.5 V in case (a) while as low as 0.96 V in case (c). Possible models of potential barriers for several metals deposited on well defined oxygen-terminated diamond surfaces are discussed and compared to experimental data. It is concluded that interface dipoles of several kinds present at these compound interfaces and their chemical evolution due to annealing are the suitable ingredients that are able to account for the Mott-Schottky behavior when the effect of the metal work function is ignored, and to justify the reverted slope observed regarding metal work function, in contrast to the trend always reported for all other metal-semiconductor interfaces.« less

Model studies of surface noise interference in ground-probing radar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arcone, S. A.; Delaney, A. J.

1985-11-01

Ground-probing radar can be an effective tool for exploring the top 10 to 20 m of ground, especially in cold regions where the freezing of water decreases signal absorption. However, the large electrical variability of the surface, combined with the short wavelengths used, can often cause severe ground clutter that can mask a desired, deeper return. In this study a model facility was constructed consisting of a metallic reflector covered by sand. Troughs of saturated sand were emplaced at the surface to carry surface electrical properties and to act as a noise source to interfere with the bottom reflections. Antenna polarization and height, and signal stacking in both static (antennas stationary) and dynamic (antennas moving) modes were then investigated as methods for reducing the surface clutter. Polarization parallel to the profile direction (perpendicular to the troughs' axes) gave profiles superior to the perpendicular case because of the dimensional sensitivity of the antenna radiation. Dynamic stacking greatly improved the signal-to-noise ratio because noise sources were averaged as the antennas moved, while the desired reflector, buried at constant depth, was enhanced. Raising the antennas above the surface also reduced noise because the surface area over which reflections were integrated increased. All three noise reduction techniques could be effective in surveys for reflectors at nearly constant depth such as groundwater tables or ice/water interfaces.

Novel First-Level Interconnect Techniques for Flip Chip on MEMS Devices

PubMed Central

Sutanto, Jemmy; Anand, Sindhu; Patel, Chetan; Muthuswamy, Jit

2013-01-01

Flip-chip packaging is desirable for microelectro-mechanical systems (MEMS) devices because it reduces the overall package size and allows scaling up the number of MEMS chips through 3-D stacks. In this report, we demonstrate three novel techniques to create first-level interconnect (FLI) on MEMS: 1) Dip and attach technology for Ag epoxy; 2) Dispense technology for solder paste; 3) Dispense, pull, and attach technology (DPAT) for solder paste. The above techniques required no additional microfabrication steps, produced no visible surface contamination on the MEMS active structures, and generated high-aspect-ratio interconnects. The developed FLIs were successfully tested on MEMS moveable microelectrodes microfabricated by SUMMiTVTM process producing no apparent detrimental effect due to outgassing. The bumping processes were successfully applied on Al-deposited bond pads of 100 μm × 100 μm with an average bump height of 101.3 μm for Ag and 184.8 μm for solder (63Sn, 37Pb). DPAT for solder paste produced bumps with the aspect ratio of 1.8 or more. The average shear strengths of Ag and solder bumps were 78 MPa and 689 kPa, respectively. The electrical test on Ag bumps at 794 A/cm2 demonstrated reliable electrical interconnects with negligible resistance. These scalable FLI technologies are potentially useful for MEMS flip-chip packaging and 3-D stacking. PMID:24504168

Performance of 177Lu-DOTATATE-based peptide receptor radionuclide therapy in metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor: a multiparametric response evaluation correlating with primary tumor site, tumor proliferation index, and dual tracer imaging characteristics.

PubMed

Thapa, Pradeep; Ranade, Rohit; Ostwal, Vikas; Shrikhande, Shailesh V; Goel, Mahesh; Basu, Sandip

2016-10-01

To assess the performance of Lu-DOTATATE peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) in metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (GEP-NET) and correlate it with primary tumor site, tumor proliferation index, and dual tracer imaging characteristics. Fifty patients (M : F 33 : 17, age: 26-71 years) with histopathologically confirmed metastatic/inoperable NETs who had undergone at least three cycles of PRRT with Lu-DOTATATE were included in the analysis. As part of the pretreatment evaluation, they underwent either Tc-HYNIC TOC (n=40)/Ga-DOTATATE PET (n=10) or fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) PET-computed tomography (CT). Response was assessed after three and five cycles PRRT on the basis of three parameters: (a) symptomatic and subjective scale, (b) biochemical tumor marker level, and (c) objective imaging (F-FDG/Ga DOTATATE PET/CT, Tc-HYNIC TOC, ceCT), and was categorized using predefined criteria (detailed in methods). Stable disease on imaging assessment with response on symptomatic or biochemical tumor marker scales or both were included in the responder group. The study population was broadly classified into (a) metastatic GEP-NET with known primary (n=43 i.e. 86%), which was further subclassified according to the site of primary and (b) those with unknown primary (n=7 i.e. 14%). Symptomatic response: 96% of patients showed a symptomatic response or improvement in health-related quality of life, irrespective of tumor proliferation index, dual tracer imaging characteristics, and response or progression of disease in the scan. Biochemical tumor marker response: 83% of scan responders showed a decrease, 10% showed a stable value, and 7% showed an increase in tumor marker levels. Among the scan nonresponders, 67% patients showed a corresponding increase in the tumor marker level, 22% patient showed a decrease, whereas 11% showed stable values. Scan response: 31 out of total 50 patients (62%) showed a partial scan response with either a decrease in the number of somatostatin receptor (SSTR)-positive lesions or metabolic activity in F-FDG/Ga-DOTATATE PET-CT or both, 10 patients (20%) showed stable disease, and nine patients (18%) showed progressive disease. The higher objective partial scan response documented can be explained by the introduction of the F-FDG-PET/CT parameter as a determinant criterion. Among the responders category (n=41), 32 (78.04%) showed discordance between F-FDG-PET/CT-based and SSTR-based imaging, whereas eight out of nine patients with nonresponse category (88.89%) showed concordance between SSTR-based imaging and F-FDG-PET/CT. Conversely, 32 of 33 patients (96.97%) with SSTR/F-FDG discordance and nine out of 17 (52.94%) with concordance were finally classified as responders, whereas the remaining, that is, 1/33 (3.03%) in the 'discordant' category and 8/17 (47.06%) with imaging concordance were classified as nonresponders, respectively. Our data show that high pretherapy F-FDG maximum standardized uptake values were associated with increased chances of treatment refractoriness in GEP-NETs. However, symptomatic improvement was observed in most cases irrespective of grade and F-FDG uptake. High pretherapy F-FDG maximum standardized uptake value in both low-grade and high-grade NET predicted a poor outcome and was associated with disease progression. Introduction of F-FDG-PET/CT parameter as a determinant of response classification increases the percentage of objective scan responders among patients with grades I and II GEP-NETs as F-FDG activity was observed to decrease before SSTR-based imaging and more frequently compared with the latter.

The importance of source configuration in quantifying footprints of regional atmospheric sulphur deposition.

PubMed

Vieno, M; Dore, A J; Bealey, W J; Stevenson, D S; Sutton, M A

2010-01-15

An atmospheric transport-chemistry model is applied to investigate the effects of source configuration in simulating regional sulphur deposition footprints from elevated point sources. Dry and wet depositions of sulphur are calculated for each of the 69 largest point sources in the UK. Deposition contributions for each point source are calculated for 2003, as well as for a 2010 emissions scenario. The 2010 emissions scenario has been chosen to simulate the Gothenburg protocol emission scenario. Point source location is found to be a major driver of the dry/wet deposition ratio for each deposition footprint, with increased precipitation scavenging of SO(x) in hill areas resulting in a larger fraction of the emitted sulphur being deposited within the UK for sources located near these areas. This reduces exported transboundary pollution, but, associated with the occurrence of sensitive soils in hill areas, increases the domestic threat of soil acidification. The simulation of plume rise using individual stack parameters for each point source demonstrates a high sensitivity of SO(2) surface concentration to effective source height. This emphasises the importance of using site-specific information for each major stack, which is rarely included in regional atmospheric pollution models, due to the difficulty in obtaining the required input data. The simulations quantify how the fraction of emitted SO(x) exported from the UK increases with source magnitude, effective source height and easterly location. The modelled reduction in SO(x) emissions, between 2003 and 2010 resulted in a smaller fraction being exported, with the result that the reductions in SO(x) deposition to the UK are less than proportionate to the emission reduction. This non-linearity is associated with a relatively larger fraction of the SO(2) being converted to sulphate aerosol for the 2010 scenario, in the presence of ammonia. The effect results in less-than-proportional UK benefits of reducing in SO(2) emissions, together with greater-than-proportional benefits in reducing export of UK SO(2) emissions. Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

PRANC: Program for Analyzing Nonlinear Circuits.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-05-01

NAMES: so2 9 C ALL VARIlABLE NAMIES AND ARRAYS AS DEFINED IN SUB-PROGRAM *92P s0 204 c * zot. . Gzp 100 C * CZp 110 C****~*******.****.********a...G2P 120 c GZP 130 COMPLEX CHAT(M?.I),E TCS1),X(iS1),EUALS(l) GZP 140 DIMENSION NPORT(.1). EM:AT(M.1) CZP 150 COMMON /ENOS/ NCOP...IvJ) GZP 240 104 CONTINUE- CZP 250 RE -1 URN GEP 260 C, G-P 270 10S FORMAT (1H1,29HOPEN CIRCUIT IMPEDANCE MATRIX) G.Zp 280 103 FORNIAT (lX,2H3-(#,4

Caterpillar C7 and GEP 6.5L (T) Fuel System Durability Using 25% ATJ Fuel Blend

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-02-01

loss. Its most likely that this degradation was caused by some sort of engine controller or sensor issue that existed on the engine being evaluated...Some investigation was conducted into the engine controller/harness/ sensors , but ultimately it was determined that the time and cost to fully...Abs./cm) E168 FTNG 0.0 5.0 13.7 18.4 31.6 59.5 100.7 Nitration (Abs./cm) E168 FTNG 0.0 10.3 16.7 19.5 31.5 45.3 48.6 Soot Soot 0.2